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Occurrence of tetraploidy in Nicotiana attenuata plants after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is genotype specific but independent of polysomaty of explant tissue.

Genotypes of Nicotiana attenuata collected from Utah and Arizona were transformed with 17 different vectors (14 unpublished vectors based on 3 new backbone vectors) using an Agrobacterium-mediated procedure to functionally analyze genes important for plant-insect interactions. None of the 51 T1-T3 transgenic Utah lines analyzed by the flow cytometry were tetraploid, as opposed to 18 of 33 transgenic Arizona lines (55%). Analysis of T0 regenerants transformed with the same vector carrying an inverted repeat (IR) N. attenuata pro-systemin construct confirmed the genotype dependency of tetraploidization: none of the 23 transgenic Utah lines were tetraploid but 31 (72%) of 43 transgenic Arizonas were tetraploid. We tested the hypothesis that the differences in polysomaty of the explant tissues accounted for genotype dependency of tetraploid formation by measuring polysomaty levels in different seedling tissues. Hypocotyls, cotyledons, and roots of Utah and Arizona genotypes contained similar percentages of 4C nuclei (61 and 60; 7 and 5; and 58 and 61%, respectively). Since we used hypocotyls as explant sources and the nonoccurrence of tetraploid Utah transformants does not correspond to the high percentage of 4C nuclei in Utah hypocotyls, we can rule out a direct relationship between tetraploid formation and polysomaty level. We hypothesize that the difference between the Utah and Arizona genotypes results from the failure of polyploid Utah callus to regenerate into fully competent plants. We propose that future work on post-transformation polyploidy concentrate on the processes that occur during callus formation and plant regeneration from callus.

