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M Sanderson

Publications and source records attributed to M Sanderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The global atmospheric environment for the next generation.

Air quality, ecosystem exposure to nitrogen deposition, and climate change are intimately coupled problems: we assess changes in the global atmospheric environment between 2000 and 2030 using 26 state-of-the-art global atmospheric chemistry models and three different emissions scenarios. The first (CLE) scenario reflects implementation of current air quality legislation around the world, while the second (MFR) represents a more optimistic case in which all currently feasible technologies are applied to achieve maximum emission reductions. We contrast these scenarios with the more pessimistic IPCC SRES A2 scenario. Ensemble simulations for the year 2000 are consistent among models and show a reasonable agreement with surface ozone, wet deposition, and NO2 satellite observations. Large parts of the world are currently exposed to high ozone concentrations and high deposition of nitrogen to ecosystems. By 2030, global surface ozone is calculated to increase globally by 1.5 +/- 1.2 ppb (CLE) and 4.3 +/- 2.2 ppb (A2), using the ensemble mean model results and associated +/-1 sigma standard deviations. Only the progressive MFR scenario will reduce ozone, by -2.3 +/- 1.1 ppb. Climate change is expected to modify surface ozone by -0.8 +/- 0.6 ppb, with larger decreases over sea than over land. Radiative forcing by ozone increases by 63 +/- 15 and 155 +/- 37 mW m(-2) for CLE and A2, respectively, and decreases by -45 +/- 15 mW m(-2) for MFR. We compute that at present 10.1% of the global natural terrestrial ecosystems are exposed to nitrogen deposition above a critical load of 1 g N m(-2) yr(-1). These percentages increase by 2030 to 15.8% (CLE), 10.5% (MFR), and 25% (A2). This study shows the importance of enforcing current worldwide air quality legislation and the major benefits of going further. Nonattainment of these air quality policy objectives, such as expressed by the SRES-A2 scenario, would further degrade the global atmospheric environment.

Air Pollutants↗

Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer risk among older men: population-based case-control study.

We investigate the relation between diabetes mellitus and risk of prostate cancer among older (age 65-79 years) men in a population-based case-control study of 407 incident histologically confirmed cases registered in the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry between 1999 and 2001 (70.6% response rate); controls were 393 men identified through the Health Care Financing Administration Medicare beneficiary file for South Carolina in 1999 (63.8% response rate). After adjusting for age, race, and prostate cancer screening in the past 5 years, a history of diabetes mellitus was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.45, 0.91). The protective effect was stronger for those with complications associated with diabetes (aOR=0.61; 95% CI=0.42, 0.90) and for African-American men (aOR=0.36; 95% CI=0.21, 0.62). Additional research is needed to understand the biologic mechanisms by which diabetes may influence prostate cancer risk; genetic factors may play an important role in understanding this association.

Black or African American↗

Detection of fetal growth restriction in patients with chronic hypertension: is it feasible?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the utility of sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW) in diagnosing intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR, birth weight < 10% for gestational age) in patients with chronic hypertension. METHODS: All pregnant patients with hypertension delivered during a 5-year period at three centers were identified retrospectively. Patients with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes mellitus, fetal anomalies and absence of a sonographic examination within 3 weeks of delivery were excluded. Likelihood ratio (LR) and guidelines established by the Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group were used to determine whether sonographic EFW is a reliable diagnostic test to detect IUGR. RESULTS: At the three centers, there were 264 patients with chronic hypertension (122, 77 and 65 at centers I, II and III, respectively). The incidence of IUGR ranged from 13% to 27% but was similar at the three locations (p = 0.064). The LR (with 95% confidence interval (CI)) of detecting IUGR was 4.4 (95% CI 2.5, 7.7), 2.3 (95% CI 1.4, 3.7) and 6.1 (95% CI 2.7, 13.7) at centers I, II and III, respectively. Based on the proportions of abnormal growth, we required 253 and 71 newborns with fetal growth restriction at centers I and II, respectively, to have narrow confidence intervals around the clinically important LR of 10. The extremely low incidence of IUGR at center III (13%) precluded the estimation of required sample size. CONCLUSION: Use of Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group guidelines indicates that sonographic EFW is slightly to moderately useful in detecting fetal growth restriction in patients with chronic hypertension.

