Last data update: Jun 24, 2024. (Total: 47078 publications since 2009)
Records 1-30 (of 42 Records) |
Query Trace: Macaluso M [original query] |
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Convenience and corner store fruit and vegetable access: attitudes and intentions among Colorado adults, 2014
James KatherineA , Calanan Renee , Macaluso Francesca , Li Yaqiang , Levinson ArnoldH . J Public Health 2022 30 (4) 871-878 Aim: The term food desert generally refers to areas where healthy food options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are unavailable within a certain number of miles. However, other factors besides distance may affect the ability to purchase healthier foods. The goal of this study was to understand Colorado adults' perceptions of their access to healthy food options and to assess how other structural and socio-demographic factors may affect that access. Subject and methods: Colorado adults were asked questions about self-reported access to healthy food, likelihood of buying fresh fruits and vegetables from convenience/corner stores if available, perceived characteristics of fruits and vegetables available for purchase near respondents' residence, and demographics. Results: A majority of Colorado adults in 201314 reported wanting fresh fruits and vegetables to be more available, more varied, higher quality, and/or less expensive. Socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, and regular shopping habits were significantly associated with reported likelihood of purchasing fruits and vegetables from a convenience/corner store if available. Conclusion: Factors other than proximity to a grocery store affect Colorado adults' perceived access to healthy food options and should be considered in the development and implementation of public health programs and policies geared toward improving healthy food access. |
Association between growth rate and pathogenicity of spotted fever group Rickettsia
Bourchookarn A , Paddock CD , Macaluso KR , Bourchookarn W . J Pure Appl Microbiol 2022 16 (1) 374-383 Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia amblyommatis are spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) associated with Amblyomma ticks. R. parkeri is a recognized human pathogen that causes an eschar-associated febrile illness, while R. amblyommatis has not been confirmed as a causative agent of human disease. We hypothesized that the rate of replication is one of the factors contributing to rickettsial pathogenicity. In this study, growth and infectivity of R. parkeri and R. amblyommatis in mammalian (Vero E6) and tick-derived (ISE6) cell lines were assessed and compared over a 96-hour time course of infection using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and microscopy. The pathogenic R. parkeri displayed a significantly higher level of infection in both Vero E6 and ISE6 cells than R. amblyommatis at 72 hours post-inoculation (hpi). Distinct growth profiles between rickettsial species with known and uncertain pathogenicity were identified. R. parkeri burdens were significantly greater than those of R. amblyommatis from 24 to 96 hpi. The relative fold changes of load were significantly higher in the pathogenic agent than in R. amblyommatis from 48 hpi onward and reached the maximum fold increase of 2002- and 296-fold in Vero E6 cells and 1363- and 161-fold in ISE6 cells, respectively, at 96 hpi. The results from the present study demonstrate that growth rate is associated with the pathogenicity of rickettsiae. Understanding SFGR growth characteristics in mammalian and tick cells will provide insight into rickettsial biology and pathogenesis. The Author(s) 2022. |
Prostate specific antigen concentration in vaginal fluid after exposure to semen
Kulczycki A , Brill I , Snead MC , Macaluso M . Contraception 2017 OBJECTIVE: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the best established biomarker of semen exposure. PSA in vaginal fluid returns to pre-exposure concentrations within 24-48 h, but the speed of decay during the first ten hours is unknown. We sought to determine how fast PSA concentrations decline during the first ten hours after exposure to semen. STUDY DESIGN: Women in the 50 enrolled couples were intravaginally inoculated with 10, 20, 100, and 200mul of their partner's semen and then collected vaginal swabs immediately after, 30min, 4 and 10h after exposure. Forty-seven sets of samples were tested for PSA. Mixed linear models for repeated measures examined the association between log-transformed PSA values and sampling time and semen exposure volume. Sensitivity analyses excluded data from non-abstainers. Fixed effect estimates from the statistical models were graphed. RESULTS: PSA values were highest at 200mul inoculation volumes and at earlier post-exposure timepoints, then decline steadily. The lowest inoculation volume (10mul) corresponded to the smallest concentration of PSA throughout the post-inoculation timepoints. Average PSA levels return to clinically non-detectable levels within 10h only at the lowest semen exposures. The PSA decay curve assumes a very similar profile across all timepoints and semen amounts. CONCLUSIONS: The PSA decay curve is similar for varying semen exposure volumes, with average PSA concentrations remaining above clinical thresholds 10h after exposure at all except the very smallest semen exposure levels. PSA is an objective marker of recent exposure to semen, permitting such detection with high accuracy. IMPLICATIONS: This study clarifies how PSA values vary at different semen exposure levels and timepoints during the first 10h post-exposure. Future contraceptive studies that use PSA as a semen biomarker will be better informed about PSA concentrations at different sampling times and exposure amounts. |
Sexual relationship power and semen exposure among female patients at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Kingston, Jamaica
Gallo MF , Legardy-Williams J , Steiner MJ , Macaluso M , Carter M , Hobbs MM , Hylton-Kong T , Anderson C , Costenbader E , Warner L . Arch Sex Behav 2016 46 (7) 2157-2164 Women's power in sexual relationships is thought to be an important predictor of condom use. However, research on correlates of condom use often relies on participant reporting of behavior, which has questionable validity. We evaluated the association between scores from the modified Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS-M) and biological detection of semen exposure in a prospective study of adult women attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Kingston, Jamaica with cervicitis or abnormal vaginal discharge in 2010-2011. At enrollment, women were counseled to avoid sex while on treatment and were asked to return in 6 days for a follow-up visit. At both study visits, women were administered a questionnaire and had vaginal swabs collected to test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biological marker of recent semen exposure. We found no significant association at enrollment or follow-up between SRPS-M scores and semen exposure, as measured with either self-reported data or PSA positivity. Semen biomarkers could be used to develop and validate new scales on relationship power and self-efficacy related to condom use. |
Immunoproteomic profiling of Rickettsia parkeri and Rickettsia amblyommii.
