Indoor fungal contamination as a biological risk factor

Aim. To assess the degree of fungal contamination and the species composition of the fungal microbiota of residential apartments in Kazan Methods. A mycological study of 90 air samples and 60 samples from sites of fungal biodeterioration from the residential buildings of Kazan was carried out using cultural and microscopic methods. Results. The presence of micromycetes fungi were detected in 90% of air samples and 100% of samples from sites of biodeterioration. Higher fungal species diversity was noted in the sites, compared with air samples. Fungal concentrations in indoor air varied between 8 and 360 CFU/m3. Fungal community composition analysis of the sites of biodeterioration showed that the surfaces were more frequently contaminated by undemanding and capable of growth at different moisture levels fungal species (Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus stolonifer). The resulting fungal plaque can create conditions favorable for aggressive fungal species that actively damage materials (Chaetomium spp., Acremonium spp., Aureubasidium spp). Allergenic fungi, as well as potentially pathogenic and toxin-forming species, were widespread in the air that can be a health risk factor. A quantitative assessment of air mycobiota indicated the moderate level of fungal contamination. Conclusion. The presence of potentially pathogenic, allergenic and biodegradable fungal species in the sites of biodeterioration has been confirmed, as well as the relationship between airborne fungal contamination and the spread of fungi in indoors, confirming the need to prevent fungal biodeterioration and control indoor air quality.

Biological risk factor of occupational morbidity with tuberculosis among medical professionals

The article presents molecular genetic characteristics of M. tuberculosis circulating in Omsk region, as a biologic risk factor of tuberculosis morbidity among medical institutions workers. The authors used descriptive method of epidemiologic study, method of MIRUVNTR-typing of M. tuberculosis DNA. Findings are M. tuberculosis stains of Beijing genotype with VNTR-profile 233325173533424, isolated out of tuberculosis patients cluster being under stationary treatment. 65.2% of the stains had multiple drug-resistance to anti-tuberculosis medications. Respiratory tuberculosis was diagnosed in 85.4% of the cases, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (urinary system, peripheral lymph nodes, eyes, CNS tuberculosis) equaled 14.6%. Nearly 30% of tuberculosis cases in the health care workers were associated with the bacterioexcretion.

Jury-Eligible Public Attitudes Toward Biological Risk Factors for the Development of Criminal Behavior and Implications for Capital Sentencing

This experiment, utilizing a sample of death-qualified jury-eligible public, examines if and how evidence on biological risk factors for criminality might affect views on the death penalty in four contexts: death penalty support, mitigation, future dangerousness, and cruel and unusual punishment. Results suggest that the presentation of evidence on biological risk factors generally, regardless of the specific risk factor, may not affect views on whether or not the use of the death penalty is appropriate. The presentation of biological risk factor evidence does not appear to be viewed by as strongly mitigating, but biological risk factors generally do have a small, yet statistically significant, impact on perceptions of moral responsibility. The presentation of evidence on certain biological risk factors also may aggravate views of future dangerousness, which could potentially increase the likelihood that the death penalty is supported. Implications of these attitudes for the criminal justice system are discussed.

Elevated Blood Ammonia Level Is a Potential Biological Risk Factor of Behavioral Disorders in Prisoners

Hydrothion (H2S) and ammonia (NH3) can be toxic for the human central nervous system and cause psychological disturbances and behavioral disorders. In order to evaluate the association between the two potential toxicants and mental health, in this study, we compare a male prisoner and control population. Forty-nine male prisoners and 52 control volunteers took part in the study. An aggressive behavior assessment, the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to characterize the participants’ mental health status. Venous blood was collected for detection of H2S and NH3. The results indicated that blood NH3was significantly higher in male prisoners than in controls. However, blood H2S was significantly lower. Blood NH3was also significantly and positively correlated with prisoners. In the multivariate adjusted models, after controlling for age, education, marital status, and BMI, we found a positive association between NH3and prisoners, but not blood H2S. While the functions of the two toxicants were quite different, blood NH3may be a potential biological risk factor for behavioral disorders and blood H2S showed neuroprotection. Additionally, the impact of other factors such as diet and gut bacteria should be considered when evaluating risk for behavioral disorders.

