Implementing a Neurotrauma Registry in Latin America and the Caribbean.

 Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a disproportionately greater impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). One strategy to reduce the burden of disease in LMICs is through the implementation of a trauma registry that standardizes the assessment of each patient's management of care.  This study aims to ascertain the interest of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) nations in establishing a shared neurotrauma registry in the regional block, based on an existing framework for collaboration.

International Neurotrauma Training Based on North-South Collaborations: Results of an Inter-institutional Program in the Era of Global Neurosurgery.

Shortage of general neurosurgery and specialized neurotrauma care in low resource settings is a critical setback in the national surgical plans of low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Neurotrauma fellowship programs typically exist in high-income countries (HIC), where surgeons who fulfill the requirements for positions regularly stay to practice. Due to this issue, neurosurgery residents and medical students from LMICs do not have regular access to this kind of specialized training and knowledge-hubs.

Localization and phosphorylation of Plasmodium falciparum nicotinamide/nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (PfNMNAT) in intraerythrocytic stages.

Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential molecule in the energy metabolism of living beings, and it has various cellular functions. The main enzyme in the biosynthesis of this nucleotide is nicotinamide/nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT, EC 2.7.

Perceptions of a campus-wide condom distribution programme: An exploratory study.

Objective: Condom distribution programmes are an important means of preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs); yet little research has examined their perceived and actual impact on college campuses.

Design: Quantitative, cross-sectional study.

Setting: Large public university in the Southeastern USA.

A Markov Decision Process Model for Cervical Cancer Screening Policies in Colombia.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women around the world, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) is universally known as the necessary agent for developing this disease. Through early detection of abnormal cells and HPV virus types, cervical cancer incidents can be reduced and disease progression prevented. We propose a finite-horizon Markov decision process model to determine the optimal screening policies for cervical cancer prevention.

Can Young Adults Accurately Report Sexual Partnership Dates? Factors Associated With Interpartner and Dyad Agreement.

Background: Sexual partnership dates are critical to sexually transmitted infection/HIV research and control programs, although validity is limited by inaccurate recall and reporting.

Methods: We examined data from 302 heterosexual adults (151 index-partner dyads) to assess reliability of reporting. Dates of first sex and last sex were collected through individual interviews and joint dyad questionnaires, which were completed together with their partners.

Association of perceived partner non-monogamy with prevalent and incident sexual concurrency.

Objectives: Concurrency is suggested as an important factor in sexually transmitted infection transmission and acquisition, though little is known regarding factors that may predict concurrency initiation. We examined the association between perception of a partner's non-monogamy (PPNM) and simultaneous or subsequent concurrency among at-risk heterosexual young adults in the Los Angeles area.

Methods: We used Poisson regression models to estimate the relationship between PPNM and incident concurrency among 536 participants participating in a cohort study, interviewed at 4-month periods during 1 year.

Concurrent sexual partnerships among young heterosexual adults at increased HIV risk: types and characteristics.

Background: The impact of concurrency on sexually transmitted infection transmission depends on coital frequency, condom use, duration of relationship overlap, and number of partners. Previous research has identified distinct concurrency types; however, little is known about their risk characteristics.

Methods: Men (n = 261) and women (n = 275) aged 18 to 30 years at increased risk for acquiring HIV were recruited from community locations in Los Angeles.

Time for change? An economic evaluation of integrated cervical screening and HPV immunization programs in Canada.

Many jurisdictions have implemented universal human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization programs in preadolescent females. However, the cost-effectiveness of modified cervical screening guidelines and/or catch-up immunization in older females in Canada has not been evaluated. We conducted a cost-utility analysis of screening and immunization with the bivalent vaccine for the Canadian setting from the Ministry of Health perspective.

Fixation of vascular grafts with increased glutaraldehyde concentration enhances mechanical properties without increasing calcification.

Our objective was to study the effect of glutaraldehyde (GLU) concentration, heat, and photooxidation on mechanical properties and calcification of bovine pericardium grafts in an in vivo model. Fresh pericardia were treated as follows: 0.625% GLU for 7 days (standard); 0.