Chronic Disease↗

Weight at birth and adolescence and premenopausal breast cancer risk in a low-risk population.

We assessed breast cancer risk in relation to weight at birth and adolescence. In-person interviews were completed with the biological mothers of women aged 45 years and younger who participated in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study in 1996-98 (288 cases, 350 controls). After adjustment for confounding, women who were 4000 g or more at birth were not at increased risk of breast cancer (odds ratio=0.7; 95% confidence interval 0.4-1.4) relative to women whose birth weight was 2500-2999 g. Compared with women of average perceived weight at age 15 years, no relation was apparent for heavier than average weight based on maternal report (odds ratio=0.7; 95% confidence interval 0.5-1.2) or self-report (odds ratio=1.0; 95% confidence interval 0.7-1.6). Perceived adolescent weight and height did not modify the association of birth weight with breast cancer risk. These results suggest that weight early in life is not related to premenopausal breast cancer risk in this low-risk population.

Adolescent↗

Abortion history and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study.

Studies of the association between induced abortion and breast cancer risk have been inconsistent, perhaps due to underreporting of abortions. Induced abortion is a well-accepted family planning procedure in China, and women who have several induced abortions do not feel stigmatized. The authors used data from a population-based case-control study of breast cancer among women age 25-64 conducted between 1996 and 1998 in urban Shanghai to assess whether a history of and the number of induced abortions were related to breast cancer risk. In-person interviews were completed with 1,459 incident breast cancer cases ascertained through a population-based cancer registry, and 1,556 controls randomly selected from the general population in Shanghai (with respective response rates of 91% and 90%). After adjusting for confounding, there was no relation between ever having had an induced abortion and breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-1.2). Women who had 3 or more induced abortions were not at increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (OR = 0.9, 95% CI 0.6-1.4) or postmenopausal breast cancer (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 0.8-2.3). These results suggest that a history of several induced abortions has little influence on breast cancer risk in Chinese women.

Abortion, Induced↗

Screening for fetal alcohol syndrome in primary schools: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: This project was undertaken as a feasibility study to determine the possibility of screening for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in early school-age children for epidemiological and interventional purposes. METHODS: All elementary schools in two counties in Washington State were asked to screen first graders for possible FAS. A child was screen positive if found to be growth deficient, to have certain specific facial abnormalities, or have a known history of substantial alcohol exposure in gestation. All screen-positive children were invited to "special diagnostic clinics" for final diagnosis and treatment planning. RESULTS: In County A, virtually all students were screened. In County B only about 25% of children were screened. This difference was related to the number of schools that agreed to participate in the project and the methods employed by each county to obtain parental permission. In each county, only about one-half of the screen-positive children were seen in the special clinics for diagnostic considerations. Only one of the seven children found to have FAS had been diagnosed previously. The minimal prevalence of FAS in County A was 3.1 in 1,000 students. The minimal prevalence of FAS in County B could not be calculated. The most efficient component in the screening process leading to a diagnosis of FAS was finding the specific facial features of the disorder. The diagnosis of FAS was generally helpful in improving educational planning. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that population-based FAS screening within a school system may be possible, but participation is dependent on local trust and understanding of the project before its inception within the schools and the community at large.

