Index Of Positivity Research Articles

Duration of protection of ancestral-strain monovalent vaccines and effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 boosters against COVID-19 hospitalisation in England: a test-negative case-control study

Bivalent BA.1 booster vaccines were offered to adults aged 50 years or older and clinically vulnerable people as part of the 2022 autumn COVID-19 booster vaccination programme in England. Previously, all adults in England had been offered a primary course consisting of two doses of either ChAdOx1-S or monovalent mRNA vaccine and an mRNA monovalent booster vaccine. We aimed to estimate the long-term duration of protection provided by monovalent COVID-19 vaccines, and the incremental vaccine effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 boosters. In this test-negative case-control study, cases of COVID-19 and controls aged 18 years or older were identified from national data for PCR tests done in hospital settings in England. Our analysis was restricted to people with acute respiratory infections coded in the primary diagnosis field. Data for vaccination status were extracted from the English national vaccine register and linked to COVID-19 testing data. Between June 13 and Dec 25, 2022, we estimated the vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation of two or three or more doses of monovalent COVID-19 vaccines compared with being unvaccinated, stratified by age (18-64 years vs ≥65 years). Between Sept 5, 2022, and Feb 5, 2023, we estimated the incremental vaccine effectiveness (ie, in addition to the protection from earlier vaccines) of receiving a bivalent BA.1 booster vaccine in addition to at least two doses of a monovalent vaccine (when the last dose was at least 6 months ago) among people aged 50 years or older. Analyses were adjusted for week of test, gender, age, COVID-19 risk group, residing in a care home, being a health or social care worker, Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile, ethnicity, and recent COVID-19 positivity. Our analysis of monovalent COVID-19 vaccines included 19 841 cases and 43 410 controls. Absolute vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation among people who had received at least three doses plateaued from 6 months after the last dose at around 50% in those aged 65 years or older and at around 30% in those aged 18-64 years. Our analyses of the effectiveness of bivalent BA.1 boosters included data for 9954 cases and 39 108 controls aged 50 years or older. Incremental vaccine effectiveness peaked at 53·0% (95% CI 47·9-57·5) 2-4 weeks after administration, before waning to 35·9% (31·4-40·1) after 10 or more weeks. Our study provides evidence that monovalent COVID-19 vaccines offer moderate long-term protection against hospitalisation in people aged 65 years or older and that the bivalent BA.1 booster vaccines were effective in preventing hospitalisation among people aged 50 years or older at a time when omicron lineages were circulating in England. None.

CAN KI-67 PREDICT MALIGNANT AND PRE-MALIGNANT ORAL LESION? : AN EXPERIENCE IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN THE CENTRAL INDIA.

Background: Oral cancer ranks the sixth commonest cancer worldwide and the third most common cancer in India. Ki67 index has been suggested to play an important role in early diagnosis and prognosis of potentially malignant disorders. This study aims to understand prognostic role of Ki 67 expression in different categories of oral mucosal neoplastic lesions in Central India, where tobacco chewing is endemic. This could help in early categorization and effective management of patients. Aims: To study the Ki67 expression in terms of Index of Positivity and Intensity score in oral mucosal neoplastic lesions. Setting and Design: Department of Pathology, Tertiary Care Hospital Observational & Prospective study Methods & Material: The expression of Ki-67was studied in parafn- embedded tissue sections of histopathology proven pre- malignant and malignant lesions of oral cavity in ninety four cases. Results: Association of Ki67 Expression Intensity score with the type of lesion was found to be signicant in premalignant and malignant lesions predominantly (p= <0.001).Similarly, Ki67 Index of positivity score was highly statistically signicant (p= <0.001) in association with the type of lesion. Conclusions: the expression of Ki-67 correlates well with the disease progression from dysplasia to carcinoma of the oral cavity. It is therefore a marker of malignant transformation and carcinogenesis in oral premalignant lesions and in future it may serve as a prognostic tool in the early detection of malignancy