Pornwiroon W , Bourchookarn A , Paddock CD , Macaluso KR . Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2015 6 (6) 829-35 Rickettsia parkeri is an Amblyomma-associated, spotted fever group Rickettsia species that causes an eschar-associated, febrile illness in multiple countries throughout the Western Hemisphere. Many other rickettsial species of known or uncertain pathogenicity have been detected in Amblyomma spp. ticks in the Americas, including Rickettsia amblyommii, "Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae" and Rickettsia rickettsii. In this study, we utilized an immunoproteomic approach to compare antigenic profiles of low-passage isolates of R. parkeri and R. amblyommii with serum specimens from patients with PCR- and culture-confirmed infections with R. parkeri. Five immunoreactive proteins of R. amblyommii and nine immunoreactive proteins of R. parkeri were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Four of these, including the outer membrane protein (Omp) A, OmpB, translation initiation factor IF-2, and cell division protein FtsZ, were antigens common to both rickettsiae. Serum specimens from patients with R. parkeri rickettsiosis reacted specifically with cysteinyl-tRNA synthetase, DNA-directed RNA polymerase subunit alpha, putative sigma (54) modulation protein, chaperonin GroEL, and elongation factor Tu of R. parkeri which have been reported as virulence factors in other bacterial species. Unique antigens identified in this study may be useful for further development of the better serological assays for diagnosing infection caused by R. parkeri. |
Impact of health insurance type on trends in newborn circumcision, United States, 2000 to 2010
Warner L , Cox S , Whiteman M , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M , Bansil P , Kuklina E , Kourtis AP , Posner S , Barfield WD . Am J Public Health 2015 105 (9) e1-e7 OBJECTIVES: We explored how changes in insurance coverage contributed to recent nationwide decreases in newborn circumcision. METHODS: Hospital discharge data from the 2000-2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample were analyzed to assess trends in circumcision incidence among male newborn birth hospitalizations covered by private insurance or Medicaid. We examined the impact of insurance coverage on circumcision incidence. RESULTS: Overall, circumcision incidence decreased significantly from 61.3% in 2000 to 56.9% in 2010 in unadjusted analyses (P for trend = .008), but not in analyses adjusted for insurance status (P for trend = .46) and other predictors (P for trend = .55). Significant decreases were observed only in the South, where adjusted analyses revealed decreases in circumcision overall (P for trend = .007) and among hospitalizations with Medicaid (P for trend = .005) but not those with private insurance (P for trend = .13). Newborn male birth hospitalizations covered by Medicaid increased from 36.0% (2000) to 50.1% (2010; P for trend < .001), suggesting 390 000 additional circumcisions might have occurred nationwide had insurance coverage remained constant. CONCLUSIONS: Shifts in insurance coverage, particularly toward Medicaid, likely contributed to decreases in newborn circumcision nationwide and in the South. Barriers to the availability of circumcision should be revisited, particularly for families who desire but have less financial access to the procedure. |
Feeding by Amblyomma maculatum (Acari: Ixodidae) enhances Rickettsia parkeri (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) infection in the skin
Grasperge BJ , Morgan TW , Paddock CD , Peterson KE , Macaluso KR . J Med Entomol 2014 51 (4) 855-863 Rickettsia parkeri Luckman (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), a member of the spotted fever group of Rickettsia, is the tick-borne causative agent of a newly recognized, eschar-associated rickettsiosis. Because of its relatively recent designation as a pathogen, few studies have examined the pathogenesis of transmission of R. parkeri to the vertebrate host. To further elucidate the role of tick feeding in rickettsial infection of vertebrates, nymphal Amblyomma maculatum Koch (Acari: Ixodidae) were fed on C3H/HeJ mice intradermally inoculated with R. parkeri (Portsmouth strain). The ticks were allowed to feed to repletion, at which time samples were taken for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for rickettsial quantification, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) for expression of Itgax, Mcp1, and Il1 beta. The group of mice that received intradermal inoculation of R. parkeri with tick feeding displayed significant increases in rickettsial load and IHC staining, but not in cytokine expression, when compared with the group of mice that received intradermal inoculation of R. parkeri without tick feeding. Tick feeding alone was associated with histopathologic changes in the skin, but these changes, and particularly vascular pathology, were more pronounced in the skin of mice inoculated previously with R. parkeri and followed by tick feeding. The marked differences in IHC staining and qPCR for the R. parkeri with tick feeding group strongly suggest an important role for tick feeding in the early establishment of rickettsial infection in the skin. |
GnRH agonist and GnRH antagonist protocols: comparison of outcomes among good-prognosis patients using national surveillance data v
