Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “NEW MEXICO”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources

Corticosterone responses change seasonally in free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus).

Avian corticosterone (CORT) concentrations vary seasonally for many species, but most studies examined species from extreme environments or from only a few times of the year. It is unclear how general a phenomenon this is. We examined both baseline and stress-induced CORT from house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in two habitats-Massachusetts, similar to their ancestral habitat; and New Mexico, a semi-arid desert where the house sparrow only thrives as an obligate human commensal. We captured both males and females during four times of the year-Spring (when the male cloacal protuberance indicated birds were in breeding condition), Fall, Winter, and in the late summer when birds were undergoing a prebasic molt. Birds were heaviest and had the longest wing chord lengths in the Fall at both sites and Massachusetts birds were approximately 10% heavier than New Mexico birds. House sparrows also showed a seasonal variation in the amount of fat stores, but the seasonal pattern differed. Massachusetts birds were fatter overall and showed the most fat during Fall and Winter, whereas New Mexico birds showed the most fat in the Spring. Both baseline and stress-induced total CORT did not differ between sexes or sites, with the exceptions of baseline CORT in the Fall and stress-induced CORT in the Spring being elevated in Massachusetts males. There was a distinct seasonal pattern at both sites, however, with total CORT being highest in the Spring and Winter and lowest during Fall and molt. This seasonal pattern was mirrored in corticosterone binding globulin (CBG) capacities, and when free CORT was estimated, the seasonal pattern disappeared. Stress-induced free CORT, however, was higher in Massachusetts males and females during the Fall and Winter, suggesting a potential differential response to stress associated with commensalism.

Animals↗

Modeling relationships between climate and the frequency of human plague cases in the southwestern United States, 1960-1997.

The relationships between climatic variables and the frequency of human plague cases (1960-1997) were modeled by Poisson regression for two adjoining regions in northeastern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico. Model outputs closely agreed with the numbers of cases actually observed, suggesting that temporal variations in plague risk can be estimated by monitoring key climatic variables, most notably maximum daily summer temperature values and time-lagged (1 and 2 year) amounts of late winter (February-March) precipitation. Significant effects also were observed for time-lagged (1 year) summer precipitation in the Arizona model. Increased precipitation during specific periods resulted in increased numbers of expected cases in both regions, as did the number of days above certain lower thresholds for maximum daily summer temperatures (80 degrees F in New Mexico and 85 degrees F in Arizona). The number of days above certain high-threshold temperatures exerted a strongly negative influence on the numbers of expected cases in both the Arizona and New Mexico models (95 degrees F and 90 degrees F, respectively). The climatic variables found to be important in our models are those that would be expected to influence strongly the population dynamics of the rodent hosts and flea vectors of plague.

Arizona↗

Changing trends in gestational trophoblastic disease.

OBJECTIVE: The New Mexico Tumor Registry (NMTR) and Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registries were utilized to determine (30+)-year trends in gestational trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Age-adjusted incidence rates of gestational trophoblastic disease per 100,000 woman-years (1973-2003) and ratios per live births and pregnancies were calculated using data abstracted from the NMTR and state vital records. SEER data (1973-2002) were used to calculate age-adjusted incidence rates, estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and relative survival rates for choriocarcinoma. RESULTS: In New Mexico there were 1,153 cases affecting 377 non-Hispanic whites, 504 Hispanics and 241 American Indians, with respective incidence rates of 3.494, 5.150 and 9.991 (p < 0.0001). American Indian incidence rates decreased 53.3%, from 13.34 (1988-1992) to 6.23 (1998-2002). Within SEER (1973-2002), there were 504 gestational choriocarcinomas. The 30-year incidence rate was 0.132 and decreased by 37.7% (EAPC, -2.1% per year; p=0.0001)-by 40.1% for whites, 55.9% for blacks and 62.1% for others. However, over the previous 10 years, rates among blacks (0.097 vs. 0.259, p = 0.01) and for distant disease (0.044 vs. 0.071, p = 0.046) increased. CONCLUSION: Disparities in incidence rates by race/ethnicity in New Mexico are decreasing. An increase in rates among blacks and distant disease diagnosis may be the consequence of fewer regional trophoblastic centers in the United States.

