A asma traz remodelamento das vias aéreas por deposição de colágeno, hiperplasia mucoide, hipertrofia celular lisa e hipertrofia epitelial além de afetar a reatividade das vias aéreas. Camundongos C57Bl/6 ovariectomizadas (OVx) foram sensibilizadas e desafiadas com OVA por inalação 3 vezes por semana durante 3 ou 7 semanas. Passadas 120h pós desafio avaliou-se: reatividade traqueal, histologia, MMPs 2 e 9 e mecânica pulmonar. O grupo OVx alérgico teve a reatividade traqueal à MCh e a quantificação de muco, colágeno e músculo liso reduzida em comparação ao grupo controle (sham OVx). O tratamento com estrógeno aumentou MMP2 e o tratamento com progesterona aumentou MMP9. A mecânica ventilatória não diferiu entre os grupos. Nossos dados sugerem que o remodelamento brônquico pode ser modulado por HSFs. / Asthma is characterized by remodeling and increased airway responsiveness. Remodeling is recognized by sub-epithelial fibrosis, bronchial glands hypertrophy and goblet cell hyperplasia. We investigated role of HSF in airway remodeling and in tracheal responsiveness in a model of chronic lung inflammation. Mice were ovariectomized (OVx), sensitized and OVA challenged. Elapsed 120h of the last challenge, histological assessment and contractile response of trachea to methacholine (MCh) was performed. Total lung resistance (R) and elastance (E) were measured under mechanical ventilation. Control group consisted of Sham OVx allergic mice. Airway remodeling were significantly lower of OVx mice compared with Sham OVx allergic counterparts. OVx allergic mice showed lower tracheal responsiveness than Sham OVx. R and E were the same between groups.