Grow D , Kawwass JF , Kulkarni AD , Durant T , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Reprod Biomed Online 2014 29 (3) 299-304 Implantation and live birth rates resulting from IVF cycles using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and (GnRH) antagonist IVF protocols were compared among good-prognosis patients using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System 2009-2010 data (n = 203,302 fresh, autologous cycles). Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted between cycles to compare outcomes. Cycles were restricted as follows: age younger than 35 years, maximum FSH less than 10 mIU/mL, first assisted reproduction technology cycle and FSH dose less than 3601 IU. A subgroup analysis including only elective single embryo transfer was also carried out. Among good-prognosis patients, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a lower risk of cancellation before retrieval (4.3 versus 5.2%; P < 0.05) or transfer (5.5 versus 6.8%; P < 0.05), and a higher live birth rate per transfer (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.13, confidence interval [CI] 1.03 to 1.25) than the GnRH-antagonist group. Among the elective single embryo transfer group, the GnRH-agonist protocol was associated with a higher implantation rate (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.36, CI 1.08 to 1.73) and a higher live birth rate (adjusted OR 1.33, CI 1.07 to 1.66) compared with the GnRH-antagonist protocol. The GnRH-antagonist group had lower rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Among good-prognosis patients, agonist protocols decreased cancellation risk and increased odds of implantation and live birth. Antagonist protocols may confer decreased risk of hyperstimulation. |
A novel approach to mixing qualitative and quantitative methods in HIV and STI prevention research
Penman-Aguilar A , Macaluso M , Peacock N , Snead MC , Posner SF . AIDS Educ Prev 2014 26 (2) 95-108 Mixed-method designs are increasingly used in sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV prevention research. The authors designed a mixed-method approach and applied it to estimate and evaluate a predictor of continued female condom use (6+ uses, among those who used it at least once) in a 6-month prospective cohort study. The analysis included 402 women who received an intervention promoting use of female and male condoms for STI prevention and completed monthly quantitative surveys; 33 also completed a semistructured qualitative interview. The authors identified a qualitative theme (couples' female condom enjoyment [CFCE]), applied discriminant analysis techniques to estimate CFCE for all participants, and added CFCE to a multivariable logistic regression model of continued female condom use. CFCE related to comfort, naturalness, pleasure, feeling protected, playfulness, ease of use, intimacy, and feeling in control of protection. CFCE was associated with continued female condom use (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.4-5.6) and significantly improved model fit (p < .001). CFCE predicted continued female condom use. Mixed-method approaches for "scaling up" qualitative findings from small samples to larger numbers of participants can benefit HIV and STI prevention research. |
Accuracy of assisted reproductive technology information on birth certificates: Florida and Massachusetts, 2004-06
Cohen B , Bernson D , Sappenfield W , Kirby RS , Kissin D , Zhang Y , Copeland G , Zhang Z , Macaluso M . Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2014 28 (3) 181-90 BACKGROUND: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) includes fertility procedures where both egg and sperm are handled in the lab. ART use has increased considerably in recent years, accounting for 47 090 livebirths in the US in 2010. ART increases the probability of multiple gestation births, which are at higher risks than singletons for adverse outcomes. Additionally, ART is associated with a greater risk of complications during pregnancy, labour, and delivery, and increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in singleton births. METHODS: We merged Florida and Massachusetts birth records from 2004-06 with the National ART Surveillance System (NASS) and using NASS as the gold standard, calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of ART reporting on the birth certificates by maternal, infant, and hospital characteristics. We fit random-effects logistic regression models to evaluate simultaneously the association of ART reporting with these predictors while accounting for correlation among births occurring in the same hospital. RESULTS: Sensitivity of ART reporting on the birth certificate was 28.9% in Florida and 41.4% in Massachusetts. Specificity was >99% in both states. PPV was 45.5% in Florida and 54.6% in Massachusetts. The odds of ART reporting varied by state and by several maternal and delivery characteristics including age, parity, history of fetal loss, plurality, race/Hispanic ethnicity, delivery payment source, pre-existing conditions, and complications during pregnancy or labour and delivery. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant under-reporting of ART procedures on the birth certificates. Using data on ART births identified only from birth certificates yields a biased sample of the population of ART births. |
Does tenofovir gel or do other microbicide products affect detection of biomarkers of semen exposure in vitro?
