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Background WWOXbiallelic and loss-of-function pathogenic variants cause WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE syndrome), which has been reported in 60 patients to date. In this study, we report on a WOREE syndrome patient who presented with early-onset refractory seizures and global neurodevelopmental delay and died at the age of two and a half years. Methods We present clinical and molecular findings in the patient, including biallelic pathogenic variants in the WWOX gene. We employed different molecular approaches, such as whole exon sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and whole-genome sequencing, to identify the genetic defects. The breakpoints were determined through gap PCR and Sanger sequencing. Result Whole exon sequencing revealed homozygous exon 6 deletions in the WWOX gene in the proband. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the deletions were inherited from each parent. However, using whole-genome sequencing, we identified three larger deletions (intron 5, exon 6, and exon 6-8) involving the WWOX gene in the proband, with deletion sizes of 13,261, 53,904, and 177,200 bp. The exact breakpoints were confirmed through gap PCR and Sanger sequencing. We found that the proband inherited the discontinuous deletion of intron 5 and exon 6 from the father, and the exons 6-8 deletion from the mother using gap PCR. Conclusion Our findings extend the variant spectrum of WOREE syndrome and support the critical role of the WWOX gene in neural development.

Recent studies showed that germline, bi-allelic and pathogenic variants of the WWOX gene have been associated with spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCAR12) and a severe WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE syndrome). The underlying mechanisms of the diseases are poorly understood. Here, we reported the case of a WOREE syndrome patient with early-onset refractory seizures and global neurodevelopmental delay who died at the age of two and a half years. The whole exon sequencing showed homozygous exon 6 deletions in the WWOX gene. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed that deletions were inherited from each parent. An exons 6–8 deletion was inherited from the mother, while an exon 6 deletion plus a microdeletion involving intron 5 was inherited from the father. Due to the structure of the WWOX locus encompassing the FRA16D fragile site, we confirmed the exact breakpoints using whole genomic sequencing combined with long-range PCR. Our findings extend the mutation spectrum of the WOREE syndrome and support an important role for the WWOX gene in neural development.

With the development of information security, quantum key distribution (QKD) has attracted much attention. Because of the lower requirement on quantum capability, more attention is paid to semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD). Two semi-quantum key distribution protocols based on GHZ states are proposed. The first protocol can achieve quantum key distribution between one classical party and one quantum party by cooperating with a third party with a strong quantum capability. Under the same conditions, the second one can achieve quantum key distribution between two classical parties. And the proposed semi-quantum key distribution protocols are free from some common attacks. It is significant for communication party without enough quantum devices to achieve quantum communication.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is divided into several major phylogenetic lineages, with differential distribution globally. Using population-based data collected over a three year period, we performed 24-locus Mycobacterial Interspersed Repeat Unit – Variable Number Tandem Repeat (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping on all culture isolates from two districts of the country that differ in tuberculosis (TB) incidence (Gaborone, the capital, and Ghanzi in the Western Kalahari). The study objective was to characterize the molecular epidemiology of TB in these districts. Overall phylogenetic diversity mirrored that reported from neighboring Republic of South Africa, but differences in the two districts were marked. All four major lineages of M. tuberculosis were found in Gaborone, but only three of the four major lineages were found in Ghanzi. Strain diversity was lower in Ghanzi, with a large proportion (38%) of all isolates having an identical MIRU-VNTR result, compared to 6% of all isolates in Gaborone with the same MIRU-VNTR result. This study demonstrates localized differences in strain diversity by two districts in Botswana, and contributes to a growing characterization of MTBC diversity globally.

Short-term effects of air pollution exposure on respiratory disease mortality are well established. However, few studies have examined the effects of long-term exposure, and among those that have, results are inconsistent.To evaluate long-term association between ambient ozone, fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less), and chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) mortality in the contiguous United States.We fit Bayesian hierarchical spatial Poisson models, adjusting for five county-level covariates (percentage of adults aged ≥65 years, poverty, lifetime smoking, obesity, and temperature), with random effects at state and county levels to account for spatial heterogeneity and spatial dependence.We derived county-level average daily concentration levels for ambient ozone and PM2.5 for 2001-2008 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's down-scaled estimates and obtained 2007-2008 CLRD deaths from the National Center for Health Statistics. Exposure to ambient ozone was associated with an increased rate of CLRD deaths, with a rate ratio of 1.05 (95% credible interval, 1.01-1.09) per 5-ppb increase in ozone; the association between ambient PM2.5 and CLRD mortality was positive but statistically insignificant (rate ratio, 1.07; 95% credible interval, 0.99-1.14).This study links air pollution exposure data with CLRD mortality for all 3,109 contiguous U.S. counties. Ambient ozone may be associated with an increased rate of death from CLRD in the contiguous United States. Although we adjusted for selected county-level covariates and unobserved influences through Bayesian hierarchical spatial modeling, the possibility of ecologic bias remains.

