Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

INTRODUÇÃO: O virus linfotrópico de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV-1) é endêmico em várias partes do mundo e transmitido primariamente através de relações sexuais ou da mãe para o filho. MÉTODOS: Estes modos de transmissão foram investigados na coorte de pacientes com HTLV-1 acompanhados no Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas de São Paulo comparando-se casais soroconcordantes e sorodiscordantes, para estudo da transmissão sexual, e binômios mãe-filho soroconcordantes e com filho soronegativo para estudo da transmissão vertical. Os dados foram consolidados e depois analisados utilizando o sistema RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) e o programa computacional estatístico Stata/IC 13.1. Resultados com valor de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Variáveis com p < 0,2 na análise bivariada foram incluídos na análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: Entre janeiro de 2013 e maio de 2015, de 178 pacientes com HTLV-1 que se declararam casados, 107 (46 homens e 61 mulheres) tinham parceiro testado, resultando em 81 casais (26 homens e 26 mulheres já formavam pares entre si). Foram excluídos aqueles com HIV ou HTLV-2. A taxa de soroconcordância entre casais foi 46,9%. A carga proviral (PVL) de HTLV-1 foi comparada entre 19 casais soroconcordantes e 37 sorodiscordantes, e os casais soroconcordantes apresentaram cargas provirais mais elevadas (p = 0,03). Não houve diferença entre os grupos de acordo com idade, tempo de relacionamento, ter mãe ou irmão com HTLV-1, raça, local de nascimento, escolaridade, história de hemotransfusão, HAM/TSP, ATL ou soropositividade para hepatite C. Na análise multivariada, no entanto, o tempo de relacionamento (> 20 anos) manteve-se independentemente associado com a ocorrência de soroconcordância entre casais (p = 0,031). Por sua vez, no período de junho de 2006 a agosto de 2016 havia 192 mães com infecção pelo HTLV-1, resultando em 499 filhos expostos. Destes, 288 (57,7%) foram testados para HTLV-1, constituindo-se na amostra final para o estudo, juntamente com respectivas 134 mães. Entre os filhos testados, 41 foram positivos para HTLV-1, indicando taxa de transmissão vertical de 14,2%. Sete dos 134 núcleos familiares concentraram 20 (48,8%) do total de 41 filhos soropositivos e cinco apresentavam prole com três ou mais filhos soropositivos para HTLV-1. Estiveram associadas à soropositividade do filho: duração da amamentação >= 12 meses, PVL materna >= 100 cópias/104 PBMC, idade da mãe no parto > 26 anos, raça/etnia asiática, estado civil divorciada, filho com avó soropositiva para HTLV-1, ter irmão com HTLV-1. Na análise multivariada, amamentação >= 12 meses, PVL materna elevada e ter irmão com HTLV-1 mantiveram-se independentemente associados ao desfecho. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados indicam que o HLTV-1 vem sendo transmitido ativamente na coorte, tanto por via sexual como materno infantil, com agregação familiar de casos e que o risco de transmissão entre casais persiste após décadas (mais de 20 anos) de sorodiscordância. Foi observada associação entre PVL e transmissão do vírus, tanto por via sexual como materno-infantil, mesmo depois de anos após o desfecho. PVL materna elevada e amamentação prolongada estiveram independentemente associados à transmissão vertical, sendo necessários outros estudos avaliando a influência de fatores genéticos. / INTRODUCTION: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is transmitted primarily either through sexual intercourse or from mother to child. METHODS: The current study investigated sexual and vertical transmission among individuals diagnosed as HTLV-1-positive who have been followed up at the Institute of Infectious Diseases \"Emilio Ribas\". In order to study the sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission, the selected individuals with their respective pairs (couples or mother and son, repectively) were classified into seroconcordant or serodiscordant groups according to serological findings. Data were collected and managed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and Stata/IC 13.1 for Windows. