The prevalence and 3-year incidence of dementia in older Black and White community residents

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and 3-year incidence of dementia in Blacks and Whites age 65 and older in a five-county Piedmont area of North Carolina. DESIGN: Stratified random sample of members of the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) (baseline n = 4,136; 55% Black; weighted n = 28,000). Prevalence study members were differentially selected on the basis of score on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire at the second in-person Duke EPESE wave. Incidence study members included all persons with obvious cognitive decline over a 3-year period, and a 10% sample of the remainder. MEASUREMENTS: Self- and informant report on health history, functional status, and memory. Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Neuropsychology Battery administered to all subjects, and CERAD Clinical Battery to those with impaired memory. Clinical consensus to determine presence and type of dementia. RESULTS: Prevalence of dementia for persons > or =68 years old was 0.070 (95% confidence interval = 0.021-0.119) for Blacks and 0.072 (0.022-0.122) for Whites. Rates for Black men (0.078, 0.001-0.155) exceeded those for Black women (0.066, 0.003-0.129), but gender rates for Whites were reversed (men: 0.044, 0.000-0.103), (women: 0.087, 0.015-0.160). Neither race nor gender differences were significant. Prevalence of dementia increased through age 84 and tapered off thereafter. Three-year incidence of dementia was 0.058 (0.026-0.090) for Blacks and 0.062 (0.027-0.097) for Whites. Neither race nor gender differences were significant. Incidence increased through age 84, but moderated thereafter for all but Black men. The proportional representation of different types of dementia varied little by race. CONCLUSION: Prevalence, 3-year incidence, and types of dementia are comparable in Black and White elderly in the Piedmont area of North Carolina.     

Trends in colorectal cancer incidence and histologic findings in Maori and Polynesian residents of New Zealand

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to combine an epidemiologic survey of colorectal cancer among Maori, Polynesian, and white inhabitants of New Zealand with a detailed analysis of tumor subsite and histopathology. METHODS: Data were obtained from the New Zealand National Cancer Registry and included all registrants from 1970 to 1984. Sections of histologic specimens of colorectal cancer of Maori and non-Maori were retrieved from three Auckland hospitals. RESULTS: The annual age-adjusted incidence rates of large intestinal cancer among male and female Maoris and male and female Polynesians were 40%, 40%, 39%, and 29%, respectively, of the total population incidence. Time-trend analysis showed the incidence of large intestinal cancer to be increasing among all racial groups. The relative proportion of rectal cancers was higher in male and female Maoris and female Polynesians than in the general population, whereas male Polynesians had a relatively high proportion of right colonic cancers. High-grade carcinoma and mucinous carcinoma occurred more frequently in young individuals regardless of race. Carcinomas were diagnosed at a more advanced stage in Maoris. CONCLUSION: Given the similar environmental characteristics of the three racial groups, the findings indicate the presence of powerful protective factors in Maoris and Polynesians. These could be constitutional or mediated by unrecognized dietary constituents.     

The impact of treatment of eye disease on optometric practice in Missouri

In an attempt to validate the use of topographical mapping of EEG as a method of localising cerebral function, EEG was recorded during a simple motor task. A minimum of 20 sec artifact-free EEG was recorded from 24 healthy right handed subjects in each of 4 conditions: eyes open 1, motor task (left/right, order randomized), eyes open 2. EEG amplitude maps were computed in delta, theta, alpha, and beta (1 and 2). Differences were seen between the eyes open and the motor conditions in alpha, beta 1 and beta 2 localised to the motor and supplementary motor areas. It is argued that topographical mapping of EEG is a valid method of localising cognitive function in healthy individuals for the Luria task.     

Consumption of fruits and vegetables in Missouri

High consumption of fruits and vegetables has been linked with a reduced risk of several important chronic diseases. The authors utilized telephone survey techniques to assess the level of fruit and vegetable consumption among adult Missouri residents. Only 28% of respondents reported consumption of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Older females had the highest rate of consuming five servings per day, while young males had the lowest rate. These findings, in conjunction with national data, show the need for increasing emphasis on the "5 A Day" campaign.     

The health of northern residents

OBJECTIVES: This article examines differences in health status and health determinants between residents of the North (Yukon and Northwest Territories) and of the provinces, and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal territorial residents. The use of health services and medications is also analyzed. DATA SOURCE: The data are from the 1994/95 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), both the territorial and provincial components. The population analyzed consists of household residents aged 12 and older. MAIN RESULTS: Compared with non-Aboriginal Northerners, Aboriginal people in the territories more frequently rated their health poorly. However, they reported fewer injuries and diagnosed chronic conditions. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was lower among Aboriginal people, while the proportion of smokers was substantially higher. A lower proportion of Aboriginal territorial residents had consulted a general practitioner in the previous year, and a higher proportion had consulted a nurse. Aboriginal people also had a low rate of medication use.     

The heartmate left ventricular assist system: first successful implantation in Missouri

To better care for patients with chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease, the National Kidney Foundation has published a set of Clinical Guidelines, the Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative, based on current available evidence and, where such evidence is lacking, the expert opinions of current leaders in vascular access research. These Guidelines were developed to standardize the care of chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease patients. This report describes some of the more important aspects of these recommendations and the authors' implementation strategies.     