Background There is a growing interest in using the 2010 U.S. Census data for age adjustment after the Census data are officially released. This report discusses the rationale, procedures, demonstrations, and caveats of age adjustment using the 2010 U.S. Census data. Methods Empirical data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2010 U.S. Census age composition were used in demonstrations of computing the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes by race/ethnicity, across various geographic regions, and over time. Results The use of the 2010 U.S. Census data yielded higher age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes than using the 2000 projected US population data. The differences persisted across geographic regions, among racial/ethnic groups, and over time. Sixteen age compositions were generated to facilitate the use of the 2010 Census data in age adjustment. The SAS survey procedures and SUDAAN software programs yielded similar age-adjusted prevalence estimates of diagnosed diabetes. Conclusions Using the 2010 U.S. Census data tends to yield a higher age-adjusted measure than using the 2000 projected U.S. population data. Consistent use of a standard population and age composition is recommended once they are chosen for age adjustment.

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease as measured by biomarkers is increasing, but the recognition for this condition remains low in the USA. Little is known about the awareness of kidney disease at the state level. Methods: Data from 490,302 adults aged 18 years or older in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia who participated in the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed. Kidney disease diagnosis, a measure of individual awareness, was ascertained by participants' self-report in the telephone survey. Prevalence ratios of self-reported kidney disease in subpopulations were estimated and tested using log-linear regression analyses with a robust variance estimator. Results: The unadjusted prevalence of self-reported kidney disease was estimated to be 2.5%. After adjustment for age and all other selected covariates, Hispanics had a higher prevalence than non-Hispanic whites (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4). Persons who were unemployed (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.5) had a higher prevalence than those who were employed. Persons who had hypertension (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-2.1), diabetes (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.5-1.8), cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction or stroke; adjusted prevalence ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.6) or cancer (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.6) had a higher prevalence of self-reported kidney disease than those without these conditions. Conclusion: The overall awareness of kidney disease was low in the general population. Efforts are needed to promote the awareness and early detection of kidney disease in public health services and clinical practice.

Evidence suggests that high-risk lifestyle behaviors exacerbate the health of cancer survivors and increase cancer mortality. This study examined the prevalence of lifestyle-related risk factors among female breast cancer survivors by duration of survivorship in the United States.We analyzed data from 7,443 women aged ≥18 years who participated in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and reported having ever-diagnosed breast cancer. Adjusted prevalence with 95 % confidence interval for lifestyle-related risk factors (including current smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, obesity, engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week, and consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day) was estimated using log-linear regression while controlling for confounders.Overall, the prevalence estimates for lifestyle-related risk factors were 10.2 % for current smoking, 6.8 % for excessive alcohol drinking, 24.7 % for obesity, 53.8 % for engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week, and 33.9 % for consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day among female breast cancer survivors. After adjustment for covariates, with increasing years of survivorship, a linearly increasing trend was observed for current smoking (P = 0.038), and quadratic trends were observed for excessive alcohol drinking (P 0.001) and obesity (P = 0.048). The adjusted prevalence estimates for engaging in physical activity ≥150 min/week and consuming fruits and vegetables ≥5 times/day did not vary significantly by duration of survivorship.Continuing efforts on counseling and encouraging breast cancer survivors to adopt healthy lifestyles are needed to improve their health.Understanding the trends of modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors among breast cancer survivors with varying duration of survivorship may assist health care providers to provide appropriate counseling for breast cancer patients to improve their health. Clinical and public health intervention programs should seek to maximize the number of recommended healthy behaviors especially in those women who are at high risk for failing to comply with the healthy lifestyle guidelines.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed cancer according to duration of diagnosed diabetes and current insulin use among U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed data from 25,964 adults aged ≥18 years with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, we found that the greater the duration of diagnosed diabetes, the higher the prevalence of diagnosed cancers (P < 0.0001 for linear trend). Among adults with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, the prevalence estimate for cancers of all sites was significantly higher among men (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.6 [95% CI 1.3–1.9]) and women (1.8 [1.5–2.1]) who reported being diagnosed with diabetes ≥15 years ago than among those reporting diabetes diagnosis CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that there is an increased burden of diagnosed cancer among adults with a longer duration of diagnosed diabetes and among type 2 diabetic adults who currently use insulin.

