US Males Research Articles

How Risky Are Recessions for Top Earners?

How sensitive to business cycles are the earnings of top earners? And, how does the business cycle sensitivity of top earners vary by industry? We use a confidential dataset on earnings histories of US males from the Social Security Administration. On average, individuals in the top 1 percent of the earnings distribution are slightly more cyclical than the population average. But there are large differences across sectors; top earners in Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate (FIRE) and Construction face substantial business cycle volatility, whereas those in Services (who make up 40 percent of individuals in the top 1 percent) have earnings that are less cyclical than the average worker.

Cancer of unknown primary: time trends in incidence, United States

To describe the epidemiological features and trends of cancer of unknown primary (CUP) in a large and diverse US population. The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry was used to examine incidence rates, adjusted to the World Segi 1960 population, by demographic and tumor characteristics among patients diagnosed with CUP between 1973 and 2010. Annual percent changes in incidence rates were estimated using Joinpoint regression. The incidence rate of pathologically investigated CUP was 4.1 per 100,000 and is consistent with reports from other countries. In the USA, CUP incidence rates have been decreasing since the early 1980s, 3.6 % per year in the last two decades. The USA experienced decreases earlier than other countries. US males and African Americans had the highest rates of CUP. The rates of non-microscopically confirmed CUP have dropped 2.6 % per year since 1973, but 24 % of CUP patients do not receive microscopic confirmation and 21 % of those with microscopically investigated cancer receive a vague histology (i.e., epithelial) diagnosis. Twenty percent of patients with pathological investigation receive radiation. Patients were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a non-pathologically investigated CUP if they were living in areas with the lowest income quartile relative to areas with the highest income quartile. Although the incidence of CUP is decreasing, we document CUP that may be due to insufficient diagnostic inquiry. Questions raised by the findings in this data provide hypotheses for further epidemiological and biological studies in the elucidation of CUP incidence and treatment.

School-based vaccination of young US males: Impact of health beliefs on intent and first dose acceptance

Little is known about adolescent males and their parents with respect to intent and first dose uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine outside of primay care settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential predictors of parental intent to vaccinate (study was conducted in November 2010–December 2012) and of first dose uptake of HPV vaccine among a sample of young adolescent males, 11–15 years of age, who received care at a school-based health center (SBHC). We also examined intent as a potential mediator of the relationships between predictors (health beliefs and perceived spousal agreement) and vaccination. Slightly more than half (n=135 of 249) of parents reported an intention to vaccinate and 28% (n=69) of males received their first dose of the HPV vaccine. Two of three health beliefs were significantly associated with both intention and uptake as was perceived spousal agreement. We found intention to vaccinate was a partial mediatator between the perceived benefits of HPV vaccine and first dose acceptance. We also determined that intent was a strong mediator between both general immunization benefits and perceived spousal agreement and first dose uptake. While vaccine uptake was lower than expected, particularly considering that many barriers to vaccine initiation were eliminated because of the SBHC setting, this rate is higher than in traditional settings. After controlling for intent, only perceived benefits of the HPV vaccine remained a significant predictor of first dose acceptance.

Smoking initiation associated with specific periods in the life course from birth to young adulthood: data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997.

Guided by the life-course perspective, we examined whether there were subgroups with different likelihood curves of smoking onset associated with specific developmental periods. Using 12 waves of panel data from 4088 participants in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, we detected subgroups with distinctive risk patterns by employing developmental trajectory modeling analysis. From birth to age 29 years, 72% of female and 74% of US males initiated smoking. We detected 4 exclusive groups with distinctive risk patterns for both genders: the Pre-Teen Risk Group initiated smoking by age 12 years, the Teenage Risk Group initiated smoking by age 18 years, the Young Adult Risk Group initiated smoking by age 25 years, and the Low Risk Group experienced little or no risk over time. Groups differed on several etiological and outcome variables. The process of smoking initiation from birth to young adulthood is nonhomogeneous, with distinct subgroups whose risk of smoking onset is linked to specific stages in the life course.

