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Temporal pattern of africanization in a feral honeybee population from Texas inferred from mitochondrial DNA.

The invasion of Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Americas provides a window of opportunity to study the dynamics of secondary contact of subspecies of bees that evolved in allopatry in ecologically distinctive habitats of the Old World. We report here the results of an 11-year mitochondrial DNA survey of a feral honeybee population from southern United States (Texas). The mitochondrial haplotype (mitotype) frequencies changed radically during the 11-year study period. Prior to immigration of Africanized honeybees, the resident population was essentially of eastern and western European maternal ancestry. Three years after detection of the first Africanized swarm there was a mitotype turnover in the population from predominantly eastern European to predominantly A. m. scutellata (ancestor of Africanized honeybees). This remarkable change in the mitotype composition coincided with arrival of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which was likely responsible for severe losses experienced by colonies of European ancestry. From 1997 onward the population stabilized with most colonies of A. m. scutellata maternal origin.

Africa↗

Climatological correlates of screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) abundance in Texas, U.S.A.

The causes of screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) outbreaks in North America are not well understood, but the literature suggests that climate was historically important. Screwworm case incidence in each of seven climatological divisions of Texas was examined for the years 1962-83, the period when sterile-male releases were made. Weak but statistically significant correlations were found between winter and summer cases and mean winter and summer rainfall and temperature when the independent variables were examined one at a time. Multiple regression of log case incidence on previous quarterly cases and current rainfall and temperatures showed a significant, negative effect of temperature on summer cases. Lagged screwworm cases accounted for most of the variation in quarterly cases. No climatic effects were detected in the other seasons. Rainfall was statistically unrelated to screwworm abundance in any season even in an arid region. The analysis does not support a climatic genesis of screwworm outbreaks or eradication. The sterile-male method is a credible explanation for screwworm disappearance.

Animals↗

The power and perils of 'molecular taxonomy': a case study of eyeless and endangered Cicurina (Araneae: Dictynidae) from Texas caves.

Rapid development in karst-rich regions of the US state of Texas has prompted the listing of four Cicurina species (Araneae, Dictynidae) as US Federally Endangered. A major constraint in the management of these taxa is the extreme rarity of adult specimens, which are required for accurate species identification. We report a first attempt at using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences to accurately identify immature Cicurina specimens. This identification is founded on a phylogenetic framework that is anchored by identified adult and/or topotypic specimens. Analysis of approximately 1 kb of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (CO1) mtDNA data for over 100 samples results in a phylogenetic tree that includes a large number of distinctive, easily recognizable, tip clades. These tip clades almost always correspond to a priori species hypotheses, and show nonoverlapping patterns of sequence divergence, making it possible to place species names on a number of immature specimens. Three cases of inconsistency between recovered tip clades and a priori species hypotheses suggest possible introgression between cave-dwelling Cicurina, or alternatively, species synonymy. Although species determination is not possible in these instances, the inconsistencies point to areas of taxonomic ambiguity that require further study. Our molecular phylogenetic sample is largest for the Federally Endangered C. madla. These data suggest that C. madla occurs in more than twice the number of caves as previously reported, and indicate the possible synonymy of C. madla with C. vespera, which is also Federally Endangered. Network analyses reveal considerable genetic divergence and structuring across caves in this species. Although the use of DNA sequences to identify previously 'unidentifiable' specimens illustrates the potential power of molecular data in taxonomy, many other aspects of the same dataset speak to the necessity of a balanced taxonomic approach.

Animals↗

Heredity, environment, and personality change: evidence from the Texas Adoption Project.

Personality changes over time can be analyzed by the same twin and adoption methods used to analyze the genetic and environmental influences on a trait at a given time. Composite parent rating measures of Extra-version, Socialization, and Stability made on two occasions approximately 10 years apart on 229 adopted and 83 nonadopted children from the Texas Adoption Project were used to illustrate this point in two ways. The first was based on correlations among family members, from which it appeared that by far the chief source of individual change was neither the genes nor shared family environment, but individual experience (and/or measurement error). The second was via a path-analytic approach to changes in the means of adopted and natural children, from which it appeared that, nonetheless, the children were tending to change on the average in the direction of their genetic parents' personalities.

Adoption↗

Modeling IQ change: evidence from the Texas Adoption Project.

