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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Birth seasonality in the Old Order Amish.

The Old Order Amish are a healthy and well-nourished natural fertility population, so that the timing of births is not influenced by behaviours to limit family size, undernutrition or disease. The present study examines the monthly distribution of 8160 births occurring between 1920 and 1991 in the Geauga Settlement in north-east Ohio, USA. The monthly distribution of births in the Geauga Settlement is bimodal, with a major peak extending from August to October, a minor peak in February, and a major trough from April to June. This pattern is almost identical to the pattern found in the US in 1943. The monthly distribution of first births appears to be influenced to some extent by a highly significant seasonal pattern of weddings. The pattern of births in the Old Order Amish is consistent with the hypothesis that the spring trough in US births is at least partially caused by a decrease in coital frequency and/or a decrease in fecundability as a result of hot summer temperatures but is not consistent with the hypothesis that the fall peak in US births is primarily due to an increase in coital frequency during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday seasons.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

An outbreak of viral gastroenteritis associated with adequately prepared oysters.

Over Christmas 1993, an outbreak of food poisoning occurred among guests in a hotel in South West Scotland. Evidence from a cohort study strongly suggested that raw oysters were the vehicle for infection, probably due to a Small Round Structured Virus (SRSV). Detailed enquiry about the source and preparation of the oysters revealed no evidence of any unsafe handling at any stage in the food chain, nor any evidence of bacterial contamination. It is suggested that the present standards of preparation and monitoring are inadequate to protect the consumer, and that bacteriophage monitoring may be a useful method of screening for viral contamination in future.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Incomplete sanitation of a meat grinder and ingestion of raw ground beef: contributing factors to a large outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium infection.

Consumers in the United States continue to eat raw or undercooked foods of animal origin despite public health warnings following several well-publicized outbreaks. We investigated an outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infection in 158 patients in Wisconsin during the 1994 Christmas holiday period. To determine the vehicle and source of the outbreak, we conducted cohort and case-control studies, and environmental investigations in butcher shop A. Eating raw ground beef purchased from butcher shop A was the only item significantly associated with illness [cohort study: relative risk = 5.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.5-21.8; case control study: odds ratio = 46.2, 95% CI = 3.8-2751]. Inadequate cleaning and sanitization of the meat grinder in butcher shop A likely resulted in sustained contamination of ground beef during an 8-day interval. Consumer education, coupled with hazard reduction efforts at multiple stages in the food processing chain, will continue to play an important role in the control of foodborne illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

An outbreak of Trichinella spiralis infection in southern Lebanon.

An outbreak of trichinosis occurred during January 1995 in a south Lebanese village with a population of 800-1000 persons. The estimated number of persons treated for a Trichinella-like illness was 200. Sixty-three persons sought medical attention at a local infirmary: 44 of them were diagnosed as having trichinosis or suspected trichinosis according to their clinical symptoms, signs and laboratory tests. An environmental investigation indicated that the source of infection was pork obtained from a single butcher in the village and consumed uncooked, as an ingredient of 'kubeniye' (a local dish), during Christmas and New Year's meals. Sera of patients, suspected patients, and asymptomatic controls were tested for the presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies. Eight (89%) of the 9 tested patients were positive, 1 (11%) was negative. Among the 7 suspected patients, 2 (28.5%) were positive, 3 (42.9%) had equivocal results, and 2 (28.5%) were negative. Among the 20 asymptomatic persons, 3 (15%) were positive, 12 (60%) negative and 5 (25%) had equivocal results. Specimens from the implicated pork meat were examined by microscopy and were found to contain encysted larvae of Trichinella spiralis. This outbreak of trichinosis is one of the largest reported. Previous outbreaks in Lebanon occurred under very similar circumstances, indicating a need to control and prevent the trading of pork meat that is not under veterinary control, and to increase the awareness of the population for this problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Transmission of calicivirus by a foodhandler in the pre-symptomatic phase of illness.

After a Christmas party in a restaurant, 48 (68%) of the 82 guests contracted calicivirus gastroenteritis. The epidemiological investigation showed that salad was strongly associated with the disease episode (RR = 2.43, P = 0.0005). Similar symptoms occurred among other customers who had had a meal at the same restaurant on the same evening. A foodhandler who had only prepared salad and appetizers became sick about 30 min after the end of his shift. He had been free of symptoms while preparing food. Few outbreak investigations have shown calicivirus transmission by foodhandlers some hours before becoming symptomatic.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Leptographium wingfieldii introduced into North America and found associated with exotic Tomicus piniperda and native bark beetles.