Features of adaptation of fifth graders at school

The article is devoted to the discussion of topical theoretical aspects of the problem of adaptation of fifth graders, the features of their development and the process of adaptation, diagnostics, and analysis of methods aimed at studying anxiety, self-esteem, state in the lesson. By creating adaptive situations, the school is the bearer of the richest social experience, including the adaptation of the student to the content and form of education. The analysis showed that the main task of the educational institution is to create conditions for the successful adaptation of students, which is the key to high-quality education of the individuals, their further improvement and self-development. For each stage of the research (theoretical, empirical, interpretative), its own group of methods is defined: theoretical: collection of information, generalization, systematization, analysis of scientific literature; empirical: ascertaining research, testing, questioning; psycho-diagnostic: testing according to the method of diagnosing the level of school anxiety by B.N. Phillips, questioning according to the method of studying the emotional state of students “Subject-feelings” by T.E. Kovina, A.K. Kolichenko and I.N. Agafonova, testing by the method of diagnostics of general self-esteem G.N. Kazantseva. A sample of 120 fifth grade students of the Municipal Autonomous Educational Institution Secondary School No. 138, Chelyabinsk, was formed. It was revealed that increased levels of anxiety are observed to a small extent, the majority of fifth-graders do not experience mental discomfort and anxiety, they are balanced and emotionally stable. The average value of the index of emotional positivity of fifth graders during class attendance is observed in 74 %, which indicates their satisfaction in most subjects, a fairly comfortable internal climate in the classroom. In general, the process of adaptation of fifth graders in the middle level can be considered satisfactory, but there are students who have low emotional positivity to learning – 26 % and low self-esteem – 19 %. The recommendations compiled based on the results of the study can contribute to the effective adaptation of fifth graders to study in a general education organization and can be useful to both parents and all subjects of educational relations.

Сравнительная фармакологическая активность меглюмина акридонацетата и лизин акридонацетата при курсовом внутримышечном введении мышам на модели острой хламидийной инфекции

According to the World Health Organization, as of 2020, annual infection with C. trachomatis, as register, 129 million people, with the highest incidence observed in group under the age of 25 years. Objective. The study of the pharmacological activity of meglumine acridone acetate and lysine acridone acetate, in the form of a solution for intramuscular administration, in a model of acute chlamydial infection with C. trachomatis in mice. Materials and methods. The studies were performed on 80 mice (male and female) of the DBA/2 line. Modeling of acute chlamydia in mice was carried out by intravenous administration of a live culture of C. trachomatis serovar D. A course (10 days) intramuscular administration of meglumine acridone acetate and lysine acridone acetate began on the 10th day of the experiment. Results. The study found that the administration of meglumine acridone acetate and lysine acridone acetate at doses of 46.4 mg/kg for 10 days in the acute phase of infection caused by C. trachomatis leads to positive dynamics in the clinical picture of the infectious process, weight gain in animals, and a decrease in the number of PCR-positive animals, the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-6 and the values of the index of positivity of antibodies to C. trachomatis – IgM. Conclusion. The data obtained indicate the effectiveness of the use of meglumine acridone acetate and lysine acridone acetate in the treatment of infections caused by C. trachomatis. Key words: meglumine acridonacetate, lysine acridonacetate, acute chlamydial infection

Triglyceride glucose index and Atherogenic index ofplasma for predicting colorectal neoplasms in patients without cardiovascular diseases.

