Heart Rate Turbulence Parameters Correlate with Post-PVC Changes in Muscle Sympathetic Activity

PubMed Central

Segerson, Nathan M.; Wasmund, Stephen L.; Abedin, Moeen; Pai, Rakesh K.; Daccarett, Marcos; Akoum, Nazem; Wall, T. Scott; Klein, Richard C.; Freedman, Roger A.; Hamdan, Mohamed H.

2007-01-01

Background Heart rate turbulence (HRT) has been shown to be vagally-mediated with a strong correlation to baroreflex indices. However, the relationship between HRT and peripheral sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) following a premature ventricular contraction (PVC) remains unclear. Objective We sought to evaluate the relationship between HRT and the changes in peripheral SNA following PVCs. Methods We recorded post-ganglionic muscle SNA during ECG monitoring in 8 patients with spontaneous PVCs. Fifty-two PVCs were observed and analyzed for turbulence onset (TO) and slope (TS). SNA was quantified during 1) the dominant burst following the PVC (Dominant-Burst Area), and 2) the 10 seconds following the dominant burst (Post-Burst SNA). Results The mean TO was 0.1±4.6% and the mean TS was 6.1±6.6. The Dominant-Burst Area negatively correlated with TO (-0.50, p=0.0002). The Post-Burst SNA showed a significant positive correlation with TO (r=0.44, p=0.001) and a negative correlation with TS (r=-0.42, p=0.002). These correlations remained significant after controlling for either the PVC coupling interval or the left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusions Our findings highlight the relationship between perturbations in HRT and pathology in the sympathetic limb of the autonomic nervous system. Future studies are needed to evaluate the prognostic role of baroreflex control of sympathetic activity in patients with structural heart disease. PMID:17341389

Impulsivity across the psychosis spectrum: Correlates of cortical volume, suicidal history, and social and global function.

PubMed

Nanda, Pranav; Tandon, Neeraj; Mathew, Ian T; Padmanabhan, Jaya L; Clementz, Brett A; Pearlson, Godfrey D; Sweeney, John A; Tamminga, Carol A; Keshavan, Matcheri S

2016-01-01

Patients with psychotic disorders appear to exhibit greater impulsivity-related behaviors relative to healthy controls. However, the neural underpinning of this impulsivity remains uncertain. Furthermore, it remains unclear how impulsivity might differ or be conserved between psychotic disorder diagnoses in mechanism and manifestation. In this study, self-reported impulsivity, measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), was compared between 305 controls (HC), 139 patients with schizophrenia (SZ), 100 with schizoaffective disorder (SZA), and 125 with psychotic bipolar disorder (PBP). In each proband group, impulsivity was associated with regional cortical volumes (using FreeSurfer analysis of T1 MRI scans), suicide attempt history, Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Social Functioning Scale (SFS). BIS scores were found to differ significantly between participant groups, with SZA and PBP exhibiting significantly higher impulsivity than SZ, which exhibited significantly higher impulsivity than HC. BIS scores were significantly related to suicide attempt history, and they were inversely associated with GAF, SFS, and bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) volume in both SZA and PBP, but not SZ. These findings indicate that psychotic disorders, particularly those with prominent affective symptoms, are characterized by elevated self-reported impulsivity measures. Impulsivity's correlations with suicide attempt history, GAF, and SFS suggest that impulsivity may be a mediator of clinical outcome. The observed impulsivity-OFC correlations corroborate the importance of OFC deficits in impulsivity. These correlations' presence in SZA and PBP but not in SZ suggests that impulsivity may have different underlying mechanisms in affective and non-affective psychotic disorders. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

HIV testing among social media-using Peruvian men who have sex with men: correlates and social context.

PubMed

Krueger, Evan A; Chiu, ChingChe J; Menacho, Luis A; Young, Sean D

2016-10-01

HIV remains concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru, and homophobia and AIDS-related stigmas have kept the epidemic difficult to address. Gay self-identity has been associated with increased HIV testing, though this relationship has not been examined extensively. Social media use has been rapidly increasing in Peru, yet little is known about MSM social media users in Peru. This study sought to investigate the demographic, behavioral, and stigma-related factors associated with HIV testing among social media-using Peruvian MSM. Five hundred and fifty-six MSM from Lima and surrounding areas were recruited from social networking websites to complete a survey on their sexual risk behaviors. We examined the demographic and social correlates of HIV testing behavior among this sample. Younger age and non-gay identity were significantly associated with lower likelihood of getting tested in univariate analysis. After controlling for key behaviors and AIDS-related stigma, younger age remained significantly associated with decreased testing. Participants who engaged in discussions online about HIV testing were more likely to get tested, while AIDS-related stigma presented a significant barrier to testing. Stigma severity also varied significantly by sexual identity. Youth appear to be significantly less likely than older individuals to test for HIV. Among Peruvian MSM, AIDS-related stigma remains a strong predictor of willingness to get tested. Social media-based intervention work targeting Peruvian youth should encourage discussion around HIV testing, and must also address AIDS-related stigma.

Who is afraid of ISIS? ISIS anxiety and its correlates.

PubMed

Hoffman, Yaakov

2018-02-01

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) is a relatively small organization, yet it wields its terror and media campaigns efficiently. Its presence has altered security measures in many western counties. In the current study, I assess anxiety of the ISIS threat and its correlates in a convenience sample of 1,007 adult Israelis (mean age = 29.61, SD = 7.16). Findings show that being female, a lower socioeconomic status, and having elevated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom levels were all associated with ISIS anxiety. Likewise, exposure to ISIS media, as well as having low resilience, was also correlated with ISIS anxiety. The correlations between ISIS anxiety on the one hand and ISIS media exposure, PTSD symptoms, and resilience on the other hand remained significant even after controlling for general anxiety symptoms. Finally, the PTSD- ISIS anxiety relationship was especially pronounced when resources (resilience/optimism) were low. This critical interaction also remained significant after controlling for general anxiety. Theoretical and practical ramifications of ISIS anxiety are discussed. Both resources for addressing current tasks (resilience), as well as those aimed at future outcomes (optimism), may be required for addressing ISIS anxiety, especially when PTSD symptoms are high. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The importance of spatial heterogeneity and self-restraint on mutualism stability - a quantitative review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Rui-Wu; Dunn, Derek W.; Luo, Jun; He, Jun-Zhou; Shi, Lei

2015-10-01

Understanding the factors that enable mutualisms to evolve and to subsequently remain stable over time, is essential to fully understand patterns of global biodiversity and for evidence based conservation policy. Theoretically, spatial heterogeneity of mutualists, through increased likelihood of fidelity between cooperative partners in structured populations, and ‘self-restraint’ of symbionts, due to selection against high levels of virulence leading to short-term host overexploitation, will result in either a positive correlation between the reproductive success of both mutualists prior to the total exploitation of any host resource or no correlation after any host resource has been fully exploited. A quantitative review by meta-analysis on the results of 96 studies from 35 papers, showed no evidence of a significant fitness correlation between mutualists across a range of systems that captured much taxonomic diversity. However, when the data were split according to four categories of host: 1) cnidarian corals, 2) woody plants, 3) herbaceous plants, and 4) insects, a significantly positive effect in corals was revealed. The trends for the remaining three categories did not significantly differ to zero. Our results suggest that stability in mutualisms requires alternative processes, or mechanisms in addition to, spatial heterogeneity of hosts and/or ‘self-restraint’ of symbionts.

Agreement in polar motion measurements during the MERIT campaign

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djurovic, D.; Techy, C.; Paquet, P.

From the original polar motion (PM) measurements performed during the MERIT Campaign, the Chandler and the annual components are removed. The analysis of the residuals shows a high level of significant correlation between the various techniques mainly for phenomenon ranging from 30 days to a few months. For periods smaller than one month the series are not correlated except for the X component, deduced from laser and Doppler techniques, which remains significant at the 99 percent level. These results led to the belief for a new earth rotation service open to different sources of data.

Identifying the structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Sanghyun; Choi, Jaewon; Lim, Gyuchang; Cha, Kil Young; Kim, Sooyong; Kim, Kyungsik

2011-06-01

We investigate the structure of the cross-correlation in the Korean stock market. We analyze daily cross-correlations between price fluctuations of 586 different Korean stock entities for the 6-year time period from 2003 to 2008. The main purpose is to investigate the structure of group correlation and its stability by undressing the market-wide effect using the Markowitz multi-factor model and the network-based approach. We find the explicit list of significant firms in the few largest eigenvectors from the undressed correlation matrix. We also observe that each contributor is involved in the same business sectors. The structure of group correlation can not remain constant during each 1-year time period with different starting points, whereas only two largest eigenvectors are stable for 6 years 8-9 eigenvectors remain stable for half-year. The structure of group correlation in the Korean financial market is disturbed during a sufficiently short time period even though the group correlation exists as an ensemble for the 6-year time period in the evolution of the system. We verify the structure of group correlation by applying a network-based approach. In addition, we examine relations between market capitalization and businesses. The Korean stock market shows a different behavior compared to mature markets, implying that the KOSPI is a target for short-positioned investors.

Correlation of Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity with Pathologic Risk in a Controlled Retinoblastoma Cohort: A Children's Oncology Group Study.

PubMed

Green, Adam L; Chintagumpala, Murali; Krailo, Mark; Langholz, Bryan; Albert, Daniel; Eagle, Ralph; Cockburn, Myles; Chevez-Barrios, Patricia; Rodriguez-Galindo, Carlos

2016-08-01

To determine whether insurance status, race, and ethnicity correlate with increased retinoblastoma invasiveness as a marker of both risk and time to diagnosis. Retrospective case-control study. All 203 patients from the United States enrolled in the Children's Oncology Group (COG) trial ARET0332, a study of patients with unilateral retinoblastoma requiring enucleation. All surgical specimens underwent pathologic review to determine the presence of well-defined histopathologic features correlating with a higher risk of disease progression. Insurance status, race, and ethnicity were compiled from the study record for each patient. On institutional pathologic review, nonprivate insurance, nonwhite race, and Hispanic ethnicity all correlated significantly with a greater rate of high-risk pathologic findings. Hispanic ethnicity remained a significant predictor on multivariate analysis. On central pathologic review, these correlations remained but did not reach statistical significance. The differences in results from institutional versus central pathologic reviews appeared to be due to a higher likelihood of patients in minority groups of being misclassified as high risk by institutional pathologists. In this controlled study population of patients with retinoblastoma who had central pathologic review, our findings suggest a higher rate of more advanced disease associated with nonprivate insurance, nonwhite race, and Hispanic ethnicity; these findings may be due to delays in diagnosis for these groups. Future work should use direct methods to study the impact of other variables, including English-language proficiency and socioeconomic status. Further effort also should focus on where in the diagnostic process potential delays exist, so that interventions can be designed to overcome barriers to care for these groups. In addition, potential systematic differences in pathologic reads based on demographic variables deserve further study. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased circulating blood cell counts in combat-related PTSD: Associations with inflammation and PTSD severity.

PubMed

Lindqvist, Daniel; Mellon, Synthia H; Dhabhar, Firdaus S; Yehuda, Rachel; Grenon, S Marlene; Flory, Janine D; Bierer, Linda M; Abu-Amara, Duna; Coy, Michelle; Makotkine, Iouri; Reus, Victor I; Aschbacher, Kirstin; Bersani, F Saverio; Marmar, Charles R; Wolkowitz, Owen M

2017-12-01

Inflammation is reported in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few studies have investigated circulating blood cells that may contribute to inflammation. We assessed circulating platelets, white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) in PTSD and assessed their relationship to inflammation and symptom severity. One-hundred and sixty-three male combat-exposed veterans (82 PTSD, 81 non-PTSD) had blood assessed for platelets, WBC, and RBC. Data were correlated with symptom severity and inflammation. All cell counts were significantly elevated in PTSD. There were small mediation effects of BMI and smoking on these relationships. After adjusting for these, the differences in WBC and RBC remained significant, while platelet count was at trend level. In all subjects, all of the cell counts correlated significantly with inflammation. Platelet count correlated with inflammation only in the PTSD subjects. Platelet count, but none of the other cell counts, was directly correlated with PTSD severity ratings in the PTSD group. Combat PTSD is associated with elevations in RBC, WBC, and platelets. Dysregulation of all three major lineages of hematopoietic cells in PTSD, as well as their significant correlation with inflammation, suggest clinical significance of these changes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Personality disorder functioning styles are associated with the effects of the cognitive-behavioral therapy for panic disorder: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Chen, Wanzhen; Hu, Jing; Xu, Shaofang; Shen, Mowei; Chai, Hao; Wang, Wei

2014-06-01

The effect of the cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for panic disorder varies, but how personality disorder functioning style influences it remains unclear. In 30 healthy volunteers and 44 patients with panic disorder (22 treated and 22 waiting list), we administered the Parker Personality Measure (PERM) and the Plutchik-van Praag Depression Inventory (PVP). Before and during the CBT or waiting period, patients were asked to record their panic attacks using the Panic Attack Record (PAR). Patients scored significantly higher on PERM Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, Avoident, Dependent, and Passive-aggressive styles and on depression. After CBT, all PAR parameters were significantly reduced in the treated group. The Obsessive-compulsive style was positively correlated with the panic attack duration and the total-thought before CBT or waiting period in all patients. In treated patients, the decreased panic attack duration was positively correlated with Histrionic, Obsessive-compulsive and Passive-aggressive; the decreased total symptom number was positively correlated with Antisocial and Histrionic; the decreased total-sensation was positively correlated with antisocial; and the total-thought was positively correlated with Narcissistic style. The length and duration of CBT was short and mainly with behavioral strategies, how personality influenced the related cognition per se remains unknown here. However, our preliminary results indicate that personality disorder functioning styles related to the externalized behaviors and the Obsessive-compulsive style have positive effects on CBT for panic disorder, implying that CBT practitioners should note their personality styles when treating these patients.

Real-life assessment of the validity of patient global impression of change in fibromyalgia.

PubMed

Rampakakis, Emmanouil; Ste-Marie, Peter A; Sampalis, John S; Karellis, Angeliki; Shir, Yoram; Fitzcharles, Mary-Ann

2015-01-01

Patient Global Rating of Change (GRC) scales are commonly used in routine clinical care given their ease of use, availability and short completion time. This analysis aimed at assessing the validity of Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), a GRC scale commonly used in fibromyalgia, in a Canadian real-life setting. 167 fibromyalgia patients with available PGIC data were recruited in 2005-2013 from a Canadian tertiary-care multidisciplinary clinic. In addition to PGIC, disease severity was assessed with: pain visual analogue scale (VAS); Patient Global Assessment (PGA); Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); McGill Pain Questionnaire; body map. Multivariate linear regression assessed the PGIC relationship with disease parameter improvement while adjusting for follow-up duration and baseline parameter levels. The Spearman's rank coefficient assessed parameter correlation. Higher PGIC scores were significantly (p<0.001) associated with greater improvement in pain, PGA, FIQ, HAQ and the body map. A statistically significant moderate positive correlation was observed between PGIC and FIQ improvement (r=0.423; p<0.001); correlation with all remaining disease severity measures was weak. Regression analysis confirmed a significant (p<0.001) positive association between improvement in all disease severity measures and PGIC. Baseline disease severity and follow-up duration were identified as significant independent predictors of PGIC rating. Despite that only a weak correlation was identified between PGIC and standard fibromyalgia outcomes improvement, in the absence of objective outcomes, PGIC remains a clinically relevant tool to assess perceived impact of disease management. However, our analysis suggests that outcome measures data should not be considered in isolation but, within the global clinical context.

Vertical patterns and controls of soil nutrients in alpine grassland: Implications for nutrient uptake.

PubMed

Tian, Liming; Zhao, Lin; Wu, Xiaodong; Fang, Hongbing; Zhao, Yonghua; Yue, Guangyang; Liu, Guimin; Chen, Hao

2017-12-31

Vertical patterns and determinants of soil nutrients are critical to understand nutrient cycling in high-altitude ecosystems; however, they remain poorly understood in the alpine grassland due to lack of systematic field observations. In this study, we examined vertical distributions of soil nutrients and their influencing factors within the upper 1m of soil, using data of 68 soil profiles surveyed in the alpine grassland of the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks decreased with depth in both alpine meadow (AM) and alpine steppe (AS), but remain constant along the soil profile in alpine swamp meadow (ASM). Total phosphorus, Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ stocks slightly increased with depth in ASM. K + stock decreased with depth, while Na + stock increased slightly with depth among different vegetation types; however, SO 4 2- and Cl - stocks remained relatively uniform throughout different depth intervals in the alpine grassland. Except for SOC and TN, soil nutrient stocks in the top 20cm soils were significantly lower in ASM compared to those in AM and AS. Correlation analyses showed that SOC and TN stocks in the alpine grassland positively correlated with vegetation coverage, soil moisture, clay content, and silt content, while they negatively related to sand content and soil pH. However, base cation stocks revealed contrary relationships with those environmental variables compared to SOC and TN stocks. These correlations varied between vegetation types. In addition, no significant relationship was detected between topographic factors and soil nutrients. Our findings suggest that plant cycling and soil moisture primarily control vertical distributions of soil nutrients (e.g. K) in the alpine grassland and highlight that vegetation types in high-altitude permafrost regions significantly affect soil nutrients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BRAIN NETWORKS. Correlated gene expression supports synchronous activity in brain networks.

PubMed

Richiardi, Jonas; Altmann, Andre; Milazzo, Anna-Clare; Chang, Catie; Chakravarty, M Mallar; Banaschewski, Tobias; Barker, Gareth J; Bokde, Arun L W; Bromberg, Uli; Büchel, Christian; Conrod, Patricia; Fauth-Bühler, Mira; Flor, Herta; Frouin, Vincent; Gallinat, Jürgen; Garavan, Hugh; Gowland, Penny; Heinz, Andreas; Lemaître, Hervé; Mann, Karl F; Martinot, Jean-Luc; Nees, Frauke; Paus, Tomáš; Pausova, Zdenka; Rietschel, Marcella; Robbins, Trevor W; Smolka, Michael N; Spanagel, Rainer; Ströhle, Andreas; Schumann, Gunter; Hawrylycz, Mike; Poline, Jean-Baptiste; Greicius, Michael D

2015-06-12

During rest, brain activity is synchronized between different regions widely distributed throughout the brain, forming functional networks. However, the molecular mechanisms supporting functional connectivity remain undefined. We show that functional brain networks defined with resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging can be recapitulated by using measures of correlated gene expression in a post mortem brain tissue data set. The set of 136 genes we identify is significantly enriched for ion channels. Polymorphisms in this set of genes significantly affect resting-state functional connectivity in a large sample of healthy adolescents. Expression levels of these genes are also significantly associated with axonal connectivity in the mouse. The results provide convergent, multimodal evidence that resting-state functional networks correlate with the orchestrated activity of dozens of genes linked to ion channel activity and synaptic function. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Does encephalization correlate with life history or metabolic rate in Carnivora?

PubMed

Finarelli, John A

2010-06-23

A recent analysis of brain size evolution reconstructed the plesiomorphic brain-body size allometry for the mammalian order Carnivora, providing an important reference frame for comparative analyses of encephalization (brain volume scaled to body mass). I performed phylogenetically corrected regressions to remove the effects of body mass, calculating correlations between residual values of encephalization with basal metabolic rate (BMR) and six life-history variables (gestation time, neonatal mass, weaning time, weaning mass, litter size, litters per year). No significant correlations were recovered between encephalization and any life-history variable or BMR, arguing against hypotheses relating encephalization to maternal energetic investment. However, after correcting for clade-specific adaptations, I recovered significant correlations for several variables, and further analysis revealed a conserved carnivoran reproductive strategy, linking degree of encephalization to the well-documented mammalian life-history trade-off between neonatal mass and litter size. This strategy of fewer, larger offspring correlating with increased encephalization remains intact even after independent changes in encephalization allometries in the evolutionary history of this clade.

Does encephalization correlate with life history or metabolic rate in Carnivora?

PubMed Central

Finarelli, John A.

2010-01-01

A recent analysis of brain size evolution reconstructed the plesiomorphic brain–body size allometry for the mammalian order Carnivora, providing an important reference frame for comparative analyses of encephalization (brain volume scaled to body mass). I performed phylogenetically corrected regressions to remove the effects of body mass, calculating correlations between residual values of encephalization with basal metabolic rate (BMR) and six life-history variables (gestation time, neonatal mass, weaning time, weaning mass, litter size, litters per year). No significant correlations were recovered between encephalization and any life-history variable or BMR, arguing against hypotheses relating encephalization to maternal energetic investment. However, after correcting for clade-specific adaptations, I recovered significant correlations for several variables, and further analysis revealed a conserved carnivoran reproductive strategy, linking degree of encephalization to the well-documented mammalian life-history trade-off between neonatal mass and litter size. This strategy of fewer, larger offspring correlating with increased encephalization remains intact even after independent changes in encephalization allometries in the evolutionary history of this clade. PMID:20007169

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Pontieu, B.; Martinez-Sykora, J.; McIntosh, S.

Spectral observations of the solar transition region (TR) and corona show broadening of spectral lines beyond what is expected from thermal and instrumental broadening. The remaining non-thermal broadening is significant (5–30 km s{sup −1}) and correlated with intensity. Here we study spectra of the TR Si iv 1403 Å line obtained at high resolution with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). We find that the large improvement in spatial resolution (0.″33) of IRIS compared to previous spectrographs (2″) does not resolve the non-thermal line broadening which, in most regions, remains at pre-IRIS levels of about 20 km s{sup −1}. Thismore » invariance to spatial resolution indicates that the processes behind the broadening occur along the line-of-sight (LOS) and/or on spatial scales (perpendicular to the LOS) smaller than 250 km. Both effects appear to play a role. Comparison with IRIS chromospheric observations shows that, in regions where the LOS is more parallel to the field, magneto-acoustic shocks driven from below impact the TR and can lead to significant non-thermal line broadening. This scenario is supported by MHD simulations. While these do not show enough non-thermal line broadening, they do reproduce the long-known puzzling correlation between non-thermal line broadening and intensity. This correlation is caused by the shocks, but only if non-equilibrium ionization is taken into account. In regions where the LOS is more perpendicular to the field, the prevalence of small-scale twist is likely to play a significant role in explaining the invariance and correlation with intensity. (letters)« less

Clinical correlates of enlarged cavum septum pellucidum in schizophrenia: A revisit through computed tomography.

PubMed

Srivastava, Naveen Kumar; Khanra, Sourav; Chail, Vivek; Khess, Christoday R J

2015-06-01

Like prevalence of abnormal cavum septum pellucidum in patients of schizophrenia remains controversial, its role in clinical outcome, duration of illness and effect on treatment remains less understood as well. Our study examined clinical correlates of enlarged cavum septum pellucidum in schizophrenia. A total of 139 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia during the year 2012 and 2013 were taken for the study. We compared them in respect to the presence and absence of enlarged cavum septum pellucidum. We found 16 patients with enlarged cavum septum pellucidum and were compared with those without enlarged cavum septum pellucidum for socio-demographic and clinical variables. We also correlated these clinical variables with dimension of cavum septum pellucidum. We found statistically significant increased current age and duration of illness in patients with enlarged cavum septum pellucidum. The implications of these findings are discussed with possible confounding effect of current age on neuroimaging. No meaningful correlation was found. No difference in clinical variables was found. Retrospective design and use of computed tomography were limitation of our study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simulated sudden increase in geomagnetic activity and its effect on heart rate variability: Experimental verification of correlation studies.

PubMed

Caswell, Joseph M; Singh, Manraj; Persinger, Michael A

2016-08-01

Previous research investigating the potential influence of geomagnetic factors on human cardiovascular state has tended to converge upon similar inferences although the results remain relatively controversial. Furthermore, previous findings have remained essentially correlational without accompanying experimental verification. An exception to this was noted for human brain activity in a previous study employing experimental simulation of sudden geomagnetic impulses in order to assess correlational results that had demonstrated a relationship between geomagnetic perturbations and neuroelectrical parameters. The present study employed the same equipment in a similar procedure in order to validate previous findings of a geomagnetic-cardiovascular dynamic with electrocardiography and heart rate variability measures. Results indicated that potential magnetic field effects on frequency components of heart rate variability tended to overlap with previous correlational studies where low frequency power and the ratio between low and high frequency components of heart rate variability appeared affected. In the present study, a significant increase in these particular parameters was noted during geomagnetic simulation compared to baseline recordings. Copyright © 2016 The Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical Correlation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cotariu, Steven S.

1991-01-01

Pattern recognition may supplement or replace certain navigational aids on spacecraft in docking or landing activities. The need to correctly identify terrain features remains critical in preparation of autonomous planetary landing. One technique that may solve this problem is optical correlation. Correlation has been successfully demonstrated under ideal conditions; however, noise significantly affects the ability of the correlator to accurately identify input signals. Optical correlation in the presence of noise must be successfully demonstrated before this technology can be incorporated into system design. An optical correlator is designed and constructed using a modified 2f configuration. Liquid crystal televisions (LCTV) are used as the spatial light modulators (SLM) for both the input and filter devices. The filter LCTV is characterized and an operating curve is developed. Determination of this operating curve is critical for reduction of input noise. Correlation of live input with a programmable filter is demonstrated.

Optical correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cotariu, Steven S.

1991-12-01

Pattern recognition may supplement or replace certain navigational aids on spacecraft in docking or landing activities. The need to correctly identify terrain features remains critical in preparation of autonomous planetary landing. One technique that may solve this problem is optical correlation. Correlation has been successfully demonstrated under ideal conditions; however, noise significantly affects the ability of the correlator to accurately identify input signals. Optical correlation in the presence of noise must be successfully demonstrated before this technology can be incorporated into system design. An optical correlator is designed and constructed using a modified 2f configuration. Liquid crystal televisions (LCTV) are used as the spatial light modulators (SLM) for both the input and filter devices. The filter LCTV is characterized and an operating curve is developed. Determination of this operating curve is critical for reduction of input noise. Correlation of live input with a programmable filter is demonstrated.

Some Aspects of the Radio Emission of EGRET-Detected Blazars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, Y. C.; Bertsch, D. L.; Bloom, S. D.; Esposito, J. A.; Hartman, R. C.; Hunter, S. D.; Kniffen, D. A.; Kanbach, G.; Mayer-Hasselwander, H. A.; Michelson, P. F.

1999-01-01

It has long been recognized that the high-latitude Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) sources can be identified with blazars of significant radio emission. Many aspects of the relation between high-energy gamma-ray emission and radio emission of EGRET-detected blazars remain uncertain. In this paper, we use the results of the recently published Third EGRET Source Catalog to examine in more detail to what extent the EGRET flux and the radio flux are correlated. In particular we examine the correlation (or the lack of it) in flux level, spectral shape, temporal variation, and detection limit. Many significant previous studies in these areas are also evaluated.

Comparative analysis of phylogenetic relationships, morphologies, and pathogenicities among Curvularia lunata isolates from maize in China.

PubMed

Liu, T; Zhao, F Z; Wang, Y Y; Hou, J M; Liu, L Z; Shen, Y Q; Liu, Z; Zhang, H T; Zuo, Y H

2015-10-16

To understand the effects of disease-resistant maize varieties and new cropping systems on the population of Curvularia lunata, 52 isolates of C. lunata were collected in China from 2011 to 2013. The isolates were analyzed in terms of phylogenetic relationships, morphology, and pathogenicity. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 52 isolates clustered into 2 distinct clusters with further subdivisions, suggesting the emergence of new genetic divergence within C. lunata. Results of morphology and pathogenicity analyses demonstrated that there were significant differences among these isolates: 27 isolates were classified as fast growing, 5 as slow growing, and 20 as moderate growing. Three isolates had white-colored colonies, 13 had yellowish green-colored colonies, and the remaining isolates had dark green-colored colonies. Furthermore, conidiation rates were assessed: 30 isolates were characterized as having low conidiation rates, 15 as having medium conidiation rates, and the remaining 7 isolates as having high conidiation rates. Eleven of the isolates appeared to be strongly pathogenic against maize, 15 isolates proved to be weakly pathogenic against maize, and the remaining isolates were regarded to be moderately pathogenic. Interestingly, correlation analysis demonstrated a negative correlation between the growth rate and the pathogenicity of the isolates, while a positive correlation was observed between the conidiation rate and the pathogenicity. No correlation was observed between the colony color and the pathogenicity of the isolates.

Marital Satisfaction and Depression as Predictors of Physical Health Status.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiss, Robert L.; Aved, Barbara M.

1978-01-01

Results indicate correlation between physical health status and depression was greater for wives than husbands. For wives, marital satisfaction and depression were related through uncontrolled variance in physical health status. For husbands, significant relationship between marital satisfaction and depression remained when physical health was…

Unattractive infant faces elicit negative affect from adults

PubMed Central

Schein, Stevie S.; Langlois, Judith H.

2015-01-01

We examined the relationship between infant attractiveness and adult affect by investigating whether differing levels of infant facial attractiveness elicit facial muscle movement correlated with positive and negative affect from adults (N = 87) using electromyography. Unattractive infant faces evoked significantly more corrugator supercilii and levator labii superioris movement (physiological correlates of negative affect) than attractive infant faces. These results suggest that unattractive infants may be at risk for negative affective responses from adults, though the relationship between those responses and caregiving behavior remains elusive. PMID:25658199

Are secular correlations between sunspots, geomagnetic activity, and global temperature significant?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Love, J.J.; Mursula, K.; Tsai, V.C.; Perkins, D.M.

2011-01-01

Recent studies have led to speculation that solar-terrestrial interaction, measured by sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, has played an important role in global temperature change over the past century or so. We treat this possibility as an hypothesis for testing. We examine the statistical significance of cross-correlations between sunspot number, geomagnetic activity, and global surface temperature for the years 1868-2008, solar cycles 11-23. The data contain substantial autocorrelation and nonstationarity, properties that are incompatible with standard measures of cross-correlational significance, but which can be largely removed by averaging over solar cycles and first-difference detrending. Treated data show an expected statistically- significant correlation between sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, Pearson p < 10-4, but correlations between global temperature and sunspot number (geomagnetic activity) are not significant, p = 0.9954, (p = 0.8171). In other words, straightforward analysis does not support widely-cited suggestions that these data record a prominent role for solar-terrestrial interaction in global climate change. With respect to the sunspot-number, geomagnetic-activity, and global-temperature data, three alternative hypotheses remain difficult to reject: (1) the role of solar-terrestrial interaction in recent climate change is contained wholly in long-term trends and not in any shorter-term secular variation, or, (2) an anthropogenic signal is hiding correlation between solar-terrestrial variables and global temperature, or, (3) the null hypothesis, recent climate change has not been influenced by solar-terrestrial interaction. ?? 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Are secular correlations between sunspots, geomagnetic activity, and global temperature significant?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Love, Jeffrey J.; Mursula, Kalevi; Tsai, Victor C.; Perkins, David M.

2011-11-01

Recent studies have led to speculation that solar-terrestrial interaction, measured by sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, has played an important role in global temperature change over the past century or so. We treat this possibility as an hypothesis for testing. We examine the statistical significance of cross-correlations between sunspot number, geomagnetic activity, and global surface temperature for the years 1868-2008, solar cycles 11-23. The data contain substantial autocorrelation and nonstationarity, properties that are incompatible with standard measures of cross-correlational significance, but which can be largely removed by averaging over solar cycles and first-difference detrending. Treated data show an expected statistically-significant correlation between sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, Pearson p < 10-4, but correlations between global temperature and sunspot number (geomagnetic activity) are not significant, p = 0.9954, (p = 0.8171). In other words, straightforward analysis does not support widely-cited suggestions that these data record a prominent role for solar-terrestrial interaction in global climate change. With respect to the sunspot-number, geomagnetic-activity, and global-temperature data, three alternative hypotheses remain difficult to reject: (1) the role of solar-terrestrial interaction in recent climate change is contained wholly in long-term trends and not in any shorter-term secular variation, or, (2) an anthropogenic signal is hiding correlation between solar-terrestrial variables and global temperature, or, (3) the null hypothesis, recent climate change has not been influenced by solar-terrestrial interaction.

Ethnic differences in correlates of suicidal behavior among women seeking help for intimate partner violence.

PubMed

Cavanaugh, Courtenay E; Messing, Jill T; Eyzerovich, Evelina; Campbell, Jacquelyn C

2015-01-01

Women abused by an intimate partner are at risk of engaging in nonfatal suicidal behavior and suicidal communication (NSBSC). No studies have examined ethnic differences in correlates of NSBSC among abused women. This secondary data analytic study examined whether correlates of NSBSC previously reported among a mixed ethnic sample of women seeking help for abuse by a male intimate partner differed for those who self-identified as Latina (N = 340), African American (N = 184), or European American (N = 67). Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of NSBSC separately among Latina, African American, and European American women. More severe violence by a male intimate partner, having a chronic or disabling illness, being younger, and being unemployed were positively associated with NSBSC in bivariate analyses among Latina women, but unemployment did not remain significantly associated with NSBSC in the multiple logistic regression. There were no significant correlates of NSBSC for African American women. Having a chronic illness was significantly associated with NSBSC among European American women. Findings suggest the need for culturally tailored suicide prevention interventions and studies that examine risk and protective factors for NSBSC among a diversity of women abused by male intimate partners.

Freely chosen cadence during a covert manipulation of ambient temperature.

PubMed

Hartley, Geoffrey L; Cheung, Stephen S

2013-01-01

The present study investigated relationships between changes in power output (PO) to torque (TOR) or freely chosen cadence (FCC) during thermal loading. Twenty participants cycled at a constant rating of perceived exertion while ambient temperature (Ta) was covertly manipulated at 20-min intervals of 20 °C, 35 °C, and 20 °C. The magnitude responses of PO, FCC and TOR were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, while the temporal correlations were analyzed using Auto-Regressive Integrated Moving Averages (ARIMA). Increases in Ta caused significant thermal strain (p < .01), and subsequently, a decrease in PO and TOR magnitude (p < .01), whereas FCC remained unchanged (p = .51). ARIMA indicates that changes in PO were highly correlated to TOR (stationary r2 = .954, p = .04), while FCC was moderately correlated (stationary r2 = .717, p = .01) to PO. In conclusion, changes in PO are caused by a modulation in TOR, whereas FCC remains unchanged and therefore, unaffected by thermal stressors.

Spatial correlation-based side information refinement for distributed video coding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taieb, Mohamed Haj; Chouinard, Jean-Yves; Wang, Demin

2013-12-01

Distributed video coding (DVC) architecture designs, based on distributed source coding principles, have benefitted from significant progresses lately, notably in terms of achievable rate-distortion performances. However, a significant performance gap still remains when compared to prediction-based video coding schemes such as H.264/AVC. This is mainly due to the non-ideal exploitation of the video sequence temporal correlation properties during the generation of side information (SI). In fact, the decoder side motion estimation provides only an approximation of the true motion. In this paper, a progressive DVC architecture is proposed, which exploits the spatial correlation of the video frames to improve the motion-compensated temporal interpolation (MCTI). Specifically, Wyner-Ziv (WZ) frames are divided into several spatially correlated groups that are then sent progressively to the receiver. SI refinement (SIR) is performed as long as these groups are being decoded, thus providing more accurate SI for the next groups. It is shown that the proposed progressive SIR method leads to significant improvements over the Discover DVC codec as well as other SIR schemes recently introduced in the literature.

Uncovering underlying processes of semantic priming by correlating item-level effects.

PubMed

Heyman, Tom; Hutchison, Keith A; Storms, Gert

2016-04-01

The current study examines the underlying processes of semantic priming using the largest priming database available (i.e., Semantic Priming Project, Hutchison et al. Behavior Research Methods, 45(4), 1099-1114, 2013). Specifically, it compares priming effects in two tasks: lexical decision and pronunciation. Task similarities were assessed at two different stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs) (i.e., 200 and 1,200 ms) and for both primary and other associates. To evaluate how consistent priming is across these two tasks, item-level priming effects obtained in each task were correlated for each condition separately. The results revealed significant correlations at the short SOA for both primary and other associates. The correlations at the long SOA were significantly smaller and only reached significance when z-transformed response times were used. Furthermore, this pattern remained essentially the same when only asymmetric forward associates (e.g., panda-bear) were considered, suggesting that the cross-task stability at the short SOA was not merely caused by retrospective processes such as semantic matching. Instead, these findings provide evidence for a rapidly operating, item-based, relational characteristic such as spreading activation.

The right inhibition? Callosal correlates of hand performance in healthy children and adolescents callosal correlates of hand performance.

PubMed

Kurth, Florian; Mayer, Emeran A; Toga, Arthur W; Thompson, Paul M; Luders, Eileen

2013-09-01

Numerous studies suggest that interhemispheric inhibition-relayed via the corpus callosum-plays an important role in unilateral hand motions. Interestingly, transcallosal inhibition appears to be indicative of a strong laterality effect, where generally the dominant hemisphere exerts inhibition on the nondominant one. These effects have been largely identified through functional studies in adult populations, but links between motor performance and callosal structure (especially during sensitive periods of neurodevelopment) remain largely unknown. We therefore investigated correlations between Purdue Pegboard performance (a test of motor function) and local callosal thickness in 170 right-handed children and adolescents (mean age: 11.5 ± 3.4 years; range, 6-17 years). Better task performance with the right (dominant) hand was associated with greater callosal thickness in isthmus and posterior midbody. Task performance using both hands yielded smaller and less significant correlations in the same regions, while task performance using the left (nondominant) hand showed no significant correlations with callosal thickness. There were no significant interactions with age and sex. These links between motor performance and callosal structure may constitute the neural correlate of interhemispheric inhibition, which is thought to be necessary for fast and complex unilateral motions and to be biased towards the dominant hand. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., a Wiley company.

The relationship between worry and dimensions of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Rabner, Jonathan; Mian, Nicholas D.; Langer, David A.; Comer, Jonathan S.; Pincus, Donna

2017-01-01

Background Worry is a common feature across many anxiety disorders. It is important to understand how and when worry presents from childhood to adolescence to prevent long-term negative outcomes. However, most of the existing studies that examine the relationship between worry and anxiety disorders utilize adult samples. Aims The present study aimed to assess the level of worry in children and adolescents and how relationships between worry and symptoms of separation anxiety disorder (SAD) and social anxiety disorder (Soc) may present differently at different ages. Method 127 children (age 8–12) and adolescents (age 13–18), diagnosed with any anxiety disorder, presenting at a child anxiety outpatient clinic, completed measures of worry, anxiety, and depression. Results Worry scores did not differ by age group. Soc symptoms were significantly correlated with worry in both age groups; however, SAD symptoms were only significantly correlated with worry in younger participants. After the inclusion of covariates, SAD symptoms but not Soc symptoms remained significant in the regression model with younger children, and Soc symptoms remained significant in the regression model with older children. Conclusions The finding that worry was comparable in both groups lends support for worry as a stable construct associated with anxiety disorders throughout late childhood and early adolescence. PMID:27852349

Effects of interval exercise training programme on the indices of adiposity and biomarker of inflammation in hypertension: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Lamina, S; Okoye, C G; Hanif, S M

2014-06-01

Hypertension remains a significant risk factor in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 8 weeks interval training programme on blood pressure, aerobic capacity (VO max), indices of adiposity and marker of inflammation in black African men with essential hypertension. Two hundred and forty five (245) male subjects with stage 1 and 2 (systolic blood pressure [SBP] between 140-179 & diastolic blood pressure [DBP] between 90-109 mmHg) essential hypertension were age matched and grouped into experimental and control groups. The experimental (n=140; 58.90 ± 7.35 years) group involved in an 8 weeks interval training (60-79% HRmax) programme of between 45 and 60 minutes, while age-matched control hypertensive (n=105; 58.27±6.24 years) group remain sedentary during this period. All subjects in both groups were on antihypertensive drugs throughout the study period. Cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP) & VO max and percent body fat [%BF], waist to hip ratio [WHR] and C-reactive protein [CRP] were assessed. Independent t-test and Pearson correlation test were used in data analysis. Findings of the study revealed significant decreased effects of interval training programme on SBP, DBP, %BF, WHR and CRP and significant increased effect on VO max at p< 0.05. Also, changes in CRP as a result of exercise training significantly and positively correlated with changes in SBP, DBP, %BF, WHR, CRP and negatively correlated with VO max at p< 0.05.

Polyploidy and the relationship between leaf structure and function: implications for correlated evolution of anatomy, morphology, and physiology in Brassica.

PubMed

Baker, Robert L; Yarkhunova, Yulia; Vidal, Katherine; Ewers, Brent E; Weinig, Cynthia

2017-01-05

Polyploidy is well studied from a genetic and genomic perspective, but the morphological, anatomical, and physiological consequences of polyploidy remain relatively uncharacterized. Whether these potential changes bear on functional integration or are idiosyncratic remains an open question. Repeated allotetraploid events and multiple genomic combinations as well as overlapping targets of artificial selection make the Brassica triangle an excellent system for exploring variation in the connection between plant structure (anatomy and morphology) and function (physiology). We examine phenotypic integration among structural aspects of leaves including external morphology and internal anatomy with leaf-level physiology among several species of Brassica. We compare diploid and allotetraploid species to ascertain patterns of phenotypic correlations among structural and functional traits and test the hypothesis that allotetraploidy results in trait disintegration allowing for transgressive phenotypes and additional evolutionary and crop improvement potential. Among six Brassica species, we found significant effects of species and ploidy level for morphological, anatomical and physiological traits. We identified three suites of intercorrelated traits in both diploid parents and allotetraploids: Morphological traits (such as leaf area and perimeter) anatomic traits (including ab- and ad- axial epidermis) and aspects of physiology. In general, there were more correlations between structural and functional traits for allotetraploid hybrids than diploid parents. Parents and hybrids did not have any significant structure-function correlations in common. Of particular note, there were no significant correlations between morphological structure and physiological function in the diploid parents. Increased phenotypic integration in the allotetraploid hybrids may be due, in part, to increased trait ranges or simply different structure-function relationships. Genomic and chromosomal instability in early generation allotetraploids may allow Brassica species to explore new trait space and potentially reach higher adaptive peaks than their progenitor species could, despite temporary fitness costs associated with unstable genomes. The trait correlations that disappear after hybridization as well as the novel trait correlations observed in allotetraploid hybrids may represent relatively evolutionarily labile associations and therefore could be ideal targets for artificial selection and crop improvement.

Electron correlation at the MgF2(110) surface: a comparison of incremental and local correlation methods.

PubMed

Hammerschmidt, Lukas; Maschio, Lorenzo; Müller, Carsten; Paulus, Beate

2015-01-13

We have applied the Method of Increments and the periodic Local-MP2 approach to the study of the (110) surface of magnesium fluoride, a system of significant interest in heterogeneous catalysis. After careful assessment of the approximations inherent in both methods, the two schemes, though conceptually different, are shown to yield nearly identical results. This remains true even when analyzed in fine detail through partition of the individual contribution to the total energy. This kind of partitioning also provides thorough insight into the electron correlation effects underlying the surface formation process, which are discussed in detail.

Lumbar Lordosis Minus Thoracic Kyphosis: Remain Constant in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients Before and After Correction Surgery.

PubMed

Yang, Mingyuan; Yang, Changwei; Chen, Ziqiang; Wei, Xianzhao; Chen, Yuanyuan; Zhao, Jian; Shao, Jie; Zhu, Xiaodong; Li, Ming

2016-03-01

A retrospective study. To explore the relationship between the change of lumbar lordosis (LL) and thoracic kyphosis (TK) in AIS patients after correction surgery. TK tends to decrease in Lenke 1 and Lenke 2 AIS patients after correction surgery using pedicle screws, with the compensation of LL decrease. We hypothesize that lumbar lordosis minus thoracic kyphosis (LL-TK) remains constant after correction surgery to achieve the sagittal balance in AIS patients. Medical records of Lenke 1 or Lenke 2 AIS patients who received posterior correction surgery using pedicle screws in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2013 were reviewed. General characters of patients and radiological parameters were evaluated before the surgery and at two years' follow-up. Correlation analysis between TK and LL was conducted. LL-TK and the change of LL and TK were analyzed at preoperation and final follow-up. A total of 76 Lenke 1 and Lenke 2 AIS patients were included. Both TK and LL decreased significantly after correction surgery (P = 0.019 and P = 0.040, respectively). There were significant correlations between TK and LL before and after surgery, respectively (preoperative: r = 0.234, P = 0.042; postoperative: r = 0.310, P = 0.006). Preoperative and postoperative LL-TK was 23.80° and 25.09°, respectively, and no significant difference of LL-TK was observed (P = 0.372). The same tendency was observed in the change of LL and TK, and significant correlation was also found between the change of TK and LL (r = 0.626, P = 0.002). The same change of LL and TK and no significant difference in LL-TK indicated that LL-TK might be an important compensatory mechanism in keeping sagittal balance.

No association of dynamin binding protein (DNMBP) gene SNPs and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Minster, Ryan L; DeKosky, Steven T; Kamboh, M Ilyas

2008-10-01

A recent scan of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 10q found significant association of six correlated SNPs with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) among Japanese. We examined the SNP with the highest statistical significance (rs3740058) in a large Caucasian American case-control cohort and the remaining five SNPs in a smaller subset of cases and controls. We observed no association of statistical significance in either the total sample or the APOE*4 non-carriers for any of the SNPs.

Urban Legends and Paranormal Beliefs: The Role of Reality Testing and Schizotypy

PubMed Central

Dagnall, Neil; Denovan, Andrew; Drinkwater, Kenneth; Parker, Andrew; Clough, Peter J.

2017-01-01

Recent research suggests that unconventional beliefs are locatable within a generic anomalous belief category. This notion derives from the observation that apparently dissimilar beliefs share fundamental, core characteristics (i.e., contradiction of orthodox scientific understanding of the universe and defiance of conventional understanding of reality). The present paper assessed the supposition that anomalous beliefs were conceptually similar and explicable via common psychological processes by comparing relationships between discrete beliefs [endorsement of urban legends (ULs) and belief in the paranormal] and cognitive-perceptual personality measures [proneness to reality testing (RT) and schizotypy]. A sample of 222 volunteers, recruited via convenience sampling, took part in the study. Participants completed a series of self-report measures (Urban Legends Questionnaire, Reality Testing subscale of the Inventory of Personality Organization, Revised Paranormal Belief Scale and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief). Preliminary analysis revealed positive correlations between measures. Within schizotypy, the cognitive-perceptual factor was most strongly associated with anomalistic beliefs; disorganized and interpersonal produced only weak and negligible correlations respectively. Further investigation indicated complex relationships between RT, the cognitive-perceptual factor of schizotypy and anomalistic beliefs. Specifically, proneness to RT deficits explained a greater amount of variance in ULs, whilst schizotypy accounted for more variance in belief in the paranormal. Consideration of partial correlations supported these conclusions. The relationship between RT and ULs remained significant after controlling for the cognitive-perceptual factor. Contrastingly, the association between the cognitive-perceptual factor and ULs controlling for RT was non-significant. In the case of belief in the paranormal, controlling for proneness to RT reduced correlation size, but relationships remained significant. This study demonstrated that anomalistic beliefs vary in nature and composition. Findings indicated that generalized views of anomalistic beliefs provide only limited insight into the complex nature of belief. PMID:28642726

Urban Legends and Paranormal Beliefs: The Role of Reality Testing and Schizotypy.

PubMed

Dagnall, Neil; Denovan, Andrew; Drinkwater, Kenneth; Parker, Andrew; Clough, Peter J

2017-01-01

Recent research suggests that unconventional beliefs are locatable within a generic anomalous belief category. This notion derives from the observation that apparently dissimilar beliefs share fundamental, core characteristics (i.e., contradiction of orthodox scientific understanding of the universe and defiance of conventional understanding of reality). The present paper assessed the supposition that anomalous beliefs were conceptually similar and explicable via common psychological processes by comparing relationships between discrete beliefs [endorsement of urban legends (ULs) and belief in the paranormal] and cognitive-perceptual personality measures [proneness to reality testing (RT) and schizotypy]. A sample of 222 volunteers, recruited via convenience sampling, took part in the study. Participants completed a series of self-report measures (Urban Legends Questionnaire, Reality Testing subscale of the Inventory of Personality Organization, Revised Paranormal Belief Scale and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire Brief). Preliminary analysis revealed positive correlations between measures. Within schizotypy, the cognitive-perceptual factor was most strongly associated with anomalistic beliefs; disorganized and interpersonal produced only weak and negligible correlations respectively. Further investigation indicated complex relationships between RT, the cognitive-perceptual factor of schizotypy and anomalistic beliefs. Specifically, proneness to RT deficits explained a greater amount of variance in ULs, whilst schizotypy accounted for more variance in belief in the paranormal. Consideration of partial correlations supported these conclusions. The relationship between RT and ULs remained significant after controlling for the cognitive-perceptual factor. Contrastingly, the association between the cognitive-perceptual factor and ULs controlling for RT was non-significant. In the case of belief in the paranormal, controlling for proneness to RT reduced correlation size, but relationships remained significant. This study demonstrated that anomalistic beliefs vary in nature and composition. Findings indicated that generalized views of anomalistic beliefs provide only limited insight into the complex nature of belief.

Double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy with mixed grass-pollen allergoids. II. Comparison between parameters assessing the efficacy of immunotherapy.

PubMed

Bousquet, J; Maasch, H; Martinot, B; Hejjaoui, A; Wahl, R; Michel, F B

1988-09-01

Specific immunotherapy is effective in alleviating symptoms in grass pollen-induced rhinitis, but there are no clear data demonstrating a correlation between symptom-medication scores and objective parameters. Twenty-five patients taking part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled immunotherapy with mixed grass pollen-formalinized allergoids were studied. All patients had the same investigations. Symptom-medication scores were significantly (p less than 0.005, Mann-Whitney U test) reduced in the treated group by comparison to the placebo-treated patients. Nasal challenges performed with threefold increasing numbers of orchard grass-pollen grains demonstrated that patients treated with allergoid tolerated a significantly (p less than 0.005, Wilcoxon W test) greater number of grains after treatment, whereas there was no mean difference in the placebo-treated patients. There was a significant (p less than 0.005, Spearman rank-correlation) correlation between nasal challenges and symptom scores during the season. The skin prick test end point was significantly (p less than 0.001, Wilcoxon W test) reduced after treatment in the allergoid-treated group and remained unchanged in the placebo-treated group. There was a significant (p less than 0.001) correlation between the skin prick test end point and symptom scores during the season. Serum grass-pollen IgG titrated by a solid-phase radioimmunoassay with Staphylococcus A protein was significantly (p less than 0.01, Wilcoxon W test) increased after treatment with allergoid, but there was no significant correlation between IgG titer and symptom scores during the season. Serum grass-pollen IgE increased (p less than 0.04, Wilcoxon W test) in the treated group but there was no correlation with symptom scores.

Relationship between leg extensor muscle strength and knee joint loading during gait before and after total knee arthroplasty.

PubMed

Vahtrik, Doris; Gapeyeva, Helena; Ereline, Jaan; Pääsuke, Mati

2014-01-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate an isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force of the leg extensor muscles and its relationship with knee joint loading during gait prior and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Custom-made dynamometer was used to assess an isometric MVC force of the leg extensor muscles and 3-D motion analysis system was used to evaluate the knee joint loading during gait in 13 female patients (aged 49-68 years) with knee osteoarthritis. Patients were evaluated one day before, and three and six months following TKA in the operated and non-operated leg. Six months after TKA, MVC force of the leg extensor muscles for the operated leg did not differ significantly as compared to the preoperative level, whereas it remained significantly lower for the non-operated leg and controls. The knee flexion moment and the knee joint power during mid stance of gait was improved six months after TKA, remaining significantly lowered compared with controls. Negative moderate correlation between leg extensor muscles strength and knee joint loading for the operated leg during mid stance was noted three months after TKA. The correlation analysis indicates that due to weak leg extensor muscles, an excessive load is applied to knee joint during mid stance of gait in patients, whereas in healthy subjects stronger knee-surrounding muscles provide stronger knee joint loading during gait. III (correlational study). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship Between the Remaining Dentin Thickness and Coronal Pulp Status of Decayed Primary Molars.

PubMed

Berbari, Roula; Fayyad-Kazan, Hussein; Ezzedine, Mohamad; Fayyad-Kazan, Mohammad; Bandon, Daniel; Sfeir, Elia

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) in deep decayed primary molars and the inflammatory status and bacterial composition of the corresponding coronal pulp. We hypothesized that RDT could be used as a reference for clinicians in assigning the indication for pulpotomy. Pulpotomies were conducted on the cameral pulp of 48 primary molars. Microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Prevotella sp., were identified and quantified and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed. The correlation between the pre-operative RDT based on radiographic images and inflammatory-microbial profiles in vitro was evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. All data analysis was performed using a statistical software program (SPSS 20.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Immunological and microbiological studies revealed elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, and Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp. and Prevotella sp. in the cameral pulp with an RDT measuring up to 1.1 mm. No significant relationship could be established between RDT, inflammatory status and microbial content of the pulps. The RDT remains a key clinical factor that needs to be assessed when establishing the indication for pulpotomy. Additional parameters that can improve this therapy should be investigated in the future.

World currency exchange rate cross-correlations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Droå¼dż, S.; Górski, A. Z.; Kwapień, J.

2007-08-01

World currency network constitutes one of the most complex structures that is associated with the contemporary civilization. On a way towards quantifying its characteristics we study the cross correlations in changes of the daily foreign exchange rates within the basket of 60 currencies in the period December 1998 May 2005. Such a dynamics turns out to predominantly involve one outstanding eigenvalue of the correlation matrix. The magnitude of this eigenvalue depends however crucially on which currency is used as a base currency for the remaining ones. Most prominent it looks from the perspective of a peripheral currency. This largest eigenvalue is seen to systematically decrease and thus the structure of correlations becomes more heterogeneous, when more significant currencies are used as reference. An extreme case in this later respect is the USD in the period considered. Besides providing further insight into subtle nature of complexity, these observations point to a formal procedure that in general can be used for practical purposes of measuring the relative currencies significance on various time horizons.

Benefits of Time Correlation Measurements for Passive Screening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murer, David; Blackie, Douglas; Peerani, Paolo

2014-02-01

The “FLASH Portals Project” is a collaboration between Arktis Radiation Detectors Ltd (CH), the Atomic Weapons Establishment (UK), and the Joint Research Centre (European Commission), supported by the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG). The program's goal was to develop and demonstrate a technology to detect shielded special nuclear materials (SNM) more efficiently and less ambiguously by exploiting time correlation. This study presents experimental results of a two-sided portal monitor equipped with in total 16 4He fast neutron detectors as well as four polyvinyltoluene (PVT) plastic scintillators. All detectors have been synchronized to nanosecond precision, thereby allowing the resolution of time correlations from timescales of tens of microseconds (such as (n, γ) reactions) down to prompt fission correlations directly. Our results demonstrate that such correlations can be detected in a typical radiation portal monitor (RPM) geometry and within operationally acceptable time scales, and that exploiting these signatures significantly improves the performance of the RPM compared to neutron counting. Furthermore, the results show that some time structure remains even in the presence of heavy shielding, thus significantly improving the sensitivity of the detection system to shielded SNM.

Pharyngeal airway changes associated with maxillary distraction osteogenesis in adult cleft lip and palate patients.

PubMed

Aksu, Muge; Taner, Tülin; Sahin-Veske, Pınar; Kocadereli, Ilken; Konas, Ersoy; Mavili, Mehmet Emin

2012-02-01

To investigate 1) the changes in pharyngeal airway sizes associated with maxillary distraction osteogenesis and 2) the correlations between maxillary skeletal variables and the pharyngeal airway in adult patients with cleft lip and palate. The study was carried out in 14 adult subjects with cleft lip and palate. Predistraction records were taken at a mean age of 22.7 ± 4.6 years. All patients had placement of a rigid external distraction device (RED I; KLS Martin, Tuttlingen, Germany) after Le Fort I osteotomy. Lateral cephalograms were assessed before surgery and at short-term follow-up (8.0 ± 6.4 months). The cephalometric skeletal and pharyngeal airway variables were statistically evaluated by use of the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Spearman ρ correlation was performed to check the correlations between maxillary skeletal and pharyngeal variables. The maxillary movement was 8.7 mm (P < .01). The maxillary depth angle (+7.9°) and effective maxillary length (9.4 mm) increased significantly (P < .01) after distraction, whereas the palatal plane angle remained unchanged. Anterior nasal spine (8.2 mm) and Posterior nasal spine (6.9 mm) moved anteriorly. The overjet increased (9.5 mm) significantly (P < .01). Posterior, superoposterior, and middle airway spaces increased significantly, with mean differences of 7.5 mm, 5.1 mm, and 3.3 mm, respectively. The soft palate moved anteriorly, with the greatest movement at its superior point. Significant positive correlations were observed for the posterior and superoposterior airway spaces and maxillary movement. PNS changes showed the highest correlation with posterior airway changes. The significant anterior movement of the maxilla resulted in significant increases in posterior, superoposterior, and middle airway spaces. The posterior airway space showed the highest significant positive correlation with the movement of PNS. The posterior and superoposterior airway spaces also showed significant positive correlations with the maxillary skeletal variables. Copyright © 2012 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Inverse Correlation between the Atrial Fibrillatory Rate and the Ventricular Repolarization Time: Observations at Baseline and after an Intravenous Infusion of a Combined Potassium and Sodium Current Blocker.

PubMed

Edvardsson, Nils; Aunes, Maria; Frison, Lars; Berggren, Anders R

2016-05-01

The atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) and the ventricular rate and repolarization (QTcF) were studied at baseline and under the influence of the combined potassium and sodium current blocker AZD7009. Ninety-two patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized to an intravenous infusion of AZD7009 or placebo. The atrial fibrillatory activity in lead V1 was extracted using spatiotemporal QRST cancellation. The exponential decay (ED) characterized the degree of atrial signal organization. The mean (SD) AFR at baseline was 396  ±  57 (range 253-584) and 410 ± 33 (range 363-469) bpm in patients randomized to AZD7009 and placebo, respectively. The AFR decreased within the first minutes of the AZD7009 infusion and reached its minimum of 235 ± 34 bpm after 18 minutes. On placebo, the AFR was unchanged. On AZD7009, the ED decreased from 1.2 ± 0.3 to reach its lowest level at 0.7 ± 0.2 after 14 minutes. The ventricular rate did not change significantly over time. The AFR was statistically significantly related to the ventricular repolarization at baseline, the QTcF being longer at lower AFR values, and this relationship remained during and after AZD7009. In the full multivariate linear regression model, including age, sex, left ventricular ejection fraction, QRS duration, heart rate, QTcF, AF episode duration, AF history duration, and right atrial or left atrial size, only QTcF and age were statistically significantly correlated with the AFR. The correlation remained when the uncorrected QT interval was used. The QTcF was inversely correlated with AFR, both at baseline and during administration of AZD7009. The AFR was not correlated with the ventricular rate. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Doing the Math: Are Maryland's High School Math Standards Adding Up to College Success?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martino, Gabrielle

2009-01-01

The educational standards, instruction, and testing of mathematics remain a controversial subject in the United States. Given the significant and growing need for mathematics remediation, it is reasonable to question how well individual states are preparing its high school students to succeed. This evaluation examines the correlation between the…

Attributions and Attitudes of Mothers and Fathers in Jordan.

PubMed

Al-Hassan, Suha; Takash, Hanan

2011-07-01

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined mean level similarities and differences as well as correlations between mothers' and fathers' attributions regarding successes and failures in caregiving situations and progressive versus authoritarian attitudes in Jordan. DESIGN: Interviews were conducted with both mothers and fathers in 112 families. RESULTS: There were no significant main effects of gender on any of the constructs of interest. Mothers and fathers reported similar levels of attributions regarding uncontrollable success, adult-controlled failure, and child-controlled failure in the same family. Regarding attitudes, mothers and fathers reported greater progressive attitudes than authoritarian attitudes. Large, significant correlations were found for concordance between parents in the same family on all seven attributions and attitudes examined; all remained significant after controlling for parents' age, education, and possible social desirability bias. Significant positive correlations were found for mothers' and fathers' attributions regarding uncontrollable success, adult-controlled failure, child-controlled failure, perceived control over failure, progressive attitudes, authoritarian attitudes, and modernity of attitudes. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that in Jordan mothers and fathers hold similar levels of attributions and attitudes.

Dietary intake of fibers: differential effects in men and women on perceived general health and immune functioning.

PubMed

Fernstrand, Amanda M; Bury, Didi; Garssen, Johan; Verster, Joris C

2017-01-01

Background : It has been reported previously that dietary fiber intake provides health benefits. Nevertheless, only a limited number of human studies have investigated whether gender differences exist in the relationship between fiber intake and perceived health and immune status. Objective : To investigate potential gender differences in the effects of dietary fiber intake on perceived health and immune status of healthy young adults. Design : A survey was conducted among university students in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Data were collected on perceived general health status and perceived immune functioning. Dietary intake of fibers was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Perceived general health status and immune functioning were associated with daily intake of fibers using nonparametric (Spearman) correlations. Statistical analyses were conducted for the group as a whole, and for men and women separately. Results : N = 509 subjects completed the survey. Mean (SD) age was 20.8 (2.6) years old. 71.9% of the samples were females. Mean daily dietary fiber intake was 15.5 (6.9) g. Daily dietary fiber intake correlated significantly with general health rate (r = 0.171, p  = 0.0001) and perceived immune functioning (r = 0.124, p  = 0.008). After controlling for total caloric intake, the partial correlation between fiber intake and general health remained significant (r = 0.151, p  = 0.002). In men, dietary fiber intake correlated significantly with perceived general health status (r = 0.320, p  = 0.0001) and immune functioning (r = 0.281, p  = 0.002). After controlling for caloric intake, the association between dietary fiber intake and perceived general health (r = 0.261, p  = 0.005) remained significant. Remarkably, no significant correlations were observed in women. Conclusion : A significant association between daily dietary fiber intake and perceived general health status and immune rate was found in men, but not in women. Future studies should further address the nature and causes of the observed gender differences, including validated biomarkers for immune responsiveness. Abbreviations: FFQ: Food frequency questionnaire; GIT: Gastrointestinal tract; NCDs: Non-communicable diseases; SCFA: Short-chain fatty acid.

[Antibiotic consumption and bacterial sensitivity in a teaching hospital: A 5-year study].

PubMed

Cotteret, C; Vallières, E; Roy, H; Ovetchkine, P; Longtin, J; Bussières, J-F

2016-10-01

To reduce risks of antibiotic resistance, governmental and learned societies decreed the optimal use of antibiotics. The relation between antibiotic consumption and bacterial resistance increase has been clearly demonstrated over the last several years. Antibiotic consumption data and bacterial sensitivity data are regularly published, but very few publications have searched for a correlation between these two variables. This study focused on antibiotic use and consumption as well as bacterial sensitivity to these antibiotics. The main objective was to describe the changes in antibiotic consumption and bacterial sensitivity in a mother-child teaching hospital. The secondary objectives were to explore whether antibiotic use and bacterial sensitivity were correlated and to comment on the usefulness of these data for clinicians. This was a 5-year retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study. All samples from usually sterile biologic liquids of hospitalized pediatric patients were included in the study. The samples from outpatient clinics were excluded. All types of bacteria identified in more than 30 isolates were included in the study. The antibiotics usually used to treat these bacteria were included. To assess antibiotic consumption, we calculated the number of days of therapy per 1000 patient-days for hospitalized pediatric patients and we calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between antibiotic consumption and sensitivity rates to these antibiotics. Two scenarios were explored: one with correlation by year and one with the next year for bacterial sensitivity. During the study period (2010-2011 to 2014-2015), overall antibiotics consumption remained relatively stable. Concerning bacterial sensitivity, we noted important changes (sensitivity rates increased for 12 antibiotic-bacteria pairs, remained stable for five, and decreased for 15). We found three significant correlations for the first scenario: Pseudomonas aeruginos-ceftazidime (P=0.01), P. aeruginosa-ciprofloxacin and fluoroquinolone consumption (P=0.02), Enterococcus sp-ampicillin and penicillin consumption (P=0.04). For the second scenario, we found only two significant correlations: coagulase-negative Staphylococcus-oxacilline and penicillin consumption (P=0.02), P. aeruginosa/piperacillin (P=0.04). This exploratory study allowed us to describe antibiotic consumption and bacterial sensitivity progression. To our knowledge, this is the first study exploring the correlation between antibiotic consumption and the bacterial sensitivity rate in pediatrics in Canada. It remains very difficult to show this correlation between these two variables because of the multiple sources of bacterial resistance. These data are particularly useful for the antimicrobial stewardship programs and for clinicians. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Unattractive infant faces elicit negative affect from adults.

PubMed

Schein, Stevie S; Langlois, Judith H

2015-02-01

We examined the relationship between infant attractiveness and adult affect by investigating whether differing levels of infant facial attractiveness elicit facial muscle movement correlated with positive and negative affect from adults (N=87) using electromyography. Unattractive infant faces evoked significantly more corrugator supercilii and levator labii superioris movement (physiological correlates of negative affect) than attractive infant faces. These results suggest that unattractive infants may be at risk for negative affective responses from adults, though the relationship between those responses and caregiving behavior remains elusive. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The relationship between oral tori and bite force.

PubMed

Jeong, Chan-Woo; Kim, Kyung-Ho; Jang, Hyo-Won; Kim, Hye-Sun; Huh, Jong-Ki

2018-01-12

Objective The relationship between bite force and torus palatinus or mandibularis remains to be explained. The major aim of this study was to determine the correlation between bite force and oral tori. Methods The bite force of 345 patients was measured with a bite force recorder; impressions of the shape and size of the oral tori were taken on plaster models prior to orthodontic treatments. Subsequently, the relationship between oral tori and bite force was analyzed. Results The size, shape, and incidence of torus palatinus was not significantly correlated with bite force. However, the size of torus mandibularis increased significantly in proportion to the bite force (p = 0.020). The occurrence of different types of oral tori was not correlated with the bite force. Discussion The size of torus mandibularis provides information about bite force and can thus be used to clinically assess occlusal stress.

Exploring the Correlation Between Nontraditional Variables and Student Success: A Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Strickland, Haley Perkins; Cheshire, Michelle Haney

2017-06-01

The purpose of this project was to determine whether a correlation exists between the traditional admission criteria of grade point averages with the potential admission criteria of emotional intelligence (EI) scores or critical thinking (CT) scores to predict upper division student outcomes. A quantitative, longitudinal design was selected to examine the identified variables to predict undergraduate student success. The recruiting sample included a convenience sample drawn from 112 junior-level undergraduate nursing students beginning their first of a five-semester nursing program. EI and HESI ® CT scores did not significantly correlate with main analysis variables. Although EI and CT scores were not significant in this study, it remains vital to incorporate EI and CT activities throughout the curriculum to develop students' ability to think like a nurse and, therefore, be successful in nursing practice. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(6):351-355.]. Copyright 2017, SLACK Incorporated.

Adequacy of physician documentation and correlation with assessment of transfusion appropriateness: a follow-up study in the setting of prospective audits and patient blood management.

PubMed

Madrigal, Emilio; Prajapati, Shyam; Avadhani, Vaidehi; Annen, Kyle; Friedman, Mark T

2017-02-01

A previous study in our hospitals correlated suboptimal documentation and failure to justify transfusions. In light of implemented blood-conservation strategies, including patient blood management (PBM) and prospective audits (PAs), we performed a follow-up study. We reviewed prospectively audited red blood cell (RBC) transfusions received by adult patients from January to July 2014. Survey forms were used to assess the level of documentation and to classify documentation as adequate, intermediate, or inadequate. Transfusions were deemed justified or not by comparisons with hospital transfusion guidelines. We also analyzed the effect of implemented blood-conservation strategies on our hospital transfusion rates and costs from 2009 to 2015. During the study period, there were 259 prospectively audited transfusion events (TEs) (one or more RBC units transfused to a patient), of which we reviewed 94 TEs (36.3%) in 87 patients. TEs with suboptimal (intermediate and inadequate) documentation accounted for 46.8% of the reviewed TEs, of which 81.8% could not be justified compared with 18.0% of nonjustified, adequately documented TEs. The correlation between suboptimal documentation and failure to justify transfusion was significant (p < 0.001). This correlation remained even in a comparison between the site with a PBM program and the sites without such a program. Overall transfusion rates declined after the introduction of PA, although the decline was only statistically significant at the sites with a PBM program. Suboptimal transfusion documentation remains problematic and is highly correlated with nonjustifiable transfusions. Newly adopted approaches to minimize blood transfusions have not improved transfusion documentation and corresponding out-of-guideline transfusions, although overall transfusions have been reduced by PA, particularly in the setting of a PBM program. © 2016 AABB.

Evolutionary Association of Stomatal Traits with Leaf Vein Density in Paphiopedilum, Orchidaceae

PubMed Central

Sun, Mei; Zhang, Juan-Juan; Cao, Kun-Fang; Hu, Hong

2012-01-01

Background Both leaf attributes and stomatal traits are linked to water economy in land plants. However, it is unclear whether these two components are associated evolutionarily. Methodology/Principal Findings In characterizing the possible effect of phylogeny on leaf attributes and stomatal traits, we hypothesized that a correlated evolution exists between the two. Using a phylogenetic comparative method, we analyzed 14 leaf attributes and stomatal traits for 17 species in Paphiopedilum. Stomatal length (SL), stomatal area (SA), upper cuticular thickness (UCT), and total cuticular thickness (TCT) showed strong phylogenetic conservatism whereas stomatal density (SD) and stomatal index (SI) were significantly convergent. Leaf vein density was correlated with SL and SD whether or not phylogeny was considered. The lower epidermal thickness (LET) was correlated positively with SL, SA, and stomatal width but negatively with SD when phylogeny was not considered. When this phylogenetic influence was factored in, only the significant correlation between SL and LET remained. Conclusion/Significance Our results support the hypothesis for correlated evolution between stomatal traits and vein density in Paphiopedilum. However, they do not provide evidence for an evolutionary association between stomata and leaf thickness. These findings lend insight into the evolution of traits related to water economy for orchids under natural selection. PMID:22768224

Correlation between serum lead and thyroid diseases: papillary thyroid carcinoma, nodular goiter, and thyroid adenoma.

PubMed

Li, Hui; Li, Xiang; Liu, Jie; Jin, Langping; Yang, Fan; Wang, Junbo; Wang, Ouchen; Gao, Ying

2017-10-01

Studies have showed that lead was associated with human health. However, the effects of lead on thyroid functions are inconsistent, and studies based on Chinese population are fragmentary. To evaluate the correlation between lead and thyroid functions of Chinese with different thyroid diseases, we conducted a hospital-based study. Ninety-six papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 10 nodular goiter (NG), and 7 thyroid adenoma (TA) patients were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China. Serum triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxin (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated with chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Serum lead was assessed with ICP-MASS. Partial correlation was used to explore the correlations of serum lead and thyroid diseases. Compared to PTC, the level of lead was significantly higher in TA, and lower in NG (p < 0.05). This difference remained significant in females when stratified by sex. Serum lead was negatively correlated with TSH (r s  =  - 0.27, p < 0.05) in PTC group. T3 was positively related to lead at quartile4 (r s  = 0.61, p < 0.05) in PTC group. No significant correlations were observed between lead and FT3 or FT4 in any group. The results suggested that lead might have different etiological roles in these three thyroid diseases.

Cross-correlating Cosmic IR and X-ray Background Fluctuations: Evidence of Significant Black Hole Populations Among the CIB Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cappelluti, N.; Kashlinsky, A.; Arendt, R. G.; Comastri, A.; Fazio, G. G.; Finoguenov, A.; Hasinger, G.; Mather, J. C.; Miyaji, T; Moseley, S. H.

2013-01-01

In order to understand the nature of the sources producing the recently uncovered cosmic infrared background (CIB) fluctuations, we study cross-correlations between the fluctuations in the source-subtracted CIB from Spitzer/IRAC data and the unresolved cosmic X-ray background from deep Chandra observations. Our study uses data from the EGS/AEGIS field, where both data sets cover an approx = 8' x 45' region of the sky. Our measurement is the cross-power spectrum between the IR and X-ray data. The cross-power signal between the IRAC maps at 3.6 micron and 4.5 micron and the Chandra [0.5-2] keV data has been detected, at angular scales approx >20'', with an overall significance of approx = 3.8 sigma and approx. = 5.6 sigma, respectively. At the same time we find no evidence of significant cross-correlations at the harder Chandra bands. The cross-correlation signal is produced by individual IR sources with 3.6 micron and 4.5 micron magnitudes m(sub AB) approx. > 25-26 and [0.5-2] keV X-ray fluxes << 7 × 10(exp -177 erg sq. cm/ s. We determine that at least 15%-25% of the large scale power of the CIB fluctuations is correlated with the spatial power spectrum of the X-ray fluctuations. If this correlation is attributed to emission from accretion processes at both IR and X-ray wavelengths, this implies a much higher fraction of accreting black holes than among the known populations. We discuss the various possible origins for the cross-power signal and show that neither local foregrounds nor the known remaining normal galaxies and active galactic nuclei can reproduce the measurements. These observational results are an important new constraint on theoretical modeling of the near-IR CIB fluctuations. local foregrounds, nor the known remaining normal galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) can reproduce the measurements. These observational results are an important new constraint on theoretical modeling of the near-IR CIB fluctuations

Solar forcing of the stream flow of a continental scale South American river.

PubMed

Mauas, Pablo J D; Flamenco, Eduardo; Buccino, Andrea P

2008-10-17

Solar forcing on climate has been reported in several studies although the evidence so far remains inconclusive. Here, we analyze the stream flow of one of the largest rivers in the world, the Paraná in southeastern South America. For the last century, we find a strong correlation with the sunspot number, in multidecadal time scales, and with larger solar activity corresponding to larger stream flow. The correlation coefficient is r=0.78, significant to a 99% level. In shorter time scales we find a strong correlation with El Niño. These results are a step toward flood prediction, which might have great social and economic impacts.

Brain-behaviour relationships in people at high genetic risk of schizophrenia.

PubMed

Lymer, G Katherine S; Job, Dominic E; William, T; Moorhead, J; McIntosh, Andrew M; Owens, David G C; Johnstone, Eve C; Lawrie, Stephen M

2006-10-15

The brain is known to be structurally abnormal in schizophrenia, with replicated findings between anatomical deficits and some dysfunctions. These structure-function associations have, however, only very rarely been studied in relatives at risk of schizophrenia. We studied the relationships between structure and schizotypal features (assessed using RISC and SIS) and verbal learning and memory (measured using RAVLT) in relatives at high risk of developing schizophrenia and normal controls. Since these behavioural test scores are strong predictors of schizophrenia in the Edinburgh High Risk Study, we hypothesised that these relationships would differ between those high-risk subjects who will develop schizophrenia from those who will not. We performed multiple regressions of the grey matter segments of the subjects and controls, produced using grey matter optimised, voxel-based morphometry, with their RAVLT, SIS and RISC scores in SPM. Where significant relationships were found, we used SPSS to test for subject group by behavioural score interactions. In those high-risk subjects who became ill, grey matter density (GMD) was significantly correlated with RISC in the left superior temporal gyrus. In subjects who remained well, SIS was significantly correlated with GMD in the right pulvinar. Across the whole HR group, GMD in the right medial dorsal thalamic nucleus was significantly correlated with RAVLT. In those subjects who developed symptoms, RAVLT significantly correlated with GMD in right parahippocampal gyrus whereas in those who became ill, significant correlations existed bilaterally in the pulvinar. These results suggest complex and changing patterns of structural-functional relationships in those subjects at high-risk of schizophrenia.

Elliptocytes and tailed poikilocytes correlate with severity of iron-deficiency anemia.

PubMed

Rodgers, M S; Chang, C C; Kass, L

1999-05-01

This study examines the relationships between abnormal RBC morphology, RBC indices measured with an automated hematology analyzer, serum iron studies, and severity of anemia in patients with findings indicative of iron-deficiency anemia. Counts and morphologic classification of 1,000 RBCs from each of 22 patients were performed, and correlations were determined between parameters. The Student t test was used to determine the level of significance for correlations between parameters. Several significant relationships were found. As the percentage of elliptocytes increased, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, RBC concentration, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin level decreased (r = .48, .44, .40, and .49, respectively; P < .05). As the percentage of tailed poikilocytes increased, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and RBC concentration decreased (r = .70, .77, and .71, respectively; P < .01) and RBC distribution width increased (r = .73; P < .01). Of significance, serum ferritin levels, long considered the best single indicator of iron deficiency, showed no correlation with the morphologic abnormalities assessed, severity of anemia, or any of the analyzer-generated indices. Our results indicate that microscopic evaluation of RBC morphology remains an important tool for the pathologist to evaluate the severity of anemia in patients with iron deficiency.

Detrended cross-correlation analysis on RMB exchange rate and Hang Seng China Enterprises Index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Qingsong; Yang, Bingchan; Ma, Guofeng

2017-02-01

In this paper, we investigate the cross-correlations between the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index and RMB exchange markets on the basis of a cross-correlation statistic test and multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA). MF-DCCA has, at best, serious limitations for most of the signals describing complex natural processes and often indicates multifractal cross-correlations when there are none. In order to prevent these false multifractal cross-correlations, we apply MFCCA to verify the cross-correlations. Qualitatively, we find that the return series of the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index and RMB exchange markets were, overall, significantly cross-correlated based on the statistical analysis. Quantitatively, we find that the cross-correlations between the stock index and RMB exchange markets were strongly multifractal, and the multifractal degree of the onshore RMB exchange markets was somewhat larger than the offshore RMB exchange markets. Moreover, we use the absolute return series to investigate and confirm the fact of multifractality. The results from the rolling windows show that the short-term cross-correlations between volatility series remain high.

Prognostic impact of RITA expression in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

PubMed

Rödel, Franz; Steinhäuser, Kerstin; Kreis, Nina-Naomi; Friemel, Alexandra; Martin, Daniel; Wieland, Ulrike; Rave-Fränk, Margret; Balermpas, Panagiotis; Fokas, Emmanouil; Louwen, Frank; Rödel, Claus; Yuan, Juping

2018-02-01

RBP-J interacting and tubulin-associated protein (RITA) has been identified as a negative regulator of the Notch signalling pathway and its deregulation is involved in the pathogenesis of several tumour entities. RITA's impact on the response of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to anticancer treatment, however, remains elusive. In our retrospective study immunohistochemical evaluation of RITA was performed on 140 pre-treatment specimens and was correlated with clinical and histopathologic characteristics and clinical endpoints cumulative incidence of local control (LC), distant recurrence (DC), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). We observed significant inverse correlations between RITA expression and tumour grading, the levels of HPV-16 virus DNA load, CD8 (+) tumour infiltrating lymphocytes and programmed death protein (PD-1) immunostaining. In univariate analyses, elevated levels of RITA expression were predictive for decreased local control (p = 0.001), decreased distant control (p = 0.040), decreased disease free survival (p = 0.001) and overall survival (p < 0.0001), whereas in multivariate analyses RITA expression remained significant for decreased local control (p = 0.009), disease free survival (p = 0.032) and overall survival (p = 0.012). These data indicate that elevated levels of pretreatment RITA expression are correlated with unfavourable clinical outcome in anal carcinoma treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Meta-Analysis of the Relation between RAN and Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koponen, Tuire; Georgiou, George; Salmi, Paula; Leskinen, Markku; Aro, Mikko

2017-01-01

Several studies have shown that rapid automatized naming (RAN) is a significant predictor of mathematics, but the nature of their relationship remains elusive. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to estimate the size of their relationship and determine the conditions under which they correlate. We used a random-effects model analysis of…

Downregulation of FOXP2 promoter human hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion.

PubMed

Yan, Xia; Zhou, Huiling; Zhang, Tingting; Xu, Pan; Zhang, Shusen; Huang, Wei; Yang, Linlin; Gu, Xingxing; Ni, Runzhou; Zhang, Tianyi

2015-12-01

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern with a high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide. However, the mechanism underlying hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. Forkhead box P2 (FOXP2) has been implicated in various human cancer types. However, the role of FOXP2 in HCC remains unknown. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of FOXP2 protein in HCC and adjacent normal tissues in 50 patients. Wound healing and transwell assays were used to determine the cell invasion ability. We showed that the level of FOXP2 was significantly reduced in HCC compared with the adjacent non-tumorous tissue. There was statistical significance between the expression of FOXP2 and vein invasion (P = 0.017), number of tumor nodes (P = 0.028), and AFP (P = 0.033). Low expression of FOXP2 correlated with poor survival. Moreover, wound healing and transwell assays showed that FOXP2 could decrease cell invasion and affect the expression of vimentin and E-cadherin. Our results suggested that FOXP2 expression was downregulated in HCC tumor tissues, and reduced FOXP2 expression was associated with poor overall survival. In addition, downregulation of FOXP2 significantly enhanced cell invasiveness. These findings uncover that FOXP2 might be a new prognostic factor and be closely correlated with HCC cell invasion.

Quantifying suspended sediment flux in a mixed-land-use urbanizing watershed using a nested-scale study design.

PubMed

Zeiger, Sean; Hubbart, Jason A

2016-01-15

Suspended sediment (SS) remains the most pervasive water quality problem globally and yet, despite progress, SS process understanding remains relatively poor in watersheds with mixed-land-use practices. The main objective of the current work was to investigate relationships between suspended sediment and land use types at multiple spatial scales (n=5) using four years of suspended sediment data collected in a representative urbanized mixed-land-use (forest, agriculture, urban) watershed. Water samples were analyzed for SS using a nested-scale experimental watershed study design (n=836 samples×5 gauging sites). Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post-hoc multiple comparison tests were used to test for significant differences (CI=95%, p<0.05) in SS levels between gauging sites. Climate extremes (high precipitation/drought) were observed during the study period. Annual maximum SS concentrations exceeded 2387.6 mg/L. Median SS concentrations decreased by 60% from the agricultural headwaters to the rural/urban interface, and increased by 98% as urban land use increased. Multiple linear regression analysis results showed significant relationships between SS, annual total precipitation (positive correlate), forested land use (negative correlate), agricultural land use (negative correlate), and urban land use (negative correlate). Estimated annual SS yields ranged from 16.1 to 313.0 t km(-2) year(-1) mainly due to differences in annual total precipitation. Results highlight the need for additional studies, and point to the need for improved best management practices designed to reduce anthropogenic SS loading in mixed-land-use watersheds. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlations among body temperature, plasma progesterone, cortisol and prostaglandin F2alpha of the periparturient bitch.

PubMed

Veronesi, M C; Battocchio, M; Marinelli, L; Faustini, M; Kindahl, H; Cairoli, F

2002-06-01

The results of this study suggest that, besides the irrelevant role of body temperature measurement to predict the impending parturition in the bitch, progesterone and 15-ketodihydroprostaglandin F2alpha plasma level records could be more suitable to detect the approaching whelping in this species. More interesting was the statistically significant substantial increase in body temperature beginning 12 h after the onset of parturition. Therefore, if any significant increase in body temperature is recorded at the end of pregnancy without the beginning of the expulsion of fetuses, it could indicate problems at parturition. In this study, cortisol levels increased significantly at the time of delivery and remained high 12 h after the beginning of parturition, decreasing within 36 h after the onset of whelping. 15-ketodihydro-prostaglandin F2alpha levels increased significantly 24 h before parturition and again at the onset of whelping. Progesterone levels decreased significantly, starting 24 h before the onset of whelping and remained low after delivery.

The link between callosal thickness and intelligence in healthy children and adolescents.

