Characterization of Otolaryngology Referrals among Pacific Islanders in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The burden of otolaryngology disease in Pacific Islander populations is relatively uncharacterized. A single-institution retrospective review was undertaken at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in Saipan, the only hospital in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data were compiled from the clinical charts of all patients seen by an otolaryngologist between January 2015 and April 2020. For all Pacific Islanders in the sample (N=674), the average age was 40.2 (SD 22.4) years and ages ranged from 10 months to 89 years. Patients were 50.7% male and 49.3% female. The most common diagnoses affected the ear (40.8%), followed by the oral cavity/pharynx (23.2%), and nose (14.0%). Middle ear disease comprised 41.7% of reported ear disorders; the most common problem was otitis media (19.4%, n=68) followed by tympanic membrane perforation (14.0%, n=49). Head and neck cancers comprised 8.6% of all diagnoses. Most (77.8%) malignant neoplasms were oral cavity carcinomas. The average age at diagnosis for oral cancer was 46.6 years with a 1.8:1 male-to-female predominance. Patients with cancer of the oral cavity (n=56) chewed betel nut at higher rates (94.6%) compared with other adults in the sample (P<.001). Adult patients reported alcohol use, smoking, and chewing betel quid at rates of 26.5%, 39.9%, and 52.2% respectively. Otolaryngology referrals among Pacific Islanders in this sample were dominated by ear disease and included betel nut-related oral cavity disease.

Survey of Heteronormative Attitudes and Tolerance Toward Gender Non-conformity in Mountain West Undergraduate Students.

INTRODUCTION: Heteronormative attitudes are prevalent in the United States and may contribute to discrimination against individuals who do not conform to traditional gender roles. Understanding the attitudes of undergraduate students is of particular interest as they may represent emergent societal views toward gender non-conformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an online survey of Mountain West college students between the ages of 18-24 years to assess perceptions of personal gender conformity using the Traditional Masculinity-Femininity Scale (TMF), endorsement of heteronormative beliefs using the Heteronormative Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (HABS), and explicit tolerance of gender non-conformity on a seven-point Likert Scale. RESULTS: The sample (n = 502) was 84% female and 78% white. Approximately 21% of respondents identified as a sexual minority and 36% identified as liberal or somewhat liberal (27% were conservative). The mean score on the TMF was 5.23 (95% CI: 5.15-5.32), indicating moderate levels of personal gender conformity. The mean HABS score was 3.31 (95% CI: 3.19-3.43), indicating relatively low endorsement of heteronormative attitudes. TMF and HABS scores were both highest in heterosexual males. Most respondents (73%) were taught traditional gender roles in their childhood home, and 89% had heard negative opinions about non-conformity. The majority (80.6%) of respondents reported that they know someone who displays non-conforming characteristics and 61% said that they associate gender non-conformity with homosexuality. Approximately, 7% reported they had bullied others for not conforming to their gender. Among heterosexuals, 13.6% reported they had been bullied for gender non-conformity as did 42.7% of LGBTQ-identified individuals. Nearly 1-in-4 (23.6%) believed that male cross-dressing is wrong. Nearly 1-in-5 (17.2%) agreed with the statement that those who dress or act like the opposite sex were more likely to be abused or neglected during their development. CONCLUSION: Students reported relatively low endorsement of heteronormative attitudes and moderate levels of acceptance toward gender non-conforming persons. The sample may reflect shifting attitudes when compared with outside data sets.

Complete Genome Sequences of 18 Paenibacillus larvae Phages from the Western United States.

We present here the complete genomes of 18 phages that infect Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood in honeybees. The phages were isolated between 2014 and 2016 as part of an undergraduate phage discovery course at Brigham Young University. The phages were isolated primarily from bee debris and lysogens.

Genome Sequences of Nine Erwinia amylovora Bacteriophages.

Erwinia amylovora is a plant pathogen belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, a family containing many plant and animal pathogens. Herein, we announce nine genome sequences of E. amylovora bacteriophages isolated from infected apple trees along the Wasatch Front in Utah.