We experimentally test the impact of expanding access to basic bank accounts in Uganda, Malawi, and Chile. Over two years, 17 percent, 10 percent, and 3 percent of treatment individuals made five or more deposits, respectively. Average monthly deposits for them were at the 79th, 91st, and 96th percentiles of baseline savings. Survey data show no clearly discernible intentionto-treat effects on savings or any downstream outcomes. This suggests that policies merely focused on expanding access to basic accounts are unlikely to improve welfare noticeably since impacts, even if present, are likely small and diverse.

A randomized, double-blind study of valaciclovir for suppression of recurrent genital herpes was conducted among 1479 immunocompetent patients. Patients were randomized to receive valaciclovir (250 mg, 500 mg, or 1 g once daily, or 250 mg twice daily), acyclovir (400 mg twice daily), or placebo, for 1 year. All valaciclovir dosages were significantly more effective than placebo at preventing or delaying recurrences (P < .0001). There was a dose-response relationship (P < .0001) across the once-daily valaciclovir regimens. Twice-daily valaciclovir and acyclovir were similar in effectiveness. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with a history of < 10 recurrences per year were effectively managed with 500 mg of valaciclovir once daily. One gram of valaciclovir once daily, 250 mg of valaciclovir twice daily, or 400 mg of acyclovir twice daily were more effective in patients with > or = 10 recurrences per year. Safety profiles of all treatments were comparable. Thus, valaciclovir is highly effective and well tolerated for suppression of recurrent genital herpes. Once-daily regimens offer a useful option for patients who require suppressive therapy for management of genital herpes.

Background Radical surgery via total mesorectal excision might not be the optimal first-line treatment for early-stage rectal cancer. An organ-preserving strategy with selective total mesorectal excision could reduce the adverse effects of treatment without substantially compromising oncological outcomes. We investigated the feasibility of recruiting patients to a randomised trial comparing an organ-preserving strategy with total mesorectal excision.Methods TREC was a randomised, open-label feasibility study done at 21 tertiary referral centres in the UK. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older with rectal adenocarcinoma, staged T2 or lower, with a maximum diameter of 30 mm or less; patients with lymph node involvement or metastases were excluded. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1) by use of a computer-based randomisation service to undergo organ preservation with short-course radiotherapy followed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery after 8-10 weeks, or total mesorectal excision. Where the transanal endoscopic microsurgery specimen showed histopathological features associated with an increased risk of local recurrence, patients were considered for planned early conversion to total mesorectal excision. A non-randomised prospective registry captured patients for whom randomisation was considered inappropriate, because of a strong clinical indication for one treatment group. The primary endpoint was cumulative randomisation at 12, 18, and 24 months. Secondary outcomes evaluated safety, efficacy, and health-related quality of life assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30 and CR29 in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN14422743.

Computers are an important part of modern education, yet large segments of the population -especially low-income and minority children -lack access to a computer at home. Does this impede educational achievement? We test this hypothesis by conducting the largestever field experiment involving the random provision of free computers for home use to students. 1,123 schoolchildren grades 6-10 in 15 California schools participated in the experiment. Although the program significantly increased computer ownership and use, we find no effects on any educational outcomes, including grades, standardized test scores, credits earned, attendance and disciplinary actions. Our estimates are precise enough to rule out even modestly-sized positive or negative impacts. The estimated null effect is consistent with survey evidence showing no change in homework time or other "intermediate" inputs in education for treatment students. JEL Code: I24 We thank Computers for Classrooms, Inc., the ZeroDivide Foundation, and the NET Institute (www.NETinst.org) for generous funding for the project.

LPA seems to be safe with equivalent oncological outcomes to OPA and better short term outcomes in selected patient populations. High quality Randomized control trials are required to further investigate the role of laparoscopy in transverse colon cancer.