Adolescent↗

Performance of radiologic and nuclear medicine examinations in the 6 months before death.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of use and type of radiologic and nuclear medicine examinations performed prior to the death of an individual. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiologic and nuclear medicine examination data from the University of New Mexico Hospital were analyzed and correlated with death records from the New Mexico Department of Vital Statistics. The study cohort included 558 patients who were treated between July 1992 and June 1993 and died within 6 months. The records for the 558 patients were analyzed according to the type and number of examinations performed within 30 days and 6 months prior to death. RESULTS: Of 26,067 patients examined during the year, 558 (2%) underwent a radiographic or nuclear medicine examination in the 6 months prior to death. That group of patients underwent a total of 6,196 radiographic or nuclear medicine examinations (4.6%) out of a total of 134,892 examinations that were performed in that year. The rate of use was highest in those patients who were younger than 1 year at death. CONCLUSION: Approximately 5% or fewer radiologic and nuclear medicine examinations were performed during the final 6 months of an illness.

Adolescent↗

Seasonal changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis sensitivity in free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus).

Recent evidence indicates that house sparrows (Passer domesticus) seasonally regulate corticosterone responses to capture, handling, and restraint. Responses during molt and in the fall are lower than responses in the winter and while breeding. This study tested whether changes in either adrenal tissue responsiveness to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) or pituitary responsiveness to corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) or arginine vasotocin (AVT) could provide the mechanism regulating these seasonal changes. House sparrows were captured at two sites (Massachusetts and New Mexico, USA) and during the above four seasons and injected with exogenous ACTH, CRF, and AVT. ACTH stimulated further corticosterone release in all birds except Massachusetts birds in the winter, suggesting that reduced adrenal sensitivity to ACTH cannot explain reduced corticosterone release during fall and molt. However, exogenous ACTH was less effective during molt at both sites, implying that adrenal sensitivity does change. Pituitary sensitivity also changed seasonally, but these pituitary changes did not match the seasonal changes in corticosterone release. CRF and AVT only succeeded in elevating corticosterone in the spring in Massachusetts birds and in the winter in New Mexico birds, whereas CRF alone also stimulated corticosterone release in New Mexico birds in the fall. Taken together, these data indicate that house sparrows can alter the amount of corticosterone released from adrenal tissue, the amount of ACTH released from the pituitary, and the amount of CRF and AVT released from the hypothalamus, but that none of these changes correlate with seasonal changes in corticosterone release. Consequently, seasonal modulation of corticosterone release in house sparrows appear to result from a complicated mix of adrenal, pituitary, and hypothalamic changes that also vary seasonally.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

State-specific prevalence of selected chronic disease-related characteristics--Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2001.

