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The amino-acid sequences corresponding to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of Plasmodium vivax fall into two main types, VK210 and VK247, each of which has a characteristic tandem repeat. When the repetitive domains of the CSP gene from six isolates of P. vivax from South Korea were sequenced they were found to show a total of 20 tandem amino-acid repeats, and repeat patterns that are regular and distinct from those of other P. vivax isolates. The amino-acid sequences of the South Korean parasites were found to be most similar to those of three isolates from China (CH-3, CH-4, and CH-5) and, particularly, to one from North Korea. A sequence (AGGNAANKKAEDAGGNA) and two repeats of the sequence GGNA found in the North Korean parasites were found in all six isolates from South Korea. The South Korean parasites investigated appear phylogenetically identical and unique to the Korean peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Duffy binding domain gene structures of Plasmodium vivax facilitate the invasion of erythrocytes. Human erythrocytes that lack Duffy blood group antigens are resistant to invasion by P. vivax. We have sequenced the Duffy binding domain gene from eight P. vivax isolates collected from malaria cases in South Korea. When compared to isolates from other regions in the world, the amino acid sequences of the Korean isolates showed unique variations in region II. From 606 sequenced amino acids, 32 variations were found. Of these, three variations were regularly found in positions 424, 437 and 503 of the Sal-1 amino acid sequence. In region III, six isolates had a loss of the 30 bp (FAESTKSAE) insert. However, six isolates had 6 bp (SD) inserts at the end of region III. Two cases had a reverse pattern. Our results suggest that the P. vivax currently found in South Korea are unique when compared to other isolates and can be divided, by the analysis of their molecular structure, into two strains.

This cross-sectional study examines the association between heavy alcohol use among active duty military personnel and five work productivity loss events that may have an adverse effect on military performance and readiness. Data for light (N = 3,147) and heavy (N = 2,242) drinkers, categorized by gender and pay grade, were obtained from the 1995 Department of Defense Worldwide Survey. Drinking classification was predefined using a standard algorithm that factored quantity and frequency of wine, beer, and liquor consumed. The relative risks of experiencing a productivity loss event at a particular level and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by applying the Mantel-Haenszel method after adjusting for age. The relative risks for increased self-reported lateness, leaving early, low performance, and on-the-job injury were all higher for heavy drinkers than for light drinkers. This association between the heavy-drinking population and four of five work productivity loss events indicates that prevention programs should target all personnel.

The Worldwide Survey of Health Related Behaviors is administered periodically to a probability sample of military personnel. Earlier reports of these surveys suggested that illicit drug use was highest among the lowest ranking personnel. This paper reports a secondary analysis of the 1992 and 1995 surveys of the lowest ranking personnel. The results suggested that in general illicit drug users tended also to use alcohol, smokeless tobacco, and cigarettes. Heavy drinkers were more likely than light drinkers to use illicit drugs. No such relationship was observed between illicit drug use and the level of use of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. Moreover, among the heavy drinkers, illicit drug users were especially likely to use cigarettes and among males, smokeless tobacco. The relevance of these results to military policies toward illicit drug use is discussed.

Today, the process of mental health assessments and treatment are difficult to describe and assimilate into other medical areas. Integrated patient summaries and treatment descriptions are poorly standardized. Any aggregate data analysis must rely on the very few standardized patient data points that may include some demographic information, diagnosis and codable procedures. This paper describes one of the first published attempts to use business process reengineering (BPR) Integrated Computer Assisted Manufacturing Definition (IDEF) activity and data modeling within a focused clinical setting. The clinician's desire to focus on patient care has been used to create both a current and an idealized activity and data model. Clinical patient information was used to build an analyzable database. This provides the potential to track a patient in data throughout a continuum of care. Conceptually, outcomes management is able to use clinical, rather than administrative or claims, data. These models were used to create a prototype for a computer-based patient record which would allow outcomes management. It was tested successfully as a proof of concept.

Physicians and other health care providers have multiple opportunities in the course of a typical practice year to identify and treat individuals who abuse alcohol and other drugs. Although substance abuse is very common in clinical practice, providers routinely fail to intervene in a timely fashion due to negative attitudes, incomplete knowledge, and poorly developed practice skills. Over the past ten years, addictions training of licensed health care providers nationally and in Maryland has improved significantly. This article describes recent national training trends and current educational programs statewide for medical students, physicians in residency and fellowship programs, and licensed providers in dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, and social work. Several strategies for improving professional training in addictions in the future are discussed and the importance of shifting to an interprofessional training model is emphasized.

In spring 1991, Belizian health officials expressed concern about a possible hepatitis outbreak in a banana farming district. A study was designed to identify cases and to address the serological prevalence of hepatitis virus markers. Three populations were studied: (i) persons meeting a clinical case definition for hepatitis; (ii) designated banana workers; and (iii) people in a random sample of households in the community. Information was collected using questionnaires and sera were collected for laboratory testing. This report presents the preliminary results of a study conducted in June 1991. Among people who met the clinical case definition, 24% of 42 tested had immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (anti-HBc IgM). In the worker and household survey populations, 284 and 280 people, respectively, were tested for anti-HBc IgM. In each group, 4% were positive. HBV surface antigen was found in 37% of 43 clinical cases, 18% of workers, and 13% of people in the household survey. Among the 3 study populations, the prevalence of HBV core antibody (anti-HBc) ranged from 73% to 81%. Almost all tested persons had evidence of prior hepatitis A virus infection. Evidence of prior infection with hepatitis viruses A and B was widespread, but an aetiology could not be established for most of the clinical cases. However, the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in this population was very high compared to other reports from the Caribbean.

The decision to engage in mandatory HIV testing of active duty military personnel and all applicants was done with the idea that the test was good and that medical technology should be used whenever available and feasible. This addresses but half of the aspects of a good test program and runs contrary to standards practiced within the civilian sector. The other half is the area in greatest need of study: the effect of HIV labeling on the individual and on the social network within which the individual exists. Attributes and implications of the military test program are discussed.