Colorectal neoplasms (CRN) include colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA). The relationship between CRN and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index or between CRN and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is unclear. This study aims to investigate the roles of TyG index and AIP in predicting CRN in people without cardiovascular disease (CVD). 2409 patients without CVD underwent colonoscopy were enrolled. Clinical information and relevant laboratory test results of these patients were collected and recorded. According to endoscopic and pathological results, all participants were divided into a neoplasms group and a non-neoplasms group. The TyG index was calculated as ln (TGs×FPG/2), while AIP was calculated as log (TGs/HDL-C). We used uni- and multivariate logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) to analyze the association between the TyG inedx, AIP and CRN, develop predictive models and construct the nomograms. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to evaluate the predictive value for CRN. Participants in the neoplasms group were more likely to be older, have higher TyG index, higher AIP and higher rates of fecal occult blood test positivity, and were more likely to be male, smokers and those with the family history of CRC (P < 0.05). The higher TyG index was related to the higher risk of CRN [OR (95% CI): 1.23 (1.08 - 1.41), P = 0.003]. The higher AIP was related to the higher risk of CRN [OR (95% CI): 1.55 (1.16 - 2.06), P = 0.003]. These two indicators are better for predicting CRN in women than men. The combined use of the TyG index and other independent risk factors (age, sex, smoking status, family history and FOBT) to distinguish CRN was effective, with a sensitivity of 61.0%, a specificity of 65.1% and an AUC of 0.669 (95%CI, 0.639 - 0.698). Likewise, the combined use of the AIP and other independent risk factors to distinguish CRN was also effective, the model had an overall 56.3% sensitivity and 68.7% specificity with an AUC of 0.667 (95%CI, 0.638 - 0.697). This study showed that the TyG index and the AIP might be biomarkers that could be used to predict the risk of CRN in patients without CVD.

Sentiment Analysis of Italian and English Corpora of Internet News: A Comparison with Some Economic Trends

In this article, the sentiment analysis of several large Internet corpora made of Italian and English news is performed using a software written by the author, showing a possible connection with some economic trends. In this research, the news includes different topics (not necessarily financial news), and they are extrapolated from a large number of Internet newspapers. The software, already used in a previous article by the same author, is lexicon-based and makes use of scale points ranging from 0 to 100 to calculate an index of positivity in a text. The variation of sentiment tendency in the news corpora, calculated for a time period of several years, is later compared with some graphs showing some parameters of some economic trends, including the gross domestic product (GDP). It is found that the sentiment tendency of the news seems to have a relationship with the tendency of some economic trends that span the same time period. Positive growth of the economy per year seems connected with a positive variation in the index of positivity. Inversely, for a negative trend in the economy, the variation in the index of positivity is also negative. The article shows that, for various news topics, sentiment analysis can be useful to better understand some economic trends. For financial news, many studies show the possibility of predicting GDP growth through sentiment analysis. In this article, it is hypothesized that a prediction based on large news corpora including various topics could also be possible.

A Survey of Some Italian Literature Works using Sentiment Analysis

The article describes the use of software, written by the author, to analyze some Italian literature works from the last century by using sentiment analysis. The software is lexicon-based, with a sentiment Italian dictionary including about 30,000 positive and negative words. To set the sentiment of each word, a scale of points ranging from 0 to 100 was introduced. To check the overall sentiment in literary works, the software makes use of a new parameter, the index of positivity. It is found that sentiment analysis is an efficient way to detect the tendency of opinions (positive or negative) in literature works. The results of this analysis coincide with the critics on the classification of authors’ tendencies. The index of positivity could be useful also for bookstores: the customers, checking the index, would expect in advance, which is the overall tendency in a literary work. In this case, it would be easier to select a certain kind of work, according to the taste or the wish of customers.

Humoral Immunity and Adverse Events after Vaccination Against COVID-19 By a Vector Based Vaccine Sputnik V in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Humoral Immunity and Adverse Events after Vaccination Against COVID-19 By a Vector Based Vaccine Sputnik V in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

