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The demand for cigarettes in California and behavioural risk factors.

This study contributes to the understanding of the demand for cigarettes by taking into account the interdependence of smoking and other behavioural risk factors. Information on smoking and other behavioural risk factors including drinking, alcohol use, and obesity were obtained from the California Behavioural Risk Factor Survey for the period 1985-91. A monthly cigarette price index for California was constructed based on data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A two-part model was used to examine separately the effect of price on the decision to be a smoker, and on the amount of cigarettes smoked by smokers. The overall price elasticity of cigarettes was estimated at -0.46, with a price elasticity of -0.33 for smoking participation and of -0.22 for the amount of cigarettes consumed by smokers. The inclusion of other behavioural risk factors reduced the estimated price elasticity for smoking participation substantially, but had no effect on the conditional price elasticity for the quantity of cigarettes smoked.

Adolescent↗

Blue Cross of California: human resources in a changing world.

Blue Cross of California--a nonprofit corporation--is refocusing itself strategically to become competitive in the rapidly changing health field. It must improve its ability to manage the transition for several years to come. Sustained effort's to ensure continuity will involve generating commitment to the vision of the "new" Blue Cross of California beyond a small, core group of executives at the top, down into middle management and lower level workers. A premium will be placed on developing people skills to deal with innovation and new products, and slowly fostering the new culture.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗

Improved detection of CFTR mutations in Southern California Hispanic CF patients.

Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause cystic fibrosis (CF), a common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. The broad mutation spectrum varies among different patient groups. Current molecular diagnoses are designed to detect 80-97% of CF chromosomes in Caucasians and Ashkenazi Jews but have a much lower detection rate in Hispanic CF patients. Grebe et al. [1994] reported a 58% detection rate in Hispanic patients. Since then, there has been no large-scale, complete mutational analysis of Hispanic CF patients. In this study, the mutations in 62 Hispanic patients from southern California were investigated. The entire coding and flanking intronic regions of the CFTR gene were analyzed by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) followed by sequencing to identify the mutations. Eleven novel mutations were discovered in this patient group: 3876delA, 406-1G>A, 935delA, 663delT, 3271delGG, 2105-2117del13insAGAAA, 3199del6, Q179K, 2108delA, 3171delC, and 3500-2A>T. Among the mutations, seven were out-of-frame insertions and deletions that result in truncated proteins, two were splice-site mutations, one was an in-frame 6 bp deletion, and one was a missense mutation that involved the non-conservative change of glutamine-179 to lysine. All patients presented severe classical clinical course with pancreatic insufficiency and poor growth, consistent with the nature of truncation mutation. The results indicate that TTGE screening following the analysis of recurrent mutations will substantially improve the mutation detection rate for Hispanic CF patients from southern California.

Alleles↗

Identification of novel and rare mutations in California Hispanic and African American cystic fibrosis patients.

In ethnic heterogeneous California, complete genetic information is currently lacking to build solid population-based cystic fibrosis (CF) screening programs because a large proportion of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR/ABCC7) are still unknown, especially in non-Caucasian patients. A total of 402 [46 African American+356 Hispanic] Hispanic and African American patients from California CF patient registry were included in this study. Patients with at least one unidentified mutant allele were asked to donate blood samples for further analysis, first by Genzyme Genetics for a panel of 87 known mutations, followed by temporal temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TTGE) scanning of the entire coding exons of CFTR gene. A total of eight novel mutations; one missense mutation, one splice-site mutation and six frame-shift mutations were identified. In addition to the eight novel mutations, 20 [corrected] distinct rare mutations that are not in the current available commercial mutation panels were identified by TTGE. The overall detection rate was raised to 95.7% for African American and 94.5% for Hispanic. The discovery of recurrent rare and novel mutations improves the diagnosis and care of persons with CF and improves our ability to adequately and equitably provide screening and genetic counseling services to non-Caucasians.

Adolescent↗

Organizational correlates of the risk-adjusted pressure ulcer prevalence and subsequent survey deficiency citation in California nursing homes.

Organizational correlates of the risk-adjusted pressure ulcer prevalence and subsequent deficiency citation in nursing homes are not known. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between these two outcomes and selected organizational variables, including total nurse staffing levels, specialization, centralization, nursing wages, and facility ownership. Secondary data analysis was conducted on a sample of 897 California nursing homes included in the 1996 On-line Survey Certification and Reporting system and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development financial disclosure reports of individual California nursing homes. Organizational variables explained a small amount of the variation (adjusted R2 = .04, p < .01). A higher PU prevalence was associated with lower licensed nurse centralization and facilities participating exclusively in the Medicaid program. Receipt of a deficiency was less likely in facilities having a higher total nurse staffing level (OR = .49, p < .001). It was more likely in facilities having a higher risk-adjusted PU prevalence (OR = 1.05, p < .001), more licensed nurses (OR = 2.74, p < .05), a size of 160 beds or more (OR = 1.93, p < .01), and survey teams from specific counties (OR ranging from 2.3 to 6.8, p < .05).

