Oral cancer knowledge and examination experiences among North Carolina adults

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses knowledge of oral cancer risk factors, clinical signs, and oral cancer examination experience among North Carolina adults. METHODS: A statewide random digit dial, computer-assisted telephone interview was conducted in 2002. Data from 1,096 respondents, with a response rate of 62 percent, were poststratified to 2000 census data by sex, race, and age group to produce population-based estimates. Knowledge of one sign of oral cancer, four or more risk factors for oral cancer, and having ever had an oral cancer examination were compared in logistic regression models using normalized weights. RESULTS: Fourteen (95% confidence interval [CI] +/-2) percent of adults had never heard of oral or mouth cancer. Risk factor knowledge was high for 56 percent (95% CI+/-3) and associated in a logistic regression model with younger age, feeling personal factors cause cancer, and nonuse of snuff. One sign of oral cancer (sore/lesion, red or white patch in mouth, and bleeding in the mouth) was correctly identified by 53 percent (95% CI+/-3) with significantly more correct responses from younger people, nonsmokers, and some college education. Only 29 percent (95% CI+/-3) reported ever having had an oral cancer examination when this procedure was described. Most respondents reported exams performed by dentists. In a weighted logistic regression model, older age, being dentate, nonsmokers, alcohol users, and those with some college education were significantly more likely to report having ever had an oral cancer examination. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is moderate knowledge of signs and risk factors for oral cancer among North Carolina adults, knowledge deficits remain. Oral cancer examinations need to be increased, particularly among tobacco smokers.     

Sperm velocity in seminal plasma and the association with gender of offspring

The gender of the offspring is determined by the fertilizing sperm. Previous gender studies were based on washed sperm, but not on sperm in seminal plasma. The objective was to correlate motility parameters assessed during semen analyses with the offspring gender. For comparison, fixed sperm head DNA quantitated by Hoechst 33342 fluorescence microscopy was also analyzed. Forty-six patients undergoing assisted reproduction procedures resulted in livebirth deliveries with either male or female-predominant offsprings. Sperm head fluorescence was weakly correlated to the gender in 61% of the cases. Sperm of patients with male offsprings had slower curvilinear (44.2 +/- 1.8 mean +/- SEM, versus, 49.9 +/- 2.7 micro /sec) and slower average path velocities (32.4 +/- 1.2 versus 36.3 +/- 1.7 micro /sec). Using cut-off values for the curvilinear (< 49 micro /sec) and average path (< 36 micro /sec) velocities of sperm swimming in seminal plasma, the two parameters predicted 75 and 68% of the male offspring births, respectively. The data suggest that sperm movement in seminal plasma is a marker for factors that skew the ratio of the X- to Y-sperm populations.     

A novel technique for quantifying changes in vascular density, endothelial cell proliferation and protein expression in response to modulators of angiogenesis using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay

Reliable quantitative evaluation of molecular pathways is critical for both drug discovery and treatment monitoring. We have modified the CAM assay to quantitatively measure vascular density, endothelial proliferation, and changes in protein expression in response to anti-angiogenic and pro-angiogenic agents. This improved CAM assay can correlate changes in vascular density with changes seen on a molecular level. We expect that these described modifications will result in a single in vivo assay system, which will improve the ability to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying the angiogenic response.     

The behavioral deficit observed following noncontingent shock in spinalized rats is prevented by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide

Spinalized rats that receive shock when 1 hind limb is extended (contingent shock) exhibit an increase in flexion duration, a simple form of instrumental learning. Rats that receive shock independent of leg position (noncontingent shock) do not exhibit an increase in flexion duration and fail to learn when tested with contingent shock 24 hr later. It appears that noncontingent shock induces an intraspinal modification that inhibits the capacity to learn. The authors propose that the mechanisms that underlie this effect depend on de novo protein synthesis. To evaluate this hypothesis, the authors gave spinalized rats the protein synthesis inhibitor Cycloheximide (CXM) or saline intrathecally prior to, or immediately after, noncontingent shock exposure. Twenty-four hours later, rats were tested with contingent shock. Rats that received the vehicle and noncontingent shock failed to learn. CXM-treated shocked rats learned normally, suggesting that the learning deficit depends on protein synthesis within the spinal cord.     

The Gatehouse Project: can a multilevel school intervention affect emotional wellbeing and health risk behaviours?

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a multilevel school based intervention on adolescents' emotional wellbeing and health risk behaviours. DESIGN: School based cluster randomised controlled trial. Students were surveyed using laptop computers, twice in the first year of intervention and annually thereafter for a further two years. SETTING: Secondary schools. PARTICIPANTS: 2678 year 8 students (74%) participated in the first wave of data collection. Attrition across the waves was less than 3%, 8%, and 10% respectively with no differential response rate between intervention and control groups at the subsequent waves (98% v 96%; 92% v 92%, and 90% v 89% respectively). MAIN RESULTS: A comparatively consistent 3% to 5% risk difference was found between intervention and control students for any drinking, any and regular smoking, and friends' alcohol and tobacco use across the three waves of follow up. The largest effect was a reduction in the reporting of regular smoking by those in the intervention group (OR 0.57, 0.62, and 0.72 at waves 2, 3, and 4 respectively). There was no significant effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms, and social and school relationships. CONCLUSIONS: While further research is required to determine fully the processes of change, this study shows that a focus on general cognitive skills and positive changes to the social environment of the school can have a substantial impact on important health risk behaviours.     

