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At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Oral hygiene for the severely handicapped: clinical evaluation of the University of Mississippi dental care system.

The study reported here was a clinical evaluation of an automatic toothbrushing device for persons with severe handicapping conditions. This device, the University of Mississippi dental care system, is designed for patients who are unable to control their arms and hands. The effectiveness of this device was compared to routine (ordinary, manual) regimens of oral hygiene through use of gingival (Loe-Silness) and plaque (Turesky) indexes (GIs, PIs). Plaque indexes for patients under routine care averaged 2.11; PIs for patients under the dental care system averaged 1.47. Based on Ebbutt's extra period changeover design model, the t-test for difference in plaque scores is significant (P less than .001). The results indicate that the University of Mississippi dental care system improves the patients' ability to independently control plaque.

Persons with Disabilities↗

Competitiveness of Rhizobium trifolii Strains Associated with Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in Mississippi Soils.

Five strains of Rhizobium trifolii were evaluated in competition with indigenous populations in nodulating red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv. Kenland in two different soils in Mississippi. Double antibiotic resistance acquisition was used to measure the proportion of nodules occupied by the introduced mutant strains. In vertisol soil, strains RP113-7, 162BB1, LM1, and 162P17 were recovered in at least 94% of the assayed nodules, whereas TA1 was found in 83.8% of the nodules. At an ultisol location, significant differences were detected within the introduced rhizobia. Strain RP113-7 was recovered at very high rates (99.2% of the assayed nodules), whereas strains 162BB1, LM1, 162P17, and TA1 were all found in 84.9 to 96.0% of the nodules sampled. Forage yield and percent crude protein levels were lower with the less effective but competitive strain (TA1) at both locations. Results indicated that more effective strains of R. trifolii can increase red clover production and symbiotic nitrogen fixation under different environmental conditions in Mississippi.

Journal Article↗

Hb Mississippi [beta 44(CD3)Ser----Arg]: a new variant with anomalous properties.

Hb Mississippi was discovered in a 6-year-old Chinese girl with chronic anemia and thalassemia intermedia. Family studies revealed that she had inherited the Hb Mississippi from her father as well as inheriting a gene for beta+-thalassemia from her mother. Electrophoretic analyses of the hemolysate of the father of the father and the proband on polyacrylamide gels at pH 8.6 showed that the abnormal hemoglobin had three distinct mobilities. A similar pattern was also observed by isoelectricfocusing. In addition, multiple abnormal peaks were observed by high performance liquid chromatographic hemoglobin separations as well as high performance liquid chromatographic globin chain separation. Structural analysis of the abnormal hemoglobin demonstrated a single abnormality; the substitution of serine to cysteine at position 44 (CD3) of the beta-globin chain. Since CD3 is on the surface of the beta-globin chain, it was thought that polymerization of the abnormal hemoglobin by disulfide linkages might have been responsible for the anomalous behavior on electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography. Gel filtration chromatography on G-200 Sephadex confirmed this supposition and demonstrated that the abnormal globin chain polymerized with itself as well as with other globin chains.

Amino Acids↗

Drownings in Mississippi 1992-1994: frequencies and distribution.

This investigation was conducted to determine the mortality rate due to drownings in Mississippi from 1992-1994. Drownings were defined as unintentional deaths from asphyxia while submerged or within 24 hours of submersion. Death certificate data including ICD-9 codes related to drownings, were received from the Mississippi State Department of Health. Variables assessed included age, age category, sex, race, death month, death day, place of drowning, and risk factors. Although drownings occurred in ages from 0-91 years, the highest mortality rates were found in the 14-17 year old age category (1 1.9 deaths per 100,000). Asian and Native American populations had the highest drowning mortality rates (23.6 and 22.6 per 100,000) when analyzed by race. However, this may be primarily due to lower populations. Males drowned five times more frequently than women. This is felt to be related to increased exposure. More drownings occurred on Saturdays and Sundays; and in the months of July, June; May, April, September, and August consecutively. Results presented here identify correlates of drowning fatalities which will enable strategic targeting of prevention programs and resources.

