Gender differences in the prevalence and behavioral risk factors of HIV in South African drug users.

South Africa continues to be the global epicenter of HIV infection. Further, extensive gender disparities in HIV infection exist with females four times as likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS as males (UNAIDS, AIDS epidemic update, 2006; WHO, Epidemiological fact sheets on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, 2006). A cross-sectional collection of drug users recruited in the Pretoria region of South Africa (N = 385) was used to model HIV infection as a function of sexual risk behaviors and drug use as modified by gender.

Parent-focused child maltreatment prevention: improving assessment, intervention, and dissemination with technology.

The goal of this article is to examine how technology has been and can be utilized to enhance parent-focused child maltreatment (CM) prevention efforts. The authors begin with a brief discussion of the current state of the CM prevention field. In the sections that follow, they review studies that have examined the use of technology across three facets of prevention: identification of CM, administration/augmentation of CM prevention programs, and broad dissemination and implementation of evidenced-based CM prevention programs.

Guidelines for handling radioactively contaminated decedents.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued guidelines for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians in dealing with decedents after detonation of an improvised nuclear device (IND) or radiological dispersal device (RDD) (). Partners in this effort included the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the National Funeral Directors' Association. This paper describes the handling techniques required for loose surface contamination, radioactive shrapnel, and internal contamination caused by inhaling or ingesting radioactive materials from an IND or RDD, and provides suggested guidelines for medical examiners, coroners, and morticians to deal with these situations.

Risk factors for the perpetration of child sexual abuse: a review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Since the late 1980s, there has been a strong theoretical focus on psychological and social influences of perpetration of child sexual abuse. This paper presents the results of a review and meta-analysis of studies examining risk factors for perpetration of child sexual abuse published since 1990.

Method: Eighty-nine studies published between 1990 and April of 2003 were reviewed.

Pediatricians' role and practices regarding provision of guidance about sexual risk reduction to parents.

A randomly selected nationally representative sample of 508 practicing pediatricians was surveyed in order to identify factors associated with physician delivery of primary prevention to parents about sexual risk reduction (SRR). A full 86% (n = 435) reported that provision of SRR guidance is equally or more important than other guidance provided to parents. Among the 435, only 121 (28%) provided SRR guidance to >75% of parents of their adolescent patients.

Integration across Time Determines Path Deviation Discrimination for Moving Objects.

Background: Human vision is vital in determining our interaction with the outside world. In this study we characterize our ability to judge changes in the direction of motion of objects-a common task which can allow us either to intercept moving objects, or else avoid them if they pose a threat.

Methodology/principal Findings: Observers were presented with objects which moved across a computer monitor on a linear path until the midline, at which point they changed their direction of motion, and observers were required to judge the direction of change.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors, NSAIDs and congestive heart failure: differences between new and recurrent cases.

What Is Already Known About This Subject: Pharmaco-epidemiological studies have shown that in susceptible individuals, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors increase the risk of developing congestive heart failure (CHF). Recently published studies have found lower relative risk (RR) estimates than the initial studies published in 1998-2000. It is unclear whether the level of risk is elevated equally in first time and recurrent cases of CHF.

Recalibration of perceived time across sensory modalities.

When formulating an estimate of event time, the human sensory system has been shown to possess a degree of perceptual flexibility. Specifically, the perceived relative timing of auditory and visual stimuli is, to some extent, a product of recent experience. It has been suggested that this form of sensory recalibration may be peculiar to the audiovisual domain.

Extrafoveal viewing reveals the nature of second-order human vision.

For the majority of visual tasks, performance in extrafoveal vision can be equated with that at the fovea simply by a change in spatial scale of the stimuli (magnification). We sought to exploit this association to examine the nature of second-order vision. More specifically, we investigate the relationship between the scale of second-order vision and the scale of its first-order input.

Evaluation of an alternative S100b assay for use in cardiac surgery: relationship with microemboli and neuropsychological outcome.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between S100b release, neuropsychological outcome and cerebral microemboli. Peri-operative assay of the astroglial cell protein S100b has been used as a marker of cerebral damage after cardiac surgery but potential assay cross-reactivity has limited its specificity. The present study uses an alternative enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) for serum S100b that has documented sensitivity and specificity data in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Efficacy of a parent-based sexual-risk prevention program for African American preadolescents: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a parent-based sexual-risk prevention program for African American preadolescents.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Community-based study conducted in Athens, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Little Rock, Arkansas from 2001 to 2004.

Adaptation minimizes distance-related audiovisual delays.

A controversial hypothesis within the domain of sensory research is that observers are able to use visual and auditory distance cues to maintain perceptual synchrony--despite the differential velocities of light and sound. Here we show that observers are categorically unable to utilize such distance cues. Nevertheless, given a period of adaptation to the naturally occurring audiovisual asynchrony associated with each viewing distance, a temporal recalibration mechanism helps to perceptually compensate for the effects of distance-induced auditory delays.

Primary prevention of child physical abuse and neglect: gaps and promising directions.

