Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus 1, 4 and 5 in China: Occurrence in Multiple Sample Types and Implications for Wild and Captive Population Surveillance

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesviruses (EEHVs) are important causes of death in both captive and wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). Nothing is known about the prevalence of EEHVs in wild or domestic elephants in China. To determine if EEHVs are present in elephants in China, 126 wild elephants from three populations and 202 captive individuals from zoos (n = 155) and the Wild Elephant Valley (n = 47) were screened using semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assays with EEHV-redundant and EEHV1/4/5-specific primers. EEHV1B and EEHV4 were detected in samples from both wild (EEHV1B:8/126; EEHV4:2/126) and captive (EEHV1B:5/155; EEHV4:9/155) elephants, while EEHV1A (six cases) and EEHV5 (one case) were only present in the captive elephants from the Wild Elephant Valley. EEHV1 was detected in blood and trunk and oral swabs; EEHV4 was detected in trunk and oral swabs as well as feces; EEHV5 was found in trunk and oral swabs. No significant age or sex association with EEHV1A, EEHV1B, or EEHV5 positivity was observed. An age association with EEHV4 positivity was found, with all unweaned elephants being EEHV4 positive, but an association with the sex of the elephant was not observed. These findings represent the first documentation of EEHV presence in captive and wild elephants in China. These findings also document EEHV1B and EEHV4 shedding in feces and demonstrate the utility of fecal screening as a tool for investigating EEHV4 infection in wild populations of elephants. It is recommended that EEHV testing be included in surveillance programs for captive and wild elephants in China.     

Effects of Asian sand dust particles on the respiratory and immune system

Epidemiologic studies have reported that Asian sand dust (ASD) particles can affect respiratory health; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the effects of ASD on airway epithelial cells and immune cells, and their contributing factors to the effects. Human airway epithelial cells were exposed to ASD collected on 1–3 May (ASD1) and on 12–14 May (ASD2) 2011 in Japan and heat‐treated ASD1 for excluding heat‐sensitive substances (H‐ASD) at a concentration of 0, 3, 30 or 90 µg ml^–1 for 4 or 24 h. Furthermore, bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDC) from atopic prone mice were differentiated by culture with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) then these BMDC were exposed to the ASD for 24 h. Also splenocytes as mixture of immune cells were exposed to the ASD for 72 h. All ASD dose dependently reduced viability of airway epithelial cells. Non‐heated ASD showed a dose‐dependent increase in the protein release of interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8. The raises induced by ASD1 were higher than those by ASD2. ASD1 and ASD2 also elevated ICAM‐1 at the levels of mRNA, cell surface protein and soluble protein in culture medium. In contrast, H‐ASD did not change most of these biomarkers. Non‐heated ASD showed enhancement in the protein expression of DEC205 on BMDC and in the proliferation of splenocytes, whereas H‐ASD did not. These results suggest that ASD affect airway epithelial cells and immune cells such as BMDC and splenocytes. Moreover, the difference in ASD events and components adhered to ASD can contribute to the health effects. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Racial disparity in orbital morphology and spatial relations in unoperated Crouzon patients

The altered orbital morphology of patients with Crouzon syndrome could have an impact on the planning of treatment in diverse populations, in spite of the confounding influences of different cranial suture synostosis. This study attempted to explore the differences in orbital characteristics between Asian, Caucasian patients with Crouzon syndrome, associated pansynostosis. Eighty-six preoperative computed tomograms (CT) were included (Asian Crouzon syndrome: n=10; Asian controls: n=24; Caucasian Crouzon syndrome: n=19; Caucasian controls: n=33) and measured using Mimics software (Materialise). Unique cephalometric measurements related to orbital morphology and position were designed. Crouzon syndrome and race both have interactive effects on protrusion of the globe (p=0.009) and medial horizontal angle (p=0.012) in the assessment of orbital morphology. They also interact in the width of the ethmoid sinus (p=0.009) and influence bilateral orbital relations. The anteroposterior orbital roof in Caucasian patients with Crouzon syndrome was shortened by 4.09 mm (p=0.002) compared with Caucasian controls. However, in Asian patients this dimension developed normally. The anteroposterior orbital floor was significantly reduced to a similar extent in both Asian and Caucasian Crouzon patients (both p<0.001). The visual axes in Caucasian patients with Crouzon showed more inferior rotation, by 4.38° (p=0.031) than they did in Caucasian controls, but did not achieve a statistically significant difference in other comparisons. The effect of Crouzon syndrome on orbital malformation and placement is influenced by race, especially structures related to the ethmoid sinus. Asian patients need greater infraorbital advancement for better correction of orbital proptosis and aesthetic benefits, but may require less fronto-orbital advancement than Caucasian patients.     

Return to illicit drug use post-incarceration among formerly incarcerated Black Americans

Aims: The number of drug-dependent individuals incarcerated in the USA is exceptionally high, and reportedly up to 60% of incarcerated Black Americans have a substance abuse disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with return to illicit drug use post-incarceration.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 121 formerly incarcerated Black Americans in New York City to examine predictors of return to illicit drug use. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated on the outcome of time-to-drug use for various predictors and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify significant predictors of return to illicit drug use post-incarceration.

Findings: Approximately 83% (n?=?100) of the participants reported a history of illicit drug use, not including participants who have only used marijuana. Out of 121 participants, 36 (29.8%) had used drugs within 1?day after release. By 2 weeks post-release, half had used drugs. Gender and history of heroin use were significant predictors of time-to-drug use according to the log-rank test.

Conclusions: The potential for immediate return to drug use among our sample suggests that discharge support programmes that focus specifically on healthy decision-making among women and heroin users are especially critical.     

How Journalists Characterize Health Inequalities and Redefine Solutions for Native American Audiences

Many Native American communities experience severe health inequalities, including shorter average lifespan and higher rates of chronic illnesses. Journalism that serves Native Americans is a promising channel for heath communication, but only if scholars first understand the particular cultural contexts of indigenous communities. This research contributes to that goal by investigating how journalists serving Native American communities characterize health and the issues they identify with covering determinants of health. In in-depth interviews (N = 24), journalists contrasted how they cover health issues as embedded in cultural context with shallow, more negative coverage by non-Native media organizations. Interviews also revealed a tension between “medical” and “cultural” models of health, contributing to the oversaturation of certain issues, like diabetes, while other health topics are underrepresented. The journalists also expressed how social determinants and histories of oppression shape health inequalities, illuminating the roles of historical trauma and the destruction of indigenous health beliefs and behaviors. Failure to recognize these issues could stymie efforts to communicate about health issues facing Native American audiences.