Bone marrow capacity for bone cells and trabecular bone turnover in immobilized tibia after sciatic neurectomy in mice

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were reported to adhere to the glycosphingolipid asialo-GM1 by means of pili and fimbriae, respectively. These diverse adhesins have been previously reported to have an immunologically conserved antigenic epitope and the role of this cross-reactive epitope in adherence to asialo-GM1 was investigated in this study. Both the unbiotinylated PAK pilus and fimbrial adhesins inhibited biotinylated pili from P. aeruginosa PAK and biotinylated C. albicans fimbriae binding to asialo-GM1 and receptors present on human buccal epithelial cells (BECs), which suggested that the same receptor sites were recognized by the two adhesins. Monoclonal antibodies PK99H and Fm16 raised against the P. aeruginosa PAK pili and C. albicans fimbriae, respectively, recognized a conserved epitope present on the two adhesins. Both Fm16 and PK99H blocked fimbriae binding to asialo-GM1 and BEC receptors and also inhibited P. aeruginosa and C. albicans whole cell binding to BECs. These data suggested that the conserved epitope confers receptor-binding properties to the adhesins, demonstrated that (i) asialo-GM1-like receptors present on epithelial cell surfaces are utilized by the pilus and fimbrial adhesins and (ii) the binding to these glycoreceptors is mediated by a conserved epitope that has receptor-binding properties.     

Arch form in American blacks and whites with malocclusions

Single nerve lesion or mononeuropathy caused by extrinsic compression of hematoma or hemarthrosis is consistently reported for hemophilic patients. To study the manifestation of peripheral nerve lesions, an extensive nerve conduction study of peripheral nerves and specific nerves in correlation with clinical involvement was carried out on 126 hemophilic patients. We found 24 patients with 34 peripheral nerve lesions. The frequency of nerve lesion positively correlated with the severity of hemophilia (p < 0.01) and increasing age (p < 0.05). Nerve lesions occurred more commonly in lower extremities than in upper extremities. The femoral nerve was most commonly involved. Seven patients were identified to have mononeuropathy multiplex with 2 or more nerve lesions involving more than one extremity. All of these patients had chronic condition. Our findings suggest that mononeuropathy multiplex may occur in hemophilic patients.     

Excess mortality among blacks and whites in the United States

BACKGROUND: Although the general relations between race, socioeconomic status, and mortality in the United States are well known, specific patterns of excess mortality are not well understood. METHODS: Using standard demographic techniques, we analyzed death certificates and census data and made sex-specific population-level estimates of the 1990 death rates for people 15 to 64 years of age. We studied mortality among blacks in selected areas of New York City, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Alabama (in one area of persistent poverty and one higher-income area each) and among whites in areas of New York City, metropolitan Detroit, Kentucky, and Alabama (one area of poverty and one higher-income area each). Sixteen areas were studied in all. RESULTS: When they were compared with the nationwide age-standardized annual death rate for whites, the death rates for both sexes in each of the poverty areas were excessive, especially among blacks (standardized mortality ratios for men and women in Harlem, 4.11 and 3.38; in Watts, 2.92 and 2.60; in central Detroit, 2.79 and 2.58; and in the Black Belt area of Alabama, 1.81 and 1.89). Boys in Harlem who reached the age of 15 had a 37 percent chance of surviving to the age of 65; for girls, the likelihood was 65 percent. Of the higher-income black areas studied, Queens--Bronx had the income level most similar to that of whites and the lowest standardized mortality ratio (men, 1.18; women, 1.08). Of the areas where poor whites were studied, Detroit had the highest standardized mortality ratios (men, 2.01; women, 1.90). On the Lower East Side of Manhattan, in Appalachia, and in Northeast Alabama, the ratios for whites were below the national average for blacks (men, 1.90; women, 1.95). CONCLUSIONS: Although differences in mortality rates before the age of 65 between advantaged and disadvantaged groups in the United States are sometimes vast, there are important differences among impoverished communities in patterns of excess mortality.     

Performance of blacks and whites in computerized versus manual testing environments.

