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PubMed1992

Norms and alcohol consumption: Japanese in Japan, Hawaii and California.

The study compared age/sex norms and alcohol consumption of a sample of Japanese from Japan and Japanese Americans in Hawaii and California. Age norms included acceptable drinking levels for the following age groups: 16, 21, 40 and 60, both male and female. There were significant differences in norms across the sites with the Japanese in Japan holding the most tolerant views of heavier drinking for men, followed by California and Hawaii. The Japanese-American samples were more tolerant of female drinking than were the Japanese. There was a high degree of similarity between Hawaii and California, whereas Japanese respondents in Japan differed in their responses. A correlation between drinking and norms by site indicated a high degree of congruence between drinking and more tolerant norms for drinking in all of the samples: Those who drank the most also had the most permissive norms toward drinking. The differences in norms between Japanese in Japan and Japanese Americans were explained in terms of enculturation and acculturation.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1997

Legal and social control of alcohol-impaired driving in California: 1983-1994.

OBJECTIVE: This research was designed to provide information on the legal and social forces that influence change in control of alcohol-impaired driving. METHOD: Attitudes, perceptions and behaviors concerning drinking and driving for California drivers in 1994 (n = 608) were compared to similar information collected from California drivers in 1983 and 1986 (n = 291) through random-digit-dialing telephone interviews. RESULTS: Self-reported drinking-driving violations showed a substantial decline, paralleling the well-documented drop in alcohol-related traffic crashes during this time span. A large reduction in drinking before driving was reported for all age groups, men and women, and for both heavy drinkers and light drinkers. There was evidence of an increase in the levels of both general deterrence and general prevention. Increased external control was reflected in greater knowledge of drinking-driving laws and trends toward an increased expectation that violations would be followed by unpleasant consequences. Strong gains in creating a social norm for control of alcohol-impaired driving were indicated by perceptions that friends and relatives were more likely to disapprove of driving after drinking, observations of more control of drinking by drivers at occasions where alcohol is served and an increase in the view that it is morally wrong to drive after heavy drinking. CONCLUSIONS: California has made substantial progress in efforts to control alcohol-impaired driving, through increases in both general deterrence (fear of punishment) and general prevention (moral inhibitions and socialization of preventive habits), especially the latter.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Changes in the epidemiologic profile of sudden infant death syndrome as rates decline among California infants: 1990-1995.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in the rates and epidemiologic patterns of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) after implementation of public health campaigns to promote back sleeping and reduce exposure to cigarette smoke and environmental risk factors for SIDS. METHODS: California vital statistics data were used to evaluate changes in SIDS rates (deaths/1000 live births) and in the proportions of SIDS deaths by age and season of occurrence for California infants of black or other races from 1990 through 1995. RESULTS: From 1990 through 1995, 3508 SIDS deaths occurred. SIDS rates declined from 2.69 to 2.15 for black infants and from 1.04 to 0.61 for others between 1990 and 1995. Most SIDS deaths occurred during the 2nd to 4th months of life; the proportion of SIDS deaths during this period was unchanged for blacks but decreased for others from 70% to 65%. Of all SIDS deaths, 62% occurred during the colder season (October through March); the proportion of deaths in each season did not change for either race. CONCLUSION: California SIDS rates declined 20% for blacks and 41% for others between 1990 and 1995. Declines coincided with campaigns to reduce environmental risk factors for SIDS. Blacks continue to be at increased risk for SIDS compared with others, and the SIDS rate for blacks relative to others has increased. Reductions in SIDS mortality coinciding with interventions were smaller for blacks than for others. New strategies are needed to reduce further SIDS rates and narrow the gap between blacks and others.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2000