Snead MC , Kourtis AP , Melendez JH , Black CM , Mauck CK , Penman-Aguilar A , Chaney DM , Gallo MF , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M , Doncel GF . Contraception 2014 90 (2) 136-41 OBJECTIVES: There is currently no information on whether products evaluated in HIV microbicide trials affect the detection of the semen biomarkers prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or Y chromosome DNA. STUDY DESIGN: We tested (in vitro) dilutions of tenofovir (TFV), UC781 and the hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) placebo gels using the Abacus ABAcard and the quantitative (Abbott Architect total PSA) assays for PSA and Y chromosome DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: TFV gel and the HEC placebo adversely affected PSA detection using the ABAcard but not the Abbott Architect total PSA assay. UC781 adversely affected both the ABAcard and Abbott Architect total PSA assays. While there were some quantitative changes in the magnitude of the signal, none of the products affected positivity of the Y chromosome assay. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of TFV or HEC gels did not affect quantitative PSA or Y chromosome detection in vitro. Confirmation of these findings is recommended using specimens obtained following use of these gels in vivo. IMPLICATIONS: Researchers should consider the potential for specific microbicides or any products to affect the particular assay used for semen biomarker detection. The ABAcard assay for PSA detection should not be used with TFV UC781, or HEC. |
Fertility treatments and multiple births in the United States
Kulkarni AD , Jamieson DJ , Jones HW Jr , Kissin DM , Gallo MF , Macaluso M , Adashi EY . N Engl J Med 2013 369 (23) 2218-25 BACKGROUND: The advent of fertility treatments has led to an increase in the rate of multiple births in the United States. However, the trends in and magnitude of the contribution of fertility treatments to the increase are uncertain. METHODS: We derived the rates of multiple births after natural conception from data on distributions of all births from 1962 through 1966 (before fertility treatments were available). Publicly available data on births from 1971 through 2011 were used to determine national multiple birth rates, and data on in vitro fertilization (IVF) from 1997 through 2011 were used to estimate the annual proportion of multiple births that were attributable to IVF and to non-IVF fertility treatments, after adjustment for maternal age. Trends in multiple births were examined starting from 1998, the year when clinical practice guidelines for IVF were developed with an aim toward reducing the incidence of multiple births. RESULTS: We estimated that by 2011, a total of 36% of twin births and 77% of triplet and higher-order births resulted from conception assisted by fertility treatments. The observed incidence of twin births increased by a factor of 1.9 from 1971 to 2009. The incidence of triplet and higher-order births increased by a factor of 6.7 from 1971 to 1998 and decreased by 29% from 1998 to 2011. This decrease coincided with a 70% reduction in the transfer of three or more embryos during IVF (P<0.001) and a 33% decrease in the proportion of triplet and higher-order births attributable to IVF (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past four decades, the increased use of fertility treatments in the United States has been associated with a substantial rise in the rate of multiple births. The rate of triplet and higher-order births has declined over the past decade in the context of a reduction in the transfer of three or more embryos during IVF. |
Detection of two biological markers of intercourse: prostate-specific antigen and Y-chromosomal DNA
Jamshidi R , Penman-Aguilar A , Wiener J , Gallo MF , Zenilman JM , Melendez JH , Snead M , Black CM , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Contraception 2013 88 (6) 749-57 BACKGROUND: Although biological markers of women's exposure to semen from vaginal intercourse have been developed as surrogates for risk of infection or probability of pregnancy, data on their persistence time and clearance are limited. STUDY DESIGN: During 2006-2008, 52 couples were enrolled for three 14-day cycles of abstinence from vaginal sex during which women were exposed in the clinic to a specific quantity (10, 100 or 1000 muL) of their partner's semen. Vaginal swabs were collected before and at 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 144 h after exposure for testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Y-chromosome DNA (Yc DNA). RESULTS: Immediately after exposure to 1000 muL of semen, the predicted sensitivity of being PSA positive was 0.96; this decreased to 0.65, 0.44, 0.21 and 0.07 at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. Corresponding predicted sensitivity of being Yc DNA positive was 0.72 immediately postexposure; this increased to 0.76 at 1 h postexposure and then decreased to 0.60 (at 6 h), 0.63 (at 12 h), 0.49 (at 24 h), 0.21 (at 48 h), 0.17 (at 72 h) and 0.12 (at 144 h). CONCLUSIONS: Overall findings suggest that PSA may be more consistent as a marker of very recent exposure and that Yc DNA is more likely to be detected in the vagina after 12 h postexposure compared to PSA. |
Safe conception for HIV-discordant couples: insemination with processed semen from the HIV-infected partner
Semprini AE , Macaluso M , Hollander L , Vucetich A , Duerr A , Mor G , Ravizza M , Jamieson DJ . Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013 208 (5) 402 e1-9 OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the safety of semen washing with intrauterine insemination (SW-IUI) for achieving pregnancy when the man is human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and the woman is HIV negative. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 635 HIV-discordant couples enrolled in a SW-IUI program and followed up 367 Italian women. We computed pregnancy, live birth, and multiple delivery rates and assessed the women's postinsemination HIV status. RESULTS: The retrospective analysis included 635 couples (2113 SW-IUI cycles): 41% of the women (95% confidence interval [CI], 37-45%) had a live birth (per-cycle live birth rate 13%; 95% CI, 11-14%). HIV status after SW-IUI was negative when available but unknown for 26% of the women: missing HIV status was not associated with correlates of HIV risk. The follow-up study included 367 couples (1365 cycles): 47% of the women (95% CI, 42-52%) had a live birth (per-cycle rate 14%; 95% CI, 12-16%). Ascertainment of postinsemination HIV status was complete and confirmed no HIV transmission attributable to SW-IUI. The upper 95% confidence limit of the HIV transmission rate was 1.8 per 1000 cycles in the retrospective analysis and 2.7 per 1000 cycles in the follow-up study. CONCLUSION: SW-IUI appears to be a safe and effective method for achieving pregnancy in HIV-discordant couples in which the man is HIV infected. |
