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Evidence For Association Between The Hla-Dqa Locus And Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms In The Belgian Population: A Case Control Study, Toru Ogata, Lucie Gregoire, Katrina Ab Goddard, Magdalena Skunca, Gerard Tromp, Wayne D. Lancaster, Antonio R. Parrado, Qing Lu, Hidenori Shibamura, Natzi Sakalihasan, Raymond Limet, Gerald L. Mackean, Claudette Arthur, Taijiro Sueda, Helena Kuivaniemi

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity likely contribute to the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of autoimmunity in the etiology of AAAs using a genetic association study approach with HLA polymorphisms.

Methods

HLA-DQA1, -DQB1, -DRB1 and -DRB3-5 alleles were determined in 387 AAA cases (180 Belgian and 207 Canadian) and 426 controls (269 Belgian and 157 Canadian) by a PCR and single-strand oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay.

Results

We observed a potential association with the HLA-DQA1 locus among Belgian males (empirical p = 0.027, asymptotic p = 0.071). Specifically, there …

Barriers To The Dissemination Of Four Harm Reduction Strategies: A Survey Of Addiction Treatment Providers In Ontario, Karen L. Hobden, John A. Cunningham

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

A sample of service providers at addictions agencies' in Ontario were interviewed by telephone to assess attitudes toward, anticipated internal and external barriers to implementing, and expected benefits of four harm reduction strategies: needle exchange, moderate drinking goals, methadone treatment, and provision of free condoms to clients. Respondents were also asked to define harm reduction, list its most important elements, and describe what they find most troubling and most appealing about harm reduction. Attitudes toward harm reduction in general and the services provided at each agency were also assessed. Results indicated that the service providers surveyed had positive attitudes …

Predictors Of Self-Rated Health: A 12-Month Prospective Study Of It And Media Workers, Dan Hasson, Bengt B. Arnetz, Tã¶Res Theorell, Ulla Anderberg

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the present study was to determine health-related risk and salutogenic factors and to use these to construct prediction models for future self-rated health (SRH), i.e. find possible characteristics predicting individuals improving or worsening in SRH over time (0–12 months).

Methods

A prospective study was conducted with measurements (physiological markers and self-ratings) at 0, 6 and 12 months, involving 303 employees (187 men and 116 women, age 23–64) from four information technology and two media companies.

Results

There were a multitude of statistically significant cross-sectional correlations (Spearman's Rho) between SRH and other self-ratings as well as …

Arterial Blood Pressure Monitoring In Overweight Critically Ill Patients: Invasive Or Noninvasive?, Ali Araghi, Joseph J. Bander, Jorge A. Guzman

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Introduction

Blood pressure measurements frequently guide management in critical care. Direct readings, commonly from a major artery, are considered to be the gold standard. Because arterial cannulation is associated with risks, alternative noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) measurements are routinely used. However, the accuracy of NIBP determinations in overweight patients in the outpatient setting is variable, and little is known about critically ill patients. This prospective, observational study was performed to compare direct intra-arterial blood pressure (IABP) with NIBP measurements obtained using auscultatory and oscillometric methods in overweight patients admitted to our medical intensive care unit.

Method

Adult critically ill …

Recall Of Age Of Weaning And Other Breastfeeding Variables, Brenda Gillespie, Hannah D'Arcy, Kendra Schwartz, Janet Bobo, Betsy Foxman

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Background

Many studies of the impact of breastfeeding on child or maternal health have relied on data reported retrospectively. The goal of this study was to assess recall accuracy among breastfeeding mothers of retrospectively collected data on age of weaning, reasons for cessation, breast pain, lactation mastitis, and pumping.

Methods

Women in Michigan and Nebraska, U.S.A. were interviewed by telephone every 3 weeks during the first 3 months after the birth of their child, and mailed a questionnaire at 6 months. A subset was interviewed again by telephone approximately 1–3.5 years after the birth. The results for the three …