PubMed

Luders, Eileen; Thompson, Paul M; Narr, Katherine L; Zamanyan, Alen; Chou, Yi-Yu; Gutman, Boris; Dinov, Ivo D; Toga, Arthur W

2011-02-01

The link between brain structure and intelligence is a well-investigated topic, but existing analyses have mainly focused on adult samples. Studies in healthy children and adolescents are rare, and normative data specifically addressing the association between corpus callosum morphology and intellectual abilities are quite limited. To advance this field of research, we mapped the correlations between standardized intelligence measures and callosal thickness based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Our large and well-matched sample included 200 normally developing subjects (100 males, 100 females) ranging from 6 to 17 years of age. Although the strongest correlations were negative and confined to the splenium, the strength and the direction of intelligence-callosal thickness associations varied considerably. While significant correlations in females were mainly positive, significant correlations in males were exclusively negative. However, only the negative correlations in the overall sample (i.e., males and females combined) remained significant when controlling for multiple comparisons. The observed negative correlations between callosal thickness and intelligence in children and adolescents contrast with the positive correlations typically reported in adult samples. However, negative correlations are in line with reports from other pediatric studies relating cognitive measures to other brain attributes such as cortical thickness, gray matter volume, and gray matter density. Altogether, these findings suggest that relationships between callosal morphology and cognition are highly dynamic during brain maturation. Sex effects on links between callosal thickness and intelligence during childhood and adolescence are present but appear rather weak in general. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The link between callosal thickness and intelligence in healthy children and adolescents

PubMed Central

Luders, Eileen; Thompson, Paul M.; Narr, Katherine L.; Zamanyan, Alen; Chou, Yi-Yu; Gutman, Boris; Dinov, Ivo D.; Toga, Arthur W.

2010-01-01

The link between brain structure and intelligence is a well-investigated topic, but existing analyses have mainly focused on adult samples. Studies in healthy children and adolescents are rare, and normative data specifically addressing the association between corpus callosum morphology and intellectual abilities is quite limited. To advance this field of research, we mapped the correlations between standardized intelligence measures and callosal thickness based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Our large and well-matched sample included 200 normally developing subjects (100 males, 100 females) ranging from 6 to 17 years of age. Although the strongest correlations were negative and confined to the splenium, the strength and the direction of intelligence-callosal thickness associations varied considerably with respect to age and sex. While significant correlations in females were mainly positive, significant correlations in males were exclusively negative. However, only the negative correlations in the overall sample (i.e., males and females combined) remained significant when controlling for multiple comparisons. The observed negative correlations between callosal thickness and intelligence in children and adolescents contrast with the positive correlations typically reported in adult samples. However, negative correlations are in line with reports from other pediatric studies relating cognitive measures to other brain attributes such as cortical thickness, gray matter volume, and gray matter density. Altogether, these findings suggest that relationships between callosal morphology and cognition are highly dynamic during brain maturation. Sex effects on links between callosal thickness and intelligence during childhood and adolescence are present but appear rather weak in general. PMID:20932920

Statistical analysis of co-occurrence patterns in microbial presence-absence datasets.

PubMed

Mainali, Kumar P; Bewick, Sharon; Thielen, Peter; Mehoke, Thomas; Breitwieser, Florian P; Paudel, Shishir; Adhikari, Arjun; Wolfe, Joshua; Slud, Eric V; Karig, David; Fagan, William F

2017-01-01

Drawing on a long history in macroecology, correlation analysis of microbiome datasets is becoming a common practice for identifying relationships or shared ecological niches among bacterial taxa. However, many of the statistical issues that plague such analyses in macroscale communities remain unresolved for microbial communities. Here, we discuss problems in the analysis of microbial species correlations based on presence-absence data. We focus on presence-absence data because this information is more readily obtainable from sequencing studies, especially for whole-genome sequencing, where abundance estimation is still in its infancy. First, we show how Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Jaccard's index (J)-two of the most common metrics for correlation analysis of presence-absence data-can contradict each other when applied to a typical microbiome dataset. In our dataset, for example, 14% of species-pairs predicted to be significantly correlated by r were not predicted to be significantly correlated using J, while 37.4% of species-pairs predicted to be significantly correlated by J were not predicted to be significantly correlated using r. Mismatch was particularly common among species-pairs with at least one rare species (<10% prevalence), explaining why r and J might differ more strongly in microbiome datasets, where there are large numbers of rare taxa. Indeed 74% of all species-pairs in our study had at least one rare species. Next, we show how Pearson's correlation coefficient can result in artificial inflation of positive taxon relationships and how this is a particular problem for microbiome studies. We then illustrate how Jaccard's index of similarity (J) can yield improvements over Pearson's correlation coefficient. However, the standard null model for Jaccard's index is flawed, and thus introduces its own set of spurious conclusions. We thus identify a better null model based on a hypergeometric distribution, which appropriately corrects for species prevalence. This model is available from recent statistics literature, and can be used for evaluating the significance of any value of an empirically observed Jaccard's index. The resulting simple, yet effective method for handling correlation analysis of microbial presence-absence datasets provides a robust means of testing and finding relationships and/or shared environmental responses among microbial taxa.

Correlation of the flow patterns among the four pulmonary veins as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography: influence of significant mitral regurgitation.

PubMed

Hwang, J J; Lin, J M; Hsu, K L; Lai, L P; Tseng, Y Z; Lee, Y T; Lien, W P

1999-01-01

To evaluate the correlation of the flow patterns of the four pulmonary veins as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography and the influence of significant mitral regurgitation on this correlation. Eighty-eight patients with normal sinus rhythm and variable underlying cardiovascular diseases underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic studies. Doppler flow of the four pulmonary veins could not be adequately interpreted in 19 patients (22%). The left atrial dimension of these patients was significantly larger than that of the patients with complete study of the flow in the four pulmonary veins (49 +/- 6 vs. 43 +/- 7 mm; p < 0.05). Of the 69 patients with complete evaluation of the four pulmonary veins, 48 patients without significant mitral regurgitation were analyzed as group A, and the remaining 21 patients as group B. The peak systolic and diastolic forward flow velocities of the four pulmonary veins were measured and the ratio of peak systolic (S) to diastolic (D) flow velocity was calculated. Group A had a significantly larger S/D ratio in all four pulmonary veins than group B (p < 0.05 in each pulmonary vein measurement). There was good correlation of the flow pattern represented as S/D ratio between left upper and lower pulmonary veins (r = 0.90) and between right upper and lower pulmonary veins (r = 0.89) in group A. The correlation of the flow pattern among the four pulmonary veins deteriorated in group B. Pulmonary veins on the same side share rather similar flow patterns in comparison with pulmonary veins on the opposite sides. The correlation of flow patterns among the four pulmonary veins is good in subjects without significant mitral regurgitation, but it worsens in patients with significant mitral regurgitation. Therefore, cautious interpretation of flow patterns of the four pulmonary veins in patients with significant regurgitation is indicated for grading the severity of mitral regurgitation.

Correlation and anti-correlation of the East Asian summer and winter monsoons during the last 21,000 years.

PubMed

Wen, Xinyu; Liu, Zhengyu; Wang, Shaowu; Cheng, Jun; Zhu, Jiang

2016-06-22

Understanding the past significant changes of the East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM) and Winter Monsoon (EAWM) is critical for improving the projections of future climate over East Asia. One key issue that has remained outstanding from the paleo-climatic records is whether the evolution of the EASM and EAWM are correlated. Here, using a set of long-term transient simulations of the climate evolution of the last 21,000 years, we show that the EASM and EAWM are positively correlated on the orbital timescale in response to the precessional forcing, but are anti-correlated on millennial timescales in response to North Atlantic melt water forcing. The relation between EASM and EAWM can differ dramatically for different timescales because of the different response mechanisms, highlighting the complex dynamics of the East Asian monsoon system and the challenges for future projection.

Correlation and anti-correlation of the East Asian summer and winter monsoons during the last 21,000 years

PubMed Central

Wen, Xinyu; Liu, Zhengyu; Wang, Shaowu; Cheng, Jun; Zhu, Jiang

2016-01-01

Understanding the past significant changes of the East Asia Summer Monsoon (EASM) and Winter Monsoon (EAWM) is critical for improving the projections of future climate over East Asia. One key issue that has remained outstanding from the paleo-climatic records is whether the evolution of the EASM and EAWM are correlated. Here, using a set of long-term transient simulations of the climate evolution of the last 21,000 years, we show that the EASM and EAWM are positively correlated on the orbital timescale in response to the precessional forcing, but are anti-correlated on millennial timescales in response to North Atlantic melt water forcing. The relation between EASM and EAWM can differ dramatically for different timescales because of the different response mechanisms, highlighting the complex dynamics of the East Asian monsoon system and the challenges for future projection. PMID:27328616

Flotsam samples can help explain the δ13C and δ15N values of invertebrate resting stages in lake sediment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Hardenbroek, Maarten; Rinta, Päivi; Wooller, Matthew J.; Schilder, Jos; Stötter, Tabea; Heiri, Oliver

2018-06-01

The stable isotopic composition of chitinous remains of Cladocera (water fleas) and freshwater Bryozoa (moss animals) preserved in lake sediment records can provide supporting insights into past environmental and ecosystem changes in lakes. Here we explore whether analyses of these remains isolated from lake flotsam can provide information on the driving variables affecting the isotopic composition of these remains. We collected flotsam in 53 lakes and found enough material in 33 lakes to measure the stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (expressed as δ13C and δ15N values, respectively) of resting stages. These values were compared with lake characteristics, water chemistry measurements, and the isotopic composition of sedimentary organic matter (SOM) in the lakes. Mean δ13C values of cladoceran ephippia and SOM were correlated and both were also negatively correlated with deep water methane concentrations and indicators of lake stratification. This supports the findings of previous studies that methane-derived carbon can provide a significant proportion of carbon entering planktonic food webs. Mean δ15N values of bryozoan statoblasts and SOM were correlated, suggesting that both reflect the δ15N values of phytoplankton. Our results provide information on how environmental variables in lakes can influence the δ13C and δ15N values in resting stages, but flotsam samples can also potentially be used to assess seasonal stable isotope variability of resting stages. Both types of information are important to improve palaeoenvironmental interpretations of stable isotope records based on these remains in lake sediments.

Variations in the detection of ZAP-70 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Comparison with IgV(H) mutation analysis.

PubMed

Sheikholeslami, M R; Jilani, I; Keating, M; Uyeji, J; Chen, K; Kantarjian, H; O'Brien, S; Giles, F; Albitar, M

2006-07-15

Lack of immunoglobulin heavy chain genes (IgV(H)) mutation in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with rapid disease progression and shorter survival. The zeta-chain (T-cell receptor) associated protein kinase 70 kDa (ZAP-70) has been reported to be a surrogate marker for IgV(H) mutation status, and its expression in leukemic cells correlates with unmutated IgV(H). However, ZAP-70 detection by flow cytometry varies significantly dependant on the antibodies used, the method of performing the assay, and the condition of the cells in the specimen. The clinical value of ZAP-70 testing when samples are shipped under poorly controlled conditions is not known. Furthermore, testing in a research environment may differ from testing in a routine clinical laboratory. We validated an assay for ZAP-70 by comparing results with clinical outcome and the mutation status of the IgV(H). Using stored samples, we show significant correlation between ZAP-70 expression and clinical outcome as well as IgV(H) mutation at a cut-off point of 15%. While positive samples (>15% positivity) remain positive when kept in the laboratory environment for 48 h after initial testing, results obtained from samples from CLL patients tested after shipping at room temperature for routine testing showed no correlation with IgV(H) mutation status when 15% cut-off was used. In these samples, cut-point of 10% correlated with the IgV(H) mutation (P = 0.0001). This data suggests that although ZAP-70 positivity correlates with IgV(H) mutation status and survival, variations in sample handling and preparation may influence results. We show that IgV(H) mutation results, unlike ZAP-70 remain correlated with CD38 expression and beta-2 microglobulin in shipped samples, and ZAP-70 testing should not be used as the sole criterion for stratifying patients for therapy. (c) 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology.

Relationship Between the Remaining Dentin Thickness and Coronal Pulp Status of Decayed Primary Molars

PubMed Central

Berbari, Roula; Fayyad-Kazan, Hussein; Ezzedine, Mohamad; Fayyad-Kazan, Mohammad; Bandon, Daniel; Sfeir, Elia

2017-01-01

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) in deep decayed primary molars and the inflammatory status and bacterial composition of the corresponding coronal pulp. We hypothesized that RDT could be used as a reference for clinicians in assigning the indication for pulpotomy. Materials and Methods: Pulpotomies were conducted on the cameral pulp of 48 primary molars. Microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp., and Prevotella sp., were identified and quantified and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed. The correlation between the pre-operative RDT based on radiographic images and inflammatory-microbial profiles in vitro was evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. All data analysis was performed using a statistical software program (SPSS 20.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Immunological and microbiological studies revealed elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, and Lactobacillus sp., Streptococcus sp. and Prevotella sp. in the cameral pulp with an RDT measuring up to 1.1 mm. No significant relationship could be established between RDT, inflammatory status and microbial content of the pulps. Conclusion: The RDT remains a key clinical factor that needs to be assessed when establishing the indication for pulpotomy. Additional parameters that can improve this therapy should be investigated in the future. PMID:29026700

Cross-correlations and influence in world gold markets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Min; Wang, Gang-Jin; Xie, Chi; Stanley, H. Eugene

2018-01-01

Using the detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA) coefficient and the detrended partial cross-correlation analysis (DPCCA) coefficient, we investigate cross-correlations and net cross-correlations among five major world gold markets (London, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Mumbai) at different time scales. We propose multiscale influence measures for examining the influence of individual markets on other markets and on the entire system. We find (i) that the cross-correlations, net cross-correlations, and net influences among the five gold markets vary across time scales, (ii) that the cross-market correlation between London and New York at each time scale is intense and inherent, meaning that the influence of other gold markets on the London-New York market is negligible, (iii) that the remaining cross-market correlations (i.e., those other than London-New York) are greatly affected by other gold markets, and (iv) that the London gold market significantly affects the other four gold markets and dominates the world-wide gold market. Our multiscale findings give market participants and market regulators new information on cross-market linkages in the world-wide gold market.

Creep, Fatigue and Environmental Interactions and Their Effect on Crack Growth in Superalloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Telesman, J.; Gabb, T. P.; Ghosn, L. J.; Smith, T.

2017-01-01

Complex interactions of creep/fatigue/environment control dwell fatigue crack growth (DFCG) in superalloys. Crack tip stress relaxation during dwells significantly changes the crack driving force and influence DFCG. Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics, Kmax, parameter unsuitable for correlating DFCG behavior due to extensive visco-plastic deformation. Magnitude of remaining crack tip axial stresses controls DFCG resistance due to the brittle-intergranular nature of the crack growth process. Proposed a new empirical parameter, Ksrf, which incorporates visco-plastic evolution of the magnitude of remaining crack tip stresses. Previous work performed at 704C, extend the work to 760C.

The Anatomical and Evolutionary Relationship between Self-awareness and Theory of Mind.

PubMed

Guise, Kevin; Kelly, Karen; Romanowski, Jennifer; Vogeley, Kai; Platek, Steven M; Murray, Elizabeth; Keenan, Julian Paul

2007-06-01

Although theories that examine direct links between behavior and brain remain incomplete, it is known that brain expansion significantly correlates with caloric and oxygen demands. Therefore, one of the principles governing evolutionary cognitive neuroscience is that cognitive abilities that require significant brain function (and/or structural support) must be accompanied by significant fitness benefit to offset the increased metabolic demands. One such capacity is self-awareness (SA), which (1) is found only in the greater apes and (2) remains unclear in terms of both cortical underpinning and possible fitness benefit. In the current experiment, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was applied to the prefrontal cortex during a spatial perspective-taking task involving self and other viewpoints. It was found that delivery of TMS to the right prefrontal region disrupted self-, but not other-, perspective. These data suggest that self-awareness may have evolved in concert with other right hemisphere cognitive abilities.

Influence of educational status and other variables on HIV risk perception among military personnel: A large cohort finding

PubMed Central

Essien, E. James; Ogungbade, Gbadebo O.; Ward, Doriel; Ekong, Ernest; Ross, Michael W.; Meshack, Angela; Holmes, Laurens

2007-01-01

HIV risk perception remains an effective determinant of HIV transmission. Although higher educational attainment has been associated with increased HIV risk perception, this predictor remains to be assessed among Nigerian military personnel (NMP). In a prospective cohort of 2,213 NMP, the effect of education and other factors on HIV risk perception were assessed at baseline using chi square statistic and unconditional logistic regression. There was an inverse correlation between higher educational attainment and HIV risk perception in the univarible model, prevalence odds ratio (POR), 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.52–0.79. This association persisted after adjustment for relevant covariates in the multivariable model (POR, 0.70, 95% CI=0.56–0.88). Likewise, there was a direct correlation between use of alcohol and marijuana and HIV risk perception (p <0.05). In contrast, casual sex and gender were not statistically significantly associated with HIV risk perception, P >0.05. This study is indicative of an inverse correlation between educational attainment and HIV risk perception, as well as a direct correlation between alcohol and marijuana and HIV risk perception among NMP. Therefore HIV prevention interventions targeted at NMP need to include multiple factors that may impact on risk perception regardless of educational status of the participants. PMID:18062392

Development and evaluation of the Marijuana Reduction Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale.

PubMed

Davis, Alan K; Osborn, Lawrence A; Leith, Jaclyn; Rosenberg, Harold; Ashrafioun, Lisham; Hawley, Anna; Bannon, Erin E; Jesse, Samantha; Kraus, Shane; Kryszak, Elizabeth; Cross, Nicole; Carhart, Victoria; Baik, Kyoung-deok

2014-06-01

To evaluate several psychometric properties of a questionnaire designed to assess college students' self-efficacy to employ 21 cognitive-behavioral strategies intended to reduce the amount and/or frequency with which they consume marijuana, we recruited 273 marijuana-using students to rate their confidence that they could employ each of the strategies. Examination of frequency counts for each item, principal components analysis, internal consistency reliability, and mean interitem correlation supported retaining all 21 items in a single scale. In support of criterion validity, marijuana use-reduction self-efficacy scores were significantly positively correlated with cross-situational confidence to abstain from marijuana, and significantly negatively correlated with quantity and frequency of marijuana use and marijuana-related problems. In addition, compared with respondents whose use of marijuana either increased or remained stable, self-efficacy was significantly higher among those who had decreased their use of marijuana over the past year. This relatively short and easily administered questionnaire could be used to identify college students who have low self-efficacy to employ specific marijuana reduction strategies and as an outcome measure to evaluate educational and skill-training interventions.

Association between Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and occipital periventricular hyperintensities in a group of Chinese patients: an observational study.

PubMed

Duan, Dazhi; Shen, Lin; Cui, Chun; Shu, Tongsheng; Zheng, Jian

2017-02-27

While occipital periventricular hyperintensities (OPVHs) are among the most common mild white matter hyperintensities, the clinical factors associated with OPVHs remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of clinical factors in development of pure OPVHs. This study included 97 patients with OPVHs and 73 healthy controls. Univariate analysis of clinical factors in OPVH patients and controls was followed by binomial logistic regression analysis to identify clinical factors significantly associated with OPVHs. Univariate analysis indicated that age, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B) levels differed significantly between the OPVH patients and controls (p < 0.05). Age and gender were correlated with OPVH scores (p < 0.05), while LDL-C, triglycerides, Apo-B and TC were anti-correlated with OPVHs scores (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that LDL-C is negatively correlated with OPVHs (p < 0.05), and age is positively correlated with OPVHs (p < 0.001). In summary, LDL-C was negatively and age was positively associated with OPVHs among Chinese patients in a hospital.

Trends in parent-child correlations of childhood body mass index during the development of the obesity epidemic.

PubMed

Ajslev, Teresa A; Ängquist, Lars; Silventoinen, Karri; Baker, Jennifer L; Sørensen, Thorkild I A

2014-01-01

The intergenerational resemblance in body mass index may have increased during the development of the obesity epidemic due to changes in environment and/or expression of genetic predisposition. This study investigates trends in intergenerational correlations of childhood body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) during the emergence of the obesity epidemic. The study population was derived from the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, which includes height and weight measurements since birth year 1930. Mothers and fathers with BMIs available at ages 7 (n = 25,923 and n = 20,972) or 13 years (n = 26,750 and n = 21,397), respectively, were linked through the civil registration system introduced in 1968 to their children with BMIs available at age 7 years. Age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores were calculated. Correlations were estimated across eight intervals of child birth years (1952-1989) separately by sex. Trends in these correlations were examined. Whereas the mother-child correlations reflected the biological relationship, a likely decline in the assignment of non-biological fathers through the registration system across time must be considered when interpreting the father-child correlations. The BMI correlations between mothers and sons ranged from 0.29-0.36 and they decreased marginally, albeit significantly across time at ages 7-7 years (-0.002/year, p = 0.006), whereas those at 13-7 years remained stable (<0.0004/year, p = 0.96). Mother-daughter correlations ranged from 0.30-0.34, and they were stable at ages 7-7 years (0.0001/year, p = 0.84) and at 13-7 years (0.0004/year, p = 0.56). In contrast, father-son correlations increased significantly during this period, both at ages 7-7 (0.002/year, p = 0.007) and at ages 13-7 years (0.003/year, p<0.001), whereas the increase in father-daughter correlations were insignificant both at ages 7-7 (0.001/year, p = 0.37) and at ages 13-7 years (0.001/year, p = 0.18). During the obesity epidemics development, the intergenerational resemblance with mothers remained stable, whereas the father-child BMI resemblance increased, possibly reflecting changes in family relationships, and unlikely to have influenced the epidemic.

Expression and significance of CHIP in canine mammary gland tumors

PubMed Central

WANG, Huanan; YANG, Xu; JIN, Yipeng; PEI, Shimin; ZHANG, Di; MA, Wen; HUANG, Jian; QIU, Hengbin; ZHANG, Xinke; JIANG, Qiuyue; SUN, Weidong; ZHANG, Hong; LIN, Degui

2015-01-01

CHIP (Carboxy terminus of Hsc70 Interacting Protein) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that can induce ubiquitination and degradation of several oncogenic proteins. The expression of CHIP is frequently lower in human breast cancer than in normal breast tissue. However, the expression and role of CHIP in the canine mammary gland tumor (CMGT) remain unclear. We investigated the potential correlation between CHIP expression and mammary gland tumor prognosis in female dogs. CHIP expression was measured in 54 dogs by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR. CHIP protein expression was significantly correlated with the histopathological diagnosis, outcome of disease and tumor classification. The transcriptional level of CHIP was significantly higher in normal tissues (P=0.001) and benign tumors (P=0.009) than it in malignant tumors. CHIP protein expression was significantly correlated with the transcriptional level of CHIP (P=0.0102). The log-rank test survival curves indicated that patients with low expression of CHIP had shorter overall periods of survival than those with higher CHIP protein expression (P=0.050). Our data suggest that CHIP may play an important role in the formation and development of CMGTs and serve as a valuable prognostic marker and potential target for genetic therapy. PMID:26156079

Macro influencers of electronic health records adoption.

PubMed

Raghavan, Vijay V; Chinta, Ravi; Zhirkin, Nikita

2015-01-01

While adoption rates for electronic health records (EHRs) have improved, the reasons for significant geographical differences in EHR adoption within the USA have remained unclear. To understand the reasons for these variations across states, we have compiled from secondary sources a profile of different states within the USA, based on macroeconomic and macro health-environment factors. Regression analyses were performed using these indicator factors on EHR adoption. The results showed that internet usage and literacy are significantly associated with certain measures of EHR adoption. Income level was not significantly associated with EHR adoption. Per capita patient days (a proxy for healthcare need intensity within a state) is negatively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Health insurance coverage is positively correlated with EHR adoption rate. Older physicians (>60 years) tend to adopt EHR systems less than their younger counterparts. These findings have policy implications on formulating regionally focused incentive programs.

The relationship of waist circumference and body mass index to grey matter volume in community dwelling adults with mild obesity.

PubMed

Hayakawa, Y K; Sasaki, H; Takao, H; Yoshikawa, T; Hayashi, N; Mori, H; Kunimatsu, A; Aoki, S; Ohtomo, K

2018-02-01

Previous work has shown that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with low grey matter volume. However, evidence on the relationship between waist circumference (WC) and brain volume is relatively scarce. Moreover, the influence of mild obesity (as indexed by WC and BMI) on brain volume remains unclear. This study explored the relationships between WC and BMI and grey matter volume in a large sample of Japanese adults. The participants were 792 community-dwelling adults (523 men and 269 women). Brain magnetic resonance images were collected, and the correlation between WC or BMI and global grey matter volume were analysed. The relationships between WC or BMI and regional grey matter volume were also investigated using voxel-based morphometry. Global grey matter volume was not correlated with WC or BMI. Voxel-based morphometry analysis revealed significant negative correlations between both WC and BMI and regional grey matter volume. The areas correlated with each index were more widespread in men than in women. In women, the total area of the regions significantly correlated with WC was slightly greater than that of the regions significantly correlated with BMI. Results show that both WC and BMI were inversely related to regional grey matter volume, even in Japanese adults with somewhat mild obesity. Especially in populations with less obesity, such as the female participants in current study, WC may be more sensitive than BMI as a marker of grey matter volume differences associated with obesity.

Identifying the Prevalence and Correlates of Ecstasy Use among High School Seniors Surveyed through 2002 Monitoring the Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yacoubian, George S., Jr.; Peters, Ronald J.

2005-01-01

Media reports have suggested that the use of 3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "ecstasy") is a significant problem across the United States. To date, however, available evidence has shown that the use of ecstasy has been concentrated among "rave" attendees, with mainstream youth remaining relative-immune from its proliferation. In the…

An evaluation of substance misuse treatment providers used by an employee assistance program.

PubMed

Miller, N A

1992-05-01

Structural measures of access, continuity, and quality of substance misuse treatment services were compared in 30 fee-for-service (FFS) facilities and nine health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Probit models related effects of the provider system (FFS or HMO) and the system's structural characteristics to 243 employees' access to and outcomes from treatment. Access was decreased in Independent Practice Association (IPA)/network HMOs and in all facilities which did not employ an addictionologist or provide coordinated treatment services. When bivariate correlations were examined, both use of copayments and imposing limits to the levels of treatment covered were negatively related to access, while a facility's provision of ongoing professional development was positively associated with access. These correlations did not remain significant in the multivariate probits. Receiving treatment in a staff model HMO and facing limits to the levels of treatment covered were negatively associated with attaining sufficient progress, while receiving treatment in a facility which provided ongoing professional development was positively related to progress: these effects did not remain significant in multivariate analyses. Implications for employee assistance program (EAP) staff in their role as case managers and for EAP staff and employers in their shared role as purchasers of treatment are discussed.

Comparative Analysis of Mass Spectral Similarity Measures on Peak Alignment for Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Peak alignment is a critical procedure in mass spectrometry-based biomarker discovery in metabolomics. One of peak alignment approaches to comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC×GC-MS) data is peak matching-based alignment. A key to the peak matching-based alignment is the calculation of mass spectral similarity scores. Various mass spectral similarity measures have been developed mainly for compound identification, but the effect of these spectral similarity measures on the performance of peak matching-based alignment still remains unknown. Therefore, we selected five mass spectral similarity measures, cosine correlation, Pearson's correlation, Spearman's correlation, partial correlation, and part correlation, and examined their effects on peak alignment using two sets of experimental GC×GC-MS data. The results show that the spectral similarity measure does not affect the alignment accuracy significantly in analysis of data from less complex samples, while the partial correlation performs much better than other spectral similarity measures when analyzing experimental data acquired from complex biological samples. PMID:24151524

Subthalamic Synchronized Oscillatory Activity Correlates With Motor Impairment in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Neumann, Wolf-Julian; Degen, Katharina; Schneider, Gerd-Helge; Brücke, Christof; Huebl, Julius; Brown, Peter; Kühn, Andrea A.

2016-01-01

Objective Beta band oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) have been proposed as a pathophysiological signature in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between oscillatory activity in the STN and symptom severity in PD. Methods Subthalamic local field potentials were recorded from 63 PD patients in a dopaminergic OFF state. Power-spectra were analyzed for the frequency range from 5 to 95 Hz and correlated with individual UPDRS-III motor scores in the OFF state. Results A correlation between total UPDRS-III scores and 8 to 35 Hz activity was revealed across all patients (ρ = 0.44, P <.0001). When correlating each frequency bin, a narrow range from 10 to 15 Hz remained significant for the correlation (false discovery rate corrected P <.05). Conclusion Our results show a correlation between local STN 8 to 35 Hz power and impairment in PD, further supporting the role of subthalamic oscillatory activity as a potential biomarker for PD. PMID:27548068

Coevolution between Nuclear-Encoded DNA Replication, Recombination, and Repair Genes and Plastid Genome Complexity

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jin; Ruhlman, Tracey A.; Sabir, Jamal S. M.; Blazier, John Chris; Weng, Mao-Lun; Park, Seongjun; Jansen, Robert K.

2016-01-01

Disruption of DNA replication, recombination, and repair (DNA-RRR) systems has been hypothesized to cause highly elevated nucleotide substitution rates and genome rearrangements in the plastids of angiosperms, but this theory remains untested. To investigate nuclear–plastid genome (plastome) coevolution in Geraniaceae, four different measures of plastome complexity (rearrangements, repeats, nucleotide insertions/deletions, and substitution rates) were evaluated along with substitution rates of 12 nuclear-encoded, plastid-targeted DNA-RRR genes from 27 Geraniales species. Significant correlations were detected for nonsynonymous (dN) but not synonymous (dS) substitution rates for three DNA-RRR genes (uvrB/C, why1, and gyrA) supporting a role for these genes in accelerated plastid genome evolution in Geraniaceae. Furthermore, correlation between dN of uvrB/C and plastome complexity suggests the presence of nucleotide excision repair system in plastids. Significant correlations were also detected between plastome complexity and 13 of the 90 nuclear-encoded organelle-targeted genes investigated. Comparisons revealed significant acceleration of dN in plastid-targeted genes of Geraniales relative to Brassicales suggesting this correlation may be an artifact of elevated rates in this gene set in Geraniaceae. Correlation between dN of plastid-targeted DNA-RRR genes and plastome complexity supports the hypothesis that the aberrant patterns in angiosperm plastome evolution could be caused by dysfunction in DNA-RRR systems. PMID:26893456

Clinical and metabolic abnormalities associated with occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chase, K.H.; Wong, O.; Thomas, D.

1982-02-01

A cross-sectional study of 120 male workers was conducted to determine the prevalence of increased polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) absorption as well as the presence of potentially related clinical and metabolic abnormalities. Three exposure categories (''exposed'', ''nominally exposed'', ''nonexposed'') were defined. Complete work histories, clinical histories, physical examinations and laboratory tests, including plasma PCB determinations were obtained. In addition, fat PCB levels were determined in randomly selected subjects in each exposed group. Evidence of dermatotoxicity was observed and elevated PCB levels were noted more frequently in the exposed group (p < .00001), correlating well with age and duration of employment. Thesemore » correlations were stronger for fat (p < .001) than for plasma (p < .01) PCB levels. In the exposed group, significant correlations were found between plasma PCB and serum triglyceride (p < .00001) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels (p < .01). These correlations remained significant after controlling for either age or length of employment. No significant correlations were found between PCB levels and levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or levels studied on liver function tests other than SGOT. Further analyses relating frequency of reported direct contact with PCB levels suggested a dermal route of exposure. An analysis by union affiliation demonstrated that those in crafts involving greater direct exposure had correspondingly higher elevations of PCB levels.« less

Clinical and metabolic abnormalities associated with occupational exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chase, K.H.; Wong, O.; Thomas, D.

1982-02-01

A cross-sectional study of 120 male workers was conducted to determine the prevalence of increased polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) absorption as well as the presence of potentially related clinical and metabolic abnormalities. Three exposure categories (''exposed'', ''nominally exposed'', ''nonexposed'') were defined. Complete work histories, clinical histories, physical examinations and laboratory tests, including plasma PCB determinations were obtained. In addition, fat PCB levels were determined in randomly selected subjects in each exposed group. Evidence of dermatotoxicity was observed and elevated PCB levels were noted more frequently in the exposed group (p less than .0001), correlating well with age and duration of employment.more » These correlations were stronger for fat (p less than .001) than for plasma (p less than .01) PCB levels. In the exposed group, significant correlations were found between plasma PCB and serum triglyceride (p less than .0001) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels (p less than .01). These correlations remained significant after controlling for either age or length of employment. No significant correlations were found between PCB levels and levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or levels studied on liver function tests other than SGOT. Further analyses relating frequency of reported direct contact with PCB levels suggested a dermal route of exposure. An analysis by union affiliation demonstrated that those in crafts involving greater direct exposure had correspondingly higher elevations of PCB levels.« less

Response of the oxygen uptake efficiency slope to orthotopic heart transplantation: lack of correlation with changes in central hemodynamic parameters and resting lung function.

PubMed

Van Laethem, Christophe; Goethals, Marc; Verstreken, Sofie; Walravens, Maarten; Wellens, Francis; De Proft, Margot; Bartunek, Jozef; Vanderheyden, Marc

2007-09-01

Recently, a new linear measure of ventilatory response to exercise, the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), was proposed in the evaluation of heart failure patients. No data are available on the response of the OUES after orthotopic heart transplantation (HTx). Thirty patients who underwent HTx between 1999 and 2003 were included in the study. Data from maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, resting pulmonary function and hemodynamic assessment were collected before the transplant at time of screening and 1 year after HTx. During the first year after HTx, OUES and normalized OUES for body weight (OUES/kg) increased significantly from 15.6 +/- 4.9 to 19.7 +/- 4.8 (p < 0.05). Changes in OUES/kg were significantly correlated with changes in peak VO2, VAT and peak VE, and inversely to changes in peak VD/VT, but not to changes in VE/VCO2 slope (all p < 0.05). Changes in OUES or OUES/kg did not correlate with any changes in measures of resting lung volumes or capacities and measures of central hemodynamic function after HTx. OUES improved significantly after HTx, but, similar to other exercise parameters, remained considerably impaired. The changes in OUES were highly correlated with the improvements in other exercise variables, but did not correlate with marked improvements in central hemodynamics or resting lung function.

Correlation Between Vision and Cognitive Function in the Elderly

PubMed Central

Spierer, Oriel; Fischer, Naomi; Barak, Adiel; Belkin, Michael

2016-01-01

Abstract The correlation between vision and cognition is not fully understood. Visual impairment in the elderly has been associated with impaired cognitive function, dementia, and Alzheimer disease. The aim was to study the correlation between near visual acuity (VA), refraction, and cognitive state in an elderly population. Subjects ≥75 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Refraction and near VA was tested. Cognitive function was evaluated with a version of the mini-mental state examination for the visually impaired (MMSE-blind). The eye with better VA and no cataract or refractive surgery was analyzed. One-hundred ninety subjects (81.6 ± 5.1 years, 69.5% female) were included. Good VA (≤J3) was associated with high MMSE-blind (>17) (OR = 3.18, 95% CI = 1.57–6.43, P = 0.001). This remained significant adjusting for sex, age, and years of education. Wearing reading glasses correlated significantly with high MMSE-blind after adjustment for sex and age (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.16–3.97, P = 0.016), but reached borderline significance after adjustment for education. There was a trend toward correlation between myopia and better MMSE-blind (r = −0.123, P = 0.09, Pearson correlation). Good VA and wearing glasses seem to correlate with better cognitive function. Reading glasses can serve as a protective factor against cognitive deterioration associated with sensory (visual) deprivation in old age. The association between myopia and cognition requires further investigation. PMID:26817872

Cultural correlates of youth suicide.

PubMed

Eckersley, Richard; Dear, Keith

2002-12-01

Youth suicide has risen in most developed nations over the past 50 years, especially among males, but the increase remains to be explained. Statistical analyses were used to examine associations between youth suicide rates in 11-21 mainly Western, developed nations and 32 socio-economic and cultural variables. The central hypothesis was that suicide rates would be correlated with various cultural measures of social attachment and integration, especially individualism. Socio-economic variables were included in the analysis to demonstrate the relative strength of the cultural associations. The study found a strong positive correlation between male youth suicide rates and subjective measures of health, optimism, and several indices of individualism, including personal freedom and control. Correlations between female youth suicide and individualism were smaller, attaining significance in only one instance. Male youth suicide and individualism were negatively correlated with older people's sense of parental duty. Correlations between suicide and other possibly relevant cultural variables--tolerance of suicide, belief in God and national pride--were not significant. The analysis of socio-economic variables yielded only one significant, but doubtful, correlation. The findings can be interpreted as supporting two very different hypotheses: that youth suicide represents "an island of misery in an ocean of happiness" or "the tip of an iceberg of suffering". In favouring the latter interpretation, and consistent with Durkheim's theories on suicide, it is argued that increased youth suicide reflects a failure of Western societies to provide appropriate sites or sources of social identity and attachment, and, conversely, a tendency to promote unrealistic or inappropriate expectations of individual freedom and autonomy.

Problem-solving style and multicultural personality dispositions: a study of construct validity.

PubMed

Houtz, John C; Ponterotto, Joseph G; Burger, Claudia; Marino, Cherylynn

2010-06-01

This exploratory study examined the relationship between problem-solving styles and multicultural personality dispositions among 91 graduate students enrolled in an urban university located in the northeast United States. Problem-solving style was assessed with the three dimensions of the VIEW: an Assessment of Problem Solving Style. Multicultural personality was assessed with the five-factor Multicultural Personality Questionnaire (MPQ); its factors of Cultural Empathy, Open-mindedness, Social Initiative, and Flexibility correlated significantly with Explorer and External problem-solving styles, as predicted. The Emotional Stability subscale also correlated significantly with scores on Explorer style, suggesting that individuals who prefer "thinking in new directions" in problem solving are more likely to report remaining calm under stressful situations. Collectively, study results provided additional evidence of construct validity for the VIEW.

Detection of soil moisture and snow characteristics from Skylab. [Texas and Kansas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eagleman, J. R. (Principal Investigator); Lin, W. C.; Hardy, N.; Sloan, R.; Parashar, S. K.; Perry, C.; League, L.; Engling, M.; Pogge, E. C.; Moore, R. K.

1975-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. The most significant result is the good response of the passive radiometers, particularly the L-band radiometer, to changing soil moisture conditions near the surface of the earth. Radiometer response was very good for the five complete data sets consisting of three passes across Texas and two passes across Kansas. When data from the five different passes were combined, the correlation between the S194 radiometric temperature and soil moisture content remained high with a value of -0.96. The performance of the S193 passive radiometer was less consistent; however, one data set gave a very high correlation of -0.95. The scatterometer response to soil moisture at incidence angles near 30 deg was not as good as for the radiometers.

Plasma Levels of Aminothiols, Nitrite, Nitrate, and Malondialdehyde in Myelodysplastic Syndromes in the Context of Clinical Outcomes and as a Consequence of Iron Overload

PubMed Central

Pimková, Kristýna; Chrastinová, Leona; Suttnar, Jiří; Štikarová, Jana; Kotlín, Roman; Čermák, Jaroslav; Dyr, Jan Evangelista

2014-01-01

The role of oxidative stress in the initiation and progression of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a consequence of iron overload remains unclear. In this study we have simultaneously quantified plasma low-molecular-weight aminothiols, malondialdehyde, nitrite, and nitrate and have studied their correlation with serum iron/ferritin levels, patient treatment (chelation therapy), and clinical outcomes. We found significantly elevated plasma levels of total, oxidized, and reduced forms of cysteine (P < 0.001) , homocysteine (P < 0.001), and cysteinylglycine (P < 0.006) and significantly depressed levels of total and oxidized forms of glutathione (P < 0.03) and nitrite (P < 0.001) in MDS patients compared to healthy donors. Moreover, total (P < 0.032) and oxidized cysteinylglycine (P = 0.029) and nitrite (P = 0.021) differed significantly between the analyzed MDS subgroups with different clinical classifications. Malondialdehyde levels in plasma correlated moderately with both serum ferritin levels (r = 0.78, P = 0.001) and serum free iron levels (r = 0.60, P = 0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with iron overload. The other analyzed compounds lacked correlation with iron overload (represented by serum iron/ferritin levels). For the first time our results have revealed significant differences in the concentrations of plasma aminothiols in MDS patients, when compared to healthy donors. We found no correlation of these parameters with iron overload and suggest the role of oxidative stress in the development of MDS disease. PMID:24669287

Plasma levels of aminothiols, nitrite, nitrate, and malondialdehyde in myelodysplastic syndromes in the context of clinical outcomes and as a consequence of iron overload.

PubMed

Pimková, Kristýna; Chrastinová, Leona; Suttnar, Jiří; Štikarová, Jana; Kotlín, Roman; Čermák, Jaroslav; Dyr, Jan Evangelista

2014-01-01

The role of oxidative stress in the initiation and progression of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a consequence of iron overload remains unclear. In this study we have simultaneously quantified plasma low-molecular-weight aminothiols, malondialdehyde, nitrite, and nitrate and have studied their correlation with serum iron/ferritin levels, patient treatment (chelation therapy), and clinical outcomes. We found significantly elevated plasma levels of total, oxidized, and reduced forms of cysteine (P < 0.001), homocysteine (P < 0.001), and cysteinylglycine (P < 0.006) and significantly depressed levels of total and oxidized forms of glutathione (P < 0.03) and nitrite (P < 0.001) in MDS patients compared to healthy donors. Moreover, total (P < 0.032) and oxidized cysteinylglycine (P = 0.029) and nitrite (P = 0.021) differed significantly between the analyzed MDS subgroups with different clinical classifications. Malondialdehyde levels in plasma correlated moderately with both serum ferritin levels (r = 0.78, P = 0.001) and serum free iron levels (r = 0.60, P = 0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with iron overload. The other analyzed compounds lacked correlation with iron overload (represented by serum iron/ferritin levels). For the first time our results have revealed significant differences in the concentrations of plasma aminothiols in MDS patients, when compared to healthy donors. We found no correlation of these parameters with iron overload and suggest the role of oxidative stress in the development of MDS disease.

Neck circumference correlates with tumor size and lateral lymph node metastasis in men with small papillary thyroid carcinoma.

PubMed

Kim, Mi Ra; Kim, Sang Soo; Huh, Jung Eun; Lee, Byung Joo; Lee, Jin Choon; Jeon, Yun Kyung; Kim, Bo Hyun; Kim, Seong Jang; Wang, Soo Geun; Kim, Yong Ki; Kim, In Joo

2013-01-01

Obesity is correlated with numerous diseases, including thyroid cancer, but the clinical significance of obesity with regard to the clinical characteristics of thyroid cancer remains unclear. Neck circumference is an index of upper-body adipose tissue distribution. In total, 401 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) measuring ≤ 2 cm were included. Neck circumference was measured horizontally at the level just below the thyroid cartilage on preoperative neck computed tomographic images. Neck circumference correlated significantly with tumor size in men (p = 0.001) but not in women (p = 0.930). Body mass index (BMI) did not significantly correlate with tumor size in either sex. Neck circumference was significantly larger in men with lateral lymph node (LN) metastasis than in those without (p = 0.004). Neck circumference and BMI did not differ significantly in women according to other factors such as tumor size, multifocality, extrathyroid extension, and LN metastasis. Tumor size and the prevalence of lateral LN metastasis in men tended to increase in the middle/large neck circumference subgroup compared with those in the low neck circumference subgroup. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that neck circumference (p = 0.009) was a predictor for the presence of lateral LN metastasis in men. BMI was not a predictive factor for lateral LN involvement in either sex. Neck circumference, an indicator of central or visceral obesity but not BMI, may be associated with some prognostic factors in men with small PTC.

A positive correlation between immunohistochemical expression of CD31 and mast cell tryptase in odontogenic tumors.

PubMed

Kouhsoltani, Maryam; Halimi, Monireh; Dibazar, Sana

2015-06-01

In this study, we compared mast cell tryptase and CD31 expression between odontogenic tumors with the aim of predicting the clinical behavior of these lesions at the time of initial biopsy. We also evaluated the correlation between mast cell tryptase and CD31 expression to clarify the role of mast cells (MCs) in the growth of odontogenic tumors. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-MC tryptase and anti-CD31 antibodies was performed on 48 cases of odontogenic tumors including solid ameloblastoma (SAM), unicystic ameloblastoma (UAM), odontogenic myxoma (OM), cystic calcifying odontogenic tumor (CCOT) and adenomatoid odontogenic tumor (AOT). Ten high power fields were analyzed for each sample. Total MC count was significantly increased in SAM compared to other odontogenic tumors (p<0.05). Microvessel density was statistically higher in SAM and AOT compared to remaining odontogenic tumors (p<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between MCs and microvessels in odontogenic tumors (p=0.018, r=0.34). Our findings suggest a role for MCs in aggressive clinical behavior of odontogenic tumors. The significant correlation found between MC count and microvessel density in odontogenic tumors is in agreement with the theory of participation of MCs in tumor progression. Targeting MC activity may represent an important nonsurgical therapeutic approach, especially for aggressive odontogenic tumors.

Bone metabolism and arterial stiffness after renal transplantation.

PubMed

Cseprekál, Orsolya; Kis, Eva; Dégi, Arianna A; Kerti, Andrea; Szabó, Attila J; Reusz, György S

2014-01-01

To assess the relationship between bone and vascular disease and its changes over time after renal transplantation. Metabolic bone disease (MBD) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease. Following transplantation (Tx), improvement in CV disease has been reported; however, data regarding changes in bone disease remain controversial. Bone turnover and arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity (PWV)) were assessed in 47 Tx patients (38 (3-191) months after Tx). Bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC) and beta-crosslaps were significantly higher in Tx patients, and decreased significantly after one year. There was a negative correlation between BALP, OC and steroid administered (r = -0.35; r = -0.36 respectively). PWV increased in the Tx group (1.15 SD). In patients with a follow up of <24 months, PWV was correlated with BALP and beta-crosslaps (r=0.53; r = 0.69 respectively) while in the ≥24 months group, PWV was correlated with cholesterol (r=0.38). Increased bone turnover and arterial stiffness are present following kidney transplantation. While bone turnover decreases with time, arterial stiffness correlates initially with bone turnover, after which the influence of cholesterol becomes significant. Non-invasive estimation of bone metabolism and arterial stiffness may help to assess CKD-MBD following renal transplantation.

Validity of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR): effort considered in a clinical sample of U.S. military veterans.

PubMed

Whitney, Kriscinda A; Shepard, Polly H; Mariner, Jennifer; Mossbarger, Brad; Herman, Steven M

2010-07-01

The current study represents an examination of the construct validity of the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) among a sample of U.S. military veterans referred for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation that included a measure of negative response bias, namely, the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM). This retrospective data analysis examined the relationship between the WTAR and measures of current verbal general intellectual function and current cognitive skills. Findings showed that, among patients passing the TOMM (N = 98), WTAR scores were most highly correlated with current verbal IQ but also showed significant correlations with verbal memory and lesser, but still significant, correlations with measures of visual-spatial memory. Discriminant validity for the WTAR was also shown among the group passing the TOMM in the sense that the WTAR, which is designed to measure verbal premorbid general intellectual skill, was not as highly correlated with measures of learning and memory as was a measure of current verbal general intellectual skill. Whereas scores on most study measures did significantly differ between the groups that passed versus failed the TOMM (N = 26), scores on the WTAR did not, suggesting that the WTAR may remain robust even in the face of suboptimal effort.

The correlation between serum amyloid A and reactive oxygen metabolites in a young Mongolian population.

PubMed

Kotani, Kazuhiko; Yamada, Toshiyuki; Uurtuya, Shuumarjav; Taniguchi, Nobuyuki

2012-01-01

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with lifestyle-related diseases. Research into the pathophysiology of lifestyle-related diseases is important for Mongolian people. Our study investigated the correlation among the d-ROMs test (a measure of the total oxidant capacity of blood), serum amyloid A (SAA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a young Mongolian population. The data, including anthropometric and biochemical markers, were collected from 78 Mongolian volunteers (male/female = 27/ 51, mean age 21 years). The correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels was examined, as well as the correlation between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels. The SAA levels were 3.2 microg/mL (median), hs-CRP .04 mg/dL (median) and d-ROMs 309 CARR U, respectively. There was a significant and positive correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels (r=.40, P<.01), in addition to a significant and positive correlation between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels (r = .32, P < .01). These significant correlations remained independent in a multiple linear regression analysis. A subgroup analysis by sex revealed the positive correlation between the SAA and d-ROMs levels to be greater, relative to that between the hs-CRP and d-ROMs levels, particularly in the female group. The coexistence of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can be present even in young Mongolian people, suggesting that their coexistence may be a target of early prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition, not only hs-CRP, but also SAA can be used to evaluate the relationship of oxidative stress in this population. Further studies are necessary to confirm the observed relationship.

Lack of evidence for meteorological effects on infradian dynamics of testosterone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Celec, Peter; Smreková, Lucia; Ostatníková, Daniela; Čabajová, Zlata; Hodosy, Július; Kúdela, Matúš

2009-09-01

Climatic factors are known to influence the endocrine system. Previous studies have shown that circannual seasonal variations of testosterone might be partly explained by changes in air temperature. Whether infradian variations are affected by meteorological factors is unknown. To analyze possible effects of meteorological parameters on infradian variations of salivary testosterone levels in both sexes, daily salivary testosterone levels were measured during 1 month in 14 men and 17 women. A correlation analysis between hormonal levels and selected meteorological parameters was performed. The results indicate that high testosterone levels are loosely associated with cold, sunny and dry weather in both sexes. However, only the correlations between testosterone and air temperature (men) and actual cloudiness (women) were statistically significant ( p < 0,05). Although some correlations reached the level of statistical significance, the effects of selected meteorological parameters on salivary testosterone levels remain unclear. Further longer-term studies concentrating on air temperature, cloudiness and average relative humidity in relation to the sex hormone axis are needed.

Hypomagnesemia predicts postoperative biochemical hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy.

PubMed

Luo, Han; Yang, Hongliu; Zhao, Wanjun; Wei, Tao; Su, Anping; Wang, Bin; Zhu, Jingqiang

2017-05-25

To investigate the role of magnesium in biochemical and symptomatic hypocalcemia, a retrospective study was conducted. Less-than-total thyroidectomy patients were excluded from the final analysis. Identified the risk factors of biochemical and symptomatic hypocalcemia, and investigated the correlation by logistic regression and correlation test respectively. A total of 304 patients were included in the final analysis. General incidence of hypomagnesemia was 23.36%. Logistic regression showed that gender (female) (OR = 2.238, p = 0.015) and postoperative hypomagnesemia (OR = 2.010, p = 0.017) were independent risk factors for biochemical hypocalcemia. Both Pearson and partial correlation tests indicated there was indeed significant relation between calcium and magnesium. However, relative decreasing of iPTH (>70%) (6.691, p < 0.001) and hypocalcemia (2.222, p = 0.046) were identified as risk factors of symptomatic hypocalcemia. The difference remained significant even in normoparathyroidism patients. Postoperative hypomagnesemia was independent risk factor of biochemical hypocalcemia. Relative decline of iPTH was predominating in predicting symptomatic hypocalcemia.

Bigger is better! Hippocampal volume and declarative memory performance in healthy young men.

PubMed

Pohlack, Sebastian T; Meyer, Patric; Cacciaglia, Raffaele; Liebscher, Claudia; Ridder, Stephanie; Flor, Herta

2014-01-01

The importance of the hippocampus for declarative memory processes is firmly established. Nevertheless, the issue of a correlation between declarative memory performance and hippocampal volume in healthy subjects still remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate this relationship in more detail. For this purpose, 50 healthy young male participants performed the California Verbal Learning Test. Hippocampal volume was assessed by manual segmentation of high-resolution 3D magnetic resonance images. We found a significant positive correlation between putatively hippocampus-dependent memory measures like short-delay retention, long-delay retention and discriminability and percent hippocampal volume. No significant correlation with measures related to executive processes was found. In addition, percent amygdala volume was not related to any of these measures. Our data advance previous findings reported in studies of brain-damaged individuals in a large and homogeneous young healthy sample and are important for theories on the neural basis of episodic memory.

Correlates and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Bareback Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men with Unknown or Negative HIV Serostatus.

PubMed

Vosvick, Mark; Fritz, Sarah; Henry, Doug; Prybutok, Victor; Sheu, Shane; Poe, Jonathon

2016-12-01

Men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly racial/ethnic minority MSM, are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States and Texas. Bareback sex or condomless anal intercourse (CAI) can be a high HIV risk behavior. Despite this, a majority of MSM continues to engage in barebacking. Research suggests racial/ethnic differences in barebacking exist; however, these conclusions remain unclear due to insufficient sample sizes to compare racial/ethnic groups. Our cross-sectional correlational design explores barebacking correlates (substance use during sex, safe sex fatigue, and optimistic HIV treatment beliefs) within and between racial/ethnic groups among 366 MSM. Regression models are significant for Latino and African-American MSM alone and for all MSM combined, though not significant for European-American and Other Race/Ethnicity MSM alone. Our findings suggest motivations and behaviors underlying barebacking among MSM vary by racial/ethnic membership with clinical implications for informing culturally sensitive HIV interventions and prevention programs for target racial/ethnic groups.

Serum levels of folate and cobalamin in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

PubMed

Sütterlin, M; Bussen, S; Ruppert, D; Steck, T

1997-10-01

We evaluated the folate and cobalamin status in 29 non-pregnant women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion (three or more consecutive) of unknown aetiology in comparison to 29 healthy nulligravidae of similar reproductive age (controls). Serum concentrations of folate and cobalamin showed no significant differences between the two groups. No correlation between age and vitamin concentrations was found. In the study group there was a significant negative correlation of the number of previous abortions and the concentration of serum folate. Patients with at least four previous miscarriages had significantly lower serum values of folic acid than women with three abortions, but not than controls. The underlying cause of this finding remains unclear. In conclusion, the serum concentrations of folic acid and vitamin B12 are not significantly altered in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortions, and an association between a deficiency of these vitamins and an increased risk of pregnancy loss appears to be questionable in the majority of gestations.

New insights into the endophenotypic status of cognition in bipolar disorder: genetic modelling study of twins and siblings.

PubMed

Georgiades, Anna; Rijsdijk, Fruhling; Kane, Fergus; Rebollo-Mesa, Irene; Kalidindi, Sridevi; Schulze, Katja K; Stahl, Daniel; Walshe, Muriel; Sahakian, Barbara J; McDonald, Colm; Hall, Mei-Hua; Murray, Robin M; Kravariti, Eugenia

2016-06-01

Twin studies have lacked statistical power to apply advanced genetic modelling techniques to the search for cognitive endophenotypes for bipolar disorder. To quantify the shared genetic variability between bipolar disorder and cognitive measures. Structural equation modelling was performed on cognitive data collected from 331 twins/siblings of varying genetic relatedness, disease status and concordance for bipolar disorder. Using a parsimonious AE model, verbal episodic and spatial working memory showed statistically significant genetic correlations with bipolar disorder (rg = |0.23|-|0.27|), which lost statistical significance after covarying for affective symptoms. Using an ACE model, IQ and visual-spatial learning showed statistically significant genetic correlations with bipolar disorder (rg = |0.51|-|1.00|), which remained significant after covarying for affective symptoms. Verbal episodic and spatial working memory capture a modest fraction of the bipolar diathesis. IQ and visual-spatial learning may tap into genetic substrates of non-affective symptomatology in bipolar disorder. © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2016.

Genetic predisposition to liver damage after halothane anesthesia in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Lunam, C A; Cousins, M J; Hall, P M

1986-11-01

Three 4-hr normoxic (21% oxygen) exposures to 1% halothane administered 3 days apart were associated with elevations in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in four of 20 guinea pigs after the initial and third exposures. Serum alanine aminotransferase values were not measured after the second anesthetic. Susceptibility was defined as an ALT level greater than 300 IU/L after halothane. Nonsusceptible animals, that is, animals without significant increases in ALT values after halothane, remained nonsusceptible after reexposure. Serum alanine aminotransferase values after the first and third anesthesias were significantly correlated (rs = 0.86, P less than 0.001). Two exposures of another 30 guinea pigs at a 5-week interval resulted in high elevations of ALT in the same eight animals after both anesthetics. In contrast, after an initial exposure nonsusceptible animals remained nonsusceptible upon reexposure. Serum alanine aminotransferase levels after the first and second anesthetics were significantly correlated (rs = 0.85, P less than 0.001). The proportion of first generation (F1) males with elevated ALTs whose parents were susceptible to halothane hepatotoxicity (HH) was significantly higher than the proportion of males with elevated ALTs in a random group of 90 males (P less than 0.005). First generation males and females of nonsusceptible parents had ALTs within the normal range after halothane exposure. These studies suggest that in the guinea pig genetic predisposition is an important determinant of susceptibility to HH, although other contributing factors are not excluded.

Brief communication: Hair density and body mass in mammals and the evolution of human hairlessness.

PubMed

Sandel, Aaron A

2013-09-01

Humans are unusual among mammals in appearing hairless. Several hypotheses propose explanations for this phenotype, but few data are available to test these hypotheses. To elucidate the evolutionary history of human "hairlessness," a comparative approach is needed. One previous study on primate hair density concluded that great apes have systematically less dense hair than smaller primates. While there is a negative correlation between body size and hair density, it remains unclear whether great apes have less dense hair than is expected for their body size. To revisit the scaling relationship between hair density and body size in mammals, I compiled data from the literature on 23 primates and 29 nonprimate mammals and conducted Phylogenetic Generalized Least Squares regressions. Among anthropoids, there is a significant negative correlation between hair density and body mass. Chimpanzees display the largest residuals, exhibiting less dense hair than is expected for their body size. There is a negative correlation between hair density and body mass among the broader mammalian sample, although the functional significance of this scaling relationship remains to be tested. Results indicate that all primates, and chimpanzees in particular, are relatively hairless compared to other mammals. This suggests that there may have been selective pressures acting on the ancestor of humans and chimpanzees that led to an initial reduction in hair density. To further understand the evolution of human hairlessness, a systematic study of hair density and physiology in a wide range of species is necessary. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Vanishing Clams on an Iberian Beach: Local Consequences and Global Implications of Accelerating Loss of Shells to Tourism

PubMed Central

Kowalewski, Michał; Domènech, Rosa; Martinell, Jordi

2014-01-01

Multi-decadal increase in shell removal by tourists, a process that may accelerate degradation of natural habitats, was quantified via two series of monthly surveys, conducted thirty years apart (1978–1981 and 2008–2010) in one small embayment on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Over the last three decades, the local tourist arrivals have increased almost three-fold (2.74), while the area has remained unaffected by urban encroachment and commercial fisheries. During the same time interval the abundance of mollusk shells along the shoreline decreased by a comparable factor (2.62) and was significantly and negatively correlated with tourist arrivals (r = −0.52). The strength of the correlation increased when data were restricted to months with high tourist arrivals (r = −0.72). In contrast, the maximum monthly wave energy (an indirect proxy for changes in rate of onshore shell transport) was not significantly correlated with shell abundance (r = 0.10). Similarly, rank dominance of common species, drilling predation intensity, and body size-frequency distribution patterns have all remained stable over recent decades. A four-fold increase in global tourist arrivals over the last 30 years may have induced a comparable worldwide acceleration in shell removal from marine shorelines, resulting in multiple, currently unquantifiable, habitat changes such as increased beach erosion, changes in calcium carbonate recycling, and declines in diversity and abundance of organisms, which are dependent on shell availability. PMID:24421895

Reduced COPD Exacerbation Risk Correlates With Improved FEV1: A Meta-Regression Analysis.

PubMed

Zider, Alexander D; Wang, Xiaoyan; Buhr, Russell G; Sirichana, Worawan; Barjaktarevic, Igor Z; Cooper, Christopher B

2017-09-01

The mechanism by which various classes of medication reduce COPD exacerbation risk remains unknown. We hypothesized a correlation between reduced exacerbation risk and improvement in airway patency as measured according to FEV 1 . By systematic review, COPD trials were identified that reported therapeutic changes in predose FEV 1 (dFEV 1 ) and occurrence of moderate to severe exacerbations. Using meta-regression analysis, a model was generated with dFEV 1 as the moderator variable and the absolute difference in exacerbation rate (RD), ratio of exacerbation rates (RRs), or hazard ratio (HR) as dependent variables. The analysis of RD and RR included 119,227 patients, and the HR analysis included 73,475 patients. For every 100-mL change in predose FEV 1 , the HR decreased by 21% (95% CI, 17-26; P < .001; R 2  = 0.85) and the absolute exacerbation rate decreased by 0.06 per patient per year (95% CI, 0.02-0.11; P = .009; R 2  = 0.05), which corresponded to an RR of 0.86 (95% CI, 0.81-0.91; P < .001; R 2  = 0.20). The relationship with exacerbation risk remained statistically significant across multiple subgroup analyses. A significant correlation between increased FEV 1 and lower COPD exacerbation risk suggests that airway patency is an important mechanism responsible for this effect. Copyright © 2017 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A study of time management: the correlation between video game usage and academic performance markers.

PubMed

Anand, Vivek

2007-08-01

This study analyzes the correlation between video game usage and academic performance. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and grade-point average (GPA) scores were used to gauge academic performance. The amount of time a student spends playing video games has a negative correlation with students' GPA and SAT scores. As video game usage increases, GPA and SAT scores decrease. A chi-squared analysis found a p value for video game usage and GPA was greater than a 95% confidence level (0.005 < p < 0.01). This finding suggests that dependence exists. SAT score and video game usage also returned a p value that was significant (0.01 < p < 0.05). Chi-squared results were not significant when comparing time spent studying and an individual's SAT score. This research suggests that video games may have a detrimental effect on an individual's GPA and possibly on SAT scores. Although these results show statistical dependence, proving cause and effect remains difficult, since SAT scores represent a single test on a given day. The effects of video games maybe be cumulative; however, drawing a conclusion is difficult because SAT scores represent a measure of general knowledge. GPA versus video games is more reliable because both involve a continuous measurement of engaged activity and performance. The connection remains difficult because of the complex nature of student life and academic performance. Also, video game usage may simply be a function of specific personality types and characteristics.

Vanishing clams on an Iberian beach: local consequences and global implications of accelerating loss of shells to tourism.

PubMed

Kowalewski, Michał; Domènech, Rosa; Martinell, Jordi

2014-01-01

Multi-decadal increase in shell removal by tourists, a process that may accelerate degradation of natural habitats, was quantified via two series of monthly surveys, conducted thirty years apart (1978-1981 and 2008-2010) in one small embayment on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. Over the last three decades, the local tourist arrivals have increased almost three-fold (2.74), while the area has remained unaffected by urban encroachment and commercial fisheries. During the same time interval the abundance of mollusk shells along the shoreline decreased by a comparable factor (2.62) and was significantly and negatively correlated with tourist arrivals (r = -0.52). The strength of the correlation increased when data were restricted to months with high tourist arrivals (r = -0.72). In contrast, the maximum monthly wave energy (an indirect proxy for changes in rate of onshore shell transport) was not significantly correlated with shell abundance (r = 0.10). Similarly, rank dominance of common species, drilling predation intensity, and body size-frequency distribution patterns have all remained stable over recent decades. A four-fold increase in global tourist arrivals over the last 30 years may have induced a comparable worldwide acceleration in shell removal from marine shorelines, resulting in multiple, currently unquantifiable, habitat changes such as increased beach erosion, changes in calcium carbonate recycling, and declines in diversity and abundance of organisms, which are dependent on shell availability.

Ductular reaction in hereditary hemochromatosis: the link between hepatocyte senescence and fibrosis progression.

PubMed

Wood, Marnie J; Gadd, Victoria L; Powell, Lawrie W; Ramm, Grant A; Clouston, Andrew D

2014-03-01

The development of portal fibrosis following the iron loading of hepatocytes is the first stage of fibrogenesis in hereditary hemochromatosis. In other chronic liver diseases it has been shown that a ductular reaction (DR) appears early, correlates with fibrosis progression, and is a consequence of activation of an alternative pathway of hepatocyte replication. This study was designed to investigate the presence of the DR in hemochromatosis and describe its associations. Liver biopsies from 63 C282Y homozygous patients were assessed for hepatic iron concentration (HIC) and graded for iron loading, fibrosis stage, steatosis, and inflammation. Immunostaining allowed quantification of the DR, hepatocyte senescence and proliferation, and analysis incorporated clinical data. Hepatocyte senescence was positively correlated with HIC, serum ferritin, and oxidative stress. A DR was demonstrated and occurred prior to histological fibrosis. HIC, age, hepatocyte senescence and proliferation, portal inflammation, and excessive alcohol consumption all had significant associations with the extent of the DR. In multivariate analysis, iron loading, hepatocyte replicative arrest, and portal inflammation remained independently and significantly associated with the DR. Of factors associated with fibrosis progression, the DR (odds ratio [OR] 10.86 P<0.0001) and the presence of portal inflammation (OR 4.31, P=0.028) remained significant after adjustment for cofactors. The extent of the DR regressed following therapeutic venesection. Iron loading of hepatocytes leads to impaired replication, stimulating the development of the DR in hemochromatosis and this correlates strongly with hepatic fibrosis. Portal inflammation occurs in hemochromatosis and is independently associated with the DR and fibrosis, and thus its role in this disease should be evaluated further. © 2014 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Distribution and correlates of the metabolic syndrome in adults living in the San Juan Metropolitan Area of Puerto Rico.

PubMed

Pérez, Cynthia M; Ortiz, Ana P; Guzmán, Manuel; Suárez, Erick

2012-09-01

This study evaluated correlates of the metabolic syndrome among adults living in Puerto Rico, a Hispanic subpopulation disproportionately affected by diabetes. A probability cluster design was used to select a sample of households of the San Juan Metropolitan Area in Puerto Rico. A total of 858 persons aged 21-79 years completed a face-to-face interview, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements, blood sampling and spot urine. Logistic regression was employed to assess correlates of the metabolic syndrome. Of 368 (42.9%) of adults who met the criteria for metabolic syndrome, elevated fasting glucose (49.8%), abdominal obesity (48.6%), and reduced HDL cholesterol (45.8%) were the most prevalent diagnostic criteria. In a multivariable logistic model that simultaneously adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors, older age, high school educational attainment or less, no alcohol intake, and lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remained significantly (p < 0.05) associated to the metabolic syndrome. However, the associations for male gender, some college education, and current smoking > or = 20 cigarettes/day had borderline significance. Further controlling for inflammatory markers slightly attenuated the strength of most of these associations but remained significantly (p < 0.05) associated to the metabolic syndrome with only a few exceptions. Middle and upper tertiles of hs-CRP, fibrinogen, and PLl-1 and an elevated albumin-to-creatinine ratio were also associated (p < 0.05) with the metabolic syndrome. Enhancing public education regarding modifiable risk factors for the metabolic syndrome and providing optimal medical management of individual metabolic disturbances among those at risk through preventive lifestyle changes should be placed as a public health priority for Puerto Rico.

Phenology of 16 species of ferns in a subtropical forest of northeastern Taiwan.

PubMed

Lee, Pei-Hsuan; Lin, Tzer-Tung; Chiou, Wen-Liang

2009-01-01

A knowledge of fern phenology promotes understanding of the biology and ecology of ferns. In this study, the phenology of 16 fern species in a subtropical broadleaf forest (N24 degrees 46', E121 degrees 34') in northeastern Taiwan was monitored from August 1997 to August 2001. Every fern produced both fertile and sterile leaves in each year of the study. Most fertile leaves emerged in February and March, whereas most sterile leaves emerged from May to September. Most leaves reached full expansion during April-July and died during April-August. The average life span of leaves ranged from 4.4 months to 30.3 months. In seven species, fertile leaves lived longer than sterile leaves, but this difference was significant only in Pteris wallichiana. In the other nine species, sterile leaves lived longer than fertile leaves, but the difference was significant only in Cyathea spinulosa, Plagiogyria dunnii, and Plagiogyria adanata. The ephemeral fertile leaves of the two dimorphic species died soon after releasing their spores, at only 5 months of age. However, their sterile leaves survived for over 22 months. The fertile leaves of the other 14 species remained green for almost 2 years after releasing their spores. Sterile leaves remained sterile throughout their lives. Spores matured in May-July and were released in June-August. After spore release, the sporangia detached. No leaf produced a second cohort of sori. Several phenological events, including sterile leaf emergence, leaf expansion and senescence, and spore maturation and release, were significantly positively correlated with temperature but not with precipitation, whereas the emergence of fertile leaves was weakly negatively correlated with temperature and precipitation. However, those correlations varied among different species.

Lutein concentration in human milk during early lactation and its relationship with dietary lutein intake.

PubMed

Cena, Hellas; Castellazzi, Anna Maria; Pietri, Amedeo; Roggi, Carla; Turconi, Giovanna

2009-10-01

The present study aimed to estimate the lutein concentration in human milk during early lactation and its relationship with dietary lutein intake measured through the administration of a short FFQ. A cross-sectional study in which an FFQ was administered twice: on day 3 (T0) and day 30 (T1) postpartum; meanwhile two breast milk samples were collected. Maternal plasma samples were obtained at T0. The comparison of dietary lutein intakes and likewise lutein concentrations in breast milk at T0 and T1 were analysed with Student's t test. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the association between dietary lutein intake and lutein concentration in milk and plasma, respectively, as well as the correlation between breast milk and plasma lutein concentrations at T0. Pavia, northern Italy. Twenty-one pregnant women, age range 24-42 years, were recruited during their last trimester on a voluntary basis. Both breast milk and plasma lutein concentrations were significantly correlated with dietary lutein intake (r = 0.86, P = 0.0001 and r = 0.94, P = 0.0001, respectively). There was a clear significant correlation between milk and plasma lutein concentrations (r = 0.87, P = 0.0001). Mature milk lutein concentration, although significantly reduced at T1 (P < 0.01), maintained a fairly high correlation with dietary lutein intake (r = 0.82, P = 0.0001). Even though milk lutein concentration decreased during early lactation, it remained significantly correlated with daily lutein intake. Therefore, while awaiting further research, dietary recommendations advising intake of fresh fruit and vegetables rich in lutein, throughout the whole duration of pregnancy and lactation, are extremely useful.

Cocaine use in the past year is associated with altitude of residence.

PubMed

Fiedler, Kristen K; Kim, Namkug; Kondo, Douglas G; Renshaw, Perry F

2012-06-01

Recently, increased rates of suicide in US counties at higher altitudes have been noted. Because of the documented association between cocaine use and suicide, we hypothesized that there would be a correlation between incidence of cocaine use and altitude of residence. Cocaine use data were obtained from the Substate Substance Abuse Estimates from the 1999-2001 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. Data related to the percentages of people 12 years or older who used cocaine in the past year. Average elevation for US counties was calculated using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation data set, and subject region elevation was calculated by averaging the weighted elevations of each region's relevant counties. The correlation between elevation of a substate region and incidence of cocaine use in that region was calculated using Pearson correlation coefficients. A significant correlation exists between mean altitude of a substate region and incidence of cocaine use in that region (r = 0.34; P < 0.0001). Regression analysis controlling for age, sex, race, education level, income, unemployment, and population density was performed. Altitude remained a significant factor (P = 0.007), whereas male sex (P = 0.008) and possessing less than a college education (P < 0.0001) were also significant predictors of self-reported cocaine use in the past year. It is important to note that cocaine use was assessed in isolation of other drugs of abuse, an additional confounding variable. This study demonstrates a significant correlation between altitude of substate region of residence and incidence of cocaine use. It is possible that stress response due to hypoxia is responsible; however, this requires further investigation. However, because other substance use was not assessed, specificity of this association is unknown. In addition, this correlation may help explain the increased rate of suicide in areas of higher elevation.

Periodontal disease in a remote Asian population: association between clinical and microbiological parameters.

PubMed

Kvarnvik, Christine; Söljegård, Emelie; Charalampakis, Georgios; Suksu-Art, Narong; Dahlén, Gunnar

2016-08-01

The aim was to clinically and microbiologically describe the periodontal conditions in a remote adult Asian population with poor oral hygiene. The subjects were 30-60-year-old adults of Karen Hill tribes with no access to dental care. Eighty-six subjects were selected randomly. Clinical registrations included number of remaining teeth, plaque index (PlI), bleeding on probing (BoP), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and probing pocket depth (PPD). Subgingival plaque samples were collected and analyzed with the checkerboard method. Subjects of the study group had mean number of remaining teeth of 26.5 despite the abundant plaque and a high bleeding score. Severe periodontitis (CAL ≥ 7 mm) was recorded in 12.9% of the youngest age group (30-39 years) while it was significantly higher (52%) in the middle group (40-49 years) and (60%) in the eldest age group (50-60 years). Pathological pocketing (PPD ≥ 7 mm) was significantly lower in all age groups. Age, betel chewing, and a microbiological cluster including at least one of Prevotella tannerae, Filifactor alocis and Porphyromonas endodontalis significantly correlated with the severity of periodontal disease. Age, betel chewing, and a new bacterial complex other than the "red complex" correlated to periodontal breakdown in this remote adult Asian population. © 2015 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

Clinical investigation of set-shifting subtypes in anorexia nervosa.

PubMed

Abbate-Daga, Giovanni; Buzzichelli, Sara; Marzola, Enrica; Amianto, Federico; Fassino, Secondo

2014-11-30

While evidence continues to accumulate on the relevance of cognitive inflexibility in anorexia nervosa (AN), its clinical correlates remain unclear. We aimed at examining the relationship between set-shifting and clinical variables (i.e., eating psychopathology, depression, and personality) in AN. Ninety-four individuals affected by AN and 59 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. All participants were assessed using: Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The AN group scored worse than HCs on set-shifting. According to their neuropsychological performances, AN patients were split into two groups corresponding to poor (N=30) and intact (N=64) set-shifting subtypes. Interoceptive awareness, impulse regulation, and maturity fears on the EDI-2 and depression on the BDI differed across all groups (HC, intact, and poor set-shifting subtype). Self-directedness on the TCI differed significantly among all groups. Cooperativeness and reward dependence differed instead only between HC and AN poor set-shifting subtype. After controlling for depression, only interoceptive awareness remained significant with reward dependence showing a trend towards statistical significance. These findings suggest that multiple clinical variables may be correlated with set-shifting performances in AN. The factors contributing to impaired cognitive inflexibility could be more complex than heretofore generally considered. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Protein C activity and postoperative metabolic liver function after liver transplantation.

PubMed

Wagener, G; Diaz, G; Guarrera, J V; Minhaz, M; Renz, J F; Sladen, R N

2012-06-01

Protein C is a natural thrombin antagonist produced by hepatocytes. Its levels are low in liver failure and predispose patients to increased risk for thrombosis. Little is known about the relationship between protein C activity and hepatic function after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We measured protein C activity of 41 patients undergoing liver transplantation by the Staclot method (normal range, 70%-130%) preoperatively and then daily on postoperative days (POD) 0-5. The mean protein C activity was low before OLT (34.3 ± 4.3%) and inversely correlated with the preoperative Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (Spearman's r = -0.643; P < .0001). Mean activity increased significantly on POD 1 (58.9 ± 4.5%), and remained above preoperative levels through POD 5. Ten patients developed metabolic liver dysfunction defined by a serum total bilirubin >5 mg/dL on POD 7. These patients had significantly lower protein C activity from POD 3 (47.2 ± 9.6% vs 75.9 ± 5.8%; P = .01) to POD 5. Preoperative protein C activity correlated inversely with the severity of liver failure as indicated by preoperative MELD score. Protein C activity recovered rapidly in patients with good allograft function but remained significantly lower in patients who had limited metabolic function as evidenced by increased total bilirubin levels. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Correlation between the Virus- and Brain Antigen-Specific B Cell Response in the Blood of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

PubMed

Wunsch, Marie; Hohmann, Christopher; Milles, Bianca; Rostermund, Christina; Lehmann, Paul V; Schroeter, Michael; Bayas, Antonios; Ulzheimer, Jochen; Mäurer, Mathias; Ergün, Süleyman; Kuerten, Stefanie

2016-04-23

There is a largely divergent body of literature regarding the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we tested MS patients during relapse (n = 11) and in remission (n = 19) in addition to n = 22 healthy controls to study the correlation between the EBV- and brain-specific B cell response in the blood by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was used as a control antigen tested in n = 16 MS patients during relapse and in n = 35 patients in remission. Over the course of the study, n = 16 patients were untreated, while n = 33 patients received immunomodulatory therapy. The data show that there was a moderate correlation between the frequencies of EBV- and brain-reactive B cells in MS patients in remission. In addition we could detect a correlation between the B cell response to EBV and disease activity. There was no evidence of an EBV reactivation. Interestingly, there was also a correlation between the frequencies of CMV- and brain-specific B cells in MS patients experiencing an acute relapse and an elevated B cell response to CMV was associated with higher disease activity. The trend remained when excluding seronegative subjects but was non-significant. These data underline that viral infections might impact the immunopathology of MS, but the exact link between the two entities remains subject of controversy.

The Correlation between the Virus- and Brain Antigen-Specific B Cell Response in the Blood of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Wunsch, Marie; Hohmann, Christopher; Milles, Bianca; Rostermund, Christina; Lehmann, Paul V.; Schroeter, Michael; Bayas, Antonios; Ulzheimer, Jochen; Mäurer, Mathias; Ergün, Süleyman; Kuerten, Stefanie

2016-01-01

There is a largely divergent body of literature regarding the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we tested MS patients during relapse (n = 11) and in remission (n = 19) in addition to n = 22 healthy controls to study the correlation between the EBV- and brain-specific B cell response in the blood by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was used as a control antigen tested in n = 16 MS patients during relapse and in n = 35 patients in remission. Over the course of the study, n = 16 patients were untreated, while n = 33 patients received immunomodulatory therapy. The data show that there was a moderate correlation between the frequencies of EBV- and brain-reactive B cells in MS patients in remission. In addition we could detect a correlation between the B cell response to EBV and disease activity. There was no evidence of an EBV reactivation. Interestingly, there was also a correlation between the frequencies of CMV- and brain-specific B cells in MS patients experiencing an acute relapse and an elevated B cell response to CMV was associated with higher disease activity. The trend remained when excluding seronegative subjects but was non-significant. These data underline that viral infections might impact the immunopathology of MS, but the exact link between the two entities remains subject of controversy. PMID:27120609

Correlations among ocular surface temperature difference value, the tear meniscus height, Schirmer's test and fluorescein tear film break up time.

PubMed

Su, Tai Yuan; Ho, Wei Ting; Lu, Chien Yi; Chang, Shu Wen; Chiang, Huihua Kenny

2015-04-01

To report the use of a thermographer for measuring ocular surface temperature, and to evaluate the correlation among the obtained temperature difference values (TDVs) and dry eye parameters (tear meniscus height (TMH); Schirmer's test results; fluorescent tear breakup time (FTBUT)). Forty-three participants (age 40.2±14.7 years; range 21-67 years) from Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan were recruited for the study. The surface temperature was measured at the centre of the ocular surface for 4 s after blinking. TDV was defined as the change in corneal surface temperature relative to that of the preceding eye opening, where TDV01, TDV02, TDV03, and TDV04 represent the values obtained 1, 2, 3, and 4 s after blinking, respectively. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was employed to measure the lower TMH. Schirmer's test with topical anaesthetic was conducted to measure the basal tear secretion. The FTBUT was recorded using a digital camera. TDV measurement exhibited high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.91). TDV03 exhibited the highest significance and strongest positive correlation with the TMH (r=0.52, p=0.0003) and Schirmer's test value (r=0.39, p=0.008), whereas the TDV03-FTBUT correlation was non-significant. Age correlated negatively and significantly with the TDV (r= -0.35, p=0.021), TMH (r= -0.33, p=0.031), and Schirmer's test value (r= -0.31, p=0.044). TDV03 remained significantly correlated with the TMH and Schirmer's test value after adjustment for age. The thermographer was effective in capturing temperature changes in the ocular surface. The temperature difference 3 s after blinking appears to be correlated with lower TMH and Schirmer test values. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Liver stiffness and portal blood flow modifications induced by a liquid meal consumption: pathogenetic mechanisms and clinical relevance.

PubMed

Barone, Michele; Iannone, Andrea; Brunetti, Natale Daniele; Sebastiani, Francesco; Cecere, Onofrio; Berardi, Elsa; Antonica, Gianfranco; Di Leo, Alfredo

2015-05-01

The correlation between liver stiffness (LS) variations and portal blood flow (PBF) modifications induced by a standardized liquid meal consumption and the clinical relevance of this matter are two aspects not yet fully elucidated. Herein, we evaluated the variations of LS and PBF after a standardized liquid meal intake in patients with chronic liver disease. PBF and LS were determined after an overnight fasting period in 54 patients. They were divided in three groups according to baseline LS (absent, moderate, and severe). They consumed 200 ml of water and a standardized liquid meal (300 Kcal/200 ml) after 60 min. PBF and LS were measured at 30 min after water and liquid meal consumption. In all groups, LS and PBF values significantly increased only after meal consumption. A significant correlation between baseline LS values and post-meal increase of LS was observed. Moreover, higher basal stiffness values were associated to a larger increase of LS variation after meal consumption. The effect of the meal on LS remained statistically significant after multiple regression analysis. A significant correlation between increase of LS and PBF was found in patients with absent and moderate baseline LS. Nine patients (17%) switched from a lower to a higher level of LS after meal consumption. A low calories/low-volume meal is capable of significantly increasing LS regardless of the grade of stiffness, determining a reclassification rate of 17%. In presence of minimal or moderate stiffness, the increase of LS is significantly correlated with the augment of PBF.

Association between income inequality and dental status in Japanese older adults: Analysis of data from JAGES2013.

PubMed

Tashiro, Atsushi; Aida, Jun; Shobugawa, Yugo; Fujiyama, Yuki; Yamamoto, Tatsuo; Saito, Reiko; Kondo, Katsunori

2017-01-01

Objectives　Personal income affects dental status in older people. However, the impact of income inequality on dental status at the community level (junior high school district) is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between dental status and community level income inequity after adjust for individual socio-economic status in Japanese older adults, and to verify the relative income hypothesis, also known as the Wilkinson hypothesis.Methods　We used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) conducted in Niigata city. JAGES is a postal survey of functionally independent adults aged 65 years or older. We enrolled 4,983 respondents (response rate 62.3%) and used data on 3,980 of them after excluding incomplete data. We evaluated health condition and socio-economic status using questionnaires. The Gini coefficient, as an indicator of income inequality, was calculated by junior high school district (57 districts) based on the data from the questionnaire. Additionally, the Pearson's coefficient of correlation was calculated to evaluate the association between the mean number of remaining teeth and the community level Gini coefficient. Then we evaluated the mean number of remaining teeth among the groups stratified by the Gini coefficient conditions. Next, we conducted a multilevel analysis using an ordinal logistic regression model. The number of remaining teeth was set as the dependent variable, while sex, age, household size, education, smoking status, diabetes treatment, current living conditions, and equivalent income were used as independent variables at the individual level. The Gini coefficient and average equivalent income in the junior high school district were used as independent variables at the community level.Results　The Pearson's correlation coefficient for the relationship between the Gini coefficient and the mean number of remaining teeth in the junior high school district was -0.44 (P<0.01). Wider income disparity area (Gini coefficient≧0.35) revealed a significantly small number of remaining teeth (P<0.001). The multilevel analysis showed that a higher Gini coefficient and a lower average equivalent income at the community level were significantly associated with a lower number of remaining teeth, and with educational attainment, smoking status, current living conditions, and equivalent income at the individual level, after adjusting for sex and age. On the other hand, educational attainment at the individual level, and average equivalent income at the community level were not significant factors after adjusting for all individual level variables.Conclusion　This study showed that, in addition to individual socio-economic status, income inequality at the community level was significantly associated with number of remaining teeth in Japanese older adults. Although the precise mechanism of this association is still unclear, our result supports the relative income hypothesis.

Azimuthal anisotropy and correlations at large transverse momenta in p + p and Au + Au collisions at square root sNN=200 GeV.

