Comparisons of high-risk cervical HPV infections in Caribbean and US populations.

Background: Disparities in cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates exist among women of African ancestry (African-American, African-Caribbean and African). Persistent cervical infection with Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cervical dysplasia and if untreated, could potentially progress to invasive cervical cancer. Very few studies have been conducted to examine the true prevalence of HPV infection in this population.

High-risk and multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in cancer-free Jamaican women.

Background: Vaccines, that target human papillomavirus (HPV) high risk genotypes 16 and 18, have recently been developed. This study was aimed at determining genotypes commonly found in high-risk and multiple-HPV infections in Jamaican women. Two hundred and fifty three (253) women were enrolled in the study.

Biarylether amide quinolines as liver X receptor agonists.

A series of 4-(amido-biarylether)-quinolines was prepared as potential LXR agonists. Appropriate substitution with amide groups provided high affinity LXR ligands, some with excellent potency and efficacy in functional assays of LXR activity. Novel amide 4g had a binding IC(50)=1.

Shoulder dystocia in a Jamaican cohort.

Objective: To assess the risk factors for shoulder dystocia in Jamaica.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of all cases of shoulder dystocia, and birth weight-matched controls identified from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004. Multiple factors were analyzed individually and in combination to identify risk factors.

MIG (CXCL9) is a more sensitive measure than IFN-gamma of vaccine induced T-cell responses in volunteers receiving investigated malaria vaccines.

For many years the IFN-gamma ex vivo ELISPOT has been a major assay for assessing human T-cell responses generated by malaria vaccines. The ELISPOT assay is a sensitive assay, but an imperfect correlate of protection against malaria. Monokine induced by gamma (MIG), or CXCL9, is a chemokine induced by IFN-gamma and has the potential to provide amplification of the IFN-gamma signal.

DNA repair of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine lesions in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The persistence of Porphyromonas gingivalis in the inflammatory environment of the periodontal pocket requires an ability to overcome oxidative stress. DNA damage is a major consequence of oxidative stress. Unlike the case for other organisms, our previous report suggests a role for a non-base excision repair mechanism for the removal of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxo-G) in P.

A comparison of IFNgamma detection methods used in tuberculosis vaccine trials.

Interferon gamma (IFNgamma) is a critical component of the pro-inflammatory immune response that provides protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the absence of an immunological correlate of protection, antigen-specific production of IFNgamma is a commonly used marker of a protective immune response. To facilitate the evaluation of tuberculosis candidate vaccines three different IFNgamma detection methods were compared.

Safety and immunogenicity of the candidate tuberculosis vaccine MVA85A in West Africa.

Background: Vaccination with a recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara expressing antigen 85A from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, MVA85A, induces high levels of cellular immune responses in UK volunteers. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of this new vaccine in West African volunteers.

Methods And Findings: We vaccinated 21 healthy adult male subjects (11 BCG scar negative and 10 BCG scar positive) with MVA85A after screening for evidence of prior exposure to mycobacteria.

Boosting BCG vaccination with MVA85A down-regulates the immunoregulatory cytokine TGF-beta1.

In clinical trials recombinant-modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen 85A (MVA85A) induces approximately 10 times more effector T cells than any other recombinant MVA vaccine. We have found that in BCG primed subjects MVA85A vaccination reduces transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA in peripheral blood lymphocytes and reduces TGF-beta1 protein in the serum, but increases IFN-gamma ELISPOT responses to the recall antigen SK/SD. TGF-beta1 is essential for the generation of regulatory T cells and we see a correlation across vaccinees between CD4+CD25hiFoxP3+ cells and TGF-beta1 serum levels.

Maternal hydrocephalus in pregnancy and delivery: a report of two cases.

We present two cases of maternal hydrocephalus in pregnancy. In one case, the patient had no medical problems and had a spontaneous vaginal delivery of a normal neonate at term. In the second case, the patient had an uneventful pregnancy until 36 weeks when she presented to the labour ward with drowsiness and decreasing consciousness.

Immunological outcomes of new tuberculosis vaccine trials: WHO panel recommendations.

Willem Hanekom and colleagues make recommendations on assay harmonization for novel tuberculosis vaccine trials.

Safety and immunogenicity of a new tuberculosis vaccine, MVA85A, in healthy adults in South Africa.

Background: The efficacy of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) may be enhanced by heterologous vaccination strategies that boost the BCG-primed immune response. One leading booster vaccine, MVA85A (where "MVA" denotes "modified vaccinia virus Ankara"), has shown promising safety and immunogenicity in human trials performed in the United Kingdom. We investigated the safety and immunogenicity of MVA85A in mycobacteria-exposed--but Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected--healthy adults from a region of South Africa where TB is endemic.

