Measurement of chemical emission rates from cigarette butts into air.

This study examined airborne emissions from cigarette butts for styrene, 2-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, naphthalene, triacetin, and nicotine. Ten experiments were conducted by placing butts in a stainless steel chamber and measuring the chemical concentrations in chamber air. Emission rates were determined from the concentrations.

Statin use and risk of prostate cancer in the prospective Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study.

Background: Statins are a common medication for cholesterol control that may also have effects on cancer-related pathways. The evidence of an association between statins and prostate cancer risk remains ambiguous.

Methods: We examined statin use in a prospective cohort of 5,069 elderly U.

Vibrio vulnificus oysters: pearls and perils.

Vibrio vulnificus is a naturally occurring bacterium found ubiquitously in coastal waters. Infection with this organism, which is often associated with eating raw oysters, is the leading cause of seafood-related deaths in the United States. This article reviews the current scientific literature on this potentially lethal pathogen and discusses the prognosis, treatment, and prevention of V.

Prostate specific antigen screening for prostate cancer: knowledge of, attitudes towards, and utilization among primary care physicians.

Objective: Prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer screening is not uniformly recommended by national organizations or primary care physicians (PCPs). Given this lack of consensus, we sought to identify patterns in physician knowledge of and attitudes towards PSA screening and to determine how these patterns along with patient and provider demographics influence PSA screening practices.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire, which assessed provider's knowledge of prostate cancer, confidence in his/her knowledge, and PSA screening practices, was mailed to PCPs at an academic medical center.

Sex hormones and the risk of incident prostate cancer.

Objective: To assess whether sex hormone levels are associated with subsequent development of prostate cancer.

Methods: A case-cohort study was conducted within the ongoing Osteoporotic Fractures in Men cohort study of community-dwelling men ≥ 65 years old recruited at 6 US clinical sites. After a mean follow-up of 4.

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory use and the risk of prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate inflammation or infection may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat prostatitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs). The objective of our study was to assess whether their use decreases the risk of prostate cancer.

The association of bone mineral density with prostate cancer risk in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study.

We investigated the association of bone mineral density (BMD) measures with prostate cancer (PCa) risk in older men enrolled in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study. We hypothesized that men with higher BMD, a marker of exposure to endogenous sex hormones, would have an increased incidence of PCa. The cohort included 4,597 men (89% White, 65 years or older) with no prior history of PCa.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates among Vietnamese, Asian, and non-Hispanic white Americans.

Background: Vaccination data for Asian Americans are comparable to those for whites, possibly because they are reported in aggregate rather than for subgroups. We compared influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates among eligible Asian Americans and white Americans, and for Vietnamese Americans as a subgroup, and assessed factors associated with these vaccinations.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of data collected from three ethnic groups over 4 years by telephone survey.

Association between past urinary tract infections and current symptoms suggestive of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a major cause of illness, and its association with history of past urinary tract infections is unclear. We surveyed a racially, ethnically and socioeconomically diverse, community-based sample of adults aged 30-79 years in Boston, MA. This report gives estimates from the 2,301 men in the BACH survey: 700 black, 766 Hispanic and 835 white.

Ethnicity, language, specialty care, and quality of diabetes care.

Objective: To investigate ethnicity, language, specialty care, and quality of diabetes care in one medical center.

Methods: Retrospective review of computerized records of patients with diabetes age > or = 50 years who were regularly cared for in general medicine, family practice, or diabetes clinics from 1997 to 2000. Measures of processes of care were tests for creatinine, cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and microalbumin; ophthalmologic care; and total visits.

Acceptance of pneumococcal vaccine under standing orders by race and ethnicity.

Purpose: To assess whether and how pneumococcal vaccine acceptance occurs after nurse recommendation varies by race/ethnicity.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated nurses' standing orders to assess and vaccinate high-risk patients in a general medicine practice.

Results: Of 370 adult patients surveyed (60% nonwhite), 78 (21%) declined vaccination following nurse recommendation, and 43 (12%) persisted in declining after physician consultation.

Correlates and prevalence of prostatitis in a large community-based cohort of older men.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and correlates of self-reported history of prostatitis in terms of lower urinary tract symptoms and associated dissatisfaction in community-dwelling older men.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective cohort study of 5821 men aged 65 years and older recruited from six clinical centers.

Results: Overall, 1439 men (25%) self-reported a history of prostatitis.

Focus group interviews on racial and ethnic attitudes regarding adult vaccinations.

Unlabelled: Adult immunizations have dramatically improved the health of many Americans. In the United States, researchers have documented disparities in the utilization of adult vaccinations between whites and racial and ethnic minority populations. This article examines racial and ethnic attitudes regarding recommended adult vaccinations.

Adult immunization in university-based primary care and specialty practices.

The purpose of this study was to assess vaccination status of adults in primary and specialty care practices in a retrospective review of medical records from 1997 to 2000 at one university medical center. Eligible patients were aged 50 and older and had two or more visits to primary and specialty care practices (N=14,556). Outcomes were receipt of pneumococcal vaccine once, tetanus booster within 10 years, and influenza vaccine in 2 of the 3 years.

Foodborne disease outbreaks in United States schools.

Background: The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of foodborne disease outbreaks in schools and to identify where preventive measures could be targeted.

Methods: Reports by state and local health departments of foodborne disease outbreaks occurring in primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities from January 1, 1973, through December 31, 1997, were reviewed. Data from ill persons identified through foodborne outbreak investigations and subsequently reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Foodborne Outbreak Surveillance System were examined.