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PubMed2001

Disparities in reported prenatal care advice from health care providers among women of Mexican origin in California.

Poorer birth outcomes have been documented among U.S.-born women of Mexican descent when compared with Mexican immigrant women. Behavioral changes that are associated with acculturation may contribute to these deteriorating outcomes. Prenatal health promotion advice can alter prenatal risk behaviors. The growing diversity of the U.S. population during the 1990s heightens the importance of examining the cultural relevance of current health promotion practices. This study examines disparities in the reported receipt of health behavior advice during pregnancy among U.S.-born women of Mexican origin and Mexican immigrant women in California. Data for the analysis are from the 1994-95 California Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. The study sample includes 1,423 women of Mexican descent. All participants had a live birth in California between January 1994 and December 1995. Women were interviewed about the prenatal counseling they received related to diet, smoking, and alcohol use. Logistic regression was used to analyze the likelihood of reporting advice after controlling for sociodemographic and health system characteristics. Immigrant women were more likely than the U.S.-born to report receipt of prenatal advice on smoking, alcohol, and diet (OR = 1.83, p < .05) despite evidence of the lower prevalence of related health risks among Mexican-born women. Culturally appropriate prenatal counseling would emphasize the maintenance of traditional protective behaviors among less acculturated foreign-born women, and the prevention or cessation of those risk behaviors among the more acculturated women.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Modulation of berberine bridge enzyme levels in transgenic root cultures of California poppy alters the accumulation of benzophenanthridine alkaloids.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica Cham.) root cultures produce a variety of benzophenanthridine alkaloids, such as sanguinarine, chelirubine and macarpine, with potent biological activity. Sense and antisense constructs of genes encoding the berberine bridge enzyme (BBE) were introduced into California poppy root cultures. Transgenic roots expressing BBE from opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) displayed higher levels of BBE mRNA, protein and enzyme activity, and increased accumulation of benzophenanthridine alkaloids compared to control roots transformed with a beta-glucuronidase gene. In contrast, roots transformed with an antisense-BBE construct from California poppy had lower levels of BBE mRNA and enzyme activity, and reduced benzophenanthridine alkaloid accumulation, relative to controls. Pathway intermediates were not detected in any transgenic root lines. Suppression of benzophenanthridine alkaloid biosynthesis using antisense-BBE also reduced the growth rate of the root cultures. Two-dimensional 1H-NMR spectroscopy showed no difference in the abundance of carbohydrate metabolites in the various transgenic roots lines. However, transformed roots with low levels of benzophenanthridine alkaloids contained larger cellular pools of certain amino acids compared to controls. In contrast, cellular pools of several amino acids were reduced in transgenic roots with elevated benzophenanthridine alkaloid levels relative to controls. The relative abundance of tyrosine, from which benzophenanthridine alkaloids are derived, was only marginally altered in all transgenic root lines; thus, altering metabolic flux through benzophenanthridine alkaloid pathways can affect cellular pools of specific amino acids. Consideration of such interactions is important for the design of metabolic engineering strategies that target benzophenanthridine alkaloid biosynthesis.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1999

Extent and degree of hybridization between exotic (Spartina alterniflora) and native (S. foliosa) cordgrass (Poaceae) in California, USA determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPDs).

Spartina alterniflora, smooth cordgrass, native to the eastern USA, was introduced into south San Francisco Bay approximately 25 years ago. It has spread by purposeful introduction of rooted plants and dispersal of seeds on the tides. Previous work suggested that S. alterniflora was competitively superior to the native California cordgrass, S. foliosa, and that the two species hybridized. The present study determined the spread of S. alterniflora and S. foliosa x alterniflora hybrids in California and examined the degree of hybridization. We used nuclear DNA markers diagnostic for each species to detect the parental species and nine categories of hybrids. The California coast outside San Francisco Bay contained only the native species. All hybrid categories exist in the Bay, implying that several generations of crossing have occurred and that hybridization is bidirectional. Hybrids were found principally near sites of deliberate introduction of the exotic species. Where S. alterniflora was deliberately planted, we found approximately equal numbers of S. alterniflora and hybrid individuals; S. foliosa was virtually absent. Marshes colonized by water-dispersed seed contained the full gamut of phenotypes with intermediate-type hybrids predominating. The proliferation of hybrids could result in local extinction of S. foliosa. What is more, S. alterniflora has the ability to greatly modify the estuary ecosystem to the detriment of other native species and human uses of the Bay. To the extent that they share these engineering abilities, the proliferation of cordgrass hybrids could grossly alter the character of the San Francisco Bay.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Loss of particle nitrate from teflon sampling filters: effects on measured gravimetric mass in California and in the IMPROVE network.

