scholarly journals Comparison of the vaginal microbiota in postmenopausal Black and White women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia L HUDSON ◽  
Wodan LING ◽  
Michael C WU ◽  
Matthew R HAYWARD ◽  
Alissa J MITCHELL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Shotgun Sequencing ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Lactobacillus Crispatus ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Vaginal Swabs

Abstract Objective We compared vaginal microbial communities in postmenopausal Black and White women. Methods Shotgun sequencing of vaginal swabs from postmenopausal women self-identified as Black or White was compared using MiRKAT. Results Vaginal community dominance by Lactobacillus crispatus or L. gasseri was more common in 44 postmenopausal Black women (n = 12, 27%) than among 44 matched White women (N = 2, 5%; p = 0.01). No individual taxa were significantly more abundant in either group. Conclusions We identified small overall differences in vaginal microbial communities of Black and White postmenopausal women. L. crispatus dominance was more common in Black women.

Abstract MP008: Racial Differences in Total, Free, and Bioavailable 25(OH)D and PTH Levels and CVD Risk Among Postmenopausal Women

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi Zhang ◽  
Wanzhu Tu ◽  
Lesley Tinker ◽  
JoAnn E Manson ◽  
Simin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
White Women ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Circulating Levels

Background: Recent evidence suggests that racial differences in circulating levels of free or bioavailable 25(OH)D rather than total 25(OH)D may explain the apparent racial disparities in cardiovascular disease(CVD).However, few prospective studies have directly tested this hypothesis. Objective: Our study prospectively examined black white differences in the associations of total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels at baseline with incident CVD in a large, multi-ethnic, geographically diverse cohort of postmenopausal women. Method: We conducted a case-cohort study among 79,705 black and non-Hispanic white postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years and free of CVD at baseline in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). We included a randomly chosen subcohort of 1,300 black and 1,500 white noncases at baseline and a total of 550 black and 1,500 white women who developed incident CVD during the follow up. We directly measured circulating levels of total 25(OH)D, VDBP (monoclonal antibody assay), albumin, and PTH and calculated free and bioavailable vitamin D levels. Weighted Cox proportional hazards models were used while adjusting for known CVD risk factors. Results: At baseline, white women had higher mean levels of total 25(OH)D and VDBP and lower mean levels of free and bioavailable 25(OH)D and PTH than black women (all P values < 0.0001). White cases had lower levels of total 25(OH)D and VDBP and higher levels of PTH than white noncases, while black cases had higher levels of PTH than black noncases (all P values < 0.05). There was a trend toward an increased CVD risk associated with low total 25(OH)D and VDBP levels or elevated PTH levels in both US black and white women. In the multivariable analyses, the total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D, and VDBP were not significantly associated with CVD risk in black or white women. A statistically significant association between higher PTH levels and increased CVD risk persisted in white women, however. The multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios [HRs] comparing the extreme quartiles of PTH were 1.37 (95% CI: 1.06-1.77; P-trend=0.02) for white women and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.79-1.58; P-trend=0.37) for black women. This positive association among white women was also independent of total, free, and bioavailable 25(OH)D or VDBP. There were no significant interactions with other pre-specified factors, including BMI, season of blood draw, sunlight exposure, recreational physical activity, sitting time, or renal function. Interpretation: Findings from a large multiethnic case-cohort study of US black and white postmenopausal women do not support the notion that circulating levels of vitamin D biomarkers may explain black-white disparities in CVD but indicate that PTH excess may be an independent risk factor for CVD in white women.

Abstract P291: Adipocytokines, Lipoproteins & Obesity Among Black & White Postmenopausal Women from the Women’s Health Initiative

Circulation ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (suppl_12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel H Mackey ◽  
Kathleen M McTigue ◽  
Emma Barinas-Mitchell ◽  
Rhobert W Evans ◽  
Lesley F Tinker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Waist Circumference ◽  
Women's Health ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Women's Health Initiative ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Health Initiative ◽  
Hmw Adiponectin ◽  
The Women’S Health Initiative

