Is the HERV-K HML-2 Xq2133, an endogenous retrovirus mutated by gene conversion of chromosome X in a subset of African populations, associated with human breast cancer?

The human endogenous retroviruses HERV-K HML-2 have been considered a possible cause of human breast cancer (BrC). A HERV-K HML-2 fully intact provirus Xq21.33 was recently identified in some West African people. We used PCR technology to search for the Xq21.33 provirus in DNA from Nigerian women with BrC and controls. to see if Xq21.33 plays any role in predisposing to BrC. This provirus was detected in 27 of 216 (12.5%) women with BrC and in 22 of 219 (10.0%) controls. These results were not statistically significant. The prevalence of provirus in premenopausal control women 44 years or younger [18/157 (11.46%)} vs women with BrC [12/117 (10.26%)] showed no statistical difference. The prevalence of virus in postmenopausal control women \u3e 45 yrs. was 7.4% (4/54) vs 15.31% (15/98) in postmenopausal women with BrC. These changes were not statistically significant at \u3c.05, but the actual p value of \u3c.0.079, suggests that Xq21.33 might play some role in predisposing to BrC in postmenopausal women. Provirus was present in Ghanaian women (6/87), in 1/6 Pygmy populations and in African American men (4/45) and women (6/68), but not in any Caucasian women (0/109). Two BrC cell lines (HCC 70 and DT22) from African American women had Xq21.33. Env regions of the virus which differed by 2-3 SNPs did not alter the protein sequence of the virus. SNP at 5730 and 8529 were seen in all persons with provirus, while 54% had an additional SNP at 7596.Two Nigerian women and 2 Ghanaian women had additional unusual SNPs. Homozygosity was seen in (5/27) BrC and (2/22) control women. The genetic variation and homozygosity patterns suggested that there was gene conversion of this X chromosome associated virus. The suggestive finding in this preliminary data of possible increased prevalence of Xq21.33 provirus in post-menopausal Nigerian women with BrC should be clarified by a more statistically powered study sample to see if postmenopausal African and/or African American women carriers of Xq21.33 might show increased risk of BrC. The implication of finding such a link would be the development of antiretroviral drugs that might aid in preventing BrC in Xq21.33+ women

Age-related Smell and Taste Impairments and Vitamin D Associations in the U.S. Adults National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Smell and taste decline with aging, and markedly deteriorate when nutritional deficiencies occur. This study aims to examine the associations between Vitamin D (VD) deficiency and smell and taste impairments among adults. This paper details a cross-sectional study utilizing data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2014.). Smell impairment was assessed by the Pocket Smell Test and defined as failing to correctly identify six or more of the eight odors. Taste impairment was defined as failing to correctly identify quinine or sodium chloride. VD was measured as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin. Multivariable weighted logistic regressions were utilized. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were presented. Overall, 2216 (smell sample) and 2636 (taste sample) participants were included, aged between 40 and 80 years old. Of those, 18.3% had taste impairment, 12.2% had smell impairment, and 20% had VD deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Compared to participants with sufficient VD (>30 ng/mL), those with VD deficiency were more likely by 39% to report a higher prevalence of smell impairment (OR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.02–1.89); and only participants aged 70–80 years with VD inadequacy (20–30 ng/mL) were more likely by 96% to report a higher prevalence of taste impairment (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.35–1.85). VD may have a significant role in age-related smell impairment in adults aged 40 years or older, and in age-related taste impairment in the elderly aged 70–80 years

Acculturaiton, body image, and their interplay with breastfeeding behaviors among Hispanic origin women