This study focus on the influence of acid rain, single and combined contamination of La and Ce, rare earth leachate of tailings on urease and catalase activities with the methods of leaching experiment and indoor thermostatic incubation. The results indicated that acid rain and rare earth contamination caused the change of soil enzyme activities. The change of urease activity accorded with hormesis effect of rare earth; at the preliminary stage of incubation, urease activity began to heighten and reached maximum value at 10th day; after being incubated for 15 days, urease activity initiated to reduce remarkably, and continued to 30th day. Accordingly, catalase activity was inhibited, then promoted slightly, the minimum value appeared in different time incubated by different solution: 15th day (La, Ce), 10th day(La + Ce), 5th day (rare earth leachate).

Acid rain has long been a great concern because of environmental and ecological problems; however, the effect of acid rain on soil acidification, loss of rare earth elements (REEs) via the leaching process, and transformation are rarely reported in rare earth mining areas. Through a simulated acid rain leaching experience, the effect of acid rain was studied on soil acidification and REEs leaching loss. The results showed that the tested soil had certain buffering capacity against nearly neutral rainwater. However, simulated acid rain of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5) had a greater impact on soil acidification. After eluviating by simulated acid rain of pH 3.5 for 36 h, the pH of tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil decreased by 20.41, 32.03, 13.60, 16.88, and 15.83 %, respectively, from the original values. For simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, it was 31.89, 44.76, 31.26, 29.87, and 29.15 %, respectively. After simulated acid rain eluviations of low and very low pH (pH ≤ 3.5), the order of the leaching rate of REEs in the tested soil was as follows: garden soil > tailings > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For nearly neutral rainwater (pH 4.5 simulated acid rain and pH 5.6 deionized water), the order was tailings > garden soil > paddy soil > alluvial soil. For simulated acid rain of the same pH, the leaching amounts of REEs in tailings and garden soil were higher than those in paddy soil and alluvial soil. After leaching by low and very low pH-simulated acid rain (pH ≤ 3.5), the peak value of the leaching amount of REEs in all tested soil appeared at 2 h, and then gradually reduced and reached a stable leaching state 20 h after leaching. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 2.5, the maximum REEs contents of leachate in tailings, garden soil, paddy soil, and alluvial soil were 156.35, 145.82, 99.88, and 85.97 mg/L, respectively. For pH 3.5 of simulated acid rain, it was 130.49, 110.49, 80.57, and 62.73 mg/L, respectively. On leaching by simulated acid rain of pH 4.5, the maximum contents of REEs in the leachate were 53.46 and 29.82 mg/L, respectively, which were observed after leaching for 6 h in tailings and garden soil that became stable 12 h after leaching. The contents of leached REEs in paddy soil and alluvial soil were always in a lower and stable state. After eluviations with deionized water of pH 5.6, the contents of leached REEs in other soils were lower, except for the slight fluctuations in tailings. The maximum content in the leachate of REEs was in the water-soluble and exchangeable fraction. When bound to carbonate fractions, REEs were not detected in the leachate. REEs bound to iron-manganese (Fe–Mn) oxides fraction and to organic matter fraction in the leachate possibly came from the tested soil or from the REEs transformation during the migration process. The content of residual fraction REEs in the leachate was very low.

