Human Papillomavirus Infection and Cervical Dysplasia in a Subset of Arab American Women

Background: With limited health data on Arab Americans (AAs), we sought to describe the health-seeking behaviors, prevalence of abnormal cervical cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) serotypes, and the relationship with socioeconomic factors among a subset of AA women. Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study of women undergoing routine cancer screening at the Arab-American Center for Economic and Social Services clinic. Data collected included demographics, tobacco use, gross monthly income, prior Papanicolaou (Pap) smear history, and results of cervical cytology and high-risk HPV testing. Results: Of 430 women, 74 (17%) reported that they had never had a Pap smear. Three hundred eighty-eight (90%) women had cervical cytology interpreted as negative for intraepithelial lesion, the remaining 42 (10%) women had abnormal results. Thirteen (3%) women reported prior abnormal Pap smear, which was significantly associated with additional abnormal Pap smear on multivariable analyses (odds ratio 65.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 17.01-338.62; p \u3c 0.001). One hundred twenty-five (29%) women were tested for high-risk HPV serotypes; 106 (91%) had negative results, 4 (3%) were positive for HPV-16, 7 (6%) were positive for other high-risk serotypes, and 8 results were not recorded. A negative HPV screen was significantly associated with a negative Pap smear (Fisher\u27s exact test p = 0.006). There was no significant association between abnormal cervical cytology and evaluated socioeconomic factors. Conclusions: Additional population based-studies to determine cervical dysplasia/cancer and HPV prevalence in women of Middle Eastern descent are needed

Impact of positive cytology in uterine serous carcinoma: A reassessment

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of peritoneal cytology status among other clinicopathological parameters in uterine serous carcinoma (USC). Methods: A retrospective study of 148 patients diagnosed with uterine serous carcinoma from 1997 to 2016 at two academic medical centers in the Detroit metropolitan area was done. A central gynecologic pathologist reviewed all available slides and confirmed the histologic diagnosis of each case of USC. We assessed the prognostic impact of various clinicopathological parameters on overall survival (OS) and endometrial cancer-specific survival (ECSS). Those parameters included race, body mass index (BMI), stage at diagnosis, tumor size, lymphovascular invasion (LVSI), peritoneal cytology status, receipt of adjuvant treatment, and comorbidity count using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). We used Cox proportional hazards models and 95% confidence intervals for statistical analysis. Results: Positive peritoneal cytology had a statistically significant effect on OS (HR: 2.09, 95% CI: [1.19, 3.68]) and on ECSS (HR: 2.02, 95% CI: [1.06 - 3.82]). LVSI had a statistically significant effect on both OS (HR: 2.27, 95% CI: [1.14, 4.53]) and ECSS (HR: 3.45, 95% CI: [1.49, 7.99]). Black or African American (AA) race was also found to have a significant effect on both OS (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: [1.07, 3.47]) and ECSS (HR: 2.01, 95% CI: [1.02, 3.98]). Other factors including BMI and tumor size \u3e 1 cm did not show a statistically significant impact on OS or ECSS. Conclusions: Peritoneal washings with positive cytology and LVSI are important prognostic tools that may have a significant impact on overall survival in USC and can be used as independent negative prognosticators to help guide adjuvant treatment

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Arab Americans

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have a significant impact on reducing morbidity and mortality from infection. However, vaccine hesitancy remains an obstacle in combating the pandemic. The Arab American (AA) population is understudied; thus, we aimed to explore COVID-19 attitudes within this community. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous online survey was distributed to members of different AA associations and to the community through the snowball method. Results: A total of 1746 participants completed the survey. A total of 92% of respondents reported having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 73% reported willingness to receive a booster, and 72% plan to give their children the vaccine. On multivariate analysis, respondents were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant if they were hesitant about receiving any vaccine in general. They were less likely to be vaccine-hesitant if they were immigrants, over the age of 40, up to date on their general vaccination and if they believed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing an infection. The belief that all vaccines are effective at preventing diseases was also associated with lower hesitancy. Conclusions: This sample of AAs have higher vaccination rates and are more willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 when compared to the rest of the population. However, a reemergence of hesitancy might be arising towards the boosters

