The Rat Genome Database (RGD) facilitates genomic and phenotypic data integration across multiple species for biomedical research.

Model organism research is essential for discovering the mechanisms of human diseases by defining biologically meaningful gene to disease relationships. The Rat Genome Database (RGD, ( https://rgd.mcw.edu )) is a cross-species knowledgebase and the premier online resource for rat genetic and physiologic data. This rich resource is enhanced by the inclusion and integration of comparative data for human and mouse, as well as other human disease models including chinchilla, dog, bonobo, pig, 13-lined ground squirrel, green monkey, and naked mole-rat. Functional information has been added to records via the assignment of annotations based on sequence similarity to human, rat, and mouse genes. RGD has also imported well-supported cross-species data from external resources. To enable use of these data, RGD has developed a robust infrastructure of standardized ontologies, data formats, and disease- and species-centric portals, complemented with a suite of innovative tools for discovery and analysis. Using examples of single-gene and polygenic human diseases, we illustrate how data from multiple species can help to identify or confirm a gene as involved in a disease and to identify model organisms that can be studied to understand the pathophysiology of a gene or pathway. The ultimate aim of this report is to demonstrate the utility of RGD not only as the core resource for the rat research community but also as a source of bioinformatic tools to support a wider audience, empowering the search for appropriate models for human afflictions.

Dietitians improve diabetic control in general practice.

Fifteen diabetic patients with problems related to poor dietary adherence, ie, obesity, hyperlipoproteinaemia, high levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C), were studied before and after the introduction of a dietary clinic to a general practice: none of these patients attend hospital for care of their diabetes. There was high patient acceptance of the offer of local dietary advice. Definite improvement in weight and hypertriglyceridaemia was shown with some evidence also of reduced HbA1C. Serum cholesterol levels were unchanged.

Co-dergocrine (hydergine) in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with co-dergocrine in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in a group of elderly chronic psychiatric patients the reduction of dyskinetic scores in the group receiving active medication was slightly greater than that in the placebo group; however, this difference did not reach a level of statistical significance. It is suggested that further work could be undertaken with a longer period of treatment, and at a higher dosage level of co-dergocrine, in a younger patient sample.

Depot injections and tardive dyskinesia.

A prospective study was undertaken on 374 out-patients receiving depot fluphenazine or depot flupenthixol to determine the incidence of tardive dyskinesia. In three years the percentage showing the bucco-linguo-masticatory syndrome rose from 8 per cent to 22 per cent, though patients had received various neuroleptics for a mean of 13 years previously. Fluphenazine and flupenthixol were equally involved though 75 per cent of affected patients had the condition in mild degree. Six additional cases of generalized chorea were all receiving flupenthixol. Reduction of dose or the substitution of pimozide produced marked improvement, but results suggest that it is unlikely that this will be permanent. Substitution of depot fluspirilene also produced favourable results. Careful monitoring, minimal neuroleptic dosage, and periods of neuroleptic abstinence are recommended.

Sodium valproate and tardive dyskinesia.

Twenty-five schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia was given 600 mgs sodium valproate daily with their neuroleptic medication. After one month there was no change in their signs, as judged by a panel of nine viewing films of them taken before and at the end of this treatment.