Self-reported comorbidities among self-described overweight African-American and Hispanic adults in the United States: results of a national survey

Objective: To examine the concordance between self‐described weight status and BMI, the prevalence of self‐reported comorbidities, and the association between comorbidities and self‐rated health among overweight African‐American and Hispanic US adults. Methods and Procedures: A nationally representative sample of 537 African‐American and 526 Hispanic adults who were identified using a combination of random digit dialing and listed household sampling and self‐described as being slightly or very overweight participated in a telephone interview. Self‐reported height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Results: More than half of African Americans (56%) and one‐third of Hispanics (34%) who self‐described as “slightly” overweight would be classified as obese based on BMI. One‐third (33%) of African Americans reported high blood pressure, followed by arthritis (20%), high cholesterol (18%), and diabetes (15%). Among Hispanics, high cholesterol was the most frequently reported comorbidity (17%), followed by high blood pressure (15%), and difficulty sleeping (12%). Almost three‐quarters of African Americans surveyed (72%) reported that their overall health was good to excellent compared to 62% for Hispanics. Discussion: Self‐reported rates of obesity‐related comorbidities fall below what would be expected based on prevalence data derived from physiologic measures, suggesting a lack of awareness of actual risk. Despite the greater self‐reported prevalence of certain risk factors for poor health, African Americans have a more optimistic view of their overall health and weight status compared to Hispanics. Physicians have an important opportunity to communicate to their minority patients the serious health consequences associated with excess weight.     

An alternate hypothesis to explain the high frequency of "revertants" in hothead mutants in Arabidopsis

Lolle et al. reported a high frequency of genomic changes in ARABIDOPSIS plants carrying the hothead mutation and proposed that the changes observed were the result of a gene correction system mediated by a hypothetical RNA cache. Here, we propose a very different hypothesis to explain the data reported by Lolle et al. Our hypothesis is based on a relatively straightforward developmental aberration in which maternal cells ("Legacy cells") fuse with the developing embryo, resulting in a chimera, which could then give rise to the aberrant genetic segregations reported by Lolle et al.     

The effect of stressful life events on EMG biofeedback and relaxation training in the treatment of anxiety

The present study evaluated the effect of frontal EMG biofeedback and relaxation training on a group of 20 anxious patients experiencing stressful life events. The patients were divided into two groups, high and low in stress, based on their life change score on the Recent Life Changes Questionnaire. Patients were evaluated at pre, post, and 6-week follow-up. Treatment consisted of 10 sessions of biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Results indicated that the high stress group showed pre to post changes on anxiety, depression, symptoms, and EMG, while low stress showed no change. Post to follow-up comparisons showed maintenance of improvement for the high stress group and no change for low stress. From pre to follow-up assessment, the high stress group showed significant changes. Both groups reported internal attributions following biofeedback and relaxation training. The high stress group attributed their improvement to the belief they were in control of their minds and bodies, while the low stress group most frequently reported the effort put into the task. The results indicate support for a cognitive explanation for some of biofeedback's effects.     

In vivo and in vitro CO2 titration curves in the rabbit: adaptation to hypercapnic conditions

Arterial blood acid-base status of unanesthetized, unrestrained rabbits was studied during 6-12 hr of exposure to 7, 10 and 14.5% CO2. Most of the changes in blood acid-base status occurred during the first 20-60 min of exposure to hypercapnia and only minor changes occurred during the remaining exposure period (up to 12 hr). Blood buffer values obtained were not different from those reported for other terrestrial mammals. The whole body buffer values obtained here for the rabbit (0.58 nM H+/mmHg PCO2) is higher than that reported previously for man and dog. This relatively high whole body buffer value complies well with the high tolerance to CO2 reported for the rabbit.     

Comparison of self-reported and measured BMI as correlates of disease markers in US adults

