David M. Mumford

Antibodies to adeno-associated satellite virus and herpes simplex in sera from cancer patients and normal adults

The ecologic aspects of the distribution of adeno-associated satellite virus (ASV) in the human population are of great interest because of its unconditional defectiveness and dependence on adenovirus for full and herpesvirus for partial complementation. Adenoviruses and herpesviruses are extremely common and persistent infections in man. We have developed immunofluorescent procedures for detecting the presence of satellite virus antibodies in human sera. The percentage of sera with antibodies to the ASV 2-3 complex was significantly higher in the normal group than in the cancer patients whereas there were no significant differences in herpes antibodies between the groups. The low incidence of satellite antibodies was particularly striking in patients with genital malignancies. The role of ASVs in human disease is not known. Their role in possible abrogation of oncogenesis mediated through adenoviruses or herpesviruses is worthy of further investigation.

An attempt to detect “pregnancy susceptibility” in indigent adolescent girls

Programs for widespread dissemination of birth control information and devices among adolescents are subject to strong resistance from many groups and may be ineffective anyway. An alternative approach to reducing the alarming frequency of unplanned pregnancy among unmarried adolescents might be group or individual counseling for those most susceptible, to unplanned pregnancies. Accurate identification would be necessary to implement this alternative. Developed in this paper is an inferential strategy for identifying in well-defined groups unmarried adolescents who seem “susceptible.” When carefully evaluated, an inferential strategy, based, on several concepts from Bayesian inference theory, appears remarkably accurate as a means of identification. Besides specific predic

Factors affecting perception of pregnancy; risk in the adolescent.

Perception of pregnancy risk, fertility knowledge, and probability-based teaching examples of risk were assessed in 104 primiparous urban adolescents 13–18 years of age in their second and third trimester of pregnancy. Perception of risk was not associated with age, actual frequency of intercourse, or level of fertility knowledge. Sexually active adolescents were surprised at subsequent conceptions. Adolescents were unable to utilize concepts of risk taking, even after concrete examples and teaching techniques had been presented.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behavioral Risk Factors for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Inner City Adolescent Females

Five hundred and ten inner city adolescent girls requesting reproductive health services were surveyed about their knowledge and beliefs concerning human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Each patients survey responses were examined in relation to number of sexual partners and history of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Adolescents with the greatest concerns and fears of contracting acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were those with multiple sexual partners. Those with the joint effects of multiple sexual partners and a history of STD were the most likely to acknowledge their potential for HIV infection and have a behavioral basis for it. Sexual behaviors within this age group are highlighted and programmatic interventions are suggested.

ASSOCIATIONS OF FAMILY SUPPORT, RESILIENCY, AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS AMONG INDIGENT TEENS ATTENDING A FAMILY PLANNING CLINIC

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of resiliency and family support on depression symptoms among 110 indigent adolescents attending a family planning clinic in a large urban city in southwestern USA. Findings suggested that several of the resiliency domains, on the Individual Protective Factors Index, as well as family support measured by the Family Support Scale, were associated with depression symptoms. Scores on the self-concept and positive outlook dimensions of the Personal Competence domain, the confidence and assertiveness dimensions of the Social Competence domain, and family support correlated with depression symptoms. The findings also suggested that 16.4% of the teens in this clinic would be classified as clinically depressed and as needing further evaluation. It seems reasonable to conclude that resilient adolescents may possess characteristics, beliefs, and supports which enable them to cope with life stressors more effectively and avoid depressive symptoms than those who are not as resilient. Given the prevalence and extent of depression among adolescents, it is important to develop interventions to foster attachment and enhance individual protective factors in primary prevention programs as such interventions may ameliorate the effects of high-risk environments.

