Circulating markers of cellular immune activation in prediagnostic blood sample and lung cancer risk in the Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium (LC3).

Cell-mediated immune suppression may play an important role in lung carcinogenesis. We investigated the associations for circulating levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, kynurenine:tryptophan ratio (KTR), quinolinic acid (QA) and neopterin as markers of immune regulation and inflammation with lung cancer risk in 5,364 smoking-matched case-control pairs from 20 prospective cohorts included in the international Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium. All biomarkers were quantified by mass spectrometry-based methods in serum/plasma samples collected on average 6 years before lung cancer diagnosis. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for lung cancer associated with individual biomarkers were calculated using conditional logistic regression with adjustment for circulating cotinine. Compared to the lowest quintile, the highest quintiles of kynurenine, KTR, QA and neopterin were associated with a 20-30% higher risk, and tryptophan with a 15% lower risk of lung cancer (all ptrend < 0.05). The strongest associations were seen for current smokers, where the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of lung cancer for the highest quintile of KTR, QA and neopterin were 1.42 (1.15-1.75), 1.42 (1.14-1.76) and 1.45 (1.13-1.86), respectively. A stronger association was also seen for KTR and QA with risk of lung squamous cell carcinoma followed by adenocarcinoma, and for lung cancer diagnosed within the first 2 years after blood draw. This study demonstrated that components of the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway with immunomodulatory effects are associated with risk of lung cancer overall, especially for current smokers. Further research is needed to evaluate the role of these biomarkers in lung carcinogenesis and progression.

Knowledge about Human Papillomavirus and Time to Complete Vaccination among Vulnerable Female Youth.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association of knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) on the time to completion of the 3-dose quadrivalent vaccine series in an inner-city population of adolescent female subjects at high risk for infection. STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively followed 139 female subjects aged 14-20 years enrolled in a vaccine surveillance study in New York City during a period of at least 24 months. Participants were given a 30-item true or false survey on HPV at enrollment and ranked according to the number of correct responses. Multivariate Cox regression was used to examine the association between level of knowledge about HPV and time to completion (in days) of vaccine dose 1-3, dose 1-2, and dose 2-3. RESULTS: Overall time to completion of the 3-dose vaccine ranged from 158 days to 1114 days. Participants in the high knowledge group (top quartile) were significantly more likely to complete the 3-dose series earlier (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.03-2.77; P = .04), in particular doses 2-3 (hazard ratio 1.71, 95% CI 1.02-2.89; P = .04), than those with low-to-moderate knowledge (bottom 3 quartiles). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that knowledge of HPV is associated with shorter time to complete the 3-dose HPV vaccine series. Educational campaigns at time of vaccination may be important to improve vaccine adherence.

Psychiatric disorders in youth with medically unexplained chest pain versus innocent heart murmur.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition psychiatric disorders in youth with chest pain compared with a control sample with innocent heart murmur. STUDY DESIGN: We assessed youth ages 8 to 17 years who were examined in cardiology settings for medically unexplained chest pain (n=100) or innocent heart murmur (n=80). We conducted semi-structured interviews and assessed medical history, quality of life, and disability. RESULTS: Youth with chest pain had a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders compared with youth with murmur (74% versus 47%, χ(2)=13.3; P<.001). Anxiety disorders predominated, although major depression was also more common in the chest pain group (9% versus 0%; Fisher exact tests; P<.01). Onset of psychiatric disorders generally preceded chest pain. Patterns were similar for boys and girls and for children and adolescents. Chest pain was associated with poorer quality of life and with pain-related disability for youth with co-morbid psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS: In childhood and adolescence, medically unexplained chest pain is associated with a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders. Systematic mental health screening may improve detection and enhance treatment of these patients.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 genes are associated with milk production, body condition score and fertility traits in dairy cows.