PubMed

Adams, J; Aggarwal, M M; Ahammed, Z; Amonett, J; Anderson, B D; Arkhipkin, D; Averichev, G S; Badyal, S K; Bai, Y; Balewski, J; Barannikova, O; Barnby, L S; Baudot, J; Bekele, S; Belaga, V V; Bellwied, R; Berger, J; Bezverkhny, B I; Bharadwaj, S; Bhasin, A; Bhati, A K; Bhatia, V S; Bichsel, H; Billmeier, A; Bland, L C; Blyth, C O; Bonner, B E; Botje, M; Boucham, A; Brandin, A V; Bravar, A; Bystersky, M; Cadman, R V; Cai, X Z; Caines, H; Calderón de la Barca Sánchez, M; Carroll, J; Castillo, J; Cebra, D; Chajecki, Z; Chaloupka, P; Chattopdhyay, S; Chen, H F; Chen, Y; Cheng, J; Cherney, M; Chikanian, A; Christie, W; Coffin, J P; Cormier, T M; Cramer, J G; Crawford, H J; Das, D; Das, S; de Moura, M M; Derevschikov, A A; Didenko, L; Dietel, T; Dogra, S M; Dong, W J; Dong, X; Draper, J E; Du, F; Dubey, A K; Dunin, V B; Dunlop, J C; Dutta Mazumdar, M R; Eckardt, V; Edwards, W R; Efimov, L G; Emelianov, V; Engelage, J; Eppley, G; Erazmus, B; Estienne, M; Fachini, P; Faivre, J; Fatemi, R; Fedorisin, J; Filimonov, K; Filip, P; Finch, E; Fine, V; Fisyak, Y; Foley, K J; Fomenko, K; Fu, J; Gagliardi, C A; Gans, J; Ganti, M S; Gaudichet, L; Geurts, F; Ghazikhanian, V; Ghosh, P; Gonzalez, J E; Grachov, O; Grebenyuk, O; Grosnick, D; Guertin, S M; Guo, Y; Gupta, A; Gutierrez, T D; Hallman, T J; Hamed, A; Hardtke, D; Harris, J W; Heinz, M; Henry, T W; Hepplemann, S; Hippolyte, B; Hirsch, A; Hjort, E; Hoffmann, G W; Huang, H Z; Huang, S L; Hughes, E W; Humanic, T J; Igo, G; Ishihara, A; Jacobs, P; Jacobs, W W; Janik, M; Jiang, H; Jones, P G; Judd, E G; Kabana, S; Kang, K; Kaplan, M; Keane, D; Khodyrev, V Yu; Kiryluk, J; Kisiel, A; Kislov, E M; Klay, J; Klein, S R; Klyachko, A; Koetke, D D; Kollegger, T; Kopytine, M; Kotchenda, L; Kramer, M; Kravtsov, P; Kravtsov, V I; Krueger, K; Kuhn, C; Kulikov, A I; Kumar, A; Kunz, C L; Kutuev, R Kh; Kuznetsov, A A; Lamont, M A C; Landgraf, J M; Lange, S; Laue, F; Lauret, J; Lebedev, A; Lednicky, R; Lehocka, S; LeVine, M J; Li, C; Li, Q; Li, Y; Lindenbaum, S J; Lisa, M A; Liu, F; Liu, L; Liu, Q J; Liu, Z; Ljubicic, T; Llope, W J; Long, H; Longacre, R S; Lopez-Noriega, M; Love, W A; Lu, Y; Ludlam, T; Lynn, D; Ma, G L; Ma, J G; Ma, Y G; Magestro, D; Mahajan, S; Mahapatra, D P; Majka, R; Mangotra, L K; Manweiler, R; Margetis, S; Markert, C; Martin, L; Marx, J N; Matis, H S; Matulenko, Yu A; McClain, C J; McShane, T S; Meissner, F; Melnick, Yu; Meschanin, A; Miller, M L; Milosevich, Z; Minaev, N G; Mironov, C; Mischke, A; Mishra, D K; Mitchell, J; Mohanty, B; Molnar, L; Moore, C F; Morozov, D A; Munhoz, M G; Nandi, B K; Nayak, S K; Nayak, T K; Nelson, J M; Netrakanti, P K; Nikitin, V A; Nogach, L V; Nurushev, S B; Odyniec, G; Ogawa, A; Okorokov, V; Oldenburg, M; Olson, D; Pal, S K; Panebratsev, Y; Panitkin, S Y; Pavlinov, A I; Pawlak, T; Peitzmann, T; Perevoztchikov, V; Perkins, C; Peryt, W; Petrov, V A; Phatak, S C; Picha, R; Planinic, M; Pluta, J; Porile, N; Porter, J; Poskanzer, A M; Potekhin, M; Potrebenikova, E; Potukuchi, B V K S; Prindle, D; Pruneau, C; Putschke, J; Rai, G; Rakness, G; Raniwala, R; Raniwala, S; Ravel, O; Ray, R L; Razin, S V; Reichhold, D; Reid, J G; Renault, G; Retiere, F; Ridiger, A; Ritter, H G; Roberts, J B; Rogachevskiy, O V; Romero, J L; Rose, A; Roy, C; Ruan, L; Sahoo, R; Sakrejda, I; Salur, S; Sandweiss, J; Savin, I; Sazhin, P S; Schambach, J; Scharenberg, R P; Schmitz, N; Schroeder, L S; Schweda, K; Seger, J; Seyboth, P; Shahaliev, E; Shao, M; Shao, W; Sharma, M; Shen, W Q; Shestermanov, K E; Shimanskiy, S S; Sichtermann, E; Simon, F; Singaraju, R N; Skoro, G; Smirnov, N; Snellings, R; Sood, G; Sorensen, P; Sowinski, J; Speltz, J; Spinka, H M; Srivastava, B; Stadnik, A; Stanislaus, T D S; Stock, R; Stolpovsky, A; Strikhanov, M; Stringfellow, B; Suaide, A A P; Sugarbaker, E; Suire, C; Sumbera, M; Surrow, B; Symons, T J M; Szanto de Toledo, A; Szarwas, P; Tai, A; Takahashi, J; Tang, A H; Tarnowsky, T; Thein, D; Thomas, J H; Timoshenko, S; Tokarev, M; Trentalange, S; Tribble, R E; Tsai, O D; Ulery, J; Ullrich, T; Underwood, D G; Urkinbaev, A; Van Buren, G; van Leeuwen, M; Vander Molen, A M; Varma, R; Vasilevski, I M; Vasiliev, A N; Vernet, R; Vigdor, S E; Viyogi, Y P; Vokal, S; Voloshin, S A; Vznuzdaev, M; Waggoner, W T; Wang, F; Wang, G; Wang, G; Wang, X L; Wang, Y; Wang, Y; Wang, Z M; Ward, H; Watson, J W; Webb, J C; Wells, R; Westfall, G D; Wetzler, A; Whitten, C; Wieman, H; Wissink, S W; Witt, R; Wood, J; Wu, J; Xu, N; Xu, Z; Xu, Z Z; Yamamoto, E; Yepes, P; Yurevich, V I; Zanevsky, Y V; Zhang, H; Zhang, W M; Zhang, Z P; Zolnierczuk, P A; Zoulkarneev, R; Zoulkarneeva, Y; Zubarev, A N

2004-12-17

Results on high transverse momentum charged particle emission with respect to the reaction plane are presented for Au + Au collisions at square root s(NN)=200 GeV. Two- and four-particle correlations results are presented as well as a comparison of azimuthal correlations in Au + Au collisions to those in p + p at the same energy. The elliptic anisotropy v(2) is found to reach its maximum at p(t) approximately 3 GeV/c, then decrease slowly and remain significant up to p(t) approximately 7-10 GeV/c. Stronger suppression is found in the back-to-back high-p(t) particle correlations for particles emitted out of plane compared to those emitted in plane. The centrality dependence of v(2) at intermediate p(t) is compared to simple models based on jet quenching.

Variability in memory performance in aged healthy individuals: an fMRI study.

PubMed

Grön, Georg; Bittner, Daniel; Schmitz, Bernd; Wunderlich, Arthur P; Tomczak, Reinhard; Riepe, Matthias W

2003-01-01

Episodic memory performance varies in older subjects but underlying biological correlates remain as yet ambiguous. We investigated episodic memory in healthy older individuals (n=24; mean age: 64.4+/-6.7 years) without subjective memory complaints or objective cognitive impairment. Episodic memory was assessed with repetitive learning and recall of abstract geometric patterns during fMRI. Group analysis of brain activity during initial learning and maximum recall revealed hippocampal activation. Correlation analysis of brain activation and task performance demonstrated significant hippocampal activity during initial learning and maximum recall in a success-dependent manner. Neither age nor gray matter densities correlated with hippocampal activation. Functional imaging of episodic memory thus permits to detect objectively variability in hippocampal recruitment in healthy aged individuals without subjective memory complaints. Correlation analysis of brain activation and performance during an episodic memory task may be used to determine and follow-up hippocampal malfunction in a very sensitive manner.

Risk Factors Associated with Quantitative Evidence of Lung Emphysema and Fibrosis in an HIV-infected Cohort

PubMed Central

Leader, Joseph K.; Crothers, Kristina; Huang, Laurence; King, Mark A.; Morris, Alison; Thompson, Bruce W.; Flores, Sonia C.; Drummond, M. Bradley; Rom, William N.; Diaz, Philip T.

2015-01-01

Introduction The disease spectrum for HIV-infected individuals has shifted towards co-morbid non-AIDS conditions including chronic lung disease, but quantitative image analysis of lung disease has not been performed. Objectives To quantify the prevalence of structural changes of the lung indicating emphysema or fibrosis on radiographic examination. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of 510 HIV-infected participants in the multi-center Lung-HIV study was performed. Data collected included: demographics, biological markers of HIV, pulmonary function testing, and chest CT examinations. Emphysema and fibrosis-like changes were quantified on CT images based on threshold approaches. Results In our cohort: 69% was on antiretroviral therapy, 13% had a current CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/μL, 39% had an HIV viral load greater than 500 copies/mL, 25% had at least a trace level of emphysema (defined as >2.5% of voxels <-950HU). Trace emphysema was significantly correlated with age, smoking, and pulmonary function. Neither current CD4 cell count nor HIV viral load was significantly correlated with emphysema. Fibrosis-like changes were detected in 29% of the participants and were significantly correlated with HIV viral load (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.210, p<0.05); current CD4 cell count was not associated with fibrosis. In multivariable analyses including age, race, and smoking status, HIV viral load remained significantly correlated with fibrosis-like changes (coefficient = 0.107, P = 0.03). Conclusion A higher HIV viral load was significantly associated with fibrosis-like changes possibly indicating early interstitial lung disease, but emphysematous changes were not related to current CD4 cell count or HIV viral load. PMID:26914911

DNA methylation epigenotype and clinical features of NRAS-mutation(+) colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Takane, Kiyoko; Akagi, Kiwamu; Fukuyo, Masaki; Yagi, Koichi; Takayama, Tadatoshi; Kaneda, Atsushi

2017-05-01

Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is classified into several molecular subtypes. We previously established two groups of DNA methylation markers through genome-wide DNA methylation analysis to classify CRC into distinct subgroups: high-, intermediate-, and low-methylation epigenotypes (HME, IME, and LME, respectively). HME CRC, also called CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)-high CRC, shows methylation of both Group 1 markers (CIMP markers) and Group 2 markers, while IME/CIMP-low CRC shows methylation of Group 2, but not of Group 1 markers, and LME CRC shows no methylation of either Group 1 or Group 2 markers. While BRAF- and KRAS-mutation(+) CRC strongly correlated with HME and IME, respectively, clinicopathological features of NRAS-mutation(+) CRC, including association with DNA methylation, remain unclear. To characterize NRAS-mutation(+) CRC, the methylation levels of 19 methylation marker genes (6 Group 1 and 13 Group 2) were analyzed in 61 NRAS-mutation(+) and 144 NRAS-mutation(-) CRC cases by pyrosequencing, and their correlation with clinicopathological features was investigated. Different from KRAS-mutation(+) CRC, NRAS-mutation(+) CRC significantly correlated with LME. NRAS-mutation(+) CRC showed significantly better prognosis than KRAS-mutation(+) CRC (P = 3 × 10 -4 ). NRAS-mutation(+) CRC preferentially occurred in elder patients (P = 0.02) and at the distal colon (P = 0.006), showed significantly less lymph vessel invasion (P = 0.002), and correlated with LME (P = 8 × 10 -5 ). DNA methylation significantly accumulated at the proximal colon. NRAS-mutation(+) CRC may constitute a different subgroup from KRAS-mutation(+) CRC, showing significant correlation with LME, older age, distal colon, and relatively better prognosis. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Striatal dopamine (D2) receptor availability predicts socially desirable responding.

PubMed

Reeves, Suzanne J; Mehta, Mitul A; Montgomery, Andrew J; Amiras, Dimitri; Egerton, Alice; Howard, Robert J; Grasby, Paul M

2007-02-15

Research in non-human primates has implicated striatal dopamine (D2) receptor function in the expression of social dominance--a fundamental component of social extraversion. We predicted that trait extraversion - indexed by the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) - would correlate with striatal DA (D2) receptor measures - indexed by [(11)C]-Raclopride binding potential (BP) - in 28 healthy post-menopausal females (mean age=75 years; range=58-91 years). Region of interest (ROI) and voxel-based statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analyses were performed, using a reference tissue model for [(11)C]-Raclopride. ROI analysis showed moderately significant negative correlations between extraversion and BP measures in the left caudate and between psychoticism scores and BP in the right putamen. Unexpectedly, scores on the Lie scale, a measure of socially desirable responding, were significantly and negatively correlated with BP measures in the putamen and survived Bonferroni correction on the right side. After controlling for the potential confounding of self-report bias in high Lie scorers, only the correlation between Lie scores and BP measures in the right putamen remained significant. Voxel-based analysis showed only Lie scores to be significantly and negatively correlated with BP measures in the right putamen. We explored this association further by applying an ROI-based approach to data on a previously scanned sample of young adults (n=13) and found a similar pattern of association, which achieved trend level significance in the right putamen. Although unanticipated, the relationship observed between BP measures in the right putamen and Lie scores is consistent with dopaminergic involvement in socially rewarding behaviour. How this relates to dopaminergic tone will need to be further explored.

Dopamine D2 receptor levels in striatum, thalamus, substantia nigra, limbic regions, and cortex in schizophrenic subjects.

PubMed

Kessler, Robert M; Woodward, Neil D; Riccardi, Patrizia; Li, Rui; Ansari, M Sib; Anderson, Sharlett; Dawant, Benoit; Zald, David; Meltzer, Herbert Y

2009-06-15

Studies in schizophrenic patients have reported dopaminergic abnormalities in striatum, substantia nigra, thalamus, anterior cingulate, hippocampus, and cortex that have been related to positive symptoms and cognitive impairments. [(18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography studies were performed in off-medication or never-medicated schizophrenic subjects (n = 11, 6 men, 5 women; mean age of 30.5 +/- 8.0 [SD] years; 4 drug-naive) and age-matched healthy subjects (n = 11, 5 men, 6 women, mean age of 31.6 +/- 9.2 [SD]) to examine dopamine D(2) receptor (DA D(2)r) levels in the caudate, putamen, ventral striatum, medial thalamus, posterior thalamus, substantia nigra, amygdala, temporal cortex, anterior cingulate, and hippocampus. In schizophrenic subjects, increased DA D(2)r levels were seen in the substantia nigra bilaterally; decreased levels were seen in the left medial thalamus. Correlations of symptoms with ROI data demonstrated a significant correlation of disorganized thinking/nonparanoid delusions with the right temporal cortex ROI (r = .94, p = .0001), which remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons (p < .03). Correlations of symptoms with parametric images of DA D(2)r levels revealed no significant clusters of correlations with negative symptoms but significant clusters of positive correlations of total positive symptoms, delusions and bizarre behavior with the lateral and anterior temporal cortex, and hallucinations with the left ventral striatum. The results of this study demonstrate abnormal DA D(2)r-mediated neurotransmission in the substantia nigra consistent with nigral dysfunction in schizophrenia and suggest that both temporal cortical and ventral striatal DA D(2)r mediate positive symptoms.

Covariance structure in the skull of Catarrhini: a case of pattern stasis and magnitude evolution.

PubMed

de Oliveira, Felipe Bandoni; Porto, Arthur; Marroig, Gabriel

2009-04-01

The study of the genetic variance/covariance matrix (G-matrix) is a recent and fruitful approach in evolutionary biology, providing a window of investigating for the evolution of complex characters. Although G-matrix studies were originally conducted for microevolutionary timescales, they could be extrapolated to macroevolution as long as the G-matrix remains relatively constant, or proportional, along the period of interest. A promising approach to investigating the constancy of G-matrices is to compare their phenotypic counterparts (P-matrices) in a large group of related species; if significant similarity is found among several taxa, it is very likely that the underlying G-matrices are also equivalent. Here we study the similarity of covariance and correlation structure in a broad sample of Old World monkeys and apes (Catarrhini). We made phylogenetically structured comparisons of correlation and covariance matrices derived from 39 skull traits, ranging from between species to the superfamily level. We also compared the overall magnitude of integration between skull traits (r2) for all Catarrhini genera. Our results show that P-matrices were not strictly constant among catarrhines, but the amount of divergence observed among taxa was generally low. There was significant and positive correlation between the amount of divergence in correlation and covariance patterns among the 30 genera and their phylogenetic distances derived from a recently proposed phylogenetic hypothesis. Our data demonstrate that the P-matrices remained relatively similar along the evolutionary history of catarrhines, and comparisons with the G-matrix available for a New World monkey genus (Saguinus) suggests that the same holds for all anthropoids. The magnitude of integration, in contrast, varied considerably among genera, indicating that evolution of the magnitude, rather than the pattern of inter-trait correlations, might have played an important role in the diversification of the catarrhine skull.

Statistical analysis of co-occurrence patterns in microbial presence-absence datasets

PubMed Central

Bewick, Sharon; Thielen, Peter; Mehoke, Thomas; Breitwieser, Florian P.; Paudel, Shishir; Adhikari, Arjun; Wolfe, Joshua; Slud, Eric V.; Karig, David; Fagan, William F.

2017-01-01

Drawing on a long history in macroecology, correlation analysis of microbiome datasets is becoming a common practice for identifying relationships or shared ecological niches among bacterial taxa. However, many of the statistical issues that plague such analyses in macroscale communities remain unresolved for microbial communities. Here, we discuss problems in the analysis of microbial species correlations based on presence-absence data. We focus on presence-absence data because this information is more readily obtainable from sequencing studies, especially for whole-genome sequencing, where abundance estimation is still in its infancy. First, we show how Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and Jaccard’s index (J)–two of the most common metrics for correlation analysis of presence-absence data–can contradict each other when applied to a typical microbiome dataset. In our dataset, for example, 14% of species-pairs predicted to be significantly correlated by r were not predicted to be significantly correlated using J, while 37.4% of species-pairs predicted to be significantly correlated by J were not predicted to be significantly correlated using r. Mismatch was particularly common among species-pairs with at least one rare species (<10% prevalence), explaining why r and J might differ more strongly in microbiome datasets, where there are large numbers of rare taxa. Indeed 74% of all species-pairs in our study had at least one rare species. Next, we show how Pearson’s correlation coefficient can result in artificial inflation of positive taxon relationships and how this is a particular problem for microbiome studies. We then illustrate how Jaccard’s index of similarity (J) can yield improvements over Pearson’s correlation coefficient. However, the standard null model for Jaccard’s index is flawed, and thus introduces its own set of spurious conclusions. We thus identify a better null model based on a hypergeometric distribution, which appropriately corrects for species prevalence. This model is available from recent statistics literature, and can be used for evaluating the significance of any value of an empirically observed Jaccard’s index. The resulting simple, yet effective method for handling correlation analysis of microbial presence-absence datasets provides a robust means of testing and finding relationships and/or shared environmental responses among microbial taxa. PMID:29145425

The presence of academic health sciences libraries on Facebook: the relationship between content and library popularity.

PubMed

Garcia-Milian, Rolando; Norton, Hannah F; Tennant, Michele R

2012-01-01

Social networks such as Facebook allow libraries to be proactive in reaching their users. While some libraries have popular Facebook pages, it remains unclear what attracts users to these pages. This study evaluates relationships between libraries' Facebook page content and popularity. An analysis of 72 academic health sciences libraries' Facebook pages showed positive correlations between number of library fans and number of tabs, photos, events, and wall posts on Facebook. Libraries posting videos had significantly more fans than libraries without them. This study contributes to an understanding of correlations between content and popularity on Facebook, with implications for library outreach.

Influence of educational status and other variables on human immunodeficiency virus risk perception among military personnel: a large cohort finding.

PubMed

Essien, E James; Ogungbade, Gbadebo O; Ward, Doriel; Ekong, Ernest; Ross, Michael W; Meshack, Angela; Holmes, Laurens

2007-11-01

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk perception remains an effective determinant of HIV transmission. Although higher educational attainment has been associated with increased HIV risk perception, this predictor remains to be assessed among Nigerian military personnel (NMP). In a prospective cohort of 2,213 NMP, the effects of education and other factors on HIV risk perception were assessed at baseline by using the X2 statistic and unconditional logistic regression. There was an inverse correlation between higher educational attainment and HIV risk perception in the univariate model (prevalence odds ratio, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.79). This association persisted after adjustment for relevant covariates in the multivariate model (prevalence odds ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.88). Similarly, there was a direct correlation between use of alcohol and marijuana and HIV risk perception (p < 0.05). In contrast, casual sex and gender were not statistically significantly associated with HIV risk perception (p > 0.05). This study indicates an inverse correlation between educational attainment and HIV risk perception, as well as a direct correlation between alcohol and marijuana use and HIV risk perception, among NMP. Therefore, HIV prevention interventions targeted at NMP need to include multiple factors that may affect risk perception regardless of the educational status of the participants.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Correlations between Resting-State Oscillations in Multiple-Frequency Bands and Big Five Traits

PubMed Central

Ikeda, Shigeyuki; Takeuchi, Hikaru; Taki, Yasuyuki; Nouchi, Rui; Yokoyama, Ryoichi; Kotozaki, Yuka; Nakagawa, Seishu; Sekiguchi, Atsushi; Iizuka, Kunio; Yamamoto, Yuki; Hanawa, Sugiko; Araki, Tsuyoshi; Miyauchi, Carlos Makoto; Sakaki, Kohei; Nozawa, Takayuki; Yokota, Susumu; Magistro, Daniele; Kawashima, Ryuta

2017-01-01

Recently, the association between human personality traits and resting-state brain activity has gained interest in neuroimaging studies. However, it remains unclear if Big Five personality traits are represented in frequency bands (~0.25 Hz) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity. Based on earlier neurophysiological studies, we investigated the correlation between the five personality traits assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) at four distinct frequency bands (slow-5 (0.01–0.027 Hz), slow-4 (0.027–0.073 Hz), slow-3 (0.073–0.198 Hz) and slow-2 (0.198–0.25 Hz)). We enrolled 835 young subjects and calculated the correlations of resting-state fMRI signals using a multiple regression analysis. We found a significant and consistent correlation between fALFF and the personality trait of extraversion at all frequency bands. Furthermore, significant correlations were detected in distinct brain regions for each frequency band. This finding supports the frequency-specific spatial representations of personality traits as previously suggested. In conclusion, our data highlight an association between human personality traits and fALFF at four distinct frequency bands. PMID:28680397

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Correlations between Resting-State Oscillations in Multiple-Frequency Bands and Big Five Traits.

PubMed

Ikeda, Shigeyuki; Takeuchi, Hikaru; Taki, Yasuyuki; Nouchi, Rui; Yokoyama, Ryoichi; Kotozaki, Yuka; Nakagawa, Seishu; Sekiguchi, Atsushi; Iizuka, Kunio; Yamamoto, Yuki; Hanawa, Sugiko; Araki, Tsuyoshi; Miyauchi, Carlos Makoto; Sakaki, Kohei; Nozawa, Takayuki; Yokota, Susumu; Magistro, Daniele; Kawashima, Ryuta

2017-01-01

Recently, the association between human personality traits and resting-state brain activity has gained interest in neuroimaging studies. However, it remains unclear if Big Five personality traits are represented in frequency bands (~0.25 Hz) of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity. Based on earlier neurophysiological studies, we investigated the correlation between the five personality traits assessed by the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), and the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) at four distinct frequency bands (slow-5 (0.01-0.027 Hz), slow-4 (0.027-0.073 Hz), slow-3 (0.073-0.198 Hz) and slow-2 (0.198-0.25 Hz)). We enrolled 835 young subjects and calculated the correlations of resting-state fMRI signals using a multiple regression analysis. We found a significant and consistent correlation between fALFF and the personality trait of extraversion at all frequency bands. Furthermore, significant correlations were detected in distinct brain regions for each frequency band. This finding supports the frequency-specific spatial representations of personality traits as previously suggested. In conclusion, our data highlight an association between human personality traits and fALFF at four distinct frequency bands.

The correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels and erectile function among men with late-onset hypogonadism.

PubMed

Shigehara, Kazuyoshi; Konaka, Hiroyuki; Ijima, Masashi; Nohara, Takahiro; Narimoto, Kazutaka; Izumi, Koji; Kadono, Yoshifumi; Kitagawa, Yasuhide; Mizokami, Atsushi; Namiki, Mikio

2016-12-01

We investigated the correlation between highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and erectile function, and assessed the clinical role of hs-CRP levels in men with late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) syndrome. For 77 participants, we assessed Sexual Health Inventory for men (SHIM) score, Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) score and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). We also evaluated free testosterone (FT), hs-CRP, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, waist size and blood pressure. We attempted to identify parameters correlated with SHIM score and to determine the factors affecting cardiovascular risk based on hs-CRP levels. A Spearman rank correlation test revealed that age, AMS score, IPSS and hs-CRP levels were significantly correlated with SHIM score. Age-adjusted analysis revealed that hs-CRP and IPSS were the independent factors affecting SHIM score (r= -0.304 and -0.322, respectively). Seventeen patients belonged to the moderate to high risk group for cardiovascular disease, whereas the remaining 60 belonged to the low risk group. Age, FT value and SHIM score showed significant differences between the two groups. A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that SHIM score was an independent factor affecting cardiovascular risk (OR: 0.796; 95%CI: 0.637-0.995).

The effect of neighboring districts on body height of Polish conscripts.

PubMed

Gomula, Aleksandra; Koziel, Slawomir; Groth, Detlef; Bielicki, Tadeusz

2017-04-01

The aim of the study was to investigate the correlation of heights of conscripts living in neighboring districts in Poland. The study used 10% of a nationally representative sample of 26,178 males 18.5-19.5 years old examined during the National survey of Polish conscripts conducted in 2001. The sample represented all regions and social strata of the country and included 354 different districts within 16 voivodships (provinces). Analyses were performed with the R statistical software. A small but significant correlation (0.24, p < 0.0001) was observed for height between 1 st order neighboring districts. Correlations decreased with increased distances between neighboring districts, but remained significant for 7 th node neighbors (0.18, p < 0.0001). Regarding voivodships (provinces), average height showed a geographical trend from the northwest (relatively tall) to the southeast (relatively short), and the correlation was stronger for first order neighboring provinces (0.796, p < 0.001). This study revealed clusters of tall people and short people, providing a support for hypothesis of the community effect in height. Small correlations between 1 st order neighbors than in another country (Switzerland) may be associated with differences in geography, since in Poland there are no natural barriers (e.g., mountains) and road infrastructure is well-developed.

Oviductal morphology in relation to hormonal levels in the snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina.

PubMed

Alkindi, A Y A; Mahmoud, I Y; Woller, M J; Plude, J L

2006-02-01

Microscopic and in situ visual observations were used to relate circulating hormone levels to morphological changes in the oviduct of the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina throughout the ovarian cycle. Increase in levels of progesterone (P), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels coincide with an increase in number and growth of endometrial glands, luminal epithelial cells and secretory droplets throughout the oviduct. Testosterone and estradiol levels rose significantly (P < 0.05) after the May-June period and remained high throughout the rest of the summer. Progesterone levels remained stable throughout the summer, with a brief decline in July due to luteolysis. Hormonal values declined significantly (P < 0.001) at the end of the ovarian cycle in the fall. In situ visual observation of fresh oviducts at different stages of gravidity in recently ovulated turtles revealed that proteinaceous like components from the endometrial glands were released into the lumen to form fibers. The morphological features of the oviduct remained active throughout the summer months even though the snapping turtle is a monoclutch species which deposits all the eggs in late-May to mid-June. The high steroid levels correlate with and may be responsible for the secretory activity present throughout the summer and their decline correlates with change to low secretory activity in the fall. Calcium deposition accompanied by morphological changes in luminal cells are suggestive of secretory activity. In the egg-bearing turtles, uterine Ca2+ concentrations measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry revealed significantly higher Ca2+ concentrations (P < 0.001) in eggs with soft shell than eggs without shell. There was a significant increase in calcium granules and proteinaceous fibers in luminal surface of the uterus during the period of eggshelling. This supports the fact that in the snapping turtle like in other reptiles, eggshelling process occurs in the uterus.

The search for Pleiades in trait constellations: functional integration and phenotypic selection in the complex flowers of Morrenia brachystephana (Apocynaceae).

PubMed

Baranzelli, M C; Sérsic, A N; Cocucci, A A

2014-04-01

Pollinator-mediated natural selection on single traits, such as corolla tube or spur length, has been well documented. However, flower phenotypes are usually complex, and selection is expected to act on several traits that functionally interact rather than on a single isolated trait. Despite the fact that selection on complex phenotypes is expectedly widespread, multivariate selection modelling on such phenotypes still remains under-explored in plants. Species of the subfamily Asclepiadoideae (Apocynaceae) provide an opportunity to study such complex flower contrivances integrated by fine-scaled organs from disparate developmental origin. We studied the correlation structure among linear floral traits (i) by testing a priori morphological, functional or developmental hypotheses among traits and (ii) by exploring the organization of flower covariation, considering alternative expectations of modular organization or whole flower integration through conditional dependence analysis (CDA) and integration matrices. The phenotypic selection approach was applied to determine whether floral traits involved in the functioning of the pollination mechanism were affected by natural selection. Floral integration was low, suggesting that flowers are organized in more than just one correlation pleiad; our hypothetical functional correlation matrix was significantly correlated with the empirical matrix, and the CDA revealed three putative modules. Analyses of phenotypic selection showed significant linear and correlational gradients, lending support to expectations of functional interactions between floral traits. Significant correlational selection gradients found involved traits of different floral whorls, providing evidence for the existence of functional integration across developmental domains. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Evolutionary Biology © 2014 European Society For Evolutionary Biology.

Systematic review of compound action potentials as predictors for cochlear implant performance.

PubMed

van Eijl, Ruben H M; Buitenhuis, Patrick J; Stegeman, Inge; Klis, Sjaak F L; Grolman, Wilko

2017-02-01

The variability in speech perception between cochlear implant users is thought to result from the degeneration of the auditory nerve. Degeneration of the auditory nerve, histologically assessed, correlates with electrophysiologically acquired measures, such as electrically evoked compound action potentials (eCAPs) in experimental animals. To predict degeneration of the auditory nerve in humans, where histology is impossible, this paper reviews the correlation between speech perception and eCAP recordings in cochlear implant patients. PubMed and Embase. We performed a systematic search for articles containing the following major themes: cochlear implants, evoked potentials, and speech perception. Two investigators independently conducted title-abstract screening, full-text screening, and critical appraisal. Data were extracted from the remaining articles. Twenty-five of 1,429 identified articles described a correlation between speech perception and eCAP attributes. Due to study heterogeneity, a meta-analysis was not feasible, and studies were descriptively analyzed. Several studies investigating presence of the eCAP, recovery time constant, slope of the amplitude growth function, and spatial selectivity showed significant correlations with speech perception. In contrast, neural adaptation, eCAP threshold, and change with varying interphase gap did not significantly correlate with speech perception in any of the identified studies. Significant correlations between speech perception and parameters obtained through eCAP recordings have been documented in literature; however, reporting was ambiguous. There is insufficient evidence for eCAPs as a predictive factor for speech perception. More research is needed to further investigate this relation. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:476-487, 2017. © 2016 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

Pleiotropy of cardiometabolic syndrome with obesity-related anthropometric traits determined using empirically derived kinships from the Busselton Health Study.

PubMed

Cadby, Gemma; Melton, Phillip E; McCarthy, Nina S; Almeida, Marcio; Williams-Blangero, Sarah; Curran, Joanne E; VandeBerg, John L; Hui, Jennie; Beilby, John; Musk, A W; James, Alan L; Hung, Joseph; Blangero, John; Moses, Eric K

2018-01-01

Over two billion adults are overweight or obese and therefore at an increased risk of cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). Obesity-related anthropometric traits genetically correlated with CMS may provide insight into CMS aetiology. The aim of this study was to utilise an empirically derived genetic relatedness matrix to calculate heritabilities and genetic correlations between CMS and anthropometric traits to determine whether they share genetic risk factors (pleiotropy). We used genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data on 4671 Busselton Health Study participants. Exploiting both known and unknown relatedness, empirical kinship probabilities were estimated using these SNP data. General linear mixed models implemented in SOLAR were used to estimate narrow-sense heritabilities (h 2 ) and genetic correlations (r g ) between 15 anthropometric and 9 CMS traits. Anthropometric traits were adjusted by body mass index (BMI) to determine whether the observed genetic correlation was independent of obesity. After adjustment for multiple testing, all CMS and anthropometric traits were significantly heritable (h 2 range 0.18-0.57). We identified 50 significant genetic correlations (r g range: - 0.37 to 0.75) between CMS and anthropometric traits. Five genetic correlations remained significant after adjustment for BMI [high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and waist-hip ratio; triglycerides and waist-hip ratio; triglycerides and waist-height ratio; non-HDL-C and waist-height ratio; insulin and iliac skinfold thickness]. This study provides evidence for the presence of potentially pleiotropic genes that affect both anthropometric and CMS traits, independently of obesity.

Psychological Language on Twitter Predicts County-Level Heart Disease Mortality

PubMed Central

Eichstaedt, Johannes C.; Schwartz, Hansen Andrew; Kern, Margaret L.; Park, Gregory; Labarthe, Darwin R.; Merchant, Raina M.; Jha, Sneha; Agrawal, Megha; Dziurzynski, Lukasz A.; Sap, Maarten; Weeg, Christopher; Larson, Emily E.; Ungar, Lyle H.; Seligman, Martin E. P.

2015-01-01

Hostility and chronic stress are known risk factors for heart disease, but they are costly to assess on a large scale. We used language expressed on Twitter to characterize community-level psychological correlates of age-adjusted mortality from atherosclerotic heart disease (AHD). Language patterns reflecting negative social relationships, disengagement, and negative emotions—especially anger—emerged as risk factors; positive emotions and psychological engagement emerged as protective factors. Most correlations remained significant after controlling for income and education. A cross-sectional regression model based only on Twitter language predicted AHD mortality significantly better than did a model that combined 10 common demographic, socioeconomic, and health risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Capturing community psychological characteristics through social media is feasible, and these characteristics are strong markers of cardiovascular mortality at the community level. PMID:25605707

Psychological language on Twitter predicts county-level heart disease mortality.

PubMed

Eichstaedt, Johannes C; Schwartz, Hansen Andrew; Kern, Margaret L; Park, Gregory; Labarthe, Darwin R; Merchant, Raina M; Jha, Sneha; Agrawal, Megha; Dziurzynski, Lukasz A; Sap, Maarten; Weeg, Christopher; Larson, Emily E; Ungar, Lyle H; Seligman, Martin E P

2015-02-01

Hostility and chronic stress are known risk factors for heart disease, but they are costly to assess on a large scale. We used language expressed on Twitter to characterize community-level psychological correlates of age-adjusted mortality from atherosclerotic heart disease (AHD). Language patterns reflecting negative social relationships, disengagement, and negative emotions-especially anger-emerged as risk factors; positive emotions and psychological engagement emerged as protective factors. Most correlations remained significant after controlling for income and education. A cross-sectional regression model based only on Twitter language predicted AHD mortality significantly better than did a model that combined 10 common demographic, socioeconomic, and health risk factors, including smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Capturing community psychological characteristics through social media is feasible, and these characteristics are strong markers of cardiovascular mortality at the community level. © The Author(s) 2014.

A reduction in both visceral and subcutaneous fats contributes to increased adiponectin by lifestyle intervention in the Diabetes Prevention Program.

PubMed

Zhang, Chao; Luo, Hao; Gao, Feng; Zhang, Chun-Ting; Zhang, Ren

2015-06-01

Adiponectin, an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, confers protection against type 2 diabetes. Although adiponectin is secreted exclusively from fat, contributions of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) versus subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) to adiponectin levels have not been fully understood. We aimed to examine correlations between changes in VAT and SAT volumes and changes in adiponectin levels. Here, we have investigated the correlations between ΔVAT and ΔSAT with Δadiponectin in participants of the Diabetes Prevention Program, a clinical trial investigating the effects of lifestyle changes and metformin versus placebo on the rate of developing type 2 diabetes. Data on VAT and SAT volumes, measured by computed tomography, and on adiponectin levels at both baseline and 1-year follow-up were available in 321 men and 626 women. In men, Δadiponectin was highly significantly correlated with both ΔSAT (r s  = -0.329) and ΔVAT (r s  = -0.413). Likewise, in women, Δadiponectin was correlated with both ΔSAT (r s  = -0.294) and ΔVAT (r s  = -0.348). In the lifestyle arm, Δadiponectin remained highly significantly correlated with ΔSAT and ΔVAT in men (r s  = -0.399 and r s  = -0.460, respectively), and in women (r s  = -0.372 and r s  = -0.396, respectively), with P < 0.001 for all above correlations. We conclude that for both men and women, adiponectin changes are highly significantly correlated with changes in both SAT and VAT and that exercise- and weight-loss-induced reduction in both SAT and VAT contributes to the increased adiponectin.

Correlation Between High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein and Reactive Oxygen Metabolites During A One-year Period Among Asymptomatic Subjects

PubMed Central

Kotani, Kazuhiko; Taniguchi, Nobuyuki

2012-01-01

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with human health and the disease status. The present study aimed to investigate the longitudinal correlation between the diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) level, as an oxidative stress-related marker, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), as an inflammatory marker, during a one-year period among asymptomatic subjects. Methods The data, including anthropometric and biochemical markers, were collected at baseline and after the one-year period from 71 participants (male/female = 41/30, mean age 50 years). The correlation between the changes of the d-ROMs and hsCRP levels during the study period was examined. Results A simple correlation analysis showed a significant and positive correlation to exist between the changes of the d-ROMs and hsCRP levels (r = 0.40, P < 0.01). This significant correlation remained independent in a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors. Conclusions The present findings suggest that the relationship between the d-ROMs and hsCRP levels could be prospectively followed, and that monitoring both markers may help to better understand the cooperation of inflammation and oxidative stress in association with health and disease. Further studies are necessary to clarify the biological mechanism(s) responsible for the observed relationship. Keywords Oxidative stress; Oxygen reactive species; Inflammation; CRP PMID:22383928

Ideal charge-density-wave order in the high-field state of superconducting YBCO

DOE PAGES

Jang, H.; Lee, W. -S.; Nojiri, H.; ...

2016-12-05

The existence of charge-density-wave (CDW) correlations in cuprate superconductors has now been established. However, the nature of the CDW ground state has remained uncertain because disorder and the presence of superconductivity typically limit the CDW correlation lengths to only a dozen unit cells or less. Here we explore the field-induced 3D CDW correlations in extremely pure detwinned crystals of YBa 2Cu 3O 2 (YBCO) ortho-II and ortho-VIII at magnetic fields in excess of the resistive upper critical field ( H c2) where superconductivity is heavily suppressed. We observe that the 3D CDW is unidirectional and possesses a long in-plane correlationmore » length as well as significant correlations between neighboring CuO 2 planes. It is significant that we observe only a single sharply defined transition at a critical field proportional to H c2, given that the field range used in this investigation overlaps with other high-field experiments including quantum oscillation measurements. The correlation volume is at least two to three orders of magnitude larger than that of the zero-field CDW. Furthermore, this is by far the largest CDW correlation volume observed in any cuprate crystal and so is presumably representative of the high-field ground state of an “ideal” disorder-free cuprate.« less

Neurological soft signs in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Their relationship to executive function and parental neurological soft signs.

PubMed

Gong, Jingbo; Xie, Jingtao; Chen, Gui; Zhang, Yajie; Wang, Suhong

2015-07-30

The correlations between neurological soft signs (NSS) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their executive function, symptoms of inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity and the NSS of their parents remain unclear. This study aimed to examine: (1) the prevalence of NSS in children with ADHD and their parents; (2) the correlation between the NSS of children with ADHD and the NSS of their parents; and (3) the correlation between the NSS of children with ADHD and their executive function and symptoms. NSS were assessed with the Cambridge Neurological Inventory (CNI) in 57 children with ADHD (and 80 parents) and 60 healthy children (and 75 parents). Executive function was measured with the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Children with ADHD and their parents had significantly higher NSS than normal children and their parents, respectively, and the NSS of children with ADHD were correlated more strongly with the NSS of their fathers than their mothers. No correlation was found between NSS and BRIEF executive function, but Disinhibition in children with ADHD was significantly correlated with hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms. Paternal and maternal NSS provided different predictions for child NSS. It may be that NSS are more likely to be genetically transmitted by fathers. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Coevolution between Nuclear-Encoded DNA Replication, Recombination, and Repair Genes and Plastid Genome Complexity.

PubMed

Zhang, Jin; Ruhlman, Tracey A; Sabir, Jamal S M; Blazier, John Chris; Weng, Mao-Lun; Park, Seongjun; Jansen, Robert K

2016-02-17

Disruption of DNA replication, recombination, and repair (DNA-RRR) systems has been hypothesized to cause highly elevated nucleotide substitution rates and genome rearrangements in the plastids of angiosperms, but this theory remains untested. To investigate nuclear-plastid genome (plastome) coevolution in Geraniaceae, four different measures of plastome complexity (rearrangements, repeats, nucleotide insertions/deletions, and substitution rates) were evaluated along with substitution rates of 12 nuclear-encoded, plastid-targeted DNA-RRR genes from 27 Geraniales species. Significant correlations were detected for nonsynonymous (dN) but not synonymous (dS) substitution rates for three DNA-RRR genes (uvrB/C, why1, and gyrA) supporting a role for these genes in accelerated plastid genome evolution in Geraniaceae. Furthermore, correlation between dN of uvrB/C and plastome complexity suggests the presence of nucleotide excision repair system in plastids. Significant correlations were also detected between plastome complexity and 13 of the 90 nuclear-encoded organelle-targeted genes investigated. Comparisons revealed significant acceleration of dN in plastid-targeted genes of Geraniales relative to Brassicales suggesting this correlation may be an artifact of elevated rates in this gene set in Geraniaceae. Correlation between dN of plastid-targeted DNA-RRR genes and plastome complexity supports the hypothesis that the aberrant patterns in angiosperm plastome evolution could be caused by dysfunction in DNA-RRR systems. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Is interleukin-17 a proatherogenic biomarker?

PubMed

Cătană, Cristina-Sorina; Cristea, Victor; Miron, Nicolae; Neagoe, Ioana Berindan

2011-01-01

The importance of chronic inflammation in atherogenesis and cytokine involvement in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque development is now obvious. Our approach of the significant cytokines involved in atherogenesis or cardiovascular diseases is based on a correlation between clinical research and experiments on animal models. The contribution of IL-17 in atherogenesis remains controversial. In this study we investigated the role of IL-17 in cardiovascular diseases and in atherosclerosis associated with pathological aging. We performed a case-control study, enrolling subjects aged over 65 years in both groups. We included 40 patients with cardiovascular disorders and 10 healthy volunteers. IL-17 levels were measured in the serum of patients and healthy controls, along with serum total cholesterol and triglycerides. Significantly higher levels of IL-17 were obtained in patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.001). The level of this biomarker correlated significantly with two biochemical parameters - serum total cholesterol and triglycerides (the Pearson coefficient showed statistical significance, p=0.033, respectively p=0.043). We did not find any correlation between IL-17 and these two parameters in the control group. Our study is useful in understanding the physiopathological implications of IL-17 in the atherogenesis process. This could represent a starting point for future studies, including research regarding the therapeutic potential of IL-17 in pathological aging.

The Integrative Effects of Cognitive Reappraisal on Negative Affect: Associated Changes in Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Unpleasantness and ERP Activity

PubMed Central

Zhang, Wencai; Li, Fan; Qin, Shaozheng; Luo, Jing

2012-01-01

Although the regulatory role of cognitive reappraisal in negative emotional responses is widely recognized, this reappraisal's effect on acute saliva secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), as well as the relationships among affective, immunological, and event-related potential (ERP) changes, remains unclear. In this study, we selected only people with low positive coping scores (PCSs) as measured by the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire to avoid confounding by intrinsic coping styles. First, we found that the acute stress of viewing unpleasant pictures consistently decreased SIgA concentration and secretion rate, increased perceptions of unpleasantness and amplitude of late positive potentials (LPPs) between 200–300 ms and 400–1000 ms. After participants used cognitive reappraisal, their SIgA concentration and secretion rate significantly increased and their unpleasantness and LPP amplitudes significantly decreased compared with a control condition. Second, we found a significantly positive correlation between the increases in SIgA and the decreases in unpleasantness and a significantly negative correlation between the increases in SIgA and the increases in LPP across the two groups. This study is the first to demonstrate that cognitive reappraisal reverses the decrease of SIgA. In addition, it revealed strong correlations among affective, SIgA and electrophysiological changes with convergent multilevel evidence. PMID:22319586

Novel 16S rDNA primers revealed the diversity and habitats-related community structure of sphingomonads in 10 different niches.

PubMed

Huang, Yili; Feng, Hao; Lu, Hang; Zeng, Yanhua

2017-07-01

It is believed that sphingomonads are ubiquitously distributed in environments. However detailed information about their community structure and their co-relationship with environmental parameters remain unclear. In this study, novel sphingomonads-specific primers based on the 16S rRNA gene were designed to investigate the distribution of sphingomonads in 10 different niches. Both in silico and in-practice tests on pure cultures and environmental samples showed that Sph384f/Sph701r was an efficient primer set. Illumina MiSeq sequencing revealed that community structures of sphingomonads were significantly different among the 10 samples, although 12 sphingomonad genera were present in all samples. Based on RDA analysis and Monte Carlo permutation test, sphingomonad community structure was significantly correlated with limnetic and marine habitat types. Among these niches, the genus Sphingomicrobium showed strong positive correlation with marine habitats, whereas genera Sphingobium, Novosphingobium, Sphingopyxis, and Sphingorhabdus showed strong positive correlation with limnetic habitats. Our study provided direct evidence that sphingomonads are ubiquitously distributed in environments, and revealed for the first time that their community structure can be correlated with habitats.

Lack of Correlation Between Pulmonary and Systemic Inflammation Markers in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Simultaneous, Two-Compartmental Analysis.

PubMed

Núñez, Belen; Sauleda, Jaume; Garcia-Aymerich, Judith; Noguera, Aina; Monsó, Eduard; Gómez, Federico; Barreiro, Esther; Marín, Alicia; Antó, Josep Maria; Agusti, Alvar

2016-07-01

The origin of systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients remains to be defined, but one of the most widely accepted hypothesis is the 'spill over' of inflammatory mediators from the lung to the circulation. To evaluate the relationship between pulmonary and systemic inflammation in COPD quantifying several inflammatory markers in sputum and serum determined simultaneously. Correlations between various inflammatory variables (TNF-α, IL6, IL8) in sputum and serum were evaluated in 133 patients from the PAC-COPD cohort study. A secondary objective was the evaluation of relationships between inflammatory variables and lung function. Inflammatory markers were clearly higher in sputum than in serum. No significant correlation was found (absolute value, r=0.03-0.24) between inflammatory markers in blood and in sputum. There were no significant associations identified between those markers and lung function variables, such as FEV1, DLCO and PaO2 neither. We found no correlation between pulmonary and systemic inflammation in patients with stable COPD, suggesting different pathogenic mechanisms. Copyright © 2016 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Prevalence, correlates, and comorbidity of DSM-IV obsessive-compulsive personality disorder: results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

PubMed

Grant, Jon E; Mooney, Marc E; Kushner, Matt G

2012-04-01

Although recognized for over 100 years, there is a relative dearth of empirical research on obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). The goal of the current study is to present nationally representative findings on prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and comorbidity of OCPD among men and women. The current study uses nationally representative data to examine sociodemographic correlates and comorbidity of OCPD. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 43,093 adults in the United States. The prevalence of lifetime OCPD was 7.8%, with rates the same for men and women. OCPD was significantly less common in younger adults and in Asians and Hispanics but was significantly more common in individuals with a high school education or less. When sociodemographic variables and other comorbidities were controlled for, current associations remained significant for all mood and anxiety disorders as well as lifetime personality disorders among both men and women. OCPD is a prevalent personality disorder in the US population and is equally represented in men and women. The results highlight the need for further research to identify common pathophysiological elements common to OCPD and associated disorders. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Does power indicate capacity? 30-s Wingate anaerobic test vs. maximal accumulated O2 deficit.

PubMed

Minahan, C; Chia, M; Inbar, O

2007-10-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between anaerobic power and capacity. Seven men and seven women performed a 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test on a cycle ergometer to determine peak power, mean power, and the fatigue index. Subjects also cycled at a work rate predicted to elicit 120 % of peak oxygen uptake to exhaustion to determine the maximal accumulated O (2) deficit. Peak power and the maximal accumulated O (2) deficit were significantly correlated (r = 0.782, p = 0.001). However, when the absolute difference in exercise values between groups (men and women) was held constant using a partial correlation, the relationship diminished (r = 0.531, p = 0.062). In contrast, we observed a significant correlation between fatigue index and the maximal accumulated O (2) deficit when controlling for gender (r = - 0.597, p = 0.024) and the relationship remained significant when values were expressed relative to active muscle mass. A higher anaerobic power does not indicate a greater anaerobic capacity. Furthermore, we suggest that the ability to maintain power output during a 30-s cycle sprint is related to anaerobic capacity.

The structural, connectomic and network covariance of the human brain.

PubMed

Irimia, Andrei; Van Horn, John D

2013-02-01

Though it is widely appreciated that complex structural, functional and morphological relationships exist between distinct areas of the human cerebral cortex, the extent to which such relationships coincide remains insufficiently appreciated. Here we determine the extent to which correlations between brain regions are modulated by either structural, connectomic or network-theoretic properties using a structural neuroimaging data set of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) volumes acquired from N=110 healthy human adults. To identify the linear relationships between all available pairs of regions, we use canonical correlation analysis to test whether a statistically significant correlation exists between each pair of cortical parcels as quantified via structural, connectomic or network-theoretic measures. In addition to this, we investigate (1) how each group of canonical variables (whether structural, connectomic or network-theoretic) contributes to the overall correlation and, additionally, (2) whether each individual variable makes a significant contribution to the test of the omnibus null hypothesis according to which no correlation between regions exists across subjects. We find that, although region-to-region correlations are extensively modulated by structural and connectomic measures, there are appreciable differences in how these two groups of measures drive inter-regional correlation patterns. Additionally, our results indicate that the network-theoretic properties of the cortex are strong modulators of region-to-region covariance. Our findings are useful for understanding the structural and connectomic relationship between various parts of the brain, and can inform theoretical and computational models of cortical information processing. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Immune correlates of aging in outdoor-housed captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Questions remain about whether inflammation is a cause, consequence, or coincidence of aging. The purpose of this study was to define baseline immunological characteristics from blood to develop a model in rhesus macaques that could be used to address the relationship between inflammation and aging. Hematology, flow cytometry, clinical chemistry, and multiplex cytokine/chemokine analyses were performed on a group of 101 outdoor-housed captive rhesus macaques ranging from 2 to 24 years of age, approximately equivalent to 8 to 77 years of age in humans. Results These results extend earlier reports correlating changes in lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokines/chemokines with increasing age. There were significant declines in numbers of white blood cells (WBC) overall, as well as lymphocytes, monocytes, and polymorphonuclear cells with increasing age. Among lymphocytes, there were no significant declines in NK cells and T cells, whereas B cell numbers exhibited significant declines with age. Within the T cell populations, there were significant declines in numbers of CD4+ naïve T cells and CD8+ naïve T cells. Conversely, numbers of CD4+CD8+ effector memory and CD8+effector memory T cells increased with age. New multiplex analyses revealed that concentrations of a panel of ten circulating cytokines/chemokines, IFNγ, IL1b, IL6, IL12, IL15, TNFα, MCP1, MIP1α, IL1ra, and IL4, each significantly correlated with age and also exhibited concordant pairwise correlations with every other factor within this group. To also control for outlier values, mean rank values of each of these cytokine concentrations in relation to age of each animal and these also correlated with age. Conclusions A panel of ten cytokines/chemokines were identified that correlated with aging and also with each other. This will permit selection of animals exhibiting relatively higher and lower inflammation status as a model to test mechanisms of inflammation status in aging with susceptibility to infections and vaccine efficacy. PMID:23151307

Impulse oscillometry at preschool age is a strong predictor of lung function by flow-volume spirometry in adolescence.

PubMed

Lauhkonen, Eero; Riikonen, Riikka; Törmänen, Sari; Koponen, Petri; Nuolivirta, Kirsi; Helminen, Merja; Toikka, Jyri; Korppi, Matti

2018-05-01

The transition from early childhood wheezing to persistent asthma is linked to lung function impairment over time. Little is known how the methods used to study lung function at different ages correlate longitudinally. Sixty-four children with a history of hospitalization for bronchiolitis before 6 months of age were prospectively studied with impulse oscillometry (IOS) at the mean age of 6.3 years and these preschool IOS results were compared with flow-volume spirometry (FVS) measurements at mean age of 11.4 years. The baseline respiratory system resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with all baseline FVS parameters except FVC. The post-bronchodilator (post-BD) Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with post-BD FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC. The bronchodilator-induced decrease in Rrs5 showed a modest statistically significant correlation with the percent increase in FEV 1 . Baseline and post-BD respiratory reactance at 5 Hz (Xrs5) showed a modest statistically significant correlation with baseline and post-BD FVS parameters except post-BD FEV 1 /FVC, respectively, and post-BD Xrs5 showed a strong correlation with post-BD FVC (ρ = 0.61) and post-BD FEV 1 (ρ = 0.59). In adjusted linear regression, preschool Xrs5 remained as a statistically significant independent predictor of FVS parameters in adolescence; the one-unit decrease in the Z-score of preschool post-BD Xrs5 predicted 9.6% lower post-BD FEV 1 , 9.3% lower post-BD FVC, and 9.7% lower post-BD MEF 50 when expressed as %-predicted parameters. Persistent post-BD small airway impairment in children with a history of bronchiolitis detected with IOS at preschool age predicted FVS results measured in early adolescence. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cross-Correlation Asymmetries and Causal Relationships between Stock and Market Risk

PubMed Central

Borysov, Stanislav S.; Balatsky, Alexander V.

2014-01-01

We study historical correlations and lead-lag relationships between individual stock risk (volatility of daily stock returns) and market risk (volatility of daily returns of a market-representative portfolio) in the US stock market. We consider the cross-correlation functions averaged over all stocks, using 71 stock prices from the Standard & Poor's 500 index for 1994–2013. We focus on the behavior of the cross-correlations at the times of financial crises with significant jumps of market volatility. The observed historical dynamics showed that the dependence between the risks was almost linear during the US stock market downturn of 2002 and after the US housing bubble in 2007, remaining at that level until 2013. Moreover, the averaged cross-correlation function often had an asymmetric shape with respect to zero lag in the periods of high correlation. We develop the analysis by the application of the linear response formalism to study underlying causal relations. The calculated response functions suggest the presence of characteristic regimes near financial crashes, when the volatility of an individual stock follows the market volatility and vice versa. PMID:25162697

Cross-correlation asymmetries and causal relationships between stock and market risk.

PubMed

Borysov, Stanislav S; Balatsky, Alexander V

2014-01-01

We study historical correlations and lead-lag relationships between individual stock risk (volatility of daily stock returns) and market risk (volatility of daily returns of a market-representative portfolio) in the US stock market. We consider the cross-correlation functions averaged over all stocks, using 71 stock prices from the Standard & Poor's 500 index for 1994-2013. We focus on the behavior of the cross-correlations at the times of financial crises with significant jumps of market volatility. The observed historical dynamics showed that the dependence between the risks was almost linear during the US stock market downturn of 2002 and after the US housing bubble in 2007, remaining at that level until 2013. Moreover, the averaged cross-correlation function often had an asymmetric shape with respect to zero lag in the periods of high correlation. We develop the analysis by the application of the linear response formalism to study underlying causal relations. The calculated response functions suggest the presence of characteristic regimes near financial crashes, when the volatility of an individual stock follows the market volatility and vice versa.

[Predictive power of working memory task for reading comprehension: an investigation using reading span test].

PubMed

Morishita, Masanao; Kondo, Hirohito; Ashida, Kayo; Otsuka, Yuki; Osaka, Naoyuki

2007-02-01

This study investigated the crucial factor mediating a correlation between performance of reading span test (RST) and reading comprehension. In the research literature on this issue, one of the remaining controversial points is whether the similarity of sentence processing between RST and comprehension contributes to the correlation. In this study, four RST conditions were created by the combination of two factors: relatedness of stimulus sentences (related or unrelated with each other) and focus of target words (focus or non-focus with respect to sentence meaning). If the correlation is mediated by the similarity of sentence processing, RST performance of related and focus condition, which was most akin to comprehension, would have higher correlation with reading comprehension than other conditions. However, as a result of correlation analysis based on data from ninety-six participants, no such evidence was obtained. On the other hand, RST performance of unrelated conditions that were supposed to strongly require attention control showed significant correlation with reading comprehension. These findings are discussed in terms of the contribution of attention control and short-term memory to performing RST and reading comprehension.

Ischemic lesion volume determination on diffusion weighted images vs. apparent diffusion coefficient maps.

PubMed

Bråtane, Bernt Tore; Bastan, Birgul; Fisher, Marc; Bouley, James; Henninger, Nils

2009-07-07

Though diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is frequently used for identifying the ischemic lesion in focal cerebral ischemia, the understanding of spatiotemporal evolution patterns observed with different analysis methods remains imprecise. DWI and calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were serially obtained in rat stroke models (MCAO): permanent, 90 min, and 180 min temporary MCAO. Lesion volumes were analyzed in a blinded and randomized manner by 2 investigators using (i) a previously validated ADC threshold, (ii) visual determination of hypointense regions on ADC maps, and (iii) visual determination of hyperintense regions on DWI. Lesion volumes were correlated with 24 hour 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazoliumchloride (TTC)-derived infarct volumes. TTC-derived infarct volumes were not significantly different from the ADC and DWI-derived lesion volumes at the last imaging time points except for significantly smaller DWI lesions in the pMCAO model (p=0.02). Volumetric calculation based on TTC-derived infarct also correlated significantly stronger to volumetric calculation based on last imaging time point derived lesions on ADC maps than DWI (p<0.05). Following reperfusion, lesion volumes on the ADC maps significantly reduced but no change was observed on DWI. Visually determined lesion volumes on ADC maps and DWI by both investigators correlated significantly with threshold-derived lesion volumes on ADC maps with the former method demonstrating a stronger correlation. There was also a better interrater agreement for ADC map analysis than for DWI analysis. Ischemic lesion determination by ADC was more accurate in final infarct prediction, rater independent, and provided exclusive information on ischemic lesion reversibility.

Human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescents in Georgia.

PubMed

Underwood, Natasha L; Weiss, Paul; Gargano, Lisa M; Seib, Katherine; Rask, Kimberly J; Morfaw, Christopher; Murray, Dennis; DiClemente, Ralph J; Hughes, James M; Sales, Jessica M

2015-01-01

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage for adolescent females and males remains low in the United States. We conducted a 3-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted in middle and high schools in eastern Georgia from 2011-2013 to determine the effect of 2 educational interventions used to increase adolescent vaccination coverage for the 4 recommended adolescent vaccines: Tdap, MCV4, HPV and influenza. As part of this RCT, this article focuses on: 1) describing initiation and completion of HPV vaccine series among a diverse population of male and female adolescents; 2) assessing parental attitudes toward HPV vaccine; and 3) examining correlates of HPV vaccine series initiation and completion. Parental attitude score was the strongest predictor of HPV vaccine initiation among adolescents (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80, 2.39). Other correlates that significantly predicted HPV series initiation were gender, study year, and intervention arm. Parental attitudes remained a significant predictor of receipt of 3 doses of HPV vaccine along with gender, race, school type and insurance type. This study demonstrates that positive parental attitudes are important predictors of HPV vaccination and critical to increasing coverage rates. Our findings suggest that more research is needed to understand how parental attitudes are developed and evolve over time.

Translation fidelity coevolves with longevity.

PubMed

Ke, Zhonghe; Mallik, Pramit; Johnson, Adam B; Luna, Facundo; Nevo, Eviatar; Zhang, Zhengdong D; Gladyshev, Vadim N; Seluanov, Andrei; Gorbunova, Vera

2017-10-01

Whether errors in protein synthesis play a role in aging has been a subject of intense debate. It has been suggested that rare mistakes in protein synthesis in young organisms may result in errors in the protein synthesis machinery, eventually leading to an increasing cascade of errors as organisms age. Studies that followed generally failed to identify a dramatic increase in translation errors with aging. However, whether translation fidelity plays a role in aging remained an open question. To address this issue, we examined the relationship between translation fidelity and maximum lifespan across 17 rodent species with diverse lifespans. To measure translation fidelity, we utilized sensitive luciferase-based reporter constructs with mutations in an amino acid residue critical to luciferase activity, wherein misincorporation of amino acids at this mutated codon re-activated the luciferase. The frequency of amino acid misincorporation at the first and second codon positions showed strong negative correlation with maximum lifespan. This correlation remained significant after phylogenetic correction, indicating that translation fidelity coevolves with longevity. These results give new life to the role of protein synthesis errors in aging: Although the error rate may not significantly change with age, the basal rate of translation errors is important in defining lifespan across mammals. © 2017 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Apollo passive seismic experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Latham, G. V.; Dorman, H. J.; Horvath, P.; Ibrahim, A. K.; Koyama, J.; Nakamura, Y.

1979-01-01

The completed data set obtained from the 4-station Apollo seismic network includes signals from approximately 11,800 events of various types. Four data sets for use by other investigators, through the NSSDC, are in preparation. Some refinement of the lunar model based on seismic data can be expected, but its gross features remain as presented two years ago. The existence of a small, molten core remains dependent upon the analysis of signals from a single, far-side impact. Analysis of secondary arrivals from other sources may eventually resolve this issue, as well as continued refinement of the magnetic field measurements. Evidence of considerable lateral heterogeneity within the moon continues to build. The mystery of the much meteoroid flux estimate derived from lunar seismic measurements, as compared with earth-based estimates, remains; although, significant correlations between terrestrial and lunar observations are beginning to emerge.

Adolescent pregnancy: do expectations affect intentions?

PubMed

Stevens-Simon, Catherine; Sheeder, Jeanelle; Beach, Roberta; Harter, Susan

2005-09-01

To establish the relationship between expectations about the effects of childbearing on specific aspects of life and the strength of the desire to remain nonpregnant during adolescence. We hypothesized that the absence of negative childbearing expectations is associated with an increase in the odds that sexually active, inadequately contracepting teenage girls are cognitively susceptible to conception. A racially and ethnically diverse group of 351 nulligravida, inadequately contracepting teenagers was studied. Participants responded to 60 items that asked about their expectation about the effects of becoming pregnant and not doing so. Analyses were performed to determine the factorial structure of the childbearing expectations items and their relationship to cognitive susceptibility to conception, defined as the lack of desire to remain nonpregnant. The analysis yielded a 9-factor solution for the childbearing expectations items. All 9 sub-scales exhibited acceptable reliability coefficients, stable factor patterns, and correlated significantly with the desire to remain nonpregnant. A dose-dependent relationship suggestive of causality was also apparent. In stepwise regression the sub-scales that assessed the anticipated effect of childbearing on future plans, self-esteem, and boyfriend relations remained significant and accounted for 56% of the variance in the desire to remain nonpregnant. The lengthy research instrument was reduced to an 8-item screening tool without loss of psychometric integrity or explanatory power. Childbearing expectations reflect distinct concepts and account for a significant portion of the variance in the desire to remain nonpregnant during adolescence. Thus the 8-item screening tool we validated might be used to formulate a differential diagnosis for the enigmatic behavior of teens who say they do not "want" to become pregnant but do not "mind" doing so enough to try to avoid conceiving by default.

Volatility of linear and nonlinear time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalisky, Tomer; Ashkenazy, Yosef; Havlin, Shlomo

2005-07-01

Previous studies indicated that nonlinear properties of Gaussian distributed time series with long-range correlations, ui , can be detected and quantified by studying the correlations in the magnitude series ∣ui∣ , the “volatility.” However, the origin for this empirical observation still remains unclear and the exact relation between the correlations in ui and the correlations in ∣ui∣ is still unknown. Here we develop analytical relations between the scaling exponent of linear series ui and its magnitude series ∣ui∣ . Moreover, we find that nonlinear time series exhibit stronger (or the same) correlations in the magnitude time series compared with linear time series with the same two-point correlations. Based on these results we propose a simple model that generates multifractal time series by explicitly inserting long range correlations in the magnitude series; the nonlinear multifractal time series is generated by multiplying a long-range correlated time series (that represents the magnitude series) with uncorrelated time series [that represents the sign series sgn(ui) ]. We apply our techniques on daily deep ocean temperature records from the equatorial Pacific, the region of the El-Ninõ phenomenon, and find: (i) long-range correlations from several days to several years with 1/f power spectrum, (ii) significant nonlinear behavior as expressed by long-range correlations of the volatility series, and (iii) broad multifractal spectrum.

A neuromorphic model of motor overflow in focal hand dystonia due to correlated sensory input

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sohn, Won Joon; Niu, Chuanxin M.; Sanger, Terence D.

2016-10-01

Objective. Motor overflow is a common and frustrating symptom of dystonia, manifested as unintentional muscle contraction that occurs during an intended voluntary movement. Although it is suspected that motor overflow is due to cortical disorganization in some types of dystonia (e.g. focal hand dystonia), it remains elusive which mechanisms could initiate and, more importantly, perpetuate motor overflow. We hypothesize that distinct motor elements have low risk of motor overflow if their sensory inputs remain statistically independent. But when provided with correlated sensory inputs, pre-existing crosstalk among sensory projections will grow under spike-timing-dependent-plasticity (STDP) and eventually produce irreversible motor overflow. Approach. We emulated a simplified neuromuscular system comprising two anatomically distinct digital muscles innervated by two layers of spiking neurons with STDP. The synaptic connections between layers included crosstalk connections. The input neurons received either independent or correlated sensory drive during 4 days of continuous excitation. The emulation is critically enabled and accelerated by our neuromorphic hardware created in previous work. Main results. When driven by correlated sensory inputs, the crosstalk synapses gained weight and produced prominent motor overflow; the growth of crosstalk synapses resulted in enlarged sensory representation reflecting cortical reorganization. The overflow failed to recede when the inputs resumed their original uncorrelated statistics. In the control group, no motor overflow was observed. Significance. Although our model is a highly simplified and limited representation of the human sensorimotor system, it allows us to explain how correlated sensory input to anatomically distinct muscles is by itself sufficient to cause persistent and irreversible motor overflow. Further studies are needed to locate the source of correlation in sensory input.

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of the uterine cervix length remaining after LOOP-excision].

PubMed

Robert, A-L; Nicolas, F; Lavoué, V; Henno, S; Mesbah, H; Porée, P; Levêque, J

2014-04-01

To assess whether there is a correlation between the length of a conization specimen and the length of the cervix measured by vaginal ultrasonography after the operation Prospective observational study including patients less than 45 years with measurement of cervical length before and the day of the conization, and measuring the histological length of the specimen. Among the 40 patients enrolled, the average ultrasound measurements before conization was 26.9 mm (± 4.9 mm) against 18.1mm (± 4.4mm) after conization with a mean difference of 8.8mm (± 2.4mm) (difference statistically significant P<.0001). The extent of histological specimen was 9 mm (± 2.2mm) on average. A correlation between ultrasound and histological measurements with a correlation coefficient R=0.85 was found statistically significant (P<0.0001). Moreover, the rate of cervix length remove by loop-excision in our series is 33% (± 8.5%). A good correlation between the measurements of the specimen and the cervical ultrasound length before and after conization was found, as a significant reduction in cervical length after conization. The precise length of the specimen should be known in case of pregnancy and the prevention of prematurity due to conization rests on selected indications and efficient surgical technique. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Uric acid and the cardiovascular profile of African and Caucasian men.

PubMed

Palmer, I M; Schutte, A E; Huisman, H W

2010-10-01

The African population is considered a high-risk group for the development of hypertension, and identifying risk factors are therefore essential in preventive actions against cardiovascular disease (CVD). Elevated levels of uric acid (UA) are often associated with CVD. Our first aim was to establish possible ethnic differences in UA levels between African and Caucasian men. Our second aim was to determine any associations between UA levels and cardio-metabolic variables, and also how these correlates differ between the two groups. African (N=87) and Caucasian (N=121) men participated in this cross-sectional study. Our results have shown that African men had significantly lower (353±87.7 vs 401±98.2; P<0.01) UA levels compared with Caucasian men. Waist circumference and triglycerides correlated strongly with UA in both ethnic groups. This was confirmed with a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis. After adjustment for confounders, the correlation between UA and triglycerides remained significant only in the Caucasians (r=0.29; P=0.02), whereas only the African men showed an independent correlation between UA and total peripheral resistance (TPR) (r=0.23; P=0.04). TPR increased significantly across UA tertiles only in the African men (P=0.01 vs P=0.96). In conclusion, despite their lower UA levels, Africans showed an independent relationship between UA and vascular resistance, indicating a possible explanation for their high prevalence of hypertension.

Relations among behavioral inhibition, shame- and guilt-proneness, and anxiety disorders symptoms in non-clinical children.

PubMed

Muris, Peter; Meesters, Cor; Bouwman, Leanne; Notermans, Sabine

2015-04-01

This study examined relationships between the self-conscious emotions of shame and guilt, behavioral inhibition (as an index of anxiety proneness), and anxiety disorder symptoms in non-clinical children aged 8-13 years (N = 126), using children's self-report data. Results showed that there were positive and significant correlations between shame and guilt, behavioral inhibition, and anxiety disorders symptoms. When controlling for the overlap between shame and guilt, it was found that shame (but not guilt) remained significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety proneness and anxiety symptoms. Further, when controlling for the effect of behavioral inhibition, shame still accounted for a significant proportion of the variance of total anxiety and generalized anxiety scores. For these anxiety problems, support emerged for a model in which shame acted as a partial mediator in the relation between behavioral inhibition and anxiety. These results indicate that the self-conscious emotion of shame is a robust correlate of anxiety pathology in children.

Relationship between work strain, need for recovery after work and cumulative cortisol among kindergarten teachers.

PubMed

Qi, Xingliang; Liu, Yapeng; Zhang, Jing; Ji, Shuang; Sluiter, Judith K; Zhou, Renlai; Deng, Huihua

2015-11-01

The purpose of this study was to explore whether work strain (i.e., job demands and job control) and subjective need for recovery (NFR) after work are related to measured concentration of cumulative cortisol. Participants were 43 teachers recruited from kindergarten. They self-reported their NFR, job demands and job control over the last month. NFR was measured with the NFR scale. Job demands and control were assessed with the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. Hair cortisol was used to represent cumulative cortisol excretion. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. No significant correlations were found between job demands or job control and HCC. NFR was significantly and inversely correlated with HCC (r = -0.41, p = 0.006). The inverse association between NFR and HCC remained significant when age and job demands and job control were controlled for (p = 0.02). The activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis declines with the accumulation of NFR after working time.

Group dynamics and catecholamines during long-duration confinement in an isolated environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kraft, Norbert O.; Lyons, Terence J.; Binder, Heidi

2003-01-01

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to investigate possible relationships between catecholamine excretion and long-duration confinement in an isolated environment. METHODS: Stays of long duration were made by Group I (n = 4, all Russian, weeks 1-34), Group II (n = 4, mixed nationality, weeks 3-18), and Group III (n = 4, mixed nationality, weeks 22-38); other groups joined the residents for 1-wk intervals at weeks #13, #19, and #33. Data were collected from Groups I and III. RESULTS: In both Group I and Group III, the daily epinephrine excretion was significantly elevated during and after confinement compared with the pre-isolation baseline (p < 0.05), but remained mostly within normal limits during the experiment. During isolation, epinephrine excretion was significantly higher, compared with other weeks in isolation, during weeks #19 and #27 for Group I, and during week #30 for Group III. In both Group I and Group II, norepinephrine excretion increased significantly during and after isolation (p < 0.05) and was above the normal range. The daily norepinephrine excretion was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Group I during weeks #12, #13, and #27, and during week #30 for Group III. DISCUSSION: Epinephrine excretion generally remained in the normal range. However, occasional elevations occurred due to psychological stress, which apparently correlate with changes in group dynamics. Norepinephrine excretion was above the normal range and was correlated with social events. These results suggest that to ensure optimum crew performance, entire crews along with their visiting crews should be selected collectively, rather than individually.

Estimation of stature from sternum - Exploring the quadratic models.

PubMed

Saraf, Ashish; Kanchan, Tanuj; Krishan, Kewal; Ateriya, Navneet; Setia, Puneet

2018-04-14

Identification of the dead is significant in examination of unknown, decomposed and mutilated human remains. Establishing the biological profile is the central issue in such a scenario, and stature estimation remains one of the important criteria in this regard. The present study was undertaken to estimate stature from different parts of the sternum. A sample of 100 sterna was obtained from individuals during the medicolegal autopsies. Length of the deceased and various measurements of the sternum were measured. Student's t-test was performed to find the sex differences in stature and sternal measurements included in the study. Correlation between stature and sternal measurements were analysed using Karl Pearson's correlation, and linear and quadratic regression models were derived. All the measurements were found to be significantly larger in males than females. Stature correlated best with the combined length of sternum, among males (R = 0.894), females (R = 0.859), and for the total sample (R = 0.891). The study showed that the models derived for stature estimation from combined length of sternum are likely to give the most accurate estimates of stature in forensic case work when compared to manubrium and mesosternum. Accuracy of stature estimation further increased with quadratic models derived for the mesosternum among males and combined length of sternum among males and females when compared to linear regression models. Future studies in different geographical locations and a larger sample size are proposed to confirm the study observations. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Interactions between the colonic transcriptome, metabolome, and microbiome in mouse models of obesity-induced intestinal cancer.

PubMed

Pfalzer, Anna C; Kamanu, Frederick K; Parnell, Laurence D; Tai, Albert K; Liu, Zhenhua; Mason, Joel B; Crott, Jimmy W

2016-08-01

Obesity is a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the relative contribution of high-fat (HF) consumption and excess adiposity remains unclear. It is becoming apparent that obesity perturbs both the intestinal microbiome and metabolome, and each has the potential to induce protumorigenic changes in the epithelial transcriptome. The physiological consequences and the degree to which these different biologic systems interact remain poorly defined. To understand the mechanisms by which obesity drives colonic tumorigenesis, we profiled the colonic epithelial transcriptome of HF-fed and genetically obese (DbDb) mice with a genetic predisposition to intestinal tumorigenesis (Apc(1638N)); 266 and 584 genes were differentially expressed in the colonic mucosa of HF and DbDb mice, respectively. These genes mapped to pathways involved in immune function, and cellular proliferation and cancer. Furthermore, Akt was central within the networks of interacting genes identified in both gene sets. Regression analyses of coexpressed genes with the abundance of bacterial taxa identified three taxa, previously correlated with tumor burden, to be significantly correlated with a gene module enriched for Akt-related genes. Similarly, regression of coexpressed genes with metabolites found that adenosine, which was negatively associated with inflammatory markers and tumor burden, was also correlated with a gene module enriched with Akt regulators. Our findings provide evidence that HF consumption and excess adiposity result in changes in the colonic transcriptome that, although distinct, both appear to converge on Akt signaling. Such changes could be mediated by alterations in the colonic microbiome and metabolome.

Association between markers of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance in pregnant women.

PubMed

Asemi, Zatollah; Jazayeri, Shima; Najafi, Mohammad; Samimi, Mansooreh; Shidfar, Farzad; Tabassi, Zohreh; Shahaboddin, Mohamadesmaeil; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad

2013-05-01

Increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors, markers of oxidative stress and lipid profiles are known to be associated with several complications. The aim of this study was to determine the association of markers of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid profiles with insulin resistance in pregnant women in Kashan, Iran. In a cross-sectional study, serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum insulin, 8-oxo-7, 8-dihydroguanine (8-oxo-G), total cholesterol, triglyceride, High density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured among 89 primigravida singleton pregnant women aged 18-30 years at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regressions were used to assess their relationships with homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We found that among biochemical indicators of pregnant women, serum hs-CRP and total cholesterol levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR (β = 0.05, P = 0.006 for hs-CRP and β = 0.006, P = 0.006 for total cholesterol). These associations remained significant even after mutual effect of other biochemical indicators were controlled (β = 0.04, P = 0.01 for hs-CRP and β = 0.007, P = 0.02 for total cholesterol). Further adjustment for body mass index made the association of hs-CRP and HOMA-IR disappeared; however, the relationship for total cholesterol remained statistically significant. Our findings showed that serum total cholesterol is independently correlated with HOMA-IR score. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Mediator Effects of Positive Emotions on Social Support and Depression among Adolescents Suffering from Mobile Phone Addiction.

PubMed

Li, Menglong; Jiang, Xia; Ren, Yujia

2017-06-01

Depression is a common mental disorder that is widely seen among adolescents suffering from mobile phone addiction. While it is well known that both positive emtions in adolescents wiotions and social support can have a positive impact by helping individuals to maintain a positive attitude, the correlation between positive emotions, social support, and depression among these adolescents remains to be investigated. This study examined the mediator effects of positive emotions on the relationship between social support and depression among adolescents suffering from mobile phone addiction. For this study, conducted in 2016, we selected 1,346 adolescent students from three middle schools (ranging from Junior Grade One to Senior Grade Three) in Hunan Province of China, to participate in the survey. Participants were selected using the stratified cluster random sampling method, and all participants remained anonymous throughout the study. Each participant completed the Self-made General Situation Questionnaire, the Social Support Rating Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale. There was significant positive correlation between positive emotions and social support. Both positive emotions and social support demonstrated significant negative correlation with depression. Positive emotions had partial mediator effects on the relationship between social support and depression (P<0.01). Both social support and positive emotions can lower levels of depression among adolescents suffering from mobile phone addiction. Social support contributes to positive emoth mobile phone addiction, thereby reducing their levels of depression. These findings suggest that more support and care should be given to this particular adolescent population.

Social Influence and Individual Risk Factors of HIV Unsafe Sex among Female Entertainment Workers in China

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiushi; Xia, Guomei; Li, Xiaoming; Latkin, Carl; Celentano, David

2010-01-01

Female entertainment workers in China are at increased sexual risk of HIV, but causes of their unprotected sex remain poorly understood. We develop a model that integrates information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) with social influences and test the model in a venue-based sample of 732 female entertainment workers in Shanghai. Most IMB and social influence measures are statistically significant in bivariate relationships to condom use; only HIV prevention motivation and behavioral self-efficacy remain significant in the multiple regressions. Self-efficacy in condom use is the most proximate correlate, mediating the relationship between information and motivation and condom use. Both peer and venue supports are important, but their influences over condom use are indirect and mediated through prevention motivation and/or self-efficacy. Behavioral intervention is urgently needed and should take a multi-level approach, emphasizing behavioral skills training and promoting a supportive social/working environment. PMID:20166789

Evaluation of endogenous nitric oxide synthesis in congenital urea cycle enzyme defects.

PubMed

Nagasaka, Hironori; Tsukahara, Hirokazu; Yorifuji, Tohru; Miida, Takashi; Murayama, Kei; Tsuruoka, Tomoko; Takatani, Tomozumi; Kanazawa, Masaki; Kobayashi, Kunihiko; Okano, Yoshiyuki; Takayanagi, Masaki

2009-03-01

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from arginine and O(2) by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Citrulline, which is formed as a by-product of the NOS reaction, can be recycled to arginine by the 2 enzymes acting in the urea cycle: argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). Although the complete urea cycle is expressed only in the liver, ASS and ASL are expressed in other organs including the kidney and vascular endothelium. To examine possible alterations of the NO pathway in urea cycle defects, we measured plasma concentrations of arginine and citrulline and serum concentrations of nitrite/nitrate (NOx(-), stable NO metabolites) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA, an endogenous NOS inhibitor) in patients with congenital urea cycle disorders of 3 types: ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, ASS deficiency, and ASL deficiency. All were receiving oral arginine replacement at the time of this study. The same parameters were also measured in healthy subjects, who participated as controls. The OTC-deficient patients had significantly high NOx(-) and nonsignificantly high ADMA concentrations. Their NOx(-) was significantly positively correlated with arginine. The ASS-deficient patients had significantly low NOx(-) and significantly high ADMA concentrations. The ASL-deficient patients had normal NOx(-) and nonsignificantly high ADMA concentrations. In ASS-deficient and ASL-deficient patients, the NOx(-) was significantly inversely correlated with citrulline. These results suggest that NO synthesis is enhanced in OTC-deficient patients while receiving arginine but that NO synthesis remains low in ASS-deficient patients despite receiving arginine. They also suggest that endogenous NO synthesis is negatively affected by citrulline and ADMA in ASS-deficient and ASL-deficient patients. Although the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood, we infer that the NO pathway might play a role in the pathophysiology related to congenital urea cycle disorders.

Dopamine D2 Receptor Levels in Striatum, Thalamus, Substantia Nigra, Limbic Regions, and Cortex in Schizophrenic Subjects

PubMed Central

Kessler, Robert M; Woodward, Neil D; Riccardi, Patrizia; Li, Rui; Ansari, M Sib; Anderson, Sharlett; Dawant, Benoit; Zald, David; Meltzer, Herbert Y

2009-01-01

Background Studies in schizophrenics have reported dopaminergic abnormalities in striatum, substantia nigra, thalamus, anterior cingulate, hippocampus and cortex which have been related to positive symptoms and cognitive impairments. Methods [18F]fallypride PET studies were performed in off medication or never medicated schizophrenic subjects [N = 11, 6 M, 5 F; mean age of 30.5 ± 8.0 (S.D.); 4 drug naive] and age matched healthy subjects [N = 11, 5M, 6F, mean age of 31.6 ± 9.2 (S.D.)] to examine dopamine D2 receptor (DA D2r) levels in the caudate, putamen, ventral striatum, medial thalamus, posterior thalamus, substantia nigra, amygdala, temporal cortex, anterior cingulate, and hippocampus. Results In schizophrenic subjects increased DA D2r levels were seen in the substantia nigra bilaterally; decreased levels were seen in the left medial thalamus. Correlations of symptoms with region of interest data demonstrated a significant correlation of disorganized thinking/nonparanoid delusions with the right temporal cortex region of interest (r = 0.94, P = 0.0001) which remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons (P<0.03). Correlations of symptoms with parametric images of DA D2r levels revealed no significant clusters of correlations with negative symptoms, but significant clusters of positive correlations of total positive symptoms, delusions and bizarre behavior with the lateral and anterior temporal cortex, and hallucinations with the left ventral striatum. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate abnormal DA D2r mediated neurotransmission in the substantia nigra consistent with nigral dysfunction in schizophrenia and suggest that both temporal cortical and ventral striatal DA D2r mediate positive symptoms. PMID:19251247

Vitamin D status in Egyptian euthyroid multinodular non-toxic goiter patients and its correlation with TSH levels.

