Human leukocyte antigen class I (A,B, C) and class II (DPB1, DQB1, DRB1) allele and haplotype variation in Black South African individuals

South Africa has a population of 58.78 million, of which 80.7% are Black African individuals, representing 9 predominant ethnic/linguistic groups (Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, South Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda and Ndebele). HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are the leading causes of death (7.8% and 5.9%, respectively) in this population group. To provide reference HLA allele and haplotype data for studies of gene-associations with infectious/non-infectious diseases or vaccine development, we have updated previously published HLA class I (A, B, C) and class II DRB1 genotypes and determined high-resolution class II (DPB1, DQB1) genotypes for n = 142 healthy, unrelated Black South African individuals.     

Commonsense illness beliefs,adherence behaviors,and hypertension control among African Americans

Hypertension, particularly among African Americans, has been increasing in importance in the past 10 years. One aspect of this problem is poor disease management. This study examined illness beliefs, behaviors, and hypertension control among 102 African American outpatients. Participants were interviewed about their commonsense beliefs concerning hypertension and its management in accordance with Leventhal's commonsense model of self-regulation (CSM). Also assessed were medication adherence, stress-reducing behaviors, and lifestyle behaviors recommended for blood pressure control. Blood pressure was measured at about the time of interviewing. Results indicated that endorsement of a medical belief model of hypertension (i.e., caused and controlled by factors such as diet, age, and weight) was cross-sectionally associated with lower systolic blood pressure, a relationship that was statistically mediated by lifestyle behaviors (e.g., cut down salt, exercise). Endorsement of a stress belief model (i.e., stress is the main factor in hypertension cause and control) was associated with engagement in stress-related behaviors but not with blood pressure. These results further support the utility of the CSM for understanding patients' disease management behaviors.     

Prevalence of African Swine Fever in China, 2018-2019

African swine fever (ASF) has spread widely across China since 2018. It represents a significant threat to the pig production industry, as no treatment or vaccine is available for this disease. In this study, the geographical distribution and epidemiological features of ASF from all endemic regions of China were analyzed. We focused on the epidemiological data from 149 ASF cases among domestic pigs and wild boars, confirmed during 2018-2019. We found that, in the 1-year period from August 2018 to July 2019, ASF was reported in most geographical regions of the country, which comprises 31 provinces. The outbreaks were mainly located along the important economic zones and tended to increase southward in general. The southwest region was the most severely affected, with 22% of cases, followed by the Northeast, with 20% of cases. There was no significant difference among other regions. Additionally, the overall mean rate of case-incidence/fatality was 12.5% and 64%, respectively, in this period and varied significantly different months, with a general trend towards a decrease over time. The highest incidence rate (30.4%) occurred in April-May 2019, and the highest fatality rate (81.21%) in October-November 2018, demonstrating the marked seasonality in ASF transmission. Furthermore, anthropogenic effects were a major significant risk factor for the spread of the disease. In summary, this initial epidemiological analysis of ASF provides a global perspective on ASF and facilitates detection of trends and patterns, which will be useful for updating preventive actions at a national level and evaluating their impact on public health.     

Informing Cancer Prevention Strategies for African Americans: The Relationship of African American Acculturation to Fruit,Vegetable, and Fat Intake

Acculturation has been associated with health-related behaviors in African Americans. We sought to determine if there is a relationship between acculturation and dietary intake in African Americans. African Americans in the PREMIER trial completed the African American Acculturation Scale (AAAS) and 2 nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls (n = 238). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and canonical correlation were used to assess relationships between acculturation and dietary intakes. Canonical correlation (p = 0.05) showed that traditional African Americans had lower intakes of fruits/vegetables and milk/dairy with higher intakes of fats, meat, and nuts. This pattern was supported by differences in the ANOVA. African American acculturation is related to dietary intake. These findings have implications for the design of cancer-related public health messages targeted to African Amercans.     

Rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases: The role of giant African pouched rats,dogs and honeybees

Early detection of infection in an individual is an important strategy to prevent transmission and spread of the infection – in the community or among patients admitted in a health care facility. Over the past decade, there have been rapid advances in technology in an attempt to provide rapid, accurate tests for diagnosis of infectious diseases. With this in perspective, the use of animals’ superior olfactory sensitivity to sniff out infectious diseases holds promise.     

Motivators,Barriers, and Facilitators to Weight Loss and Behavior Change Among African American Adults in Baltimore City: A Qualitative Analysis

Background

African American adults achieve smaller amounts of weight loss than their white counterparts when exposed to the same intervention and are more likely to regain weight during long-term follow-up.