The somatotrophic axis (GH-IGF) is a key regulator of animal growth and development, affecting performance traits that include milk production, growth rate, body composition, and fertility. The aim of this study was to quantify the association of previously identified SNPs in bovine growth hormone (GH1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) genes with direct performance trait measurements of lactation and fertility in Holstein-Friesian lactating dairy cows. Sixteen SNPs in both IGF-1 and GH1 were genotyped across 610 cows and association analyses were carried out with traits of economic importance including calving interval, pregnancy rate to first service and 305-day milk production, using animal linear mixed models accounting for additive genetic effects. Two IGF-1 SNPs, IGF1i1 and IGF1i2, were significantly associated with body condition score at calving, while a single IGF-1 SNP, IGF1i3, was significantly associated with milk production, including milk yield (means ± SEM; 751.3 ± 262.0 kg), fat yield (21.3 ± 10.2 kg) and protein yield (16.5 ± 8.0 kg) per lactation. Only one GH1 SNP, GH33, was significantly associated with milk protein yield in the second lactation (allele substitution effect of 9.8 ± 5.0 kg). Several GH1 SNPs were significantly associated with fertility, including GH32, GH35 and GH38 with calving to third parity (22.4 ± 11.3 days) (GH32 and GH38 only), pregnancy rate to first service (0.1%) and overall pregnancy rate (0.05%). The results of this study demonstrate the effects of variants of the somatotrophic axis on milk production and fertility traits in commercial dairy cattle.

Total protein, albumin and globulin of healthy developing brazilian sport horse (brasileiro de hipismo) fillies / Proteína total, albumina e globulinas no plasma de potras sadias da raça brasileiro de hipismo em crescimento

Three hundred-eighty plasma samples of healthy fillies obtained from 19 animals from birth to 24 months of age were used for the evaluation of total protein, albumin and globulins. Results showed that the mean values for total proteins were minimum soon after birth, followed by a small increase maintained through the first month of life. After 45 days of life there was a progressive increase of the mean values, which were statistically significant at three and between 19 and 21 months of age, when its highest value was documented. Plasma albumin showed maximum value between zero and 4 hours after birth, followed by a small reduction that was significant only at 6 months of age. From this moment on, albumin values showed small oscillations, reaching its minimum value at 20 months of age. A similar pattern to that observed for total protein was seen for plasma globulins, which was associated to the stability of albumin values, therefore allowing affirming that globulins determined the oscillatory behavior of total protein. KEY-WORDS: Total protein. Albumin. Globulins. Plasma. Brazilian Sport Horte (Brasileiro de Hipismo). Filly.

Com o objetivo de avaliar a proteína total, a albumina e as globulinas de potras sadias da raça Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), utilizaram-se 380 amostras de plasma sangüíneo colhidas de 19 animais desde o nascimento até 24 meses de vida. Na análise dos resultados evidenciou-se que os valores médios de proteína total foram mínimos logo após o nascimento, seguidos de pequeno aumento mantido durante o primeiro mês de vida. A partir dos 45 dias de vida, ocorreu aumento progressivo dos valores médios, sendo este estatisticamente significativo aos três e entre 19 e 21 meses de vida, quando se observou o seu valor máximo. A albumina plasmática apresentou valor máximo entre zero e quatro horas pósnascimento,seguido por pequena diminuição, que foi significativa somente aos seis meses de vida. A partir desse momento, ocorreram leves oscilações nos teores de albumina, registrando-se seu valor mínimo aos 20 meses de vida. As globulinas plasmáticas demonstraram comportamento semelhante ao constatado para a proteína total, fato que está associado à estabilidade das concentrações de albumina, perm

TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN AND GLOBULIN OF HEALTHY DEVELOPING BRAZILIAN SPORT HORSE (BRASILEIRO DE HIPISMO) FILLIES. / PROTEÍNA TOTAL, ALBUMINA E GLOBULINAS NO PLASMA DE POTRAS SADIAS DA RAÇA BRASILEIRO DE HIPISMO EM CRESCIMENTO.

