HPV Knowledge, Attitudes, and Vaccination Among Hispanic/Latino College Students in the USA

This study evaluated Human Papillomavirus-related knowledge and attitudes, vaccination practices, and explored associated factors among Hispanic/Latino college students in the United States of America. Using a self-administered survey, a descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in 2018 at colleges and universities in the United States of America. Our results indicate that Hispanic/Latino college students had a low level of HPV-related knowledge, a moderately positive attitude, and a moderate rate of HPV vaccination. Students who were in a health-related major, married/divorced, and had health insurance had greater knowledge and more positive attitudes towards HPV and its vaccines. This study is important due to the disproportionate high rate of HPV associated cervical cancers among Hispanic/Latinos when compared to other races and ethnicities. Our findings will inform the development of innovative intervention to promote HPV vaccination uptake across educational institutions

Characterization of the morphometry, germination process, phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacity of seeds of three species of the genus Cylindropuntia (Cactacea) of Chihuahua state

Abstract. Cylindropuntia is a genus of cylindrical cacti found in northern Mexico. This study aimed to describe the fruit and seed morphometry, characterize the germination process, as well as determine the seed phytochemicals in three species of the genus Cylindropuntia from the state of Chihuahua in México: C. imbricata, C. spinosior, and C. leptocaulis. To measure the morphometric parameters, 20 fruits and 20 seeds from each fruit were used for each specie. For the characterization of the germination process, two scarification treatments were applied, and the germination was allowed for 42 days. Different parameters of the germination process were calculated as the germination percentage, mean germination time, germination speed, and mean germination speed. The concentration of reducing sugars, total phenols, tannins, flavonoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP), and protein content were determined from seeds under basal conditions. Results revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) for morphometric parameters in the fruit and seed of the three species examined, showing C. imbricata the highest values in both tissues, followed by those obtained for C. spinosior and C. leptocaulis, respectively. The germination percentage was higher in C. leptocaulis (13.3%), although achieved in a longer mean germination time (27.7 days), facing C. spinosior that presented the lowest values for the germination percentage (3.3%), mean germination time (4.6 days), and germination speed index (0.024 days). Seeds from C. leptocaulis showed the highest values for reducing sugar content (31.82 mg glucose·g −1 of dry weight) and the antioxidant activity determined by DPPH (26.37 mg CE·g−1of dry weight), whereas C. spinosior seeds showed the highest ones for the total phenols content (3.08 mg GAE·g−1 of dry weight) and the antioxidant activity determined by FRAP (11.7 mmol TE·g −1 dry weight). Besides, C. imbricata showed the highest value in the protein content (5.6 mg protein·g −1 ). This study provides the first data on seed phytochemicals and information on the germination process of these three species of Cylindropuntia, showing differences among them in the diverse parameters measured