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Modern agriculture demands for comprehensive information about the plants themselves. Conventional chemistry-based analytical methods—due to their low throughput and high associated costs—are no longer capable of providing these data. In recent years, remote reflectance-based characterisation has become one of the most promising solutions for rapid assessments of plant attributes. However, in many cases, expensive equipment is required because accurate quantifications need assessments of the full reflectance spectrum. In this experimental study, we examined the versatility of visible spectral sensors as alternative reflectance measuring devices for biological/biochemical quantifications of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum). Our results confirm the applicability and scope of visible spectral sensors for analysis and quantification of important plant properties, in particular the contents of valuable substances, such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids.

The prevalence of HIV and different sexually transmitted disease (STDs) among working female sex workers (FSWs) not in rehabilitation centers in Hanoi, their knowledge levels of HIV, risk behaviors and practices, as well as correlates of HIV infection are reported. Results suggest that sharing injecting equipment is the primary cause of the rapid increase of HIV infection among the FSW population in Hanoi.

Long-term deleterious effects of repeated blood donations may be masked by the donors' healthy life- style. To investigate possible effects of blood donation and iron loss through blood donation on cancer incidence while minimizing "healthy donor effects," we made dose-response comparisons within a cohort of Swedish and Danish blood donors. We used a nested case-control study design, in which case patients were defined as all donors who were diagnosed with a malignancy between their first recorded blood donation and study termination (n = 10866). Control subjects (n = 107140) were individually matched on sex, age, and county of residence. Using conditional logistic regression, we estimated relative risks of cancer according to number of blood donations made or estimated iron loss 3-12 years before a case patient was diagnosed with cancer. All statistical tests were two-sided. No clear association was observed between number of donations and risk of cancer overall. However, between the lowest (~median, <0.75 g) and highest (>90th percentile, >2.7 g) categories of estimated iron loss, there was a trend (P~,Ofld < .001) of decreasing risk for cancers of the liver, lung, colon, stomach, and esophagus, which are thought to be promoted by iron overload (combined odds ratio [OR] = 0.70, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 0.58 to 0.84), but only among men and only with a latency of 3-7 years. The risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was higher among frequent plasma donors (>25 vs 0 donations, OR = 2.14, 95% Cl = 1.22 to 3.74). Repeated blood donation was not associated with increased or decreased risk of cancer overall. The lack of consistency across latency periods casts doubt on an apparent association between reduced cancer risk and iron loss in men. The positive association between frequent plasma donation and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma deserves further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Blood transfusions may influence the recipients' cancer risks both through transmission of biologic agents and by modulation of the immune system. However, cancer occurrence in transfusion recipients remains poorly characterized. Methods We used computerized files from Scandinavian blood banks to identify a cohort of 888843 cancer-free recipients transfused after 1968. The recipients were followed from first registered transfusion until the date of death, emigration, cancer diagnosis, or December 31, 2002, whichever came first. Relative risks were expressed as ratios of the observed to the expected numbers of cancers, that is, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), using incidence rates for the general Danish and Swedish populations as a reference. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results During 5652918 person-years of follow-up, 80990 cancers occurred in the transfusion recipients, corresponding to a SIR of 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44 to 1.46). The SIR for cancer overall decreased from 5.36 (95% CI = 5.29 to 5.43) during the first 6 months after transfusion to 1.10 or less for follow-up periods more than 2 years after the transfusion. However, the standardized incidence ratios for cancers of the tongue, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, liver, and respiratory and urinary tracts and for squamous cell skin carcinoma remained elevated beyond 10 years after the transfusion. Conclusions The marked increase in cancer risk shortly after a blood transfusion may reflect the presence of undiagnosed occult cancers with symptoms that necessitated the blood transfusion. The continued increased risk of tobacco- and alcohol-related cancers suggests that lifestyle and other risk factors related to conditions prompting transfusion rather than transfusion-related exposures per se are important to the observed cancer occurrence in the recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To asses the burden and correlates of genital warts in women. Methods. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in 69,147 women (18-45 years of age) randomly chosen from the general population in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Information on clinically diagnosed genital warts and lifestyle habits was collected using a questionnaire. Results. Overall, 10.6% reported ever having had clinically diagnosed genital warts. In addition, 1.3% reported having experienced genital warts within the past 12 months. The cumulative incidence for different birth cohorts, estimated on the basis of age at first diagnosis of genital warts, increased with each subsequent younger birth cohort (P < .01). The lifetime number of sex partners was strongly correlated with a history of genital warts (odds ratio for ⩾15 partners vs. 1 partner, 9.45 [95% confidence interval, 7.89 -11.30]). The likelihood of reporting genital warts also increased with a history of sexually transmitted disease, use of hormonal contraceptives, use of condoms, smoking, and higher education. Conclusions. The data suggest that ∼1 in 10 women in the Nordic countries experience genital warts before the age of 45 years, with an increasing occurrence in younger birth cohorts. These data are important for developing and evaluating strategies (e.g., human papillomavirus [HPV] vaccination) to control and prevent HPV infection and disease in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of female sex workers’ (FSW) condom use behaviors in Vietnam is important for predicting the epidemic and designing interventions. Four hundred FSWs in Hanoi were studied in 2002. Consistent condom use in the past month was higher with irregular clients (62%), less with regular clients (41%), and lowest with “love mates” (5%). Reasons for not using condoms were partner objection, condom unavailability, and belief of partner's disease-free status. Twenty-seven percent reported not always having a condom available. Thirty-five percent reported increasing condom use in the previous 6 months. Reluctance to ask clients to use condoms and condom unavailability were independently associated with inconsistent condom use with both irregular and regular clients. Older age was also associated with inconsistent condom use with irregular clients. Condom promotion should focus on FSWs and their partners. Negative attitudes toward FSWs and condom promotion need to be changed to reduce stigmatization of FSWs and to make condom use a norm in the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicidal thought is a risk factor and a stage in the suicidal process from planning to attempting and dying by suicide. To date, studies on suicidal thought in the general population, especially in Asian communities, have been limited. Method: The WHO SUPRE-MISS (the multisite intervention study on suicidal behaviours) community survey questionnaire was filled in for 2,280 randomly selected residents of the DongDa district of Hanoi, Vietnam by means of face-to-face interviews. This multi-factor questionnaire includes such variables as sociodemographic information, suicidal thought and history of suicide attempts, physical health, alcohol consumption and medication. Results: Prevalence rates for life time suicidal thoughts, suicide plans and suicide attempts were 8.9%, 1.1% and 0.4% respectively. Suicidal thoughts are associated with multiple characteristics, such as female gender, single/widowed/separated/divorced marital status, low income, lifestyle (use of alcohol, sedatives and pain relief medication), but not with low education or employment status. Having no religion and being a Buddhist appear to be protective factors for suicidal thought. The ratio of suicidal thoughts, suicide plans and suicide attempts on a lifetime basis is 22.3:2.8:1. Conclusion: In Vietnam, as in Western and other Asian countries, suicidal thoughts are associated with similar negative psychosocial risk factors, lifestyle and emotional problems, which implies that suicide preventive measure developed elsewhere can be adjusted to Vietnamese condition. Understanding the unique and common risks in a culture may assist in prediction and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]