The extent of mass loss on Teflon filters caused by ammonium nitrate volatilization can be a substantial fraction of the measured particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 microm (PM2.5) or 10 microm (PM10) mass and depends on where and when it was collected. There is no straightforward method to correct for the mass loss using routine monitoring data. In southern California during the California Acid Deposition Monitoring Program, 30-40% of the gravimetric PM2.5 mass was lost during summer daytime. Lower mass losses occurred at more remote locations. The estimated potential mass loss in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments network was consistent with the measured loss observed in California. The biased mass measurement implies that use of Federal Reference Method data for fine particles may lead to control strategies that are biased toward sources of fugitive dust, other primary particle emission sources, and stable secondary particles (e.g., sulfates). This analysis clearly supports the need for speciated analysis of samples collected in a manner that preserves volatile species. Finally, although there is loss of volatile nitrate (NO3-) from Teflon filters during sampling, the NO3- remaining after collection is quite stable. We found little loss of NO3- from Teflon filters after 2 hr under vacuum and 1 min of heating by a cyclotron proton beam.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiologic investigation of a cluster of workplace HIV infections in the adult film industry: Los Angeles, California, 2004.

BACKGROUND: Adult film production is a legal, multibillion dollar industry in California. In response to reports of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission by an adult film worker, we sought to determine the extent of HIV infection among exposed workers and to identify means of improving worker safety. METHODS: The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services initiated an outbreak investigation that included interviews of infected workers to elicit information about recent sex partners, review of the testing agency's medical records and laboratory results, molecular analysis of HIV isolates from the 4 infected workers, and a risk assessment of HIV transmission in the adult film industry. RESULTS: Many adult film workers participate in a monthly program of screening for HIV infection by means of polymerase chain reaction-based technology to detect HIV DNA in blood. A male performer tested negative for HIV on 12 February 2004 and 17 March 2004, then tested positive for HIV on 9 April 2004. During the period between the negative test results, he experienced a flulike illness after performing unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse for an adult film produced outside the United States by a US company. After returning to California, he performed unprotected sex acts for adult films with 13 female partners who had all tested negative for HIV in the preceding 30 days; 3 subsequently tested positive for HIV (a 23% attack rate). Contact tracing identified no reasonable sources of infection other than the male index patient. CONCLUSION: Although current testing methods may shorten the window period to diagnosis of new HIV infection, they fail to prevent occupational acquisition of HIV in this setting. A California Occupational Safety and Health Administration-approved written health and safety program that emphasizes primary prevention is needed for this industry.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparing normal hearing and hearing-impaired subject's performance on the Northwestern Auditory Test Number 6, California Consonant Test, and Pascoe's High-Frequency Word Test.

The Northwestern Auditory Test No. 6, the California Consonant Test, and Pascoe's High-Frequency Test were presented to two groups of listeners. One group consisted of 12 patients with normal hearing up to 2 kHz accompanied by a high-frequency loss. The second group consisted of persons with normal hearing. There were significant differences between the two groups of listeners in overall discrimination scores, among the four intensity levels (10, 20, 30, 40 dB) and the three speech discrimination tests. When the data from the hearing-impaired subjects were analyzed, it was found that these individuals obtained higher scores on the NU 6 material at 20, 30, and 40 dB SL when compared with the California Consonant Test and Pascoe's test. The results from the Newmann-Kuel multicomparison test indicated no statistical significance between the results of the California test and Pascoe's test; however, the distribution of scores at 40 dB was different. Results of this study suggested that the NU 6 test was not sufficiently sensitive to detect consonant confusions in individuals with high-frequency hearing loss.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Restructuring of the electricity industry and environmental issues: a California research program.

As part of the restructuring of the electricity industry in many states, public benefits funding has emerged as a primary mechanism for supporting social benefits such as energy efficiency and research and development (RD). In California, a Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program was established to "conduct public interest energy research that seeks to improve the quality of life for California"s citizens by providing environmentally sound, safe, reliable, and affordable energy services and products. PIER includes the full range of research, development, and demonstration activities that will advance science or technology not adequately provided by competitive and regulated markets." The PIER Program is comprised of six PIER Program funding areas, including the Energy-Related Environmental Research. The overall mission of the Energy-Related Environmental Research is to "Develop cost-effective approaches to evaluating and resolving environmental effects of energy production, delivery, and use in California, and explore how new energy applications and products can solve environmental problems." This paper describes the process used in developing these approaches and identifies a set of environmental issues that the State plans to evaluate.