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Variables with p < 0.2 in bivariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and May 2015, 178 HTLV-1-positive patients had spouses, 107 of which (46 men and 61 women) had tested partners, thus forming the initial sample (81 couples). Individuals co-infected with HTLV-2 or human immunodeficiency virus were not included in the analysis. The rate of seroconcordance was 59.8%. The HTLV-1 proviral load was compared between 19 and 37 seroconcordant and serodiscondant couples, respectively, and the concordant couples showed higher proviral loads (p = 0.03). There were no differences between the groups according to age, relationship length, having a mother or sibling with HTLV-1, race, ethnicity, nationality, education, history of blood transfusion, HAM/TSP, ALT, or hepatitis C virus status. In multivariate analysis, relationship time (over 20 years) was shown associated with ocurrence of seroconcordance status (p = 0.031). In turn, between June 2006 and August 2016 there were 192 mothers with HTLV-1 infection, resulting in 499 exposed children. Of these, 288 (57.7%) were tested for HTLV-1, forming the final sample for the study with 134 respective mothers. Among the tested soons, 41 were positive for HTLV-1, indicating vertical transmission rate of 14.2%. Of 41 positive sons for HTLV-1, 40 (48.8%) were clustered in seven of 134 households, and five households had their offspring with three or more sons seropositive for HTLV-1. The following variables were associated with positive son for HTLV-1: breastfeeding duration >= 12 months, maternal PVL >= 100 copies/104 PBMC, mother\'s age at delivery > 26 years, asian race/ethnicity, divorced marital status, child with grandmother seropositive for HTLV-1, have brother with HTLV-1. In multivariate analysis, breastfeeding >= 12 months, higher maternal proviral load and have brother with HTLV-1 remained independently associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the HLTV-1 is actively transmitted in the cohort both sexually and vertically, with ocurrence of familial clustering. The sexual transmission risk persists among couples even after decades (over 20 years) of serodiscordance. PVL remained associated with the outcome even several years after the occurrence of the transmission both sexually and vertically. High maternal provirus load and breastfeeding beyond 12 months were independently associated with positive son for HTLV-1, but it is necessary further studies to evaluating the influence of genetic factors on the mother-to-child transmission.

INTRODUÇÃO: O virus linfotrópico de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV-1) é endêmico em várias partes do mundo e transmitido primariamente através de relações sexuais ou da mãe para o filho. MÉTODOS: Estes modos de transmissão foram investigados na coorte de pacientes com HTLV-1 acompanhados no Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas de São Paulo comparando-se casais soroconcordantes e sorodiscordantes, para estudo da transmissão sexual, e binômios mãe-filho soroconcordantes e com filho soronegativo para estudo da transmissão vertical. Os dados foram consolidados e depois analisados utilizando o sistema RedCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) e o programa computacional estatístico Stata/IC 13.1. Resultados com valor de p < 0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Variáveis com p < 0,2 na análise bivariada foram incluídos na análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: Entre janeiro de 2013 e maio de 2015, de 178 pacientes com HTLV-1 que se declararam casados, 107 (46 homens e 61 mulheres) tinham parceiro testado, resultando em 81 casais (26 homens e 26 mulheres já formavam pares entre si). Foram excluídos aqueles com HIV ou HTLV-2. A taxa de soroconcordância entre casais foi 46,9%. A carga proviral (PVL) de HTLV-1 foi comparada entre 19 casais soroconcordantes e 37 sorodiscordantes, e os casais soroconcordantes apresentaram cargas provirais mais elevadas (p = 0,03). Não houve diferença entre os grupos de acordo com idade, tempo de relacionamento, ter mãe ou irmão com HTLV-1, raça, local de nascimento, escolaridade, história de hemotransfusão, HAM/TSP, ATL ou soropositividade para hepatite C. Na análise multivariada, no entanto, o tempo de relacionamento (> 20 anos) manteve-se independentemente associado com a ocorrência de soroconcordância entre casais (p = 0,031). Por sua vez, no período de junho de 2006 a agosto de 2016 havia 192 mães com infecção pelo HTLV-1, resultando em 499 filhos expostos. Destes, 288 (57,7%) foram testados para HTLV-1, constituindo-se na amostra final para o estudo, juntamente com respectivas 134 mães. Entre os filhos testados, 41 foram positivos para HTLV-1, indicando taxa de transmissão vertical de 14,2%. Sete dos 134 núcleos familiares concentraram 20 (48,8%) do total de 41 filhos soropositivos e cinco apresentavam prole com três ou mais filhos soropositivos para HTLV-1. Estiveram associadas à soropositividade do filho: duração da amamentação >= 12 meses, PVL materna >= 100 cópias/104 PBMC, idade da mãe no parto > 26 anos, raça/etnia asiática, estado civil divorciada, filho com avó soropositiva para HTLV-1, ter irmão com HTLV-1. Na análise multivariada, amamentação >= 12 meses, PVL materna elevada e ter irmão com HTLV-1 mantiveram-se independentemente associados ao desfecho. