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Introduction: The caste system is a relatively rigid system of social hierarchy in India. The caste membership defines one’s access to resources and life opportunities. A growing body of research suggests that lower caste groups have an excess burden of morbidity and mortality in India. However, it is not clear as to what extent caste differences in health are conditioned by socioeconomic status (SES) indicators. Purpose: This study examined the caste differences in hypertension and tested whether caste differences in hypertension are conditioned by education and household wealth in a representative sample of women in India. Methods: This study used data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015–2016, India. The analysis is based on a nationally representative sample of 648,064 adult women aged 15–49 years. We used logistic regression to examine whether the association between caste and hypertension varied by education and wealth index using interactions and controlling for potential confounders. Results: The regression models suggest that scheduled tribes and non-caste members have the highest odds of hypertension compared with privileged upper caste members. Interaction models indicate complex intersections of caste, education, and wealth index. The predicted probabilities derived from these interaction models suggest that while SES indicators are inversely associated with the odds of hypertension, the inverse patterning was significantly weaker in other backward classes and more protective in non-caste members compared with upper caste. Additionally, caste difference in predictive risk of hypertension tends to diverge at the lower levels of SES and become narrower at the higher levels of SES. Conclusions: These findings provide evidence of differential returns to SES and have implications for understanding the causes of SES patterning in health among disadvantaged caste groups in India.

Testing the Racial Context Hypothesis (Read and Emerson 2005), we examine the relationship between racial context of origin and three health behaviors (smoking, drinking, and physical activity) among Black immigrants in the USA. We conduct multinomial logistic regression analyses using data from the 2000–2018 National Health Interview Survey (N= 248,401) to determine if racial context of origin is a mechanism of health differential between Black immigrants and US-born Black Americans. Supporting the Racial Context Hypothesis, we find that Black immigrants from racially mixed (Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America) and majority-Black contexts (Africa) are significantly less likely to be current or former smokers and drinkers than US-born Black Americans. Black immigrants from majority-white (Europe) contexts, on the other hand, look more similar to US-born Black Americans — again supporting the premise that racial context of origin is consequential for health. After controlling for a host of covariates, Black immigrants do not significantly differ from US-born Black Americans in exercise status. Together, these findings suggest that the impacts of racism and white supremacy have lasting effects on people of color, where Black immigrants from majority-white contexts exhibit worse health behaviors than their counterparts from majority-Black and racially mixed regions.

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation, provides a potential treatment avenue for drug-resistant cancers and may play a role in the pathology of some degenerative diseases. Identifying the subcellular membranes essential for ferroptosis and the sequence of their peroxidation will illuminate drug discovery strategies and ferroptosis-relevant disease mechanisms. In this study, we employed fluorescence and stimulated Raman scattering imaging to examine the structure–activity–distribution relationship of ferroptosis-modulating compounds. We found that, although lipid peroxidation in various subcellular membranes can induce ferroptosis, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane is a key site of lipid peroxidation. Our results suggest an ordered progression model of membrane peroxidation during ferroptosis that accumulates initially in the ER membrane and later in the plasma membrane. Thus, the design of ER-targeted inhibitors and inducers of ferroptosis may be used to optimally control the dynamics of lipid peroxidation in cells undergoing ferroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Few works have viewed disaster relief in the context of socioeconomic disparity and racial inequality before Katrina. OBJECTIVE: By using the vulnerable-populations conceptual framework, our study aimed to investigate the relationship among economic vulnerability, perceived discrimination, and health outcomes among 69 Black Katrina survivors in Eastern New Orleans. STUDY DESIGN: A mixed-method approach, including survey and focus groups, was applied to collect data. RESULTS: Our findings suggested that a higher level of perceived racial discrimination during Katrina and financial strain post-Katrina were associated with more posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms; support provided by network members served to enhance mental and physical health. Compared with Black males, female survivors reported more PTSD symptoms and worse mental health. CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative for nursing scholars and public policies to directly address the intricacies of race, class, and gender inequality to deliver interventions tailored to meet the unique needs of vulnerable populations. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc, 2007; 13(5), 257-266. DOI: 10.1177/1078390307307260 Keywords: Black; poverty; posttraumatic stress disorder; health-related quality of life; racial discrimination, Poor physical and mental health has been linked to residence in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods (Blank, 2005; LeClere, Richard, & Kimberly, 1997). Inhabitants in poverty-stricken neighborhoods experience higher mortality (LeClere et [...]

How can professors, teachers, colleagues, and administrators mentor preservice teachers toward professional growth? How can music teacher education programs exemplify, generate, and nurture a culture of mentoring? It seems self-evident [...]

Across the United States, educators in increasing numbers are calling for the adoption of similar assessments of learning. In a trend that moves away from traditional letter grades and standardized [...]