Adolescent↗

Perceptions of community nutrition and health needs in the Lower Mississippi Delta: a key informant approach.

OBJECTIVE: Key informants' perceptions of nutrition and health needs in their southern rural communities were assessed prior to nutrition intervention planning. DESIGN: This cross-sectional survey used in-person interviews. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: A sample of 490 individuals from 12 professional and lay roles in 8 community sectors in 36 counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi was chosen. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Factor analysis was carried out on reported food, nutrition, and health problems and contributing factors. The General Linear Models procedure identified within- and between-subject effects for factors. Tukey's post hoc tests identified differences between sectors and states. Frequencies and weighted rankings were computed for health problems. RESULTS: Key informants rated individual-level factors (food choices, education, willingness to change, health behavior) as more important than community-level factors (food and health care access, resources) with regard to nutrition and health problems and contributors to problems. The number one health problem was hypertension. IMPLICATIONS: Key informants are knowledgeable about nutrition and health problems, contributing factors, and available resources. Individual factors were perceived as more important contributors to nutrition and health problems providing valuable information for planning nutrition interventions.

Adolescent↗

Racial differentials in the prevalence of stroke. Copiah County, Mississippi.

Separate surveys of households and chronic-care facilities were conducted in Copiah County, Mississippi. The household survey included screening interviews and a complete census. Board-certified neurologists, using defined diagnostic criteria, examined all consenting persons who were either eligible residents of the chronic-care facilities or household members with interview responses suggestive of stroke. In all, 250 stroke survivors were identified, yielding (as of Jan 1, 1978) a point prevalence ratio of 1,060 per 100,000 inhabitants. Age-adjusted prevalence ratios were higher for men and for blacks. Age-specific prevalence ratios increased with advancing age. Nearly 20% of identified stroke survivors had not received inpatient care for that condition.

Adolescent↗

History of agricultural injury among farmers in Alabama and Mississippi: prevalence, characteristics, and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: There have been no studies of the prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with the history of prior farm injury among active farmers. No studies have had adequate numbers of black farmers to evaluate farm owner/farm worker and black/white similarities and differences. METHODS: Our sample is based upon surveys administered to 1,310 active male farmers in nine rural counties in Alabama (5) and Mississippi (4). The farmers are white owner/operators (53.6%), black owner/operators (26.6%), and black workers (19.8%). RESULTS: Overall, 23.4% of the farmers had a prior injury. Prior injury was more frequent among white owner/operators (29.1%), compared with black workers (18.9%), and black owner/operators (15.2%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, post-high school education and tiredness when farming were independently associated with prior injury in black owner/operators. In white owner/operators, age > or = 60 years, post-high school education, full-time farming, tractor use, more pieces of machinery, hurry when farming, and alcohol consumption were associated with prior injury. In black workers, only being very careful was associated with prior injury. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that prevention efforts focusing on alcohol consumption, fatigue, and hurry when farming might reduce injuries; however, only a follow-up study of this sample can determine whether these associations reflect causal factors, recall, or selection bias.

Adult↗

Effect of subsurface drains on runoff losses of metolachlor and trifluralin from Mississippi River alluvial soil.

Subsurface drains reduced runoff losses of metolachlor and trifluralin from plots on Mississippi River alluvial soil planted with soybean. The drains reduced metolachlor runoff losses by 90% and trifluralin losses by 57%. Concomitantly, runoff volume was reduced 24% and soil erosional losses by 75%. The large reduction of metolachlor losses in runoff was due to a first event from the nondrained plot that was characterized by high chemical concentration, a characteristic that was not duplicated in the corresponding events from the drained plots. Due to low sediment concentrations in runoff and to low water solubility,trifluralin loss in runoff, even from the nondrained treatment, was less than 0.2% of the application.

Acetamides↗

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs), biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides in yellow-blotched map turtle from the Pascagoula River basin, Mississippi, USA.