Using data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System on 281,303 adults aged 18-64 years in the United States, we examined the relationship between HIV risk behaviors and binge drinking of alcoholic beverages and the frequency of binge drinking among a subgroup of 41,073 respondents who were acknowledged binge drinkers (bingers), based on reported drinking behavior in the year preceding survey. Our findings show that the weighted prevalence of HIV risk behaviors (including injection drug use, exchange of sex for money/drugs, and anal sex without a condom) among binge drinkers [corrected] [7.0%, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 6.4-7.6%] is twice that among nonbingers (2.9%, 95% CI: 2.7-3.0%). The highest prevalence of HIV risk behaviors is among the bingers aged 18-20 years (14%, 95% CI: 11.2-18.2%). After adjusting for covariates, bingers are 1.77 (95% CI: 1.58-2.00) times more likely than nonbingers to report HIV risk behaviors. Risk increases in bingers with the number of episodes. Compared with bingers reporting 1-2 binge episodes in the month proceeding survey, the adjusted odds of reporting HIV risk behaviors among bingers are 1.27 (1.08-1.49), 1.68 (1.35-2.10), 1.67 (1.08-2.57), and 1.70 (1.34-2.16), respectively for bingers with 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, and ≥9 episodes in the same period. Our results suggest that HIV risk behaviors are strongly linked with binge drinking and its frequency. Effective measures to prevent binge drinking are essential to HIV prevention, especially among youth aged 18-20 years.

Objective. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the most common health threats to the adult population of the U.S. and other countries. The objective of this study was to examine the association between exposure to elevated annual average levels of Particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) air quality index (AQI) and IHD in the general population. Methods. We combined data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency air quality database. We analyzed the data using SUDAAN software to adjust the effects of sampling bias, weights, and design effects. Results. The prevalence of IHD was 9.6% among respondents who were exposed to an annual average level of PM2.5 AQI >60 compared with 5.9% among respondents exposed to an annual average PM2.5 AQI ≤60. The respondents with higher levels of PM2.5 AQI exposure were more likely to have IHD (adjusted odds ratio 5 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.11, 2.66) than respondents with lower levels of exposure after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions. Our study suggested that exposure to relatively higher levels of average annual PM2.5 AQI may increase the likelihood of IHD. In addition to encouraging health-related behavioral changes to reduce IHD, efforts should also focus on implementing appropriate measures to reduce exposure to unhealthy AQI levels.

The Internet in big data trend contains huge amounts of image data.In this paper, we study how to make the image have the ability of information retrieval in the semantic level and data organization ability. Based on the keyword search and content-based retrieval, not only the intelligent retrieval based on semantic level is put forward but also crossing the semantic gap in information retrieval based on semantic knowledge, the similarity measure of image feature extraction and image query technology.

With the fast development of the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, the cost and privacy of RFID systems have become an obstacle that prevents it from being deployed in a larger scale. In this paper, we introduce the attacks which the LMAP++ protocol suffers from briefly. We modify the LMAP++ protocol by importing hash function on the parameters A and B as well as setting the lowest bit of ID as “1”. Analysis shows that the protocol can improve the security for the traceable and desynchronized problems with reasonable overhead.

Regular physical activity elicits multiple health benefits in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. We examined the mortality risks associated with levels of leisure-time aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activity based on the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans among US adults.We analysed data from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with linked mortality data obtained through 2006. Cox proportional HRs with 95% CIs were estimated to assess risks for all-causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality associated with aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activity.Of 10 535 participants, 665 died (233 deaths from CVD) during an average of 4.8-year follow-up. Compared with participants who were physically inactive, the adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was 0.64 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.79) among those who were physically active (engaging in ≥150 min/week of the equivalent moderate-intensity physical activity) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.54 to 0.97) among those who were insufficiently active (engaging in0 to150 min/week of the equivalent moderate-intensity physical activity). The adjusted HR for CVD mortality was 0.57 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.97) among participants who were insufficiently active and 0.69 (95% CI 0.43 to 1.12) among those who were physically active. Among adults who were insufficiently active, the adjusted HR for all-cause mortality was 44% lower by engaging in muscle-strengthening activity ≥2 times/week.Engaging in aerobic physical activity ranging from insufficient activity to meeting the 2008 Guidelines reduces the risk of premature mortality among US adults. Engaging in muscle-strengthening activity ≥2 times/week may provide additional benefits among insufficiently active adults.