Age-independent increases in male salivary testosterone during horticultural activity among Tsimane forager-farmers

Testosterone plays an important role in mediating male reproductive trade-offs in many vertebrate species, augmenting muscle and influencing behavior necessary for male–male competition and mating-effort. Among humans, testosterone may also play a key role in facilitating male provisioning of offspring as muscular and neuromuscular performance is deeply influenced by acute changes in testosterone. This study examines acute changes in salivary testosterone among 63 Tsimane men ranging in age from 16 to 80 (mean 38.2) years during one-hour bouts of tree-chopping while clearing horticultural plots. The Tsimane forager-horticulturalists living in the Bolivian Amazon experience high energy expenditure associated with food production, have high levels of parasites and pathogens, and display significantly lower baseline salivary testosterone than age-matched US males. Mixed-effects models controlling for BMI and time of specimen collection reveal increased salivary testosterone (p<0.001) equivalent to a 48.6% rise, after one hour of tree chopping. Age had no effect on baseline (p=0.656) or change in testosterone (p=0.530); self-reported illness did not modify testosterone change (p=0.488). A comparison of these results to the relative change in testosterone during a competitive soccer tournament in the same population reveals larger relative changes in testosterone following resource production (tree chopping), compared to competition (soccer). These findings highlight the importance of moving beyond a unidimensional focus on changes in testosterone and male–male aggression to investigate the importance of testosterone–behavior interactions across additional male fitness-related activities. Acutely increased testosterone during muscularly intensive horticultural food production may facilitate male productivity and provisioning.

Prevalence of Circumcision Among Men and Boys Aged 14 to 59 Years in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005–2010

In 2009, an estimated 3590 new heterosexually acquired HIV infections occurred in males in the United States. Three randomized controlled trials demonstrated that male circumcision decreased a man's risk for HIV acquisition through heterosexual sex. We describe circumcision prevalence in US males and determine circumcision prevalence among males potentially at increased risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection. We estimated circumcision prevalence among men and boys aged 14 to 59 years using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2005-2010. We defined men and boys with 2 or more female partners in the last year as potentially at increased risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection. Estimated circumcision prevalence was 80.5%. Prevalence varied significantly by year of birth, race/ethnicity, health insurance type, and family income. Circumcision prevalence among men and boys reporting 2 or more female partners in the last year was 80.4%, which corresponded to an estimated 3.5 million uncircumcised men and boys potentially at increased risk for heterosexually acquired HIV infection. Of these men and boys, 48.3% lacked health insurance. Circumcision prevalence in the United States differs by demographic group, and half of uncircumcised men and boys potentially at increased risk for heterosexually acquired HIV are uninsured. These data could inform recommendations and cost analyses concerning circumcision in the United States.

The determinants of mortality heterogeneity and implications for pricing annuities

Standard annuities are offered at one price to all individuals of the same age and gender. Individual mortality heterogeneity exposes insurers to adverse selection since only relatively healthy lives are expected to purchase annuities. As a result standard annuities are priced assuming above-average longevity, making them expensive for many individuals. In contrast underwritten annuity prices reflect individual risk factors based on underwriting information, as well as age and gender. While underwriting reduces heterogeneity, mortality risk still varies within each risk class due to unobservable individual risk factors, referred to as frailty. This paper quantifies the impact of heterogeneity due to underwriting factors and frailty on annuity values. Heterogeneity is quantified by fitting Generalized Linear Mixed Models to longitudinal data for a large sample of US males. The results show that heterogeneity remains after underwriting and that frailty significantly impacts the fair value of both standard and underwritten annuities. We develop a method to adjust annuity prices to allow for frailty.

Molecular Pathogenesis and Progression of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed noncutaneous malignancy and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in US males. Clinically, locally confined disease is treated surgically and/or with radiation therapy. Invasive disease, however, must be treated with pharmacological inhibitors of androgen receptor (AR) activity, since disease progression is fundamentally reliant on AR activation. However, despite initially effective treatment options, recurrent castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) often occurs due to aberrant reactivation of AR. Additionally, it is appreciated that many other signaling molecules, such as transcription factors, oncogenes, and tumor suppressors, are often perturbed and significantly contribute to PCa initiation and progression to incurable disease. Understanding the interplay between AR signaling and other signaling networks altered in PCa will advance therapeutic approaches. Overall, comprehension of the molecular composition promoting neoplastic growth and formation of CRPC is paramount for developing durable treatment options.

Abstract 4139: Could dielectrophoretic testing of oral brush biopsies aid early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer?.

