Early fatherhood: a mapping of the evidence base relating to pregnancy prevention and parenting support

Teenage pregnancy prevention programmes targeted at young women have received considerable attention from researchers and programme developers. However, to date, relatively limited information is available on preventing teenage fatherhood or improving outcomes for young fathers. A notable gap is concerned with understanding the forms of sexual health programmes that are most effective from the perspective of young men. We conducted a systematic mapping to identify studies involving young men aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy, improving outcomes for teenage fathers or exploring the perspectives of young men around pregnancy and fatherhood. We searched a wide range of electronic databases from January 1996 to August 2008. Three quantitative and 15 qualitative studies were identified, of which nine were UK based. Key themes related to the inappropriateness of current sexual health promotion to respond to the needs of young men. While young men often possessed very similar ideals to young women, existing programmes were problematic when they negatively stereotyped young men and ineffectively addressed models of masculinity or the difficulties young men may have forming meaningful relationships. Further investigations are required on programme development for young men, particularly on sexual health promotion interventions for 'looked-after' young men and those from unstable childhoods.

Effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA on effector and FOXP3+regulatory T cells in rhesus macaques

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), is clinically approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Although the exact underlying mechanisms are unknown, HDACi arrests the cell cycle in rapidly proliferating tumor cells and promote their apoptosis. HDACi were also recently shown to enhance the production and suppressive functions of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in rodents, leading us to begin to investigate the actions of HDACi on rhesus monkey T cells for the sake of potential preclinical applications. In this study, we show that SAHA inhibits polyclonal activation and proliferation of rhesus T cells and that the antiproliferative effects are due to inhibition of T-effector (Teff) cells and enhancement of Treg cells. Cryopreserved rhesus macaque splenocytes were CFSE labeled, stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 and cultured for 5 days in the presence of varying concentrations of SAHA. Samples were then costained to evaluate CD4 and CD8 expression. Concentrations of SAHA (10 and 5 micromol/L) were toxic to splenocytes. Proliferation was inhibited by 57% in CD4 cells and 47% in CD8 cells when unseparated splenocytes were cultured with 3 micromol/L SAHA. Effector cells alone showed decreased inhibition to proliferation when cultured with 3 micromol/L and 1 micromol/L SAHA when compared to Teff plus Treg cells. Our data suggest that SAHA can be used as part of an immunosuppressive protocol to enhance graft survival by limiting Teff cell proliferation as well as increasing Treg cells, thereby promoting tolerance.

Phase II trial of tanespimycin (KOS-953), a heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) inhibitor in patients with metastatic melanoma

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Background: Tanespimycin binds to and inhibits the activity of Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90). Hsp90 inhibition results in the degradation of a variety of RAF family proteins, including mutant BRAF. As the majority of melanomas have activation of the BRAF-MAPK pathway, we postulate that tanespimycin will interrupt the MAPK pathway and may lead to clinically significant anti-melanoma effects. Methods: This is a multi-center two-stage Simon design study; continuation to the second stage required at least 1 pt with progression free survival (PFS) of at least 24 weeks (the primary endpoint of this trial). Eligibility: pts with stage M1 melanoma, measurable/unresectable disease, up to 1 prior chemotherapy treatment for metastatic disease and ECOG PS 0 or 1. Tanespimycin (275 mg/m2 IV) was given D1,4,8,11 q 3/52 until disease progression or toxicity. Where available, assessment of BRAF mutation (V600E) was performed on historical tissue. Results: 14 pts have been enrolled, 3 were non-evaluable. Data are available for the first 11 pts (9 evaluable) completing accrual to the 1st stage of the Simon design. Demographics: 8 M/6 F; median age 55 years (range 30, 83). A total of 30 treatment cycles were administered (n=11); with relative dose intensity of 89%; 1 pt required a dose reduction. Grade 1–2 toxicity included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, fatigue, headache, raised alkaline phosphatase/ALT/AST, and back pain. Four pts (29%) experienced Grade 3–4 toxicities: 1) reversible metabolic acidosis with LFT and electrolyte abnormalities; 2) anorexia, dehydration and fatigue; 3) raised gamma-GT; 4) abdominal pain. Two pts withdrew due to toxicity. Of the 4 pts with available tissue: 2 had V600E BRAF positive mutations. One pt achieved a ≥ 24 week PFS, meeting the conditions for accrual of Stage 2. This pt (with V600E mutation) was assessed as having a best response of stable disease as per RECIST, in addition to reduction in size and number of extensive subcutaneous nodules. Conclusions: There is evidence of clinical activity of single-agent tanespimycin in metastatic melanoma. Further accrual with determination of BRAF status to a total of 30 pts will better define the activity of tanespimycin in this population.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Measurement of branching fractions and mass spectra of B-->Kpipigamma

We present a measurement of the partial branching fractions and mass spectra of the exclusive radiative penguin processes B-->Kpipigamma in the range m(Kpipi)<1.8 GeV/c(2). We reconstruct four final states: K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma, K(S)(0)pi(-)pi(+)gamma, and K(S)(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma, where K(S)(0)-->pi(+)pi(-). Using 232 x 10(6) e(+)e(-)-->BB events recorded by the BABAR experiment at the SLAC PEP-II asymmetric-energy storage ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B(+)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(+)gamma)=[2.95+/-0.13(stat)+/-0.20(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(+)pi(-)pi(0)gamma)=[4.07+/-0.22(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5), B(B(0)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(-)gamma)=[1.85+/-0.21(stat)+/-0.12(syst)] x 10(-5), and B(B(+)-->K(0)pi(+)pi(0)gamma)=[4.56+/-0.42(stat)+/-0.31(syst)] x 10(-5).

Search for the rare decay B0-->tau+tau- at BABAR

We present the results of a search for the decay B0-->tau+tau- in a data sample of (232+/-3)x10(6) Upsilon(4S)-->BB decays using the BABAR detector. Certain extensions of the standard model predict measurable levels of this otherwise rare decay. We reconstruct fully one neutral B meson and seek evidence for the signal decay in the rest of the event. We find no evidence for signal events and obtain Beta(B0->tau+tau-)<4.1x10(-3) at the 90% confidence level.