Three hundred-eighty plasma samples of healthy fillies obtained from 19 animals from birth to 24 months of age were used for the evaluation of total protein, albumin and globulins. Results showed that the mean values for total proteins were minimum soon after birth, followed by a small increase maintained through the first month of life. After 45 days of life there was a progressive increase of the mean values, which were statistically significant at three and between 19 and 21 months of age, when its highest value was documented. Plasma albumin showed maximum value between zero and 4 hours after birth, followed by a small reduction that was significant only at 6 months of age. From this moment on, albumin values showed small oscillations, reaching its minimum value at 20 months of age. A similar pattern to that observed for total protein was seen for plasma globulins, which was associated to the stability of albumin values, therefore allowing affirming that globulins determined the oscillatory behavior of total protein. KEY-WORDS: Total protein. Albumin. Globulins. Plasma. Brazilian Sport Horte (Brasileiro de Hipismo). Filly.  

Com o objetivo de avaliar a proteína total, a albumina e as globulinas de potras sadias da raça Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), utilizaram-se 380 amostras de plasma sangüíneo colhidas de 19 animais desde o nascimento até 24 meses de vida. Na análise dos resultados evidenciou-se que os valores médios de proteína total foram mínimos logo após o nascimento, seguidos de pequeno aumento mantido durante o primeiro mês de vida. A partir dos 45 dias de vida, ocorreu aumento progressivo dos valores médios, sendo este estatisticamente significativo aos três e entre 19 e 21 meses de vida, quando se observou o seu valor máximo. A albumina plasmática apresentou valor máximo entre zero e quatro horas pósnascimento,seguido por pequena diminuição, que foi significativa somente aos seis meses de vida. A partir desse momento, ocorreram leves oscilações nos teores de albumina, registrando-se seu valor mínimo aos 20 meses de vida. As globulinas plasmáticas demonstraram comportamento semelhante ao constatado para a proteína total, fato que está associado à estabilidade das concentrações de albumina, perm

TOTAL PROTEIN, ALBUMIN AND GLOBULIN OF HEALTHY DEVELOPING BRAZILIAN SPORT HORSE (BRASILEIRO DE HIPISMO) FILLIES. / PROTEÍNA TOTAL, ALBUMINA E GLOBULINAS NO PLASMA DE POTRAS SADIAS DA RAÇA BRASILEIRO DE HIPISMO EM CRESCIMENTO.

Three hundred-eighty plasma samples of healthy fillies obtained from 19 animals from birth to 24 months of age were used for the evaluation of total protein, albumin and globulins. Results showed that the mean values for total proteins were minimum soon after birth, followed by a small increase maintained through the first month of life. After 45 days of life there was a progressive increase of the mean values, which were statistically significant at three and between 19 and 21 months of age, when its highest value was documented. Plasma albumin showed maximum value between zero and 4 hours after birth, followed by a small reduction that was significant only at 6 months of age. From this moment on, albumin values showed small oscillations, reaching its minimum value at 20 months of age. A similar pattern to that observed for total protein was seen for plasma globulins, which was associated to the stability of albumin values, therefore allowing affirming that globulins determined the oscillatory behavior of total protein. KEY-WORDS: Total protein. Albumin. Globulins. Plasma. Brazilian Sport Horte (Brasileiro de Hipismo). Filly.  