Abstract Cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx was the 9th most common cancer in US males in 2009, and has a 5-year survival rate of 50%, which has remained relatively unchanged for several decades. This low survival rate is partly attributed to patients being diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease, and has lead to the consensus that early detection and diagnosis are key to improving survival. The objective of this research was to use a technique called dielectrophoresis (DEP) to study the electrophysiological characteristics of cells from normal, dysplastic and cancerous oral mucosa, collected via oral brush biopsies (OBBs) from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or oral epithelial dysplasia (OED), and from healthy volunteers. DEP testing involved applying AC electric fields to the cells collected via brush biopsies, whilst they were suspended in a conductivity-controlled medium. Interactions between the cells and the electric field resulted in cellular movement, dependent both on frequency of the applied electric field and cell properties. The electrophysiological properties of the cells’ cytoplasm and membrane were then deduced as a result of analysing this cellular movement. After obtaining favourable ethical opinions from all institutions involved, OBB samples were collected from 61 patients with OSCC or OED and from 12 healthy volunteers. At the time of abstract submission, 38 OSCC OBB and 12 OED OBB samples (grouped as Abnormal samples, N = 50), 36 patient-matched OBB samples of visually healthy oral mucosa from OSCC and OED patients and 21 OBB samples from the mucosa of healthy volunteers (grouped as Normal samples, N = 57) had been successfully tested and studied using DEP. Statistical analysis of these preliminary results of DEP testing showed statistically significant differences (p&amp;lt;0.025) in cell membrane electrophysiological properties of Abnormal versus Normal OBB samples, OSCC samples versus Healthy Normal samples and OED samples versus Healthy Normal samples. These preliminary results suggest that DEP testing of oral brush biopsies has the potential to form the basis of a minimally invasive bench-top diagnostic tool for rapid identification of cancerous and potentially malignant lesions. Citation Format: Karen A. Graham, Stefano Fedele, Stephen R. Porter, Nicholas Kalavrezos, James A. McCaul, Mark P. Lewis, Michael P. Hughes, Fatima H. Labeed. Could dielectrophoretic testing of oral brush biopsies aid early detection and diagnosis of oral cancer?. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4139. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4139

Cultural Bias and Circumcision: The AAP Task Force on Circumcision Responds

The members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Task Force on Circumcision appreciate the opportunity to respond to the concerns raised by Frisch et al in their commentary, “Cultural Bias in AAP’s 2012 Technical Report and Policy Statement on Male Circumcision.” The central claim of these authors is that the conclusions of the task force report are culturally biased, leading the task force to a flawed understanding of what constitutes trustworthy evidence and to conclusions that are far from those reached by physicians in most other Western countries. The “obvious” cultural bias to which they refer apparently has its genesis in “the normality of non-therapeutic male circumcision in the US.” All of the commentary authors hail from Europe, where the vast majority of men are uncircumcised and the cultural norm clearly favors the uncircumcised penis. In contrast, approximately half of US males are circumcised, and half are not.1 Although that heterogeneity may lead to a more tolerant view toward circumcision in the United States than in Europe, the cultural “bias” in the United States is much more likely to be a neutral one than that found in Europe, where there is a clear bias against circumcision. Yet, the commentary’s authors have, at no point, recognized that their own cultural bias may exist in equal, if not greater, measure than any cultural bias that might exist among the members of the AAP Task Force on Circumcision. If cultural bias influences the review of available evidence, then a culture that is comfortable with both the circumcised penis and the uncircumcised penis would seem predisposed to a more dispassionate analysis of the scientific literature than a culture with a bias that is either strongly opposed to circumcision or strongly in favor of it. The task force’s process was systematic, objective, comprehensive, … Address correspondence to Douglas S. Diekema, MD, MPH, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, C9S-6, 1900 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. E-mail: diek{at}u.washington.edu

The Determinants of Mortality Heterogeneity and Implications for Pricing Underwritten Annuities

It is widely accepted that mortality risk varies across individuals within age-sex bands of a population. This heterogeneity exposes insurers to adverse selection if only the healthiest lives purchase annuities, so standard annuities are priced with a mortality table that assumes above-average longevity. This makes standard annuities expensive for many individuals. To address this issue there has been a shift to underwriting annuities in order to offer lower prices to individuals with below-average longevity. While underwriting reduces heterogeneity, mortality risk still varies within each risk class due to unobservable individual-specific factors, referred to as frailty. This paper quantifies the financial impact of frailty on underwritten annuities. The heterogeneity implied by underwriting factors and frailty is quantified by fitting Generalized Linear Mixed Models to longitudinal data for a large sample of US males. The results show that heterogeneity remains after underwriting, creating signi ficant variation in the fair value of underwritten annuities. We develop a method to adjust annuity prices to allow for frailty.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obesity in US males and females, age 8-15 years: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004.