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of BMI based on self‐reported data by comparison with technician‐measured BMI and biomarkers of adiposity. Research Methods and Procedures: We analyzed data from 10,639 National Health and Nutrition Education Study III participants ≥20 years of age to compare BMI calculated from self‐reported weight and height with BMI from technician‐measured values and body fatness estimated from bioelectrical impedance analysis in relation to systolic blood pressure, fasting blood levels of glucose, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, triglycerides, C‐reactive protein, and leptin. Results: BMI based on self‐reported data (25.07 kg/m²) was lower than BMI based on technician measurements (25.52 kg/m²) because of underreporting weight (?0.56 kg; 95% confidence interval, ?0.71, ?0.41) and overreporting height (0.76 cm; 95% confidence interval, 0.64, 0.88). However, the correlations between self‐reported and measured BMI values were very high (0.95 for whites, 0.93 for blacks, and 0.90 for Mexican Americans). In terms of biomarkers, self‐reported and measured BMI values were equally correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.43), high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (r = ?0.53), and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.54). Similar correlations were observed for both measures of BMI with plasma concentrations of triglycerides and leptin. These correlations did not differ appreciably by age, sex, ethnicity, or obesity status. Correlations for percentage body fat estimated through bioelectrical impedance analysis with these biomarkers were similar to those for BMI. Discussion: The accuracy of self‐reported BMI is sufficient for epidemiological studies using disease biomarkers, although inappropriate for precise measures of obesity prevalence.     

Seasonal and annual variability in the quality of important forage plants on Banks Island,Canadian High Arctic

Abstract. In vitro acid‐pepsin digestibility (IVDMD), crude protein (CP), fibre, lignin, and energy content were measured for a variety of forage plants collected annually from Banks Island over five summers and three winters from 1993–1998. Summer samples were collected during mid‐June (start of growing season), mid‐July (peak of growing season), and mid‐late August (senescence). Winter samples were collected in early (November), mid‐ (February), and late‐ (April/May) winter. Samples, collected in areas of both high and low muskox density, included Carex aquatilis, unidentified Carex, Salixarctica, Dryasintegrifolia, Cassiope tetragona, Saxifraga spp., Astragalus spp., Oxytropis spp., lichen, and grass. Seasonal dynamics in forage quality during the growing season were similar to those reported elsewhere in the arctic and high arctic and were consistent across years. However, there were significant year effects in lignin, fibre, and energy content of forages and the crude protein (CP) content of C. aquatilis in winter, indicating annual differences in the quality of forage available to herbivores. The quality of forages on Banks Island was similar between areas subjected to different densities of muskox (ca. 1.6–1.9 versus 0.3 ‐ 0.4/km²) implying that quality was not affected by these grazing intensities. The Banks Island high arctic ecosystem supports an abundance of herbivores. It has been hypothesized that this is because forage quality and/or quantity are superior on Banks Island than elsewhere in the high arctic. Our results regarding forage quality are equivocal. Although the maximum CP content of forages from Banks Island was generally higher than reported elsewhere in the arctic and high arctic, CP content reported elsewhere fell within the interannual range reported from Banks Island. Fibre and energy content of forages from Banks Island were similar to slightly lower than elsewhere in the arctic and high arctic. Such comparisons must be considered in light of the interannual variability in quality we report.     

Age Distribution of Naturally Occurring Acute Babesiosis in Cattle in Sweden

The age distribution of clinical cases of babesiosis reported by local veterinary practitioners was investigated in 1976 and 1981. The first study was based on material collected primarily for identifying the Babesia species, the second on computerized reports from a part of one county in Sweden. The results were similar. Most diseased animals, 135/165 (82%) and 145/161 (90%) respectively, were more than 2.5 years old (cows), while 27/165 (169b) and 12/161 (8%) respectively, were 1–2.5 years old and only 3–4 (2–3%) animals were calves less than 1 year old. This age group, however, probably did not meet the same infection risk as did older animals. Among cows (>2.5 years old) there seemed to be no influence of age on the distribution of clinical babesiosis. Calculation based upon the entire animal population of the county investigated in 1981 revealed that clinical babesiosis was reported about 11 times more often among cows than among heifers and steers. The comparatively high resistance among 1–2.5 year–old cattle may be a function of an inverse age resistance, and/or may be influenced by vaccination against babesiosis on »high risk« farms in Sweden and a lower risk of infection on other farms such that animals tend to escape infection prior to adultness. Babesia organisms were found in 156 of 165 cases (95%) reported as clinical babesiosis.     

Diversity and Geographical Distribution of Phytoplasmas infecting China-tree in Argentina

Yellows diseases associated with phytoplasmas cause high mortality in China‐tree (Melia azedarach) in Argentina, but there has been no previous large‐scale survey to determine their diversity and geographical distribution. To assess the presence and identity of phytoplasmas affecting this species throughout the country, 425 samples of symptomatic trees collected at different geographic locations were analysed by a polymerase chain reaction (using universal and group‐specific primers) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Phytoplasmas belonging to 16SrIII‐B group were detected at almost every location sampled, whereas 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasmas, reported for the first time in Argentina, were only found in two regions sharing similar agro‐ecological characteristics (Northeast provinces and Tucumán). Double infections with 16SrIII‐B and 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasmas were also recorded. Nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rDNA of three Argentinian 16SrXIII‐C group phytoplasma isolates revealed high identity (99.6–99.3%) with the CbY1 isolate reported from Bolivia.     