A comparison between a 1986 and 1989 cohort of inner-city adolescent females on knowledge, beliefs, and risk factors for AIDS

In order to assess changes from 1986 to 1989 in knowledge, beliefs, and risk factors for AIDS, the responses of inner-city adolescent girls were compared. Although 63% of the 1989 cohort received AIDS education in school, the base knowledge of the two cohorts was not markedly different. Between 1986 and 1989, the number of sexual partners increased for adolescents of all ethnic groups, yet concerns about AIDS showed a decline. Those adolescents who had the highest number of sexual partners were also those who had the most knowledge and most concerns about AIDS. Implications for preventive education focus on ethnic diversity and gaps between adolescent knowledge and behavior.

The Lymphocyte Transformation Response of Fetal Hemolymphatic Tissue to Mitogens and Antigens

Summary: Lymphocyte transformation responses to three different mitogens (phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and concanavalin A (Con A)) as well as four antigens (streptolysin O (SLO), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), streptokinase-streptodornase (SKSD) and tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD)) were studied ontogenetically in 30 human fetuses ranging in gestational age from 6–19 weeks.In most organs lymphocyte responsiveness to Con A in human fetuses seemingly develops in concert with responsiveness to PHA and PWM. One 19 week fetus had an apparent antigen specific response to SLO with stimulation of cord blood and bone marrow lymphocytes. The same fetus also had mitogen responsiveness in bone marrow.Speculation: The onset of response to different mitogens (PHA, PWM, and Con A) apparently fails to distinguish subpopulations of lymphocytes in most fetal organs tested. Such agents may be of restricted value in studies of early immune ontogeny. Observation of one case of apparent fetal sensitization to SLO at 19 weeks gestational age suggests that transplacental immunization without gross infection may not be as rare as is believed currently.

T and B cells and immune competence in human fetal liver cells.

Abstract Mononuclear cells obtained from the fetal liver of seven human fetuses between 10 and 14 weeks of gestation had very few T cells as detected by spontaneous sheep erythrocyte rosette formations. Cells bearing surface membrane-bound immunoglobulin were rare, while cells bearing a receptor for the third component of complement could be detected in all of the specimens and were found to be within normal values in two specimens. The response of these cells to mitogens and allogeneic lymphocytes was poor, while the stimulatory ability of these cells in the mixed lymphocyte reaction could be detected in these cells. In the cocultivation of fetal liver mononuclear cells with peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disease, the responsiveness for phytohemagglutinin increased threefold over control values.

Lactate and Malate Dehydrogenase and α-Esterases in Oligospermia

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase, and α-esterase were studied electrophoretically in a total of 99 semen samples obtained from normal, vasectomized, oligospermic, and infertile males. The enzymatic patterns were compared with total sperm count and percentage sperm motility. Lactate dehydrogenase X was absent in semen samples from oligospermic as well as vasectomized males. An extra LDH band (between the second and third LDH bands) was detectable in samples which had a low sperm count but higher motility (80 to 90%). This extra band was absent in samples with higher sperm count regardless of the level of percentage motility, suggesting that the extra band possibly may be related to motility factors of low sperm count but not normal sperm count. The fastest moving α-esterase bands were absent in samples from oligospermic or vasectomized males. These bands were also absent in samples from infertile patients having a very low sperm count. It is not clear whether the fast-moving esterase bands are related to sperm count or possible differences in hormonal levels of individuals with low or zero sperm count samples. The patterns of malate dehydrogenase did not differ in individuals with zero, low, or normal sperm count.

The Use of Focus Groups to Identify Needs and Expectations of Young Fathers in a Male Involvement Program

A focus group was used to elicit information about the needs of young fathers who were interested in participating in a male involvement program to increase parenting responsibility. Seven focus groups were conducted with 17 young fathers in order to identify specific curricula components. The discussions were tape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using content analysis. Young fathers identified the most needed curricula components to enable responsible fatherhood. This included human sexuality knowledge and skills as well as employment. Twelve of the fathers who subsequently enrolled in the program completed a behavioral risk assessment. Their behavioral profiles were consistent with the needs they identified. Involving young fathers in selecting curriculum content can be instrumental in tailoring educational programs to meet the unique needs of this group.