Com o objetivo de avaliar a proteína total, a albumina e as globulinas de potras sadias da raça Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), utilizaram-se 380 amostras de plasma sangüíneo colhidas de 19 animais desde o nascimento até 24 meses de vida. Na análise dos resultados evidenciou-se que os valores médios de proteína total foram mínimos logo após o nascimento, seguidos de pequeno aumento mantido durante o primeiro mês de vida. A partir dos 45 dias de vida, ocorreu aumento progressivo dos valores médios, sendo este estatisticamente significativo aos três e entre 19 e 21 meses de vida, quando se observou o seu valor máximo. A albumina plasmática apresentou valor máximo entre zero e quatro horas pósnascimento,seguido por pequena diminuição, que foi significativa somente aos seis meses de vida. A partir desse momento, ocorreram leves oscilações nos teores de albumina, registrando-se seu valor mínimo aos 20 meses de vida. As globulinas plasmáticas demonstraram comportamento semelhante ao constatado para a proteína total, fato que está associado à estabilidade das concentrações de albumina, perm

Influence of sex and age on seric values of bilirubin, ast and ggt in mangalarga horses / Influência do sexo e da idade nos valores séricos das bilirrubinas, ast e ggt de cavalos da raça mangalarga

With the purpose of establishing the biochemical components values in healthy Mangalarga horses raised in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood serum samples were drawn from 167 animals (98 females and 69 males), and assigned to seven experimental groups in accordance with age. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups according to the sex. The analyzed biochemical compounds were the bilirubins (total, direct and indirect) and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gama glutamyltransferase(GGT). The influence of age and sex factors were considered in the analysis of the results. The serum concentrations of total, direct and indirect bilirubins presented mean values that ranged, respectively, from 1.08 to 1.56; 0.81 to 1.26, and 0.26 to 0.35 mg/dL; only total and indirect bilirubins presented significant variation influenced by age and sex, characterized by a significant increase in their values, with a maximal concentration documented in horses between 49 and 96 months-old, as well as by greater mean values in males. The activity of the enzyme AST ranged from 120.1 to 140.3 IU/L, and was significantly influenced by age, as 7-to-12-months-old foals had the greater values when compared with other groups. The serum concentration of GGT ranged from 7.2 to 12.5 IU/L, and was influenced by age and sex, with a decrease of values for animals between 13 and 24 months-old, and

Com o propósito de estabelecer valores de componentes bioquímicos em eqüinos sadios, da raça Mangalarga, criados no Estado de São Paulo, utilizaram-se amostras de soro sangüíneo de 167 animais (98 fêmeas e 69 machos), distribuídos por sete grupos experimentais, segundo a estratificação etária, sendo cada um deles dividido em dois subgrupos, de acordo com o sexo. Os constituintes bioquímicos estudados foram as bilirrubinas (total, direta e indireta) e as enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gama glutamiltransferase (GGT). Considerou-se na análise dos resultados a influência dos fatores etário e sexual. As concentrações séricas de bilirrubina total, indireta e direta apresentaram valores médios que variaram,respectivamente, de 1,08 a 1,56; 0,81 a 1,26 e 0,26 a 0,35 mg/dl; somente as bilirrubinas total e indireta demonstraram variação significativa sob influência dos fatores etário e sexual, caracterizadas por aumento significativo dos seus valores, com concentração máxima observada entre 49 e 96 meses de vida, como também, por verificar-se maiores valores médios nos machos. A atividade da AST variou entre 120,1 e 140,3 UI/L, observando-se somente a ocorrência de significativa influência de fator etário, pois potros com idade variando entre 7 e 12 meses apresentavam valores maiores que aqueles obtidos nos demais grupos. A concentração sérica da GGT variou entre 7,2 e 12,5 UI

INFLUENCE OF SEX AND AGE ON SERIC VALUES OF BILIRUBIN, AST AND GGT IN MANGALARGA HORSES. / INFLUÊNCIA DO SEXO E DA IDADE NOS VALORES SÉRICOS DAS BILIRRUBINAS, AST E GGT DE CAVALOS DA RAÇA MANGALARGA.