Mortality and time to death in very low birth weight infants: California, 1987 and 1993.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in perinatal technology have dramatically increased the survival of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (<1500 g). The possibility that these advances may also prolong the time to death and increase pain and suffering has been of concern, but there have been no population-based evaluations of this issue. METHODS: Infant, neonatal, and postneonatal mortality rates and time to death for infants 500 to 749 g, 750 to 999 g, 1000 to 1499 g, and all VLBW infants born during 1987 were compared with those outcomes for infants born in 1993 using statewide California linked birth/death cohort files. To assess the effects of improved survival and changes in time until death, we calculated the total days of life preceding an infant death per 1000 live born infants (TDD). RESULTS: VLBW infants comprised.96% of California's live births in 1987 and.92% of those in 1993. Between 1987 and 1993, VLBW infant mortality rate decreased 28.4% (from 290.7 to 208.3 per 1000 live born VLBW infants), VLBW neonatal mortality rate decreased 30. 3% (from 244.5 to 170.4), and VLBW postneonatal mortality rate decreased 25.3% (from 61.2 to 45.7 per 1000 VLBW alive at 28 days; P <.05 for each rate). Infant mortality rates decreased by 18.8% (718. 1 to 583.0 per 1000) for infants 500 to 749 g, 43.3% (375.1 to 202. 6) for infants 750 to 999 g, and 40.1% (127.9 to 76.7) for infants 1000 to 1449 g (P <.05 for each group). Neonatal mortality and postneonatal mortality rates also decreased in all 3 VLBW subgroups. These reductions in mortality rates were not accompanied by a significant difference in the distribution of times to death or a significant increase in the average time to death for all VLBW infants (22.0 vs 23.6 days) or for those with birth weights of 500 to 749 g (12.7 vs 71.5 days). Reduced mortality in larger infants was accompanied by an increase in the average time to death, from 24. 3 to 32.5 days in infants 750 to 999 g and from 32.3 to 47.0 days in infants 1000 to 1449 g. TDD decreased from 6410 to 4908 days for all VLBW infants. TDD was also reduced 26.4% (2401 days), 24.3% (2115 days), and 22.5% (1043 days) for the 3 VLBW birth weight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both mortality rate and timing of death are important when assessing the impact of advances in perinatal technology. Although the average time to death was significantly increased in VLBW infants weighing >750 g, between 1987 and 1993, advances in perinatal technology dramatically decreased VLBW mortality. In the State of California in 1993, this resulted in 452 fewer VLBW deaths and 8233 fewer days preceding a VLBW death than expected.

California↗
PubMed2000

The impact of managed care insurance on use of lower-mortality hospitals by children undergoing cardiac surgery in California.

CONTEXT: Managed care plans aggressively seek to contain costs, but few data are available regarding their impact on access to high quality care for their members. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of managed care health insurance on use of lower-mortality hospitals for children undergoing heart surgery in California. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using state-mandated hospital discharge datasets. SETTING: Pediatric cardiovascular surgical centers in California. PATIENTS: Five thousand seventy-one children admitted for open cardiac surgical procedures during 1992-1994. RESULTS: Hospitals were divided into lower- and higher-mortality groups according to adjusted surgical mortality. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis to control for medical, socioeconomic, demographic, and distance factors, children with managed care insurance were less likely to be admitted to a lower-mortality hospital for surgery relative to children with indemnity insurance (odds ratio:.53; 95% confidence interval:.45,.63). Similar findings resulted when the analysis was stratified by race/ethnicity. In addition, length of stay, a correlate of health care costs, was no longer for children admitted to lower-mortality centers than for those at higher-mortality centers (adjusted difference:.54 days shorter at lower-mortality centers; 95% confidence interval: -1.50,. 41). CONCLUSIONS: During this study, children with managed care insurance had significantly reduced use of lower-mortality hospitals for pediatric heart surgery in California compared with children with indemnity insurance. Further study is necessary to determine the mechanisms of this apparent insurance-specific inequity.

California↗
PubMed2000

Newborn discharge timing and readmissions: California, 1992-1995.