California↗

Antipsychotic exposure and type 2 diabetes among patients with schizophrenia: a matched case-control study of California Medicaid claims.

PURPOSE: To examine the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus among people with schizophrenia exposed to atypical antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone) compared to those exposed to conventional antipsychotics. METHODS: A matched case-control design was used to examine California Medicaid beneficiaries. Cases developed diabetes subsequent to being diagnosed with schizophrenia (ICD-9295), were 18 years or older, and were exposed to at least one antipsychotic medication at some point during the 12 weeks preceding diabetes diagnosis. Diabetes was defined by diagnostic claim (ICD-9250) or prescription for antidiabetic agents. A total of 3663 cases were matched to 14 523 non-diabetic controls (people with schizophrenia matched on gender and age +/-5 years). All had to be continuously eligible for benefits during the 12-week period preceding diabetes onset in the case. Conditional logistic regression modeled the risk of exposure, controlling for age, ethnicity, and exposure to selected concomitant medications. Analyses were repeated with 24- and 52-week exposure windows. RESULTS: Using a 12-week exposure window, olanzapine (OR = 1.36, 95%CI 1.20-1.53), clozapine (OR = 1.34, 95%CI 1.16-1.55), and combination atypical therapy (OR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.33-1.88), but not risperidone or quetiapine, were associated with increased odds of developing diabetes compared to conventional antipsychotics. Changing to a 24-week exposure window, the risks were: olanzapine (OR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.22-1.56), clozapine (OR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.14-1.53), or combinations (OR = 1.54, 95%CI 1.29-1.84). With a 52-week exposure window, the risks were: olanzapine (OR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.24-1.60), clozapine (OR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.21-1.65), combinations (OR = 1.58, 95%CI 1.31-1.90). Risk for olanzapine increased with dose. Hispanic, African American, and unknown ethnicity were significant risks for development of type 2 diabetes as was exposure to selected concomitant medications. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to olanzapine or clozapine is associated with a 34-41% increase in the developing of type 2 diabetes among California Medicaid recipients with schizophrenia. Prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm these retrospective, observational findings.

Adolescent↗

Assessing insecticide resistance and aversion to methomyl-treated toxic baits in Musca domestica L (Diptera: Muscidae) populations in southern California.

Progeny of house flies (Musca domestica L) from ten California poultry operations, three dairies and one horse-riding facility were tested for methomyl- and muscalure-treated bait resistance using up to three different assays: a topical assay, a no-choice feeding assay and a choice feeding assay. LD50 resistance factors from the topical assay, compared with a locally-derived susceptible colony, ranged between 1 and 4. LC50 resistance factors from the no-choice feeding assay ranged mostly between 2 and 5, with one value of 18. Measurable LT50 resistance ratios for female flies in the choice feeding assay ranged from 43 to 159; two populations had <10% mortality at 48h and could not be measured. LT50 resistance ratios for male flies in the choice feeding assay ranged from 26 to 96, and one population was too resistant to measure. A behavioral assay tested the feeding preference of male and female flies provided a dish of sugar and a dish of methomyl- and muscalure-treated bait. Of eight strains tested, females from seven strains and males from six strains showed significant preference for sugar over bait. Behavioral factors appear to be important in the severe resistance of house flies to baits in California.

Alkenes↗

Use of a density equalizing map projection in analysing childhood cancer in four California counties.

In this study, 401 cases of childhood cancer in four California counties in 1980-1988 were analysed with the innovative methodology of density equalizing map projections. The data were originally collected and analysed by the California State Department of Health Services (DHS). In addition to the new analytic technique, the present analysis used population data more detailed and more accurate than those in the DHS analysis. The geographic boundaries of the 259 census tracts in the study area were adjusted according to population at risk so as to make population density everywhere constant; then the 401 case locations were plotted on the density equalized map. If risk is everywhere equal, the resulting distribution of cases should be uniform except for statistical variation. The metric used was a measure of the variability of the density of cases on the density equalized map. The same metric was calculated for independent samples of artificial cases, generated under the null hypothesis of equal risk. The slight geographic non-uniformity observed among the real cases is well within the limits of variation observed in the samples of artificial cases. In agreement with results published by DHS, we conclude that there is no evidence for geographic variation of risk among the cases studied. Subsets of the data, selected by age, sex, race, time period and cancer site, yielded similar negative results.