Cotyledon↗

Monitoring progress toward achieving Maternal and Infant Healthy People 2010 objectives--19 states, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2000-2003.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Certain modifiable maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy are associated with adverse health outcomes for the mother and her infant (e.g., physical abuse, insufficient folic acid consumption, smoking during pregnancy, and improper infant sleep position). Information about these behaviors and experiences is needed to monitor trends in maternal and infant health, enhance understanding of the relation between maternal behaviors and infant health outcomes, plan and evaluate maternal and infant health programs, direct policy decisions, and monitor progress toward achieving the national Healthy People 2010 [HP 2010] objectives (US Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy people 2010. 2nd ed. With understanding and improving health and objectives for improving health [2 vols.]. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services; 2000). REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: 2000-2003. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an ongoing, state- and population-based surveillance system designed to monitor selected maternal behaviors and experiences that occur before, during, and after pregnancy among women who deliver live-born infants. PRAMS employs a mixed mode data-collection methodology; up to three self-administered surveys are mailed to a sample of mothers; nonresponders are followed up with telephone interviews. Self-reported survey data are linked to selected birth certificate data and weighted for sample design, nonresponse, and noncoverage to create annual PRAMS analysis data sets that can be used to produce statewide estimates of perinatal health behaviors and experiences among women delivering live infants. This report summarizes data for 2000-2003 from 19 states (Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia) that measured progress toward achieving HP 2010 objectives for eight perinatal indicators: 1) pregnancy intention, 2) multivitamin use, 3) physical abuse, 4) cigarette smoking during pregnancy, 5) cigarette smoking cessation, 6) drinking alcohol during pregnancy, 7) breastfeeding initiation, and 8) infant sleep position. RESULTS: In 2003, prevalence of intended pregnancy among women having a live birth ranged from 48.1% in Louisiana to 66.5% in Maine; during 2000-2003, no state experienced a statistically significant (p< or =0.05) increase in prevalence of intended pregnancy, and one state experienced a significant decrease. In 2003, prevalence of multivitamin use at least four times per week during the month before pregnancy ranged from 23.0% in Arkansas to 45.2% in Maine; during 2000-2003, multivitamin use increased significantly in three states (Illinois, North Carolina, and Utah). In 2003, prevalence of physical abuse by a husband or partner during the 12 months before pregnancy ranged from 2.2% in Maine to 7.6% in New Mexico; during 2000-2003, significant decreases were recorded in three states (Alaska, Hawaii, and Nebraska). In 2003, prevalence of abstinence from cigarette smoking during the last 3 months of pregnancy ranged from 72.5% in West Virginia to 96.1% in Utah; during 2000-2003, a significant increase was recorded in Utah. In 2003, prevalence of smoking cessation during pregnancy ranged from 30.2% in West Virginia to 65.8% in Utah; during 2000-2003, a significant increase was recorded in Utah. In 2003, prevalence of abstinence from alcohol during the last 3 months of pregnancy ranged from 91.3% in Colorado to 98.0% in Utah; during 2000-2003, abstinence increased significantly in Louisiana and Utah but decreased significantly in Florida and Nebraska. In 2003, prevalence of mothers who breastfed their babies in the early postpartum period ranged from 51.2% in Louisiana to 90.3% in Alaska; during 2000-2003, significant increases were recorded in six states (Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and South Carolina). In 2003, prevalence of healthy full-term infants who were placed to sleep on their backs ranged from 50.0% in Arkansas to 78.7% in Washington; during 2000-2003, significant increases were recorded in eight states (Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, North Carolina, and West Virginia). In 2003, all 19 states achieved or exceeded the HP 2010 objective for smoking cessation during pregnancy, and 16 states achieved the HP 2010 objective for abstinence from alcohol during the last 3 months of pregnancy. In addition, nearly half of the states achieved the objectives for breastfeeding in the early postpartum period and infant back sleep position. However, no state achieved the HP 2010 objectives for intended pregnancy, multivitamin use before pregnancy, absence of physical abuse before pregnancy, or abstinence from smoking during pregnancy. INTERPRETATION: PRAMS data indicate variability among states regarding progress toward achieving HP 2010 objectives in the area of maternal and child health. More progress has been made in achieving objectives focused on the period during and after pregnancy (e.g., smoking cessation and proper infant sleep position); less progress has been made in achieving objectives related to behaviors and experiences in the preconception period (e.g., pregnancy intention and multivitamin use). PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: State maternal and child health programs can use these state- and population-based data to monitor progress toward achieving HP 2010 objectives, identify indicators to target for intervention, and plan and evaluate programs that promote positive maternal and infant health behaviors, experiences, and outcomes. These data also can be used to guide policy decisions that could affect the health of mothers and infants.

Adult↗

Impact of obesity and smoking on psoriasis presentation and management.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of obesity and smoking on psoriasis. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University of Utah Department of Dermatology clinics. PATIENTS: A case series of patients with psoriasis enrolled in the prospective Utah Psoriasis Initiative (UPI) (which carefully performs phenotyping of patients with psoriasis) was compared with 3 population databases: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System of the Utah population, the 1998 patient-member survey from the National Psoriasis Foundation, and 500 adult patients who attend our clinics and do not have psoriasis (non-psoriatic population). RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity in patients within the UPI population was higher than that in the general Utah population (34% vs 18%; P<.001) and higher than that in the non-psoriatic population attending our clinics. Assessment of body image perception with a standardized diagram in the UPI group resulted in the median body image score of normal weight at 18 years of age and the onset of psoriasis, but it changed to overweight at the time of enrollment in the UPI. Thus, obesity appears to be the consequence of psoriasis and not a risk factor for onset of disease. We did not observe an increased risk for psoriatic arthritis in patients with obesity; furthermore, obesity did not positively or negatively affect the response or the adverse effects of topical corticosteroids, light-based treatments, and systemic medications. The prevalence of smoking in the UPI population was higher than in the general Utah population (37% vs 13%; P<.001) and higher than in the non-psoriatic population (37% vs 25%; P<.001). We found a higher prevalence of smokers in the obese population within the UPI than in the obese population within the Utah population (25% vs 9%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis attending the University of Utah Dermatology Clinics were more likely to be obese and to smoke compared with non-psoriatic patients and more likely to be obese compared with other large cohorts with psoriasis. Smoking appears to have a role in the onset of psoriasis, but obesity does not. The high prevalence of obesity and smoking in a psoriasis cohort has not been previously noted; if confirmed, it supports the prediction that a significant portion of patients with psoriasis will have the comorbid conditions and public health issues of those with obesity and smoke.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