Biological markers of sexual activity: tools for improving measurement in HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevention research
Gallo MF , Steiner MJ , Hobbs MM , Warner L , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Sex Transm Dis 2013 40 (6) 447-52 Research on interventions to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is heavily influenced by participant reporting of sexual behavior, despite uncertainty about its validity. Exclusive reliance on participant self-report often is based, overtly or by implication, on 4 assumptions: (1) no feasible alternatives exist; (2) misreporting can be minimized to levels that can be disregarded; (3) misreporting tends to underreport sensitive behaviors; and (4) misreporting tends to be nondifferential with respect to the groups being compared. The objective of this review are to evaluate these assumptions, including a review of studies using semen biomarkers to evaluate the validity of self-reported data, and to make recommendations for applying biological markers of semen exposure detectable in women to further strengthen research on HIV/STI prevention. Increasing evidence shows that semen biomarkers provide an important means of assessing and augmenting the validity of studies on HIV/STI prevention. Additional biomarkers are needed to assess male exposure to vaginal sex and both male and female exposure to anal sex. Methods and study designs that incorporate biomarkers into studies collecting self-reported behavioral data should be considered where possible. |
Randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of counseling messages for avoiding unprotected sexual intercourse during sexually transmitted infection and reproductive tract infection treatment among female sexually transmitted infection clinic patients
Anderson C , Gallo MF , Hylton-Kong T , Steiner MJ , Hobbs MM , Macaluso M , Figueroa JP , Jamieson DJ , Legardy-Williams J , Wiener J , Warner L . Sex Transm Dis 2013 40 (2) 105-110 BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of counseling messages to avoid unprotected sex during short-term treatment for curable sexually transmitted infections is unknown. METHODS: We randomized 300 female STI clinic patients 18 years or older with cervicitis and/or vaginal discharge in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2010 to 2011, to 1 of 2 counseling messages for their course of syndromic treatment: abstinence only or abstinence backed up by condom use. At a follow-up visit 6 days afterward, we collected vaginal swabs to test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biological marker of recent semen exposure, and administered a questionnaire assessing sexual behavior. RESULTS: No differences were found in the proportions of women testing positive for PSA at follow-up in the abstinence-plus-condom group (11.9%) and abstinence-only group (8.4%) (risk difference, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, -3.5 to10.5). There also was no significant difference in reporting of unprotected sex between groups. Reporting a history of condom use before enrollment significantly modified the effect of counseling arm on PSA positivity (P = 0.03). Among those reporting recent condom use, 10.3% in the abstinence-only arm and 4.8% in the abstinence-plus-condom arm tested positive for PSA. Conversely, among those not reporting recent condom use, 6.5% in the abstinence-only arm and 17.3% in the abstinence-plus-condom arm had PSA detected. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence to support the superiority of either counseling message. Post hoc analyses suggest that women with recent condom experience may benefit significantly more from abstinence-plus-condom messages, whereas women without such experience may benefit significantly more from abstinence-only messages. Providers should weigh individual condom use history when determining the most appropriate counseling message. |
Effect of topical vaginal products on the detection of prostate-specific antigen, a biomarker of semen exposure, using ABAcards
Snead MC , Kourtis AP , Black CM , Mauck CK , Brown TM , Penman-Aguilar A , Melendez JH , Gallo MF , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Contraception 2012 88 (3) 382-6 BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a biomarker of recent semen exposure. There is currently only limited information on whether topical vaginal products affect PSA assays. We investigated this question using various dilutions of several vaginal products (lubricants and spermicides) and the Abacus ABAcard for PSA detection. STUDY DESIGN: Pooled semen controls and various dilutions of nonoxynol-9 (N9), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), Replens, Gynol 2, K-Y jelly, Astroglide, Surgilube, combined with pooled semen dilutions, were tested for PSA using the Abacus ABAcard. RESULTS: N9 (2% with saline) and CMC did not appear to affect the results of testing with the ABAcard, but not all semen dilutions were tested. The other products (including Replens and Gynol, which is 2% N9 with propylene glycol, K-Y, Astroglide and Surgilube) at some of the dilutions tested either affected or gave invalid results with PSA testing using the ABAcard. Both Gynol 2 and K-Y at 1:10 dilution gave false-positive results. CONCLUSIONS: Some vaginal products affect PSA results obtained by using the semiquantitative ABAcard. In vivo confirmation is necessary to further optimize PSA detection when topical vaginal products are present. |