The Study of Humoral Immunity in Healthсare Workers Exposed to COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Today, the novel coronavirus disease (hereinafter referred to as COVID-19) is spreading very quickly, and the healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 patients represent the most vulnerable occupational cohort at risk of this contagious disease. Issues of immunological protection and health monitoring in medical personnel are of special interest and importance during the pandemic. The objective of our study was to assess humoral immunity in healthcare professionals by the presence of class G (IgG) antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We selected 345 healthcare workers of different specialties who might have been exposed to COVID-19 patients in hospitals and 72 age- and sex-matched controls (engineers, IT-personnel, and accountants) working elsewhere. Blood immunoglobulins G to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 were tested by enzyme immunoassay using the commercial test kit produced by the Scientific Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Russian Federation. The presence of IgG antibodies was established by the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response index (index of positivity) calculated as the ratio of the optical density of the sample to the cut-off level of the assay. Results: The average IgG antibody response index value was significantly higher in the healthcare workers compared to the controls (p &lt; 0.05). IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were more prevalent in nurses than in physicians (42.2 ± 3.6 % vs 31.0 ± 3.7 %, p &lt; 0.05) and controls (42.2 ± 3.6 % vs 27.8 ± 5.3 %, p &lt; 0.05) and their index values were higher than in the comparison group (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of diagnostically important SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response and higher index values in nurses possibly related to prolonged contacts with COVID-19 patients. IgG antibodies found in 37.1 ± 2.6 % of the healthcare workers may be a consequence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic diseases and requires further study. According to the generally accepted opinion about the mechanisms of immune response to viral infections, we could assume the presence of protective immunity against COVID-19, but this issue requires further investigation. In the current epidemic situation, however, detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be used for implementation of preventive strategies among healthcare workers.

Infestation of an endemic arbovirus area by sympatric populations of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Brazil.

BACKGROUND Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are the most important arbovirus vectors in the world.OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate and compare the infestation pattern of these species in a neighbourhood of Recife, Brazil, endemic for arboviruses in 2005 (T1) and 2013 (T2).METHODS Infestation, distribution and relative abundance of these sympatric species were recorded by egg collection using a network of 59 sentinel ovitraps (s-ovt) at fixed sampling stations for 12 months in T1 and T2.FINDINGS A permanent occupation pattern was detected which was characterised by the presence of egg-laying females of one or both species with a high ovitrap positivity index (94.3 to 100%) throughout both years analysed. In terms of abundance, the total of eggs collected was lower (p < 0.005) in T2 (146,153) than in T1 (281,103), although ovitraps still displayed a high index of positivity. The spatial distribution showed the presence of both species in 65.1% of the 148 s-ovt assessed, while a smaller number of traps exclusively contained Ae. aegypti (22%) or Ae. albopictus (13.2%) eggs.MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our comparative analysis demonstrated the robustness of the spatial occupation and permanence of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus populations in this endemic urban area.

Immunoexpression of Ki-67 and Cyclooxygenase-2 in Odontogenic Keratocyst and Dentigerous Cyst: A Comparative Study

Aims: To evaluate the expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) and dentigerous cyst and correlate it with Ki-67 expression in these lesions.Material and Methods: This study was carried out on 32 paraffin embedded specimens of dentigerous cyst and OKC. 16 samples obtained from healthy mucosa served as controls. Slides prepared from paraffin-embedded sections were immunohistochemically stained for Ki-67 and COX-2 and immunoreactivity of the two markers was evaluated using index of positivity and staining intensity. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney and Spearman’s correlation tests.Results: Ki-67 and COX-2 expression in OKC and dentigerous cyst was found to be significantly higher than those observed in healthy mucosa groups (p < 0.05). The expression of the two markers was significantly higher in OKC than in dentigerous cyst. A positive correlation was found between the two markers in both lesions.Conclusions: Increased expression of Ki-67 and COX- 2 in OKC is an indicator of the high mitotic activity of these lesions compared with dentigerous cyst. COX-2 is implicated in odontogenic epithelial proliferation in OKC and dentigerous cyst.