CONTEXT: Hospital stays for newborns and their mothers after uncomplicated vaginal delivery have decreased from an average of 4 days in 1970 to 1.1 days in 1995. Despite the lack of population-based research on the quality-of-care implications of this trend, federal legislation passed in 1996 mandated coverage for 48-hour hospital stays after uncomplicated vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of very early discharge (defined as discharge on the day of birth) on the risk of infant readmission during the neonatal period in a California healthy newborn population. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study, based on a linked dataset consisting of the birth certificate, newborn, and maternal hospitalization record, and linked infant readmission records for all healthy, vaginally delivered, and routinely discharged California newborns from 1992 to 1995. OUTCOME MEASURES: Very early discharge and infant readmission during the first 28 days of life. RESULTS: The percentage of infants discharged very early or early (after a 1-night stay) increased from 71% in 1992 to 85% in 1995. The percentage of infants discharged very early increased from 5.0% in 1992 to 5.7% in 1993 and 7.0% in 1994, then decreased to 6.7% in 1995. Characteristics that have been previously associated with suboptimal pregnancy outcomes were found to decrease the likelihood of very early discharge, eg, maternal complications, primiparity, and Hispanic, African American, South East Asian, or other Asian race/ethnicity. The rate of readmission in the neonatal period initially decreased from 27.6 infants per 1000 in 1992 to 25.67 infants per 1000 in 1994, then increased to 30.2 infants per 1000 in 1995. For infants discharged early, no statistically significant increase in the risk of readmission was observed, compared with infants discharged after a 2+-night stay. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for readmission was statistically significantly higher for infants who were discharged very early, compared with infants discharged early (OR: 1.27), first order births (OR: 1.21), infants born to mothers who experienced complications (OR: 1.11), infants with Medicaid insurance (OR: 1.23), and infants born to mothers who received adequate plus prenatal care (OR: 1.15). The risk was statistically significantly lower for female infants (OR: 0.75). The proportion of infants rehospitalized for dehydration and low-risk infections over the 4 study years combined was statistically significantly higher in infants discharged very early (4.37 per thousand and 10.30 per thousand, respectively), compared with infants discharged early (3.59 per thousand and 8.16 per thousand, respectively) or after a 2+-night stay (2.91 per thousand and 7.95 per thousand, respectively). The proportion of infants rehospitalized for dehydration increased statistically significantly from 2.89 per thousand in 1992 to 4.52 per thousand in 1995. CONCLUSIONS: One-night stays with adequate antenatal and postnatal care outside the hospital do not increase the risk of readmission for healthy, vaginally delivered infants born in California. However, the decision to discharge infants on the day of birth should be applied conservatively because of the increased risk of infant readmission associated with very early discharge.

