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Do incarcerated male juvenile recidivists differ from first-time offenders on self-reported psychopathic traits? A retrospective study

The current study analyzed the relation between recidivism and self-reported psychopathic traits, more specifically the callous-unemotional, impulsivity, and narcissism dimensions of the psychopathy construct. The Antisocial Process Screening Device – Self-Report (APSD-SR) and other self- report instruments independently measuring the three different dimensions of psychopathy (that is, Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11, Narcissistic Personality-13) were completed by a sample of incarcerated male juvenile offenders (N = 244) who were retrospectively classified as recidivists versus non-recidivists. The only statistically significant relation found between recidivism and self-reported psychopathic traits after controlling for age and socioeconomic status was with the impulsivity dimension of the APSD-SR. Additionally, results showed that recidivism was associated with alcohol use but not with drug use or crime seriousness.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Grant SFRH/BPD/86666/2012) with co-financing of the European Social Fund (POPH/FSE), the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science (MEC), and the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (UID/PSI/01662/2013)

Whom and Where Are We Not Vaccinating? Coverage after the Introduction of a New Conjugate Vaccine against Group A Meningococcus in Niger in 2010

MenAfriVac is a new conjugate vaccine against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A developed for the African “meningitis belt”. In Niger, the first two phases of the MenAfriVac introduction campaign were conducted targeting 3,135,942 individuals aged 1 to 29 years in the regions of Tillabéri, Niamey, and Dosso, in September and December 2010. We evaluated the campaign and determined which sub-populations or areas had low levels of vaccination coverage in the regions of Tillabéri and Niamey. After Phase I, conducted in the Filingué district, we estimated coverage using a 30×15 cluster-sampling survey and nested lot quality assurance (LQA) analysis in the clustered samples to identify which subpopulations (defined by age 1–14/15–29 and sex) had unacceptable vaccination coverage (<70%). After Phase II, we used Clustered Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (CLQAS) to assess if any of eight districts in Niamey and Tillabéri had unacceptable vaccination coverage (<75%) and estimated overall coverage. Estimated vaccination coverage was 77.4% (95%CI: 84.6–70.2) as documented by vaccination cards and 85.5% (95% CI: 79.7–91.2) considering verbal history of vaccination for Phase I; 81.5% (95%CI: 86.1–77.0) by card and 93.4% (95% CI: 91.0–95.9) by verbal history for Phase II. Based on vaccination cards, in Filingué, we identified both the male and female adult (age 15–29) subpopulations as not reaching 70% coverage; and we identified three (one in Tillabéri and two in Niamey) out of eight districts as not reaching 75% coverage confirmed by card. Combined use of LQA and cluster sampling was useful to estimate vaccination coverage and to identify pockets with unacceptable levels of coverage (adult population and three districts). Although overall vaccination coverage was satisfactory, we recommend continuing vaccination in the areas or sub-populations with low coverage and reinforcing the social mobilization of the adult population

Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin and Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin–Conditioned Dendritic Cells Induce Regulatory T-Cell Differentiation and Protection of NOD Mice Against Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Autoimmune diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model results from a breakdown of T-cell tolerance caused by impaired tolerogenic dendritic cell development and regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation. Re-establishment of the Treg pool has been shown to confer T-cell tolerance and protection against diabetes. Here, we have investigated whether murine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) re-established tolerogenic function of dendritic cells and induced differentiation and/or expansion of Tregs in NOD mice and protection against diabetes

Obesity and smoking are factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with bacteraemia

BACKGROUND: Bacteraemia is still a major cause of case fatality in all age groups. Our aim was to identify the major underlying conditions constituting risk factors for case fatality in bacteraemia patients. METHODS: The study involved 149 patients (79 male and 70 female) with bacteraemia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (41 patients), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Str. pneumoniae) (42 patients), β-hemolytic streptococcae (β-hml str.) (23 patients) and Eschericia coli (E. coli) (43 patients). Underlying diseases, alcohol and tobacco consumption and body mass index (BMI) were registered. Laboratory findings and clinical data were registered on admission and 6 consecutive days and on day 10–14. Case fatality was studied within 30 days after positive blood culture. Associations between underlying conditions and case fatality were studied in univariate analysis and in a multivariate model. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (12.8%) died of bacteraemia. We found obesity (p = 0.002, RR 9.8; 95% CI 2.3 to 41.3), smoking (p < 0.001, RR 16.9; 95% CI 2.1 to 133.5), alcohol abuse (p = 0.008, RR 3.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 11.28), COPD (p = 0.01, RR 8.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 37.1) and rheumatoid arthritis (p = 0.045, RR 5.9; 95% CI 1.2 to 28.8) to be significantly associated with case fatality in bacteraemia in univariate model. The median BMI was significantly higher among those who died compared to survivors (33 vs. 26, p = 0.003). Obesity and smoking also remained independent risk factors for case fatality when their effect was studied together in a multivariate model adjusted with the effect of alcohol abuse, age (continuos variable), sex and causative organism. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that obesity and smoking are prominent risk factors for case fatality in bacteraemic patients. Identification of risk factors underlying fatal outcome in bacteraemia may allow targeting of preventive efforts to individuals likely to derive greatest potential benefit

Lack of Knowledge of HIV Status a Major Barrier to HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Efforts in Kenya: Results from a Nationally Representative Study