Background: Despite the prevalence of severe obesity, particularly among women and African-American women, there is little data on CV risk factor differences across the BMI spectrum including extreme obesity. Methods: Participants were 1200 black and white postmenopausal women sampled from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study according to BMI categories and waist circumference tertiles: 300 black and 300 white women with BMI 40-65 kg/m 2 and 75 black and 75 white women in BMI categories 8.5-<25, 25-<30, 30-<35 and 35-<40 kg/m 2 . Using stored baseline serum, total and high molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin and insulin were measured by immunoassay; plasma lipoproteins and subclasses were measured by NMR spectroscopy. Race-ethnicity differences were tested in linear regression models adjusted for age, diabetes, BMI, waist, hip, hormone therapy and lipid-lowering medication. Results: Compared with white women, black women had lower levels of total and HMW adiponectin and ghrelin, and higher levels of insulin and leptin. Despite similar levels of total LDL particles (LDL-P), black women had lower levels of small LDL-P and higher levels of large LDL-P and larger mean LDL size. Levels of large HDL particles (HDL-P) and small HDL-P were also similar for black and white women, but black women had lower levels of total and medium HDL-P and larger mean HDL particle size. Black women also had lower levels of total, large, medium and small VLDL particles (VLDL-P) which increased little across BMI category, such that mean levels of total or large VLDL-P among black women with BMI≥ 40 kg/m 2 were lower than white women of normal BMI (<25 kg/m 2 ) (Figure). Among white, but not black women, total LDL-P was higher and total HDL-P was lower with higher BMI category (Figure). Conclusions: Among postmenopausal women of similar BMI and waist circumference, black women have lower levels of ghrelin and total and HMW adiponectin, but better lipoprotein levels that are less related to obesity compared with white women.

scholarly journals Interstrain Variability of Human Vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus for Metabolism of Biogenic Amines and Antimicrobial Activity against Urogenital Pathogens

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (15) ◽  
pp. 4538
Author(s):  
Scarlett Puebla-Barragan ◽  
Emiley Watson ◽  
Charlotte van der Veer ◽  
John A. Chmiel ◽  
Charles Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biogenic Amines ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Vaginal Microbiota ◽  
Comparative Genome Analysis ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Lactobacillus Crispatus ◽  
Vaginal Swabs ◽  
The Common ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

Lactobacillus crispatus is the dominant species in the vagina of many women. With the potential for strains of this species to be used as a probiotic to help prevent and treat dysbiosis, we investigated isolates from vaginal swabs with Lactobacillus-dominated and a dysbiotic microbiota. A comparative genome analysis led to the identification of metabolic pathways for synthesis and degradation of three major biogenic amines in most strains. However, targeted metabolomic analysis of the production and degradation of biogenic amines showed that certain strains have either the ability to produce or to degrade these compounds. Notably, six strains produced cadaverine, one produced putrescine, and two produced tyramine. These biogenic amines are known to raise vaginal pH, cause malodour, and make the environment more favourable to vaginal pathogens. In vitro experiments confirmed that strains isolated from women with a dysbiotic vaginal microbiota have higher antimicrobial effects against the common urogenital pathogens Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium. The results indicate that not all L. crispatus vaginal strains appear suitable for probiotic application and the basis for selection should not be only the overall composition of the vaginal microbiota of the host from which they came, but specific biochemical and genetic traits.

Geographical disparities of incidence and prevalence of triple-negative breast cancers: Multistate study data analysis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12599-e12599
Author(s):  
Hyein Jeon ◽  
Myeong Lee ◽  
Mohammed Jaloudi
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
White Women ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
The State ◽  
Luminal A ◽  
Black Females ◽  
Black And White ◽  
State Effect

