1
|
Shaughnessy R, Khan S, Haverinen-Shaughnessy U. Indoor environmental quality, allergens, and surface biocontamination in tribal homes and schools from Cherokee Nation. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2021; 126:431-433. [PMID: 33359377 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Shaughnessy
- Indoor Air Program, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
| | - S Khan
- Cherokee Nation Environmental Program and Health Services, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
| | - Ulla Haverinen-Shaughnessy
- Indoor Air Program, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Haverinen-Shaughnessy U, Khan S, Boulafentis J, Garcia C, Shaughnessy R. Effects of educational efforts in tribal homes and schools to reduce asthma triggers, symptoms and missed school days. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2020; 228:113513. [PMID: 32311659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Native American asthma prevalence has been estimated higher than for the U.S. population average, and uncontrolled asthma results in absence from schools. This study analyzed effects of targeted education campaigns in both homes and schools on reducing asthma triggers and symptoms among 119 children with asthma, who were recruited from Cherokee and Nez Perce communities. The education campaigns were developed in collaboration with the researchers and the tribes, tailoring strategies to reduce asthma triggers adapted to tribal lifestyles. There was a special emphasis in identification of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) aspects, which were woven into the study plan and implementation. Some 62 study homes were investigated and the parents received targeted education at the beginning of the study, whereas the remaining control homes received the same education at the end of the study. In Cherokee homes, allergen levels were significantly increased in both control and study groups throughout the study. In Nez Perce homes, dog and cockroach allergen levels decreased significantly in the study homes. The parents reported asthma control test (ACT) scores of the children were significantly improved in both study and control groups, whereas respiratory illness days were reduced in the study group. In schools, allergen levels, particularly cat, dog and cockroach allergens, increased throughout the year in both study and control schools. However, high contact surface cleaning effectiveness based on adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) readings was improved in the study schools. It was also found that high contact surface cleaning effectiveness may have effects on students' absence rates tracked by schools. In conclusion, the results indicate partial improvements in parent reported health symptoms, although the improvements could not be definitively attributed to reduction of any specific exposure in the home environment. In the school environment, effective cleaning throughout the flu season could result in decreased absence rates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - S Khan
- Cherokee Nation (Environmental Program and Health Services), Tahlequah, OK, USA
| | | | - C Garcia
- Nimiipuu Health, Lapwai, ID, USA
| | - R Shaughnessy
- The University of Tulsa, Indoor Air Program, Tulsa, OK, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Haverinen-Shaughnessy U, Borras-Santos A, Turunen M, Zock JP, Jacobs J, Krop EJM, Casas L, Shaughnessy R, Täubel M, Heederik D, Hyvärinen A, Pekkanen J, Nevalainen A. Occurrence of moisture problems in schools in three countries from different climatic regions of Europe based on questionnaires and building inspections - the HITEA study. Indoor Air 2012; 22:457-66. [PMID: 22404345 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2012.00780.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of dampness and mold in school buildings in three European countries (the Netherlands, Spain, and Finland), representing different climatic regions. An assessment was performed utilizing both questionnaires and on-site building investigations, and the agreement between these two methods was evaluated for validation purposes. On the basis of questionnaire data from a representative sample of schools, different types of moisture problems were reported in 24-47% of all school buildings at the time of the study. Most commonly reported was dampness in the Netherlands, moisture/water damage in Spain, and mold odor in Finland. Subsequently, 20-24 schools per country were selected for on-site inspections by trained staff. The overall agreement between the questionnaire and inspection data was good (kappa-value 0.62), however, with large differences (0.39-0.91) between countries. Extrapolating from the inspection data, the minimum estimates for prevalence of moisture problems in school buildings are 20% in the Netherlands, 41% in Spain, and 24% in Finland. In conclusion, moisture problems (such as moisture damage, dampness, and mold) are relatively common in schools. The occurrence and severity may vary across geographical areas, which can be partly explained by building characteristics. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS On the basis of this study, the prevalence of verified moisture problems in school buildings was highest in Spain, but lower and similar in Finland and the Netherlands. Questionnaire-based surveys can be used to assess moisture problems in school buildings, but because of large variation in agreement with inspection data, the questionnaire needs to be validated by on-site inspections in a subsample of the surveyed buildings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U Haverinen-Shaughnessy
- National Institute for Health and Welfare, Environmental Health Department, Kuopio, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Levetin E, Shaughnessy R, Rogers CA, Scheir R. Effectiveness of germicidal UV radiation for reducing fungal contamination within air-handling units. Appl Environ Microbiol 2001; 67:3712-5. [PMID: 11472952 PMCID: PMC93076 DOI: 10.1128/aem.67.8.3712-3715.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Levels of fungi growing on insulation within air-handling units (AHUs) in an office building and levels of airborne fungi within AHUs were measured before the use of germicidal UV light and again after 4 months of operation. The fungal levels following UV operation were significantly lower than the levels in control AHUs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Levetin