Predicting path loss distribution of an area from satellite ımages using deep learning

Path loss prediction is essential for network planning in any wireless communication system. For cellular networks, it is usually achieved through extensive received signal power measurements in the target area. When the 3D model of an area is available, ray tracing simulations can be utilized; however, an important drawback of such an approach is the high computational complexity of the simulations. In this paper, we present a fundamentally different approach for path loss distribution prediction directly from 2D satellite images based on deep convolutional neural networks. While training process is time consuming and completed offline, inference can be done in real time. Another advantage of the proposed approach is that 3D model of the area is not needed during inference since the network simply uses an image captured by an aerial vehicle or satellite as its input. Simulation results show that the path loss distribution can be accurately predicted for different communication frequencies and transmitter heights

Characteristics and distribution of obesity in the Arab-American population of southeastern Michigan

Abstract Background Arab-Americans constitute ~ 5% of Michigan’s population. Estimates of obesity in Arab-Americans are not up-to-date. We aim to describe the distribution of and factors associated with obesity in an Arab-American population in Southeastern Michigan (SE MI). Methods Retrospective medical record review identified n = 2363 Arab-American patients seeking care at an Arab-American serving clinic in SE MI, located in a city which is home to a large proportion of Arab-Americans in the United States (US). Body mass index (BMI) was the primary outcome of interest. Distribution of BMI was described using percentages, and logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association between obesity, other comorbid conditions and health behaviors. This cohort was compared to Michigan’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2018 (n = 9589) and to a cohort seeking care between 2013 and 2019 from a free clinic (FC) located in another city in SE MI (n = 1033). Results Of the 2363 Arab-American patients, those who were older or with HTN, DM or HLD had a higher prevalence of obesity than patients who were younger or without these comorbidities (all p-value < 0.001). Patients with HTN were 3 times as likely to be obese than those without HTN (95% CI: 2.41–3.93; p < 0.001). Similarly, the odds of being obese were 2.5 times higher if the patient was diabetic (95% CI: 1.92–3.16; p < 0.001) and 2.2 times higher if the patient had HLD (95% CI: 1.75–2.83; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in obesity rates between Arab-Americans (31%) and the BRFSS population (32.6%). Compared to Arab-Americans, patients seen at the FC had a higher obesity rate (52.6%; p < 0.001) as well as significantly higher rates of HTN, DM and HLD (all p < 0.001). Conclusion Overall obesity rates in Arab-Americans were comparable to the population-based BRFSS rates, and lower than the patients seen at the FC. Further studies are required to understand the impact of obesity and the association of comorbidities in Arab-Americans.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173488/1/12889_2020_Article_9782.pd

Assessing Metallic Pollution Using Taxonomic Diversity of Offshore Meiobenthic Copepods

The Gulf of Gabès, located on the south-east Tunisian coast, is an important maritime area, with great influence on the local economy and human welfare. The aim of the current study was to assess the response of meiobenthic copepod populations from this gulf to anthropogenic disturbances. Nine sampling sites, situated along the shores of the gulf were surveyed seasonally from winter of 2004 to autumn of 2005. Interestingly, this biotope has one of the highest semi-diurnal tides in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the fact that the data being presented here are not that new, such a high maximum amplitude of tides reaching 2 m makes any information available on animals with diurnal dispersal cycles such as copepods extremely precious. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge on these crustaceans is obvious and lags behind that of numerous other meiobenthic taxa and planktonic calanoids. Actually, most publications do not reach the species level and are limited to determining densities. This is mainly due to the modest size of harpacticoids, and the lack of qualified taxonomic experts and global taxonomic databases. Sediment samples were analyzed for fluorine, carbohydrates and trace metals (i.e., Fe, Zn and Cd) content. A pollution index, based on the eigenvalues of the main ordination axis of a Principal Component Analysis, was applied. The highest values of chemicals were detected at the sites situated near an industrial complex, along with significant variations among seasons. The copepod community comprised 38 species, including five species new to science. Species richness, density and biomass of copepod communities varied among sites and seasons. These community-based indices were also analyzed separately for each season with conditional autoregressive models, revealing a significant negative response with the level of pollution. However, the results of partial Mantel tests showed positive correlations between species richness and pollution level, after controlling for the effect of geographic proximity in-between pairs of sites (winter: r = 0.927, p p p p < 0.0001). The overall pattern was that nearby sites were characterized by similar pollution levels and inhabited by similar species of copepods. Moreover, the copepod communities were significantly influenced by pollutants, mainly by trace metals. The results of the current survey emphasize the usefulness of meiobenthic copepods in biomonitoring programs not only for the gulf of Gabès, but also for other coastal areas from the Mediterranean Sea region