Trend analysis of the quality indicators for the Brazilian cervical cancer screening programme by region and state from 2006 to 2013

BackgroundQuality indicators for the Brazilian cervical cancer screening programme can provide a perspective on its effectiveness in Brazilian macro-regions and states. The aim of this study was to perform a trend analysis of the cervical cancer screening program’s quality indicators, according to Brazilian regions and states, from 2006 to 2013.MethodsUsing information from approximately 62,000,000 exams obtained from the Information System of Cervical Cancer Screening (SISCOLO), joinpoint analysis was used to calculate the Annual Percentage Change (APC).ResultsThe estimated number of women in the target age group (25–64 years) who underwent Pap testing over a three-year interval was lower than that recommended by international guidelines in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions, and the trends for this indicator remained stationary over the years in all regions of Brazil. Overall, the index of positivity in Brazilian regions and states is below that preconized by the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA). Additionally, the frequencies of unsatisfactory cases are in line with international guidelines but above those preconized by INCA guidelines. All positive cytological diagnoses were lower than those preconized by INCA.ConclusionsThe results show that the cervical cancer screening programme is still far from efficient because most of the quality indicators in Brazilian regions and states are outside of the parameters preconized by national and international organizations.

Aberrant expression of CD10 and BCL6 in mantle cell lymphoma.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is characterized by distinctive histological and molecular features. Aberrant expression of BCL6 and CD10 has been reported occasionally, but the biological features of such cases are largely unknown. This study aimed to define the epidemiological, histological and cytogenetic characteristics of BCL6 and CD10-positive MCLs, also investigating possible biological features. A total of 165 cases of cyclin D1 and t(11;14)(q13;q34)-positive MCLs were studied for CD10 and BCL6 immunohistochemical expression, which was documented in 26 of 165 (15.8%) cases (BCL6 17 of 165; CD10 11 of 165; BCL6 and CD10 co-expression two of 165). CD10-positivity was significantly more frequent in females (63.3%; P < 0.01). Either expression correlated significantly with higher mean proliferation index and higher prevalence of MUM1 positivity (P < 0.05). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) for BCL6 (3q27) gene derangements was performed on the BCL6- and CD10-positive cases and 98 matched controls: amplifications were documented more frequently in BCL6-positive than -negative cases (50.0% versus 19.4% of cases) (P < 0.05). The mutational status of the variable immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IGVH) was investigated by Sanger sequencing: five of the six successfully tested cases (83.3%) showed no somatic hypermutations. Aberrant CD10 and BCL6 expression defines a subset of MCLs with higher mean Ki-67 index and higher prevalence of MUM1 expression. BCL6 protein positivity correlates with cytogenetic aberrations involving the BCL6 gene. Although examined successfully in few cases, the high prevalence of unmutated IGVH genes also points at a pregerminal cell origin for these phenotypically aberrant cases.

Mammaglobin and DOG-1 expression in polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma: an appraisal of its origin and morphology.

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) remains a diagnostic challenge for most pathologists due to its large spectrum of histological patterns. In this study, the expression of two new markers recently described for salivary gland tumors was studied in PLGA. The morphology of 33 cases of PLGA was carefully evaluated using hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained sections and confirmed by immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 7, vimentin, and S-100. Periodic acid-Schiff with diastase digestion was also used. The expression of mammaglobin and DOG-1 was carried out using the EnVision System. Mammaglobin was assessed according to the percentage of positively stained tumor cells, while DOG-1 was evaluated according to its presence and site. For MCM-2 and Ki-67, markers of proliferation, the labeling index of cell nuclei positivity was evaluated using total cell number. The ETV6-NTRK3 fusion was examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. The histological patterns of the tumor were classified as lobular or non-lobular. For the non-lobular pattern, tubular, cribriform, glomeruliform, trabecular, and papillary patterns were observed. Mammaglobin was present in all PLGA cases, and its expression was stronger (P = 0.01) in the lobular than in the non-lobular pattern. The expression of DOG-1 was present in the apical portion and cytoplasm of the cells. Proliferation markers were low for all cases independent of histological pattern. Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma has been confirmed to originate from the intercalated duct and to feature high expression of mammaglobin in its lobular pattern resembling that of mammary secretory analogue carcinoma, except for the ETV6 gene rearrangement.