Objective. This article reports on analysis of the predisposing and enabling factors that affect black/white differences in utilization of prenatal care services. Data Sources. We use a secondary data source from a survey conducted by the Michigan Department of Public Health. Study Design. The study uses multivariate analysis methods to examine black/white differences in (1) total number of prenatal care visits, (2) timing of start of prenatal care, and (3) adequacy of care received. We use the model advanced by Aday, Andersen, and Fleming (1980) to examine the effect of enabling and predisposing factors on black/white differences in prenatal care utilization. Data Collection. A questionnaire was administered to all women who delivered in Michigan hospitals with an obstetrical unit. Principal Findings. Enabling factors fully accounted for black/white differences in timing of start of prenatal care; however, the model could not fully account for black/white differences in the total number or the adequacy of prenatal care received. Conclusion. Although there are no black/white differences in the initiation of prenatal care, black women are still less likely to receive adequate care as measured by the Kessner index, or to have as many total prenatal care contacts as white women. It is possible that barriers within the health care system that could not be assessed in this study may account for the differences we observed. Future research should consider the characteristics of the health care system that may account for the unwillingness or inability of black women to continue to receive care once they initiate prenatal care. Key Words. Prenatal care, race, barriers, health services utilization, blacks, It is well known that low birth weight and prematurity elevate the risk of infant death and play an important role in the development of chronic and debilitating medical problems [...]

The authors investigate the association between self-reported experiences of discrimination and social media use among Black American adults. Experiences of discrimination were assessed using a 10-question scale of self-reported discrimination encounters. Data analysis was based on a sample of 220 Black American adult respondents residing in Texas. The results indicate that Black Americans reporting higher levels of discrimination use social media more frequently than those who report lower levels of discrimination. In addition, Black Americans who experience higher levels of discrimination are more likely to have accounts on Twitter or Facebook than those who experience lower levels of discrimination. Together, these findings suggest that social media sites such as Twitter serve as sites of expression for people of color to air their grievances, find community, and cope with online and offline forms of racism and discrimination.

The DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), which comprises the KU heterodimer and a catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), is a classical non-homologous end-joining (cNHEJ) factor1. KU binds to DNA ends, initiates cNHEJ, and recruits and activates DNA-PKcs. KU also binds to RNA, but the relevance of this interaction in mammals is unclear. Here we use mouse models to show that DNA-PK has an unexpected role in the biogenesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and in haematopoiesis. The expression of kinase-dead DNA-PKcs abrogates cNHEJ2. However, most mice that both expressed kinase-dead DNA-PKcs and lacked the tumour suppressor TP53 developed myeloid disease, whereas all other previously characterized mice deficient in both cNHEJ and TP53 expression succumbed to pro-B cell lymphoma3. DNA-PK autophosphorylates DNA-PKcs, which is its best characterized substrate. Blocking the phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at the T2609 cluster, but not the S2056 cluster, led to KU-dependent defects in 18S rRNA processing, compromised global protein synthesis in haematopoietic cells and caused bone marrow failure in mice. KU drives the assembly of DNA-PKcs on a wide range of cellular RNAs, including the U3 small nucleolar RNA, which is essential for processing of 18S rRNA4. U3 activates purified DNA-PK and triggers phosphorylation of DNA-PKcs at T2609. DNA-PK, but not other cNHEJ factors, resides in nucleoli in an rRNA-dependent manner and is co-purified with the small subunit processome. Together our data show that DNA-PK has RNA-dependent, cNHEJ-independent functions during ribosome biogenesis that require the kinase activity of DNA-PKcs and its phosphorylation at the T2609 cluster.

B cell development requires efficient proliferation and successful assembly and modifications of the immunoglobulin gene products. CtIP is an essential gene implicated in end resection and DNA repair. Here, we show that CtIP is essential for early B cell development but dispensable in naive B cells. CtIP loss is well tolerated in G1-arrested B cells and during V(D)J recombination, but in proliferating B cells, CtIP loss leads to a progressive cell death characterized by ATM hyperactivation, G2/M arrest, genomic instability, and 53BP1 nuclear body formation, indicating that the essential role of CtIP during proliferation underscores its stage-specific requirement in B cells. B cell proliferation requires phosphorylation of CtIP at T847 presumably by CDK, but not its interaction with CtBP or Rb or its nuclease activity. CtIP phosphorylation by ATM/ATR at T859 (T855 in mice) promotes end resection in G1-arrested cells but is dispensable for B cell development and class switch recombination, suggesting distinct roles for T859 and T847 phosphorylation in B cell development.

Despite the frequency of videolaryngoscope use, to the authors’ knowledge, there are no publications exploring the role of playback video recording in real time to improve patient care. We present a patient with a difficult airway complicated by trauma during GlideScope® (Verathon Inc., Bothell, WA, USA) intubation. The injury was not recognised by any of the anaesthetic staff observing the intubation, and was only identified when playback video footage was viewed. This provided the opportunity for early ear, nose and throat surgical review prior to extubation. Airway trauma can be missed by the anaesthetist. Reviewing video playback footage at an appropriate time during the case may enable more timely recognition of airway injuries and, ultimately, improved patient care.