The relationship between hippocampal asymmetry and temperament in adolescent borderline and antisocial personality pathology

Investigating etiological processes early in the life span represents an important step toward a better understanding of the development of personality pathology. The current study evaluated the interaction between an individual difference risk factor (i.e., temperament) and a biological risk factor for aggressive behavior (i.e., atypical [larger] rightward hippocampal asymmetry) in predicting the emergence of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder symptoms during early adolescence. The sample consisted of 153 healthy adolescents (M = 12.6 years, SD = 0.4, range = 11.4–13.7) who were selected from a larger sample to maximize variation in temperament. Interactions between four temperament factors (effortful control, negative affectivity, surgency, and affiliativeness), based on the Early Adolescent Temperament Questionnaire—Revised, and volumetric measures of hippocampal asymmetry were examined as cross-sectional predictors of BPD and antisocial personality disorder symptoms. Boys were more likely to have elevated BPD symptoms if they were high on affiliation and had larger rightward hippocampal asymmetry. In boys, low affiliation was a significant predictor of BPD symptoms in the presence of low rightward hippocampal asymmetry. For girls, low effortful control was associated with elevated BPD symptoms in the presence of atypical rightward hippocampal asymmetry. This study builds on previous work reporting significant associations between atypical hippocampal asymmetry and poor behavioral regulation.

Abstract P210: People With Both Heart Disease and Arthritis are Twice as Likely to Have Multiple Heart Disease Risk Factors Than People With Heart Disease Alone

Purpose: Arthritis and heart disease (HD) are common co-occurring conditions which may have implications for preventive efforts. Among people with heart disease (HD), we examined the association between HD risk factors and the presence of arthritis. Methods: The study sample comprised adults aged ≥18 years with HD (n=5,493) in the 2007 and 2008 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of civilian, non-institionalized persons in the United States. We estimated the association between cardiovascular/heart disease risk factors among people with HD by arthritis status using multivariable adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); odds ratios were adjusted for age, sex, education and race/ethnicity. HD risk factors were analyzed individually and categorized: 1) biological risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes), 2) behavioral risk factors (current smoking, obesity, physical inactivity) and 3) multiple risk factors (≥2 of biological and behavioral combined). Results: People with HD and arthritis were more than twice as likely to have ≥ 1 biological risk factor (OR=2.5; 95% CI=2.1-2.8) than those with HD alone. Hypertension was the most common biological risk factor for both groups and respondents with both conditions were two times as likely to report hypertension (OR=2.2; 95% CI=2.0-2.6) than HD alone. The OR for the association between arthritis status and the presence of ≥1 behavioral risk factor was OR=1.3 (95%CI = 1.1- 1.5). The most common behavioral risk factor was physical inactivity, which was 40% higher among people with both HD and arthritis compared with those with HD alone (OR=1.4; 95% CI=1.2-1.6). Last, people with HD and arthritis were twice as likely to report ≥2 risk factors than those with HD only (OR=2.1; 95% CI=1.8 - 2.4). Conclusion: Multiple HD risk factors, especially biological, are common among people with HD and arthritis. Biological risk factors such as hypertension are modifiable and can be prevented and managed through interventions such as physical activity. We found that people with both HD and arthritis were more likely to be physically inactive suggesting that the pain and physical limitations associated with arthritis may be a barrier to physical activity.

Weight Status and High Blood Pressure Among Low-Income African American Men

Obesity is a biological risk factor or comorbidity that has not received much attention from scientists studying hypertension among African American men. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between weight status and high blood pressure among African American men with few economic resources. The authors used surveillance data collected from low-income adults attending community- and faith-based primary care clinics in West Tennessee to estimate pooled and group-specific regression models of high blood pressure. The results from group-specific logistic regression models indicate that the factors associated with hypertension varied considerably by weight status. This study provides a glimpse into the complex relationship between weight status and high blood pressure status among African American men. Additional research is needed to identify mechanisms through which excess weight affects the development and progression of high blood pressure.