Review of sexualized drug use associated with sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to quantify associations between sexualized drug use (SDU) and sexually-transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) diagnoses in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) with defined temporal proximity between SDU exposure and STBBI diagnoses.

Methods: In May 2018 and June 2019, we searched the literature for primary studies that quantified the association between STBBI and SDU among GBMSM. A random-effects model was used to meta-analyze the data and estimate the association between SDU and STBBIs.

Waning of measles maternal antibody in infants in measles elimination settings - A systematic literature review.

Introduction: Most infants are born with immunity to measles through maternal antibodies transferred in pregnancy, which decay over time. However, in measles elimination settings, where measles does not circulate endemically and most immunity is from immunization rather than infection, maternal antibody levels are lower. This results in infant immunity that wanes earlier, and a wider susceptibility gap between maternal antibody decay and infant immunization than in non-eliminated settings.

Population-based estimate of hepatitis C virus prevalence in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most burdensome infectious illness in Canada. Current screening strategies miss a significant proportion of cases, leaving many undiagnosed. Elevated HCV prevalence in those born between 1945 and 1965 has prompted calls for birth-cohort screening in this group.

The basic reproduction number (R) of measles: a systematic review.

The basic reproduction number, R nought (R), is defined as the average number of secondary cases of an infectious disease arising from a typical case in a totally susceptible population, and can be estimated in populations if pre-existing immunity can be accounted for in the calculation. R determines the herd immunity threshold and therefore the immunisation coverage required to achieve elimination of an infectious disease. As R increases, higher immunisation coverage is required to achieve herd immunity.

Early impact of Ontario's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program on anogenital warts (AGWs): A population-based assessment.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the early population impact of Ontario's school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, implemented in September 2007 for grade 8 females, by comparing anogenital wart (AGW) health care utilization before and after vaccine program implementation, in program-eligible and program-ineligible cohorts, focusing on 15-26year olds.

Methods: Using a retrospective longitudinal population-based study design, health administrative data were used to identify incident AGWs and total health service utilization (HSU) for AGWs for Ontario residents 15years and older between April 1 2004 and March 31 2014. The study period was divided into two eras: the pre-vaccine program era and the vaccine program era.

Health service utilisation for anogenital warts in Ontario, Canada prior to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine programme introduction: a retrospective longitudinal population-based study.

Objective: Trends in occurrence of anogenital warts (AGWs) can provide early evidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme impact on preventing HPV infection and HPV-induced lesions. The objective of this study was to provide a baseline of AGW epidemiology in Ontario prior to the introduction of the publicly-funded school-based HPV vaccination programme in September 2007.

Setting And Participants: As a retrospective longitudinal population-based study, we used health administrative data as a proxy to estimate incident AGWs and total health service utilisation (HSU) for AGWs for all Ontario residents 15 years and older with valid health cards between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2007.

Prevalence of knowledge and use of the female condom in South Africa.

Male condoms remain a key tool in preventing the spread of HIV and the female condom (FC) holds similar potential. Using data collected through a national cross-sectional population survey that was conducted in 2008, this report investigated the national prevalence of FC knowledge and use by sexually active males and females (n = 7,727) over the age of 15 years in South Africa, followed by a closer examination of the sexually active female population alone. Though knowledge of the FC among sexually active females over the age of 15 years (n = 4,551) was relatively high at 77.

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase (HIPK)-1 is required for splenic B cell homeostasis and optimal T-independent type 2 humoral response.

The homeodomain-interacting protein kinase (HIPK) family is comprised of four highly related serine/threonine kinases originally identified as co-repressors for various homeodomain-containing transcription factors. The HIPKs have been shown to be involved in growth regulation and apoptosis, with numerous studies highlighting HIPK regulation of the tumor suppressor p53. In this study, we have discovered a B cell homeostatic defect in HIPK1-deficient (HIPK1(-/-)) mice.

Putting out the fire: coordinated suppression of the innate and adaptive immune systems by SOCS1 and SOCS3 proteins.

The mounting of an effective immune response requires the coordinated function of both the innate and the adaptive arm of the immune system. Cells from both types of immunity respond to antigenic stimuli through a variety of surface and intracellular receptors and produce cytokines that tightly orchestrate the inflammatory response. The operation of feedback control mechanisms that regulate the duration and the amplitude of antigenic and cytokine receptor signaling is therefore required to prevent hyper-activation of the immune system that could lead to tissue destruction or autoimmunity.