PubMed

Aboelnaga, Mohamed M; Elshafei, Maha M; Elsayed, Eman

2016-10-01

Although the prevalence of MNG is widespread throughout the world, its pathogenesis is poorly understood, and the complex interactions of both genetic predisposition and the individuals' environment are likely. However, to the best of our knowledge, it remains unknown whether there is a relationship between vitamin D status and prevalence or pathogenesis of euthyroid MNG. Therefore, the goal of the present study was determination of vitamin D status in euthyroid MNG as well as exploration of the correlation between vitamin D status & TSH levels. A total of 77 patients diagnosed with euthyroid MNG and 50 subjects without goiter were matched according to age, weight and BMI as control group in this case control study. We found that patients with euthyroid MNG had statistically significant lower mean of [25(OH)D] (24.21±8.68ng/mL) in comparison with its mean in control subjects (28.37±10.91ng/mL, P value=0.019). The 28 sufficient vitamin D MNG patients had statistically significant lower level of TSH than 49 insufficient vitamin D MNG patients. Vitamin D and TSH levels correlate with vitamin D levels in MNG patients in Pearson correlation. Also 25 OH vitamin D was a significant independent predictor for TSH levels among euthyroid MNG patients in regression analysis. Patients with euthyroid MNG have lower levels of vitamin D and TSH levels correlate with vitamin D levels in euthyroid MNG patients. In addition, 25 OH vitamin D was a significant independent predictor for TSH levels among euthyroid MNG patients. We recommend hypovitaminosis D evaluation and correction in patients with MNG. Copyright © 2016 SEEN. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Physical inactivity post-stroke: a 3-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Kunkel, Dorit; Fitton, Carolyn; Burnett, Malcolm; Ashburn, Ann

2015-01-01

To explore change in activity levels post-stroke. We measured activity levels using the activPAL™ in hospital and at 1, 2 and 3 years' post-stroke onset. Of the 74 participants (mean age 76 (SD 11), 39 men), 61 were assessed in hospital: 94% of time was spent in sitting/lying, 4% standing and 2% walking. Activity levels improved over time (complete cases n = 15); time spent sitting/lying decreased (p = 0.001); time spent standing, walking and number of steps increased (p = 0.001, p = 0.028 and p = 0.03, respectively). At year 3, 18% of time was spent in standing and 9% walking. Time spent upright correlated significantly with Barthel (r = 0.69 on admission, r = 0.68 on discharge, both p < 0.01) and functional ambulation category scores (r = 0.55 on admission, 0.63 on discharge, both p < 0.05); correlations remained significant at all assessment points. Depression (in hospital), left hemisphere infarction (Years 1-2), visual neglect (Year 2), poor mobility and balance (Years 1-3) correlated with poorer activity levels. People with stroke were inactive for the majority of time. Time spent upright improved significantly by 1 year post-stroke; improvements slowed down thereafter. Poor activity levels correlated with physical and psychological measures. Larger studies are indicated to identify predictors of activity levels. Implications for Rehabilitation Activity levels (measured using activPAL™ activity monitor), increased significantly by 1 year post-stroke but improvements slowed down at 2 and 3 years. People with stroke were inactive for the majority of their day in hospital and in the community. Poor activity levels correlated with physical and psychological measures. Larger studies are indicated to identify the most important predictors of activity levels.

Association of umbilical hernia with volume of ascites in liver cirrhosis: a retrospective observational study.

PubMed

Wang, Ran; Qi, Xingshun; Peng, Ying; Deng, Han; Li, Jing; Ning, Zheng; Dai, Junna; Hou, Feifei; Zhao, Jiancheng; Guo, Xiaozhong

2016-11-01

Umbilical hernia is a common abdominal complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Our study aimed to evaluate the correlation of umbilical hernia with the volume of ascites. Cirrhotic patients that underwent axial abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scans at our hospital between June 2012 and June 2014 were eligible. All CT images were reviewed to confirm the presence of umbilical hernia. The volume of ascites was estimated by five-point method. One hundred and fifty-seven patients were enrolled into this study. Among them, 101 patients had ascites and 6 patients had umbilical hernia. Alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and serum sodium were significantly lower in patients with umbilical hernia (P = 0.008, P = 0.011, respectively). Child-Pugh scores and the volume of ascites were significantly higher in patients with umbilical hernia (P = 0.03, P < 0.0001, respectively). Correlation analysis demonstrated that the volume of ascites, Child-Pugh scores, and blood ammonia had positive correlations with umbilical hernia (r = 0.4579, P < 0.0001; r = 0.175, P = 0.03; r = 0.342, P = 0.001, respectively) and that serum sodium had a negative correlation with umbilical hernia (r = -0.203, P = 0.011). In patients with ascites ≥2000 mL, only AKP was significantly associated with umbilical hernia (P = 0.0497). No variables were significantly associated with umbilical hernia in a subgroup analysis of patients matched according to the volume of ascites. The volume of ascites has a positive correlation with umbilical hernia. However, the factors associated with umbilical hernia in patients with severe ascites remain unclear. © 2016 Chinese Cochrane Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Application of LANDSAT to the Surveillance and Control of Eutrophication in Saginaw Bay

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rogers, R. H. (Principal Investigator)

1975-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. LANDSAT digital data and ground truth measurements for Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron), Michigan, for 3 June 1974 can be correlated by stepwise linear regression technique and the resulting equations used to estimate invisible water quality parameters in nonsampled areas. Correlation of these parameters with each other indicates that the transport of Saginaw River water can now be traced by a number of water quality features, one or more of which are directly detected by LANDSAT. Five of the 12 water quality parameters are best correlated with LANDSAT band 6 measurements alone. One parameter (temperature) relates to band 5 alone and the remaining six may be predicted with varying degrees of accuracy from a combination of two bands (first band 6 and generally band 4 second).

Conscientiousness and Extraversion relate to responsiveness to tempo in dance.

PubMed

Carlson, Emily; Burger, Birgitta; London, Justin; Thompson, Marc R; Toiviainen, Petri

2016-10-01

Previous research has shown broad relationships between personality and dance, but the relationship between personality and specific structural features of music has not been explored. The current study explores the influence of personality and trait empathy on dancers' responsiveness to small tempo differences between otherwise musically identical stimuli, measured by difference in the amount in acceleration of key joints. Thirty participants were recorded using motion capture while dancing to excerpts from six popular songs that were time-stretched to be slightly faster or slower than their original tempi. Analysis revealed that higher conscientiousness and lower extraversion both correlated with greater responsiveness to tempo change. Partial correlation analysis revealed that conscientiousness remained significantly correlated with responsiveness when extraversion was controlled, but not vice versa. No effect of empathy was found. Implications are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gamma-Ray Burst Precursor Activity as Observed with BATSE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Koshut, Thomas M.; Kouveliotou, Chryssa; Paciesas, William S.; vanParadijs, Jan; Pendleton, Geoffrey N.; Briggs, Michael S.; Fishman, Gerald J.; Meegan, Charles A.

1995-01-01

Gamma-ray burst time histories often consist of multiple episodes of emission with the count rate dropping to the background level between adjacent episodes. We define precursor activity as any case in which the first episode (referred to as the precursor episode) has a lower peak intensity than that of the remaining emission (referred to as the main episode) and is separated from the remaining burst emission by a background interval that is at least as long as the remaining emission. We find that approx. 3% of the bursts observed with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) satisfy this definition. We present the results of a study of the properties of these events. The spatial distribution of these sources is consistent with that of the larger set of all BATSE gamma-ray bursts: inhomogeneous and isotropic. A correlation between the duration of the precursor emission and the duration of the main episode emission is observed at about the 3 sigma confidence level. We find no meaningful significant correlations between or among any of the other characteristics of the precursor or main episode emission. It appears that the characteristics of the main episode emission are independent of the existence of the precursor emission.

Limited Contribution of DNA Methylation Variation to Expression Regulation in Arabidopsis thaliana.

PubMed

Meng, Dazhe; Dubin, Manu; Zhang, Pei; Osborne, Edward J; Stegle, Oliver; Clark, Richard M; Nordborg, Magnus

2016-07-01

The extent to which epigenetic variation affects complex traits in natural populations is not known. We addressed this question using transcriptome and DNA methylation data from a sample of 135 sequenced A. thaliana accessions. Across individuals, expression was significantly associated with cis-methylation for hundreds of genes, and many of these associations remained significant after taking SNP effects into account. The pattern of correlations differed markedly between gene body methylation and transposable element methylation. The former was usually positively correlated with expression, and the latter usually negatively correlated, although exceptions were found in both cases. Finally, we developed graphical models of causality that adapt to a sample with heavy population structure, and used them to show that while methylation appears to affect gene expression more often than expression affects methylation, there is also strong support for both being independently controlled. In conclusion, although we find clear evidence for epigenetic regulation, both the number of loci affected and the magnitude of the effects appear to be small compared to the effect of SNPs.

Elastin Fiber Accumulation in Liver Correlates with the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

PubMed

Yasui, Yutaka; Abe, Tokiya; Kurosaki, Masayuki; Higuchi, Mayu; Komiyama, Yasuyuki; Yoshida, Tsubasa; Hayashi, Tsuguru; Kuwabara, Konomi; Takaura, Kenta; Nakakuki, Natsuko; Takada, Hitomi; Tamaki, Nobuharu; Suzuki, Shoko; Nakanishi, Hiroyuki; Tsuchiya, Kaoru; Itakura, Jun; Takahashi, Yuka; Hashiguchi, Akinori; Sakamoto, Michiie; Izumi, Namiki

2016-01-01

The fibrosis stage, which is evaluated by the distribution pattern of collagen fibers, is a major predictor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with hepatitis C. Meanwhile, the role of elastin fibers has not yet been elucidated. The present study was conducted to determine the significance of quantifying both collagen and elastin fibers. We enrolled 189 consecutive patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. Using Elastica van Gieson-stained whole-slide images of pretreatment liver biopsies, collagen and elastin fibers were evaluated pixel by pixel (0.46 μm/pixel) using an automated computational method. Consequently, fiber amount and cumulative incidences of HCC within 3 years were analyzed. There was a significant correlation between collagen and elastin fibers, whereas variation in elastin fiber was greater than in collagen fiber. Both collagen fiber (p = 0.008) and elastin fiber (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with F stage. In total, 30 patients developed HCC during follow-up. Patients who have higher elastin fiber (p = 0.002) in addition to higher collagen fiber (p = 0.05) showed significantly higher incidences of HCC. With regard to elastin fiber, this difference remained significant in F3 patients. Furthermore, for patients with a higher collagen fiber amount, higher elastin was a significant predictor for HCC development (p = 0.02). Computational analysis is a novel technique for quantification of fibers with the added value of conventional staging. Elastin fiber is a predictor for the development of HCC independently of collagen fiber and F stage.

Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2) in human endometrial carcinoma: a potent prognostic factor associated with cell proliferation and migration.

PubMed

Takagi, Kiyoshi; Miki, Yasuhiro; Tanaka, Sota; Hashimoto, Chiaki; Watanabe, Mika; Sasano, Hironobu; Ito, Kiyoshi; Suzuki, Takashi

2016-01-01

Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2) is a multifunctional protein containing several functional domains, and associated with wide variety of biological process such as food intake and energy homeostasis. Recently, NUCB2 has been implicated in not only normal human tissues but also some kinds of human malignancies. However, its clinical and/or biological significance has largely remained unknown in endometrial carcinomas. We therefore immunolocalized NUCB2 protein in 87 endometrial carcinoma tissues and examined its clinical significance. NUCB2 immunoreactivity was detected in 19 out of 87 (22%) of endometrial carcinoma cases examined, and positively correlated with Ki67 labeling index, while there was no significant correlation between NUCB2 and stage, histological grade, and progesterone receptor status. Furthermore, NUCB2 immunoreactivity was significantly correlated with increased risk of recurrence and worse clinical outcome regardless of stage or histological grade. Subsequent multivariate analyses did reveal that NUCB2 immunoreactivity was an independent prognostic factor for both disease-free survival and endometrial cancer specific survival. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knockdown of NUCB2 using specific siRNA for NUCB2 significantly impaired cell proliferation and migration of the endometrial carcinoma cell lines, Ishikawa and Sawano cells, and that nesfatin-1 treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration in Ishikawa cells. These findings possibly suggested that NUCB2 and/or nesfatin-1 had pivotal roles in the progression of endometrial carcinomas. Immunohistochemical NUCB2 status may therefore serve as a potent biomarker for endometrial carcinomas.

Trait Anxiety and Economic Risk Avoidance Are Not Necessarily Associated: Evidence from the Framing Effect.

PubMed

Gu, Ruolei; Wu, Runguo; Broster, Lucas S; Jiang, Yang; Xu, Rui; Yang, Qiwei; Xu, Pengfei; Luo, Yue-Jia

2017-01-01

According to previous literature, trait anxiety is related to the tendency to choose safety options during risk decision-making, that is, risk avoidance. In our opinion, anxious people's risk preference might actually reflect their hypersensitivity to emotional information. To examine this hypothesis, a decision-making task that could elicit the framing effect was employed. The framing effect indicates that risk preference could be modulated by emotional messages contained in the description (i.e., frame) of options. The behavioral results have showed the classic framing effect. In addition, individual level of trait anxiety was positively correlated with the framing effect size. However, trait anxiety was not correlated with risk-avoidance ratio in any condition. Finally, the relationship between anxiety and the framing effect remained significant after the level of depression was also taken into account. The theoretical significance and the major limitations of this study are discussed.

Trait Anxiety and Economic Risk Avoidance Are Not Necessarily Associated: Evidence from the Framing Effect

PubMed Central

Gu, Ruolei; Wu, Runguo; Broster, Lucas S.; Jiang, Yang; Xu, Rui; Yang, Qiwei; Xu, Pengfei; Luo, Yue-Jia

2017-01-01

According to previous literature, trait anxiety is related to the tendency to choose safety options during risk decision-making, that is, risk avoidance. In our opinion, anxious people’s risk preference might actually reflect their hypersensitivity to emotional information. To examine this hypothesis, a decision-making task that could elicit the framing effect was employed. The framing effect indicates that risk preference could be modulated by emotional messages contained in the description (i.e., frame) of options. The behavioral results have showed the classic framing effect. In addition, individual level of trait anxiety was positively correlated with the framing effect size. However, trait anxiety was not correlated with risk-avoidance ratio in any condition. Finally, the relationship between anxiety and the framing effect remained significant after the level of depression was also taken into account. The theoretical significance and the major limitations of this study are discussed. PMID:28197116

Homicide Rates in Lithuania.

PubMed

Chmieliauskas, Sigitas; Laima, Sigitas; Andriuskeviciute, Gerda; Jurolaic, Eleonora; Jasulaitis, Algimantas

2018-05-01

Homicide rate in Lithuania between 2004 and 2013 decreased and reached an average of 6.7 per 100,000 people in 2013. The data regarding forensic autopsies of intentional homicide victims were obtained from the State Forensic Medicine Service. Spearman's correlation test was used to assess trends in the homicide rates. A significant correlation was observed between homicide distribution and the following variables: Lithuania's gross domestic product (r = -0.85, p = 0.003), the number of alcohol intoxication cases of victims (r = 0.97, p < 0.05). After regression model adjustments, these variables remained significantly associated with the homicide distribution (p < 0.05). 73% of victims were men, with a mean age of 45.5 ± 15. Alcohol intoxication was present in 58% of victims. 66% of homicides were carried out indoors, 57% in urban area. The presented findings help decide which prevention programs may be the most effective in homicide rate reduction. © 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Attributions and Attitudes of Mothers and Fathers in Sweden.

PubMed

Sorbring, Emma; Gurdal, Sevtap

2011-07-01

OBJECTIVE: The present study examined mean level similarities and differences as well as correlations between mothers' and fathers' attributions regarding successes and failures in caregiving situations and progressive versus authoritarian attitudes. DESIGN: Interviews were conducted with both mothers and fathers in 77 Swedish families. RESULTS: Fathers reported higher adult-controlled failure and child-controlled failure attributions than did mothers; these differences remained significant after controlling for parents' age, education, and possible social desirability bias. Significant positive correlations were found for mothers' and fathers' progressive attitudes, authoritarian attitudes, and modernity of attitudes after controlling for parents' age, education, and possible social desirability bias. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in Sweden fathers are more likely to attribute failures in caregiving situations both to themselves and to children than are mothers and that there is moderate concordance between fathers and mothers within the same family in progressive and authoritarian parenting attitudes.

Correlations between adult mimicry and larval host plants in ithomiine butterflies.

PubMed

Willmott, Keith R; Mallet, James

2004-08-07

The apparent paradox of multiple coexisting wing pattern mimicry 'rings' in tropical butterflies has been explained as a result of microhabitat partitioning in adults. However, very few studies have tested this hypothesis. In neotropical forests, ithomiine butterflies dominate and display the richest diversity of mimicry rings. We show that co-mimetic species occupy the same larval host-plant species significantly more often than expected in two out of five communities that we surveyed; in one of these, the effect remains significant after phylogenetic correction. This relationship is most probably a result of a third correlated variable, such as microhabitat. Host-plant microhabitat may constrain adult movement, or host-plant choice may depend on butterfly microhabitat preferences and mimicry associations. This link between mimicry and host plant could help explain some host-plant and mimicry shifts, which have been important in the radiation of this speciose tropical group.

Geographical Gradients in Argentinean Terrestrial Mammal Species Richness and Their Environmental Correlates

PubMed Central

Márquez, Ana L.; Real, Raimundo; Kin, Marta S.; Guerrero, José Carlos; Galván, Betina; Barbosa, A. Márcia; Olivero, Jesús; Palomo, L. Javier; Vargas, J. Mario; Justo, Enrique

2012-01-01

We analysed the main geographical trends of terrestrial mammal species richness (SR) in Argentina, assessing how broad-scale environmental variation (defined by climatic and topographic variables) and the spatial form of the country (defined by spatial filters based on spatial eigenvector mapping (SEVM)) influence the kinds and the numbers of mammal species along these geographical trends. We also evaluated if there are pure geographical trends not accounted for by the environmental or spatial factors. The environmental variables and spatial filters that simultaneously correlated with the geographical variables and SR were considered potential causes of the geographic trends. We performed partial correlations between SR and the geographical variables, maintaining the selected explanatory variables statistically constant, to determine if SR was fully explained by them or if a significant residual geographic pattern remained. All groups and subgroups presented a latitudinal gradient not attributable to the spatial form of the country. Most of these trends were not explained by climate. We used a variation partitioning procedure to quantify the pure geographic trend (PGT) that remained unaccounted for. The PGT was larger for latitudinal than for longitudinal gradients. This suggests that historical or purely geographical causes may also be relevant drivers of these geographical gradients in mammal diversity. PMID:23028254

Stability of BDNF in Human Samples Stored Up to 6 Months and Correlations of Serum and EDTA-Plasma Concentrations.

PubMed

Polyakova, Maryna; Schlögl, Haiko; Sacher, Julia; Schmidt-Kassow, Maren; Kaiser, Jochen; Stumvoll, Michael; Kratzsch, Jürgen; Schroeter, Matthias L

2017-06-03

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important neural growth factor, has gained growing interest in neuroscience, but many influencing physiological and analytical aspects still remain unclear. In this study we assessed the impact of storage time at room temperature, repeated freeze/thaw cycles, and storage at -80 °C up to 6 months on serum and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-plasma BDNF. Furthermore, we assessed correlations of serum and plasma BDNF concentrations in two independent sets of samples. Coefficients of variations (CVs) for serum BDNF concentrations were significantly lower than CVs of plasma concentrations ( n = 245, p = 0.006). Mean serum and plasma concentrations at all analyzed time points remained within the acceptable change limit of the inter-assay precision as declared by the manufacturer. Serum and plasma BDNF concentrations correlated positively in both sets of samples and at all analyzed time points of the stability assessment ( r = 0.455 to r s = 0.596; p < 0.004). In summary, when considering the acceptable change limit, BDNF was stable in serum and in EDTA-plasma up to 6 months. Due to a higher reliability, we suggest favoring serum over EDTA-plasma for future experiments assessing peripheral BDNF concentrations.

Associations between nine family dinner frequency measures and child weight, dietary and psychosocial outcomes

PubMed Central

Fulkerson, Jayne A.; Friend, Sarah E.; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne

2015-01-01

Background Family meal frequency has been consistently and significantly associated with positive youth dietary and psychosocial outcomes but less consistently associated with weight outcomes. Family meal frequency measurement has varied widely and it is unclear how this variation may impact relationships with youth weight, dietary, and psychosocial outcomes. Objective This study assesses how five parent/caregiver-reported and four child-reported family dinner frequency measures correlate with each other and are associated with health-related outcomes. Design/Participants This secondary, cross-sectional analysis uses baseline, parent/caregiver (n=160) and 8–12 year old child (n=160) data from the Healthy Home Offerings via the Mealtime Environment (HOME) Plus trial (collected 2011–2012). Data were obtained from objective measurements, dietary recall interviews, and psychosocial surveys. Outcome measures Outcomes included child body mass index z-scores (BMIz), fruit, vegetable and sugar-sweetened beverage intake, dietary quality (Healthy Eating Index-2010 [HEI-2010]), family connectedness, and meal conversations. Statistical analyses performed Pearson correlations and general linear models were used to assess associations between family dinner frequency measures and outcomes. Results All family dinner frequency measures had comparable means and were correlated within and across parent/caregiver- and child-reporters (r=0.17–0.94, p<0.01). In unadjusted analyses, 78% of family dinner frequency measures were significantly associated with BMIz scores and 100% were significantly associated with fruit/vegetable intake and HEI-2010. In adjusted models, most significant associations with dietary and psychosocial outcomes remained but associations with child BMIz remained significant only for parent/caregiver- (β±SE= −0.07±0.03; p<0.05) and child-reported (β±SE= −0.06+0.02; p<0.01) family dinner frequency measures asking about ‘sitting and eating’ dinner. Conclusions In spite of phrasing variations in family dinner frequency measures (e.g., which family members were present and how meals were occurring), few differences were found in associations with dietary and psychosocial outcomes but differences were apparent for child BMIz, which suggests phrasing of family dinner frequency measures may influence associations found with weight outcomes. PMID:26875023

Assessing skeletal maturity by using blood spot insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) testing.

PubMed

Masoud, Mohamed; Masoud, Ibrahim; Kent, Ralph L; Gowharji, Nour; Cohen, Laurie E

2008-08-01

Accurate determination of skeletal maturity and remaining growth is crucial to many orthodontic, orthognathic, and dental-implant timing decisions. Cervical vertebral stages and hand-wrist radiographs are currently used to identify peak mandibular bone growth. These are highly subjective techniques that not only involve radiographic exposure but also lack the ability to determine the intensity of the growth spurt and the end of growth. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a circulating growth hormone-dependent factor whose level correlates with sexual maturity; it is used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency and excess. We hypothesized that IGF-I levels would also correlate with cervical skeletal maturity and would be highest at the cervical stages that correspond to the greatest amount of facial growth. We measured mean blood spot IGF-I levels in a cross-sectional study of 83 patients (44 female, 39 male) on recall to begin orthodontic treatment, in active treatment, or in posttreatment follow-up. Mean blood spot IGF-I levels were significantly higher in the late pubertal stages than in the prepubertal, early pubertal, and postpubertal stages. Linear correlation showed that IGF-I levels had a significant positive correlation with cervical skeletal maturity from the prepubertal to the late pubertal stages, and a significant negative correlation from the late pubertal to the postpubertal stages. In the postpubertal stage, IGF-I levels had a negative linear correlation with increasing time since the onset of puberty and with chronological age. Blood spot IGF-I could be used as a skeletal maturity indicator and might be useful in detecting residual mandibular growth in young adults.

Cognitive flexibility correlates with gambling severity in young adults.

PubMed

Leppink, Eric W; Redden, Sarah A; Chamberlain, Samuel R; Grant, Jon E

2016-10-01

Although gambling disorder (GD) is often characterized as a problem of impulsivity, compulsivity has recently been proposed as a potentially important feature of addictive disorders. The present analysis assessed the neurocognitive and clinical relationship between compulsivity on gambling behavior. A sample of 552 non-treatment seeking gamblers age 18-29 was recruited from the community for a study on gambling in young adults. Gambling severity levels included both casual and disordered gamblers. All participants completed the Intra/Extra-Dimensional Set Shift (IED) task, from which the total adjusted errors were correlated with gambling severity measures, and linear regression modeling was used to assess three error measures from the task. The present analysis found significant positive correlations between problems with cognitive flexibility and gambling severity (reflected by the number of DSM-5 criteria, gambling frequency, amount of money lost in the past year, and gambling urge/behavior severity). IED errors also showed a positive correlation with self-reported compulsive behavior scores. A significant correlation was also found between IED errors and non-planning impulsivity from the BIS. Linear regression models based on total IED errors, extra-dimensional (ED) shift errors, or pre-ED shift errors indicated that these factors accounted for a significant portion of the variance noted in several variables. These findings suggest that cognitive flexibility may be an important consideration in the assessment of gamblers. Results from correlational and linear regression analyses support this possibility, but the exact contributions of both impulsivity and cognitive flexibility remain entangled. Future studies will ideally be able to assess the longitudinal relationships between gambling, compulsivity, and impulsivity, helping to clarify the relative contributions of both impulsive and compulsive features. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification of kin structure among Guam rail founders: a comparison of pedigrees and DNA profiles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Haig, Susan M.; Ballou, J.D.; Casna, N.J.

1994-01-01

Kin structure among founders can have a significant effect on subsequent population structure. Here we use the correlation between DNA profile similarity and relatedness calculated from pedigrees to test hypotheses regarding kin structure among founders to the captive Guam rail (Rallus owstoni) population. Five different pedigrees were generated under the following hypotheses: (i) founders are unrelated; (ii) founders are unrelated except for same-nest chicks; (iii) founders from the same major site are siblings; (iv) founders from the same local site are siblings; and (v) founders are related as defined by a UPGMA cluster analysis of DNA similarity data. Relatedness values from pedigrees 1, 2 and 5 had the highest correlation with DNA similarity but the correlation between relatedness and similarity were not significantly different among pedigrees. Pedigree 5 resulted in the highest correlation overall when using only relatedness values that changed as a result of different founder hypotheses. Thus, founders were assigned relatedness based on pedigree 5 because it had the highest correlations with DNA similarity, was the most conservative approach, and incorporated all field data. The analyses indicated that estimating relatedness using DNA profiles remains problematic, therefore we compared mean kinship, a measure of genetic importance, with mean DNA profile similarity to determine if genetic importance among individuals could be determined via use of DNA profiles alone. The significant correlation suggests this method may provide more information about population structure than was previously thought. Thus, DNA profiles can provide a reasonable explanation for founder relatedness and mean DNA profile similarity may be helpful in determining relative genetic importance of individuals when detailed pedigrees are absent.

CD147 and matrix-metalloproteinase-2 expression in metastatic and non-metastatic uveal melanomas.

PubMed

Lüke, Julia; Vukoja, Vlatka; Brandenbusch, Tim; Nassar, Khaled; Rohrbach, Jens Martin; Grisanti, Salvatore; Lüke, Matthias; Tura, Aysegül

2016-06-03

Extracellular matrix remodelling regulated by matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) inducer (CD147) is a crucial process during tumor cell invasion and regulation of blood supply. In this study, we evaluated the correlation of CD147 and MMP-2 expression with major prognostic factors for uveal melanoma and the development of metastasis. The expression of CD147 and MMP-2 was analyzed in 49 samples of uveal melanomas. Triple immunofluorescence stainings using markers against glial cells (GFAP), endothelial cells (CD34) and macrophages (CD68) were performed to further analyse the exact localisation of CD147 and MMP-2 positivity. In 28 cases clinical metastatic disease were found. The remaining 21 cases showed no signs of metastatic disease for an average follow-up of 10 years. Correlation analysis (Pearson correlation) was performed to analyse the association of CD147 and MMP-2 expression with known prognostic factors, vasculogenic mimicry (VM), the mature vasculature (von Willebrand Factor) and tumor induced angiogenesis (by means of Endoglin expression). CD147 and MMP-2 were expressed in 47 (96.0 %) of the uveal melanomas. CD147 up-regulation was significantly correlated with a higher MMP-2 expression. The overall expression analysis revealed no significant difference in the metastatic (p = 0.777) and non-metastatic subgroup (p = 0.585). No correlation of CD147 expression and any system of blood supply was evident. In the non-metastatic sub-group a significant correlation of clustered CD147 positive cells with largest basal diameter (p = 0.039), height (p = 0.047) and TNM-stage (p = 0.013) was evident. These data may indicate that CD147 regulates MMP-2 expression in uveal melanoma cells.

Possible association between obesity and periodontitis in patients with Down syndrome.

PubMed

Culebras-Atienza, E; Silvestre, F-J; Silvestre-Rangil, J

2018-05-01

The present study was carried out to evaluate the possible association between obesity and periodontitis in patients with DS, and to explore which measure of obesity is most closely correlated to periodontitis. A prospective observational study was made to determine whether obesity is related to periodontal disease in patients with DS. The anthropometric variables were body height and weight, which were used to calculate BMI and stratify the patients into three categories: < 25(normal weight), 25-29.9 (overweight) and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 (obese). Waist circumference and hip circumference in turn was recorded as the greatest circumference at the level of the buttocks, while the waist/hip ratio (WHR) was calculated. Periodontal evaluation was made of all teeth recording the plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and the gingival index. We generated a multivariate linear regression model to examine the relationship between PD and the frequency of tooth brushing, gender, BMI, WHI, WHR, age and PI. Significant positive correlations were observed among the anthropometric parameters BMI, WHR, WHI and among the periodontal parameters PI, PD, CAL and GI. The only positive correlation between the anthropometric and periodontal parameters corresponded to WHR. Upon closer examination, the distribution of WHR was seen to differ according to gender. Among the women, the correlation between WHR and the periodontal variables decreased to nonsignificant levels. In contrast, among the males the correlation remained significant and even increased. In a multivariate linear regression model, the coefficients relating PD to PI, WHR and age were positive and significant in all cases. Our results suggest that there may indeed be an association between obesity and periodontitis in male patients with DS. Also, we found a clear correlation with WHR, which was considered to be the ideal adiposity indicator in this context.

Deanol and physostigmine in the treatment of L-dopa-induced dyskinesias.

PubMed

Lindeboom, S F; Lakke, J P

1978-08-01

Deanol and placebo were administered to 10 parkinsonian patients with levodopa-induced dyskinesias in a double-blind, crossover fashion. Deanol and placebo did not differ significantly in their effects on dyskinesias. The reported properties of deanol seem to be attributable to a placebo effect. There was no correlation with the results of the physostigmine test. Despite these disappointing results deanol remains intriguing, because in individual cases remarkable improvements on dyskinesias are reported.

Athermal Mechanisms of Size-Dependent Crystal Flow Gleaned from Three-Dimensional Discrete Dislocation Simulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Sevillano, et. al . directly developed a definition of the single-slip glide-resistance correlation length, 10//5.8 o  , from 2d simulations of single...dislocation percolation through point-obstacle fields [35, 36]. Subsequently, predictions for the size- dependence of * from Gil Sevillano, et. al ...Sevillano, et. al ., and microcrystal deformation experiments was perhaps fortuitous, significant merit remains within their treatment. The more general

Olfactory cleft computed tomography analysis and olfaction in chronic rhinosinusitis

PubMed Central

Kohli, Preeti; Schlosser, Rodney J.; Storck, Kristina

2016-01-01

Background: Volumetric analysis of the olfactory cleft by using computed tomography has been associated with olfaction in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, existing studies have not comprehensively measured olfaction, and it thus remains unknown whether correlations differ across specific dimensions of odor perception. Objective: To use comprehensive measures of patient-reported and objective olfaction to evaluate the relationship between volumetric olfactory cleft opacification and olfaction. Methods: Olfaction in patients with CRS was evaluated by using “Sniffin' Sticks” tests and a modified version of the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders. Olfactory cleft opacification was quantified by using two- and three-dimensional, computerized volumetric analysis. Correlations between olfactory metrics and olfactory cleft opacification were then calculated. Results: The overall CRS cohort included 26 patients without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP) (68.4%) and 12 patients with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) (31.6%). Across the entire cohort, total olfactory cleft opacification was 82.8%, with greater opacification in the CRSwNP subgroup compared with CRSsNP (92.3 versus 78.4%, p < 0.001). The percent total volume opacification correlated with the total Sniffin' Sticks score (r = −0.568, p < 0.001) as well as individual threshold, discrimination, and identification scores (p < 0.001 for all). Within the CRSwNP subgroup, threshold (r = −0.616, p = 0.033) and identification (r = −0.647, p = 0.023) remained highly correlated with total volume opacification. In patients with CRSsNP, the threshold correlated with total volume scores (r = −0.457, p = 0.019), with weaker and nonsignificant correlations for discrimination and identification. Correlations between total volume opacification and the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders were qualitatively similar to objective olfactory findings in both CRSwNP (r = −0.566, p = 0.070) and CRSsNP (r = −0.310, p = 0.141) subgroups, although neither reached significance. When examined by two-dimensional planes, the percent opacification of the anterior plane had the strongest correlations with objective olfaction. Conclusion: Olfactory cleft opacification correlated with objective measures of olfaction in patients with CRS, which correlated with threshold values in patients with CRSsNP and all dimensions of olfaction in those with CRSwNP. PMID:28124650

Beta Peak Frequencies at Rest Correlate with Endogenous GABA+/Cr Concentrations in Sensorimotor Cortex Areas

PubMed Central

Baumgarten, Thomas J.; Oeltzschner, Georg; Hoogenboom, Nienke; Wittsack, Hans-Jörg; Schnitzler, Alfons; Lange, Joachim

2016-01-01

Neuronal oscillatory activity in the beta band (15–30 Hz) is a prominent signal within the human sensorimotor cortex. Computational modeling and pharmacological modulation studies suggest an influence of GABAergic interneurons on the generation of beta band oscillations. Accordingly, studies in humans have demonstrated a correlation between GABA concentrations and power of beta band oscillations. It remains unclear, however, if GABA concentrations also influence beta peak frequencies and whether this influence is present in the sensorimotor cortex at rest and without pharmacological modulation. In the present study, we investigated the relation between endogenous GABA concentration (measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and beta oscillations (measured by magnetoencephalography) at rest in humans. GABA concentrations and beta band oscillations were measured for left and right sensorimotor and occipital cortex areas. A significant positive linear correlation between GABA concentration and beta peak frequency was found for the left sensorimotor cortex, whereas no significant correlations were found for the right sensorimotor and the occipital cortex. The results show a novel connection between endogenous GABA concentration and beta peak frequency at rest. This finding supports previous results that demonstrated a connection between oscillatory beta activity and pharmacologically modulated GABA concentration in the sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that for a predominantly right-handed sample, the correlation between beta band oscillations and endogenous GABA concentrations is evident only in the left sensorimotor cortex. PMID:27258089

The influence of attention deficits on functional recovery post stroke during the first 12 months after discharge from hospital.

PubMed

Hyndman, D; Pickering, R M; Ashburn, A

2008-06-01

Attention deficits have been linked to poor recovery after stroke and may predict outcome. We explored the influence of attention on functional recovery post stroke in the first 12 months after discharge from hospital. People with stroke completed measures of attention, balance, mobility and activities of daily living (ADL) ability at the point of discharge from hospital, and 6 and 12 months later. We used correlational analysis and stepwise linear regression to explore potential predictors of outcome. We recruited 122 men and women, mean age 70 years. At discharge, 56 (51%) had deficits of divided attention, 45 (37%) of sustained attention, 43 (36%) of auditory selective attention and 41 (37%) had visual selective attention deficits. Attention at discharge correlated with mobility, balance and ADL outcomes 12 months later. After controlling for the level of the outcome at discharge, correlations remained significant in only five of the 12 relationships. Stepwise linear regression revealed that the outcome measured at discharge, days until discharge and number of medications were better predictors of outcome: in no case was an attention variable at discharge selected as a predictor of outcome at 12 months. Although attention and function correlated significantly, this correlation was reduced after controlling for functional ability at discharge. Furthermore, side of lesion and the attention variables were not demonstrated as important predictors of outcome 12 months later.

On the insufficiency of arbitrarily precise covariance matrices: non-Gaussian weak-lensing likelihoods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sellentin, Elena; Heavens, Alan F.

2018-01-01

We investigate whether a Gaussian likelihood, as routinely assumed in the analysis of cosmological data, is supported by simulated survey data. We define test statistics, based on a novel method that first destroys Gaussian correlations in a data set, and then measures the non-Gaussian correlations that remain. This procedure flags pairs of data points that depend on each other in a non-Gaussian fashion, and thereby identifies where the assumption of a Gaussian likelihood breaks down. Using this diagnosis, we find that non-Gaussian correlations in the CFHTLenS cosmic shear correlation functions are significant. With a simple exclusion of the most contaminated data points, the posterior for s8 is shifted without broadening, but we find no significant reduction in the tension with s8 derived from Planck cosmic microwave background data. However, we also show that the one-point distributions of the correlation statistics are noticeably skewed, such that sound weak-lensing data sets are intrinsically likely to lead to a systematically low lensing amplitude being inferred. The detected non-Gaussianities get larger with increasing angular scale such that for future wide-angle surveys such as Euclid or LSST, with their very small statistical errors, the large-scale modes are expected to be increasingly affected. The shifts in posteriors may then not be negligible and we recommend that these diagnostic tests be run as part of future analyses.

Correlation between Lymphocyte CD4 Count, Treatment Duration, Opportunistic Infection and Cognitive Function in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) Patients.

PubMed

Fitri, Fasihah Irfani; Rambe, Aldy Safruddin; Fitri, Aida

2018-04-15

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is an epidemic worldwide, despite the marked benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in reducing severe HIV-associated dementia. A milder form of neurocognitive disorders are still prevalent and remain a challenge. This study aimed to determine the correlation between plasma cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) lymphocyte, duration of ARV treatment, opportunistic infections, and cognitive function in HIV-AIDS patients. A cross-sectional study involving 85 HIV-AIDS patients was conducted at Adam Malik General Hospital Medan, Indonesia. All subjects were subjected to physical, neurologic examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesian Version (MoCA-INA) to assess cognitive function and measurement of lymphocyte CD4 counts. Out of the 85 subjects evaluated, the proportion concerning sexes include 52 males (61.2 %) and 33 females (38.8%). The mean age was 38.53 ± 9.77 years old. There was a significant correlation between CD4 lymphocyte counts and MoCA-INA score (r = 0.271, p = 0.012), but there was no significant correlation between duration of ARV treatment and MoCA-INA score. There was also no difference in MoCA-INA score based on the presence of opportunistic infection. Lymphocyte CD4 count was independently correlated with cognitive function in HIV-AIDS patients.

White matter tract integrity and intelligence in patients with mental retardation and healthy adults.

PubMed

Yu, Chunshui; Li, Jun; Liu, Yong; Qin, Wen; Li, Yonghui; Shu, Ni; Jiang, Tianzi; Li, Kuncheng

2008-05-01

It is well known that brain structures correlate with intelligence but the association between the integrity of brain white matter tracts and intelligence in patients with mental retardation (MR) and healthy adults remains unknown. The aims of this study are to investigate whether the integrity of corpus callosum (CC), cingulum, uncinate fasciculus (UF), optic radiation (OR) and corticospinal tract (CST) are damaged in patients with MR, and to determine the correlations between the integrity of these tracts and full scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) in both patients and controls. Fifteen MR patients and 79 healthy controls underwent intelligence tests and diffusion tensor imaging examinations. According to the FSIQ, all healthy controls were divided into general intelligence (GI: FSIQ<120; n=42) and high intelligence (HI: FSIQ> or =120; n=37) groups. Intelligence was assessed by Chinese Revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and white matter tract integrity was assessed by fractional anisotropy (FA). MR patients showed significantly lower FA than healthy controls in the CC, UF, OR and CST. However, GI subjects only demonstrated lower FA than HI subjects in the right UF. Partial correlation analysis controlling for age and sex showed that FSIQ scores were significantly correlated with the FA of the bilateral UF, genu and truncus of CC, bilateral OR and left CST. While FSIQ scores were only significantly correlated with the FA of the right UF when further controlling for group. This study indicate that MR patients show extensive damage in the integrity of the brain white matter tracts, and the right UF is an important neural basis of human intelligence.

Increased red cell distribution width in Fanconi anemia: a novel marker of stress erythropoiesis.

PubMed

Sousa, Rosa; Gonçalves, Cristina; Guerra, Isabel Couto; Costa, Emília; Fernandes, Ana; do Bom Sucesso, Maria; Azevedo, Joana; Rodriguez, Alfredo; Rius, Rocio; Seabra, Carlos; Ferreira, Fátima; Ribeiro, Letícia; Ferrão, Anabela; Castedo, Sérgio; Cleto, Esmeralda; Coutinho, Jorge; Carvalho, Félix; Barbot, José; Porto, Beatriz

2016-07-25

Red cell distribution width (RDW), a classical parameter used in the differential diagnosis of anemia, has recently been recognized as a marker of chronic inflammation and high levels of oxidative stress (OS). Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genetic disorder associated to redox imbalance and dysfunctional response to OS. Clinically, it is characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, which remains the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. Macrocytosis and increased fetal hemoglobin, two indicators of bone marrow stress erythropoiesis, are generally the first hematological manifestations to appear in FA. However, the significance of RDW and its possible relation to stress erythropoiesis have never been explored in FA. In the present study we analyzed routine complete blood counts from 34 FA patients and evaluated RDW, correlating with the hematological parameters most consistently associated with the FA phenotype. We showed, for the first time, that RDW is significantly increased in FA. We also showed that increased RDW is correlated with thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and, most importantly, highly correlated with anemia. Analyzing sequential hemograms from 3 FA patients with different clinical outcomes, during 10 years follow-up, we confirmed a consistent association between increased RDW and decreased hemoglobin, which supports the postulated importance of RDW in the evaluation of hematological disease progression. This study shows, for the first time, that RDW is significantly increased in FA, and this increment is correlated with neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and highly correlated with anemia. According to the present results, it is suggested that increased RDW can be a novel marker of stress erythropoiesis in FA.

Bootstrapped Deattenuated Correlation: Nonnormal Distributions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Padilla, Miguel A.; Veprinsky, Anna

2014-01-01

Correlation attenuation due to measurement error and a corresponding correction, the deattenuated correlation, have been known for over a century. Nevertheless, the deattenuated correlation remains underutilized. A few studies in recent years have investigated factors affecting the deattenuated correlation, and a couple of them provide alternative…

The relationship between inhibitors of the Wnt signalling pathway (Dickkopf-1(DKK1) and sclerostin), bone mineral density, vascular calcification and arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women.

PubMed

Hampson, Geeta; Edwards, Sylvie; Conroy, Soraya; Blake, Glen M; Fogelman, Ignac; Frost, Michelle L

2013-09-01

Epidemiological studies have shown an association between bone loss/osteoporosis and vascular calcification (VC). Recent studies have implicated the Wnt signalling pathway in the pathogenesis of VC. We investigated the association between circulating concentrations of Wnt inhibitors; DKK1 and sclerostin with bone mineral density (BMD), abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and arterial stiffness in post-menopausal women. One hundred and forty six post-menopausal women aged (mean [SD]) 61.5[6.5] years were studied. Sclerostin and DKK1 were measured in serum. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), total hip (TH). AAC was detected by Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) imaging and quantified using an 8- and 24- point scoring methods. Arterial stiffness was determined by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). A significant positive correlation was observed between sclerostin and BMD at the FN (r = 0.166, p = 0.043) and TH (r = 0.165, p = 0.044). The association remained significant at the FN (p = 0.045) and TH (p = 0.026) following adjustment for confounders. No significant correlation was observed between DKK1 and BMD. In contrast, there was a significant negative correlation between log DKK1 and AAC (24-point score: r = -0.25, p = 0.008 and 8-point score: r = -0.21, p = 0.024). Subjects with AAC score of 1 or less had significantly higher DKK1 (p = 0.01). The association between DKK1 and AAC remained significant following correction for age, blood pressure, cholesterol (24-point score: p = 0.017, 8-point score: p = 0.044). In adjusted linear regression analysis, sclerostin was positively associated with AAC (24-point score: p = 0.048, 8-point score: p = 0.031). Subjects with a PWV>9 m/s had significantly higher sclerostin than those with PWV <9 m/s: 23.8[12.3], vs 29.7 [14] pmol/l, p = 0.03). No association was observed between DKK1 and PWV. The opposite association between AAC and the 2 Wnt signaling inhibitors is of interest and merits further investigations. Future longitudinal studies are needed to establish the precise role of sclerostin and DKK1 in the pathogenesis of VC. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Negative mood and mind wandering increase long-range temporal correlations in attention fluctuations.

PubMed

Irrmischer, Mona; van der Wal, C Natalie; Mansvelder, Huibert D; Linkenkaer-Hansen, Klaus

2018-01-01

There is growing evidence that the intermittent nature of mind wandering episodes and mood have a pronounced influence on trial-to-trial variability in performance. Nevertheless, the temporal dynamics and significance of such lapses in attention remains inadequately understood. Here, we hypothesize that the dynamics of fluctuations in sustained attention between external and internal sources of information obey so-called critical-state dynamics, characterized by trial-to-trial dependencies with long-range temporal correlations. To test this, we performed behavioral investigations measuring reaction times in a visual sustained attention task and cued introspection in probe-caught reports of mind wandering. We show that trial-to-trial variability in reaction times exhibit long-range temporal correlations in agreement with the criticality hypothesis. Interestingly, we observed the fastest responses in subjects with the weakest long-range temporal correlations and show the vital effect of mind wandering and bad mood on this response variability. The implications of these results stress the importance of future research to increase focus on behavioral variability.

Gut microbial metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids correlate with specific fecal bacteria and serum markers of metabolic syndrome in obese women.

PubMed

Druart, Céline; Dewulf, Evelyne M; Cani, Patrice D; Neyrinck, Audrey M; Thissen, Jean-Paul; Delzenne, Nathalie M

2014-04-01

The aim of this human study was to assess the influence of prebiotic-induced gut microbiota modulation on PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites production. Therefore, we analyzed the circulating fatty acid profile including CLA/CLnA in obese women treated during 3 months with inulin-type fructan prebiotics. In these patients, we had already determined gut microbiota composition by phylogenetic microarray and qPCR analysis of 16S rDNA. Some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were detected in the serum of obese patients. Despite the prebiotic-induced modulation of gut microbiota, including changes in CLA/CLnA-producing bacteria, the treatment did not impact significantly on the circulating level of these metabolites. However, some PUFA-derived bacterial metabolites were positively correlated with specific fecal bacteria (Bifidobacterium spp., Eubacterium ventriosum and Lactobacillus spp.) and inversely correlated with serum cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL). These correlations suggest a potential beneficial effect of some of these metabolites but this remains to be confirmed by further investigation.

Cognitive correlates of pragmatic language comprehension in adult traumatic brain injury: A systematic review and meta-analyses.

PubMed

Rowley, Dane A; Rogish, Miles; Alexander, Timothy; Riggs, Kevin J

2017-01-01

Effective pragmatic comprehension of language is critical for successful communication and interaction, but this ability is routinely impaired following Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (1,2). Individual studies have investigated the cognitive domains associated with impaired pragmatic comprehension, but there remains little understanding of the relative importance of these domains in contributing to pragmatic comprehension impairment following TBI. This paper presents a systematic meta-analytic review of the observed correlations between pragmatic comprehension and cognitive processes following TBI. Five meta-analyses were computed, which quantified the relationship between pragmatic comprehension and five key cognitive constructs (declarative memory; working memory; attention; executive functions; social cognition). Significant moderate-to-strong correlations were found between all cognitive measures and pragmatic comprehension, where declarative memory was the strongest correlate. Thus, our findings indicate that pragmatic comprehension in TBI is associated with an array of domain general cognitive processes, and as such deficits in these cognitive domains may underlie pragmatic comprehension difficulties following TBI. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Negative mood and mind wandering increase long-range temporal correlations in attention fluctuations

PubMed Central

van der Wal, C. Natalie; Mansvelder, Huibert D.; Linkenkaer-Hansen, Klaus

2018-01-01

There is growing evidence that the intermittent nature of mind wandering episodes and mood have a pronounced influence on trial-to-trial variability in performance. Nevertheless, the temporal dynamics and significance of such lapses in attention remains inadequately understood. Here, we hypothesize that the dynamics of fluctuations in sustained attention between external and internal sources of information obey so-called critical-state dynamics, characterized by trial-to-trial dependencies with long-range temporal correlations. To test this, we performed behavioral investigations measuring reaction times in a visual sustained attention task and cued introspection in probe-caught reports of mind wandering. We show that trial-to-trial variability in reaction times exhibit long-range temporal correlations in agreement with the criticality hypothesis. Interestingly, we observed the fastest responses in subjects with the weakest long-range temporal correlations and show the vital effect of mind wandering and bad mood on this response variability. The implications of these results stress the importance of future research to increase focus on behavioral variability. PMID:29746529

Antibiotic resistance genes and intI1 prevalence in a swine wastewater treatment plant and correlation with metal resistance, bacterial community and wastewater parameters.

PubMed

Yuan, Qing-Bin; Zhai, Yi-Fan; Mao, Bu-Yun; Hu, Nan

2018-06-07

The livestock wastewater treatment plant represents an important reservoir of antibiotic resistance determinants in the environment. The study explored the prevalence of five antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs, including sulI, tetA, qnrD, mphB and mcr-1) and class 1 integron (intI1) in a typical livestock wastewater treatment plant, and analyzed their integrated association with two metal resistance genes (copA and czcA), two pathogens genes (Staphylococcus and Campylobacter), bacterial community and wastewater properties. Results indicated that all investigated genes were detected in the plant. The treatment plant could not completely remove ARGs abundances, with up to 2.2 × 10 4 ~3.7 × 10 8 copies/L of them remaining in the effluent. Mcr-1 was further enriched by 27-fold in the subsequent pond. The correlation analysis showed that mphB significantly correlateed with tetA and intI. Mcr-1 strongly correlated with copA. MphB and intI significantly correlated with czcA. The correlations implied a potential co-selection risk of bacterial resistant to antibiotics and metals. Redundancy analyses indicated that qnrD and mcr-1 strongly correlated with 13 and 14 bacterial genera, respectively. Most ARGs positively correlated to wastewater nutrients, indicating that an efficient reduction of wastewater nutrients would contribute to the antibiotic resistance control. The study will provide useful implications on fates and reductions of ARGs in livestock facilities and receiving environments. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

EEG low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) in Huntington's disease.

PubMed

Painold, Annamaria; Anderer, Peter; Holl, Anna K; Letmaier, Martin; Saletu-Zyhlarz, Gerda M; Saletu, Bernd; Bonelli, Raphael M

2011-05-01

Previous studies have shown abnormal electroencephalography (EEG) in Huntington's disease (HD). The aim of the present investigation was to compare quantitatively analyzed EEGs of HD patients and controls by means of low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Further aims were to delineate the sensitivity and utility of EEG LORETA in the progression of HD, and to correlate parameters of cognitive and motor impairment with neurophysiological variables. In 55 HD patients and 55 controls a 3-min vigilance-controlled EEG (V-EEG) was recorded during midmorning hours. Power spectra and intracortical tomography were computed by LORETA in seven frequency bands and compared between groups. Spearman rank correlations were based on V-EEG and psychometric data. Statistical overall analysis by means of the omnibus significance test demonstrated significant (p < 0.01) differences between HD patients and controls. LORETA theta, alpha and beta power were decreased from early to late stages of the disease. Only advanced disease stages showed a significant increase in delta power, mainly in the right orbitofrontal cortex. Correlation analyses revealed that a decrease of alpha and theta power correlated significantly with increasing cognitive and motor decline. LORETA proved to be a sensitive instrument for detecting progressive electrophysiological changes in HD. Reduced alpha power seems to be a trait marker of HD, whereas increased prefrontal delta power seems to reflect worsening of the disease. Motor function and cognitive function deteriorate together with a decrease in alpha and theta power. This data set, so far the largest in HD research, helps to elucidate remaining uncertainties about electrophysiological abnormalities in HD.

Comorbid Diabetes and Depression among Older Adults - Prevalence, Correlates, Disability and Healthcare Utilisation.

PubMed

Subramaniam, Mythily; Abdin, Edimansyah; Vaingankar, Janhavi A; Picco, Louisa; Seow, Esmond; Chua, Boon Yiang; Ng, Li Ling; Mahendran, Rathi; Chua, Hong Choon; Heng, Derrick Mk; Chong, Siow Ann

2017-03-01

The objectives of this current study were to: 1) examine the prevalence and correlates of diabetes mellitus (DM) among older adults (aged 60 years and above) in a multi-ethnic population; 2) examine the prevalence and correlates of comorbid DM and depression among them; and 3) assess the effect of comorbid depression on disability, cognition and healthcare utilisation. Data for the current study came from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study; a single phase, cross-sectional survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above. A total of 2565 respondents completed the survey; depression was assessed using the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT) while a diagnosis of DM was considered if respondents stated that a doctor had diagnosed them with DM. DM was reported by 25.5% of the population. The prevalence of depression was significantly higher in those diagnosed with DM than those without DM (6% vs 3%). After adjusting for sociodemographic correlates, smoking and other chronic conditions, DM remained significantly associated with depression and subsyndromal depression. However, after including measures of functioning and cognitive impairment as covariates, DM was not significantly related to depression and subsyndromal depression. Those with comorbid DM and depression were more likely to be of Indian and Malay ethnicity, aged 75 to 84 years (versus 60 to 74 years) and widowed. Given the significant association of certain sociodemographic groups with comorbid depression among those with DM, targeted interventions for prevention and early diagnosis in these groups should be considered.

MET gene copy number gain is an independent poor prognostic marker in Korean stage I lung adenocarcinomas.

PubMed

Jin, Yan; Sun, Ping-Li; Kim, Hyojin; Seo, An Na; Jheon, Sanghoon; Lee, Choon-Taek; Chung, Jin-Haeng

2014-02-01

MET gene copy number gain (CNG) and protein overexpression have been reported in lung cancer, but the clinical implications in early stage adenocarcinoma remain unclear. We investigated MET gene copy number and protein expression in 141 cases of surgically resected stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma. MET gene CNG was determined by silver in situ hybridization, and MET protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The correlation between MET gene CNG/protein expression and clinicopathologic parameters and prognostic significance was analyzed. MET gene CNG was found in 24.1% (34 of 141) of the cases and was associated with larger tumor size, pleural invasion, and lymphatic vessel invasion. MET gene CNG was inversely correlated with the presence of lepidic subtype (r = -0.17, p = 0.045) and was not associated with EGFR, KRAS mutation, or ALK gene rearrangement. In addition, MET gene CNG was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (49 vs. 75 months; p < 0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (65 vs. 78 months; p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis confirmed that MET gene CNG was significantly associated with poorer DFS [p < 0.001; hazard ratio (HR) 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-13.9] but was not significantly associated with OS. MET overexpression was observed in 71.3% of cases (97 of 136), but it was not correlated with gene CNG. MET gene CNG is an independent poor prognostic factor in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma. It is associated with aggressive pathologic features and is inversely correlated with the presence of lepidic subtype.

Updating signal typing in voice: addition of type 4 signals.

PubMed

Sprecher, Alicia; Olszewski, Aleksandra; Jiang, Jack J; Zhang, Yu

2010-06-01

The addition of a fourth type of voice to Titze's voice classification scheme is proposed. This fourth voice type is characterized by primarily stochastic noise behavior and is therefore unsuitable for both perturbation and correlation dimension analysis. Forty voice samples were classified into the proposed four types using narrowband spectrograms. Acoustic, perceptual, and correlation dimension analyses were completed for all voice samples. Perturbation measures tended to increase with voice type. Based on reliability cutoffs, the type 1 and type 2 voices were considered suitable for perturbation analysis. Measures of unreliability were higher for type 3 and 4 voices. Correlation dimension analyses increased significantly with signal type as indicated by a one-way analysis of variance. Notably, correlation dimension analysis could not quantify the type 4 voices. The proposed fourth voice type represents a subset of voices dominated by noise behavior. Current measures capable of evaluating type 4 voices provide only qualitative data (spectrograms, perceptual analysis, and an infinite correlation dimension). Type 4 voices are highly complex and the development of objective measures capable of analyzing these voices remains a topic of future investigation.

Evidence for magnetic Weyl fermions in a correlated metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuroda, K.; Tomita, T.; Suzuki, M.-T.; Bareille, C.; Nugroho, A. A.; Goswami, P.; Ochi, M.; Ikhlas, M.; Nakayama, M.; Akebi, S.; Noguchi, R.; Ishii, R.; Inami, N.; Ono, K.; Kumigashira, H.; Varykhalov, A.; Muro, T.; Koretsune, T.; Arita, R.; Shin, S.; Kondo, Takeshi; Nakatsuji, S.

2017-11-01

Weyl fermions have been observed as three-dimensional, gapless topological excitations in weakly correlated, inversion-symmetry-breaking semimetals. However, their realization in spontaneously time-reversal-symmetry-breaking phases of strongly correlated materials has so far remained hypothetical. Here, we report experimental evidence for magnetic Weyl fermions in Mn3Sn, a non-collinear antiferromagnet that exhibits a large anomalous Hall effect, even at room temperature. Detailed comparison between angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals significant bandwidth renormalization and damping effects due to the strong correlation among Mn 3d electrons. Magnetotransport measurements provide strong evidence for the chiral anomaly of Weyl fermions--namely, the emergence of positive magnetoconductance only in the presence of parallel electric and magnetic fields. Since weak magnetic fields (approximately 10 mT) are adequate to control the distribution of Weyl points and the large fictitious fields (equivalent to approximately a few hundred T) produced by them in momentum space, our discovery lays the foundation for a new field of science and technology involving the magnetic Weyl excitations of strongly correlated electron systems such as Mn3Sn.

Robust Correlation Analyses: False Positive and Power Validation Using a New Open Source Matlab Toolbox

PubMed Central

Pernet, Cyril R.; Wilcox, Rand; Rousselet, Guillaume A.

2012-01-01

Pearson’s correlation measures the strength of the association between two variables. The technique is, however, restricted to linear associations and is overly sensitive to outliers. Indeed, a single outlier can result in a highly inaccurate summary of the data. Yet, it remains the most commonly used measure of association in psychology research. Here we describe a free Matlab(R) based toolbox (http://sourceforge.net/projects/robustcorrtool/) that computes robust measures of association between two or more random variables: the percentage-bend correlation and skipped-correlations. After illustrating how to use the toolbox, we show that robust methods, where outliers are down weighted or removed and accounted for in significance testing, provide better estimates of the true association with accurate false positive control and without loss of power. The different correlation methods were tested with normal data and normal data contaminated with marginal or bivariate outliers. We report estimates of effect size, false positive rate and power, and advise on which technique to use depending on the data at hand. PMID:23335907

Robust correlation analyses: false positive and power validation using a new open source matlab toolbox.

PubMed

Pernet, Cyril R; Wilcox, Rand; Rousselet, Guillaume A

2012-01-01

Pearson's correlation measures the strength of the association between two variables. The technique is, however, restricted to linear associations and is overly sensitive to outliers. Indeed, a single outlier can result in a highly inaccurate summary of the data. Yet, it remains the most commonly used measure of association in psychology research. Here we describe a free Matlab((R)) based toolbox (http://sourceforge.net/projects/robustcorrtool/) that computes robust measures of association between two or more random variables: the percentage-bend correlation and skipped-correlations. After illustrating how to use the toolbox, we show that robust methods, where outliers are down weighted or removed and accounted for in significance testing, provide better estimates of the true association with accurate false positive control and without loss of power. The different correlation methods were tested with normal data and normal data contaminated with marginal or bivariate outliers. We report estimates of effect size, false positive rate and power, and advise on which technique to use depending on the data at hand.

Assessing the performance of a motion tracking system based on optical joint transform correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elbouz, M.; Alfalou, A.; Brosseau, C.; Ben Haj Yahia, N.; Alam, M. S.

2015-08-01

We present an optimized system specially designed for the tracking and recognition of moving subjects in a confined environment (such as an elderly remaining at home). In the first step of our study, we use a VanderLugt correlator (VLC) with an adapted pre-processing treatment of the input plane and a postprocessing of the correlation plane via a nonlinear function allowing us to make a robust decision. The second step is based on an optical joint transform correlation (JTC)-based system (NZ-NL-correlation JTC) for achieving improved detection and tracking of moving persons in a confined space. The proposed system has been found to have significantly superior discrimination and robustness capabilities allowing to detect an unknown target in an input scene and to determine the target's trajectory when this target is in motion. This system offers robust tracking performance of a moving target in several scenarios, such as rotational variation of input faces. Test results obtained using various real life video sequences show that the proposed system is particularly suitable for real-time detection and tracking of moving objects.

Integrative analysis of multi-omics data reveals distinct impacts of DDB1-CUL4 associated factors in human lung adenocarcinomas.

PubMed

Yan, Hong; Bi, Lei; Wang, Yunshan; Zhang, Xia; Hou, Zhibo; Wang, Qian; Snijders, Antoine M; Mao, Jian-Hua

2017-03-23

Many DDB1-CUL4 associated factors (DCAFs) have been identified and serve as substrate receptors. Although the oncogenic role of CUL4A has been well established, specific DCAFs involved in cancer development remain largely unknown. Here we infer the potential impact of 19 well-defined DCAFs in human lung adenocarcinomas (LuADCs) using integrative omics analyses, and discover that mRNA levels of DTL, DCAF4, 12 and 13 are consistently elevated whereas VBRBP is reduced in LuADCs compared to normal lung tissues. The transcriptional levels of DCAFs are significantly correlated with their gene copy number variations. SKIP2, DTL, DCAF6, 7, 8, 13 and 17 are frequently gained whereas VPRBP, PHIP, DCAF10, 12 and 15 are frequently lost. We find that only transcriptional level of DTL is robustly, significantly and negatively correlated with overall survival across independent datasets. Moreover, DTL-correlated genes are enriched in cell cycle and DNA repair pathways. We also identified that the levels of 25 proteins were significantly associated with DTL overexpression in LuADCs, which include significant decreases in protein level of the tumor supressor genes such as PDCD4, NKX2-1 and PRKAA1. Our results suggest that different CUL4-DCAF axis plays the distinct roles in LuADC development with possible relevance for therapeutic target development.

White matter properties differ in 6-year old Readers and Pre-Readers

PubMed Central

Kovachy, Vanessa N; Ben-Shachar, Michal; Feldman, Heidi M

2016-01-01

Reading, an essential life skill in modern society, is typically learned during childhood. Adults who can read show white matter differences compared to adults who never learned to read. Studies have not established whether children who can read show similar white matter differences compared to children who cannot read. We compared 6-year old children who could decode written English words and pseudowords (n=31; Readers) and 6-year old children who could not decode pseudowords and had a standard score < 100 on a task for reading single words (n=11; Pre-Readers). We employed diffusion MRI and tractography to extract fractional anisotropy (FA) along the trajectory of 6 bilateral intra-hemispheric tracts and 2 posterior subdivisions of the corpus callosum. Readers demonstrated significantly increased FA within the left anterior segment of the superior longitudinal fasciculus (aSLF-L) and the right uncinate fasciculus (UF-R) compared to Pre-Readers. FA in the aSLF-L was significantly correlated with phonological awareness; FA in the UF-R was significantly correlated with language. Correlations in the UF-R but not the aSLF-L remained significant after controlling for reading ability, revealing that UF-R group differences were related to both children's language and reading abilities. Taken together, these findings demonstrate new evidence showing that individual differences in white matter structure relate to whether children have begun to read. PMID:27631434

Personality traits and coping styles explain anxiety in lung cancer patients to a greater extent than other factors.

PubMed

Shimizu, Ken; Nakaya, Naoki; Saito-Nakaya, Kumi; Akechi, Tatsuo; Ogawa, Asao; Fujisawa, Daisuke; Sone, Toshimasa; Yoshiuchi, Kazuhiro; Goto, Koichi; Iwasaki, Motoki; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Uchitomi, Yosuke

2015-05-01

Although various factors thought to be correlated with anxiety in cancer patients, relative importance of each factors were unknown. We tested our hypothesis that personality traits and coping styles explain anxiety in lung cancer patients to a greater extent than other factors. A total of 1334 consecutively recruited lung cancer patients were selected, and data on cancer-related variables, demographic characteristics, health behaviors, physical symptoms and psychological factors consisting of personality traits and coping styles were obtained. The participants were divided into groups with or without a significant anxiety using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety, and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors correlated with significant anxiety using a multivariate model. Among the recruited patients, 440 (33.0%) had significant anxiety. The binary logistic regression analysis revealed a coefficient of determination (overall R(2)) of 39.0%, and the explanation for psychological factors was much higher (30.7%) than those for cancer-related variables (1.1%), demographic characteristics (2.1%), health behaviors (0.8%) and physical symptoms (4.3%). Four specific factors remained significant in a multivariate model. A neurotic personality trait, a coping style of helplessness/hopelessness, and a female sex were positively correlated with significant anxiety, while a coping style of fatalism was negatively correlated. Our hypothesis was supported, and anxiety was strongly linked with personality trait and coping style. As a clinical implication, the use of screening instruments to identify these factors and intervention for psychological crisis may be needed. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortical atrophy predicting slowed cognitive processing in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Batista, Sonia; Zivadinov, Robert; Hoogs, Marietta; Bergsland, Niels; Heininen-Brown, Mari; Dwyer, Michael G; Weinstock-Guttman, Bianca; Benedict, Ralph H B

2012-01-01

Information-processing speed (IPS) slowing is a primary cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis (MS). Basal ganglia, thalamus and neocortex are thought to have a key role for efficient information-processing, yet the specific relative contribution of these structures for MS-related IPS impairment is poorly understood. To determine if basal ganglia and thalamus atrophy independently contribute to visual and auditory IPS impairment in MS, after controlling for the influence of neocortical volume, we enrolled 86 consecutive MS patients and 25 normal controls undergoing 3T brain MRI and neuropsychological testing. Using Sienax and FIRST software, neocortical and deep gray matter (DGM) volumes were calculated. Neuropsychological testing contributed measures of auditory and visual IPS using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), respectively. MS patients exhibited significantly slower IPS relative to controls and showed reduction in neocortex, caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, thalamus and nucleus accumbens volume. SDMT and PASAT were significantly correlated with all DGM regions. These effects were mitigated by controlling for the effects of neocortical volume, but all DGM volumes remained significantly correlated with SDMT, putamen (r = 0.409, p < 0.001) and thalamus (r = 0.362, p < 0.001) having the strongest effects, whereas for PASAT, the correlation was significant for putamen (r = 0.313, p < 0.01) but not for thalamus. We confirm the significant role of thalamus atrophy in MS-related IPS slowing and find that putamen atrophy is also a significant contributor to this disorder. These DGM structures have independent, significant roles, after controlling for the influence of neocortex atrophy.

Future Tense and Economic Decisions: Controlling for Cultural Evolution

PubMed Central

Roberts, Seán G.; Winters, James; Chen, Keith

2015-01-01

A previous study by Chen demonstrates a correlation between languages that grammatically mark future events and their speakers' propensity to save, even after controlling for numerous economic and demographic factors. The implication is that languages which grammatically distinguish the present and the future may bias their speakers to distinguish them psychologically, leading to less future-oriented decision making. However, Chen's original analysis assumed languages are independent. This neglects the fact that languages are related, causing correlations to appear stronger than is warranted (Galton's problem). In this paper, we test the robustness of Chen's correlations to corrections for the geographic and historical relatedness of languages. While the question seems simple, the answer is complex. In general, the statistical correlation between the two variables is weaker when controlling for relatedness. When applying the strictest tests for relatedness, and when data is not aggregated across individuals, the correlation is not significant. However, the correlation did remain reasonably robust under a number of tests. We argue that any claims of synchronic patterns between cultural variables should be tested for spurious correlations, with the kinds of approaches used in this paper. However, experiments or case-studies would be more fruitful avenues for future research on this specific topic, rather than further large-scale cross-cultural correlational studies. PMID:26186527

Future Tense and Economic Decisions: Controlling for Cultural Evolution.

PubMed

Roberts, Seán G; Winters, James; Chen, Keith

2015-01-01

A previous study by Chen demonstrates a correlation between languages that grammatically mark future events and their speakers' propensity to save, even after controlling for numerous economic and demographic factors. The implication is that languages which grammatically distinguish the present and the future may bias their speakers to distinguish them psychologically, leading to less future-oriented decision making. However, Chen's original analysis assumed languages are independent. This neglects the fact that languages are related, causing correlations to appear stronger than is warranted (Galton's problem). In this paper, we test the robustness of Chen's correlations to corrections for the geographic and historical relatedness of languages. While the question seems simple, the answer is complex. In general, the statistical correlation between the two variables is weaker when controlling for relatedness. When applying the strictest tests for relatedness, and when data is not aggregated across individuals, the correlation is not significant. However, the correlation did remain reasonably robust under a number of tests. We argue that any claims of synchronic patterns between cultural variables should be tested for spurious correlations, with the kinds of approaches used in this paper. However, experiments or case-studies would be more fruitful avenues for future research on this specific topic, rather than further large-scale cross-cultural correlational studies.

Proteomic Analysis of Saliva in HIV-positive Heroin Addicts Reveals Proteins Correlated with Cognition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dominy, Stephen; Brown, Joseph N.; Ryder, Mark I.

The prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains high despite effective antiretroviral therapies. Multiple etiologies have been proposed over the last few years to account for this phenomenon, including the neurotoxic effects of antiretrovirals and co-morbid substance abuse. However, no underlying molecular mechanism has been identified. Emerging evidence in several fields has linked the gut to brain diseases, but the effect of the gut on the brain during HIV infection has not been explored. Saliva is the most accessible gut biofluid, and is therefore of great scientific interest for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This study presents a longitudinal, liquid chromatography-massmore » spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics study investigating saliva samples taken from 8 HIV-positive (HIV+) and 11 -negative (HIV-) heroin addicts. In the HIV+ group, 58 proteins were identified that show significant correlations with cognitive scores and that implicate disruption of protein quality control pathways by HIV. Notably, no proteins from the HIV- heroin addict cohort showed significant correlations with cognitive scores. In addition, the majority of correlated proteins have been shown to be associated with exosomes, allowing us to propose that the salivary glands and/or oral epithelium may modulate brain function during HIV infection through the release of discrete packets of proteins in the form of exosomes.« less

Reduced power spectra of heart rate variability are correlated with anxiety in patients with mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Liao, Kuo-Hsing; Sung, Chih-Wei; Chu, Shu-Fen; Chiu, Wen-Ta; Chiang, Yung-Hsiao; Hoffer, Barry; Ou, Ju-Chi; Chen, Kai-Yun; Tsai, Shin-Han; Lin, Chien-Min; Chen, Gunng-Shinng; Li, Wei-Jiun; Wang, Jia-Yi

2016-09-30

Anxiety is one of the most frequently diagnosed emotional disorders after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI); however, predictors of anxiety after an mTBI remain uncertain. Recent research indicated that anxiety is associated with abnormalities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which can be evaluated by a power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). In this study, we investigated whether a frequency-domain analysis of HRV could correlate with the occurrence of anxiety in mTBI patients. We recruited 165 Taiwanese patients diagnosed with an mTBI and 82 volunteer healthy controls from three affiliated hospitals of Taipei Medical University during 2010-2014. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was assessed at the 1st, 6th, and 12th weeks. We found that mTBI patients were more vulnerable to anxiety compared to healthy controls. The power spectral density of HRV was significantly lower in mTBI patients than in healthy controls. A correlation analysis indicated that anxiety was negatively significantly correlated with low- and high-frequency power at the 6th week. Our study suggests the clinical usefulness of HRV as a potential noninvasive tool for evaluating later anxiety in mTBI patients. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlation between Serum Calcineurin Activity and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients and Its Clinical Significance.

PubMed

Cao, Jia-Li; Yang, Yu-Qing; Nabeel, Dookhun Muhammad; Sun, Ya-Li; Zou, Hua-Yi-Yang; Kong, Xiang-Qing; Lu, Xin-Zheng

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between calcineurin (CaN) and hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH) and to evaluate its potential clinical significance. The study involved 160 patients diagnosed with hypertension and 42 controls. Based on the exclusion criteria, 42 were not eligible for this study. The remaining 118 hypertensive patients were categorized into 2 subgroups based on left ventricular mass index and relative ventricular wall thickness: a normal model subgroup with hypertension (HNM) and an HLVH subgroup. Serum CaN levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while serum CaN activity was determined by malachite green colorimetric assay. Among the HNM and HLVH subgroups, a positive correlation was demonstrated between serum CaN activity, but not serum CaN level, and HLVH. Moreover, the HLVH subgroup displayed a remarkable increase in the levels of brain natriuretic peptide, cystatin C, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, and left atrium diameter compared to the HNM subgroup and controls. There was a positive correlation between serum CaN activity and LVH in hypertensive patients. Activated CaN could play an important role in the pathophysiologic mechanism of HLVH. Serum CaN activity could be a clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for LVH. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Integrating Gene Expression with Summary Association Statistics to Identify Genes Associated with 30 Complex Traits.

PubMed

Mancuso, Nicholas; Shi, Huwenbo; Goddard, Pagé; Kichaev, Gleb; Gusev, Alexander; Pasaniuc, Bogdan

2017-03-02

Although genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified thousands of risk loci for many complex traits and diseases, the causal variants and genes at these loci remain largely unknown. Here, we introduce a method for estimating the local genetic correlation between gene expression and a complex trait and utilize it to estimate the genetic correlation due to predicted expression between pairs of traits. We integrated gene expression measurements from 45 expression panels with summary GWAS data to perform 30 multi-tissue transcriptome-wide association studies (TWASs). We identified 1,196 genes whose expression is associated with these traits; of these, 168 reside more than 0.5 Mb away from any previously reported GWAS significant variant. We then used our approach to find 43 pairs of traits with significant genetic correlation at the level of predicted expression; of these, eight were not found through genetic correlation at the SNP level. Finally, we used bi-directional regression to find evidence that BMI causally influences triglyceride levels and that triglyceride levels causally influence low-density lipoprotein. Together, our results provide insight into the role of gene expression in the susceptibility of complex traits and diseases. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Neural correlates of appetitive extinction in humans

PubMed Central

Tapia León, Isabell; Stark, Rudolf; Klucken, Tim

2017-01-01

Abstract Appetitive extinction receives attention as an important model for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, in humans, its underlying neural correlates remain unknown. To close this gap, we investigated appetitive acquisition and extinction with fMRI in a 2-day monetary incentive delay paradigm. During appetitive conditioning, one stimulus (CS+) was paired with monetary reward, while another stimulus (CS−) was never rewarded. Twenty-four hours later, subjects underwent extinction, in which neither CS was reinforced. Appetitive conditioning elicited stronger skin conductance responses to the CS+ as compared with the CS−. Regarding subjective ratings, the CS+ was rated more pleasant and arousing than the CS− after conditioning. Furthermore, fMRI-results (CS+ − CS−) showed activation of the reward circuitry including amygdala, midbrain and striatal areas. During extinction, conditioned responses were successfully extinguished. In the early phase of extinction, we found a significant activation of the caudate, the hippocampus, the dorsal and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (dACC and vACC). In the late phase, we found significant activation of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the amygdala. Correlational analyses with subjective ratings linked extinction success to the vACC and the NAcc, while associating the dACC with reduced extinction. The results reveal neural correlates of appetitive extinction in humans and extend assumptions from models for human extinction learning. PMID:27803289

Cross-correlation of instantaneous phase increments in pressure-flow fluctuations: Applications to cerebral autoregulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhi; Hu, Kun; Stanley, H. Eugene; Novak, Vera; Ivanov, Plamen Ch.

2006-03-01

We investigate the relationship between the blood flow velocities (BFV) in the middle cerebral arteries and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) recorded from a finger in healthy and post-stroke subjects during the quasisteady state after perturbation for four different physiologic conditions: supine rest, head-up tilt, hyperventilation, and CO2 rebreathing in upright position. To evaluate whether instantaneous BP changes in the steady state are coupled with instantaneous changes in the BFV, we compare dynamical patterns in the instantaneous phases of these signals, obtained from the Hilbert transform, as a function of time. We find that in post-stroke subjects the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV exhibit well-pronounced patterns that remain stable in time for all four physiologic conditions, while in healthy subjects these patterns are different, less pronounced, and more variable. We propose an approach based on the cross-correlation of the instantaneous phase increments to quantify the coupling between BP and BFV signals. We find that the maximum correlation strength is different for the two groups and for the different conditions. For healthy subjects the amplitude of the cross-correlation between the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV is small and attenuates within 3-5 heartbeats. In contrast, for post-stroke subjects, this amplitude is significantly larger and cross-correlations persist up to 20 heartbeats. Further, we show that the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV are cross-correlated even within a single heartbeat cycle. We compare the results of our approach with three complementary methods: direct BP-BFV cross-correlation, transfer function analysis, and phase synchronization analysis. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of cerebral vascular control in healthy subjects, suggesting that this control mechanism may involve rapid adjustments (within a heartbeat) of the cerebral vessels, so that BFV remains steady in response to changes in peripheral BP.

Cross-correlation of instantaneous phase increments in pressure-flow fluctuations: applications to cerebral autoregulation.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi; Hu, Kun; Stanley, H Eugene; Novak, Vera; Ivanov, Plamen Ch

2006-03-01

We investigate the relationship between the blood flow velocities (BFV) in the middle cerebral arteries and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) recorded from a finger in healthy and post-stroke subjects during the quasisteady state after perturbation for four different physiologic conditions: supine rest, head-up tilt, hyperventilation, and CO2 rebreathing in upright position. To evaluate whether instantaneous BP changes in the steady state are coupled with instantaneous changes in the BFV, we compare dynamical patterns in the instantaneous phases of these signals, obtained from the Hilbert transform, as a function of time. We find that in post-stroke subjects the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV exhibit well-pronounced patterns that remain stable in time for all four physiologic conditions, while in healthy subjects these patterns are different, less pronounced, and more variable. We propose an approach based on the cross-correlation of the instantaneous phase increments to quantify the coupling between BP and BFV signals. We find that the maximum correlation strength is different for the two groups and for the different conditions. For healthy subjects the amplitude of the cross-correlation between the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV is small and attenuates within 3-5 heartbeats. In contrast, for post-stroke subjects, this amplitude is significantly larger and cross-correlations persist up to 20 heartbeats. Further, we show that the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV are cross-correlated even within a single heartbeat cycle. We compare the results of our approach with three complementary methods: direct BP-BFV cross-correlation, transfer function analysis, and phase synchronization analysis. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of cerebral vascular control in healthy subjects, suggesting that this control mechanism may involve rapid adjustments (within a heartbeat) of the cerebral vessels, so that BFV remains steady in response to changes in peripheral BP.

The episodic engram transformed: Time reduces retrieval-related brain activity but correlates it with memory accuracy.

PubMed

Furman, Orit; Mendelsohn, Avi; Dudai, Yadin

2012-11-15

We took snapshots of human brain activity with fMRI during retrieval of realistic episodic memory over several months. Three groups of participants were scanned during a memory test either hours, weeks, or months after viewing a documentary movie. High recognition accuracy after hours decreased after weeks and remained at similar levels after months. In contrast, BOLD activity in a retrieval-related set of brain areas during correctly remembered events was similar after hours and weeks but significantly declined after months. Despite this reduction, BOLD activity in retrieval-related regions was positively correlated with recognition accuracy only after months. Hippocampal engagement during retrieval remained similar over time during recall but decreased in recognition. Our results are in line with the hypothesis that hippocampus subserves retrieval of real-life episodic memory long after encoding, its engagement being dependent on retrieval demands. Furthermore, our findings suggest that over time episodic engrams are transformed into a parsimonious form capable of supporting accurate retrieval of the crux of events, arguably a critical goal of memory, with only minimal network activation.

Growth hormone secretion in Turner's syndrome and influence of oxandrolone and ethinyl oestradiol.

PubMed

Massarano, A A; Brook, C G; Hindmarsh, P C; Pringle, P J; Teale, J D; Stanhope, R; Preece, M A

1989-04-01

We investigated 24 hour growth hormone secretion by intermittent 20 minute blood sampling in 34 prepubertal patients with Turner's syndrome, aged 4.3-12.4 years. Growth hormone profiles were analysed by the PULSAR programme and results expressed as the sum of growth hormone pulse amplitudes. Six patients had abnormal growth hormone pulse frequencies. In the remaining 28, growth hormone pulse amplitudes declined significantly with increasing age, but there was no correlation between growth hormone pulse amplitudes and growth rates. Concentrations of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) rose with age but did not correlate with either growth rates or growth hormone secretion. Fifteen patients were given oxandrolone and 11 low dose ethinyl oestradiol. Both agents increased height velocity without increasing growth hormone secretion. We conclude that the relation between growth hormone secretion and growth in Turner's syndrome is less certain than in normal children. End organ resistance is probably due to a skeletal dysplasia. Both oxandrolone and low dose ethinyl oestradiol improve the growth of girls with Turner's syndrome, but their mechanism of action remains uncertain.

Home environment: association with hyperactivity/impulsivity in children with ADHD and their non-ADHD siblings

PubMed Central

Mulligan, Aisling; Anney, Richard; Butler, Louise; O’Regan, Myra; Richardson, Thomas; Tulewicz, Edyta Maria; Fitzgerald, Michael; Gill, Michael

2011-01-01

Objective We wished to ascertain if there is an association between symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and home environment in children with ADHD and non-ADHD siblings, controlling for other environmental measures. Method 96 children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-CT) and their siblings participated in the study. Parent and teacher Conners’ rating scales were completed and home environment was assessed using the Middle Childhood and Early Adolescent Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME). ADHD symptoms were assessed for correlation with HOME in children with ADHD-CT and non-ADHD siblings and multiple regression analysis was used to control for gender, socio-economic status, exposure to nicotine, exposure to alcohol in utero, birth weight, gestational age, pregnancy and perinatal risk factors. The presence of oppositional disorders was assessed for association with HOME score in those with ADHD-CT. The multiple regression analysis was repeated controlling for environmental factors and for oppositional disorders in those with ADHD-CT. Oppositional symptoms were assessed for correlation with HOME score in non-ADHD siblings. Results Teacher-rated hyperactive/impulsive scores correlated with HOME (r = −.27, p <.01) in children with ADHD-CT. This association remained significant when other environmental factors and oppositional disorders were controlled for. Environmental factors and gender contributed to 30% of the variance of ADHD symptoms in ADHD-CT. Parent-rated hyperactive/impulsive scores also correlated with HOME (r = −.28, p < .05) for non-ADHD siblings. An association between HOME and diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder or CD was found for children with ADHD-CT and between HOME and oppositional symptoms in non-ADHD siblings. Conclusions The home environment has a small but significant association with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms in children with ADHD-CT and non-ADHD siblings. This association remained when other environmental factors were taken into account. Oppositional symptoms are associated with home environment in ADHD-CT and in non-ADHD siblings. PMID:22168816

A subset of myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts regulate collagen fiber elongation, which is prognostic in multiple cancers.