Neutralizing antibodies to African swine fever virus proteins p30, p54, and p72 are not sufficient for antibody-mediated protection

Although antibody-mediated immune mechanisms have been shown to be important in immunity to ASF, it remains unclear what role virus neutralizing antibodies play in the protective response. Virus neutralizing epitopes have been identified on three viral proteins, p30, p54, and p72. To evaluate the role(s) of these proteins in protective immunity, pigs were immunized with baculovirus-expressed p30, p54, p72, and p22 from the pathogenic African swine fever virus (ASFV) isolate Pr4. ASFV specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in test group animals. Following immunization, animals were challenged with 10(4) TCID(50) of Pr4 virus. In comparison to the control group, test group animals exhibited a 2-day delay to onset of clinical disease and reduced viremia levels at 2 days postinfection (DPI); however, by 4 DPI, there was no significant difference between the two groups and all animals in both groups died between 7 and 10 DPI. These results indicate that neutralizing antibodies to these ASFV proteins are not sufficient for antibody-mediated protection.     

Entomological patterns in the human African trypanosomiasis focus of Komo Mondah, Gabon

Background

The incidence of sleeping sickness is still considerable in the Komo Mondah focus, in spite of case-detection strategy. A combined strategy that associated both mass screening and vector control is effective for the control of the disease. In the perspective of a targeted vector control in main transmission sites, we have carried out an entomological survey in the epicentre of the focus.

Objectives

To determine tsetse flies distribution, human-fly contact point and eventually risk factors for acquisition of the disease.

Methods

“Vavoua” traps were set for Glossina in four biotopes selected after an interview of HAT patients concerning their working places. Tsetse were captured and dissected. DNA from organs was analysed by PCR for trypanosome infections. The origin of blood meals was determined by ELISA.

Results

The focus is infested by three species of Glossina: G. palpalis palpalis (1149: 91.85%) found in all biotopes; G. fuscipes fuscipes (85: 6.79%) and G. caliginea (17: 1.36%) found in water spots and landing stages. They are infected by three subgenera of trypanosomes and only G. palpalis palpalis is infected by human trypanosomes. G. fuscipes fuscipes is infected by T. brucei sl and G. caliginea is not infected. Flies are absent at the periphery of houses except in one village. Only 29.20% of blood meals were from humans. Landing stages built in swamp mangrove are presenting the higher index of epidemiological risk and populations are exposed to the disease when they go to the area for taking their fishing boats.

Conclusion

Swamp mangrove would be targeted in priority during a vector control campaign.     

Spirituality,Religiosity, and Weight Management Among African American Adolescent Males: The Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Spirituality and religion have been identified as important determinants of health for adults; however, the impact of faith-oriented factors on health behaviors and outcomes among African American adolescent males has not been well studied. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between religiosity and spirituality and obesity-related behaviors among 12–19 year old African American males (N = 105) in the Jackson Heart KIDS Pilot Study. Key variables of interest are church attendance, prayer, daily spirituality, weight status, attempts to lose weight, nutrition, physical activity, and stress. Daily spirituality is associated with whether an individual attempts to lose weight. The results from logistic regression models suggest that daily spirituality increases the odds that African American male adolescents attempt to lose weight (OR = 1.22, CI: 1.07–1.41) and have a history of diet-focused weight management (OR = 1.13, CI: 1.02–1.26). Future studies are needed to further explore the association between religion, spirituality, and obesity-related behaviors.     

Optimism,social support,and adjustment in African American women with breast cancer

Past studies show that optimism and social support are associated with better adjustment following breast cancer treatment. Most studies have examined these relationships in predominantly non-Hispanic White samples. The present study included 77 African American women treated for nonmetastatic breast cancer. Women completed measures of optimism, social support, and adjustment within 10-months of surgical treatment. In contrast to past studies, social support did not mediate the relationship between optimism and adjustment in this sample. Instead, social support was a moderator of the optimism-adjustment relationship, as it buffered the negative impact of low optimism on psychological distress, well-being, and psychosocial functioning. Women with high levels of social support experienced better adjustment even when optimism was low. In contrast, among women with high levels of optimism, increasing social support did not provide an added benefit. These data suggest that perceived social support is an important resource for women with low optimism.     

