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This is a novel report of the correlation and potential impact of the immune system, specifically NK cells and Interferon Gamma, in bone quality alteration related to pancreatic cancer in hu-BLT mice. For this purpose, we studied how MP2 tumors injected in hu-BLT mice affected the bone structure. Also, we analyzed how MP2 tumor-bearing mice injected with NK cells and fed with and without AJ2 influenced the bone structure.We demonstrated the suppression of NK cell cytotoxicity and decreased secretion of IFN‐γ in tumor‐bearing mice within all tissue compartments and restoration by super‐charged NK Cells.There was a remarkable correlation between the micro-CT analysis results, the induction and secretion of IFN‐γ, and bone morphology. The MP2 tumor-bearing mice injected with NK cells' cultures and fed with AJ2 presented increased bone formation with statistically significant higher trabecular bone volume compared to MP2 tumor-bearing mice group and MP2 tumor-bearing mice fed with AJ2 group, respectively. On the contrary, MP2 tumor-bearing mice showed decreased IFN‐γ and decreased bone formation.Consistent with the micro-CT findings, histological analysis of the AJ2 treatment group exhibited increased bone formation when compared to the Control and MP2 tumor groups. TRAP staining suggested more osteoclast activity and bone resorption in the MP2 tumor sample compared to the rest of the samples.Therefore, we can hypothesize that IFN‐γ induce secretion by NK cells, can inhibit tumor growth, and decreases skeletal complications of malignancy by directly acting on host cells to inhibits osteoclast formation and function.In our study, the enhanced osteolytic lesion formation in BLT tumor-bearing mice and NK cells' ability to secrete IFN‐γ to significantly reduce bone loss in tumor-bearing mice strongly supports a direct anti-osteoclastogenic role for IFN‐γ in the setting of cancer-induced bone disease. Furthermore, this report suggests that IFN‐γ can directly promote bone formation.Overall, our data demonstrated that the injection of NK cells into tumor‐bearing mice increased IFN‐γ secretion in hu-BLT mice. It also suggests that IFN‐γ has direct anti-tumor effects and potentially may suppress tumor-induced bone loss by directly targeting host osteoclasts to inhibit osteolysis.A better understanding of the bone marrow microenvironment and processes that influence tumor cell maintenance and bone growth should present opportunities to understand bone remodeling and osteolysis.To the best of our knowledge, the present work is a novel report of bone quality alteration related to pancreatic cancer in hu-BTL mice and the role of IFN‐γ secreted by NK cells in the suppression of tumor-induced bone loss and induction of bone formation.

The HerpeSelect 2 ELISA IgG test for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is widely used, convenient, and inexpensive. However, it has been shown to have lower specificity among populations in Sub-Saharan Africa compared with HSV-2 tests regarded as criterion standards.In 2016, we collected blood and survey data from 248 women participating in a community-based cohort study in rural Malawi (the Umoyo wa Thanzi project). Using multinomial logistic regression accounting for village-level clustering, we examined unadjusted associations between select demographic and sexual risk factors and HSV-2 serostatus. Because increasing the index value cutpoint for a positive result improves specificity, we coded HSV-2 serostatus in 2 ways: the manufacturer's recommended cutpoints (0.9, negative; 0.9-1.1, indeterminate;1.1, positive) and modified cutpoints with improved specificity (0.9, negative; 0.9-3.5, indeterminate;3.5, positive). We aimed to investigate whether associations between select risk factors and HSV-2 serostatus varied under the 2 approaches.The prevalence of HSV-2 in this sample was 67% under the manufacturer's cutpoint and 22% under the modified cutpoint. Under both cutpoints, age, household size, number of marriages, and number of pregnancies were associated with HSV-2-positive serostatus. Using modified cutpoints, current bacterial vaginosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-7.47), partner concurrency (OR, 4.88; 95% CI, 2.54-9.37) and unsure about partner concurrency (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.08-3.38) were associated with HSV-2 seropositivity. Household size, education, and marital status were the only variables significantly associated with indeterminate HSV-2 serostatus using the modified cutpoints.HSV-2-focused interventions informed by identifying individuals likely to have or acquire HSV-2 must be aware that different target populations may emerge depending on which cutpoints are adopted.

Background Schistosoma haematobium infection has been documented as an uncommon cause of vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) and can result in impaired wound healing of urogenital tissues. For these reasons, it could potentially be linked to an increased rate of obstetric fistula among women who experience obstructed labor and/or in a higher failure rate of fistula repair. Therefore, the primary objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of S. haematobium infection among women undergoing obstetric VVF repair in Lilongwe, Malawi. Our secondary objectives were to assess if S. haematobium infection could be a risk factor for obstetric fistula development or unsuccessful VVF repair in our patient population. Methods From July to October 2013, we conducted S. haematobium testing via urine microscopy on 96 patients undergoing obstetric VVF repair surgery at the Fistula Care Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi. Results The prevalence of S. haematobium infection among women undergoing obstetric VVF repair was 2% (n=2). Both women with S. haematobium had successful VVF repairs. Conclusions Although S. haematobium has the potential to be a risk factor for obstetric VVF formation or unsuccessful VVF repair, it was uncommon among the women in our clinic with obstetric VVF.

The Discovery Park Library of the University of North Texas designed a physical featured book display which incorporated both print and electronic books. Using "book dummies" as the base, a template was developed which contained a book cover image and a QR code which would lead the patron to the book in the catalog. Students have used the QR codes to find books, and overall, the book display is leading to increased use of selected items [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) who report receptive anal intercourse (RAI) are currently recommended to undergo at least annual screening for rectal Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) infection.Using standard culture methods, we assessed the prevalence of rectal GC/CT among MSM who reported RAI in the last year (n = 326) at an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in a midwestern US city. A subset (n = 125) also underwent rectal GC/CT screening via nucleic acid amplification testing. We examined the associations between HIV status and prevalence of rectal GC and rectal CT using unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models.The prevalence of rectal GC, rectal CT, and either rectal infection was 9%, 9%, and 15% by culture and 24%, 23%, and 38% by nucleic acid amplification testing, respectively. HIV was not associated with rectal GC prevalence in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. HIV-positive status was significantly associated with increased rectal CT prevalence in unadjusted models (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-4.60); this association increased after multivariable adjustment (odds ratio, 3.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-7.19).Men who have sex with men reporting RAI had a high prevalence of rectal GC and rectal CT. HIV-positive status was significantly associated with prevalent rectal CT but not with prevalent rectal GC.