The incidence of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms in hospitalized patients.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have attempted to determine the incidence and mortality rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms in a variety of populations; however, the incidence of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms have not been established. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of lower extremity aneurysms in hospitalized patients in the state of Utah, which has a population at low risk for cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, and smoking, and to compare the results with the incidence in the United States. METHODS: Incidences of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysm in Utah were determined over a 6-year period, with data obtained via diagnostic codes from the Utah Hospital Association. The incidence of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms in the United States hospital population was calculated by use of National Hospital Discharge Summary 1990 data, a complex sample of nonfederal short-stay hospitals in the United States, which provides the most comprehensive database of health statistics in the United States. RESULTS: The incidence of iliac femoral/popliteal artery aneurysms in hospitalized Utah men is 3.76 and 4.85 per 100,000 population, respectively. In American men, iliac and femoral/popliteal artery aneurysm incidences are 6.58 and 7.39 per 100,000 population, respectively. Incidences among hospitalized women in Utah are 0.24 and 1.07 per 100,000; incidences in women in the United States are 0.26 and 1.00 per 100,000, respectively. The incidence of nonaortic peripheral aneurysms among hospitalized patients in Utah is lower than in the United States. The rate ratios (Utah/United States) for incidences of iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms in men are 0.57 and 0.66, respectively (p < 0.05). No statistical difference is seen between incidences in women in Utah and the United States (p > 0.05)-ratios of 0.93 and 1.06, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study validates the traditional belief that iliac, femoral, and popliteal artery aneurysms are much less frequent, at least in hospitalized patients, than previously published incidences of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Adult↗

Buffering capacity of coal and its acid-soluble Fe2+ content: possible role in coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

Epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) differed remarkably between different coal mine regions despite comparable exposures to respirable dust. In the United States, CWP was found to be most common in Pennsylvania coal miners and least common in miners from Utah. The active component(s) responsible for the regional differences in CWP has not yet been identified. In the present study, we found that coals from Pennsylvania, compared with Utah coals, showed a much lower buffering capacity as determined by the amount of acid consumed in order to reach pH 4.5, which is the pH of the phagolysosomes of macrophages. Moreover, the coals from Pennsylvania released large amounts of Fe2+ in the acidified extract, whereas the coals from Utah released little Fe2+. Using electron spin resonance (ESR), we found that the coals from Pennsylvania, but not from Utah, were effective in oxidizing formate by a radical pathway. Two coals, one from Utah with high buffering capacity and low acid-soluble Fe2+ and the other from Pennsylvania with low buffering capacity and high acid-soluble Fe2+, were then selected for cell treatment. We found that human tracheal epithelial (HTE) cells treated with the coal from Pennsylvania (10 microg/cm2) showed a 36% increase in oxidant formation over the control as detected by dichlorofluorescein assay, whereas the coal from Utah had no effect. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay was used to test the binding affinity of nuclear proteins extracted from the coal-treated HTE cells to an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) element. The coal from Pennsylvania with high acid-soluble Fe2+ (1 microg/cm2) activated AP-1 to the same extent as 10 microM H2O2, while the coal from Utah without acid-soluble Fe2+ had no effect. These results support our hypothesis that the prevalence of CWP may be higher in coal workers exposed to coal with high acid-soluble Fe2+ and low buffering capacity than in workers exposed to coal with low acid-soluble Fe2+ and high buffering capacity.

Buffers↗

Cellular and functional characterization of three recombinant antithrombin mutants that caused pleiotropic effect-type deficiency.