Discusses the problems of research on race and IQ, and describes a study which compared the results of manual and computer testing in judging the performance of blacks and whites. Ss were 10 white and 10 black male high school students. Performance by whites was the same under both procedures. Blacks performed significantly lower in manual tests, but in computerized tests their performance improved and was indistinguishable from that of whites. Theoretical reasons for these findings are discussed. It is felt that the computerized testing procedure circumvents many problems of earlier research. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Childspacing intervals and abortion among blacks and whites: a brief report

Although physical, psychological, and social problems for children born to women denied abortion have been identified, little attention has been paid to the role that close childspacing might play in contributing to those problems. Small childspacing intervals (less than two years) have been linked to numerous physical, psychological, and social problems for mother and child. Using secondary analysis, this study examines the characteristics of 596 mothers who sought abortions in 1987 by race and age. Nearly 25% of these mothers had at least one child under two years of age. Abortion patients with such young children were more likely to be Black and have low incomes than abortion patients with older children. More than half of the mothers studied had more than two children. The findings suggest that a substantial number of children born to women denied access to abortion would be closely spaced, with the resulting adverse health consequences falling more heavily on subpopulations of abortion patients already at higher risk for negative perinatal and neonatal outcomes.     

Reactions of restaurateurs to blacks and whites violating restaurant dress requirements.

40 restaurants that stated dress regulations for male customers were visited by 3 black and white experimental couples in which the males dressed to break these regulations. When a black couple entered the restaurant 1st they were served 75% of the time as compared to a 30% acceptance for whites entering 1st. This was interpreted as indicating the restaurateurs' concern with seeming to be "prejudiced" if they refused service to a black. 38 of 40 restaurateurs behaved consistently to a 2nd couple of opposite race (to the 1st couple) when they entered the restaurant a short time after the 1st couple. This was taken to indicate a concern with fairness to both races. Implications of the present study for attitude-behavior discrepancies are discussed. (french summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bone marrow necrosis in bone marrow transplantation: the role of MR imaging

We describe an ALL patient who developed extensive bone marrow necrosis at the time of relapse 2 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling. The excruciating and diffuse bone pain, fever and precipitous drop in peripheral blood counts were characteristic. This case illustrates the importance of repeat bone marrow biopsies for the diagnosis of disease relapse and the potential application of MR imaging in the assessment of patients with bone marrow necrosis.     

Trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics: 1984 and 1995

OBJECTIVE: To report national trends in alcohol consumption patterns among whites, blacks and Hispanics between 1984 and 1995, in relation to the recent decline in per capita consumption in the United States. METHOD: Data were obtained from two nationwide probability samples of U.S. households, the first conducted in 1984 and the second in 1995. The 1984 sample consisted of 1,777 whites, 1,947 blacks and 1,453 Hispanics; the 1995 sample consisted of 1,636 whites, 1,582 blacks and 1,585 Hispanics. On both occasions, interviews averaging 1 hour in length were conducted in respondents' homes by trained interviewers. RESULTS: Between 1984 and 1995, the rate of abstention remained stable among whites but increased among blacks and Hispanics. Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white men (from 20% to 12%), but remained stable among black (15% in both surveys) and Hispanic men (17% and 18%). Frequent heavy drinking decreased among white women (from 5% to 2%), but remained stable among black (5% in both surveys) and Hispanic women (2% and 3%). White men and women were two times more likely to be frequent heavy drinkers in 1984 than in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in per capita consumption in the U.S. is differentially influencing white, black and Hispanic ethnic groups. The stability of rates of frequent heavy drinking places blacks and Hispanics at a higher risk for problem development than whites. This finding is, therefore, a concern to public health professionals and others interested in the prevention of alcohol-related problems among ethnic groups in the United States.     

Dietary factors and risks for prostate cancer among blacks and whites in the United States

Research on siblings of children with cancer during the past 40 years has clearly shown that the childhood cancer experience is a stressor that may increase subjective feelings of stress by well siblings and in some cases lead to decreased psychosocial competencies and increased psychopathologies. Research has expanded from identifying psychosocial problems experienced by the sibling after the patient's death to identifying stressors during the illness experience. More recent studies have been targeted at identifying what action siblings take to cope with the stressors imposed since the cancer diagnosis and have addressed what interventions pediatric oncology nurses use in clinical practice to provide support to siblings of children with cancer. The current state of this body of literature, a review of 18 studies, is presented in this article along with a critique of the research studies and suggestions for future research.     