PubMed

Hanley, Christopher J; Noble, Fergus; Ward, Matthew; Bullock, Marc; Drifka, Cole; Mellone, Massimiliano; Manousopoulou, Antigoni; Johnston, Harvey E; Hayden, Annette; Thirdborough, Steve; Liu, Yuming; Smith, David M; Mellows, Toby; Kao, W John; Garbis, Spiros D; Mirnezami, Alex; Underwood, Tim J; Eliceiri, Kevin W; Thomas, Gareth J

2016-02-02

Collagen structure has been shown to influence tumor cell invasion, metastasis and clinical outcome in breast cancer. However, it remains unclear how it affects other solid cancers. Here we utilized multi-photon laser scanning microscopy and Second Harmonic Generation to identify alterations to collagen fiber structure within the tumor stroma of head & neck, esophageal and colorectal cancers. Image segmentation algorithms were then applied to quantitatively characterize these morphological changes, showing that elongated collagen fibers significantly correlated with poor clinical outcome (Log Rank p < 0.05). We used TGF-β treatment to model fibroblast conversion to smooth muscle actin SMA-positive cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and found that these cells induce the formation of elongated collagen fibers in vivo. However, proteomic/transcriptomic analysis of SMA-positive CAFs cultured ex-vivo showed significant heterogeneity in the expression of genes with collagen fibril organizing gene ontology. Notably, stratifying patients according to stromal SMA-positivity and collagen fiber elongation was found to provide a highly significant correlation with poor survival in all 3 cancer types (Log Rank p ≤ 0.003). In summary, we show that increased collagen fiber length correlates with poor patient survival in multiple tumor types and that only a sub-set of SMA-positive CAFs can mediate the formation of this collagen structure.

Prognostic significance of NFIA and NFIB in esophageal squamous carcinoma and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Yang, Bo; Zhou, Zhi-Hang; Chen, Li; Cui, Xiang; Hou, Jun-Yan; Fan, Kai-Jie; Han, Si-Hao; Li, Peng; Yi, Shao-Qiong; Liu, Yang

2018-05-01

The nuclear factor I (NFI) family members, especially NFIA and NFIB, play essential roles in cancers. The roles of NFIA and NFIB in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EJA) remain poorly known. This study aimed to determine the expression of NFIA and NFIB in ESCC and EJA and elucidate their prognostic significance. The expression of NFIA and NFIB was examined in 163 ESCC samples and 26 EJA samples by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that high NFIA expression correlated significantly with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage in patients with ESCC. High NFIB expression only correlated with poor differentiation in patients with ESCC. Survival analysis showed that NFIA but not NFIB associated with short overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with ESCC. On the other hand, high NFIB expression correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and short OS and DFS in patients with EJA. Finally, multivariate analysis demonstrated that high NFIA expression was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC. Taken together, these results demonstrated that NFIA and NFIB could serve as prognostic indicators for ESCC and EJA, respectively. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Correlation of Gene Expression of Inflammasome Indicators and Impaired Fertility in Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury: A Time Course Study.

PubMed

Nikmehr, Banafsheh; Bazrafkan, Mahshid; Hassanzadeh, Gholamreza; Shahverdi, Abdolhossein; Sadighi Gilani, Mohammad Ali; Kiani, Sahar; Mokhtari, Tahmineh; Abolhassani, Farid

2017-11-04

Expression assessment of the inflammasome genes in the acute and the chronic phases of Spinal cord injury (SCI) on adult rat testis and examination of associations between inflammasome complex expression and sperm parameters. In this study, 25 adult male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. SCI surgery was performed at T10-T11 level of rats' spinal cord in four groups (SCI1, SCI3, SCI7, and SCI56). They were sacrificed after 1day, 3days, 7days and 56 days post SCI, respectively. One group remained intact as control (Co).CASA analysis of sperm parameters and qRT-PCR (ASC and Caspase-1) were made in all cases. Our data showed a severe reduction in sperm count and motility, especially on day 3 and 7. ASC gene expression had a non-significant increase on day 1 and 56 after surgery compared to control group. Caspase-1 expression increased significantly on day 3 post injury versus the control group (P = .009). Moreover, Caspase-1 overexpression, had significant correlations with sperm count (r = -0.555, P = .01) and sperm progressive motility (r = -0.524, P = .02). Inflammasome complex expression increase following SCI induction. This overexpression correlates to low sperm parameters in SCI rats.

Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in intestinal injury in neonatal rats.

PubMed

Lu, Hui; Zhu, Bing

2014-11-01

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency in premature neonates. The pathogenesis of NEC remains poorly understood. The present study aimed to investigate the dynamic change and role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in neonatal rats with intestinal injury. Wistar rats, <24 h in age, received an intraperitoneal injection with 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Ileal tissues were collected at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h following the LPS challenge for histological evaluation of NEC and for measurements of COX-2 mRNA. The correlation between the degree of intestinal injury and expression of COX-2 mRNA was determined. The LPS-injected pups showed a significant increase in injury scores compared to the control, and the most deteriorating change was at 12 h. COX-2 mRNA expression was upregulated following LPS injection. There was a significantly positive correlation between COX-2 mRNA and the grade of intestinal injury within 12 h, whereas COX-2 mRNA expression had a significantly negative correlation with the severity of intestinal injury at 24 h. COX-2 plays an important role in LPS-induced intestinal injury and the repair processes. Caution should be exerted concerning the potential therapeutic uses of COX-2 inhibitors or promoters in NEC.

Parent-offspring correlations in pedometer-assessed physical activity.

PubMed

Jacobi, David; Caille, Agnès; Borys, Jean-Michel; Lommez, Agnès; Couet, Charles; Charles, Marie-Aline; Oppert, Jean-Michel

2011-01-01

Physical activity is a major component of a healthy lifestyle in youth and adults. To identify determinants of this complex behavior is an important research objective in the process of designing interventions to promote physical activity at population level. In addition to individual determinants, there is evidence documenting familial influences on physical activity. However, the few studies that have addressed this issue with objective measures did not provide data on parent-offspring physical activity relationships throughout childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to assess familial correlations in pedometer-assessed physical activity. We measured ambulatory activity in 286 French nuclear families (283 mothers, 237 fathers, and 631 children aged 8-18 years) by pedometer recordings (Yamax Digiwalker DW 450) over a week. Correlations were computed with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for spouse pairs, siblings, mother-offspring, and father-offspring. Data were expressed as steps per day and computed both for the full recording period and separately for weekdays and weekends. The correlations were the highest between siblings (r=0.28, 95%CI: 0.17-0.38). Parent-offspring correlations were significant in mothers (r=0.21, 95%CI: 0.12-0.30), especially between mothers and daughters (r=0.24, 95%CI: 0.12-0.36 vs. r=0.18, 95%CI: 0.05-0.31 for sons), but were almost nonexistent in fathers. Correlations were generally higher on weekend days compared to weekdays. Mother-offspring correlations did not decrease with increasing age of children (r=0.17, 95%CI: 0.00-0.34 in 8-11-year-olds, r=0.20, 95%CI: 0.07-0.33 in 12-15-year-olds, and r=0.25, 95%CI: 0.07-0.39 in ≥16-year-olds). Finally, between-spouse correlations were significant only during weekend days (r=0.14, 95%CI: 0.01-0.27). Ambulatory activity correlated within families, with a possible mother effect. Mother-offspring correlations remained significant through the transition from childhood to adolescence. Further studies are required to better understand the respective influences of shared activities, parental modeling and support as well as genetic factors on the familial aggregation of physical activity. © 2011 Jacobi et al.

Cerebellar Purkinje Cells Generate Highly Correlated Spontaneous Slow-Rate Fluctuations.

PubMed

Cao, Ying; Liu, Yu; Jaeger, Dieter; Heck, Detlef H

2017-01-01

Cerebellar Purkinje cells (PC) fire action potentials at high, sustained rates. Changes in spike rate that last a few tens of milliseconds encode sensory and behavioral events. Here we investigated spontaneous fluctuations of PC simple spike rate at a slow time scale of the order of 1 s. Simultaneous recordings from pairs of PCs that were aligned either along the sagittal or transversal axis of the cerebellar cortex revealed that simple spike rate fluctuations at the 1 s time scale were highly correlated. Each pair of PCs had either a predominantly positive or negative slow-rate correlation, with negative correlations observed only in PC pairs aligned along the transversal axis. Slow-rate correlations were independent of faster rate changes that were correlated with fluid licking behavior. Simultaneous recordings from PCs and cerebellar nuclear (CN) neurons showed that slow-rate fluctuations in PC and CN activity were also highly correlated, but their correlations continually alternated between periods of positive and negative correlation. The functional significance of this new aspect of cerebellar spike activity remains to be determined. Correlated slow-rate fluctuations seem too slow to be involved in the real-time control of ongoing behavior. However, slow-rate fluctuations of PCs converging on the same CN neuron are likely to modulate the excitability of the CN neuron, thus introduce a possible slow modulation of cerebellar output activity.

Expression of ferrochelatase has a strong correlation in protoporphyrin IX accumulation with photodynamic detection of bladder cancer.

PubMed

Nakai, Yasushi; Tatsumi, Yoshihiro; Miyake, Makito; Anai, Satoshi; Kuwada, Masaomi; Onishi, Sayuri; Chihara, Yoshitomo; Tanaka, Nobumichi; Hirao, Yoshihiko; Fujimoto, Kiyohide

2016-03-01

The mechanism underlying the increased levels of protoporphyrin IX in bladder cancer remains unclear. Here, we focus on proteins associated with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells and investigate the protein that plays a key role in increased protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of peptide transporter 1, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, ferrochelatase, ATP-binding cassette 2, and heme oxygenase-1 in bladder cancer cell line cells. We evaluated the correlation between the expression of each protein and accumulated protoporphyrin IX in these cells using Pearson's correlation analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to estimate the expression of the same five proteins in samples from 75 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors. The correlation between the expression of each protein in cells from resected bladder specimens and accumulated protoporphyrin IX in bladder cancer cells in voided urine was evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis. The expression of ferrochelatase showed a significant negative correlation with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in vitro (p=0.04). The expression of peptide transporter 1 (p<0.01, R=0.39), heme oxygenase-1 (p<0.01, R=0.33), and ferrochelatase (p<0.01, R=0.75) in resected bladder specimens by immunohistochemistry was correlated with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells in voided urine. On multivariate analysis, the expression of ferrochelatase (p=0.03) was significant factors to predict positive 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescent cytology. The expression of ferrochelatase has a strong correlation in protoporphyrin IX accumulation with photodynamic detection of bladder cancer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coexpression of aPKCλ/ι and IL-6 in prostate cancer tissue correlates with biochemical recurrence.

PubMed

Ishiguro, Hitoshi; Akimoto, Kazunori; Nagashima, Yoji; Kagawa, Eriko; Sasaki, Takeshi; Sano, Jin-yu; Takagawa, Ryo; Fujinami, Kiyoshi; Sasaki, Kazunori; Aoki, Ichiro; Ohno, Shigeo; Kubota, Yoshinobu; Uemura, Hiroji

2011-08-01

Atypical protein kinase C λ/ι (aPKCλ/ι) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been implicated in prostate cancer progression, the mechanisms of which have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. However, the clinical significance of the correlation between the expressions of these factors remains to be clarified. In the present study, we report a significant correlation between aPKCλ/ι and IL-6 proteins in prostate cancer tissue by immunohistochemical staining. We evaluated the association of both proteins by analyzing clinicopathological parameters using chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier with log-rank test, and a Cox proportional hazard regression model in univariate and multivariate analyses. The results again showed that the expression of aPKCλ/ι and IL-6 correlates in prostate cancer tissue (P < 0.001). Atypical protein kinase C λ/ι was also found to correlate with the Gleason score (P < 0.001) and with biochemical recurrence after prostatectomy (P = 0.02). Furthermore, aPKCλ/ι correlated with biochemical recurrence in a Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test (P = 0.01) and Cox analysis (P = 0.02 in the univariate analysis, P = 0.02 in the multivariate analysis). The coexpression of aPKCλ/ι and IL-6 also correlated with biochemical recurrence by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank test (P = 0.005) and Cox analysis (P = 0.01 in the univariate analysis, P = 0.03 in the multivariate analysis). These results indicate a strong correlation between aPKCλ/ι and IL-6 in prostate tumors, and that the aPKCλ/ι-IL-6 axis is a reliable prognostic factor for the biochemical recurrence of this cancer. © 2011 Japanese Cancer Association.

Integrated Proteogenomic Characterization of Human High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Hui; Liu, Tao; Zhang, Zhen

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy in the developed world, despite recent advances in genomic information and treatment. To better understand this disease, define an integrated proteogenomic landscape, and identify factors associated with homologous repair deficiency (HRD) and overall survival, we performed a comprehensive proteomic characterization of ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) previously characterized by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed that messenger RNA transcript abundance did not reliably predict abundance for 10,030 proteins across 174 tumors. Clustering of tumors based on protein abundance identified five subtypes, two of which correlated robustly with mesenchymal and proliferative subtypes,more » while tumors characterized as immunoreactive or differentiated at the transcript level were intermixed at the protein level. At the genome level, HGSC is characterized by a complex landscape of somatic copy number alterations (CNA), which individually do not correlate significantly with survival. Correlation of CNAs with protein abundances identified loci with significant trans regulatory effects mapping to pathways associated with proliferation, cell motility/invasion, and immune regulation, three known hallmarks of cancer. Using the trans regulated proteins we also created models significantly correlated with patient survival by multivariate analysis. Integrating protein abundance with specific post-translational modification data identified subnetworks correlated with HRD status; specifically, acetylation of Lys12 and Lys16 on histone H4 was associated with HRD status. Using quantitative phosphoproteomics data covering 4,420 proteins as reflective of pathway activity, we identified the PDGFR and VEGFR signaling pathways as significantly up-regulated in patients with short overall survival, independent of PDGFR and VEGFR protein levels, potentially informing the use of anti-angiogenic therapies. Components of the Rho/Rac/Cdc42 cell motility pathways were also significantly enriched for short survival. Overall, proteomics provided new insights into ovarian cancer not apparent from genomic analysis and enabling a deeper understanding of HGSC with the potential to inform targeted therapeutics.« less

Persistent high plasma levels of sCD163 and sCD14 in adult patients with measles virus infection.

PubMed

Mascia, Claudia; Pozzetto, Irene; Kertusha, Blerta; Marocco, Raffaella; Del Borgo, Cosmo; Tieghi, Tiziana; Vita, Serena; Savinelli, Stefano; Iannetta, Marco; Vullo, Vincenzo; Lichtner, Miriam; Mastroianni, Claudio Maria

2018-01-01

Measles is an infectious disease that represents a serious public health problem worldwide, being associated with increased susceptibility to secondary infections, especially in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. The aim of this study was to evaluate sCD163 and sCD14 levels in measles virus (MV) infected patients, as markers of immune activation, in order to better understand their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. TNF-α plasma levels were also evaluated. sCD163, sCD14 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA in plasma samples of 27 MV infected patients and 27 healthy donors (HD) included as controls. At the time of hospital admission, sCD163 and sCD14 levels were significantly higher in MV infected patients than in HD, while a decrease in TNF-α levels were found even if without statistical significance. sCD163 and sCD14 levels were significantly decreased after two months from acute infection compared to hospital admission although they remained significantly higher compared to HD. TNF-α levels increased significantly during the follow-up period. Considering clinical parameters, sCD163 levels positively correlated with aspartate aminotransferase, white blood cell count and neutrophils rate, while negatively correlated with the lymphocyte percentage. sCD14 levels positively correlated with the neutrophil and lymphocyte percentages. These results indicate that, despite the resolution of symptoms, an important macrophage/monocyte activation persists in measles patients, even after two months from infection.

Performances on the CogState and standard neuropsychological batteries among HIV patients without dementia.

PubMed

Overton, Edgar Turner; Kauwe, John S K; Paul, Robert; Tashima, Karen; Tate, David F; Patel, Pragna; Carpenter, Charles C J; Patty, David; Brooks, John T; Clifford, David B

2011-11-01

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders remain prevalent but challenging to diagnose particularly among non-demented individuals. To determine whether a brief computerized battery correlates with formal neurocognitive testing, we identified 46 HIV-infected persons who had undergone both formal neurocognitive testing and a brief computerized battery. Simple detection tests correlated best with formal neuropsychological testing. By multivariable regression model, 53% of the variance in the composite Global Deficit Score was accounted for by elements from the brief computerized tool (P < 0.01). These data confirm previous correlation data with the computerized battery. Using the five significant parameters from the regression model in a Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, 90% of persons were accurately classified as being cognitively impaired or not. The test battery requires additional evaluation, specifically for identifying persons with mild impairment, a state upon which interventions may be effective.

Top squark with mass close to the top quark

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buckley, Matthew R.; Plehn, Tilman; Ramsey-Musolf, Michael J.

2014-07-01

The most natural supersymmetric solution to the hierarchy problem prefers the scalar top partner to be close in mass to the top quark. Experimental searches exclude top squarks across a wide range of masses, but a gap remains when the difference between the masses of the stop and the lightest supersymmetric particle is close to the top mass. We propose to search for stops in this regime by exploiting the azimuthal angular correlation of forward tagging jets in (s)top pair production. As shown in earlier work, this correlation is sensitive to the spin of the heavy states, allowing one to distinguish between top and stop pair production. Here, we demonstrate that this angular information can give a statistically significant stop pair production signal in the upcoming LHC run. While the appropriate simulation including parton showering and detector simulation requires some care, we find stable predictions for the angular correlation using multijet merging.

Stereoscopic depth increases intersubject correlations of brain networks.

PubMed

Gaebler, Michael; Biessmann, Felix; Lamke, Jan-Peter; Müller, Klaus-Robert; Walter, Henrik; Hetzer, Stefan

2014-10-15

Three-dimensional movies presented via stereoscopic displays have become more popular in recent years aiming at a more engaging viewing experience. However, neurocognitive processes associated with the perception of stereoscopic depth in complex and dynamic visual stimuli remain understudied. Here, we investigate the influence of stereoscopic depth on both neurophysiology and subjective experience. Using multivariate statistical learning methods, we compare the brain activity of subjects when freely watching the same movies in 2D and in 3D. Subjective reports indicate that 3D movies are more strongly experienced than 2D movies. On the neural level, we observe significantly higher intersubject correlations of cortical networks when subjects are watching 3D movies relative to the same movies in 2D. We demonstrate that increases in intersubject correlations of brain networks can serve as neurophysiological marker for stereoscopic depth and for the strength of the viewing experience. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Apoptotic cell death correlates with ROS overproduction and early cytokine expression after hypoxia-ischemia in fetal lambs.

PubMed

Alonso-Alconada, Daniel; Hilario, Enrique; Álvarez, Francisco José; Álvarez, Antonia

2012-07-01

Despite advances in neonatology, the hypoxic-ischemic injury in the perinatal period remains the single most important cause of brain injury in the newborn, leading to death or lifelong sequelae. Using a sheep model of intrauterine asphyxia, we evaluated the correlation between reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, cytokine expression, and apoptotic cell death. Fetal lambs were assigned to sham group, nonasphyctic animals; and hypoxia-ischemia (HI) group, lambs subjected to 60 minutes of HI) by partial cord occlusion and sacrificed 3 hours later. Different brain regions were separated to quantify the number of apoptotic cells and the same territories were dissociated for flow cytometry studies. Our results suggest that the overproduction of ROS and the early increase in cytokine production after HI in fetal lambs correlate in a significant manner with the apoptotic index, as well as with each brain region evaluated.

The Association Between Liver and Tumor [18F]FDG Uptake in Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma During Chemotherapy.

PubMed

Wu, Xingchen; Bhattarai, Abhisek; Korkola, Pasi; Pertovaara, Hannu; Eskola, Hannu; Kellokumpu-Lehtinen, Pirkko-Liisa

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to explore the association between liver, mediastinum and tumor 2-deoxy-2-[ 18 F]fluoro-D-glucose ([ 18 F]FDG) uptake during chemotherapy in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Nineteen patients with proven DLBCL underwent positron emission tomography (PET)/X-ray computed tomography scan at baseline, 1 week and 2 cycles after rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) therapy, and again after chemotherapy completion. The mean and maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmean and SUVmax) of the liver and mediastinum were measured and correlated with the tumor SUVmax, SUVsum, whole-body metabolic tumor volume (MTVwb), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). At baseline, both the liver and mediastinum SUVmean and SUVmax correlated inversely with the tumor MTVwb or TLG (p < 0.01 or 0.001). The liver SUVmean and SUVmax increased significantly after 1 week of R-CHOP therapy and remained at the high level until chemotherapy completion. The mediastinum SUVmean and SUVmax remained stable during chemotherapy. The tumor SUVmax, SUVsum, MTVwb, and TLG decreased significantly after 1 week of R-CHOP therapy. The change of the liver SUVmean correlated inversely with the change of tumor MTVwb and TLG after 1 week of chemotherapy (p < 0.05, respectively). The intersubject variability of liver and mediastinum [ 18 F]FDG uptake ranged from 11 to 26 %. The liver [ 18 F]FDG uptake increased significantly after R-CHOP therapy. One of the possible reasons is the distribution of a greater fraction of the tracer to healthy tissues rather than tumor after effective chemotherapy. The variability of the liver [ 18 F]FDG uptake during chemotherapy might affect the visual analysis of the interim PET scan and this needs to be confirmed in future studies with a large patient cohort. In addition, the intersubject variability of the liver and mediastinum [ 18 F]FDG uptake should be considered.

The influence of pericardial fat upon left ventricular function in obese females: evidence of a site-specific effect

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Although increased volume of pericardial fat has been associated with decreased cardiac function, it is unclear whether this association is mediated by systemic overall obesity or direct regional fat interactions. We hypothesized that if local effects dominate, left ventricular (LV) function would be most strongly associated with pericardial fat that surrounds the left rather than the right ventricle (RV). Methods Female obese subjects (n = 60) had cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans to obtain measures of LV function and pericardial fat volumes. LV function was obtained using the cine steady state free precession imaging in short axis orientation. The amount of pericardial fat was determined volumetrically by the cardiac gated T1 black blood imaging and normalized to body surface area. Results In this study cohort, LV fat correlated with several LV hemodynamic measurements including cardiac output (r = -0.41, p = 0.001) and stroke volume (r = -0.26, p = 0.05), as well as diastolic functional parameters including peak-early-filling rate (r = -0.38, p = 0.01), early late filling ratio (r = -0.34, p = 0.03), and time to peak-early-filling (r = 0.34, p = 0.03). These correlations remained significant even after adjusting for the body mass index and the blood pressure. However, similar correlations became weakened or even disappeared between RV fat and LV function. LV function was not correlated with systemic plasma factors, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), resistin and adiponectin (all p > 0.05). Conclusions LV hemodynamic and diastolic function was associated more with LV fat as compared to RV or total pericardial fat, but not with systemic inflammatory markers or adipokines. The correlations between LV function and pericardial fat remained significant even after adjusting for systemic factors. These findings suggest a site-specific influence of pericardial fat on LV function, which could imply local secretion of molecules into the underlying tissue or an anatomic effect, both mechanisms meriting future evaluation. PMID:24884541

Serum calprotectin levels correlate with biochemical and histological markers of disease activity in TNBS colitis

PubMed Central

Cury, Didia Bismara; Mizsputen, Sender Jankiel; Versolato, Clara; Miiji, Luciana Odashiro; Pereira, Edson; Delboni, Maria Aparecida; Schor, Nestor; Moss, Alan C.

2014-01-01

Background and aim Serum calprotectin is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether it correlates other markers of disease activity is unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate serum calprotectin with biochemical and histological measures of intestinal inflammation. Materials and methods TNBS colitis was induced in wistar rats, and serial blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 12 days. Animals were subsequently sacrificed for pathological evaluation at day 12. Serum calprotectin and cytokines were measured by ELISA. Pathologic changes were classified at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Results TNBS colitis induced elevated serum calprotectin, TNF and IL-6 within 24 h. Levels of serum calprotectin remained elevated in parallel to persistence of loose stool and weight loss to day 12. Serum calprotectin levels correlated with serum levels of TNF-α and IL6 (p < 0.001), but not CRP. Animals with liquid stool had significantly higher levels of serum calprotectin than control animals. There was a correlation between macroscopic colitis scores, and levels of serum calprotectin. Conclusion Serum calprotectin levels correlate with biochemical and histological markers of inflammation in TNBS colitis. This biomarker may have potential for diagnostic use in patients with IBD. PMID:23685388

Effects of methamphetamine on the noradrenergic activity biomarker salivary alpha-amylase*

PubMed Central

Haile, Colin N.; De La Garza, Richard; Mahoney, James J.; Newton, Thomas F.

2013-01-01

Background Methamphetamine (METH) potently activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) by increasing central and peripheral norepinephrine (NE). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) is a biomarker of SNS activation that correlates with plasma NE levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of METH on sAA activity and whether changes in sAA activity were correlated with subjective effects ratings. Methods Non-treatment seeking METH-dependent volunteers (N=8) participated in this within-subjects laboratory-based study. Volunteers received randomly administered intravenous METH (0mg, 30mg) and sAA activity, cardiovascular measures and subjective ratings were assessed at baseline (−15 min) and five post-METH time points (10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min). Results METH (30mg) increased sAA activity over time. sAA activity significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure following 0mg METH and systolic blood pressure following 30mg METH. Subjective ratings (ANY EFFECT, HIGH, GOOD, STIMULATED, LIKE, WLLING TO PAY) highly correlated with sAA over five post-METH time points (N=40; r’s=0.543–0.684, p’s <0.001). Age, body mass index and METH amount received on a mg/kg basis were significantly associated with sAA activity. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated sAA activity remained a significant predictor of subjective ratings following METH after controlling for these factors. Conclusions The NE peripheral biomarker sAA activity is associated with METH’s subjective effects. PMID:23968815

Neural correlates of the popular music phenomenon: evidence from functional MRI and PET imaging.

PubMed

Chen, Qiaozhen; Zhang, Ying; Hou, Haifeng; Du, Fenglei; Wu, Shuang; Chen, Lin; Shen, Yehua; Chao, Fangfang; Chung, June-Key; Zhang, Hong; Tian, Mei

2017-06-01

Music can induce different emotions. However, its neural mechanism remains unknown. The aim of this study was to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and position emission tomography (PET) imaging for mapping of neural changes under the most popular music in healthy volunteers. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI and monoamine receptor PET imaging with 11 C-N-methylspiperone ( 11 C-NMSP) were conducted under the popular music Gangnam Style and light music A Comme Amour in healthy subjects. PET and fMRI images were analyzed by using the Statistical Parametric Mapping software (SPM). Significantly increased fMRI BOLD signals were found in the bilateral superior temporal cortices, left cerebellum, left putamen and right thalamus cortex. Monoamine receptor availability was increased significantly in the left superior temporal gyrus and left putamen, but decreased in the bilateral superior occipital cortices under the Gangnam Style compared with the light music condition. Significant positive correlation was found between 11 C-NMSP binding and fMRI BOLD signals in the left temporal cortex. Furthermore, increased 11 C-NMSP binding in the left putamen was positively correlated with the mood arousal level score under the Gangnam Style condition. Popular music Gangnam Style can arouse pleasure experience and strong emotional response. The left putamen is positively correlated with the mood arousal level score under the Gangnam Style condition. Our results revealed characteristic patterns of brain activity associated with Gangnam Style, and may also provide more general insights into the music-induced emotional processing.

Effects of methamphetamine on the noradrenergic activity biomarker salivary alpha-amylase.

PubMed

Haile, Colin N; De La Garza, Richard; Mahoney, James J; Newton, Thomas F

2013-12-01

Methamphetamine (METH) potently activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) by increasing central and peripheral norepinephrine (NE). Salivary α-amylase (sAA) is a biomarker of SNS activation that correlates with plasma NE levels. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of METH on sAA activity and whether changes in sAA activity were correlated with subjective effects ratings. Non-treatment seeking METH-dependent volunteers (N=8) participated in this within-subjects laboratory-based study. Volunteers received randomly administered intravenous METH (0mg, 30 mg) and sAA activity, cardiovascular measures and subjective ratings were assessed at baseline (-15 min) and five post-METH time points (10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 min). METH (30 mg) increased sAA activity over time. sAA activity significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure following 0mg METH and systolic blood pressure following 30 mg METH. Subjective ratings (ANY EFFECT, HIGH, GOOD, STIMULATED, LIKE, WLLING TO PAY) highly correlated with sAA over five post-METH time points (N=40; r's=0.543-0.684, p's<0.001). Age, body mass index and METH amount received on a mg/kg basis were significantly associated with sAA activity. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated sAA activity remained a significant predictor of subjective ratings following METH after controlling for these factors. The NE peripheral biomarker sAA activity is associated with METH's subjective effects. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Relationship between finger dermatoglyphics and body size indicators in adulthood among Chinese twin population from Qingdao and Lishui cities].

PubMed

Sun, Luanluan; Yu, Canqing; Lyu, Jun; Cao, Weihua; Pang, Zengchang; Chen, Weijian; Wang, Shaojie; Chen, Rongfu; Gao, Wenjing; Li, Liming

2014-01-01

To study the correlation between fingerprints and body size indicators in adulthood. Samples were composed of twins from two sub-registries of Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR), including 405 twin pairs in Lishui and 427 twin pairs in Qingdao. All participants were asked to complete the field survey, consisting of questionnaire, physical examination and blood collection. From the 832 twin pairs, those with complete and clear demographic prints were selected as the target population. Information of Fingerprints pixel on the demographic characteristics of these 100 twin pairs and their related adulthood body type indicators were finally chosen to form this research. Descriptive statistics and mixed linear model were used for data analyses. In the mixed linear models adjusted for age and sex, data showed that the body fat percentage of those who had arches was higher than those who did not have the arches (P = 0.002), and those who had radial loops would have higher body fat percentage when compared with ones who did not (P = 0.041). After adjusted for age, there appeared no statistically significant correlation between radial loops and systolic pressure, but the correlations of arches (P = 0.031)and radial loops (P = 0.022) to diastolic pressure still remained statistically significant. Statistically significant correlations were found between fingerprint types and body size indicators, and the fingerprint types showed a useful tool to explore the effects of uterine environment on health status in one's adulthood.

Dysregulation in microRNA Expression Is Associated with Alterations in Immune Functions in Combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PubMed Central

Zhou, Juhua; Nagarkatti, Prakash; Zhong, Yin; Ginsberg, Jay P.; Singh, Narendra P.; Zhang, Jiajia; Nagarkatti, Mitzi

2014-01-01

While the immunological dysfunction in combat Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well documented, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The current study evaluated the role of microRNA (miR) in immunological dysfunction associated with PTSD. The presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and various lymphocyte subsets in blood collected from PTSD patients were analyzed. Our studies demonstrated that the numbers of both PBMC and various lymphocyte subsets increased significantly in PTSD patients. When T cells were further analyzed, the percentage of Th1 cells and Th17 cells increased, regulatory T cells(Tregs) decreased, while Th2 cells remained unaltered in PTSD patients. These data correlated with increased plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 while IL-4 showed no significant change. The increase in PBMC counts, Th1 and Th17 cells seen in PTSD patients correlated with the clinical scores. High-throughput analysis of PBMCs for 1163 miRs showed that the expression of a significant number of miRs was altered in PTSD patients. Pathway analysis of dysregulated miRs seen in PTSD patients revealed relationship between selected miRNAs and genes that showed direct/indirect role in immunological signaling pathways consistent with the immunological changes seen in these patients. Of interest was the down-regulation of miR-125a in PTSD, which specifically targeted IFN-γ production. Together, the current study demonstrates for the first time that PTSD was associated with significant alterations in miRNAs, which may promote pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. Such epigenetic events may provide useful tools to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, and facilitate therapy of PTSD. PMID:24759737

Dysregulation in microRNA expression is associated with alterations in immune functions in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Zhou, Juhua; Nagarkatti, Prakash; Zhong, Yin; Ginsberg, Jay P; Singh, Narendra P; Zhang, Jiajia; Nagarkatti, Mitzi

2014-01-01

While the immunological dysfunction in combat Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well documented, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The current study evaluated the role of microRNA (miR) in immunological dysfunction associated with PTSD. The presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and various lymphocyte subsets in blood collected from PTSD patients were analyzed. Our studies demonstrated that the numbers of both PBMC and various lymphocyte subsets increased significantly in PTSD patients. When T cells were further analyzed, the percentage of Th1 cells and Th17 cells increased, regulatory T cells(Tregs) decreased, while Th2 cells remained unaltered in PTSD patients. These data correlated with increased plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 while IL-4 showed no significant change. The increase in PBMC counts, Th1 and Th17 cells seen in PTSD patients correlated with the clinical scores. High-throughput analysis of PBMCs for 1163 miRs showed that the expression of a significant number of miRs was altered in PTSD patients. Pathway analysis of dysregulated miRs seen in PTSD patients revealed relationship between selected miRNAs and genes that showed direct/indirect role in immunological signaling pathways consistent with the immunological changes seen in these patients. Of interest was the down-regulation of miR-125a in PTSD, which specifically targeted IFN-γ production. Together, the current study demonstrates for the first time that PTSD was associated with significant alterations in miRNAs, which may promote pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. Such epigenetic events may provide useful tools to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, and facilitate therapy of PTSD.

The diel rhythms of biosonar behavior in the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) in the port of the Yangtze River: The correlation between prey availability and boat traffic.

PubMed

Wang, Zhitao; Akamatsu, Tomonari; Wang, Kexiong; Wang, Ding

2014-01-01

Information on the habitat use of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is critical for its conservation. The diel biosonar behavior of the porpoise in the port areas of the Yangtze River was examined along with simultaneous observations of fish density and boat traffic. Biosonar pulses from the porpoises were detected for 1233 min (5.77%) over a 21,380 min duration of effective observations. In total, 190 (5.63%) buzzes (an indication of prey capture attempts) were recorded among the 3372 identified click trains. Of the 168 echolocation encounters (bouts of click trains less than eight min apart), 150 (89.3%) involved single animals, indicating that solitary porpoises were frequently present and feeding in the port areas. Significant diel patterns were evident involving the biosonar behavior of the porpoises (including click trains and buzzes), fish density and boat traffic. The frequencies of the click trains and buzzes were significantly lower during the day than in the evening and at night, which suggests that porpoises in this region are primarily engaged in crepuscular and nocturnal foraging. The lack of a significant diel pattern in the echolocation encounters indicates the importance of the port in porpoise conservation. A forced feeding schedule may be associated with the lack of a significant correlation between porpoise acoustics and boat traffic. Overall, prey availability appears to be the primary factor that attracts porpoises. Additionally, porpoises tend to migrate or remain downstream in the morning and migrate or remain upstream in the evening, most likely to follow their prey. The findings of this study can be used to improve the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise.

The Diel Rhythms of Biosonar Behavior in the Yangtze Finless Porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) in the Port of the Yangtze River: The Correlation between Prey Availability and Boat Traffic

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhitao; Akamatsu, Tomonari; Wang, Kexiong; Wang, Ding

2014-01-01

Information on the habitat use of the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is critical for its conservation. The diel biosonar behavior of the porpoise in the port areas of the Yangtze River was examined along with simultaneous observations of fish density and boat traffic. Biosonar pulses from the porpoises were detected for 1233 min (5.77%) over a 21,380 min duration of effective observations. In total, 190 (5.63%) buzzes (an indication of prey capture attempts) were recorded among the 3372 identified click trains. Of the 168 echolocation encounters (bouts of click trains less than eight min apart), 150 (89.3%) involved single animals, indicating that solitary porpoises were frequently present and feeding in the port areas. Significant diel patterns were evident involving the biosonar behavior of the porpoises (including click trains and buzzes), fish density and boat traffic. The frequencies of the click trains and buzzes were significantly lower during the day than in the evening and at night, which suggests that porpoises in this region are primarily engaged in crepuscular and nocturnal foraging. The lack of a significant diel pattern in the echolocation encounters indicates the importance of the port in porpoise conservation. A forced feeding schedule may be associated with the lack of a significant correlation between porpoise acoustics and boat traffic. Overall, prey availability appears to be the primary factor that attracts porpoises. Additionally, porpoises tend to migrate or remain downstream in the morning and migrate or remain upstream in the evening, most likely to follow their prey. The findings of this study can be used to improve the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise. PMID:24823945

Right Fronto-Subcortical White Matter Microstructure Predicts Cognitive Control Ability on the Go/No-go Task in a Community Sample.

PubMed

Hinton, Kendra E; Lahey, Benjamin B; Villalta-Gil, Victoria; Boyd, Brian D; Yvernault, Benjamin C; Werts, Katherine B; Plassard, Andrew J; Applegate, Brooks; Woodward, Neil D; Landman, Bennett A; Zald, David H

2018-01-01

Go/no-go tasks are widely used to index cognitive control. This construct has been linked to white matter microstructure in a circuit connecting the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), subthalamic nucleus (STN), and pre-supplementary motor area. However, the specificity of this association has not been tested. A general factor of white matter has been identified that is related to processing speed. Given the strong processing speed component in successful performance on the go/no-go task, this general factor could contribute to task performance, but the general factor has often not been accounted for in past studies of cognitive control. Further, studies on cognitive control have generally employed small unrepresentative case-control designs. The present study examined the relationship between go/no-go performance and white matter microstructure in a large community sample of 378 subjects that included participants with a range of both clinical and subclinical nonpsychotic psychopathology. We found that white matter microstructure properties in the right IFG-STN tract significantly predicted task performance, and remained significant after controlling for dimensional psychopathology. The general factor of white matter only reached statistical significance when controlling for dimensional psychopathology. Although the IFG-STN and general factor tracts were highly correlated, when both were included in the model, only the IFG-STN remained a significant predictor of performance. Overall, these findings suggest that while a general factor of white matter can be identified in a young community sample, white matter microstructure properties in the right IFG-STN tract show a specific relationship to cognitive control. The findings highlight the importance of examining both specific and general correlates of cognition, especially in tasks with a speeded component.

Evidence that anhedonia is a symptom of opioid dependence associated with recent use.

PubMed

Garfield, Joshua B B; Cotton, Sue M; Allen, Nicholas B; Cheetham, Ali; Kras, Marni; Yücel, Murat; Lubman, Dan I

2017-08-01

Anhedonia is prevalent among substance-dependent populations. The hedonic allostasis model suggests this is due to the effects of addictive substances on neural substrates of reward processing. However, previous research may have been confounded by other factors likely to influence anhedonia, including tobacco use, psychopathology, and history of trauma and other stressors. Thus it remains unclear whether elevated anhedonia in substance-dependent populations is caused by substance use itself, or is due to other correlates of substance dependence. Multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted to test whether opioid-dependent participants' anhedonia scores were elevated, relative to a non-dependent control group, after controlling for psychosocial factors likely to influence anhedonia. Correlational analyses within opioid-dependent participants were also conducted to examine whether anhedonia was associated with recent illicit opioid use or duration of abstinence. There was a modest, but significant, elevation in anhedonia in opioid-dependent participants, relative to controls (Partial η 2 =0.034, p=0.041) after controlling for psychosocial variables that were associated with anhedonia. Depressive symptoms and history of post-traumatic stress disorder also remained significantly associated with anhedonia in the adjusted model. Among participants on opioid pharmacotherapy, there were significant associations between frequency of recent illicit opioid use and scores on anhedonia measures (all r s >0.25, p<0.013), but among abstinent opioid-dependent participants, relationships between duration of abstinence and anhedonia were not significant (all r s <0.24, p>0.22). These findings support the hypothesis that use of opioids can cause anhedonia, although other psychosocial factors may also contribute to the high prevalence of anhedonia among opioid-dependent populations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dopamine and executive function: Increased spontaneous eye blink rates correlate with better set-shifting and inhibition, but poorer updating.

PubMed

Zhang, Ting; Mou, Di; Wang, Cuicui; Tan, Fengping; Jiang, Yan; Lijun, Zheng; Li, Hong

2015-06-01

The central dopamine system (DA) has a significant role in the executive function (EF). The spontaneous eye blink rate (EBR) is an effective clinical and non-invasive measure, which is strongly related to the activity of the central dopaminergic system. Previous studies show significant relationships between the two main dimensions of EF (i.e., shifting and inhibition) and the central DA system as measured by EBR. However, most of these studies involve only one EF task for shifting or inhibition; whether or not these relationships are replicated by other EF tasks remains unclear. Besides, the relationship between EBR and another important EF dimension-updating-also remains unknown. The present study examined the correlation between EBR and several EF tasks that captured all the three EF dimensions: shifting, inhibition, and updating. A total of 61 healthy participants were subjected to EBR testing and EF tasks. Results showed that EBR had a different relationship with each of the three tested EF dimensions. An increase in EBR levels was related to an increase in accuracy in shifting and inhibition tasks, a decrease in shifting and inhibition cost, and a decrease in accuracy in updating tasks. These results imply that the role of the central DA system in shifting and inhibition differs from its role in updating. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of third molars and pathological changes related to them in dental medicine.

PubMed

Mikić, Ivana Medvedec; Zore, Irina Filipović; Crcić, Vlatka Fuchs; Matijević, Jurica; Plancak, Dario; Katunarić, Marina; Buković, Dino

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of third molars in terms of respondents' age. Furthermore it was desired to determine the extent of the manifestation of pathological changes, such as caries, apical lesions, and alveolar bone resorption. This study was based on 500 OPGs of patients from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Zagreb. Patients were divided into seven age groups. The total number of molars, the number of cavities on remaining molars, the quality of endodontic treatment and the evaluation of their performance and presence of periapical lesions was analyzed. As apart of the periodontal status, the number of inadequate fillings, the number of damaged furcations and bone resorption was analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed by means of STATISTICA 7 statistical package (StatSoft, Tulsa, USA). The correlation between the total number of molars and the age of patients was analyzed by means of Spearman's correlation to the level of significance of 0.05. The number of first, second and third molars significantly decreased in higher age groups. The prevalence of caries in third molars as compared to first and second molars was generally lower, third molars were endodontic treated at least. Assessment of involved furcations showed that the lowest percentage of 8% was found in third molars. The majority of all remaining molars had bone resorption of 1-3 mm.

Urinary biomarkers of acute kidney injury in deceased organ donors--kidney injury molecule-1 as an adjunct to predicting outcome.

PubMed

Field, Melanie; Dronavalli, Vamsi; Mistry, Punam; Drayson, Mark; Ready, Andrew; Cobbold, Mark; Inston, Nicholas

2014-07-01

Deceased kidney donors are increasingly "marginal," and many have risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) that may impact on subsequent renal transplant outcome. Despite this, determining the presence of AKI at the time of deceased organ donation remains difficult. Urine samples from 182 brainstem dead multi-organ donors (all of whom donated hearts that were transplanted) were analyzed for a Luminex(™) panel of biomarkers linked with AKI. This included KIM-1, NGAL, IFN-γ, TNF-α, cystatin C, Fractalkine and vascular endothelial growth factor. Levels were correlated to early renal transplant outcomes, most specifically delayed graft function. Donor urinary KIM-1 levels were significantly higher in donors whose kidneys displayed aberrant early function (p = 0.011). Fractalkine levels showed a trend toward elevation in such donors but uncorrected this did not attain significance. No correlation occurred with the remaining biomarkers. KIM-1 appears to show promise as a marker for AKI in deceased cardiac organ donors. The availability of a lateral flow device (Renastick(™) ) for KIM-1 that also demonstrates higher urinary KIM-1 levels in donors whose kidneys show aberrant initial function (p = 0.03), makes KIM-1 a potential indicator of AKI that may merit further evaluation for its application at the donor bedside. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Relation between acute and long-term cognitive decline after surgery: Influence of metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Gambús, P L; Trocóniz, I F; Feng, X; Gimenez-Milá, M; Mellado, R; Degos, V; Vacas, S; Maze, M

2015-11-01

The relationship between persistent postoperative cognitive decline and the more common acute variety remains unknown; using data acquired in preclinical studies of postoperative cognitive decline we attempted to characterize this relationship. Low capacity runner (LCR) rats, which have all the features of the metabolic syndrome, were compared postoperatively with high capacity runner (HCR) rats for memory, assessed by trace fear conditioning (TFC) on the 7th postoperative day, and learning and memory (probe trial [PT]) assessed by the Morris water-maze (MWM) at 3 months postoperatively. Rate of learning (AL) data from the MWM test, were estimated by non-linear mixed effects modeling. The individual rat's TFC result at postoperative day (POD) 7 was correlated with its AL and PT from the MWM data sets at postoperative day POD 90. A single exponential decay model best described AL in the MWM with LCR and surgery (LCR-SURG) being the only significant covariates; first order AL rate constant was 0.07 s(-1) in LCR-SURG and 0.16s(-1) in the remaining groups (p<0.05). TFC was significantly correlated with both AL (R=0.74; p<0.0001) and PT (R=0.49; p<0.01). Severity of memory decline at 1 week after surgery presaged long-lasting deteriorations in learning and memory. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Serum N(1)-Methylnicotinamide Is Associated With Obesity and Diabetes in Chinese.

PubMed

Liu, Ming; Li, Lihua; Chu, Jihong; Zhu, Boyu; Zhang, Qingtao; Yin, Xueyan; Jiang, Weimin; Dai, Guoliang; Ju, Wenzheng; Wang, Zhenxing; Yang, Qin; Fang, Zhuyuan

2015-08-01

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) is a novel histone methylation modulator that regulates energy metabolism, and NNMT knockdown prevents diet-induced obesity in mice. However, whether NNMT plays a role in human obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains to be elucidated. NNMT catalyzes methylation of nicotinamide to generate N(1)-methylnicotinamide (me-NAM). We aimed to investigate the associations of serum me-NAM with obesity and T2DM in Chinese. The study subjects (n = 1160) were recruited from Dali, a city of Yunnan Province, in southwest China. Anthropometric phenotypes, fasting glucose, and serum lipids were measured. Serum me-NAM was measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Serum me-NAM was positively correlated with body mass index and waist circumference and negatively with high-density lipoprotein (P ≤ .03). The correlations remained highly significant in the multivariate adjusted correlation analyses. In men (n = 691), positive correlations between me-NAM and fasting glucose, low-density lipoprotein, liver function, and serum creatinine levels were also observed in both simple and multivariate adjusted correlation analyses. In multiple logistic regression analyses, elevated serum me-NAM was associated with higher risks for overweight/obesity (odds ratios, 2.36 and 5.78; 95% confidence intervals, 1.10-5.08 and 1.78-18.76 for men and women, respectively; P ≤ .03) and diabetes (odds ratios, 1.56 and 1.86; 95% confidence intervals, 1.10-2.22 and 1.05-3.31 for men and women, respectively; P ≤ .03). This first large-scale population study shows that me-NAM, as an indicator of NNMT activity, is strongly associated with obesity and diabetes, supporting NNMT as a potential target for treating obesity and diabetes in humans.

A computational relationship between thalamic sensory neural responses and contrast perception.

PubMed

Jiang, Yaoguang; Purushothaman, Gopathy; Casagrande, Vivien A

2015-01-01

Uncovering the relationship between sensory neural responses and perceptual decisions remains a fundamental problem in neuroscience. Decades of experimental and modeling work in the sensory cortex have demonstrated that a perceptual decision pool is usually composed of tens to hundreds of neurons, the responses of which are significantly correlated not only with each other, but also with the behavioral choices of an animal. Few studies, however, have measured neural activity in the sensory thalamus of awake, behaving animals. Therefore, it remains unclear how many thalamic neurons are recruited and how the information from these neurons is pooled at subsequent cortical stages to form a perceptual decision. In a previous study we measured neural activity in the macaque lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) during a two alternative forced choice (2AFC) contrast detection task, and found that single LGN neurons were significantly correlated with the monkeys' behavioral choices, despite their relatively poor contrast sensitivity and a lack of overall interneuronal correlations. We have now computationally tested a number of specific hypotheses relating these measured LGN neural responses to the contrast detection behavior of the animals. We modeled the perceptual decisions with different numbers of neurons and using a variety of pooling/readout strategies, and found that the most successful model consisted of about 50-200 LGN neurons, with individual neurons weighted differentially according to their signal-to-noise ratios (quantified as d-primes). These results supported the hypothesis that in contrast detection the perceptual decision pool consists of multiple thalamic neurons, and that the response fluctuations in these neurons can influence contrast perception, with the more sensitive thalamic neurons likely to exert a greater influence.

On the origins of the ‘global signal’ determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging in the resting state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Maxwell R.; Farnell, Les; Gibson, William; Lagopoulos, Jim

2016-02-01

Objective. Functional magnetic resonance imaging blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) determinations of correlations between ‘resting-state’ neuronal activity in different regions of cortex have generated much interest. Determination of these correlations requires regressing out signals that are correlated in all parts of the cortex and are taken to be artefactual, such as those due to movement, respiration and cardiovascular activity. However when these are removed there still remains a ‘global signal’ (GS), which is taken to be of unknown physiological origin, and is regressed out by some researchers but not by others. Approach. We have investigated the origin of this GS using cortical models consisting of coupled networks of modules representing regions of interest. Main results. We show that the GS has an amplitude that is linearly related to the average correlation between the modules/voxels in the network over a large range of such correlations. The GS arises as a consequence of feedback between the modules/voxels leading to correlations in their BOLD signals. Given the relationship between the GS and the average correlations it might be anticipated that regressing out the GS during preprocessing will significantly modify the correlations subsequently determined. This is shown to be the case when comparing the connections of individual modules with that predicted by the correlations. Significance. The present model shows that such correlations can arise as a consequence of the intermodular feedback connectivity without recourse to imposing a GS independent of the connectivity. Our model indicates that the GS reflects the extent of feedback pathways provided by the intermodular/inter-regional connections and hence the average correlation between modules or regions of cortex. However the model has not been used to elucidate the possible contributions of a GS independent of the connectivity, which might indeed contribute to the GS of the cortex.

The mediating effect of parental neglect on adolescent and young adult anti-sociality: a longitudinal study of twins and their parents.

PubMed

Eaves, Lindon J; Prom, Elizabeth C; Silberg, Judy L

2010-07-01

The causes of correlation between parental treatment and offspring behavior are ambiguous since genetic and social factors are correlated in typical family studies. The problem is complicated by the need to characterize the effects of genes and environment on both juvenile and adult behavioral outcomes. A model is developed for the resemblance between juvenile and adult twins and their parents that allows some of these effects to be resolved. Data on childhood adversity, parental anti-social behavior, and longitudinal adult and juvenile anti-social behavior were obtained from 1,412 families of adolescent and young adult twins. A structural model is fitted that allows for the effects of genetic and social transmission of information from parents to children. Environmental effects of parents may be mediated through measured features of the home environment. Parameters were estimated by diagonal weighted least squares applied to the 33 distinct polychoric correlations between relatives and between variables within and between ages. Sub-hypotheses were tested. Results confirmed that effects of genes and environment were both highly significant. Genetic effects were large in juveniles and largely age and sex-specific. Approximately 30% of the variation due to the shared environment was due to the effect of childhood adversity. The remaining shared environmental effects are unexplained. Adversity is affected significantly by maternal anti-social behavior. The correlation between paternal ASP and adversity may be explained by antisocial fathers selecting (or creating) antisocial mothers. All significant environmental effects of parental ASP are mediated through the measure of adversity. Though transmission of ASP is both genetic and social, passive genotype-environment correlation is very small. Assortative mating for ASP has barely detectable consequence for the genetic correlation between siblings. The longitudinal study of twins and their parents makes it possible to demonstrate there is a direct causal effect of childhood adversity on child conduct disorder over and above any indirect genetic correlation.

Elastin Fiber Accumulation in Liver Correlates with the Development of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Kurosaki, Masayuki; Higuchi, Mayu; Komiyama, Yasuyuki; Yoshida, Tsubasa; Hayashi, Tsuguru; Kuwabara, Konomi; Takaura, Kenta; Nakakuki, Natsuko; Takada, Hitomi; Tamaki, Nobuharu; Suzuki, Shoko; Nakanishi, Hiroyuki; Tsuchiya, Kaoru; Itakura, Jun; Takahashi, Yuka; Hashiguchi, Akinori; Sakamoto, Michiie; Izumi, Namiki

2016-01-01

Background & Aims The fibrosis stage, which is evaluated by the distribution pattern of collagen fibers, is a major predictor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with hepatitis C. Meanwhile, the role of elastin fibers has not yet been elucidated. The present study was conducted to determine the significance of quantifying both collagen and elastin fibers. Methods We enrolled 189 consecutive patients with hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. Using Elastica van Gieson-stained whole-slide images of pretreatment liver biopsies, collagen and elastin fibers were evaluated pixel by pixel (0.46 μm/pixel) using an automated computational method. Consequently, fiber amount and cumulative incidences of HCC within 3 years were analyzed. Results There was a significant correlation between collagen and elastin fibers, whereas variation in elastin fiber was greater than in collagen fiber. Both collagen fiber (p = 0.008) and elastin fiber (p < 0.001) were significantly correlated with F stage. In total, 30 patients developed HCC during follow-up. Patients who have higher elastin fiber (p = 0.002) in addition to higher collagen fiber (p = 0.05) showed significantly higher incidences of HCC. With regard to elastin fiber, this difference remained significant in F3 patients. Furthermore, for patients with a higher collagen fiber amount, higher elastin was a significant predictor for HCC development (p = 0.02). Conclusions Computational analysis is a novel technique for quantification of fibers with the added value of conventional staging. Elastin fiber is a predictor for the development of HCC independently of collagen fiber and F stage. PMID:27128435

Plasticity in stomatal size and density of potato leaves under different irrigation and phosphorus regimes.

PubMed

Sun, Yanqi; Yan, Fei; Cui, Xiaoyong; Liu, Fulai

2014-09-01

The morphological features of stomata including their size and density could be modulated by environmental cues; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, the effect of different irrigation and phosphorus (P) regimes on stomatal size (SS) and stomatal density (SD) of potato leaves was investigated. The plants were grown in split-root pots under two P fertilization rates (viz., 0 and 100mgkg(-1) soil, denoted as P0 and P1, respectively) and subjected to full (FI), deficit (DI), and partial root-zone drying (PRD) irrigation regimes. Results showed that SS and SD were unresponsive to P but significantly affected by the irrigation treatment. FI plants had the largest SS, followed by DI, and PRD the smallest; and the reverse was the case for SD. Compared to FI and DI, PRD plants had significantly lower values of specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf carbon isotope discrimination (Δ(13)C) under P0. Midday leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and stomatal conductance (gs) was similar for DI and PRD, which was significantly lower than that of FI. Leaf contents of C, N, K, Ca and Mg were higher in PRD than in DI plants, particularly under P0. When analyzed across the three irrigation regimes, it was found that the P1 plants had significantly higher leaf contents of P and Mg, but significantly lower leaf K content compared to the P0 plants. Linear correlation analyses revealed that SS was positively correlated with Ψleaf and Δ(13)C; whereas SD was negatively correlated with Ψleaf, Δ(13)C and SLA, and positively correlated with leaf C, N and Ca contents. And gs was positively correlated with SS but negatively correlated with SD. Collectively, under low P level, the smaller and denser stomata in PRD plants may bring about a more efficient stomatal control over gas exchange, hereby potentially enhance water-use efficiency as exemplified by the lowered leaf Δ(13)C under fluctuating soil moisture conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Trauma centrality and PTSD in veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

PubMed

Brown, Adam D; Antonius, Daniel; Kramer, Michael; Root, James C; Hirst, William

2010-08-01

Research has demonstrated that the extent to which an individual integrates a traumatic event into their identity ("trauma centrality") positively correlates with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. No research to date has examined trauma centrality in individuals exposed to combat stress. This study investigated trauma centrality using the abridged Centrality of Event Scale (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006) among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veterans (n = 46). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that trauma centrality predicted PTSD symptoms. Trauma centrality and PTSD symptoms remained significantly correlated when controlling for depression in subgroups of veterans with or without probable PTSD. This study replicates and extends findings that placing trauma at the center of one's identity is associated with PTSD symptomatology.

Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing-1 (CTHRC1) Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC): Prognostic Value and Clinico-Pathological Implications

PubMed Central

Lee, Chia Ee; Vincent-Chong, Vui King; Ramanathan, Anand; Kallarakkal, Thomas George; Karen-Ng, Lee Peng; Ghani, Wan Maria Nabillah; Rahman, Zainal Ariff Abdul; Ismail, Siti Mazlipah; Abraham, Mannil Thomas; Tay, Keng Kiong; Mustafa, Wan Mahadzir Wan; Cheong, Sok Ching; Zain, Rosnah Binti

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing 1 (CTHRC1) is a protein often found to be over-expressed in various types of human cancers. However, correlation between CTHRC1 expression level with clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis in oral cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine mRNA and protein expression of CTHRC1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to evaluate the clinical and prognostic impact of CTHRC1 in OSCC. METHODS: In this study, mRNA and protein expression of CTHRC1 in OSCCs were determined by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The association between CTHRC1 and clinico-pathological parameters were evaluated by univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses. Correlation between CTHRC1 protein expressions with survival were analysed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models. RESULTS: Current study demonstrated CTHRC1 was significantly overexpressed at the mRNA level in OSCC. Univariate analyses indicated a high-expression of CTHRC1 that was significantly associated with advanced stage pTNM staging, tumour size ≥ 4 cm and positive lymph node metastasis (LNM). However, only positive LNM remained significant after adjusting with other confounder factors in multivariate logistic regression analyses. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox model demonstrated that patients with high-expression of CTHRC1 protein were associated with poor prognosis and is an independent prognostic factor in OSCC. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that over-expression of CTHRC1 potentially as an independent predictor for positive LNM and poor prognosis in OSCC. PMID:26664254

Mitochondrial assembly receptor expression is an independent prognosticator for patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Su, Yan-Ye; Chen, Chang-Han; Chien, Chih-Yen; Lin, Wei-Che; Huang, Wan-Ting; Li, Shau-Hsuan

2017-01-01

Recent evidence suggests that the local renin-angiotensin system has been implicated in various malignancies. The mitochondrial assembly receptor is a newly identified receptor for angiotensin peptides, angiotensin-(1-7), and has an important role in the renin-angiotensin system. However, the role of the mitochondrial assembly receptor in the prognosis of cancer patients remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of mitochondrial assembly receptor signaling in the prognosis of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma. Mitochondrial assembly receptor immunohistochemistry was examined in 151 oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients and was correlated with treatment outcome. The functional relevance of the mitochondrial assembly receptor in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays. Mitochondrial assembly receptor overexpression was significantly correlated with early pathological T classification ( p=0.029) and the absence of extracapsular spread ( p=0.039). Univariate analyses demonstrated that mitochondrial assembly receptor overexpression was significantly associated with superior overall survival ( p=0.012). In multivariate comparison, mitochondrial assembly receptor overexpression remained independently associated with superior overall survival ( p=0.008, hazard ratio=1.862). In vitro, angiotensin-(1-7) suppressed the cell growth in oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells, and this response was reversed by the mitochondrial assembly receptor antagonist, A779. Mitochondrial assembly receptor expression is independently associated with the prognosis of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients. These findings suggest that mitochondrial assembly receptor signaling may be a promising novel target for oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

The effect of Bahiagrass roots on soil erosion resistance of Aquults in subtropical China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Chao; Guo, Zhonglu; Li, Zhaoxia; Cai, Chongfa

2017-05-01

Herbaceous species, especially their roots, are believed to have an important role in enhancing soil strength and protecting soil against erosion. This study evaluated the effects of root distribution characteristics on soil shear resistance and soil detachment rates, correlations among root mechanical properties, root chemical composition and root parameters, and whether the Wu-Waldron model can accurately estimate soil reinforcement by roots. Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) was planted in planter boxes by overlapping four rectangle frames (0.4 × 0.1 × 0.1 m). A series of laboratory tests of direct shear strength and soil detachment were conducted on two soils that were derived from granite and shale with different soil depths and sowing densities. The results indicated that soil aggregate stability was positively correlated with root characteristics. Over 70% of the total measured root parameters were distributed in the upper 20 cm of the soil, and they decreased with increasing soil depth and decreasing sowing density. The tensile properties (root tensile strength and root tensile force) were significantly correlated with root diameter. The contents of root main chemical compositions were significantly correlated with root diameter while hemicellulose showed no obvious trend with root diameter (P = 0.12). Root tensile strength and root tensile force were also significantly correlated with the contents of these four compositions, except hemicellulose. The relative soil detachment demonstrated a significant negative correlation with root parameters with sowing densities from 5 to 30 g m- 2, and it remained at a relatively low value when the sowing density was > 20 g m- 2. The soil detachment rate, erodibility factor and critical flow shear stress were well correlated with the root area ratio, sowing density, and soil depth. The Wu-Waldron model was found to be inappropriate for these soils, as it overestimated additional soil shear strength due to roots by 152-366% in the upper 20 cm, and 11-48% in deeper soil layers. This study demonstrated that the root area ratio was a more suitable root characteristic parameter that contributes to soil reinforcement.

Correlation of mRNA Expression and Signal Variability in Chronic Intracortical Electrodes.

PubMed

Falcone, Jessica D; Carroll, Sheridan L; Saxena, Tarun; Mandavia, Dev; Clark, Alexus; Yarabarla, Varun; Bellamkonda, Ravi V

2018-01-01

The goal for this research was to identify molecular mechanisms that explain animal-to-animal variability in chronic intracortical recordings. Microwire electrodes were implanted into Sprague Dawley rats at an acute (1 week) and a chronic (14 weeks) time point. Weekly recordings were conducted, and action potentials were evoked in the barrel cortex by deflecting the rat's whiskers. At 1 and 14 weeks, tissue was collected, and mRNA was extracted. mRNA expression was compared between 1 and 14 weeks using a high throughput multiplexed qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between mRNA expression and signal-to-noise ratios at 14 weeks. At 14 weeks, a positive correlation between signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and NeuN and GFAP mRNA expression was observed, indicating a relationship between recording strength and neuronal population, as well as reactive astrocyte activity. The inflammatory state around the electrode interface was evaluated using M1-like and M2-like markers. Expression for both M1-like and M2-like mRNA markers remained steady from 1 to 14 weeks. Anti-inflammatory markers, CD206 and CD163, however, demonstrated a significant positive correlation with SNR quality at 14 weeks. VE-cadherin, a marker for adherens junctions, and PDGFR-β, a marker for pericytes, both partial representatives of blood-brain barrier health, had a positive correlation with SNR at 14 weeks. Endothelial adhesion markers revealed a significant increase in expression at 14 weeks, while CD45, a pan-leukocyte marker, significantly decreased at 14 weeks. No significant correlation was found for either the endothelial adhesion or pan-leukocyte markers. A positive correlation between anti-inflammatory and blood-brain barrier health mRNA markers with electrophysiological efficacy of implanted intracortical electrodes has been demonstrated. These data reveal potential mechanisms for further evaluation to determine potential target mechanisms to improve consistency of intracortical electrodes recordings and reduce animal-to-animal/implant-to-implant variability.

Developmental Changes in Soluble CD40 Ligand

PubMed Central

Cholette, Jill M.; Blumberg, Neil; Phipps, Richard P.; McDermott, Michael P.; Gettings, Kelly F.; Lerner, Norma B.

2008-01-01

Objectives To determine if soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L; formally CD154) levels vary with age and to identify age-dependent ranges in healthy pediatric and adult populations. Study design sCD40L was measured in 25 neonates, 74 children (3 months –15 years) and 20 adults using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For age group comparisons, Mann-Whitney tests were performed. Correlation coefficients assessed relationships between plasma and serum sCD40L. Results Plasma sCD40L levels were higher in neonates than in all other age groups, (p<0.001). All grouped pediatric plasma levels were significantly higher than in adults (p<0.0001). There were no significant differences in plasma sCD40L between pediatric age groups. Serum levels were significantly higher in neonates than in any other age group (p <0.0001). Pediatric and adult serum sCD40L levels were not significantly different. Conclusions Plasma sCD40L levels are highest at birth and remain higher than those in adults throughout childhood. Reasons for such developmental changes remain to be investigated. Age appropriate reference ranges should be used when sCD40L is being evaluated in pediatric disorders. PMID:18154898

Hippocampal α-Synuclein in Dementia with Lewy Bodies Contributes to Memory Impairment and Is Consistent with Spread of Pathology

PubMed Central

Roy, Subhojit; Galasko, Douglas R.; Hansen, Lawrence A.; Masliah, Eliezer

2017-01-01

Despite considerable research to uncover them, the anatomic and neuropathologic correlates of memory impairment in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) remain unclear. While some studies have implicated Lewy bodies in the neocortex, others have pointed to α-synuclein pathology in the hippocampus. We systematically examined hippocampal Lewy pathology and its distribution in hippocampal subfields in 95 clinically and neuropathologically characterized human cases of DLB, finding that α-synuclein pathology was highest in two hippocampal-related subregions: the CA2 subfield and the entorhinal cortex (EC). While the EC had numerous classic somatic Lewy bodies, CA2 contained mainly Lewy neurites in presumed axon terminals, suggesting the involvement of the EC → CA2 circuitry in the pathogenesis of DLB symptoms. Clinicopathological correlations with measures of verbal and visual memory supported a role for EC Lewy pathology, but not CA2, in causing these memory deficits. Lewy pathology in CA1—the main output region for CA2—correlated best with results from memory testing despite a milder pathology. This result indicates that CA1 may be more functionally relevant than CA2 in the context of memory impairment in DLB. These correlations remained significant after controlling for several factors, including concurrent Alzheimer's pathology (neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles) and the interval between time of testing and time of death. Our data suggest that although hippocampal Lewy pathology in DLB is predominant in CA2 and EC, memory performance correlates most strongly with CA1 burden. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This study provides a detailed neuropathologic analysis of hippocampal Lewy pathology in human patients with autopsy-confirmed dementia with Lewy bodies. The approach—informed by regional molecular markers, concurrent Alzheimer's pathology analysis, and relevant clinical data—helps tease out the relative contribution of Lewy pathology to memory dysfunction in the disease. Levels of Lewy pathology were found to be highest in the hippocampal CA2 subregion and entorhinal cortex, implicating a potentially overlooked circuit in disease pathogenesis. However, correlation with memory performance was strongest with CA1. This unexpected finding suggests that Lewy pathology must reach a critical burden across hippocampal circuitry to contribute to memory dysfunction beyond that related to other factors, notably coexisting Alzheimer's disease tau pathology. PMID:28039370

Correlation between pre-pregnancy body mass index and maternal visceral adiposity with fetal biometry during the second trimester.

PubMed

Lopes, Karina R M; Souza, Alex Sandro R; Figueiroa, José N; Alves, João Guilherme B

2017-08-01

To determine the correlation between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal visceral adiposity with fetal biometry during the second trimester. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among pregnant women who received prenatal care at a center in Recife, Brazil, between October 3, 2011, and September 27, 2013. Pre-pregnancy BMI was determined at the first prenatal care visit. Maternal visceral adiposity and fetal biometry were measured at the same ultrasonography session. The associations between maternal and fetal variables were evaluated using the Pearson correlation coefficient (R). The Student t test was used to test the null hypothesis of adjusted correlation coefficients. Overall, 740 women were included. No correlation was found between pre-pregnancy BMI and any of the fetal biometric variables assessed. By contrast, maternal visceral adiposity positively correlated with fetal abdominal circumference (R=0.529), estimated fetal weight (R=0.524), head circumference (R=0.521), femur length (R=0.521), and biparietal diameter (R=0.524; P<0.001 for all fetal variables). These findings remained statistically significant after controlling for pregnancy length. Maternal visceral adiposity, but not pre-pregnancy BMI, positively correlated with fetal biometry during the second trimester. © 2017 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Association of sperm apoptosis and DNA ploidy with sperm chromatin quality in human spermatozoa.

PubMed

Mahfouz, Reda Z; Sharma, Rakesh K; Said, Tamer M; Erenpreiss, Juris; Agarwal, Ashok

2009-04-01

To examine the relationship among sperm apoptosis, sperm chromatin status, and DNA ploidy in different sperm fractions. Prospective study. Reproductive research center in a tertiary care hospital. Sperm prepared by density gradient were evaluated for sperm count, motility, apoptosis, and sperm chromatin assessment. Sperm count, sperm motility, toluidine blue (TB) results, DNA fragmentation index (%DFI), high DNA stainability, DNA cytometry, and early and late apoptosis. Sperm motility was related to late apoptotic and subhaploid apoptotic sperm (r = -0.56 and -0.53, respectively). The sperm %DFI showed significant correlation with late apoptotic and subhaploid sperm (r = 0.62 and 0.68). TB-stained sperm were significantly correlated with late apoptotic sperm (r = 0.51). Significantly higher proportions of haploid sperm and light blue TB-stained sperm were seen in mature compared with immature fractions. Even in semen samples with low %DFI, semen processing results in a lower incidence of nuclear immaturity and subhaploidy, but the incidence of late apoptotic sperm remains unchanged. Therefore, simultaneous evaluation of apoptosis and sperm chromatin status is important for processing sperm in assisted reproductive procedures.

Plateau Waves of Intracranial Pressure and Partial Pressure of Cerebral Oxygen.

PubMed

Lang, Erhard W; Kasprowicz, Magdalena; Smielewski, Peter; Pickard, John; Czosnyka, Marek

2016-01-01

This study investigates 55 intracranial pressure (ICP) plateau waves recorded in 20 patients after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a focus on a moving correlation coefficient between mean arterial pressure (ABP) and ICP, called PRx, which serves as a marker of cerebrovascular reactivity, and a moving correlation coefficient between ABP and cerebral partial pressure of oxygen (pbtO2), called ORx, which serves as a marker for cerebral oxygen reactivity. ICP and ICPamplitude increased significantly during the plateau waves, whereas CPP and pbtO2 decreased significantly. ABP, ABP amplitude, and heart rate remained unchanged. In 73 % of plateau waves PRx increased during the wave. ORx showed an increase during and a decrease after the plateau waves, which was not statistically significant. Our data show profound cerebral vasoparalysis on top of the wave and, to a lesser extent, impairment of cerebral oxygen reactivity. The different behavior of the indices may be due to the different latencies of the cerebral blood flow and oxygen level control mechanisms. While cerebrovascular reactivity is a rapidly reacting mechanism, cerebral oxygen reactivity is slower.

Tonic accommodation predicts closed-loop accommodation responses.

PubMed

Liu, Chunming; Drew, Stefanie A; Borsting, Eric; Escobar, Amy; Stark, Lawrence; Chase, Christopher

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study is to examine the potential relationship between tonic accommodation (TA), near work induced TA-adaptation and the steady state closed-loop accommodation response (AR). Forty-two graduate students participated in the study. Various aspects of their accommodation system were objectively measured using an open-field infrared auto-refractor (Grand Seiko WAM-5500). Tonic accommodation was assessed in a completely dark environment. The association between TA and closed-loop AR was assessed using linear regression correlations and t-test comparisons. Initial mean baseline TA was 1.84diopter (D) (SD±1.29D) with a wide distribution range (-0.43D to 5.14D). For monocular visual tasks, baseline TA was significantly correlated with the closed-loop AR. The slope of the best fit line indicated that closed-loop AR varied by approximately 0.3D for every 1D change in TA. This ratio was consistent across a variety of viewing distances and different near work tasks, including both static targets and continuous reading. Binocular reading conditions weakened the correlation between baseline TA and AR, although results remained statistically significant. The 10min near reading task with a 3D demand did not reveal significant near work induced TA-adaptation for either monocular or binocular conditions. Consistently, the TA-adaptation did not show any correlation with AR during reading. This study found a strong association between open-loop TA and closed-loop AR across a variety of viewing distances and different near work tasks. Difference between the correlations under monocular and binocular reading condition suggests a potential role for vergence compensation during binocular closed-loop AR. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlates of self-reported, autobiographical, and mini-mental status examination defined memory deficits following electroconvulsive therapy in South India.

PubMed

Rajkumar, Anto P; Petit, Cheryl P; Rachana, Arun; Deinde, Funmi; Shyamsundar, G; Thangadurai, P; Jacob, Kuruthukulangara S

2018-04-01

Cognitive deficits, self-reported or found following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and their correlates are diverse. Despite the characteristics of people receiving ECT in Asia differ widely from the west, pertinent research from Asia remains sparse. We investigated the correlates of self-reported, mini-mental status examination (MMSE) defined, and autobiographical memory deficits in a cohort that received ECT in a south Indian tertiary-care setting. 76 consecutive consenting people were recruited within seven days of completing their ECT course. Memory was assessed by a subjective Likert scale, MMSE, and an autobiographical memory scale (AMS). Psychopathology was assessed by brief psychiatric rating scale, and serum cortisol levels were estimated by chemi-luminescence immunoassays. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from the participants, and their medical records. The correlates were analysed using generalised linear models after adjusting for the effects of potential confounders. Self-reported, MMSE-defined, and autobiographical memory deficits were present in 27.6% (95%CI 17.6-37.7%), 42.1% (95%CI 31.0-53.2%), and 36.8% (95%CI 26.0-47.7%) of participants, respectively. Agreement between the memory deficits was poor. Age, less education, duration of illness, hypothyroidism, and past history of another ECT course were significantly associated with MMSE-defined deficits. Age, anaemia, past ECT course, and pre-ECT blood pressure were significantly associated with autobiographical memory deficits, while residual psychopathology and cortisol levels were significantly associated with self-reported memory deficits. Self-reported, MMSE-defined, and autobiographical memory deficits are common at the completion of ECT course, and their correlates differ. All service users receiving ECT need periodic cognitive assessments evaluating multiple cognitive domains. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The influence of systemic hemodynamics and oxygen transport on cerebral oxygen saturation in neonates after the Norwood procedure.

PubMed

Li, Jia; Zhang, Gencheng; Holtby, Helen; Guerguerian, Anne-Marie; Cai, Sally; Humpl, Tilman; Caldarone, Christopher A; Redington, Andrew N; Van Arsdell, Glen S

2008-01-01

Ischemic brain injury is an important morbidity in neonates after the Norwood procedure. Its relationship to systemic hemodynamic oxygen transport is poorly understood. Sixteen neonates undergoing the Norwood procedure were studied. Continuous cerebral oxygen saturation was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Continuous oxygen consumption was measured by respiratory mass spectrometry. Pulmonary and systemic blood flow, systemic vascular resistance, oxygen delivery, and oxygen extraction ratio were derived with measurements of arterial, and superior vena cava and pulmonary venous gases and pressures at 2- to 4-hour intervals during the first 72 hours in the intensive care unit. Mean cerebral oxygen saturation was 66% +/- 12% before the operation, reduced to 51% +/- 13% on arrival in the intensive care unit, and remained low during the first 8 hours; it increased to 56% +/- 9% at 72 hours, still significantly lower than the preoperative level (P < .05). Postoperatively, cerebral oxygen saturation was closely and positively correlated with systemic arterial pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, and arterial oxygen tension and negatively with oxygen extraction ratio (P < .0001 for all). Cerebral oxygen saturation was moderately and positively correlated with systemic blood flow and oxygen delivery (P < .0001 for both). It was weakly and positively correlated with pulmonary blood flow (P = .001) and hemoglobin (P = .02) and negatively correlated with systemic vascular resistance (P = .003). It was not correlated with oxygen consumption (P > .05). Cerebral oxygen saturation decreased significantly in neonates during the early postoperative period after the Norwood procedure and was significantly influenced by systemic hemodynamic and metabolic events. As such, hemodynamic interventions to modify systemic oxygen transport may provide further opportunities to reduce the risk of cerebral ischemia and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Correlation between follicular fluid levels of sRAGE and vitamin D in women with PCOS.

PubMed

Garg, Deepika; Grazi, Richard; Lambert-Messerlian, Geralyn M; Merhi, Zaher

2017-11-01

The pro-inflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their anti-inflammatory soluble receptors, sRAGE, play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. There is a correlation between vitamin D (vit D) and sRAGE in the serum, whereby vit D replacement increases serum sRAGE levels in women with PCOS, thus incurring a protective anti-inflammatory role. This study aims to compare levels of sRAGE, N-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML; one of the AGEs), and 25-hydroxy-vit D in the follicular fluid (FF) of women with or without PCOS, and to evaluate the correlation between sRAGE and 25-hydroxy-vit D in the FF. Women with (n = 12) or without (n = 13) PCOS who underwent IVF were prospectively enrolled. Women with PCOS had significantly higher anti-Mullerian hormone levels, higher number of total retrieved and mature oocytes, and higher number of day 3 and day 5 embryos formed. Compared to women without PCOS, women with PCOS had significantly lower FF sRAGE levels. In women with PCOS, in women without PCOS, and in all participants together, there was a significant positive correlation between sRAGE and 25-hydroxy-vit D. sRAGE positively correlated with CML in women without PCOS but not in women with PCOS. In women with PCOS, the low ovarian levels of the anti-inflammatory sRAGE suggest that sRAGE could represent a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for ovarian dysfunction in PCOS. Whether there is a direct causal relationship between sRAGE and vit D in the ovaries remains to be determined.

Does lymphopenia or macrocytosis reflect 6-thioguanine levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine?

PubMed

Heerasing, N M; Ng, J F; Dowling, D

2016-04-01

The thiopurine drugs, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine, remain the mainstay of immunomodulator therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Optimal management depends on achieving therapeutic levels of 6-thioguanine (6-TGN), but measuring thiopurine metabolites is associated with significant cost. Thiopurines cause lymphopenia and an increase in mean corpuscular volume (MCV). It is unclear whether any clinically useful correlation exists between 6-TGN levels and lymphocyte count or MCV. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between 6-TGN levels and lymphocyte count and MCV in thiopurine-treated patients with IBD. We analysed a prospectively acquired database of 67 patients with IBD treated with thiopurine therapy. The data were analysed looking at the relationship between 6-TGN levels and both lymphocyte count and MCV by using the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Twenty-seven (40%) patients had therapeutic 6-TGN levels. Thirty-three (49%) patients had sub-therapeutic 6-TGN levels. A weak positive correlation between 6-TGN levels and lymphocyte count was demonstrated, but this was not statistically significant (Spearman's R = 0.14, P = 0.23). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between 6-TGN levels and MCV was statistically significant (R = 0.42, P = 0.0005). MCV >101 fL excluded a subtherapeutic 6-TGN level with positive predictive value of 92%. There is no specific lymphopenia that can be assumed to indicate a therapeutic 6-TGN level. The relationship between 6-TGN levels and MCV is likely to be clinically relevant. If MCV is elevated, 6-TGN is unlikely to be sub-therapeutic. MCV is a potential surrogate marker which can rule out sub-therapeutic thiopurine metabolites in patients with IBD treated with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine. © 2016 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

The prediction of cyclic proximal humerus fracture fixation failure by various bone density measures.

PubMed

Varga, Peter; Grünwald, Leonard; Windolf, Markus

2018-02-22

Fixation of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures has remained challenging, but may be improved by careful pre-operative planning. The aim of this study was to investigate how well the failure of locking plate fixation of osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures can be predicted by bone density measures assessed with currently available clinical imaging (realistic case) and a higher resolution and quality modality (theoretical best-case). Various density measures were correlated to experimentally assessed number of cycles to construct failure of plated unstable low-density proximal humerus fractures (N = 18). The influence of density evaluation technique was investigated by comparing local (peri-implant) versus global evaluation regions; HR-pQCT-based versus clinical QCT-based image data; ipsilateral versus contralateral side; and bone mineral content (BMC) versus bone mineral density (BMD). All investigated density measures were significantly correlated with the experimental cycles to failure. The best performing clinically feasible parameter was the QCT-based BMC of the contralateral articular cap region, providing significantly better correlation (R 2  = 0.53) compared to a previously proposed clinical density measure (R 2  = 0.30). BMC had consistently, but not significantly stronger correlations with failure than BMD. The overall best results were obtained with the ipsilateral HR-pQCT-based local BMC (R 2  = 0.74) that may be used for implant optimization. Strong correlations were found between the corresponding density measures of the two CT image sources, as well as between the two sides. Future studies should investigate if BMC of the contralateral articular cap region could provide improved prediction of clinical fixation failure compared to previously proposed measures. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cortical Thickness Reduction in Combat Exposed U.S. Veterans with and without PTSD

PubMed Central

Wrocklage, Kristen M.; Averill, Lynnette A.; Scott, J. Cobb; Averill, Christopher L.; Schweinsburg, Brian; Trejo, Marcia; Roy, Alicia; Weisser, Valerie; Kelly, Christopher; Martini, Brenda; Harpaz-Rotem, Ilan; Southwick, Steven M.; Krystal, John H.; Abdallah, Chadi G.

2017-01-01

We investigated the extent of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans exposed to combat who varied in the severity of their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition, we explored the neural correlates of PTSD symptom dimensions and the interactive effects of combat exposure and PTSD upon cortical thickness. Sixty-nine combat exposed Veterans completed high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to estimate cortical thickness. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES) assessments were completed to measure current PTSD and historical combat severity, respectively. PTSD symptom dimensions (numbing, avoidance, reexperiencing, anxious arousal, and dysphoric arousal) were studied. Vertex-wise whole cerebrum analyses were conducted. We found widespread negative correlations between CAPS severity and cortical thickness, particularly within the prefrontal cortex. This prefrontal correlation remained significant after controlling for depression severity, medication status, and other potential confounds. PTSD dimensions, except anxious arousal, negatively correlated with cortical thickness in various unique brain regions. CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the left lateral prefrontal, regardless of PTSD diagnosis. A significant interaction between CES and PTSD diagnosis was found, such that CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the non-PTSD, but not in the PTSD, participants. The results underscore the severity of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans suffering from high level of PTSD symptoms, as well as in Veterans with no PTSD diagnosis but severe combat exposure. The latter finding raises considerable concerns about a concealed injury potentially related to combat exposure in the post-9/11 era. PMID:28279623

Cortical thickness reduction in combat exposed U.S. veterans with and without PTSD.

PubMed

Wrocklage, Kristen M; Averill, Lynnette A; Cobb Scott, J; Averill, Christopher L; Schweinsburg, Brian; Trejo, Marcia; Roy, Alicia; Weisser, Valerie; Kelly, Christopher; Martini, Brenda; Harpaz-Rotem, Ilan; Southwick, Steven M; Krystal, John H; Abdallah, Chadi G

2017-05-01

We investigated the extent of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans exposed to combat who varied in the severity of their posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. In addition, we explored the neural correlates of PTSD symptom dimensions and the interactive effects of combat exposure and PTSD upon cortical thickness. Sixty-nine combat exposed Veterans completed high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to estimate cortical thickness. The Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and Combat Exposure Scale (CES) assessments were completed to measure current PTSD and historical combat severity, respectively. PTSD symptom dimensions (numbing, avoidance, reexperiencing, anxious arousal, and dysphoric arousal) were studied. Vertex-wise whole cerebrum analyses were conducted. We found widespread negative correlations between CAPS severity and cortical thickness, particularly within the prefrontal cortex. This prefrontal correlation remained significant after controlling for depression severity, medication status, and other potential confounds. PTSD dimensions, except anxious arousal, negatively correlated with cortical thickness in various unique brain regions. CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the left lateral prefrontal, regardless of PTSD diagnosis. A significant interaction between CES and PTSD diagnosis was found, such that CES negatively correlated with cortical thickness in the non-PTSD, but not in the PTSD, participants. The results underscore the severity of cortical thinning in U.S. Veterans suffering from high level of PTSD symptoms, as well as in Veterans with no PTSD diagnosis but severe combat exposure. The latter finding raises considerable concerns about a concealed injury potentially related to combat exposure in the post-9/11 era. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Functional Connectivity of Resting Hemodynamic Signals in Submillimeter Orientation Columns of the Visual Cortex.

PubMed

Vasireddi, Anil K; Vazquez, Alberto L; Whitney, David E; Fukuda, Mitsuhiro; Kim, Seong-Gi

2016-09-07

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging has been increasingly used for examining connectivity across brain regions. The spatial scale by which hemodynamic imaging can resolve functional connections at rest remains unknown. To examine this issue, deoxyhemoglobin-weighted intrinsic optical imaging data were acquired from the visual cortex of lightly anesthetized ferrets. The neural activity of orientation domains, which span a distance of 0.7-0.8 mm, has been shown to be correlated during evoked activity and at rest. We performed separate analyses to assess the degree to which the spatial and temporal characteristics of spontaneous hemodynamic signals depend on the known functional organization of orientation columns. As a control, artificial orientation column maps were generated. Spatially, resting hemodynamic patterns showed a higher spatial resemblance to iso-orientation maps than artificially generated maps. Temporally, a correlation analysis was used to establish whether iso-orientation domains are more correlated than orthogonal orientation domains. After accounting for a significant decrease in correlation as a function of distance, a small but significant temporal correlation between iso-orientation domains was found, which decreased with increasing difference in orientation preference. This dependence was abolished when using artificially synthetized orientation maps. Finally, the temporal correlation coefficient as a function of orientation difference at rest showed a correspondence with that calculated during visual stimulation suggesting that the strength of resting connectivity is related to the strength of the visual stimulation response. Our results suggest that temporal coherence of hemodynamic signals measured by optical imaging of intrinsic signals exists at a submillimeter columnar scale in resting state.