Concentrations of polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -dibenzofurans (PCDFs), -biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides were measured in tissues of map turtles collected from two locations in the Pascagoula River drainage of Mississippi, USA. PCBs were most predominant among the organochlorines with a concentration of up to 99 ng/g, wet weight (580 ng/g, lipid weight) in livers. The greatest concentration of PCDDs/DFs of 1.1 pg/g, wet weight (15.76 pg/g, lipid weight) was found in the liver of a male turtle. The measured concentrations of organochlorines were less than those reported for turtles from the Great Lakes Basin and upper St. Lawrence River. PCBs contributed 90-99% of the total estimated 2, 3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs). Particularly, PCB congeners 105, 118, and 156 accounted for 68-80% of the estimated toxic potency of PCBs in turtles.

Animals↗

Significance of instream autotrophs in trophic dynamics of the Upper Mississippi River.

Trophic dynamics of large river-floodplain ecosystems are still not well understood despite development of several conceptual models over the last 25 years. To help resolve questions about the relative contribution of algal and detrital organic matter to food webs in the Upper Mississippi River, we (1) separated living and detrital components of ultrafine and fine transported organic matter (UTOM and FTOM, respectively) by colloidal silica centrifugation; (2) identified stable isotope signatures (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) for these two portions of transported organic matter and other potential organic matter sources; and (3) employed a multiple source, dual-isotope mixing model to determine the relative contribution of major energy sources to primary consumers and the potential contribution of basal sources to the biomass of secondary consumers. The delta(13)C and delta(15)N of living and detrital fractions of UTOM and FTOM were distinct, indicating clear differences in isotopic composition of the algal and detrital fractions of transported organic matter. Living and detrital transported organic matter also differed from other potential organic matter sources by either delta(13)C or delta(15)N. A six-source mixing model using both delta(13)C and delta(15)N indicated that algal transported organic matter was the major resource assimilated by primary consumers. The contribution of detrital transported organic matter was small in most cases, but there were a small number of taxa for which it could potentially contribute to more than half the assimilated diet. Colloidal dissolved organic matter, which includes heterotrophic bacteria, accounted for only a small fraction of the organic matter assimilated by most primary consumers, indicating that coupling between microbial processes and metazoan production is minimal. Terrestrial C(3) litter from the floodplain forest floor and aquatic macrophytes were also relatively unimportant to the assimilated diet of primary consumers. Application of the mixing model to compare basal source isotopic ratios to secondary consumers revealed that most organic matter moving from primary to secondary consumers originated from algal TOM. Our findings indicate that autochthonous organic matter is the major energy source supporting metazoan production in the main channel of this large river, at least during the summer. This study joins a number of other investigations performed globally that indicate organic matter originating from instream production of sestonic and benthic microalgae is a major driver in the trophic dynamics of large river ecosystems.

Animals↗

Epidemiological study of nematode infections in a grazing beef cow-calf herd in Mississippi.

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes was studied in a spring calving herd in northeast Mississippi. Pregnant, mixed breed beef cows (n = 15) were placed on a 10 ha fescue/bermuda grass pasture from January 1990-February 1992. In both years, calves were born from February-April and were weaned and removed from the pasture in mid-October. Fecal egg counts (EPG) and generic composition of nematodes in fecal cultures were determined monthly for cows and calves. Estimation of numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage also was determined monthly from March 1990-February 1992. Worm-free tracer calves (2-3 per month) were allowed to graze for 1 month periods and slaughtered for counting and identification of gastrointestinal nematodes. The mean monthly EPG of cows was consistently low (0.23-3.41); EPG of calves increased from spring through fall of both years. Five nematode genera were identified from fecal cultures of cows and calves. Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp. were the predominant nematodes in cows, while Ostertagia and Cooperia spp. were predominant in calves. Numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage declined from spring through summer and remained at low levels until late fall/winter, when numbers increased markedly. Eleven nematode species were identified from tracers, but O. ostertagi and Cooperia spp. predominated in most months. Seasonal changes in tracer worm counts coincided with similar changes in counts of third-stage larvae on herbage. Inhibition of O. ostertagi occurred in tracer calves during spring, but did not give rise to a marked increase in egg production in cows during fall.

Animals↗

Vegetative and structural characteristics of agricultural drainages in the Mississippi Delta landscapes.

