Contraceptive use among solid organ transplant patients: a systematic review.

Background: Women undergoing solid organ transplantation are advised to avoid pregnancy for up to 24 months following transplant surgery.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, from database (PubMed) inception through February 2009, to evaluate evidence on the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive use among women having undergone solid organ transplantation.

Results: From 643 articles, eight articles from seven studies satisfied review inclusion criteria; six articles pertained to kidney transplant patients, and two reported on liver transplant patients.

Safety of contraceptive use among women with peripartum cardiomyopathy: a systematic review.

Study Design: Women with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) have significant health risks during subsequent pregnancies and therefore have a critical need for safe and effective contraception. This systematic review examines evidence regarding the safety of contraceptive use among women with PPCM.

Methods: We searched the PubMed database for all primary research articles published through February 2009 that addressed the safety of any contraceptive method among women with PPCM or other cardiomyopathy of any type.

Contraceptive use among women with a history of bariatric surgery: a systematic review.

Background: Weight loss after bariatric surgery often improves fertility but can pose substantial risks to maternal and fetal outcomes. Women who have undergone a bariatric surgical procedure are currently advised to delay conception for up to 2 years.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, from database (PubMed) inception through February 2009, to evaluate evidence on the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive use among women with a history of bariatric surgery.

Contraceptive use among women with inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review.

Background: There are theoretical concerns that use of hormonal contraceptives by women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) might increase disease relapse and risk of other adverse health outcomes, including thrombosis. In addition, there are concerns that IBD-related malabsorption might decrease the effectiveness of orally ingested contraceptives. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of contraceptive use among women with IBD.

Safety of contraceptive methods for women with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Background: Women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their clinicians may have unique concerns about certain methods of contraception.

Study Design: We conducted a systematic review of the literature in the MEDLINE database through February 2009 for peer-reviewed journal articles on use of any method of contraception, or progestins or estrogens, and progression of RA.

Results: We identified eight articles that met the inclusion criteria: six examined oral contraceptives (OCs), one progesterone, and one estrogen.

Use of contraceptive methods among women with endometrial hyperplasia: a systematic review.

Background: The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for the safety of contraceptive use among women with endometrial hyperplasia.

Study Design: We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles published in any language from database inception through February 2009 concerning the safety of using any contraceptive method among women diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia. We excluded case reports but included all other study designs.

Intrauterine device use among women with uterine fibroids: a systematic review.

Background: There are concerns that intrauterine device (IUD) use by women with uterine fibroids might increase their uterine bleeding or risk for device expulsion. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate evidence concerning the safety and effectiveness of IUD use among women with uterine fibroids. Key questions included whether IUD use is associated with increased risk for uterine bleeding among women with uterine fibroids and whether the presence of uterine fibroids is associated with an increased risk for device expulsion among IUD users.

Intrauterine device use among women with ovarian cancer: a systematic review.

Background: Fertility-sparing treatment may be an option for women with early stage ovarian cancer and certain tumor types. This systematic review evaluated the evidence on the safety of intrauterine device (IUD) use by women with ovarian cancer.

Study Design: We searched the PubMed database for peer-reviewed articles relevant to IUD (copper or levonorgestrel-releasing) use and ovarian cancer published in any language from database inception through August 2009.

Progestogen-only contraceptive use among breastfeeding women: a systematic review.

Background: The use of progestogen-only contraceptives by breastfeeding women raises theoretical concerns regarding possible adverse effects on breastfeeding success, and infant health or growth. This review was conducted to determine from the literature whether use of progestogen-only contraceptives by breastfeeding women leads to adverse effects on lactation, or infant growth or health when compared to nonuse.

Study Design: We searched the Medline, Popline, Cochrane and LILACS databases for all articles published from database inception through May 2009.

Combined oral contraceptive use among breastfeeding women: a systematic review.

Background: Postpartum women need effective contraception, but using hormonal contraceptives may affect breastfeeding performance and infant health outcomes.

Study Design: We searched the MEDLINE and Cochrane databases for all articles published through May 2009 for primary research studies that investigated clinical outcomes among breastfeeding women who used hormonal contraception or their infants.

Results: Three randomized controlled trials reported decreased mean duration of breastfeeding and higher rates of supplemental feeding among combined oral contraceptive (COC) users than among nonusers, while one multicountry trial found no differences in these parameters.

Adaptation of the World Health Organization's medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use for use in the United States.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently adapted global guidance on contraceptive use from the World Health Organization (WHO) to create the United States Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use (MEC). This guidance includes recommendations for use of specific contraceptive methods by people with certain characteristics or medical conditions.

Study Design: CDC determined the need and scope for the adaptation, conducted 12 systematic reviews of the scientific evidence and convened a meeting of health professionals to discuss recommendations based on the evidence.

Aquaporin-4 in manganese-treated cultured astrocytes.

Manganese in excess is neurotoxic and causes CNS injury resembling that of Parkinson's disease. In brain, astrocytes predominantly take up and accumulate manganese and are thus vulnerable to its toxicity. Manganese was shown to induce cell swelling in cultured astrocytes, and oxidative/nitrosative stress (ONS) mediates such swelling.