California↗
PubMed2006

Asthma prevalence in Hispanic and Asian American ethnic subgroups: results from the California Healthy Kids Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Asthma prevalence for different ethnic groups in the United States, beyond white, black and Hispanic, is seldom reported. We compared the prevalence of asthma diagnosis among various Hispanic and Asian American ethnic subgroups using data collected from the school-based California Healthy Kids Survey. METHODS: The California Healthy Kids Survey was administered to 462 147 public school students in the seventh, ninth, and 11th grades throughout California during the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 school years. Prevalence of lifetime asthma diagnosis was calculated for 11 Asian American Pacific Islander subgroups and 8 Hispanic subgroups. RESULTS: Asthma prevalence among Hispanic subgroups ranged from 13.2% for Mexican American students to 22.8% for Puerto Rican students and 23.0% among Cuban American students. Lifetime asthma diagnosis among the 11 Asian American Pacific Islander subgroups ranged from 10.9% among Korean American students to 23.8% among Filipino American students. CONCLUSIONS: The survey revealed substantial variation in asthma prevalence between the different Hispanic and Asian American Pacific Islander subgroups and that Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, Cubans, and Puerto Ricans are at elevated risk for asthma. Differences in the distributions of characteristics related to country of birth, residential history, generational status, and/or degree of acculturation might account for much of the observed differences in asthma prevalence between ethnic subgroups. Previous asthma prevalence estimates for Asians or Hispanics are in part a function of the particular ethnic composition of the population under investigation. We suggest that asthma studies that include a substantial number of Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic persons use a more detailed categorization of race/ethnicity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Impact of postpartum hospital-stay legislation on newborn length of stay, readmission, and mortality in California.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of postpartum hospital-stay legislation on newborns' length of stay, neonatal readmissions, and 1-year mortality in California, and whether this legislation had differential impacts by demographics and complications during delivery or pregnancy. METHODOLOGY: This study used linked birth certificates, death certificates and hospital discharge records for all full-term, normal birth weight, and singleton-birth newborns during 1991-2000 in California (n = 662,753). Interrupted time-series analyses were used to examine changes in newborns' length of stay and outcomes after 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years since the passage of postpartum laws. Multivariate linear and logistic regressions were estimated separately by maternal characteristics (race, education, age, and partity), delivery type, and complications during pregnancy or delivery. RESULTS: Length of stay increased by 9.5, 12, and 14 hours in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively, after the passage of the law. Increases were larger for newborns of white mothers, more educated mothers, mothers >35 years of age, primaparous mothers, cesarean deliveries, and Medicaid recipients, but there were no differences by pregnancy or delivery complications. The odds of neonatal readmission declined by 9.3%, 11.8%, and 19.7% in years 1, 2 and 3 after the law, respectively. The odds of infection-related readmissions declined by 21.5% and 30.3% in years 2 and 3, respectively. The odds of jaundice-related readmissions increased by 7% in year 1. There was no significant change in either the odds of readmission due to respiratory problems or the odds of 1-year mortality in the postlaw years. Demographic differences in the impact of the law on readmissions and mortality could not be detected because of lack of statistical power. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum length of stay legislation was associated with increased length of stay among all births in California, with significant variation in the law's impact across demographic groups. After the law's passage, there was a significant decline in neonatal readmissions but not in 1-year mortality.

California↗
PubMed2001

Seasonal flight activity of two Homalodisca species (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) that spread Xylella fastidiosa in southern California.

Homalodisca coagulata (Say) and Homalodisca lacerta (Fowler) are vectors of a new bacterial disease of oleander in California known as oleander leaf scorch, induced by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. H. coagulata also has been implicated in the spread of the strain of X. fastidiosa that induces Pierce's disease of grapevines in California. We monitored the flight activity of H. coagulata and H. lacerta in oleander and citrus by using yellow sticky cards at three southern California locations where outbreaks of oleander leaf scorch have been documented, and where vector compliments are different. Areas sampled included a mesic coastal area (Irvine, CA) that supports predominantly H. coagulata and few H. lacerta, a dry inland location (Palm Desert, CA) that supports predominantly H. lacerta and few H. coagulata, and an intermediate area (Riverside, CA) supporting both Homalodisca species. From November 1996 to October 1999 peak catches of both Homalodisca species occurred during the midsummer at all locations. H. coagulata was trapped in greater numbers in citrus than in oleander at both the Riverside and the Irvine sites. Likewise, H. lacerta in Riverside was more associated with citrus than oleander, yet H. lacerta in Palm Desert was trapped in greater numbers in oleander than citrus.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Dispersion of Homalodisca coagulata (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), a vector of Xylella fastidiosa, into vineyards in southern California.

Recent epidemics of Pierce's disease of grapevine in California vectored by Homalodisca coagulata (Say), an invasive vector species, have characteristics that differ from epidemics involving native vectors. Among these differences are the longer distances and greater speed that the disease is spread by H. coagulata. In this investigation, we used yellow sticky traps to study the seasonal dispersion activity of H. coagulata in a southern California grape-growing area in which an epidemic of Pierce's disease has caused large losses. For 21 mo, we monitored adult H. coagulata at the edges of vineyards bordering citrus, an important crop host, natural coastal sage scrub vegetation, and natural riparian vegetation. We also monitored H. coagulata dispersion from 0 to 40 m into vineyards. Finally, we examined the vertical dispersion of H. coagulata adults into grapevines through a season. This investigation showed that H. coagulata is associated with citrus, from where it disperses deep into vineyards, and not just the vineyard edge as with Pierce's disease vectors that are native to California. Peak dispersion into vineyards occurred in the summer. Another period of H. coagulata activity occurred in the winter in vineyards bordering citrus. Through the period of peak flight activity, 97% of all H. coagulata adults trapped between 1 and 7 m were caught at an altitude of 5 m or lower, suggesting the potential of a barrier as a management tactic to keep H. coagulata out of vineyards.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Overwintering of West Nile virus in Southern California.

