scholarly journals Imaginings of Empowerment and the Biomedical Production of Bodies

2017 ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette-Carina Van der Zaag
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
New Materialism ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Vaginal Microbicides ◽  
Agential Realism ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Microbicide Candidate

In this paper, I will explore the development of vaginal microbicides (female-initiated HIV prevention methods designed as gels, films, sponges and rings women can insert vaginally before having sex to protect themselves against HIV infection) as a women’s health intervention that entangles feminist ideals of empowerment with biomedical enterprise. The field of vaginal microbicide development pays heed to both the specific biological vulnerabilities of ‘the female body’ that are understood to make women more susceptible to HIV infection as well as the social gendered power relations that leave women at a higher risk of HIV within the power dynamics of their sexual relationships. I am particularly interested in the ambiguity that emerges between the effects of a biomedical search for facticity through clinical trial testing and advocacy promises of empowerment, which I will explore through analysing the clinical trials of Nonoxynol-9 microbicide candidates in the early 1990s – a microbicide candidate that was continuously linked to vaginal ulceration and consequently a potential increase in receptivity to HIV. Through an interrogation of clinical trial reports, advocacy documents and a social science study in which the women trial participants articulated Nonoxynol-9 as their “protector”, I argue that the story of Nonoxynol-9 shows an intrinsic ambiguity between the field’s feminist promise of empowerment and the effects of the biomedical search for an effective microbicide candidate. Drawing on the work of Karen Barad, I argue that agential realism is able to provide a robust analytical framework to interrogate the political and ethical effects of this ambiguity that the field’s own discourse of empowerment does not provide.   Key words: HIV, vaginal microbicides, agential realism, global health, new materialism

Double blind placebo controlled clinical trial of homoeopathic medicines in HIV infection

1998 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-88
Author(s):  
D P Rastogi ◽  
V P Singh ◽  
Vikram Singh ◽  
S K Dey ◽  
K Rao
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo

scholarly journals The Natural History of Untreated HIV Infection in Lima, Peru: Implications for Clinical Trial Endpoints for CTL Based HIV Vaccines

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 160-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Corey ◽  
Hyung Woo Kim ◽  
Raul Salazar ◽  
Luis M. Gutierrez ◽  
Jorge Sánchez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Hiv Vaccines ◽  
Clinical Trial Endpoints ◽  
History Of ◽  
Trial Endpoints

scholarly journals Forensic Engineering And The Scientific Method

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura L. Liptai
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Method ◽  
Knowledge Engineering ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Education Experience ◽  
Forensic Engineering ◽  
Investigative Technique ◽  
Ultimate Objective ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Engineering Investigation

The Scientific Method Is Utilized In Order To Understand The Relationship Among Observations Of Physical Phenomena, While Minimizing The Influence Of Human Bias And Maximizing Objectivity. Specific Procedures For The Application Of The Scientific Method Vary From One Field Of Science To Another, But The Investigative Technique Universally Provides For An Analytical Framework To Acquire, Collect And/Or Integrate Knowledge. Engineering Forensics Involves The Analysis Of The Parameters Or Cause(S) Of Incidents Or Failures And/Or Hypothetical Prevention Methods. Engineering Analysis Of Forensic Problems Is A Multifaceted, Multidisciplinary Pursuit That Is Often Wide In Scope. Forensic Engineering Generally Applies Existing Science In Conjunction With The Knowledge, Education, Experience, Training And Skill Of The Practitioner To Seek Solution(S). The Scientific Method, Including Definition Of A Null Hypothesis, Is Rarely Utilized In Forensics As New Science Is Rarely Required. A Forensic Engineering Investigation Typically Involves The Application Of Long Established Science (Newtons Laws, For Example). Forensic Engineering Encompasses The Systematic Search For Knowledge Necessitating The Observation And Definition Of A Problem; The Collection Of Data Through Observation, Research, Experimentation And/Or Calculation; The Analysis Of Data; And The Development And Evaluation Of Findings And Opinions. The Ultimate Objective Of A Forensic Engineering Investigation Is Uncompromised Data Collection And Systematically Considered, Iteratively Derived And Objectively Balanced Conclusions.

South Africa and the Question of Hegemony in Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 428-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olusola Ogunnubi ◽  
Adeoye Akinola
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Weak Link ◽  
African State ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Power Dynamics ◽  
Hegemonic Discourse ◽  
Political Economic ◽  
Development Paradigm

This article examines the viability of mainstream neo-realist international relations scholarship for understanding regional power dynamics within Africa by offering a critical evaluation of the categorization of South Africa as a hegemonic power on the continent. Using the theoretical framework of hegemonic stability theory, it argues that there is a somewhat weak link between South Africa’s foreign policy character and its hegemonic disposition in Africa. The South African state, which is the driving force for political, economic and foreign policy processes, is itself subordinate in relation to international capital and lacks the influence expected of a regional hegemon. Despite South Africa’s development, the article demonstrates that its dependency provides the theoretical construct for understanding the country’s ambiguous hegemonic projection. This analytical framework captures the crux of the “hegemonic debate” as well as other conversations in relation to the adaptation of the concept of hegemony to Africa. Therefore, any application of the hegemonic discourse to South Africa necessarily requires a deeper understanding that takes cognizance of the fact that country’s regional hegemony operates within the orbit of a dependent-development paradigm in the global economic order, a neo-liberal order that continues to deepen Africa’s dependency syndrome. Dependency, as well as other complexities, impedes the reality of South Africa’s hegemonic ambitions in Africa.