PROBLEM: High-risk behaviors and lack of preventive care are associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Without continued monitoring of these factors, state health departments would have difficulty tracking and evaluating progress toward Healthy People 2010 and their own state objectives. Monitoring chronic disease-related behaviors is also key to developing targeted education and intervention programs at the national, state, and local levels to improve the health of the public. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: Data collected in 2001 are compared with data from 1991 and 2000, and progress toward Healthy People 2010 targets is assessed. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing, state-based, telephone survey of persons aged > or =18 years. State health departments collect the data in collaboration with CDC. In 2001, participants in data collection included all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. BRFSS data are used to track the prevalence of chronic disease-related characteristics and monitor progress toward national health objectives related to 1) decreasing high-risk behaviors, 2) increasing awareness of medical conditions, and 3) increasing use of preventive health services. For certain national objectives, BRFSS is the only source of data. RESULTS: BRFSS data indicate changes in certain high-risk behaviors from 1991 to 2001. Among the findings are substantial increases in the prevalence of obesity among adults aged > or =20 years. Among states, prevalence of persons classified as obese in 2001 ranged from 15.5% in Colorado to 27.1% in Mississippi. From 1991 to 2001, the median prevalence for all participating states and territories increased from 12.9% to 21.6%. In 1991, no state had an obesity prevalence of > or =20%; in 2001, 37 states had a prevalence of > or =20%. Percentage increases in prevalence of obesity, from 1991 to 2001, ranged from 24.9% in the District of Columbia to 140.2% in New Mexico. In 2001, substantial variations also existed among states and territories regarding prevalence of other high-risk behaviors and awareness of medical conditions. Ranges included, for no leisure-time physical activity, 16.5% (Utah) to 49.2% (Puerto Rico); cigarette smoking, 9.6% (Virgin Islands) to 31.2% (Guam); binge drinking, 6.8% (Tennessee) to 25.7% (Wisconsin); heavy drinking, 2.5% (Tennessee) to 8.7% (Wisconsin); persons ever told they had diabetes, 4% (Alaska) to 9.8% (Puerto Rico); persons ever told they had high blood pressure, 20% (New Mexico) to 32.5% (West Virginia); and persons ever told they had high blood cholesterol, 24.8% (New Mexico) to 37.7% (West Virginia). Substantial variations also existed among states regarding prevalence of using preventive health services. Ranges included, for persons aged > or =50 years ever screened for colorectal cancer by use of sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, 30.5% (Virgin Islands) to 62% (Minnesota); persons aged > or =65 years who received an influenza vaccination in the past year, 36.8% (Puerto Rico) to 79% (Hawaii); persons aged > or =65 years who ever received a pneumococcal vaccination, 24.1% (Puerto Rico) to 70.9% (Oregon). In 2001, 13 states, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands used the women's health module. Ranges included, for women aged > or =18 years who had a Papanicolaou (Pap) smear test in the past 3 years, 79.8% (Virgin Islands) to 89.6% (Wisconsin); women aged > or =40 years who ever had a mammogram, 71.9% (Virgin Islands) to 93% (Rhode Island); and women aged > or =40 years who had a mammogram in the past 2 years, 57.2% (Virgin Islands) to 85.1% (Rhode Island). BRFSS data in 2001 also indicated variations by sex, race or ethnicity, and age group. Greater percentages of men than women reported cigarette smoking, binge drinking, heavy drinking, and were classified as overweight; greater percentages of women reported no leisure-time physical activity. Among racial or ethnic groups, greater percentages of black non-Hispanics than other groups reported being told by a health professional they had high blood pressure and diabetes, and were classified as obese; greater percentages of white non-Hispanics than other groups reported being told they had high cholesterol. Among age groups, greater percentages of persons aged 18-24 years than those in older groups reported smoking cigarettes, binge drinking and heavy drinking; greater percentages of persons in older age groups than younger age groups reported being told they had diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. Also, comparison of 2001 BRFSS data with 12 targets from Healthy People 2010 indicates that, in 2001, no state had met the targets for obesity, cigarette smoking, binge drinking, receiving a fecal occult blood test within the past 2 years, receiving annual influenza vaccinations, receiving pneumococcal vaccinations, and receiving Pap tests. Certain states had already met targets for no leisure-time activity, receiving a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, having blood cholesterol checked within the past 5 years, and receiving a mammogram within the past 2 years. INTERPRETATION: BRFSS data in this report indicate that despite certain improvements, persons in a high proportion of U.S. states and territories continue to engage in high-risk behaviors and do not report making sufficient use of preventive health practices. Substantial variations (i.e., by state, sex, age group, and race/ethnicity) in prevalence of behaviors, awareness of medical conditions, and use of preventive services indicate a continued need to monitor these factors at state and local levels and assess progress toward reducing morbidity and mortality. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: BRFSS data can be used to guide public health actions at local, state, and national levels. For certain states, BRFSS is the only reliable source of chronic-disease-related, risk-behavioral data. BRFSS data enable states to design, implement, evaluate, and monitor health-promotion strategies, targeting specific high-risk behaviors among populations experiencing high burdens of disease. BRFSS data continue to be key sources for assessing progress toward both national Healthy People 2010 objectives and state health objectives.