A prospective study of existential issues in therapeutic horticulture for clinical depression.

PubMed

Gonzalez, Marianne Thorsen; Hartig, Terry; Patil, Grete Grindal; Martinsen, Egil Wilhelm; Kirkevold, Marit

2011-01-01

Two studies with single-group design (Study 1 N = 18, Study 2 N = 28) addressed whether horticultural activities ameliorate depression severity and existential issues. Measures were obtained before and after a 12-week therapeutic horticulture program and at 3-month follow-up. In both studies, depression severity declined significantly during the intervention and remained low at the follow-up. In both studies the existential outcomes did not change significantly; however, the change that did occur during the intervention correlated (rho > .43) with change in depression severity. Participants' open-ended accounts described the therapeutic horticulture experience as meaningful and influential for their view of life.

A generative, probabilistic model of local protein structure.

PubMed

Boomsma, Wouter; Mardia, Kanti V; Taylor, Charles C; Ferkinghoff-Borg, Jesper; Krogh, Anders; Hamelryck, Thomas

2008-07-01

Despite significant progress in recent years, protein structure prediction maintains its status as one of the prime unsolved problems in computational biology. One of the key remaining challenges is an efficient probabilistic exploration of the structural space that correctly reflects the relative conformational stabilities. Here, we present a fully probabilistic, continuous model of local protein structure in atomic detail. The generative model makes efficient conformational sampling possible and provides a framework for the rigorous analysis of local sequence-structure correlations in the native state. Our method represents a significant theoretical and practical improvement over the widely used fragment assembly technique by avoiding the drawbacks associated with a discrete and nonprobabilistic approach.

A correlation between the weight of visceral adipose tissue and selected anthropometric indices: an autopsy study.

PubMed

Edston, E

2013-06-01

Several anthropometric indices are used as an estimation of the true amount of body fat, e.g. the body mass index (BMI). These indices correlate well with each other and with non-invasive measurements of total body fat and visceral adipose tissue. The indices generally show a strong correlation with cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Direct measurement of visceral adipose tissue by weight (VAW) from autopsy cases positively correlates with the anthropometric indices. VAW also positively correlates with fatty tissue thickness at separate locations, i.e. renal capsular and epicardial fatty tissue. VAW is positively correlated with the severity of cardiosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, but there is no significant difference in VAW between deaths from cardiovascular complications and other natural deaths. Different anthropometric indices and non-invasive methods have been used to estimate the total burden of body fat. Increased visceral adipose tissue is believed to involve elevated risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension. At present, the optimal method to estimate the visceral and total amount of fat remains undecided. In the present study of 201 autopsy cases, direct measurement of visceral adipose tissue by weight (VAW) has been compared to common anthropometric indices, namely body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (W/Hip ratio), waist-to-height ratio (W/Height ratio), body adiposity index (BAI), waist circumference and abdominal wall thickness. The prevalence and severity of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cause of death were also correlated with the anthropometric data. The outcome was that all anthropometric measurements showed a significant positive correlation with the weight of visceral adipose tissue, and the r-value of the comparison to waist circumference was the highest (r = 0.82). Thickness of fatty tissue enveloping the kidneys and heart, as well as heart weight, was also strongly correlated with VAW. VAW was significantly higher in men compared with women, and in diabetes mellitus compared with non-diabetic patients. VAW was also positively correlated with the severity of coronary artery sclerosis. On the contrary, there was no significant difference between high and low VAW comparing between deaths from cardiovascular complications and natural deaths from other causes. The conclusion is that the anthropometric measurements give a good approximation of the real amount of visceral fat, and that waist circumference and W/Height ratio show the best correlations. © 2013 The Author. Clinical Obesity © 2013 International Association for the Study of Obesity.

Drug use, mental health and problems related to crime and violence: cross-sectional study1

PubMed Central

Claro, Heloísa Garcia; de Oliveira, Márcia Aparecida Ferreira; Bourdreaux, Janet Titus; Fernandes, Ivan Filipe de Almeida Lopes; Pinho, Paula Hayasi; Tarifa, Rosana Ribeiro

2015-01-01

Objective: to investigate the correlation between disorders related to the use of alcohol and other drugs and symptoms of mental disorders, problems related to crime and violence and to age and gender. Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study carried out with 128 users of a Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and other Drugs, in the city of São Paulo, interviewed by means of the instrument entitled Global Appraisal of Individual Needs - Short Screener. Univariate and multiple linear regression models were used to verify the correlation between the variables. Results: using univariate regression models, internalizing and externalizing symptoms and problems related to crime/violence proved significant and were included in the multiple model, in which only the internalizing symptoms and problems related to crime and violence remained significant. Conclusions: there is a correlation between the severity of problems related to alcohol use and severity of mental health symptoms and crime and violence in the study sample. The results emphasize the need for an interdisciplinary and intersectional character of attention to users of alcohol and other drugs, since they live in a socially vulnerable environment. PMID:26626010

Serum Bilirubin and Their Association With C-Reactive Protein in Patients With Migraine.

PubMed

Peng, You-Fan; Xie, Li-Qiu; Xiang, Yang; Xu, Gui-Dan

2016-11-01

Increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) have been considered as a marker in assessing neurogenic inflammation of migraine patients. An inverse relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP has been observed in various diseases. Therefore, we analyzed serum bilirubin levels in migraine patients, and investigated the relationship between serum bilirubin and CRP in migraineurs. A total of 86 newly diagnosed migraine patients were consecutively recruited to this study. Significantly lower median serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin (CB) and unconjugated bilirubin were found in patients with migraine than healthy controls, and the levels of CRP were significantly higher in migraine patients than healthy controls. A negative correlation between CRP and CB was observed in patients with migraine (r = -0.255, P = 0.018). In a multiple linear regression model, the concentrations of CRP remained negatively correlated with CB. Our study demonstrates that serum bilirubin concentrations are decreased in migraineurs, and CB levels were found to be positively correlated with CRP in migraine patents. However, larger cross-sectional and prospective studies are needed to establish whether serum bilirubin may be a useful biomarker for assessing neurogenic inflammation in migraine patients and eventually guiding the therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The effect of orthognathic surgery on the lip lines while smiling in skeletal class III patients with facial asymmetry.

PubMed

Kang, Sang-Hoon; Kim, Moon-Key; An, Sang-In; Lee, Ji-Yeon

2016-12-01

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between improvements in lip asymmetry at rest and while smiling after orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal class III malocclusion. This study included 21 patients with skeletal class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry. We used preoperative and postoperative CT data and photographs to measure the vertical distance of the lips when smiling. The photographs were calibrated based on these distances and the CT image. We compared preoperative and postoperative results with the t test and correlations between measurements at rest and when smiling by regression analyses. There were significant correlations between the postoperative changes in canting of the mouth corners at rest, canting of the canines, canting of the first molars, the slope of the line connecting the canines, and the slope of the line connecting first molars. The magnitude of the postoperative lip line improvement while smiling was not significantly correlated with changes in the canting and slopes of the canines, molars, and lip lines at rest. It remains difficult to predict lip line changes while smiling compared with at rest after orthognathic surgery in patients with mandibular prognathism, accompanied by facial asymmetry.

Microstructural correlates of infant functional development: example of the visual pathways.

PubMed

Dubois, Jessica; Dehaene-Lambertz, Ghislaine; Soarès, Catherine; Cointepas, Yann; Le Bihan, Denis; Hertz-Pannier, Lucie

2008-02-20

The development of cognitive functions during childhood relies on several neuroanatomical maturation processes. Among these processes is myelination of the white matter pathways, which speeds up electrical conduction. Quantitative indices of such structural processes can be obtained in vivo with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), but their physiological significance remains uncertain. Here, we investigated the microstructural correlates of early functional development by combining DTI and visual event-related potentials (VEPs) in 15 one- to 4-month-old healthy infants. Interindividual variations of the apparent conduction speed, computed from the latency of the first positive VEP wave (P1), were significantly correlated with the infants' age and DTI indices measured in the optic radiations. This demonstrates that fractional anisotropy and transverse diffusivity are structural markers of functionally efficient myelination. Moreover, these indices computed along the optic radiations showed an early wave of maturation in the anterior region, with the posterior region catching up later in development, which suggests two asynchronous fronts of myelination in both the geniculocortical and corticogeniculate fibers. Thus, in addition to microstructural information, DTI provides noninvasive exquisite information on the functional development of the brain in human infants.

Nematode grazing promotes bacterial community dynamics in soil at the aggregate level

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yuji; Liu, Manqiang; Zhang, Jiabao; Chen, Yan; Chen, Xiaoyun; Chen, Lijun; Li, Huixin; Zhang, Xue-Xian; Sun, Bo

2017-01-01

Nematode predation has important roles in determining bacterial community composition and dynamics, but the extent of the effects remains largely rudimentary, particularly in natural environment settings. Here, we investigated the complex microbial–microfaunal interactions in the rhizosphere of maize grown in red soils, which were derived from four long-term fertilization regimes. Root-free rhizosphere soil samples were separated into three aggregate fractions whereby the abundance and community composition were examined for nematode and total bacterial communities. A functional group of alkaline phosphomonoesterase (ALP) producing bacteria was included to test the hypothesis that nematode grazing may significantly affect specific bacteria-mediated ecological functions, that is, organic phosphate cycling in soil. Results of correlation analysis, structural equation modeling and interaction networks combined with laboratory microcosm experiments consistently indicated that bacterivorous nematodes enhanced bacterial diversity, and the abundance of bacterivores was positively correlated with bacterial biomass, including ALP-producing bacterial abundance. Significantly, such effects were more pronounced in large macroaggregates than in microaggregates. There was a positive correlation between the most dominant bacterivores Protorhabditis and the ALP-producing keystone 'species' Mesorhizobium. Taken together, these findings implicate important roles of nematodes in stimulating bacterial dynamics in a spatially dependent manner. PMID:28742069

Nematode grazing promotes bacterial community dynamics in soil at the aggregate level.

PubMed

Jiang, Yuji; Liu, Manqiang; Zhang, Jiabao; Chen, Yan; Chen, Xiaoyun; Chen, Lijun; Li, Huixin; Zhang, Xue-Xian; Sun, Bo

2017-12-01

Nematode predation has important roles in determining bacterial community composition and dynamics, but the extent of the effects remains largely rudimentary, particularly in natural environment settings. Here, we investigated the complex microbial-microfaunal interactions in the rhizosphere of maize grown in red soils, which were derived from four long-term fertilization regimes. Root-free rhizosphere soil samples were separated into three aggregate fractions whereby the abundance and community composition were examined for nematode and total bacterial communities. A functional group of alkaline phosphomonoesterase (ALP) producing bacteria was included to test the hypothesis that nematode grazing may significantly affect specific bacteria-mediated ecological functions, that is, organic phosphate cycling in soil. Results of correlation analysis, structural equation modeling and interaction networks combined with laboratory microcosm experiments consistently indicated that bacterivorous nematodes enhanced bacterial diversity, and the abundance of bacterivores was positively correlated with bacterial biomass, including ALP-producing bacterial abundance. Significantly, such effects were more pronounced in large macroaggregates than in microaggregates. There was a positive correlation between the most dominant bacterivores Protorhabditis and the ALP-producing keystone 'species' Mesorhizobium. Taken together, these findings implicate important roles of nematodes in stimulating bacterial dynamics in a spatially dependent manner.

Assessment of body parameters' symmetry in child violinists.

PubMed

Cygańska, Anna; Truszczyńska-Baszak, Aleksandra; Drzał-Grabiec, Justyna; Tarnowski, Adam

2017-09-22

Playing violin may lead to overload of the locomotor system. The aim of this study was to assess body parameters for trunk symmetry in child violinists and compare with the control group. We analyzed body posture of 101 children aged 7-12 years, mean age 11.09 ± 9.46, 49 child violinists and control group of 52 children. We found statistically significant differences for the difference in depth of the lower corners of scapulae and upper posterior spina iliaca, though greater asymmetries were found in the clinical control group. The remaining parameter values are close to significance, which may suggest that the process of postural change among the children had just started and that the existing asymmetries were easy to correct. We found positive correlation between body height and the difference in distance of the lower corners of scapulae from the spine: OL (p= 0.029, correlation coefficient value was 0.167) and the Thales triangle height: (p= 0.018, correlation coefficient was 0.214). Position maintained while playing the violin changed some parameters characterizing the curvature of the spine in frontal plane. We found the importance of detailed analysis of children body posture and its critical assessment.

Relationship between plasma levels of cardiac natriuretic peptides and soluble Fas: plasma soluble Fas as a prognostic predictor in patients with congestive heart failure.

PubMed

Tsutamoto, T; Wada, A; Maeda, K; Mabuchi, N; Hayashi, M; Tsutsui, T; Ohnishi, M; Fujii, M; Matsumoto, T; Yamamoto, T; Takayama, T; Kinoshita, M

2001-12-01

Cardiac natriuretic peptides may induce apoptosis in myocytes; however, the relationship between plasma levels of cardiac natriuretic peptides and those of soluble Fas (sFas) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha remains unknown in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). We measured plasma levels of sFas and TNF-alpha and those of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), norepinephrine, and endothelin 1 in 96 patients with CHF (ejection fraction < 45%). The patients were monitored for 3 years. Plasma levels of sFas and TNF-alpha increased with the severity of CHF. There was no significant correlation between sFas plasma levels and those of ANP and BNP. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed that high levels of sFas (P = .009) and BNP (P < .0001) and a low ejection fraction (P = .019) were independent significant prognostic predictors. There is no significant correlation between cardiac natriuretic peptide and sFas levels in plasma. Plasma sFas is a useful prognostic marker independent of neurohumoral factors, suggesting that immune activation and/or apoptosis play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CHF.

Etiological Distinction of Working Memory Components in Relation to Mathematics

PubMed Central

Lukowski, Sarah L.; Soden, Brooke; Hart, Sara A.; Thompson, Lee A.; Kovas, Yulia; Petrill, Stephen A.

2014-01-01

Working memory has been consistently associated with mathematics achievement, although the etiology of these relations remains poorly understood. The present study examined the genetic and environmental underpinnings of math story problem solving, timed calculation, and untimed calculation alongside working memory components in 12-year-old monozygotic (n = 105) and same-sex dizygotic (n = 143) twin pairs. Results indicated significant phenotypic correlation between each working memory component and all mathematics outcomes (r = 0.18 – 0.33). Additive genetic influences shared between the visuo-spatial sketchpad and mathematics achievement was significant, accounting for roughly 89% of the observed correlation. In addition, genetic covariance was found between the phonological loop and math story problem solving. In contrast, despite there being a significant observed relationship between phonological loop and timed and untimed calculation, there was no significant genetic or environmental covariance between the phonological loop and timed or untimed calculation skills. Further analyses indicated that genetic overlap between the visuo-spatial sketchpad and math story problem solving and math fluency was distinct from general genetic factors, whereas g, phonological loop, and mathematics shared generalist genes. Thus, although each working memory component was related to mathematics, the etiology of their relationships may be distinct. PMID:25477699

Chromium-induced skin damage among Taiwanese cement workers.

PubMed

Chou, Tzu-Chieh; Wang, Po-Chih; Wu, Jyun-De; Sheu, Shiann-Cherng

2016-10-01

Little research has been done on the relationships between chromium exposure, skin barrier function, and other hygienic habits in cement workers. Our purpose was to investigate chromium-induced skin barrier disruption due to cement exposure among cement workers. One hundred and eight cement workers were recruited in this study. Urinary chromium concentration was used to characterize exposure levels. The biological exposure index was used to separate high and low chromium exposure. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was used to assess the skin barrier function. TEWL was significantly increased in workers with high chromium exposure levels than those with low chromium exposure levels (p = 0.048). A positive correlation was also found between urinary chromium concentration and TEWL (R = 0.28, p = 0.004). After adjusting for smoking status and glove use, a significant correlation between urinary chromium concentrations and TEWL remained. Moreover, workers who smoked and had a high chromium exposure had significantly increased TEWL compared to nonsmokers with low chromium exposure (p = 0.01). Skin barrier function of cement workers may have been disrupted by chromium in cement, and smoking might significantly enhance such skin barrier perturbation with chromium exposure. Decreased chromium skin exposure and smoking cessation should be encouraged at work. © The Author(s) 2015.

Resistin levels are related to fat mass, but not to body mass index in children.

PubMed

Ortega, Lorena; Riestra, Pía; Navarro, Pilar; Gavela-Pérez, Teresa; Soriano-Guillén, Leandro; Garcés, Carmen

2013-11-01

The relationship of resistin levels with obesity remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine resistin levels in prepubertal children and adolescents and evaluate their association with anthropometric parameters and body composition. The study population included 420 randomly selected 6-8-year-old children and 712 children aged 12-16 years. Anthropometric data were measured and body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios were calculated. Body composition was assessed using an impedance body composition analyzer. Serum resistin levels were determined using a multiplexed bead immunoassay. Resistin levels were not significantly different between sexes. No significant differences in serum resistin concentrations were found between obese, overweight, and normal weight children at any age, and no significant correlations were observed between resistin concentrations and weight or BMI. However, resistin levels showed a significant positive correlation with fat mass in 12-16-year-old children, particularly in girls. In addition to describing serum resistin levels in prepubertal children and adolescents, our study suggests that resistin is related to body fat rather than to BMI in adolescents. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Carbonaceous particulate matter on the lung surface from adults living in São Paulo, Brazil.

PubMed

Padovan, Michele Galhardoni; Whitehouse, Abigail; Gouveia, Nelson; Habermann, Mateus; Grigg, Jonathan

2017-01-01

We therefore sought to identify the exposures associated with lung surface in long-term residents of São Paulo, Brazil. Lung surface carbon were analyzed in 72 autopsy specimens by image analysis. Smoking history, measured PM10 nearest to the home, distance to main road, and distance-weighted traffic density were used as exposure variables. Data are summarized as median (IQR), and compared by Mann Whitney Test, with correlations done by Spearman's correlation. There was no association between lung surface and age or gender. There was no statistically significant association in lung surface between smokers and non-smokers 6.74 cm2 (3.47 to 10.02) versus 5.20cm2 (2.29 to 7.54), and there was no significant association between lung surface carbon and exposure to environmental PM and markers of traffic exposure. We did not find a statistically significant association between lung surface and smokers and non-smokers, and no statistically significant association between lung surface carbon and environmental exposure variables. These results suggest that lung surface carbon in long-term residents of São Paulo may predominately be from environmental PM, but the most appropriate environmental exposure marker remains unclear.

Color discrimination deficits in Parkinson's disease are related to cognitive impairment and white-matter alterations.

PubMed

Bertrand, Josie-Anne; Bedetti, Christophe; Postuma, Ronald B; Monchi, Oury; Génier Marchand, Daphné; Jubault, Thomas; Gagnon, Jean-François

2012-12-01

Color discrimination deficit is a common nonmotor manifestation of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the pathophysiology of this dysfunction remains poorly understood. Although retinal structure changes found in PD have been suggested to cause color discrimination deficits, the impact of cognitive impairment and cortical alterations remains to be determined. We investigated the contribution of cognitive impairment to color discrimination deficits in PD and correlated them with cortical anomalies. Sixty-six PD patients without dementia and 20 healthy controls performed the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test and underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment for mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. In a subgroup of 26 PD patients, we also used high-definition neuroanatomical magnetic resonance imaging for cortical thickness and diffusion tensor analysis. PD patients with mild cognitive impairment performed poorly on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test compared with PD patients without mild cognitive impairment and controls. In PD patients, performance on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test was correlated with measures of visuospatial abilities and executive functions. Neuroimaging analysis revealed higher mean and radial diffusivity values in right posterior white-matter structures that correlated with poor performance on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test. No cortical thickness correlation reached significance. This study showed that cognitive impairment makes a major contribution to the color discrimination deficits reported in PD. Thus, performance on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test may reflect cognitive impairment more than color discrimination deficits in PD. Poor performance on the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue test was also associated with white-matter alterations in right posterior brain regions. Copyright © 2012 Movement Disorder Society.

New Frontiers in Characterization of Sub-Catalog Microseismicity: Utilizing Inter-Event Waveform Cross Correlation for Estimating Precise Locations, Magnitudes, and Focal Mechanisms of Tiny Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellsworth, W. L.; Shelly, D. R.; Hardebeck, J.; Hill, D. P.

2017-12-01

Microseismicity often conveys the most direct information about active processes in the earth's subsurface. However, routine network processing typically leaves most earthquakes uncharacterized. These "sub-catalog" events can provide critical clues to ongoing processes in the source region. To address this issue, we have developed waveform-based processing that leverages the existing routine catalog of earthquakes to detect and characterize "sub-catalog" events (those absent in routine catalogs). By correlating waveforms of cataloged events with the continuous data stream, we 1) identify events with similar waveform signatures in the continuous data across multiple stations, 2) precisely measure relative time lags across these stations for both P- and S-wave time windows, and 3) estimate the relative polarity between events by the sign of the peak absolute value correlations and its height above the secondary peak. When combined, these inter-event comparisons yield robust measurements, which enable sensitive event detection, relative relocation, and relative magnitude estimation. The most recent addition, focal mechanisms derived from correlation-based relative polarities, addresses a significant shortcoming in microseismicity analyses (see Shelly et al., JGR, 2016). Depending on the application, we can characterize 2-10 times as many events as included in the initial catalog. This technique is particularly well suited for compact zones of active seismicity such as seismic swarms. Application to a 2014 swarm in Long Valley Caldera, California, illuminates complex patterns of faulting that would have otherwise remained obscured. The prevalence of such features in other environments remains an important, as yet unresolved, question.

Analysis of Trace Elements in Rat Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Qamar, Wajhul; Al-Ghadeer, Abdul Rahman; Ali, Raisuddin; Abuelizz, Hatem A

2017-08-01

The main objective was to determine the elemental profile of the lung lining fluid of rats which are used as model animals in various experiments. Lung lining fluid elemental constitution obtained after bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the biological trace elements along with calcium and magnesium. BALF was collected from healthy rats using a tracheal cannula. However, cells in BALF were counted to monitor any underlying inflammatory lung condition. Cell free BALF samples were processed and analyzed for the elements including magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), and iodine (I). In view of this, calcium concentration was the highest (6318.08 ± 3094.3 μg/L) and copper concentration was the lowest (0.89 ± 0.21 μg/L). The detected elements, from high to low concentration, include Ca > Mg > Fe > Br > I > Cr > Ni > Zn > Mn > Se > Cu. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between cell count and concentration of any of the element detected in BALF. Correlation analysis also revealed significant positive correlation among Fe, I, Cr, Ni, and Mn. Ca was found to be correlated negatively with Cu and positively with Se. Br and Mg found to be positively correlated with each other. Zn remained the only element that was not found to be correlated with any of the elements in the rat BALF.

Historical pesticide applications coincided with an altered diet of aerially foraging insectivorous chimney swifts

PubMed Central

Nocera, Joseph J.; Blais, Jules M.; Beresford, David V.; Finity, Leah K.; Grooms, Christopher; Kimpe, Lynda E.; Kyser, Kurt; Michelutti, Neal; Reudink, Matthew W.; Smol, John P.

2012-01-01

Numerous environmental pressures have precipitated long-term population reductions of many insect species. Population declines in aerially foraging insectivorous birds have also been detected, but the cause remains unknown partly because of a dearth of long-term monitoring data on avian diets. Chimney swifts (Chaetura pelagica) are a model aerial insectivore to fill such information gaps because their roosting behaviour makes them easy to sample in large numbers over long time periods. We report a 48-year-long (1944–1992) dietary record for the chimney swift, determined from a well-preserved deposit of guano and egested insect remains in Ontario (Canada). This unique archive of palaeo-environmental data reflecting past chimney swift diets revealed a steep rise in dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and metabolites, which were correlated with a decrease in Coleoptera remains and an increase in Hemiptera remains, indicating a significant change in chimney swift prey. We argue that DDT applications decimated Coleoptera populations and dramatically altered insect community structure by the 1960s, triggering nutritional consequences for swifts and other aerial insectivores. PMID:22513860

White Blood Cells, Neutrophils, and Reactive Oxygen Metabolites among Asymptomatic Subjects.

PubMed

Kotani, Kazuhiko; Sakane, Naoki

2012-06-01

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with health and the disease status. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association among white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil counts as a WBC subpopulation, and diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) levels in an asymptomatic population. The clinical data, including general cardiovascular risk variables and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were collected from 100 female subjects (mean age, 62 years) in outpatient clinics. The correlation of the d-ROMs with hs-CRP, WBC, and neutrophil counts was examined. The mean/median levels were WBC counts 5.9 × 10(9)/L, neutrophil counts 3.6 × 10(9)/L, hs-CRP 0.06 mg/dL, and d-ROMs 359 CURR U. A simple correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation of the d-ROMs with the WBC counts, neutrophil counts, or hs-CRP levels. The correlation between d-ROMs and neutrophil counts (β = 0.22, P < 0.05), as well as that between d-ROMs and hs-CRP (β = 0.28, P < 0.01), remained significant and independent in a multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for other variables. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that WBC counts had only a positive correlation tendency to the d-ROMs. Neutrophils may be slightly but more involved in the oxidative stress status, as assessed by d-ROMs, in comparison to the overall WBC. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic mechanism(s) of the observed relationship.

Etiologies of the Relationships Among Body Mass Index and Cold-Heat Patterns: A Twin Study.

PubMed

Hur, Yoon-Mi; Jin, Hee-Jeong; Lee, Siwoo

2018-06-01

The phenotypic relationships between body mass index (BMI) and cold-heat patterns have been frequently reported, but the etiology of these relationships remains unknown. We previously demonstrated that the cold pattern (CP) and the heat pattern (HP) were heritable traits. In the present study, we explored underlying genetic and environmental structures of the relationships among BMI and the CP and the HP. Twins (N = 1,752) drawn from the South Korean twin registry completed a cold-heat pattern questionnaire via a telephone interview. The phenotypic correlations among the three phenotypes were moderate but significant. Cross-twin, cross-trait correlations among BMI and the CP and the HP were consistently greater in monozygotic than in dizygotic twins, suggesting the presence of genetic effects on the relationships between BMI and the two patterns. A trivariate Cholesky model was applied to the raw data. The results indicated that the phenotypic relationship between the HP and BMI was completely determined by common genetic influences, while the relationship between the CP and BMI was explained by both common genetic and common individual-specific environmental influences. The genetic correlation between the HP and the CP was not significant, suggesting that the two patterns may be genetically independent from each other. Genetic correlations were 0.31 between the HP and BMI, and -0.22 between the CP and BMI. The individual-specific environmental correlation was -0.22 between HP and CP, and between CP and BMI.

Sex Differences in the Effect of Atomoxetine on the QT Interval in Adult Patients With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

PubMed

Suzuki, Yutaro; Tajiri, Misuzu; Sugimoto, Atsunori; Orime, Naoki; Hayashi, Taketsugu; Egawa, Jun; Sugai, Takuro; Inoue, Yoshimasa; Someya, Toshiyuki

2017-02-01

The effects of atomoxetine on QT in adults remain unclear. In this study, we examined whether the use of atomoxetine to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults is associated with QT prolongation. Forty-one subjects with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were enrolled in this study. Participants were administered 40, 80, or 120 mg atomoxetine daily and were maintained on their respective dose for at least 2 weeks. We conducted electrocardiographic measurements and blood tests, measuring plasma atomoxetine concentrations after treatment. Electrocardiograms of 24 of the patients were also obtained before atomoxetine treatment. The QT interval was corrected using Bazett (QTcB) and Fridericia (QTcF) correction formulas. In these 24 patients, only the female patients had prolonged QTcB (P = 0.039) after atomoxetine treatment. There was no correlation between plasma atomoxetine concentrations and the corrected QT interval (QTc), or between atomoxetine dosage and the QTc. However, in female patients, there was a significant positive correlation between atomoxetine dosage and the QTcB (r = 0.631, P = 0.012), and there was a marginally significant positive correlation between atomoxetine dosage and the QTcF (r = 0.504, P = 0.055). In male patients, there was no correlation between atomoxetine dosage and the QTcB or QTcF intervals. There was no correlation between plasma atomoxetine concentrations and the QTc in either female or male patients. Clinicians should exhibit caution when prescribing atomoxetine, particularly for female patients.

A new system for assessment of growth using mandibular canine calcification stages and its correlation with modified MP3 stages.

PubMed

Hegde, Gautham; Hegde, Nanditha; Kumar, Anil; Keshavaraj

2014-07-01

Orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning for growing children must involve growth prediction, especially in the treatment of skeletal problems. Studies have shown that a strong association exists between skeletal maturity and dental calcification stages. The present study was therefore taken up to provide a simple and practical method for assessing skeletal maturity using a dental periapical film and standard dental X-ray machine, to compare the developmental stages of the mandibular canine with that of developmental stages of modified MP3 and to find out if any correlation exists, to determine if the developmental stages of the mandibular canine alone can be used as a reliable indicator for assessment of skeletal maturity. A total of 160 periapical radiographs, of the mandibular right canine and the MP3 region was taken and assessed according to the Dermirjian's stages of dental calcification and the modified MP3 stages. The correlation coefficient between MP3 stages and developmental stages of mandibular canine was found to be significant in both male and female groups. When the canine calcification stages were compared with the MP3 stages it was found that with the exception of the D stage of canine calcification the remaining stages showed a very high correlation with the modified MP3 stages. The correlation between the mandibular canine calcification stages, and the MP3 stages was found to be significant. The canine calcification could be used as a sole indicator for assessment of skeletal maturity.

Lung function and left ventricular hypertrophy in morbidly obese candidates for bariatric surgery

PubMed Central

Müller, Paulo de Tarso; Domingos, Hamilton; Patusco, Luiz Armando Pereira; Rapello, Gabriel Victor Guimarães

2015-01-01

Objective: To look for correlations between lung function and cardiac dimension variables in morbidly obese patients, in order to test the hypothesis that the relative size of the small airways is independently correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving 192 medical records containing a clinical protocol employed in candidates for bariatric surgery between January of 2006 and December of 2010. Results: Of the 192 patients evaluated, 39 (10 males and 29 females) met the inclusion criteria. The mean BMI of the patients was 49.2 ± 7.6 kg/m2, and the mean age was 35.5 ± 7.7 years. The FEF25-75/FVC, % correlated significantly with left ventricular posterior wall thickness and relative left ventricular posterior wall thickness, those correlations remaining statistically significant (r = −0.355 and r = −0.349, respectively) after adjustment for weight, gender, and history of systemic arterial hypertension. Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that FVC and FEV1 were the major determinants of left ventricular mass (in grams or indexed to body surface area). Conclusions: A reduction in the relative size of the small airways appears to be independently correlated with obesity-related cardiac hypertrophy, regardless of factors affecting respiratory mechanics (BMI and weight), gender, or history of systemic arterial hypertension. However, FEV1 and FVC might be important predictors of left ventricular mass in morbidly obese individuals. PMID:26578134

Variability in structure of university pulmonary/critical care fellowships and retention of fellows in academic medicine.

PubMed

Nadig, Nandita R; Vanderbilt, Allison A; Ford, Dee W; Schnapp, Lynn M; Pastis, Nicholas J

2015-04-01

Individual fellowship programs are challenged to find a format of training that not only meets the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requirements, but also grooms fellows to be trusted clinicians, and encourages them to enter academic careers. This study was undertaken as part of an internal effort to evaluate and revise the program structure of the pulmonary/critical care medicine fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Our objectives were to characterize variation in the training structure and specifically research opportunities of university pulmonary/critical care medicine fellowship programs, and to identify factors associated with fellow retention in academic medicine and research. A 30-item survey was developed through rigorous internal review and was administered via email. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach's alpha, correlations, Wilcoxon sign-rank test, and ANOVA were carried out. We had a response rate of 52%. Program directors reported that, within the past 5 years, 38% of their fellows remained in academic medicine and 20% remained in academics with significant research focus. We found a statistically significant association between obtaining a master's degree and remaining in academics (r = 0.559; P < 0.008). The survey also revealed statistically significant relationships between scholarly requirements (grant proposals, peer-reviewed original research projects) and the percent of fellows who graduated and remained in academics. This survey offers some insights that may be useful to fellowship program directors. In particular, advanced education in research and maximizing scholarly activities might be associated with increased academic retention among fellowship trainees.

Higher Prevalence of Frailty Among a Sample of HIV-Infected Middle-aged and Older Chinese Adults Is Associated With Neurocognitive Impairment and Depressive Symptoms.

PubMed

Ding, Yingying; Lin, Haijiang; Liu, Xing; Wong, Frank Y; Sun, Yan V; Marconi, Vincent C; He, Na

2017-03-01

We investigated the prevalence and correlates of prefrailty/frailty, determined on the basis of the Fried criteria, in Chinese patients with and those without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV-infected patients were more likely to be frail or prefrail than controls, and this association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders (odds ratio, 3.79). After additional adjustment for neurocognitive impairment and depressive and insomnia symptoms, this association remained significant but attenuated (odds ratio, 2.16). In the HIV-infected group, these 3 variables were independently associated with prefrailty/frailty. These findings suggest that neurocognitive impairment and depressive and/or insomnia symptoms may account for a higher prevalence of prefrailty/frailty in HIV-infected patients but require further longitudinal investigation. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.

Impact of Balance Of System (BOS) costs on photovoltaic power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hein, G. F.; Cusick, J. P.; Poley, W. A.

1978-01-01

The Department of Energy has developed a program to effect a large reduction in the price of photovoltaic modules, with significant progress already achieved toward the 1986 goal of 50 cents/watt (1975 dollars). Remaining elements of a P/V power system (structure, battery storage, regulation, control, and wiring) are also significant cost items. The costs of these remaining elements are commonly referred to as Balance-of-System (BOS) costs. The BOS costs are less well defined and documented than module costs. The Lewis Research Center (LeRC) in 1976/77 and with two village power experiments that will be installed in 1978. The costs were divided into five categories and analyzed. A regression analysis was performed to determine correlations of BOS Costs per peak watt, with power size for these photovoltaic systems. The statistical relationship may be used for flat-plate, DC systems ranging from 100 to 4,000 peak watts. A survey of suppliers was conducted for comparison with the predicted BOS cost relationship.

The Status of Contemporary Image-Guided Modalities in Oncologic Surgery

PubMed Central

Rosenthal, Eben L; Warram, Jason M; Bland, Kirby I; Zinn, Kurt R

2014-01-01

Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of therapy for patients with early stage solid malignancies and more than half of all cancer patients undergo surgery each year. The technical ability of the surgeon to obtain clear surgical margins at the initial resection remains crucial to improve overall survival and long-term morbidity. Current resection techniques are largely based on subjective and subtle changes associated with tissue distortion by invasive cancer. As a result, positive surgical margins occur in a significant portion of tumor resections, which is directly correlated with a poor outcome. A variety of cancer imaging techniques have been adapted or developed for intraoperative surgical guidance that have been shown to improve functional and oncologic outcomes in randomized clinical trials. There are also a large number of novel, cancer-specific contrast agents that are in early stage clinical trials and preclinical development that demonstrate significant promise to improve real-time detection of subclinical cancer in the operative setting. PMID:25599326

Learning Style as a Predictor of First-Time NCLEX-RN Success: Implications for Nurse Educators.

PubMed

Lown, Susan G; Hawkins, Lee Ann

Improving NCLEX-RN® pass rates remains a priority for nursing programs. Many programs collect learning style inventory data, yet few studies have looked at relationships between these data and NCLEX-RN pass/fail rates. Learning style preferences (visual, auditory, tactile, individual, group) and NCLEX pass/fail results were examined for 532 undergraduates in a Midwestern university. A significant correlation between preference for group learning and failure of the NCLEX was found (χ = 5.99, P = .05).

Seasonal trends in Ceratitis capitata reproductive potential derived from live-caught females in Greece

PubMed Central

Kouloussis, Nikos A.; Papadopoulos, Nikos T.; Katsoyannos, Byron I.; Müller, Hans-Georg; Wang, Jane-Ling; Su, Yu-Ru; Molleman, Freerk; Carey, James R.

2012-01-01

Reproductive data of individual insects are extremely hard to collect under natural conditions, thus the study of research questions related to oviposition has not advanced. Patterns of oviposition are often inferred only indirectly, through monitoring of host infestation, whereas the influence of age structure and several other factors on oviposition remains unknown. Using a new approach, in this article, we live-trapped wild Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) females on the Greek island of Chios during two field seasons. For their remaining lifetime, these females were placed individually in small cages and their daily oviposition was monitored. Reproduction rates between cohorts from different collection dates were then compared. The results showed that in the different captive cohorts the average remaining lifetime and reproduction were highly variable within and between seasons. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the month of capture had a significant effect on captive life span, average daily reproduction, and patterns of egg laying. The effect of year was significant on reproduction, but not on captive life span. These differences between sampling periods probably reflect differences in the availability of hosts and other factors that vary during the season and affect age structure and reproduction. Using a non-parametric generalized additive model, we found a statistically significant correlation between the captive life span and the average daily reproduction. These findings and the experimental approach have several important implications. PMID:22791908

Affective Correlates of Psychosis in Parkinson's Disease.

PubMed

Factor, Stewart A; Scullin, Michael K; Freeman, Alan; Bliwise, Donald L; McDonald, William M; Goldstein, Felicia C

2017-01-01

To examine the nature of the association between affective disorders and psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD, psychosis and affective disorders are common and independently impact quality of life and mortality. Both depression and psychosis are correlated with the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction, suggesting that they may share neurobiological substrates. Anxiety has not been examined as a correlate of psychosis. 144 PD subjects were evaluated with the Schedule for Assessment of Positive Symptoms to assess psychotic features, while depression and anxiety were examined by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR (SCID) and self-assessment scales Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Correlational analyses assessed associations between hallucinations and delusions with depression and anxiety. A diagnosis of anxiety (SCID) was significantly (p=.015) associated with hallucinations (OR=4.81, CI=1.36-16.99). Severity of anxiety (BAI) significantly predicted (p=.03) the presence of hallucinations (OR=1.08, CI=1.01-1.15) and delusions (OR=1.09, CR=1.01-1.17). Current depression (SCID) was significantly (p=.001) associated with the presence of hallucinations (OR=6.12, CI=2.04-18.39) and delusions (OR=7.14, CI=2.23-22.93). Multiple linear regressions revealed that severity of anxiety remained an independent predictor (p<.05) of both the number of types of hallucinations (t=3.06, p=.003) and delusions (t=2.87, p=.005). Severity of depression was a significant predictor of the total number of delusions (t=2.28, p=.024). This study demonstrates an association between depression and psychosis and, for the first time, an association between anxiety and psychosis. These associations may have implications on pathophysiology and treatment of psychosis in PD.

Both high expression of pyruvate kinase M2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-C predicts poorer prognosis in human breast cancer.

PubMed

Lin, Yang; Liu, Fangfang; Fan, Yu; Qian, Xiaolong; Lang, Ronggang; Gu, Feng; Gu, Jun; Fu, Li

2015-01-01

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) have been known to play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression in breast cancer. However, the association between PKM2 and VEGF-C in breast cancer remains unclear. In the present study, a total of 218 specimens from breast cancer patients and 26 paired breast tumors with adjacent normal tissues as well as two breast cancer cell lines were enrolled to investigate the correlation between PKM2 and VEGF-C. We found that PKM2 and VEGF-C mRNA levels were both significantly increasing in breast tumors compared with adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of PKM2 mRNA expression resulted in VEGF-C mRNA and protein down-regulated as well as cell proliferation inhibited. A positive correlation between PKM2 and VEGF-C expression was identified by immunohistochemical analyses of 218 specimens of patients with breast cancer (P=0.023). PKM2 high expression was significantly correlated with histological grade (P=0.030), lymph node stage (P=0.001), besides VEGF-C high expression was significantly associated with lymphovascular invasion (P=0.012). While combined high expression of PKM2 and VEGF-C was found to be associated with worse histological grade, more lymph node metastasis, more lymphovascular invasion, shorter progression free survival (PFS), and poorer overall survival (OS) in human breast cancer. The results of the present study suggested that PKM2 expression was correlated with VEGF-C expression, and combination of PKM2 and VEGF-C levels had the better prognostic significance in predicting the poor outcome of patients with breast cancer.

MiR-153 inhibits migration and invasion of human non-small-cell lung cancer by targeting ADAM19

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shan, Nianxi; Institute of Medical Sciences, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008; Shen, Liangfang

Highlights: • Decreased miR-153 and up-regulated ADAM19 are correlated with NSCLC pathology. • MiR-153 inhibits the proliferation and migration and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro. • ADAM19 is a direct target of miR-153. • ADAM19 is involved in miR-153-suppressed migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. - Abstract: MiR-153 was reported to be dysregulated in some human cancers. However, the function and mechanism of miR-153 in lung cancer cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-153 in human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Using qRT-PCR, we demonstrated that miR-153 was significantly decreased in clinical NSCLC tissues andmore » cell lines, and downregulation of miR-153 was significantly correlated with lymph node status. We further found that ectopic expression of miR-153 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro, suggesting that miR-153 may be a novel tumor suppressor in NSCLC. Further integrated analysis revealed that ADAM19 is as a direct and functional target of miR-153. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-153 directly targeted 3′UTR of ADAM19, and correlation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between miR-153 and ADAM19 mRNA levels in clinical NSCLC tissues. Knockdown of ADAM19 inhibited migration and invasion of NSCLC cells which was similar with effects of overexpression of miR-153, while overexpression of ADAM19 attenuated the function of miR-153 in NSCLC cells. Taken together, our results highlight the significance of miR-153 and ADAM19 in the development and progression of NSCLC.« less

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease with and without pulmonary hypertension.

PubMed

Poser, H; Berlanda, M; Monacolli, M; Contiero, B; Coltro, A; Guglielmini, C

2017-06-01

To evaluate tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) with or without pulmonary hypertension (PH) and to study the correlations with clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The study population included 99 dogs with MMVD and tricuspid regurgitation. This is a prospective clinical study. All dogs received a transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation, including 2D, M-mode, echo-Doppler, and tissue Doppler measurements. The TAPSE was measured from the left apical four-chamber view and normalized for the effect of body weight (nTAPSE). The dogs were grouped according to the severity of MMVD (American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines) and presence/absence and severity of PH. Significant differences between TAPSE or nTAPSE and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed among the MMVD and PH severity groups. Correlations between TAPSE or nTAPSE and echocardiographic parameters were calculated. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion or nTAPSE were not significantly different among dogs of the MMVD or PH severity groups. Significant correlations were obtained between TAPSE and body weight, left ventricular and atrial dimensions, early diastolic septal and early diastolic and systolic tricuspid annulus velocity (p<0.001); nTAPSE was significantly correlated with normalized end-diastolic left ventricular dimension and fractional shortening (p<0.001). The results show that neither TAPSE nor nTAPSE are reduced in dogs with MMVD with or without PH. It remains unclear if the right ventricle function is not reduced or if a reduced right ventricle function is masked by the contraction of the left ventricle through ventricular interdependence. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Objective classification of different head and neck positions and their influence on the radiographic pharyngeal diameter in sport horses

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Various head and neck positions in sport horses are significant as they can interfere with upper airway flow mechanics during exercise. Until now, research has focused on subjectively described head and neck positions. The objective of this study was to develop an objective, reproducible method for quantifying head and neck positions accurately. Results Determining the angle between the ridge of the nose and the horizontal plane (ground angle) together with the angle between the ridge of nose and the line connecting the neck and the withers (withers angle) has provided values that allow precise identification of three preselected head and neck positions for performing sport horses. The pharyngeal diameter, determined on lateral radiographs of 35 horses, differed significantly between the established flexed position and the remaining two head and neck positions (extended and neutral). There was a significant correlation between the pharyngeal diameter and the ground angle (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient −0.769, p < 0.01) as well as between the pharyngeal diameter and the withers angle (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient 0.774, p < 0.01). Conclusion The combination of the ground angle and the withers angle is a suitable tool for evaluating and distinguishing frequently used head and neck positions in sport horses. The ground angle and the withers angle show significant correlation with the measured pharyngeal diameter in resting horses. Hence, these angles provide an appropriate method for assessing the degree of head and neck flexion. Further research is required to examine the influence of increasing head and neck flexion and the related pharyngeal diameter on upper airway function in exercising horses. PMID:24886564

Paternally Expressed, Imprinted Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 in Chorionic Villi Correlates Significantly with Birth Weight

PubMed Central

Demetriou, Charalambos; Abu-Amero, Sayeda; Thomas, Anna C.; Ishida, Miho; Aggarwal, Reena; Al-Olabi, Lara; Leon, Lydia J.; Stafford, Jaime L.; Syngelaki, Argyro; Peebles, Donald; Nicolaides, Kypros H.; Regan, Lesley; Stanier, Philip; Moore, Gudrun E.

2014-01-01

Context Fetal growth involves highly complex molecular pathways. IGF2 is a key paternally expressed growth hormone that is critical for in utero growth in mice. Its role in human fetal growth has remained ambiguous, as it has only been studied in term tissues. Conversely the maternally expressed growth suppressor, PHLDA2, has a significant negative correlation between its term placental expression and birth weight. Objective The aim of this study is to address the role in early gestation of expression of IGF1, IGF2, their receptors IGF1R and IGF2R, and PHLDA2 on term birth weight. Design Real-time quantitative PCR was used to investigate mRNA expression of IGF1, IGF2, IGF1R, IGF2R and PHLDA2 in chorionic villus samples (CVS) (n = 260) collected at 11–13 weeks' gestation. Expression was correlated with term birth weight using statistical package R including correction for several confounding factors. Results Transcript levels of IGF2 and IGF2R revealed a significant positive correlation with birth weight (0.009 and 0.04, respectively). No effect was observed for IGF1, IGF1R or PHLDA2 and birth weight. Critically, small for gestational age (SGA) neonates had significantly lower IGF2 levels than appropriate for gestational age neonates (p = 3·6×10−7). Interpretation Our findings show that IGF2 mRNA levels at 12 weeks gestation could provide a useful predictor of future fetal growth to term, potentially predicting SGA babies. SGA babies are known to be at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes. This research reveals an imprinted, parentally driven rheostat for in utero growth. PMID:24454871

Associations Between Arterial Oxygen Saturation, Body Size and Limb Measurements Among High-Altitude Andean Children

PubMed Central

Pomeroy, Emma; Stock, Jay T; Stanojevic, Sanja; Miranda, J Jaime; Cole, Tim J; Wells, Jonathan CK

2013-01-01

Objectives The relative influences of hypoxia and other environmental stressors on growth at altitude remain unclear. Previous work demonstrated an association between peripheral arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and anthropometry (especially tibia length) among Tibetan and Han children at altitude. We investigated whether similar associations exist among Andeans, and the patterning of associations between SpO2 and anthropometry. Methods Stature, head-trunk height, total upper and lower limb lengths, zeugopod (ulna and tibia) and autopod (hand and foot) lengths were measured in Peruvian children (0.5–14 years) living at >3000 m altitude. SpO2 was measured by pulse oximetry. Anthropometry was converted to internal z scores. Correlation and multiple regression were used to examine associations between anthropometry z scores and SpO2, altitude, or SpO2 adjusted for altitude since altitude is a major determinant of variation in SpO2. Results SpO2 and altitude show weak, significant correlations with zeugopod length z scores and still weaker significant correlations with total upper and lower limb length z scores. Correlations with z scores for stature, head-trunk height, or autopod lengths are not significant. Adjusted for altitude, there is no significant association between anthropometry and SpO2. Conclusions Associations between SpO2 or altitude and total limb and zeugopod length z scores exist among Andean children. However, the relationships are relatively weak, and while the relationship between anthropometry and altitude may be partly mediated by SpO2, other factors that covary with altitude (e.g., socioeconomic status, health) are likely to influence anthropometry. The results support suggestions that zeugopod lengths are particularly sensitive to environmental stressors. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 25:629–636, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. PMID:23904412

Beliefs and Attitudes about Science and Mathematics in Pre-Service Elementary Teachers, STEM, and Non-STEM Majors in Undergraduate Physics Courses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaluk, Lynnette; Stoiko, Rachel; Stewart, Gay; Stewart, John

2018-04-01

Elementary teachers often hold inaccurate beliefs about the Nature of Science (NoS) and have negative attitudes toward science and mathematics. Using a pre-post design, the current study examined beliefs about the NoS, attitudes toward science and mathematics, and beliefs about the teaching of mathematics and science in a large sample study ( N = 343) of pre-service teachers receiving a curriculum-wide intervention to improve these factors in comparison with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM majors in other physics courses ( N = 6697) who did not receive the intervention, over a 10-year period. Pre-service teachers evidenced initially more negative attitudes about mathematics and science than STEM majors and slightly more positive attitudes than non-STEM majors. Their attitudes toward mathematics and science and beliefs about the NoS were more similar to non-STEM than STEM majors. Pre-service teachers initially evidenced more positive beliefs about the teaching of mathematics and science, and their beliefs even increased slightly over the course of the semester, while these beliefs in other groups remained the same. Beliefs about the NoS and the teaching of mathematics and science were significantly negatively correlated for STEM and non-STEM majors, but were not significantly correlated for pre-service teachers. Beliefs about the NoS and attitudes toward mathematics and science were significantly positively correlated for both pre-service teachers and STEM students pursing the most mathematically demanding STEM majors. Attitudes toward science and mathematics were significantly positively correlated with accurate beliefs about the teaching of mathematics and science for all student groups.

Preliminary Hormonal Correlations in Female Patients as a Function of Somatic and Neurological Symptom Clusters: An Exploratory Development of a Multi-Hormonal Map for Bio-Identical Replacement Therapy (MHRT).

PubMed

Braverman, Eric R; Oscar-Berman, Marlene; Kreuk, Florian; Kerner, Mallory; Dushaj, Kristina; Li, Mona; Stratton, Danielle; Trudesdell, Courtney; Blum, Kenneth

2013-12-06

Females develop multiple hormonal alterations and certain genes may be involved in the intensity of subsequent symptoms including both mood and drug seeking. Seventy Four (74) females were included (mean age=60.23, SD=9.21, [43-87]). A medical evaluation was completed with hormone screening using a number of statistical analyses such as Pearson product moment; one way ANOVA and Regression analysis along with a Bonferroni significance correction p<.004. Of 120 correlations performed, significant hormone/domain correlations were as follows: DHEA/Genitourinary (r=.30, p<.05); FSH/Pulmonary (r=-.29, p<.05); Pregnenolone/Genitourinary (r=.40, p<.006) /Immunological (r=.38, p<.008); Testosterone/total endorsed symptoms (r=-0.34, p<.016); TSH/Pulmonary (r=-.33, p<.03) /Gynecological (r=.30, p<.05). Estrone/Musculoskeletal (r=-0.43, p<.012). After a Bonferroni correction (experiment-wise p<.00045) for statistical significance, no hormones remained significance. In the follow-up phase FSH/Neuropsychiatric (r=.56, p<.05) and Musculoskeletal (r=.67, p<.013); DHEA/Immunological (r=.64, p<.04); LH/ Musculoskeletal (r=.59, p<.34); Free Testosterone/Neuropsychiatric (r=.64, p<.019), Musculoskeletal (r=.68, p<.01), and Dermatologic (r=.57, p<.04); Total Testosterone/Immunological (r=.63, p<.028); TSH/Endocrinological (r=-.62, p<.031). Factor analysis of the MQ yielded two factors with eigenvalues > 1.0 (high loadings: first: Pulmonary, GI, Cardiovascular, and Immunological; second: Musculoskeletal, Gynecological, and the three Neurological domains). Both factors had significant correlations: first/pregnenolone (r=.37, p<.019); second/TSH (r=.33, p<.034). An additional factor analysis of hormone level clusters showed significant correlations with various domains. This study highlights the need to test the core biological endocrine hormones associated with females. Future research will focus on the relationship of for example Leptin and the electrophysiology of the brain. We are cautiously proposing a new paradigm shift whereby we replace the old nomenclature of HRT to MHRT.

Pilot Workload and Speech Analysis: A Preliminary Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittner, Rachel M.; Begault, Durand R.; Christopher, Bonny R.

2013-01-01

Prior research has questioned the effectiveness of speech analysis to measure the stress, workload, truthfulness, or emotional state of a talker. The question remains regarding the utility of speech analysis for restricted vocabularies such as those used in aviation communications. A part-task experiment was conducted in which participants performed Air Traffic Control read-backs in different workload environments. Participant's subjective workload and the speech qualities of fundamental frequency (F0) and articulation rate were evaluated. A significant increase in subjective workload rating was found for high workload segments. F0 was found to be significantly higher during high workload while articulation rates were found to be significantly slower. No correlation was found to exist between subjective workload and F0 or articulation rate.

Correlates of the Intention to Remain Sexually Inactive among Male Adolescents in an Islamic Country: Case of the Republic of Iran

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mohtasham, Ghaffari; Shamsaddin, Niknami; Bazargan, Mohsen; Anosheravan, Kazemnejad; Elaheh, Mirzaee; Fazlolah, Ghofranipour

2009-01-01

Background: There are very few studies that have examined sexual intentions and behaviors of adolescents in Islamic countries. This study employs the Health Belief Model to assess the correlates of the intention to remain sexually inactive among male adolescents in the Republic of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with a…

Integrative analysis of multi-omics data reveals distinct impacts of DDB1-CUL4 associated factors in human lung adenocarcinomas

DOE PAGES

Yan, Hong; Bi, Lei; Wang, Yunshan; ...

2017-03-23

Many DDB1-CUL4 associated factors (DCAFs) have been identified and serve as substrate receptors. Although the oncogenic role of CUL4A has been well established, specific DCAFs involved in cancer development remain largely unknown. Here we infer the potential impact of 19 well-defined DCAFs in human lung adenocarcinomas (LuADCs) using integrative omics analyses, and discover that mRNA levels of DTL, DCAF4, 12 and 13 are consistently elevated whereas VBRBP is reduced in LuADCs compared to normal lung tissues. The transcriptional levels of DCAFs are significantly correlated with their gene copy number variations. SKIP2, DTL, DCAF6, 7, 8, 13 and 17 are frequentlymore » gained whereas VPRBP, PHIP, DCAF10, 12 and 15 are frequently lost. We find that only transcriptional level of DTL is robustly, significantly and negatively correlated with overall survival across independent datasets. Moreover, DTL-correlated genes are enriched in cell cycle and DNA repair pathways. We also identified that the levels of 25 proteins were significantly associated with DTL overexpression in LuADCs, which include significant decreases in protein level of the tumor supressor genes such as PDCD4, NKX2-1 and PRKAA1. In conclusion, our results suggest that different CUL4-DCAF axis plays the distinct roles in LuADC development with possible relevance for therapeutic target development.« less

Temperature and pressure correlation for volume of gas hydrates with crystal structures sI and sII

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vinš, Václav; Jäger, Andreas; Hielscher, Sebastian; Span, Roland; Hrubý, Jan; Breitkopf, Cornelia

The temperature and pressure correlations for the volume of gas hydrates forming crystal structures sI and sII developed in previous study [Fluid Phase Equilib. 427 (2016) 268-281], focused on the modeling of pure gas hydrates relevant in CCS (carbon capture and storage), were revised and modified for the modeling of mixed hydrates in this study. A universal reference state at temperature of 273.15 K and pressure of 1 Pa is used in the new correlation. Coefficients for the thermal expansion together with the reference lattice parameter were simultaneously correlated to both the temperature data and the pressure data for the lattice parameter. A two-stage Levenberg Marquardt algorithm was employed for the parameter optimization. The pressure dependence described in terms of the bulk modulus remained unchanged compared to the original study. A constant value for the bulk modulus B0 = 10 GPa was employed for all selected hydrate formers. The new correlation is in good agreement with the experimental data over wide temperature and pressure ranges from 0 K to 293 K and from 0 to 2000 MPa, respectively. Compared to the original correlation used for the modeling of pure gas hydrates the new correlation provides significantly better agreement with the experimental data for sI hydrates. The results of the new correlation are comparable to the results of the old correlation in case of sII hydrates. In addition, the new correlation is suitable for modeling of mixed hydrates.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Berrada, K., E-mail: kberrada@ictp.it; The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Strada Costiera 11, Miramare-Trieste; Ooi, C. H. Raymond

Robustness of the geometric phase (GP) with respect to different noise effects is a basic condition for an effective quantum computation. Here, we propose a useful quantum system with real physical parameters by studying the GP of a pair of Stokes and anti-Stokes photons, involving Raman emission processes with and without photonic band gap (PBG) effect. We show that the properties of GP are very sensitive to the change of the Rabi frequency and time, exhibiting collapse phenomenon as the time becomes significantly large. The system allows us to obtain a state which remains with zero GP for longer times.more » This result plays a significant role to enhance the stabilization and control of the system dynamics. Finally, we investigate the nonlocal correlation (entanglement) between the pair photons by taking into account the effect of different parameters. An interesting correlation between the GP and entanglement is observed showing that the PBG stabilizes the fluctuations in the system and makes the entanglement more robust against the change of time and frequency.« less

Intelligence in Williams Syndrome Is Related to STX1A, Which Encodes a Component of the Presynaptic SNARE Complex

PubMed Central

Gao, Michael C.; Bellugi, Ursula; Dai, Li; Mills, Debra L.; Sobel, Eric M.; Lange, Kenneth; Korenberg, Julie R.

2010-01-01

Although genetics is the most significant known determinant of human intelligence, specific gene contributions remain largely unknown. To accelerate understanding in this area, we have taken a new approach by studying the relationship between quantitative gene expression and intelligence in a cohort of 65 patients with Williams Syndrome (WS), a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a 1.5 Mb deletion on chromosome 7q11.23. We find that variation in the transcript levels of the brain gene STX1A correlates significantly with intelligence in WS patients measured by principal component analysis (PCA) of standardized WAIS-R subtests, r  = 0.40 (Pearson correlation, Bonferroni corrected p-value  = 0.007), accounting for 15.6% of the cognitive variation. These results suggest that syntaxin 1A, a neuronal regulator of presynaptic vesicle release, may play a role in WS and be a component of the cellular pathway determining human intelligence. PMID:20422020

Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver in individuals with features of metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

de Larrañaga, Gabriela; Wingeyer, Silvia Perés; Graffigna, Mabel; Belli, Susana; Bendezú, Karla; Alvarez, Silvia; Levalle, Oscar; Fainboim, Hugo

2008-07-01

Fatty liver represents the liver component of metabolic syndrome and may be involved in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) synthesis. We studied plasma PAI-1 levels and relationships with risk factors for metabolic syndrome, including fatty liver, in 170 patients. Liver ultrasound scan was performed on all patients, and a liver biopsy was performed on those patients with chronically elevated transaminase levels. Plasma PAI-1 levels correlated significantly (P < .05) with body mass index, degree of steatosis, insulin resistance, insulin level, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) -cholesterol. However, only body mass index (beta = .455) and HDL-cholesterol (beta = .293) remained predictors of PAI-1 levels. Liver biopsy revealed a significant correlation (P < .05) between insulin resistance (r = 0.381) or insulin level (r = 0.519) and liver fibrosis. In patients presenting features of metabolic syndrome, plasma PAI-1 levels were mainly conditioned by the whole-body fat content.

Déjà vu experiences in schizophrenia: relations with psychopathology and antipsychotic medication.

PubMed

Adachi, Naoto; Adachi, Takuya; Akanuma, Nozomi; Matsubara, Ryouji; Ito, Masumi; Takekawa, Yoshikazu; Ikeda, Hiroshi; Arai, Heii

2007-01-01

To clarify why patients with schizophrenia show déjà vu experiences less frequently, we studied déjà vu experiences in 113 schizophrenic patients in relation to psychopathologies and antipsychotic medication. Déjà vu experiences were observed in 53.1% of the schizophrenic patients. Patients with increased negative symptoms (blunted affect, motor retardation, emotional withdrawal, conceptual disorganization, and mannerisms) had déjà vu experiences less frequently. The other psychopathologies were not significantly associated with presence of déjà vu experiences. The dosage of antipsychotic drugs was significantly correlated with the frequency of déjà vu experiences. This correlation was not affected by their psychopathologies at the time of examination. The decreased frequency of déjà vu experiences in patients with schizophrenia may be mainly due to the negative symptoms. The positive relation between frequency of déjà vu experiences and the dosage of neuroleptics remains uncertain.

Characterisation of the biodegradability of post-treated digestates via the chemical accessibility and complexity of organic matter.

PubMed

Maynaud, Géraldine; Druilhe, Céline; Daumoin, Mylène; Jimenez, Julie; Patureau, Dominique; Torrijos, Michel; Pourcher, Anne-Marie; Wéry, Nathalie

2017-05-01

The stability of digestate organic matter is a key parameter for its use in agriculture. Here, the organic matter stability was compared between 14 post-treated digestates and the relationship between organic matter complexity and biodegradability was highlighted. Respirometric activity and CH 4 yields in batch tests showed a positive linear correlation between both types of biodegradability (R 2 =0.8). The accessibility and complexity of organic matter were assessed using chemical extractions combined with fluorescence spectroscopy, and biodegradability was mostly anti-correlated with complexity of organic matter. Post-treatments presented a significant effect on the biodegradability and complexity of organic matter. Biodegradability was low for composted digestates which comprised slowly accessible complex molecules. Inversely, solid fractions obtained after phase separation contained a substantial part of remaining biodegradable organic matter with a significant easily accessible fraction comprising simpler molecules. Understanding the effect of post-treatment on the biodegradability of digestates should help to optimize their valorization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hyperthermic-induced hyperventilation and associated respiratory alkalosis in humans.

PubMed

Abbiss, Chris R; Nosaka, Kazunori; Laursen, Paul B

2007-05-01

The purpose of this study was to determine if increased environmental heat leads to hyperthermic-induced hypocapnia and associated alkalosis during prolonged self-paced cycling. Nine male cyclists completed three 100 km stochastic time trials in hot (34 degrees C), neutral (22 degrees C) and cold (10 degrees C) environments. Intermittent measurements of rectal and skin temperature, expired gases, blood pH, PaCO(2), PaO(2), and bicarbonate were made throughout. Rectal temperature increased significantly throughout all trials (P < 0.001) and was significantly correlated with increases in the ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide (Ve/ VCo2; r = 0.77; P < 0.001) and blood pH (r = 0.69; P < 0.05). Rectal temperature was also negatively correlated with a reduction in PaCO(2) (r = -0.80; P < 0.001). PaO(2) and bicarbonate concentration remained constant throughout all trials. This study has shown that prolonged self-paced cycling is associated with a hyperthermic-induced hyperventilation, causing a decrease in arterialized carbon dioxide tension and consequential respiratory alkalosis.

Cell Death, Inflammation, Tumor Burden, and Proliferation Blood Biomarkers Predict Lung Cancer Radiotherapy Response and Correlate With Tumor Volume and Proliferation Imaging.

PubMed

Salem, Ahmed; Mistry, Hitesh; Backen, Alison; Hodgson, Clare; Koh, Pek; Dean, Emma; Priest, Lynsey; Haslett, Kate; Trigonis, Ioannis; Jackson, Alan; Asselin, Marie-Claude; Dive, Caroline; Renehan, Andrew; Faivre-Finn, Corinne; Blackhall, Fiona

2018-05-01

There is an unmet need to develop noninvasive biomarkers to stratify patients in drug-radiotherapy trials. In this pilot study we investigated lung cancer radiotherapy response and toxicity blood biomarkers and correlated findings with tumor volume and proliferation imaging. Blood samples were collected before and during (day 21) radiotherapy. Twenty-six cell-death, hypoxia, angiogenesis, inflammation, proliferation, invasion, and tumor-burden biomarkers were evaluated. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Univariate analysis was performed on small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whereas multivariate analysis focused on NSCLC. Blood samples from 78 patients were analyzed. Sixty-one (78.2%) harbored NSCLC, 48 (61.5%) received sequential chemoradiotherapy. Of tested baseline biomarkers, undetectable interleukin (IL)-1b (hazard ratio [HR], 4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04-7.93; P < .001) was the only significant survival covariate. Of routinely collected laboratory tests, high baseline neutrophil count was a significant survival covariate (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.11; P = .017). Baseline IL-1b and neutrophil count were prognostic for survival in a multivariate model. The addition of day-21 cytokeratin-19 antigen modestly improved this model's survival prediction (concordance probability, 0.75-0.78). Chemotherapy (P < .001) and baseline keratinocyte growth factor (P = .019) predicted acute esophagitis, but only chemotherapy remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Baseline angioprotein-1 and hepatocyte growth factor showed a direct correlation with tumor volume whereas changes in vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 showed significant correlations with 18F-fluorothymidine (FLT) positron emission tomography (PET). Select biomarkers are prognostic after radiotherapy in this lung cancer series. The correlation between circulating biomarkers and 18F-FLT PET is shown, to our knowledge for the first time, highlighting their potential role as imaging surrogates. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Childhood adversity and cognitive function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls: evidence for an association between neglect and social cognition.

PubMed

Kilian, S; Asmal, L; Chiliza, B; Olivier, M R; Phahladira, L; Scheffler, F; Seedat, S; Marder, S R; Green, M F; Emsley, R

2017-12-22

Childhood adversity is associated with cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. However, findings to date are inconsistent and little is known about the relationship between social cognition and childhood trauma. We investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and cognitive function in patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder (n = 56) and matched healthy controls (n = 52). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing this relationship in patients and controls exposed to similarly high levels of trauma. Pearson correlational coefficients were used to assess correlations between Childhood Trauma Questionnaire abuse and neglect scores and cognition. For the MCCB domains displaying significant (p < 0.05) correlations, within group hierarchical linear regression, was done to assess whether abuse and neglect were significant predictors of cognition after controlling for the effect of education. Patients and controls reported similarly high levels of abuse and neglect. Cognitive performance was poorer for patients compared with controls for all cognitive domains except working memory and social cognition. After controlling for education, exposure to childhood neglect remained a significant predictor of impairment in social cognition in both patients and controls. Neglect was also a significant predictor of poorer verbal learning in patients and of attention/vigilance in controls. However, childhood abuse did not significantly predict cognitive impairments in either patients or controls. These findings are cross sectional and do not infer causality. Nonetheless, they indicate that associations between one type of childhood adversity (i.e. neglect) and social cognition are present and are not illness-specific.

Cosmic ray modulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal Mishra, Rekha; Mishra, Rajesh Kumar

2016-07-01

Propagation of cosmic rays to and inside the heliosphere, encounter an outward moving solar wind with cyclic magnetic field fluctuation and turbulence, causing convection and diffusion in the heliosphere. Cosmic ray counts from the ground ground-based neutron monitors at different cut of rigidity show intensity changes, which are anti-correlated with sunspot numbers. They also lose energy as they propagate towards the Earth and experience various types of modulations due to different solar activity indices. In this work, we study the first three harmonics of cosmic ray intensity on geo-magnetically quiet days over the period 1965-2014 for Beijing, Moscow and Tokyo neutron monitoring stations located at different cut off rigidity. The amplitude of first harmonic remains high for low cutoff rigidity as compared to high cutoff rigidity on quiet days. The diurnal amplitude significantly decreases during solar activity minimum years. The diurnal time of maximum significantly shifts to an earlier time as compared to the corotational direction having different cutoff rigidities. The time of maximum for first harmonic significantly shifts towards later hours and for second harmonic it shifts towards earlier hours at low cutoff rigidity station as compared to the high cut off rigidity station on quiet days. The amplitude of second/third harmonics shows a good positive correlation with solar wind velocity, while the others (i.e. amplitude and phase) have no significant correlation on quiet days. The amplitude and direction of the anisotropy on quiet days does not show any significant dependence on high-speed solar wind streams for these neutron monitoring stations of different cutoff rigidity threshold. Keywords: cosmic ray, cut off rigidity, quiet days, harmonics, amplitude, phase.

Influence of specific obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions on strategic planning in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Pinto, Paula Sanders Pereira; Iego, Sandro; Nunes, Samantha; Menezes, Hemanny; Mastrorosa, Rosana Sávio; Oliveira, Irismar Reis de; Rosário, Maria Conceição do

2011-03-01

This study investigates obsessive-compulsive disorder patients in terms of strategic planning and its association with specific obsessive-compulsive symptom dimensions. We evaluated 32 obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Strategic planning was assessed by the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test, and the obsessive-compulsive dimensions were assessed by the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. In the statistical analyses, the level of significance was set at 5%. We employed linear regression, including age, intelligence quotient, number of comorbidities, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale score, and the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. The Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale "worst-ever" score correlated significantly with the planning score on the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (r = 0.4, p = 0.04) and was the only variable to show a significant association after linear regression (β = 0.55, t = 2.1, p = 0.04). Compulsive hoarding correlated positively with strategic planning (r = 0.44, p = 0.03). None of the remaining symptom dimensions presented any significant correlations with strategic planning. We found the severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms to be associated with strategic planning. In addition, there was a significant positive association between the planning score on the copy portion of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test copy score and the hoarding dimension score on the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Our results underscore the idea that obsessive-compulsive disorder is a heterogeneous disorder and suggest that the hoarding dimension has a specific neuropsychological profile. Therefore, it is important to assess the peculiarities of each obsessive-compulsive symptom dimension.

Neural correlates of appetitive extinction in humans.

PubMed

Kruse, Onno; Tapia León, Isabell; Stark, Rudolf; Klucken, Tim

2017-01-01

Appetitive extinction receives attention as an important model for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. However, in humans, its underlying neural correlates remain unknown. To close this gap, we investigated appetitive acquisition and extinction with fMRI in a 2-day monetary incentive delay paradigm. During appetitive conditioning, one stimulus (CS+) was paired with monetary reward, while another stimulus (CS-) was never rewarded. Twenty-four hours later, subjects underwent extinction, in which neither CS was reinforced. Appetitive conditioning elicited stronger skin conductance responses to the CS+ as compared with the CS-. Regarding subjective ratings, the CS+ was rated more pleasant and arousing than the CS- after conditioning. Furthermore, fMRI-results (CS+ - CS-) showed activation of the reward circuitry including amygdala, midbrain and striatal areas. During extinction, conditioned responses were successfully extinguished. In the early phase of extinction, we found a significant activation of the caudate, the hippocampus, the dorsal and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (dACC and vACC). In the late phase, we found significant activation of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and the amygdala. Correlational analyses with subjective ratings linked extinction success to the vACC and the NAcc, while associating the dACC with reduced extinction. The results reveal neural correlates of appetitive extinction in humans and extend assumptions from models for human extinction learning. © The Author (2016). Published by Oxford University Press.

Fitted Hanbury-Brown Twiss radii versus space-time variances in flow-dominated models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frodermann, Evan; Heinz, Ulrich; Lisa, Michael Annan

2006-04-01

The inability of otherwise successful dynamical models to reproduce the Hanbury-Brown Twiss (HBT) radii extracted from two-particle correlations measured at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) is known as the RHIC HBT Puzzle. Most comparisons between models and experiment exploit the fact that for Gaussian sources the HBT radii agree with certain combinations of the space-time widths of the source that can be directly computed from the emission function without having to evaluate, at significant expense, the two-particle correlation function. We here study the validity of this approach for realistic emission function models, some of which exhibit significant deviations from simple Gaussian behavior. By Fourier transforming the emission function, we compute the two-particle correlation function, and fit it with a Gaussian to partially mimic the procedure used for measured correlation functions. We describe a novel algorithm to perform this Gaussian fit analytically. We find that for realistic hydrodynamic models the HBT radii extracted from this procedure agree better with the data than the values previously extracted from the space-time widths of the emission function. Although serious discrepancies between the calculated and the measured HBT radii remain, we show that a more apples-to-apples comparison of models with data can play an important role in any eventually successful theoretical description of RHIC HBT data.

Low levels of circulating platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) in subclinically hypothyroid autoimmune thyroiditis.

PubMed

Görar, S; Ademoğlu, E; Çarlıoğlu, A; Alioğlu, B; Bekdemir, H; Sağlam, B; Candan, Z; Üçler, R; Culha, C; Aral, Y

2016-02-01

Chemokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) released from activated platelets is a chemokine. However, its clinical importance in autoimmune thyroiditis remains unknown. This study is intended to determine circulating levels of PF4 levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). Circulating levels of PF4 were measured in 34 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AIT and 18 euthyroid controls. Among AIT group, 16 patients were euthyroid and 18 had subclinic hypothyroidism. Controls and individuals with AIT were similar in terms of age. Serum levels of PF4 were comparable in patients with AIT and in controls. Among patients with AIT, PF4 was significantly lower in those with subclinical hypothyroidism than in euthyroid individuals (p = 0.001). In correlation analysis, PF4 was negatively correlated with TSH (r = -0.663, p = 0.000) and positively correlated with free T4 (r = 0.428, p = 0.012). There was not any significant correlation between PF4 and AbTPO, AbTg. The present study demonstrated for the first time that circulating PF4 levels are decreased in subclinically hypothyroid AIT. This result draws attention to the circulating PF4 levels in subclinically hypothyroid AIT and may shed light on further researches at this topic.

Chlamydia muridarum with Mutations in Chromosomal Genes tc0237 and/or tc0668 Is Deficient in Colonizing the Mouse Gastrointestinal Tract

PubMed Central

Shao, Lili; Zhang, Tianyuan; Liu, Quanzhong; Wang, Jie

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Chlamydiae colonize the gastrointestinal tracts of both animals and humans. However, their medical significance remains unknown. We have previously shown that wild-type Chlamydia muridarum spreads to and establishes stable colonization of the gastrointestinal tract following intravaginal inoculation. In the present study, we found that C. muridarum with mutations in chromosomal genes tc0237 and/or tc0668 was defective in spreading to the mouse gastrointestinal tract, which correlated with its attenuated pathogenicity in the upper genital tract. This correlation was more consistent than that of chlamydial pathogenicity with ascending infection in the genital tract, since attenuated C. muridarum spread significantly less to the gastrointestinal tract but maintained robust ascending infection of the upper genital tract. Transcervical inoculation further confirmed the correlation between C. muridarum spreading to the gastrointestinal tract and its pathogenicity in the upper genital tract. Finally, defective spreading of C. muridarum mutants was due to their inability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract since intragastric inoculation did not rescue the mutants' colonization. Thus, promoting C. muridarum colonization of the gastrointestinal tract may represent a primary function of the TC0237 and TC0668 proteins. Correlation of chlamydial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with chlamydial pathogenicity in the upper genital tract suggests a potential role for gastrointestinal chlamydiae in genital tract pathogenicity. PMID:28584162

Fitted Hanbury-Brown-Twiss radii versus space-time variances in flow-dominated models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Frodermann, Evan; Heinz, Ulrich; Lisa, Michael Annan

2006-04-15

The inability of otherwise successful dynamical models to reproduce the Hanbury-Brown-Twiss (HBT) radii extracted from two-particle correlations measured at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) is known as the RHIC HBT Puzzle. Most comparisons between models and experiment exploit the fact that for Gaussian sources the HBT radii agree with certain combinations of the space-time widths of the source that can be directly computed from the emission function without having to evaluate, at significant expense, the two-particle correlation function. We here study the validity of this approach for realistic emission function models, some of which exhibit significant deviations from simplemore » Gaussian behavior. By Fourier transforming the emission function, we compute the two-particle correlation function, and fit it with a Gaussian to partially mimic the procedure used for measured correlation functions. We describe a novel algorithm to perform this Gaussian fit analytically. We find that for realistic hydrodynamic models the HBT radii extracted from this procedure agree better with the data than the values previously extracted from the space-time widths of the emission function. Although serious discrepancies between the calculated and the measured HBT radii remain, we show that a more apples-to-apples comparison of models with data can play an important role in any eventually successful theoretical description of RHIC HBT data.« less

Memory and reward systems coproduce 'nostalgic' experiences in the brain.

PubMed

Oba, Kentaro; Noriuchi, Madoka; Atomi, Tomoaki; Moriguchi, Yoshiya; Kikuchi, Yoshiaki

2016-07-01

People sometimes experience an emotional state known as 'nostalgia', which involves experiencing predominantly positive emotions while remembering autobiographical events. Nostalgia is thought to play an important role in psychological resilience. Previous neuroimaging studies have shown involvement of memory and reward systems in such experiences. However, it remains unclear how these two systems are collaboratively involved with nostalgia experiences. Here, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of healthy females to investigate the relationship between memory-reward co-activation and nostalgia, using childhood-related visual stimuli. Moreover, we examined the factors constituting nostalgia and their neural correlates. We confirmed the presence of nostalgia-related activity in both memory and reward systems, including the hippocampus (HPC), substantia nigra/ventral tegmental area (SN/VTA), and ventral striatum (VS). We also found significant HPC-VS co-activation, with its strength correlating with individual 'nostalgia tendencies'. Factor analyses showed that two dimensions underlie nostalgia: emotional and personal significance and chronological remoteness, with the former correlating with caudal SN/VTA and left anterior HPC activity, and the latter correlating with rostral SN/VTA activity. These findings demonstrate the cooperative activity of memory and reward systems, where each system has a specific role in the construction of the factors that underlie the experience of nostalgia. © The Author (2015). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Is anatomic acetabular orientation related to pelvic morphology? CT analysis of 150 healthy pelvises.

PubMed

Sautet, P; Giorgi, H; Chabrand, P; Tropiano, P; Argenson, J-N; Parratte, S; Blondel, B

2018-05-01

Links between sagittal spinal alignment and acetabular orientation attract considerable research attention with the goal of optimising prosthetic cup position. However, whether pelvic incidence (PI) is related to anatomic acetabular orientation remains unknown. We therefore conducted a radiological study with the following objectives: to look for correlations between PI and anatomic acetabular parameters; to describe the sacro-pubic angle (SPA), defined by fixed bony pelvic landmarks, and its relations with acetabular anteversion; and to determine whether anatomical parameters (PI and SPA) correlate with demographic characteristics. PI correlates with anatomical acetabular parameters. We conducted a computed tomography (CT) study of the pelvises of 150 patients free of degenerative disease. Three parameters were measured: anatomic acetabular orientation in the Lewinnek reference plane, PI, and the SPA subtended by the line connecting the midpoint of the sacral endplate to the pubic symphysis and the anterior pelvic plane. Statistical tests were performed to look for correlations among these parameters. Intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility was considered highly satisfactory (inter-class correlation coefficient, >86% and >82%, respectively). Mean PI was 58.6°±10.2° (range, 32.8°-97.6°), with no significant differences between genders or across age groups. Mean SPA was 34.7°±5.5° (range, 18.3°-49.8°). Mean anatomic acetabular anteversion (AAA) was greater in females (23.4°; range, 11.5°-34.5°) than in males (20°; range, 7.5°-34.5°) (P<0.001). PI did not correlate with any of the acetabular parameters (PI/AAA, r=0.8 and P=0.33; PI/acetabular inclination on the horizontal, r=-0.96 and P=0.24). SPA correlated significantly with both PI (r=0.33 and P<0.001) and AAA (r=0.33 and P<0.001). This CT study of normal pelvises showed that AAA was significantly greater in females and that SPA correlated significantly with both PI and acetabular anteversion. SPA could serve to define the "theoretical" AAA of each individual patient and could thus be incorporated into surgical planning protocols or intra-operative guidance methods for hip replacement surgery. IV, retrospective study with no control group. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Visual Acuity Is Correlated with the Area of the Foveal Avascular Zone in Diabetic Retinopathy and Retinal Vein Occlusion.

PubMed

Balaratnasingam, Chandrakumar; Inoue, Maiko; Ahn, Seungjun; McCann, Jesse; Dhrami-Gavazi, Elona; Yannuzzi, Lawrence A; Freund, K Bailey

2016-11-01

To determine if the area of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is correlated with visual acuity (VA) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Cross-sectional study. Ninety-five eyes of 66 subjects with DR (65 eyes), branch retinal vein occlusion (19 eyes), and central retinal vein occlusion (11 eyes). Structural optical coherence tomography (OCT; Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) and OCT angiography (OCTA; Avanti, Optovue RTVue XR) data from a single visit were analyzed. FAZ area, point thickness of central fovea, central 1-mm subfield thickness, the occurrence of intraretinal cysts, ellipsoid zone disruption, and disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL) length were measured. VA was also recorded. Correlations between FAZ area and VA were explored using regression models. Main outcome measure was VA. Mean age was 62.9±13.2 years. There was no difference in demographic and OCT-derived anatomic measurements between branch retinal vein occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion groups (all P ≥ 0.058); therefore, data from the 2 groups were pooled together to a single RVO group for further statistical comparisons. Univariate and multiple regression analysis showed that the area of the FAZ was significantly correlated with VA in DR and RVO (all P ≤ 0.003). The relationship between FAZ area and VA varied with age (P = 0.026) such that for a constant FAZ area, an increase in patient age was associated with poorer vision (rise in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity). Disruption of the ellipsoid zone was significantly correlated with VA in univariate and multiple regression analysis (both P < 0.001). Occurrence of intraretinal cysts, DRIL length, and lens status were significantly correlated with VA in the univariate regression analysis (P ≤ 0.018) but not the multiple regression analysis (P ≥ 0.210). Remaining variables evaluated in this study were not predictive of VA (all P ≥ 0.225). The area of the FAZ is significantly correlated with VA in DR and RVO and this relationship is modulated by patient age. Further study about FAZ area and VA correlations during the natural course of retinal vascular diseases and following treatment is warranted. Copyright © 2016 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Age Differences in Axial Length, Corneal Curvature, and Corneal Astigmatism in Marfan Syndrome with Ectopia Lentis

PubMed Central

Jing, Qinghe; Tang, Yating; Qian, Dongjin

2018-01-01

Purpose To investigate the differences in axial length, corneal curvature, and corneal astigmatism with age in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis. Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted. MFS patients with ectopia lentis were divided into groups according to age. Axial length, corneal curvature, and corneal astigmatism were measured. Results This study included 114 MFS patients (215 eyes) with a mean age of 19.0 ± 13.9 years. Axial length differed significantly across age groups in MFS patients (P < 0.001), whereas corneal curvature did not (P = 0.767). Corneal astigmatism was statistically significant throughout the MFS cohort (P = 0.009), but no significant difference was found in young MFS patients (P = 0.838). With increasing age, the orientation of the corneal astigmatism changed from with-the-rule astigmatism to against-the-rule or oblique astigmatism (P < 0.001). A linear correlation analysis showed weak correlations between age and axial length for both eyes and with corneal astigmatism for the left eye, but there was no correlation between age and corneal curvature. Conclusions In MFS, axial length varies with age, corneal curvature remains stable, and corneal astigmatism is higher in young patients and tends to shift toward against-the-rule or oblique astigmatism. Therefore, it is important to consider age when diagnosing MFS with ocular biometric data. PMID:29854424

Serum YKL-40 as a potential biomarker of inflammation in psoriasis.

PubMed

Baran, Anna; Myśliwiec, Hanna; Szterling-Jaworowska, Malgorzata; Kiluk, Paulina; Świderska, Magdalena; Flisiak, Iwona

2018-02-01

YKL-40 is an inflammatory glycoprotein associated with atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome which are common comorbidities in psoriasis. The aim of the study was to assess serum YKL-40 level in psoriasis and elucidate possible associations with disease activity, inflammatory or metabolic parameters and treatment. A total of 37 individuals with active plaque-type psoriasis and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected before and after 2 weeks of therapy. Serum YKL-40 concentrations were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), body mass index (BMI), inflammatory and biochemical markers, lipid profile and topical therapy. Median YKL-40 serum levels were significantly increased in psoriatic patients in comparison to the controls (p < .0001). No significant correlations between investigated protein and metabolic parameters as BMI (p = .19), glucose (p = .32) nor lipids levels were found. Significant positive relation with CRP (p = .003) or alanine aminotransferase (p = .04) and no correlation with PASI (p = .2) were noted. Serum YKL-40 level remained unchanged (p = .5) after topical treatment, despite clinical improvement. YKL-40 might be a biomarker of psoriasis and inflammation in psoriatic patients, but not a reliable indicator of metabolic conditions, severity of psoriasis nor efficacy of the treatment.

