Epidemiology of Cancers in Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Protocol for Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

While earlier studies on men having sex with men (MSM) tended to examine infection-related cancers, an increasing number of studies have been focusing on effects of sexual orientation on other cancers and social and cultural causes for cancer disparities. As a type of tertiary research, this umbrella review (UR) aims to synthesize findings from existing review studies on the effects of sexual orientation on cancer. Relevant peer-reviewed systematic reviews (SRs) will be identified without date or language restrictions using MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews, among others. The research team members will prepare the data extraction forms. Two reviewers will independently assess extracted SRs using the Assessment of Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews. A third reviewer will weigh in to resolve discrepancies. The reviewers will be blinded to publisher, journal, and authors, making their judgements on the title, year, and abstract. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis checklist will guide data synthesis. By collating evidence from multiple reviews into one accessible and usable document, our first UR on global epidemiology of malignancies among MSM would serve as an evidence-based decision-making tool for the public health community

Breast and cervical cancer screening practices in nine countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia : A population-based survey

Background: Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) countries have higher cervical and breast cancer mortality rates and later stage at diagnosis compared with the rest of WHO European Region. The aim was to explore current early detection practices including “dispensarization” for breast and cervix cancer in the region. Methods: A questionnaire survey on early detection practices for breast and cervix cancer was sent to collaborators in 11 countries, differentiating services in the primary health setting, and population-based programs. Responses were received from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation (Arkhangelsk, Samara and Tomsk regions), Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. Results: All countries but Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation had opportunistic screening by clinical breast exam within “dispensarization” program. Mammography screening programs, commonly starting from age 40, were introduced or piloted in eight of nine countries, organized at national oncology or screening centres in Armenia, Belarus and Georgia, and within primary care in others. Six countries had “dispensarization” program for cervix cancer, mostly starting from the age 18, with smears stained either by Romanowsky-Giemsa alone (Belarus, Tajikistan and Ukraine), or alternating with Papanicolaou (Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation). In parallel, screening programs using Papanicolaou or HPV test were introduced in seven countries and organized within primary care. Conclusion: Our study documents that parallel screening systems for both breast and cervix cancers, as well as departures from evidence-based practices are widespread across the EECA. Within the framework of the WHO Initiatives, existing opportunistic screening should be replaced by population-based programs that include quality assurance and control.Peer reviewe

Urogenital and anal chlamydia trachomatis and human papillomavirus infections: epidemiological, diagnostic and public health aspects

To reduce the burden of diseases caused by the leading worldwide bacterial (Chlamydia trachomatis) and viral (human papillomavirus, HPV) sexually transmitted infections (STI), better understanding of their natural history and epidemiology, optimal early detection and reliable diagnosis of the infectious agents are of great public health importance. This dissertation provides additional data on the prevalence and contributes to the improved clinical management of genital Chlamydia infections in Russia and worldwide, introduces prostate secretions as an informative sample material for the studies of STI epidemiology and describes the determinants of HPV presence in the anal canal of heterosexual men

Possibilities and limitations of titanium alloy additive manufacturing

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of an important, rapidly emerging, additive manufacturing technology. Paper deals with the literature review of the Medical and Aerospace application of Additive Manufacturing from Ti alloys and its benefits and limitations. The study also demonstrate and compare the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V samples produced by different technologies

Possibilities and limitations of titanium alloy additive manufacturing

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of an important, rapidly emerging, additive manufacturing technology. Paper deals with the literature review of the Medical and Aerospace application of Additive Manufacturing from Ti alloys and its benefits and limitations. The study also demonstrate and compare the mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V samples produced by different technologies

Experimental implementation of direct laser alloying

A laser beam, as a source of energy, has been lately widely used in additive technologies for the manufacture of parts for the power engineering industry. One of the promising methods of additive manufacturing based on laser overlay welding of metal wires is the so-called Laser Engineering Net Shape. This work studies the structure and mechanical properties of the sample manufactured using a direct laser alloying unit designed for 07X18H10T stainless steel grade alloying. The allocation map of chemical elements has been examined in this work