e12599 Background: Higher prevalence of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in black women with associated poor outcomes due to various disparities is well documented within a single state. We examine multiple states to better understand the state effect on such differences in incidence and prevalence of TNBC in black women. Methods: Female patients of ages 19 years old and above with breast cancer from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program across 13 states (608 counties) from 2015 (n = 66,444) and 2016 (n = 66,122) were examined. The relationships between the proportion of black and white women and the rate of patients with different tumor subtypes (luminal A, luminal B, HR-HER2+, and triple negative) were examined at the county level using ordinary least-square regression models. In parallel, due to consideration of various state-specific healthcare policies, socio-cultural norms, and socio-economic disparities, multi-level regression models were applied to examine the nested, random effect of each state on TNBC prevalence in each county. Bonferroni correction was applied to reduce the Type I error caused by repeated use of the same variables in multiple tests. Results: The baseline breast cancer rates between black and white women were similar in the population (0.171% for black and 0.168% for white). Consistent to previous studies, we demonstrate a significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) in TNBC in black females in both years. Surprisingly, when accounted for the random effects on states, 38.2% (2015) and 34.3% (2016) increase in incidence of TNBC in black females were seen, suggestive of state-specific disparity affecting race-specific health. In 2015, other subtypes of breast cancer in both black and white females did not result in significant relationship. Interestingly, in 2016, there was a significant relationship seen between the TNBC rate in white females and the white female population rate only after adjusting for the state effect (p = 0.026). This indicates the impact of non-biological factors such as state-wide health policies. Additionally, HR-HER2+ black females had a significant relationship against respective population rate only after adjusting for the state effect as well (p = 0.0394). For luminal A white females, a 15% decrease in incidence was seen after adjusting for state effect (p = 0.0424). Conclusions: This is the first known across-state examination of breast cancer subtypes by race with random effects on state. This study shows the role of state-specific factors affecting incidence in black and white females and potentially indicates the importance of state-level management for breast cancer on health disparities in addition to race-driven effects. Further studies are needed to elucidate comparable differences between states affecting the rates of various subtypes of breast cancer and thus health outcomes.

The Natural Hair Bias in Job Recruitment

2020 ◽  
pp. 194855062093793
Author(s):  
Christy Zhou Koval ◽  
Ashleigh Shelby Rosette
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Labor Market ◽  
Black Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
White Female ◽  
Job Interview ◽  
Natural Hair ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Job Recruitment

Across four studies, we demonstrate a bias against Black women with natural hairstyles in job recruitment. In Study 1, participants evaluated profiles of Black and White female job applicants across a variety of hairstyles. We found that Black women with natural hairstyles were perceived to be less professional, less competent, and less likely to be recommended for a job interview than Black women with straightened hairstyles and White women with either curly or straight hairstyles. We replicated these findings in a controlled experiment in Study 2. In Study 3A and 3B, we found Black women with natural hairstyles received more negative evaluations when they applied for a job in an industry with strong dress norms. Taken together, this article advances the research on biases in the labor market in the age of social media use and highlights the importance of taking an intersectional approach when studying inequity in the workplace.

scholarly journals Plasma Adiponectin and the Risk of Hypertension in White and Black Postmenopausal Women

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1438-1445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
JoAnn E Manson ◽  
J Michael Gaziano ◽  
Simin Liu ◽  
Barbara Cochrane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Plasma Adiponectin ◽  
Nested Case Control ◽  
Control Study

Abstract BACKGROUND Adiponectin may have a protective role in the development of obesity-related metabolic and vascular disorders, including hypertension. We conducted a prospective, nested case control study to investigate the relation between baseline plasma adiponectin, measures of adiposity, and subsequent risk of hypertension. METHODS We selected 400 white and 400 black postmenopausal women, age &lt;70 years, who developed incident hypertension during 5.9-year follow-up and an equal number of age- and race-matched controls in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study. We measured plasma concentrations of total adiponectin in their baseline blood samples. RESULTS In crude matched models, plasma adiponectin was inversely associated with risk of hypertension among both white and black women. The association appeared to be nonlinear in white women but dose related in black women. Adjustment for lifestyle factors, measures of obesity, and obesity-related clinical factors attenuated these associations. The multivariable relative risk (95% CI) of hypertension across increasing quartiles of plasma adiponectin were 1.00, 0.98 (0.66–1.46), 0.63 (0.41–0.97), and 0.92 (0.60–1.42) in white women (Ptrend: 0.38) and 1.00, 0.96 (0.64–1.46), 0.83 (0.53–1.29), and 0.58 (0.36–0.94) in black women (Ptrend: 0.02). Further adjustment for inflammatory markers and endothelial markers eliminated the association in white, but not black, women. CONCLUSIONS In this prospective, nested case control study, we found an inverse association between plasma adiponectin and risk of hypertension in white and black postmenopausal women. The reduced risk of hypertension was limited to only intermediate concentrations of adiponectin in white women whereas it was graded across quartiles of adiponectin in black women.