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados indicam que o HLTV-1 vem sendo transmitido ativamente na coorte, tanto por via sexual como materno infantil, com agregação familiar de casos e que o risco de transmissão entre casais persiste após décadas (mais de 20 anos) de sorodiscordância. Foi observada associação entre PVL e transmissão do vírus, tanto por via sexual como materno-infantil, mesmo depois de anos após o desfecho. PVL materna elevada e amamentação prolongada estiveram independentemente associados à transmissão vertical, sendo necessários outros estudos avaliando a influência de fatores genéticos. / INTRODUCTION: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is transmitted primarily either through sexual intercourse or from mother to child. METHODS: The current study investigated sexual and vertical transmission among individuals diagnosed as HTLV-1-positive who have been followed up at the Institute of Infectious Diseases \"Emilio Ribas\". In order to study the sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission, the selected individuals with their respective pairs (couples or mother and son, repectively) were classified into seroconcordant or serodiscordant groups according to serological findings. Data were collected and managed using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) and Stata/IC 13.1 for Windows. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Variables with p < 0.2 in bivariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and May 2015, 178 HTLV-1-positive patients had spouses, 107 of which (46 men and 61 women) had tested partners, thus forming the initial sample (81 couples). Individuals co-infected with HTLV-2 or human immunodeficiency virus were not included in the analysis. The rate of seroconcordance was 59.8%. The HTLV-1 proviral load was compared between 19 and 37 seroconcordant and serodiscondant couples, respectively, and the concordant couples showed higher proviral loads (p = 0.03). There were no differences between the groups according to age, relationship length, having a mother or sibling with HTLV-1, race, ethnicity, nationality, education, history of blood transfusion, HAM/TSP, ALT, or hepatitis C virus status. In multivariate analysis, relationship time (over 20 years) was shown associated with ocurrence of seroconcordance status (p = 0.031). In turn, between June 2006 and August 2016 there were 192 mothers with HTLV-1 infection, resulting in 499 exposed children. Of these, 288 (57.7%) were tested for HTLV-1, forming the final sample for the study with 134 respective mothers. Among the tested soons, 41 were positive for HTLV-1, indicating vertical transmission rate of 14.2%. Of 41 positive sons for HTLV-1, 40 (48.8%) were clustered in seven of 134 households, and five households had their offspring with three or more sons seropositive for HTLV-1. The following variables were associated with positive son for HTLV-1: breastfeeding duration >= 12 months, maternal PVL >= 100 copies/104 PBMC, mother\'s age at delivery > 26 years, asian race/ethnicity, divorced marital status, child with grandmother seropositive for HTLV-1, have brother with HTLV-1. In multivariate analysis, breastfeeding >= 12 months, higher maternal proviral load and have brother with HTLV-1 remained independently associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the HLTV-1 is actively transmitted in the cohort both sexually and vertically, with ocurrence of familial clustering. The sexual transmission risk persists among couples even after decades (over 20 years) of serodiscordance. PVL remained associated with the outcome even several years after the occurrence of the transmission both sexually and vertically. High maternal provirus load and breastfeeding beyond 12 months were independently associated with positive son for HTLV-1, but it is necessary further studies to evaluating the influence of genetic factors on the mother-to-child transmission.