Prostate cancer screening--a physician survey in Missouri

This study investigated prostate cancer screening practices using prostate specific antigen testing (PSA), digital rectal examination (DRE), and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) by primary care physicians in Missouri. In 1993, a mail survey was sent to a stratified random sample of 750 physicians whose primary specialty was general practice, family practice, or internal medicine. Three separate mailings resulted in an overall adjusted response rate of 60 percent. Ninety-five percent of physicians were more inclined to use PSA compared with three years previously, with only 45 percent of physicians more inclined to use DRE. An increase in the use of PSA following a negative DRE was reported by 85 percent and a greater inclination to use TRUS following a positive PSA was reported by 90 percent Eighty-six percent agreed with the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines on prostate cancer screening. Using logistic regression adjusted across levels of demographic and practice factors, prevalence odds ratios were derived with results indicating that agreement with ACS guidelines and being in private practice are strong predictors of a physician's inclination to routinely screen asymptomatic patients for prostate cancer. Our findings have provided baseline information on prostate cancer screening in Missouri and suggest that primary care physicians view PSA testing as a useful procedure and appear to be using it in a manner similar to the general pattern seen across the country.     

The incidence of meconium-aspiration in Hawaii

Meconium in the amniotic fluid was found in 2,633 obstetrical patients and meconium-aspiration occurred in 77 cases out of 14,527 deliveries. Although the incidence of meconium in the amniotic fluid increased significantly at 39 weeks, a corresponding significant increase in meconium-aspiration did not occur until 41 weeks gestation. All deaths associated with meconium, as well as 84% of the cases of severe meconium-aspiration syndrome, occurred in infants born of patients with oligohydramnios and a gestational age of 41 weeks or greater.     

The Missouri Mathematics Effectiveness Project: An experimental study in fourth-grade classrooms.

Investigated the effectiveness of an experimental mathematics teaching program. The treatment program was primarily based on a naturalistic study of 40 relatively effective 4th-grade mathematics teachers. Students were tested before and after with a standardized test and a content test (posttest only), which had been designed to approximate the actual instructional content that students had received during the treatment. Observational measures revealed that teachers generally implemented the treatment, and analyses of product data showed that students of treatment teachers generally outperformed those of control teachers on both the standardized and content tests. Since strong efforts were made to control for Hawthorne effects, it seems reasonable to conclude that teachers and/or teaching methods can exert a significant difference on student progress in mathematics. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prevalence and implications of perinatal substance use in Missouri

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of perinatal substance use in Missouri. The population sample studied was selected according to a multi-stage probability-proportional-to-size sampling. The weighted prevalence for perinatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco or illicit substances was 31.9%, 10.8% for illicit substances, 21.9% for tobacco use, and 7.9% for self-reported alcohol use. In 1993, an estimated 23,925 perinatal exposures to licit and illicit substances occurred.     

The role of splenectomy in treating severe aplastic anemia

A hypotensive effect of clonidine in non-narcotized intact and aorta baro-denervated rats is studied under conditions of minimization of stress actions (radiotelemetry) and under standard conditions of direct recording arterial pressure (AP). Direct AP recording is shown to determine an increase in background AP in baro-denervated rats, but not in control rats. An increase in background AP level under conditions of direct recording is not accompanied with decreasing hypotensive effect of clonidine in baro-denervated rats.     

Long-Term Simulation of Thermal Regime of Missouri River

Riverine water temperature extremes have typically been analyzed using event-based simulations, for example the 10-year 7-day low flows, combined with record-high air temperatures and other extreme conditions relevant to the location (e.g., maximum power generation). Using this combination of extreme conditions, one can estimate the maximum water temperature that may occur on the river. However, this method does not allow for calculation of, for example, the probability of a given temperature exceedence, or the average duration of such an excursion event. Alternatively, long-term continuous simulation using historical and physically representative reconstructed data records provides a large database of realistic events, which can be used to analyze the thermal regime of a river and its variability under current and changing conditions. This study applies such a procedure to the Missouri River between Gavins Point Dam at Yankton, S.D., and Rulo, Nebr. Along this reach, the thermal regime is influenced by six power installations, which release heated condenser cooling water to the main stem. Several scenarios were simulated numerically with the one-dimensional (1D) CHARIMA model to examine the effects of current power generation, as well as changing operational, hydrologic, and climatological conditions on the river thermal regime. Model simulations revealed that climate change and increased power demand may significantly affect the thermal regime of the Missouri River; however, the scenarios simulated in this study did not result in water temperatures that exceed the current temperature standards.     

The geographic variation of cancer incidence in Ontario

OBJECTIVES: Our objectives were (1) to describe an analysis of the spatial pattern of cancer incidence in Ontario and (2) to discuss the quality of data in the Ontario Cancer Registry with respect to the accuracy of local cancer rates. METHODS: Cancer incidence rates were calculated for 22 cancer sites in 49 counties of Ontario during 1976 to 1986. Capture-recapture methods were used to estimate completeness of case registration, and completeness of residence information was also assessed. Spatial autocorrelation was used in measuring the geographic pattern of incidence rates. Comparisons were also made between sexes and with earlier data from 1966 to 1975. RESULTS: The quality of the geographic data in the registry appeared good, and corrections for incomplete or inaccurate registration had little impact. About one third of the sex-site combinations showed some evidence of spatial patterning in the cancer rate. Particularly strong regional variation was noted for cancers of the stomach, lung, uterus, and prostate. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis revealed a number of cancers with significant spatial patterning of risk. Further work is needed to relate the cancer data to other information on potential life-style and environmental factors.     

The incidence of wife assault in Alberta.

Describes a representative sample of wife assault for Alberta Province, with both rural and urban components. Respondents self-reported the use of conflict tactics by and against them during the year prior to the survey. Wife assault rates were higher in urban settings (12.8%) than in rural settings (8.3%). Overall violence rates (of all self-reported aggressive acts) were virtually identical to those found in a 1985 US survey by M. Straus and R. J. Gelles (unpublished). Of the US sample, 11.3% reported use of violence against wives, compared to 11.2% of the Canadian sample. However, use of severe violence was less in Canada (assuming Alberta to be representative of Canadian rates), with only 77% of the US incidence rate reported. Methodological issues and directions of current data analysis are discussed. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)