Linking male use of the sex industry to controlling behaviors in violent relationships: an exploratory analysis

In an attempt to better understand the relationship between male use of the sex industry (i.e., pornography and strip clubs) and interpersonal violence (IPV), 2,135 female residents of an IPV shelter were surveyed regarding their batterer's use of both the sex industry and controlling behaviors in their relationship. Findings indicate that male domestic violence offenders who utilize the sex industry use more controlling behaviors than male domestic violence offenders who do not. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.     

Metaphors we love by: Conceptualizations of sex among young people in Malawi

This paper explores how young people in Malawi conceptualize sex and sexual relations through an analysis of their personal narratives about these phenomena. Eleven focus group discussions were conducted with 114 youth aged 14-19 years. Participants were asked to describe behaviors, attitudes, and motivations to reduce unplanned pregnancies and the spread of HIV/AIDS, with appropriate probes to illuminate their sexual world-views. The various metaphors that emanated from the discussions suggest that young people in this study take a utilitarian approach to sex, and conceive it as a natural and routine activity of which pleasure and passion are essential components. Future research and prevention efforts (around sexuality education in particular) would do well to incorporate adolescents' language in programming as this can enhance understanding of the world of young people as well as the effectiveness of interventions addressing problems related to early sexual behavior.     

Ulcus vulvae acutum, a rare diagnosis to keep in mind

Genital ulceration is today often thought to be caused by herpes simplex. In this case report, a rare differential diagnosis, ulcus vulvae acutum is described, probably caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EB-virus).     

Proteomics of the human placenta: promises and realities

Proteomics is an area of study that sets as its ultimate goal the global analysis of all of the proteins expressed in a biological system of interest. However, technical limitations currently hamper proteome-wide analyses of complex systems. In a more practical sense, a desired outcome of proteomics research is the translation of large protein data sets into formats that provide meaningful information regarding clinical conditions (e.g., biomarkers to serve as diagnostic and/or prognostic indicators of disease). Herein, we discuss placental proteomics by describing existing studies, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses. In so doing, we strive to inform investigators interested in this area of research about the current gap between hyperbolic promises and realities. Additionally, we discuss the utility of proteomics in discovery-based research, particularly as regards the capacity to unearth novel insights into placental biology. Importantly, when considering under studied systems such as the human placenta and diseases associated with abnormalities in placental function, proteomics can serve as a robust 'shortcut' to obtaining information unlikely to be garnered using traditional approaches.     

Intra-peritoneal administration of genetic therapies: promises and pitfalls

Rapid advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer development and progression over the past 3 decades have led to the design of new potential cancer therapies based on the expression of introduced genes into a tumor or its host. In an attempt to overcome the limitations of direct intratumoral administration of genetic therapies in patients with advanced malignant disease, loco-regional routes of delivery have been explored including the intraperitoneal route. This review highlights the potential of replication-competent oncolytic viruses, virus-mediated gene replacement, and gene-directed enzyme-prodrug strategies, as novel cancer therapies. The potential of exploiting the selectivity of the telomerase gene within cancer cells to develop gene therapy strategies is discussed and the promises and pitfalls in translating these novel therapeutics from the laboratory to the clinic are reviewed.     

Gendered construction of sexual risks: implications for safer sex among young people in Kenya and Sweden

This study compared perceptions of sexual risk and sexual practices among youth in Kenya and Sweden. Self-generated questions on the body, perceptions of sexual risk and sexual practices were collected in Kenya while focus group discussions and individual interviews on these same issues were used in Sweden. The most striking differences between the two countries were in the level of knowledge on matters of sexuality and the ability to talk with ease on these matters. The refusal in Kenya to provide adolescents with information and services has left the 'safe period' as their only protective option and pregnancy as the overriding concern. Communication at the partner level and lack of condom use are problematic in both countries and even where access to information and preventive services exist, these may not be used optimally. In both countries, boys had more sexual freedom, while girls were controlled through labelling and rumours, and girls were assigned responsibility for safer sex. We conclude that sexual education should be based more broadly on an understanding of the social norms defining sexual behaviour. It is at the level of sexual relations that the tensions between culturally-defined sexual and gender norms and public health assumptions should be addressed, a level at which health policy and education are silent in both countries.     

Uterine fibroids: relationships to reproduction

The purpose of this review is to summarize the available evidence on the effects of uterine fibroids on fertility, infertility and pregnancy outcomes, and the effects of parity on fibroids. Fibroids, found in approximately 4% of pregnant women, are associated with an increased risk of pregnancy complications. However, prophylactic myomectomy in asymptomatic women is not only unjustified, but it may have adverse effects on reproduction. Fibroids are found in 1% to 2.4% of women with unexplained infertility. Removal of fibroids that distort the uterine cavity may be beneficial in infertile women with unexplained infertility and in women undergoing in vitro fertilization. The pregnancy rate after hysteroscopic, laparoscopic or abdominal myomectomy appears to be the same. Laparoscopic myolysis appears to have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes while uterine artery occlusion in infertile and fertile women requires urgent prospective evaluation. Parity appears to be a natural global killer of uterine fibroids, most likely, through transient uterine ischemia, similar to that of uterine artery occlusion.     

For now, one well-timed intrauterine insemination is the way to go

Two articles on pregnancy rates from superovulation and IUI in relation to the IUI protocol were reviewed. Results from a meta-analysis of IUI number (one vs. two) and from a randomized trial of IUI timing (33 hours vs. 39 hours after hCG administration) suggest that one well-timed insemination within several hours of ovulation represents a reasonable balance between efficacy and cost.     

Transactional sex amongst young people in rural northern Tanzania: an ethnography of young women's motivations and negotiation

Background  

Material exchange for sex (transactional sex) may be important to sexual relationships and health in certain cultures, yet the motivations for transactional sex, its scale and consequences are still little understood. The aim of this paper is to examine young women's motivations to exchange sex for gifts or money, the way in which they negotiate transactional sex throughout their relationships, and the implications of these negotiations for the HIV epidemic.