Predicting and influencing PrEP use: the role of motivational and attitudinal factors.

This study examined PrEP attitude and HIV risk factors associated with PrEP motivation and evaluated the efficacy of a mock public health video that addresses both motivational and stigma issues for improving PrEP uptake over a standard educational video. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM; N = 604) were enrolled. One-way between subject analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc comparisons revealed that GBMSM in later stages of change had significantly higher endorsement of positive PrEP attitudes, PrEP stigma, objective and perceived HIV risk, HIV worry, and valued health benefits of PrEP more. Stepwise multiple regression revealed five significant predictors of PrEP motivation: HIV worry, objective HIV risk, anticipated PrEP stigma, positive PrEP attitudes, and perceived social consequences of PrEP use. Video conditions did not differ in their impact on PrEP attitudes or motivation; however, regardless of video condition, participants experienced a pre- to post-video increase in positive PrEP attitudes and motivation. Findings suggest HIV worry, objective HIV risk, positive PrEP attitudes, and perceived PrEP health benefits are important factors to optimize PrEP motivation, which can inform secondary prevention efforts. Further study is needed on promotional PrEP campaigns that disconfirm stigmatizing PrEP misconceptions.

Media and process parameters affecting the growth, strain ratios and specific acidifying activities of a mixed lactic starter containing aroma-producing and probiotic strains.

AIMS: The effects of medium-composition and fermentation parameters on the properties of mixed mesophilic starters were studied. The starter was composed of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis (L. lactis), Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris (L. cremoris), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lact. rhamnosus) and Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. cremoris (Leuc. cremoris). METHODS AND RESULTS: The media used were reconstituted skim milk (RSM), and whey-based media with either citrate or phosphate buffers. The fermentation parameters were incubation temperature (22 degrees C or 32 degrees C), no pH control, and pH control in pH zones of either pH 6.0-5.8 or pH 6.0-5.2. The starter properties were strain ratio, specific acidifying activity (SAA), total population, residual carbohydrates and organic acids produced. The growth of L. lactis was favoured under pH control in whey-based media. High concentrations of Lact. rhamnosus were favoured in whey-based media prepared at 32 degrees C. The highest contents of Leuc. cremoris were obtained in starters prepared in RSM at 22 degrees C without pH control. Starters prepared under pH control gave the highest populations and made it possible for significantly lower inoculation rates (IR) to be used to carry out subsequent milk fermentations. However, the SAA of starters prepared under pH control were lower than the SAA of starters grown without any pH control. CONCLUSIONS: None of the conditions enabled the strain ratio at inoculation to be maintained. The data show that it is possible to prepare a mesophilic starter that has a significant probiotic Lact. rhamnosus content; this starter could be used in the preparation of probiotic-containing cheeses or in Leuc. cremoris for aroma production in fermented milks. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides data on what should be expected with respect to strain ratios and IR if cheesemakers decide to shift their aroma-producing starter production method from the traditional 'milk-based without pH control' method to whey-based media used with pH-zone control strategies.

Postural control following a self-initiated reaching task in type 2 diabetic patients and age-matched controls.

Although the postural stability of diabetic patients is affected in the presence of polyneuropathy, it has been suggested that diabetes per se has no effect on balance control during quiet standing. However, recent studies have reported muscular mechanical deficits in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that may be highlighted during a more destabilizing task than quiet standing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare non-diabetic and T2D subjects during a modified version of the functional reach (FR) test in order to discriminate differences in postural control associated with diabetes per se. Thirty subjects (15 non-diabetic and 15 T2D) were requested to stand on a force platform and to perform the FR test. Center of pressure velocity (V(COP)), root-mean-square (RMS) amplitude and range of the COP were calculated in the anterior-posterior direction during three specific periods of the FR performance: namely "before", "on-going" and "after". No significant difference between the non-diabetic subjects and the T2D subjects was found for the FR performance. However, T2D subjects had significantly higher V(COP), RMS and range of COP displacements for the "after" period compared to the non-diabetic group (p<0.05). These results suggest that T2D subjects without peripheral neuropathy may have difficulties regaining their stability after a self-initiated reaching task. Therefore, diabetes mellitus per se, could have a direct effect on postural control during standing after a self-induced forward reaching movement.