BACKGROUND: We analyzed HIV testing rates, prevalence of undiagnosed HIV, and predictors of testing in the Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS) 2007. METHODS: KAIS was a nationally representative sero-survey that included demographic and behavioral indicators and testing for HIV, HSV-2, syphilis, and CD4 cell counts in the population aged 15-64 years. We used gender-specific multivariable regression models to identify factors independently associated with HIV testing in sexually active persons. RESULTS: Of 19,840 eligible persons, 80% consented to interviews and blood specimen collection. National HIV prevalence was 7.1% (95% CI 6.5-7.7). Among ever sexually active persons, 27.4% (95% CI 25.6-29.2) of men and 44.2% (95% CI 42.5-46.0) of women reported previous HIV testing. Among HIV-infected persons, 83.6% (95% CI 76.2-91.0) were unaware of their HIV infection. Among sexually active women aged 15-49 years, 48.7% (95% CI 46.8-50.6) had their last HIV test during antenatal care (ANC). In multivariable analyses, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for ever HIV testing in women ≥35 versus 15-19 years was 0.2 (95% CI: 0.1-0.3; p<0.0001). Other independent associations with ever HIV testing included urban residence (AOR 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2-2.0; p = 0.0005, women only), highest wealth index versus the four lower quintiles combined (AOR 1.8, 95% CI: 1.3-2.5; p = 0.0006, men only), and an increasing testing trend with higher levels of education. Missed opportunities for testing were identified during general or pregnancy-specific contacts with health facilities; 89% of adults said they would participate in home-based HIV testing. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of HIV-infected persons in Kenya are unaware of their HIV status, posing a major barrier to HIV prevention, care and treatment efforts. New approaches to HIV testing provision and education, including home-based testing, may increase coverage. Targeted interventions should involve sexually active men, sexually active women without access to ANC, and rural and disadvantaged populations

Patients with chronic three-vessel disease in a 15-year follow-up study: genetic and non-genetic predictors of survival.

Genetic and non-genetic predictors of 15-year survival in patients with chronic three-vessel disease (3VD) were investigated. Coronary angiography was performed on 810 subjects with symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease in 1998. The patients with 3VD were genotyped for 23 candidate polymorphisms covering the PPAR-RXR pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-2, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin-1, cytokine genes, MTHFR and APO E variants. Fifteen-year survival data were obtained from the national insurance registry. All data were available in the case of 150 patients with 3VD. Statistical analysis used stepwise Cox regression with dominant, recessive, or additive mode of genetic expression. Involved variables included age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, ejection fraction, left main stenosis, previously diagnosed coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction in personal history, and coronary bypass along with polymorphisms pre-selected by log-rank tests. Out of the 23 polymorphisms, four were included in the model construction. SNP in the IL-6 gene rs1800795 (-174 G/C) has been found to be a significant predictor of survival. This SNP was in a linkage disequilibrium with rs1800797 (-597 G/A) in the same gene (D=1.0), which was also found to constitute a significant predictor of survival when rs1800795 was not included in the model construction. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low EF, and left main stenosis were also significant predictors in all models. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low ejection fraction, left main stenosis, and genetic variation in the IL-6 promoter were established as significant independent risk factors for the survival of patients with three-vessel disease.Genetic and non-genetic predictors of 15-year survival in patients with chronic three-vessel disease (3VD) were investigated. Coronary angiography was performed on 810 subjects with symptoms of stable ischemic heart disease in 1998. The patients with 3VD were genotyped for 23 candidate polymorphisms covering the PPAR-RXR pathway, matrix metalloproteinase-2, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endothelin-1, cytokine genes, MTHFR and APO E variants. Fifteen-year survival data were obtained from the national insurance registry. All data were available in the case of 150 patients with 3VD. Statistical analysis used stepwise Cox regression with dominant, recessive, or additive mode of genetic expression. Involved variables included age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, diabetes, ejection fraction, left main stenosis, previously diagnosed coronary stenosis, myocardial infarction in personal history, and coronary bypass along with polymorphisms pre-selected by log-rank tests. Out of the 23 polymorphisms, four were included in the model construction. SNP in the IL-6 gene rs1800795 (-174 G/C) has been found to be a significant predictor of survival. This SNP was in a linkage disequilibrium with rs1800797 (-597 G/A) in the same gene (D=1.0), which was also found to constitute a significant predictor of survival when rs1800795 was not included in the model construction. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low EF, and left main stenosis were also significant predictors in all models. Age, increased BMI, diabetes, low ejection fraction, left main stenosis, and genetic variation in the IL-6 promoter were established as significant independent risk factors for the survival of patients with three-vessel disease

MERS coronaviruses from camels in Africa exhibit region-dependent genetic diversity

International audienceMiddle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a zoonotic respiratory disease of global public health concern, and dromedary camels are the only proven source of zoonotic infection. Although MERS-CoV infection is ubiquitous in dromedaries across Africa as well as in the Arabian Peninsula, zoonotic disease appears confined to the Arabian Peninsula. MERS-CoVs from Africa have hitherto been poorly studied. We genetically and phenotypically characterized MERS-CoV from dromedaries sampled in Morocco, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Viruses from Africa (clade C) are phylogenetically distinct from contemporary viruses from the Arabian Peninsula (clades A and B) but remain antigenically similar in microneutralization tests. Viruses from West (Nigeria, Burkina Faso) and North (Morocco) Africa form a subclade, C1, that shares clade-defining genetic signatures including deletions in the accessory gene ORF4b. Compared with human and camel MERS-CoV from Saudi Arabia, virus isolates from Burkina Faso (BF785) and Nigeria (Nig1657) had lower virus replication competence in Calu-3 cells and in ex vivo cultures of human bronchus and lung. BF785 replicated to lower titer in lungs of human DPP4-transduced mice. A reverse genetics-derived recombinant MERS-CoV (EMC) lacking ORF4b elicited higher type I and III IFN responses than the isogenic EMC virus in Calu-3 cells. However, ORF4b deletions may not be the major determinant of the reduced replication competence of BF785 and Nig1657. Genetic and phenotypic differences in West African viruses may be relevant to zoonotic potential. There is an urgent need for studies of MERS-CoV at the animal-human interface