Black and White Women's Attitudes toward Interracial Marriage

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 753-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela S. Paset ◽  
Ronald D. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Interracial Marriage ◽  
The Other ◽  
Research Needs ◽  
Response Scale ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Black And White

50 white women and 50 black women, US citizens between the ages 18 and 23 years, were asked to rate their attitudes about interracial marriage on a 10-point response scale. The white women were somewhat more favorable, if not significantly so, than the black women about men and women of their race marrying persons of another race. However, scorers at the extremes of the scale were significantly different. The white women tended to cluster at the scale extreme favoring interracial marriage, whereas the black women tended to cluster at the other unfavorable extreme. Implications and research needs are discussed.

scholarly journals Black-White Differences in Pregnancy Desire During the Transition to Adulthood

Demography ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 603-630
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Barber ◽  
Karen Benjamin Guzzo ◽  
Jamie Budnick ◽  
Yasamin Kusunoki ◽  
Sarah R. Hayford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Young Women ◽  
White Women ◽  
Race Differences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Future Pregnancy ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract This article explores race differences in the desire to avoid pregnancy or become pregnant using survey data from a random sample of 914 young women (ages 18–22) living in a Michigan county and semi-structured interviews with a subsample of 60 of the women. In the survey data, desire for pregnancy, indifference, and ambivalence are very rare but are more prevalent among Black women than White women. In the semi-structured interviews, although few women described fatalistic beliefs or lack of planning for future pregnancies, Black and White women did so equally often. Women more often described fatalistic beliefs and lack of planning when retrospectively describing their past than when prospectively describing their future. Using the survey data to compare prospective desires for a future pregnancy with women's recollections of those desires after they conceived, more Black women shifted positive than shifted negative, and Black women were more likely to shift positive than White women—that is, Black women do not differentially retrospectively overreport prospectively desired pregnancies as having been undesired before conception. Young women's consistent (over repeated interviews) prospective expression of strong desire to avoid pregnancy and correspondingly weak desire for pregnancy, along with the similarity of Black and White women's pregnancy plans, lead us to conclude that a “planning paradigm”—in which young women are encouraged and supported in implementing their pregnancy desires—is probably appropriate for the vast majority of young women and, most importantly, is similarly appropriate for Black and White young women.

scholarly journals Association of Resting Heart Rate With Blood Pressure and Incident Hypertension Over 30 Years in Black and White Adults

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 692-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Colangelo ◽  
Yuichiro Yano ◽  
David R. Jacobs ◽  
Donald M. Lloyd-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Black Women ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
White Women ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
White Men ◽  
Resting Heart Rate ◽  
Incident Hypertension ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Hazard Ratios

Few studies have assessed the association of resting heart rate (RHR) through young adulthood with incident hypertension by middle age. We investigated the association between RHR measured over 30 years with incident hypertension in a cohort of young Black and White men and women. A joint longitudinal time-to-event model consisting of a mixed random effects submodel, quadratic in follow-up time, and a survival submodel adjusted for confounders, was used to determine hazard ratios for a 10 bpm higher RHR. Race-sex specific effects were examined in a single joint model that included interactions of race-sex groups with longitudinal RHR. Out of 5115 participants enrolled in year 0 (1985–1986), after excluding prevalent cases of hypertension at baseline, 1615 men and 2273 women were included in the analytic cohort. Hypertension event rates per 1000 person-years were 42.5 and 25.7 in Black and White men, respectively, and 36.2 and 15.3 in Black and White women, respectively. The hazard ratios for a 10 bpm higher RHR were 1.47 (95% CI, 1.23–1.75), 1.51 (95% CI, 1.28–1.78), 1.48 (95% CI, 1.26–1.73), and 1.02, (95% CI, 0.89–1.17) for Black men, White men, White women, and Black women, respectively. Higher RHR during young adulthood is associated with a greater risk of incident hypertension by middle age. The association is similarly strong in Black men, White men, and White women, but absent in Black women, which may suggest racial differences in the effect of sympathetic nervous activity on hypertension among women.

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