Retrograde percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy in 505 children: a 4 1/2-year experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a technique of retrograde insertion of gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy tubes with radiologic guidance in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 4 1/2-year period, 511 patients underwent attempted insertion of gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy tubes. Patients' ages ranged from premature to 18.6 years (mean age, 3.8 years), and weight range was 0.8-86.0 kg (mean weight, 12 kg). The charts of 453 patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Placement was unsuccessful in six patients because of colonic interposition (n = 2), microgastria (n = 2), or hepatosplenomegaly (n = 2). Initial placement was a gastrostomy tube in 436 patients and a gastrojejunostomy tube in 69 patients. Sixty-eight gastrostomy tubes were converted to gastrojejunostomy tubes. Early complications (< 30 days) included skin infection (n = 11), stoma irritation (n = 20), and tube dislodgment (n = 6). Late complications included stoma irritation (n = 29), skin infection (n = 23), tube leakage (n = 14), and discomfort during feeding (n = 15). Two complications necessitated surgery: extragastric misplacement and small-bowel transgression. There were no tube-related deaths. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous retrograde placement of gastrostomy or gastrojejunostomy tubes safely and effectively provides long-term nutrition for children. A team approach is essential to provide service to this cumulative population.

Immunohistochemical characterization of a new anti-carcinoembryonic antigen monoclonal antibody.

A novel anti-CEA monoclonal antibody C234 with no cross-reactivity to other members of CEA gene family was produced by immunization with heat-treated CEA. The immunoreactivity of C234 was tested on formalin fixed normal and neoplastic tissues by peroxidase/anti-peroxidase technique. None of normal tissues from healthy or diseased individuals, except for normal colonic mucosa were stained. On the other hand, all 26 colorectal adenocarcinomas, 8 gastric adenocarcinomas, 3 of 7 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, and one small bowel duodenum carcinoma were immunoreactive. None of primary hepatocellular carcinomas expressed CEA. However, only 40 of 87 neoplasms of non-gastrointestinal origin were stained. Thus, the antibody can recognize gastrointestinal tumors and differentiate them from neoplasms of other histological origin.

Infarcted heart uptake and biodistribution of radiolabelled anti-myosin monoclonal antibody in rat and dog myocardial infarct models.

A new mouse monoclonal antibody that recognizes alpha- and beta-heavy chains of human atrial and ventricular myosin and beta-heavy chain of human slow skeletal muscle myosin was obtained. The 125I- and 111In-labelled antibody, and its F(ab')2 and Fab fragments localize in isoproterenol induced infarcted rat heart, with the F(ab')2 fragment showing the highest uptake. Comparison with 99Tc-pyrophosphate uptake in infarcted dog heart, induced by selective obstruction of a coronary artery, suggest that the 111In-labelled F(ab')2 localizes specifically in infarcted myocardium only.

Effects of articaine on intrapulpal, mandibular, and femoral pressures in dogs.

Articaine, a new local anesthetic and the first substance of the amide type with a thiophene ring, has been studied to evaluate its effects on intrapulpal blood pressure (IPP) and mandibular and femoral pressures (MAP, FAP) after injections in the posterior mental foramen (PMF). Eight mongrel dogs of either sex, 9-12 months of age weighing from 15-25 kg were anesthetized. The PMF and the middle foramen were uncovered to expose the vascular-nerve bundle. The mandibular artery was dissected, cannulated, and filled with a heparinized normal saline solution. A 27-gauge needle was placed into the PMF for the injections of the local anesthetic. Into the ipsilateral canine, a cannula hermetically sealed and filled with heparinized saline solution was inserted. All hemodynamic measurements (IPP, MAP, FAP) were recorded with a precalibrated polygraph. The results obtained allow us to conclude that articaine 4% with epinephrine 1:100,000 injected in the PMF (0.3 ml), produces a drop of the intrapulpal blood pressure due to a strong vasoconstriction, whereas this effect is less pronounced at the MAP level and almost inexistent in the FAP.

[Oral manifestations in the patient taking antineoplastic medication. The role of the dentist]. / Manifestations odontostomatologiques chez le patient soumis á une médication antinéoplastique. Le rôle du dentiste.

This article details the pernicious odontostomatological effects provoked by antitumorous and immunosuppressive medication. The role of the dentist as a member of the chemotherapeutic team is highlighted as well.

Self-correction of anterior openbite after glossectomy in a young rhesus monkey.

One monkey among several normal cohorts developed an openbite and a bizarre feeding pattern. Both disappeared spontaneously following a medial partial glossectomy.