There is a growing interest in using the 2010 U.S. Census data for age adjustment after the Census data are officially released. This report discusses the rationale, procedures, demonstrations, and caveats of age adjustment using the 2010 U.S. Census data.Empirical data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the 2010 U.S. Census age composition were used in demonstrations of computing the age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes by race/ethnicity, across various geographic regions, and over time.The use of the 2010 U.S. Census data yielded higher age-adjusted prevalence of diagnosed diabetes than using the 2000 projected US population data. The differences persisted across geographic regions, among racial/ethnic groups, and over time. Sixteen age compositions were generated to facilitate the use of the 2010 Census data in age adjustment. The SAS survey procedures and SUDAAN software programs yielded similar age-adjusted prevalence estimates of diagnosed diabetes.Using the 2010 U.S. Census data tends to yield a higher age-adjusted measure than using the 2000 projected U.S. population data. Consistent use of a standard population and age composition is recommended once they are chosen for age adjustment.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed cancer according to duration of diagnosed diabetes and current insulin use among U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed data from 25,964 adults aged ≥18 years with diagnosed diabetes who participated in the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. RESULTS After adjustment for potential confounders, we found that the greater the duration of diagnosed diabetes, the higher the prevalence of diagnosed cancers (P < 0.0001 for linear trend). Among adults with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, the prevalence estimate for cancers of all sites was significantly higher among men (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.6 [95% CI 1.3–1.9]) and women (1.8 [1.5–2.1]) who reported being diagnosed with diabetes ≥15 years ago than among those reporting diabetes diagnosis

This paper reflected the traditional housing consumption selection theory by following the developments of consumption theory. It pointed out that the housing consumption selection theory could not fully explain the reality of the new era in consumer housing selection from a traditional marketing point of view. As a result, by studying on cultural capital, lifecycle, product attributes, and consumer psychology perspective, this paper created a multi-perspective analysis model which combined with the cognitive processes of consumers. The impact of each factor on housing consumption selection has been analyzed by applying this model. As mentioned, the model has created by the cognitive process in this study, which is meaningful for researching the performance of consumers in residential consumption and to perfect the marketing strategy of developers. The multi-perspective cognitive process also helps developers to understand the consumer behavior in housing market, and it is beneficial for improving their ability of market prediction and explanation, in order to “fit” the demand by consumers.

INTRODUCTION: Binge drinking (men, ≥5 drinks, women, ≥4 on an occasion) accounts for more than half of the 79,000 annual deaths due to excessive alcohol use in the United States. The frequency of binge drinking is associated with poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), but the association between binge drinking intensity and HRQOL is unknown. Our objective was to examine this association. METHODS: We used 2008-2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data and multivariate linear regression models to examine the association between binge drinking intensity (largest number of drinks consumed on any occasion) among US adult binge drinkers and 2 HRQOL indicators: number of physically and mentally unhealthy days. RESULTS: Among binge drinkers, the highest-intensity binge drinkers (women consuming ≥7 drinks and men consuming ≥8 drinks on any occasion) were more likely to report poor HRQOL than binge drinkers who reported lower levels of intensity (women who consumed 4 drinks and men who consumed 5 drinks on any occasion). On average, female binge drinkers reported more physically and mentally unhealthy days (2.8 d and 5.1 d, respectively) than male binge drinkers (2.5 d and 3.6 d, respectively). After adjustment for confounding factors, women who consumed ≥7 drinks on any occasion reported more mentally unhealthy days (6.3 d) than women who consumed 4 drinks (4.6 d). Compared with male binge drinkers across the age groups, female binge drinkers had a significantly higher mean number of mentally unhealthy days. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the importance of implementing effective population-level strategies to prevent binge drinking and improve HRQOL. Language: en

Despite the broad use of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as one of the measurements to assess health status and effectiveness of health care and interventions, the impact of in-house mold exposure on HRQOL is unknown. The study described in this article examined the relationship between presence of visible in-house mold (PVIM) and HRQOL among adults. Data were analyzed from the 2005 and 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys that consisted of a random cross-sectional sample of 18,356 adults in four states. The authors examined the relationship between PVIM and three important indicators of the HRQOL by logistic regression analyses. Their results suggest that PVIM is independently associated with the indicators of HRQOL including mentally unhealthy, physically unhealthy, and total unhealthy days. Therefore, implementation of appropriate measures at the household level to eliminate or reduce in-house mold may improve individuals' HRQOL.

