Knowledge and attitude regarding STIs including HIV and RTIs among college adolescent girls in urban Udupi Taluk

Background Adolescents compared to individuals in any other age group are most susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Adolescents are vulnerable to STIs including HIV that account for 31 percent of the AIDS burden in India. Objective To assess knowledge and attitude among adolescent girls regarding STIs including HIV/AIDS and RTIs. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among 17-19 year old college going adolescents studying in degree colleges in the urban area of Udupi taluk. A total of 410 adolescent girls were selected using cluster sampling with proportionate allocation method. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and anonymity was maintained. SPPS version 15 was used to analyze the data. Findings were depicted as percentages and proportions. Results Around 14% of the adolescent girls had comprehensive knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Poor knowledge was reported among adolescent girls regarding STIs/RTIs other than HIV/AIDS. Around 27% had heard of STIs while 15% had knowledge regarding RTIs. Conclusion The study identified lacunae in knowledge regarding STIs/RTIs and misconceptions on HIV transmission. Adolescents need to be educated regarding sexual and reproductive health and also to focus on capacity building of mothers and teachers to improve adolescents’ knowledge and attitude

Percussion hemoglobinuria - a novel term for hand trauma-induced mechanical hemolysis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Extracorpuscular hemolysis caused by mechanical trauma has been well described in relation to lower extremity use, such as in soldiers and runners. Terms such as "march hemoglobinuria", "foot strike hemolysis" and "runners hemoglobinuria" have previously been coined and are easily recalled. Newer cases, however, are being identified in individuals vigorously using their upper extremities, such as drum players who use their hands to strike the instrument. Given the increased recognition of upper extremity-related mechanical hemolysis and hemoglobinuria in drummers, and the use of hand drumming worldwide, we would like introduce a novel term for this condition and call it "percussion hemoglobinuria".</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 24-year-old Caucasian man presented with reddish brown discoloration of his urine after playing the djembe drum. Urine examination after a rigorous practice session revealed blood on the dipstick, and 0 to 2 red blood cells per high power field microscopically. The urine sample was negative for myoglobulin. Other causes of hemolysis and hematuria were excluded and cessation of drum playing resulted in resolution of his symptoms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The association of mechanical trauma-induced hemoglobinuria and playing hand percussion instruments is increasingly being recognized. We, however, feel that the true prevalence is higher than what has been previously recorded in the literature. By coining the term "percussion hemoglobinuria" we hope to raise the awareness of screening for upper extremity trauma-induced mechanical hemolysis in the evaluation of a patient with hemoglobinuria.</p

Expression of High-Affinity IgE Receptor on Human Peripheral Blood Dendritic Cells in Children

BACKGROUND: In a mouse model of viral induced atopic disease, expression of FcεRI on dendritic cells is critical. While adult human conventional (cDC) and plasmacytoid (pDC) dendritic cells have been shown to express FcεRI, it is not known if this receptor is expressed in childhood and how its expression is governed by IgE. METHODS: Following informed consent of subjects (n = 27, aged 12-188 months), peripheral blood was stained for surface expression of CD19, ILT7, CD1c, IgE, FcεRI and analyzed by flow cytometry (cDC: CD19(-) ILT7(-) CD1c(+); pDC: CD19(-) ILT7(+) CD1c(-)). Total and specific serum IgE levels to food and inhalant allergens were determined by ImmunoCAP, and the relationship between FcεRI expression on dendritic cells and sensitization, free IgE, cell bound IgE, and age was determined. RESULTS: Independent of sensitization status, FcεRI expression was noted on cDC and pDC as early as 12 months of age. Serum IgE level correlated with expression of FcεRI on cDC, but not pDC. Based on the concentration of IgE, a complex relationship was found between surface bound IgE and expression of FcεRI on cDC. pDC exhibited a linear relationship of FcεRI expression and bound IgE that was consistent through all IgE concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: In children, FcεRI expression on cDC and pDC is modulated differently by serum and cell bound IgE. IgE governance of FcεRI expression on cDC depends upon a complex relationship. Further studies are needed to determine the functional roles of FcεRI on cDC and pDC

Knowledge and attitude regarding STIs including HIV and RTIs among college adolescent girls in urban Udupi Taluk

Background: Adolescents compared to individuals in any other age group are most susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Adolescents are vulnerable to STIs including HIV that account for 31 percent of the AIDS burden in India. Objective To assess knowledge and attitude among adolescent girls regarding STIs including HIV/AIDS and RTIs. Methods: A cross -sectional study was carried out among 17 -19 year old college going adolescents studying in degree colleges in the urban area of Udupi taluk. A total of 410 adolescent girls were selected using cluster sampling with proportionate allocation method. A pre-tested, self -administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and anonymity was maintained. SPPS version 15 was used to analyze the data. Findings were depicted as percentages and proportions. Results: Around 14% of the adolescent girls had comprehensive knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Poor knowledge was reported among adolescent girls regarding STIs/RTIs other than HIV/AIDS. Around 27% had heard of STIs while 15% had knowledge regarding RTIs. Conclusion: The study identified lacunae in knowledge regarding STIs/RTIs and misconceptions on HIV transmission. Adolescents need to be educated regarding sexual and reproductive health and also to focus on capacity building of mothers and teachers to improve adolescents’ knowledge and attitude

Comparison of Sensitized and Non-Sensitized Children for Dendritic Cell Expression of IgE and FcεRI.

†<p>: Mann-Whitney test.</p><p>IQR: interquartile range, cDC: conventional dendritic cells, pDC: plasmacytoid dendritic cells.</p

Correlation of cDC expression of FcεRI with IgE.

<p>Expression of FcεRI and IgE on the surface of cDC was determined by flow cytometry. (A) Data are presented as fold MFI FcεRI versus fold MFI IgE expression, with non-sensitized subjects (n = 15) in red circles and sensitized subjects (n = 12) in black x's. Note the difference in the slope of the fitted lines (non-sensitized subjects in red dotted line; sensitized subjects in black solid line) above and below a fold MFI IgE of 12, suggesting that there is differential regulation of FcεRI on cDC around this level of cell bound IgE. For all subjects the data was fit with the following cubic equation (blue line): Ln(cDC FcεRI) = 2.26+0.72*ln(cDC IgE)-0.43*ln(cDC IgE)²+0.082*ln(cDC IgE)³); r = 0.86; p = 0.045. For equations based on sensitization status, see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0032556#pone-0032556-t003" target="_blank">Table 3</a>. (B) Expression of cell bound IgE on cDC compared with serum (free) IgE levels. Data are presented as in (A) with fold MFI IgE expression versus serum IgE (kU/L). Note that a cell bound IgE fold MFI of 12 correlates with a serum IgE of around 38 (based on statistical fitting of the curve, this value could range between 34 and 42 kU/L).</p

Expression of FcεRI on pDC does not correlate with serum IgE or age of subject.

<p>Expression of FcεRI on peripheral blood pDC was determined by flow cytometry and compared to subject's age (panel A) and serum IgE level (panel B). Data are presented as in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0032556#pone-0032556-g001" target="_blank">Figure 1</a>.</p