Optimal methods for collecting and storing vaginal specimens for prostate-specific antigen testing in research studies
Gallo MF , Snead MC , Black CM , Brown TM , Kourtis AP , Jamieson DJ , Carter M , Penman-Aguilar A , Macaluso M . Contraception 2012 87 (6) 830-5 BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) detected in vaginal fluid can be used in studies of HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) and pregnancy prevention as an alternative to relying on participant reports of exposure to semen. Optimal methods for collecting and storing specimens for this testing have not been determined. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a controlled, in vitro experiment of 550 specimens spiked with semen to determine the effects of swab type (five types), storage conditions of the swabs (room temperature with or without desiccant or at -80 degrees C without desiccant) and time from collection to testing (seven intervals over the course of 12 months) on the identification of PSA. We performed factorial analysis of variance to identify factors influencing PSA detection. RESULTS: Concentrations of PSA detected in the swabs declined with time of storage over the 1-year experiment (p<.01). The 1-mL, rayon-tipped swab stored immediately at -80 degrees C following collection performed best. CONCLUSIONS: If immediate testing or freezer storage is not feasible, investigators should use a swab with 1-mL capacity with processing and testing as soon as possible after specimen collection. |
Condom type may influence sexual behavior and ejaculation and complicate the assessment of condom functionality
Haddad L , Gallo MF , Jamieson DJ , Macaluso M . Contraception 2012 86 (4) 391-6 BACKGROUND: Studies that evaluate condom effectiveness are affected by factors related to how the condom was used, and these factors may not be consistent between different types of condoms. Also, subjective assessments of the sexual act may be unreliable. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a secondary data analysis of a randomized crossover trial of male and female condoms among 108 couples. RESULTS: Self-reported duration and activeness of coital acts were significantly different for uses of the male condom compared to uses of the female condom. Fewer individuals reported ejaculation occurring with the female condom. Reliability of self-reports of ejaculation compared to a biological marker of semen detected inside the used male and female condoms was not strong. CONCLUSIONS: We found that sexual behaviors appear to differ by the type of condom used for the coital act. Studies should consider sexual behavior when evaluating condom effectiveness. Furthermore, studies would be strengthened by the use of a biological marker of semen to determine whether ejaculation, and therefore a true risk of exposure, occurred. |
Trends and correlates of good perinatal outcomes in assisted reproductive technology
Joshi N , Kissin D , Anderson JE , Session D , Macaluso M , Jamieson DJ . Obstet Gynecol 2012 120 (4) 843-51 OBJECTIVE: To estimate trends in good perinatal outcomes (singleton live births at term with birthweight more than 2,500 g) among live births after assisted reproductive technology in the United States from 2000 to 2008, and associated factors among singletons in 2008. METHODS: Using retrospective cohort data from the National Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance System from 2000 to 2008, we calculated relative change and chi tests for trend in the proportion of good perinatal outcomes among assisted reproductive technology live births (n=444,909) and liveborn singletons (n=222,500). We conducted univariable analyses followed by multiple logistic regression to estimate the effects of various characteristics on the outcome among singletons born in 2008 after fresh, nondonor assisted reproductive technology cycles (n=20,780). RESULTS: The proportion of good perinatal outcomes among all liveborn neonates increased from 38.6% in 2000 to 42.5% in 2008, whereas it declined marginally among singletons from 83.6% to 83.4%. One previous birth, transfer of fewer than three embryos, and the presence of fewer than three fetal hearts on 6-week ultrasound examination were associated with good perinatal outcome among singletons. Non-Hispanic black race, tubal factor infertility, uterine factor infertility, ovulatory disorder, and 5-day embryo culture were associated with reduced odds for a good outcome. The strongest association was the presence of one fetal heart compared with more than two (adjusted odds ratio 2.43, 95% confidence interval 1.73-3.42). CONCLUSION: From 2000 to 2008, good perinatal outcomes increased among assisted reproductive technology live births. Among singleton live births, odds for good outcome were greatest with the presence of a single fetal heart and lowest in women of non-Hispanic black race. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II. |
Exploring discordance between biologic and self-reported measures of semen exposure: a qualitative study among female patients attending an STI clinic in Jamaica
Carter MW , Bailey A , Snead MC , Costenbader E , Townsend M , Macaluso M , Jamieson DJ , Hylton-Kong T , Warner L , Steiner MJ . AIDS Behav 2012 17 (2) 728-36 We explored the use of qualitative interviews to discuss discrepancies between two sources of information on unprotected sex: biomarker results and self-reported survey data. The study context was a randomized trial in Kingston, Jamaica examining the effect of STI counseling messages on recent sexual behavior using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as the primary study outcome. Twenty women were interviewed. Eleven participants were selected because they tested positive for PSA indicating recent semen exposure, yet reported no unprotected sex in a quantitative survey ("discordant"): 5 reported abstinence and 6 reported condom use. Nine participants who also tested positive for PSA but reported unprotected sex in the survey were interviewed for comparison ("concordant"). Qualitative interviews with 6 of the 11 discordant participants provided possible explanations for their PSA test results, and 5 of those were prompted by direct discussion of those results. Rapid PSA testing combined with qualitative interviews provides a novel tool for investigating and complementing self-reported sexual behavior. |
