Two recent Phase III clinical trials to investigate an intravaginal ring for preventing HIV infection demonstrated that adherence to prescribed device use was a primary driver of efficacy. Surrogate methods for determining adherence in the studies were limited in their inability to monitor temporal patterns of use and allow deconvolution of the effects of adherence and device efficacy on HIV in...

the down-flow hanging sponge (dhs) reactor, which was developed for post-treatment of effluent from up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (uasb) process treating sewage, uses polyurethane sponge as media to retain biomass. wastewater is trickled from the top of the reactor and purified by microorganisms retained both inside and outside of the sponge media as the wastewater flows vertically down thr...

Intravaginal insertion is often associated with the concept of 'dry' sex. All HIV-prevention microbicides tested to date have been vaginally applied lubricant-based gels. In this paper, we examine whether the use of intravaginal insertions could be in conflict with the introduction of vaginal microbicide gels. The Africa Centre site was part of the Microbicides Development Programme evaluating ...

Abstract The body temperature of animals can be measured by thermistors, thermocouples, or radiotelemetry devices that are implanted surgically under the skin, although suitability subcutaneous as an indicator core limited because abnormal readings, probably affected ambient and animal inactivity. This study compared use bio-loggers designed to monitor (Tsub), with their embedded in intravagina...

Cross-sectional studies have suggested that intravaginal practices, such as douching or "dry sex," may increase women's susceptibility to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The authors examined the temporal nature of this association in a cohort of South African women. At enrollment (2001-2002), 4,089 women were tested for HIV infection. Participants reported their intravaginal ...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects injectable selenium, vitamin E and B1 compounds on serum metabolic profile pregnancy rates (PR) during non-breeding season in Merino ewes that were synchronized with progesterone equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). Thermographic monitoring last day synchronization successful early selection be used artificial insemination its relationshi...

Timed artificial insemination (TAI) is a very important tool for reproductive programs in small ruminants, providing synchronized inseminations and more efficient use of superior males. The objectives this study were to investigate the viability different breeding protocols under sub-optimal conditions out season, compare outcome TAI sheep with two semen extenders. Ewes (n=575) subjected estrou...

BACKGROUND Intravaginal practices are commonly used by women to manage their vaginal health and sexual life. These practices could, however, affect intravaginal mucosal integrity. The objectives of this study were to examine evidence for associations between: intravaginal practices and acquisition of HIV infection; intravaginal practices and vaginal infections; and vaginal infections and HIV ac...