Hormonal contraceptive methods and risk of HIV acquisition in women : a systematic review of epidemiological evidence

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Male circumcision and HIV prevention: ethical, medical and public health tradeoffs in low-income countries

Ethical challenges surrounding the implementation of male circumcision as an HIV prevention strateg

Notes on two-parameter quantum groups, (II)

This paper is the sequel to [HP1] to study the deformed structures and representations of two-parameter quantum groups $U_{r,s}(\mathfrak{g})$ associated to the finite dimensional simple Lie algebras \mg. An equivalence of the braided tensor categories \O^{r,s} and \O^{q} is explicitly established.Comment: 21 page

Can the new CKD-EPI BTP-B2M formula be applied in children?

Although measuring creatinine to determine kidney function is currently the clinical standard, new markers such as beta-trace protein (BTP) and beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) are being investigated in an effort to measure glomerular filtration rate more accurately. In their recent publication, Inker et al. (Am J Kidney Dis 2015; 67:40–48) explored the use of these two relatively new markers in combination with some commonly available clinical characteristics in a large cohort of adults with chronic kidney disease. Their research led them to develop three formulae using BTP, B2M, and a combination of the two. The combined formula is particularly attractive as it removes all gender bias, which applies to both serum creatinine and cystatin C. Using data from a cohort of 127 pediatric patients from our center, we sought to determine whether these formulae would be equally as effective in children as in adults. Unfortunately, we found that the formulae cannot be applied to the pediatric population

An updated systematic review of epidemiological evidence on hormonal contraceptive methods and HIV acquisition in women

We are grateful to Sharon Achilles for her thoughtful input related to describing potential biological mechanisms, and to all study investigators who provided additional information about their analyses. WHO provided support for the writing of this systmatic review and for the writing group to attend a working meeting in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2015. D.J.W. was partially funded by NIH DP2-HD-08-4070. The review was conducted independently of the WHO guidance development process; and conclusions represent the independent opinions of the authors. The findings and conclusions in this article do not necessarily reflect the positions and policies of the donor. Role of authors: The World Health Organization (J.N.K. and P.S.S.) initiated the idea to conduct this systematic review update. C.B.P. led the conduct of the systematic review, including conducting the systematic literature search and drafting the manuscript. C.B.P., K.M.C., and P.C.H. screened titles, abstracts, and full-text manuscripts to determine study inclusion. S.J.P. conducted the statistical meta-analysis. All coauthors (C.B.P., K.M.C., P.C.H., S.J.P., T.C., J.N.K., D.J.W., and P.S.S.) participated in framing the study question, developing the quality criteria, abstracting study information and assessing study quality, interpreting the data, and contributing to the writing and editing of the manuscript. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions of the Guttmacher Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, or other institutions with which the authors are affiliated.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Reduction in diarrhoeal rates through interventions that prevent unnecessary antibiotic exposure early in life in an observational birth cohort

Antibiotic treatment early in life is often not needed and has been associated with increased rates of subsequent diarrhea. We estimated the impact of realistic interventions, which would prevent unnecessary antibiotic exposures before 6 months of age, on reducing childhood diarrheal rates

Postextubation pulmonary edema: A case series and review

SummaryWe report a series of patients with postextubation pulmonary edema who had no obvious risk factors for the development of this syndrome.MethodsPatients identified by the pulmonary consultation service at an academic medical center were reviewed.ResultsFourteen cases were collected and analyzed. The average age was 34.5 years; 12 patients were male. The average BMI was 25.5. None had documented previous lung disease. Most operations were scheduled as outpatient procedures, and the type of surgery ranged from an incision and drainage of a bite wound to an open reduction- internal fixation of the radius. None of the patients had upper airway surgery. The length of surgeries ranged from 27 to 335min. Laryngospasm was the most commonly identified obstructing event postextubation. Treatment involved airway support when needed, supplemental oxygen, and diuretics.ConclusionsIt would appear that all patients, especially young men, are at risk for the development of this syndrome and that the pathogenesis remains uncertain in many cases

Multiple Overimputation to Address Missing Data and Measurement Error: Application to HIV Treatment During Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes

Investigations of the association of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) with pregnancy outcomes often rely on routinely collected clinical data, which are prone to missing data and measurement error. Measurement error in gestational age may bias the relationship between combination ART and gestational age-based outcomes