Deafness in Australian Cattle Dogs associated to QTL on chromosome 20 in genome-wide association study analyses.

Pigment-associated deafness is a common hereditary condition in a range of dog breeds. The aim of this study was to perform a genome-wide association analysis to investigate the genetic architecture of deafness in Australian Cattle Dogs. Genotypes for 104 757 polymorphisms in 216 dogs were available for analyses after quality control. A genomic relationship matrix was used in the mixed model analyses to account for polygenic effects, as we tested each polymorphism for its association with deafness, in a case/control experimental design. Three approaches were used to code the genotypes and test for additive, recessive and dominant SNP effects. The genome-wide association study analyses identified a clear association peak on CFA20, with the most significant SNPs on this chromosome (1.29 × 10-4 ) in the vicinity of MITF. Variants in MITF have been associated with white pigmentation in dogs and with deafness in humans and other species, supporting the premise that canine deafness is associated with variants in or near this gene. A recessive inheritance for the peak in CFA20 is possible given the significant results in the recessive model; however, the estimated heritability was low (4.54 × 10-5 ). Further validation, identification of variants and testing in other dog breeds are needed.

Screening, prevention and management of osteoporosis and bone loss in adult and pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant recipients.

Long-term survivors of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at risk for loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and subsequent osteoporosis. There is a lack of clear guidelines for the screening, prevention and treatment of bone loss after HCT. We reviewed the prevailing literature and provide guidelines developed by our center for the screening and management of this complication. Bone loss occurs predominantly within the first 6-12 months after autologous and allogeneic HCT. Recovery first occurs in the lumbar spine and is followed by a slower recovery of BMD in the femoral neck. BMD may not return to baseline levels in patients with continuing exposure to corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. All HCT recipients should be advised general interventions to reduce fracture risk including adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D. We recommend screening all adult allogeneic and autologous HCT recipients with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry 1 year after transplantation. Patients at high risk for bone loss (for example, patients receiving ≥ 5 mg of prednisone equivalent daily for > 3 months) can be screened earlier (for example, 3-6 months after HCT). Where indicated, bisphosphonates or other anti-resorptive agents (for example, calcitonin) can be used for prevention or treatment of osteoporosis in adult HCT recipients. Pediatric HCT recipients should be referred to a pediatric endocrinologist for evaluation and treatment of bone loss. There remain several areas of uncertainty that need further research in adult and pediatric HCT recipients, such as the optimal timing and frequency of screening for loss of bone mineral density, relationship of bone loss with risk of fractures, selection of appropriate patients for pharmacologic therapy, and optimal dosing schedule and duration of therapy with anti-resorptive agents.

Tractor overturn concerns in Iowa: perspectives from the Keokuk county rural health study.

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S., with tractor overturns producing the greatest number of agricultural machinery-related fatalities. Rollover protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts effectively reduce tractor overturn deaths. However, a large proportion of tractors in use in American agriculture are older tractors without ROPS and seatbelts. This article describes the tractor-related responses from participants in a population-based study conducted in Keokuk County, Iowa. This study was designed to measure rural and agricultural adverse health and injury outcomes and their respective risk factors. Questionnaires were partially developed from well-documented national surveys. Questions about agricultural machinery use, presence of safety equipment on the machinery, work practices, and attitudes about farm safety were included. Study participants on farms who owned tractors had an average of 3.1 tractors with an average age of 27 years. Only 39% of the 665 tractors had ROPS. Tractor age was associated with the presence of ROPS; 84% of tractors manufactured after 1984 were ROPS-equipped, whereas only 3% of tractors manufactured before 1960 were ROPS-equipped. ROPS-equipped tractors were significantly more common on larger farms and households with higher income. Only 4% of the farmers reported that their tractors had seatbelts and they wore them when operating their tractors. The results of this study support the findings of other studies, which indicate that many older tractors without ROPS and seatbelts remain in use in American agriculture. Until a dramatic reduction in the number of tractors in the U.S. operated without ROPS and seatbelts is achieved, the annual incidence of 120 to 130 deaths associated with tractor overturns will persist.