West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus, WNV) invaded southern California during 2003, successfully overwintered, amplified to epidemic levels, and then dispersed to every county in the state. Although surveillance programs successfully tracked and measured these events, mechanisms that allowed the efficient overwintering and subsequent amplification of WNV have not been elucidated. Our current research provided evidence for three mechanisms whereby WNV may have persisted in southern California during the winters of 2003-2004 and 2004-2005: 1) continued enzootic transmission, 2) vertical transmission by Culex mosquitoes, and 3) chronic infection in birds. WNV was detected in 140 dead birds comprising 32 species, including 60 dead American crows, thereby verifying transmission during the November-March winter period. Dead American crows provide evidence of recent transmission because this species always succumbs rapidly after infection. However, WNV RNA was not detected concurrently in 43,043 reproductively active female mosquitoes comprising 11 species and tested in 1,258 pools or antibody in sera from 190 sentinel chickens maintained in 19 flocks. Although efficient vertical transmission by WNV was demonstrated experimentally for Culex tarsalis Coquillett infected per os, 369 females collected diapausing in Kern County and tested in 32 pools were negative for WNV. Vertical transmission was detected in Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus Say adults reared from field-collected immatures collected from Kern County and Los Angeles during the summer transmission period. Chronic infection was detected by finding WNV RNA in 34 of 82 birds that were inoculated with WNV experimentally, held for >6 wk after infection, and then necropsied. Frequent detection of WNV RNA in kidney tissue in experimentally infected birds >6 wk postinfection may explain, in part, the repeated detection of WNV RNA in dead birds recovered during winter, especially in species such as mourning doves that typically do not die after experimental infection. In summary, our study provides limited evidence to support multiple modes of WNV persistence i n southern California. Continued transmission andvertical transmission by Culex p. quinquefasciatus Say seem likely candidates for further study.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Geographical distribution patterns and habitat suitability models for presence of host-seeking ixodid ticks in dense woodlands of Mendocino County, California.

We used drag sampling to examine the geographical distribution patterns of ixodid ticks engaging in open (non-nidicolous) host-seeking behavior in dense woodland habitats of the climatically and ecologically diverse Mendocino County in north coastal California. The findings based on this sampling methodology reflect risk of human exposure to host-seeking ticks rather than the true distribution of the ticks. Drag sampling in 78 sites yielded 7,860 nymphal or adult Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls, 220 Dermacentor occidentalis Marx, 150 Ixodes spinipalpis Hadwen & Nuttall, 15 Hemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard), 12 Ixodes angustus Neumann, 12 Ixodes auritulus Neumann, and a single Dermacentor variabilis (Say). I. pacificus, which is the primary vector of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi to humans in California, occurred in all 78 sites examined. D. occidentalis, another tick species commonly biting humans in California, and H. leporispalustris typically were encountered in oak-associated woodlands in the central or eastern parts of the county. In contrast, three species of Ixodes ticks (I. angustus, I. auritulus, and I. spinipalpis) most commonly were found questing openly in woodlands with redwood present in the western part of the county. I. angustus and I. spinipalpis are occasional human biters and known experimental vectors of B. burgdorferi. Our study represents the first collection of large numbers of openly host-seeking I. spinipalpis ticks. Univariate tests of associations between presence of ticks (D. occidentalis, H. leporispalustris, I. angustus, I. auritulus, or I. spinipalpis) and environmental geographical information systems-remote sensing (GIS/ RS)-based data indicated that elevation, number of growing degree-days, and tasseled cap brightness, greenness, and wetness are especially useful predictors of presence of openly hostseeking ticks. Combinations of the above-mentioned GIS/RS-based data yielded significant logistic regression models for habitat suitability of host-seeking ticks for all five above-mentioned species. The model equations were used to create spatial surfaces of predicted presence of suitable habitat for openly host-seeking ticks in Mendocino County dense woodlands.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Detection and characterization of Borrelia bissettii in rodents from the central California coast.

