Previous studies have shown that risk factors for oncogenic (high-risk) and nononcogenic (low-risk) human papillomavirus (HPV)
infection differ. To determine the risk factors for oncogenic and ...nononcogenic HPV infection in women residing along the United
States-Mexico border, a cross-sectional study of type-specific HPV prevalence was conducted. Women (N=2246) ages 15–79 years,
living in communities on both sides of the United States-Mexico border and attending family planning clinics were recruited.
Women were screened for HPV and cytology and were asked to complete a health questionnaire. HPV status was determined by PCR,
and HPV genotyping was performed using a reverse line blot hybridization assay (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Alameda, CA).
Logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine factors independently associated with oncogenic and nononcogenic HPV
infection in separate analyses. Similar to previous studies, lifetime number of sexual partners was only associated with oncogenic
HPV infection. In contrast, nononcogenic HPV infection appeared to be associated with recent sexual activity, suggesting that
nononcogenic infections may be more transient. Results from this study add to the growing literature suggesting that transmission
and persistence of HPV differs by oncogenicity.
Persistent oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with cervical dysplasia. Cofactors, such as nutrient
status, may be required for the progression of HPV infection to neoplasia. ...HPV DNA methylation patterns in vitro have been shown to be associated with viral transcriptional activity. Folate, vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 , and methionine may function to prevent cervical cancer through their role in DNA methylation. This study was conducted to
examine the relationship of dietary intake of folate, vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 , and methionine, as well as circulating levels of folate and vitamin B 12 to HPV persistence. Oncogenic HPV status was determined at baseline and at ∼3 and 9 months postbaseline. Multivariate logistic
regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted odds ratios for persistent HPV infection associated with each tertile
of individual nutrient among 201 women with a persistent or intermittent HPV infection. Circulating vitamin B 12 levels were inversely associated with HPV persistence ( P for trend, 0.037) after adjusting for age, age at first intercourse, marital status, cigarette smoking status, race, and
body mass index. In addition, women with circulating levels in the highest tertile (>493.2 pg/ml) of vitamin B 12 were less likely to have a persistent infection (adjusted odds ratio = 0.4; 95% confidence interval = 0.17–0.96). No significant
associations were observed between HPV persistence and dietary intake of folate, vitamin B 12 , vitamin B 6 , or methionine from food alone or from food and supplements combined or from circulating folate. These data suggest a role
for circulating vitamin B 12 in early cervical carcinogenesis.
The natural history of type-specific human papillomavirus (HPV) infections was examined in a cohort of 331 women aged 18–35 years who self-referred for routine gynecological care. Participants ...underwent a gynecological examination at baseline and at ∼4 and ∼10 months after baseline. Cervical samples were collected for HPV testing and genotyping at each visit, as was information on reproductive, sexual, and medical histories. The rate of new HPV infections was 2.9% per month; the highest rates were observed for HPV types 16, 39, 84, and 51. Among women who tested negative for HPV at baseline, the cumulative probability of acquiring an oncogenic HPV strain during a 12-month follow-up period was 0.32, compared with 0.18 for nononcogenic strains. Women who had had ⩾1 new male sex partner in the recent past were significantly more likely to acquire a new HPV infection (relative hazard, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–4.76). The median time to clearance of infection was significantly longer for oncogenic strains (9.8 months) than for nononcogenic strains (4.3 months)
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to assess the association between smoking and clearance of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Methods: A prospective cohort study of 346 ...women aged 18-35 years was conducted. HPV testing was conducted with the Hybrid Capture II (HC II) system and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with genotyping using the reverse line blot method. At each visit tobacco exposure, reproductive, and sexual histories were assessed. Probability of clearing an oncogenic HPV infection and duration of oncogenic HPV infections by smoking status was assessed. Results: Regardless of method used, HC II or PCR, ever smokers maintained an HPV infection significantly longer (median duration of 8.5 months vs 10.7 months, never vs ever smokers), and had a lower probability of clearing an oncogenic infection compared with women who never smoked. Smoking duration was significantly associated with HPV clearance, and a dose response was observed. Older age (> 13 years) at smoking initiation was significantly associated with a reduced probability of clearing an oncogenic HPV infection. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate that smoking promotes early cervical carcinogenic events by increasing duration of oncogenic HPV infections and decreasing probability of clearing oncogenic infections.
A convenient bread making method involving prolonged fermentation of no-knead (nonkneaded) dough has become popular in recent years. In the present study, the microbial safety of no-knead dough made ...with a 375:325:5:1 weight ratio of flour, water, salt, and bread yeast was investigated. Three brands of dehydrated yeast were used for this study. The growth of inoculated Salmonella enterica and Staphylococcus aureus in no-knead dough during fermentation was significant (P<0.05), regardless of yeast brand. The multiplication rates of S. enterica in the initial 12 h and S. aureus over the entire 24 h of fermentation were positively correlated with fermentation temperatures of 21 to 38°C (P<0.005; r≥0.996). Mean counts of S. enterica increased by 0.5, 1.5, 1.9, and 2.4 log CFU/g, respectively, after 6, 12, 18, and 24 h of fermentation at 21 °C. The level of S. aureus increased by 0.4, 1.1, 1.7, and 2.2 CFU/g, respectively, after 18 h of fermentation at 21, 27, 32, and 38 °C. Because prolonged fermentation permits substantial growth of infectious and/or toxin-producing foodborne pathogens, the making of slow-rise, no-knead bread may compromise consumer kitchen sanitation and food safety.