Health Status Among Urban African American Women: Associations Among Well-Being, Perceived Stress, and Demographic Factors

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations among health status, well-being, and perceived stress in a sample of urban African American women. African American women (n = 128) (Mean +/- SD, 49.3 +/- 10.5) from Baltimore, Maryland, enrolled in a church-based physical activity randomized trial were included in the analysis. Health status was assessed from the SF-36. Well-being, perceived stress, and demographics were also determined from self-report. Results indicated that the sample reported favorable health status, well-being, and stress levels compared to mean levels reported in the literature. Spearman rank-order correlations indicated that perceived stress score negatively correlated with most health status dimensions and well-being in the present, past, and future. Multiple regression analyses, adjusting for potential demographic confounders, indicated that higher perceived stress was associated with lower health status and well-being. If these results are confirmed in prospective investigations, they suggest that interventions designed to reduce stress may impact health status and future morbidity and mortality.     

TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-10, IL-6, and INF-gamma alleles among African Americans and Cuban Americans. Report of the ASHI Minority Workshops: Part IV

Point mutations or single nucleotide substitutions in the regulatory regions of cytokine genes may affect levels of cytokine expression and have been associated with acute and chronic rejection in organ transplantation, severity of graft-versus-host disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplants, and predisposition to autoimmune disorders. Because these cytokine variants have been studied primarily among Caucasians, we defined the alleles and frequencies of five cytokines among 691 unrelated, adult African Americans and 296 Cuban Americans in the American Society for Histocompatibility/National Institutes of Health Minority HLA Workshops. The genotypes of all cytokines, except for transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta among African Americans, were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg's equilibrium. Genotype frequencies among African American and Cuban American participants were compared with those of 75 North American Caucasian bone marrow donors and with published frequencies. Significant differences were observed in all comparisons except between Cuban and Caucasian Americans for alleles of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10. The most notable differences were in genotype frequencies of African Americans compared with those of the two other populations. The frequency of the IFN-gamma genotype A/A, which is associated with low expression, was significantly higher in African Americans than in Caucasian or Cuban Americans (0.66 vs 0.37 and 0.26, respectively; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The high-expression G/G genotype for IL-6 was more than twice as prevalent among African Americans as among Caucasians and 1.5 times more frequent than among Cuban Americans (respective frequencies: 0.85 vs 0.38 and 0.49; p < 0.0001 for both comparisons). In African Americans, the frequency of the high-expression genotype for IL-10, GCC/GCC, was approximately half that of the frequency in Cuban and Caucasian Americans (0.10 vs 0.19 and 0.23, respectively; p < 0.0001, p = 0.004). Because levels of expression can affect inflammation and immune regulation, differences in cytokine allele frequencies between racial or ethnic groups may contribute to different incidences of autoimmunity and allograft rejection.     

Healthcare experiences of patients with Down syndrome who are Black,African American,of African descent,or of mixed race

Scant research has explored the healthcare experiences of people with Down syndrome (DS) in the United States who are Black, African American, of African descent, or of mixed race. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the barriers and facilitators that such patients and their caregivers face when accessing healthcare. We gathered data in three ways: focus groups with caregivers, a national survey completed by caregivers, and in-depth interviews with primary care providers. Many caregivers and primary care physicians felt that patients with DS who are Black, African American, of African descent, or of mixed race receive a lower quality of medical care than their white counterparts with DS. Caregivers mentioned feeling tired of being reminded by the medical community about their race and wanting acknowledgment that raising a child with DS can be hard at times. Many felt that the medical community's conscious and unconscious racial biases do negatively impact the care of their loved ones with DS. Caregivers desired more race concordant medical providers or, when not possible, medical providers who are willing to learn more about DS and build trusted, longitudinal relationships. Primary care providers discussed the need for funded resources and support services to effectively care for their patients with DS.     

Alu insertion polymorphisms in the African Sahel and the origin of Fulani pastoralists

Background: The origin of Western African pastoralism, represented today by the Fulani nomads, has been a highly debated issue for the past decades, and has not yet been conclusively resolved.

Aim: This study focused on Alu polymorphisms in sedentary and nomadic populations across the African Sahel to investigate patterns of diversity that can complement the existing results and contribute to resolving issues concerning the origin of West African pastoralism.

Subjects and methods: A new dataset of 21 Alu biallelic markers covering a substantial part of the African Sahel has been analysed jointly with several published North African populations.

Results: Interestingly, with regard to Alu variation, the relationship of Fulani pastoralists to North Africans is not as evident as was earlier revealed by studies of uniparental loci such as mtDNA and NRY. Alu insertions point rather to an affinity of Fulani pastoralists to Eastern Africans also leading a pastoral lifestyle.

