Dissection of a genetic locus influencing renal function in the rat and its concordance with kidney disease loci on human chromosome 1q21.

Previously, we conducted a genome scan on a population derived from the Dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive (S) and the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) using urinary albumin excretion (UAE) as our primary measure of renal function. We identified 10 quantitative trait loci (QTL) linked to several renal and/or cardiovascular traits. In particular, linkage and subsequent congenic strain analysis demonstrated that the loci on chromosome 2 had a large and significant effect on UAE compared with the S rat.

Fine-mapping and comprehensive transcript analysis reveals nonsynonymous variants within a novel 1.17 Mb blood pressure QTL region on rat chromosome 10.

The presence of blood pressure (BP) quantitative trait loci (QTL) on rat chromosome 10 has been clearly demonstrated by linkage analysis and substitution mapping. Using congenic strains containing the LEW rat chromosomal segments on the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat background, further iterations of congenic substrains were constructed and characterized to fine-map a chromosome 10 region (QTL1) linked to blood pressure. Comparison of seven congenic substrains refined QTL1 to a 1.

What is the potential cost-effectiveness of enforcing a prohibition on the sale of tobacco to minors?

Background: Enforcement programs to halt the sale of tobacco to youths have been implemented across the United States. The potential cost-effectiveness of enforcement was evaluated under a range of assumptions regarding cost and impact.

Methods: An enforcement model was constructed incorporating quarterly inspections of all tobacco vendors.