Distribution of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript-like immunoreactivity (CART-LI) was studied in the rat spinal cord, sympathetic ganglia and adrenal glands by immunohistochemical methods, utilizing a polyclonal antiserum raised against the CART peptide fragment 55-102. CART-LI was detected in nerve fibers and in basket-like terminals surrounding many postganglionic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG), stellate, paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia. Postganglionic neurons exhibited low or non-detectable levels of CART-LI. Surgical sectioning of the cervical sympathetic trunk for 6-7 days resulted in a nearly complete loss of CART-LI fibers and terminals in the SCG. In the adrenal gland, CART-LI nerve fibers formed a plexus underneath the capsule, some of which bifurcated and made a sharp turn toward the adrenal medulla, where clusters of chromaffin cells were intensely labeled. The detection of CART-LI in sympathetic ganglia and adrenal glands extends the previous observation of the presence of CART-LI in sympathetic preganglionic neurons and further supports the notion that CART peptide(s) may function as a signaling molecule in the sympatho-adrenal axis.

Human papillomavirus is the most frequently occurring sexually transmitted infection and has been recognized as the necessary cause of cervical cancer. Understanding the shift in public awareness caused by recent changes to cervical prevention is critical to addressing cervical cancer disparities in Appalachia. Since the human papillomavirus vaccine was approved for prevention, little data have been collected regarding human papillomavirus risk assessment and vaccine perceptions among Appalachian women. The purpose of the authors in this study was to investigate communication and cultural issues via a social scripting framework that could influence human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among southern Appalachian women; and explore participants' perceptions of human papillomavirus, cervical cancer, and the vaccine. A qualitative, descriptive design was employed to examine these issues in eight counties in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. Thirty-nine women aged 18-49 years participated in a single individual interview or focus group session from October 2007 through August 2008. Interview and focus group data were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Two major themes emerged from the data: the human papillomavirus vaccine protection dilemma and spheres of silence surrounding the human papillomavirus vaccine protection dilemma. Study findings suggested areas for future research and may assist healthcare professionals in approaching southern Appalachian women as they make decisions regarding cervical cancer prevention.

Populations of intrathoracic extracardiac neurons transduce myocardial ischemia, thereby contributing to sympathetic control of regional cardiac indices during such pathology. Our objective was to determine whether electrical neuromodulation using spinal cord stimulation (SCS) modulates such local reflex control. In 10 anesthetized canines, middle cervical ganglion neurons were identified that transduce the ventricular milieu. Their capacity to transduce a global (rapid ventricular pacing) vs. regional (transient regional ischemia) ventricular stress was tested before and during SCS (50 Hz, 0.2 ms duration at 90% MT) applied to the dorsal aspect of the T1 to T4 spinal cord. Rapid ventricular pacing and transient myocardial ischemia both activated cardiac-related middle cervical ganglion neurons. SCS obtunded their capacity to reflexly respond to the regional ventricular ischemia, but not rapid ventricular pacing. In conclusion, spinal cord inputs to the intrathoracic extracardiac nervous system obtund the latter's capacity to transduce regional ventricular ischemia, but not global cardiac stress. Given the substantial body of literature indicating the adverse consequences of excessive adrenergic neuronal excitation on cardiac function, these data delineate the intrathoracic extracardiac nervous system as a potential target for neuromodulation therapy in minimizing such effects.

Purpose of Review: Interactions between microorganisms can alter subsequent disease outcomes. Human papilloma virus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) establish human genital co-infections, and CT infection is a co-factor for HPV-induced cervical cancer. This review focuses upon (i) data indicating that clinically significant interactions occur and (ii) proposed mechanisms underlying these outcomes. Recent Findings: Epidemiological surveys indicate that (i) simultaneous HPV/CT genital co-infections are common; (ii) CT co-infection accelerates HPV-induced cytopathology; and (iii) HPV infection facilitates CT infection. Single-infection studies suggest specific molecular mechanisms by which co-infection alters clinical outcomes, including (i) HPV E6/E7 protein modification of host cell pathways enhances CT replication or immune evasion and (ii) CT-mediated host cell or neutrophil dysfunctions promote HPV-mediated neoplasia. Summary: There are multiple avenues for future dissection of HPV/CT interactions. Moreover, the known and potential health consequences of co-infection highlight the need for improving current HPV vaccines and developing an effective CT vaccine.

Cancer metastasis is a highly complex process and is of great clinical importance since majority of cancer related mortality is associated with metastatic disease rather than primary tumor. The fact that cancer metastasis can develop years or even decades after primary tumor diagnosis, makes this process even more complex and therefore its understanding is of vital importance. Cervical cancer (CxC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and cause of death among gynecologic cancers worldwide. In this chapter, our aim is to provide a broad overview of risk factors, modes of metastasis and major molecular factors and signaling pathways involved in the progression and metastasis of CxC. The understanding of these factors will enhance the knowledge of CxC pathogenesis and targeting these pathways would help combat against CxC and its metastasis.

Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability costing the United States (US) health care system 34 billion dollars. However, stem cell based therapies have been shown to improve recovery after cortical injury by enhancing neural recovery and modulating immune responses (Lambertsen, Finsen, & Clausen, 2018; Orczykowski et al., 2018; Stonesifer et al., 2017). Specifically, reorganization of the motor circuit at the level of the spinal cord has been shown to improve functional recovery after injury (Christoph Wiessner; Weidner et al., 2001; Lee et al., 2004; Zai et al., 2009). In our study we used a non-human primate (NHP) model to study the neural recovery after cortical injury similar to damage from an ischemic stroke in the motor cortex with or without a systemic treatment of mesenchymal stem cell derived (MSCd) exosomes. We find a robust recovery in motor function within the first few weeks after injury including improved grasp patterns and faster retrieval times during behavioral tasks. Additionally, assessment of the cervical spinal cord (CSC) reveals decreased levels of sprouting axons from ipsilesional corticospinal tract (CST) and MAP2+ synapses in the contralesional ventral horn at 14 weeks post-injury, which correlates with improved retrieval latencies. We hypothesize that MSCd exosomes may encourage an earlier switch to anti-inflammatory and repair processes that reduces secondary damage in the cortex resulting in earlier pruning of axon collaterals and reducing the need for compensatory mechanisms of the spinal cord at 14 weeks post injury.

Minority immigrant women are more likely to be diagnosed with and suffer from cervical cancer compared to other minority women in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative ethnographic study was to explore cultural health perceptions, behaviors, and barriers to cervical cancer prevention among Korean immigrant women (KIW) in Hawaii. The health belief model and the social-ecological model were used to guide the study. Data were collected using individual structured interviews with 20 KIW ages 21 to 65 who are first-generation KIW immigrant to Hawaii. Data were coded and analyzed to identify themes. Findings revealed that participants (a) prefer a female gynecologist and Korean-speaking physicians; (b) are highly motivated to maintain physical health, including prevention; (c) prefer culturally appropriate community-based cancer prevention programs, and (d) expect innovative health maintenance approaches. Findings may be used by healthcare providers to identify culturally specific health needs of KIW related to cervical cancer screening and to implement appropriate preventive measures for KIW to reduce cancer death.

Pap smear screening detects cervical cancer in its earliest stages, yet thousands of women in the United States die annually from this disease. Social networking websites commonly provide information about recommended health screenings. In this quantitative study, the Health Belief Model provided the theoretical framework to determine if the use of social networking websites affected nurses' decisions to receive Pap smear screening. A convenience sample of nurses was used, with the rationale that they were knowledgeable of and receptive to participating in a relevant health study. A total of 2,336 registered nurses practicing in Durham, North Carolina were invited to participate in the study. Over a period of 4 weeks, 107 participants responded to questions from the Health Belief Questionnaire and Pew Internet and American Life survey through an electronic questionnaire. Chi-square analysis determined the association between the receipt of Pap smear screening and the use of a social networking website use. Logistic regression further analyzed this association with age as a covariate. Nearly all participants reported having a Pap smear screening within the last 12 months. However, the lack of significant results showed that social networking website use was not a factor for higher screening rates. Despite the non-significant findings, the participants nevertheless reported a high use of social networking websites. These findings indicate that such platforms can be used to educate women on the importance of Pap smear screening. The study's implications for positive social change are to use such sites to more effectively, to promote and educate on the importance of Pap smear screening.

This study applied the constructs of the health belief model (HBM) to assess women's knowledge and attitudes (i.e., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers) regarding cervical cancer, HPV, and the HPV vaccine and determine whether they predict women's intentions to receive the HPV vaccine. Women aged 18 to 26 years were surveyed from a convenience sample, and were primarily well-educated White women. Using Polytomous Universal Model (PLUM) ordinal regression, it was determined that the constructs of this model could not predict women's intentions of receiving the HPV vaccine.

Introduction: Globally approximately 570,000 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer during the year 2018 making the condition the fourth most common cancer in women. Studies indicate that migrant women are screened for cervical cancer to a lower extent than nonmigrant women, which is a problem that requires attention. Aim: The aim of the present study was to describe migrants' experiences of cervical cancer screening. The aim was specified with two questions: What do migrant women experience as hindering regarding screening for cervical cancer? What do migrant women experience as facilitating regarding screening for cervical cancer? Method: A descriptive design with a literature review was used, twelve scientific qualitative articles were reviewed and analysed. Results: The four main themes were: barriers related to the healthcare system, sociocultural barriers, barrier at the individual level, and factors that promote participation in cervical cancer screening. The results showed that the main barriers were insufficient knowledge, language barriers and cultural barriers. Facilitating factors included cultural adaption and increased dissemination of information. Conclusion: In order to also suit immigrant women development of the screening programmes in the countries included in the bachelor thesis (Sweden, Norway, Finland, USA and Canada) is needed.