Youth with ADHD may be at increased risk for obesity. Medications used to treat ADHD can affect weight. Few studies have investigated possible gender differences in associations between ADHD and obesity. Nationally representative of US youth aged 8-15 years. Height and weight were measured, and ADHD assessed by structured diagnostic interview and parent report. Associations between ADHD and obesity are reported for males and females to enable gender comparisons. To investigate how associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity differ by gender and medication use in a nationally representative sample of US youth in which height and weight were measured. Youth age 8-15 (n = 3050) studied in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004. Obesity was defined as ≥95th percentile of US body mass index-for-age reference. ADHD was determined by asking parents if child had been diagnosed and using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children IV. Gender-stratified multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds of obesity for youth with ADHD (medicated and unmedicated) relative to youth without ADHD. Males with ADHD who were medicated had lower odds of obesity compared to males without ADHD (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23-0.78). Unmedicated males with ADHD were as likely as males without ADHD to be obese (adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.43-2.42). The odds of obesity for females taking medication for ADHD did not differ statistically from those of females without ADHD (adjusted OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 0.52-2.81). Females with ADHD not taking medication had odds of obesity 1.54 times those of females without ADHD; however, the 95% CI (0.79-2.98) was wide and not statistically significant at α = 0.05. Associations between ADHD and obesity are influenced by treatment of ADHD with medication and may differ by gender. Youth with ADHD who are not treated with medication are as or more likely than youth without ADHD to be obese.

Dog Bite Injuries among American Indian and Alaska Native Children

To examine dog bites among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) children visiting Indian Health Service and tribal health facilities. We retrospectively analyzed hospitalizations and outpatient visits with a diagnosis of dog bite between 2001 and 2008 in AI/AN children aged <20 years. Rates of dog bite hospitalizations and outpatient visits were estimated by age group, sex, region, and number and location of open wounds using Indian Health Service data. Analyses of hospitalizations for the general US population aged<20 years used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The average annual dog bite hospitalization rate was higher among AI/AN children in Alaska (6.1/100,000 population) and the Southwest region (5.3/100,000) compared with the general US child population (3.1/100,000; 95% CI, 2.9-3.3/100,000). The average annual outpatient visit rate in AI/AN children was highest in the Alaska (596.4/100,000), Southwest (540.0/100,000), and Northern Plains West (537.6/100,000) regions. The hospitalization rate was highest in both AI/AN and US males aged<5 years, and outpatient visit rates were highest in AI/AN males aged 5-9 years. Open wounds diagnoses were most commonly seen on the head, neck, and face in hospitalized children (45.5% of open wounds in AI/AN children, 59.3% in US children; SE, 1.0%) and on the leg in AI/AN outpatients (35.6%). Dog bites represent a significant public health threat in AI/AN children in the Alaska, the Southwest, and Northern Plains West regions of the US. Enhanced animal control and education efforts should reduce dog bite injuries and associated problems with pets and stray dogs, such as emerging infectious diseases.

The risk of biopsy-detectable prostate cancer using the prostate cancer prevention Trial Risk Calculator in a community setting

Materials and methodsRisks of prostate cancer (CaP) and high-grade CaP were evaluated using the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial Risk Calculator (PCPTRC) in an age-stratified random sample of 1,021 Caucasian and African-American men with no previous diagnosis of CaP, aged 55–74 years, residing in King County, WA, USA. ResultsMedian PCPTRC risks of CaP (high-grade CaP) were 15.6% (1.2%), 18.7% (2.0%), 18.5% (2.2%), and 26.4% (5.1%) for 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, and 70–74-year-old men, respectively; 25.2% of men aged 55–59 had a 25% or greater PCPTRC risk of CaP; this increased to 53.1% in men aged 70–74; 9.4% of men aged 55–59 had a 6% or greater PCPTRC risk of high-grade CaP, increasing to 44.1% in men aged 70–74. ConclusionsPCPTRC risk of CaP in a community of US males is high and confounded with overdetected cancers. In contrast, average community PCPTRC risk of high-grade disease is low and increases gradually by age and may better serve for counseling purposes.

Abstract 4752: Selective inhibition of cancer metastasis with a novel small therapeutic molecule

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cause of cancer death in US males. Death is typically caused by metastasis. Naturally occurring isoflavanones have been reported to be a class of compounds that effectively inhibit PCa motility and metastasis. This led us to use these compounds as a synthetic scaffold starting point. By integrating fragment-based diversification synthesis with chemi-driven biological selection, we discovered novel small molecule therapeutics with increased selectivity and potent efficacy. We thereby efficiently synthesized a new class of bioactive compounds that inhibit cell motility in vitro and inhibit human PCa metastasis in a murine model at low nanomolar concentrations. Extensive investigations indicate high specificity at the molecular and cellular levels, and failed to identify toxicity, even at high doses administered over extended periods. Importantly, efficacy against several cancer types was also demonstrated. Target validation studies used our lead as a chemical probe, and point to inhibition of ATM/ATR interaction with specific substrate proteins as important. Together, these studies indicate that we have successfully discovered a novel compound, acting upon a novel pharmacologic target, which selectively inhibits human PCa metastasis. Taken with our favorable preclinical toxicological data, these findings support movement of our lead compound into early phase human trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4752. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4752