Inherited antithrombin deficiency is associated with a predisposition for familial venous thromboembolic disease. Pleiotropic effect-type mutants of antithrombin that have an amino acid replacement in a distal hinge region including strands 1C, 4B, and 5B of the polypeptide chain are known to exhibit impaired interactions with both thrombin and heparin, coupled with a secretion defect. To examine the mechanism of pleiotropic effect-type antithrombin deficiency, we expressed three mutants, Oslo (Ala404-->Thr), Kyoto (Arg406-->Met), and Utah (Pro407-->Leu), in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, and compared their secretion rates, affinities for heparin and abilities to form thrombin-antithrombin (TAT) complexes with those of wild-type (Wt) antithrombin. Pulse-chase experiments showed that the Oslo- and Kyoto-mutants were secreted at rates similar to Wt antithrombin. In contrast, the Utah-mutant underwent partial intracellular degradation. The intracellular degradation of the Utah-mutant was not inhibited by lysosomotropic inhibitors, but by proteasome inhibitors such as carbobenzoxy-L-leucyl-L-leucyl-L-leucinal (LLL) and lactacystin, indicating that a part of the Utah-mutant was degraded by proteasome through quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Crossed immunoelectrophoresis in the presence of heparin showed that only the Oslo-mutant lacks heparin-binding ability. Incubation with thrombin showed that the Kyoto- and Utah-mutants, but not the Oslo-mutant, formed a weak but detectable TAT complex. Furthermore, heparin enhanced the TAT complex formation by the Kyoto- and Utah-mutants, suggesting heparin cofactor activities of these mutants. These results show that each of the Oslo-, Kyoto-, and Utah-mutants exhibits different properties as to secretion, intracellular degradation and functional activity, although they are grouped as pleiotropic effect-type mutants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Aleutian mink disease parvovirus infection of mink macrophages and human macrophage cell line U937: demonstration of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection.

Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV) infects macrophages in adult mink. The virulent ADV-Utah I strain, but not the cell culture-adapted ADV-G strain, infects mink peritoneal macrophage cultures and the human macrophage cell line U937 in vitro. However, preincubation of ADV-G with ADV-infected mink serum enhanced its infectivity for U937 cells. the enhancing activity was present in the protein A-binding immunoglobulin G fraction in the serum, but F(ab')2 fragments failed to enhance the infection. On the other hand, the same sera inhibited ADV-G infection of Crandell feline kidney (CRFK) cells. Although U937 cells were not fully permissive for antibody-enhanced ADV-G infection, ADV mRNA expression, genome amplification, and protein expression were identical to those found previously for ADV-Utah I infection of U937 cells. Preincubation of ADV-Utah I with soluble protein A partly inhibited the infection of U937 cells but did not affect infection of CRFK cells. In mink peritoneal macrophages, preincubation with the infected mink serum did not make ADV-G infectious. However, the infectivity for mink macrophages of antibody-free ADV-Utah I prepared from the lungs of infected newborn mink kits was enhanced by ADV-infected mink serum. Moreover, protein A partly blocked ADV-Utah I infection of mink macrophage cultures. These results suggested that ADV-Utah I enters mink macrophages and U937 cells via an Fc receptor-mediated mechanism. This mechanism, antibody-dependent enhancement, may also contribute to ADV infection in vivo. Furthermore, since ADV infection in mink is characterized by overproduction of anti-ADV immunoglobulins, antibody-dependent enhancement may play a critical role in the establishment of persistent infection with ADV in vivo.

Aleutian Mink Disease Virus↗

Centrifugal pump or pneumatic ventricle for short-term mechanical circulatory support?

