Lessons from the "Humanization of Childbirth" Projects: Qualitative analysis of seven projects funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The "Humanization of Childbirth" Project is one of the various maternity care models that respect women and their newborn children. For more than a quarter of a century, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been implementing technical cooperation projects worldwide that place the humanization of childbirth at the center of the concept. By reviewing the project reports, the following 11 key processes were found for the formulation and implementation of future projects for the humanized maternity care: ) project-finding/exploration of unmet needs, ) identification of local key persons, ) organization of a project team and a back-up committee, ) development of an action plan, ) sharing of concepts, ) development of local leadership, ) organization of infrastructure, ) final evaluation and wrap-up seminar, ) ensuring sustainability, ) development of younger generation experts, and ) sustainable and autonomous action.

Proteomic profiling of HTLV-1 carriers and ATL patients reveals sTNFR2 as a novel diagnostic biomarker for acute ATL.

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1)-associated T-cell malignancy with generally poor prognosis. Although only ∼5% of HTLV-1 carriers progress to ATL, early diagnosis is challenging because of the lack of ATL biomarkers. In this study, we analyzed blood plasma profiles of asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (ACs); untreated ATL patients, including acute, lymphoma, smoldering, and chronic types; and ATL patients in remission.

Intestinal helminth infections in HIV-infected patients in Savannakhet after establishment of an HIV registration network in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Background: In Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), which borders China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, the number of HIV-infected patients has increased in recent years. HIV-infected patients diagnosed in Lao PDR are enrolled in a registration network and receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) covered by governmental financial support. Based on the registration network, we investigated intestinal helminth infections and coinfection with HTLV-1 in HIV-infected patients treated with an early intervention using ART in Lao PDR.