A demographic decomposition of elderly living arrangements with a Mexican example

Population trends in developing countries raise concern about support for the elderly. The proportion of elderly living with extended kin is an indicator of support. This paper considers the analytic utility of a demographic decomposition of living arrangements of elderly Mexicans into population components which include weights for age and marital composition and corresponding rates or propensities. Separate decompositions for elderly males and females demonstrate the importance of population composition to the makeup of the elderly population who are living with extended kin. The utility of the decomposition for comparative analysis is demonstrated by decomposing gender differences in living arrangements. The higher proportion of women living with extended kin is primarily the result of gender differences in age-specific marital status and only secondarily the results of actual differences in propensities toward this type of living arrangement. The utility and limitations of this analytic tool for comparative research are discussed.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42990/1/10823_2004_Article_BF00116824.pd

Genetic analyses identify GSDMB associated with asthma severity, exacerbations, and antiviral pathways

Background The Chr17q12-21.2 region is the strongest and most consistently associated region with asthma susceptibility. The functional genes or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are not obvious due to linkage disequilibrium. Objectives We sought to comprehensively investigate whole-genome sequence and RNA sequence from human bronchial epithelial cells to dissect functional genes/SNPs for asthma severity in the Severe Asthma Research Program. Methods Expression quantitative trait loci analysis (n = 114), correlation analysis (n = 156) of gene expression and asthma phenotypes, and pathway analysis were performed in bronchial epithelial cells and replicated. Genetic association for asthma severity (426 severe vs 531 nonsevere asthma) and longitudinal asthma exacerbations (n = 273) was performed. Results Multiple SNPs in gasdermin B (GSDMB) associated with asthma severity (odds ratio, >1.25) and longitudinal asthma exacerbations (P < .05). Expression quantitative trait loci analyses identified multiple SNPs associated with expression levels of post-GPI attachment to proteins 3, GSDMB, or gasdermin A (3.1 × 10−9 < P < 1.8 × 10−4). Higher expression levels of GSDMB correlated with asthma and greater number of exacerbations (P < .05). Expression levels of GSDMB correlated with genes involved in IFN signaling, MHC class I antigen presentation, and immune system pathways (false-discovery rate–adjusted P < .05). rs1031458 and rs3902920 in GSDMB colocalized with IFN regulatory factor binding sites and associated with GSDMB expression, asthma severity, and asthma exacerbations (P < .05). Conclusions By using a unique set of gene expression data from lung cells obtained using bronchoscopy from comprehensively characterized subjects with asthma, we show that SNPs in GSDMB associated with asthma severity, exacerbations, and GSDMB expression levels. Furthermore, its expression levels correlated with asthma exacerbations and antiviral pathways. Thus, GSDMB is a functional gene for both asthma susceptibility and severity

Comparison of serum, EDTA plasma and P100 plasma for luminex-based biomarker multiplex assays in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the SPIROMICS study

Background: As a part of the longitudinal Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) study, Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in COPD study (SPIROMICS), blood samples are being collected from 3200 subjects with the goal of identifying blood biomarkers for sub-phenotyping patients and predicting disease progression. To determine the most reliable sample type for measuring specific blood analytes in the cohort, a pilot study was performed from a subset of 24 subjects comparing serum, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma, and EDTA plasma with proteinase inhibitors (P100™). Methods: 105 analytes, chosen for potential relevance to COPD, arranged in 12 multiplex and one simplex platform (Myriad-RBM) were evaluated in duplicate from the three sample types from 24 subjects. The reliability coefficient and the coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated. The performance of each analyte and mean analyte levels were evaluated across sample types. Results: 20% of analytes were not consistently detectable in any sample type. Higher reliability and/or smaller CV were determined for 12 analytes in EDTA plasma compared to serum, and for 11 analytes in serum compared to EDTA plasma. While reliability measures were similar for EDTA plasma and P100 plasma for a majority of analytes, CV was modestly increased in P100 plasma for eight analytes. Each analyte within a multiplex produced independent measurement characteristics, complicating selection of sample type for individual multiplexes. Conclusions: There were notable detectability and measurability differences between serum and plasma. Multiplexing may not be ideal if large reliability differences exist across analytes measured within the multiplex, especially if values differ based on sample type. For some analytes, the large CV should be considered during experimental design, and the use of duplicate and/or triplicate samples may be necessary. These results should prove useful for studies evaluating selection of samples for evaluation of potential blood biomarkers. Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD SPIROMICS Biomarkers Blood analytes Multiplex assays P100 plasma Serum EDTA plasma Pilot stud