Two comparable groups of four Holstein calves were implanted with different left ventricle assist devices: the Centrimed centrifugal pump (CP) (Sarns Inc.) or the UTAH 85 VAD pneumatic ventricle (University of Utah). Operative procedure, inflow and outflow cannulae, monitoring, heparinization, were identical in both groups. No transfusion was ever required. The study was terminated after three days and autopsy was performed on the calves. Left ventricular unloading provided by both devices was complete (LVEDP less than 1 mmHg) and identical. LV bypassed flow rate was higher in CP (0.045 L/min/kg) than in UTAH 85 VAD (0.035 L/min/kg) but with no statistical difference. Blood trauma was comparable in the two groups. Daily blood samples did not show any significant changes from baseline values in creatinine, hematocrit, fibrinogen. Platelet loss from initial level was 30%; serum lactate dehydrogenase rose 150% with no significant difference in the two groups; plasma free hemoglobin never reached significant values. At autopsy, thrombotic deposits on cannuale and renal infarction rate were similar. CP housing had to be changed every day, whereas no technical failure was ever observed with the UTAH 85 VAD. Clinical response and blood damage of the two pumps used as LVAD were the same. Considering the CP has to be replaced every 24 h, the cost of three CP's would be comparable to one Utah UVAD-85 if polyurethane tricusp semi-lunar valves are used in the latter. Until the UTAH-85 VAD becomes commercially available, simple valveless low-cost CP are very attractive for short-term mechanical support.

Animals↗

Ischemic heart disease and acute myocardial infarction mortality among police officers.

The relationship between the occupation of police officer and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality was examined through case-control studies using 1968/78 death certificate records from Rhode Island and Utah. IHD was divided into two subcategories--acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and other IHD. In both states, the odds ratio (OR) for AMI was significantly elevated (Rhode Island, OR = 1.3; Utah, OR = 1.8), and was higher than the OR for other IHD (Rhode Island, OR = 1.1; Utah, OR = 1.4). The odds ratio for AMI was higher in the less than 65 yr age group (Rhode Island, OR = 2.1; Utah, OR = 2.1) than in the greater than or equal to 65 yr age group (Rhode Island, OR = 0.9; Utah, OR = 1.6). These results suggest that the elevated risk for IHD among police officers observed in this and other studies is primarily due to an elevated risk for AMI. The pattern of diminishing risk with age suggests a risk factor, possibly stress, the effect of which diminishes when exposure ceases at retirement.

Adult↗

Life-style and death patterns of the Missouri RLDS church members.

Members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (RLDS) are dissuaded from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and hot drinks. A well-balanced diet is also stressed. This study compares the 1972-78 mortality experience of the Missouri RLDS with three other population groups. The findings show Missouri RLDS experiencing age-adjusted death rates which are 22.6 percent lower than rates for Missouri non-RLDs whites; 19.6 per cent lower than the non-RLDS of Independence, Missouri; and 14.4 per cent lower than Utah residents. The RLDS display lower death rates than the two Missouri comparison groups for each of seven selected causes-particularly lung cancer, pneumonia/influenza, and violent deaths. Comparisons between the Missouri RLDS and Utah residents show an inconsistent pattern, with Utah residents having non-significantly lower death rates for lung cancer and ischemic heart disease, but with the Missouri RLDS having significantly lower rates for pneumonia/influenza and violent deaths. These inconsistencies are of interest because 72 per cent of Utah's population belong to the Mormon Church which advocates life-styles similar to the RLDS. If these disparate mortality patterns persist under a more direct comparison between the Missouri RLDS and Utah Mormons, they could provide the opportunity to assess the impact of similar life-styles in separate settings.

Adult↗

Effective thresholds for induction of skeletal malignancies by radionuclides.