Algebraically positive matrices

We introduce the concept of algebraically positive matrices and investigate some basic properties, including a characterization, the index of algebraic positivity, and sign patterns that allow or require this property. We also pose two open problems.

Historical Analysis of the Brazilian Cervical Cancer Screening Program from 2006 to 2013: A Time for Reflection.

BackgroundThe Cervical Cancer Database of the Brazilian National Health Service (SISCOLO) contains information regarding all cervical cytological tests and, if properly explored, can be used as a tool for monitoring and managing the cervical cancer screening program. The aim of this study was to perform a historical analysis of the cervical cancer screening program in Brazil from 2006 to 2013.Material and MethodsThe data necessary to calculate quality indicators were obtained from the SISCOLO, a Brazilian health system tool. Joinpoint analysis was used to calculate the annual percentage change.ResultsWe observed important trends showing decreased rates of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and an increased rate of rejected exams from 2009 to 2013. The index of positivity was maintained at levels below those indicated by international standards; very low frequencies of unsatisfactory cases were observed over the study period, which partially contradicts the low rate of positive cases. The number of positive cytological diagnoses was below that expected, considering that developed countries with low frequencies of cervical cancer detect more lesions annually.ConclusionsThe evolution of indicators from 2006 to 2013 suggests that actions must be taken to improve the effectiveness of cervical cancer control in Brazil.

Association between imaging findings and microbiological findings for image‑guided biopsies for spine infections.

In the evaluation of spondylodiscitis, a number of factors are thought to contribute to the positive‑predictive‑value of spine biopsy including biopsy technique and equipment, number of sample obtained, timing of antibiotics, imaging findings and lab values. The purpose of this study was to examine which technical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), laboratory and clinical findings are most frequently associated with positive cultures or histopathology among patients receiving spine biopsies with a focus on the association of imaging findings and positive cultures/histopathology. Following International Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of spine biopsies performed at our institution over a 28-month period in patients who received spine biopsies for radiographically and clinically suspicious spondylodiscitis. All patients underwent MRI prior to biopsy. Patient charts were reviewed for the following data: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C‑reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell level at the time of biopsy, prior back surgeries, timing of last dose of antibiotics prior to biopsy, and length of antibiotic therapy prior to biopsy. We also reviewed procedure notes from the biopsy and collected the following data: technique (transpedicular versus parapedicular), equipment used, type of imaging guidance (CT versus fluoroscopy) and number of samples obtained. MRI studies were evaluated by two radiologists and rated on an ordinal 1-4 scale based on increasing suspicion for spondylodiscitis (1 lowest, 4 highest). All categorical variables were compared using chi‑squared tests. All continuous variables were compared using Student's t‑tests. Seventy‑seven patients are included in this study. Overall, 62% (48/77) were positive for infection on pathological and/or microbiological studies. There was a significant association between radiological index of suspicion and biopsy positivity as 0% (0/3) with index of 1, 31% (4/13) with an index of 2, 59% (10/17) with an index of 3 and 83% (30/36) with an index of 4 had positive pathology (P=0.001). Biopsy approach, type of imaging guidance, CBC, and number of passes were not associated with biopsy positivity. Elevated CRP was associated with biopsy positivity (P=0.002) while elevated ESR was not (P=0.12). On multivariate analysis adjusting for the MRI scale, ESR and CRP, increasing degree of suspicion on MRI was independently associated with biopsy positivity (P<0.01) while CRP and ESR were not independently associated with biopsy positivity. In this study of 77 patients receiving spinal biopsy for diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, a high index of suspicion based on MRI imaging was strongly associated with positive biopsy samples on culture and/or histopathology. In addition, imaging findings were independently associated with positive biopsy findings while elevated CRP and ESR were not. These findings suggest that MRI findings should be used to guide practitioners in their pursuit of a causative organism among patients with suspected discitis‑osteomyelitis.