Evaluation of a tiered trauma call system in a level 1 trauma centre.

Background: Appropriate triage of the trauma patient is essential to ensure prompt access to definitive care. Many trauma centres use a "tiered" trauma call protocol with the intention of providing a match between the facility's resources and the needs of the patient. This study describes the incidence and impact of undertriage on the trauma patient in the context of an Australian level 1 trauma centre with a tiered trauma call system.

Thoracic and neck trauma. Part three.

Previous parts to this series on thoracic and neck trauma discussed the anatomy and physiology of the thorax, assessment and initial nursing interventions, imaging and adjuncts to diagnosis. Part 2 describes specific chest wall and lung injuries, types of pneumothoraces and their diagnosis and management. This section, part 3 of 4, discusses other types of thoracic injuries and their management, such as trauma to the diaphragm and heart.

Association of haplotypes in the IL8 gene with susceptibility to chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population.

Background: Interleukin 8 (IL-8) is a chemokine related to the initiation and amplification of acute and chronic inflammatory processes. Polymorphisms in the IL8 gene have been associated with inflammatory diseases. We investigated whether the -845(T/C) and -738(T/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL8 gene, as well as the haplotypes they form together with the previously investigated -353(A/T), are associated with susceptibility to chronic periodontitis.

Criterion groups validation of the Seashore Rhythm Test and Speech Sounds Perception Test for the detection of malingering in traumatic brain injury.

A criterion-groups validation was used to determine the classification accuracy of the Seashore Rhythm Test (SRT) and Speech Sounds Perception Test (SSPT) in detecting malingered neurocognitive dysfunction (MND) in traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI patients were classified into the following groups: (1) Mild TBI Not-MND (n = 24); (2) Mild TBI MND (n = 27); and (3) Moderate/Severe TBI Not-MND (n = 23). A sample of 90 general clinical patients was utilized for comparison.

A multicenter evaluation of a new antibody test kit for lymphatic filariasis employing recombinant Brugia malayi antigen Bm-14.

Antibody tests are useful for mapping the distribution of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in countries and regions and for monitoring progress in elimination programs based on mass drug administration (MDA). Prior antibody tests have suffered from poor sensitivity and/or specificity or from a lack of standardization. We conducted a multicenter evaluation of a new commercial ELISA that detects IgG4 antibodies to the recombinant filarial antigen Bm14.

Warfarin maintenance dose in older patients: higher average dose and wider dose frequency distribution in patients of African ancestry than those of European ancestry.

Studies report that warfarin doses required to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation decrease with age; however, these studies almost exclusively enrolled patients of European ancestry. Consequently, universal application of dosing paradigms based on such evidence may be confounded because ethnicity also influences dose. Therefore, we determined if warfarin dose decreased with age in Americans of African ancestry, if older African and European ancestry patients required different doses, and if their daily dose frequency distributions differed.

Thoracic and neck trauma. Part two.

In the previous part of this four part series on thoracic trauma the anatomy and physiology of the thorax, assessment and initial nursing interventions, imaging and adjuncts to diagnosis were discussed. Part 2 describes specific chest wall and lung injuries, types of pneumothoraces and their diagnosis and management. Sections 3 and 4 will examine other types of thoracic injuries and their management, such as trauma to the diaphragm and heart.

Polymorphisms and haplotypes in the interleukin-4 gene are associated with chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population.

Background: Some haplotypes in the interleukin-4 (IL4) gene were reported to influence IL-4 cytokine production and were associated with inflammatory diseases. Association studies focusing on IL4 gene polymorphisms and periodontal disease provided conflicting results. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IL4 gene polymorphisms and haplotypes were related to chronic periodontitis in a Brazilian population.

Thoracic and neck trauma. Part one.

This is the first of a four part series discussing thoracic trauma. Part one discusses the anatomy and physiology of the thorax, assessment and initial nursing interventions, imaging and adjuncts to diagnosis. Part 2 describes specific chest wall and lung injuries, types of pneumothoraces and their diagnosis and management.

Safety of hormonal and intrauterine methods of contraception for women with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review.

Objective: To determine from the literature whether HIV-infected women who use hormonal or intrauterine contraception are at increased risk of HIV disease progression, other adverse health outcomes, or HIV transmission to uninfected sexual partners.

Design: A systematic review.

Methods: We searched PubMed for articles published in peer-reviewed journals through August 2009 for evidence relevant to all hormonal and intrauterine contraceptive methods and HIV/AIDS.

Determinants of contraceptive choice among women with HIV.

Objective: To examine factors associated with contraceptive choice among HIV-infected women.

Design: Data for this cross-sectional analysis were derived from baseline visits of 435 participants in an ongoing prospective study of contraception among HIV-infected women in Russia. Participants enrolled in one of four groups: combined oral contraceptives (COCs) along with condoms, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) along with condoms, copper intrauterine device (IUD) along with condoms, or condoms alone.