This is the first report of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in rodents from San Luis Obispo county, with most isolates obtained from a previously unreported host, Neotoma lepida Thomas. B. burgdorferi sensu lato was identified in seven rodent species, including the California vole, Microtus californicus Peale; dusky-footed woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes Baird; desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida Thomas; brush mouse, Peromyscus boylii Baird; California mouse, Peromyscus californicus Gambel; deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner; and western harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys megalotis Baird. Ear punch biopsies were cultured in BSK-H medium from 179 rodents trapped at six different study sites. Overall, prevalence of rodent infection was 44/179 (24.6%), with 34 of these isolates from N. lepida. Spirochete isolates were obtained from rodents at all study sites, indicating widespread prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato across rodent species and habitats. Nucleotide sequences for 14 of these isolates have been submitted to GenBank. Isolates from three N. lepida and one P. boylii had identical flagellin gene sequences, and phylogenetic analysis placed these spirochetes in B. burgdorferi sensu lato group DN127, now known as B. bissettii Postic, Marti Ras, Lane, Hendson & Baranton. Additional sequencing of the intergenic spacer regions between the 5S and 23S ribosomal genes was performed on three of these isolates. Phylogenetic analysis separated these isolates into two clusters that grouped with Colorado or California isolates. The role of B. bissettii and related species other than B. burgdorferi sensu stricto Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt & Brenner as human pathogens in the United States warrants further investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Multiple genotypes of nonpathogenic H6N2 influenza viruses isolated from chickens in California.

From February 2000 through September 2001, a limited number of H6N2 influenza viruses were isolated from chickens in California. This report describes the genetic characterization of nine of these H6N2 viruses. All of the viruses analyzed had phylogenetically similar hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase molecules that suggested the viruses shared a recent common ancestor. The analysis of the HA sequence of these viruses with all available H6 viruses from different hosts and locations showed that these genes do not separate into well-defined North American and Eurasian lineages. The neuraminidase genes of the California viruses contain an 18 amino acid deletion, a possible adaptation to growth in chickens. Analysis of the remaining gene segments of the California viruses revealed that three distinct genotypes of H6N2 viruses were present.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

Labeling theory and community care of the mentally ill in California: the relationship of social theory and ideology to public policy.

The practical merit of a labeling theory approach to mental illness is examined and assessed through an exploration of its application in terms of public policy, i.e., community mental health policy in the state of California since 1968. Primary focus is placed on the impact of the deinstitutionalization of mental health services in that state, and the release of former mental patients into the community. Similarities in the fundamental ideological underpinnings of labeling theory, an associated conspiratorial model of mental illness, and contemporary California mental health policy, are presented and examples of policy input by labeling theorists and researchers are detailed. The impact of the California policy on the mentally ill is generally negatively assessed in terms of three major criteria: (1) rehabilitation; (2) reintegration; and (3) quality and continuity of care. The "translation" of several theoretical misconceptions regarding mental illness, caused by putting labeling theory into official policy, is suggested to lie at the root of many of the policy's implementation problems. The uses of social science theory and research are discussed, and caution is advised in the translation and application of social scientific theory and research to public policy proposals and programs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Comparative sediment quality guideline performance for predicting sediment toxicity in southern California, USA.

