Human immunodeficiency virus infection in urban Rwanda. Demographic and behavioral correlates in a representative sample of childbearing women

OBJECTIVE.--To determine behavioral and demographic risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in central Africa. DESIGN.--Cross-sectional survey. SETTING.--Kigali, Rwanda. PARTICIPANTS.--A representative sample of 1458 childbearing women aged 19 to 37 years who were recruited from outpatient prenatal and pediatric clinics at the only community hospital in the city. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE.--Antibodies to HIV assessed by enzyme immunoassay and confirmed by Western blot or indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS.--The HIV seroprevalence was 32% overall. Infection rates were higher in women who were single, in those in steady relationships that began after 1981, and in the 33% of women reporting more than one lifetime sexual partner. Women in legal marriages or monogamous partnerships had lower rates of infection, but even low-risk women had prevalences on the order of 20%. History of venereal disease in the past 5 years, although the strongest risk factor in a multiple logistic analysis (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 3.7), was reported by only 30% of those infected. Having a male sexual partner who drank alcohol or who had higher income were significant risk factors for HIV infection in the multivariate analysis, but use of oral contraceptives and having an uncircumcised partner were not. CONCLUSIONS.--The epidemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Rwanda has spread beyond high-risk groups to the general population of women without known risk factors. For most of these women, a steady male partner is the source of their HIV risk and therefore a vital target for intervention efforts.     

Research on Hyperparameter Optimization of Concrete Slump Prediction Model Based on Response Surface Method

In this paper, eight variables of cement, blast furnace slag, fly ash, water, superplasticizer, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate and flow are used as network input and slump is used as network output to construct a back-propagation (BP) neural network. On this basis, the learning rate, momentum factor, number of hidden nodes and number of iterations are used as hyperparameters to construct 2-layer and 3-layer neural networks respectively. Finally, the response surface method (RSM) is used to optimize the parameters of the network model obtained previously. The results show that the network model with parameters obtained by the response surface method (RSM) has a better coefficient of determination for the test set than the model before optimization, and the optimized model has higher prediction accuracy. At the same time, the model is used to evaluate the influencing factors of each variable on slump. The results show that flow, water, coarse aggregate and fine aggregate are the four main influencing factors, and the maximum influencing factor of flow is 0.875. This also provides a new idea for quickly and effectively adjusting the parameters of the neural network model to improve the prediction accuracy of concrete slump.     

A comparative drug study of lower urinary tract infections in elderly patients

The urinary antibacterial drugs cinoxacin (Cinobac) and nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin) were compared for efficacy and side effects in the treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections occurring in elderly patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital. Twenty-five patients received cinoxacin and 27 received nitrofurantoin for an average of thirteen days' treatment. The antibacterial spectrum of cinoxacin was noted to be better than that of nitrofurantoin, but both drugs performed well in clearing the infections caused by susceptible organisms. There were no side effects from cinoxacin therapy, but 15 per cent of patients receiving the nitrofurantoin experienced anorexia and nausea, in some cases sufficiently severe to require early termination of therapy.     

Predictors of outcome in perinatal arterial stroke: a population-based study

Some infants with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAS) experience development of cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, and cognitive impairment, whereas others have a normal outcome. Previous prognostic studies rarely have included all diagnosed cases of PAS within a population. Among 199,176 infants born within Kaiser Permanente from 1997 to 2002, we electronically identified head imaging reports and physician diagnoses suggesting stroke. The diagnosis of PAS was confirmed by review of brain imaging and medical records. Presentation of PAS was considered delayed if symptoms were only noted after 28 days. Outcomes were determined by chart review. Of 40 infants with PAS, 36 were observed over 12 months. Abnormal outcomes included CP (58%), epilepsy (39%), language delay (25%), and behavioral abnormalities (22%). A delayed presentation was associated with increased risk for CP (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.2). Radiological predictors of CP included large stroke size (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.2) and injury to Broca's area (RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0), internal capsule (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.4), Wernicke's area (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8), or basal ganglia (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3). Among infants with PAS, specific radiological findings and a lack of symptoms in the newborn period are associated with increased risk for CP.     

High HIV Seropositivity at an Anonymous Testing Site in Chennai, India: Client Profile and Trends over Time

Despite the magnitude of the HIV epidemic in India, few centers exist that provide anonymous HIV testing that is also accompanied by adequate counseling and referral. This study describes the trends in demographic profiles, HIV serostatus, and risk factors among 1,745 male and female clients who accessed an anonymous counseling and testing center in Chennai, India from 1994 to 1998. The prevalence of HIV in this sample was 51%, indicating that the clinic is successful in its outreach to at-risk individuals. The increasing number of clients over time suggests that this clinic has been well-received by the community. Correlates of being HIV-positive included occasional condom use, being married, being referred by an HIV-positive sex partner, working as a truck driver or migrant, or having a spouse in these professions. The success of this clinic serves as a model for similar centers in India, and points to the widespread need for anonymous testing and counseling.     

