Promoting safe hygiene practices in public restrooms: a pilot study.

The study described in this article examined the impact of hygiene posters in promoting safe hygiene practices for used toilet tissue disposal in public restrooms. Although the long-held hygiene norm in homes for the disposal of used toilet tissue in a container may occur in the rural U.S.

Transcriptional repression of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene (CHRNA7) by activating protein-2α (AP-2α).

The CHRNA7 gene, which encodes the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7*nAChR), has been implicated as a candidate gene in schizophrenia. Expression of the α7*nAChR mRNA and protein are reduced in multiple regions of post-mortem brain from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Transcriptional regulation may therefore be an important mechanism for the regulation of this gene.

A 2-base pair deletion polymorphism in the partial duplication of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine gene (CHRFAM7A) on chromosome 15q14 is associated with schizophrenia.

Multiple genetic linkage studies support the hypothesis that the 15q13-14 chromosomal region contributes to the etiology of schizophrenia. Among the putative candidate genes in this area are the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (CHRNA7) and its partial duplication, CHRFAM7A. A large chromosomal segment including the CHRFAM7A gene locus, but not the CHRNA7 locus, is deleted in some individuals.

Association of the 5'-upstream regulatory region of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene (CHRNA7) with schizophrenia.

Background: The alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene (CHRNA7) is localized in a chromosomal region (15q14) linked to schizophrenia in multiple independent studies. CHRNA7 was selected as the best candidate gene in the region for a well-documented endophenotype of schizophrenia, the P50 sensory processing deficit, by genetic linkage and biochemical studies.

Methods: Subjects included Caucasian-Non Hispanic and African-American case-control subjects collected in Denver, and schizophrenic subjects from families in the NIMH Genetics Initiative on Schizophrenia.

Comparison of polymorphisms in the alpha7 nicotinic receptor gene and its partial duplication in schizophrenic and control subjects.

The hypothesis that the 15q13-15 region of chromosome 15 contains a gene that contributes to the etiology of schizophrenia is supported by multiple genetic linkage studies. The alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (CHRNA7) gene was selected as the best candidate gene in this region for molecular investigation, based on these linkage findings and biological evidence in both human and rodent models. CHRNA7 receptors are decreased in expression in postmortem brain of schizophrenic subjects.

Using hierarchical spatial models for cancer control planning in Minnesota (United States).

Objective: Region-specific maps of cancer incidence, mortality, late detection rates, and screening rates can be very helpful in the planning, targeting, and coordination of cancer control activities. Unfortunately, past efforts in this area have been few, and have not used appropriate statistical models that account for the correlation of rates across both neighboring regions and different cancer types. In this article we develop such models, and apply them to the problem of cancer control in the counties of Minnesota during the period 1993-1997.

Association of promoter variants in the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene with an inhibitory deficit found in schizophrenia.

Background: The alpha7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit gene (CHRNA7) has been implicated as a candidate gene for schizophrenia, and for an auditory sensory processing deficit found in the disease, by both genetic linkage at 15q14 and biochemical data. The expression of CHRNA7 is reduced in several brain regions in schizophrenic subjects compared with control subjects. This study presents DNA sequence analysis of the core promoter region for CHRNA7 in schizophrenic and control subjects.

Temporal trends in tuberculosis hospitalization rates before and after implementation of directly observed therapy: New York City, 1988-1995.

New York City hospitalization rates were analyzed to investigate whether tuberculosis (TB) hospitalizations declined after implementation of directly observed therapy (DOT) for TB. TB hospitalization rates mirrored incidence rates in pattern but not in magnitude. Rates have declined significantly following widespread implementation of DOT in 1993.