Child↗

Assessment of clinical partner violence screening tools.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the Women's Experience with Battering Scale (WEB) with the Index of Spouse Abuse-Physical Scale (ISA-P) as screening tools to identify intimate partner violence (IPV). METHODS: We conducted a large cross-sectional survey of women age 18 to 65 attending one of two family practice clinics from 1997 to 1998. All women completed both the WEB and the ISA-P and a telephone interview. We figured agreement estimates between the two tools, used stratified analyses to evaluate attributes of those more likely to screen as battered or physically assaulted, and compared associations between the WEB and ISA-P and a range of mental and physical health indicators known to be associated with IPV. RESULTS: 18% of 1152 eligible women surveyed had experienced IPV in a current or most recent intimate relationship with a male partner; 17% had been battered (WEB+), and 10% had been physically assaulted (ISA-P+). Had we used the ISA-P alone to assess IPV, we would have missed almost 45% of IPV. As anticipated, the ISA-P was more strongly associated with IPV-associated injuries and number of physician visits in the last year. The WEB was more strongly associated with self-perceived mental health, anxiety, depression, drug abuse, and low social support. CONCLUSION: Clinicians need validated screening tools to rapidly and reliably screen patients for IPV. Most screening tools assess physical violence and injury without considering the more chronic experience of battering and the psychological terror associated with this violence. The WEB may identify more abused women than tools measuring physical assaults.

Adult↗

A DNA-porphyrin minor-groove complex at atomic resolution: the structural consequences of porphyrin ruffling.

The crystal structure of a B-type DNA hexanucleotide duplex complexed with the porphyrin molecule nickel-[tetra-N-methyl-pyridyl] porphyrin has been solved by multiwavelength anomalous diffraction phasing and refined to an R factor of 11.5% at a resolution of 0.9 A. The structure has been solved and refined as two crystallographically independent duplexes, stacked end to end. Contrary to expectation, the porphyrin molecule is not intercalated into the duplex but is stacked onto the ends of the two-duplex stack. The porphyrin molecule is highly buckled as a consequence of the nickel coordination, which produces large changes in local DNA structure. A second mode of porphyrin binding is apparent as a consequence of crystal packing, which places the ligand in the minor groove of an adjacent duplex. This structure thus provides, to our knowledge, the first atomic visualization of minor-groove binding for a porphyrin molecule. The geometry of groove binding provides a ready explanation for porphyrin-induced DNA strand cleavage at deoxyribose residues.

Base Pairing↗

Severe dating violence and quality of life among south carolina high school students.

BACKGROUND: Little research has addressed the impact of dating violence and forced-sex victimization and perpetration on adolescent well-being. In this cross-sectional study, we provide (1) estimates of severe dating violence (SDV) by victimization and perpetration status, (2) estimates of lifetime forced-sex victimization and perpetration, (3) demographic and health behaviors correlated with SDV, and (4) associations between SDV and forced sex and well-being as assessed by (1) health-related quality of life (H-R QOL) and (2) life satisfaction measures. METHODS: We used a stratified cluster sample of 5414 public high school students, grades 9 through 12, who responded to the 1997 self-administered South Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey. RESULTS: Nearly 12% of adolescents self-reported SDV as a victim (7.6%) or a perpetrator (7.7%), and SDV rates (victimization/perpetration combined) are higher in girls (14.4%) than boys (9.1%). Race, aggressive behaviors, substance use, and sexual risk-taking are correlates of SDV. Among young women, SDV victimization, not perpetration, was associated with recent poor H-R QOL and suicide ideation or attempts, but not lower life-satisfaction scores. Among young men, SDV perpetration, not victimization, was strongly associated with poor H-R QOL and suicide attempts, and lower scores for all domains of life satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This research provides evidence that SDV and forced sex are associated with poor H-R QOL, low life-satisfaction scores, and adverse health behaviors in adolescent female victims and male perpetrators. Screening for dating violence is needed to identify and intervene early to reduce the impact of dating violence.

Adolescent↗

The amniotic fluid index, single deepest pocket, and two-diameter pocket in normal human pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine normative values for amniotic fluid index, single deepest pocket, and 2-diameter pocket across gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty patients with normal pregnancies at each gestational age between 14 and 41 weeks' gestation were recruited prospectively and scanned once. Data were transformed into logarithmic (base 10) values for analysis. Polynomial regression equations were used to predict the normal values for amniotic fluid index, single deepest pocket, and 2-diameter pocket across gestational age and to predict the weekly percentage changes. RESULTS: The mean amniotic fluid index, single deepest pocket, and 2-diameter pocket values were significantly lower among patients at <37 weeks' gestation (n = 1150) than among those at > or =37 weeks' gestation (n = 250; P <.001 for all comparisons). The calculated prevalences of oligohydramnios (amniotic fluid index < or =5 cm, single deepest pocket <2 cm, or 2-diameter pocket <15 cm(2)) were significantly different (P <.0001) for the three techniques (8%, 1%, and 30%, respectively). Hydramnios (amniotic fluid index >24 cm, single deepest pocket >8 cm, or 2-diameter pocket >50 cm(2)) was also diagnosed with significantly different (P <.0001) frequencies (0%, 0.7%, and 3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest prospective study to date to provide normative data for each of three ultrasonographic techniques used to assess amniotic fluid volume. The single deepest pocket appears to be the preferable method, because its use is least likely to lead to the false-positive diagnosis of either oligohydramnios or hydramnios.

