Feasibility, safety and tolerability of estrogen and/or probiotics for improving vaginal health in Canadian African, Caribbean, and Black women: A pilot phase 1 clinical trial.

Background: A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB) is associated with clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Considering the high prevalence of BV among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label phase 1 clinical trial to determine the feasibility, safety and tolerability of administering low-dose estrogen, probiotics or both in combination to improve vaginal health and decrease HIV-1 susceptibility.

Methods: ACB women aged 18-49 from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were randomized to one of four study arms: intravaginal estradiol (Estring©; 7.

Exploring public support for novel tobacco and alcohol control policies in Great Britain 2021-2023: A population-based cross-sectional survey.

Objective And Rationale: This study assessed support for novel tobacco compared with alcohol control policies among adults in Great Britain in 2021-2023. Objectives were to assess 1) overall level of support for tobacco compared to alcohol control policies; 2) level of support for tobacco compared to alcohol control policies among people who smoke tobacco or who consume alcohol at increasing and higher risk levels, or who do both; 3) level of support for tobacco compared to alcohol control policies among different sociodemographic groups?

Methods: Data were collected in September/October 2021-2023 in a monthly population-based survey on smoking and drinking behaviour of adults across Great Britain (N = 6311), weighted to match the overall population. Outcome measure was level of support for each seven tobacco and alcohol control policies.

Molecular precursors for the electrodeposition of 2D-layered metal chalcogenides.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are highly anisotropic, layered semiconductors, with the general formula ME (M = metal, E = sulfur, selenium or tellurium). Much current research in this field focusses on TMDCs for catalysis and energy applications; they are also attracting great interest for next-generation transistor and optoelectronic devices. The latter high-tech applications place stringent requirements on the stoichiometry, crystallinity, morphology and electronic properties of monolayer and few-layer materials.

Evaluation of Integrated Child Health Days as a Catch-Up Strategy for Immunization in Three Districts in Uganda.

Uganda's Integrated Child Health Day (ICHD) initiative aims to improve children's access to vaccinations. Although widely used as a catch-up vaccination strategy, the effectiveness of the ICHD program in increasing immunization coverage, especially among vulnerable populations, has not been recently evaluated. This study assessed the reach and uptake of ICHD for immunizations in Uganda.

CD4 T Cells Mediate Dendritic Cell Licensing to Promote Multi-Antigen Anti-Leukemic Immune Response.

Background: Single antigen (Ag)-targeted immunotherapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are highly effective; however, up to 50% of patients relapse after these treatments. Most of these relapses lack target Ag expression, suggesting targeting multiple Ags would be advantageous.

Materials & Methods: The multi-Ag immune responses to ALL induced by transducing cell lines with xenoAgs green fluorescent protein and firefly luciferase was elucidated using flow cytometry, ELISA, and ELISpot assays.