BACKGROUND The L-aminopeptidase D-Ala-esterase/amidase from Ochrobactrum anthropi (DmpA) releases the N-terminal L and/or D-Ala residues from peptide substrates. This is the only known enzyme to liberate N-terminal amino acids with both D and L stereospecificity. The DmpA active form is an alphabeta heterodimer, which results from a putative autocatalytic cleavage of an inactive precursor polyp...

OBJECTIVES The most common reason for discontinuation of long-acting progestogen-only contraceptives is irregular bleeding following local endometrial vascular changes. To reduce unpredictable bleeding episodes among depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users, the combined injectable contraceptive, Cyclofem, was offered as an alternative. However, there is a gap in our knowledge about the e...

Background Increasing evidence suggests depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and intravaginal practices may be associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection risk; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. This study evaluated the effect of DMPA and intravaginal practices on the genital proteome and microbiome to gain mechanistic insights. Methods Cervicovaginal se...

The contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), with progestin as the single active compound, possesses selective glucocorticoid activity and can alter the expression of glucocorticoid receptor-regulated genes. We therefore propose that pharmacological doses of DMPA used for endocrine therapy could have significant immune modulatory effects and impact on susceptibility to, as well a...

BACKGROUND Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is the most commonly used hormonal contraceptive method in South Africa. It is frequently administered in the immediate postnatal period, yet it is unclear whether it affects the risk of postnatal depression (PND). AIM To determine whether DMPA increases the risk of PND compared with the copper-containing intrauterine device (IUD) when admin...

BACKGROUND Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) inhibits proliferation of ovarian follicles, resulting in anovulation and a decrease in circulating estrogen; the latter action is potentially disadvantageous to cardiovascular health. We therefore investigated the vascular effects of long-term contraceptive DMPA in young women. METHODS AND RESULTS Endothelium-dependent (hyperemia-induced fl...

PURPOSE We compared the immediate administration of DMPA (Depo Now) to the immediate use of short-term hormonal methods that served as a "bridge method" until later DMPA initiation. We examined whether Depo Now, as compared to initiating with a bridge method (pills, transdermal patch, or vaginal ring), resulted in greater DMPA continuation at six months. METHODS Young women aged 14 to 26 year...

We consider the model-checking problem for data multipushdown automata (DMPA). DMPA generate data words, i.e, strings enriched with values from an infinite domain. The latter can be used to represent an unbounded number of process identifiers so that DMPA are suitable to model concurrent programs with dynamic process creation. To specify properties of data words, we use monadic second-order (MS...

The purpose of this Position Paper is to review the published Black Box Warning regarding depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and bone loss as it relates to adolescent girls. The scientific findings that prompted the Food and Drug Administration to issue the warning are reviewed and the following additional issues are considered: (1) likely low risk of fracture related to DMPA use, (2) evi...

INTRODUCTION Sayana Press (SP), a subcutaneous formulation of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) prefilled in a Uniject injection system, could potentially improve and expand contraceptive injection services, but acceptability of SP is unknown. HIV-positive women need contraception to avoid unintended pregnancy and risk of vertical HIV transmission. We assessed acceptability of SP versus ...