Electricity↗
PubMed2000

Change in the probability for earthquakes in Southern California due to the Landers magnitude 7.3 earthquake.

The Landers earthquake in June 1992 redistributed stress in southern California, shutting off the production of small earthquakes in some regions while increasing the seismicity in neighboring regions, up to the present. This earthquake also changed the ratio of small to large events in favor of more small earthquakes within about 100 kilometers of the epicenter. This implies that the probabilistic estimate for future earthquakes in southern California changed because of the Landers earthquake. The location of the strongest increase in probability for large earthquakes in southern California was the volume that subsequently produced the largest slip in the magnitude 7.1 Hector Mine earthquake of October 1999.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Synechococcus diversity in the California current as seen by RNA polymerase (rpoC1) gene sequences of isolated strains.

Because they are ubiquitous in a range of aquatic environments and culture methods are relatively advanced, cyanobacteria may be useful models for understanding the extent of evolutionary adaptation of prokaryotes in general to environmental gradients. The roles of environmental variables such as light and nutrients in influencing cyanobacterial genetic diversity are still poorly characterized, however. In this study, a total of 15 Synechococcus strains were isolated from the oligotrophic edge of the California Current from two depths (5 and 95 m) with large differences in light intensity, light quality, and nutrient concentrations. RNA polymerase gene (rpoC1) fragment sequences of the strains revealed two major genetic lineages, distinct from other marine or freshwater cyanobacterial isolates or groups seen in shotgun-cloned sequences from the oligotrophic Atlantic Ocean. The California Current low-phycourobilin (CCLPUB) group represented by six isolates in a single lineage was less diverse than the California Current high-phycourobilin (CCHPUB) group with nine isolates in three relatively divergent lineages. The former was found to be the closest known genetic group to Prochlorococcus spp., a chlorophyll b-containing cyanobacterial group. Having an isolate from this group will be valuable for looking at the molecular changes necessary for the transition from the use of phycobiliproteins to chlorophyll b as light-harvesting pigments. Both of the CCHPUB and CCLPUB groups included strains obtained from surface (5 m) and deep (95 m) samples. Thus, contrary to expectations, there was no clear correlation between sampling depth and isolation of genetic groups, despite the large environmental gradients present. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration with isolates that genetically divergent Synechococcus groups coexist in the same seawater sample.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Development of a California Q-set indicator of primary psychopathy.

Seven judges described the personality characteristics of the primary psychopath by sorting the 100 items of the California Q-set in a forced-normal distribution. Item scores resulting from these sorts were aggregated across judges to form a Psychopathy Prototype. The reliability of the seven-judge aggregate prototype was .90. To examine the reliability of scores derived from the prototype, the personalities of 65 target subjects were described by two peer judges using the California Q-set (Block, 1961). For each subject, Psychopathy Prototype scores were derived by correlating each judge's Q-sort profile with the Psychopathy Prototype. Findings indicated that the peer-generated psychopathy scores correlated r = .61 between judges. Using the Spearman-Brown formula, Psychopathy Prototype scores have reliabilities of .75, .82, and .86 when aggregated over two, three, and four peer judges, respectively. To further explore properties of the measure, the Psychopathy Prototype was compared with independently developed California Q-set prototypes describing the narcissist and the female hysteric. The results revealed some interesting contrasts among these concepts and serve to support our contention that the Psychopathy Prototype has utility in regard to distinguishing between pathologies with overlapping features.

Antisocial Personality Disorder↗
PubMed2004

Physiological, biochemical and morphological indicators of osmoregulatory stress in 'California' Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus x O. urolepis hornorum) exposed to hypersaline water.

The salinity tolerance of the 'California' Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus x O. urolepis hornorum), a current inhabitant of the hypersaline Salton Sea in California, USA, was investigated to identify osmoregulatory stress indicators for possible use in developing a model of salinity tolerance. Seawater-acclimated (35 g l(-1)) tilapia hybrids were exposed to salinities from 35-95 g l(-1), using gradual and direct transfer protocols, and physiological (plasma osmolality, [Na+], [Cl-], oxygen consumption, drinking rate, hematocrit, mean cell hemoglobin concentration, and muscle water content), biochemical (Na+, K(+)-ATPase) and morphological (number of mature, accessory, immature and apoptotic chloride cells) indicators of osmoregulatory stress were measured. Tilapia tolerated salinities ranging from 35 g l(-1) to 65 g l(-1) with little or no change in osmoregulatory status; however, in fish exposed to 75-95 g l(-1) salinity, plasma osmolality, [Na+], [Cl-], Na+, K(+)-ATPase, and the number of apoptotic chloride cells, all showed increases. The increase in apoptotic chloride cells at salinities greater than 55 g l(-1), prior to changes in physiological and biochemical parameters, indicates that it may be the most sensitive indicator of osmoregulatory stress. Oxygen consumption decreased with salinity, indicating a reduction in activity level at high salinity. Finally, 'California' Mozambique tilapia have a salinity tolerance similar to that of pure Mozambique tilapia; however, cellular necrosis at 95 g l(-1) indicates they may be unable to withstand extreme salinities for extended periods of time.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2005

