Crystal structure of the L protein of Rhodobacter sphaeroides light-independent protochlorophyllide reductase with MgADP bound: a homologue of the nitrogenase Fe protein.

The L protein (BchL) of the dark-operative protochlorophyllide reductase (DPOR) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides has been purified from an Azotobacter vinelandii expression system; its interaction with nucleotides has been examined, and the X-ray structure of the protein has been determined with bound MgADP to 1.6 A resolution. DPOR catalyzes the reduction of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide, a reaction critical to the biosynthesis of bacteriochlorophylls.

Determinants of glycemic status monitoring in Black and White Medicaid beneficiaries with diabetes mellitus.

Routine monitoring of glycemic status during regularly scheduled physician office visits is not performed according to recommended guidelines for most people with diabetes. We conducted this investigation to identify the determinants of glycemic status monitoring during primary care office visits among Black and White adult Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1996 and 1997 and followed for a 12-month period through year 1997 and year 1998, respectively (N=3,321). Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that the likelihood of receiving the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommended 2 or more HbA1c tests was more than 2 times greater for persons with diabetes who had 10 or more visits than for those with only one visit in the one-year period since initial diagnosis (relative risk (RR) = 2.

Prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs among Black and White older men in rural and urban counties.

Background: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. In this report, we describe prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs among subgroups of men and compare knowledge and beliefs with perceived personal risk.

Methods: We administered a random-digit-dialed telephone survey to 235 respondents.

Do smoke alarms still function a year after installation? A follow-up of the get-alarmed campaign.

The Get-Alarmed Campaign Follow-up Study was the second phase of an initiative to assure that homes of families at high risk of fire-related injury and death had functioning smoke alarms. Smoke alarms and/or batteries were installed in over 94 percent of 454 participating households in Schley and Henry Counties, Georgia, in 2000. Before the study began, 60.

Racial/ethnic differences in the self-reported use of screening mammography.

The efficacy of mammography in reducing breast cancer mortality among women 50-69 years of age has been demonstrated in randomized controlled studies, but many women, especially ethnic minorities, have not been receiving regular mammographic screening. The current study investigated racial/ethnic differences in mammography use and their association with demographic characteristics and other factors. The study population consisted of 4,444 women aged 40 years and older who participated in the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.

Breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and screening behaviors among low-income, elderly black women.

This cross-sectional study explored whether there are age-specific differences in breast cancer-related knowledge, beliefs, and screening behaviors among low-income, elderly black women. Data were collected at senior citizen facilities from 214 black women aged 65 and older. Differences in knowledge, beliefs, and screening practices across three age groups were assessed by chi-square tests.