Some personality factors of matched groups of New Brunswick blacks and whites.

Randomly matched groups of 14 blacks and 14 whites from the same high school completed Form C of the 16 PF under the joint supervision of 2 test administrators, 1 white and 1 black. Group differences were found on 2 of the 16 factors: A (.01) and Q2 (.01). An illustration is given of the inapplicability of knowledge of the group differences to decision making about individuals. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bone density, bone turnover, and hormone levels in men over age 75

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a substantial problem in older men, with 25% of all hip fractures occurring in men. The mechanisms of bone loss in older men are unknown, but elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) and diminished testosterone (T) levels are postulated as contributing factors. METHODS: We measured bone mineral density (BMD), sex hormones, bone turnover markers, and calcium regulating hormones in a group of community-living men over the age of 75. RESULTS: Thirty-five men (mean age 79; range 75-88 years) without disease or medication known to affect bone metabolism participated in the study. Whole body BMD was 1.21+/-.15 g/cm2; lumbar spine BMD (L1-L4) was 1.10+/-.15 g/cm2; femoral neck BMD was .77+/-.14 g/cm2; and trochanteric region was .71+/-.13 g/cm2. The femoral neck and trochanteric region values were more than 1 SD below the mean for adult men (age 25-33 years) in 28/35 and 15/35 men, respectively. Deoxypyridinoline levels were above the normal range for premenopausal women in 23% of the men; N-telopeptide and C-telopeptide demonstrated a wide scatter, but the values remained in the normal range. T levels were found to be below normal range for adult men in 12 of 32 (38%) subjects and the PTH levels above the normal range in 8 of 35 (23%) subjects. Bone resorption markers correlated inversely with BMD of the whole body, femur, and spine (r=-.22 to -.48). There was an inverse correlation between total T and spine BMD which became insignificant after correcting for body mass index (BMI). In addition, there was no correlation between free or bioavailable testosterone and BMD. 1,25-(OH)2D levels correlated inversely with BMD at the femur and whole body, but no association was found with PTH or 25 OH-D. CONCLUSIONS: Men over 75 years of age had a wide range of BMD but frequently had low values at femoral sites. T levels were below the normal range in 38% of men, and PTH levels were elevated in 23% of men. There was an inverse correlation between total T and spine BMD which may have been dependent on the common effect of BMI. Bone mineral density was inversely related to markers of bone resorption.     

Changes in drinking problems among whites, blacks, and Hispanics: 1984-1992

This paper reports changes in drinking problems among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics between 1984 and 1992. A probability sample including 1,777 Whites. 1,947 Blacks, and 1,453 Hispanics in the United States adult household population was interviewed in 1984. In 1992 a subsample consisting of 788 Whites, 723 Blacks, and 703 Hispanics was reinterviewed. Results show a decrease in problem prevalence among Whites, stability among Blacks, and an increase among Hispanics. Problem incidence was higher among Hispanics than among Whites and Blacks, put problem remission was higher among Whites. Women had a lower problem incidence but a higher problem remission than men, independent of ethnicity. The two best predictors of problem status in 1992 were reporting a problem in 1984 and reporting a high level of consumption in 1984.     

Effect of administered potassium on the renin-aldosterone axis in young blacks compared with whites