Prostate-specific antigen as a biomarker of condom failure: comparison of three laboratory assays and self-reported condom use problems in a randomized trial of female condom performance
Walsh T , Warner L , Macaluso M , Frezieres R , Snead M , Wraxall B . Contraception 2012 86 (1) 55-61 BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biomarker for semen exposure, may provide a more objective measure of condom failure than subject self-reports. Methods for measuring PSA vary and their comparability with respect to assessing condom performance has not been adequately evaluated. This study compared results from three different PSA assays of vaginal samples collected by subjects in a randomized clinical trial which compared the performance of female condoms. STUDY DESIGN: We selected 30 pairs of pre- and post-coital vaginal samples from subjects who reported condom functionality problems or whose original PSA assay was positive. Samples were retested using three different PSA assays [quantitative enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA), rocket immune-electrophoresis (RIE) and chromatographic immunoassay (CIA)]. We compared the proportion of condom uses where the post-coital PSA result indicated semen exposure for each of the three assays. RESULTS: Despite varying levels of sensitivity, the results from all three assays were remarkably consistent. Self-reported condom failures did not correlate well with positive PSA results, suggesting that exclusive reliance on either PSA or user self-report may be inadequate for assessing condom functionality. CONCLUSION: In combination with user self-report of condom failure, PSA testing provides a reliable, objective marker of condom functionality. Studies based on PSA testing may improve on conventional contraceptive clinical trials by offering a more direct assessment of a condom product's ability to prevent semen exposure. |
Susceptibility of inbred mice to Rickettsia parkeri
Grasperge BJ , Reif KE , Morgan TD , Sunyakumthorn P , Bynog J , Paddock CD , Macaluso KR . Infect Immun 2012 80 (5) 1846-52 Rickettsia parkeri, a member of the spotted fever group Rickettsia, is the causative agent of American boutonneuse fever in humans. Despite the increased recognition of human cases, limited information is available regarding the infection of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts for this emerging tick-borne disease. Toward the development of a viable transmission model and to further characterize the pathology associated with R. parkeri infection, inbred mouse strains (A/J, BALB/c, C3H/HeJ, and C3H/HeN) were intravenously and intradermally inoculated with 10(5) low-passage-number R. parkeri (Portsmouth strain), and infection, gross pathology, and histopathology were scored. Additionally, a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to estimate rickettsial load in heart, lung, spleen, and liver tissues of infected mice at 19 days postinoculation. Of the A/J, BALB/c, and C3H/HeN mice, none displayed universal pathology consistent with sustained infection. Compared to age-matched control mice, the intravenously inoculated C3H/HeJ mice exhibited marked facial edema and marked splenomegaly upon gross examination, while the intradermally inoculated mice developed characteristic eschar-like lesions. The C3H/HeJ mice also exhibited the greatest concentrations of rickettsial DNA from heart, lung, liver, and spleen samples when examined by qPCR. The similarity of the pathology of human disease and sustained infection suggests that the C3H/HeJ strain of mice is a promising candidate for subsequent experiments to examine the tick transmission, dissemination, and pathology of R. parkeri rickettsiosis. |
Condom use around the globe: how can we fulfil the prevention potential of male condoms?
Warner L , Gallo MF , Macaluso M . Sex Health 2012 9 (1) 4-9 Despite a global epidemic of sexually transmissible infections and the availability and endorsement of condoms as an effective intervention, the overall use of condoms remains low. This review explores various challenges and opportunities to fully realizing the prevention potential for condoms. |
Revival of the intrauterine device: increased insertions among US women with employer-sponsored insurance, 2002-2008
Xu X , Macaluso M , Ouyang L , Kulczycki A , Grosse SD . Contraception 2012 85 (2) 155-9 BACKGROUND: Use of the intrauterine device (IUD) in the United States has recently increased. New evidence for women with employer-sponsored health insurance permits analysis of variation and trends in such use. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of annual IUD insertion rates between 2002 and 2008 was conducted by evaluating claims from the MarketScan(R) Commercial Research Databases for US women insured by plans that covered IUD insertions. Estimates were weighted to be nationally representative. RESULTS: IUD insertion rates increased from 1.6/1000 women of reproductive age to 9.8/1000 over 2002-2008 and varied substantially by state. Insertion rates of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) increased from 0.4/1000 to 7.7/1000, whereas the insertion rates of copper T380A IUD (copper IUD) increased from 0.6/1000 to 1.5/1000. IUD insertions, which are most common among women aged 25-34 years, increased at roughly the same rate across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sixfold increase in IUD insertion rates between 2002 and 2008 was accompanied by an increase in the share IUD use with the LNG-IUS from 40% to 85%. Substantial geographic and age variations existed. |
Bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, and chlamydial infection among women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic: a longitudinal analysis of possible causal links