Contexte: Les travailleuses du sexe (TS) sont un groupe à risque de l’infection à VIH, jouant un rôle majeur dans la dynamique de l’épidémie en Afrique de l’Ouest. Les interventions de prévention et de prise en charge du VIH ciblant ces femmes sont donc indispensables, mais leur contenu reste à définir. Nous avons conçu un paquet d’intervention qui combinait la prévention et les soins, et estimé son impact sur l’incidence du VIH. Méthodes: Entre septembre 2009 et septembre 2010, nous avons réalisé une étude transversale à Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) suivie d’une étude de cohorte interventionnelle chez des jeunes TS âgées de 18 à 25 ans, avec un suivi trimestriel pendant 21 mois maximum. Le paquet d’intervention de la cohorte combinait des activités de prévention effectuées par des pairs (sessions de communication pour un changement de comportement) et de soins (IST, VIH, soins généraux, santé sexuelle et reproductive, soutien psychologique).A chaque visite, les comportements sexuels étaient collectés par un questionnaire ; des tests VIH, HSV-2 et de grossesses étaient réalisés. L’incidence de l’infection à VIH observée dans la cohorte a été comparée à l’incidence attendue en absence d’intervention. Cette dernière a été estimée grâce à un modèle mathématique de Bernouilli utilisant les données collectées chez les clients des TS, et des estimations de paramètres clés issus de la littérature.Durant le suivi, nous avons défini un comportement à risque comme le premier épisode d’un évènement biologique résultant d’un rapport sexuel non-protégé : grossesse non-désirée, primo-infection HSV-2 ou à T. vaginalis. Nous avons utilisé un modèle logistique à effet aléatoire pour identifier les déterminants de ces comportements à risque durant le suivi.Résultats: Parmi les 609 travailleuses du sexe pré-sélectionnées dont 188 (30,9%) professionnelles, la prévalence du VIH était de 10,3% chez les professionnelles et 6,5% chez les non-professionnelles l’âge médian était de 21 ans. Au total, 41,2% des professionnelles et 47,5% des non-professionnelles rapportaient une utilisation non systématique du préservatif, principalement avec leurs partenaires réguliers.Dans cette étude transversale, l’infection à VIH était associée à l’âge (aOR=1,44; IC95%: 1,22-1,71), la vie en couple (AOR=2,70; IC95%: 1,21-6,04), et l’infection à T. vaginalis (aOR=9,63; IC95%: 2,93-31,59), tandis que la réalisation antérieure d’un test VIH réduisait nettement ce risque (AOR=0,18; IC95%: 0,08-0,40). Les 321 TS non-infectées par le VIH incluses dans la cohorte ont effectué un suivi total de 409 personne-années (p-a). Aucune participante n’a fait une séroconversion au VIH durant le suivi (0/409 p-a) alors que l’incidence attendue modélisée était de 5,05/409 p-a (IC95%, 5,01-5,08) soit 1,23 infection/100 p-a (p=0,005). Cette incidence nulle était associée à une réduction du nombre de partenaires réguliers et de clients réguliers ainsi qu’à une augmentation du taux d’utilisation constante du préservatif avec les nouveaux clients (aOR =2,19; IC95%, 1,16-4,14) et avec les clients réguliers (aOR=2,18; IC95%, 1,26-3,76). Cependant, les comportements à risque restaient élevés durant l’intervention : 26,7/100 p-a (IC95%, 24,1-33,7). Ce risque résiduel était plus élevé chez les TS vivant en couple (aOR =7,47, IC95%, 1,70-30,80) et chez les non-professionnelles (AOR =5,53, IC95%, 1,75-16,84). Ces dernières avaient le plus tendance à ne pas déclarer les comportements à risque lors des interviews. Conclusions: Notre étude a démontré la nécessité de cibler les jeunes TS par des interventions adaptées.Notre paquet d’intervention combinant la prévention du VIH et les soins a permis de réduire l’incidence du VIH chez les jeunes travailleuses du sexe au Burkina Faso. Les interventions devront se focaliser sur le dépistage du VIH, les TS non-professionnelles et les partenaires réguliers. / Background: In West Africa, interventions targeting female sex workers (FSW) are crucial to impact on the HIV dynamics. However, the contents and efficacy of these interventions are unclear, and identifying the most at risk FSW in order to adapt these interventions remain challenging, partly because of the limitations of self-reported sexual behaviours. We therefore designed a comprehensive dedicated intervention targeting young female sex workers, and assessed its impact on HIV incidence in Burkina Faso and the reliability of interview data. Methods: From September 2009 to September 2010 we conducted a cross sectional study in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Then HIV-uninfected FSW aged 18-25 years were enrolled in a prospective interventional cohort. The participants were followed quarterly for a maximum of 21 months. The intervention group received a package which combined prevention and care within the same setting, and consisting of peer-led education sessions, psychological support, sexually transmitted infections and HIV care, general routine health care, and reproductive health services. At each visit, behavioural characteristics were collected and HIV, HSV-2 and pregnancy were tested. High-risk behaviour was defined as the first occurrence of any biological event resulting from unsafe sex, including unexpected pregnancy or HSV-2 or T. vaginalis infection. We used random logistic models to assess the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and the residual high risk behaviours during the intervention.We compared the cohort HIV incidence with a Bernoulli modelled expected incidence in the absence of intervention, using data collected at the same time from FSW clients and key parameters from the litterature. Results: We screened 609 FSW including 188 (30.9%) professionals. Their median age was 21 years [IQR, 19-23], and the prevalence of HIV was 10.3% among professionals and 6.5% among non-professionals. Overall, 277 (45.6%) women reported high-risk behaviours (41.2% among professionals and 47.5% among non-professionals), which were driven mainly by non-consistent condom use with regular partners. In multivariable analysis, before the intervention, HIV infection was associated with older age (AOR=1.44; 95%CI: 1.22-1.71), with being married/cohabiting (AOR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.21-6.04), and with T. vaginalis infection (AOR=9.63; 95%CI: 2.93-31.59), while previous HIV testing was associated with a decreased risk (AOR=0.18; 95%CI: 0.08-0.40).The 321 HIV-uninfected FSW enrolled in the cohort completed 409 person-years of follow-up. No participant seroconverted for HIV during the study while the expected modelled number of HIV infections were 5.05 (95%CI, 5.01-5.08) during the same follow-up (409 person-years) or 1.23 infection per 100 person-years (p=0.005). This null incidence was related to a reduction in the number of regular partners and regular clients, and to an increase in consistent condom use with casual clients (AOR =2.19; 95%CI, 1.16-4.14, p=0.01) and with regular clients (AOR=2.18; 95%CI, 1.26-3.76, p=0.005). However, the incidence of residual risk was high, at 26.7/100 person-years (95% CI, 24.1-33.7). The residual risk was higher among FSW living in couple (adjusted odd ratio [AOR] =7.47, 95% CI, 1.70-30.80) and among those for whom sex work was not the main source of income (AOR =5.53, 95% CI, 1.75-16.84). The latter also tended not to report high-risk behaviours during face –to–face interview. Conclusions: This study highlights the need for targeted interventions among young FSW focusing particularly on non-professionals, sexual behaviours with regular partners and regular HIV testing. The ANRS 1222 study intervention package which combined peer-based prevention and care within the same setting markedly reduced HIV incidence among young female sex workers in Burkina Faso, through reduced risky behaviours.

In 2020, COVID-19 spread worldwide, and a state of pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization. Female sex workers are in many ways dependant on the social conditions of society and have, throughout time, been considered as a highly victimized group. This study aims to gain insight into the changes and consequences the COVID-19 pandemic has had on female sex workers in Sweden by conducting semi-structured interviews with individuals who, through their employment, have connections to female sex workers. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results revealed four themes that describe the changes and consequences witnessed by the participants. The first theme entails the vulnerabilities and circumstances that female sex workers are conditioned by in society. The second theme demonstrates the economic consequences which the pandemic outbreak caused. Not only in relation to expenses and difficulties traveling but also in terms of an increased market due to unemployment and lockdowns in Central Europe. This theme also includes a subgroup of physical consequences as a result of the competition created by the increased market of female sex workers in Sweden. This has caused the women to have to take additional risks and abuse. The third theme includes the bureaucratic and social complications caused by the social restrictions enforced to hinder the spread of the COVID-19. The fourth and last theme presents the participants' post-pandemic predictions.