Adult↗

The effect of legislative requirements on the use of breast-conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: We studied the effect of state legislation requiring the disclosure of options for the treatment of breast cancer on the use of breast-conserving surgery in clinical practice. METHODS: The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry provided data on women from 30 through 79 years of age who underwent breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy for local or regional breast cancer from 1983 through 1990. We examined the trend over time in use of breast-conserving surgery among patients in four sites (Connecticut, Iowa, Seattle, and Utah) where there were no state laws specifically requiring the disclosure of options for the treatment of breast cancer by physicians. For four additional sites (Detroit, Atlanta, New Mexico, and Hawaii) that had such legislation, we determined whether the rate of breast-conserving surgery after the legislation was different from the expected rate. RESULTS: An attorney rated the legislation as giving most direction to physicians in Michigan, followed by Hawaii, Georgia, and New Mexico. The rate of breast-conserving surgery was up to 8.7 percent higher than expected in Detroit for six months after the passage of the Michigan law (P<0.01). The rate was up to 13.2 percent higher than expected in Hawaii for 12 months after that state's law was passed (P<0.05) and up to 6.0 percent higher than expected in Atlanta for 3 months after the passage of the Georgia law (P<0.01). After these transient increases, the surgery rates reverted to the expected levels. No significant effect was detected in New Mexico, where only a resolution without legal force was passed. CONCLUSION: Legislation requiring physicians to disclose options for the treatment of breast cancer appeared to have only a slight and transient effect on the rate of use of breast-conserving surgery.

Adult↗

Cancer treatment protocols. Who gets chosen?

We compared the age distribution of all adults in New Mexico with cancer incident from 1959 through 1982 with that of all adult New Mexican patients enrolled in cancer treatment protocols sponsored by the Southwest Oncology Group (New Mexico). For all cancer sites, elderly patients were substantially underrepresented in the Southwest Oncology Group protocols. While 31% of all adult patients with cancer were over age 70 years, only 7% of patients with cancer enrolled in Southwest Oncology Group protocols were in that age group. The underrepresentation of elderly individuals in cancer treatment protocols will make it difficult to determine optimal therapies for older patients with cancer.

Age Factors↗

Coccidian parasites (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from insectivores. III. Seven new species in shrews (Soricidae: Soricinae) from Canada, Japan, and the United States.

Since May 1979, 458 shrews (Blarina sp. and Sorex spp.) representing 20 species collected in Canada, Japan, and the United States were examined for coccidia; 110 (24%) had oocysts in their feces, including 8 of 21 (38%) B. brevicauda from Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont; 2 of 7 (29%) S. caecutiens from Hokkaido and Honshu; 14 of 63 (22%) S. cinereus from Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Manitoba, and Ontario; 3 of 7 (43%) S. fontinalis from Pennsylvania; 11 of 16 (69%) S. fumeus from Massachusetts, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Ontario; 1 of 4 (25%) S. haydeni from Minnesota; 6 of 8 (75%) S. longirostris from Florida and Virginia; 1 of 2 (50%) S. ornatus from California; 5 of 12 (42%) S. pacificus from California and Oregon; 13 of 41 (32%) S. palustris from California, Colorado, and New Mexico; 1 of 2 (50%) S. tenellus from California; 11 of 105 (10%) S. trowbridgii from California, Oregon, and Washington; 10 of 48 (21%) S. unguiculatus from Hokkaido; and 24 of 112 (21%) S. vagrans from Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. The following coccidians were identified from infected shrews: Eimeria brevicauda n. sp. from B. brevicauda; Eimeria fumeus n. sp. from S. fumeus, S. pacificus, S. unguiculatus, and S. vagrans; Eimeria inyoni n. sp. from S. tenellus; Eimeria palustris n. sp. from S. cinereus, S. fontinalis, S. fumeus, S. haydeni, S. longirostris, S. ornatus, S. pacificus, S. palustris, S. tenellus, S. trowbridgii, and S. vagrans; Eimeria vagrantis n. sp. from S. fumeus, S. trowbridgii, and S. vagrans; Isospora brevicauda n. sp. from B. brevicauda; and Isospora palustris n. sp. from S. pacificus, S. palustris, S. trowbridgii, S. unguiculatus, and S. vagrans. The world literature on coccidian parasites of shrews (16 eimerians and 3 isosporans exclusive of the 7 new species described here) is reviewed.

