The new female condom (FC2) in Uganda: perceptions and experiences of users and their sexual partners

The new version of the female condom (FC2) was introduced in Uganda in October 2009, following an unsuccessful female condom programme begun in 1998. The failure of the earlier programme was partly attributed to low acceptance of the first type of female condom (FC1). We evaluated the acceptability of FC2 and the experiences of users and their sexual partners. This was a qualitative cross-sectional evaluation. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews with FC2 users (8 women and 8 male partners). We also conducted eight focus group discussions with women who used FC2, and 22 key informant interviews with service providers. All the female users appreciated FC2 as a tool to empower them to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. They liked FC2 because it has no smell, is not noisy, and does not rupture easily. The men also liked FC2 because of its soft texture and lubrication. Some women found FC2 insertion cumbersome, while others feared that it would slip in on itself during sex. Concurrent use of male condoms with FC2 and the reuse of FC2 were also mentioned. Providers reported a high demand for FC2; their main challenges were inadequate supplies and distribution mechanisms. This evaluation shows generally high acceptance of FC2. The experiences of users and their partners were largely positive, although some fears and incorrect practices arose. FC2 should be added to the existing HIV/STI-prevention and family-planning options in Uganda and other countries, with sufficient training and support to ensure correct use.     

Polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans levels in piglet liver with various diseases

This study deals with the levels of toxic polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxin and furan congeners (PCDD/Fs) in the livers of piglets affected by infectious diseases using isotope dilution high‐resolution gas chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). Seventeen toxic congeners in the liver samples infected with bacterial and viral diseases were compared. For porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) samples, the North American‐ and European‐type PRRS diseases were observed. This study shows that there are significantly different levels of PCDD/Fs, present, which vary according to the types of diseases as evidenced by our analysis of the piglet liver samples.     

儿童变应性鼻炎中药临床试验设计与评价技术指南

《儿童变应性鼻炎中药临床试验设计与评价技术指南》为中华中医药学会标准化项目《儿科系列常见病中药临床试验设计与评价技术指南》之一。其目的是以临床价值为导向，在病证结合模式下，讨论具有变应性鼻炎、儿童和中药特点的临床定位、试验设计与实施等相关问题，为中药治疗儿童变应性鼻炎临床试验设计与评价提供思路和方法。制定过程中先后成立指南工作组、起草专家组和定稿专家组，采用文献研究和共识会议的方法，最终形成指南送审稿定稿。该《指南》的主要内容包括临床定位、试验总体设计、诊断标准与辨证标准、受试者的选择与退出、干预措施、有效性评价、安全性观察、试验流程、试验的质量控制9部分。希望其制定和发布，能为申办者或合同研究组织、研究者在中药治疗变应性鼻炎的临床试验设计，提供借鉴与参考。     

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: a review and update on therapeutic developments

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, cholestatic, idiopathic liver disease characterized by fibro-obliterative inflammation of the hepatic bile ducts. In a clinically significant proportion of patients, PSC progresses to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and in some cases, cholangiocarcinoma. Despite clinical trials of nearly 20 different pharmacotherapies over several decades, safe and effective medical therapy, albeit critically needed, remains to be established. PSC is pathogenically complex, with genetic, immune, enteric microbial, environmental and other factors being potentially involved and, thus, not surprisingly, it manifests as a clinically heterogeneous disease with a relatively unpredictable course. It is likely that this complexity and clinical heterogeneity are responsible for the negative results of clinical trials, but novel insights about and approaches to PSC may shift this trend. The authors herein provide a review of previously tested pharmacologic agents, discuss emerging fundamental concepts and present viewpoints regarding how identifying therapies for PSC may evolve over the next several years.     

支气管肺泡灌洗在小儿肺部疾病中的应用进展

支气管肺泡灌洗是用液体直接灌注，将支气管、肺泡内的分泌物、积滞物通过稀释、吸引迅速排除，起到了类似外科清创、引流排毒的作用，并以此缓解气道阻塞、改善呼吸功能、控制感染。该项技术在肺部疾病的诊断和治疗应用方面已成为主要手段之一。由于该项技术较为安全且相对无损伤，在肺科领域得到了较为广泛的应用，并日益受到临床的高度重视。该文对支气管肺泡灌洗术在小儿肺部疾病方面的临床应用研究进展进行了综述。     

RICU慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期下呼吸道病原菌分布及耐药性

目的 研究医院呼吸重症监护病房(RICU)慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重期(AECOPD)下呼吸道病原菌分布及耐药性,探讨机械通气与非机械通气AECOPD下呼吸道病原菌分布的差异.方法 收集医院RICU收治AECOPD患者的痰标本,对微生物病原学分离、鉴定和药物敏感试验结果进行分析.结果 病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,占71.77％,革兰阳性菌占11.76％,真菌占16.47％;亚胺培南、头孢哌酮/舒巴坦、哌拉西林/他唑巴坦及阿米卡星对革兰阴性菌的耐药率较低,产ESBLs肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希菌检出率分别为28.57％和65.38％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌对磺胺甲噁唑/甲氧苄啶、环丙沙星及头孢哌酮/舒巴坦保持高敏感性,未发现耐利奈唑胺、万古霉素及替考拉宁MRSA及MRCNS,机械通气的AECOPD患者的MASA感染率和混合培养比例显著高于未机械通气的患者(P＜0.01).绪论 RICU的AECOPD患者感染以假单胞菌属、不动杆菌属及肠杆菌科为主,病原菌耐药率高,应重视病原学检查.     

Cardiovascular Disease and Homelessness

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death among homeless adults, at rates that exceed those in nonhomeless individuals. A complex set of factors contributes to this disparity. In addition to a high prevalence of cigarette smoking and suboptimal control of traditional CVD risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes, a heavy burden of nontraditional psychosocial risk factors like chronic stress, depression, heavy alcohol use, and cocaine use may confer additional risk for adverse CVD outcomes beyond that predicted by conventional risk estimation methods. Poor health care access and logistical challenges to cardiac testing may lead to delays in presentation and diagnosis. The management of established CVD may be further challenged by barriers to medication adherence, communication, and timely follow-up. The authors present practical, patient-centered strategies for addressing these challenges, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and partnership with homeless-tailored clinical programs to improve CVD outcomes in this population.