Impact of ant predation and heat on carob moth (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) mortality in California date gardens.

Dates, Phoenix dactylifera L., undergo a natural fruit abscission during the summer in California date gardens. Many of the abscised dates become lodged in the date bunch, and we demonstrated that carob moth, Ectomyelois ceratoniae (Zeller), prefer to use these dates as a reproduction host compared with dates that fall to the ground. We also found that abscised fruit shaken onto the ground had significantly fewer live carob moth larvae than fruit that remained in bunches in the tree. Mortality in the dropped fruit was attributed to predation by two native ant species, the fire ant Solenopsis aurea Wheeler, and the California harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex californicus (Buckley), in concert with extreme summer ground temperatures. Dates that fell in the full sunlight rapidly increased in temperature, which resulted in larvae either exiting the fruit (exposing them to ants) or dying in the fruit. Removal of abscised dates from bunches may provide a possible management strategy for carob moths in California date gardens.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Diphyllidean cestodes of the Gulf of California, México with descriptions of two new species of Echinobothrium (Cestoda: Diphyllidea).

As part of a survey of parasites of elasmobranchs in the Gulf of California, a second and final report of the diphyllidean cestodes resulting from the survey is presented. Of 43 species of elasmobranchs examined for parasites, 7 (Rhinobatos productus, Rhinobatos leucorhynchus, Myliobatis californicus, Myliobatis longirostris, Urobatis halleri, Urobatis maculatus, and Rhinoptera steindachneri) were found to host diphyllidean cestodes, all belonging to Echinobothrium. No species of either of the other 2 diphyllidean genera, Dirrachybothridium or Macrobothridium, were discovered. A greater diversity of diphyllideans was found in 1996 than in 1993. Two new species, Echinobothrium hoffmanorum n. sp. and Echinobothrium rayallemangi n. sp. are described from the spiral intestines of U. maculatus and R. leucorhynchus, respectively. Echinobothrium hoffmanorum is unique in its possession of the following combination of characters: 19-21 apical hooks in each dorsoventral group, 12-22 lateral hooklets in each group, 10-17 cephalic peduncle spines per column, 4-8 testes, 4-10 segments and eggs with a single filament. Echinobothrium rayallemangi is unique in its possession of the following combination of characters: 23 apical hooks in each dorsoventral group, 20-23 lateral hooklets in each group, 2-5 cephalic peduncle spines per column, 4-6 testes, and 4-6 segments. These 2 new species, together with Echinobothrium mexicanum and Echinobothrium fautleyae, brings the total number of diphyllideans known from the Gulf of California to 4. The survey of diphyllidean cestodes of the Gulf of California has resulted in a new host record for Echinobothrium for each of the host species mentioned above, with Rhinobatos and Urobatis representing new host genera and Urolophidae a new host family for Echinobothrium.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predicted 1,3-dichloropropene air concentrations resulting from tree and vine applications in California.

The preplant soil fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) is effective for nematode control and is expected to further replace methyl bromide (MeBr) as MeBr use is phased out. Acute human exposure to soil fumigants is managed in part by using buffer zones between treated fields and occupied structures. The required buffer zone for 1,3-D in California is 91.4 m (300 ft) for all uses. However, a 30.5-m (100-ft) buffer setback is desired for 1,3-D to be an important replacement for MeBr in the orchard and vineyard markets. The Industrial Source Complex Short-Term model, Version 3 (ISCST3) was used to simulate township-wide long-term average and short-term air concentration distributions of 1,3-D. The Gaussian plume model ISCST3 can be used to assess dispersion of air pollutants and pollutant concentrations on receptors from a variety of sources and in diverse airsheds. Long-term and daily-average air concentrations can be compared with the California permitted chronic or acute toxicity endpoints, respectively, to assess the potential risk for individuals living within the township at the proposed buffer setback. Modifications to ISCST3 were made for specific nonpoint-source agricultural constraints and management practices. Chronic and acute air concentration distributions of 1,3-D with a 30.5-m buffer constraint around treated fields are similar to currently permitted air concentration distributions in California. Refinement of exposure as a function of buffer distance, application rate, and field size is possible due to the resolution of the simulation and external post-processing capabilities. Simulated examples of 1,3-D acute and chronic exposure cumulative distributions are presented.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1979

Genetic analysis of California mastitis test records. I. Coded tests.

