Rational design of an improved transglucosylase for production of the rare sugar nigerose.

The sucrose phosphorylase from Bifidobacterium adolescentis (BaSP) can be used as a transglucosylase for the production of rare sugars. We designed variants of BaSP for the efficient synthesis of nigerose from sucrose and glucose, thereby adding to the inventory of rare sugars that can conveniently be produced from bulk sugars.

Distribution of inflammation and association between active and chronic alterations within the endometrium of dairy cows.

Objectives of this study were twofold: (i) to assess the association between polymorphonuclear (PMN) counts and chronic alterations within the bovine endometrium and (ii) to determine the distribution of inflammation throughout the endometrium of clinically healthy dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 32) from a single dairy farm were selected for this experiment. Before slaughtering, a complete reproductive examination was performed to discard any type of clinical disease.

Comparison between cytology and histopathology to evaluate subclinical endometritis in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to compare endometrial cytology with histopathology to diagnose subclinical endometritis (SCE) in dairy cows. Endometrial cytology samples were collected from Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 32) just before slaughtering. Half of them were obtained by in vivo cytobrush (IV-CB), whereas the other half by in vivo low-volume lavage (IV-LVL).

The Association Between Cervical Human Papillomavirus Infection and Subsequent HIV Acquisition in Tanzanian and Ugandan Women: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Objective: This study was performed to analyze the associations between cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition, using cervical samples from previous studies in Tanzania and Uganda.

Methods: A total of 161 adult women who acquired HIV infection during follow-up and 464 individually matched HIV-seronegative controls were selected from 5 cohorts of women working in bars and recreational facilities. Stored cervical samples were tested for 37 HPV genotypes, using a polymerase chain reaction assay (Roche Linear Array genotyping assay).

High Levels of Persistent Problem Drinking in Women at High Risk for HIV in Kampala, Uganda: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of problem drinking in a cohort of women at high-risk of HIV in Kampala, Uganda. Overall, 1027 women at high risk of HIV infection were followed from 2008 to 2013. The CAGE and AUDIT questionnaires were used to identify problem drinkers in the cohort.

Bacterial vaginosis among women at high risk for HIV in Uganda: high rate of recurrent diagnosis despite treatment.

Objectives: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with increased risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV acquisition. This study describes the epidemiology of BV in a cohort of women at high risk for STI/HIV in Uganda over 2 years of follow-up between 2008-2011.

Methods: 1027 sex workers or bar workers were enrolled and asked to attend 3-monthly follow-up visits.

Rates of HIV-1 superinfection and primary HIV-1 infection are similar in female sex workers in Uganda.

Objective: To determine and compare the rates of HIV superinfection and primary HIV infection in high-risk female sex workers (FSWs) in Kampala, Uganda.

Design: A retrospective analysis of individuals who participated in a clinical cohort study among high-risk FSWs in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: Plasma samples from HIV-infected FSWs in Kampala, Uganda were examined with next-generation sequencing of the p24 and gp41 HIV genomic regions for the occurrence of superinfection.

Association between Mycoplasma genitalium infection and HIV acquisition among female sex workers in Uganda: evidence from a nested case-control study.

Objectives: Cross-sectional studies have shown a strong association between Mycoplasma genitalium and HIV infections. We previously reported that in a cohort of female sex workers in Uganda, M genitalium infection at baseline was associated with HIV seroconversion. Here we examine the temporal association between the M genitalium infection status shortly before HIV seroconversion and HIV acquisition.

High prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant gonorrhea among female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda (2008-2009).

Background: Recent antimicrobial resistance data for Neisseria gonorrhoeae are lacking in Uganda, where, until 2010, ciprofloxacin was the nationally recommended first-line treatment of presumptive gonorrhea. This study assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of N. gonorrhoeae isolates cultured from female sex workers (FSWs) in Kampala.

Understanding motives for intravaginal practices amongst Tanzanian and Ugandan women at high risk of HIV infection: the embodiment of social and cultural norms and well-being.

Some types of intravaginal practices (IVP) may increase the risk for HIV acquisition. This is particularly worrisome for populations with dual high prevalence of HIV and IVP. Women involved in transactional sex are at increased risk for HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa.

'It is like a tomato stall where someone can pick what he likes': structure and practices of female sex work in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Effective interventions among female sex workers require a thorough knowledge of the context of local sex industries. We explore the organisation of female sex work in a low socio-economic setting in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with 101 participants selected from an epidemiological cohort of 1027 women at high risk of HIV in Kampala.

Natural history of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in a cohort of female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: There have been few studies of the natural history of Mycoplasma genitalium in women. We investigated patterns of clearance and recurrence of untreated M. genitalium infection in a cohort of female sex workers in Uganda.

Vaginal practices among women at high risk of HIV infection in Uganda and Tanzania: recorded behaviour from a daily pictorial diary.

Background: Intravaginal practices (IVP) are highly prevalent in sub-Saharan African and have been implicated as risk factors for HIV acquisition. However, types of IVP vary between populations, and detailed information on IVP among women at risk for HIV in different populations is needed. We investigated IVP among women who practice transactional sex in two populations: semi-urban, facility workers in Tanzania who engage in opportunistic sex work; and urban, self-identified sex workers and bar workers in Uganda.