Recent Findings: Recent data support previous work indicating that estrogen enhances chlamydial development via multiple mechanisms. Progesterone negatively impacts Chlamydia infections also through multiple mechanisms, particularly by altering the immune response. Conflicting data exist regarding the effect of synthetic hormones, such as those found in hormonal contraceptives, on chlamydial infections. Summary: Numerous studies over the years have indicated that female sex hormones affect C. trachomatis infection. However, we still do not have a clear understanding of how these hormones alter Chlamydia disease transmission and progression. The studies reviewed here indicate that there are many variables that determine the outcome of Chlamydia/hormone interactions, including (1) the specific hormone, (2) hormone concentration, (3) cell type or area of the genital tract, (4) hormone responsiveness of cell lines, and (5) animal models.

Mental health professionals may lack the necessary knowledge and competency to work with female sexual offenders. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to determine whether gender influences attitudes toward sexual offenders and their treatment outcomes among psychology and mental health graduate students. This study was grounded in a dual form of deductive theory; alpha and beta bias was the primary theory and constructivism was the secondary theory. Data were collected from 186 graduate students in mental health programs from multiple universities. The Community Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders and the Attitude Towards the Treatment of Sexual Offender assessments were used to measure attitudes toward sexual offenders and attitudes toward sexual offender treatment. Factorial ANOVAs revealed a main effect for offender gender, with more negative attitudes toward female sexual offenders and the treatment of female sexual offenders. A significant interaction effect was found between gender of participant and gender of offender. Attitudes toward female treatment were more negative, particularly with male participants. Considering that most sexual offender treatment programs and awareness programs are geared toward male offenders, findings may be used to develop more effective policy and treatment for female sexual offenders.

No description available.

Background Female Sex Workers (FSW) in Mali are highly vulnerable to HIV. Their prevalence in 2009 was nine times higher (24.2%) than that among pregnant women (2.7%). The aim of this study was to document the effectiveness of HIV prevention programming targeting FSW between 2000 and 2013 funded by the U.S. Government (USG) in Mali. Methods The content, scope and coverage of interventions were assessed through a document review and key informant interviews with FSW peer educators and program managers. Data from the Integrated Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Prevalence and Behavior Surveys (ISBS) conducted in 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 were analyzed to measure changes in outcomes over time. Multivariate logistic regression was used to control for changes in FSW demographics and to analyze sub-groups. Results From 2000 to 2013 the USG was the key partner to the government of Mali (GOM) for HIV testing, surveillance, STI treatment, and behavior change communication (BCC) targeting FSW. The USG spent over $42 million on HIV programming between 2003 and 2013. Since 2001, programming for FSW covered most urban areas and transport hubs in Mali. USG partners exceeded their goals, making over 1.3 million BCC contacts with FSW and their sexual partners. However, outcomes were negatively impacted by frequent stock-outs of medications to treat STIs between 2006 and 2011. Also, evidence suggests that interventions were of insufficient intensity and coverage. Finally, M&E system was rudimentary and inconsistent, which made it impossible to link outcomes with programming with confidence. Nevertheless, important positive changes in outcomes occurred. Between 2003 and 2009, HIV prevalence dropped from 44.14% to 28.49% (P <0.0001) among Malian FSW, from 21.33% to 12.71% (P =0.0082) among Nigerian FSW, and from 43.42% to 33.67% (P =0.0442) among FSW from other countries. Between 2000 and 2009 HIV testing increased (40% to 76% P <0.0001). Consistent condom use with clients improved for Malian FSW (72.3% to 81.5% P =0.0092). Consistent condom use with boyfriends was low and improved only for Nigerian FSW (9.8% to 28.4% P =0.0003). Factors associated with HIV prevalence in the multivariate model were older age, study year (2003 and 2006), nationality, lack of education, mobility, STI symptoms, gonorrhea prevalence, and younger age at first sex. Conclusions This study documents progress in the fight against HIV among FSW in Mali, but coverage and intensity must be increased and the quality and diversity of interventions must be expanded. The different vulnerabilities to HIV of different nationality FSW should be addressed in future programming and research. Program adoption of and adherence to Mali’s new M&E plan for key populations would do much to facilitate the necessary improvements. / 2017-04-02T00:00:00Z

No description available.

The female genital tract represents the first line of defence against HIV. Biological factors such as female sex hormones, and the vaginal microbiota are known to affect HIV susceptibility at this site. The female sex hormone estradiol is known to play a protective role, whereas the progestin based contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate increases HIV susceptibility HIV. In addition, a Lactobacilli dominant vaginal microbiota is generally protective against HIV. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of female sex hormones, and Lactobacilli on the innate immune response of vaginal epithelial cells. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

This thesis investigates established theoretical and embodied accounts of identities excluded within Western heteronormative society in order to seek out how those embodiments and theories may parallel what is contended that another impossible subject position -- the child male victim of adult female sexual violence.