HIV-Related Stigma Research as a Priority at the National Institutes of Health.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes that, despite HIV scientific advances, stigma and discrimination continue to be critical barriers to the uptake of evidence-based HIV interventions. Achieving the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) goals will require eliminating HIV-related stigma. NIH has a significant history of supporting HIV stigma research across its Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) as a research priority.

Science, Politics, and Communication: The Case of Community Water Fluoridation in the US.

Community water fluoridation (CWF) and its effect in reducing the burden of dental caries (tooth decay) is considered one of the 10 public health achievements in the 20th century. In the U.S.

Oral Health Interventions During Pregnancy.

Oral health is a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-being. Oral health is influenced by an individual's physiologic and psychosocial attributes and cumulative oral health experiences. The perinatal period is a critical time when health and oral health determinants set in and thus an important time for intervention.

Knowledge, Perceived Ability and Practice Behaviors Regarding Oral Health among Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nurses.

Purpose: Oral complications are common in children undergoing head and neck radiation and chemotherapy. The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge, perceived ability and practice behaviors of pediatric oncology and hematology nurses in assisting with the various oral health care needs of pediatric oncology patients and to identify pediatric oncology nurses' previous training/education, practice types and other demographic characteristics that are related to their oral health competencies.

Methods: A survey of a convenience sample of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Nurses was conducted during the Association of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Nurses' (APHON) 36(th) Annual Conference and Exhibit.

Oral health and dental care during pregnancy.

Current research shows that women tend to receive less dental care than usual when they are pregnant. In 2012, the first national consensus statement on oral health care during pregnancy was issued, emphasizing both the importance and safety of routine dental care for pregnant women. This article reviews the current recommendations for perinatal oral health care and common oral manifestations during pregnancy.

Mother-perceived social capital and children's oral health and use of dental care in the United States.

Objectives: We examined the association between mother-perceived neighborhood social capital and oral health status and dental care use in US children.

Methods: We analyzed data for 67 388 children whose mothers participated in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health. We measured mothers' perceived social capital with a 4-item social capital index (SCI) that captures reciprocal help, support, and trust in the neighborhood.

Possible role of cysteine-S-conjugate β-lyase in species differences in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.

To better understand species differences in cisplatin nephrotoxicity, we focused on renal cysteine-S-conjugate β-lyase (C-S lyase), which may play a crucial role in the metabolism of platinum (Pt)-cysteine conjugates. Aminooxyacetic acid hemihydrochloride (AOAA), an inhibitor of C-S lyase, reduced renal injuries due to cisplatin in rats, suggesting involvement of C-S lyase. On day 5 following a bolus cisplatin injection, three species showed in vivo nephrotoxic potentials in the order of rats>mice=rabbits (the highest to lowest), based on body surface.

Oral health during perinatal period in New York State. Evaluation of 2005 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data.

Perinatal health and oral health behaviors and experiences were evaluated using the 2005 New York State Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data. Pregnancy is an opportune time for oral health promotion; however, the data indicated that a substantial proportion of women reportedly did not make a dental visit and/or receive any oral health advice during pregnancy. We discuss the challenges, opportunities and next steps for promoting perinatal oral health programs in New York State.

Dental care needs, use and expenditures among U.S. children with and without special health care needs.

Background: Controversy exists in the literature about whether dental care needs, use and expenditures differ between children with and without special health care needs (SHCN).

Methods: The authors used data from the 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for children younger than 18 years. The MEPS questionnaire included the Children with Special Health Care Needs Screener, which defines a child as having SHCN if he or she meets at least one of five specific criteria.

The association between enamel fluorosis and dental caries in U.S. schoolchildren.

Background: The authors assessed the association between enamel fluorosis and dental caries to determine if there is any beneficial effect of enamel fluorosis in U.S. schoolchildren.

Effect of tobacco smoke on the oral health of U.S. women of childbearing age.

Objectives: To determine the oral health status of US women of childbearing age and to analyze the effect of tobacco smoke on their oral health.

