Positive correlation between Merkel cell polyomavirus viral load and capsid-specific antibody titer

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV or MCV) is the first polyomavirus to be clearly implicated as a causal agent underlying a human cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Infection with MCPyV is common in the general population, and a majority of adults shed MCPyV from the surface of their skin. In this study, we quantitated MCPyV DNA in skin swab specimens from healthy volunteers sampled at different anatomical sites over time periods ranging from 3 months to 4 years. The volunteers were also tested using a serological assay that detects antibodies specific for the MCPyV virion. There was a positive correlation between MCPyV virion-specific antibody titers and viral load at all anatomical sites tested (dorsal portion of the hands, forehead, and buttocks) (Spearman’s r 0.644, P < 0.0001). The study results are consistent with previous findings suggesting that the skin is primary site of chronic MCPyV infection in healthy adults and suggest that the magnitude of an individual’s seroresponsiveness against the MCPyV virion generally reflects the overall MCPyV DNA load across wide areas of the skin. In light of previous reports indicating a correlation between MCC and strong MCPyV-specific seroresponsiveness, this model suggests that poorly controlled chronic MCPyV infection might be a risk factor in the development of MCC

Role of DNA methylation in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a heterogenous and complex entity including diverse anatomical sites and a variety of tumor types displaying unique characteristics and different etilogies. Both environmental and genetic factors play a role in the development of the disease, but the underlying mechanism is still far from clear. Previous studies suggest that alterations in the genes acting in cellular signal pathways may contribute to head and neck carcinogenesis. In cancer, DNA methylation patterns display specific aberrations even in the early and precancerous stages and may confer susceptibility to further genetic or epigenetic changes. Silencing of the genes by hypermethylation or induction of oncogenes by promoter hypomethylation are frequent mechanisms in different types of cancer and achieve increasing diagnostic and therapeutic importance since the changes are reversible. Therefore, methylation analysis may provide promising clinical applications, including the development of new biomarkers and prediction of the therapeutic response or prognosis. In this review, we aimed to analyze the available information indicating a role for the epigenetic changes in HNC

Enhancing Dissemination and Implementation Research Using Systems Science Methods

PURPOSE: Dissemination and implementation (D&I) research seeks to understand and overcome barriers to adoption of behavioral interventions that address complex problems; specifically interventions that arise from multiple interacting influences crossing socio-ecological levels. It is often difficult for research to accurately represent and address the complexities of the real world, and traditional methodological approaches are generally inadequate for this task. Systems science methods, expressly designed to study complex systems, can be effectively employed for an improved understanding about dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions. METHODS: Case examples of three systems science methods – system dynamics modeling, agent-based modeling, and network analysis – are used to illustrate how each method can be used to address D&I challenges. RESULTS: The case studies feature relevant behavioral topical areas: chronic disease prevention, community violence prevention, and educational intervention. To emphasize consistency with D&I priorities, the discussion of the value of each method is framed around the elements of the established Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. CONCLUSIONS: Systems science methods can help researchers, public health decision makers and program implementers to understand the complex factors influencing successful D&I of programs in community settings, and to identify D&I challenges imposed by system complexity