Changes in High-Risk Behaviors Over Time Among Young Drug Users in South Vietnam: A Three-Province Study

Vietnam is in the midst of an expanding HIV epidemic, primarily driven by an increase in injection drug use in young people. This study was conducted to understand the patterns and initiation of drug use, and the sexual risk behavior among youth in three provinces in southern Vietnam. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among male and female drug users under age 25 recruited from drug treatment centers (N = 560) and the community (N = 240) in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. The majority of those surveyed (82%) began by smoking heroin; after a year, 57% were injecting heroin and/or opium. Initiation of drug use frequently occurred in entertainment venues. Among injectors, 23% shared needles; 71% of all users were sexually active of whom 77% had unprotected sex. More than half of those recruited from treatment centers had previously been in drug treatment. Public health programs to prevent and treat the dual epidemics of HIV and drug abuse must be able to access and respond to the needs of youth, many of whom are unemployed and exposed to drug traffic.     

A comparison of the efficacy of an alpha-I-adrenergic blocker in the slow calcium channel blocker in the control of autonomic dysreflexia

Cystometry, using a portable CO2 cystometer, is a convenient method for detecting autonomic dysreflexia (A.D.) in response to bladder distention. Serial tracings on successive days were found to be consistent. This method was used to compare the effect of the antihypertensive drugs, phenoxybenzamine and nifedipine, in modifying the blood pressure responses of 12 tetraplegic patients. Given as regular medication twice daily, neither drug was effective in preventing A.D. responses to bladder filling, and a significant number of patients developed troublesome hypotension. Nifedipine by mouth was found to be a valuable drug for the treatment of attacks which developed, and capable of preventing an anticipated attack if given shortly before the stimulus. The condition of 'status dysreflexicus' and its appropriate management is described.     

针刀、电针和圆利针对实验性膝骨关节炎兔关节软骨病理和超微结构的影响

目的从形态学角度探讨不同干预方法对制动致关节损伤的治疗机理,观察针刀、电针和圆利针干预对关节软骨形态学的影响。方法 6月龄新西兰兔随机分为正常组、模型组、针刀组、电针组和圆利针组,每组9只,用改良的Videman法左后肢伸直位固定制动法建立兔膝关节损伤模型。电针组电针KOA兔左侧"阳陵泉—阴陵泉""内膝眼—外膝眼",疏密波,连续波,频率2/100 Hz,强度3 mA,每次20 min,隔日1次,1周3次,共6周;针刀组KOA兔左侧内、外侧副韧带及髌韧带的中点前缘、起、止点进入,刀口线与韧带方向平行,分别松解5次,每周1次,共6次;圆利针进针点与针刀组一致,分别松解5次,每周1次,共6次。通过HE染色在普通光学显微镜下观察实验性KOA兔关节软骨潮线及间隙、钙化层及深层软骨改变情况;并于扫描电镜下观察关节软骨表面超微结构变化。结果关节软骨HE染色切片显示,针刀、电针和圆利针有效抑制了软骨基质的退变,促进了软骨的再生修复,且针刀组效果优于电针组和圆利针组,圆利针组优于电针组;扫描电镜下,可见三种疗法均有效改善了软骨表面结构的破坏,且针刀组优于电针组和圆利针组,圆利针组优于电针组。结论针刀、电针和圆利针均能有效改善实验性KOA模型兔软骨组织的损伤情况,并促进软骨细胞的再生修复,进而恢复组织的正常结构和功能,以松解法为主的针刀和圆利针的疗效优于电针。     

Characterization of HIV Recent Infection Among High-Risk Men at Public STI Clinics in Mumbai

We examined associations with HIV recent infection and estimated transmitted drug resistance (TDR) prevalence among 3345 men at sexually transmitted infection clinics in Mumbai (2002–2005). HIV seroincidence was 7.92% by the BED-CEIA and was higher at a clinic located near brothels (12.39%) than at a hospital-based clinic (3.94%). HIV recent infection was associated with a lifetime history of female sex worker (FSW) partners, HSV-2, genital warts, and gonorrhea. TDR prevalence among recent infection cases was 5.7%. HIV testing services near sex venues may enhance case detection among high-risk men who represent a bridging population between FSWs and the men’s other sexual partners.