With the purpose of establishing the biochemical components values in healthy Mangalarga horses raised in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood serum samples were drawn from 167 animals (98 females and 69 males), and assigned to seven experimental groups in accordance with age. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups according to the sex. The analyzed biochemical compounds were the bilirubins (total, direct and indirect) and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gama glutamyltransferase(GGT). The influence of age and sex factors were considered in the analysis of the results. The serum concentrations of total, direct and indirect bilirubins presented mean values that ranged, respectively, from 1.08 to 1.56; 0.81 to 1.26, and 0.26 to 0.35 mg/dL; only total and indirect bilirubins presented significant variation influenced by age and sex, characterized by a significant increase in their values, with a maximal concentration documented in horses between 49 and 96 months-old, as well as by greater mean values in males. The activity of the enzyme AST ranged from 120.1 to 140.3 IU/L, and was significantly influenced by age, as 7-to-12-months-old foals had the greater values when compared with other groups. The serum concentration of GGT ranged from 7.2 to 12.5 IU/L, and was influenced by age and sex, with a decrease of values for animals between 13 and 24 months-old, and

Com o propósito de estabelecer valores de componentes bioquímicos em eqüinos sadios, da raça Mangalarga, criados no Estado de São Paulo, utilizaram-se amostras de soro sangüíneo de 167 animais (98 fêmeas e 69 machos), distribuídos por sete grupos experimentais, segundo a estratificação etária, sendo cada um deles dividido em dois subgrupos, de acordo com o sexo. Os constituintes bioquímicos estudados foram as bilirrubinas (total, direta e indireta) e as enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gama glutamiltransferase (GGT). Considerou-se na análise dos resultados a influência dos fatores etário e sexual. As concentrações séricas de bilirrubina total, indireta e direta apresentaram valores médios que variaram,respectivamente, de 1,08 a 1,56; 0,81 a 1,26 e 0,26 a 0,35 mg/dl; somente as bilirrubinas total e indireta demonstraram variação significativa sob influência dos fatores etário e sexual, caracterizadas por aumento significativo dos seus valores, com concentração máxima observada entre 49 e 96 meses de vida, como também, por verificar-se maiores valores médios nos machos. A atividade da AST variou entre 120,1 e 140,3 UI/L, observando-se somente a ocorrência de significativa influência de fator etário, pois potros com idade variando entre 7 e 12 meses apresentavam valores maiores que aqueles obtidos nos demais grupos. A concentração sérica da GGT variou entre 7,2 e 12,5 UI

INFLUENCE OF SEX AND AGE ON SERIC VALUES OF BILIRUBIN, AST AND GGT IN MANGALARGA HORSES. / INFLUÊNCIA DO SEXO E DA IDADE NOS VALORES SÉRICOS DAS BILIRRUBINAS, AST E GGT DE CAVALOS DA RAÇA MANGALARGA.

With the purpose of establishing the biochemical components values in healthy Mangalarga horses raised in São Paulo State, Brazil, blood serum samples were drawn from 167 animals (98 females and 69 males), and assigned to seven experimental groups in accordance with age. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups according to the sex. The analyzed biochemical compounds were the bilirubins (total, direct and indirect) and the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gama glutamyltransferase(GGT). The influence of age and sex factors were considered in the analysis of the results. The serum concentrations of total, direct and indirect bilirubins presented mean values that ranged, respectively, from 1.08 to 1.56; 0.81 to 1.26, and 0.26 to 0.35 mg/dL; only total and indirect bilirubins presented significant variation influenced by age and sex, characterized by a significant increase in their values, with a maximal concentration documented in horses between 49 and 96 months-old, as well as by greater mean values in males. The activity of the enzyme AST ranged from 120.1 to 140.3 IU/L, and was significantly influenced by age, as 7-to-12-months-old foals had the greater values when compared with other groups. The serum concentration of GGT ranged from 7.2 to 12.5 IU/L, and was influenced by age and sex, with a decrease of values for animals between 13 and 24 months-old, and

