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Biomedical subjects

J Boles

Publications and source records attributed to J Boles.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

HIV seroprevalence and risk factors among clients of female and male prostitutes.

OBJECTIVES: To document the HIV and STD infection rates among clients of female (CFP) and clients of male prostitutes (CMP) and to identify the risk factors for HIV among CFP and CMP. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted with 82 CMP and 69 CFP in 1990 and 1991 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. Blood samples were tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. RESULTS: The HIV-positive rate was 36.6% among CMP and 2.9% among CFP. Syphilis seromarkers were found in 15.9% of CMP and 10.1% of CFP; hepatitis B seromarkers were identified in 58.0% of CMP and 24.6% of CFP. Key risk factors for HIV among CMP included serologic history of syphilis, serologic history of hepatitis B, receptive anal sex with a male prostitute, ever injecting drugs, ever using crack cocaine, and little education. CFP had no significant risk factors for HIV in the logistic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Several studies have focused on risk factors for HIV among female and male prostitutes; however, research on their clients has been limited. Although HIV infection rates among CFP are relatively low, their infection rate for syphilis and hepatitis warrants serious health education efforts. Even more critical are harm-reduction programs targeting CMP. Generic health and HIV risk reduction messages on heterosexual transmission might be insufficient.

Crack Cocaine↗
PubMed1999

In vitro correlate of immunity in an animal model of inhalational anthrax

The incidence of anthrax in humans is extremely low. Human vaccine efficacy studies for inhalational anthrax cannot be conducted. The identification of a correlate of protection that predicts vaccine efficacy is crucial for determining the immune status of immunized humans. This surrogate marker of immunity can only be established by using an appropriate animal model. Numerous studies showed that protective antigen (PA) is the principle protective antigen in naturally- or vaccine-induced immunity. However, attempts to correlate the quantity of anti-PA antibodies with protective immunity in the guinea pig model for anthrax and various vaccine formulations have failed. In these studies, we used the licensed anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA) in rabbits. Groups of New Zealand white rabbits, 10 or 20 per group, were immunized intramuscularly (two doses, 4 weeks apart) with varying doses of AVA, ranging from a human dose to 1:256 dilution in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Control rabbits received PBS/Alhydrogel according to the same schedule. Each rabbit was bled 2 weeks after the second dose, and antibody levels to PA measured by both the quantitative anti-PA IgG ELISA and the toxin-neutralizing antibody (TNA) assay. Rabbits were aerosol-challenged 10 weeks from day 0 with a lethal dose of Ames spores. All the rabbits that received the undiluted and 1:4 dilution of vaccine survived, whereas those receiving the higher dilutions of vaccine (1:16, 1:64 and 1:256) had deaths in their groups. All the controls died. Rabbit survival was compared with the antibody response. Statistical models were used to test for significance of the peak antibody responses to predict survival. Results showed that both the amount of anti-PA IgG and TNA titres present in the sera at the time of the peak antibody response were significant (P < 0.0001) predictors of survival. These results demonstrate that the humoral immune response to AVA can predict protection in the rabbit model of inhalational anthrax.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Assessing condom use practices. Implications for evaluating method and user effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Consistent and correct condom use remains important to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. Although many studies evaluate consistent condom use, few examine how condoms are used during intercourse. GOALS: Assess how user practices affect exposure to risks of pregnancy and infection during condom use. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey on condom behaviors in the past month was conducted among 98 male students attending two Georgia universities. RESULTS: Altogether, 35 of 270 total condom uses (13.0%, 95% confidence interval, 7.4-18.5) resulted in potential exposure to sexually transmitted disease and/or HIV infection or pregnancy. Both consistent and inconsistent users were similarly likely to report potential exposures during condom use. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest condom problems occur among both consistent and inconsistent users. Future studies of condom effectiveness must distinguish whether condoms were used both consistently and correctly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The social organization of transvestite prostitution and AIDS.

This paper reports on the social organization of 53 transvestite prostitutes in Atlanta (GA), U.S.A. The central focus of the paper is on the relationship between social organization, social networks, and HIV risk behaviors in three geographic areas. In one of the areas the HIV infection rate was significantly higher than in the other two areas (81.1% vs 62.5% and 12.5%). Transvestites from the high prevalence area are strongly committed to transvestism and, consequently, are socially isolated. They report the lowest income, engaged in passive anal sex, have a history of syphilis and report inconsistent condom use with paying sex partners. Transvestite prostitutes in the other two areas are less committed to transvestism and more integrated into non-transvestite networks. In the area with the lowest HIV rate the transvestites are integrated into the non-transvestite male prostitute social organization so are discouraged from engaging in receptive anal sex, especially without condoms. The differences in HIV seroprevalence as well as related behavioral differences are linked to social organization among the transvestite prostitutes and to their participation in risky sex such as receptive anal intercourse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Risk factors associated with HIV infection among male prostitutes.