Condom use among female sex workers in Uganda.

Consistent condom use can prevent HIV infection, yet levels of condom use are low in many settings. This paper examines determinants of inconsistent condom use among 905 women enrolled in a high-risk cohort in Kampala, Uganda, who reported sexual intercourse with paying clients in the last month. Among these, 40% participants reported using condoms inconsistently with paying clients in the past month.

Alcohol use, mycoplasma genitalium, and other STIs associated With HIV incidence among women at high risk in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: In 2008, the first clinic for women involved in high-risk sexual behavior was established in Kampala, offering targeted HIV prevention. This article describes rates, determinants, and trends of HIV incidence over 3 years.

Methods: A total of 1027 women at high risk were enrolled into a closed cohort.

Vaginal practices diary: development of a pictorial data collection tool for sensitive behavioral data.

Background: Intravaginal practices (IVP) are highly prevalent behaviors among women at increased risk for HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. IVP data collected by face-to-face interviews (FTFI) may be subject to recall or social desirability bias. Daily self-administered diaries may help to decrease bias associated with FTFI.

Gender inequity in the lives of women involved in sex work in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Gender inequity is manifested in the social and economic burden women carry in relation to men. We investigate women's experiences of gender relations from childhood to adult life and how these may have led to and kept women in sex work.

Methods: Participants were drawn from an ongoing epidemiological cohort study of women working in high HIV/STI risk environments in Kampala.

Toward a Reliable Evaluation of Forecasting Systems for Plant Diseases: A Case Study Using Fusarium Head Blight of Wheat.

Despite great efforts to forecast plant diseases, many of the existing systems often fall short in providing farmers with accurate predictions. One of the main problems arises from the existence of year and location effects, so that more advanced procedures are required for evaluating existing systems in an unbiased manner. This paper illustrates the case of Fusarium head blight of winter wheat in Belgium.

Clinical characteristics associated with Mycoplasma genitalium infection among women at high risk of HIV and other STI in Uganda.

Background: Mycoplasma genitalium is a common infection of the genitourinary tract, but its pathogenic effects have not been well described, especially in women. The increasing evidence that M. genitalium is associated with HIV infection calls for an urgent consensus on how best to control this infection.

Transmitted antiretroviral drug resistance among drug-naive female sex workers with recent infection in Kampala, Uganda.

During 2006-2007, transmitted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance (TDR) among drug-naive women with newly diagnosed HIV infection and likely to be recently infected when attending antenatal clinics in Entebbe was found to be <5% with use of the World Health Organization (WHO) survey method. Using the same method, we attempted to classify TDR among women who seroconverted during 2008-2010 and who were identified from a cohort of recently infected sex workers in Kampala, Uganda. TDR mutations were identified using the 2009 WHO TDR mutations list.

Prevalence and correlates of Mycoplasma genitalium infection among female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: The importance of Mycoplasma genitalium in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-burdened sub-Saharan Africa is relatively unknown. We assessed the prevalence and explored determinants of this emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) in high-risk women in Uganda.

Methods: Endocervical swabs from 1025 female sex workers in Kampala were tested for Mycoplasma genitalium using a commercial Real-TM polymerase chain reaction assay.

HIV type 1 subtype distribution, multiple infections, sexual networks, and partnership histories in female sex workers in Kampala, Uganda.

We investigated for the first time the subtype distribution, prevalence of multiple HIV-1 infections, sexual networks, and partnership histories in a cohort of women engaged in high-risk sexual behavior such as female sex workers (FSWs) and women employed in entertainment facilities. Viral RNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 324 HIV-1-positive women; the gp-41 and pol-IN genes were directly sequenced. Women found to have closely related viruses and those with recombinant viruses were further analyzed in the pol-IN gene by clonal sequencing to determine HIV-1 multiple infections.

HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of women involved in high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Uganda has long been successful in controlling the HIV epidemic; however, there is evidence that HIV prevalence and incidence are increasing again. Data on the HIV/STI epidemic among sex workers are so far lacking from Uganda. This paper describes the baseline epidemiology of HIV/STI in a newly established cohort of women involved in high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda.

Non-sexual transmission of Trichomonas vaginalis in adolescent girls attending school in Ndola, Zambia.

Objectives: To identify risk factors for trichomoniasis among young women in Ndola, Zambia.

Method: The study was a cross-sectional study among adolescent girls aged 13-16 years in Ndola, Zambia. Study participants were recruited from schools in selected administrative areas that represented the different socio-economic strata in town.

Biodistribution and photodynamic effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone-hypericin using multicellular spheroids composed of normal human urothelial and T24 transitional cell carcinoma cells.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-hypericin is a potent photosensitizer that is used in the urological clinic to photodiagnose with high-sensitivity nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We examined the differential accumulation and therapeutic effects of PVP-hypericin using spheroids composed of a human urothelial cell carcinoma cell line (T24) and normal human urothelial (NHU) cells. The in vitro biodistribution was assessed using fluorescence image analysis of 5-μm cryostat sections of spheroids that were incubated with PVP-hypericin.