Use of stringent selection parameters for the identification of possible selenium-responsive marker genes in mouse liver and gastrocnemius.

Selenium is a trace element that, although toxic in higher concentrations, is essential for human and animal health. In this study, we looked at microarray-based gene expression patterns from liver and gastrocnemius tissues in mice fed either a selenium-deficient diet or diets containing sodium selenite, selenomethionine, or a yeast-derived selenium supplement. A p value cutoff of 0.

The Regai Dzive Shiri project: results of a randomized trial of an HIV prevention intervention for youth.

Background: HIV prevention among young people in southern Africa is a public health priority. There is little rigorous evidence of the effectiveness of different intervention approaches. We describe findings of a cluster randomized trial of a community-based, multicomponent HIV, and reproductive health intervention aimed at changing social norms for adolescents in rural Zimbabwe.

"You still need to give her a token of appreciation": the meaning of the exchange of money in the sexual relationships of out-of-school adolescents in rural southwest Uganda.

This article challenges the pervasive assumption that exchanging gifts and money in adolescent sexual relationships is transactional. Data were derived from a multi-method, qualitative sexual health needs assessment of 31 out-of-school adolescents in rural southwest Uganda. Grounded theory analysis allows contextual meanings of exchange to emerge.

Delaying sexual debut amongst out-of-school youth in rural southwest Uganda.

This paper focuses on 'sexual debut' among out-of-school youth in Masaka District, Uganda, factors influencing its timing and assistance young people feel they need to delay sexual initiation. Data were drawn from a sexual health needs assessment using applied anthropological techniques with young people aged 13-19 years. Parents, guardians and community leaders were also consulted.

Insight in the transport behavior of copper glycinate complexes through the porcine gastrointestinal membrane using an Ussing chamber assisted by mass spectrometry analysis.

An Ussing chamber study was conducted in order to investigate the transport behavior of copper glycinate complexes through a porcine gastrointestinal membrane. Organic copper complexes such as copper tri- and tetraglycinates (GGG-Cu(II) and GGGG-Cu(II)) were used as model system. In a novel analytical approach the Ussing chamber was combined with mass spectrometry.

Technical communication: new teaching model for practicing ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques: no perishable food products!

Background: There is a pronounced learning curve for the technique of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia. Practicing with a simulator model has been shown to speed the acquisition of these skills for various ultrasound-guided procedures. However, commercial models for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia may be too costly or not readily available.

Effects of feeding different forms of zinc and copper on the performance and tissue mineral content of chicks.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding inorganic or organic Zn and Cu on the performance and tissue mineral content of chicks. A corn-soybean meal diet without Cu and Zn supplementation, containing 31 mg of Zn/kg of diet and 6.6 mg of Cu/kg of diet, was used as a basal diet.

Initial experience with transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in an Irish hospital setting.

Introduction: Laparoscopic nephrectomy has gained widespread acceptance as a treatment for both benign and malignant conditions and is becoming increasingly popular in Irish hospitals. We report a single surgeon, single centre experience with 20 consecutive laparoscopic nephrectomies comparing them to 20 open cases performed prior to the establishment of a laparoscopic service.

Methodology: A retrospective comparative analysis was carried out over an 18 month period.

Dual kidney transplantation with organs from extended criteria cadaveric donors.

Purpose: The critical shortage of kidneys available for transplantation has led to alternate strategies to expand the pool. Transplantation of the 2 kidneys into a single recipient using organs suboptimal for single kidney transplantation was suggested. We assessed results in 24 grafts allocated for dual kidney transplantation vs those in a control group of 44 designated for single kidney transplantation.

Hardship, dedication and investment: an exploration of Irish mothers commitment to communicating with their children with cerebral palsy.

This qualitative study investigated the experiences of mothers who have a child with communication difficulties resulting from cerebral palsy (CP). There is a dearth of information about parents' experiences of having a child with CP and communication difficulties. Three participants, whose children had moderate or severe CP and communication difficulties, were recruited from a voluntary organization.

Characterization of metal-peptide complexes in feed supplements of essential trace elements.

Metal chelates with biomolecules are increasingly used in animal supplementation to increase the bioavailability of essential trace elements. However, the transfer of the chelates is not well understood and speciation studies may bring a comprehensive insight to further investigate the biological uptake mechanism(s) implicated. An analytical method was developed for the characterization of the water-soluble metal complexes in animal feed supplements obtained by reaction of a metal salt with a non-GMO soybean enzymatic digest.

Ureterocolic fistula in the presence of a solitary kidney.

Among the entero-urinary fistulae, those between the ureter and colon are rare. Most spontaneous ureterocolic fistulae are caused by urinary calculi. We report a case of a spontaneous ureterocolic fistula which occurred as a consequence of diverticular disease.

Challenges in providing drug user treatment services in Russia: providers' views.

The estimated number of opiate users in Russia is 2,000,000 and heroin consumption is continuing to increase. The Russian government is discussing the initiation of compulsory treatment to bring illegal drug users to the treatment services. At the same time, there is no access to the evidence-based treatment for opiate addiction such as methadone and buprenorphine maintenance programs.