Large-scale comparison and comprehensive estimate on the access to health care and preventive services between Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) and Non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) has not been available. This study examines the racial disparities in access to health care and preventive services between AAPIs and NHWs in the USA.Cross-sectional study of access to health care and preventive services among AAPIs compared to NHWs, using data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2005 to 2007 among 908,154 respondents agedor = 18 years.The percentages of AAPIs (agedor = 18 years) who reported having a personal healthcare provider, a Pap test (women agedor =18), a fecal occult blood test (agedor = 50) a sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy (agedor = 50), a PSA test (men agedor = 40), blood cholesterol checked (agedor =18 yrs), and pneumococcal vaccination (agedor = 65 yrs) were 76.7%, 83.1%, 27.5%, 47.5%, 35.5%, 74.2%, and 51.2%, respectively. Compared to NHWs, AAPIs were significantly less likely to have a personal health care provider (adjusted odds ratio: 0.69 [95% confidence interval: 0.63-0.75]), a Pap test (0.18 [0.13-0.28]), a fecal occult blood test (0.50 [0.39-0.631), a sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy (0.64 [0.50-0.81]), a PSA test (0.35 [0.26-0.47]), blood cholesterol checked (0.71 [0.64-0.80]), and pneumococcal vaccination (0.52 [0.42-0.65]).This study suggests that disparities exist between AAPIs and NHWs in 1 of 4 selected health care access indicators and 6 of 8 selected preventive services.

This study examines the association between annual levels of particulate matter (PM) and self-reported leisure-time physical inactivity (LTPI) in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) among 63,290 survey respondents who participated in the 2001 BRFSS from 142 counties in the U.S. The average prevalence of self-reported LTPI was about 24.9% (SE = 0.3%), LTPI prevalence was positively associated with annual mean of PM.5 concentration (p.0001). The authors demonstrate that LTPI was associated with PM2.5 pollution with statistical significance with and without adjustment for covariates (adjusted odds ration [OR] = 1.16; 95% CI: [confidence interval] 1.06-1.27). This study suggests that ambient PM2.5 air pollution is associated independently with LTPI. PM2.5 pollution and physical inactivity are both risk factors of chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important for environmental officials to implement measures to reduce ambient air pollution while public health officials simultaneously promote regular physical activity by encouraging the general public to remain physically active.

Objective. Some studies show an association between asthma and obesity, but it is unknown whether exposure to mold will increase the risk of asthma attacks among obese people. This study examined whether obese adults have a higher risk of asthma attacks than non-obese adults when exposed to indoor mold. Methods. We used data from the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to conduct a cross-sectional analysis among 9,668 respondents who reported exposure to indoor mold. Results. With exposure to indoor mold, weighted prevalence of asthma attacks among obese respondents was 11.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.0, 20.6], which was 2.3 times as high as among the exposed non-obese respondents (5.0%, 95% CI 2.8, 8.8). This ratio was almost the same as the ratio of 2.0:1 between the obese respondents (5.7%, 95% CI 4.6, 7.2) and the non-obese respondents (2.8%, 95% CI 2.3, 3.9) when neither group had exposure to mold. The odds ratio of asthma attack among obese people was 3.10 (95% CI 1.10, 8.67) for those with exposure to mold and 2.21 (95% CI 1.54, 3.17) for those without exposure to mold after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking status. Conclusion. Our study suggests that obese adults who have been exposed to indoor mold may not necessarily have a higher risk of asthma attack than obese adults who have not been exposed, even though obesity and exposure to indoor mold are both major risk factors for asthma attack. Medical professionals should not only incorporate weight-control or weight-reduction measures as the components of asthma treatment plans, but also advise asthma patients to avoid exposure to indoor mold.

Media alerts of air quality index (AQI) were designed to inform the public the need to avoid harmful air pollution by changing their outdoor activities. The relationship between AQI media alerts and change in outdoor activities among people with asthma is unknown. Our objective is to examine this relationship. Data were analyzed in a cross-sectional study from 33,888 adults, in six states, who responded to the questions in the 2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) about reductions/changes in outdoor activity. The prevalence of change in outdoor activity due to media alerts was 31% among adults with lifetime asthma and 16% without asthma. The prevalence of outdoor activity change increased to 75% among those with lifetime asthma and to 68% without asthma, when the combined the effects of media alerts and individual perception were examined. The odds of activity change based on the media alerts was 2.30 (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.16, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.61, 2.90) among those with lifetime asthma and 1.72 (aO R = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.50, 1.98) without asthma, compared to those unaware of media alerts, after adjustment for demographic variables and covariates. This study shows that awareness of media alerts as well as health professional advice may be associated with reported changes in outdoor activities. Therefore, along with consistent efforts to improve the air quality, government agencies, health professionals, and community leaders should implement measures to effectively inform the public about air quality and educate them to take appropriate actions accordingly.