A population based study of reporting patterns and characteristics of men who abuse their female partners.

OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the prevalence of male abusive behavior reported by men and their female partners and identifies characteristics of abusive men. DESIGN: Baseline survey from a population based cohort study of general health. SETTING: A rural county in Iowa, USA. SUBJECTS: 572 men and their cohabitating female partners. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Male-to-female physical, emotional, and sexual abuse reported by either partner. RESULTS: In this cohort, 13.6% of men had performed at least one act of physical abuse and 34.9% emotional abuse. More than 45% of abusive men reported their own behaviors. Alcohol problems, antisocial personality characteristics, depressive symptoms, and financial stress were all positively associated with both physical and emotional abuse, but suicidal thoughts were less likely among abusers. CONCLUSION: Identification of common characteristics of abusive men may predict proclivity towards partner violence and barriers to behavior modification.

Bilirragia y fístula biliar posthepatectomía / Billirragiae and posthepatectomy billiary fistula

La fístula biliar es la complicación específica más frecuente de las resecciones hepáticas. Tienen una frecuencia de entre un 4,8 a 7,6 por ciento. Las principales series que analizan esta complicación, se refieren a pacientes con daño hepático crónico, cuya consecuencia final es la insuficiencia hepática y sepsis intrabdominal. Sin embargo en las series en que el daño hepático crónico es la excepción, la consecuencia de esta complicación no está completamente establecida. El objetivo es mostrar nuestra experiencia en el manejo y el prónostico de esta complicación en pacientes sin daño hepático crónico, y realizar una revisión de la literatura con el fin de intentar una sistematización de manejo y pronóstico. Para el presente estudio, consideramos bilirragia o filtraciones biliares al escape de contenido bilioso a través de los drenajes a partir del primer día postoperatorio y con un volumen mayor a 50 milímetros al día, y que se mantenga a lo menos por 72 horas. En cambio, fístula biliar, es aquella bilirragia que se prolongue más allá de 10 días, con un trayecto externo establecido, independiente del volumen de bilis drenado. Entre Junio de 1991 y Junio del 2002, hemos realizado 89 resecciones hepáticas regladas en nuestro servicio. Las indicaciones más frecuentes son el cáncer vesicular y la resecciones de metástasis por cáncer colorectal. Sólo un paciente de la serie era portador de daño hepático crónico. La frecuencia de fístula biliar fue de 10 por ciento (9 pacientes). La evolución en 8 casos consistió en el cierre espontáneo entre el día 6 y 12. En el paciente restante el cierre se produjo en el día 35 del postoperatorio, con estudio de colangio endoscópico negativo para demostrar el sitio de escape biliar. Estos resultados mas los obtenidos al revisar la literatura, nos llevan a proponer una clasificación de fístula biliar posthepatectomia en 4 tipos: Tipo I, autolimitadas, con conexión a la vía biliar principal. Tipo II, sin conexión a la vía biliar principal y cierre tardío, Tipo III, secundarias a lesión de vía biliar periférica, que requiere intervención, y Tipo IV cualquiera de las anteriores complicada con ascitis e insuficiencia hepática, de alta morbimortalidad.

Linfomas primarios del estómago: resultados a largo plazo / Primary lymphomas of the stomach: long-time results

El tratamiento de los linfomas primarios del estómago (LPE) ha sido por largo tiempo controversial. Los esquemas empleados van desde la cirugía sola o asociada a quimioterapia, quimio-radioterapia y últimamente quimioterapia exclusiva. La baja frecuente de la enfermedad no permite el desarrollo de grandes series randomizadas. Entre 1981 y el 2001 hemos seguido prospectivamente una serie de 70 pacientes con LPE tratados con cirugía sola o asociadas a quimioterapia según el estadio, y cuyos resultados comunicamos con el objeto de que sirvan como referencias nacionales para la comparación con otras modalidades terapéuticas. Se trata de 70 pacientes sintomáticos diagnosticados mediante endoscopia, biopsia endoscópica y de médula ósea, y etapificación según la clasificación de Ann Arbor. Se practicaron gastrectomías tipo D2 sin esplenectomía. Cuando el compromiso linfonoidal fue histológicamente confirmado se agregó un esquema de ciclofosfamida-doxorrubicina-vincristina y prednisona en 6 ciclos. Los pacientes fueron seguidos procpectivamente con una media de 89 meses. Se evaluaron los resultados inmediatos y la sobrevida según el método de Kaplan-Meier. El estado postoperatorio fue medido según la clasificación de Visick. Los LPE constituyeron el 4,5 por ciento de los tumores gástricos operados en ese período. La localización más frecuente fue el tercio distal (37 por ciento). La forma macroscópica más frecuente fue el tipo Bormann III con un 21,4 por ciento, presentándose como ulceraciones múltiples solo en un 9 por ciento. En 21,4 por ciento el diagnóstico fue inicialmente confundido con carcinoma. Dos pacientes corresponden a linfomas MALT que no respondieron a erradicación de H. pylori. Un paciente fallece en postoperatorio tras ser operado por hemorragia exanguinante (1,4 por ciento). De la serie 43 por ciento corresponden a Etapas I, 18,5 por ciento a Etapa II, y 38,5 por ciento a II2; 26 por ciento son para la II (p= 0,0056). La sobrevida de los de bajo grado fue de 91,6 por ciento y los de alto grado 76,4 por ciento (p= 0,028). La mejor sobrevida fue para los pacientes con tumores de bajo grado y etapa I (98 por ciento) y la peor para aquellos de alto grado etapa II (63 por ciento). Después de gastrectomía total y subtotal el 38 por ciento y 89 por ciento está en Visick 1 respectivamente.

Vegetable oil sprinkling as a dust reduction method in swine confinement.

The aim of this project was evaluate the effectiveness of an oil sprinkling system as a dust-reduction method for swine production facilities. This article presents the results of the second-year experiment of a multi-year study. The first-year experiment demonstrated that a 5% oil-water emulsion automatically applied at the rate of 3 and 5 g/pig/day achieved a 23% to 34% reduction in total dust. The modifications for the second year experiment included: (1) increasing oil application rate to 7 and 8 g/pig/day, (2) replacing sprinkler heads to achieve a smaller droplet size and a more direct spray pattern on pen-floor surfaces, and (3) more closely matching the treatment and control rooms by stage in the pig production cycle. Four swine finishing rooms were used for this study; two were treatment rooms (soybean oil at 7 g/pig/day, and canola oil 8 g/pig/day) and two were control rooms. The treatment rooms had a low-pressure oil-sprinkling system, which sprinkled 5% oil-to-water mixture 12 times per day, 12 s each time. Concentrations of several environmental contaminants were measured. The average total dust concentration in the control rooms was 1.39 mg/m3. The average total dust concentration in the treatment rooms was 0.65 mg/m3. The treatment reduced dust by an average of 52%, (p = 0.0001). There was no difference in the degree of dust control between soybean oil and canola oil. The respirable dust concentrations were very low in all rooms, and there were no significant differences between rooms in ammonia, carbon dioxide, temperature, or humidity.

Resultados inmediatos de la pancreatoyeyunoanastomosis término-lateral con Wirsunostomía tras pancreatoduodenectomía / Immediate results of termino-lateral pancreatoyeyunostomy anastomosis with Wirsungostomy following pancreatoduodenectomy