OBJECTIVES: This study documents the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease seroprevalence rate for male prostitutes, identifies the risk factors for HIV, and provides baseline information for the development and implementation of appropriate prevention and intervention strategies. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted with and blood samples were collected from 235 actively working male prostitutes in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 1988 through July 1991. RESULTS: The HIV seroprevalence was 29.4%; 25.1% of the sample had seromarker for syphilis and 58.3% for hepatitis B. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the following significant HIV risk factors: history of receptive anal sex with nonpaying partners, serologic history of hepatitis B or syphilis, and history of childhood physical abuse. CONCLUSIONS: The reported seroprevalence rates among these male prostitutes indicate they are a high-risk group. The striking difference in HIV seroprevalence by sexual orientation may warrant special attention. Considering the public health consequences, there is a clear need for innovative HIV prevention and intervention among these men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Male transvestite prostitutes and HIV risk.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, syphilis, and hepatitis B prevalence and associated risk factors were assessed among male transvestite prostitutes. Structured street-level interviews were conducted with 53 respondents in Atlanta, Ga, from July 1990 through July 1991. Test results from serum samples revealed that 68% were seropositive for HIV-1, 81% had seromarkers for syphilis, and 80% had seromarkers for hepatitis B. Univariate logistic regression analysis indicated that seromarkers for syphilis and Black race were the primary factors associated with HIV-1 infection. The results show that transvestite prostitutes are a heterogenous population and distinct from nontransvestite prostitutes; specific outreach is thus needed. Targeted interventions should address the sexual and drug-use-related HIV risk behaviors of transvestite prostitutes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Data base management system for assisted reproduction.

A substantial amount of data are generated from a single cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), or related techniques. Maintaining an accurate and timely record of the flow of information is complicated by provision of service to many patients concurrently, diverse origins of data, and the use of donor sperm, donor oocytes, and/or cryopreservation. We have developed a data base management system for use on a network of personal computers that takes into account the volume, intricacy, and specialized features of data generated by IVF and GIFT programs. The major products of the system are (1) compact, individual patient reports on virtually all details of each treatment cycle; (2) reports on aggregate data (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or yearly); (3) automated summaries for submission to the American Fertility Society National Registry; and (4) creation of raw data files of user-specified variables that could be used for statistical analysis.

Database Management Systems↗
PubMed1984

Dramaturgy of occult practitioners in the treatment of disease and dysfunction entities.

This paper provides a dramaturgical analysis of the beliefs and practices of rural and suburban fortune-tellers in the treatment of disease and dysfunction entities. Based upon in-depth interviews with 21 non-Gypsy fortune-tellers, the client records of a key informant and the second author's first-hand familiarity with select aspects of fortune-telling, the paper examines the role of the fortune-teller as a quasi-practitioner. Fortune-tellers were found to employ five dramaturgical devices which (1) reaffirm conventional treatment norms through an informal symbiotic relationship with physicians; (2) provide the 'client' with destigmatizing classifications; and (3) offer an occult etiology which requires spiritual expertise for treatment 'success'. Occult treatment for the conditions tends to mimic the dramaturgy of conventional practitioners through the use of occult rhetoric, labels, client typifications, props and treatment scripts. The management of venereal disease and sexual impotence is examined in detail to illustrate the occult approach to disease and dysfunction entities.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Normal and abnormal uncrossed retinotectal pathways in rats: an HRP study in adults.

Horseradish peroxidase was injected into the superior colliculus of normal pigmented and albino rats and rats which had been unilaterally enucleated at birth, in order to identify the retinal ganglion cells which contribute normal and abnormal uncrossed retinotectal axons. The results show that while in pigmented rats, the normal uncrossed pathway derives solely from the lower temporal retina and distributes to the anterior and medial parts of the colliculus, occasional cells throughout the retina of albino rats contribute to the uncrossed pathway and the terminal distribution is broader in the tectum. These findings are confirmed with orthograde pathway tracing methods. After neonatal unilateral eye enucleation, many more ganglion cells in the remaining eye of both pigmented and albino rats project ipsilaterally. It is notable from both HRP studies and from further degeneration experiments that cells in part of the lower temporal retina do not restrict their distribution to a mirror togographic position in the ipsilateral tectum but send axons across all but the posterolateral part of the colliculus. No single class of ganglion cell (defined by soma diameter) appears responsible for the expanded ipsilateral projection, although more large cells from the lower temporal retina are involved. These may be the result of enlargement of cells with expanded terminal fields rather than necessarily indicating a preferential contribution from one retinal ganglion cell class.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Further studies on the aberrant cross visual corticotectal pathway in rats.

An aberrant crossed corticotectal pathway can be generated by removal of one visual cortex and the contralateral superior colliculus from newborn rats. This aberrant crossed corticotectal projection arises from the pyramidal neurons located in layer V of the visual cortex and terminates in a spatially orderly manner in the appropriate laminae of the cortically deafferented contralateral colliculus. Comparable results cannot be reproduced by unilateral collicular lesions alone. The significance of these findings and the possible mechanisms involved in the formation of the aberrant pathway are discussed and compared with the retinotectal system.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Visual acuity and behavior of monocularly deprived monkeys after retinal lesions.

One eyelid of each of three Macaca nemestrina monkeys was sutured shut at 3 weeks of age. One animal had the central 10 degrees of the open eye retina lesioned at 3 weeks of age (EL1), a second at 9 months of age (LL1), and the third had no lesion (MD1). After a reverse suture at 9 months of age, the deprived eye was tested for grating acuity, visual behavior, and visual field. EL1 tested positively on all behavioral tasks by 1 month and showed good visual ability to negotiate a playroom but never performed better than 20/1,250 on grating acuity. MD1 showed little visual behavior in the playroom but tested at 20/400 acuity. LL1 rapidly recovered all aspects of visual behavior and tested at 20/80 visual acuity. Perimetry shows that LL1 and EL1 respond mainly in the central portion of the deprived eye visual field but not to the periphery or the monocular segment. We conclude that removal of the open eye retina after the critical period allows much visual recovery by the deprived eye but that removal of the open eye retina within the critical period does not prevent many of the effects of monocular deprivation.

Animals↗