Long-term exposure to ground-level ozone is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The association remains uncertain between long-term exposure to ozone and life expectancy. We assessed the associations between seasonal mean daily 8-hour maximum (8-hr max) ozone concentrations measured during the ozone monitoring seasons and life expectancy at birth in 3109 counties of the conterminous U.S. during 2002 to 2008. We used latent class growth analysis to identify latent classes of counties that had distinct mean levels and rates of change in ozone concentrations over the 7-year period and used linear regression analysis to determine differences in life expectancy by ozone levels. We identified 3 classes of counties with distinct seasonal mean daily 8-hr max ozone concentrations and rates of change. When compared with the counties with the lowest ozone concentrations, the counties with the highest ozone concentrations had 1.7- and 1.4-year lower mean life expectancy in males and females (both P

The salivary glands were exposed and isolated from the larvae of Simulium quinquestriatus and stained in carbol fuchsin, squashed between slide and coverslide. Slides were examined and photographed under microscope to measure the polytene chromosomes. Systematic analysis was made. Results indicated that the number of the polytene chromosomes of both isolates is three. The main characteristic chromosomal structures are homologized. Only the banding types of II L are different.

Behavioral risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and excessive drinking are linked to the leading causes of death in the United States. Controlling these behavioral risk factors and using preventive health services (e.g., influenza and pneumococcal vaccination of adults agedor =65 years and hypertension and cholesterol screenings) can substantially reduce the morbidity and mortality in the U.S. population. Continuous monitoring of these behaviors and preventive services are essential for developing health promotion, intervention programs, and health policies at the state, city, and county level.Data collected in 2005 are presented for states/territories, selected metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), metropolitan divisions, and selected counties.The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing, state-based, random-digit--dialed telephone survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. population agedor =18 years. BRFSS collects information on health risk behaviors and preventive health services related to leading causes of death. All 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in BRFSS during 2005. Within these states and territories, 153 MMSAs and 232 counties that reported data for at least 500 respondents or a minimum sample size of 19 per weighting class were included in the analyses.Prevalence of health-risk behaviors, awareness of specific medical conditions, and use of preventive services varied substantially by state/territory, MMSA, and county. In 2005, prevalence of health insurance ranged from 60% to 95% for states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. Prevalence of leisure-time physical inactivity ranged from 16% to 49% for states/territories, 14% to 36% for MMSAs, and 12% to 41% for counties. Prevalence of adults who engaged in at least moderate physical activity ranged from 33% to 62%, and prevalence of vigorous physical activity ranged from 15% to 42% for states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. Prevalence of adults who currently smoke cigarettes ranged from 6% to 35% for states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. The prevalence of binge drinking was substantially higher than the prevalence of heavy drinking across all the states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. Prevalence of adults who were overweight ranged from 53% to 67 % for states/territories, 49% to 70% for MMSAs, and 44% to 71% for counties. Prevalence of current asthma ranged from 4% to 14% for states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. Prevalence of diabetes ranged from 4% to 14% for states/territories and MMSAs and from 3% to 14% for counties. Proportion of respondents with high blood pressure ranged from 13% to 39% for states/territories, MMSAs and counties. Prevalence of respondents with high cholesterol ranged from 31% to 41% for states/territories and 26% to 47% for MMSAs and counties. The prevalence estimates for respondents who reported being limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems ranged from 10% to 27% for states/territories, 12% to 31% for MMSAs, and 10% to 27% for counties. The percentage of respondents who required use of special equipment ranged from 4% to 10% for the states/territories, 3% to 15% for MMSAs, and 3% to 11% for counties. Prevalence of fair or poor health ranged from 11% to 34% for states/territories and 6% to 26% for MMSAs and counties. The prevalence of adults who checked their cholesterol during the preceding 5 years ranged from 55% to 86% for states/territories, MMSAs, and counties. Prevalence of annual influenza vaccination among adults agedor =65 years ranged from 32% to 78% for states/territories, 48% to 83% for MMSAs, and 41% to 84% for counties. The estimated prevalence of pneumococcal vaccination among adults agedor =65 years ranged from 28% to 72% for states/territories, 52% to 82% for MMSAs, and 35% to 83% for counties.The findings in this report indicate a wide variation in health-risk behaviors, chronic conditions, and use of preventive services among U.S. adults at the state/territory, MMSA, and county level. The findings underscore a need for continuous efforts to evaluate public health intervention programs and policies designed to reduce morbidity and mortality caused by chronic disease and injury.The 2005 BRFSS data indicate a need for continued monitoring of health-risk behaviors, specific disease conditions, and use of preventive services to identify high-risk populations and to implement and monitor health-promotion programs and health policies at the state/territory, MMSA, and county level.