Com o propósito de estabelecer valores de componentes bioquímicos em eqüinos sadios, da raça Mangalarga, criados no Estado de São Paulo, utilizaram-se amostras de soro sangüíneo de 167 animais (98 fêmeas e 69 machos), distribuídos por sete grupos experimentais, segundo a estratificação etária, sendo cada um deles dividido em dois subgrupos, de acordo com o sexo. Os constituintes bioquímicos estudados foram as bilirrubinas (total, direta e indireta) e as enzimas aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gama glutamiltransferase (GGT). Considerou-se na análise dos resultados a influência dos fatores etário e sexual. As concentrações séricas de bilirrubina total, indireta e direta apresentaram valores médios que variaram,respectivamente, de 1,08 a 1,56; 0,81 a 1,26 e 0,26 a 0,35 mg/dl; somente as bilirrubinas total e indireta demonstraram variação significativa sob influência dos fatores etário e sexual, caracterizadas por aumento significativo dos seus valores, com concentração máxima observada entre 49 e 96 meses de vida, como também, por verificar-se maiores valores médios nos machos. A atividade da AST variou entre 120,1 e 140,3 UI/L, observando-se somente a ocorrência de significativa influência de fator etário, pois potros com idade variando entre 7 e 12 meses apresentavam valores maiores que aqueles obtidos nos demais grupos. A concentração sérica da GGT variou entre 7,2 e 12,5 UI

Chlamydia trachomatis, herpes simplex virus 2, and human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 are not associated with grade of cervical neoplasia in Jamaican colposcopy patients.

BACKGROUND: A few recent studies have suggested that other sexually transmitted infections may increase the likelihood of a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection progressing to high-grade cervical neoplasia and cancer. GOAL: The goal was to assess whether exposures to Chlamydia trachomatis, human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-I), and/or human simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) are greater in colposcopy patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or cancer (CIN3+) than in patients with low-grade cervical neoplasia (CIN1). STUDY DESIGN: Sequential patients (n=447) attending a colposcopy clinic in Kingston, Jamaica, a country with high cervical cancer rates and high HTLV-I prevalence, were tested for (1) HPV DNA by L1 consensus primer (MY09/11) polymerase chain reaction assays, (2) C trachomatis DNA by ligase chain reaction, (3) C trachomatis antibodies by both microimmunofluorescence and a peptide (VS4) enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), (4) HTLV-I antibodies by ELISA confirmed by western blotting, and (5) HSV-2 antibodies by a recombinant HSV-2-specific ELISA. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated with use of multinomial logistic regression models. RESULTS: HPV DNA detection was associated with grade of cervical neoplasia but other evaluated sexually transmitted infections were not. CONCLUSIONS: HTLV-I, C trachomatis, and/or HSV-2 were not associated with severity of cervical neoplasia in Jamaican women.

Adeno-associated virus and development of cervical neoplasia

Evidence from several sources has suggested that adeno-associated virus (AAV) infection might protect against cervical cancer, in part, by interfering with human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced tumorigenesis. Detection of AAV type 2 (AAV-2) DNA in cervical tissues has been reported. However, there have been few in vivo studies of women with cervical HPV infection or neoplasia, and these have reported inconsistent results. Therefore, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeted to the AAV-2 rep and cap genes to test tissue specimens from women in an epidemiological study of cervical neoplasia in Jamaica. We tested 105 women with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN-1), 92 women with CIN-3/carcinoma in situ or invasive cancer (CIN-3/CA), and 94 normal subjects. PCR amplification of human beta-globin DNA was found in almost all cervical specimens, indicating that these materials were adequate for PCR testing. The prevalence of HPV DNA, determined by HPV L1 consensus primer PCR was, as expected, strongly associated with presence and grade of neoplasia. Each of the AAV PCR assays detected as few as 10 copies of the virus genome. However, none of the 291 cervical specimens from Jamaican subjects tested positive for AAV DNA. Negative AAV PCR results were also obtained in tests of cervical samples from 79 university students in the United States. Exposure to AAV was assessed further by serology. Using a whole virus AAV-2 sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found no relationship between AAV antibodies and presence or grade of neoplasia in either the Jamaican study subjects or women enrolled in a U.S. cervical cancer case (n = 74) - control (n = 77) study. Overall, the data provide no evidence that AAV infection plays a role in cervical tumorigenesis or that AAV commonly infects cervical epithelial cells.(Au)