Our analysis of data from the beagle project completed at the University of Utah has provided some comparisons that appear to be useful in testing the model proposed by Raabe of effective thresholds for induction of skeletal malignancy by bone-seeking radionuclides in beagles. Raabe's model predicted that cumulative skeletal doses of less than about 0.9 to 1.4 Gy from alpha emitters or 28 to 70 Gy from beta emitters deposited in the skeleton require a long enough time for bone cancer expression that the dog's natural lifespan would be exceeded before the tumor appeared. Results from the Utah beagle project seem to confirm these projections for 226Ra, 228Ra and, perhaps, for 90Sr. The lowest doses at which malignant bone tumors were observed in animals injected with these radium isotopes were about 0.9 Gy (226Ra) and 3 Gy (228Ra). For the beta emitter, 90Sr, the lowest doses at which bone tumors were seen were about 18, 50, and 70 Gy with an expectation for naturally occurring tumor of about one. Twenty-six of the two hundred and thirty-three Utah beagles given monomeric 239Pu that developed skeletal malignancies had doses between 0.02 and 0.51 Gy (80 of these dogs had skeletal doses of less than 0.9 Gy). Three dogs of 54 given 241Am with doses lower than 0.9 Gy had bone tumors at 0.23, 0.56, and 0.88 Gy with the expectation of about one naturally occurring case. For 25 animals injected with 228Th at skeletal doses below 0.9 Gy, one bone tumor dog had a dose of about 0.4 Gy, and the expectation of a dog with natural tumor among the group was only about 0.38. Five beagles of 74 given 224Ra with resulting doses of less than 0.9 Gy died with skeletal malignancy at 0.32 Gy or less with an expectation for non 224Ra induced tumor of about one. It appears that Raabe's proposal might be confirmed for some but not all of the radionuclides used in the Utah studies. Models presented in earlier papers by Raabe provide results that are somewhat different from his recent abstract and compare more favorably with those cited herein for Utah dogs. Re-examination of our data for these analyses has suggested a novel concept for calculation of carcinogenic dose to endosteal bone surfaces.

Americium↗

Spatial variability of in situ microbial activity: biotracer tests.

Biotracer tests have been proposed as a means by which to characterize the in situ biodegradation potential for field-scale systems. In this study, field experiments were conducted at two sites to evaluate the utility of the biotracer method for characterizing the spatial variability of microbial activity. The first site is a mixed waste-contaminated surficial aquifer in Utah, and the second site is a chlorinated solvent-contaminated regional aquifer in Tucson, Arizona. Mass recovery of the biotracer decreased approximately linearly with increasing residence time for the Tucson site. Similar behavior was observed at the Utah site, except in the region adjacent to the injection zone, where percent recoveries were much lower than those predicted using a correlation determined using data collected downgradient of the injection zone. First-order biodegradation rate coefficients obtained from model calibration of the tracer data varied between 0.2 and 0.5/day for the Tucson site. For the Utah site, the values varied between 0.1 and 0.6/day downgradient of the injection wells, and between 0.7 and 2.6/day near the injection wells. Considering the large range over which biodegradation rate coefficients can vary, the rate coefficient exhibited relatively minimal spatial variability (factor of 2.5) for the Tucson site. Conversely, the spatial variability of the rate coefficient was an order of magnitude greater for the Utah site. These differences in variability are consistent with conditions associated with the respective sites. For example, the greater microbial activity observed in the vicinity of the injection wells for the Utah site is consistent with the biomass distribution determined from analysis of core samples, which shows larger bacterial cell densities for the region near the injection wells. These results illustrate the utility of biotracer tests for in situ characterization of microbial activity (e.g., biodegradation potential), including evaluation of potential spatial variability.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Surveillance for certain health behaviors among selected local areas--United States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2002.