Prevalences and correlates of non-viral injecting-related injuries and diseases in a convenience sample of Australian injecting drug users.

Background: The prevalences and correlates of non-viral injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRIDs) in Australian injecting drug users (IDUs) remain unknown.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of IDUs was conducted in six sites across Australia's eastern states to investigate IRID experience among Australian IDU. Correlates of IRIDs were explored using logistic and negative binomial regression analyses.

Combination therapy with glucagon-like peptide-1 and gastrin restores normoglycemia in diabetic NOD mice.

Objective: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastrin promote pancreatic beta-cell function, survival, and growth. Here, we investigated whether GLP-1 and gastrin can restore the beta-cell mass and reverse hyperglycemia in NOD mice with autoimmune diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: Acutely diabetic NOD mice were treated with GLP-1 and gastrin, separately or together, twice daily for 3 weeks.

Heroin-gel capsule cocktails and groin injecting practices among ethnic Vietnamese in Melbourne, Australia.

Background: Evidence of harms associated with temazepam gel capsule injecting among injecting drug users in Australia led to its withdrawal from manufacture in Australia. Subsequently, diphenhydramine gel capsule injecting was identified among a subset of ethnic Vietnamese injecting drug users.

Methods: Observational fieldwork around an active street-based illicit drug marketplace together with targeted purposive sampling enabled 66 ethnic Vietnamese injecting drug users to be recruited for in-depth interview.

Gender, culture and harm: an exploratory study of female heroin users of Vietnamese ethnicity.

Previous quantitative cross sectional studies of ethnic Vietnamese drug users in Melbourne have been overwhelmingly drawn from samples of men. In this qualitative investigation, 24 women aged between 18 and 33 years were interviewed. This exploratory study sought: to identify issues surrounding heroin initiation and drug use career; to examine relationships with family and primary sex partners; and to reveal participants' attitudes to drug treatment.

The Regai Dzive Shiri Project: a cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a multi-component community-based HIV prevention intervention for rural youth in Zimbabwe--study design and baseline results.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a community-based HIV prevention intervention for adolescents in terms of its impact on (1) HIV and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) incidence and on rates of unintended pregnancy and (2) reported sexual behaviour, knowledge and attitudes.

Methods: Cluster randomised trial of a multi-component HIV prevention intervention for adolescents based in rural Zimbabwe. Thirty communities were selected and randomised in 2003 to early or deferred intervention implementation.

What is 'sex' exactly? Using cognitive interviewing to improve the validity of sexual behaviour reporting among young people in rural Zimbabwe.

Self-reporting of sensitive data is often unreliable, particularly when questions are asked about culturally or socially censured behaviours. This study aimed to improve the validity of questionnaire responses through cognitive interviewing of young people in Zimbabwe to better understand their underlying thought processes when responding to sexual behaviour questions. A questionnaire was developed in English and translated into Shona.

A very low response rate in an on-line survey of medical practitioners.

Objective: To report on the response rate achieved in a survey of medical practitioners and discuss the reasons for it.

Method: An on-line (internet-based) survey of all 609 registered pharmacotherapy prescribers in Victoria and Queensland; invitations to participate were sent by mail in late April 2007, and one reminder letter in late May 2007.

Results: Six hundred and nine invitation letters were mailed, nine were returned to sender, and 52 questionnaires completed, making the overall response rate 52/600 = 8.

Managing information: using systematic data collection to estimate process and impact indicators related to harm reduction services in Myanmar.

Background: Discussion about coverage has primarily focused on answering the question: what level of coverage is required to reduce the spread of HIV among people who inject drugs? This paper documents the process involved in designing a Monitoring Information System (MIS) that provides a tool to estimate coverage, frequency of contacts as well as provides a mechanism for correlating these data with changes in risk behaviour among the surveyed population.

Methods: The system uses paper and pencil data collection forms to record information about the type and location of a contact. Information about the content of the contact such as the services, equipment or education that is delivered is also collected.

Factors associated with HIV seroconversion in gay men in England at the start of the 21st century.

Objectives: To detect and quantify current risk factors for HIV seroconversion among gay men seeking repeat tests at sexual health clinics.

Design: Unmatched case control study conducted in London, Brighton and Manchester, UK.

Methods: 75 cases (recent HIV positive test following a negative test within the past 2 years) and 157 controls (recent HIV negative test following a previous negative test within the past 2 years) completed a computer-assisted self interview focused on sexual behaviour and lifestyle between HIV tests.

Injection drug users' perceptions of drug treatment services and attitudes toward substitution therapy: a qualitative study in three Russian cities.

This study explored injection drug users' (IDUs) perceptions of drug abuse treatment and treatment providers in three Russian cities as well as their attitudes toward opiate substitution therapy, which is currently not available in Russia. Data were collected from 121 qualitative interviews with IDUs conducted in 2003-2004. Negative perceptions of available treatments were related to poor treatment outcomes, judgmental service providers, lack of psychologic services, and short lengths of stay in treatment.