Objective

To assess concordance and acceptability of a modified menstrual pad compared with a clinician-collected high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) sample.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study. Women presenting for either cervical cancer screening or with a history of high-risk HPV positivity were eligible. Three samples were requested from participants: 1) clinician-collected cervical specimens; 2) self-collected vaginal swabs; and 3) a modified menstrual pad, which was taken home for use during the next menstruation. All samples were processed using the Cobas HPV test. Menstrual pad dried blood spots were eluted, then similarly processed.

Results

Of 153 women enrolled in the study, 106 provided menstrual pad samples and clinician-collected cervical specimens for high-risk HPV analysis. For samples in which the interval between the clinician-collected specimen and the menstrual pad sample was less than 2 months, the concordance was 94% (95% CI 83-98). For women who tested positive for high-risk HPV who presented for general screening and those with more than cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2, menstrual pad and clinician-collected specimen agreement was 100% (95% CI 32.5-100). Among participants, 22.9% expressed discomfort with the self-collected vaginal swabs and opted out of collection. Overall, 94.0% of participants preferred the menstrual pad over clinician-collected sampling. Twelve patients were found to be positive for HPV on the menstrual pad sample but negative on the clinician-collected specimen.

Conclusion

Among women who tested positive for HPV, the menstrual pad showed highly concordant results compared with clinician-collected sampling. This collection approach shows promise for integration into cervical cancer prevention programs.

Abstract: Objective: To assess placement outcomes using a levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine device (IUD) inserter designed for single‐handed use. Methods: Investigators enroled participants 18–45 years to have the IUD inserted using a redesigned inserter with removal 5–15 min after placement. Physicians and participants provided feedback on their insertion experience. Results: Successful placement occurred in 48 of 50 (96.0%) enroled participants. Investigators rated insertion device loading “easy” in 49 (98.0%) and placement “easy” in 44 (88.0%) cases. Cramping pain was reported at insertion by 47 (94.0%) participants, mostly mild (32 [64.0%]) or moderate (11 [22.0%]). Conclusion: The single‐handed inserter is easy to use and results in high rates of insertion success.

PURPOSE:Evaluate bleeding patterns for the Liletta® levonorgestrel 52 mg intrauterine system (IUS) using the World Health Organization Belsey definitions. MATERIAL AND METHODS:This prospective multicenter trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of Liletta® (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00995150). We evaluated bleeding patterns for 1700 nulliparous and multiparous women using a daily diary completed by participants for the first 2 years and by questionnaire every 3 months thereafter. We assessed amenorrhea rates over 3 years and the proportion of subjects with infrequent, frequent, prolonged and irregular bleeding per 90-day reference period over 2 years for the entire study population as well as comparing nulliparous and parous women and obese and non-obese women. RESULTS:Amenorrhea rates at 1 and 3 years in levonorgestrel 52 mg IUS users were 19 and 37%, respectively. The infrequent bleeding rate increased from 14% in the first 90 days to 30% at the end of Year 1, and was maintained at the same rate through Year 2. Frequent, prolonged and irregular bleeding declined to low levels by the end of the first year. Discontinuation for bleeding-related complaints occurred in 35 (2.1%, 95% CI 1.3-2.7%) women during the first 36 months; only one subject discontinued for amenorrhea (in Year 2). Outcomes did not vary for nulliparous versus parous or obese versus non-obese women. CONCLUSIONS:Among Liletta users, amenorrhea and infrequent bleeding become more prevalent over time and amenorrhea rates continue to increase after the first year of use. Bleeding patterns do not differ significantly by parity or by obesity-status. Discontinuation for bleeding concerns is uncommon with this product.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess 3-year efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the Cu 175 mm² intrauterine device (IUD).

Study design

This single-arm trial recruited participants at risk of pregnancy aged 17 to 45 years at 42 U.S. centers to receive a Cu 175 mm² IUD with a flexible nitinol frame. We assessed efficacy in participants aged ≤35 years at enrollment and assessed all other outcomes in the entire population. We calculated the Pearl Index (pregnancies/100 person-years) through 3 years as the primary efficacy outcome. The secondary outcomes included pregnancy percentages by life-table analysis, placement success, safety (adverse events), and tolerability.

Results

Of 1620 enrollees, 1601 (98.8%) had successful IUD placement, with 1397 aged ≤35 years at enrollment. We observed a 1-year Pearl Index of 0.94 (95% CI 0.43-1.78) and 1-year and cumulative 3-year life-table pregnancy rates of 1.26% (95% CI 0.57%-1.95%) and 2.47% (95% CI 1.34%-3.60%), respectively. The most common adverse events included bleeding and pain. Over 3 years, 15.4% of participants discontinued due to bleeding or pain. Device expulsions occurred in 36 (2.2%) and 63 (3.9%) participants over 1 and 3 years, respectively. Eight related serious adverse events occurred, including five ectopic pregnancies and one each of uterine perforation, anemia, and uterine hemorrhage. One- and three-year continuation rates were 78.9% and 49.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

These data support efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the Cu 175 mm² IUD during the first 3 years of use.

Implications

In this Phase 3 trial, the investigational Cu 175 mm² demonstrated efficacy, safety, and tolerability with low rates of expulsion and discontinuation for bleeding and pain-related symptoms. This flexible, nitinol-framed, low-dose copper IUD comes preloaded and would expand contraceptive options beyond the single nonhormonal IUD currently available in the United States.

Clinical trial

NCT03633799.

The functional and molecular similarities and distinctions between human and murine astrocytes are poorly understood. Here, we report the development of an immunopanning method to acutely purify astrocytes from fetal, juvenile, and adult human brains and to maintain these cells in serum-free cultures. We found that human astrocytes have abilities similar to those of murine astrocytes in promoting neuronal survival, inducing functional synapse formation, and engulfing synaptosomes. In contrast to existing observations in mice, we found that mature human astrocytes respond robustly to glutamate. Next, we performed RNA sequencing of healthy human astrocytes along with astrocytes from epileptic and tumor foci and compared these to human neurons, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells (available at http://www.brainrnaseq.org). With these profiles, we identified novel human-specific astrocyte genes and discovered a transcriptome-wide transformation between astrocyte precursor cells and mature post-mitotic astrocytes. These data represent some of the first cell-type-specific molecular profiles of the healthy and diseased human brain.