A Survey of Diabetes Prevalence in Zoo‐housed Primates

In humans, type II diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the pancreas is capable of producing insulin but cells do not appropriately respond to insulin with an uptake of glucose. While multiple factors are associated with type II diabetes in humans, a high calorie diet and limited exercise are significant risk factors for the development of this disease. Zoo primates, with relatively high caloric density diets and sedentary lifestyles, may experience similar conditions that could predispose them to the development of diabetes. We surveyed all Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facilities with primates in their collections to determine the prevalence of diabetes, diagnosis and treatment methods, and treatment outcomes. Nearly 30% of responding institutions reported at least one diabetic primate in their current collection. Although the majority of reported cases were in Old World Monkeys (51%), all major taxonomic groups were represented. Females represented nearly 80% of the diagnosed cases. A wide variety of diagnosing, monitoring, and treatment techniques were reported. It is clear from these results diabetes should be considered prominently in decisions relating to diet, weight and activity levels in zoo‐housed primates, as well as discussions surrounding animal health and welfare. Zoo Biol. 32:63‐69, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Piroplasmids of livestock in Tunisia

Several species of piroplasms of livestock are present in Tunisia; some of them are of high veterinary importance. This paper reviews the species already reported in Tunisia on the basis of clinical observations, parasitological routine diagnostic and serological surveys, as well as those considered as potentially present according to epidemiological argumentations. The genus Theileria includes four species reported in Tunisia: T. annulata, T. buffeli, T. ovis, and T. equi. The ovine malignant theileriosis agent, T. lestoquardi, appears to be absent in Tunisia. Five species belonging to the genus Babesia were reported in the country, namely B. hovis, B. bigemina, B. divergens, B. caballi, and B. ovis. Furthermore, two more species, B. major and B. motasi, are potentially present in zones where their vectors of the genus Haemaphysalis occur.     

Colonization of Hawaiian reef corals on new and denuded substrata in the vicinity of a Hawaiian power station

The colonization and growth of reef corals settling on new substrata (concrete and basalt) and on a denuded coral reef were studied over a seven-year period. The study area is in the vicinity of an outfall discharging thermal effluent from a Hawaiian power station, and both numbers and coverage of settled corals were found to increase exponentially with proximity to the outfall's discharge. Recruitment rates adjacent to the outfall were at least ten times greater than values previously reported for open ocean areas in Hawaii, and the estimated time for recovery of the coral community near the outfall was comparable to the most rapid that has been reported worldwide. By contrast, coral recruitment and recovery more distant from the outfall compared well with slower rates reported for other areas in Hawaii. Entrainment of coral planulae in water discharged into the area by the outfall is proposed to be the principal mechanism promoting the high coral colonization.     

Prevalence of minor musculoskeletal anomalies in children with congenital hypothyroidism

In the last decade a high frequency of extrathyroidal congenital anomalies has been reported in infants with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) detected by neonatal screening. In the present study the occurrence of additional congenital malformations (CM) in a cohort of children with confirmed primary CH due to thyroid dysgenesis was investigated. A high prevalence of extrathyroidal major congenital anomalies (15.9%), more than 5-fold higher than that reported in the Egyptian population (2.7%), was found. The cardiac and musculoskeletal systems were the most commonly involved, comprising 9.09 and 47.72% of all anomalies, respectively. The high prevalence of musculoskeletal anomalies in this study was mostly due to minor anomalies as brachydactyly and digitalization of thumbs. The type of dysgenesis (i.e. aplastic, ectopic or hypoplastic) as well as the severity of hypothyroidism, as assessed by TSH and T(4) levels at diagnosis, had no relation with the occurrence of extrathyroidal abnormalities.     

The stress-moderating effects of weeping and humor

The moderating effects of emotional weeping and humor on the impact of negative life events were examined. Subjects who reported weeping frequently showed more mood disturbance at high levels of negative events and less to low levels of negative events than those who reported less frequent weeping. Humor-coping buffered stress in all groups except for males who reported frequent crying.     