An analysis of genetic and environmental contributions to intellectual change was carried out by means of a path model applied to IQ data from the Texas Adoption Project, an adoption study in which children were measured on 2 occasions approximately 10 years apart. Included in the model were assortative mating, selective placement, genotype-environment correlation, a measure of socioeconomic status, and alternative hypotheses about cross-generation environmental transmission and the persistence of a trait over time. Some form of environmental transmission across generations was necessary, but either of the 2 forms tested was sufficient. The data were best fit by considering persistence over time to occur at the level of the developed trait. The effect of both genes and family environment was significant at the time of the first measurement, but only the genes made an additional contribution between the first and the second, suggesting the necessity of revising some popular stereotypes about development.

Adolescent↗

Characterization of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella Kinshasa from dairy calves in Texas.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella isolated from a central Texas dairy calf farm that raises animals for dairy-beef production. METHODS AND RESULTS: Salmonella isolates collected from 50 faecal samples were characterized for susceptibility to 20 antimicrobial agents. Seventy per cent of the faecal samples (35 of 50) tested positive for Salmonella, and high rates of resistance to the following drugs that are commonly used for treatment of bacterial enteritis in livestock were observed: ampicillin (88%), apramycin (83%), neomycin (86%), spectinomycin (91%) and oxytetracycline (90%). No resistance to the fluoroquinolone antibiotics was observed. The most prevalent Salmonella serotype was Kinshasha (22 of 35 samples), followed by Agona (4 of 35), Newport (3 of 35), Infantis (2 of 35), Montevideo (2 of 35), Lille (1 of 35) and Newington (1 of 35). The Kinshasa, Agona, Newport and Infantis serotypes all displayed resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole and tetracycline, and the penta-resistance phenotype was transferable to an Escherichia coli recipient strain. SIGNIFICANCE: Multi-drug resistant Salmonella in dairy calves pose a costly animal health problem and a potential risk to the public health. This study emphasizes the need for alternative, non-antimicrobial intervention strategies for the control of zoonotic pathogens.

Ampicillin↗

Perceptions of children's body sizes among mothers living on the Texas-Mexico border (La Frontera).

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to quantify mothers' perceptions of their children's sizes and explore mothers' views of child growth, diet, activity, and health. Photographs of children from the Berkeley Longitudinal Growth Study (on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] Web site) were used to stimulate discussion with mothers about child sizes. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional study examined mothers' perceptions of their children's size and their beliefs about child size, growth, and health. SAMPLE: The convenience sample included 25 mother-child dyads of 3-year-old children at two Head Start Centers in a county on the Texas-Mexico border. All mothers self-identified as Hispanic. MEASUREMENT: Photographs of children were shown to elicit mothers' perceptions of children's body sizes. The children and mothers were weighed and measured and their body mass indices (BMIs) were computed. The mothers were interviewed about their beliefs on child health, growth, and feeding. RESULTS: No congruence was found between mothers' perceptions of child sizes in the pictures and their children's sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Using CDC photographs does not appear to be a useful way to educate mothers about child body sizes. A child who is happy, active, and can accomplish normal childhood activities is not considered by mothers as overweight, regardless of the child's BMI.

Adult↗

Mortality differences between elderly Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in San Antonio, Texas.

OBJECTIVE: To identify differences in causes of death between elderly Mexican Americans (MA) and non-Hispanic whites (NHW). DESIGN: Retrospective death certificate review. SUBJECTS: Elderly Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic Whites age 65 and over who died in Bexar County, Texas during 1989. MEASURES: Data obtained from chart review included age, sex, race/ethnicity, and cause of death. Age-adjusted and cause-specific mortality rates, odds ratios (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Mexican Americans were at greater risk of dying in nine of the thirty causes of death examined. The mortality rates of MA subjects were higher than those of NHW from death caused by diabetes (OR = 3.19, CI = 2.27-4.49), renal failure (OR = 2.06, CI = 1.44-2.94), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.50, CI = 1.44-2.94), and multiple systemic diseases (OR = 2.59, CI = 1.89-3.57). Among the male subjects, MA had a greater risk than NHW of dying from myocardial infarction (OR = 1.83, CI = 1.15-2.90), coronary disease (OR = 1.37, CI = 1.07-1.75) and septicemia/pyuria (OR = 2.12, CI = 1.09-4.10). Among female subjects, MA had a greater likelihood of dying from cirrhosis (OR = 3.03, CI = 1.00-9.29). For only one of the causes of death was the risk lower among MA than NHW: MA female subjects had a lesser chance of dying from the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than NHW females (OR = 0.36, CI = 0.18-0.72). CONCLUSION: Mexican American elders have a greater risk of dying from non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and renal failure than their NHW counterparts. Elderly MA men have a greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than their NHW counterparts. Mexican American women may have a greater risk of dying from cirrhosis, but a lower risk of dying from complications of COPD. Finally, death from ill defined causes, such as multiple systemic diseases, may be a major under-acknowledged cause of death among older MA.

