Variability in sickle cell knowledge by sickle cell status.

Disease-specific knowledge allows individuals with sickle cell disease, sickle cell trait, and unaffected family members alike to make informed decisions and support those affected by the condition. The current study assesses how sickle cell knowledge varies by disease status within families affected by sickle cell disease. One hundred seventy-nine participants from 84 families completed an online survey and telephone interview.

Impact of more than a decade of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use on carriage and invasive potential in Native American communities.

Background: We assessed the impact of 12 years of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) use on pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage and serotype-specific invasive disease potential among Native Americans.

Methods: Families were enrolled in a carriage study from 2006 to 2008; nasopharyngeal specimens and risk factor information were collected monthly for 7 visits. Pneumococcal carriage prevalence was compared with that before (1998-2000) and during (2001-2002) PCV7 introduction.

Pre- and post-conjugate vaccine epidemiology of pneumococcal serotype 6C invasive disease and carriage within Navajo and White Mountain Apache communities.

Background: A second-generation 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, PCV13, was recently licensed. Although PCV13 includes serotype 6A, the usefulness of that antigen may be limited by the emergence of a new serotype, 6C, which was identified among isolates initially characterized (Quellung reaction) as serotype 6A. The epidemiology of serotype 6C prior to and after 7-valent PCV (PCV7) introduction is incompletely understood.

Improving disease reporting by clinicians: the effect of an internet-based intervention.

Objectives: Disease surveillance by clinicians is critical to public health activities, yet studies have demonstrated significant underreporting of reportable diseases by clinicians. We sought to determine whether an intervention utilizing electronic media increases public health reporting by clinicians.

Methods: A nonrandomized, controlled design with 24-week baseline and intervention outcome periods was used.

Nasopharyngeal versus oropharyngeal sampling for detection of pneumococcal carriage in adults.

Several studies have shown that nasopharyngeal sampling is more sensitive than oropharyngeal sampling for the detection of pneumococcal carriage in children. The data for adults are limited and conflicting. This study was part of a larger study of pneumococcal carriage on the Navajo and White Mountain Apache Reservation following a clinical trial of a seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Dopamine D4 receptor gene and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a prevalent disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attentional dysfunction. It is familial and heritable. Its pathophysiology is thought to involve an abnormality of the brain's dopaminergic neurotransmitter system.

Infections in international pregnancy study: performance of the optical immunoassay test for detection of group B streptococcus.

We evaluated the Strep B optical immunoassay (OIA; ThermoBiostar, Inc.) for detecting light and heavy group B streptococcus colonization in 1,306 pregnant women. The women were examined at 20 to 32 weeks gestation and were from six countries.