BACKGROUND: We had observed previously that the aldosterone excretion rate and plasma aldosterone concentration were lower for black children than they were for white children. We did not know whether this was secondary to a lower intake of potassium or to suppression of the renin-angiotensin system in blacks. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the secretion of aldosterone in response to potassium would be different in blacks than in a control group of whites. DESIGN: Black and white subjects were selected on the basis of their having aldosterone excretion rates that were in the lowest quartile for the entire original cohort. Since the blacks typically had lower aldosterone excretion rates than did the whites, the black participants were represented primarily by those with average rates of aldosterone production among blacks, whereas the whites were represented by those with the lowest aldosterone production rates among whites. The protocol consisted of a placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over study design. METHODS: Twelve blacks and 12 whites, aged 14.1 +/- 1.6 (mean +/- SD) and 15.4 +/- 2.1 years, respectively, were allocated randomly to double-blind treatment either with placebo or with 40 mmol/day potassium chloride for 7 days and then the alternate treatment Measurements of the plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration, and urinary aldosterone excretion were performed in an inpatient research unit at the end of the treatment. The blood pressure was monitored for 24 h. RESULTS: Treatment with potassium increased the plasma aldosterone concentration (P = 0.0006) and the urinary excretion of aldosterone (P = 0.0002) significantly both for blacks and for whites. There was no significant racial difference in the response to potassium. The PRA was overall 1.605-fold lower in the blacks than it was in the whites (P = 0.0124). The lowest PRA levels, such as those in the blacks when they were supine, tended to be increased with the potassium treatment. The blood pressure did not change significantly with the potassium supplement for either racial group. CONCLUSIONS: After we had supplemented the intake of potassium, aldosterone production increased in the blacks and in the control group of whites to the same extent The potassium treatment appeared to increase lower PRA levels. A lower intake of potassium could at least partially account for the suppression of the renin-aldosterone system in blacks.     

Bone marrow cell development and trabecular bone dynamics after ovariectomy in ddy mice

This review highlights recent progress in our understanding of the beneficial effects of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The fact that HRT is increasingly advocated has raised concern about possible adverse effects weighed against the potential benefits of HRT regimens. Both favourable and unfavourable effects of oestrogens and HRT regimens on CVD risk factors are increasingly recognized. Consequently, the picture on cardiovascular effects of oestrogen and HRT has become more complicated, and research in this field has extended to novel areas.     

Cancer rate differentials between blacks and whites in three metropolitan areas: a 10-year comparison

This article compares cancer rate differentials for 1989-1993 and 1979-1981 between black and whites in Los Angeles, Nashville, and Atlanta, In Los Angeles and Atlanta, the black/white relative risk of lung cancer incidence has increased. While the relative risk for prostate cancer has decreased, blacks still show an excess incidence. White women still show a higher incidence of breast cancer, but the risk is closer to one. In all three cities, the excesses of black male lung cancer and female breast cancer mortalities have increased. The excess of black prostate cancer mortality increased in Atlanta and Nashville but decreased in Los Angeles. The excess of black cervical cancer mortality fell in Los Angeles and Atlanta but rose in Nashville. These results indicate a continuing need to develop and implement culturally sensitive interventions targeted at the black population.     

Bone mineral density in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation for myeloid malignancies

Hitherto the biology of proteolysis in prokaryotes, particularly in archaea, is only poorly understood. We have used the tri-peptide vinyl sulfone inhibitor carboxybenzyl-leucyl-leucyl-leucine vinyl sulfone (Z-L3VS) to study the in vivo function of proteasomes in Thermoplasma acidophilum. Z-L3VS is a potent inhibitor of the Thermoplasma proteasome and is capable of modifying 75 to 80% of the proteasomal beta-subunits in cell cultures. Inhibition of proteasomes has only marginal effects under normal growth conditions. Under heat shock conditions, however, the effects of proteasome inhibition are much more severe, to the extent of complete cell growth arrest. These data suggest that other proteolytic systems may exist that can compensate for the loss of proteasome function in T. acidophilum.     

Differing birth weight among infants of U.S.-born blacks, African-born blacks, and U.S.-born whites

Glomerular disease often accompanies a wide variety of liver diseases, including acute or chronic hepatitis. A striking association between hepatitis B virus and glomerulonephritis particularly membranous glomerulonephritis has been reported by various authors. It is not surprising, therefore, that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been recently associated with the development of various types of glomerulonephritis. The principal type of glomerulonephritis associated with HCV infection is either cryoglobulinemic or non-cryoglobulinemic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. However, other types of glomerular lesions were seen in the clinical course of HCV infection. We report a rare case of a 20-year-old woman who developed rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) during the course of the active HCV infection. Whether this case represents a true association or a coincidental association is not known.