Effect of volume used in sub-Tenon's anaesthesia on efficacy and intraocular pressure: a randomized clinical trial of 3 mL versus 5 mL

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of volume used in sub-Tenon's anaesthesia on efficacy and intraocular pressure (IOP). METHODS: A prospective, randomised clinical trial was conducted on 52 eyes of 52 consecutive patients undergoing sub-Tenon's anaesthetic for cataract surgery. Eyes were randomly assigned to either 3 mL or 5 mL volume of anaesthetic solution (0.5% bupivacaine/2% lidocaine in a 50:50 mixture). The main outcome measures were akinesia 5 min post-administration of anaesthetic, changes in IOP immediately after and 5 min after anaesthetic administration, and patient pain perception during procedure. RESULTS: The level of kinesia was greater in the 3 mL group (n = 25) compared to the 5 mL group (n = 27) (P = 0.001, Mann-;Whitney U-test). There was no significant difference in pain perception between the two groups (P = 0.464, student t-test). Although there was great variation in IOP changes following sub-Tenon's anaesthetic, there was a trend for a larger rise in mean IOP immediately after anaesthetic administration in the 5 mL group (mean +/- SD +5.6 +/- 4.2 mmHg) compared to the 3 mL group (+4.3 +/- 3.8 mmHg), but this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.25, student t-test). CONCLUSIONS: A 5 mL volume of anaesthetic provides akinesia superior to a 3 mL volume in sub-Tenon's anaesthesia for cataract surgery.     

Identification of an HLA-A*0201 cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope specific to the endothelial antigen Tie-2

Tie-2 stabilises pericyte-endothelial interactions during angiogenesis and is highly expressed on endothelium during several diseases, including arthritis, age-related macular degeneration and cancer. A vaccine that targets endothelium overexpressing Tie-2 may result in vessel damage and stimulate an inflammatory cascade resulting in disease regression. We have identified a region unique to Tie-2 (amino acids 1-196) that is homologous in humans and mice. Using computer algorithms, several HLA-A*0201 epitopes that are identical in mice and humans were predicted within this region; however, binding assays showed that the majority of these epitopes were of low affinity. Modification of the anchor residues of 4 epitopes enhanced HLA binding. These epitopes were incorporated by site-directed mutagenesis into a Tie-2 DNA construct. Immunisation of HLA*0201 transgenic mice with one of the modified Tie-2 constructs stimulated CTLs that recognised both wild-type and modified peptide-pulsed target cells. In contrast, no CTLs were generated in mice immunised with wild-type Tie-2 construct, demonstrating that the modified epitope was necessary in the generation of CTLs. Moreover, CTLs from mice immunised with the modified construct killed HLA-A*0201 endothelial cells overexpressing Tie-2. Our study demonstrates that it is possible to break tolerance to the endothelial antigen Tie-2, suggesting that it may be feasible to design a vaccine to activate CTLs to kill endothelial cells overexpressing Tie-2.     

Safety and efficacy evaluations for vaginal and rectal use of BufferGel in the macaque model

BACKGROUND: The nonhuman primate model allows for safety and efficacy testing of topical microbicide products. GOAL: The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of vaginal and rectal applications of BufferGel (ReProtect, Inc.). STUDY DESIGN: The safety of repeated product applications was evaluated by microflora, pH, vaginal colposcopy, and rectal lavage. To test efficacy in preventing chlamydia, infection was documented by culture and nucleic acid amplification tests. RESULTS: Repeated vaginal or rectal applications of BufferGel were not associated with significant changes in microflora. BufferGel use had a transient acidifying effect on vaginal and rectal pH. Colposcopic observations remained relatively normal in all test animals. A slightly increased incidence of epithelial desquamation was noted after rectal product use compared with the control group. BufferGel did not prevent cervical or rectal chlamydial infection. CONCLUSION: BufferGel has an acceptable safety profile after repeated vaginal and rectal use, but does not prevent chlamydial infection in the macaque models.     

Effect of intracanal restorative material on the stiffness of endodontically treated teeth

This study compared the ability of various intracanal restorative materials to restore the stiffness of endodontically treated teeth. We randomly placed bovine central incisors into six groups. We did not instrument negative control teeth, and we instrumented, but did not restore, positive control teeth. We restored teeth in the experimental groups with resin-based composite, resin-based composite plus a fiberglass post, or resin-based composite plus a cemented metal post. We subjected all teeth to nondestructive, compressive testing and recorded the stiffness of each sample. Results indicated that performing endodontic access and instrumentation alone resulted in a 24% loss in tooth stiffness. Teeth restored using an intracanal resin bonding technique alone or in combination with a post regained the stiffness lost from access and instrumentation, and teeth that were restored with bonded resin and a metal post cemented with Panavia 21 cement were significantly stiffer than the untreated negative control group (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that intracanal resin bonding techniques may reduce the need for immediate crown placement after endodontic therapy.