Research on life sciences published by S. Hoshiko et al. - Biotech Week

Investigators publish new data in the report 'A simple method for estimating excess mortality due to heat waves, as applied to the 2006 California heat wave.' In this recently published article, scientists in the United States conducted a study 'To characterize excess mortality during a major heat wave in California and its regions; to assess the validity of a simple method. We calculated mortality rate ratios for the heat-wave period, using a reference period of the same number of days from the same summer.'

'We conducted alternative analyses and compared our results with those from a time-series model. We estimated 655 excess deaths, a 6% increase (95% confidence interval, 3-9%), impacting varied geographic/climate regions. Alternate analyses supported model validity. California experienced excess heat-wave related mortality not restricted to high heat regions,' wrote S. Hoshiko and colleagues, (see also Life Sciences).

The researchers concluded: 'As climate change is anticipated to increase heat events, public health efforts to monitor effects assume greater importance.'

Hoshiko and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Public Health (A simple method for estimating excess mortality due to heat waves, as applied to the 2006 California heat wave. International Journal of Public Health, 2010;55(2):133-7).

For more information, contact S. Hoshiko, Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Dept. of Public Health, 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 3rd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804 USA.

Publisher contact information for the International Journal of Public Health is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: City:Richmond, State:CA, Country:United States, Life Sciences, Public Health, Epidemiology.

New mosquito control study findings reported from Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health. - Science Letter

A report, 'The need for collaboration among government agencies to reduce mosquito production in mandated stormwater treatment structures,' is newly published data in Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. According to recent research from the United States, 'Efforts to improve water quality increasingly rely on structural stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to remove pollutants from urban runoff. These structures can unintentionally produce mosquitoes and may play a role in the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.'

'A questionnaire was distributed to over 300 stormwater and mosquito control agencies in the United States to assess the prevalence of BMPs and associated mosquito production, identify current measures to control mosquitoes within BMPs, and elucidate the extent of collaboration between these agencies. Responses suggest that agencies often lack basic information relevant to minimizing mosquitoes in BMPs, such as the number of structures within an agency's jurisdiction and the frequency of their maintenance, and that greater interagency collaboration could improve control efforts. Approximately 40% of agencies reported regular collaboration to minimize mosquito production in BMPs; however, barriers to such collaborative work included confusion over roles and responsibilities and a lack of interest,' wrote J.E. Harbison and colleagues, Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health (see also Mosquito Control).

The researchers concluded: 'The rapid increase of BMPs in urban environments resulting from increasingly stringent water-quality regulations provides justification for increased collaboration between stormwater and mosquito control sectors of government to aid and strengthen public health efforts.'

Harbison and colleagues published their study in the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association (The need for collaboration among government agencies to reduce mosquito production in mandated stormwater treatment structures. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2010;26(2):198-204).

For additional information, contact J.E. Harbison, Vector-Borne Disease Section, California Dept. of Public Health, Center for Infectious Diseases, 2151 Convention Center Way, Suite 218B, Ontario, CA 91764 USA.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association is: American Mosquito Control Association, PO Box 234, Eatontown, NJ 07724-0234, USA.

Keywords: City:Ontario, State:CA, Country:United States, Communicable Disease Control, Insect Control, Mosquito Control, Pest Control, Public Health Practice.

THE HARMAN REPORT: MARCH 16, 2011. - States News Service

SACRAMENTO, CA -- The following information was released by California State Senator Tom Harman:

Economic Concerns Rank #1

A snapshot of unemployment in America: U.S. unemployment is 8.9%, in North Dakota it is 3.8% and in California it is a whopping 12.4%. Unemployment in the U.S. fell in February for the third month in a row to 8.9 percent. But California's jobless figures remain the same - the second highest in the nation. While the rest of the nation is starting to see growth, we are stuck in an economic quagmire where few businesses expand and even fewer are hiring.

Without addressing the problems that thwart our ability to recover, Californians can expect no different. Over-burdened with regulations, high taxes and bureaucracy our small businesses are not growing and hiring new employees, they are struggling to survive. Californians recognize how important it is to get 2,000,000 jobless Californians back to work.

According to a new Gallup poll on Americans' Concerns (1,021 surveyed), seventy-two percent of Americans cite some aspect of the U.S. economy as the 'most important problem' facing the country today. This is the highest net mention of the economy since February 2010, although still below the 86% peak recorded in February 2009 as Washington was focused on passing an economic stimulus plan. Gallup began asking the 'most important problem' question in 1939 and established monthly updates in 2001. Economic concerns became dominant for Americans in April 2008 and have since tied or outpaced non-economic concerns in all but four months. Despite the political turmoil in the Middle East, including uprisings in Egypt and Libya, no more than 1% of Americans mention any of these issues as the country's most important problem.