Leptographium wingfieldii is a well-known fungal associate of the pine shoot beetle, Tomicus piniperda, in Europe. This fungus is pathogenic to pines and is an important cause of blue-stain in the sapwood of infested trees. Tomicus piniperda was first found in a Christmas tree plantation in Ohio, USA, 1992, but isolation of the fungi associated with these intercepted insects was not attempted. Fungal strains resembling L. wingfieldii were recently isolated from pines attacked by T. piniperda, Dendroctonus valens and Ips pini in the northeastern United States. These strains were morphologically similar to the ex-type and other reference strains of L. wingfieldii. Strains were also compared based on sequences of the partial ITS ribosomal DNA operon, beta-tubulin and elongation factor 1-alpha (EF-1alpha) genes. Based on these DNA sequence comparisons, reference strains of European L. wingfieldii were conspecific with North American strains from pines attacked by T. piniperda, D. valens and I. pini. A single strain from Canada, collected in 1993 near the Ontario border with the USA, shortly after the discovery of T. piniperda in that area and tentatively identified as L. wingfieldii, was also included in this study. Its identification was confirmed, suggesting that L. wingfieldii has been present in this region and probably over the whole range of the insect's distribution for at least a decade. This represents the first record of L. wingfieldii associated with the introduced and damaging pine shoot beetle T. piniperda in North America. It shows that the fungus is well established and can become associated with other native bark beetles that attack stressed and/or dying trees. The occurrence and spread of this highly pathogenic fungus associated with North American bark beetles should be monitored.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Factor X activating enzyme from Russell's viper venom: isolation and characterization.

The protease from Russell's viper venom that activates factor X (Stuart factor), factor IX (Christmas factor), and protein C was purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 and QAE-Sephadex A-50 column chromatography. The purified enzyme migrated as a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with an apparent molecular weight of 79 000. A minimal molecular weight of 78 500 +/- 800 was determined by sedimentation equilibrium in the presence of 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Upon reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol, a heavy chain (mol wt 59 000) and a light chain were observed. The light chain migrated as a single band (mol wt 19 000) in 7.5% polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gels but appeared as a doublet (mol wt 18 000 and 20 000) in 10% polyacrylamide-sodium dodecyl sulfate gels. The amino-terminal end of the heavy chain was heterogeneous and contained isoleucine, valine and serine. The amino-terminal sequence of the light chain was Val-Leu-Asp. The factor X activator contained 13% carbohydrate including 6.0% hexose, 1.7% N-acetyleneuraminic acid, and 5.3% galactosamine. Most of the carbohydrate was found to be present in the heavy chain, although some was also observed in both forms of the light chain. The factor X activator had no esterase activity toward benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg-p-nitroanilide or benzoylarginine ethyl ester and was not inhibited by 0.05 M diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. These data indicate that factor X activator from Russell's viper venom is a highly specific protease composed of one heavy chain and one light chain, and these chains are held together by a disulfide bond(s).

Acetylgalactosamine↗
PubMed1999

How can obese weight controllers minimize weight gain during the high risk holiday season? By self-monitoring very consistently.

This study examined the efficacy of augmenting standard weekly cognitive-behavioral treatment for obesity with a self-monitoring intervention during the high risk holiday season. Fifty-seven participants in a long-term cognitive-behavioral treatment program were randomly assigned to self-monitoring intervention or comparison groups. During 2 holiday weeks (Christmas-New Years), the intervention group's treatment was supplemented with additional phone calls and daily mailings, all focused on self-monitoring. As hypothesized, the intervention group self-monitored more consistently and managed their weight better than the comparison group during the holidays. However, both groups struggled with weight management throughout the holidays. These findings support the critical role of self-monitoring in weight control and demonstrate the benefits of a low-cost intervention for assisting weight controllers during the holidays.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gene deletions in patients with haemophilia B and anti-factor IX antibodies.