Adolescent↗

Secular rates and correlates for gastroschisis in California (1968-1977).

This study reports on an epidemiological investigation of gastroschisis using birth certificate data from California for the period of 1968-1977. Gastroschisis has been reported to be on the increase in a number of countries. The distribution of the 166 California gastroschisis cases reported during this time period indicated a clear upward secular trend (P less than .001) with the rate per 1,000 increasing from .006 in 1968 to .089 by 1977. This secular trend was observed in every maternal age group and for gravidity level 1. Gastroschisis also occurred more frequently among younger mothers (P less than .001) and low gravidity mothers (P less than .001). Omphalocele, another eventration defect, was also examined but did not display an upward secular trend.

Abdominal Muscles↗

California's Healthy Start: A solid platform for promoting youth development.

A school in Los Angeles County reports absences down by 30 percent and disciplinary actions down by 10 percent. A town near Fresno reports having 99 percent of their new kindergartners ready to start school on the first day of class because their immunization and school readiness outreach was so thorough. A school in San Diego reports youth tobacco use down from 15 percent to 3 percent, absences down by 10 percent, and detentions down by over 50 percent. Schools in Humboldt report a 30 percent improvement in math scores and a 40 percent improvement in reading scores. Young adults report that the assistance they received as teens through their school's Healthy Start program saved their lives and enabled them to be successful parents today. These are results from one of California's most successful education mandates-SB620 1991-California's Healthy Start.

Adolescent↗

Phylogeny of the side-blotched lizards (Phrynosomatidae:Uta) based on mtDNA sequences: support for midpeninsular seaway in Baja California.

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships of western North American Side-blotched lizards, genus Uta, using mitochondrial DNA partial gene sequences from cytochorme b and ATPase 6. Uta stejnegeri appeared basal in our tree followed by U. palmeri. Uta stansburiana from the islands of Angel de la Guarda, Mejia, and Raza formed the next clade, followed by U. antiqua and other populations of U. stansburiana. These relationships suggest that the populations on the Angel de la Guarda island block should be recognized as a distinct species. Remaining populations of U. stansburiana formed two clades, corresponding to the northern and southern Baja California peninsula. Uta stellata and U. squamata occurred within the northern and southern clades, respectively. The discontinuity requires a long-lasting isolation, the only reasonable explanation being a former midpeninsular seaway. Correlations between our cladogram and magnetic anomalies in the Gulf of California date formation of the seaway at 1 million years ago.

Animals↗

AIDS-related attitudes and risk behaviors: a survey of a random sample of California heterosexuals.

BACKGROUND: This paper describes the results of an AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors survey of a random sample of heterosexual California adults. METHODS: The study was conducted from August 1990 until February 1991 and consisted of telephone interviews conducted in English and Spanish, with a household probability sample of 3,545 California adults, undersampling those age 44 and older. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the sample believed that HIV/AIDS is contracted by donating blood, and 20% believed the infection could result from insect bites. Tolerance toward HIV-infected persons was highest among young, male, white, employed individuals with higher levels of education and income. Twenty-seven percent of males and 14% of females were categorized as high risk based on the presence of at least 1 of 7 risk factors. High-risk respondents tended to be male, young, employed, never married, U.S. born, and English speaking. Compared to low-risk respondents, they were less likely to use condoms and more likely to use alcohol and drugs in conjunction with sex. Most common sources of AIDS information were television, newspapers, and magazines. CONCLUSIONS: More strenuous efforts are needed to reach young adults, especially those beyond college age, with AIDS prevention messages. Creative messages via popular media venues should be explored.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Isolation and initial characterization of a newfound hantavirus from California.

A fatal case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in northern California prompted our attempt to isolate viruses from local rodents. From tissues of two deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus, two hantaviruses (Convict Creek virus 107 and 74, CC107 and CC74) were established in cell culture. Viral antigens, proteins, and RNAs of the first and archetypical isolate (CC107) were examined, and portions of the medium (M) and small (S) genome segments of both isolates were sequenced. Antigenically, CC107 virus and the second isolate, CC74 virus, were more closely related to Puumala virus than Hantaan (HTN) virus, though distinct from both. Northern blots of viral RNAs showed the large and M segments of CC107 to be the same size as those of HTN virus, whereas the S segment was larger. Protein gels did not reveal CC107 to have a substantially larger nucleocapsid protein than HTN virus. Partial nucleotide sequence comparisons of CC107 and CC74 viruses revealed their M segments to be highly similar to one another, while their S segments differed by more than 10%. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence comparisons showed the California isolates to be closely related to the newfound hantaviruses first detected in the Four Corners area and since incriminated in HPS through wide areas of the United States.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complete nucleotide sequences of the M and S segments of two hantavirus isolates from California: evidence for reassortment in nature among viruses related to hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

