Safety and Efficacy of a Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention in Women.

Background: The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains high among women in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of extended use of a vaginal ring containing dapivirine for the prevention of HIV infection in 1959 healthy, sexually active women, 18 to 45 years of age, from seven communities in South Africa and Uganda.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned participants in a 2:1 ratio to receive vaginal rings containing either 25 mg of dapivirine or placebo.

Sexual, marital, and general life functioning in couples coping with colorectal cancer: a dyadic study across time.

Objectives: This study evaluated the following: (a) levels of sexual, marital, and general life functioning for both patients and partners; (b) interdependence between both members of the couple; and (c) longitudinal change in sexual, marital, and general life functioning and longitudinal stress-spillover effects in these three domains from a dyadic perspective.

Methods: Couples (n = 102) completed the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire preoperatively and 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Mean scores were compared with norm scores.

High-frequency percussive ventilation in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: A single center experience.

Background: Few studies have investigated high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from critically ill-patients with moderate and severe ARDS who received HFPV. Ventilation and oxygenation were governed according to a predefined protocol.

Identification and quantitative analysis of kojic acid and arbutine in skin-whitening cosmetics.

After testing several chromatographic systems described in the literature, the optimal operating conditions were retained to develop a simple and rapid method grouping TLC and HPLC/UV for separation, identification and dosage of kojic acid (CAS RN 501-30-4) or arbutine (CAS RN 497-76-7) in skin-whitening cosmetic products. The screening is carried out by TLC on cellulose plate and by TLC on silicagel plate with UV indicator and polar mobile solvent. Regarding identification and quantitative determination by HPLC/UV, the best results were obtained by direct phase chromatography, using a polar stationary phase greffed with diol groups and a polar buffered mobile phase at PH 2,5.

Analysis of fluoride in toothpastes on the Belgian market.

We developed a method for the quantitative determination of sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP) and amine fluoride (AmF) in toothpastes on the Belgian market. Samples were suspended in water and the determination was made using anion chromatography with conductivity detection after chemical suppression. The described ion chromatographic method is an easy and reliable isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of total soluble fluoride content in toothpastes.

Cloning, sequence determination, and expression of a 32-kilodalton-protein gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

We describe the identification of the gene encoding an immunodominant 32-kilodalton (kDa) protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The 32-kDa antigen is abundantly secreted into the culture supernatant of a variety of mycobacteria and appears to be a major stimulant of cellular and humoral immunity against mycobacteria. Recombinant clones expressing a 140- or 125-kDa beta-galactosidase fusion protein reactive with rabbit polyclonal anti-32 kDa protein serum were detected.

The production of mycobacterial antigens by homogeneous culture in a fermentor.

Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG, substrain 1173P2, has been grown in homogeneous culture in classical synthetic Sauton medium without supplementary ingredients. The culture conditions are described. The protein release in the culture medium and the tuberculin yield after 2% trichloroacetic acid precipitation were significantly improved.

Rapid purification of Bordetella pertussis toxin by alternating affinity and hydrophobic chromatography.

Pertussis toxin was purified to homogeneity from a 2-day culture supernatant of Bordetella pertussis by stepwise elution from three columns of, consecutively, Blue Sepharose, phenyl Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite. The toxin was eluted from Blue Sepharose and hydroxyapatite by high ionic strength and from phenyl Sepharose with low ionic strength and with 17% glycerol. Toxin fractions from one chromatographic column were immediately charged on the next column, saving laborious and time-consuming concentration or dialysis steps.

A comparison of the rate of oxygen uptake and the adenosine triphosphate content of routine and experimental BCG preparations.

The ATP content and oxygen uptake rate, two parameters of viability of a BCG suspension, are compared. The lack of correlation between measurements made on fresh routine preparations indicates that the ATP measurements is affected by the degree of dispersion of the preparation. Experimental preparations made under standard conditions (constant semi-dry weight and stepwise dispersive grinding) from cultures of the same age as the fresh routine cultures (14 days) had a smaller ATP content, which correlated well with the respiration rate.