- Faculty of Biological Science, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Fetal echocardiographic findings, and decisions to continue or to terminate affected pregnancies, may differ between university (UNIV) and health maintenance organization (HMO) settings. The aim of this study was to review the fetal echocardiographic experience at a combined university/health maintenance organization program over a 4-year period. Imaging and counseling for affected pregnancies were provided by the same, single investigator at both sites. Out of a total of 1382 studies (940 UNIV, 442 HMO), 127 abnormals were identified (94 UNIV, 33 HMO). Among the 127 pregnancies with fetal heart disease, 24 (19%) underwent elective termination, 16% at UNIV and 27% at HMO (p = 0.2). Mean gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 25.2 weeks at UNIV compared with 22.3 weeks at HMO (p = 0.002). At UNIV, only 51% of diagnoses were made before 24 weeks compared with 79% at HMO (p = 0.003). Screening fetal sonograms, performed between 18 and 20 weeks on every pregnancy at HMO but not at UNIV, enabled earlier detection of congenital heart disease (CHD) and allowed more women with severely affected pregnancies the option to terminate. In both settings, indications with the highest yields for CHD included a right-sided stomach, abnormal four-chamber view, sustained bradycardia, abnormal fetal karyotype, fetal omphalocele, and maternal indomethacin. An echogenic reflector was identified in 86 pregnancies (7%) and did not represent a risk factor for CHD. No major differences in CHD were found between UNIV and HMO. In summary, this study found a significantly earlier diagnosis of CHD at HMO than at UNIV. This discrepancy between programs may explain, at least in part, the trend toward a higher frequency of decisions to terminate affected pregnancies at HMO than at UNIV, despite similar fetal findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Sklansky
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego 92103-8445, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rosser WW, Starkey C, Shaughnessy R. The pond is wider than you think! Problems encountered when searching family practice literature. Can Fam Physician 2000; 46:103-8. [PMID: 10660792 PMCID: PMC1987640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explain differences in the results of literature searches in British general practice and North American family practice or family medicine. DESIGN Comparative literature search. SETTING The Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto in Ontario. METHOD Literature searches on MEDLINE demonstrated that certain search strategies ignored certain key words, depending on the search engine and the search terms chosen. Literature searches using the key words "general practice," "family practice," and "family medicine" combined with the topics "depression" and then "otitis media" were conducted in MEDLINE using four different Web-based search engines: Ovid, HealthGate, PubMed, and Internet Grateful Med. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The number of MEDLINE references retrieved for both topics when searched with each of the three key words, "general practice," "family practice," and "family medicine" using each of the four search engines. RESULTS For each topic, each search yielded very different articles. Some search engines did a better job of matching the term "general practice" to the terms "family medicine" and "family practice," and thus improved retrieval. The problem of language use extends to the variable use of terminology and differences in spelling between British and American English. CONCLUSION We need to heighten awareness of literature search problems and the potential for duplication of research effort when some of the literature is ignored, and to suggest ways to overcome the deficiencies of the various search engines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W W Rosser
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, ON.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Norton PG, Dunn EV, Shaughnessy R. An eight-year experience of a required resident project. Can Fam Physician 1989; 35:891-894. [PMID: 21249038 PMCID: PMC2280833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The authors describe the resident-project component of the Family Practice Residency program at the University of Toronto. The goals of the project are to allow the residents an experience of critical appraisal, writing for a medical forum, and presenting in a style acceptable to the medical community. Over 305 projects have been completed, and 100% of the residents complete projects at this time. An analysis of the types of projects, the topics covered, and the effect on the residency program is presented. An appendix lists projects that have been published.
Collapse
|
8
|
Shaughnessy R, Greene SC, Pandey GN, Dorus E. Red-cell lithium transport and affective disorders in a multigeneration pedigree: evidence for genetic transmission of affective disorders. Biol Psychiatry 1985; 20:451-4. [PMID: 3978177 DOI: 10.1016/0006-3223(85)90047-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
9
|
Levy DL, Dorus E, Shaughnessy R, Yasillo NJ, Pandey GN, Janicak PG, Gibbons RD, Gaviria M, Davis JM. Pharmacologic evidence for specificity of pursuit dysfunction to schizophrenia. Lithium carbonate associated with abnormal pursuit. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1985; 42:335-41. [PMID: 3919684 DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1985.01790270021002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Conflicting findings regarding the prevalence of abnormal smooth-pursuit eye movements in patients with major affective disorders call into question the specificity of impaired smooth-pursuit eye movements to schizophrenia. We report that pursuit is impaired in 88% of lithium carbonate-treated affective disorder patients whose pursuit was normal prior to receiving this drug. Over half of lithium carbonate-treated affective disorder patients in remission also showed impairment of smooth-pursuit eye movements. In conjunction with recent prevalence data on family members of psychiatric patients, the findings support the specificity of abnormal pursuit as a biological trait associated with schizophrenia, but not with the major affective disorders. The mechanisms by which lithium carbonate impairs pursuit are discussed.