We report the complete nucleotide sequence of the M and the S genome segments and a portion of the L segments of two hantavirus isolates from Peromyscus maniculatus trapped in eastern California. The isolates, Convict Creek 107 and 74 (CC107 and CC74) are genetically similar to viruses known to cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in New Mexico. CC107 and CC74 each have an M segment consisting of 3696 nucleotides with a coding potential of 1140 amino acids in the virus complementary-sense RNA (cRNA). The S segments of CC107 and CC74 are 2083 and 2047 nucleotides long, respectively, and each has an ORF in the cRNA capable of encoding a protein of 428 amino acids. Unusually long 3' noncoding regions of 757 and 721 nucleotides follow the S segment ORF of CC107 and CC74, respectively, and include numerous imperfect repetitive sequences. Whereas the M and S segments of any given hantavirus typically appear to diverge at comparable rates from homologous genes of any other hantavirus, CC107 and CC74 have M segments that differ by only 1% from one another but S segments that differ by 13%. After trivial explanations are rendered improbable, i.e., by consideration of the genetics of closely and distantly related hantaviruses, the most likely explanation for our data is that hantavirus genome segment reassortment occurred within rodent populations in California.

Animals↗

Uptake of environmental contaminants by small mammals in pickleweed habitats at San Francisco Bay, California.

Small mammals were live-trapped in pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) habitats near San Francisco Bay, California in order to measure the uptake of several contaminants and to evaluate the potential effects of these contaminants on the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris). Tissues of house mice (Mus musculus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and California voles (Microtus californicus) from nine sites were analyzed for chemical contaminants including mercury, selenium, cadmium, lead, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Concentrations of contaminants differed significantly among sites and species. Mean concentrations at sites where uptake was greatest were less than maximum means for the same or similar species recorded elsewhere. Harvest mice (Reithrodontomys spp.) were captured only at sites where concentrations of mercury or PCBs were below specific levels in house mice. Additional studies aimed at the protection of the salt marsh harvest mouse are suggested. These include contaminant feeding studies in the laboratory as well as field monitoring of surrogate species and community structure in salt marsh harvest mouse habitats.

Animals↗

ECT use in the public sector: California.

Availability of ECT in the United States often has been greater in the private sector than in the public sector. This is especially true in California, where ECT is heavily regulated. In 1986, ECT was available at 29.6% of the public hospitals and 42.9% of the private hospitals with psychiatric units in California. Public hospital patients accounted for 8.5% of all ECT in the state, while private hospital patients accounted for 91.5%. Of the 88 patients unable to give informed consent, 34.1% came from public hospitals vs. 65.9% from private hospitals. Two university-affiliated county hospitals accounted for 43 of 52 patients (82.7%) treated in the 6 county hospitals with psychiatric units. White patients accounted for 92.4% of ECT, leaving minorities undertreated. Private patients have a greater degree of choice regarding changing physician or hospital if ECT is needed but unavailable. The choices for public patients are limited. Possible causes and potential solutions to this problem are discussed.

California↗

Destination choice of interstate family migrants to selected areas in California.

"In this study an attempt has been made to construct a destination choice model for those families who migrated to California from other states between the years 1965 and 1970. "The empirical work is based on a Public Use Sample of Basic Records from the 1970 Census; the technique of estimation used in this study is McFadden's maximum likelihood (multinomial logit technique which often is referred to as conditional logit). "[The] findings confirm the hypothesis that various groups of migrants respond somewhat differently to the geographic and economic stimuli in selecting their destinations in California. While white family migrants pay attention to the level of expected earnings in selecting their destinations, black family migrants are more concerned with the expansion of economic opportunities (i.e., growth rates of income and employment)."

Black or African American↗

From hospital to community care: the change in the mental health treatment system in California.

In 1968 California enacted a law transforming its state hospital centered mental health services to a single system of patient care based on local community responsibility. The 1968 law was not the cause of radical change in California, but rather the culmination of a process that began three decades earlier. The 1963 federal regulation enabling former mental patients to become eligible for categorical aid through public assistance programs and the development of psychoactive drugs were two necessary catalysts that provided the opportunity ot maintain many formerly hospitalized mental patients in the community and to avoid lengthy hospitalization of others.

California↗