A sample of 15,965 Holstein lactation records having California Mastitis Test scores for at least the first 9 mo of standard Dairy Herd Improvement production testing were studied for the effects of sire, parity, and year and month of calving. California Mastitis Test readings of "negative" or "trace" were coded normal while readings of "1", "2", or "3" were coded elevated. The frequency of elevated tests increased as parity increased. Effect of year of calving and a trend toward higher percentages of elevated coded test scores was significant. There was no distinct trend in elevated coded test score with month of calving. Sire effect on the incidence of elevation in the coded score was important. Heritability of first and second lactation monthly coded California Mastitis Test scores from a paternal half-sister analysis within herd, year, and season, for sires with at least 25 daughters ranged from .11 +/- .04 to .48 +/- .07. Genetic correlations between the third test and following tests of first and second lactations ranged from .25 +/-.15 to .58 +/- .18.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Genetic analysis of California mastitis test records. II. Score for resistance to elevated tests.

A lactation score for rating individual cows for their apparent resistance to elevation of California Mastitis test is described. The score uses the first nine monthly California Mastitis Tests weighted by the number and position of elevated coded tests. California mastitis test readings of negative and trace were coded "normal" and 1, 2, or 3 "elevated". A cumulative lactation score of 21 was assigned to lactations without elevation in coded test, and a score of zero was assigned to lactations with all nine tests elevated. The number and position of the elevated coded tests influenced the 305-day milk yield, and the position of elevated coded tests influenced lactation persistency. Differences were significant among sire progeny groups for the cumulative lactation score. Heritabilities for the cumulative lactation score were .48 +/- .07, .36 +/- .08, .46 +/- .15, and .23 +/- .12 for first, second, third, and fourth or later lactation groups. Selection for a high cumulative lactation score should reduce the occurrence of elevated coded test scores. The genetic correlation between 305-day milk yield and cumulative score was -.31 +/- .13 for first lactation records.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized controlled trial of cost reductions from a health education program: the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) study.

Purpose. This study evaluated the cost trend reduction from a health promotion program. Design. A randomized 12-month trial comparing claims data was conducted. Additional studies, utilizing quasi-experimental designs, analyzed changes in health habits and changes in costs estimated by self-report. Subjects. All active California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) employees (21,170), non-Medicare eligible retirees (8,316), and retirees with Medical Supplement coverage (25,416) administered by Blue Shield of California were included. Intervention. The program consisted of mailed health risk assessments at six- or 12-month intervals, with individualized reports and recommendation letters sent to participants emphasizing and encouraging change, self-management materials emphasizing self-care when appropriate, and quarterly newsletters. Passive participants received printed materials only. Measures. Health risks were based upon self-report; summary scores were computed by modified Framingham algorithms. Self-report cost data were estimated from reported doctor visits, hospital days, and days sick or confined to home. Claims data were those paid by Blue Shield of California. Results. The program was associated with: 1) reduction in health risk scores at 12 months, (p less than .001), 2) reduction of subject reported medical utilization from baseline (p less than .05), and 3) decrease in claims cost growth relative to controls (p=.03). Annual claims costs were approximately $3.2 to $8.0 million less than expected had costs for the experimental participants increased at the same rate as the control group. Discussion. Results suggest that appropriately designed health promotion programs can reduce health risks and at the same time reduce the medical care claims cost trend.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Serum antibody prevalence for Herpesvirus sylvilagus, Bacillus piliformis and California serogroup arboviruses in cottontail rabbits from Pennsylvania.

A serologic survey of 60 eastern cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) from three counties in Pennsylvania was conducted in March 1983. Serum antibody prevalences for Herpesvirus sylvilagus and La Crosse virus (California serogroup) were less than 4%. There was no evidence of previous exposure to either Jamestown Canyon or snowshoe hare viruses (California serogroup). Antibody to trivittatus virus (California serogroup) was found in 60% of the 20 cottontails from York County. No cottontails had antibodies to Bacillus piliformis, the etiologic agent of Tyzzer's disease.

Animals↗