The college student population has a high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STI)s due to their participation in higher risk sexual behaviors such as serial relationships, drug and alcohol use and abuse, and inconsistent use of condoms. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between student exposure of sexual education and their sexual behaviors among college going students in Virginia. Guided by the health belief model, this quantitative cross-sectional study involved a random selection process to recruit college students to test the hypothesis. The research questions were designed to examine participants' exposure to sexual education, sexual behaviors, perceptions of contracting STIs with no condom use, and their perceptions of STI education added to college curriculums. The sample included 656 participants who ranged between 18-24 years old and were enrolled in a Virginia 4-year public university. Data were collected through an online survey. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the variables sexual education (independent) and sexual behaviors (dependent). Prior research has indicated that STI prevention education programs implemented within a schools' curriculum has assisted in bridging the gap between public health and education. The study results have shown that the students who had some form of sexual education and were sexually active are less likely to participate in risky sexual practices. The study also indicated that 92.5% of the participants perceive that adding STI courses to the college curriculum will help prevent STIs among college students. These results highlight the sexual health of Virginia college students and promote positive social change among Virginia's college campuses by identifying the inconsistencies of STI knowledge and practices, which can encourage better education.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Microbiology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Sexually transmitted infections represent one of the main health problems related to reproductive and sexual function, constituting one of the main causes of infertility. Plants have been employed traditionally in treating diseases for centuries. Elephantorrhiza burkei, Securidaca longepedunculata and Wrightia natalensis medicinal plants were selected for this study based on their use in traditional medicine to treat sexual health problems in Limpopo Province. The aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the selected plants. Different extraction procedures coupled with solvents of varying polarities were used in the extraction of the plant materials. Possible microbial contaminants were identified using the VITEK 2 instrument. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined using standard chemical tests and Thin-Layer Chromatography. Total polyphenol content was quantified calorimetrically. Antioxidant activity was quantified using 2, 2-diphenyl- 1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing power assays. In vitro antimicrobial activities were determined using a broth micro-dilution assay and bioautography. Combinational effects of the addition of multiple plant species on antimicrobial activity were investigated for additive, synergistic and antagonistic interactions. The plant species phytochemical profile contained polyphenols that are known to have antimicrobial effects against two Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), a Gram-negative bacterium, as well as the fungus, Candida albicans (ATCC 10231). Elephantorrhiza burkei exhibited high antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity against the test pathogens, although most of the interactions were antagonistic and indifferent. Toxicity was found in the herbal treatment and acute toxicity was found in the selected plants. Based on the good correlations which were found in E. burkei, it was selected for bioactivity guided by an isolation of antibacterial compounds. Elephantorrhiza burkei was not successfully isolated, but the fraction collected showed exceptional biological activity that validates its usage against disease-causing pathogens related to sexually transmitted infections, which compromises male sexual health. This study suggests that the evaluated plants are potential sources of novel anti-infective agents. Further in vivo and in vitro studies are recommended for all the plants, respectively. / University of Limpopo and CSIR

No description available.

Η αυξημένη ζήτηση για λήψη δεδομένων της πολυμεσικής Broadcast/Multicast υπηρεσίας από τους χρήστες των δικτύων κινητών επικοινωνιών τρίτης γενιάς, απαιτεί την κατανάλωση μεγάλων ποσών ισχύος για την εξυπηρέτησή τους, ενώ η διαθέσιμη ισχύς των δικτύων είναι περιορισμένη. Με στόχο, την αποδοτικότερη χρήση των ποσών ισχύος του συστήματος, και την εξυπηρέτηση με τον τρόπο αυτό περισσότερων χρηστών, αλλά με ταυτόχρονη διατήρηση της ποιότητας της υπηρεσίας, έχουν προταθεί κάποιες τεχνικές οι οποίες οδηγούν σε μείωση της εκπεμπόμενης ισχύος. Στην διπλωματική αυτή εργασία, αναλύονται αρχικά τα δίκτυα τρίτης γενιάς καθώς και η πολυμεσική Broadcast/Multicast υπηρεσία. Στη συνέχεια, περιγράφονται όλες οι τεχνικές που έχουν προταθεί, και με την χρήση κατάλληλου λογισμικού προσομοιώνεται μία από τις τεχνικές αυτές. Τα ποσοστά μείωσης ισχύος, που προκύπτουν ως αποτελέσματα της προσομοίωσης αυτής, αποδεικνύουν την σημαντική μείωση της εκπεμπόμενης ισχύος που μπορεί να επιτευχθεί με την χρήση της τεχνικής αυτής. / The increased demand for data download of the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast service by the users of the mobile third generation networks, requires the consumption of large power amounts for their service, while the available power of the networks is limited. With the view of more efficient usage of the system power resources, and the service in this way of more users, but with the simultaneous maintenance of the quality of service, they have been proposed some techniques which lead to the reduction of the transmitted power. In this work, initially, the third generation networks and the Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast service are being analyzed. Afterwards, all the techniques that they have been proposed are being described, and with the usage of the appropriate software, one of these techniques is being simulated. The power reduction percentages, that they come of as a result of this simulation, prove the significant transmitted power reduction, which can be achieved with the usage of this technique.