Christmas disease, or haemophilia B, is an inherited X-linked haemorrhagic disease which at present occurs in 798 known cases in the United Kingdom, corresponding to a frequency of about 1 in 30,000 males. Patients are deficient in the intrinsic clotting factor IX and are treated by replacement of this protein prepared from pooled plasma obtained from normal individuals. Occasionally treatment is complicated by the appearance of specific anti-factor IX antibodies. It seemed to us that this might be due to the absence of 'self' factor IX causing the immune system to regard the infused normal factor IX as foreign. The absence of all or part of the factor IX gene was an obvious possible reason for this, which we have now tested using our previously isolated gene probe. We have found four patients with gross gene defects.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of active human clotting factor IX from recombinant DNA clones in mammalian cells.

Haemophilia B, or Christmas disease, is an inherited X-chromosome-linked bleeding disorder caused by a defect in clotting factor IX and occurs in about 1 in 30,000 males in the United Kingdom. Injection of factor IX concentrate obtained from blood donors allows most patients to be successfully managed. However, because of impurities in the factor IX concentrate presently in use, this treatment involves some risk of infection by blood-borne viruses such as non-A, non-B hepatitis and the virus causing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Because of the recent concern about the increasing incidence of AIDS amongst haemophiliacs, a factor IX preparation derived from a source other than blood is desirable. Here, we report that after introduction of human factor IX DNA clones into a rat hepatoma cell line using recombinant DNA methods, we were able to isolate small amounts of biologically active human factor IX.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Active gamma-carboxylated human factor IX expressed using recombinant DNA techniques.

Factor IX (Christmas factor), a vitamin K-dependent plasma protein made in the liver, functions in the middle phase of the intrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. A functional deficiency of factor IX underlies haemophilia B, a chromosome X-linked recessive disease for which the major therapeutic approach is replacement treatment using factor IX concentrates. The cloning and characterization of the gene for human factor IX would mean that human factor IX could be produced in greater yield and purity through using recombinant DNA techniques. We have now used a human factor IX cDNA clone, inserted into a vaccinia virus-derived vector, to infect human hepatoma cells which normally produce no factor IX, and mouse fibroblasts. Fully active factor IX was produced by the hepatoma cells, whereas the fibroblasts produced a protein less active than natural factor IX, even in the presence of high levels of vitamin K. Human factor IX is extensively post-translationally modified, and thus represents probably the most complex protein produced in active form by recombinant DNA techniques to date. Our study also illustrates the potential of vaccinia virus-based vectors for expressing significant amounts of complex, clinically useful proteins in eukaryotic cells, in addition to its already demonstrated usefulness for producing live recombinant vaccines.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of active human factor IX in transfected cells.

Factor IX is the precursor of a serine protease that functions in the intrinsic blood clotting pathway. Deficiencies in this plasma glycoprotein result in haemophilia B (or Christmas disease) and occur in about 1 in 30,000 males. Patients are currently treated with fresh frozen plasma or prothrombin complex concentrates prepared from pooled plasma from normal individuals. There are several problems with this method of treatment, including the probable exposure of the patients to contaminants such as the viral agents responsible for hepatitis and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). As a first step towards an alternative source of pure human factor IX, we report here on the use of recombinant DNA techniques to produce biologically active factor IX in cultured mammalian cells. Stable cell lines were produced by cotransfecting a baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell line with a plasmid containing a gene for factor IX and a plasmid containing a selectable marker. Protein secreted by these cell lines reduces the clotting time of plasma from factor IX-deficient patients. We present additional evidence that this protein is authentic human factor IX.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Haemophilia B caused by a point mutation in a donor splice junction of the human factor IX gene.

Haemophilia B (Christmas disease) is an inherited, recessive, sex-linked, haemorrhagic condition caused by a defect in the intrinsic clotting factor IX. This disease occurs in males at a frequency of approximately 1 in 30,000. Patients differ in the severity of their clinical symptoms, and variation in the clotting activity and in the concentration of factor IX antigen in their plasma has been demonstrated. There is probably heterogeneity in the molecular defects of the factor IX gene causing the disease. Here we study a severely affected, antigen-negative patient, and show that the only significant sequence difference from the normal factor IX gene is a point mutation changing the obligatory GT to a TT within the donor splice junction of exon f. We infer that this change is the cause of the disease in this individual. In addition, we have used oligodeoxynucleotide probes specific for this mutation to demonstrate the feasibility of carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for relatives of the patient.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Disruption of a C/EBP binding site in the factor IX promoter is associated with haemophilia B.