Gallo MF , Macaluso M , Warner L , Fleenor ME , Hook EW 3rd , Brill I , Weaver MA . Ann Epidemiol 2011 22 (3) 213-20 PURPOSE: Interactions between bacterial vaginosis (BV) and inflammatory sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhea and chlamydial infection, are not well understood. Furthermore, evidence regarding the sexual transmission of BV is equivocal. METHODS: We assessed associations between incident BV and incidences of gonorrhea and/or chlamydial infection ("gonorrhea/chlamydia"), as well as similarities in associations for the two processes, among 645 female patients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Alabama followed prospectively for 6 months from 1995 to 1998. We identified predictors of both incident BV and gonorrhea/chlamydia and used bivariate logistic regression to determine whether these predictors differed. RESULTS: Participants completed 3188 monthly, follow-up visits. Several factors associated with incident BV involved sexual intercourse: young age (<16 years) at first intercourse (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-1.9), recent drug use during sex (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.5), prevalent trichomoniasis (aOR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.7-4.6) and incident syphilis (aOR, 9.7; 95% CI, 1.9-48.4). Few statistical differences between potential factors for BV and gonorrhea/chlamydia emerged. BV appeared to precede the acquisition of gonorrhea/chlamydia (pairwise odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3), and vice versa (pairwise odds ratio, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.7-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Findings are consistent with a causal role of sexual behavior in the acquisition of BV and confirm that BV facilitates acquisition of gonorrhea/chlamydia and vice versa independently from other risk factors. |
Contraceptive sterilization among married adults: national data on who chooses vasectomy and tubal sterilization
Anderson JE , Jamieson DJ , Warner L , Kissin DM , Nangia AK , Macaluso M . Contraception 2011 85 (6) 552-7 BACKGROUND: Vasectomy has been found to be a highly cost-effective contraceptive method. For couples, tubal sterilization and vasectomy have the same result, but the two methods are used by different segments of the population. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted an analysis of data from male and female samples of the 2006-2008 National Survey of Family Growth, nationally representative samples of men and women in the United States aged 15-44 years. RESULTS: Among married men, 13.1% reported vasectomies (95% confidence interval 10.4%-16.3%), compared to 21.1% (17.8%-24.9%) of married women who reported tubal sterilizations. Men with higher education and income had greater prevalence of vasectomy than those less educated, while women with lower education and income had the highest prevalence of tubal sterilization. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to promote vasectomy use need to understand the reasons behind these differences. Increasing the availability and use of vasectomy will require education about its benefits. |
Condom use among US adults at last sexual intercourse, 1996-2008: an update from national survey data
Anderson JE , Warner L , Macaluso M . Sex Transm Dis 2011 38 (10) 919-21 The prevalence of condom use at last intercourse, estimated from questions added to a national survey, was estimated to be 20.2%. Use of condom was significantly higher for sex outside ongoing relationships and among those with 2 or more past-year sex partners and its use increased slightly but significantly from 1996 to 2008. |
Characteristics of users of intrauterine devices and other reversible contraceptive methods in the United States
Xu X , Macaluso M , Frost J , Anderson JE , Curtis K , Grosse SD . Fertil Steril 2011 96 (5) 1138-44 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the determinants of intrauterine device (IUD) use and reasons for choosing IUDs over other reversible contraceptive methods. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used to assess multiple factors associated with IUD use and the use of other reversible methods in the United States. PATIENT(S): Women at risk of pregnancy from the 2006 to 2008 National Survey of Family Growth and a 2004 Guttmacher Institute survey. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics, family background, and health insurance coverage. RESULT(S): IUD use was positively associated with women's parity and the highest education level of respondent's mother; it was less common among women who had ≥4 sexual partners in the last 12 months and those who were widowed, divorced, or separated. IUD users reported pregnancy prevention, provider recommendation, and no interruption of sex as the most important reasons for choosing the method and reported a high level of satisfaction. CONCLUSION(S): IUD users differed substantially from users of other reversible contraceptives. IUD use was especially uncommon among nulliparae. Most current IUD users were satisfied with their choice. |
Probabilistic linkage of assisted reproductive technology information with vital records, Massachusetts 1997-2000
Zhang Y , Cohen B , Macaluso M , Zhang Z , Durant T , Nannini A . Matern Child Health J 2011 16 (8) 1703-8 To assess the validity of probabilistic linkage (PL) in combining national surveillance data on assisted reproductive technology (ART) with Massachusetts birth and infant death data, for the purpose of monitoring maternal and child health outcomes of ART. A study conducted in 2006 utilized direct identifiers to match Massachusetts birth records with records on ART procedures performed to Massachusetts residents in fertility clinics located in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, achieving a linkage rate of 87.5%. The present study employed PL using the program Link Plus, without access to direct identifiers. The primary linking variables were maternal and infant dates of birth, and plurality. Ancillary variables such as maternal ZIP code and gravidity helped resolve duplicate matches and capture additional matches. PL linked 5,390 (87.8%) of 6,139 deliveries, correctly identifying 96.4% of the matches previously obtained using deterministic linkage methods. PL yielded a high linkage rate with satisfactory validity; this method may be applied in other states to help monitor the maternal and child health outcomes of ART. |
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