Neural Correlates of Letter Reversal in Children and Adults

PubMed Central

Kalra, Priya; Yee, Debbie; Sinha, Pawan; Gabrieli, John D. E.

2014-01-01

Children often make letter reversal errors when first learning to read and write, even for letters whose reversed forms do not appear in normal print. However, the brain basis of such letter reversal in children learning to read is unknown. The present study compared the neuroanatomical correlates (via functional magnetic resonance imaging) and the electrophysiological correlates (via event-related potentials or ERPs) of this phenomenon in children, ages 5–12, relative to young adults. When viewing reversed letters relative to typically oriented letters, adults exhibited widespread occipital, parietal, and temporal lobe activations, including activation in the functionally localized visual word form area (VWFA) in left occipito-temporal cortex. Adults exhibited significantly greater activation than children in all of these regions; children only exhibited such activation in a limited frontal region. Similarly, on the P1 and N170 ERP components, adults exhibited significantly greater differences between typical and reversed letters than children, who failed to exhibit significant differences between typical and reversed letters. These findings indicate that adults distinguish typical and reversed letters in the early stages of specialized brain processing of print, but that children do not recognize this distinction during the early stages of processing. Specialized brain processes responsible for early stages of letter perception that distinguish between typical and reversed letters may develop slowly and remain immature even in older children who no longer produce letter reversals in their writing. PMID:24859328

Transanal drainage tube placement to prevent anastomotic leakage following colorectal cancer surgery with double stapling reconstruction.

PubMed

Matsuda, Mutsuhito; Tsuruta, Masashi; Hasegawa, Hirotoshi; Okabayashi, Koji; Kondo, Takayuki; Shimada, Takehiro; Yahagi, Masashi; Yoshikawa, Yusuke; Kitagawa, Yuko

2016-05-01

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a critical complication of colorectal cancer surgery. The transanal drainage tube (TDT) is designed to prevent AL caused by decompression and stasis at the anastomosis. We conducted this study to investigate the feasibility of using the TDT to prevent AL following double-stapling technique reconstruction (DST). The subjects of this study were 179 patients who underwent curative resection and DST reconstruction for sigmoid colon and rectal cancer in our institution between 2008 and 2013. We analyzed the effectiveness of the TDT for preventing AL. A TDT was placed in 78 patients (43.6 %, TDT group) and not placed in the remaining 101 patients (56.4 %, NTDT group). AL developed in 2 (2.6 %) patients from the TDT group and in 14 (13.9 %) patients from the NTDT group (p = 0.009). Univariate analysis revealed that AL was significantly correlated with tumor distance from the anal verge (AV), the number of staples, and TDT placement. Multivariate analysis revealed a significantly positive correlation between AL and AV [OR 0.877 (0.783-0.982) p = 0.023] and a significantly negative correlation between AL and TDT placement [OR 0.07 (0.013-0.374) p = 0.002]. Anastomotic decompression with TDT placement may prevent AL after colorectal cancer surgery with DST reconstruction.

Higher plasma CD4 lymphocyte count correlates with better cognitive function in human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV-AIDS) patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitri, F. I.; Rambe, A. S.; Fitri, A.

2018-03-01

Neurocognitive disorders in HIV-AIDS are still prevalent despite the use of antiretroviral therapy and seem to be under-recognized. Plasma lymphocyte CD4 count is a marker for general immunology status, but its association with cognitive function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between plasma CD4 lymphocyte and cognitive function in HIV-AIDS patients.This was a cross-sectional study involving 48 HIV-AIDS patients. All subjects underwent physical, neurologic examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Indonesian Version (MoCA-INA) to assess cognitive function and measurement of lymphocyte CD4 counts.This study included 48 subjects consisted of 29 males (60.4%) and 19 females (39.6%). The mean age was 39.17±11.21 years old. There was a significant correlation between CD4 lymphocyte counts and MoCA-INA score (r=0.347, p=0.016).Higher plasma CD4 lymphocyte count is correlated with better cognitive function in HIV-AIDS patients.

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence that correlates with canopy photosynthesis on diurnal and seasonal scales in a temperate deciduous forest

DOE PAGES

Yang, Xi; Tang, Jianwu; Mustard, John F.; ...

2015-03-24

Previous studies have suggested that solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is correlated with Gross Primary Production (GPP). However, it remains unclear to what extent this relationship is due to absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (APAR) and/or light use efficiency (LUE). Here in this work, we present the first time series of near-surface measurement of canopy-scale SIF at 760 nm in temperate deciduous forests. SIF correlated with GPP estimated with eddy covariance at diurnal and seasonal scales (r 2 = 0.82 and 0.73, respectively), as well as with APAR diurnally and seasonally (r 2 = 0.90 and 0.80, respectively). SIF/APAR is significantly positivelymore » correlated with LUE and is higher during cloudy days than sunny days. Weekly tower-based SIF agreed with SIF from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (r 2 = 0.82). Finally, our results provide ground-based evidence that SIF is directly related to both APAR and LUE and thus GPP, and confirm that satellite SIF can be used as a proxy for GPP.« less

Plasma phospholipid transfer protein activity is inversely associated with betaine in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects.

PubMed

Dullaart, R P F; Garcia, Erwin; Jeyarajah, Elias; Gruppen, Eke G; Connelly, Margery A

2016-08-31

The choline metabolite, betaine, plays a role in lipid metabolism, and may predict the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) require phosphatidylcholine as substrate, raising the possibility that there is an intricate relationship of these protein factors with choline metabolism. Here we determined the relationships of PLTP and LCAT activity with betaine in subjects with and without T2DM. Plasma betaine (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy), PLTP activity (liposome-vesicle HDL system), LCAT activity (exogenous substrate assay) and (apo)lipoproteins were measured in 65 type 2 diabetic (T2DM) and in 55 non-diabetic subjects. PLTP and LCAT activity were elevated in T2DM (p < 0.05), whereas the difference in betaine was not significant. In age-, sex- and diabetes status-controlled correlation analysis, betaine was inversely correlated with triglycerides and positively with HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05 to 0.01). PLTP and LCAT activity were positively correlated with triglycerides and inversely with HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05 to 0.001). PLTP (r = -0.245, p = 0.006) and LCAT activity (r = -0.195, p = 0.035) were correlated inversely with betaine. The inverse association of PLTP activity with betaine remained significant after additional adjustment for body mass index and lipoprotein variables (β = -0.179, p = 0.034), whereas its association with LCAT activity lost significance (β = -0.056, p = 0.44). Betaine may influence lipoprotein metabolism via an effect on PLTP activity.

Hematocrit Level could Reflect Inflammatory Response and Disease Activity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

PubMed

Yang, Min; Ma, Ning; Fu, Haitao; Wei, Tingting; Tang, Qingqin; Qin, Baodong; Yang, Zaixing; Zhong, Renqian

2015-01-01

The previous study has reported the association of hematocrit (HCT) with inflammation in several diseases. But the role of HCT in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remained unclear. We tried to evaluate the clinical significance of HCT levels in patients with SLE. A retrospective study including 127 adult SLE patients and 146 normal healthy controls was performed. HCT levels between SLE patients and normal healthy controls were compared, and correlations between HCT and clinical characteristics were evaluated. HCT levels in SLE patients were significantly decreased as compared with the normal healthy controls and negatively correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = -0.336, p < 0.01), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.332, p < 0.01), and SLEDAI scores (r = -0.376, p < 0.01). HCT levels were also significantly lower in SLE patients with decreased C3 and C4 as compared with those in SLE patients with normal C3 and C4, indicating that HCT was positively correlated with C3 and C4 levels (r = 0.272, p < 0.01; r = 0.273, p < 0.01). HCT was decreased in SLE patients with the presence of anti-Sm and anti-RNP antibodies as compared with those without these auto-antibodies (p = 0.013, p < 0.01). After adjusting RBC count and hemoglobin level, multiple linear regression analysis showed that HCT was independently associated with disease activity in SLE patients. In addition, HCT levels were elevated after treatment. HCT is correlated with CRP, ESR, and SLEDAI, suggesting that HCT could reflect inflammatory response and disease activity in SLE patients.

Determinants of ocular deviation in esotropic subjects under general anesthesia.

PubMed

Daien, Vincent; Turpin, Chloé; Lignereux, François; Belghobsi, Riadh; Le Meur, Guylene; Lebranchu, Pierre; Pechereau, Alain

2013-01-01

The authors attempted to identify the determinants of ocular deviation in a population of patients with esotropia under general anesthesia. Forty-one patients with esotropia were included. Horizontal ocular deviation was evaluated by the photographic Hirschberg test both in the awakened state and under general anesthesia before surgery. Changes in ocular deviation were measured and a multivariate analysis was used to assess its clinical determinants. The mean age (± standard deviation [SD]) of study subjects was 13 ± 11 years and 51% were females. The mean spherical equivalent refraction of the right eye was 2.44 ± 2.50 diopters (D), with no significant difference between eyes (P = .26). The mean ocular deviation changed significantly, from 33.5 ± 12.5 prism diopters (PD) at preoperative examination to 8.8 ± 11.4 PD under general anesthesia (P = .0001). The changes in ocular deviation positively correlated with the pre-operative ocular deviation (correlation coefficient r = 0.59, P = .0001) and negatively correlated with patient age (correlation coefficient r = -0.53, P = .0001). These two determinants remained significant after multivariate adjustment of the following variables: preoperative ocular deviation; age; gender; spherical equivalent refraction; and number of previous strabismus surgeries (model r(2) = 0.49, P = .0001). The ocular position under general anesthesia was reported as a key factor in the surgical treatment of subjects with esotropia; therefore, its clinical determinants were assessed. The authors observed that preoperative ocular deviation and patient age were the main factors that influenced the ocular position under general anesthesia. Copyright 2013, SLACK Incorporated.

Genome-wide significant association between a sequence variant at 15q15.2 and lung cancer risk

PubMed Central

Rafnar, Thorunn; Sulem, Patrick; Besenbacher, Soren; Gudbjartsson, Daniel F.; Zanon, Carlo; Gudmundsson, Julius; Stacey, Simon N.; Kostic, Jelena P.; Thorgeirsson, Thorgeir E.; Thorleifsson, Gudmar; Bjarnason, Hjordis; Skuladottir, Halla; Gudbjartsson, Tomas; Isaksson, Helgi J.; Isla, Dolores; Murillo, Laura; García-Prats, Maria D.; Panadero, Angeles; Aben, Katja K.H.; Vermeulen, Sita H.; van der Heijden, Henricus F.M.; Feser, William; Miller, York E.; Bunn, Paul A.; Kong, Augustine; Wolf, Holly J.; Franklin, Wilbur A.; Mayordomo, Jose I; Kiemeney, Lambertus A.; Jonsson, Steinn; Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur; Stefansson, Kari

2010-01-01

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified three genomic regions, at 15q24-25.1, 5p15.33 and 6p21.33, which associate with risk of lung cancer. Large meta-analyses of GWA data have failed to find additional associations of genome-wide significance. In this study, we sought to confirm 7 variants with suggestive association to lung cancer (P<10−5) in a recently published meta-analysis. In a GWA dataset of 1,447 lung cancer cases and 36,256 controls in Iceland, three correlated variants on 15q15.2 (rs504417, rs11853991 and rs748404) showed a significant association with lung cancer whereas rs4254535 on 2p14, rs1530057 on 3p24.1, rs6438347 on 3q13.31 and rs1926203 on 10q23.31 did not. The most significant variant, rs748404, was genotyped in additional 1,299 lung cancer cases and 4,102 controls from the Netherlands, Spain and the USA and the results combined with published GWAS data. In this analysis, the T allele of rs748404 reached genome-wide significance (OR=1.15, P=1.1×10−9). Another variant at the same locus, rs12050604, showed association with lung cancer (OR=1.09, 3.6×10−6) and remained significant after adjustment for rs748404 and vice versa. rs748404 is located 140 kb centromeric of the TP53BP1 gene that has been implicated in lung cancer risk. Two fully correlated, non-synonymous coding variants in TP53BP1, rs2602141 (Q1136K) and rs560191 (E353D), showed association with lung cancer in our sample set; however, this association did not remain significant after adjustment for rs748404. Our data show that one or more lung cancer risk variants of genome-wide significance and distinct from the coding variants in TP53BP1 are located at 15q15.2. PMID:21303977

[Long term result of arytenoidectomy with CO₂ laser for dyspnoea in iatrogenic bilateral vocal fold paralysis patients].

PubMed

Cheng, Q H; Ge, P J; Sheng, X L; Jiang, J; Zhang, S Y; Chen, S H

2016-03-20

Objective: To investigate the optimal time of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy and the improvement of dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia after arytenoidectomy with CO₂ laser in iatrogenic bilateral vocal folds paralysis patients. Method: Thirty patients [29 females, 56 (49-60) years, one male, 49 years] with bilateral vocal cords paralysis resulted from neck surgery were retrospectively analyzed by case archived information and following-up questionnaire. The data included patients' dysponea time, degree and duration from tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery. Twenty sixty patients required unilateral partial/total arytenoidectomy. The results of treatment were evaluated by questionnaire including dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia. Result: All patients whose bilateral vocal paralysis were resulted from thyroid gland surgery. Dysponea occurred immediately after thyroidectomy surgery in 14 cases (46.7%), and 2 years later after thyroidectomy in 13 cases (43.3%), 8 years later in 3 cases (10.0%). There was one (3.3%) patient without tracheotomy. The duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery was significantly correlated with duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to dyspnoea appearance ( r =0.879, P <0.05), not correlated with duration of thyroid surgery to dyspnoea appearance. There is significantly negative correlation between degree of dyspnoea and duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery ( r =0.452, P <0.05). Twenty six patients appeared dyspnoea and underwent CO₂ laser arytenoidectomy after thyoidectomy 0.5-23 years. Five patients did unilateral total arytenoidectomy and 21 patients did unilateral partial arytenoidectomy. After 12-96 months following up, dyspnoea improved in 24 patients, no improved in 2 patients. Dysphonia improved and remained in 17 patients, being worse mildly in 8 patients and obviously in one patient. Dysphagia improved and remained in 24 patients, being worse in 2 patients. There was no difference between total and partial arytenoidectomy in dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia. Conclusion: The morbidity of dyspnoea was correlated with time after neck surgery. It was rarely necessary to take tracheotomy immediately in bilateral vocal fords paralysis patients after neck surgery. The severer degree of dyspnoea led to shorter duration between neck surgery and tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy. There was obvious improvement after arytenoidectomy in dyspnoea, no significant change in dysphonia and dysphagia. The effect of total arytenoidectomy on bilateral vocal paralysis was similar to partial arytenoidectomy. Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.

How can acute mountain sickness be quantified at moderate altitude?

PubMed

Roeggla, G; Roeggla, M; Podolsky, A; Wagner, A; Laggner, A N

1996-03-01

Reports of acute mountain sickness (AMS) at moderate altitude show a wide variability, possibly because of different investigation methods. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of investigation methods on AMS incidence. Hackett's established AMS score (a structured interview and physical examination), the new Lake Louise AMS score (a self-reported questionnaire) and oxygen saturation were determined in 99 alpinists after ascent to 2.94 km altitude. AMS incidence was 8% in Hackett's AMS score and 25% in the Lake Louise AMS score. Oxygen saturation correlated inversely with Hackett's AMS score with no significant correlation with the Lake Louise AMS score. At moderate altitude, the new Lake Louise AMS score overestimates AMS incidence considerably. Hackett's AMS score remains the gold standard for evaluating AMS incidence.

How can acute mountain sickness be quantified at moderate altitude?

PubMed Central

Roeggla, G; Roeggla, M; Podolsky, A; Wagner, A; Laggner, A N

1996-01-01

Reports of acute mountain sickness (AMS) at moderate altitude show a wide variability, possibly because of different investigation methods. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of investigation methods on AMS incidence. Hackett's established AMS score (a structured interview and physical examination), the new Lake Louise AMS score (a self-reported questionnaire) and oxygen saturation were determined in 99 alpinists after ascent to 2.94 km altitude. AMS incidence was 8% in Hackett's AMS score and 25% in the Lake Louise AMS score. Oxygen saturation correlated inversely with Hackett's AMS score with no significant correlation with the Lake Louise AMS score. At moderate altitude, the new Lake Louise AMS score overestimates AMS incidence considerably. Hackett's AMS score remains the gold standard for evaluating AMS incidence. PMID:8683517

Freezing behavior as a response to sexual visual stimuli as demonstrated by posturography.

PubMed

Mouras, Harold; Lelard, Thierry; Ahmaidi, Said; Godefroy, Olivier; Krystkowiak, Pierre

2015-01-01

Posturographic changes in motivational conditions remain largely unexplored in the context of embodied cognition. Over the last decade, sexual motivation has been used as a good canonical working model to study motivated social interactions. The objective of this study was to explore posturographic variations in response to visual sexual videos as compared to neutral videos. Our results support demonstration of a freezing-type response in response to sexually explicit stimuli compared to other conditions, as demonstrated by significantly decreased standard deviations for (i) the center of pressure displacement along the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes and (ii) center of pressure's displacement surface. These results support the complexity of the motor correlates of sexual motivation considered to be a canonical functional context to study the motor correlates of motivated social interactions.

The role of marshall and rotterdam score in predicting 30-day outcome of traumatic brain injury

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siahaan, A. M. P.; Akbar, T. Y. M.; Nasution, M. D.

2018-03-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, especially in the young population. To predict the outcome of TBI, Marshall, and Rotterdam–CT Scan based scoring was mostly used. As many studies showed conflicting results regarding of the usage of both scoring, this study aims to determine the correlation between Rotterdam and Marshall scoring system with outcome in 30 days and found correlation among them. In 120 subjects with TBI that admitted to Adam Malik General Hospital, we found a significant association of both scorings with the 30-day Glasgow Outcome Score. Therefore, we recommend the use of Marshall and Rotterdam CT Score in initial assessment as a good predictor for patients with TBI.

Energy Density is Not a Consistent Correlate of Adiposity in Women During the Menopausal Transition.

PubMed

Lafrenière, Jacynthe; Prud'homme, Denis; Brochu, Martin; Rabasa-Lhoret, Rémi; Lavoie, Jean-Marc; Doucet, Éric

2017-03-01

The association between the energy density (ED) of foods and adiposity has been reported previously. However, whether the contribution of ED to adiposity remains significant when controlled for energy intake (EI) and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) remains to be clearly established. We aimed to investigate the independent contribution of ED to variations in body composition in women during the menopausal transition. Sixty-seven women from the MONET cohort study were analyzed. Seven-day food records were used to assess EI and ED. Body composition (body fat mass (FM) and trunk-fat mass (TFM)) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; PAEE was assessed with accelerometers. This secondary analysis of data included measurements obtained at years 1 and 5 of the study. Mean ED was correlated with FM (r = 0.22; P = 0.04) and TFM (r = 0.22; P = 0.04) at year 1, but not at year 5. The multiple regression analysis showed that EI and ED contributed to 14% of the variance in FM and TFM at year 1. These results suggest that ED is a modest but inconsistent determinant of adiposity in healthy women at the time of the menopause transition.

Energy status of ripening and postharvest senescent fruit of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.)

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Recent studies have demonstrated that cellular energy is a key factor switching on ripening and senescence of fruit. However, the factors that influence fruit energy status remain largely unknown. Results HPLC profiling showed that ATP abundance increased significantly in developing preharvest litchi fruit and was strongly correlated with fruit fresh weight. In contrast, ATP levels declined significantly during postharvest fruit senescence and were correlated with the decrease in the proportion of edible fruit. The five gene transcripts isolated from the litchi fruit pericarp were highly expressed in vegetative tissues and peaked at 70 days after flowering (DAF) consistent with fruit ADP concentrations, except for uncoupling mitochondrial protein 1 (UCP1), which was predominantly expressed in the root, and ATP synthase beta subunit (AtpB), which was up-regulated significantly before harvest and peaked 2 days after storage. These results indicated that the color-breaker stage at 70 DAF and 2 days after storage may be key turning points in fruit energy metabolism. Transcript abundance of alternative oxidase 1 (AOX1) increased after 2 days of storage to significantly higher levels than those of LcAtpB, and was down-regulated significantly by exogenous ATP. ATP supplementation had no significant effect on transcript abundance of ADP/ATP carrier 1 (AAC1) and slowed the changes in sucrose non-fermenting-1-related kinase 2 (SnRK2) expression, but maintained ATP and energy charge levels, which were correlated with delayed senescence. Conclusions Our results suggest that senescence of litchi fruit is closely related with energy. A surge of LcAtpB expression marked the beginning of fruit senescence. The findings may provide a new strategy to extend fruit shelf life by regulating its energy level. PMID:23547657

Gray Matter Loss and Related Functional Connectivity Alterations in A Chinese Family With Benign Adult Familial Myoclonic Epilepsy.

PubMed

Zeng, Ling-Li; Long, Lili; Shen, Hui; Fang, Peng; Song, Yanmin; Zhang, Linlin; Xu, Lin; Gong, Jian; Zhang, Yunci; Zhang, Yong; Xiao, Bo; Hu, Dewen

2015-10-01

Benign adult familial myoclonic epilepsy (BAFME) is a non-progressive monogenic epilepsy syndrome. So far, the structural and functional brain reorganizations in BAFME remain uncharacterized. This study aims to investigate gray matter atrophy and related functional connectivity alterations in patients with BAFME using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Eleven BAFME patients from a Chinese pedigree and 15 matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Optimized voxel-based morphometric and resting-state functional MRI approaches were performed to measure gray matter atrophy and related functional connectivity, respectively. The Trail-Making Test-part A and part B, Digit Symbol Test (DST), and Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) were carried out to evaluate attention and executive functions.The BAFME patients exhibited significant gray matter loss in the right hippocampus, right temporal pole, left orbitofrontal cortex, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. With these regions selected as seeds, the voxel-wise functional connectivity analysis revealed that the right hippocampus showed significantly enhanced connectivity with the right inferior parietal lobule, bilateral middle cingulate cortex, left precuneus, and left precentral gyrus. Moreover, the BAFME patients showed significant lower scores in DST and VFT tests compared with the healthy controls. The gray matter densities of the right hippocampus, right temporal pole, and left orbitofrontal cortex were significantly positively correlated with the DST scores. In addition, the gray matter density of the right temporal pole was significantly positively correlated with the VFT scores, and the gray matter density of the right hippocampus was significantly negatively correlated with the duration of illness in the patients.The current study demonstrates gray matter loss and related functional connectivity alterations in the BAFME patients, perhaps underlying deficits in attention and executive functions in the BAFME.

Involvement of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and its receptor (CD74) in human breast cancer.

PubMed

Richard, Vincent; Kindt, Nadège; Decaestecker, Christine; Gabius, Hans-Joachim; Laurent, Guy; Noël, Jean-Christophe; Saussez, Sven

2014-08-01

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its receptor CD74 appear to be involved in tumorigenesis. We evaluated, by immunohistochemical staining, the tissue expression and distribution of MIF and CD74 in serial sections of human invasive breast cancer tumor specimens. The serum MIF level was also determined in breast cancer patients. We showed a significant increase in serum MIF average levels in breast cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. MIF tissue expression, quantified by a modified Allred score, was strongly increased in carcinoma compared to tumor-free specimens, in the cancer cells and in the peritumoral stroma, with fibroblasts the most intensely stained. We did not find any significant correlation with histoprognostic factors, except for a significant inverse correlation between tumor size and MIF stromal positivity. CD74 staining was heterogeneous and significantly decreased in cancer cells but increased in the surrounding stroma, namely in lymphocytes, macrophages and vessel endothelium. There was no significant variation according to classical histoprognostic factors, except that CD74 stromal expression was significantly correlated with triple-negative receptor (TRN) status and the absence of estrogen receptors. In conclusion, our data support the concept of a functional role of MIF in human breast cancer. In addition to auto- and paracrine effects on cancer cells, MIF could contribute to shape the tumor microenvironment leading to immunomodulation and angiogenesis. Interfering with MIF effects in breast tumors in a therapeutic perspective remains an attractive but complex challenge. Level of co-expression of MIF and CD74 could be a surrogate marker for efficacy of anti-angiogenic drugs, particularly in TRN breast cancer tumor.

Parent-Offspring Correlations in Pedometer-Assessed Physical Activity

PubMed Central

Jacobi, David; Caille, Agnès; Borys, Jean-Michel; Lommez, Agnès; Couet, Charles; Charles, Marie-Aline; Oppert, Jean-Michel

2011-01-01

Background Physical activity is a major component of a healthy lifestyle in youth and adults. To identify determinants of this complex behavior is an important research objective in the process of designing interventions to promote physical activity at population level. In addition to individual determinants, there is evidence documenting familial influences on physical activity. However, the few studies that have addressed this issue with objective measures did not provide data on parent-offspring physical activity relationships throughout childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this study was to assess familial correlations in pedometer-assessed physical activity. Methods We measured ambulatory activity in 286 French nuclear families (283 mothers, 237 fathers, and 631 children aged 8–18 years) by pedometer recordings (Yamax Digiwalker DW 450) over a week. Correlations were computed with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for spouse pairs, siblings, mother-offspring, and father-offspring. Data were expressed as steps per day and computed both for the full recording period and separately for weekdays and weekends. Results The correlations were the highest between siblings (r = 0.28, 95%CI: 0.17–0.38). Parent–offspring correlations were significant in mothers (r = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.12–0.30), especially between mothers and daughters (r = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.12–0.36 vs. r = 0.18, 95%CI: 0.05–0.31 for sons), but were almost nonexistent in fathers. Correlations were generally higher on weekend days compared to weekdays. Mother-offspring correlations did not decrease with increasing age of children (r = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.00–0.34 in 8–11-year-olds, r = 0.20, 95%CI: 0.07–0.33 in 12–15-year-olds, and r = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.07–0.39 in ≥16-year-olds). Finally, between-spouse correlations were significant only during weekend days (r = 0.14, 95%CI: 0.01–0.27). Conclusion Ambulatory activity correlated within families, with a possible mother effect. Mother-offspring correlations remained significant through the transition from childhood to adolescence. Further studies are required to better understand the respective influences of shared activities, parental modeling and support as well as genetic factors on the familial aggregation of physical activity. PMID:22216207

Gastrointestinal Disease in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques Is Characterized by Proinflammatory Dysregulation of the Interleukin-6-Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription3 Pathway

PubMed Central

Mohan, Mahesh; Aye, Pyone P.; Borda, Juan T.; Alvarez, Xavier; Lackner, Andrew A.

2007-01-01

Gastrointestinal disease and inflammation are common sequelae of human and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms that lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction remain unclear. We investigated regulation of the interleukin (IL)-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway in jejunum and colon, collected at necropsy, from 10 SIV-infected macaques with diarrhea (group 1), 10 non-SIV-infected macaques with diarrhea (group 2), and 7 control uninfected macaques (group 3). All group 1 and 2 macaques had chronic diarrhea, wasting, and colitis, but group 1 animals had more frequent and severe lesions in the jejunum. A significant increase in IL-6 and SOCS-3 gene expression along with constitutive STAT3 activation was observed in the colon of all group 1 and 2 macaques and in the jejunum of only group 1 macaques compared to controls. Further, in colon, histopathology severity scores correlated significantly with IL-6 (groups 1 and 2) and SOCS-3 (group 2) gene expression. In jejunum, a similar correlation was observed only in group 1 animals. Phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) was localized to lymphocytes (CD3+) and macrophages (CD68+), with fewer CD3+ lymphocytes expressing p-STAT3 in group 1 macaques. Despite high SOCS-3 expression, STAT3 remained constitutively active, providing a possible explanation for persistent intestinal inflammation and immune activation that may favor viral replication and disease progression. PMID:18055558

Depression is not an Inevitable Outcome of Disclosure Avoidance: HIV Stigma and Mental Health in a Cohort of HIV Infected Individuals from Southern India

PubMed Central

Steward, Wayne T.; Chandy, Sara; Singh, Girija; Panicker, Siju Thomas; Osmand, Thomas A.; Heylen, Elsa; Ekstrand, Maria L.

2010-01-01

Previous research has shown that HIV stigma in India can be characterized by a framework dividing manifestations into enacted (discrimination), vicarious (hearing stories of discrimination), felt normative (perceptions of stigma’s prevalence) and internalized stigma (personal endorsement of stigma beliefs). We examined if this framework could explain associations among stigma, efforts to avoid HIV serostatus disclosure, and depression symptoms in a cohort of 198 HIV-infected individuals from southern India who were followed for one year as part of a study of antiretroviral adherence. Prior studies had suggested that disclosure avoidance was a primary outcome of stigma and that impaired well-being was a primary outcome of disclosure avoidance. Analyses from our longitudinal research revealed that the pattern of associations among stigma, disclosure avoidance, and depression symptoms remained consistent over time. Enacted and vicarious stigmas were correlated with felt normative stigma beliefs. In turn, felt normative stigma was correlated with disclosure avoidance. And enacted stigma, internalized stigma, and disclosure avoidance were all associated with depression symptoms. However, even though the overall framework held together, internalized stigma and depression symptoms dropped significantly over time while other components remained unchanged. These findings suggest that, although HIV stigma may limit disclosure, it does not invariably lead to psychological maladjustment. Amidst ongoing perceptions and experiences of stigma, HIV-positive individuals can achieve significant improvements in their acceptance of the disease and in mental wellbeing. PMID:21218366

Conditions for monogamy of quantum correlations in multipartite systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Asutosh

2016-09-01

Monogamy of quantum correlations is a vibrant area of research because of its potential applications in several areas in quantum information ranging from quantum cryptography to co-operative phenomena in many-body physics. In this paper, we investigate conditions under which monogamy is preserved for functions of quantum correlation measures. We prove that a monogamous measure remains monogamous on raising its power, and a non-monogamous measure remains non-monogamous on lowering its power. We also prove that monogamy of a convex quantum correlation measure for arbitrary multipartite pure quantum state leads to its monogamy for mixed states in the same Hilbert space. Monogamy of squared negativity for mixed states and that of entanglement of formation follow as corollaries of our results.

Data Generated by Quantitative Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Are Only the Start and Not the Endpoint: Optimization of Quantitative Concatemer-Based Measurement of Hepatic Uridine-5'-Diphosphate-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes with Reference to Catalytic Activity.

PubMed

Achour, Brahim; Dantonio, Alyssa; Niosi, Mark; Novak, Jonathan J; Al-Majdoub, Zubida M; Goosen, Theunis C; Rostami-Hodjegan, Amin; Barber, Jill

2018-06-01

Quantitative proteomic methods require optimization at several stages, including sample preparation, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and data analysis, with the final analysis stage being less widely appreciated by end-users. Previously reported measurement of eight uridine-5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) generated by two laboratories [using stable isotope-labeled (SIL) peptides or quantitative concatemer (QconCAT)] reflected significant disparity between proteomic methods. Initial analysis of QconCAT data showed lack of correlation with catalytic activity for several UGTs (1A4, 1A6, 1A9, 2B15) and moderate correlations for UGTs 1A1, 1A3, and 2B7 ( R s = 0.40-0.79, P < 0.05; R 2 = 0.30); good correlations were demonstrated between cytochrome P450 activities and abundances measured in the same experiments. Consequently, a systematic review of data analysis, starting from unprocessed LC-MS/MS data, was undertaken, with the aim of improving accuracy, defined by correlation against activity. Three main criteria were found to be important: choice of monitored peptides and fragments, correction for isotope-label incorporation, and abundance normalization using fractional protein mass. Upon optimization, abundance-activity correlations improved significantly for six UGTs ( R s = 0.53-0.87, P < 0.01; R 2 = 0.48-0.73); UGT1A9 showed moderate correlation ( R s = 0.47, P = 0.02; R 2 = 0.34). No spurious abundance-activity relationships were identified. However, methods remained suboptimal for UGT1A3 and UGT1A9; here hydrophobicity of standard peptides is believed to be limiting. This commentary provides a detailed data analysis strategy and indicates, using examples, the significance of systematic data processing following acquisition. The proposed strategy offers significant improvement on existing guidelines applicable to clinically relevant proteins quantified using QconCAT. Copyright © 2018 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Assessment of gender-related differences in vitamin D levels and cardiovascular risk factors in Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Abudawood, Manal; Tabassum, Hajera; Ansar, Sabah; Almosa, Khalid; Sobki, Samia; Ali, Mir Naiman; Aljohi, Ali

2018-01-01

Diabetes is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) including stroke, coronary heart disease, and peripheral artery disease. It remains a leading cause of mortality throughout the world, affecting both women and men. This investigation was aimed to study gender based differences in cardiovascular risk factors of adult population with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to check the correlation between serum HbA1C, lipid profile and serum vitamin D levels, in T2DM patients of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This hospital-based cross-sectional study involving subjects was divided into two gender based groups; normal male (800), diabetic male (800) and normal female (800) and T2DM females (800). Blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose (FBG), HbA1c, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (Tg), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum levels of 25(OH)-vitamin D in all groups. All the glycemic control parameters and lipid profile parameters were found to be significantly different in diabetic vs non-diabetic group (p < 0.001) in both genders. The results also show that vitamin D concentration decreased significantly (p < 0.001) in diabetic patients than the healthy individuals in both the genders. Vitamin-D and HbA1C were negatively correlated in both males and females in T2DM patients and significant at P < 0.05. Our study reveals that dyslipidemia remains one of the major risk factors of CVD in T2DM. In addition to dyslipidemia, decreased levels of vitamin-D associated with increased HbA1C alarms the early diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

Elevated total plasma-adiponectin is stable over time in young women with bulimia nervosa.

PubMed

Syk, M; Ramklint, M; Fredriksson, R; Ekselius, L; Cunningham, J L

2017-03-01

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by dysregulated eating behaviour and present data suggest adipokines may regulate food intake. We investigated a possible association between BN and adipokine levels and hypothesized that plasma (P)-adiponectin would be elevated and P-leptin and P-leptin-adiponectin-ratio would be reduced in women with BN. The study was designed as a cross-sectional study with a longitudinal arm for patients with BN. Plasma-adiponectin and leptin was measured in 148 female patients seeking psychiatric ambulatory care and 45 female controls. Fifteen patients were diagnosed with BN and the remaining with other affective and anxiety disorders. P-adiponectin and P-leptin levels were compared between patients with BN, patients without BN and controls. At follow-up 1-2years later, adipokines were reassessed in patients with BN and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire was used to assess symptom severity. P-adiponectin was elevated in patients with BN at baseline and at follow-up when compared to patients without BN and controls (P<0.004 and <0.008 respectively). The difference remained significant after controlling for body mass index. P-adiponectin was correlated to symptom severity at follow-up in patients with BN without morbid obesity (ρ=0.72, P<0.04). P-leptin-adiponectin-ratio was significantly lower in patients with BN compared to controls (P<0.04) and P-leptin non-significantly lower. Findings indicate a stable elevation of P-adiponectin in women with BN. P-adiponectin at follow-up correlates to eating disorder symptom severity in patients without morbid obesity, indicating that P-adiponectin should be further investigated as a possible potential prognostic biomarker for BN. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Biological risk factors for suicidal behaviors: a meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Chang, B P; Franklin, J C; Ribeiro, J D; Fox, K R; Bentley, K H; Kleiman, E M; Nock, M K

2016-01-01

Prior studies have proposed a wide range of potential biological risk factors for future suicidal behaviors. Although strong evidence exists for biological correlates of suicidal behaviors, it remains unclear if these correlates are also risk factors for suicidal behaviors. We performed a meta-analysis to integrate the existing literature on biological risk factors for suicidal behaviors and to determine their statistical significance. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo and Google Scholar for studies that used a biological factor to predict either suicide attempt or death by suicide. Inclusion criteria included studies with at least one longitudinal analysis using a biological factor to predict either of these outcomes in any population through 2015. From an initial screen of 2541 studies we identified 94 cases. Random effects models were used for both meta-analyses and meta-regression. The combined effect of biological factors produced statistically significant but relatively weak prediction of suicide attempts (weighted mean odds ratio (wOR)=1.41; CI: 1.09–1.81) and suicide death (wOR=1.28; CI: 1.13–1.45). After accounting for publication bias, prediction was nonsignificant for both suicide attempts and suicide death. Only two factors remained significant after accounting for publication bias—cytokines (wOR=2.87; CI: 1.40–5.93) and low levels of fish oil nutrients (wOR=1.09; CI: 1.01–1.19). Our meta-analysis revealed that currently known biological factors are weak predictors of future suicidal behaviors. This conclusion should be interpreted within the context of the limitations of the existing literature, including long follow-up intervals and a lack of tests of interactions with other risk factors. Future studies addressing these limitations may more effectively test for potential biological risk factors. PMID:27622931

Can Circadian Dysregulation Exacerbate Migraines?

PubMed

Ong, Jason C; Taylor, Hannah L; Park, Margaret; Burgess, Helen J; Fox, Rina S; Snyder, Sarah; Rains, Jeanetta C; Espie, Colin A; Wyatt, James K

2018-05-04

This observational pilot study examined objective circadian phase and sleep timing in chronic migraine (CM) and healthy controls (HC) and the impact of circadian factors on migraine frequency and severity. Sleep disturbance has been identified as a risk factor in the development and maintenance of CM but the biological mechanisms linking sleep and migraine remain largely theoretical. Twenty women with CM and 20 age-matched HC completed a protocol that included a 7 day sleep assessment at home using wrist actigraphy followed by a circadian phase assessment using salivary melatonin. We compared CM vs HC on sleep parameters and circadian factors. Subsequently, we examined associations between dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO), the midpoint of the sleep episode, and the phase angle (time from DLMO to sleep midpoint) with the number of migraine days per month and the migraine disability assessment scale (MIDAS). CM and HC did not differ on measures of sleep or circadian phase. Within the CM group, more frequent migraine days per month was significantly correlated with DLMO (r = .49, P = .039) and later sleep episode (r = .47, P = .037). In addition, a greater phase angle (ie, circadian misalignment) was significantly correlated with more severe migraine-related disability (r = .48, P = .042). These relationships remained significant after adjusting for total sleep time. This pilot study revealed that circadian misalignment and delayed sleep timing are associated with higher migraine frequency and severity, which was not better accounted for by the amount of sleep. These findings support the plausibility and need for further investigation of a circadian pathway in the development and maintenance of chronic headaches. Specifically, circadian misalignment and delayed sleep timing could serve as an exacerbating factor in chronic migraines when combined with biological predispositions or environmental factors. © 2018 American Headache Society.

Prediction of vocational participation and global role functioning in help-seeking young adults, from neurocognitive, demographic and clinical variables.

PubMed

Cairns, Alice J; Kavanagh, David J; Dark, Frances; McPhail, Steven M

2017-10-15

The purpose of this study was to investigate neurocognitive, demographic and clinical correlates of vocational participation among a sample of young help-seeking adults. Young people (18-25 years) accessing an early intervention youth health service participated. The Global Functioning: Role scale and level of vocational participation, participant characteristics (age, gender, socioeconomic background and family history of serious mental illness), distress, psychotic-like experiences, substance use, and mental health diagnoses were recorded. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery was used to assess sustained attention, visual memory and executive function. Of the 107 participants, 33 (31%) were not working or studying and 52 (49%) had a diagnosis of affective disorder. Impairments in neurocognitive tests were evidenced in attention shift, sustained attention target sensitivity, impulsivity and spatial working memory errors. Univariate analyses indicated that information processing and target impulsivity were associated with both vocational participation and global functioning, and that spatial working memory strategy was also associated with vocational participation. After controlling for significant demographic and clinical predictors, strategy formation remained a significant correlate of vocational participation (coefficient (95%CI) = -0.08 (-0.17, -0.01)), but no neurocognitive measures remained significant in the multivariate prediction of global functioning. Neurocognitive outcomes were assessed at a single time point, factors such as fluctuations in motivation could impact on test results. Interventions targeting work and education participation should consider the capacity of vulnerable young people to develop appropriate plans for role success and provide support accordingly. The study also emphasised the importance of high school completion and avoidance of cannabis use, especially in males. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Reported Back Pain in Army Aircrew in Relation to Airframe, Gender, Age, and Experience.

PubMed

Kelley, Amanda M; MacDonnell, Jason; Grigley, Deahndra; Campbell, John; Gaydos, Steven J

2017-02-01

Back pain has remained an issue of significance among aircraft crewmembers for decades, occurring in the majority of military helicopter pilots with potential deleterious effects on performance, safety, and operational readiness. This exploratory, correlational survey study was designed to evaluate the presence of patterns and relationships that may require further examination to understand causal factors. The study population consisted of U.S. Army aviation crewmembers. Subjects (467) completed an anonymous survey, including questions regarding demographics, airframes, experience, pain history and severity, ergonomics, mitigation strategies, and duty limitations. Overall, 84.6% of participants reported back pain at some time during their flying career, with 77.8% reporting back pain in the last calendar year. Age was found to significantly correlate with earlier time to pain during flight, higher pain rating after flight, and occurrence of grounding. A stepwise linear regression model was used to explore the relationships between age, flight hours, and years of aviation experience, demonstrating age to be the significant variable accounting for the observed variance. Aircrew reported wear of combat-related survival equipment and poor lumbar support to be the most notable contributors. Back pain rates were consistent with previous studies. The relationship of age to back pain in this study may highlight unique pathophysiological pathways that should be further investigated within an occupational context to better understand the etiologic role. Enhanced seated lumbar support and combat-related survival equipment remain relatively low-cost/high-yield topics worthy of further investigation for exploiting efficient means to improve health, safety, and operational performance.Kelley AM, MacDonnell J, Grigley D, Campbell J, Gaydos SJ. Reported back pain in army aircrew in relation to airframe, gender, age, and experience. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(2):96-103.

Right anterior temporal lobe dysfunction underlies theory of mind impairments in semantic dementia.

PubMed

Irish, Muireann; Hodges, John R; Piguet, Olivier

2014-04-01

Semantic dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the amodal and profound loss of semantic knowledge attributable to the degeneration of the left anterior temporal lobe. Although traditionally conceptualized as a language disorder, patients with semantic dementia display significant alterations in behaviour and socioemotional functioning. Recent evidence points to an impaired capacity for theory of mind in predominantly left-lateralized cases of semantic dementia; however, it remains unclear to what extent semantic impairments contribute to these deficits. Further the neuroanatomical signature of such disturbance remains unknown. Here, we sought to determine the neural correlates of theory of mind performance in patients with left predominant semantic dementia (n=11), in contrast with disease-matched cases with behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (n=10) and Alzheimer's disease (n=10), and healthy older individuals (n=14) as control participants. Participants completed a simple cartoons task, in which they were required to describe physical and theory of mind scenarios. Irrespective of subscale, patients with semantic dementia exhibited marked impairments relative to control subjects; however, only theory of mind deficits persisted when we covaried for semantic comprehension. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed that atrophy in right anterior temporal lobe structures, including the right temporal fusiform cortex, right inferior temporal gyrus, bilateral temporal poles and amygdalae, correlated significantly with theory of mind impairments in the semantic dementia group. Our results point to the marked disruption of cognitive functions beyond the language domain in semantic dementia, not exclusively attributable to semantic processing impairments. The significant involvement of right anterior temporal structures suggests that with disease evolution, the encroachment of pathology into the contralateral hemisphere heralds the onset of social cognitive deficits in this syndrome.

Demographic, clinical, lifestyle-related, and social-cognitive correlates of physical activity in head and neck cancer survivors.

PubMed

Buffart, Laurien M; de Bree, Remco; Altena, Martine; van der Werff, Sophie; Drossaert, Constance H C; Speksnijder, Caroline M; van den Brekel, Michiel W; Jager-Wittenaar, Harriët; Aaronson, Neil K; Stuiver, Martijn M

2018-05-01

The purpose of the study is to identify demographic, clinical, lifestyle-related, and social-cognitive correlates of physical activity (PA) intention and behavior in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Data from two cross-sectional studies on correlates of PA in HNC survivors were pooled. Both studies used self-reports to assess PA and social-cognitive correlates. Potential correlates were collected via self-report or medical records. Univariable and multivariable multilevel linear mixed-effects models were built to identify correlates of PA intention and PA behavior (Z scores). Structural equation model analyses were conducted to study the full TPB model in one analysis, taking into account relevant covariates. In total, 416 HNC survivors were surveyed. Their mean (SD) age was 66.6 (9.4) years; 64% were men, and 78% were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. The structural equation model showed that PA intention was significantly higher in HNC survivors with a history of exercising, who had a more positive attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Patients with higher PA intention, higher PBC, a lower age, and without unintentional weight loss or comorbidities had higher PA behavior. The model explained 22.9% of the variance in PA intention and 16.1% of the variance in PA behavior. Despite significant pathways of the TPB model, the large proportion variance in PA intention and behavior remaining unexplained suggests the need for better PA behavior (change) models to guide the development of PA promotion programs, particularly for the elderly. Such programs should be tailored to comorbidities and nutritional status.

Variation, Evolution, and Correlation Analysis of C+G Content and Genome or Chromosome Size in Different Kingdoms and Phyla

PubMed Central

Li, Xiu-Qing; Du, Donglei

2014-01-01

C+G content (GC content or G+C content) is known to be correlated with genome/chromosome size in bacteria but the relationship for other kingdoms remains unclear. This study analyzed genome size, chromosome size, and base composition in most of the available sequenced genomes in various kingdoms. Genome size tends to increase during evolution in plants and animals, and the same is likely true for bacteria. The genomic C+G contents were found to vary greatly in microorganisms but were quite similar within each animal or plant subkingdom. In animals and plants, the C+G contents are ranked as follows: monocot plants>mammals>non-mammalian animals>dicot plants. The variation in C+G content between chromosomes within species is greater in animals than in plants. The correlation between average chromosome C+G content and chromosome length was found to be positive in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria (but not in other analyzed bacterial phyla), Ascomycota fungi, and likely also in some plants; negative in some animals, insignificant in two protist phyla, and likely very weak in Archaea. Clearly, correlations between C+G content and chromosome size can be positive, negative, or not significant depending on the kingdoms/groups or species. Different phyla or species exhibit different patterns of correlation between chromosome-size and C+G content. Most chromosomes within a species have a similar pattern of variation in C+G content but outliers are common. The data presented in this study suggest that the C+G content is under genetic control by both trans- and cis- factors and that the correlation between C+G content and chromosome length can be positive, negative, or not significant in different phyla. PMID:24551092

Big Data Meets Quantum Chemistry Approximations: The Δ-Machine Learning Approach.

PubMed

Ramakrishnan, Raghunathan; Dral, Pavlo O; Rupp, Matthias; von Lilienfeld, O Anatole

2015-05-12

Chemically accurate and comprehensive studies of the virtual space of all possible molecules are severely limited by the computational cost of quantum chemistry. We introduce a composite strategy that adds machine learning corrections to computationally inexpensive approximate legacy quantum methods. After training, highly accurate predictions of enthalpies, free energies, entropies, and electron correlation energies are possible, for significantly larger molecular sets than used for training. For thermochemical properties of up to 16k isomers of C7H10O2 we present numerical evidence that chemical accuracy can be reached. We also predict electron correlation energy in post Hartree-Fock methods, at the computational cost of Hartree-Fock, and we establish a qualitative relationship between molecular entropy and electron correlation. The transferability of our approach is demonstrated, using semiempirical quantum chemistry and machine learning models trained on 1 and 10% of 134k organic molecules, to reproduce enthalpies of all remaining molecules at density functional theory level of accuracy.

Role of immune activation in CD4+ T-cell depletion in HIV-1 infected Indian patients.

PubMed

Vajpayee, M; Kaushik, S; Sreenivas, V; Mojumdar, K; Mendiratta, S; Chauhan, N K

2009-01-01

The correlation of immune activation with CD4(+) depletion and HIV-1 disease progression has been evidenced by several studies involving mainly clade B virus. However, this needs to be investigated in developing countries such as India predominately infected with clade C virus. In a cross-sectional study of 68 antiretroviral treatment naïve, HIV-1 infected Indian patients, we studied the association between CD4(+) T cells, plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, and immune activation markers using unadjusted and adjusted correlative analyses. Significant negative correlations of higher magnitude were observed between the CD4(+) T cell percentages and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels in the study population when adjusted for the effects of immune activation markers. However, the negative association of CD4(+) T cells with immune activation markers remained unaffected when controlled for the effects of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels. Our results support the important role of immune activation in CD4(+) T cell depletion and disease progression during untreated HIV-1 infection.

Structural and psychosocial correlates of birth order anomalies in schizophrenia and homicide.

PubMed

Schug, Robert A; Yang, Yaling; Raine, Adrian; Han, Chenbo; Liu, Jianghong

2010-12-01

Birth order--a unique index of both neurodevelopmental and/or psychosocial factors in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorder--remains largely unexplored in violent schizophrenia. We examined whether murderers with schizophrenia would demonstrate birth order anomalies, distinguishing them from both nonviolent schizophrenia patients and murderers without schizophrenia. Self-report birth order, psychosocial history data (i.e., maternal birth age, family size, parental criminality, parental SES), and structural magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from normal controls, nonviolent schizophrenia patients, murderers with schizophrenia, murderers without schizophrenia, and murderers with psychiatric conditions other than schizophrenia at a brain hospital in Nanjing, China. Results indicated that murderers with schizophrenia were characterized by significantly increased (i.e., later) birth order compared with both nonviolent schizophrenia patients and murderers without schizophrenia. Additionally, birth order was negatively correlated with gray matter volume in key frontal subregions for schizophrenic murderers, and was negatively correlated with parental SES. Findings may suggest biological, psychosocial, or interactional trajectories which may lead to a homicidally violent outcome in schizophrenia.

Prefrontal cognitive ability, intelligence, Big Five personality, and the prediction of advanced academic and workplace performance.

PubMed

Higgins, Daniel M; Peterson, Jordan B; Pihl, Robert O; Lee, Alice G M

2007-08-01

Studies 1 and 2 assessed performance on a battery of dorsolateral prefrontal cognitive ability (D-PFCA) tests, personality, psychometric intelligence, and academic performance (AP) in 2 undergraduate samples. In Studies 1 and 2, AP was correlated with D-PFCA (r=.37, p<.01, and r=.33, p<.01, respectively), IQ (r=.24, p<.05, and r=.38, p<.01, respectively), and Conscientiousness (r=.26, p<.05, and r=.37, p<.01, respectively). D-PFCA remained significant in regression analyses controlling for intelligence (or g) and personality. Studies 3 and 4 assessed D-PFCA, personality, and workplace performance among (a) managerial-administrative workers and (b) factory floor workers at a manufacturing company. Prefrontal cognitive ability correlated with supervisor ratings of manager performance at values of r ranging from .42 to .57 (ps<.001), depending on experience, and with factory floor performance at pr=.21 (p=.02), after controlling for experience, age, and education. Conscientiousness correlated with factory floor performance at r=.23.

Abnormal Patella Height Based on Insall-Salvati Ratio and its Correlation with Patellar Cartilage Lesions: An Extremity-Dedicated Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of 1703 Chinese Cases.

PubMed

Lu, W; Yang, J; Chen, S; Zhu, Y; Zhu, C

2016-09-01

Diagnostic performance of patellar position for patellar cartilage lesions remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the abnormal patella height and its correlation with chondral lesions of the patellofemoral joint in China. A total of 1703 consecutive patients who performed knee joint examination using an extremity-dedicated low-field magnetic resonance imaging were enrolled in this study. Patellar cartilage lesions were diagnosed based on the result of magnetic resonance imaging and clinical data. Patella height was defined as the ratio of patellar tendon length to patellar length according to Insall-Salvati index. Patella alta and infera were defined as tendon length/patellar length >1.2 and <0.8, respectively. The total prevalence of patellar cartilage lesions was 38.0%. The prevalence in females was significantly higher than that in males (46.4% vs 28.8%, p < 0.001). Age notably increased the incidence of patellar cartilage lesions (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that tendon length/patellar length ratio was significantly correlated with patellar cartilage lesions (odds ratio = 6.380, p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with cartilage lesions showed significantly higher rates of patella alta and infera (p < 0.001). In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that abnormal patella height had statistical significance in diagnosing cartilage lesions (p < 0.001). However, the area under the curve (0.596; 95% confidence interval: 0.568-0.624) and sensitivity (47.0%) were relatively low, while the specificity was 72.2%. Patients with patellar cartilage lesions have an increased tendon length/patellar length ratio. The abnormal patella height is significantly correlated with chondral lesions and can be used as a potential diagnostic marker. © The Finnish Surgical Society 2015.

Spatial and Working Memory Is Linked to Spine Density and Mushroom Spines

PubMed Central

Aher, Yogesh D.; Sase, Ajinkya; Gröger, Marion; Mokhtar, Maher; Höger, Harald; Lubec, Gert

2015-01-01

Background Changes in synaptic structure and efficacy including dendritic spine number and morphology have been shown to underlie neuronal activity and size. Moreover, the shapes of individual dendritic spines were proposed to correlate with their capacity for structural change. Spine numbers and morphology were reported to parallel memory formation in the rat using a water maze but, so far, there is no information on spine counts or shape in the radial arm maze (RAM), a frequently used paradigm for the evaluation of complex memory formation in the rodent. Methods 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, 8 were trained, 8 remained untrained in the RAM and 8 rats served as cage controls. Dendritic spine numbers and individual spine forms were counted in CA1, CA3 areas and dentate gyrus of hippocampus using a DIL dye method with subsequent quantification by the Neuronstudio software and the image J program. Results Working memory errors (WME) and latency in the RAM were decreased along the training period indicating that animals performed the task. Total spine density was significantly increased following training in the RAM as compared to untrained rats and cage controls. The number of mushroom spines was significantly increased in the trained as compared to untrained and cage controls. Negative significant correlations between spine density and WME were observed in CA1 basal dendrites and in CA3 apical and basal dendrites. In addition, there was a significant negative correlation between spine density and latency in CA3 basal dendrites. Conclusion The study shows that spine numbers are significantly increased in the trained group, an observation that may suggest the use of this method representing a morphological parameter for memory formation studies in the RAM. Herein, correlations between WME and latency in the RAM and spine density revealed a link between spine numbers and performance in the RAM. PMID:26469788

Association between gamma glutamyl transferase and insulin resistance markers in healthy obese children.

PubMed

Kaushik, Girdhar Gopal; Sharm, Sonali; Sharma, Reenu; Mittal, Prerna

2009-10-01

To study the relationship of gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) with insulin resistance markers [fasting insulin and Homeostasis Model Assessment of-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)] and to assess the role of GGT as a determinant of insulin resistance in healthy obese children. Fifty healthy obese children (boys and girls with mean age 9.2 +/- 0.73 and 8.8 +/- 0.74 years) born to diabetic mothers were studied. In all the subjects, anthropometric measurements viz, BMI and body weight were studied. The biochemical parameters analysed in fasting samples of subjects were plasma glucose, plasma insulin, serum GGT and calculation of HOMA-IR. The fifty studied subjects belonged to age group 8 to12 years. The difference in mean age of boys and girls was not significant (p = 0.09). Body weight values in all subjects ranged from 20 to 78 kgs and BMI values ranged from 14.5 to 42.1 Kg/m2. No significant difference was observed between body weight and BMI values when compared between boys and girls. A similar trend was observed in the values of biochemical parameters viz, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels when compared between boys and girls (p = 0.72, p = 0.80, p = 0.59). Serum GGT correlated significantly with age, body weight, BMI, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels. HOMA-IR values also showed significant correlation with body weight, BMI, fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels. The association of GGT with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels was considerably significant compared to its association with other variables. The serum activity of GGT remained correlated with HOMA-IR even after removing the effect of BMI, weight and age on GGT values. The results showed that GGT is a determinant of HOMA-IR independently of age, BMI and weight. A correlation exists between GGT and insulin resistance markers. The observed correlation indicates that monitoring GGT and fasting insulin levels in obese children might serve to help prevent the development of diabetes in these children.

Wide-field fundus autofluorescence imaging to evaluate retinal function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

PubMed

Ogura, Shuntaro; Yasukawa, Tsutomu; Kato, Aki; Usui, Hideaki; Hirano, Yoshio; Yoshida, Munenori; Ogura, Yuichiro

2014-11-01

To study the correlation between the visual fields (VF) and wide-field fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Retrospective, observational, consecutive case series. Twenty-four eyes of 12 patients diagnosed with RP were enrolled. The VFs measured by Goldmann perimetry and wide-field FAF images were compared for each eye. The relationship between the areas of hypoautofluorescence on the wide-field FAF images and scotoma on Goldmann perimetry were evaluated. The VF and FAF images in the central 60 degrees were trimmed and superimposed to calculate the percentage agreement between the hypoautofluorescence and the scotomas and between the isoautofluorescence and hyperautofluorescence and the remaining VFs. The areas of hypoautofluorescence on the FAF images were correlated significantly (R = 0.86, P < .001) with the areas of the VF defects on Goldmann perimetry. The mean percentage agreement between the hypoautofluorescence and the scotomas was 91.0% ± 7.7% and that of the isoautofluorescence and hyperautofluorescence with the remaining VFs was 84.5% ± 7.4%. The areas of geographic hypoautofluorescence with or without hyperautofluorescent bands reflected the VF defects, while nummular or mottled hypoautofluorescence without VF defects was seen in 7 eyes. These results suggested that wide-field FAF imaging is useful to evaluate the remaining retinal function in patients with RP. Abnormal fundus autofluorescence precedes loss of retinal function and is helpful for monitoring disease progression. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

On the accuracy of van der Waals inclusive density-functional theory exchange-correlation functionals for ice at ambient and high pressures.

PubMed

Santra, Biswajit; Klimes, Jirí; Tkatchenko, Alexandre; Alfè, Dario; Slater, Ben; Michaelides, Angelos; Car, Roberto; Scheffler, Matthias

2013-10-21

Density-functional theory (DFT) has been widely used to study water and ice for at least 20 years. However, the reliability of different DFT exchange-correlation (xc) functionals for water remains a matter of considerable debate. This is particularly true in light of the recent development of DFT based methods that account for van der Waals (vdW) dispersion forces. Here, we report a detailed study with several xc functionals (semi-local, hybrid, and vdW inclusive approaches) on ice Ih and six proton ordered phases of ice. Consistent with our previous study [B. Santra, J. Klimeš, D. Alfè, A. Tkatchenko, B. Slater, A. Michaelides, R. Car, and M. Scheffler, Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 185701 (2011)] which showed that vdW forces become increasingly important at high pressures, we find here that all vdW inclusive methods considered improve the relative energies and transition pressures of the high-pressure ice phases compared to those obtained with semi-local or hybrid xc functionals. However, we also find that significant discrepancies between experiment and the vdW inclusive approaches remain in the cohesive properties of the various phases, causing certain phases to be absent from the phase diagram. Therefore, room for improvement in the description of water at ambient and high pressures remains and we suggest that because of the stern test the high pressure ice phases pose they should be used in future benchmark studies of simulation methods for water.

Quality of Life Outcomes in Community-based Mental Health Consumers: Comparisons with Population Norms and Changes over Time.

PubMed

Happell, Brenda; Stanton, Robert; Hodgetts, Danya; Scott, David

2016-01-01

Quality of life is shown to be lower in people diagnosed with mental illness in comparison to the general population. The aim of this study is to examine the Quality of life in a subset of people accessing mental health services in a regional Queensland Centre. Thirty-seven people accessing mental health services completed the SF36 Health Survey on three occasions. Differences and relationships between Physical Composite Scores and Mental Composite Scores, comparisons with Australian population norms, and temporal change in Quality of Life were examined. Physical Composite Scores were significantly different to, but significantly correlated with, Mental Composite Scores on each occasion. Physical Composite Scores and Mental Composite Scores were significantly different to population norms, and did not vary significantly across time. The poor Quality of life of people with mental illness remains a significant challenge for the mental health workforce.

Evaluation of mechanical properties of esthetic brackets.

PubMed

Matsui, Shigeyuki; Umezaki, Eisaku; Komazawa, Daigo; Otsuka, Yuichiro; Suda, Naoto

2015-01-01

Plastic brackets, as well as ceramic brackets, are used in various cases since they have excellent esthetics. However, their mechanical properties remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to determine how deformation and stress distribution in esthetic brackets differ among materials under the same wire load. Using the digital image correlation method, we discovered the following: (1) the strain of the wings of plastic brackets is within 0.2% and that of ceramic and metal brackets is negligible, (2) polycarbonate brackets having a stainless steel slot show significantly smaller displacement than other plastic brackets, and (3) there is a significant difference between plastic brackets and ceramic and stainless steel brackets in terms of the displacement of the bracket wing.

Structure-Activity Analysis of Biased Agonism at the Human Adenosine A3 Receptor

PubMed Central

Baltos, Jo-Anne; Paoletta, Silvia; Nguyen, Anh T. N.; Gregory, Karen J.; Tosh, Dilip K.; Christopoulos, Arthur; Jacobson, Kenneth A.

2016-01-01

Biased agonism at G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) has significant implications for current drug discovery, but molecular determinants that govern ligand bias remain largely unknown. The adenosine A3 GPCR (A3AR) is a potential therapeutic target for various conditions, including cancer, inflammation, and ischemia, but for which biased agonism remains largely unexplored. We now report the generation of bias “fingerprints” for prototypical ribose containing A3AR agonists and rigidified (N)-methanocarba 5′-N-methyluronamide nucleoside derivatives with regard to their ability to mediate different signaling pathways. Relative to the reference prototypical agonist IB-MECA, (N)-methanocarba 5′-N-methyluronamide nucleoside derivatives with significant N6 or C2 modifications, including elongated aryl-ethynyl groups, exhibited biased agonism. Significant positive correlation was observed between the C2 substituent length (in Å) and bias toward cell survival. Molecular modeling suggests that extended C2 substituents on (N)-methanocarba 5′-N-methyluronamide nucleosides promote a progressive outward shift of the A3AR transmembrane domain 2, which may contribute to the subset of A3AR conformations stabilized on biased agonist binding. PMID:27136943

Postprandial fullness correlates with rapid inflow of gastric content into duodenum but not with chronic gastritis

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background The aim of this study is evaluating the correlation of postprandial fullness with chronic gastritis or rapid inflow of gastric content into duodenum, based on double-contrast barium X-ray imaging. Methods 253 healthy subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal barium X-ray examination were analyzed. Chronic gastritis was judged from mucosal atrophy and hypertrophic thickened folds on barium X-ray images. For the gastric excretion, the tips of barium flow on the single-contrast frontal barium X-ray images of the stomach were classified into four categories; V type (all the barium remained in the stomach), V-H type (some barium had flowed into the duodenum but the tip of barium remained in the proximal half of the duodenal bulb), H-V type (some barium had flowed into the duodenum and the tip of barium was in the distal half of duodenal the bulb, but no barium was observed in the descending part of the duodenum), and H type (some barium had flowed into the descending part of the duodenum). The chi-square test and Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test were used for evaluation. Results Chronic gastritis was observed in 72 subjects, among which 21 subjects (29.2%) presented with postprandial fullness. For the remaining 181 subjects without chronic gastritis, 53 subjects (29.3%) complained of postprandial fullness. There is no significant correlation between chronic gastritis and postprandial fullness (p = 0.973). For the rapid flow of gastric content into duodenum, all the 253 subjects comprised 136 subjects with V type (in the stomach), 40 subjects with V-H type (in the proximal half of the duodenal bulb), 21 subjects with H-V type (in the distal half of the duodenal bulb), and 56 subjects with H type (in the descending part of the duodenum). Postprandial fullness was present in 30 subjects with V type (22.1%), 9 subjects with V-H type (22.5%), 8 subjects with H-V type (38.1%), and 27 subjects with H type (48.2%). There is a distinct correlation between postprandial fullness and gastric barium excretion on barium X-ray imaging (p = 0.002). Conclusions Bothersome postprandial fullness correlates with rapid inflow of gastric content into duodenum, but not with chronic gastritis. PMID:22189089

Right Brodmann area 18 predicts tremor arrest after Vim radiosurgery: a voxel-based morphometry study.

PubMed

Tuleasca, Constantin; Witjas, Tatiana; Van de Ville, Dimitri; Najdenovska, Elena; Verger, Antoine; Girard, Nadine; Champoudry, Jerome; Thiran, Jean-Philippe; Cuadra, Meritxell Bach; Levivier, Marc; Guedj, Eric; Régis, Jean

2018-03-01

Drug-resistant essential tremor (ET) can benefit from open standard stereotactic procedures, such as deep-brain stimulation or radiofrequency thalamotomy. Non-surgical candidates can be offered either high-focused ultrasound (HIFU) or radiosurgery (RS). All procedures aim to target the same thalamic site, the ventro-intermediate nucleus (e.g., Vim). The mechanisms by which tremor stops after Vim RS or HIFU remain unknown. We used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) on pretherapeutic neuroimaging data and assessed which anatomical site would best correlate with tremor arrest 1 year after Vim RS. Fifty-two patients (30 male, 22 female; mean age 71.6 years, range 49-82) with right-sided ET benefited from left unilateral Vim RS in Marseille, France. Targeting was performed in a uniform manner, using 130 Gy and a single 4-mm collimator. Neurological (pretherapeutic and 1 year after) and neuroimaging (baseline) assessments were completed. Tremor score on the treated hand (TSTH) at 1 year after Vim RS was included in a statistical parametric mapping analysis of variance (ANOVA) model as a continuous variable with pretherapeutic neuroimaging data. Pretherapeutic gray matter density (GMD) was further correlated with TSTH improvement. No a priori hypothesis was used in the statistical model. The only statistically significant region was right Brodmann area (BA) 18 (visual association area V2, p = 0.05, cluster size K c  = 71). Higher baseline GMD correlated with better TSTH improvement at 1 year after Vim RS (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.002). Routine baseline structural neuroimaging predicts TSTH improvement 1 year after Vim RS. The relevant anatomical area is the right visual association cortex (BA 18, V2). The question whether visual areas should be included in the targeting remains open.

A Pilot Study of the Noninvasive Assessment of the Lung Microbiota as a Potential Tool for the Early Diagnosis of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia

PubMed Central

Brady, Jacob S.; Romano-Keeler, Joann; Drake, Wonder P.; Norris, Patrick R.; Jenkins, Judith M.; Isaacs, Richard J.; Boczko, Erik M.

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) remains a common complication in critically ill surgical patients, and its diagnosis remains problematic. Exhaled breath contains aerosolized droplets that reflect the lung microbiota. We hypothesized that exhaled breath condensate fluid (EBCF) in hygroscopic condenser humidifier/heat and moisture exchanger (HCH/HME) filters would contain bacterial DNA that qualitatively and quantitatively correlate with pathogens isolated from quantitative BAL samples obtained for clinical suspicion of pneumonia. METHODS: Forty-eight adult patients who were mechanically ventilated and undergoing quantitative BAL (n = 51) for suspected pneumonia in the surgical ICU were enrolled. Per protocol, patients fulfilling VAP clinical criteria undergo quantitative BAL bacterial culture. Immediately prior to BAL, time-matched HCH/HME filters were collected for study of EBCF by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, convenience samples of serially collected filters in patients with BAL-diagnosed VAP were analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-nine of 51 time-matched EBCF/BAL fluid samples were fully concordant (concordance > 95% by κ statistic) relative to identified pathogens and strongly correlated with clinical cultures. Regression analysis of quantitative bacterial DNA in paired samples revealed a statistically significant positive correlation (r = 0.85). In a convenience sample, qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of serial HCH/HME samples for bacterial DNA demonstrated an increase in load that preceded the suspicion of pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial DNA within EBCF demonstrates a high correlation with BAL fluid and clinical cultures. Bacterial DNA within EBCF increases prior to the suspicion of pneumonia. Further study of this novel approach may allow development of a noninvasive tool for the early diagnosis of VAP. PMID:25474571

Life events and Tourette syndrome.

PubMed

Steinberg, Tamar; Shmuel-Baruch, Sharona; Horesh, Netta; Apter, Alan

2013-07-01

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neuropsychiatric developmental disorder characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and one or more vocal tics. Although TS is primarily biological in origin, stress-diatheses interactions most probably play a role in the course of the illness. The precise influence of the environment on this basically biological disorder is difficult to ascertain, particularly when TS is complicated by comorbidities. Among the many questions that remain unresolved are the differential impact of positive and negative events and specific subtypes of events, and the importance of major crucial events relative to minor daily ones to tic severity. To examine the relationships between life events, tic severity and comorbid disorders in Tourette Syndrome (TS), including OCD, ADHD, anxiety, depression and rage attacks. Life events were classified by quantity, quality (positive or negative) and classification types of events (family, friends etc.). Sixty patients aged 7-17 years with Tourette syndrome or a chronic tic disorder were recruited from Psychological Medicine Clinic in Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Yale Global Tic Severity Scale; Children's Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale; Life Experiences Survey; Brief Adolescent Life Events Scale; Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders; Child Depression Inventory/Beck Depression Inventory; ADHD Rating Scale IV; Overt Aggression Scale. Regarding tics and minor life events, there was a weak but significant correlation between severity of motor tics and the quantity of negative events. No significant correlation was found between tic severity and quantity of positive events. Analysis of the BALES categories yielded a significant direct correlation between severity of vocal tics and quantity of negative events involving friends. Regarding comorbidities and minor life events, highly significant correlations were found with depression and anxiety. Regarding tics and major life events, significant correlation was found between the quantity of major life events and the severity of motor tics, but not vocal tics. Regarding comorbidities and major life events, significant correlation was found between the severity of compulsions, ADHD, and aggression and the subjects' personal evaluation of the effect of negative major life events on their lives. Minor life events appear to be correlated with tic severity and comorbidities in children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome. The lack of an association between major life events and tic severity further emphasizes the salient impact of minor life events that occur in temporal proximity to the assessment of tic severity. Clinically, the results match our impression from patient narratives wherein they "blamed" the exacerbations in tics on social interactions. The high correlation between negative life events and depression, anxiety and compulsions symptoms, were reported also in previous studies. In conclusion, These findings may have clinical implications for planning supportive psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy for this patient population. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlates of Total Sedentary Time and Screen Time in 9-11 Year-Old Children around the World: The International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment.

PubMed

LeBlanc, Allana G; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Barreira, Tiago V; Broyles, Stephanie T; Chaput, Jean-Philippe; Church, Timothy S; Fogelholm, Mikael; Harrington, Deirdre M; Hu, Gang; Kuriyan, Rebecca; Kurpad, Anura; Lambert, Estelle V; Maher, Carol; Maia, José; Matsudo, Victor; Olds, Timothy; Onywera, Vincent; Sarmiento, Olga L; Standage, Martyn; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Zhao, Pei; Tremblay, Mark S

2015-01-01

Previously, studies examining correlates of sedentary behavior have been limited by small sample size, restricted geographic area, and little socio-cultural variability. Further, few studies have examined correlates of total sedentary time (SED) and screen time (ST) in the same population. This study aimed to investigate correlates of SED and ST in children around the world. The sample included 5,844 children (45.6% boys, mean age = 10.4 years) from study sites in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Finland, India, Kenya, Portugal, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Child- and parent-reported behavioral, household, and neighborhood characteristics and directly measured anthropometric and accelerometer data were obtained. Twenty-one potential correlates of SED and ST were examined using multilevel models, adjusting for sex, age, and highest parental education, with school and study site as random effects. Variables that were moderately associated with SED and/or ST in univariate analyses (p<0.10) were included in the final models. Variables that remained significant in the final models (p<0.05) were considered correlates of SED and/or ST. Children averaged 8.6 hours of daily SED, and 54.2% of children failed to meet ST guidelines. In all study sites, boys reported higher ST, were less likely to meet ST guidelines, and had higher BMI z-scores than girls. In 9 of 12 sites, girls engaged in significantly more SED than boys. Common correlates of higher SED and ST included poor weight status, not meeting physical activity guidelines, and having a TV or a computer in the bedroom. In this global sample many common correlates of SED and ST were identified, some of which are easily modifiable (e.g., removing TV from the bedroom), and others that may require more intense behavioral interventions (e.g., increasing physical activity). Future work should incorporate these findings into the development of culturally meaningful public health messages.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients report increased pain at five years compared with two years after surgical treatment.

PubMed

Upasani, Vidyadhar V; Caltoum, Christine; Petcharaporn, Maty; Bastrom, Tracey P; Pawelek, Jeff B; Betz, Randal R; Clements, David H; Lenke, Lawrence G; Lowe, Thomas G; Newton, Peter O

2008-05-01

A multicenter study of changes in Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) outcome measures after surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). To evaluate changes in patient determined outcome measures between 2 and 5 years after AIS surgery. Current surgical procedures have been shown to improve subjective measures in patients with AIS. At 2-year follow-up, AIS patients reported significant improvement in all 4 preoperative domains of the SRS questionnaire. In addition, the major Cobb angle was shown to be negatively correlated with preoperative scores in the pain, general self-image, and general function domains. Five-year SRS scores have not been evaluated previously. A multicenter, prospectively generated database was used to obtain perioperative, radiographic, and SRS-24 outcomes data. The inclusion criteria were: a diagnosis of AIS, surgical treatment (anterior, posterior, or combined), a comprehensive set of radiographic measures, and completed preoperative, 2-year, and 5-year SRS questionnaires. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare changes in patient responses for each of the 7 outcome domains. Univariate analysis of variance was used to compare the change in pain score at 5 years to the level of the lowest instrumented vertebrae and surgical approach. A correlation analysis was used to determine the association between changes in any of the radiographic variables and changes in SRS scores. The data were checked for normality and equal variances, and the level of significance was set at P < 0.01. Forty-nine patients (42 women, 7 men; 14.2 +/- 2.1 year old; 5.4 +/- 0.6 years follow-up) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Thirty-seven of 49 (76%) of these patients underwent an open or thoracoscopic anterior procedure. SRS-24 scores improved significantly in 3 of the 4 preoperative domains at the 2-year visit. At 5 years postop, a statistically significant decrease in the pain score (4.2 +/- 0.6 to 3.9 +/- 0.9, P = 0.003) and a trend toward worsening scores in 4 other domains was observed; however, Patient Satisfaction scores remained unchanged. Lowest instrumented vertebrae and surgical approach could not be correlated to changes in the pain score. In addition, no correlation was found between changes in any of the 21 radiographic measures evaluated and changes in SRS scores. There was a statistically significant increase in reported pain from 2 to 5 years after surgical treatment; however, the etiology of worsening pain scores could not be elucidated. Given continued patient satisfaction, the clinical relevance of this small reduction remains unknown. Nevertheless, this observation deserves further evaluation and must be considered in relation to the natural history of this disease.

The effects of napping on cognitive function in preschoolers.

PubMed

Lam, Janet C; Mahone, E Mark; Mason, Thornton; Scharf, Steven M

2011-01-01

To determine the relationship between napping and cognitive function in preschool-aged children. Daytime napping, nighttime sleep, and cognitive function were assessed in 59 typically developing children aged 3 to 5 years, who were enrolled in full-time childcare. Participants wore an actigraphy watch for 7 days to measure sleep and napping patterns and completed neuropsychological testing emphasizing attention, response control, and vocabulary. Parents of participants completed behavior ratings and sleep logs during the study. Sleep/wake cycles were scored with the Sadeh algorithm. Children who napped more on weekdays were also more likely to nap during weekends. Weekday napping and nighttime sleep were inversely correlated, such that those who napped more slept less at night, although total weekday sleep remained relatively constant. Weekday napping was significantly (negatively) correlated with vocabulary and auditory attention span, and weekday nighttime sleep was positively correlated with vocabulary. Nighttime sleep was also significantly negatively correlated with performance, such that those who slept less at night made more impulsive errors on a computerized go/no-go test. Daytime napping is actually negatively correlated with neurocognitive function in preschoolers. Nighttime sleep seems to be more critical for development of cognitive performance. Cessation of napping may serve as a developmental milestone of brain maturation. Children who nap less do not appear to be sleep deprived, especially if they compensate with increased nighttime sleep. An alternative explanation is that children who sleep less at night are sleep deprived and require a nap. A randomized trial of nap restriction would be the next step in understanding the relationship between napping and neurocognitive performance.

The Effects of Napping on Cognitive Function in Preschoolers

PubMed Central

Lam, Janet C.; Mahone, E. Mark; Mason, Thornton B.A.; Scharf, Steven M.

2011-01-01

Objective To determine the relationship between napping and cognitive function in preschool-aged children. Methods Daytime napping, nighttime sleep and cognitive function were assessed in fifty-nine typically developing children ages 3-5 years, who were enrolled in full-time childcare. Participants wore an actigraphy watch for 7 days to measure sleep and napping patterns, and completed neuropsychological testing emphasizing attention, response control, and vocabulary. Parents of participants completed behavior ratings and sleep logs during the study. Sleep/wake cycles were scored with the Sadeh algorithm. Results Children who napped more on weekdays were also more likely to nap during weekends. Weekday napping and nighttime sleep were inversely correlated, such that those who napped more slept less at night, while total weekday sleep remained relatively constant. Weekday napping was significantly (negatively) correlated with vocabulary and auditory attention span, and weekday nighttime sleep was positively correlated with vocabulary. Nighttime sleep was also significantly negatively correlated with performance, such that those who slept less at night made more impulsive errors on a computerized go/no-go test. Conclusions Daytime napping is actually negatively correlated with neurocognitive function in preschoolers. Nighttime sleep appears to be more critical for development of cognitive performance. Cessation of napping may serve as a developmental milestone of brain maturation. Children who nap less do not appear to be sleep deprived, especially if they compensate with increased nighttime sleep. An alternative explanation is that children who sleep less at night are sleep deprived and require a nap. A randomized trial of nap restriction would be the next step in understanding the relationship between napping and neurocognitive performance. PMID:21217402

A new system for assessment of growth using mandibular canine calcification stages and its correlation with modified MP3 stages

PubMed Central

Hegde, Gautham; Hegde, Nanditha; Kumar, Anil; Keshavaraj

2014-01-01

Objective: Orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning for growing children must involve growth prediction, especially in the treatment of skeletal problems. Studies have shown that a strong association exists between skeletal maturity and dental calcification stages. The present study was therefore taken up to provide a simple and practical method for assessing skeletal maturity using a dental periapical film and standard dental X-ray machine, to compare the developmental stages of the mandibular canine with that of developmental stages of modified MP3 and to find out if any correlation exists, to determine if the developmental stages of the mandibular canine alone can be used as a reliable indicator for assessment of skeletal maturity. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 periapical radiographs, of the mandibular right canine and the MP3 region was taken and assessed according to the Dermirjian's stages of dental calcification and the modified MP3 stages. Results and Discussion: The correlation coefficient between MP3 stages and developmental stages of mandibular canine was found to be significant in both male and female groups. When the canine calcification stages were compared with the MP3 stages it was found that with the exception of the D stage of canine calcification the remaining stages showed a very high correlation with the modified MP3 stages. Conclusion: The correlation between the mandibular canine calcification stages, and the MP3 stages was found to be significant. The canine calcification could be used as a sole indicator for assessment of skeletal maturity. PMID:25210386

Lecture Evaluations by Medical Students: Concepts That Correlate With Scores.

PubMed

Jen, Aaron; Webb, Emily M; Ahearn, Bren; Naeger, David M

2016-01-01

The didactic lecture remains one of the most popular teaching formats in medical education; yet, factors that most influence lecturing success in radiology education are unknown. The purpose of this study is to identify patterns of narrative student feedback that are associated with relatively higher and lower evaluation scores. All student evaluations from our core radiology elective during 1 year were compiled. All evaluation comments were tagged, to identify discrete descriptive concepts. Correlation coefficients were calculated, for each tag with mean evaluation scores. Tags that were the most strongly associated with the highest- versus lowest-rated (> or < 1 SD) lectures were identified. A total of 3,262 comments, on 273 lectures, rated by 77 senior medical students, were analyzed. The mean lecture score was 8.96 ± 0.62. Three tags were significantly positively correlated with lecture score: "interactive"; "fun/engaging"; and "practical/important content" (r = 0.39, r = 0.34, and r = 0.32, respectively; all P < .001). More tags (n = 12) were significantly negatively correlated with score; the three tags with the strongest such correlation were: "not interactive"; "poorly structured or unevenly paced"; and "content too detailed or abundant" (r = -0.44, r = -0.39, and r = -0.36, respectively; all P < .001). Analysis of only the highest- and lowest-rated lectures yielded similar results. Several factors were identified that were strongly associated with lecture score. Among the actionable characteristics, interactive lectures with appropriately targeted content (ie, practical/useful) were the most highly rated. Copyright © 2016 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hypokalemia correlated with arterial stiffness but not microvascular endothelial function in patients with primary aldosteronism.

PubMed

Chang, Yi-Yao; Chen, Aaron; Chen, Ying-Hsien; Hung, Chi-Sheng; Wu, Vin-Cent; Wu, Xue-Ming; Lin, Yen-Hung; Ho, Yi-Lwun; Wu, Kwan-Dun

2015-06-01

Hypokalemia in primary aldosteronism (PA) patients correlates with higher levels of cardiovascular events and altered left ventricular geometry. However, the influence of aldosterone on microvascular endothelial function and the effect of hypokalemia on the vascular structure still remain unclear. We investigated the peripheral arterial functions, including the endothelial function of microvasculature and arterial stiffness in PA and essential hypertension (EH) patients, and the correlation between hypokalemia and peripheral arterial function among PA patients. Twenty patients diagnosed as EH and 37 patients with PA were enrolled in this study. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and the augmentation index (AI) were obtained by non-invasive peripheral arterial tonometry. Twenty EH patients and a total of 37 PA patients, including 21 patients with normokalemia and 16 patients with hypokalemia, were enrolled and divided into groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. PA patients had significantly higher AI (p=0.024) but not RHI than EH patients. RHI showed no difference between groups 1, 2 and 3. Group 3 had higher AI than either group 1 or group 2. In the whole study population, serum potassium level, after multivariate regression analysis testing, was the only factor associated with AI (ß= -0.102; p=0.002). In PA patients, serum potassium level was the only significant factor correlated with AI. (r= -0.458; p=0.004) CONCLUSIONS: PA patients had higher arterial stiffness but comparable microvascular endothelial function to EH patients. Hypokalemia correlated with arterial stiffness but not microvascular endothelial function in PA patients. © The Author(s) 2014.

Multivariate pattern analysis of fMRI data reveals deficits in distributed representations in schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Yoon, Jong H.; Tamir, Diana; Minzenberg, Michael J.; Ragland, J. Daniel; Ursu, Stefan; Carter, Cameron S.

2009-01-01

Background Multivariate pattern analysis is an alternative method of analyzing fMRI data, which is capable of decoding distributed neural representations. We applied this method to test the hypothesis of the impairment in distributed representations in schizophrenia. We also compared the results of this method with traditional GLM-based univariate analysis. Methods 19 schizophrenia and 15 control subjects viewed two runs of stimuli--exemplars of faces, scenes, objects, and scrambled images. To verify engagement with stimuli, subjects completed a 1-back matching task. A multi-voxel pattern classifier was trained to identify category-specific activity patterns on one run of fMRI data. Classification testing was conducted on the remaining run. Correlation of voxel-wise activity across runs evaluated variance over time in activity patterns. Results Patients performed the task less accurately. This group difference was reflected in the pattern analysis results with diminished classification accuracy in patients compared to controls, 59% and 72% respectively. In contrast, there was no group difference in GLM-based univariate measures. In both groups, classification accuracy was significantly correlated with behavioral measures. Both groups showed highly significant correlation between inter-run correlations and classification accuracy. Conclusions Distributed representations of visual objects are impaired in schizophrenia. This impairment is correlated with diminished task performance, suggesting that decreased integrity of cortical activity patterns is reflected in impaired behavior. Comparisons with univariate results suggest greater sensitivity of pattern analysis in detecting group differences in neural activity and reduced likelihood of non-specific factors driving these results. PMID:18822407

Association of acylated ghrelin profiles with chronic inflammatory markers in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a MONET study.