This study examines the microtubule configuration and its close association with the Golgi complex and Golgi-derived membranous vesicles in elongating fiber cells of the rat lens. Since fiber cells elongate tremendously during lens differentiation, we hypothesize that a microtubule-based motor system exists in the elongating fiber cells for transporting important membrane proteins and organelles to the target regions for cell growth. The newly synthesized membrane proteins are known to be transported from the trans-Golgi network in the form of vesicles to the target plasma membrane. By thin-section TEM, we observed a large number of vesicles of various sizes and shapes randomly distributed throughout the cytoplasm of elongating fiber cells. Both Golgi complex and vesicles exhibited characteristic normal structural features seen in other cell types and thus represented real vesicular organelles in the fiber cells. A large number of microtubules were regularly arranged into bundles parallel to the long axis of fiber cells as examined in both longitudinal and cross-section views. Many of these microtubules were closely associated or in intimate contact with the Golgi complex and vesicles in elongating fiber cells. The microtubule polarity assay revealed that microtubules exhibited a unidirectional polarity for the entire length of fiber cells as examined in both anterior and posterior cortical fiber segments. Namely, the minus end of microtubules was towards the anterior lens pole while the plus end was headed towards the posterior pole. This suggests that multiple molecular motors such as kinesin and dynein are needed for carrying the vesicles to both lens poles, since conventional kinesin is known to transport vesicular organelles towards the plus end whereas cytoplasmic dynein carries them towards the minus end of microtubules. By immunoblot analysis, we indeed detected the presence of both kinesin (120 kD) and dynein (70 kD) in homogenate prepared from lens cortical fibers. Moreover, immunogold TEM demonstrated that the aquaporin 0 (formally MIP26) antibody was localized on the membranous vesicles as well as plasma membranes of the cortical fiber cells. This study suggests that a microtubule-based motor system exists in the lens and plays an important role in transporting membrane proteins such as aquaporin 0 in the vesicles during fiber cell differentiation and elongation.

The distribution and organization of actin filament bundles were studied in cortical fiber cells of rat lenses at various ages (3 days to 2.5 months old), using thin-section electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and immunoblotting. Electron microscopy showed that actin bundles were regularly found along cortical fiber cell membranes of the lens at all ages studied. The actin bundles were commonly arranged in three distinct units, one bundle in each fiber cell, located at the intersections where three hexagonal fiber cells meet as seen in cross sections. These actin bundles were approximately 150 nm in diameter and were composed of 7-nm small filaments. They were aligned parallel to the long axis of fiber cells as judged by both cross and longitudinal sections. The outside border of each bundle was always surrounded by a zone of 10-nm intermediate filaments which have the same orientation as that of the actin bundles. In longitudinal sections, elongated actin bundles were always parallel to the cell membranes. A number of individual actin bundles sometimes were found to form a chain with periodic short intervals. In addition, actin bundles were frequently associated with adherens junctions near the intersections and other regions of fiber cell membranes. By immunoelectron microscopy, we demonstrated that these filament bundles indeed contained actins. By rhodamine-phalloidin labelling, we found that labeled actin bundles appeared as large, distinct dots at the corners of hexagonal fiber cells in all ages studied. In addition, non-bundle F-actins were labeled preferentially along the cell membranes of the short sides of hexagonal fiber cells. This resulted in a unique zigzag pattern of actin labeling commonly seen in the cortical fiber cells of a mature rat lens. Finally, we showed that alpha-actinin was associated with the actin bundles in the fiber cells by immunofluorescent double labeling and immunoblotting. It is suggested that this unique arrangement of actin bundles in fiber cells may provide a stabilizing structure for forming a sharp angle at each corner of fiber cells, thereby the hexagonal shape of the cells can be maintained.