La reconstrucción del muñón pancreático tras la realización de una pancreatoduodenectomía sigue siendo motivo de importante morbilidad y constituye la principal causa de mortalidad en varias series. Por ello se mantiene una importante controversia sobre si usar pacreatoyeyuno o pancreato-gastroanastomosis como así también sobre otros gestos como los tutores pancreáticos, la ligadura u oclusión del Wirsung y sobre el uso profiláctico de somatostatina u octreotide. Presentamos la experiencia prospectiva del Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán acumulada desde 1993 al 2002 empleando la Pancreato-yeyunoanastomosis término-lateral usando un catéter siliconado a modo de Wirsunostomía el cual mantenemos por 6 a 8 semanas. Este procedimiento fue empleado independientemente de la consistencia pancreática y del diámetro del Wirsung. La serie está constituida por 49 casos operados por diversas causa dentro de las que destacan: Ampuloma (46,9 por ciento), Cáncer de páncreas (20,5 por ciento), Cáncer de vía biliar (12,2 por ciento). El 20,9 por ciento de los pacientes presentó morbilidades asociadas a su enfermedad de base y el 51 por ciento de ellos tenía un procedimiento reciente dentro de los que destacan las colecistectomías y las prótesis endoscópicas. Complicaciones post-operatorias ocurrieron en el 57,5 por ciento de los casos. Destacan la ectasia gástrica post-operatoria (24,4 por ciento) y la infección de la herida (14,2 por ciento) que se asoció a la presencia de prótesis endoscópicas. Fístulas pancreáticas ocurrieron en dos pacientes (4 por ciento) las cuales cerraron espontáneamente al 10° y 15° día. Solo un paciente fue reoperado para drenar un absceso subfrénico derecho. Dos pacientes fallecen en el período postoperatorio pero cuyas necropsias no demostraron complicaciones quirúrgicas (4 por ciento). La pancreatoyeyunoanastomosis término-lateral con Wirsunostomía constituye una técnica sencilla, utilizable independiente de la consistencia del parénquima pancreático y del diámetro del Wirsung. Es, además, una técnica segura en cuanto a que presenta una baja frecuencia de fistulización.

Seudo-obstrucción intestinal crónica primaria / Primary chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Se presentan 7 pacientes de sexo femenino, con una larga historia de trastornos del hábito defecatorio, cuyo estudio radiológico demostraba grados variables de dolicomegacolon de etiología desconocida. Todas ellas fueron sometidas a colectomía total con ileoproctoanastomosis. El estudio anatomopatológico reveló miopía visceral difusa en 5 y displasia neuronal en 2. La evolución alejada ha sido ominosa en 3 pacientes, que han presentado repetidos episodios invalidantes de dolor y distensión abdominal, vómitos fecaloideos y desnutrición, simulando cuadros de obstrucción intestinal mecánica. La seudo-obstrucción intestinal crónica primaria es una entidad mórbida compleja que requiere un manejo multidisciplinario y en que las opciones quirúrgicas son sólo paliativas.

Identification of risk factors for non-fatal child injury in a rural area: Keokuk County Rural Health Study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for non-fatal injury among rural children. DESIGN: Cross sectional health interview survey, 1994-98. SETTING: A rural Iowa county, not adjacent to a metropolitan area. SUBJECTS: Stratified, random sample of households, including all resident children and adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Injury episodes in the past 12 months among children aged 0-17 years and the parental and child characteristics associated with these episodes. RESULTS: Of the 621 children in participating households, 137 or 22.1% were injured during the past 12 months. Children age 5-17 on a sports team were 1.88 times (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 to 3.31) more likely than other children to be injured. Children age 12-17 who binge drink were 3.50 times (95% CI 1.31 to 9.50) more likely than other children to be injured. Compared with children not on sports teams, girls on teams were 2.26 times (95% CI 1.02 to 5.13) more likely while boys on teams were 1.60 times (95% CI 0.71 to 3.68) more likely to have an injury episode. Compared with children who did not binge drink, girls binge drinking were 8.11 times (95% CI 1.52 to 43.33) more likely while boys binge drinking were 2.19 times (95% CI 0.70 to 6.84) more likely to have an injury episode. CONCLUSIONS: Local studies such as this can provide useful clues regarding the etiology of injury. Some known and some new potential risk factors including behavioral aspects for childhood non-fatal injury in a very rural area were investigated. It is planned to address these cross sectional findings in future longitudinal follow up of this population.

Integrative assessment of multiple pesticides as risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among men.