PubMed

St-Pierre, David H; Bastard, Jean-Philippe; Coderre, Lise; Brochu, Martin; Karelis, Antony D; Lavoie, Marie-Eve; Malita, Florin; Fontaine, Jonathan; Mignault, Diane; Cianflone, Katherine; Imbeault, Pascal; Doucet, Eric; Rabasa-Lhoret, Rémi

2007-10-01

Recent reports have suggested that the existence of associations between hormonal dysregulation and chronic upregulation of inflammatory markers, which may cause obesity-related disturbances. Thus, we examined whether acylated ghrelin (AcylG) and total ghrelin (TotG) levels could be associated with the following inflammatory markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNF-R1). Cross-sectional study consisting of 50 overweight and obese postmenopausal women. AcylG and TotG levels were assessed at 0, 60, 160, 170, and 180 min of the euglycemic/hyperinsulinemic clamp (EHC). We evaluated insulin sensitivity, body composition, and blood lipid profiles as well as fasting concentrations of CRP, TNF-alpha, and sTNF-R1. In fasting conditions, sTNF-R1 was negatively correlated with AcylG (r = -0.48, P < 0.001) levels. In addition, AcylG/TotG was associated negatively with sTNF-R1 (r = -0.44, P = 0.002) and positively with TNF-alpha (r = 0.38, P = 0.009) values. During the EHC, TotG (at all time points) and AcylG (at 60 and 160 min) values were significantly decreased from fasting concentrations. AcylG maximal reduction and area under the curve (AUC) values were correlated to sTNF-R1 (r = -0.35, P = 0.02 and r = -0.34, P = 0.02, respectively). Meanwhile, the AcylG/TotG AUC ratio was associated negatively with sTNF-R1 (r = -0.29, P < 0.05) and positively with TNF-alpha (r = 0.36, P = 0.02). Following adjustments for total adiposity, sTNF-R1 remained correlated with fasting and maximal reduction AcylG values. Similarly, AcylG/TotG ratios remained significantly correlated with sTNF-R1 and TNF-alpha. Importantly, 23% of the variation in sTNF-R1 was independently predicted by fasting AcylG. These results are the first to suggest that both fasting and EHC-induced AcylG profiles are correlated with fasting values of sTNF-R1, a component of the TNF-alpha system. Thus, AcylG may act, at least in part, as one mediator of chronic inflammatory activity in human obesity.

Too much data, but little inter-changeability: a lesson learned from mining public data on tissue specificity of gene expression.

PubMed

Li, Shuyu; Li, Yiqun Helen; Wei, Tao; Su, Eric Wen; Duffin, Kevin; Liao, Birong

2006-10-25

The tissue expression pattern of a gene often provides an important clue to its potential role in a biological process. A vast amount of gene expression data have been and are being accumulated in public repository through different technology platforms. However, exploitations of these rich data sources remain limited in part due to issues of technology standardization. Our objective is to test the data comparability between SAGE and microarray technologies, through examining the expression pattern of genes under normal physiological states across variety of tissues. There are 42-54% of genes showing significant correlations in tissue expression patterns between SAGE and GeneChip, with 30-40% of genes whose expression patterns are positively correlated and 10-15% of genes whose expression patterns are negatively correlated at a statistically significant level (p = 0.05). Our analysis suggests that the discrepancy on the expression patterns derived from technology platforms is not likely from the heterogeneity of tissues used in these technologies, or other spurious correlations resulting from microarray probe design, abundance of genes, or gene function. The discrepancy can be partially explained by errors in the original assignment of SAGE tags to genes due to the evolution of sequence databases. In addition, sequence analysis has indicated that many SAGE tags and Affymetrix array probe sets are mapped to different splice variants or different sequence regions although they represent the same gene, which also contributes to the observed discrepancies between SAGE and array expression data. To our knowledge, this is the first report attempting to mine gene expression patterns across tissues using public data from different technology platforms. Unlike previous similar studies that only demonstrated the discrepancies between the two gene expression platforms, we carried out in-depth analysis to further investigate the cause for such discrepancies. Our study shows that the exploitation of rich public expression resource requires extensive knowledge about the technologies, and experiment. Informatic methodologies for better interoperability among platforms still remain a gap. One of the areas that can be improved practically is the accurate sequence mapping of SAGE tags and array probes to full-length genes.

Sodium-blood pressure interrelationship in pregnancy.

PubMed

Franx, A; Steegers, E A; de Boo, T; Thien, T; Merkus, J M

1999-03-01

In non-pregnant individuals, a strong positive association of sodium intake with blood pressure has been established, but the relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure in human pregnancy remains obscure up to date. The aim of this prospective observational cohort study was to assess the relationship between urinary sodium excretion (as a measure for intake) and blood pressure from the early second trimester onwards throughout pregnancy. The study group consisted of 667 low-risk women with singleton pregnancies, of whom 350 were nulliparous and 317 parous. Blood pressure was measured in a standardised fashion at predetermined intervals from the first antenatal visit prior to 16 weeks gestation until delivery. Urinary sodium excretion was measured in 24-h urine collections on at least four occasions between 16 and 38 weeks gestation. Main outcome measures were the coefficients of correlation between changes in urinary sodium output and changes in blood pressure during six different gestational epochs. No significant correlations were found between changes in urinary sodium output and changes in blood pressure. Correlation coefficients were alike for nulliparous and parous women and for different gestational intervals. Prior to 32 weeks gestation, no differences were observed in sodium excretion between women who remained normotensive and those who developed gestational hypertension. These results suggest that changes in sodium intake are not associated with blood pressure changes in low-risk pregnant women. Blood pressure increases as observed in the second half of normotensive and hypertensive pregnancies are unlikely to be caused by changes in renal sodium handling.

Evolutionary signals of symbiotic persistence in the legume–rhizobia mutualism

PubMed Central

Werner, Gijsbert D. A.; Cornwell, William K.; Cornelissen, Johannes H. C.; Kiers, E. Toby

2015-01-01

Understanding the origins and evolutionary trajectories of symbiotic partnerships remains a major challenge. Why are some symbioses lost over evolutionary time whereas others become crucial for survival? Here, we use a quantitative trait reconstruction method to characterize different evolutionary stages in the ancient symbiosis between legumes (Fabaceae) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, asking how labile is symbiosis across different host clades. We find that more than half of the 1,195 extant nodulating legumes analyzed have a high likelihood (>95%) of being in a state of high symbiotic persistence, meaning that they show a continued capacity to form the symbiosis over evolutionary time, even though the partnership has remained facultative and is not obligate. To explore patterns associated with the likelihood of loss and retention of the N2-fixing symbiosis, we tested for correlations between symbiotic persistence and legume distribution, climate, soil and trait data. We found a strong latitudinal effect and demonstrated that low mean annual temperatures are associated with high symbiotic persistence in legumes. Although no significant correlations between soil variables and symbiotic persistence were found, nitrogen and phosphorus leaf contents were positively correlated with legumes in a state of high symbiotic persistence. This pattern suggests that highly demanding nutrient lifestyles are associated with more stable partnerships, potentially because they “lock” the hosts into symbiotic dependency. Quantitative reconstruction methods are emerging as a powerful comparative tool to study broad patterns of symbiont loss and retention across diverse partnerships. PMID:26041807

Evolutionary signals of symbiotic persistence in the legume-rhizobia mutualism.

PubMed

Werner, Gijsbert D A; Cornwell, William K; Cornelissen, Johannes H C; Kiers, E Toby

2015-08-18

Understanding the origins and evolutionary trajectories of symbiotic partnerships remains a major challenge. Why are some symbioses lost over evolutionary time whereas others become crucial for survival? Here, we use a quantitative trait reconstruction method to characterize different evolutionary stages in the ancient symbiosis between legumes (Fabaceae) and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, asking how labile is symbiosis across different host clades. We find that more than half of the 1,195 extant nodulating legumes analyzed have a high likelihood (>95%) of being in a state of high symbiotic persistence, meaning that they show a continued capacity to form the symbiosis over evolutionary time, even though the partnership has remained facultative and is not obligate. To explore patterns associated with the likelihood of loss and retention of the N2-fixing symbiosis, we tested for correlations between symbiotic persistence and legume distribution, climate, soil and trait data. We found a strong latitudinal effect and demonstrated that low mean annual temperatures are associated with high symbiotic persistence in legumes. Although no significant correlations between soil variables and symbiotic persistence were found, nitrogen and phosphorus leaf contents were positively correlated with legumes in a state of high symbiotic persistence. This pattern suggests that highly demanding nutrient lifestyles are associated with more stable partnerships, potentially because they "lock" the hosts into symbiotic dependency. Quantitative reconstruction methods are emerging as a powerful comparative tool to study broad patterns of symbiont loss and retention across diverse partnerships.

Performances on the CogState and Standard Neuropsychological Batteries Among HIV Patients Without Dementia

PubMed Central

Overton, Edgar Turner; Kauwe, John S.K.; Paul, Rob; Tashima, Karen; Tate, David F.; Patel, Pragna; Carpenter, Chuck; Patty, David; Brooks, John T.; Clifford, David B

2013-01-01

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent but challenging to diagnose particularly among non-demented individuals. To determine whether a brief computerized battery correlates with formal neurocognitive testing, we identified 46 HIV-infected persons who had undergone both formal neurocognitive testing and a brief computerized battery. Simple detection tests correlated best with formal neuropsychological testing. By multivariable regression model, 53% of the variance in the composite Global Deficit Score was accounted for by elements from the brief computerized tool (p<0.01). These data confirm previous correlation data with the computerized battery, yet illustrate remaining challenges for neurocognitive screening. PMID:21877204

Building blocks for correlated superconductors and magnets

DOE PAGES

Sarrao, J. L.; Ronning, F.; Bauer, E. D.; ...

2015-04-01

Recent efforts at Los Alamos to discover strongly correlated superconductors and hard ferromagnets are reviewed. While serendipity remains a principal engine of materials discovery, design principles and structural building blocks are beginning to emerge that hold potential for predictive discovery. In addition, successes over the last decade with the so-called “115” strongly correlated superconductors are summarized, and more recent efforts to translate these insights and principles to novel hard magnets are discussed. While true “materials by design” remains a distant aspiration, progress is being made in coupling empirical design principles to electronic structure simulation to accelerate and guide materials designmore » and synthesis.« less

Causes and implications of the correlation between forest productivity and tree mortality rates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Stephenson, Nathan L.; van Mantgem, Philip J.; Bunn, Andrew G.; Bruner, Howard; Harmon, Mark E.; O'Connell, Kari B.; Urban, Dean L.; Franklin, Jerry F.

2011-01-01

For only one of these four mechanisms, competition, can high mortality rates be considered to be a relatively direct consequence of high NPP. The remaining mechanisms force us to adopt a different view of causality, in which tree growth rates and probability of mortality can vary with at least a degree of independence along productivity gradients. In many cases, rather than being a direct cause of high mortality rates, NPP may remain high in spite of high mortality rates. The independent influence of plant enemies and other factors helps explain why forest biomass can show little correlation, or even negative correlation, with forest NPP.

Correlation of worldwide incidence of type 1 diabetes (DiaMond) with prevalence of asthma and atopic eczema (ISAAC).

PubMed

Fsadni, Peter; Fsadni, Claudia; Fava, Stephen; Montefort, Stephen

2012-01-01

Environmental factors play a role in pathogenesis of both type 1 diabetes and atopic disease but they remain incompletely understood. T cell-mediated responses primarily of the T helper type 1 (Th1) are involved in type 1 diabetes while T helper type 2 (Th2) responses favour allergic disease. This TH 1/TH 2 paradigm is currently the source of much controversy in various studies. The aim of the study was to compare the reported country incidence of type 1 diabetes with the prevalence of atopic disease. The prevalence of wheeze, rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis and atopic eczema in the preceding 12 months in the 13- to 14-year-old age group was taken from The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase 1 study. These were compared to the age specific incidence of type 1 diabetes in children per 100 000 per year obtained from the Diabetes Mondiale Project Group study from those countries participating in both studies. Data collected from these 31 countries together with latitude was analysed using a Pearson correlation and significance analysis. A multiple regression analysis determined the confounding effect of latitude. The incidence of type 1 diabetes was found to have a positive correlation with both wheezing (P = 0.009) and atopic eczema (P < 0.01). There was a no correlation between the incidence of type 1 diabetes and the prevalance of rhinitis (r = 0.02, P = 0.88) or of rhinoconjunctivitis (r = 0.026, P = 0.88). Latitude correlated negatively with type 1 diabetes and positively with rhinitis and rhinoconjnctuvits; it was not significantly correlated with wheeze or eczema. Regression analysis showed that latitude is a significant confounding factor in the correlation of rhinitis (P value < 0.0008) and rhinoconjunctivitis (P value < 0.0003) with diabetes. The study suggests that common environmental and/or genetic factors predispose to type 1 diabetes, wheezing and atopic eczema while factors predisposing to rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis appear to be distinct from those predisposing to type 1 diabetes. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

CorSig: a general framework for estimating statistical significance of correlation and its application to gene co-expression analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Hong-Qiang; Tsai, Chung-Jui

2013-01-01

With the rapid increase of omics data, correlation analysis has become an indispensable tool for inferring meaningful associations from a large number of observations. Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and its variants are widely used for such purposes. However, it remains challenging to test whether an observed association is reliable both statistically and biologically. We present here a new method, CorSig, for statistical inference of correlation significance. CorSig is based on a biology-informed null hypothesis, i.e., testing whether the true PCC (ρ) between two variables is statistically larger than a user-specified PCC cutoff (τ), as opposed to the simple null hypothesis of ρ = 0 in existing methods, i.e., testing whether an association can be declared without a threshold. CorSig incorporates Fisher's Z transformation of the observed PCC (r), which facilitates use of standard techniques for p-value computation and multiple testing corrections. We compared CorSig against two methods: one uses a minimum PCC cutoff while the other (Zhu's procedure) controls correlation strength and statistical significance in two discrete steps. CorSig consistently outperformed these methods in various simulation data scenarios by balancing between false positives and false negatives. When tested on real-world Populus microarray data, CorSig effectively identified co-expressed genes in the flavonoid pathway, and discriminated between closely related gene family members for their differential association with flavonoid and lignin pathways. The p-values obtained by CorSig can be used as a stand-alone parameter for stratification of co-expressed genes according to their correlation strength in lieu of an arbitrary cutoff. CorSig requires one single tunable parameter, and can be readily extended to other correlation measures. Thus, CorSig should be useful for a wide range of applications, particularly for network analysis of high-dimensional genomic data. A web server for CorSig is provided at http://202.127.200.1:8080/probeWeb. R code for CorSig is freely available for non-commercial use at http://aspendb.uga.edu/downloads.

Potential link between body dysmorphic disorder symptoms and alexithymia in an eating-disordered treatment-seeking sample.

PubMed

Fenwick, Andrea Siân; Sullivan, Karen Anne

2011-09-30

This study aimed to explore the manifestation of body dysmorphic disorder symptoms in a sample of people with eating disorders and to investigate possible associations between body dysmorphia and alexithymia. Forty patients currently seeking treatment for an eating disorder completed a battery of six measures assessing alexithymia, mood, eating behaviours, weight-related body image, body dysmorphia and non-weight related body image. Significant moderate positive correlations (Pearson's r) between selected variables were found, suggesting that participants with high levels of dysmorphic concern (imagined ugliness) have more difficulty with the affective elements of alexithymia, that is, identifying and describing feelings. When depression, eating attitudes, and weight-related body image concerns were controlled for, significant moderate positive correlations between this alexithymia factor and dysmorphic concerns remained present. An independent-samples t-test between eating-disordered participants with and without symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) revealed significant group differences in difficulties identifying feelings. This pattern of results was replicated when the groups were identified on the basis of dysmorphic concerns, as opposed to BDD symptoms. This study highlights the associations between alexithymia and body dysmorphia that have not previously been demonstrated. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the hemodynamics and right ventricular function in pulmonary hypertension by echocardiography compared with right-sided heart catheterization

PubMed Central

Li, Yidan; Wang, Yidan; Li, Hong; Zhu, Weiwei; Meng, Xiangli; Lu, Xiuzhang

2017-01-01

The present study aimed to evaluate hemodynamics and right ventricular function in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) using transthoracic echocardiography and to compare these results with measurements obtained using right-sided heart catheterization (RHC). A total of 75 patients with PH were examined using echocardiography and RHC. Patients were divided into the following two groups according to their difference between SPAPecho and SPAPRHC measurement: The overestimated group and underestimated group. The overestimated group included the subgroups groupover-A (difference <20 mmHg) and groupover-B (difference ≥20 mmHg), and the underestimated group included groupunder-A (absolute value of the difference <20 mmHg) and groupunder-B (absolute value of the difference ≥20 mmHg). SPAPecho measurements were revealed to be significantly positively correlated with SPAPRHC measurements (r=0.794; P<0.01). Among all echocardiographic measurements, only tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was significantly different between groups; it was increased in groupover-A and groupunder-A compared with groupover-B (P<0.01). Although SPAP measurements obtained using echocardiography were significantly positively correlated with those obtained using RHC, a high proportion of overestimation or underestimation of SPAP by echocardiography remained. PMID:29042956

The relationship between self-efficacy and diabetic foot self-care.

PubMed

Wendling, Stacey; Beadle, Vera

2015-03-01

Research has shown that the ongoing rate of diabetes-related amputations remains significant despite the existence of prevention methods and that amputation in most cases can be prevented. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of self-efficacy and performance of foot self-care in those with diabetes as they relate to the prevention of lower extremity amputation (LEA). A descriptive correlational study was conducted using the theoretical framework of Bandura's social cognitive theory. The Foot Care Confidence Scale (FCCS) and the Nottingham Assessment of Functional Footcare (NAFF) survey instruments were distributed to individuals over 18 years old with diabetes Type 1 and 2 in the lower peninsula of Michigan ( N  = 223). No significant correlation was identified between the level of self-efficacy and performance of foot self-care behaviors. Statistical significance was found between foot self-care behaviors and gender with males scoring higher than females. This study adds to the body of knowledge regarding self-efficacy and diabetic foot self-care behaviors. Further research is needed to explore the relationship of gender, diabetes education attendance, and foot self-care behaviors as influencing factors in LEA prevention.

Validity of Research-Grade Actigraphy Unit for Measuring Exercise Intensity

PubMed Central

Han, Ke-Tsung; Wang, Po-Ching

2017-01-01

This study was conducted in a free-living setting to investigate the measurement validity of a research-based actigraph for strolling and jogging, and to provide a reference for actual practice and research. Because inadequate physical activity (PA) or sedentary lifestyle has become the fourth leading risk factor for mortality worldwide, many countries have been vigorously promoting the concept of “active living”, and the public has been investing greater effort into intensifying their PA. Although research-grade actigraphs have been widely applied to evaluate PA in routine environments, the measurement results may not accurately reflect the wearers’ PA. Unlike most relevant research, which is conducted in well-controlled laboratory environments, the present study was implemented in the field to examine the sensitivity and convergent validity of the MicroMini Motionlogger® Actigraph during strolling and jogging. The following results were revealed: (1) Although the exercise movement speed while jogging was significantly faster than that while strolling, the actigraph readings showed no significant difference between strolling and jogging; (2) The actigraph readings were (significantly or nonsignificantly) negatively correlated with metabolic heat and nonsignificantly correlated with movement speeds. Hence, the actigraph validity for measuring PA intensity while strolling and jogging remains debatable. PMID:28489046

Acute alcohol intoxication, diffuse axonal injury and intraventricular bleeding in patients with isolated blunt traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Matsukawa, Hidetoshi; Shinoda, Masaki; Fujii, Motoharu; Takahashi, Osamu; Murakata, Atsushi; Yamamoto, Daisuke

2013-01-01

The influence of blood alcohol level (BAL) on outcome remains unclear. This study investigated the relationships between BAL, type and number of diffuse axonal injury (DAI), intraventricular bleeding (IVB) and 6-month outcome. This study reviewed 419 patients with isolated blunt traumatic brain injury. First, it compared clinical and radiological characteristics between patients with good recovery and disability. Second, it compared BAL among DAI lesions. Third, it evaluated the correlation between the BAL and severity of IVB, number of DAI and corpus callosum injury lesions. Regardless of BAL, older age, male gender, severe Glasgow Coma Scale score (<9), abnormal pupil, IVB and lesion on genu of corpus callosum were significantly related to disability. There were no significant differences between the BAL and lesions of DAI. Simple regression analysis revealed that there were no significant correlation between BAL and severity of IVB, number of DAI and corpus callosum injury lesions. Acute alcohol intoxication was not associated with type and number of DAI lesion, IVB and disability. This study suggested that a specific type of traumatic lesion, specifically lesion on genu of corpus callosum and IVB, might be more vital for outcome.

The relationship between leptin level and oxidative status parameters in hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Horoz, Mehmet; Aslan, Mehmet; Koylu, Ahmet O; Bolukbas, Cengiz; Bolukbas, Filiz F; Selek, Sahbettin; Erel, Ozcan

2009-01-01

Both serum leptin level and oxidative stress are increased in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether there is association between oxidative status and leptin level in HD patients. Thirty-five HD patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. Serum leptin level, total peroxide (TP) level, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined. Serum leptin level, TP level, and OSI were significantly higher in HD patients than controls (all P < 0.001) while TAC was lower (P < 0.001). In HD patients, serum leptin level was significantly correlated with TP level and OSI (r = 0.372, P < 0.001 and r = 0.409, P < 0.001, respectively). The correlation of serum leptin level with TP level and OSI remained statistically significant after adjusting for age, gender, and body-fat percentage (r = 0.446, P < 0.001 and r = 0.463, P < 0.001, respectively). Hyperleptinemia seems to be associated with increased oxidative stress in HD patients, and this association may provide better understanding about the disorders related to either elevated serum leptin levels and/or increased oxidative stress in HD patients.

Technostress: measuring a new threat to well-being in later life.

PubMed

Nimrod, Galit

2017-05-31

Technostress is stress induced by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use. Research on the topic has focused primarily on the workforce and tended to overlook senior citizens. This study presents the development of a new scale, which was designed to measure technostress specifically among older adults. The scale explores five constructs: overload, invasion, complexity, privacy and inclusion. The initial 20-item measure was tested in a pilot study and then included in an online survey of 537 Internet users aged 60 years and over. Based on the statistical analysis, the scale was reduced to 14 items. The constructs had good internal homogeneity, significant inter-construct correlations and high loadings on a single latent factor. The scores were well distributed along the range. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. A significant negative association was found between the two scales - a correlation that remained significant even after controlling for background variables. The new scale is useful for measuring technostress in older people, and technostress ought to be considered a particular threat to well-being in later life. Future research should explore its antecedents and consequences and identify interventions useful in alleviating its harmful effect on older ICT users.

The role of albumin and endoplasmic reticulum in pathogenesis Preeclampsia. Changes of GRP78 and placental VEGF in preeclampsia.

PubMed

Aditiawarman

2014-07-01

Preeclampsia remains the highest causes of maternal mortality in Indonesia. This disease is known as "the disease of theories" since the etiology of this disease still obscure, but it is clearly accepted that this disease is correlated with placenta. The incidence of this disease increased in dr. Soetomo General Hospital during economic crisis in Indonesia, as nutritional problem occurred, but correlation between nutrition to preeclampsia still unclear. This study was conducted to find out the influence of hypoalbuminemia caused by alteration of amino acids and changes of GRP78 and placental VEGF in preeclampsia. It was cross-sectional study among 10 patients with preeclampsia albumin ⩽ gram/dL and 9 patients with preeclampsia albumin >3g/dL. Placenta collected was homogenized and blood was separated from the cells. Placental lysat, serum and plasma were stored -87°C until laboratory analysis for GRP78 and VEGF. Data were analyzed using student t test, Manova. Pearson correlation, simple and multiple regressions. There were alterations of amino acid's profile among albumin ⩽3g/dL compare with albumin >3g/dL. GRP78 concentration on albumin ⩽3g/dL group was higher, but were not significant. Weak negative correlation between albumins to GRP78 was found. Negative correlation were found in the groups of albumin ⩽3g/dL - GRP⩽425μg/dL, but significant result only on albumin ⩽3g/dL - GRP⩽425μg/dL. Positive correlation were found in the group of albumin >3g/dL - GRP>425μg/dL. Response of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress appeared different depends on levels of albumin (stressor) and GRP78 (stress response protein). Placental VEGF were significantly lower in albumin ⩽3g/dL (p<0.05). Correlation between GRP78 on placental VEGF was negative with coefficient correlation was 3.8%. Placental VEGF profoundly decreased as correlation between albumin and GRP78 stronger. Alteration of amino acids profile influenced Albumin concentration. Hypoalbuminemia was a stressor that induced reticulum endoplasmic response by increasing GRP78, decreasing placental VEGF. Responses of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress depend on levels of stressor (albumin) and stress response protein (GRP78). Copyright © 2014 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy.

Patient Crying in Psychotherapy: Who Cries and Why?

PubMed

Capps, Kristen L; Fiori, Katherine; Mullin, Anthony S J; Hilsenroth, Mark J

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study is to further the understanding of who cries in therapy and the relation of technique with crying behaviour in therapy. Psychological assessment feedback sessions, prior to the initiation of formal therapy for 52 patients beginning psychotherapy at a university-based clinic were coded for discrete crying segments. Data about patient characteristics and the process of the session were collected at the time of the session. Therapist's interventions were recorded verbatim and independently rated. The number of times a patient cried during their session correlated negatively with global assessment of functioning scores and positively with measures of borderline personality disorder pathology as well as a measure of severity of childhood sexual abuse. Patients' crying behaviour demonstrated significant negative correlations with the overall experience of the session (bad/good), smoothness and positivity. Group differences between criers and non-criers reflected these trends as well. No significant correlations or group differences were found with regard to patient-rated or therapist-rated alliance as it relates to crying behaviour. Analysis indicates that therapist intervention prior to patient crying most often encouraged the exploration and expression of difficult affect, new perspectives on key issues or the patient's fantasies and wishes. Our study addresses a significant gap in the clinical literature on crying. Crying behaviour seems to be related to certain clinical variables and has a negative impact on patient experience of the session in which they cry, although the alliance remained unaffected. Small sample, outpatients with mild/moderate psychopathology and graduate trainees provided therapy. Patients with greater problems in emotional dysregulation, borderline personality disorder symptoms and greater severity of childhood sexual abuse are more likely to display greater affective intensity during the beginning of treatment. Results suggest that the alliance may remain strong despite patients experiencing a session in which they cried as difficult. Therapeutic interventions that focus on affect, new understanding of old patterns and patient fantasies with outpatient clinical populations appeared to be associated with crying in session. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Prevalence, patterns, and correlates of HIV disclosure among TB-HIV patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in Lesotho.

PubMed

Hayes-Larson, Eleanor; Hirsch-Moverman, Yael; Saito, Suzue; Frederix, Koen; Pitt, Blanche; Maama, Bridget Llang; Howard, Andrea A

2017-08-01

Disclosure of HIV-positive status has important implications for patient outcomes and preventing HIV transmission, but has been understudied in TB-HIV patients. We assessed disclosure patterns and correlates of non-disclosure among adult TB-HIV patients initiating ART enrolled in the START Study, a mixed-methods cluster-randomized trial conducted in Lesotho, which evaluated a combination intervention package (CIP) versus standard of care. Interviewer-administered questionnaire data were analyzed to describe patterns of disclosure. Patient-related factors were assessed for association with non-disclosure to anyone other than a health-care provider and primary partners using generalized linear mixed models. Among 371 participants, 95% had disclosed their HIV diagnosis to someone other than a health-care provider, most commonly a spouse/primary partner (76%). Age, TB knowledge, not planning to disclose TB status, greater perceived TB stigma, and CIP were associated with non-disclosure in unadjusted models (p < .1). In adjusted models, all point estimates were similar and greater TB knowledge (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.39-0.90) and CIP (aOR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.79) remained statistically significant. Among 220 participants with a primary partner, 76% had disclosed to that partner. Significant correlates of partner non-disclosure (p < .1) in unadjusted analyses included being female, married/cohabitating, electricity at home, not knowing if partner was HIV-positive, and TB knowledge. Adjusted point estimates were largely similar, and being married/cohabitating (aOR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01-0.12), having electricity at home (aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.17-0.85) and greater TB knowledge (aOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.98) remained significant. In conclusion, although nearly all participants reported disclosing their HIV status to someone other than a health-care provider at ART initiation, nearly a quarter of participants with a primary partner had not disclosed to their partner. Additional efforts to support HIV disclosure (e.g., counseling) may be needed for TB-HIV patients, particularly for women and those unaware of their partners' status.

New Statistics for Testing Differential Expression of Pathways from Microarray Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siu, Hoicheong; Dong, Hua; Jin, Li; Xiong, Momiao

Exploring biological meaning from microarray data is very important but remains a great challenge. Here, we developed three new statistics: linear combination test, quadratic test and de-correlation test to identify differentially expressed pathways from gene expression profile. We apply our statistics to two rheumatoid arthritis datasets. Notably, our results reveal three significant pathways and 275 genes in common in two datasets. The pathways we found are meaningful to uncover the disease mechanisms of rheumatoid arthritis, which implies that our statistics are a powerful tool in functional analysis of gene expression data.

PRAS40 promotes NF-κB transcriptional activity through association with p65. | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

PRAS40 has been shown to have a crucial role in the repression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Nonetheless, PRAS40 appears to have an oncogenic function in cancer cells. Whether PRAS40 mediates signaling independent of mTOR inhibition in cancer cells remains elusive. Here PRAS40 overexpression in lung adenocarcinoma and cutaneous melanoma was significantly correlated to worse prognosis. And we identified an unexpected role for PRAS40 in the regulation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling.

Advances in HIV-1 Vaccine Development

PubMed Central

Gao, Yong

2018-01-01

An efficacious HIV-1 vaccine is regarded as the best way to halt the ongoing HIV-1 epidemic. However, despite significant efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine, the modestly protective RV144 trial remains the only efficacy trial to provide some level of protection against HIV-1 acquisition. This review will outline the history of HIV vaccine development, novel technologies being applied to HIV vaccinology and immunogen design, as well as the studies that are ongoing to advance our understanding of vaccine-induced immune correlates of protection. PMID:29614779

Using walker during walking: a pilot study for health elder.

PubMed

Po-Chan, Yeh; Cherng-Yee, Leung

2012-01-01

Walker operation completely relies on the walker handle, however most marketed walkers possess two horizontal handles. Several researchers have suggested that horizontal handles might lead to wrist injury. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the relevant design aspects of walker for elderly people. 28 elders participated in this study; when the experiment was started, subject walked on the tile for 3 meter distance twice by using walker. Data for analysis were selected at the corresponding wrist deviation and vertical force. The results showed that during walker using, the mean wrist deviation was greater than zero. The largest vertical force is significantly larger than the smallest one, and different wrist deviation occurred at three phases, the largest wrist deviation while raising walker is larger than the smallest one, however, no significant different was found between the largest and smallest wrist deviation while pressing walker. No significant correlation occurred between weight and wrist deviation. The correlation between weight and vertical force was significantly positive. With wrist deviation walker use may cause injury to upper-limb, however wrists remain in a neutral position during hand movement to prevent damage. The findings of this study should improve the design of walker handles to reduce the wrist deviations of users.

Indirect and direct perceived behavioral control and the role of intention in the context of birth control behavior.

PubMed

Hanson, Jessica D; Nothwehr, Faryle; Yang, Jingzhen Ginger; Romitti, Paul

2015-07-01

Unintended pregnancies can have negative consequences for both mother and child. The focus of this study was to utilize perceived behavioral control measures (PBC; part of the theory of planned behavior) to identify relevant behavioral determinants of birth control use. This study also tested associations between direct and indirect PBC measures and intention of birth control use and between intention and birth control use. The methods included a randomly selected sample of patients at a health care system in the Upper Midwest who were sent a self-administered survey, with 190 non-pregnant women returning completed surveys. Participants indicated a high level of control over using birth control, and a significant positive correlation was observed between direct and indirect PBC measures. Participants also reported high intentions to use birth control, and a significant positive correlation was observed between intention and PBC. Additionally, both PBC measures and intention were independently and significantly associated with behavior, and PBC remained significantly associated with behavior when intention was added into the model. In conclusion, compared to the previous literature, this study is unique in that it examines indirect PBC measures and also the important role that PBC plays with actual birth control behavior.

Indirect and Direct Perceived Behavioral Control and the Role of Intention in the Context of Birth Control Behavior

PubMed Central

Nothwehr, Faryle; Yang, Jingzhen Ginger; Romitti, Paul

2018-01-01

Unintended pregnancies can have negative consequences for both mother and child. The focus of this study was to utilize perceived behavioral control measures (PBC; part of the theory of planned behavior) to identify relevant behavioral determinants of birth control use. This study also tested associations between direct and indirect PBC measures and intention of birth control use and between intention and birth control use. The methods included a randomly selected sample of patients at a health care system in the Upper Midwest who were sent a self-administered survey, with 190 non-pregnant women returning completed surveys. Participants indicated a high level of control over using birth control, and a significant positive correlation was observed between direct and indirect PBC measures. Participants also reported high intentions to use birth control, and a significant positive correlation was observed between intention and PBC. Additionally, both PBC measures and intention were independently and significantly associated with behavior, and PBC remained significantly associated with behavior when intention was added into the model. In conclusion, compared to the previous literature, this study is unique in that it examines indirect PBC measures and also the important role that PBC plays with actual birth control behavior. PMID:25421330

The relationship between health and cognitive functioning in a sample of elderly people in the community.

PubMed

Christensen, H; Jorm, A F; Henderson, A S; Mackinnon, A J; Korten, A E; Scott, L R

1994-05-01

The association between health status and cognitive performance was examined in a sample of 708 community dwelling elderly people aged 70 years or over. Cognitive performance declined significantly across the age groups 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89 years on the Mini-Mental State Examination and on measures of fluid intelligence and memory, but not on measures of crystallized intelligence. Health status declined significantly across age for five of 49 past and current medical conditions, for measures of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and for systolic blood pressure, but did not decline significantly for global self-ratings of health, diastolic blood pressure or reports of smoking. Weak but significant correlations between health and cognitive performance were found for self-reported global ratings of health and for self-reports of some physical symptoms but not for diastolic or systolic blood pressure, or for many other physical conditions. Both self- and informant-based ratings of ADL correlated with cognitive performance. Age differences remained after cognitive performance was adjusted for health variables such as ADL, self-ratings of health and current health problems. It is concluded that, at the population level, lower levels of cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly subjects are not strongly mediated by ill health.

Egg production and oviposition in the tobacco budworm: effect of age at mating

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Proshold, F.I.; Karpenko, C.P.; Graham, C.K.

1982-01-01

Female tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), that emerged in the laboratory contained no mature eggs, although ooecyte development had proceeded as far as yolk deposition in the ultimate egg of each ovariole. After 18 h, ca. one mature egg per ovariole was present. If the females subsequently remained unmated, maturation of additional eggs was curvilinear with age and leveled off at ca. 500 eggs per female at 120 h. If the females mated, there was an inverse relationship between egg production and age mated; maximal production occurred when females mated the first night postemergence (ca. 30 h), andmore » production then diminished until females mating at 5 days or more laid only slightly more eggs than virgin females. However, there was also a direct relationship between length of life and age of mating. Females that mated at 1 or 2 days showed a signficant correlation between numbers of eggs produced and longevity and between numbers of eggs and pupal weight. Virgin females and females that mated at 3 days showed a significant correlation between eggs and longevity but not between eggs and pupal weight. There was no significant correlation between eggs and pupal weight or longevity for females that mated at 5 days or later.« less

Workplace violence towards nurses in Hong Kong: prevalence and correlates.

PubMed

Cheung, Teris; Yip, Paul S F

2017-02-14

Nurses are especially vulnerable to violent and other forms of aggression in the workplace. Nonetheless, few population-based studies of workplace violence have been undertaken among working-age nurse professionals in Hong Kong in the last decade. The study estimates the prevalence and examines the socio-economic and psychological correlates of workplace violence (WPV) among professional nurses in Hong Kong. The study uses a cross-sectional survey design. Multivariate logistic regression examines the weighted prevalence rates of WPV and its associated factors for a population of nurses. A total of 850 nurses participated in the study. 44.6% had experienced WPV in the preceding year. Male nurses reported more WPV than their female counterparts. The most common forms of WPV were verbal abuse/bullying (39.2%), then physical assault (22.7%) and sexual harassment (1.1%). The most common perpetrators of WPV were patients (36.6%) and their relatives (17.5%), followed by colleagues (7.7%) and supervisors (6.3%). Clinical position, shift work, job satisfaction, recent disturbances with colleagues, deliberate self-harm (DSH) and symptoms of anxiety were significantly correlated with WPV for nurses. WPV remains a significant concern for healthcare worldwide. Hong Kong's local health authority should put in place a raft of zero-tolerance measures to prevent WPV in healthcare settings.

Correlations between working memory impairment and neurometabolites of prefrontal cortex and lenticular nucleus in patients with major depressive disorder.

PubMed

Shan, Yanyan; Jia, Yanbin; Zhong, Shuming; Li, Xueguo; Zhao, Hui; Chen, Junhao; Lu, Qianyi; Zhang, Lu; Li, Zhinan; Lai, Shunkai; Wang, Ying

2018-02-01

The mechanism of working memory (WM) impairment in MDD remains unclear. We aimed to find out the mechanism by using neuropsychological tests and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). 31 MDD patients and 31 healthy controls were recruited in our study. The WM performance and neurometabolite ratios of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and lenticular nucleus (LN) between two groups were evaluated and compared. And the correlations between abnormal neurometabolite ratios and WM dysfunction were computed. Scores of SDMT, DST(forwards), VRS and 2-back Task(accuracy rate) in MDD were lower than HCs. NAA/Cr ratios of bilateral PFC in MDD were significantly lower than HCs, while no significant differences showed in NAA/Cr ratios of LN and Cho/Cr, mI/Cr values of the bilateral PFC and LN between two groups. And for MDD patients, NAA/Cr ratios in the right PFC were positively correlated with scores of DST (Forwards). Our findings suggest that depressed patients may have impairments in working memory, including phonological loop, visual-spatial sketchpad, episodic buffer and central executive. And the impairment of verbal WM and WM capacity may be associated with the abnormal neurometabolites in the right PFC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Salinity is a key factor driving the nitrogen cycling in the mangrove sediment.

PubMed

Wang, Haitao; Gilbert, Jack A; Zhu, Yongguan; Yang, Xiaoru

2018-08-01

Coastal ecosystems are hotspots for nitrogen cycling, and specifically for nitrogen removal from water and sediment through the coupled nitrification-denitrification process. Salinity is globally important in structuring bacterial and archaeal communities, but the association between salinity and microbially-mediated nitrification and denitrification remains unclear. The denitrification activity and composition and structure of microbial nitrifiers and denitrifiers were characterized across a gradient of manipulated salinity (0, 10, 20 and 30ppt) in a mangrove sediment. Salinity negatively correlated with both denitrifying activity and the abundance of nirK and nosZ denitrifying genes. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), which dominated nitrification, had significantly greater abundance at intermediate salinity (10 and 20ppt). However, a positive correlation between ammonia concentration and salinity suggested that nitrifying activity might also be inhibited at higher salinity. The community structure of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB), as well as nirK, nirS and nosZ denitrifying communities, were all significantly correlated with salinity. These changes were also associated with structural shifts in phylogeny. These findings provide a strong evidence that salinity is a key factor that influences the nitrogen transformations in coastal wetlands, indicating that salinity intrusion caused by climate change might have a broader impact on the coastal biospheres. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Attitude Toward Humor in Patients Experiencing Depressive Symptoms

PubMed Central

Bokarius, Anna; Ha, Khanh; Poland, Russell; Bokarius, Vladimir; Rapaport, Mark H.

2011-01-01

Objective: This study measures the correlation between disposition to humor and level of depression to investigate openness to humorous interventions for the treatment of depression. Design, Participants, and Measurement: Individuals (n=200) with depression received questionnaires to assess their sense of humor and attitude toward humor using the Svebak's Humor Questionnaire and a disposition toward humor questionnaire. The correlation between Svebak's Humor Questionnaire scores and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report scores was then measured. Results were further analyzed by race, age, and gender to assess any emerging trends within those groups. Results: Svebak's Humor Questionnaire mean scores remained high across gender, race, and age. However, there was not a statistically significant correlation between the level of depression and sense of humor (r=−0.22). The only significant relationship noted was between disposition toward humor and depression was for subjects aged 70 and older (r=−0.83). Conclusion: Though with certain limitations, these data provide preliminary support for the possibility that an appreciation of humor would persist despite symptoms of major depressive disorder. Clinicians could consider humor as part of an intervention in the treatment of depressive symptoms. The determination of the type of humor and manner of integrating it into therapy would require further study. PMID:22010061

Subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive dysfunction in the elderly.

PubMed

Resta, F; Triggiani, V; Barile, G; Benigno, M; Suppressa, P; Giagulli, V A; Guastamacchia, E; Sabbà, C

2012-09-01

While overt hypothyroidism is associated with reversible dementia in the elderly, the relationship of subclinical hypothyroidism with cognition remains a controversial issue. Our aim was to investigate the correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism and cognition in the elderly, with particular reference to long term memory and selective attention. We selected 337 outpatients (177 men and 160 women), mean age 74.3 years, excluding the subjects with thyroid dysfunction and those treated with drugs influencing thyroid function. The score of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was significantly lower in the group of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism than in euthyroid subjects (p<0.03). It was observed that patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had a probability about 2 times greater (RR = 2.028, p<0.05) of developing cognitive impairment. Prose Memory Test (PMT) score resulted significantly lower in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism (p<0.04). Considering the Matrix Test (MT) score, the performance was slightly reduced in subclinical hypothyroidism (NS). Furthermore, TSH was negatively correlated with MMSE (p<0.04), PMT (p<0.05) and MT score (NS). No correlation was found between FT4 and FT3 and MMSE, PMT and MT score. In the elderly, subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with cognitive impairment, and its impact on specific aspects of cognition (long term memory and selective attention) is less evident.

Relationship between organochlorine pesticides and stress indicators in hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting at Punta Xen (Campeche), Southern Gulf of Mexico.

PubMed

Tremblay, Nelly; Ortíz Arana, Alejandro; González Jáuregui, Mauricio; Rendón-von Osten, Jaime

2017-03-01

Data on the impact of environmental pollution on the homeostasis of sea turtles remains scarce, particularly in the Southern Gulf of Mexico. As many municipalities along the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula do not rely on a waste treatment plant, these organisms could be particularly vulnerable. We searched for relationships between the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and the level of several oxidative and pollutant stress indicators of the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) during the 2010 nesting season at Punta Xen (Campeche, Mexico). Of the 30 sampled sea turtles, endosulfans, aldrin related (aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, endrin ketone, endrin aldehyde) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDT) families were detected in 17, 21 and 26, respectively. Significant correlation existed between the size of sea turtles with the concentration of methoxychlor, cholinesterase activity in plasma and heptachlors family, and catalase activity and hexachlorohexane family. Cholinesterase activity in washed erythrocytes and lipid peroxidation were positively correlated with glutathione reductase activity. Antioxidant enzyme actions seem adequate as no lipids damages were correlated with any OCPs. Future studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of OCPs on males of the area due to the significant detection of methoxychlor, which target endocrine functioning and increases its concentration with sea turtles size.

Sp1-CD147 positive feedback loop promotes the invasion ability of ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Zhao, Jing; Ye, Wei; Wu, Juan; Liu, Lijuan; Yang, Lina; Gao, Lu; Chen, Biliang; Zhang, Fanglin; Yang, Hong; Li, Yu

2015-07-01

CD147 is a novel cancer biomarker that has been confirmed to be overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma, which is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Although the Sp1 protein regulates the expression level of CD147, it remains unclear whether Sp1 phosphorylation plays a role in this regulation. A dual-luciferase assay revealed that T453 and T739 mutations decreased the activity of Sp1 binding to the promoter of CD147, followed by a decrease in CD147 mRNA and protein expression. Western blot analysis showed that CD147 promoted Sp1 phosphorylation at T453 and T739 through the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways. In addition, blocking the Sp1-CD147 positive feedback loop reduced the invasion ability of HO-8910pm cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the components of the feedback loop were overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues. The correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between phospho-Sp1 (T453), phospho-Sp1 (T739) and CD147 expression levels, with correlation coefficients of r=0.477 and r=0.461, respectively. Collectively, our results suggest that a Sp1-CD147 positive feedback loop plays a critical role in the invasion ability of ovarian cancer cells.

Apoptosis and microvessel density in gastric cancer: correlation with tumor stage and prognosis.

PubMed

Aurello, Paolo; Bellagamba, Riccardo; Rossi Del Monte, Simone; D'Angelo, Francesco; Nigri, Giuseppe; Cicchini, Claudia; Ravaioli, Matteo; Ramacciato, Giovanni

2009-12-01

Gastric cancer remains one of the most common human malignancies with a poor prognosis. Apoptosis is known to be a programmed cell death and its inhibition is involved in the unregulated cellular growth that leads to neoplasms. Microvessel density (MVD) has been investigated as a promoting factor for angiogenesis with conflicting results about its relation to survival. The aim of our study was to search a correlation between these factors and some clinicopathological features and prognosis. Identification of apoptotic cells was performed applying the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling technique and recorded as apoptotic index (A.I.), whereas monoclonal antibodies were used for the study of MVD. A significant correlation was found between low and high A.I. and the subgroup of patients in Stages I and II (P < 0.02); 20 per cent of patients with a low A.I. showed an overall survival longer than 5 years versus 44 per cent of patients with an high A.I. (P = 0.041). High MVD was significantly related to the T stage (P = 0.036) and to a poorer 5-year overall survival (P < 0.05). Further studies are required to confirm the role of apoptosis and MVD in the development and progression of gastric cancer.

Circulating plant miRNAs can regulate human gene expression in vitro

PubMed Central

Pastrello, Chiara; Tsay, Mike; McQuaid, Rosanne; Abovsky, Mark; Pasini, Elisa; Shirdel, Elize; Angeli, Marc; Tokar, Tomas; Jamnik, Joseph; Kotlyar, Max; Jurisicova, Andrea; Kotsopoulos, Joanne; El-Sohemy, Ahmed; Jurisica, Igor

2016-01-01

While Brassica oleracea vegetables have been linked to cancer prevention, the exact mechanism remains unknown. Regulation of gene expression by cross-species microRNAs has been previously reported; however, its link to cancer suppression remains unexplored. In this study we address both issues. We confirm plant microRNAs in human blood in a large nutrigenomics study cohort and in a randomized dose-controlled trial, finding a significant positive correlation between the daily amount of broccoli consumed and the amount of microRNA in the blood. We also demonstrate that Brassica microRNAs regulate expression of human genes and proteins in vitro, and that microRNAs cooperate with other Brassica-specific compounds in a possible cancer-preventive mechanism. Combined, we provide strong evidence and a possible multimodal mechanism for broccoli in cancer prevention. PMID:27604570

Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Colorectal Liver Metastasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Tang, Haowen; Li, Bingmin; Zhang, Aiqun; Lu, Wenping; Xiang, Canhong; Dong, Jiahong

2016-01-01

Inflammation is deemed to play critical roles in tumor progression and metastasis, and an increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been reported to correlate with poor survivals in various malignancies. However, association between NLR elevation and survival outcome in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of elevated NLR in CRLM. The meta-analysis was conducted in adherence to the MOOSE guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and the Chinese SinoMed were systematically searched to identify eligible studies from the initiation of the databases to May, 2016. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) were pooled by using hazard ratio (HR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Correlation between NLR values and clinicopathological features was synthesized by using odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% CI. A total of 1685 patients from 8 studies (9 cohorts) were analyzed, consisting 347 (20.59%) in high pretreatment NLR value group and 1338 (79.41%) in low pretreatment NLR value one. The results demonstrated that elevated pretreatment NLR was significantly related to poor OS (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.82-2.58) and RFS (HR 1.96, 95% CI 1.64-2.35) in patients with CRLM. The result of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that an elevated pretreatment NLR was closely correlated with poor long-term survival (OS and RFS) in CRLM patients. NLR can be routinely monitored and serve as a useful and cost-effective marker with strong prognostic significance in patients with CRLM.

Can stature be estimated from tooth crown dimensions? A study in a sample of South-East Asians.

PubMed

Hossain, Mohammad Zakir; Munawar, Khalil M M; Rahim, Zubaidah H A; Bakri, Marina Mohd

2016-04-01

Stature estimation is an important step during medico-legal and forensic examination. Difficulty arises when highly decomposed and mutilated dead bodies with fragmentary remains are brought for forensic identification like in mass disaster or airplane crash. The body remains could be just a jaw with some teeth. The objective of this study was to explore if the stature of an individual can be determined from the tooth crown dimensions. A total of 201 volunteers participated in this study. The stature and clinical crown dimensions (length, mesiodistal and labiolingual diameters) of maxillary anterior teeth were measured. Correlation between crown dimensions and stature was analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Regression analysis was used to get equations for estimation of stature from crown measurements. The regression equations were applied in the same sample of volunteers that was used to obtain the equations. The reliability and accuracy of the equations were checked in another sample of volunteers. Length and mesiodistal diameter of the crown of central incisors and canines showed significant albeit low to moderate correlations (0.35-0.45) with the stature. The correlation co-efficient values were higher (as high as 0.537) when summation of the measurements was taken for analysis. The regression equations when applied to the same and a test sample of volunteers revealed that differences between actual and estimated stature can be as low as 0.01 to as much as 16.50cm. The findings suggest that although there are some degrees of positive correlations between stature and tooth crown dimensions, stature estimation from the tooth crown dimensions cannot provide the accuracy of estimation as required in forensic situations. The stature estimation accuracy using tooth crown dimensions is comparable to that of cephalo-facial dimensions but inferior to that of long bones. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Vaccinium spp. for Illinoia pepperi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) performance and phenolic content.

PubMed

Ranger, Christopher M; Johnson-Cicalese, Jennifer; Polavarapu, Sridhar; Vorsa, Nicholi

2006-08-01

Host acceptance and population parameters of the aphid Illinoia pepperi (MacGillivray) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were measured on highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum L. 'Elliott', and the wild species Vaccinium boreale Hall and Aalders, Vaccinium tenellum Aiton, Vaccinium pallidum Aiton, Vaccinium hirsutum Buckley, Vaccinium myrsinites Lamarck, and Vaccinium darrowi Camp. After 24 h of exposure, significantly fewer aphids remained in contact with V. boreale and V. hirsutum compared with V. corymbosum Elliott, V. darrowi, and V. pallidum. Length of the prereproductive period of I. pepperi was significantly longer on V. boreale and V. myrsinites, in contrast to V. corymbosum. Fecundity was also lower on V. boreale, V. hirsutum, V. myrsinites, and V. darrowi. Survivorship of I. pepperi 42 d after birth was significantly lower on V. hirsutum compared with the remaining Vaccinium spp. Reduced I. pepperi performance resulted in significantly lower intrinsic rate of increase (r(m)) values being associated with V. myrsinites, V. boreale, V. hirsutum, and V. darrowi, compared with V. corymbosum. Net reproductive rate (R(o)), generation time (T), and doubling time (T(d)) of I. pepperi also were affected by the Vaccinium spp. Total phenolic and flavonol content varied between Vaccinium spp., with some high phenolic content Vaccinium spp. having reduced aphid performance. However, no significant correlation between phenolics and I. pepperi performance was detected. Results from this study identified several potential sources of aphid resistance traits in wild Vaccinium spp.

Behavioral and emotional problems in a Kuala Lumpur children's home.

PubMed

Abd Rahman, Fairuz Nazri; Mohd Daud, Tuti Iryani; Nik Jaafar, Nik Ruzyanei; Shah, Shamsul Azhar; Tan, Susan Mooi Koon; Wan Ismail, Wan Salwina

2013-08-01

There is a dearth of studies on behavioral and emotional problems in residential care children in Malaysia. This study describes the behavioral and emotional problems in a sample of children in a government residential care home and compares them with their classmates living with their birth parents. A comparative cross-sectional study was carried out where carers from both groups were asked to fill in the translated Bahasa Melayu version of the Child Behavior Check List. Forms for 53 residential care children and 61 classmates were completed. The residential care children had significantly higher scores on the rule-breaking (P < 0.001) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) conduct problem subscales (P < 0.001). Residential care children's age significantly correlated with DSM somatic problems (P = 0.03) and post-traumatic stress (P = 0.023). Duration of care was significantly positively correlated with rule-breaking (P = 0.008), DSM conduct problems (P = 0.018) and externalizing scores (P = 0.017). Abuse and neglect cases had higher anxiety and depression scores (P = 0.024). Number of reasons in care positively correlated with several subscales, including total behavioral problem score (P = 0.005). Logistic regression revealed the greater number of reasons for placement a child had was significantly associated with having externalizing scores in the clinical range (P = 0.016). However, after Bonferroni correction, only the initial findings regarding rule-breaking and DSM conduct problem scores remained significant. Challenges exist in managing residential care children in Malaysia, especially regarding externalizing behavior. More studies are required to describe the Malaysian scene. © 2013 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2013 Japan Pediatric Society.

A hospital based study of biochemical markers of bone turnovers & bone mineral density in north Indian women

PubMed Central

Kumar, Ashok; Devi, Salam Gyaneshwori; Mittal, Soniya; Shukla, Deepak Kumar; Sharma, Shashi

2013-01-01

Background & objectives: The osteoporotic risk for women increases soon after menopause. Bone turnover markers are known to be associated with bone loss and fracture risk. This study was aimed to assess bone turnover using bone markers and their correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) in pre- and post-menopausal women. Methods: A total of 255 healthy women (160 pre- and 95 post-menopausal) were enrolled. Serum bone alkaline phosphatase (sBAP) and serum N-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) were measured to evaluate the bone formation and resorption, respectively. Bone mineral density was determined at lumbar spine (L2-L4) anteroposteriorly, femoral neck and Ward's triangle using Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) system. The comparison of years since menopause with respect to BMD and bone markers was also evaluated. Results: NTX and sBAP showed significant negative correlation with BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle in postmenopausal women. BMD of all three sides were significant variables for NTX and BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle for sBAP in postmenopausal women. BMD lumbar spine was a significant variable for sBAP in premenopausal women. The mean values of NTX increased significantly with increase in the duration of years since menopause. The BMD of all three sides decreased significantly with increase in the duration of years since menopause. Interpretation & conclusions: Serum NTX and sBAP were inversely correlated to BMD of femur neck and Ward's triangle in post-menopausal women. Simultaneous measurements of NTX and BMD in the north Indian women, suggest that bone resorption in women with low BMD remains high after menopause. PMID:23481051

DNA methyltransferase 1/3a overexpression in sporadic breast cancer is associated with reduced expression of estrogen receptor-alpha/breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 and poor prognosis.

PubMed

Yu, Zhaojin; Xiao, Qinghuan; Zhao, Lin; Ren, Jie; Bai, Xuefeng; Sun, Mingli; Wu, Huizhe; Liu, Xiaojian; Song, Zhiguo; Yan, Yuanyuan; Mi, Xiaoyi; Wang, Enhua; Jin, Feng; Wei, Minjie

2015-09-01

DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), including DNMT1, 3a, and 3b, play an important role in the progression of many malignant tumors. However, it remains unclear whether expression of DNMTs is associated with the development of breast cancer. This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of DNMT proteins in sporadic breast cancer. We investigated the expression of DNMT1, 3a, and 3b in 256 breast cancer and 36 breast fibroadenoma, using immunohistochemistry. The expression of DNMT1 and 3a was significantly higher in breast cancer than in fibroadenoma. In breast cancer, the expression of DNMT1 was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020), and the expression of DNMT3a and 3b was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stages (P = 0.046 and 0.012, respectively). Overexpression of DNMT1/3a was correlated with promoter hypermethylation and reduced expression of ERα and BRCA1. The expression levels of DNMT1 or DNMT3a were associated with a significantly shorter DFS or OS in a subgroup of breast cancer patients (patients with the age ≤50 years old, ERα-negative status, or HER2-postive status). The expression of DNMT1 or a combined expression of DNMT1 and 3a was associated with poor prognosis in patients who received chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, but not in patients who received chemotherapy alone. These findings suggest that DNMT1 and 3a may be involved in the progression and prognosis of sporadic breast cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Intracortical excitability in patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Conte, A; Lenzi, D; Frasca, V; Gilio, F; Giacomelli, E; Gabriele, M; Bettolo, C Marini; Iacovelli, E; Pantano, P; Pozzilli, C; Inghilleri, M

2009-06-01

We designed this study to investigate possible correlations between variables measuring primary motor cortex excitability detected by single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and the severity of clinical manifestations in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thirty patients with MS in remission, 16 with relapsing-remitting (RR), 14 with secondary progressive disease (SP) and 17 healthy subjects participated in the study. In each subject, the central motor conduction time (CMCT) was calculated, and single-pulse and paired-pulse TMS at 3 and 10 ms interstimulus intervals was delivered over the primary motor cortex of the dominant hemisphere to measure the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), motor threshold (MTh), intracortical inhibition (ICI) and facilitation (ICF). Correlations were determined between the patients' TMS findings and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (lesion load) and clinical features (expanded disability status scale, EDSS score). EDSS scores were significantly higher in SPMS than in RRMS patients. The MTh was significantly higher, and the MEP was significantly smaller in SPMS patients than in RRMS patients and control subjects. All patients had longer CMCTs than healthy subjects. In all patients, paired-pulse TMS elicited an inhibited test MEP at the 3-ms ISI and a facilitated test MEP at the 10 ms ISI. Post hoc analysis showed that ICI was significantly lower in SPMS patients than in those with RRMS and healthy subjects. EDSS scores correlated significantly with TMS measures (MEP, ICI, CMCT and MTh), but not with MRI lesion load. It was found that intracortical excitability as measured with TMS differs according to the clinical course of MS; it remains normal in patients with low EDSS scores and is altered in patients with high EDSS scores.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FIB-4 INDEX AND TRANSIENT ELASTOGRAPHY AMONG PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN GEORGIA.

PubMed

Dolmazashvili, E; Karchava, M; Abutidze, A; Sharvadze, L; Tsertsvadze, T

2017-03-01

Liver biopsy remains the reference standard for fibrosis staging. However, it has several limitations, which have led to the development of non-invasive methods. We evaluated liver fibrosis severity among HCV infected patients by comparing transient elastography (TE) and FIB-4 index. Retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data for 750 patients were obtained. The mean age of the study population was 51 years; 595 (79.3%) were male and 155 (20.7%) were female. TE and tests on biological samples were performed within one-week timeframe. Additional analyses of prothrombin index, albumin concentration, splenomegaly on abdominal ultrasound and esophageal varices on upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed among selected patients. Comparable results were observed among 534 patients (71.2%). FIB-4<1.45 had a negative predictive value of 89% to exclude significant fibrosis and FIB-4>3.25 had a positive predictive value of 100 % to confirm the existence of significant fibrosis. Inconclusive FIB-4 score was obtained in 170 (22.7%) patients. Of them 127 (74.7%) had significant fibrosis (F3-F4) by TE. Discordant results (FIB-4 <1.45 and Liver Stiffness Measurement (LSM) >9.5 kpa) were observed in 46 (6.1%) of patients. Low prothrombin index, low albumin concentration, splenomegaly and esophageal varices were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with TE results. Discrepancy showing high FIB-4 score and low LSM was not observed in our cohort. There was a good correlation between TE and FIB-4 score. FIB-4 could rapidly replace expensive methods to assess liver fibrosis severity in some scenarios. However, our study demonstrated superiority of TE. LSM correlated better with indirect markers of significant fibrosis.

Immune function surveillance: association with rejection, infection and cardiac allograft vasculopathy.

PubMed

Heikal, N M; Bader, F M; Martins, T B; Pavlov, I Y; Wilson, A R; Barakat, M; Stehlik, J; Kfoury, A G; Gilbert, E M; Delgado, J C; Hill, H R

2013-01-01

Rejection, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), and infection are significant causes of mortality in heart transplantation recipients. Assessing the immune status of a particular patient remains challenging. Although endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and angiography are effective for the identification of rejection and CAV, respectively, these are expensive, invasive, and may have numerous complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune function and assess its utility in predicting rejection, CAV, and infection in heart transplantation recipients. We prospectively obtained samples at the time of routine EMB and when clinically indicated for measurement of the ImmuKnow assay (IM), 12 cytokines and soluble CD30 (sCD30). EMB specimens were evaluated for acute cellular rejection, and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). CAV was diagnosed by the development of angiographic coronary artery disease. Infectious episodes occurring during the next 30 days after testing were identified by the presence of positive bacterial or fungal cultures and/or viremia that prompted treatment with antimicrobials. We collected 162 samples from 56 cardiac transplant recipients. There were 31 infection episodes, 7 AMR, and 4 CAV cases. The average IM value was significantly lower during infection, (P = .04). Soluble CD30 concentrations showed significantly positive correlation with infection episodes, (P = .001). Significant positive correlation was observed between interleukin-5(IL-5) and AMR episodes (P = .008). Tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-8 showed significant positive correlation with CAV (P = .001). Immune function monitoring appears promising in predicting rejection, CAV, and infection in cardiac transplantation recipients. This approach may help in more individualized immunosuppression and it may also minimize unnecessary EMBs and cardiac angiographies. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Significance of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist/interleukin-1 beta ratio as a prognostic factor in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Mikuniya, T; Nagai, S; Takeuchi, M; Mio, T; Hoshino, Y; Miki, H; Shigematsu, M; Hamada, K; Izumi, T

2000-01-01

Various factors such as serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) activity, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid lymphocyte percent, CD4/CD8 ratio, and shadows on chest radiograph have been identified as indexes of disease activity in patients with sarcoidosis. However, it remains to be confirmed whether these factors can predict clinical outcomes. To examine whether the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)/IL-1 beta ratio can predict the clinical course, we prospectively followed the clinical courses of 30 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis 4 years after measurement of immunoreactive amounts of IL-1ra or IL-1 beta in the culture supernatants obtained from BAL fluid macrophages. Immunoreactive amounts of IL-1ra or IL-1 beta were measured using ELISA. Changes in pulmonary function, sACE activity, and shadows on chest radiographs during observation periods were evaluated as markers of changes in disease activity. We found that the patients whose shadows on chest radiographs showed improvement had a higher molar IL-1ra/IL-1 beta ratio than the patients whose shadows persistently remained 4 years after BAL examination (p < 0.05). The molar ratio was found to be positively correlated with improvement of percent vital capacity (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the ratio of sACE activity at the time of the last observation to sACE activity at the time of BAL (sACE(LAST)/sACE(BAL), p < 0.01). The sACE(LAST)/sACE(BAL) ratio was significantly lower in patients whose shadows on chest radiographs decreased than in those whose shadows remained unchanged (p < 0.005). The IL-1ra/IL-1 beta ratio in the BAL fluid macrophage culture supernatants in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis could be a useful marker in predicting the persistence of granulomatous lesions (chronicity). Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Evidence of a Weakening Gulf Stream from In-situ Expendable Bathythermograph Data, 1996-2013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roupe, L.; Baringer, M. O.

2014-12-01

A weakening of the Gulf Stream, the upper branch of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation system, has been hypothesized to accelerate sea level rise on the east coast of the United States, caused by changes in the Gulf Stream strength and, hence, sea level difference across the current. It still remains unclear if the Gulf Stream has in fact weakened or remains stable, along with the potential role of natural long-term variability. Tide gauges along the east coast show an accelerated sea level rise from Cape Hatteras to Cape Cod that is 3-4 times higher than global sea level rise. Satellite altimetry shows a weakening gradient in Gulf Stream sea surface height that is highly correlated (r=-0.85) with east coast sea level rise, however, direct velocity measurements showed no significant decrease in Gulf Stream strength over a similar time period. We introduce another in-situ dataset to examine the issues between these conflicting results. Expendable bathythermographs (XBTs) measure temperature at depth directly, and then depth and salinity can be inferred, along with geostrophic velocity and transport. XBT data has been used to measure transport in various current systems, however, the Gulf Stream transport has not been analyzed using the newest high-density XBT data made available since 1996. The trend in sea level difference is determined to be 3.3 +/- 3.2 mm/yr, resulting in an overall decrease of 5.2 cm in sea level from 1996-2013. This result agrees with satellite altimetry results that show a significant decrease in recent years. This data also shows a changing Gulf Stream core position, based on the 15°C isotherm at 200 m, of 0.03°N/yr that is negatively correlated with surface transport (r=-0.25). Issues remain in defining the core and width of the Gulf Stream and with eliminating the possibility of natural variability in the current system.

Revisiting the association between sea surface temperature and the epidemiology of fish poisoning in the South Pacific: reassessing the link between ciguatera and climate change.

PubMed

Llewellyn, Lyndon E

2010-10-01

The most detailed dataset of ciguatera intensity is that produced by the South Pacific Epidemiological and Health Information Service (SPEHIS) of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. The SPEHIS fish poisoning database has been previously analysed yielding statistically significant correlations between the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and ciguatera case numbers in several countries raising concerns this affliction will increase as oceans warm. Mapping of the SPEHIS records and other data hints at ciguatera not only being restricted to warm waters but that the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool, a body of water that remains hot throughout much of the year, may inhibit ciguatera prevalence. A qualitative assessment of ciguatera intensity and sea surface temperature (SST) behaviour within the EEZ of selected South Pacific nations supported the notion that ciguatera intensity was highest when SST was between an upper and lower limit. Many more climate and SST indices beyond the SOI are now available, including some that measure the abovementioned phenomenon of oceanic warm pools. Statistically significant, positive and negative cross-correlations were obtained between time series of annual ciguatera case rates from the SPEHIS dataset and the Pacific Warm Pool Index and several ENSO related indices which had been lagged for up to 2 years before the ciguatera time series. This further supports the possibility that when considering the impact of climate change on ciguatera, one has to consider two thresholds, namely waters that remain warm enough for a long enough period can lead to ciguatera and that extended periods where the water remains too hot may depress ciguatera case rates. Such a model would complicate projections of the effects of climate change upon ciguatera beyond that of a simple relationship where increased SST may cause more ciguatera. Crown Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of prolonged exposure to hypobaric hypoxia on oxidative stress, inflammation and gluco-insular regulation: the not-so-sweet price for good regulation.

PubMed

Siervo, Mario; Riley, Heather L; Fernandez, Bernadette O; Leckstrom, Carl A; Martin, Daniel S; Mitchell, Kay; Levett, Denny Z H; Montgomery, Hugh E; Mythen, Monty G; Grocott, Michael P W; Feelisch, Martin

2014-01-01

The mechanisms by which low oxygen availability are associated with the development of insulin resistance remain obscure. We thus investigated the relationship between such gluco-insular derangements in response to sustained (hypobaric) hypoxemia, and changes in biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation and counter-regulatory hormone responses. After baseline testing in London (75 m), 24 subjects ascended from Kathmandu (1,300 m) to Everest Base Camp (EBC;5,300 m) over 13 days. Of these, 14 ascended higher, with 8 reaching the summit (8,848 m). Assessments were conducted at baseline, during ascent to EBC, and 1, 6 and 8 week(s) thereafter. Changes in body weight and indices of gluco-insular control were measured (glucose, insulin, C-Peptide, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) along with biomarkers of oxidative stress (4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-HNE), inflammation (Interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and counter-regulatory hormones (glucagon, adrenalin, noradrenalin). In addition, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and venous blood lactate concentrations were determined. SpO2 fell significantly from 98.0% at sea level to 82.0% on arrival at 5,300 m. Whilst glucose levels remained stable, insulin and C-Peptide concentrations increased by >200% during the last 2 weeks. Increases in fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and glucagon correlated with increases in markers of oxidative stress (4-HNE) and inflammation (IL-6). Lactate levels progressively increased during ascent and remained significantly elevated until week 8. Subjects lost on average 7.3 kg in body weight. Sustained hypoxemia is associated with insulin resistance, whose magnitude correlates with the degree of oxidative stress and inflammation. The role of 4-HNE and IL-6 as key players in modifying the association between sustained hypoxia and insulin resistance merits further investigation.

Spontaneous recovery of locomotion induced by remaining fibers after spinal cord transection in adult rats.

PubMed

You, Si-Wei; Chen, Bing-Yao; Liu, Hui-Ling; Lang, Bing; Xia, Jie-Lai; Jiao, Xi-Ying; Ju, Gong

2003-01-01

A major issue in analysis of experimental results after spinal cord injury is spontaneous functional recovery induced by remaining nerve fibers. The authors investigated the relationship between the degree of locomotor recovery and the percentage and location of the fibers that spared spinal cord transection. The spinal cords of 12 adult rats were transected at T9 with a razor blade, which often resulted in sparing of nerve fibers in the ventral spinal cord. The incompletely-transected animals were used to study the degree of spontaneous recovery of hindlimb locomotion, evaluated with the BBB rating scale, in correlation to the extent and location of the remaining fibers. Incomplete transection was found in the ventral spinal cord in 42% of the animals. The degree of locomotor recovery was highly correlated with the percentage of the remaining fibers in the ventral and ventrolateral funiculi. In one of the rats, 4.82% of remaining fibers in unilateral ventrolateral funiculus were able to sustain a certain recovery of locomotion. Less than 5% of remaining ventrolateral white matter is sufficient for an unequivocal motor recovery after incomplete spinal cord injury. Therefore, for studies with spinal cord transection, the completeness of sectioning should be carefully checked before any conclusion can be reached. The fact that the degree of locomotor recovery is correlated with the percentage of remaining fibers in the ventrolateral spinal cord, exclusive of most of the descending motor tracts, may imply an essential role of propriospinal connections in the initiation of spontaneous locomotor recovery.

Spatial Correlations in Natural Scenes Modulate Response Reliability in Mouse Visual Cortex

PubMed Central

Rikhye, Rajeev V.

2015-01-01

Intrinsic neuronal variability significantly limits information encoding in the primary visual cortex (V1). Certain stimuli can suppress this intertrial variability to increase the reliability of neuronal responses. In particular, responses to natural scenes, which have broadband spatiotemporal statistics, are more reliable than responses to stimuli such as gratings. However, very little is known about which stimulus statistics modulate reliable coding and how this occurs at the neural ensemble level. Here, we sought to elucidate the role that spatial correlations in natural scenes play in reliable coding. We developed a novel noise-masking method to systematically alter spatial correlations in natural movies, without altering their edge structure. Using high-speed two-photon calcium imaging in vivo, we found that responses in mouse V1 were much less reliable at both the single neuron and population level when spatial correlations were removed from the image. This change in reliability was due to a reorganization of between-neuron correlations. Strongly correlated neurons formed ensembles that reliably and accurately encoded visual stimuli, whereas reducing spatial correlations reduced the activation of these ensembles, leading to an unreliable code. Together with an ensemble-specific normalization model, these results suggest that the coordinated activation of specific subsets of neurons underlies the reliable coding of natural scenes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The natural environment is rich with information. To process this information with high fidelity, V1 neurons have to be robust to noise and, consequentially, must generate responses that are reliable from trial to trial. While several studies have hinted that both stimulus attributes and population coding may reduce noise, the details remain unclear. Specifically, what features of natural scenes are important and how do they modulate reliability? This study is the first to investigate the role of spatial correlations, which are a fundamental attribute of natural scenes, in shaping stimulus coding by V1 neurons. Our results provide new insights into how stimulus spatial correlations reorganize the correlated activation of specific ensembles of neurons to ensure accurate information processing in V1. PMID:26511254

Higher BNP levels within physiological range correlate with beneficial nonfasting lipid profiles in the elderly: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

He, Wen-Tao; Mori, Masayuki; Yu, Xue-Feng; Kanda, Tsugiyasu

2016-01-05

Emerging studies indicate that B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), a well-known biomarker for heart failure, also plays pivotal roles in metabolic control. Circulating BNP levels progressively increase as ages grow older. However, the association between BNP levels and lipid metabolism in the elderly remains unknown. A total of 680 eligible volunteers (male/female: 334/346) aged between 60 and 80 years old without overt heart failure (BNP <100 pg/ml) were enrolled. Random nonfasting venous samples were obtained for biochemical analysis. The subjects were stratified based on BNP quartiles: BNP Q1 (range: 2.2-9.0 pg/ml), Q2 (9.1-20.4 pg/ml), Q3 (20.5-44.4 pg/ml) and Q4 (44.6-99.7 pg/ml). Difference of metabolic parameters was compared among the subjects grouped by BNP quartiles. Univariate correlation and multiple linear regression were performed to analyze the association between BNP levels and metabolic parameters. The odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for dyslipidemia in subjects within BNP Q1-3 relative to subjects within BNP Q4 were calculated. Circulating BNP levels positively correlated with age, while negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), eGFR and non-HDL. Subjects with lower BNP quartiles had significantly elevated prevalence of dyslipidemia, including hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-LDL-emia and hypercholesterolemia. The OR of hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia for subjects within BNP Q1-2 significantly increased relative to BNP Q4. The elderly people with higher BNP levels have significantly reduced risks for nonfasting dyslipidemia. Verification of the cause-effect relationship between BNP and dyslipidemia may bring therapeutic implications.

Factors of caregiver burden and family functioning among Taiwanese family caregivers living with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Hsiao, Chiu-Yueh; Tsai, Yun-Fang

2015-06-01

To assess the degree of caregiver burden and family functioning among Taiwanese primary family caregivers of people with schizophrenia and to test its association with demographic characteristics, family demands, sense of coherence and family hardiness. Family caregiving is a great concern in mental illness. Yet, the correlates of caregiver burden and family functioning in primary family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia still remain unclear. A cross-sectional descriptive study. A convenience sample of 137 primary family caregivers was recruited from two psychiatric outpatient clinics in Taiwan. Measures included a demographic information sheet and the Chinese versions of the Family Stressors Index, Family Strains Index, 13-item Sense of Coherence Scale, 18-item Caregiver Burden Scale, Family Hardiness Index and Family Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve Index. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficients, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and a stepwise multiple linear regression. Female caregivers, additional dependent relatives, increased family demands and decreased sense of coherence significantly increased caregiver burden, whereas siblings as caregivers reported lower degrees of burden than parental caregivers. Family caregivers with lower family demands, increased family hardiness and higher educational level had significantly enhanced family functioning. Sense of coherence was significantly correlated with family hardiness. Our findings highlighted the importance of sense of coherence and family hardiness in individual and family adaptation. Special attention needs to focus on therapeutic interventions that enhance sense of coherence and family hardiness, thereby improving the perception of burden of care and family functioning. Given the nature of family caregiving in schizophrenia, understanding of correlates of caregiver burden and family functioning would help provide useful avenues for the development of family-focused intervention in psychiatric mental health nursing practice. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Correlation of BK Virus Neutralizing Serostatus With the Incidence of BK Viremia in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

PubMed

Abend, Johanna R; Changala, Marguerite; Sathe, Atul; Casey, Fergal; Kistler, Amy; Chandran, Sindhu; Howard, Abigail; Wojciechowski, David

2017-06-01

BK virus (BKV)-associated nephropathy is the second leading cause of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients. Due to the high prevalence of persistent infection with BKV in the general population, it is possible that either the transplant recipient or donor may act as the source of virus resulting in viruria and viremia. Although several studies suggest a correlation between donor-recipient serostatus and the development of BK viremia, specific risk factors for BKV-related complications in the transplant setting remain to be established. We retrospectively determined the pretransplant BKV neutralizing serostatus of 116 donors (D)-recipient (R) pairs using infectious BKV neutralization assays with representatives from the 4 major viral serotypes. The neutralizing serostatus of donors and recipients was then correlated with the incidence of BK viremia during the first year posttransplantation. There were no significant differences in baseline demographics or transplant data among the 4 neutralizing serostatus groups, with the exception of calculated panel-reactive antibody which was lowest in the D+/R- group. Recipients of kidneys from donors with significant serum neutralizing activity (D+) had elevated risk for BK viremia, regardless of recipient serostatus (D+ versus D-: odd ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.9-12.7]; P = 0.0008). Furthermore, donor-recipient pairs with D+/R- neutralizing serostatus had the greatest risk for BK viremia (odds ratio, 4.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-14.6; P = 0.004). Donor neutralizing serostatus correlates significantly with incidence of posttransplant BK viremia. Determination of donor-recipient neutralizing serostatus may be useful in assessing the risk of BKV infection in kidney transplant recipients.

Longitudinal changes in corneal curvature and its relationship to axial length in the Correction of Myopia Evaluation Trial (COMET) cohort.

PubMed

Scheiman, Mitchell; Gwiazda, Jane; Zhang, Qinghua; Deng, Li; Fern, Karen; Manny, Ruth E; Weissberg, Erik; Hyman, Leslie

2016-01-01

To describe longitudinal changes in corneal curvature (CC) and axial length (AL) over 14 years, and to explore the relationship between AL and CC, and the axial length/corneal radius (AL/CR) ratio. In total 469, 6 to <12-year-old, children were enrolled in COMET. Measurements of refractive error, CC (D), CR (mm), and ocular component dimensions including AL were gathered annually. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes adjusting for covariates (gender, ethnicity, lens type, baseline age and baseline refraction). The Pearson correlation coefficient between AL and CC was computed at each visit. There was a slight but significant (p<0.0001) flattening in CC over 14 years. At all visits females had significantly steeper CC than males (overall difference=0.53 D, p<0.0001). Caucasians had the steepest CC, and Hispanics the flattest (p=0.001). The correlation between AL and CC was -0.70 (p<0.0001) at baseline (mean age=9.3 years) and decreased to -0.53 (p<0.0001) at the 14-year visit (mean age=24.1 years). The average AL/CR ratio was 3.15 at baseline and increased to 3.31 at the 14-year visit. The correlation between the magnitude of myopia and AL/CR ratio was significantly higher (p<0.0001) at each visit than the correlation between myopia and AL alone. Differences in average corneal curvature by age, gender, and ethnicity observed in early childhood remain consistent as myopia progresses and stabilizes. This study also demonstrates increases in the AL/CR ratio as myopia progresses and then stabilizes, supporting observations from previous cross-sectional data. Copyright © 2015 Spanish General Council of Optometry. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Insecticide resistance monitoring and correlation analysis of insecticides in field populations of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens (stål) in China 2012-2014.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaolei; Liao, Xun; Mao, Kaikai; Zhang, Kaixiong; Wan, Hu; Li, Jianhong

2016-09-01

The brown planthopper is a serious rice pest in China. Chemical insecticides have been considered a satisfactory means of controlling the brown planthopper. In the present study, we determined the susceptibility of twenty-one populations of Nilaparvata lugens to eleven insecticides by a rice-stem dipping method from 2012 to 2014 in eight provinces of China. These field-collected populations of N. lugens had developed high levels of resistance to imidacloprid (resistant ratio, RR=233.3-2029-fold) and buprofezin (RR=147.0-1222). Furthermore, N. lugens showed moderate to high levels of resistance to thiamethoxam (RR=25.9-159.2) and low to moderate levels of resistance to dinotefuran (RR=6.4-29.1), clothianidin (RR=6.1-33.6), ethiprole (RR=11.5-71.8), isoprocarb (RR=17.1-70.2), and chlorpyrifos (RR=7.4-30.7). In contrast, the susceptibility of N. lugens to etofenprox (RR=1.1-4.9), thiacloprid (RR=2.9-8.2) and acetamiprid (RR=2.7-26.2) remained susceptible to moderate levels of resistance. Significant correlations were detected between the LC50 values of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, buprofezin, and etofenprox, as well as between clothianidin and thiamethoxam, dinotefuran, ethiprole, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid. Similarly, significant correlations were observed between chlorpyrifos and etofenprox, acetamiprid and thiacloprid. Additionally, the activity of the detoxification enzymes of N. lugens showed a significant correlation with the log LC50 values of imidacloprid, dinotefuran and ethiprole. These results will be beneficial for effective insecticide resistance management strategies to prevent or delay the development of insecticide resistance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical implications of six inflammatory biomarkers as prognostic indicators in Ewing sarcoma

PubMed Central

Li, Yong-Jiang; Yang, Xi; Zhang, Wen-Biao; Yi, Cheng; Wang, Feng; Li, Ping

2017-01-01

Cancer-related systemic inflammation responses have been correlated with cancer development and progression. The prognostic significance of several inflammatory indicators, including neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/Alb ratio), lymphocyte–monocyte ratio (LMR), and neutrophil–platelet score (NPS), were found to be correlated with prognosis in several cancers. However, the prognostic role of these inflammatory biomarkers in Ewing sarcoma has not been evaluated. This study enrolled 122 Ewing patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was generated to determine optimal cutoff values; areas under the curves (AUCs) were assessed to show the discriminatory ability of the biomarkers; Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to plot the survival curves; and Cox multivariate survival analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors. The optimal cutoff values of CRP/Alb ratio, NLR, PLR, and LMR were 0.225, 2.38, 131, and 4.41, respectively. CRP/Alb ratio had a significantly larger AUC than NLR, PLR, LMR, and NPS. Higher levels of CRP/Alb ratio (hazard ratio [HR] 2.41, P=0.005), GPS (HR 2.27, P=0.006), NLR (HR 2.07, P=0.013), and PLR (HR 1.85, P=0.032) were significantly correlated with poor prognosis. As the biomarkers had internal correlations, only the CRP/Alb ratio was involved in the multivariate Cox analysis and remained an independent prognostic indicator. The study demonstrated that CRP/Alb ratio, GPS, and NLR were effective prognostic indicators for patients with Ewing sarcoma, and the CRP/Alb ratio was the most robust prognostic indicator with a discriminatory ability superior to that of the other indicators; however, PLR, LMR, and NPS may not be suitable as prognostic indicators in Ewing sarcoma. PMID:29033609

Correlation between high blood IL-6 level, hyperglycemia, and glucose control in septic patients.

PubMed

Nakamura, Masataka; Oda, Shigeto; Sadahiro, Tomohito; Watanabe, Eizo; Abe, Ryuzo; Nakada, Taka-Aki; Morita, Yasumasa; Hirasawa, Hiroyuki

2012-12-12

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the blood IL-6 level, the blood glucose level, and glucose control in septic patients. This retrospective observational study in a general ICU of a university hospital included a total of 153 patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, or septic shock who were admitted to the ICU between 2005 and 2010, stayed in the ICU for 7 days or longer, and did not receive steroid therapy prior to or after ICU admission. The severity of stress hyperglycemia, status of glucose control, and correlation between those two factors in these patients were investigated using the blood IL-6 level as an index of hypercytokinemia. A significant positive correlation between blood IL-6 level and blood glucose level on ICU admission was observed in the overall study population (n = 153; r = 0.24, P = 0.01), and was stronger in the nondiabetic subgroup (n = 112; r = 0.42, P < 0.01). The rate of successful glucose control (blood glucose level < 150 mg/dl maintained for 6 days or longer) decreased with increase in blood IL-6 level on ICU admission (P < 0.01). The blood IL-6 level after ICU admission remained significantly higher and the 60-day survival rate was significantly lower in the failed glucose control group than in the successful glucose control group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively). High blood IL-6 level was correlated with hyperglycemia and with difficulties in glucose control in septic patients. These results suggest the possibility that hypercytokinemia might be involved in the development of hyperglycemia in sepsis, and thereby might affect the success of glucose control.