Vps13-like proteins provide phosphatidylethanolamine for GPI anchor synthesis in the ER.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) is a glycolipid membrane anchor found on surface proteins in all eukaryotes. It is synthesized in the ER membrane. Each GPI anchor requires three molecules of ethanolamine phosphate (P-Etn), which are derived from phosphatidylethanolamine (PE).

Quality of sexually transmitted infections services for female sex workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Objectives: To assess the quality of sexually transmitted infections (STI) care in health care facilities in Abidjan attended by female sex workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2000 in the 29 health care facilities and 10 pharmacies, which were reported as points of first encounter for STI care by female sex workers in a previous study on health seeking behaviour. Evaluation components included: (1) checklists of equipment and STI drugs in the facilities; (2) interviews with health care providers and pharmacists; (3) direct observation of the provider/client interaction; (4) exit interviews with women attending with STI or genital problems.

HIV prevalence and risk behavior among clients of female sex workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Objective: To assess socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics of clients of female sex workers in Abidjan, and to determine their HIV prevalence and related risk factors.

Design: A cross-sectional study among clients of female sex workers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods: A trained interviewer approached clients leaving the room of a female sex worker and invited them for an interview using a structured questionnaire, and to provide a saliva sample.

Thyroid and fertility.

The aim of this work is to specify the relationship between the thyroid function and the hypothalamo-hypophyso-gonadal axis. Qualitative and quantitative repercussions of a thyroid pathology on human or animal fertility, male or female are very variable. A review of mechanisms of action is presented, illustrating: the complexity of the phenomena in cause; the necessity not to dissociate thyroid and reproductive function either clinically or biologically; the serious consequences of either undetected or untreated neo-natal thyroid pathology.

Endemic goitre: a research protocol elaboration for eradication.

The iodine deficiency (ID), which affects 1 person out of 6, is relatively neglected by the responsible of Public Health Service, particularly in developing countries. Consequences of ID are far from being negligible: mental retardation, hypofertility, hyperplasia, carcinoma, early ageing and, in very exposed areas, endemic cretinism. Nevertheless, eradication is easy and cheap but it requires rigorous protocols and control of results.