Agricultural drainage ditches in the Mississippi Alluvial Delta landscape vary from edge-of-field waterways to sizeable drainages. Ditch attributes vary with size, location and maintenance and may aid in mitigation of contaminants from agricultural fields. The goal of this study was to better understand how vegetative characteristics affect water quality in conveyance structures in the context of ditch class and surrounding land use. Characterization of 36 agricultural ditches included presence of riparian buffer strips, water depth, surrounding land use, vegetative cover, and associated aqueous physicochemical parameters. Vegetation was assessed quantitatively, obtaining stem counts in a sub-sample of ditch sites, using random quadrat method. Physical features varied with ditch size and vegetative diversity was higher in larger structures. Polygonum sp. was the dominant bed vegetation and was ubiquitous among site sizes. Macrophytes varied from aquatic to upland species, and included Leersia sp. and upland grasses (Poaceae family) in all drainage size classes. Percent cover of bed and bank varied from 0 to 100% and 70 to 100%, respectively, and highest nutrient values were measured in sites with no buffer strips. These conveyance structures and surrounding buffer zones are being ranked for their ability to reduce excess nutrients, suspended solids, and pesticides associated with runoff.

Agriculture↗

Responses of benthic macroinvertebrates to thin-layer disposal of dredged material in Mississippi Sound, USA.

Benthic community responses to thin-layer disposal of dredged material were assessed at three sites in Mississippi Sound, USA. Community composition differed between disposal and reference sites (ANOSIM) for each disposal event. Oweniid sand worms, Amphinomid fire worms, and brittle stars (Ophiuriodea) contributed the most to community distinctions between disposal and reference sites (SIMPER), with higher abundances at the disposal sites. Total infaunal abundance was similar to pre-disposal and reference conditions within 3-10 months of thin-layer disposal. Distinctions in community composition between disposal and reference sites (nMDS) persisted throughout the 16-month study period, but were less pronounced at the site where sediment composition was unchanged by disposal. Size distributions of some taxa (e.g., gastropod and hemichordate) suggest adults recolonized the newly deposited sediments either through vertical migration or lateral immigration from adjacent areas. Thin-layer disposal offers a viable alternative to conventional open-water disposal practices and warrants further exploration for other areas with deeper bathymetries and different hydrodynamic regimes.

Animals↗

Influence of inter-annual variations in climatic factors on fecal coliform levels in Mississippi Sound.

Information on the effects of inter-annual variations in climatic factors on fecal coliform levels in coastal waters is scarce. We used 11 years (1990-2001) of rainfall, water temperature, Pearl River stage and salinity data to assess the effects of the 1991-1992 and 1997-1998 El Nino events on fecal coliform levels in Mississippi Sound. El Nino-Southern Oscillation had major effects on Pearl River stage and water quality in the Sound. The geometric mean fecal coliform number differed among years (P = 0.0001), being highest during 1991-1992 El Nino years (14.22 MPN per 100 ml) and lowest during 1999-2000 La Nina years (<1.8 MPN per 100 ml). Mean salinity varied among years (P = 0.0001) from 9 ppt (1991-1992) to 21 ppt (1999-2000). Mean water temperature was lowest in 1997-1998 (14.5 degrees C) and highest in 1998-2000 (19.4 degrees C). Pearl River stage differed among years (P = 0.0001), ranging from 1.96 m (1999-2000) to 3.57 m (1997-1998). Inverse relationships were observed between fecal coliform levels and salinity (r(2) = 0.74; P = 0.001) and water temperature (r(2) = 0.69; P=0.001), whereas positive relationships were obtained with total rainfall (r(2) = 0.52; P = 0.013) and Pearl River stage (r(2) = 0.90; P = 0.0001). These relationships are useful for evaluating the potential effects of climate change on water quality and classification of shellfish growing waters in order to protect humans from consuming contaminated shellfish in shallow river-influenced estuaries.