Poverty eradication and decreased human papilloma virus related cancer of the penis and vulva in Jamaica.

Human papilloma virus causes genital cancers. Decreases in cervical cancer have been reported to be due to comprehensive screening programmes difficult to replicate in poorer countries. HPV cancer may be related to poverty.

An in vitro comparison of microdialysis relative recovery of Met- and Leu-enkephalin using cyclodextrins and antibodies as affinity agents.

Cyclodextrins and antibodies have been used as affinity agents to improve relative recovery during microdialysis sampling. Two neuropeptides, methionine-enkephalin (ME) and leucine-enkephalin (LE), were chosen to compare the use of cyclodextrins and antibodies as possible affinity agents for improving their relative recovery across polycarbonate and polyethersulfone membranes during in vitro sampling. Cyclodextrins (CD) including beta-CD, 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (2HPbeta-CD), and gamma-CD gave improvements of relative recovery for both peptides of less than 2-fold as compared to controls.

Cervical dysplasia and cancer and the use of hormonal contraceptives in Jamaican women.

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether use of hormonal contraceptives is associated with cervical dysplasia and cancer in a population where there is widespread use of hormonal contraception and the rates of cervical cancer remain high at 27.5/100,000.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted among women visiting the colposcopy and gynaelogical clinics at a tertiary referral hospital.

Gingipain-dependent interactions with the host are important for survival of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, must acquire nutrients from host derived substrates, overcome oxidative stress and subvert the immune system. These activities can be coordinated via the gingipains which represent the most significant virulence factor produced by this organism. In the context of our contribution to this field, we will review the current understanding of gingipain biogenesis, glycosylation, and regulation, as well as discuss their role in oxidative stress resistance and apoptosis.

Unexpected depletion in plasma choline and phosphatidylcholine concentrations in a pregnant woman with bipolar affective disorder being treated with lithuim, haloperidol and benztropine: a case report.

Introduction: Patients with bipolar affective disorder can be effectively managed with pharmacological intervention. This case report describes a pregnant woman with a ten-year history of bipolar affective disorder that was being treated with lithium, haloperidol and benztropine.

Case Presentation: The patient had a normal pregnancy, but developed an elevated blood pressure and started to lose weight at 36 weeks of gestation.

Sensitivity of IFN-gamma release assay to detect latent tuberculosis infection is retained in HIV-infected patients but dependent on HIV/AIDS progression.

Background: Detection and treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) in HIV infected individuals is strongly recommended to decrease morbidity and mortality in countries with high levels of HIV.

Objective: To assess the validity of a newly developed in-house ELISPOT interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) for the detection of LTBI amongst HIV infected individuals, in comparison with the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST).

Methodology/principal Findings: ESAT6/CFP10 (EC) ELISPOT assays were performed, together with a TST, in 285 HIV infected individuals recruited in HIV clinics in Dakar, Senegal, who had no signs of active TB at time of enrolment.

Jamaican and Barbadian health care providers' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding emergency contraceptive pills.

Context: Little is known about health care providers' knowledge of, attitudes toward and provision of emergency contraceptive pills in the English-speaking Caribbean, where sexual violence and unplanned pregnancies are persistent public health problems.

Methods: We conducted interviewer-administered surveys of 200 Barbadian and 228 Jamaican pharmacists, general practitioners, obstetrician-gynecologists and nurses in 2005-2006. For each country, Pearson's chi-square tests were used to assess differences in responses among the four provider groups.

Boosting BCG with recombinant modified vaccinia ankara expressing antigen 85A: different boosting intervals and implications for efficacy trials.

Objectives: To investigate the safety and immunogenicity of boosting BCG with modified vaccinia Ankara expressing antigen 85A (MVA85A), shortly after BCG vaccination, and to compare this first with the immunogenicity of BCG vaccination alone and second with a previous clinical trial where MVA85A was administered more than 10 years after BCG vaccination.

Design: There are two clinical trials reported here: a Phase I observational trial with MVA85A; and a Phase IV observational trial with BCG. These clinical trials were all conducted in the UK in healthy, HIV negative, BCG naïve adults.

The effect of hyoscine butylbromide on the first stage of labour in term pregnancies.

Objective: To determine whether hyoscine butylbromide shortens the first stage of labour, without an increase in maternal or neonatal complications.

Design: Randomised, double-blinded, controlled trial.

Setting: The Antenatal clinics and Labour and Delivery ward of the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.

Flavour-flavour learning occurs automatically and only in hungry participants.

A novel flavour may become liked if it is presented repeatedly and in combination with a second flavour that is already liked. Conceptually, this 'flavour-flavour learning' is important, because it can account for many of our everyday food and flavour preferences. However, relatively little is known about the underlying process because learning paradigms have lacked reliability.