Critical Analyses of the Introduction of Liquid-Based Cytology in a Public Health Service of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the current conventional Pap smear with liquid-based cytology (LBC) preparations. Study Design: Women routinely undergoing their cytopathological and histopathological examinations at Fundação Oncocentro de São Paulo (FOSP) were recruited for LBC. Conventional smears were analyzed from women from other areas of the State of São Paulo with similar sociodemographic characteristics. Results: A total of 218,594 cases were analyzed, consisting of 206,999 conventional smears and 11,595 LBC. Among the conventional smears, 3.0% were of unsatisfactory preparation; conversely, unsatisfactory LBC preparations accounted for 0.3%. The ASC-H (atypical squamous cells - cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) frequency did not demonstrate any differences between the two methods. In contrast, the incidence of ASC-US (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance) was almost twice as frequent between LBC and conventional smears, at 2.9 versus 1.6%, respectively. An equal percentage of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were observed for the two methods, but not for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, which were more significantly observed in LBC preparations than in conventional smears (2.2 vs. 0.7%). The index of positivity was importantly enhanced from 3.0% (conventional smears) to 5.7% (LBC). Conclusions: LBC performed better than conventional smears, and we are truly confident that LBC can improve public health strategies aimed at reducing cervical lesions through prevention programs.

Social resource correlates of levels and time-to-death-related changes in late-life affect.

Little is known regarding how well psychosocial resources that promote well-being continue to correlate with affect into very late life. We examined social resource correlates of levels and time-to-death related changes in affect balance (an index of affective positivity) over 19 years among 1,297 by now deceased participants (aged 69 to 103 at first assessment, M = 80 years; 36% women) from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging. A steeper decline in affect balance was evident over a time-to-death metric compared with chronological age. Separating time-varying social resource predictors into between- and within-person components revealed several associations with level of affect balance, controlling for age at death, gender, functional disability, and global cognition. Between-person associations revealed that individuals who were more satisfied with family, and more socially active, expressed greater positivity compared with those who were less satisfied, and less socially active. Within-person associations indicated that participants reported higher positivity on occasions when they were more socially active. In addition, lower affect balance was associated with more frequent contact with children. Our results suggest that social engagement and satisfying relationships confer benefits for affective well-being that are retained into late life. However, our findings do not provide evidence to indicate that social resources protect against terminal decline in well-being.

Effects of latent toxoplasmosis on autoimmune thyroid diseases in pregnancy.

BackgroundToxoplasmosis, one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide, can induce various hormonal and behavioural alterations in infected hosts, and its most common form, latent toxoplasmosis, influences the course of pregnancy. Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) belong to the well-defined risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a link between latent toxoplasmosis and maternal AITD in pregnancy.MethodsCross-sectional study in 1248 consecutive pregnant women in the 9–12th gestational weeks. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and free thyroxine (FT4) were assessed by chemiluminescence; the Toxoplasma status was detected by the complement fixation test (CFT) and anti-Toxoplasma IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsOverall, 22.5% of the women were positive for latent toxoplasmosis and 14.7% were screened positive for AITD. Women with latent toxoplasmosis had more often highly elevated TPOAb than the Toxoplasma-negative ones (p = 0.004), and latent toxoplasmosis was associated with decrease in serum TSH levels (p = 0.049). Moreover, we found a positive correlation between FT4 and the index of positivity for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies (p = 0.033), which was even stronger in the TPOAb-positive Toxoplasma-positive women, (p = 0.014), as well as a positive correlation between FT4 and log2 CFT (p = 0.009).ConclusionsLatent toxoplasmosis was associated with a mild increase in thyroid hormone production in pregnancy. The observed Toxoplasma-associated changes in the parameters of AITD are mild and do not seem to be clinically relevant; however, they could provide new clues to the complex pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases.