Telomere length (TL) is emerging as a biomarker for aging and survival. To evaluate factors influencing this trait, we measured TL in a large homogeneous population, estimated the heritability (h(2)), and tested for parental effects on TL variation. Our sample included 356 men and 551 women, aged 18-92 years, from large Amish families. Mean TL in leukocytes was measured by quantitative PCR (mea...

The area of our research is the phenomenon of social influence process and the role of person's and group's mentality in the conflict. Conflict implies the existence of at least two sides or parties, majority and minority (by its number, territory, resources and etc.). Until now the role of majority in social influence process was mainly studied considering the existing numerous psychological r...

The use of survival time models with non-proportional hazard functions is introduced as a method of studying age of onset effects in family studies. Statistical methods for investigating non-proportionality of the hazard function are described, and the application of these methods is illustrated using data from a family study of depression to investigate transmission of age of onset between pro...

The purpose of this paper was to review the theoretical underpinnings, major concepts, and methods of the typological approach. It was argued that the typological approach offers a systematic, empirically rigorous and reliable way to synthesize the nomothetic variable-centered approach with the idiographic case-centered approach. Recent advances in cluster analysis validation make it a promisin...

More than 20 different leukocyte or tissue antigens can presently be recognized; they belong to one complex system (HL-A) which is, from the genetic point of view, very similar to the H-2 system in the mouse. Another independent system consisting of two antigens has also been well defined, the Group Five system. The methods of defining these antigens, their tissue distri bution, and complex rel...

A regional genetic register for Huntington's chorea in South Wales is described, based on previous family studies in this area, which is one of high prevalence for the disorder. The primary role of the register is to help in the efficient delivery of services, including genetic counselling, to affected subjects and relatives, and to monitor changes in the population at risk. The mode of operati...

Evidence for a major role of genetic factors in the determination of body mass index (BMI) comes from studies of related individuals. Despite consistent evidence for a heritable component of BMI, estimates of BMI heritability vary widely between studies and the reasons for this remain unclear. While some variation is natural due to differences between populations and settings, study design fact...

OBJECTIVES Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is an important indicator of public health success in interrupting and preventing TB transmission. To determine the frequency and types of missed opportunities for preventing TB among children <5 years of age. METHODS We collected data from the public health records of child TB cases and their adult source cases. These children were from health jurisdict...

Preventing tuberculosis (TB) transmission through treatment of active cases and contact investigation is the highest priority of TB control programs in the United States. The role of contact investigation is becoming increasingly important as the number of TB cases declines nationally. However, the effectiveness of contact investigation has been difficult to assess because, prior to the availab...