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Tsunami

I am terribly saddened by the tragic loss of life caused by the series of powerful earthquakes and tsunami that struck North East Japan. My wife Dianne and I join with Orange County's 35th Senate District community, and especially those Americans of Japanese descent, in extending my heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences.

For those who are trying to locate someone, Japanese or American, or if you have information about someone that you would like to share, please visit the Google Crises Response site here. In addition, the Japanese-American Society of southern California is working to coordinate relief efforts. The Society will keep its members and the public updated on the situation through its website, www.jas-socal.org.

Current estimates predict loss of life in the thousands, and millions are without shelter, food or heat as they brave winter temperatures. Relief organizations around the world are mobilizing to provide relief to those affected by the disaster.

The following link to the US State Department website contains additional information about Japan and the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts http://www.state.gov/p/eap/regional/158236.htm.

I was overwhelmed with the hospitality that the Japanese people showed me when I attended the International Rotary Convention there back in 1974. My and Dianne's thoughts and prayers are with everyone living in Japan or with loved ones who have been affected by the terrible disaster.

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Radiation Update

Today my staff participated in a conference call hosted by the California Emergency Management Agency along with the California Department of Public Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to address concerns regarding potential exposure to radioactive fallout resulting from damage to a nuclear facility during the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

On the call were representatives from the Federal and Cal EPA, the DOE, and the NRC.

At present, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) indicates Japan's nuclear emergency presents no danger to California.

You can find additional information at the California Dept. of Public Health website.

A staffed helpline is available 8 AM to 5 PM M-F: (916) 341-3947 for questions or concerns.

And the Department has a FAQs page to answer questions about the risk of radiation.

*** Please take note that both California Public Health officials as well as the emergency personal want to be very clear on one point:

Californians should not take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. It is not necessary given the current circumstances in Japan, it can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems, and taken inappropriately it can have serious side effects including abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding.

The following update may also be of interest:

The DOE has a 34-member team arriving in Japan at 1900 EST to assess and monitor the situation in Japan.

As far as monitoring radiation exposure, the EPA has 11 fixed radiation monitoring stations throughout California. The EPA is in the process of installing mobile monitors in the Aleutian Islands and Hawaii (closer to the source of any radiation). These are not in place yet but will be in the next few days.

Two types of monitors are at these stations: one monitor picks up gamma ray radiation and any spikes in radiation will be immediately known to the EPA. The public would get knowledge of any hazardous radiation after the EPA made a concrete determination and then inform Cal EMA who would activate their dialogical warning system. The CA Dept. of Health and the relevant county public health officers will also be contacted.

The other monitor picks up particle matter. It does this every 3 days and then the results are sent to Alabama for testing and it takes 2 days to get the results back.

Any harmful radiation emanating from Japan would take about 6-8 days to get here, but that time period is very variable depending on the weather conditions.

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Groundhog Day

Today the legislature is set to vote on the budget. Contrary to what the Governor and Democrat leadership have indicated, the budget before us does not consist of half spending reductions and half proposed tax increases. The Governor has proposed only $8 billion in one-time cuts and another $6.5 billion in accounting gimmicks. His tax increase proposal however translates to a $50 billion dollar hit on the taxpayer over the next 5 years - $14 billion of it this year alone. Clearly the reductions do not equal the taxes proposed.

Reports Summarize Aeromonas Research from Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health. - Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week

A report, 'The genus Aeromonas: taxonomy, pathogenicity, and infection,' is newly published data in Clinical Microbiology Reviews. According to a study from the United States, 'Over the past decade, the genus Aeromonas has undergone a number of significant changes of practical importance to clinical microbiologists and scientists alike. In parallel with the molecular revolution in microbiology, several new species have been identified on a phylogenetic basis, and the genome of the type species, A. hydrophila ATCC 7966, has been sequenced.'

'In addition to established disease associations, Aeromonas has been shown to be a significant cause of infections associated with natural disasters (hurricanes, tsunamis, and earthquakes) and has been linked to emerging or new illnesses, including near-drowning events, prostatitis, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Despite these achievements, issues still remain regarding the role that Aeromonas plays in bacterial gastroenteritis, the extent to which species identification should be attempted in the clinical laboratory, and laboratory reporting of test results from contaminated body sites containing aeromonads,' wrote J.M. Janda and colleagues, Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Public Health (see also Aeromonas).

The researchers concluded: 'This article provides an extensive review of these topics, in addition to others, such as taxonomic issues, microbial pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance markers.'

Janda and colleagues published their study in Clinical Microbiology Reviews (The genus Aeromonas: taxonomy, pathogenicity, and infection. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2010;23(1):35-73).

For more information, contact J.M. Janda, Microbial Diseases Laboratory, California Dept. of Public Health, Center for Infectious Diseases, Richmond, Richmond, California 94804 USA.

