Effects of Military activity and habitat quality on DNA damage and oxidative stress in the largest population of the Federally threatened gopher tortoise.

Department of Defense lands are essential for providing important habitat for threatened, endangered, and at-risk species (TER-S). However, there is little information on the effects of military-related contaminants on TER-S on these lands in field situations. Thus, this study examined genotoxicity and oxidative stress in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) on Camp Shelby, MS-the largest known population of this species, which is listed as an "endangered species" in Mississippi and a "threatened species" by the U.S. government. Blood was collected from tortoises at 19 different sites on the base with different levels of habitat quality (high-quality and low-quality habitat) and military activity (high, low, and no military activity). Oxidative stress was quantified as lipid peroxidation and GSSG/GSH ratios, while DNA damage was determined using flow cytometry. Our results suggest that: (1) for tortoises residing in low-quality habitats, oxidative stress and DNA damage increased with increasing military activity, while in high-quality habitats, oxidative stress and DNA damage decreased with increasing military activity; (2) in the absence of military activity, tortoises in high-quality habitat had higher levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage than those in low-quality habitat, and (3) there were interactions between military activity, habitat quality, and landuse in terms of the amount of observable DNA damage and oxidative stress. In particular, on high-quality habitat, tortoises from areas with high levels of military activity had lower levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage biomarkers than on reference sites. This may represent a compensatory or hormetic response. Conversely, on low-quality habitats, the level of oxidative stress and DNA damage was lower on the reference sites. Thus, tortoises on higher-quality habitats may have a greater capacity for compensatory responses. In terms of management implications, it is suggested that low quality habitats should be a higher priority for remediation, and lower priority for conducting military activities.

Placement of pH probes during upper endoscopy: direct visualization is accurate.

BACKGROUND: Accurate catheter placement in children for esophageal pH monitoring is performed following an endoscopy using a mathematical formula followed by confirmatory radiograph. AIM: To determine if endoscopic visualization of the gastroesophageal junction can be used for sensor placement without the need for confirmatory radiograph. METHODS: Sixty-four catheters were placed using the Strobel formula method and 57 catheters were placed by visualization. RESULTS: With the formula method, 66% of children required probe adjustment compared with 7% when the probe was placed by direct visualization (p < .005). CONCLUSION: Placing pH sensors under direct visualization is accurate and reduces radiation exposure.

Engaging Religious Institutions to Address Racial Disparities in HIV/AIDS: A Case of Academic-Community Partnership.

African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV among all racial and ethnic groups. Direct involvement of faith leaders and faith communities is increasingly suggested as a primary strategy to reduce HIV-related disparities, and Black churches are uniquely positioned to address HIV stigma, prevention, and care in African American communities. The authors describe an academic-community partnership to engage Black churches to address HIV in a predominantly African American, urban, southern Midwest location. The opportunities, process, and challenges in forming this academic-community partnership with Black churches can be used to guide future efforts toward engaging faith institutions, academia, and other community partners in the fight against HIV.

Food hypersensitivity and otolaryngologic conditions in young children.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To explore the relationship between food hypersensitivity and common upper aerodigestive disorders found in children younger than 2 years. STUDY DESIGN: Case control study. SETTING: Tertiary pediatric gastroenterology/otolaryngology clinics. METHODS: Two-year retrospective chart review of a common cohort of children younger than 2 years with suspected cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Patients were managed in both a tertiary pediatric gastroenterology and otolaryngology clinic and compared with a control study group. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-one children with CMPA were reviewed. One hundred forty-one had aerodigestive complaints, with 101 having sufficient follow-up to participate in the study. Ninety-one percent of this final patient group demonstrated improved symptoms following dairy elimination. Twenty-five patients (27%) had associated otolaryngologic (ear, nose, and throat [ENT]) issues that had been refractory to maximal gastroesophageal reflux therapy. The most common associated upper aerodigestive conditions were persistent upper airway congestion (72%) and oropharyngeal dysphagia (80%). Sixty percent of ENT disease improved with elimination diet. Eosinophilic esophagitis was noted in 36% of the cohort who had mucosal biopsies performed. Otolaryngology intervention was much more common in the cohort of children with CMPA compared with controls (odds ratio, 33.78; 95% confidence interval, 7.55, 151.03). CONCLUSIONS: CMPA is difficult to diagnose because of limited accurate diagnostic tools, especially in young children. This study suggests a relationship between CMPA and otolaryngologic conditions in children younger than 2 years. Some patients in this study showed symptom improvement via an elimination diet. Early recognition of otolaryngologic manifestations of CMPA may help manage this condition in young children.

Non-IgE-mediated cow milk allergy is linked to early childhood clusters of commonly seen illnesses: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: There are few established diagnostic tools to define non-IgE-mediated food hypersensitivity reactions. Cow milk protein allergy (CMPA) is a multisystem disorder affecting the gastrointestinal, skin, and lower and upper airway systems. This link is frequently missed because of subspecialty evaluation of the multisystem effects individually. The authors hypothesize that a more global evaluation based on a simple scored questionnaire will reveal this link. METHODS: Over an 18-month period, children younger than 2 years with non-IgE-mediated CMPA were identified. A symptom questionnaire was developed and scored and also applied to a control population. The prevalence of symptoms in each group was compared and a cumulative score was determined. Symptoms evaluated included gastrointestinal, aerodigestive, lower airway, and skin symptoms. A positive response was scored 1 and a negative response scored 0. RESULTS: Significant differences in prevalence rates between CMPA and control populations were noted, particularly in aerodigestive symptoms. There were marked differences in cumulative score between populations (P < .001). The authors identified a cut-off score at which there was close to 80% sensitivity and 90% specificity for distinguishing CMPA from a control population. CONCLUSION: A global evaluation of multiple systems can be an important diagnostic tool in determining CMPA in infants.