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Objective We examined whether lifetime racial discrimination and stigma consciousness (expecting to be stigmatized) are associated with blood pressure in minority and white middle aged and older adult men. Design Participants were 1533 men (mean age=63.2 [SD=7.9, range = 37.4–89.2]; 12.4% black, 7.8% Hispanic, 2.0% other) diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer. We separately modeled associations between discrimination/stigma consciousness and blood pressure outcomes for minorities and whites controlling for education, income, employment status, age, marital status, BMI, and recruitment site. Results Minorities reported more racial discrimination and stigma consciousness than Whites (ps<.001). For minorities, having experienced more racial discrimination was associated with having higher diastolic blood pressure (B=0.15, p=.016) and having greater stigma consciousness was associated with greater odds of having hypertension (OR=1.04, p=.047). Greater stigma consciousness was associated with lower systolic blood pressure in Whites (B=−0.24, p=.012). Conclusion Discrimination and stigma consciousness are associated with common risk factors for chronic disease and premature death that disproportionately affect minorities. Findings for stigma consciousness suggest that anticipatory vigilance may be impacting minority health.

Gardasil is the first quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV)-types 6, 11, 16, 18 recombinant vaccine approved by the FDA on June 8, 2006. It induces genotype-specific virus-neutralizing antibodies and prevents infection with HPV. Various clinical trials demonstrated a reduction in the incidence of vaccine-type-specific persistent infections and of associated moderate- and high-grade cervical dysplasias and carcinomas in situ after its use. Gardasil is currently approved by FDA for prevention of genital warts, cancers and precancerous conditions of cervix and vulva in 9-26 year old females. Three doses of 0.5 ml of gardasil each at 0, 2 and 6 months are given intramuscularly. It is contraindicated in individuals who are hypersensitive to the active substances or to any of the excipients of the vaccine, patients with bleeding abnormalities or patients on anticoagulant therapy and during pregnancy. However, the vaccine, at an estimated $300-500 per course, is too expensive for many women in developing countries. Moreover, question regarding the longevity of the protection by vaccine is still unsolved. Hence, longer studies are required to establish its real status in cancer prevention.

Objective: The aims of the present study were to document spice and condiment plants, to identify the most culturally important spice and condiment plants and to evaluate market potential of some spices and condiments used by some ethnic communities of Assam. Methods: The ethnobotanical study was conducted for four ethnic communities namely Ahom, Deori, Mishing, Sonowalkachari from Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam. The information was collected from 120 informants from each community through semi-structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 51 species belonging to 42 genera and 26 families used as spices and condiments by the ethnic communities of Assam were documented in the present study. Maximum number of spices and condiments were used by Ahom and had maximum similarity with Mishing, Sonowal-kachari and Deori. Maximum number of the spice and condiment plants belonged to families Amaryllidaceae and Zingiberaceae. Majority of the plants used by ethnic communities were under cultivation. Among all communities, herbs were used as spices and condiments. However, trees, shrubs and climbers were also used as spices and condiments. The study also revealed that fresh leafy herbaceous species were mostly used as spices and condiments by the communities of Assam. Flavouring was the most preferred category. The cultural important index of Allium cepa was highest among all selected communities of Assam. Piper nigrum showed the highest market potential. Conclusion: The present study revealed that spice and condiment plants were culturally more important in each ethnic community.

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