Methods: Data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were evaluated for women 15-44 years of age. The association of exposure to tobacco smoke with untreated caries, mean DMFS, gingivitis, and periodontitis were examined in bivariate and regression analyses controlling for potential confounders.

Implementing an oral health program in a group prenatal practice.

The Rochester Adolescent Maternity Program (RAMP) has incorporated evidence-based oral health guidelines into its prenatal care. These guidelines focus on tracking oral health services, screening and triaging prenatal patients, and providing patient and staff with the education needed to decrease oral health risks to mother, fetus, and baby. The RAMP process serves as a model for promoting quality oral health practices in pregnant teenagers and their babies.

Association between infant breastfeeding and early childhood caries in the United States.

Objective: Despite limited epidemiologic evidence, concern has been raised that breastfeeding and its duration may increase the risk of early childhood caries. The objective of this study was to assess the potential association of breastfeeding and other factors with the risk for early childhood caries among young children in the United States.

Methods: Data about oral health, infant feeding, and other child and family characteristics among children 2 to 5 years of age (N = 1576) were extracted from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The effect of sevoflurane on ciliary motility in rat cultured tracheal epithelial cells: a comparison with isoflurane and halothane.

Halothane and isoflurane potently depress airway ciliary motility. We compared the effect of sevoflurane on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) with that of halothane and isoflurane using purified and cultured rat tracheal epithelial cells. Rat tracheal epithelial cells were isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to establish an air-liquid interface culture.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of protein C and protein S genes in the Thai population.

Protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) play key roles in an anticoagulant pathway in order to control the haemostatic system. We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or haplotypes in the promotor and exons of the whole PC and PS genes and in the 3'-untranslated region of the PS gene in 55 Thai individuals. The PC gene revealed 10 haplotypes.

Differential effects of intravenous anesthetics on ciliary motility in cultured rat tracheal epithelial cells.

Purpose: It has been shown that airway ciliary function is impaired by several anesthetic or sedative drugs, which may predispose anesthetized or intensive care patients to respiratory complications, such as hypoxemia, atelectasis and pulmonary infection. We studied the effects of midazolam, propofol, dexmedetomidine, ketamine, fentanyl, thiopental and pentobarbital on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in isolated and cultured rat tracheal epithelial (RTE) cells, to investigate their direct CBF action removing influences of non-epithelial cells.

Methods: Rat tracheal epithelial cells were purely isolated from tracheas of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Protein S and protein C gene mutations in Japanese deep vein thrombosis patients.

Objectives: Coagulation factor V Leiden has not been detected in Japanese patients suffering from thrombosis. Hitherto, the constitutional background of Japanese thrombotic patients has never been systematically examined. We have performed a systematic investigation to determine pathogenesis for deep vein thrombosis in a Japanese population.

Characterization of two novel mutations of the antithrombin gene observed in Japanese thrombophilic patients.

We investigated the molecular basis of reduced functional levels of antithrombin (AT) in two individuals suffering from thromboembolic events. In each case direct sequencing of amplified DNA revealed 13,260-13,262 del in one patient and 2511C>A in the other patient, predicting a heterozygous E381del and P16H, respectively. Both patients had no 20210A allele and factor V Leiden mutation.

Radiation therapy induces the p53(+)p21(-) expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix.

Objectives: Radiation therapy (RT) effect on p53 and p21 proteins after 27 Gy was analyzed.

Methods: A total of 80 biopsy specimens obtained from 40 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix before RT and after 27 Gy of RT was investigated for combined p53 and p21 expression.

Results: Cancer cells and degenerated or swollen cancer cells caused by 27 Gy that were positive for p53 and p21 showed intranuclear reactivity.

Analytical goals for coagulation tests based on biological variation.

Allowable imprecision and bias reference limits for laboratory data can be calculated based on measurements of biological variation. Although biological variation of clinical chemical data has been reported from many laboratories, there have been few reports of biological variation in coagulation tests. In this study, we calculated the biological variation of 13 coagulation tests in the clinical laboratory of Kyushu University Hospital and determined allowable imprecision and bias limits of variation.