Silencing women’s sexuality: global AIDS policies and the case of the female condom

Introduction

The female condom is the only evidence-based AIDS prevention technology that has been designed for the female body; yet, most women do not have access to it. This is remarkable since women constitute the majority of all HIV-positive people living in sub-Saharan Africa, and gender inequality is seen as a driving force of the AIDS epidemic. In this study, we analyze how major actors in the AIDS prevention field frame the AIDS problem, in particular the female condom in comparison to other prevention technologies, in their discourse and policy formulations. Our aim is to gain insight into the discursive power mechanisms that underlie the thinking about AIDS prevention and women’s sexual agency.

Methods

We analyze the AIDS policies of 16 agencies that constitute the most influential actors in the global response to AIDS. Our study unravels the discursive power of these global AIDS policy actors, when promoting and making choices between AIDS prevention technologies. We conducted both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of how the global AIDS epidemic is being addressed by them, in framing the AIDS problem, labelling of different categories of people for targeting AIDS prevention programmes and in gender marking of AIDS prevention technologies.

Results

We found that global AIDS policy actors frame the AIDS problem predominantly in the context of gender and reproductive health, rather than that of sexuality and sexual rights. Men’s sexual agency is treated differently from women’s sexual agency. An example of such differentiation and of gender marking is shown by contrasting the framing and labelling of male circumcision as an intervention aimed at the prevention of HIV with that of the female condom.

Conclusions

The gender-stereotyped global AIDS policy discourse negates women’s agency in sexuality and their sexual rights. This could be an important factor in limiting the scale-up of female condom programmes and hampering universal access to female condoms.     

Synthesis of homo- and hetero-metallic cobalt and zinc nano oxide particles by a calcination process using coordination compounds: their characterization,DFT calculations and capacitance behavioural study

Nano cobalt and porous zinc–cobalt oxide particles were synthesized using the concept of coordination compounds of the type [M(ii)L,L′] (where M(ii) = Co(ii) & Zn(ii) L= 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde and L′ = piperazine) and were thoroughly characterized. Because the precursors are coordination compounds possessing specific geometry in the crystal lattice, uniform and appropriately sized homo- and heterometallic nanocrystals of Co₃O₄ and ZnO·Co₃O₄ were obtained after a thermal process. The homo and hetero composite particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT IR spectroscopy and electrochemistry. The paramagnetic chemical shift of the methyl protons in DMSO due to the nanoparticles was studied by NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that the cobalt particles were ferromagnetic. The structural design modification and surface area of Co₃O₄ was improved by adding the ZnO component. DFT calculations were done to validate the nano structure. Supercapacitance ability of the nanoparticles was studied by cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical calculations were performed to determine the microelectronic characteristics of the material. The specific capacitance was estimated at 207.3 and 51.1 F g⁻¹ for the ZnO·Co₃O₄ and Co₃O₄ electrodes, respectively. Clearly, ZnO·Co₃O₄ exhibited a much higher specific capacitance than the Co₃O₄ nanocrystal, which was attributed to better conductivity and higher surface area. The capacitance activity showed multifold enhancement due to the porous nature of Zn oxide in the heterometallic nano ZnO·Co₃O₄ composite.

Pictorial depiction of appropriately sized homo and hetero nanocrystals of Co₃O₄ and ZnO·Co₃O₄ and the optimized structures of [Co₃O₄]₄ [ZnO]₄ DMSO adduct.     

Early Complication in Sickle Cell Anemia Children due to A(TA)nTAA Polymorphism at the Promoter of UGT1A1 Gene