Keywords: City:Richmond, State:California, Country:United States, Aeromonadaceae, Aeromonas, Gammaproteobacteria, Gram Negative Bacteria, Gram Negative Facultatively Anaerobic Rods.

Research from L. Feuchtbaum and co-researchers in the area of genetics described.(Report) - Pediatrics Week

Research findings, 'The context and approach for the California newborn screening short- and long-term follow-up data system: Preliminary findings,' are discussed in a new report. According to recent research from the United States, 'State newborn screening programs are designed to prevent morbidity and mortality from hereditary disorders through early detection and ongoing disease management. These programs have traditionally focused on short-term follow-up.'

'However, capturing data on the long-term follow-up process is emerging as a new priority. Long-term follow-up data can be used to assess the accessibility, continuity, and quality of care provided to these children. The California Newborn Screening Program uses a Web-based data collection system for short-and long-term follow-up,' wrote L. Feuchtbaum and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: 'This article provides a description of the follow-up data collection system in addition to preliminary findings to demonstrate the efficacy of the California data collection approach.'

Feuchtbaum and colleagues published their study in Genetics In Medicine (The context and approach for the California newborn screening short- and long-term follow-up data system: Preliminary findings. Genetics In Medicine, 2010;12(12 Suppl):S242-50).

For additional information, contact L. Feuchtbaum, Genetic Disease Screening Program, California Dept. of Public Health, Richmond, California 94804 USA.

Keywords: City:Richmond, State:California, Country:United States, Genetics, Pediatrics.

Study findings from University of California broaden understanding of autism. - Education Letter

According to a study from the United States, 'We conducted a case control study using 190 Han children with and without autism to investigate prenatal and perinatal risk factors for autism in China.'

'were recruited through public special education schools and controls from regular public schools in the same region (Tianjin), with frequency matching on sex and birth year. Unadjusted analyses identified seven prenatal and seven perinatal risk factors significantly associated with autism,' wrote X. Zhang and colleagues, University of California.

The researchers concluded: 'In the adjusted analysis, nine risk factors showed significant association with autism: maternal second-hand smoke exposure, maternal chronic or acute medical conditions unrelated to pregnancy, maternal unhappy emotional state, gestational complications, edema, abnormal gestational age (< 35 or > 42 weeks), nuchal cord, gravidity > 1, and advanced paternal age at delivery (> 30 year-old).'

Zhang and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (Prenatal and Perinatal Risk Factors for Autism in China. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2010;40(11):1311-1321).

For additional information, contact L.H. Qi, University of California, Dept. of Public Health Science, School Medical, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

The publisher of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders can be contacted at: Springer, Plenum Publishers, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: City:Davis, State:CA, Country:United States, Autism, Developmental Disabilities, Developmental Disorders, Neurology, Special Education

Reports from University of California, Department of Public Health Sciences add new data to research in diet and nutrition.(Report) - Health & Medicine Week

Scientists discuss in 'Risk factors for early lactation problems among Peruvian primiparous mothers' new findings in diet and nutrition. According to a study from the United States, 'The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for early lactation problems [suboptimal infant breastfeeding behaviour (SIBB), delayed onset of lactogenesis (OL) and excessive neonatal weight loss] among mother-infant pairs in Lima, Peru. All primiparous mothers who gave birth to a healthy, single, term infant at a government hospital in a peri-urban area of Lima during the 8-month recruitment period were invited to participate in the study.'

'Data were collected at the hospital (day 0) and during a home visit (day 3). Infant breastfeeding behaviour was evaluated using the Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool; SIBB was defined as <or=10 score. OL was determined by maternal report of breast fullness changes; delayed OL was defined as perceived after 72 h. Excessive neonatal weight loss was defined as >or=10% of birthweight by day 3. One hundred seventy-one mother-infant pairs participated in the study. SIBB prevalence was 52% on day 0 and 21% on day 3; it was associated with male infant gender (day 0), <8 breastfeeds during the first 24 h (days 0 and 3), and gestational age <39 weeks (day 3). Delayed OL incidence was 17% and was associated with infant Apgar score <8. Excessive neonatal weight loss occurred in 10% of neonates and was associated with maternal overweight and Caesarean-section delivery. Early lactation problems may be influenced by modifiable factors such as delivery mode and breastfeeding frequency,' wrote S.L. Matias and colleagues, University of California, Department of Public Health Sciences (see also Diet and Nutrition).

The researchers concluded: 'Infant status at birth and maternal characteristics could indicate when breastfeeding dyads need extra support.'

Matias and colleagues published the results of their research in Maternal & Child Nutrition (Risk factors for early lactation problems among Peruvian primiparous mothers. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2010;6(2):120-33).

For additional information, contact S.L. Matias, University of California, Dept. of Public Health Sciences, Davis, California 95616 USA.

Keywords: City:Davis, State:California, Country:United States, Diet and Nutrition, Hospital.