Epidemiologic features of Lyme disease in New York

During 1982, surveillance identified 207 cases of Lyme disease in New York State. Cases were clustered in two geographic areas, eastern Long Island and northern Westchester counties. Symptoms and signs of Lyme disease in cases were consistent with previous reports, with erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) being the most frequently (77 percent) reported sign of disease. Facial palsy was reported in a surprisingly high 18 percent of cases. Of 160 cases whose sera were submitted for Lyme spirochete specific IgG antibody testing, 112 (70 percent) had titers greater than or equal to 64, while 88 (55 percent) had titers greater than or equal to 128. Positive titers were not associated with any single sign or symptom of disease, but were significantly associated with symptom onset or tick bite occurring during the three-month period of June, July, and August. We conclude that the incidence of Lyme disease in New York is much higher than previously recognized. In addition, our data suggest that a serologic test for Lyme-spirochete IgG antibody lacks sensitivity, but can be useful in confirming the diagnosis of Lyme disease when antibody titers are high.     

Genetic polymorphism of six plasma proteins in the domestic cat

Phenotypes of cat plasma apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4), antithrombin 3 (AT3), alpha 1B-glycoprotein (A1BG), transferrin (TF), vitamin D-binding protein (GC), and an unidentified pretransferrin (PTF) were determined by using simple methods of horizontal, nondenaturing gel electrophoresis followed by protein staining. The cat proteins were identified by immunoblotting using antisera for human plasma proteins. Three alleles were reported for each of TF and PTF, and two alleles were reported for each of GC, APOA4, AT3, and A1BG. The mongrels and Persians showed a high degree of polymorphism at most of the loci whereas the Birmans exhibited much less variation. Genetic evidence indicating the occurrence of a monomeric and a dimeric form of APOA4 in cat plasma was reported.     

Histochemical specificity of cholinesterases to phenylthioacetate in differentiated neural tissues of insects and teleosts

Housefly brain cholinesterase was histochemically demonstrated to hydrolyse phenylthioacetate at a very high rate, similar in distribution to that previously reported for acetylthiocholine. However, teleost neural retina cholinesterase would not hydrolyse the aromatic substrate, but the enzyme did cleave acetylthiocholine. Paraoxon and eserine were utilized to show selective patterns of inhibition in the two tissues. This high degree of substrate selectivity is discussed in conjunction with the possible development of selective insecticides.     

Home accidents in older people: role of primary health care team.

OBJECTIVES--To determine the incidence and nature of unreported and reported home accidents in older people and to investigate associated environmental factors. DESIGN--Postal questionnaire requesting information on home accidents in the preceding month. SETTING--Inner London general practice. SUBJECTS--All registered patients aged over 65 years (n = 1662), of whom 120 were inappropriately registered and 1293 responded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Circumstances and consequences of accidents in the home. RESULTS--108 accidents were recorded in 100 patients, giving a home accident rate of 84/1000 patients, equivalent to an annual rate of 1002/1000. 73 accidents were falls, and 83 were unreported. Of the 25 reported accidents, 19 were reported to general practice and six to accident and emergency departments (5.6% of all events). Rates of home accidents increased with age and were higher in women than men (79/819 upsilon 29/474; chi 2 = 4.5, df = 1, p less than 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--The incidence of home accidents in people aged over 65 years was high but few events were reported to medical services. General practice provided the main contact for patients who reported home accidents, and primary care workers have important opportunities for advising elderly patients on home accident prevention. Improved publicity on home safety targeted at older people and their carers would support the primary health care team in this role.     

A comparison of interfertility and in vitro DNA-DNA reassociation as criteria for speciation in the genus Kluyveromyces

Hybridization studies based on the use of the prototrophic selection technique were undertaken to compare interfertility and DNA-DNA reassociation as criteria for speciation purposes in the yeast genus Kluyveromyces. Degrees of DNA-DNA reassociation > 70% between strains as reported in the literature, were found to correlate with high recombination frequencies. Degrees of DNA-DNA reassociation < 20% between strains did however, not invariably coincide with the absence of interfertility between strains. If interfertility is accepted as criterion for conspecificity, the hitherto reported low degrees ( < 20%) of DNA-DNA reassociation in Kluyveromyces cannot confidently be employed for speciation purposes.     

上海外来植物及其入侵等级划分

汇总分析了上海外来植物75科232属357种(和种下类群)基础资料,并对其入侵危害进行等级划分;其中入侵植物64种,一般或偶见外来植物293种;报道了9种上海新纪录逸生植物。上海外来植物总体呈现种类繁多、国产种类较多、分布密度大、严重危害种类较多且分布广、入侵途径集中等特征。同时对上海外来入侵植物的管理与防治提出具体措施。