Animals↗

Validity of a telephone-administered 24-hour dietary recall in telephone and non-telephone households in the rural Lower Mississippi Delta region.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if 24-hour dietary recall data are influenced by whether data are collected by telephone or face-to-face interviews in telephone and non-telephone households. DESIGN: Dual sampling frame of telephone and non-telephone households. In telephone households, participants completed a 24-hour dietary recall either by face-to-face interview or telephone interview. In non-telephone households, participants completed a 24-hour dietary recall either by face-to-face interview or by using a cellular telephone provided by a field interviewer. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Four hundred nine participants from the rural Delta region of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean energy and protein intakes. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Comparison of telephone and non-telephone households, controlling for type of interview, and comparison of telephone and face-to-face interviews in each household type using unpaired t tests and linear regression, adjusting for gender, age, and body mass index. RESULTS: Mean differences between telephone and face-to-face interviews for telephone households were -171 kcal (P = 0.1) and -6.9 g protein (P = 0.2), and for non-telephone households -143 kcal (P = 0.6) and 0.4 g protein (P = 1.0). Mean differences between telephone and non-telephone households for telephone interviews were 0 kcal (P = 1.0) and -0.9 g protein (P = 0.9), and for face-to-face interviews 28 kcal (P = 0.9) and 6.4 g protein (P = 0.5). Findings persisted when adjusted for gender, age, and body mass index. No statistically significant differences were detected for mean energy or protein intake between telephone and face-to-face interviews or between telephone and non-telephone households. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: These data provide support that telephone surveys adequately describe energy and protein intakes for a rural, low-income population.

Adolescent↗

Detection of persistent organic pollutants in the Mississippi Delta using semipermeable membrane devices.

From semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) placed in five Mississippi Delta streams in 1996 and 1997, the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) aldrin, chlordane, DCPA, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, nonachlor, and toxaphene were detected. In addition, the insecticides chlorpyriphos, endosulfan, and hexachlorocyclohexanes were detected. Two low-solubility herbicides not detected commonly in surface water, pendimethalin and trifluralin, were also detected.

Aniline Compounds↗

Prevalence of Sarcocystis neurona sporocysts in opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from rural Mississippi.

Sarcocystis species sporocysts were found in intestinal scrapings from 24 of 72 opossums (Didelphis virginiana) from rural Mississippi. The number of sporocysts in each opossum varied from a few ( < 100000) to 187 million. Sporocysts from 24 opossums were bioassayed for Sarcocystis neurona infections by feeding to gamma-interferon knockout (KO) mice. S. neurona was detected in the brains of KO mice fed sporocysts from 19 opossums by immunohistochemical staining with anti-S. neurona specific polyclonal rabbit serum, and by in vitro culture from the brains of KO mice fed sporocysts. The isolates of S. neurona from opossums were designated SN16-OP to SN34-OP. Merozoites from 17 of 19 isolates tested at the 25/396 locus were identical to previously described S. neurona isolates from horses. The high prevalence of S. neurona sparocysts in D. virginiana suggests that this opossum constitutes an ample reservoir of infection in the southern United States.

Animals↗

Factors affecting environmental awareness among Head Start families in Mississippi.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in health status in the United States may be attributed in part to environmental injustice and differential exposure to environmental hazards among low-income and/or minority populations. However, the environmental justice movement has historically focused on equity in the siting of point-source polluting facilities, giving little attention to environmental hazards and environmental awareness at the level of the individual household. METHODS: Heads of 763 low-income households participating in Head Start programs in 20 counties of the Mississippi Delta region were surveyed regarding their education, the physical environment of their home and workplace, sources of food and water, awareness of local polluting sites/facilities, knowledge of government agencies, and behaviors that may affect their health or impact their local environment. Survey results were compared to demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental quality indicators. RESULTS: Significant associations existed between both education and race/ethnicity and the responses of survey participants. Being African American was more commonly associated with poor quality-of-life indicators such as renting substandard older homes and living in close proximity to areas of unfavorable watershed quality. Higher education was more commonly and positively associated with indicators of heightened environmental awareness and increased political empowerment. No association was observed between race/ethnicity and the prevalence of polluting facilities. However, a significant association existed between race/ethnicity and indicators of environmental quality/integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Environmental health education interventions that target individual households may be a useful mechanism for increasing the access of low-income communities to government health resources and reducing adverse health effects from the environment. However, racial/ethnic disparities in education and health remain an important consideration.

Awareness↗