Synthesis of 2-amino-5-methylpyridinium tetrachloridocadmate(II) (C6H9N2)2[CdCl4]: Structure, DFT-calculated descriptors and molecular docking study

In this research paper, (C6H9N2)2[CdCl4], was effectively synthesized using the slow solvent evaporation procedure. Single crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD) analysis revealed that the compound crystallizes in the triclinic system, specifically in the space group P 1¯. Powder XRD (PXRD) of the bulk material showed some minor impurities. The atomic arrangement of the title structure comprises discrete tetrahedral groups [CdCl4]2− linked to the organic entities through weak N(C)H…Cl hydrogen bonds. Solid-state contacts were further studied through Hirshfeld surface analyses, complemented by 2D fingerprint plots. Computational results, obtained using the B3LYP tool with 6-311++G(d,p) + LANL2DZ mixed basis set, demonstrated consistent geometrical, vibrational, and electronic features to the experimental data. Non-covalent interactions were explored in depth using Atoms-In-Molecule (AIM) and Reduced Density Gradient (RDG) analyses. Thermogravimetry (TG) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed melting at 378 K and decomposition at around 540 K. Furthermore, the inhibition activity of the examined compound was explored in-silico through molecular docking studies targeting the inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) enzymes

COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among Arab Americans

(1) Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) vaccines have a significant impact on reducing morbidity and mortality from infection. However, vaccine hesitancy remains an obstacle in combating the pandemic. The Arab American (AA) population is understudied; thus, we aimed to explore COVID-19 attitudes within this community. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An anonymous online survey was distributed to members of different AA associations and to the community through the snowball method. (3) Results: A total of 1746 participants completed the survey. A total of 92% of respondents reported having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 73% reported willingness to receive a booster, and 72% plan to give their children the vaccine. On multivariate analysis, respondents were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant if they were hesitant about receiving any vaccine in general. They were less likely to be vaccine-hesitant if they were immigrants, over the age of 40, up to date on their general vaccination and if they believed that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in preventing an infection. The belief that all vaccines are effective at preventing diseases was also associated with lower hesitancy. (4) Conclusions: This sample of AAs have higher vaccination rates and are more willing to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 when compared to the rest of the population. However, a reemergence of hesitancy might be arising towards the boosters

Physicochemical Analysis and Wound Healing Activity of <i>Azadirachta indica</i> (A. Juss) Fruits

(1) Background: The neem tree, Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), is a well-known species used in traditional medicine for the treatment of skin conditions such as irritation, eczema, burns, and wounds. The objective of the current study was to investigate the physicochemical and wound-healing properties of A. indica fruits. (2) Methods: Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine the content of fatty acids and phytosterols, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the tocopherol content. The wound-healing activity was observed on the backs of six adult male rabbits. (3) Results: The results showed that the plant contained fatty acids, as well as oleic (46.05%), palmitic (23.94%), linoleic (11.39%), and stearic (7.87%) acids. The phytosterols were three major compounds; in decreasing order of importance, they were β-sitosterol (97.26 mg/100 g), campesterol (18.94 mg/100 g), and stigmasterol (12.05 mg/100 g). There were also traces of cholesterol. The neem was a moderate source of vitamin E (α-tocopherol, 14.86 mg/100 g). The hexane extracts showed no acute toxicity and low eye and skin irritability and had reasonable safety and important wound-healing activity. (4) Conclusions: The results confirmed that A. indica is a valuable source of fatty acids, phytosterols, and vitamin E and is efficient in the process of wound healing