Differential kinetics and sensitivity to chloroquine of receptor-mediated insulin and prolactin endocytosis in liver parenchymal cells.

Systemically injected [125I]prolactin or [125I]insulin was accumulated and cleared from rat liver at different rates. Quantitative subcellular fractionation indicated a predominant accumulation of [125I]insulin in liver microsomes while [125I]prolactin was found in both the light-mitochondrial and microsomal fractions. The acidotropic agent chloroquine diminished the rate and extent of loss of each ligand from liver homogenates. In chloroquine treated rats, radiolabeled insulin accumulated in both the light-mitochondrial and the microsomal fractions. Subfraction of microsomes on discontinuous sucrose gradients revealed "early' endosomes in which ligand uptake was maximal at 2-5 min. In contrast, comparable subfraction of the of light mitochondrial fraction revealed "late' endosomes in which ligand uptake was maximal at 10-20 min. Chloroquine-treated rats showed a more marked enhancement of insulin compared to prolactin uptake in the "early' endosomes. It is suggested that "early' endosomes found in the Golgi-intermediate and -heavy fractions floated from parent microsomes may selectively degrade insulin but not prolactin. This could account for the apparently different kinetics of insulin and prolactin uptake into liver parenchyma.

Characterization of rat liver endosomal fractions. In vivo activation of insulin-stimulable receptor kinase in these structures.

A protocol employing discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation was developed to prepare light mitochondrial (L) and Golgi fraction endosomes from simultaneously prepared parent L and microsomal fractions. As judged by the concentration of labeled hormone postinjection, L intermediate and heavy endosome subfractions were 40- to 175-fold purified and Golgi intermediate and heavy endosome subfractions were 30- to 45-fold purified. On electron microscopy, L endosomal fractions contained a predominance of lipoprotein-filled vesicles and were less heterogeneous than corresponding Golgi endosomal fractions. All endosomal fractions were enriched in receptors for insulin and prolactin but binding sites for the former were more broadly distributed in other subfractions than those for the latter. On Percoll gradient centrifugation, L endosomal fractions yielded one peak (rho 1.057) corresponding to the heavier of two peaks seen in Golgi endosomal fractions. The protein composition of high density L and Golgi endosomes, as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was similar. The bulk of marker enzymes assayed did not migrate with the endosomal components. Combined acid phosphatase cytochemistry and electron microscope radioautography established that about 80% of the L endosomes contained no acid phosphatase. By affinity labeling and immunological titration with insulin receptor antibody, insulin receptors were identical in L and Golgi endosomes. Insulin-stimulable receptor kinase was demonstrable in both L and Golgi endosome fractions. Following in vivo insulin administration, the insulin receptor kinase in both L and Golgi endosomes was significantly activated. This activated state was not inhibited by a large excess of antiserum to insulin and thus not due to insulin contaminating the partially purified receptor preparation. These observations are compatible with the maintenance and/or initiation of hormone-dependent phosphorylations intracellularly.

Tunicamycin sensitivity of prolactin, insulin and epidermal growth factor receptors in rat liver plasmalemma.

We have used the glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin to assess the stability of the receptors for prolactin, insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat liver cell membrane. Direct binding studies on liver plasmalemma fractions which were isolated from tunicamycin-treated rats revealed a rapid loss of prolactin receptors (t1/2 approximately 35 min) with a more prolonged half-life for insulin (10 h) and EGF receptors (8 h). The rates of receptor loss were similar to the respective half-lives of the receptors as documented by others using cultured cells. The respective ligands for each receptor were lost more rapidly from liver, i.e. prolactin, t1/2 approximately 10 min, insulin, t1/2 approximately 5 min and EGF, t1/2 approximately 17 min. Previous studies have shown ligand loss in vivo to be receptor mediated. Thus, receptors and their ligands do not turn over synchronously in vivo. These studies also point to a major role for N-linked oligosaccharide side chains in the functional insertion of prolactin, insulin and EGF receptors into the hepatocyte cell surface in vivo.

Insulin and insulin receptor uptake into rat liver. Chloroquine action on receptor recycling.

