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Biomedical subjects

S Weissman

Publications and source records attributed to S Weissman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Left ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram: prognostic implications from a 10-year cohort study of older subjects: a report from the Bronx Longitudinal Aging Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to report on the prevalence, incidence and prognosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in a cohort of ambulatory older men and women. DESIGN: A prospective, longitudinal study of 10 years duration with ECGs obtained at baseline and on an annual basis. SETTING AND PATIENTS: A community-based cohort study consisting of 459 subjects (aged 75-85, mean age 79 years). MEASUREMENTS: Baseline and follow up ECGs were interpreted using the Minnesota Code. Prevalence and incidence of LVH and ECG were determined as well as regression of ECG LVH. Clinical event rates measured were incidence of total mortality, myocardial infarction (MI, fatal and non-fatal), cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular disease (fatal and non-fatal), stroke (fatal and non-fatal), all-cause dementia, and multi-infarct dementia. Differences in event rates between groups (those subjects with and without LVH) were compared as tests between proportions. A Cox Proportional Hazards Regression Analysis was performed to compare the relative independent predictive values of different competing factors, including age, gender, serum cholesterol, digitalis use, body mass, index, Blessed Dementia Scale, cigarette smoking, LVH at baseline, LVH ar baseline (persisting), new LVH, new LVH (persisting), new LVH (regressed), previous MI by history of ECG, hypertension by history, and cardiomegaly by X-ray (cardiothoracic ratio > or = 50%). RESULTS: At baseline, 9.2% of subjects (n = 42) had LVH on ECG and a mortality rate of 11.7/100 persons years versus 4.9/100 persons years for subjects without baseline LVH (P < .0001), and MI rate of 7.5/100 persons years with LVH versus 2.6/100 persons years without LVH (P < .0001), and a cardiovascular mortality rate of 7.2/100 persons years without LVH versus 2.7/100 person years without LVH. Subjects who developed new LVH on ECG (n = 39) had a mortality rate of 14.4/100 person-years compared with 4.4/100 person-years for those without LVH (P < .0001), a cardiovascular mortality rate of 11.1/100 person years versus 2.0/100 person years without LVH (P < .0001), and an MI rate of 6.1/100 person years versus 2.0/100 person years without LVH (P < .01). Subjects in whom the ECG LVH pattern disappeared over time had fewer cardiovascular mortal and morbid events than those with persistent LVH. According to the regression analyses, persistent LVH from baseline was an independent predictor of MI, overall cardiovascular disease, and total mortality. Newly developing LVH with subsequent regression was an independent predictor of overall cardiovascular disease and death. CONCLUSIONS: An increased prevalence and incidence of LVH on ECG, irrespective cause, is associated with a poor prognosis in very old men and women. Regression of ECG LVH in older people, irrespective of cause, may confer improvement in risk for cardiovascular disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

cDNA selection from 10 Mb of chromosome 21 DNA: efficiency in transcriptional mapping and reflections of genome organization.

The technique of cDNA hybridization selection has been applied individually to 16 YAC clones mapping to various regions of the long arm of human chromosome 21. YACs represented approximately 10 Mb of non-overlapping DNA, and cDNA sources included fetal brain, whole fetus, and adult testes, thymus, liver and spleen. Sequencing, Northern analysis, RT-PCR and cDNA library screenings have been used to identify and partially characterize a non-redundant set of novel genes. A preliminary analysis strategy of the selected cDNAs has proven rapid and effective for isolation of the more highly represented genes and is suitable for survey transcriptional mapping efforts. By scaling up to screen > 1000 cDNA fragments per 100 kb of YAC DNA, more rare transcripts are identified and lead to comprehensive gene maps. Strong regional variations in transcriptional activity were observed, with gene densities ranging from < 1/2000 kb to > 1/15 kb. This effort has produced a large number of new genes of potential relevance to Down Syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Fluctuations in serum amylase in patients with macroamylasemia.

OBJECTIVE: To report wide fluctuation of serum amylase in patients with macroamylasemia. It has generally been considered to remain constant. METHODS: Over the past 16 y, 18 patients have been diagnosed with macroamylasemia in our GI department. Of these, four patients were followed up with serial serum amylase determinations for a period of less than 1-4 y. Serum amylase was measured by the "Phadebas amylase test." Serum macroamylase was measured by "PEG precipitation technique." RESULTS: There was a wide fluctuation of serum amylase in three out of four patients. In the fourth patient, more persistent hyperamylasemia was noted during the shorter observation period. CONCLUSION: Marked fluctuation in serum amylase, ranging from 115 to 1160% in this study, may occur in patients with macroamylasemia. The reasons for these fluctuations are not clear but may be due to association-dissociation of amylase with serum proteins at variable time intervals. This fluctuation, especially when the amylase becomes normal (as in cases 1 and 3), may lead to confusion in differentiating macroamylasemia from other causes of hyperamylasemia.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

American psychiatry in the 21st century: the discipline, its practice, and its work force.