Animals↗

Toward resolution of the debate regarding purported crypto-Jews in a Spanish-American population: evidence from the Y chromosome.

BACKGROUND: The ethnic heritage of northernmost New Spain, including present-day northern New Mexico and southernmost Colorado, USA, is intensely debated. Local Spanish-American folkways and anecdotal narratives led to claims that the region was colonized primarily by secret- or crypto-Jews. Despite ethnographic criticisms, the notion of substantial crypto-Jewish ancestry among Spanish-Americans persists. AIM: We tested the null hypothesis that Spanish-Americans of northern New Mexico carry essentially the same profile of paternally inherited DNA variation as the peoples of Iberia, and the relevant alternative hypothesis that the sampled Spanish-Americans possess inherited DNA variation that reflects Jewish ancestry significantly greater than that in present-day Iberia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We report frequencies of 19 Y-chromosome unique event polymorphism (UEP) biallelic markers for 139 men from across northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, USA, who self-identify as 'Spanish-American'. We used three different statistical tests of differentiation to compare frequencies of major UEP-defined clades or haplogroups with published data for Iberians, Jews, and other Mediterranean populations. We also report frequencies of derived UEP markers within each major haplogroup, compared with published data for relevant populations. RESULTS: All tests of differentiation showed that, for frequencies of the major UEP-defined clades, Spanish-Americans and Iberians are statistically indistinguishable. All other pairwise comparisons, including between Spanish-Americans and Jews, and Iberians and Jews, revealed highly significant differences in UEP frequencies. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that paternal genetic inheritance of Spanish-Americans is indistinguishable from that of Iberians and refute the popular and widely publicized scenario of significant crypto-Jewish ancestry of the Spanish-American population.

Chromosomes, Human, Y↗

Spontaneous mutations leading to antigenic variations in the glycoproteins of vesicular stomatitis virus field isolates.

