Rush University Medical Center

About: Rush University Medical Center is a healthcare organization based out in Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 13915 authors who have published 29027 publications receiving 1379216 citations. The organization is also known as: Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center.

Significance of ventricular tachycardia in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: observations in 35 patients.

Abstract: To evaluate the significance of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), 35 consecutive patients seen between 1976 and 1980 were studied. The criteria for diagnosis of IDC were based on clinical, laboratory, and cardiac catheterization findings. All patients had right and left heart catheterization, left ventriculography, and coronary cineangiography. Long-term ambulatory electrocardiograms (Holter) were obtained in all patients at the time of diagnosis. There were 24 male and 11 female patients aged 22 to 72 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD] 51 ± 12). Frequent ventricular premature beats (VPB) (30/h) were observed in 29 patients (83%): complex VPB (Lown grades 3, 4, and 5) in 93% and simple VPB in 7%. Twenty-one patients (60%) had nonsustained VT consisting of 3 to 46 beats (8 ± 5) with rates from 75 to 210/min. No difference between patients with and those without VT was observed in regard to the presenting symptoms, functional classification, electrocardiographic findings, heart size on chest X-ray, and the hemodynamic measurements including cardiac index, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and ejection fraction. Patients with VT were older (p

Epilepsy in fragile X syndrome.

Abstract: Epilepsy is reported to occur in 10 to 20% of individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). A frequent seizure/EEG pattern in FXS appears to resemble that of benign focal epilepsy of childhood (BFEC, benign rolandic epilepsy). To evaluate seizure frequency and type in a Chicago FXS cohort, data regarding potential seizure history were reviewed for 136 individuals with FXS (age range 2 to 51 years: 113 males and 23 females). Seizures occurred in 15 males (13.3%) and one female (4.8%): of these, 12 had partial seizures. EEG findings were available for 35 individuals (13 of 16 with seizures and 22 of 120 without seizures) and showed an epileptiform abnormality in 10 (77%) individuals with seizures and five (23%) individuals without seizures--the most common epileptiform pattern being centrotemporal spikes. Seizures were easily controlled in 14 of the 16 individuals with seizures. Many individuals, including all with centrotemporal spikes, had remission of seizures in childhood. The most common seizure syndrome resembled BFEC and this pattern had the best prognosis for epilepsy remission. Deficiency of FMRP (fragile X mental retardation protein) appears to lead to increased neuronal excitability and susceptibility to epilepsy, but particularly seems to facilitate mechanisms leading to the BFEC pattern.

Dietary Copper and High Saturated and trans Fat Intakes Associated With Cognitive Decline

Abstract: Background: Evidence from prospective epidemiologic studies and animal models suggests that intakes of dietary fats and copper may be associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: To examine whether high dietary copper intake is associated with increased cognitive decline among persons who also consume a diet high in saturated and trans fats. Design: Community-based prospective study. Setting: Chicago, Ill.

FMR1 CGG allele size and prevalence ascertained through newborn screening in the United States

Abstract: Population screening for FMR1 mutations has been a topic of considerable discussion since the FMR1 gene was identified in 1991. Advances in understanding the molecular basis of fragile X syndrome (FXS) and in genetic testing methods have led to new, less expensive methodology to use for large screening endeavors. A core criterion for newborn screening is an accurate understanding of the public health burden of a disease, considering both disease severity and prevalence rate. This article addresses this need by reporting prevalence rates observed in a pilot newborn screening study for FXS in the US. Blood spot screening of 14,207 newborns (7,312 males and 6,895 females) was conducted in three birthing hospitals across the United States beginning in November 2008, using a PCR-based approach. The prevalence of gray zone alleles was 1:66 females and 1:112 males, while the prevalence of a premutation was 1:209 females and 1:430 males. Differences in prevalence rates were observed among the various ethnic groups; specifically higher frequency for gray zone alleles in males was observed in the White group compared to the Hispanic and African-American groups. One full mutation male was identified (>200 CGG repeats). The presented pilot study shows that newborn screening in fragile X is technically feasible and provides overall prevalence of the premutation and gray zone alleles in the USA, suggesting that the prevalence of the premutation, particularly in males, is higher than has been previously reported.

Conscientiousness and the incidence of Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Abstract: Context: The personality trait of conscientiousness has been related to morbidity and mortality in old age, but its association with the development of Alzheimer disease is not known. Objective: To test the hypothesis that a higher level of conscientiousness is associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer disease. Design: Longitudinal clinicopathologic cohort study with up to 12 years of annual follow-up. Setting: The Religious Orders Study. Participants: A total of 997 older Catholic nuns, priests, and brothers without dementia at enrollment, recruited from more than 40 groups across the United States. At baseline, they completed a standard 12-item measure of conscientiousness. Those who died underwent a uniform neuropathologic evaluation from which previously established measures of amyloid burden, tangle density, Lewy bodies, and chronic cerebral infarction were derived. Main Outcome Measures: Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and change in previously established measures of global cognition and specific cognitive functions. Results: Conscientiousness scores ranged from 11 to 47 (mean, 34.0; SD, 5.0). During follow-up, 176 people developed Alzheimer disease. In a proportional hazards regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, a high conscientiousness score (90th percentile) was associated with an 89% reduction in risk of Alzheimer disease compared with a low score (10th percentile). Results were not substantially changed by controlling for other personality traits, activity patterns, vascular conditions, or other risk factors. Conscientiousness was also associated with decreased incidence of mild cognitive impairment and reduced cognitive decline. In those who died and underwent brain autopsy, conscientiousness was unrelated to neuropathologic measures, but it modified the association of neurofibrillary pathologic changes and cerebral infarction with cognition proximate to death. Conclusion: Level of conscientiousness is a risk factor for Alzheimer disease.