Examining the contraceptive decisions of young,HIV-infected women: A qualitative study

This study qualitatively examined factors that influenced contraceptive choices in a sample of young, HIV-infected women. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted among 30 vertically and horizontally HIV-infected women (n = 26 African American) from the ages of 14 to 24 years (Mean age = 20.9 years). We recruited sample groups with the following characteristics: (a) current contraceptive/condom use with ≥1 child (n = 11); (b) current contraceptive/condom use with no children (n = 12); and (c) no current contraceptive/condom use with no children (n = 7). A semi-structured interview guide was used to ask participants about factors influencing past and current contraceptive choices. Individual interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim; analyses to identify core themes were informed by the Grounded Theoretical approach. Young, HIV-infected women did not identify their HIV serostatus or disease-related concerns as influential in their contraceptive decisions. However, they reported that recommendations from health-care providers and input from family and friends influenced their contraceptive choices. They also considered a particular method’s advantages (e.g., menstrual cycle improvements) and disadvantages (e.g., increased pill burden) when selecting a method. Findings suggested that HIV-infected young women’s contraceptive decisions were influenced by factors other than those related to their infection.     

Pseudoathetosis: report of three patients.

We report on 3 patients with pseudoathetosis, which are involuntary, slow, writhing movements due to loss of proprioception.     

Development of traumatic retinal detachment

Post-traumatic retinal detachment occurs frequently as a late consequence of progressive vitreous changes, especially following penetrating injuries. Occasionally, it develops soon after the trauma, without preceding proliferative vitreoretinopathy, is based on posterior vitreous detachment and morphologically resembles an idiopathic retinal detachment. It is possible that the posterior vitreous detachment in these cases is encouraged by the presence of intravitreal hemorrhage.     

A comparison of three varieties of noncemented porous-coated hip replacement

We reviewed 134 primary noncemented porous-coated total hip replacements in 125 patients: 64 were DePuy AML prostheses, 20 were Howmedica PCA and 50 were Implant Technology LSF. The prostheses had been in situ for an average of 36 months, 40 months and 24 months respectively. The average pre-operative Harris hip scores were 38.2 for AML, 33.2 for PCA, and 41.0 for the LSF prostheses. The average postoperative scores were 80.7 for AML, 83.8 for the PCA, and 91.5 for LSF. Thigh or groin pain associated with the prosthesis was present in 30% of AML, 30% PCA and 8% of the LSF cases. The clinical and radiographic review showed better early results with the LSF prostheses than the others; this seemed to be related to the implant design, which provided improved initial stability and more physiological transfer of load.     

Actions of ethnobotanically selected Cree anti-diabetic plants on human cytochrome P450 isoforms and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3

Aim of the study

Cree traditional medicine is commonly used concomitantly with prescribed drugs to treat health problems related to type II diabetes (T2D) that is endemic in the Cree population. However, the safety of traditional Cree medicines with respect to drug metabolism is unknown.

Materials and methods

Seventeen anti-diabetic plant extracts were screened for their potential inhibition of 11 isoforms of the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450s (CYPs), and flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in fluorometric plate reader assays. Comparative analyses were conducted to determine if particular extracts were more inhibitory, or if particular enzymes were more inhibited.

Results

Many anti-diabetic plant extracts inhibited the CYPs, with CYP2C and 3A isoforms being most prone to inhibition. The order of inhibition for the enzymes by the Cree plant extracts was: 2C19 > 3A7 > 3A5 > 3A4 > 2C9 > 2C8 > FMO3 > 1A2 > 2E1 > 19 > 2D6 > 2B6. Extracts from Rhododendron groenlandicum, Sorbus decora, and Kalmia angustifolia were identified as having strong inhibition towards many CYP isoforms.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that extracts from most plant species examined have the potential to affect CYP2C- and 3A4-mediated metabolism, and have the potential to affect the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of conventional and traditional medicines during concomitant use.     

A literature review of autograft and allograft anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery has significantly evolved and now includes the option of using an allograft. This has resulted in numerous studies evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of allografts. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate this research and present important findings to allow the selection of the most appropriate graft source when considering allograft versus autograft reconstruction.