Strains of vesicular stomatitis virus, New Jersey serotype (VSV-NJ), isolated from diseased cattle or swine were examined by genomic RNA sequencing for genetic diversity potentially leading to antigenic variations in their type-specific glycoproteins as determined by reactivity with epitope-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Seven field isolates recovered in Colorado, New Mexico, Georgia, and Mexico during the widespread 1982-1985 epizootic in the western United States resembled the prototypic 1952 Hazelhurst subtype by partial sequence homology, but amino acid reversions to the 1949 Ogden subtype occurred frequently. When studies were performed with MAbs directed to the Ogden subtype glycoprotein, relatively limited antigenic variation, and only in neutralization epitope VIII, was noted among two of five epizootic isolates from Colorado and New Mexico. However, amino acid differences in the glycoprotein of a 1983 isolate from an enzootic region of Georgia resulted in major antigenic deficiencies in epitopes V, VI, and VII as determined by Western blotting and neutralization of infectivity with epitope-specific MAbs. Quite a few genetic but no antigenic differences were noted in an enzootic 1984 isolate from Mexico, a potential origin of the United States epizootic. Marked or complete loss of epitopes VII, VI, VIII, and V can be traced to spontaneous mutations leading to amino acid substitutions at glycoprotein positions 199, 263, 275, and 317, respectively, in the enzootic Georgia isolate 07/83-GA-P and the epizootic New Mexico isolate 06/85-NM-B. By comparison, closely adjacent amino acid substitutions at glycoprotein positions 210, 268, 277, and 364 occurred in epitope-deficient mutants selected for resistance to neutralization by MAbs specific for epitopes VII, VI, VIII, and V, respectively. Two neutralization epitopes designated X and XI were found to be unique for the G protein of the 1952 Hazelhurst isolate..../52-GA-P. The epitope X-specific MAb H21, in particular, failed to neutralize the infectivity not only of the Ogden subtype..../49-UT-B but also was ineffective against all the 1982-1985 field isolates. The classical 1952 Hazelhurst strain of VSV-NJ is genetically and antigenically quite different from those viruses isolated during the 1982-1985 epizootic.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Childhood cancer among Alaska Natives.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the occurrence of cancer in Alaska Native (AN) children (under age 20). Although several studies have compared differences in cancer incidence between white and black children, few have examined cancer among Alaska Natives/American Indians. We know of no published article describing cancer incidence in AN children. We compared our findings with those of American Indian children of New Mexico and of Alaska white children. Data on mortality, survival, and prevalence are also included. Alaska Native is the term used collectively for the inhabitants whose ancestors occupied the area before European contact of what is now the state of Alaska. Alaska Natives include Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut groups. Although the 3 major groups differ in culture, language, and probably genetics, there are similarities in numerous social and economic indicators. The Northern Eskimo of Alaska (Inupiat) are related to Canadian and Greenland Inuit. Indians in Alaska include Athabaskan (in the interior of the state), who share commonalities with Canadian Athabaskan as well as with Navajo and Apache in the southwestern United States. Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian groups reside primarily in the southeast panhandle of the state. The panhandle Indian groups are similar to those of British Columbia. METHODS: Data on cancer incidence are from the Alaska Native Tumor Registry, 1969-1996. We studied children under age 20 to make our results comparable to national data as presented in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Pediatric Monograph. Population data for AN are based on census data and Indian Health Service intercensal estimates. Data for US whites and New Mexico Indians are from the National Cancer Institute's SEER program. Calculations were made using SEERStat software. Data for Alaska whites are for the years 1996-2000. (The Alaska Cancer Registry has collected data for all Alaskans only since 1996). Odds ratios (ORs) of rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: The rate among all AN children (both sexes) for all cancers combined is similar to that of US whites (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8-1.1). Examination of childhood cancer rates by ethnicity, however, reveal that rates are significantly lower for Indian (OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.8) but not significantly different for Eskimo or Aleut children. For most International Classification of Childhood Cancers groups, incidence rates for AN children are also similar to those of US whites. However, AN children are at significantly higher risk for hepatic tumors (OR: 13.1; 95% CI: 7.9-20.5), particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (OR: 43.8; 95% CI:24.4-75.1) and retinoblastoma (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-5.3). By ethnic group, rates for hepatocellular carcinoma are significantly high only for Eskimo. Rates for all AN children are lower for neuroblastoma (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) and lymphoma (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9), particularly Hodgkin's disease (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0-0.5). On the basis of 5 years of data, rates for Alaska white children do not seem to differ from those of US white children. Because of our findings of differences between AN and US whites, we reviewed data of other relevant populations, specifically American Indian data from the New Mexico SEER registry. Using SEER data and SEER software, we calculated rates for New Mexican American Indians (NMAI) and compared them with US white rates. Rates for all cancers combined among NMAI are significantly lower than for US white (OR: 0.8). However, similar to AN children, the rate among NMAI for retinoblastoma is higher compared with US whites (OR: 2.5; 95% CI:1.4-4.5). Similar to AN, NMAI also seem to be at low risk for neuroblastoma (OR: 0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7), lymphoma as a group (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.3), and, specifically, Hodgkin's disease (OR: 0.1; 95% CI: 0.0-0.4). Rates among NMAI children are low for central nervous system tumors (OR: 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.7). The average annual age-adjusted cancer mortality rate among AN children is lower but not significantly lower than that of US white children (28.6 vs 37.3 per million). CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of AN rates for all cancers combined are similar to those of US and Alaska white children but seem higher than those of NMAI. Differences between AN and US whites exist for select International Classification of Childhood Cancers groups. The most striking rate differences are found in hepatic tumors, largely because of elevated rates of hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. All children in our study with hepatocellular carcinoma were hepatitis B antigen positive. A statewide hepatitis B virus immunization program was begun in late 1982. Although 16 children who were born before 1983 developed hepatocellular carcinoma, no children who were born in the 20 years since hepatitis B immunization was instituted among infants have received a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, a significant difference. Comparing AN and US white childhood cancer rates after removing hepatocellular carcinoma cases from both populations results in an OR of 0.8 (95% CI: 0.7-1.0). Thus, if no increase in other childhood cancers occurs in the coming generations, then rates for childhood cancer may soon be significantly lower than those in US white children. Rates are low for all lymphomas, largely because of very low rates of Hodgkin's disease. Rates are also low for neuroblastoma. It is reassuring that rates for AN children are not in excess and do not seem to be increasing. There is concern among the population regarding environmental exposure, including ionizing radiation. Our data do not show excess childhood leukemia or thyroid cancers, malignancies for which radiation is known to increase risk.