HDV 16 antibody prevalence in Jamaica and the United States reflects differences in cervical cancer rates

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is widely accepted as the primary etiologic agent in the development of cervical cancer. DNA of a particular HPV type, HPV 16, is found in about half of tumors tested. Inconsistent with this causal relationship, however, population-based studies of HPV DNA prevalence have often failed to find high rates of anogenital HPV infection in countries with high cervical cancer rates. To examine this issue, we used serology to compare HPV 16 exposure in healthy volunteer blood donors in the United States (n = 278) and similar subjects from a country with 3-fold higher cervical cancer rates, Jamaica (n = 257). Jamaican sexually transmitted disease (STD) patients (n = 831) were also studied to examine in detail the relation of HPV 16 antibodies with sexual history. Serology was conducted using an ELISA employing HPV 16 virus-like particles (VLPs). Age-adjusted seroprevalence rates were greatest among male (29 percent) and female (42 percent) STD patients, intermediate in male (19 percent) and female (24 percent) Jamaican blood donors and lowest among male (3 percent) and female (12 percent) U.S. blood donors. The higher seroprevalence in women was significant, and prevalence tended to increase with age. In multivariate logistic regression, controlling for age and gender, Jamaican blood donors were 4.2-fold (95 percent CI 2.4 - 7.2) and STD patients 8.1-fold (95 percent CI 5.0 - 13.2) more likely to have HPV 16 VLP antibodies than U.S. blood donors. Among STD patients, HPV 16 antibodies were associated with lifetime number of sex partners and years of sexual activity, as well as other factors. Our data suggest that HPV 16 VLP antibodies are strongly associated with sexual behavior. Moreover, exposure to HPV 16 appears to be much greater in Jamaica than in the United States, consistent with the high rate of cervical cancer in Jamaica (Au)

Stroke risk factor knowledge in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women in New Mexico: implications for targeted prevention strategies.

Hispanic women in New Mexico have recently experienced an increase in age-adjusted mortality compared with non-Hispanic white women. Since patients' knowledge of stroke risk factors may affect risk factor control, the present study was undertaken to characterize stroke risk factor understanding in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women in New Mexico. We administered a stroke risk factor knowledge survey to 215 women hospitalized in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Patients were classified by each of three dichotomous groupings: stroke or nonstroke diagnosis; Hispanic or non-Hispanic white ethnicity; history of cardiovascular risk factors. The frequency of specific item responses was determined for each patient grouping. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether composite knowledge score differed among patient groups. Stress was the attribute most commonly thought to be a risk factor for stroke. Although no ethnic differences were found on composite knowledge score, Hispanic women were significantly less likely to report hypertension as a stroke risk factor than non-Hispanic white women. We suggest that stroke risk factor understanding in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women in New Mexico is inadequate. Insufficient understanding of the consequences of hypertension, including stroke, may diminish the degree of hypertension control that patients achieve. Further study of the relationship between stroke risk factor understanding and health behavior could enhance prevention efforts.