Tomorrow’s HIV Prevention Trials of Vaccines and Antibodies

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Follmann
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Infection Rate ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Prevention Trials ◽  
Prevention Methods ◽  
Regression Adjustment ◽  
Baseline Covariates ◽  
Historical Controls

Abstract Effective HIV prevention has the potential to change the landscape of HIV prevention trials. Low infection rates will make superiority studies necessarily large while non-inferiority trials will need some evidence that a counterfactual placebo group had a meaningful HIV infection rate in order to provide evidence of effective interventions. This paper explores these challenges in the context of immune related interventions of mAbs and vaccines. We discuss the issue of effect modification in the presence of PrEP, where subjects on PrEP may have less of a benefit of a mAb or (vaccine) than subjects off PrEP. We also discuss different methods of placebo infection rate imputation. We estimate infection risk as a function of mAb level (or vaccine induced immune response) in the mAb (or vaccine) arm and then extrapolate this infection risk to zero mAbs as a proxy for the placebo infection rate. Important aspects are the use of triangulation or multiple methods to impute the placebo infection rate, concern about extrapolation if few mAbs are close to zero, and the use of currently available data with placebo groups to rigorously evaluate the accuracy of imputation methods. We also discuss use of historical controls and some generalizations of the idea of (DMurray, J. 2019. “Regulatory Perspectives for Streamlining HIV Prevention Trials.” Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases.) to use rectal gonorrhea rates to impute HIV infection rate. Generalizations include regression adjustment to calibrate for potential differences in baseline covariates for ongoing vs historical studies and the use of the gonorrhea, HIV relationship in a contemporaneous observational study. Examples of recent and ongoing trials of malaria chemoprophylaxis and HPV vaccines, where extremely effect prevention methods are available, are provided.

scholarly journals Clinical trial protocol to evaluate the efficacy of cefixime in the treatment of early syphilis

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivani N. Mehta ◽  
Chrysovalantis Stafylis ◽  
David M. Tellalian ◽  
Pamela L. Burian ◽  
Cliff M. Okada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Penicillin G ◽  
Benzathine Penicillin ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Early Syphilis ◽  
Recommended Treatment

Abstract Background Syphilis rates have been increasing both in the USA and internationally with incidence higher among men-who-have-sex-with-men and people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Currently, benzathine penicillin is the recommended treatment for syphilis in all patients. Global shortages and cost increases in benzathine penicillin call for alternative treatment options. This study evaluates the efficacy of oral cefixime for the treatment of early syphilis. Methods We are conducting a randomized, multisite, open-label, non-comparative clinical trial in Los Angeles and Oakland, CA. Eligible participants are ≥ 18 years old, with primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis (rapid plasma reagin [RPR] titer ≥ 1:8). Patients with HIV infection must have a viral load ≤ 200 copies/mL and CD4+ T cell count ≥ 350 cells/μL during the past 6 months. Participants are randomized to receive either 2.4 M IU benzathine penicillin G intramuscularly once or cefixime 400 mg orally twice a day for 10 days. Participants return at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment for follow-up RPR serological testing. The primary outcome is the proportion of participants who achieve ≥ 4-fold RPR titer decrease at 3 or 6 months post-treatment. Discussion Clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of alternative antibiotics to penicillin are urgently needed. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03660488. Registered on 4 September 2018.

Commentary on the Possibility That Viagra May Contribute to Transmission of HIV and other Sexual Diseases among Older Adults

1999 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 942-944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Freddy A. Paniagua
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Aids Prevention ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Factual Knowledge ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Activities ◽  
Media Reports

Many older male adults experiencing impotence are being treated with Viagra. Scientific and media reports indicate that this medication is effective in re-establishing sexual relationships among these men. Despite the benefits that Viagra may have in the treatment of impotence among older adults, increased sexual activities could also facilitate the spread of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. This holds for older adults who may lack factual knowledge of HIV transmission and perceive themselves as nonsusceptible to this disease. Prescription of Viagra in combination with HIV/AIDS prevention programs may be helpful.

Maraviroc in addition to cART during primary HIV infection: Results from MAIN randomized clinical trial and 96-weeks follow-up

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 ◽  
pp. 86-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Ripa ◽  
Manuela Pogliaghi ◽  
Stefania Chiappetta ◽  
Silvia Nozza ◽  
Alessandro Soria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Primary Hiv Infection

Narrative Inquiry and New Materialism: Stories as (Not Necessarily Benign) Agents

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1151-1162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry Lee Rosiek ◽  
Jimmy Snyder
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Indigenous Studies ◽  
New Materialism ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Agential Realism ◽  
The World ◽  
Narrative Forms ◽  
Nonhuman Agency

Agential realism—the idea that it makes sense to view the world as being composed of various forms of protean nonhuman agency—has been a topic of discussion for many social science scholars in recent years. This increase of interest in agent ontologies can be attributed to the new feminist materialist movement in the philosophy of science literature. However, agent ontologies also are found in Indigenous studies literature and in Peircean pragmatism. These latter sources are also a part of the current methodological conversation about nonhuman agency. This article explores the connections between agential realist philosophy and social science research that employs narrative forms of analysis and representation. The goal is to assist narrative researchers in avoiding oversimplification by tracing out different strands in these literatures and mapping out points of connection and disconnection in detail. Intersections that hold the promise of complementary development are highlighted.

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