Biosocial determinants of hysterectomy in New Zealand

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence and biosocial correlates of hysterectomy. METHODS: Data were from a 1995 national survey of women aged 20 to 59 years. We applied piecewise nonparametric exponential hazards models to a subsample aged 25 to 59 to estimate the effects of biosocial correlates on hysterectomy likelihood. RESULTS: Risks of hysterectomy for 1991 through 1995 were lower than those before 1981. University-educated and professional women were less likely to undergo hysterectomy. Higher parity and intrauterine device side effects increased the risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms international results, especially those on education and occupation, but also points to ethnicity's mediating role. Education and occupation covary independently with hysterectomy. Analysis of time variance and periodicity showed declines in likelihood from 1981.     

Incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia, 1968--1977.

A record of all known cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Malaysia is complete for 10 years from 1968 to 1977. Special efforts in case-finding were made in the State of Selangor where conditions are optimal. Age-adjusted incidence rates among Chinese males and females were 16.5 and 7.2 per 100,000, among Malay males and females 2.3 and 0.7 and among Indian males, 1.0. There were no significant changes in incidence rates over the 10-year period for sex and ethnic groups, or for Chinese subethnic groups. In Chinese subethnic groups, rates were highest among Cantonese, moderate among Khek and lowest among Hokkien and Teochiu. Standardized incidence ratios using Selangor as the standard population indicate considerable under-reporting in the less urban states of Malaysia, particularly among females. In Selangor, incidence rates were similar for urban and rural residents, but the frequency of cases was higher among Chinese working in industry and living in poor neighbourhoods.     

Multilocus DNA profiling using the probe 33.6 in the Tamil Nadu population of South India

Using the multilocus minisatellite probe 33.6 in combination with the HinfI restriction enzyme, the extent of genetic variation detected by DNA fingerprinting was estimated in 102 unrelated individuals of the Dravidian Hindu population of Tamil Nadu, South India. In this first study of its kind on an anthropologically defined Indian population, DNA fragments of size >2.5 kb could be reliably scored. Results indicate that the Tamilian Hindus show an average number of bands per individual somewhat smaller (15.69 for fragments of size >2.5 kb) than that in other Caucasian populations. For comparable molecular weight of fragment sizes, the Tamilian Hindus show a lower level of band sharing probabilities between unrelated individuals compared with other Caucasians. Nevertheless, the probe 33.6 offers a high level of individualization of DNA fingerprints for unrelated individuals in Tamil Nadu. Computations on expected band sharing frequencies between various biological relatives and expected DNA fingerprint identity indicate that this multilocus minisatellite probe can be efficiently used in resolving forensic identification and parentage testing cases in this South Indian population in spite of its high level of inbreeding. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:87–93, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Swietenia macrophylla extract promotes the ability of Caenorhabditis elegans to survive Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Swietenia macrophylla or commonly known as big leaf mahogany, has been traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent.

Aim of the study

The unwanted problem of antibiotic resistance in many bacterial species advocates the need for the discovery of the new anti-infective drugs. Here, we investigated the anti-infective properties of Swietenia macrophylla with an assay involving lethal infection of Caenorhabditis elegans with the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Materials and methods

Using a slow killing assay, Caenorhabditis elegans was challenged with an infective strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14). The ability of Swietenia macrophylla seed ethyl acetate extract to promote the survival of infected worms was assessed by comparing the percentage of survival between extract treated and non-treated worm populations. The effect of Swietenia macrophylla towards PA14 growth, Caenorhabditis elegans feeding rate and degree of PA14 colonization in the worm gut was also evaluated. Lastly, using a fluorescent transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans strain and real time PCR, the effect of Swietenia macrophylla on the expression of lys-7, an immune response gene was also investigated.

Results

Our results demonstrate the ability of Swietenia macrophylla seed ethyl acetate extract in rescuing Caenorhabditis elegans from fatal PA14 infection. Consequently, we showed that the extract promotes the survival without exhibiting any bactericidal effect or perturbation of Caenorhabditis elegans feeding rate. We also showed that Swietenia macrophylla was able to restore the initially repressed lys-7 level in PA14 infected Caenorhabditis elegans.

Conclusion

Swietenia macrophylla extract is able to enhance the ability of Caenorhabditis elegans to survive PA14 infection without directly killing the pathogen. We further showed that the extract boosted the expression of a gene pivotal for innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Collectively, these findings strongly suggest the presence of compounds within Swietenia macrophylla seed that either reduces Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and/or enhance host resistance.     

