Multi-residue analytical method for trace detection of new-generation pesticides in vegetables using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A GC-MS/MS method with low solvent consumption and easy operation was developed to simultaneously determine ten new-generation pesticides, namely fenobucarb, acetochlor, pretilachlor, fipronil, trifloxystrobin, fluazifop-p-butyl, isoprothiolane, tebuconazole, cypermethrin and difenoconazole in leafy vegetables. Influences from ultrasonic sample extraction and the clean-up steps to reduce matrix effects were investigated. Under suitable conditions, good linearity (deviation of back calculated concentration from true concentration lower than 20%) was achieved for all studied pesticides; the method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 1.

Genomic approaches to identifying targets for treating β hemoglobinopathies.

Sickle cell disease and β thalassemia are common severe diseases with little effective pathophysiologically-based treatment. Their phenotypic heterogeneity prompted genomic approaches to identify modifiers that ultimately might be exploited therapeutically. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the major modulator of the phenotype of the β hemoglobinopathies.

Using state-issued identification cards for obesity tracking.

Obesity prevention has emerged as one of public health's top priorities. Public health agencies need reliable data on population health status to guide prevention efforts. Existing survey data sources provide county-level estimates; obtaining sub-county estimates from survey data can be prohibitively expensive.

Sexual orientation and sex differences in adult chronic conditions, health risk factors, and protective health practices, Oregon, 2005-2008.

Introduction: Research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals' health and health practices has primarily consisted of convenience studies focused on HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental illness. We examined health-related disparities among Oregon LGB men and women compared with heterosexual men and women using data from a population-based survey.

Methods: Data from the 2005 through 2008 Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were used to examine associations between sexual orientation and chronic conditions, health limitations, health risk factors, and protective health practices.

Fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia: genetic studies of the Arab-Indian haplotype.

Sickle cell anemia is common in the Middle East and India where the HbS gene is sometimes associated with the Arab-Indian (AI) β-globin gene (HBB) cluster haplotype. In this haplotype of sickle cell anemia, fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels are 3-4 fold higher than those found in patients with HbS haplotypes of African origin. Little is known about the genetic elements that modulate HbF in AI haplotype patients.

Fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia: molecular characterization of the unusually high fetal hemoglobin phenotype in African Americans.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is a major modifier of disease severity in sickle cell anemia (SCA). Three major HbF quantitative trait loci (QTL) are known: the Xmn I site upstream of (G)γ- globin gene (HBG2) on chromosome 11p15, BCL11A on chromosome 2p16, and HBS1L-MYB intergenic polymorphism (HMIP) on chromosome 6q23. However, the roles of these QTLs in patients with SCA with uncharacteristically high HbF are not known.

Fetal haemoglobin levels and haematological characteristics of compound heterozygotes for haemoglobin S and deletional hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin.

Compound heterozygotes for sickle haemoglobin (HbS) and hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HPFH) have high fetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels but few, if any, sickle cell disease-related complications. We studied 30 cases of HbS-HPFH (types 1 and 2), confirmed by molecular analysis, and report the haematological features and change in HbF levels over time. These results were compared to those of patients with sickle cell anaemia or HbS-β(0) thalassaemia, including a subgroup of patients carrying the XmnI polymorphism, known to be associated with elevated HbF.

Fetal hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia.

Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is the major genetic modulator of the hematologic and clinical features of sickle cell disease, an effect mediated by its exclusion from the sickle hemoglobin polymer. Fetal hemoglobin genes are genetically regulated, and the level of HbF and its distribution among sickle erythrocytes is highly variable. Some patients with sickle cell disease have exceptionally high levels of HbF that are associated with the Senegal and Saudi-Indian haplotype of the HBB-like gene cluster; some patients with different haplotypes can have similarly high HbF.

Differences in health and health behaviors between state employees and other employed adults in Oregon, 2007.

Introduction: Worksite health promotion and interventions have gained popularity among state agencies. We studied the health behaviors and health characteristics of adults employed in state agencies in Oregon and compared those state employees with the statewide population of employed, insured adults.

Methods: We used data from the Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and a modified BRFSS survey administered to state employees.

Arthritic pain among Latinos: results from a community-based survey.

Objective: To examine factors associated with pain among Latinos with arthritis, identify common coping strategies and potentially effective interventions, and determine whether pain levels affect the level of interest in potentially useful programs.

Methods: Using a convenience sampling approach and a combination of face-to-face and telephone surveys, 588 Latino adults in Oregon with arthritis were interviewed. The intensity of pain during a typical day was assessed using a scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).

Prohibitin and the SWI/SNF ATPase subunit BRG1 are required for effective androgen antagonist-mediated transcriptional repression of androgen receptor-regulated genes.

Androgen antagonists or androgen deprivation are the primary therapeutic modalities for the treatment of prostate cancer. Invariably, however, the disease becomes progressive and unresponsive to androgen ablation therapy (hormone refractory). The molecular mechanisms by which androgen antagonists inhibit prostate cancer proliferation are not fully defined.

Sirtuin 1 is required for antagonist-induced transcriptional repression of androgen-responsive genes by the androgen receptor.

Androgen antagonists or androgen deprivation is a primary therapeutic modality for the treatment of prostate cancer. Invariably, however, the disease becomes progressive and unresponsive to androgen ablation therapy (hormone refractory). The molecular mechanisms by which the androgen antagonists inhibit prostate cancer proliferation are not fully defined.

Medical hyperspectral imaging to facilitate residual tumor identification during surgery.

Introduction: Adequate evaluation of breast tumor resection at surgery continues to be an important issue in surgical care, as over 30% of postoperative tumors recur locally unless radiation is used to destroy remaining tumor cells in the field. Medical Hyperspectral Imaging (MHSI) delivers near-real time images of biomarkers in tissue, providing an assessment of pathophysiology and the potential to distinguish different tissues based on spectral characteristics.

Methods: We have used an experimental DMBA-induced rat breast tumor model to examine the intraoperative utility of MHSI, in distinguishing tumor from normal breast and other tissues.

Breast cancer risk factors and mammographic breast density in women over age 70.

Background: Breast density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, but little is known about factors associated with breast density in women over 70.

Methods: Percent breast density, sex hormone levels and breast cancer risk factor data were obtained on 239 women ages 70-92 recruited from 1986 to 1988 in the United States. Multivariable linear regression was used to develop a model to describe factors associated with percent density.

Public health surveillance approaches in Oregon's Medicaid population.

The development of methods for public health surveillance in Medicaid populations is an important goal for public health practice. In Oregon, we developed approaches to case finding using claims and self-reported data obtained from the Medicaid beneficiary population. Disease rosters, derived from claims data, form the basis for analyses pertaining to particular health conditions.

Agreement between self-reported information and medical claims data on diagnosed diabetes in Oregon's Medicaid population.

Recent trends in Oregon indicated that diabetes is on the rise. Medicaid self-reported data estimated about 11 percent are affected by diabetes, which is twice the prevalence of the general population in Oregon. Little is known about the agreement between self-reported information and medical claims data in the Medicaid population.

Diabetes preventive care in Oregon's Medicaid population.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in Oregon's adult Medicaid population and to compare the level of diabetes-related preventive care with the state's general population. Responses to telephone interviews conducted in 1999 among 2,770 randomly selected adult Medicaid beneficiaries and 7,229 Oregon residents were compared. Diabetes prevalence among adult Medicaid recipients (11.