PROBLEM: Monitoring risk behaviors for chronic diseases and participation in preventive practices are important for developing effective health education and intervention programs to prevent morbidity and mortality. Therefore, continual monitoring of these behaviors and practices at the state, city, and county levels can assist public health programs in evaluating and monitoring progress toward improving their community's health. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: Data collected in 2002 are presented for states, selected metropolitan, and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSA), and their counties. DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an on-going, state-based, telephone survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged >18 years. All 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico participated in BRFSS during 2002. Metropolitan and MMSA and their counties with >500 respondents or a minimum sample size of 19 per weighting class were included in the analyses for a total of 98 MMSA and 146 counties. RESULTS: Prevalence of high-risk behaviors for chronic diseases, awareness of certain medical conditions, and use of preventive health-care services varied substantially by state, county, and MMSA. Obesity ranged from 27.6% in West Virginia, 29.4% in Charleston, West Virginia, and 32.0% in Florence County, South Carolina, to 16.5% in Colorado, 12.8% in Bethesda-Frederick-Gaithersburg, Maryland, and 11.8% in Washington County, Rhode Island. No leisuretime physical activity ranged from 33.6% in Tennessee, 36.8% in Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, Florida, and 36.8% in Miami-Dade County, Florida to 15.0% in Washington, 13.8% in Seattle-Bellevue-Everett Washington, and 11.4% in King County, Washington. Cigarette smoking ranged from 32.6% in Kentucky, 32.8% in Youngstown-Warren- Boardman, Ohio-Pennsylvania, and 31.1% in Jefferson County, Kentucky to 16.4% in California, 13.8% in Ogden- Clearfield, Utah, and 10.9% in Davis County, Utah. Binge drinking ranged from 24.9% in Wisconsin, 26.1% in Fargo, North Dakota-Minnesota, and 25.1% Cass County, North Dakota, to 7.9% in Kentucky, 8.2% in Greensboro- High Point, North Carolina, and 6.6% in Henderson County, North Carolina. At risk for heavy drinking ranged from 8.7% in Arizona, 9.5% in Lebanon, New Hampshire-Vermont, and 11.3% in Richland County, South Carolina, to 2.8% in Utah, 1.9% in Ogden-Clearfield, Utah, and 1.7% in King County, New York. Adults who were told they had diabetes ranged from 10.2% in West Virginia, 11.1% in Charleston, West Virginia, and 11.1% in Richland, South Carolina, to 3.5% in Alaska, 2.7% in Anchorage, Alaska, and 2.4% in Weber County, Utah. Percentage of adults aged>50 years who were ever screened for colorectal cancer ranged from 64.8% in Minnesota, 67.9% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 73.6% in Ramsey County, Minnesota, to 39.2% in Hawaii, 30.7% in Kahului-Wailuku, Hawaii, and 30.7% in Maui County, Hawaii. Persons aged >65 years who had received pneumococcal vaccine ranged from 72.5% in North Dakota, 74.8% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 73.1% in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, to 47.9% in DC, 47.5% in New York-Wayne-White Plains, New York, New Jersey, and 47.9% in DC County, DC. Older adults who had received influenza vaccine ranged from 76.6% in Minnesota, 80.0% in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin, and 76.3% in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, to 57.0% in Florida, 55.8% in Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, Texas, and 56.2% in Cook County, Illinois. INTERPRETATION: BRFSS data indicate substantial variation in high-risk behaviors, participation in preventive healthcare services, and screening among U.S. adults at states and selected local areas, indicating a need for continued efforts to evaluate public health programs or policies designed to reduce morbidity and mortality. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS: Data from BRFSS are useful in developing and guiding public health programs and policies. Therefore, states, selected MMSA, and their counties can use BRFSS data as a tool to prevent premature morbidity and mortality among adult population and to assess progress toward national health objectives. The data indicate a continued need to develop and implement health promotion programs for targeting specific behaviors and practices and serve as a baseline for future surveillance at the local level in the United States.

Adult↗

Religious preference, church activity, and physical exercise.

BACKGROUND: Utah has the highest percentage of physically active adults in the United States. It also has a high percentage of religiously active people. About 90% of the adult population has a religious preference and 62% of those individuals attend church weekly. This study evaluates the relationship between religious preference, church attendance, and physical activity. METHODS: Analysis is based on 6,188 adult respondents ages 18 years and older to a cross-sectional random telephone survey involving 12 health districts in the state of Utah from June 1 to August 31, 1996. RESULTS: Within religious groups, those attending church weekly were more likely to exercise than individuals attending church less than weekly. About 70% of Utah consists of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). LDS attending church less than weekly were least physically active in Utah. The percentages of those exercising vigorously at least 20 min three times per week were 52.3% (LDS who attend church weekly), 44.5% (LDS who attend church less than weekly), 57.6% (non-LDS who attend church weekly), 54.3% (non-LDS who attend church less than weekly), and 53.1% (no religious preference) (P = 0.0070). When adjustment was made for age, smoking status, education, marital status, and general health, differences in exercise between church activity levels within religious groups became insignificant. Smoking and general health have the greatest influences on the relationship between religious preference, church attendance, and exercise. LDS were significantly less physically active than non-LDS in the adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: Although differential smoking levels and general health status explained differences between church activity levels within religious groups, lower levels of exercise among LDS versus non-LDS could not be explained and require further study.