Aged↗

Function and medical comorbidity in south Texas nursing home residents: variations by ethnic group.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate differences in functional status and burdens of medical conditions in Mexican American and non-Hispanic white nursing home residents. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional survey of 17 nursing homes in south Texas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 617 older nursing home residents, of whom 366 were Mexican American and 251 were non-Hispanic white. MEASURES: Activities of Daily Living (ADL) status abstracted from standard nurses notes and Burden of Disease abstracted from medical records. RESULTS: Mexican American residents had greater numbers of ADL dependencies and poorer overall ADL scores than non-Hispanic white residents. This poor functioning was not explained by age, gender, or marital or educational status. The average number of medical conditions was greater, and specific conditions, such as cerebrovascular disease, recent acute infections, diabetes, hypertension, and anemia, were more common in Mexican American residents compared with non-Hispanic white residents. In models relating function with medical conditions and ethnic group, ADL scores and dependencies were significantly related to bowel and bladder incontinence, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, recent infections, and skin decubiti, but not to ethnic group. CONCLUSION: Mexican American nursing home residents are more functionally dependent than non-Hispanic white residents. The difference in function is explained by a greater burden of medical conditions in the Mexican American residents.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Eimeria chihuahuaensis sp.n. and other coccidia from Dipodomys spp. in El Paso County, Texas.

Dipodomys merriami Mearns and Dipodomys ordi Woodhouse were surveyed for coccidia in El Paso County, Texas. Infections with Eimeria chobotari, Eimeria dipodomysis and Eimeria balphae were 24.8%, 4.4%, and 11%, respectively, for D. ordi. Dipodomys merriami had an infection level of 23.8% with E. chobotari. Four animals concurrently harbored E. chobotari and E. balphae or E. dipodomysis or a new species Eimeria chihuahuaensis. Male and female host infection levels were not significantly different. The new species is described and photographs of 3 previously described Eimeria from Dipodomys are presented.

Animals↗

Isospora peromysci Davis, 1967 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from Texas.

Oocysts of Isospora peromysci (Davis, 1967) (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) were recovered from the feces of 1/30 (3.3%) white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus, in Johnson County, Texas. This report represents a new host and geographic record for the parasite. The coccidium was also found in 1/20 (5.0%) deer mice, P. maniculatus, from the same locale. Morphological data are provided on the sporulated oocyst of I. peromysci and comparisons are made with previously published information on the species from other geographic localities.

Animals↗

Rumen ciliates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), axis deer (Axis axis), sika deer (Cervus nippon) and fallow deer (Dama dama) from Texas.

Samples of rumen contents from 33 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), 31 axis deer (Axis axis), 26 sika deer (Cervus nippon), and 25 fallow deer (Dama dama) were collected from four study areas in central Texas. The geometric mean concentration of total protozoa was 50.2 x 10(4) per ml, with no differences between species (P > 0.36). White-tailed deer had a higher percentage of Entodinium and lower percentage of Diplodiniinae (P < 0.01) than the other deer species, which were not different from each other. Occurrence of Epidinium, Isotricha, and Dasytricha was sporadic and did not differ among deer species. Numerous new host records of protozoan species were observed: white-tailed deer--four; axis deer--five; sika deer--five; fallow deer--four. This brings the total number of protozoan species identified in each deer species to: white-tailed--eight; axis--12; sika--15; fallow--16. For all species combined, protozoan concentration were 7.5 to 11-fold higher (P < 0.01) from Area 4, which differed from the other three areas by having a stream that allowed deer to have free access to water. Criteria used for identification of medium-size Eudiplodinium species were evaluated.

Animals↗

Risk factors for hepatitis C on the Texas-Mexico border.

OBJECTIVES: Our clinical experience suggested that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in this Texas-Mexico border area might have features, especially risk factors, that differ from some other areas of the United States. Therefore, we conducted a prospective analysis to investigate the epidemiology, risk factors, and certain other characteristics of HCV infection in the El Paso region. METHODS: During a 2-yr period, individuals with a positive HCV serology were considered as "patients" and those with a negative hepatitis serology panel were "controls." A questionnaire survey was conducted in person or by telephone with individuals (patients and controls) who agreed to participate in the interview process. RESULTS: We identified and interviewed 320 patients and 307 controls. All of the contacted patients and controls agreed to be interviewed. Many established and potential risk factors for HCV transmission were documented in the patients. Furthermore, multiple potential risk factors were often present in individual patients. However, on multivariate analysis only injection drug use, blood transfusion, and tattooing were found to be significant independent risk factors for HCV infection. In the great majority of patients, tattoos were applied by friends (including gang members), inmates in jail/prison, or self, rather than commercial parlors. CONCLUSIONS: Tattooing is an independent risk factor for HCV infection in this United States-Mexico border area. The role of nonsterile tattooing practices in HCV transmission merits additional examination in regard to precise risk settings, frequency, and mechanisms of infection.