Several types of sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) are used by multiple agencies in southern California (USA) to interpret sediment chemistry data, yet little information is available to identify the best approaches to use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive ability of five SQGs to predict the presence and absence of sediment toxicity in coastal southern California: the effects range-median quotient (ERMq), consensus moderate effect concentration (consensus MEC), mean sediment quality guideline quotient (SQGQ1), apparent effects threshold (AET), and equilibrium partitioning (EqP) for organics. Large differences in predictive ability among the SQGs were obtained when each approach was applied to the same southern California data set. Sediment quality guidelines that performed well in identifying nontoxic samples were not necessarily the best predictors of toxicity. In general, the mean ERMq, SQGQ1q, and consensus MECq approaches had a better overall predictive ability than the AET and EqP for organics approaches. In addition to evaluating the predictive ability of SQGs addressing chemical mixtures, the effect of an individual SQG value (DDT) was also evaluated for the mean ERMq with and without DDT. The mean ERMq without DDT had a better ability to predict toxic samples than the mean ERMq with DDT. Similarities in discriminatory ability between different approaches, variations in accuracy among SQG values for some chemicals, and the presence of complex mixtures of contaminants in most samples underscore the need to apply SQGs in combination, such as the mean quotient. Management objectives and SQG predictive ability using regional data should be determined beforehand so that the most appropriate SQG approach and critical values can be identified for specific applications.

Amphipoda↗
PubMed2005

In vivo bioassay-guided fractionation of marine sediment extracts from the Southern California Bight, USA, for estrogenic activity.

The exposure and uptake of environmental estrogenic compounds have been reported in previous studies of demersal flatfish species in the central Southern California Bight (SCB), USA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrogenic or feminizing activity of marine sediments from the SCB by using in vivo vitellogenin (VTG) assays in male or juvenile fish. In 2003, sediments were collected near wastewater outfalls serving the counties of Los Angeles (LACSD) and Orange (OCSD), and the city of San Diego (SD), California, USA. Cultured male California halibut (CH; Paralichthys californicus) were either directly exposed to sediments for 7 d or treated with two intraperitoneal injections of sediment extract over 7 d. The 17beta-estradiol (E2) equivalent values ranged from 1 to 90 microg/kg with LACSD > SD > OCSD. Measurable concentrations of E2 were observed in all sediment extracts and ranged from 0.16 to 0.45 ng/g. Estrone (El) was only observed in sediments near the LACSD outfall (0.6 ng/g). Alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates were observed in all sediment samples, but were highest near the OCSD outfall, where concentrations of nonylphenol were 3,200 ng/g. Fractionation studies of the LACSD sediment extract collected in 2004 failed to demonstrate relationships between VTG expression and 62 analytes, including E2, which was observed in the whole extract (2.9 ng/g). Oxybenzone (1.6 ng/g) was identified in bioactive fractions as well as unknown compounds of relatively high polarity. These results indicate that estrogen receptor-based assays may underestimate environmental estrogenic activity and estrogenic compounds other than classic natural and xenoestrogens may contribute to estrogenic activity of sediments from the SCB.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

An ecological study of tuberculosis transmission in California.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the association between ecological factors and rates of tuberculosis within California, using pediatric tuberculosis as an indicator of new transmission. METHODS: Ecological variables such as racial/ethnic distribution, immigration level, education, employment, poverty, and crowding were obtained from the United States Census for each census tract in California. These data were incorporated into a negative binomial regression model with the rate of pediatric tuberculosis disease in each census tract as an outcome variable. Disease rates were obtained by geocoding reported cases. Subsections of the state (San Francisco and Los Angeles) were examined independently. RESULTS: Census tracts with lower median incomes, more racial/ethnic minorities, and more immigrants had higher rates of pediatric tuberculosis. Other frequently cited risk factors such as overcrowding and unemployment were not associated with increased disease after adjusting for other measures. Risks were comparable across regions, but subtle differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The techniques used in this work provide a way to examine a disease within its social context. The results confirmed that tuberculosis in California continues to be a disease of poverty and racial/ethnic minorities.

Adolescent↗