Collapse
|
10
|
Levy DL, Yasillo NJ, Dorus E, Shaughnessy R, Gibbons RD, Peterson J, Janicak PG, Gaviria M, Davis JM. Relatives of unipolar and bipolar patients have normal pursuit. Psychiatry Res 1983; 10:285-93. [PMID: 6583717 DOI: 10.1016/0165-1781(83)90075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Impaired smooth pursuit eye movements are significantly less prevalent among the first-degree relatives of patients who have major affective disorders than among the first-degree relatives of schizophrenics. The distribution of normal and abnormal smooth pursuit among the relatives of unipolar and bipolar patients does not differ from that of normal individuals having no family history of major psychosis. Smooth pursuit impairment is thus specific to relatives of schizophrenic patients and is not characteristic of relatives of patients with major affective disorders.
Collapse
|
11
|
Dorus E, Cox NJ, Gibbons RD, Shaughnessy R, Pandey GN, Cloninger CR. Lithium ion transport and affective disorders within families of bipolar patients. Identification of a major gene locus. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1983; 40:545-52. [PMID: 6838332 DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1983.01790050071009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
We have identified a genetic polymorphism in which one allele results in elevated RBC lithium ion ratios and also contributes to vulnerability to some forms of affective disorders. Interindividual variability in the lithium ion ratio (the ratio of the RBC to the plasma lithium ion concentration) is determined by variability in a lithium ion ratio (the ratio of the RBC to the plasma lithium ion concentration) is determined by variability in a lithium-sodium ion counterflow mechanism. Segregation analyses were conducted on lithium ion ratios in vitro in members of 120 normal families and on both the lithium ion ratio and the history of affective disorder in first-degree relatives of 31 bipolar patients. These analyses provided evidence for an autosomal major gene locus that influences the lithium ion ratio both in members of normal families and in relatives of bipolar patients. The allele at the major locus resulting in elevated lithium ion ratios was associated with an increased likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization among relatives of bipolar patients.
Collapse
|
12
|
Shaughnessy R, Dorus E, Pandey GN, Harris J, Davis JM. Li-Na counterflow in families of schizo-affective patients. Biol Psychiatry 1982; 17:631-3. [PMID: 7093399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
13
|
Abstract
Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) is a genetically controlled mitochondrial enzyme that metabolizes amines in the brain by deamination. We investigated the relationship between MAO activity and the presence or absence of psychopathology by determining MAO activity and the psychiatric diagnosis in 61 first-degree relatives of 31 patients with bipolar (manic-depressive) illness. Relatives who themselves were diagnosed as having bipolar I illness or alcoholism had a significantly lower mean MAO activity level than did other relatives or 255 normal individuals. These findings indicate that a relationship exists within pedigrees between MAO activity and psychiatric disorders. Reduced MAO activity may play a role in vulnerability to some types of psychopathology.
Collapse
|
14
|
Abstract
Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and the ratio of red cell to plasma lithium concentrations (Li ratio) may be important in the pathophysiology of, and genetic vulnerability to, some psychiatric disorders. By using the Clinical Analysis Questionnaire, we assessed personality correlates of MAO activity and the Li ratio in vitro in a sample of psychiatrically normal adult women. We found that there were correlates of each variable, and a unique constellation of personality traits when the two variables were considered simultaneously.
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
The measurement of the ratio of RBC to plasma lithium ion levels in vitro in 291 members of 120 families indicated that genetic factors contribute substantially to interindividual variability in the lithium ion distribution across the RBC membrane. These factors affect the lithium-sodium ion exchange system that determines the lithium ion distribution.
Collapse
|
16
|
Dorus E, Pandey GN, Shaughnessy R, Davis JM. Low platelet monoamine oxidase activity, high red blood cell lithium ratio, and affective disorders: a multivariate assessment of genetic vulnerability to affective disorders. Biol Psychiatry 1979; 14:989-93. [PMID: 508889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
17
|
|
18
|
Dorus E, Pandey GN, Shaughnessy R, Gaviria M, Val E, Ericksen S, Davis JM. Lithium transport across red cell membrane: a cell membrane abnormality in manic-depressive illness. Science 1979; 205:932-4. [PMID: 472716 DOI: 10.1126/science.472716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In the families of manic-depressive patients, relatives with a history of affective disorders had a significantly higher ratio of mean red cell lithium to plasma lithium in vitro than relatives with no such history. A genetically controlled abnormality in lithium-sodium transport, the mechanism that determines the lithium ratio, may play a role in the etiology of some forms of affective disorders.
Collapse
|