Diabetes mellitus in Asian Indian children and adolescents

AIM: To study the clinical and metabolic profile of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents in a South Asian population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixty children were recruited. They were divided into three groups: Group I--type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), Group II--type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1), and Group III--healthy controls. The clinical history and biochemical parameters (HbA1c, serum insulin, C-peptide, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) were recorded. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMAIR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with DM2 had a significant family history of DM and clinical features of insulin resistance, including increased body mass index, waist:hip ratio and acanthosis nigricans. They also had decreased insulin sensitivity together with dyslipidemia of metabolic syndrome, i.e. high triglyceride, high total cholesterol and low HDL-cholesterol. The presence of these predictors of cardiovascular disorders is known to contribute to morbidity and mortality. Hence, DM2 needs to be recognized early in Asian Indian children.     

Uncovering molecular targets for regenerative therapy in degenerative disc disease: do small leucine-rich proteoglycans hold the key?

BACKGROUND CONTEXTSmall leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) play an essential role in extracellular matrix (ECM) organization and function. Recently, dysregulation of SLRPs has been implicated in degenerative disc disease (DDD). An in-depth analysis using high-throughput proteomic sequencing might provide valuable information on their implications in health and disease.PURPOSETo utilize proteomics for analyzing the expression of SLRPs in fetal, healthy adult, and degenerated discs, to identify possible molecular targets to halt or reverse the degenerative process.STUDY DESIGNExperimental analysis.METHODSProteomic signatures of 8 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) normal lumbar discs (ND) [harvested from brain dead alive organ donors] were compared to 8 fetal disc samples (FD) [harvested from fetal spines devoid of congenital anomalies following spontaneous or medical termination of pregnancy] and 8 degenerate discs (DD) [collected from patients undergoing fusion surgery]. The various functional pathways along with the differential expression of SLRPs and the associated changes in collagens, large proteoglycans (LLRPs), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have been analyzed further using bioinformatics. This project was self-funded by the Ganga Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation.RESULTSESI-LC-MS/MS analysis revealed a total of 1,029 proteins in FD, 1,785 proteins in ND, and 1,775 proteins in DD. Fetal disc proteins were engaged mainly in ribosomal pathways (indicating active proliferation and regenerative potential). The healthy adult discs (ND) primarily participated in ECM maintenance and basic metabolic pathways, whereas the unique proteins of DD group were involved in inflammatory (Complement and coagulation cascades, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Leukocyte transendothelial migration) pathways and infective (Staphylococcus aureus infection, Prion diseases, Amoebiasis, Pertussis, and Legionellosis) channels which favor the recent concepts of inflammaging and subclinical infection as causes of DDD. Analysis of SLRPs revealed the upregulation of Biglycan in FDs and downregulation of Lumican, Decorin, Prolargin, and Chondroadherin in the DD group. The universal decrease in the abundance of SLRPs in the DD group was associated with an increase in MMPs and a reduction in TIMPs, collagen and LLRP content.CONCLUSIONSOur study documents the influence of SLRPs in the maintenance of disc health and also the need for future research in using them for disc regeneration.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe various SLRPs that we identified are all known to have a beneficial influence on ECM integrity and a negative effect on the degenerative process at different stages in the evolution of degeneration. Biglycan, which is abundantly present in a fetus, may be suitable for regenerative therapy, and the other SLRPs like Lumican, Prolargin, Decorin, and Chondroadherin may serve the same purpose and/or as biomarkers.     

Utilization of maternal health care services in Southern India

This paper examines the patterns and determinants of maternal health care utilization across different social settings in South India: in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) carried out during 1992-93 across most states in India are used. Results show that utilization of maternal health care services is highest in Kerala followed by Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Utilization of maternal health care services is not only associated with a range of reproductive, socio-economic, cultural and program factors but also with state and type of health service. The interstate differences in utilization could be partly due to variations in the implementation of maternal health care program as well as differences in availability and accessibility between the states. In the case of antenatal care, there was no significant rural-urban gap, thanks to the role played by the multipurpose health workers posted in the rural areas to provide maternal health care services. The findings of this study provide insights for planning and implementing appropriate maternal health service delivery programs in order to improve the health and well-being of both mother and child.