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Vaping among adolescents is increasingly common and may result in poor health outcomes; however, little research has been conducted evaluating the risks of vaping among adolescents and the knowledge and perceptions that drive use. We must gain a better understanding of vaping outcomes and adolescents' perceptions while identifying potential ways to lessen or eradicate the health burdens associated with vaping. This knowledge could then inform robust educational and public health programs to prevent and mitigate vaping among youths. Health education incorporating a target populations' world view, spheres of influence, readiness, motivation, intention, and determination promotes informed decision making. There are few resources currently being allocated to the problem even though legislators and enforcement agencies are aware. We cannot simply rely on existing laws to serve as a sufficient deterrent to prevent underaged usage. Further efforts are needed in the areas of behavioral science, health education, and public policy to tackle this urgent public health concern.

Monocyte counts are increased during human tuberculosis (TB) but it has not been determined whether Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb ) directly regulates myeloid commitment. We demonstrated that exposure to Mtb directs primary human CD34 + cells to differentiate into monocytes/macrophages. In vitro myeloid conversion did not require type I or type II IFN signaling. In contrast, Mtb enhanced IL-6 responses by CD34 + cell cultures and IL-6R neutralization inhibited myeloid differentiation and decreased mycobacterial growth in vitro. Integrated systems biology analysis of transcriptomic, proteomic and genomic data of large data sets of healthy controls and TB patients established the existence of a myeloid IL-6/IL6R/CEBP gene module associated with disease severity. Furthermore, genetic and functional analysis revealed the IL6/IL6R/CEBP gene module has undergone recent evolutionary selection, including Neanderthal introgression and human pathogen adaptation, connected to systemic monocyte counts. These results suggest Mtb co-opts an evolutionary recent IFN-IL6-CEBP feed-forward loop, increasing myeloid differentiation linked to severe TB in humans., Competing Interests: MD, DM, EK, ER, GR, LM, GD, DP, TD, MB, GB, YT, MS, DR, JD, DM, JV, AB No competing interests declared, (© 2019, Delgobo et al.)

Diagnosis of the origin of metastasis is mandatory for adequate therapy. In the past, classification of tumors was based on histology (morphological expression of a complex protein pattern), while supportive immunohistochemical investigation relied only on few "tumor specific" proteins. At present, histopathological diagnosis is based on clinical information, morphology, immunohistochemistry, and may include molecular methods. This process is complex, expensive, requires an experienced pathologist and may be time consuming. Currently, proteomic methods have been introduced in various clinical disciplines. MALDI imaging MS combines detection of numerous proteins with morphological features, and seems to be the ideal tool for objective and fast histopathological tumor classification. To study a special tumor type and to identify predictive patterns that could discriminate metastatic breast from pancreatic carcinoma MALDI imaging MS was applied to multitissue paraffin blocks. A statistical classification model was created using a training set of primary carcinoma biopsies. This model was validated on two testing sets of different breast and pancreatic carcinoma specimens. We could discern breast from pancreatic primary tumors with an overall accuracy of 83.38%, a sensitivity of 85.95% and a specificity of 76.96%. Furthermore, breast and pancreatic liver metastases were tested and classified correctly., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

To identify cost-effective testing strategies for HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections, we evaluated different combinations of tests on serum specimens from 1134 consecutive patients attending tuberculosis treatment centers in Abidjan, Côte d'lvoire. Virus-specific whole-virus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (WVE), Western blot (WB) and synthetic peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SPE) were used in sequential fashion to determine the true prevalence of infection; 27% were reactive to HIV-1, 5% to HIV-2, and 10% to both viruses. Of 239 specimens positive on WB for both HIV-1 and HIV-2, SPE diagnosed 38% as HIV-1-reactive and 16% as HIV-2-reactive, while 46% remained reactive to both viruses. Using WVE or one of two rapid (5-10 min) mixed (HIV-1 and HIV-2) antigen tests (RMATs) as a screening test, followed by SPE as a supplemental test, gave results with sensitivity of 97.3-99.2%, specificity of 99.5-99.7%, and positive predictive value for diagnosing HIV infection of 99.4-99.6%, with important savings in time and reagent costs. SPE allows more specific distinction between HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections than WB, and could replace it as a supplemental test in many settings. WB may be required for specimens reactive on screening tests but negative on SPE, until sensitivity of the SPE is further evaluated. A mixed antigen screening test followed by SPE seems to be an efficient testing strategy for diagnosing HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections.

In September 1987, a seroprevalence study of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection was conducted among 956 people from different groups in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Groups examined were hospitalized patients (Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease Departments, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville, Abidjan), outpatients at tuberculosis treatment centers, blood donors, women attending an antenatal clinic, and patients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Total HIV infection prevalence ranged from 10% in STD clinic patients and pregnant women to 45% in hospitalized patients on an infectious diseases service. Within groups, HIV-1 infection was 2-6.5 times more prevalent than infection with HIV-2. One-quarter of HIV-seropositive people were serologically reactive to both HIV-1 and HIV-2 on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot. Clinical conditions previously observed in patients with HIV-1 infection were observed in people infected with HIV-2 only, as well as in those with HIV-1 infection and dual serologic reactivity. An isolate of HIV-2 was obtained on culture from a person with wasting disease and chronic fever. The results of this study suggest that infection with HIV-1 and HIV-2 is epidemic in Côte d'Ivoire, and that HIV-2 may be associated with AIDS.