Adolescent↗

Ethnic patterns of Hodgkin's disease incidence among children and adolescents in the United States, 1973-82.

The descriptive epidemiologic findings were summarized on 1,109 patients (white, black, and Hispanic) under 20 years of age who were diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease as reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results ("SEER") Program of the National Cancer Institute from 1973 to 1982. Across all ethnic strata, incidence rates increased with advancing age at diagnosis, with white adolescents 15-19 years old exhibiting the highest rates (male, 3.67; female, 4.18). Gender difference among children 0-14 years of age was most evident in blacks (male:female ratio: 4.0 for blacks, 1.0 for whites). Highest adolescent:childhood ratios of incidence rates were noted for females (5.81 for whites and 8.29 for New Mexico Hispanics) and lowest, for Hispanic males (1.25, New Mexico; 2.15, Puerto Rico). Whites exhibited the highest percentage of the nodular sclerosis histologic subtype (65%) and Hispanics, the lowest (45%). Conversely, Hispanics had higher rates of histologic types associated with a poorer prognosis (mixed cellularity and lymphocyte depletion). These differing age and histologic patterns were consistent with previously described international patterns of disease occurrence. Analysis of secular trends for whites from 1969 to 1982 revealed relatively stable rates for youngest ages and male adolescents. Rates increased over time for white female adolescents, but the trend was not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗

Geographic variation within the United States in the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Geographic variation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been previously studied in the United States. Using data collected by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registries (SEER) and the 1990 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we analyzed incidence and risk factors for HCC in nine geographic regions in the United States. We identified all individuals with HCC during 1975-1998 in five states (Connecticut, Iowa, Utah, New Mexico, and Hawaii) and four metropolitan areas (Detroit-Metropolitan, San Francisco-Oakland, Seattle-Puget Sound, and Atlanta-Metropolitan). Age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated for each geographic region. The association between HCC incidence and geographic regions were examined in Poisson multivariate regression model controlling for age, gender, race, and year of diagnosis. Hierarchical linear modeling was also used to examine these associations while adjusting for potential clustering of persons with similar characteristics within geographic regions, and to assess the effect of the prevalence of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and diabetes in the underlying population in these geographical regions. A total of 11,547 persons with HCC were examined. Hawaii had the highest age-adjusted incidence rate (4.6), followed by San Francisco-Oakland (3.2), New Mexico (2.0), Detroit-Metropolitan (1.9), Seattle-Puget Sound (1.8), Atlanta-Metropolitan (1.7), Connecticut (1.6), Iowa (1.1), and Utah (1.0); all rates per 100,000. Whites had an age-adjusted incidence rate of 1.5, Blacks 3.2, and other races "Asian, American Indian, Pacific Islander" 7.0. However, Blacks and "other races" in Seattle-Puget Sound had higher age-adjusted incidence rates (4.4 and 8.2, respectively) than Blacks and other races in any other registry, while Whites in Hawaii had a higher rate (2.5) than Whites in any other registry. In general, men had a two to three times higher age-adjusted incidence rate than women. However, Hawaiian men had significantly higher age-adjusted rates (7.0) than men in other regions, while Utah had the lowest rates of HCC in men (1.5). Adjusting for variations in ethnicity, gender, age, and time of diagnosis, the Poisson regression analysis showed persistent geographic differences in HCC as well as a change in the order with New Mexico having the highest HCC incidence followed San Francisco-Oakland. Hierarchical linear modeling confirmed geographic variations in HCC but failed to show a significant effect for the prevalence of smoking, alcohol use, obesity, and diabetes in the underlying population. Significant geographic variation in HCC incidence exist in the United States. These variations are only partly explained by differences in age, gender, race, and year of diagnosis.