Adult↗

Association between level of delivery hospital and neonatal outcomes among South Carolina Medicaid recipients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between level of delivery hospital and neonatal mortality rate, length of stay, and Medicaid reimbursement. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study of 2560 infants with birth weights between 500 and 1499 g who were born between 1991 and 1995 to South Carolina mothers and whose care was covered by Medicaid. RESULTS: The relative risk of neonatal death for infants born in level I and II hospitals (relative risk, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-2.2) but not level II hospitals with 24-hour neonatology coverage (relative risk, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.9) was higher than that for infants born in level III hospitals. Compared with infants born in level III hospitals mean length of stay was longer and Medicaid reimbursement was similar for infants born in level I and II hospitals. Among infants born in level II hospitals with 24-hour neonatology coverage length of stay was shorter and Medicaid reimbursement was lower. CONCLUSION: Infants born in level I and II hospitals had higher neonatal mortality rates and longer stays than did infants born in level III hospitals, despite similar Medicaid reimbursement.

Cohort Studies↗

Intimate partner violence and cervical neoplasia.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a range of adverse physical health outcomes, including chronic and infectious diseases. An emerging literature suggests that partner violence and specifically sexual violence may be associated with an increased risk of cervical neoplasia. To assess the risk of preinvasive and invasive cervical cancer in a cross-sectional study of women screened for IPV by type, frequency and duration, 1152 women ages 18-65 were recruited from family practice clinics in 1997-1998. They were screened for IPV during a brief in-clinic interview, and health history and current status were assessed in a follow-up interview. Of 1152 women surveyed, 14 (1.2%) reported cervical cancer, and 20. 3% (n = 234) reported treatment for cervical neoplasia. Ever experiencing IPV was associated with an increased risk of invasive cervical cancer (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 4.28; 95% CI 1.94, 18.39) and with preinvasive cervical neoplasia (aRR = 1.47; 95% CI 1. 16, 1.82). This association was stronger for women experiencing physical or sexual IPV than for women experiencing psychological IPV. Women with cervical cancer reported being in violent relationships longer and experiencing more frequent physical and sexual assaults and more IPV-associated injuries than did controls. This exploratory study suggests that IPV may increase a woman's risk of cervical neoplasia. The mechanism by which IPV effects cervical neoplasia may be indirect through psychosocial stress or negative coping behaviors or direct through sexual assaults and transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV).

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Oral contraceptives and epithelial ovarian cancer. Does dose matter?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk of ovarian cancer among women who use low-estrogen-dose oral contraceptives. STUDY DESIGN: The study used data on white women under 70 years of age who had been enrolled in a population-based case-control study conducted between 1986 and 1988 in three western Washington counties. Women with ovarian cancer (n = 276) were ascertained through a population-based cancer registry, and controls (n = 391) were selected by random digit dialing. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of ovarian cancer associated with oral contraceptive use. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and parity, women who took oral contraceptives for at least three months were at decreased risk of ovarian cancer (odds ratio [OR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-1.1) relative to women who never used this form of contraception. The reduced risk of ovarian cancer was present among women whose only preparation contained a low (< 50 micrograms ethinyl estradiol or < 80 micrograms mestranol) (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3-1.1) and high (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.2) estrogen dose. CONCLUSION: While our results are limited in their statistical precision and by the inability of many subjects to recall the brands of oral contraceptives that they took, they suggest that the newer, low-estrogen-dose oral contraceptives confer a benefit regarding ovarian cancer risk similar to that conferred by earlier, high-estrogen-dose formulations.