Type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus DNA among Jamaican colposcopy patients

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types differ in their associations with cervical cancer. Therefore, the types of HPV in precancerous lesions are important. In many regions with high cancer incidence, the HPV types in precancerous lesions have not been well studied. In Jamaica, a country that has high cervical cancer incidence, 174 colposcopy patients were tested for HPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction. HPV DNA detection was strongly related to presence and grade of cervical neoplasia (P<.001). Furthermore, severe neoplastic change was most highly associated with HPV DNA types also considered high-risk for severe neoplassia in other populations. HPV-45 DNA, a high-risk type uncommon in most previously tested countries, was detected in 12 percent of patients who had neoplasia. Thus, cervical neoplasia in Jamaica, as elsewhere, is linked to HPV. The high prevalence of HPV-45 DNA was notable, and its relation to high cervical cancer incidence in Jamaica must be assessed. (AU)

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is not associated with elevated serum neopterin levels

Neopterin, a marker of cellular immune activation, was elevated in patients who had cervical cancer in previous studies. To examine neopterin in the presence of precursors to cervical cancer (i.e. cervical intraepithelial) we measured serum levels in 185 colposcopy patients in Jamaica, a country with high cervical cancer incidence, and in 72 age-matched Jamaican women selected from a large population-based sample. We also measured serum levels of B-2 microglobulin, another commonly used marker of immune activation. Neopterin and B-2 microglobulin levels were not elevated in colposcopy patients; neither were they rel ted to severity of cervical neoplasia. In multivariable analysis, neither adjustments for detection of cervical human papillomavirus DNA by PCR nor detection of antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (a retrovirus endemic to Jamaica) altered our findings. The absence of serologically detectable increase in cellular immune activation linked to cervical intraepithelial neoplasmia does not involve susbtantial systemic immune activation. (AU)

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and severe neoplasia of the cervix in Jamaica

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was associated with carcinoma of the cervix in Japan in a recent study that compared hospital cases with healthy population-based controls. To test this relationship in women more alike for cervical neoplasia risk factors (including sexual behavior and human papilloma virus: HPV), we enrolled consecutive patients from a colposcopy clinic in Kingston, Jamaica (an HTLV-1 endemic area). Patients underwent Pap smear, calopscopy, biopsy and cervical swab for detection of HPV by polymerase chain reaction. Cases were defined as women with CIN-3 or invasive cancer (CIN-3/CA). Controls included all patients with either CIN-1 or koilocytotic atypia, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significane or benign cervical pathology (all but one had at least inflammatory changes). Patients with CIN-2 were excluded to minimize risk of case-control misclassification. Cases were much more likely to be HTLV-1 seropositive than controls. Although mean age differed significantly between cases (mean age = 39 years) and controls (mean age = 33 years), control for age did not explain the relation of CIN-3/CA with HTLV-1. Among HPV DNA positive subjects the age-adjusted association was not diminished but lost statistical significance. HTLV-1 seroprevalence may be independently associated with progression to severe neoplasia of the cervix (AU)

Mucormycosis / ?

The term mucormycosis encompasses a distinctive group of infections caused by fungi belonging to genera within the taxonomic order Mucorales, usually Rhizopus, Absidia, Mortierella, and Mucor. These fungi are widespread in nature, subsisting on decaying vegetation and diverse organic materials. Although the fungi and spores of Mucorales show minimal intrinsic pathogenicity toward normal persons, they can initiate aggressive and fulminant infections under certain clinical conditions. Ketoacidotic diabetics are predisposed to rhinocerebral mucormycosis, whereas patients with leukemia or lymphoma are susceptible to pulmonary or disseminated infections. These infections, which often result in devastating long-diagnostic and therapeutic challanges

Epidemiologic differences among serotypes of Cryptococcus neoformans.

In the USA, the most prevalent serotype of the fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, was serotype A. The serotype constituted 203 of 272 isolates from infections and 85 of 89 isolates from the environment. Serotype B or C isolates were infrequent causes of infection, except in Southern California, and were infrequent causes of infecand were not isolated at all from environmental sources. In Southern California, the absence of serotypes B and C in 67 soil and pigeon dropping isolates was striking, considering that 25 of 49 isolates from infections were serotypes B or C. The site in nature where serotypes B and C exist is currently unknown but differs from that of serotypes A and D. Serotype D may be unusually prevalent in both environmental and patient isolates from Denmark and Italy. Of 24 isolates from those countries, 21 were serotype D.