As the 21st century nears, various forces are affecting American mental health care delivery. After reviewing these forces in terms of their impact on psychiatry, the author summarizes the nature of psychiatry and psychiatric practice as branches of medicine. He then presents a picture of new and graduating psychiatric residents, focusing on (1) their changing views of the role of biological and psychological work with patients, and (2) their future career plans. The author concludes with a challenge to maintain a definition of psychiatry that links mind and brain, and from this foundation to demonstrate to students, society, and policymakers alike a model of psychiatry that integrates biological, psychological, and social perspectives in the treatment of patients.

Education, Medical, Graduate↗
PubMed1993

An integrated approach for identifying and mapping human genes.

We have developed a method for generating expressed-sequence maps of human chromosomes. The method involves several steps that begin with libraries of highly representative short cDNAs prepared by using random oligomers as primers. The cDNA inserts are amplified by PCR with flanking vector primers. Chromosomal region-specific cDNA packets are prepared by hybridization of the cDNA inserts to DNA derived from yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) assigned to defined regions of human chromosomes. The cDNA packets are cloned into yeast chromosome fragmentation vectors and used for transformation of yeast bearing the YAC used for affinity purification. Sequences in the cDNAs undergo homologous recombination with the corresponding exons in the genomic DNA yielding a set of truncated YACs. Each unique truncation specifies the location of an exon in the YAC. Since all of the truncation events end with the same vector sequence, it is possible to rescue and sequence these ends to generate expressed sequence tags. The method couples rapid purification of region-specific cDNAs with precise mapping of their genes on YACs. Appropriately truncated YACs also provide easy access to gene regulatory sequences. We describe the feasibility of individual steps of the method using the factor IX (F9) gene as a model system and we present the mapping of several expressed sequences corresponding to a 330-kb YAC containing DNA from human chromosome 6p21. In addition, we obtained the sequence, including an intron-exon junction, flanking a particular truncation event.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A national study of psychiatrists' professional activities.

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: A mail survey was conducted in 1988-1989 to study the professional activities of U.S. psychiatrists. Data from the 19,431 active respondents are reported. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of the psychiatrists were women, an increase from the 17% reported in 1982. The median age of the respondents was 50 years. Nearly one-third of the respondents expressed interest in each of the following areas of subspecialization: adolescent psychiatry, substance abuse, geriatrics, and consultation-liaison psychiatry. More than one-fifth reported formal fellowship training in child/adolescent psychiatry. The psychiatrists worked an average of 48 hours per week--two-thirds in direct patient care--in an average of 2.3 different settings. The proportion of psychiatrists reporting private practice as their primary work setting showed a marked decline from 53% in 1982 to 45% in 1988. There was an increase from 4% in 1982 to 11% in 1988 in those whose primary work setting was a private psychiatric hospital. The typical caseload was over 60 patients, with roughly half that number seen each week. For inpatients treated, the two most common diagnoses were affective disorders and schizophrenic disorders. In a typical week psychiatrists treated about one-half of their outpatients with individual psychotherapy; three-fifths of these were also treated with medications. The average net income for psychiatrists working 35 hours or more per week was $99,850 for men and $73,174 for women. CONCLUSIONS: Major trends evident from this study are subspecialization, medicalization, privatization, feminization, and organizational diversification.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Mouse interferons enhance the accumulation of a human HLA RNA and protein in transfected mouse and hamster cells.

A recombinant clone (pJY150R1.1) encoding the human major histocompatibility antigen (HLA-B7) was introduced into mouse cells and hamster cells by cotransformation with selectable genes. The exposure to mouse interferon of the cells transformed to HLA-B7+ resulted in a severalfold increase in the level of HLA antigen and RNA. The HLA-B7 clone used for the transfection includes a 670-base pair DNA sequence upstream from the coding segment. It remains to be established if the 670-base pair segment is necessary and/or sufficient to make the transcription of the HLA gene responsive to interferon.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Characterization and biological activity of cloned simian virus 40 DNA fragments.

The biological activity of fragments of the SV40 genome was determined by manual microinjection of the fragments into the nuclei of mammalian cells. Fragments of the SV40 A gene (that codes for the T antigens) were obtained either directly by digestion with restriction endonucleases or after cloning into plasmid pBR322. Three different biological activities were studied: expression of T antigen, induction of cell DNA synthesis, and, in a few cases, reactivation of repressed ribosomal RNA genes. By using a number of fragments with deletions in the various portions of the SV40 A gene, we have been able to conclude that: 1) the sequences from 0.65 to 0.51 map units are not needed for the induction of cell DNA synthesis; 2) the sequences from 0.42 to 0.17 map units are not needed for the induction of cell DNA synthesis; and 3) the critical sequences for the induction of cell DNA synthesis, 0.51 to 0.42 map units, are different from those necessary for the reactivation of repressed ribosomal RNA genes (0.39-0.33 map units). These results indicate that the information for these two fundamental processes of cell proliferation resides in two separate and distinct domains of the SV40 A gene.

Animals↗