Reviews on primary prevention have identified effective strategies to prevent child maltreatment but have ignored potentially promising interventions that have not yet been evaluated as well as gaps in the development of programs. The goal of this review was to identify these gaps and recommend future directions for developing interventions from a public health perspective. To this end, a systematic review of the literature for 1980-2004 utilizing existing databases and found 188 primary prevention interventions that addressed a broad range of risk factors was conducted.

Multimedia measurements and activity patterns in an observational pilot study of nine young children.

A pilot observational exposure study was performed to evaluate methods for collecting multimedia measurements (air, dust, food, urine) and activity patterns to assess potential exposures of young children to pesticides in their homes. Nine children (mean age=5 years) and their caregivers participated in this study, performed in the Duval County, Florida, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Duval County Health Department. For all nine children, the total time reported for sleeping and napping ranged from 9.

A randomized controlled trial of high-viscosity 2-octyl cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive versus sutures in repairing facial wounds following Mohs micrographic surgery.

Background: High-viscosity 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (HVOCA) is a rapidly polymerizing liquid topical adhesive indicated for epidermal approximation of superficial lacerations and surgical wounds. Use of HVOCA in repair of facial wounds after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has not been reported.

Objective: To compare aesthetic outcome of HVOCA versus sutured epidermal closure of linearly repaired facial wounds following MMS.

Are parental gender role beliefs a predictor of change in sexual communication in a prevention program?

This study examined if pre-intervention maternal gender role beliefs predict change in sexual communication in a sexual risk behavior prevention program designed to increase parent-pre-adolescent communication about sex. A sample of 281 African American fourth and fifth graders and their mothers participated in the five-session program and completed computerized questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Based on mother report, more egalitarian maternal gender role beliefs predicted greater increases in parent-pre-adolescent communication about sex at postintervention.

Partner violence screening in rural health care clinics.

Objectives: We sought to determine the frequency of intimate partner violence by type in a large, clinic-based, nurse-administered screening and services intervention project.

Methods: A brief intimate partner violence screen, which included items to measure sexual and physical assaults and psychological battering (using the Women's Experience With Battering scale) was administered to consenting women receiving care at 1 of 8 rural clinics in South Carolina.

Results: Between April 2002 and August 2005, 4945 eligible women were offered intimate partner violence screening, to which 3664 (74.

Intralesional methotrexate treatment for keratoacanthoma tumors: a retrospective study and review of the literature.

Background: Intralesional methotrexate (MTX) is an effective treatment for keratoacanthoma (KA).

Objective: We sought to systematically examine response rates and adverse events in KA treated with intralesional MTX.

Methods: All cases of KA treated with intralesional MTX at our institution from 1991 to 2006 were identified.

Health financing reform in Kenya - assessing the social health insurance proposal.

Kenya has had a history of health financing policy changes since its independence in 1963. Recently, significant preparatory work was done on a new Social Health Insurance Law that, if accepted, would lead to universal health coverage in Kenya after a transition period. Questions of economic feasibility and political acceptability continue to be discussed, with stakeholders voicing concerns on design features of the new proposal submitted to the Kenyan parliament in 2004.

Differences in frequency of violence and reported injury between relationships with reciprocal and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence.

Objectives: We sought to examine the prevalence of reciprocal (i.e., perpetrated by both partners) and nonreciprocal intimate partner violence and to determine whether reciprocity is related to violence frequency and injury.

Intimate partner violence incidence and continuation in a primary care screening program.

There are few longitudinal estimates of intimate partner violence (IPV) incidence and continuation. This report provides estimates of IPV incidence and continuation in women receiving health care in clinics participating in an IPV assessment and services intervention study. The Women's Experience with Battering Scale was used in combination with questions addressing physical and sexual assault to annually screen women for IPV.

A network model for providing culturally competent services for intimate partner violence and sexual violence.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health implemented the Collaborative for Abuse Prevention in Racial and Ethnic Communities (CARE) project in two Latino communities, in the city of Chelsea and in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. One goal of CARE was to build collaborative networks of service providers to provide culturally competent services. Networks of existing community-based agencies that provide a variety of different services regarding violence against women were established in both locales.

Use of metabolic profiles for the assessment of dietary adequacy in UK dairy herds.

Between April 1999 and March 2004, metabolic profile analyses were performed on individual blood samples from 35,506 dairy cattle in the UK. Assessment of the cows' energy status by the analysis of plasma samples for beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose and non-esterified fatty acids showed that 70.4 per cent of the cows in early lactation (10 to 20 days calved), 57.

Management of cutaneous angiomyolipoma and its association with tuberous sclerosis.

Although typically presenting renally, angiomyolipomas can rarely present in the skin. The tumors are composed of an admixture of blood vessels, smooth muscle and adipose tissue and are often seen in the setting of tuberous sclerosis. We describe a case of angiomyolipoma presenting on the thigh of a 50-year-old white female.

Concordance between self-reported maltreatment and court records of abuse or neglect among high-risk youths.

Objectives: We examined the concordance between measures of self-reported maltreatment and court records of abuse or neglect in a sample of detained youths.

Methods: Data were collected by the Northwestern Juvenile Project and include interviews from 1829 youths aged 10-18 years. Participants were newly detained youths in the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center in Illinois between 1995 and 1998.