Adolescent↗

What we know about offenders who drive under the influence: analysis of court case file reviews.

This paper presents findings from a quantitative study about alcohol-impaired drivers in Utah. The University of Utah's Social Research Institute conducted a retrospective case file evaluation about the adjudication and sanctioning phases associated with driving under the influence (DUI) to determine Utah's response to DUI crime from arrest forward. Although Utah driver's license and court systems are on the cutting edge of dealing with DUI offenders, we found a variety of limitations for analysis due to data collection and entry. Therefore, it is difficult to develop a thorough understanding about the process of dealing with DUI offenders and the effectiveness of court actions and treatments. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations about how to ensure more accurate data collection about impaired drivers.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Impact of the LDS church's health doctrine on deaths from diseases and conditions associated with cigarette smoking.

PURPOSE: This study provides a quantitative assessment of the impact the LDS Church's health doctrine has on deaths and years of potential life lost (YPLL) from diseases and conditions associated with cigarette smoking in Utah. METHODS: Pooled estimates of relative risk from review articles and meta-analyses in combination with 1996 Utah smoking prevalence data were used to calculate smoking-attributed etiologic fractions, deaths, and YPLL. RESULTS: Numbers of deaths attributed to smoking between 1994 and 1998 in Utah are 1730 for LDS men, 721 for LDS women, 1739 for non-LDS men, and 1138 for non-LDS women. Corresponding annual crude death rates attributed to smoking (per 100,000) are 46.5, 18.9, 133.9, and 90.1. YPLL due to smoking for the study period are 22,338 for LDS men, 9205 for LDS women, 21,771 for non-LDS men, and 13,168 for non-LDS women. Corresponding YPLL crude rates are 600.6, 241.2, 1676.7, and 1043.3. If smoking-attributed death and YPLL rates for non-LDS matched LDS, there would be 1135 fewer deaths for men and 899 fewer deaths for women, and 13,973 fewer years of life lost for men and 10,124 fewer YPLL for women between 1994 and 1998 in Utah. CONCLUSIONS: The LDS Church's health doctrine concerning tobacco goes beyond health risk information and social and financial considerations to include a religious dimension. Consequently, LDS experience a comparatively low burden of death and YPLL attributed to smoking.

Adolescent↗

Ultrastructural study of iron oxide precipitates: implications for the search for biosignatures in the Meridiani hematite concretions, Mars.

Two terrestrial environments that have been proposed as analogs for the iron oxide precipitation in the Meridiani Planum region of Mars include the Rio Tinto precipitates and southern Utah marble concretions. Samples of two typical Utah iron oxide concretions and iron oxide precipitates in contact with biofilms from Rio Tinto have been studied to determine whether evidence could be found for biomediation in the precipitation process and to identify likely locations for fossil microorganisms. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to search for biosignatures in the Utah marbles. The precipitation of iron oxides resembles known biosignatures, though organic compounds could not be confirmed with GC-MS analysis. In contrast, textural variations induced by biological activity are abundant in the modern Rio Tinto samples. Although no compelling evidence of direct or indirect biomediation was found in the Utah marbles, the ultrastructure of the iron oxide cement in the concretion suggests an inward growth during concretion precipitation from an initially spherical redox front. No indication for growth from a physical nucleus was found.

Chemical Precipitation↗