A comparison of doctoral training in biomedicine and medicine for some UK and Scandinavian graduate programmes: learning from each other.

Although the historical bases for graduate training in the United Kingdom (UK) and Scandinavia both stem from the original concept developed by von Humboldt, and both award a 'PhD degree', their paths have diverged. There are thus significant differences in the manner in which graduate training is organised. To analyse these differences, two UK graduate programmes (School of Medicine, Cardiff University; Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool) and two Scandinavian graduate schools (Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen; Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm) completed a Self-evaluation questionnaire developed by Organisation of PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System (ORPHEUS)).

Arterial stiffness and peripheral vascular resistance in offspring of hypertensive parents: influence of sex and other confounders.

Aim: Established essential hypertension is associated with increased arterial stiffness and peripheral resistance, but the extent of vascular changes in persons genetically predisposed for essential hypertension is uncertain.

Methods: Participants from the Danish Hypertension Prevention Project (DHyPP) (both parents hypertensive) (n = 95, 41 ± 1 years, 53% men) were compared with available spouses (n = 45, 41 ± 1 years) using measurements of ambulatory blood pressure (BP), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), pulse wave velocity, central BP and augmentation index (AIx) in addition to forearm resting and minimal resistance [forearm resting vascular resistance (Rrest) and forearm minimal vascular resistance (Rmin)].

Results: DHyPP patients with participating spouses had higher 24-h mean BP (94 ± 1 vs.

A comparison of best practices for doctoral training in Europe and North America.

The PhD degree was established in Berlin 200 years ago and has since spread across the whole world. While there is general agreement that the degree is awarded in recognition of successfully completed research training, there have been significant differences in the way doctoral training programs have developed in particular countries. There is, however, a clear global tendency to follow the programs currently used either in the United States or in Europe.

Renal resistance and long-term blood pressure in individuals genetically predisposed for essential hypertension: 10-year follow-up of the Danish Hypertension Prevention Project.

Aim: Young individuals genetically predisposed for essential hypertension have increased renal vascular resistance. We evaluated whether 1 year of angiotensin II receptor blockade decreases afferent arteriolar resistance (RA) and induces a sustained blood pressure (BP) reduction during a 10-year follow-up period in offspring of parents both diagnosed with essential hypertension.

Methods: Based on renal plasma flow (p-aminohippurate clearance) and glomerular filtration rate (Cr-EDTA clearance) RA was calculated according to the model originally established by Gomez.

Positive effects of aggressive vasodilator treatment of well-treated essential hypertensive patients.

Increased systemic vascular resistance and coronary microvascular dysfunction are well-documented in essential hypertension (EH). We investigated the effect of additional vasodilating treatment on coronary and peripheral resistance circulation in EH patients with high systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) despite well-treated blood pressure (BP). We enroled patients on stable antihypertensive treatment that were given intensified vasodilating therapy (ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker or calcium channel blocker).