Unsupervised learning methods for efficient geographic clustering and identification of disease disparities with applications to county-level colorectal cancer incidence in California.

Many public health policymaking questions involve data subsets representing application-specific attributes and geographic location. We develop and evaluate standard and tailored techniques for clustering via unsupervised learning (UL) algorithms on such amalgamated (dual-domain) data sets. The aim of the associated algorithms is to identify geographically efficient clusters that also maximize the number of statistically significant differences in disease incidence and demographic variables across top clusters.

Pilot study to enhance start-up of a multicenter nutrition intervention trial.

Multicenter trials are important for answering questions that require large numbers of subjects. Such trials require standardized implementation of behavioral change programs across diverse populations, regions, and staff. Researchers involved with the Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly conducted a 17-week pilot study of their most complex intervention (combined weight and sodium reduction) before actual start-up of the main study.

Factors associated with adherence to the dietary protein intervention in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study.

Objective: To determine the characteristics and behaviors associated with adherence to dietary protein interventions among participants with chronic renal disease in the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study.

Design: Participants were categorized as consistent adherers or nonadherers on the basis of urinary urea nitrogen excretion and dietary protein intake data from self-reports. Psychosocial and behavioral factors were compared between groups.

Nutrition intervention program of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study: a self-management approach.

Objective: To characterize the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study nutrition intervention program by determining the frequency of intervention strategies used by the dietitians and the usefulness of program components as rated by participants.

Design: Dietitians recorded which of 32 intervention strategies they used at each monthly visit. Participants rated the usefulness of 19 program components.

[Dermatoglyphics in children with constitutional exogenous obesity].

The results of investigation of dermatoglyphics were analyzed in 544 children suffering from constitutional exogenous adiposity. The results of population-based studies of a regional medicogenetic counselling service (1240 persons) were taken as control data. Dermatoglyphic changes included papillary patterns intensified at the expense of loops and twists.