Conclusions: It is suggested that contemporary Fulani pastoralists might be descendants of an ancestral Eastern African population that, while crossing the Sahara in the Holocene, admixed slightly with a population of Eurasian (as evidenced by uniparental polymorphisms) ancestry. It seems that, in the Fulani pastoralists, Alu elements reflect more ancient genetic relationships than do uniparental genetic systems.     

Associations of common SNPs in the SORT1, GCKR,LPL, APOA1, CETP,LDLR, APOE genes with lipid trait levels in an Algerian population sample

Genome-wide association studies have identified many lipid-associated loci primarily in European and Asian populations. In view of the differences between ethnic groups in terms of the frequency and impact of these variants, our objective was to evaluate the relationships between eight lipid-associated variants (considered individually and in combination) and fasting serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels in an Algerian population sample (ISOR study, n = 751). Three SNPs (in SORT1, CETP and GCKR) were individually associated with lipid level variations. Moreover, the risk allele scores for total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels (encompassing between three and six SNPs) were associated with their corresponding lipid traits. Our study is the first to show that some of the lipid-associated loci in European populations are associated with lipid traits in Algerians. Although our results will have to be confirmed in other North African populations, this study contributes to a better understanding of genetic susceptibility to lipid traits in Algeria.     

Insulin resistance and self-perceived scholastic competence in inner-city, overweight and obese, African American children

Purpose

Scholastic competence is a predictor of future achievement, yet there is little research about health factors that influence the development of self-perceived scholastic competence (SPSC). This study examined the relationship of insulin resistance and body fatness with SPSC in low-income, overweight and obese, African American children.

Methods

Data were analyzed from a convenience sample of 9-10 years old African American children (89 boys and 113 girls) enrolled in a type 2 diabetes prevention study. Health variables analyzed for their influence on SPSC (Harter scale) included insulin resistance (Homeostatic model-derived insulin sensitivity, HOMA-IR) and body fatness (% body fat). Adjustments were made for self-esteem (Global Self Worth).

Results

There was a significant gender by insulin resistance interaction effect on the child's SPSC, so separate regression models were developed for each gender. In boys, neither insulin resistance nor body fatness was related to SPSC. In girls, however, insulin resistance was negatively related to SPSC scores, and the significance of the relationship increased further after adjusting for body fatness. Body fatness alone was not significantly related to SPSC in girls, but after adjusting for insulin resistance, body fatness was positively related to SPSC. Thus, insulin resistance and body fatness mutually suppressed SPSC in girls.

Conclusion

High SPSC was associated with lower insulin resistance and, with insulin resistance held constant, with higher body fatness in girls but not in boys. These relationships were not influenced by self-esteem in these children.     

Cultural–Ecological Theory of Academic Disengagement Used to Explain a Story of Race,Culture and Education

Students of African ancestry often share an experience of being a racialized minority in the context of the educational institution. Late Professor of Anthropology John Ogbu’s Cultural-ecological Theory of Academic Disengagement is employed to describe the negative responses encountered by peers in the name of academic achievement.The late Nigerian-American anthropologist John Ogbu described that it is often socially disadvantageous for black youth to prosper academically in formal education. Black students are often seen as betraying their cultural identities by aspiring to academic success and scholastic achievement and are met with repugnance by black peers.The notion of “acting white” is unnecessary, impertinent should be abandoned outright as achievement should have no color.     

Severe malaria in Gambian children is not due to lack of previous exposure to malaria.

The reasons why only a small proportion of African children infected with Plasmodium falciparum develop severe or fatal malaria are not known. One possible reason is that children who develop severe disease have had less previous exposure to malaria infection, and hence have less acquired immunity, than children who develop a mild clinical attack. To investigate this possibility we have measured titres of a wide range of anti-P. falciparum antibodies in plasma samples obtained from children with severe malaria, children with mild malaria and from children with other illnesses. Mean antibody levels in patients with malaria were higher than those in patients with other conditions but, with only one exception, there were no significant differences in antibody titres between cases of severe or mild malaria. A parasitized-erythrocyte agglutination assay was used to estimate the diversity of parasite isolates to which children had been exposed; plasma samples obtained from children with cerebral malaria recognized as many isolates as did samples obtained from children with mild disease. Our findings do not provide any support for the view that the development of severe malaria in a small proportion of African children infected with P. falciparum is due to lack of previous exposure to the infection.