Age Distribution↗

The relation of social isolation, loneliness, and social support to disease outcomes among the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined relations between social isolation, loneliness, and social support to health outcomes in a sample of New Mexico seniors. METHOD: We used random-digit dialing to obtain a random sample of 755 southern New Mexico seniors. Participants answered questions pertaining to demographics, social isolation and loneliness, social support, and disease diagnosis including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, arthritis, emphysema, tuberculosis, kidney disease, cancer, asthma, and stroke. The sample allowed for comparison of Caucasian and Hispanic participants. RESULTS: Correlational and logistic analyses indicated that belongingness support related most consistently to health outcomes. Ethnic subgroup analysis revealed similarities and differences in the pattern of associations among the predictor and outcome variables. DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate the importance of social variables for predicting disease outcomes in the elderly and across ethnic groups.

Aged↗

Biotic and abiotic effects on endoparasites infecting Dipodomys and Perognathus species.

Between 1989 and 1998, 3,504 rodents of the genera Dipodomys and Perognathus were collected from 4 permanent collecting sites on the University of New Mexico's Long Term Ecological Research station, located on the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge (SNWR), Socorro County. New Mexico. All animals were killed and examined for endoparasites (acanthocephalans, cestodes, coccidia, and nematodes). The present report focuses on 3 endoparasite groups, cestodes, coccidia, and nematodes. Specific analyses address how prevalence changes were related to abiotic factors such as habitat, season, or precipitation, and how prevalence of each parasite species in each host species differed in relation to host age, host sex, host reproductive status, host body mass, host density, parasite-parasite interactions, and host specificity. A logistic regression was used to determine which host characters and which abiotic factors are correlated with a parasite infection. Significant variables for at least half of the parasites include season, site, and winter precipitation. However, no parasite prevalences were correlated, and significant variables were not identical between parasites, indicating that each parasite species varied independently and that no generalizations can be drawn. The parasite prevalences in these rodents on the SNWR vary in independent and complex ways.

Animals↗

Deaths from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning and potential for prevention with carbon monoxide detectors.

CONTEXT: Unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning causes approximately 2100 deaths in the United States per year, but the use of CO detectors could potentially prevent many of these deaths. OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of potentially preventable unintentional CO poisoning deaths in New Mexico. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. POPULATION STUDIED: A total of 136 deaths from CO poisoning investigated by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, 1980 through 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Characteristics of deaths from CO poisoning; estimates of the number of deaths potentially preventable with CO detectors. RESULTS: Of 136 people whose deaths were classified as "unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, not fire related," 49 (36%) most likely were asleep when poisoned. Thirty-nine (49%) of 80 people whose deaths were identified as "residential fatalities" most likely were asleep vs 10 (18%) of 56 of those whose deaths were identified as occurring in or around motor vehicles. A blood-alcohol level greater than 0.01% was present in 56 (42%) of the decedents. Among decedents who had a negative blood-alcohol level (52 in residences and 26 in vehicles), an electronic audible CO detector may have prevented CO poisoning; whereas, among those who had a negative blood-alcohol level and most likely were awake at the time of CO exposure (28 in residences and 23 in vehicles), an electronic detector or a nonaudible, chemical reagent type detector may have prevented CO poisoning. CONCLUSION: Differences exist between deaths due to unintentional CO poisoning that occur in residences and those that occur in or around motor vehicles. Carbon monoxide detectors, whether the electronic or chemical reagent types, may have prevented approximately half of these deaths. The high proportion of decedents with alcohol in their blood indicates that effective public health campaigns must address the role of alcohol in CO poisoning deaths.

Accidents, Home↗