Hispanic and Mexican women exhibit comparable breastfeeding behavior, as roughly only one in five and one in seven newborns, respectively are fully breastfed. Both populations undergoing somewhat different cultural shifts that have influenced their general health lifestyle; however, less is known about their breastfeeding behaviors. A systematic review was conducted on the relationship between acculturation and breastfeeding behaviors among Hispanics using five databases. From 1,637 potential studies published through December 2015, we retrieved 16. We found that 50% of the studies employed the unidimensional model, 38% used proxy measures, and the bidimensional and multidimensional models were employed only once (6% each). Overall, 12 studies (75%) indicated a negative general association between higher acculturation and breastfeeding behaviors, and four studies (25%), which were conducted predominantly among Hispanics of Dominican Republic and/or Puerto Rican descent, did not find any significant findings. Further research involving bidimensional and multidimensional models and their association with breastfeeding behaviors are needed to elucidate the complexities inherent in this important link. I also sought to get a ‘snapshot’ of the globalization and urbanization processes currently underway in Mexico and how it is associated with breastfeeding behaviors by examining two distinct aspects of this phenomenon: body image dissatisfaction and Indian origin status. We utilized data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2012. The analytic study sample comprised 11,417 adult females, of these, 92% of initiated breastfeeding and 66% breastfed their last child for at least 6 months. We found that for each one unit of increase in body image dissatisfaction score, the odds of breastfeeding for at least 6 months decreased by eight percent (OR=0.92 95% CI: 0.88-0.97) after adjusting for maternal age, household socio economic status, Indian origin status, education, marital status, employment, parity, methods of delivery, and weight status. Among women of Indian origin the results were significant (OR=0.83 95% CI: 0.75-0.93) compared to non-Indian women (OR=0.95 95% CI: 0.89-1.00). Among obese women the results were significant (OR=0.86 95% CI: 0.80-0.93) compared to overweight women and to normal weight women. Overall, the findings emphasized the relationships between cultural (acculturation) and psychosocial (body image dissatisfaction) factors and their independent association with breastfeeding behaviors in Hispanic and Mexican women. Health promotion program aimed at Hispanics should include cultural elements in its curriculum. Body image concerns should be integrated as well in health promotion, which must be addressed in specific segments of the populations including those of Indian origin and obese women

Is the HERV-K HML-2 Xq21.33, an endogenous retrovirus mutated by gene conversion of chromosome X in a subset of African populations, associated with human breast cancer?

Abstract The human endogenous retroviruses HERV-K HML-2 have been considered a possible cause of human breast cancer (BrC). A HERV-K HML-2 fully intact provirus Xq21.33 was recently identified in some West African people. We used PCR technology to search for the Xq21.33 provirus in DNA from Nigerian women with BrC and controls. to see if Xq21.33 plays any role in predisposing to BrC. This provirus was detected in 27 of 216 (12.5%) women with BrC and in 22 of 219 (10.0%) controls. These results were not statistically significant. The prevalence of provirus in premenopausal control women 44 years or younger [18/157 (11.46%)} vs women with BrC [12/117 (10.26%)] showed no statistical difference. The prevalence of virus in postmenopausal control women > 45 yrs. was 7.4% (4/54) vs 15.31% (15/98) in postmenopausal women with BrC. These changes were not statistically significant at <.05, but the actual p value of <.0.079, suggests that Xq21.33 might play some role in predisposing to BrC in postmenopausal women. Provirus was present in Ghanaian women (6/87), in 1/6 Pygmy populations and in African American men (4/45) and women (6/68), but not in any Caucasian women (0/109). Two BrC cell lines (HCC 70 and DT22) from African American women had Xq21.33. Env regions of the virus which differed by 2–3 SNPs did not alter the protein sequence of the virus. SNP at 5730 and 8529 were seen in all persons with provirus, while 54% had an additional SNP at 7596.Two Nigerian women and 2 Ghanaian women had additional unusual SNPs. Homozygosity was seen in (5/27) BrC and (2/22) control women. The genetic variation and homozygosity patterns suggested that there was gene conversion of this X chromosome associated virus. The suggestive finding in this preliminary data of possible increased prevalence of Xq21.33 provirus in post-menopausal Nigerian women with BrC should be clarified by a more statistically powered study sample to see if postmenopausal African and/or African American women carriers of Xq21.33 might show increased risk of BrC. The implication of finding such a link would be the development of antiretroviral drugs that might aid in preventing BrC in Xq21.33+ women.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173766/1/13027_2020_Article_284.pd