Sexual development and interest in sex is a normal part of adolescent development, but the negative outcomes of unprotected intercourse can result in life changing consequences such as an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection. Although the prevalence of these consequences have improvement over the past decade, the United States still has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates and highest prevalence of youth sexually transmitted infection among developed countries. In this report, the determinants that lead adolescents to engage in sex and fail to use contraceptives are reviewed. With knowledge on what factors contribute to adolescent sexual risk taking behaviors, counseling strategies can be implemented to prevent and intervene, and the school counselor is in a prime setting for delivery. The prevention strategies that are covered in this review are grouped into five categories. They are education, skill building, enhancing student development, involving parents and families, and implementing programs. / text

<p>Curricula should be strengthened by teaching the curability of STIs and the importance of STI treatment to prevent HIV transmission. This study focused on the control of sexually transmitted infections as a key HIV prevention strategy. Sexually transmitted infections act as a strong cofactor in the sexual transmission of HIV. Effective STI management can limit the spread of HIV.</p>

The aim of this study was to examine sexual behavior, contraceptive use, self-rated health, lifestyle factors and the prevalence of HPV vaccination among last year high school students. The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study which was a substudy of the longitudinal study " Pornography, Youth and Health". Results showed that the majority of students had had sexual intercourse (75 %, n=524) and both performed (67 %, n=479) and received oralsex (70 %, n=498). Forty percent (n=282) of the students had had one night stand, a quarter (n=159) anal sex and 29 (n=202) percent sex with a friend. The contraceptive use increased from the first to the last intercourse while the use of condoms decreased. Five percent (n=38) of the students reported a sexually transmitted disease, more women than men. Significant difference in sexual experience was shown between students in vocational versus theoretical study programs, between students with low and high self-rated health as well as between students with low versus high risk behavior regarding lifestyle factors. Two thirds of the female students were vaccinated against HPV. No significant difference regarding condom use was shown between the female students who were vaccinated against HPV compared with non-vaccinated. The knowledge of existing differences between gender, between students at different high school programs and attention to risk factors can improve sex education and contraceptive counseling in which the midwife has an important role. / Syftet med föreliggande studie var att undersöka sexualvanor, preventivmedelsanvändning, egen upplevd hälsa, livsstilsfaktorer och förekomsten av HPV-vaccination bland elever som gick sista året på gymnasiet. Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie som var en del av den longitudinella studien "Pornografi, ungdomar och hälsa". Resultat visade att majoriteten av eleverna hade haft samlag (75 %, n=524) samt både givit (67 %, n=479) och fått oralsex (70 %, n=498). Fyrtio procent (n=282) av eleverna hade haft one night stand, en fjärdedel (n=159) analsex och 29 procent (n=202) sex med en kompis. Preventivmedelsanvändningen ökade från första samlaget till det senaste medan kondomanvändningen minskade. Fem procent (n=38) av eleverna hade haft en könssjukdom, fler kvinnor än män. Signifikanta skillnader avseende sexuella erfarenheter fanns mellan elever på yrkesförberedande- respektive studieförberedande gymnasieprogram, mellan elever med låg- och hög självskattad hälsa samt mellan elever med lågt- och högt riskbeteende beträffande livsstilsfaktorer. Två tredjedelar av de kvinnliga eleverna var vaccinerade mot HPV. Ingen signifikant skillnad med avseende på kondomanvändning fanns mellan de kvinnliga eleverna som var vaccinerade respektive ej vaccinerade mot HPV. Kunskap om dessa skillnader mellan kön och mellan elever på olika studieprogram samt att riskfaktorer uppmärksammas kan förbättra sexualundervisning och preventivmedelsrådgivning i vilka barnmorskan har en viktig roll.