Cochrane Collaboration

About: Cochrane Collaboration is a nonprofit organization based out in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Systematic review & Randomized controlled trial. The organization has 1995 authors who have published 3928 publications receiving 382695 citations.

Vaccines for preventing infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis

Abstract: Background Chronic pulmonary infection in cystic fibrosis results in progressive lung damage. Once colonisation of the lungs with Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs, it is almost impossible to eradicate. Vaccines, aimed at reducing infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, have been developed. This is an update of a previously published review. Objectives To assess the effectiveness of vaccination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group Trials Register using the terms vaccines AND pseudomonas (last search 30 March 2015). We previously searched PubMed using the terms vaccin* AND cystic fibrosis (last search 30 May 2013). Selection criteria Randomised trials (published or unpublished) comparing Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccines (oral, parenteral or intranasal) with control vaccines or no intervention in cystic fibrosis. Data collection and analysis The authors independently selected trials, assessed them and extracted data. Main results Six trials were identified. Two trials were excluded since they were not randomised and one old, small trial because it was not possible to assess whether is was randomised. The three included trials comprised 483, 476 and 37 patients, respectively. No data have been published from one of the large trials, but the company stated in a press release that the trial failed to confirm the results from an earlier study and that further clinical development was suspended. In the other large trial, relative risk for chronic infection was 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.55 to 1.49), and in the small trial, the risk was also close to one. In the large trial, one patient was reported to have died in the observation period. In that trial, 227 adverse events (4 severe) were registered in the vaccine group and 91 (1 severe) in the control group. In this large trial of a vaccine developed against flagella antigens, antibody titres against the epitopes contained in the vaccine were higher in the vaccine group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.0001). Authors' conclusions Vaccines against Pseudomonas aeruginosa cannot be recommended.

Alcohol use and extramarital sex among men in Cameroon

Abstract: Background The spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa is believed to be driven by unsafe sex, and identification of modifiable risk factors of the latter is needed for comprehensive HIV prevention programming in the region. Some previous studies suggest an association between alcohol abuse and unsafe sexual behaviour, such as multiple concurrent sexual partnerships and inconsistent condom use in sex with non-spousal non-cohabiting partners. However, most of these studies were conducted in developed countries and the few studies in Africa were conducted among well-defined social groups such as men attending beer halls or sexually transmitted infection clinics. We therefore examined the association between alcohol and extramarital sex (a sign of multiple concurrent sexual partnerships) among men in a population-based survey in Cameroon; a low-income country in sub-Saharan Africa with a high rate of alcohol abuse and a generalised HIV epidemic.

Advanced Transit Signal Priority Control with Online Microsimulation-Based Transit Prediction Model

Abstract: An advanced transit signal priority (TSP) control method is presented: it provides priority operation in response to real-time traffic and transit conditions. A high-performance online microscopic simulation model was developed for the purpose of predicting transit travel time along an intersection approach. The proposed method was evaluated through application to a hypothetical intersection with a nearside bus stop. The performance of the proposed method was compared with that of normal signal operation without TSP and a conventional signal priority method. The experimental results indicated that the developed method provided efficient and effective priority operation for both transit vehicles and automobiles. The proposed method significantly reduced transit vehicle delays as well as side-street traffic delay compared with conventional active priority control.

Single crowns versus conventional fillings for the restoration of root filled teeth

Abstract: Department of Preventive, Restorative and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine (ZMK), University of Bern, Switzerland