Adolescent↗

Preventive dentistry in Texas, USA.

This paper presents the results of a 1985 survey of 1000 Texas dentists regarding three major types of preventive measures--educational services, preventive procedures, and diagnostic services. The results show that among several given educational services, respondents tended most to instruct on correct brushing or flossing and tended least to counsel on diet. Among preventive procedures, most dentists removed plaque or calculus. A very small portion applied occlusal sealants on patients under the age of 15. As for diagnostic services, most performed oral cancer screening exams. Most performed dental X-rays, but many did not use leaded protection on their patients while taking X-rays. A large number did not check their patients' blood pressure. Income, attendance of continuing education programs, and number of dental hygienists were strong, positive predictors of provision of all three types of preventive measures. Dentists who practiced in more populous areas, or had practiced for fewer years, more likely provided patients with educational services and preventive procedures. Dentists delivered more preventive procedures if they attended more professional dental meetings. Dentists who worked more hours were more likely to provide educational services and preventive procedures. Patient load correlated negatively with dentists' delivery of preventive procedures.

Adult↗

Experiences of patients hospitalized during the Texas mental health scandal.

TOPIC: The impact of psychiatric hospitalization on children and adolescents hospitalized during the Texas mental health scandal. METHODS: Content analysis of archival data and in-depth interviews. FINDINGS: Subjects (N = 19) voiced complaints about the stigma resulting from the hospitalization as well as lack of individual care, violations of personal boundaries, ineffectual outcomes, permanent disruption to family relations, separation from family, trauma of seeing others restrained, and being restrained themselves. CONCLUSIONS: Unnecessary psychiatric hospitalization has long-term ramifications for children and adolescents in terms of self-view, family, and social relationships.

Adolescent↗

The effects of ethnicity, sex and father's occupation on heart health knowledge and nutrition behavior of school children: the Texas youth health awareness survey.

The relationships of ethnicity, sex and father's occupation with heart health knowledge and nutrition behavior were studied in Texas seventh and eighth grade students. A questionnaire was administered to 2,695 children in schools chosen to represent the urban/rural and ethnic mix of the state population. The findings indicated a strong need for heart health education and for culturally-relevant nutrition education aimed at specific target groups defined by ethnicity, sex and leisure activity. Analysis of eating behavior at school and home confirmed the importance of school feeding programs on the health of minority and low income children.

Adolescent↗

Comprehensive school-based services for pregnant and parenting adolescents in West Dallas, Texas.

A cohort of 339 Black (n = 210), Hispanic (n = 118), and other (n = 11) adolescent mothers in Dallas, Texas, were followed from the start of their pregnancy through the school year of the delivery to assess differences in numbers of prenatal care visits, postpartum care, repeat deliveries, and school continuation rates. Approximately one-half the teens received reproductive services at a comprehensive, school-based clinic and one-half at a categorical (Title XX) family planning and prenatal care clinic. Adolescents attending the school-based clinic were more likely to be in school at conception and averaged more prenatal visits than those served by the categorical provider. However, during the pregnancy and following the delivery, school dropout rates for the two sets of teens converged. School continuation rates were higher among a subset of adolescents attending the Dallas Independent School District school for pregnant teens than among other teens. Hispanic teens were two times more likely than their Black counterparts to drop out of school. No differences were found in repeat birth rates, by ethnicity, clinic site, or school attended.

Adolescent↗

Opinions of rural Texas parents concerning elementary school health education.

Parents of elementary school children in rural east-central Texas were surveyed about their attitudes toward and knowledge of Comprehensive School Health Education. Data indicated widespread support for health education compared to other subject areas. Parents felt alcohol and other drugs, nutrition, and first aid were the most important topics to be covered in elementary school, while sexuality, cancer, and stress were the least important. Parents were most comfortable discussing alcohol and other drugs, family life, and growth and development with their children and least comfortable discussing exercise, cancer, and sexuality. Implications for school health programs are discussed.

Attitude↗