In the present study, the effect of chloroquine on both insulin and receptor distribution was examined in vivo. Insulin injection (25 nmol/100 g body wt) caused a marked accumulation of both insulin and its receptor in purified hepatic Golgi fractions by 15 min postinjection. Percoll fractionation of parent Golgi fractions resolved two endocytic components of low (rho = 1.040-1.050) and high (rho = 1.053-1.064) density in which the relative distribution of insulin binding sites was unaltered by chloroquine. Chloroquine significantly accumulated in the high-density region of the Percoll gradient consistent with this being a low pH compartment. 125I-insulin accumulated first in the low-density (1 min) and subsequently in the high-density region (5-10 min) of Percoll-subfractionated Golgi fractions. Chloroquine treatment caused marked accumulation of 125I-insulin in the high-density compartment with substantial retention of radiolabel therein at 20 min postinjection. 125I-insulin extracted from the Percoll fractions was comparably intact in control and chloroquine-treated rats. These data suggest that the chloroquine-accumulating, high-density compartment of hepatic Golgi fractions is the site of dissociation of internalized insulin-receptor complexes before degradation of the ligand and receptor recycling.

Concentration of native prolactin and prolactin binding sites in hepatic subcellular fractions from hyperprolactinemic rats.

Lactogen binding and prolactin content were measured in hepatic subcellular fractions from tumor-bearing rats (TBR; MtT/F4, MtT/W5, MtT/W10) with elevated prolactin and growth hormone levels and from control animals. Specific binding of 125I-oPRL to Golgi fractions from tumor-bearing animals was 2.5 to 7 fold greater than that from controls. Binding to plasmalemma was 6-fold greater in tumor-bearing rats. The specific binding of 125I-labelled bGH and insulin showed less marked differences between TBR and controls. Subcellular fractions were extracted with HCl to determine hormonal content. The content of prolactin and growth hormone in Golgi fractions from TBR was at least 20-fold that in fractions from controls. Rat prolactin extracted from Golgi heavy elements was 50% as effective as native material in binding to lactogen receptors as judged by radioreceptor assay. These studies demonstrate that the chronic elevation of prolactin was associated with an increase of receptors not only in the intracellular compartment but on the cell surface as well. Furthermore, they demonstrate that native prolactin is internalized and accumulated in rat liver Golgi fractions.

Inter- and intra-examiner reliability of leg-length differential measurement: a preliminary study.

The phenomenon of "short leg" has long been used and debated clinically. A uniquely chiropractic measurement technique was not studied in any of the few studies of reliability of measurement which have been reported. An inter- and intra-examiner reliability study was therefore performed to validate a prone leg length-differential test. Naive students (n = 40) were called, in random order, into three adjacent examining rooms where three experienced chiropractic clinicians measured differential leg lengths. Using standard placement a tape measure was read to the nearest mm to detect inequalities at the shoe-sole interface. The leg length differences were recorded, for both the straight and flexed legs prone positions, twice by each of the three clinicians. Intraclass correlations were significant for the two independent readings for all three examiners, indicating high reliability of the test. Good agreement among examiners was indicated as well by significant intraclass correlation in two of the three possible examiner combinations. These results argue strongly for the reality of the leg length inequality phenomenon and also that it can be reliably measured.

Maturation of the hypothalamic--pituitary--gonadal axis in the male lamb: a review.

We have studied the activity of the hypothalamic--pituitary--gonadal (HPG) axis in the male ovine fetus and newborn lamb. Circulating levels of gonadotropins, prolactin, cortisol (F), testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and delta 4androstenedione (delta 4A) were measured in fetal plasma in the third trimester of gestation and the testicular response to hCG was studied in ovine fetuses at 95 - 141 days. Ultradian variations of LH, FSH and testosterone and the testicular response to hCG also were assessed from 1 to 28 days postnatally. The data indicate that (1) fetal plasma LH, FSH, delta 4A and T levels are low from 95 days of gestation to term, while F levels increase in the last 10 days. Postnatally, F decreases rapidly. Spontaneous T peaks may occur as early as 36 hr of life. (2) Spontaneous LH and concomitant or subsequent T secretory peaks are observed by 3 days of age. (3) hCG can induce an increase in T production by interstitial cells in vitro and can increase the T testicular content and its release in the plasma from 95 days of intrauterine life. Desensitization to hCG also can be observed throughout the last trimester of gestation. We conclude that the HPG axis of the male lamb is active ty 36 - 72 hr of postnatal life and that the steroidogenic capacity of the ovine testis is developed several weeks prenatally. Consequently, the relative quiescence of the axis prenatally and in the first 24 hr of life seems to result from relatively low LH secretion and release, related to an undefined endogenous control, together with decreased Leydig cell sensitivity and relatively low enzyme activity limiting T release.