BACKGROUND: An increased rate of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has been repeatedly observed among farmers, but identification of specific exposures that explain this observation has proven difficult. METHODS: During the 1980s, the National Cancer Institute conducted three case-control studies of NHL in the midwestern United States. These pooled data were used to examine pesticide exposures in farming as risk factors for NHL in men. The large sample size (n = 3417) allowed analysis of 47 pesticides simultaneously, controlling for potential confounding by other pesticides in the model, and adjusting the estimates based on a prespecified variance to make them more stable. RESULTS: Reported use of several individual pesticides was associated with increased NHL incidence, including organophosphate insecticides coumaphos, diazinon, and fonofos, insecticides chlordane, dieldrin, and copper acetoarsenite, and herbicides atrazine, glyphosate, and sodium chlorate. A subanalysis of these "potentially carcinogenic" pesticides suggested a positive trend of risk with exposure to increasing numbers. CONCLUSION: Consideration of multiple exposures is important in accurately estimating specific effects and in evaluating realistic exposure scenarios.

Risk factors for agricultural injury: a case-control analysis of Iowa farmers in the Agricultural Health Study.

The purpose of this case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study was to assess risk factors for agricultural injury among a large group of Iowa farmers. A questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers identified 431 cases who had a farm work-related injury requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year and 473 controls who had no injury in the previous year. We assessed several potential risk factors for injury. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between farm work-related injury and weekly farming work hours (> or = 50 hours/week) (OR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.23-2.21), the presence of large livestock (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.24-2.51), education beyond high school (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.21-2.12), regular medication use (OR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.04-1.96), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.07-5.20), and younger age. These results confirm the importance of risk factors identified in previous analytic studies and suggest directions for future research in preventive intervention strategies to reduce farm work-related injuries.

Epidemiology of unintentional adult injury in a rural population.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency, characteristics, and risk factors of unintentional adult injury in a rural population. METHODS: We interviewed 1,644 adults representing an all-rural county in Iowa. Analyses used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 53 years, and 54% were women. Twenty-three percent (n = 380) of participants reported an injury during the past 12 months, of which four fifths were treated. Overexertion (25%) and falls (22%) caused nearly half the injuries. Women with high levels of depression symptoms had 1.57 times (95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.33) the prevalence of injury occurrence as did women with low levels of depression symptoms. Men with a CAGE score of 2 or more had between 0.98 and 2.56 times (according to the range of values of the relevant odds ratio 95% confidence interval) the prevalence of injury episode of men without this exposure. CONCLUSION: The association of injury occurrence with alcohol problems is consistent with prior research, but the increased prevalence of injury associated with high levels of symptoms of depression requires further study and explanation.

Agricultural use of organophosphate pesticides and the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma among male farmers (United States).

OBJECTIVE: Data from three population-based case-control studies conducted in Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Minnesota were pooled to evaluate the relationship between the use of organophosphate pesticides and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) among white male farmers. METHODS: The data set included 748 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 2236 population-based controls. Telephone or in-person interviews were utilized to obtain information on the use of pesticides. Odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age, state of residence, and respondent status, as well as other pesticide use where appropriate, were estimated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Use of organophosphate pesticides was associated with a statistically significant 50% increased risk of NHL, but direct interviews showed a significantly lower risk (OR = 1.2) than proxy interviews (OR = 3.0). Among direct interviews the risk of small lymphocytic lymphoma increased with diazinon use (OR = 2.8), after adjustment for other pesticide exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Although we found associations between the risk of NHL and several groupings and specific organophosphate pesticides, larger risks from proxy respondents complicate interpretation. Associations, however, between reported use of diazinon and NHL, particularly diffuse and small lymphocytic lymphoma, among subjects providing direct interviews are not easily discounted.

IVF: the new era.

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) has made great strides in the past 25 years including the development of micromanipulation techniques. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for treatment of severe male factor infertility paved the way for the use of the micromanipulator. Micromanipulation techniques are now an integral part of an IVF program and are now also employed to biopsy embryos from patients harboring genetic abnormalities. Micromanipulation has also been used in the development of nuclear transfer techniques--a potential solution for creating "younger" oocytes for women of advanced maternal age and spermatozoa for azoospermic men. Other recent developments include the sequential media enabling the embryo to survive to blastocyst stage and also successful oocyte vitrification to preserve future fertility. This paper describes the latest technologies in in-vitro fertilization and relates them to the total problem of infertility, age-related and otherwise.

Rural population survey of behavioral and demographic risk factors for loaded firearms.