Internet pornography exposure and risky sexual behavior among adult males in the United States

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a threat to the public health in the United States. Many sexual behaviors increase an individual’s risk of STI contraction. Chief among these are having unprotected sex, having sex with multiple partners, and either paying for sex or having sex for pay. The present study used General Social Survey (GSS) data from 2000, 2002, and 2004 to explore the association between exposure to internet pornography and these STI risk behaviors among adult US males. After controlling for demographic and individual difference covariates, internet pornography consumption was positively associated with having sex with multiple partners, engaging in paid sex, and having had extramarital sex. Internet pornography consumption was unrelated to having unprotected sex. Subsequent GSSs have not asked participants about exposure to internet pornography. As the GSS is the only ongoing, full-probability, national survey assessing social beliefs and behaviors, the present report provides unique insight into the risky sexual behavior patterns of adult male internet pornography consumers in the United States.

Sexual dimorphism in skeletal browridge and chin morphologies determined using a new quantitative method.

Qualitative methods of describing sexual dimorphism in discrete cranial traits have been criticized for their subjectivity and statistical limitations. However, researchers have yet to be able to accurately capture the morphology of these individual traits using traditional metric techniques. This article presents a method to quantify morphological variation in the skeletal browridge and chin using 3D surface laser scans. Browridge and chin regions are isolated from the skull using objectively defined landmarks and planes. Region areas and volumes are used to quantify absolute and relative size, while semilandmarks along transects are used for more detailed morphometric analyses. An intraobserver error study indicates high repeatability of the method. Application of the method is demonstrated on a sample of US males and females of black and white ancestries. Results suggest significant effects of both sex and ancestry on brow and chin morphologies and are consistent with traditional qualitative descriptions. Our results indicate that the method can accurately and reliably quantify browridge and chin morphologies, providing a tool to objectively describe and statistically analyze these traditionally qualitative discrete cranial traits.

US rates of oral HPV infection

Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is three times more common in US males than in females, according to the results of a newly published large-scale study. As part of the National Health and Nutritional Survey, 5579 males and females aged 14–69 years were tested at mobile examination units. Analysis showed that 10·1% of men and 3·6% of women were positive for oral HPV infection (an overall rate of 6·9%). This, in turn, explains why rates of head and neck cancers are three times higher in males than females. “Our data supports the theory that men are the primary risk group for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer”, coauthor Anil Chaturvedi (National Cancer Institute, Rockville, MD, USA) told The Lancet Oncology.

Cross-cultural examination of test anxiety among US and Singapore students on the Test Anxiety Scale for Elementary Students (TAS-E)

In the present study, the similarity of the factor structure of the Test Anxiety Scale for Elementary Students (TAS-E) and cultural and gender differences in test anxiety were examined in a sample of 1322 US and Singapore elementary students. The similarity of the factor structure of the TAS-E, a measure of test anxiety, was examined to determine whether the same test score interpretation could be made across culture and gender. Coefficient of congruence and salient variable similarity index values indicated that the pairs of matched factors (Physiological Hyperarousal, Social Concerns, Task Irrelevant Behaviour, Worry and Total Test Anxiety factors) of the TAS-E were similar across culture and gender. Results of a 2 × 2 ANOVA and 2 × 2 MANOVA with follow-up ANOVAs revealed that Singapore males scored higher than US males and US females scored higher than Singapore females on the TAS-E Total Test Anxiety scale and the Physiological Hyperarousal subscale. Singapore males also scored higher than US males on the TAS-E Worry subscale. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Concurrent Use of Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco among US Males and Females

Background. The current study describes concurrent use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco (CiST) among males and females and evaluates factors associated with CiST use. Methods. Cross-sectional data were drawn from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Weighted stratified analyses were performed to find associations between CiST use and sociodemographic factors by gender. CiST users were compared to three different tobacco use groups: nonusers, exclusive smokers, and exclusive ST users. Results. Younger age and heavy alcohol consumption were consistently associated with increased odds of CiST use among both males and females, and regardless of comparison group. Among males, education was inversely related to CiST use, and these findings were consistent in all three comparisons. Among women, those unable to work or out of work were more likely to be CiST users, which was consistent across comparisons. American Indian females had higher odds of CiST use than White females when nontobacco users or smokers were the comparison group. Conclusion. This study identified sociodemographic characteristics associated with CiST use, and differences in these associations among women and men. Additionally, this study highlights the need to carefully consider what comparison groups should be used to examine factors associated with CiST use.