We investigate the association neighborhood cohesion, as source of social support, has with psychological distress among white, Black, and Latinx lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, compared to heterosexual individuals in the United States.

Financial stress, which is common among African Americans, has been linked to higher psychological distress. This study examines whether racial identity moderates the association of financial stress with depressive symptoms. If so, through what mechanisms does it operate? We investigated these questions in a moderated mediation analysis, using data from the National Survey of American Life (N= 3,570). Of the two racial identity dimensions examined, positive group evaluation but not closeness to other African Americans was associated with less adverse effects of financial stress on depressive symptoms. In addition, we tested two mechanisms that could explain the buffering effect. Psychological resources (self-esteem and, less consistently, mastery), explained 26% to 46% of the buffering effects of racial identity; family support explained 8%. That is, positive group evaluations fortify African Americans in the face of hard times. They do so primarily through their association with a greater sense of self-worth.

Research demonstrates that the mental health of African Americans is negatively affected by discrimination, but few studies have investigated the effects of racial discrimination specifically and whether these effects vary by poverty and education levels. Using a sample of 3,372 African Americans from the National Survey of American Life (NSAL), we find a positive relationship between racial discrimination and depressive symptoms, with both lifetime and daily racial discrimination being more salient for depressive symptoms among impoverished African Americans than those living above 200% of the poverty line. Evaluating mediated moderation models, we also find that the conditional effects of socioeconomic status are mediated by poor African Americans’ having fewer psychosocial resources. Namely, lower levels of mastery are influential in accounting for poor African Americans’ greater vulnerability to both daily and lifetime discrimination. The findings highlight the importance of examining specific reasons for discrimination as well as mediated moderation in future research.

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the adequacy and detection rates of SurePath after its implementation in Ontario.The detection and adequacy rates of the SurePath liquid‐based cytology system (SP‐LBC) were calculated for manually reviewed slides of the year 2002. The adequacy and detection rates from this study group were compared with a historical conventional smear (CS) group from the same laboratories during the same period of the previous year.The SP‐LBC study group consisted of 352,680 specimens with cytodiagnoses and the CS group included 378,990 specimens. The unsatisfactory rate for SP‐LBC (0.24%) was less than that of the CS group (0.58%). The detection rate of atypical squamous cells (ASC+) by the SP‐LBC group (4.69%) was greater than that of the CS group (3.81%), as was the detection rate of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL+; 2.13% vs. 1.50% in the CS group). There was only a trend toward increased detection of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL+) in the SP‐LBC group (0.34%) relative to the CS group (0.31%), because the detection rate for carcinoma by SP‐LBC declined.The implementation of SP‐LBC has been followed by better specimen adequacy and detection rates for ASC+, LSIL+, and a trend of increased detection of HSIL+ relative to CS practice. To determine sensitivity rates, a histopathologic database for cervical carcinoma and precancer needs to be established. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2005. © 2004 American Cancer Society.

Data from the National Survey of Black Americans (NSBA)(1979-80) are used to examine the effects of skin-tone variations of blacks on educational attainment, occupation, and income, net of such antecedent factors as parental socioeconomic status and such contemporaneous factors as sex, region of residence, urbanicity, age, and marital status. The findings are that not only does complexion have significant net effects on stratification outcomes, but it is also a more consequential predictor of occupation and income than such background characteristics as parents' socioeconomic status. Results are consistent with an interpretation that suggests that the continuing disadvantage that darker blacks experience is due to persisting discrimination against them in the contemporary United States.

The fourth component of complement (C4) has two classes of protein, C4A and C4B, both of which have many allelic forms. The serological determinants Rodgers (Rg1, Rg2) and Chido (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3) are generally associated with C4A and C4B, respectively. The C4B3 allotype has been detected in a single Canadian family that expresses a novel Ch phenotype, Ch:-1, 2, -3. There was no information for the Rg determinants, as the C4A*2B*3 haplotype would normally express Rg on the C4A protein. Other C4B3 allotypes in informative families have different Ch phenotypes, and the relationships of these within extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes are discussed in this paper.

How do Mexicans of distinct racial backgrounds fit into the recognized patterns of racial health disparities? We conduct regression analyses using data from the 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey to determine if Mexicans who self-identify as White or Black have a relative advantage or disadvantage in self-rated health in relation to Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites and Blacks in the U.S. Our results indicate that both Black Mexicans and White Mexicans have a significant disadvantage in relation to NH-Whites while White Mexicans have a slight advantage in relation to both NH-Blacks and Black Mexicans. Overall, our results suggest that studying health outcomes among Hispanics without considering race may mask inequalities not observed in the aggregate.