OBJECTIVES: In the United States, firearm deaths are almost as frequent as motor vehicle deaths. Firearm unintentional and suicide death rates are raised in rural areas. This study examines firearm prevalence and storage practices in three different types of rural households. METHODS: Adults from a stratified random sample of 983 households in a rural Iowa county were interviewed. The chi2 test of independence was used to assess association between loaded, unlocked firearms and seven behavioral and demographic risk factors. RESULTS: Nearly 67% of respondents reported firearms in their households. Nearly 7% of households had a loaded, unlocked gun. Prevalence of firearms at home was higher while prevalence of loaded, unlocked guns was lower than reported in other surveys. Prevalence of loaded, unlocked guns in farm households, 10.5%, was about twice the level in town households, 5.5% (chi2 test, p=0.033). Having taken a gun safety course was associated with more than double the prevalence of a loaded, unlocked gun, 13.5% v 5.1% (chi2 test, p=0.001). The prevalence of loaded, unlocked guns in households with a handgun, 19.3%, was four and one half times higher than in households with a long gun only, 4.2% (chi2 test, p=0.001). Households with someone with a lifetime prevalence of alcohol abuse or dependence were about twice as likely as other households, 13.0% v 6.6% (chi2 test, p=0.004), to report having loaded, unlocked firearms. CONCLUSIONS: Anyone interested in promoting safe storage of firearms in rural homes should consider these observations.

Risk factors for work-related injury among male farmers in Iowa: a prospective cohort study.

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States. We examined the work-related injury rate and risk factors among 290 Iowa male principal farm operators using a population-based, prospective study. Baseline data were collected between 1991 and 1994, and injury events were surveyed in the fall of 1995. Cumulative incidence of farmwork-related injury during the previous year was 10.5%. We found that depressive symptoms (odds ratio, 3.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 9.99) and the number of hours working with animals (odds ratio, 2.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 4.44) were associated with the incidence of farmwork-related injuries.

Farm-related dermatoses in Iowa male farmers and wives of farmers: a cross-sectional analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project.

Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of hazards that increase their risk for dermatitis. Nevertheless, the prevalence, patterns, and risk factors for dermatitis have not been well characterized among farmers in the United States. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for dermatitis among 382 male farmers and 256 wives of farmers in Iowa using a cross-sectional study design. From 1992 to 1994, we collected data on potential risk factors and dermatitis. The results showed that 9.6% of male farmers and 14.4% of wives of farmers reported dermatitis during the previous 12-month period. In multivariable models, a history of allergy (odds ratio [OR], 8.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 33.3) was strongly associated with dermatitis among male farmers. Among wives of farmers, some college education (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 9.9) and exposure to petroleum products (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3 to 7.0) were associated with dermatitis. These results can be used to form preventive efforts in controlling farmwork-related exposures.

Risk factors for injury in rural Iowa: round one of the Keokuk County Rural Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Unintentional injuries represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in rural communities. This study aimed to determine the distribution of injury risk factors in a rural Iowa community and to identify the rural subgroups at highest risk for injury. METHODS: We reported on 1583 participants, aged > or =25 years, from Round One of the Keokuk County Rural Health Study, a longitudinal panel study of a rural community. The self-reported data were collected during face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Our data suggested that several risk factors for injury are not uniformly distributed among rural populations. Male farmers were significantly less likely to wear their seatbelts than townspeople or rural nonfarmers. However, farm women were as likely to wear seatbelts as other women. Both male and female farmers were more likely to use all-terrain vehicles than townspeople or rural nonfarmers. In contrast, townspeople were more likely to ride bicycles than either farmers or rural nonfarmers. Townspeople were less likely to have firearms in their homes than either farmers or rural nonfarmers. Farmers were most likely to have fired a gun in the last year. Male farmers aged <65 years were less than half as likely as other men the same age to report a history of alcohol abuse. Binge drinking was equally frequent among farmers, rural nonfarmers, and townspeople. CONCLUSIONS: These differences in risk behavior in a rural county suggest the possibility of targeting specific rural injury prevention interventions at those with the highest risk for dangerous behavior.