[A five-year prospective cohort study of HIV/HCV infections in community-related injecting drug users].

Objective: To explore incidences of HIV and HCV infections in injecting drug users (IDUs) in community. Methods: A community-based survey was conducted to recruit 200 HIV sero-negative IDUs for a prospective cohort study based on the local needle and syringe exchange program in Longyang district of Baoshan city, Yunnan province from June 2014 to June 2019, China. Follow-up was carried out every six month to investigate the prevalence of drug use behavior and sexual behavior in IDUs. Blood samples were collected from them to test HIV and HCV serum antibodies. The cohort was opened for recvuitment every year to replenish the cohort to 200 subjects. Results: A total of 231 IDUs were recruited after 5 years of follow-up. Cohort retention rate was 82.0% (164/200) in 5 years. No HIV sero-positive conversion was found during the 5-year study. There were 89 HCV negative IDUs. Totally, 384.6 person years were observed and the HCV sero-positive conversion in this cohort was 0.26 per 100 person-years. Conclusion: It was found that the incidences of HIV and HCV in IDUs in communities of the study area were at low levels, while comprehensive and effective intervention measures are still needed to control HIV and HCV infections in this population.

[Follow-up of community injecting drug user cohort, 2014-2017].

Objective: To explore the methods of establishing and maintaining community injecting drug user (IDU) cohort. Methods: From June 2014 to June 2017, a community survey was conducted on basis of local needle and syringe exchange site to recruit 200 HIV sero-negative IDU for a prospective cohort study in Longyang district of Baoshan city, Yunan province. Follow-up was carried out every six month to investigate high risk drug use behavior and sexual behavior, and blood samples were collected from them for the tests of HIV and HCV serum antibodies. The cohort would be opened every 12 months to replenish the cohort to 200 subjects. Results: The follow up was conducted for 3 years in 229 IDUs. Cohort follow-up rate was 93.0% (213/229) for 6 months, 92.1% (211/229) for 12 months, 91.7% (200/218) for 18 months, 87.2% (190/218) for 24 months, 86.0% (172/200) for 30 months and 86.0% (172/200) for 36 months. Conclusion: The community IDU cohort has a high follow-up rate.

Use of red palm oil in local snacks can increase intake of provitamin A carotenoids in young aborigines children: a Malaysian experience.

INTRODUCTION: Carotenoid-rich red palm oil (RPO)-based snacks have been provided to children in impoverished communities to improve their vitamin A status. The non-availabilty of information on the acceptability of RPO-based snacks by Malaysian aborigines (Orang Asli) children forms the basis of this study. METHODS: Twenty-one Orang Asli children, majority of whom had normal body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) and aged 4.73 +/- 0.92 years in Sungai Tekir, Negeri Sembilan were provided with three freshly-prepared snacks (springroll, curry puff or doughnut) each containing one teaspoon or 5 ml of RPO per serving, on separate mornings. On the fourth morning, one serving each of all 3 different snacks was provided together on a plate to every child for consumption and preference for the snacks recorded. The children's habitual vitamin A intakes were assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid retention tests for the prepared snacks were performed by column chromatography. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of the children did not meet their RNI for vitamin A. Based on acceptance criterion of consuming at least one-half serving of the snacks provided, springroll and curry puff recorded 100% acceptability while doughnut had 82% acceptability. Preference of snack was in the order, springroll (47%) > doughtnut (35%) > curry puff (18%), but a Z-test test for proportions showed no statistical significance. Carotenoid retention tests showed great variation between snacks namely, doughnut (100%) > springroll (84%) > curry puff (45%). CONCLUSION: The overall findings indicate that the RPO-based snacks are highly acceptable and can be used to improve the dietary intake of provitamin A carotenoids of Malaysian Orang Asli children.

Stage II endometrial carcinoma. Results and complications of a combined radiotherapeutic-surgical approach.

Since one third of the patients with Stage II endometrial carcinoma have occult extrauterine pelvic metastases at diagnosis, adequate treatment must include the pelvic lymph nodes and parametria. Eighty-three patients with Stage II endometrial carcinoma were treated between January 1964 and December 1983. Sixty-nine patients (83%) received combined whole-pelvic irradiation and surgery, five (6%) had surgery alone and nine (11%) had radiotherapy alone. Five-year actuarial survival rates were 67%, 60%, and 38%, respectively. No pelvic recurrence occurred in the 69 patients who received the combined therapy, and there was no vaginal recurrence in the 80 patients treated with intracavity radium. There was a significantly lower incidence of pelvic lymph node metastases (P = 0.03) in patients treated with preoperative irradiation. The median time to recurrence was 17 months, with 67% of the recurrences diagnosed before 2 years, and 88% within 5 years. Ten patients (12%) incurred severe complications and three died as a result. Whole-pelvic irradiation, intracavity radium, and hysterectomy are effective treatment for occult pelvic and vaginal disease.