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the efficacy of ozone washing appliances for microbial decontamination of tomatoes and green onions. Produce were submerged for light or heavy washing in ozone ...Washer‐A or ‐B (Washer‐B generates higher levels of ozone and agitation) or nonozone Washer‐C. Ozone washings reduced total aerobic mesophile counts on whole tomatoes but not green onions when compared to unwashed samples. Washer‐B at heavy setting reduced coliform numbers on whole tomatoes by 1.9 cfu/g. Furthermore, Washer‐B yielded more than 2.0 log reductions of Escherichia coli (inoculation level at ∼6.3 log cfu/g) on the edible portions of tomatoes than Washer‐A at comparable settings. A follow‐up study using Washer‐B showed that ozone application can significantly reduce E. coli and Salmonella in produce wash water to prevent cross‐contamination. However, when compared to nonozone washing of produce, improved reduction of natural and artificially inoculated microorganisms by ozone applications was not found. Microscopic observation corroborates microbial enumeration showing that removing nonedible portions (stem scars or root bulbs) of washed tomatoes and green onions is beneficial for microbial decontamination.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Contaminated produce is a major cause of bacterial‐related foodborne illnesses in the U.S.A. To meet consumer's demand for safer produce, effective sanitizing methods need to be developed and verified. Data from this study expands our knowledge of ozone‐based kitchen appliances for produce sanitization and their practical value for preventing cross‐contamination during produce washing. Furthermore, the findings highlight the importance of removing stem‐scar and root bulb portions of washed produce for food safety.
Old female
C57
BL
6
mice were infected with LP-BM5 retrovirus which caused murine AIDS with supplementatin. Multiple antioxidants significantly normalized Th1 (IL-2) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6) cells' ...cytokine production
in vitro with restoration of T- and B-cell mitogenesis. It also restored hepatic vitamin E level, which had been reduced by retrovirus infection. To assert whether the amount of retrovirus inoculum would accelerate development of immune dysfunction, some mice were injected with three times the usual infectious dose. There was no significant difference in immune parameters nor was premature death accelerated. Supplementation for 1.5 months begun as murine AIDS was developing, did not significantly prevent dysfunction in cytokine secretion, loss of hepatic vitamin E, nor reduction in T- and B-cell mitogenesis in mice given either infectious dose level.
Background: Epidemiological evidence suggests fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Immune function declines with age as CVD and cancer incidence rises and ...may be related to poor antioxidant status.
Objective: To investigate how fruit and vegetable extracts (Juice Plus™) containing multiple antioxidants and phytonutrients affect immune function in the elderly.
Design: Subjects (
n = 53; aged 60–86 years, mean = 68 years) consumed extracts for 80 days and two blood samples were taken at baseline and then one at days 40 and 80.
Results: Significant increases were found in the serum antioxidants when baseline values were compared with day 80; lutein/zeaxanthin (
p < .005), α-carotene (
p < .0001), β-carotene (
p < .0001), lycopene (
p < .05), and α-tocopherol (
p < .005). Spontaneous proliferation of PBM cells increased significantly (
p < .0001). Natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity significantly increased at effector to target cell ratios of 100:1 (
p < .0001), 50:1 (
p < .0005), and 25:1 (
p < .005). Supernatant from PBM cells stimulated with phytohemaglutinin (PHA; 10 μg/mL) resulted in significant twofold increases in interleukin-2 (IL-2) (
p < .0001). Additionally, statistically significant increases in IL-2 production were observed in smokers (
p < .005).
Conclusions: Fruit and vegetable extract supplementation significantly enhanced multiple measures of immune function in elderly subjects, and improved IL-2 levels in smokers. Fruit and vegetable extract supplementation offers a novel way to improve compliance with current nutritional recommendations and may potentially lower disease risk.
Tissue levels of the antioxidants melatonin (MLT) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) decline with age, and this decline is correlated with immune dysfunction. The aim of the current study is to ...determine whether hormone supplementation with MLT and DHEA together would synergize to reverse immune senescence. Old (16.5 months) female C57BL/6 mice were treated with DHEA, MLT, or DHEA + MLT. As expected, splenocytes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in old mice as compared to young mice. DHEA, MLT, and DHEA + MLT significantly (P < 0.005) increased B cell proliferation in young mice. However, only MLT and DHEA + MLT significantly (P < 0.05) increased B cell proliferation in old mice. DHEA, MLT, and DHEA + MLT help to regulate immune function in aged female C57BL/6 mice by significantly (P < 0.05) increasing Th1 cytokines, IL-2, and IFN-gamma or significantly (P < 0.05) decreasing Th2 cytokines, IL-6, and IL-10, thus regulating cytokine production. DHEA and MLT effectively modulate suppressed Th1 cytokine and elevated Th2 cytokine production; however, their combined use produced only a limited additive effect.
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