Haemophilia B (or Christmas disease) is an inherited, X-linked bleeding disorder caused by mutations in the gene for clotting factor IX. There is a rare class of patients, exemplified by haemophilia B Leyden, who suffer from haemophilia B as children but improve after puberty. In these patients, plasma factor IX concentrations are less than 10% of normal during childhood, but after puberty they gradually rise to between 40 and 80% of normal. Mutations clustered around the main transcription start point (defined as +1 (ref.2)) have been reported in seven of these patients (at -20 (refs 1, 3, 4); -6 (refs 5, 6) and +13 (refs 7, 8)). To determine how these mutations interfere with factor IX expression, we have assayed for transcription factors binding to this area and have identified a nuclear factor-1 liver (NF1-L) binding site (-99 to -76) and a binding site for the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) (+1 to +18). We show that the A----G mutation at +13 prevents the binding of C/EBP to this site. Furthermore, we show that C/EBP is capable of transactivating a cotransfected normal factor IX promoter but not the mutant promoter. This is the first natural mutation to be reported which disrupts a C/EBP binding site and is an illustration of the importance of this transcription factor in humans.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1986

Phenylpropanolamine OROS (Acutrim) vs. placebo in combination with caloric restriction and physician-managed behavior modification.

We added phenylpropanolamine OROS (Acutrim; Ciba-Geigy Corp.) or placebo to a physician-managed behavior modification, mild caloric restriction, and exercise weight control program. One hundred six healthy, overweight (115% to 130% ideal body weight) women participated in this 14-week double-blind clinical trial. On average, the participants who took Acutrim lost significantly more weight (X +/- SE; 6.1 +/- 0.6 kg; 8.0% +/- 0.8%) than did those taking placebo (4.3 +/- 0.7 kg; 5.5% +/- 0.8%; P less than 0.05). Those taking Actrim continued to lose weight over the Christmas holiday, while the placebo group gained weight. Fifteen participants taking placebo withdrew, three because of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Thirteen of 53 participants in the Acutrim group left the study, two because of ADRs. Dry mouth was the most frequent complaint from participants taking Acutrim. No serious cardiovascular effects occurred. Both complaints and the number of participants reporting ADRs decreased with continued dosing. We conclude that Acutrim is a safe, modestly effective adjunct to a physician-managed, integrated weight control program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Sibutramine in weight control: a dose-ranging, efficacy study.

We tested the safety and efficacy of sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, and placebo on weight loss. Medication was added to caloric restriction, behavior modification, and exercise in a parallel-group, double-blind clinical trial. Participants were 130% to 180% of ideal body weight and in good health. The study lasted 12 weeks over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Weight loss during 8 weeks of study medication was: placebo, 1.4 +/- 2.1 kg (n = 19); 5 mg sibutramine, 2.9 +/- 2.3 kg (n = 18); and 20 mg sibutramine, 5.0 +/- 2.7 kg (n = 18) (p less than 0.05 sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, versus placebo; p less than 0.05 sibutramine, 20 mg versus 5 mg). There is a significant dose-effect relationship. Five participants left the study before completion, all because of adverse events; placebo (one patient), 5 mg sibutramine (one patient), and 20 mg sibutramine (three patients). Sleep difficulties were noted by eight participants (20 mg sibutramine, seven patients; 5 mg, one patient; and placebo, no patients). Six of 21 participants receiving 20 mg complained of irritability, unusual impatience, or "excitation." Sibutramine, 5 and 20 mg, added to a multimodal program assisted participants in losing weight.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Redkino to Rutland--a glimmer of Glasnost.

Margaret Herd met Vladimir Nikitin on a BDJ study tour in the Soviet Union in March 1988. As a result of their meeting Margaret moved heaven and earth to help Vladimir come for a taste of the West. He spent a month in Britain last Christmas, encountering with awe and disbelief the many everyday things that we take for granted. Here Margaret describes Vladimir's brief visit.

Education, Dental↗
PubMed2003

A view from the bodies corporate. 6. Oasis Dental Care Ltd. Interview by F. Stuart-Wilson.

Peter Brook and I finally meet in London on the third attempt at getting together for an interview. However, the fates which seemed to conspire against us with hindsight seemed to be working for us, as when we do meet before Christmas he is able to tell me about not just one, but two major acquisitions. The acquisitions of Ora Dental Care and Dencare mean that he is now Group Clinical Director of a corporate with 124 sites, making Oasis one of the largest players in the market.

Delivery of Health Care↗