Health and mortality of migrant farm children

This research examines preventive medical care, morbidity and mortality among children of migrant agricultural workers using a representative sample of migrant families in Wisconsin. Our findings support the view that this group is at substantially greater risk of health problems and early mortality than the general population. Fewer than half of migrant children under age 16 recieved the recommended annual physical checkup. Only one-third of migrant children under age 16 had recieved an annual dental checkup compared to 50% of children in the total population. A rough comparison between levels of chronic health conditions for migrant children and those reported for children in a national survey suggest that the incidence of chronic conditions is several times greater among migrant children. Childhood mortality appears to be 1.6 times higher than in the U.S. population. In analyzing variation in preventive care for migrant children, younger children are more likely to recieve checkups, while older children are more likely to recieve immunizations. In interpreting this finding, we suggest distinguishing between two types of preventive care: one under the direct control of the family, and the other controlled by the schools. Since immunizations are given to migrant children in schools, the older or school-age children are more likely to be immunized. In assessing reports of chronic conditions, we noted that mothers who spoke English were more likely to report that a child had a chronic condition. One possible interpretations is that women who do not speak English may not label various childhood conditions as chronic illnesses. Since a large proportion of women spoke only Spanish, the chronic conditions may be substantially under-reported among migrant children. The analysis of childhood mortality shows the level of mortality to be proportionally lower among women who spoke English, and higher among those who gave birth to a low birth weight child. But surprisingly, the most important characteristics related to loss of children was whether or not a mother smoked. Using smoking as one example of high risk behavior, we suggest that future studies should give closer attention to the impact of parental risk-taking behaviors on childhood morbidity and mortality experiences.migrants and health childhood mortality

A comparison of trichotillomania and obsessive-compulsive disorder

The validity of conceptualizing trichotillomania (TCM) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as separate and distinct diagnoses was examined in a study of 20 patients with each disorder. A comparison of demographic, psychometric, and clinical features between the two groups revealed a number of statistically significant differences. Patients meeting the criteria for OCD scored higher on measures of psychiatric symptomatology including ratings of obsessions and compulsions, depression, interpersonal sensitivity, general anxiety, phobic anxiety, and psychoticism. Patients meeting the criteria for TCM reported an earlier age at onset than those with OCD. Stressors associated with onset were also significantly different between groups. These results support the validity of conceptualizing TCM and OCD as differing behavioral disorders.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44790/1/10862_2005_Article_BF02229301.pd

Ruapehu and Tongariro stratovolcanoes: a review of current understanding

Ruapehu (150 km3 cone, 150 km3 ring-plain) and Tongariro (90 km3 cone, 60 km3 ring-plain) are iconic stratovolcanoes, formed since ∼230 and ∼350 ka, respectively, in the southern Taupo Volcanic Zone and Taupo Rift. These volcanoes rest on Mesozoic metasedimentary basement with local intervening Miocene sediments. Both volcanoes have complex growth histories, closely linked to the presence or absence of glacial ice that controlled the distribution and preservation of lavas. Ruapehu cone-building vents are focused into a short NNE-separated pair, whereas Tongariro vents are more widely distributed along that trend, the differences reflecting local rifting rates and faulting intensities. Both volcanoes have erupted basaltic andesite to dacite (53–66 wt.% silica), but mostly plagioclase-two pyroxene andesites from storage zones at 5–10 km depth. Erupted compositions contain evidence for magma mixing and interaction with basement rocks. Each volcano has an independent magmatic system and a growth history related to long-term (>104 years) cycles of mantle-derived magma supply, unrelated to glacial/interglacial cycles. Historic eruptions at both volcanoes are compositionally diverse, reflecting small, dispersed magma sources. Both volcanoes often show signs of volcanic unrest and have erupted with a wide range of styles and associated hazards, most recently in 2007 (Ruapehu) and 2012 (Tongariro)

Methodology of a numerical chain model for x-ray radiography

The chain model for x-ray flash radiography (Ref. 1) developed at Los Alamos is an integrated simulation capability consisting of linked codes for the various physical processes that model an en$= radiographic event. Two new features have been added to the computational chaiwmodel: (1) a link between accelerator and particle-in-cell codes, enabling accelerated electrons to be injected into a 2-D, relativistic, fully electromagnetic particle-in-cell (PIC) code and propagated to a bremsstrahlung converter target, and (2) a distribution-functio'n capability to create electron sources from PIC simulations for use in Monte Carlo electroxdphoton transport calculations to produce synthetic radiographs. Physical variables of electrons from PIC calculations are binned to produce distribution functions, which can be randomly sampled to obtain source particles for Monte Carlo transport calculations through a bremsstrahlung converter target. Several methods of binning have been used to construct both correlated and uncorrelated distributions. We will present end-to-end simulations of the radiographic process in order to compare synthetic radiographs produced using several electron distribution functions and analoglike links. In addition, we studied the effects of different electron distributions on photon spectra, doses, and spot sizes produced from a converter target. Advantages and disadvantages of the different techniques will be discussed, and applications of the chain model will be presented