Aim. To determine the implication of the polymorphism, namely, A(TA)_nTAA of UGT1A1 in lithogenesis for the first time in Tunisia among sickle cell anemia (SCA) children patients. Material and Methods. Our study was performed in 2010 and it involved 76 subjects chosen as control group characterized with normal hemoglobin status and presence of cholelithiasis and 102 SCA pediatric patients among whom 52 have cholelithiasis. We analyzed the polymorphism A(TA)_nTAA at the UGT1A1 promoter and the relationships between the various A(TA)_nTAA genotypes and alleles and bilirubin levels and occurrence of cholelithiasis. Results and Discussion. The repartition of genotypes found according to serum bilirubin level shows a significant association between genotypes carrying variant (TA)₇ and hyperbilirubinemia (P < 0.05). We demonstrated the association of two genotypes with gallstones formation among SCA children patients: (TA)₇/(TA)₇ and (TA)₇/(TA)₈ with P = 8.1 × 10⁻⁸ and P = 0.01, respectively. (TA)₇ and (TA)₈ allele variants act as a risk factor for early gallstones formation in SCA patients with P = 5.8 × 10⁻⁹ and P = 0.01, respectively. As for the control group only the genotype (TA)₇/(TA)₇ presented a risk factor for gallstones formation. Conclusion. The novelty of this report is that it is the first time that a similar study was made on the Tunisian children sickle cell population and that the results show a clear association of (TA)₇ variant in early gallstones formation in Tunisian SCA children. Interestingly our findings highlighted the association of (TA)₈ variant as well, which was not found in previous studies.     

Characterization of an in vitro model of human melanoma invasion based on reconstructed human skin

The purpose of this study was to compare the invasive properties of normal human cutaneous melanocytes and of a cutaneous melanoma cell line (HBL) in a three-dimensional model of reconstructed human skin. Specifically, we asked to what extent the pigmentary and invasive behaviour of both cells is influenced by their interaction with adjacent skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) and the basement membrane (BM). In the presence of a BM, normal human melanocytes within this model remained within the basal layer of keratinocytes and did not pigment spontaneously. When the BM was removed, melanocytes were found suprabasally and pigmented extensively. No significant invasion of melanocytes into the dermis was detected in the presence or absence of the BM. HBL melanoma cells showed no significant ability to invade into the dermis in the absence of other cells, irrespective of the presence or absence of the BM. However, when added to keratinocytes and fibroblasts, HBL cells showed a capacity to invade into the dermis, both in the presence and absence of the BM. Associated with HBL invasion into the dermis, we noted significant keratinocyte entry into the dermis. On their own, keratinocytes entered the dermis in the absence of the BM but showed no significant penetration into the dermis when the BM was present. In summary, this model demonstrates clear differences between melanocytes and a melanoma cell line with respect to their invasive properties. It also allows demonstration of interactions between cells, and between cells and the BM. The study also provides evidence for a synergistic interaction between this melanoma cell line and keratinocytes in penetrating the BM.     

Increases in oral and anal sexual exposure among youth attending sexually transmitted diseases clinics in Baltimore, Maryland

We examined reports of receptive oral or anal sex among clinic patients aged 12-25 years over time. Odds of reporting oral sex were approximately three times higher in 2004 than in 1994; odds of anal sex were twice as high. Providers should be aware of increased risk behavior among young people.     

Comparing Penile Measurements in Normal and Erectile Dysfunction Subjects

IntroductionWith the increase in penile augmentation procedures it becomes important to assess what is the normal erect penile size in both potent men and men with erectile dysfunction (ED).AimThe aim of this work is to define the average stretched penile size in normal men and ED patients.Main Outcome MeasuresPenile length and girth.MethodsThis study included 1,027 adult men presenting to a university hospital outpatient clinic. Two groups of patients were included in this research work. Group I comprises normal adult men (949) and Group II, ED patients (78). There were no differences of race, age, height, and weight. Penile length and girth were measured using a tape measure and rigid ruler in the fully stretched states in both groups. All penile measurements were performed by the same physician.ResultsIn normal men (Group I) the mean of the fully stretched length was 12.9 ± 1.9 cm and the mean of the fully stretched girth was 8.9 ± 0.9 cm. In ED patients (Group II), the mean of the fully stretched length was 11.2 ± 1.5 cm and the mean of fully stretched girth was 8.8 ± 0.8 cm. Comparing the mean of fully stretched penile lengths in both groups revealed statistical significant difference (P < 0.001) between them, whereas comparing the mean of fully stretched penile girths in both groups revealed statistical nonsignificant difference (P = 0.474) between them. There were significant positive correlations between fully stretched penile lengths and fully stretched penile girths in both groups.ConclusionThe average of fully stretched penile length in normal potent men is 12.9 cm, whereas the patients with ED tend to have significantly shorter penises (11.2 ± 1.5 cm). Kamel I, Gadalla A, Ghanem H, and Oraby M. Comparing penile measurements in normal and erectile dysfunction subjects. J Sex Med 2009;6:2305–2310.