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We examined prenatal screening markers and offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using California statewide data on singleton births in 1996 and 2002. Second trimester levels of unconjugated estriol (uE3), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) were compared between mothers of children with ASD (n = 2586) and of non-cases (n = 600,103). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were calculated by logistic regression. Lower uE3 (AOR for 90th percentile) were significantly associated with ASD. A U-shaped relationship was seen for hCG (AOR = 1.16, 95 % CI 1.02-1.32 for 90th percentile). Our results further support prenatal hormone involvement in ASD risk., Author(s): Gayle C. Windham[sup.1] , Kristen Lyall[sup.1] [sup.4] , Meredith Anderson[sup.2] , Martin Kharrazi[sup.3] [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) California Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Disease Control, [...]

We implemented screening of children 16-30 months of age (n = 1,760) from a typically under-served, primarily Hispanic, population, at routine pediatric appointments using the modified checklist for autism in toddlers (M-CHAT) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire. Screen positive rates of 26 and 39 %, respectively, were higher than previous reports. Hispanics were more likely to score M-CHAT positive than non-Hispanics (adjusted OR 1.7, 95 % CI 1.2-2.4), as were those screened in Spanish. About 30 % of screen-positive children were referred for further assessment, but only half were seen. Thus screening in this population is feasible, but may require additional resources. Attention to the cultural applicability of screening instruments, as well as to explaining the results or need for additional services to parents, is critical to serve the growing Hispanic population. Keywords Autism spectrum disorders * Developmental screening * M-CHAT * ASQ * Hispanics * Children's health, Introduction Evidence has accumulated supporting the benefits of early developmental screening for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as part of routine pediatric practice. Children who receive interventions at younger ages have [...]

Using standardized methods for multi-source surveillance, we calculated the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) among children born in a racially diverse region in 1994 or 1996 as 4.7/1000 live births. Children with ASD before age 9 were identified through chart abstraction at health-related sources; three-quarters were being served by the state-wide Department of Developmental Services. In adjusted models, we found a male:female ratio of 6:1, a doubling of ASD prevalence among children of older mothers (40+), and lower prevalence with lower paternal education. Children of Black or Hispanic mothers had lower prevalence than those of White, non-Hispanic mothers, but these differences were attenuated after adjustment. Prevalence in children of Asian mothers was similar to Whites. Potential under-counting is discussed. Keywords Autism * ASD * Prevalence * Surveillance * Demographics, Introduction Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders of varying severity of expression with a diagnosis based solely on behavioral criteria (APA 1994; Newschaffer et al. 2007), making it difficult [...]

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6237.2006.00403.x Byline: B Paige Miller (1), R Sooryamoorthy (2), Meredith Anderson (3), Antony Palackal (4), Wesley Shrum (1) Abstract: Objective. This article examines the impact of the Internet on the research careers of female scientists in three developing areas: Ghana, Kenya, and Kerala, India. Most empirical studies of gender and science focus on the developed world, yet theoretical accounts emphasize more extreme differences in developing areas. Limited evidence from Africa and Asia shows gender inequity is restricted to a few key dimensions, broadly related to differences in human and social capital. Specifically, women are less likely to acquire an advanced degree and more likely to experience educational and organizational 'localism.' Such localism is related to constraints on physical mobility that are widely expected to diminish with the introduction of the Internet. Methods. Using longitudinal data on 1,147 scientists in Ghana, Kenya, and south India, we examine gender differences in human and social capital by conducting a series of t tests and chi-square tests. Results. We show that higher education and Internet access increased dramatically, but localism has not been reduced significantly and may be increasing. Conclusions. This finding casts doubt on the presumption that the removal of communication constraints will soon reduce career differentials resulting from the mobility constraints on women professionals. Author Affiliation: (1)Louisiana State University (2)University of KwaZulu-Natal (3)Louisiana State University (4)Loyola College of Social Sciences

From 1940 through the 1970s, organochlorine compounds were widely used as insecticides in the United States. Thereafter, their use was severely restricted after recognition of their persistence in the environment, [...]

Cigarette smoke contains compounds that are suspected to cause reproductive damage and possibly affect hormone activity; therefore, we examined hormone metabolite patterns in relation to validated smoking status. We previously [...]

For the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos, median inhalation noncancer, acute children's exposures in agricultural communities are elevated above reference doses; for diazinon, similar exposures are nearly elevated. We used multivariate linear [...]

We analyzed data from a prospective study of menstrual cycle function and early pregnancy loss to explore further the effects of trihalomethanes (THM) on reproductive end points. Premenopausal women (n [...]

A series of MerR metalloregulatory protein deletion mutants was characterized. The removal of the DNA binding domain of MerR did not eliminate the ability of the remaining residues to bind ionic mercury [Hg(II)] with high affinity. Residues from C80 through C128 of MerR were sufficient to form a Hg(II)-binding domain capable of competing with low molecular weight thiols. Data suggested that as little as one-third of MerR is sufficient to form a single stable, dimeric, trigonally coordinate, high affinity Hg(II)-binding site.

Peterson is incorrect in stating that we did not conduct a risk assessment. We summarized in our article (Harnly et al. 2005) and detailed in a previous article (Lee et [...]