Adult↗

Perinatal outcome and amniotic fluid index in the antepartum and intrapartum periods: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to perform a meta-analysis of studies on the risks of cesarean delivery for fetal distress, 5-minute Apgar score <7, and umbilical arterial pH <7.00 in patients with antepartum or intrapartum amniotic fluid index >5.0 or <5.0 cm. STUDY DESIGN: Using a MEDLINE search, we reviewed all studies published between 1987 and 1997 that correlated antepartum or intrapartum amniotic fluid index with adverse peripartum outcomes. The inclusion criteria were studies in English that associated at least one of the selected adverse outcomes with an amniotic fluid index of </=5.0 cm versus >5.0 cm. Contingency tables were constructed for each study, and relative risks and standard errors of their logs were calculated. Fixed-effects pooled relative risks were calculated for groups of studies that were homogeneous, whereas random-effects pooled relative risks were calculated for significantly heterogeneous groups of studies. RESULTS: Eighteen reports describing 10,551 patients met our inclusion criteria. An antepartum amniotic fluid index of </=5.0 cm, in comparison with >5.0 cm, is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery for fetal distress (pooled relative risk, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.4) and an Apgar score of <7 at 5 minutes (pooled relative risk, 5.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.4-11.3). An intrapartum amniotic fluid index of </=5.0 cm is also associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery for fetal distress (pooled relative risk, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-2.6) and an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes (pooled relative risk, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7). A poor correlation between the amniotic fluid index and neonatal acidosis was noted in the only study that examined this end point. More than 23,000 patients are necessary to demonstrate that the incidence of umbilical arterial pH <7.00 is 1.5 times higher among those with oligohydramnios in labor than among those with adequate amniotic fluid index (alpha = 0.05; beta = 0.2) CONCLUSIONS: An antepartum or intrapartum amniotic fluid index of </=5.0 cm is associated with a significantly increased risk of cesarean delivery for fetal distress and a low Apgar score at 5 minutes. There are few reports linking amniotic fluid index and neonatal acidosis, the only objective assessment of fetal well-being. A multicenter study with sufficient power should be undertaken to demonstrate that a low amniotic fluid index is associated with an umbilical arterial pH <7.00.

Acidosis↗

Physical violence during pregnancy: maternal complications and birth outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between physical violence during the 12 months before delivery and maternal complications and birth outcomes. METHODS: We used population-based data from 6143 women who delivered live-born infants between 1993 and 1995 in South Carolina. Data on women's physical violence during pregnancy were based on self-reports of "partner-inflicted physical hurt and being involved in a physical fight." Outcome data included maternal antenatal hospitalizations, labor and delivery complications, low birth weights, and preterm births. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to measure the associations between physical violence, maternal morbidity, and birth outcomes. RESULTS: The prevalence of physical violence was 11.1%. Among women who experienced physical violence, 54% reported having been involved in physical fights only and 46% had been hurt by husbands or partners. In the latter group, 70% also reported having been involved in fighting. Compared with those not reporting physical violence, women who did were more likely to deliver by cesarean and be hospitalized before delivery for maternal complications such as kidney infection, premature labor, and trauma due to falls or blows to the abdomen. CONCLUSION: Physical violence during the 12 months before delivery is common and is associated with adverse maternal conditions. The findings support the need for research on how to screen for physical violence early in pregnancy and to prevent its consequences.

Abdominal Injuries↗

The value of strength training for older adults.

Health in older adults can best be measured in terms of functional status. Skeletal muscle strength has been reported to be a determinant of functional status in older individuals. Two major contributors to the decline in muscle function as a person ages are disuse and physical inactivity. Declining muscle function through a loss of muscular strength may decrease functional independence and mobility and increase the risk for falls and injuries, physical frailty, and disability. Older individuals lacking an appropriate amount of muscular strength may not be able to perform various activities of daily living, which are important indicators of independence.

Activities of Daily Living↗