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Stronger Association (stronger + association)
Selected AbstractsEXECUTING THE INNOCENT AND SUPPORT FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICYCRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY, Issue 1 2005JAMES D. UNNEVER Research Summary: The issue of whether innocent people have been executed is now at the center of the debate concerning the legitimacy of capital punishment. The purpose of this research was to use data collected by the Gallup Organization in 2003 to investigate whether Americans who believed that an innocent person had been executed were less likely to support capital punishment. We also explored whether the association varied by race, given that African Americans are disproportionately affected by the death penalty. Our results indicated that three-quarters of Americans believed that an innocent person had been executed for a crime they did not commit within the last five years and that this belief was associated with lower levels of support for capital punishment, especially among those who thought this sanction was applied unfairly. In addition, our analyses revealed that believing an innocent person had been executed had a stronger association with altering African American than white support for the death penalty. Policy Implications: A key claim of death penalty advocates is that a high proportion of the public supports capital punishment. In this context, scholars opposing this sanction have understood the importance of showing that the public's support for executing offenders is contingent and shallower than portrayed by typical opinion polls. The current research joins this effort by arguing that the prospect of executing innocents potentially impacts public support for the death penalty and, in the least, creates ideological space for a reconsideration of the legitimacy of capital punishment. [source] The Pocket Echocardiograph: Validation and FeasibilityECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2010Benjamin C. Culp M.D. Background: A new, miniaturized ultrasound device, the pocket echocardiograph (PE), is highly portable and can be carried inside a lab-coat pocket. Studies of this device are limited and have not examined the use by novice echocardiographers. We hypothesize that a novice echocardiographer can use PE to produce interpretable cardiac images, and that both novice and expert echocardiographers can use PE to accurately quantify ejection fraction. Methods: Unselected subjects (n = 40) in an echocardiography laboratory underwent blinded formal transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and PE (Acuson P10, Siemens, Mountain View, CA, USA). A cardiology fellow with 2 months of echocardiography training acquired PE images. The fellow and an experienced echocardiographer interpreted the PE studies offline in a blinded fashion. To assess adequacy, studies were graded as technically adequate, limited, or inadequate. A visual estimation of ejection fraction was made. Comparisons were made to the formal reported TTE. Results: Subjects were heterogeneous, 43% male; age 64 ± 17 years, and ejection fraction 52.4%± 12.3%. All PE studies were interpretable, and the vast majority of PE and TTE images were considered technically adequate (77.5% and 85% respectively; P = 0.32). Ejection fraction showed a good correlation, bias, and limits of agreement for the fellow's interpretation (r = 0.78, ,5.9%, ±16.6%) with stronger association for the experienced echocardiographer (r = 0.88, ,0.8%, ±11.4%). Conclusion: Novice echocardiographers using the PE can produce adequate quality images. Both expert and novice echocardiographers can use PE to quantify ejection fraction over a broad range of patients. The device's low cost and portability may greatly expand the availability of bedside echocardiography for routine or urgent cardiovascular assessment. (Echocardiography 2010;27:759-764) [source] A comparative analysis of the habitat of the extinct aurochs and other prehistoric mammals in BritainECOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2008Stephen J. G. Hall The present study tests the hypothesis that the habitat of the globally extinct aurochs Bos primigenius was primarily riverine flat-lands. Landscape features in Britain were analyzed for sites with Late Pleistocene and postglacial finds of aurochs (n=188), and, for comparison, wolf (101), brown bear (96), red deer (73), beaver (68), roe deer (46) and moose (23). Find sites were defined as Ordnance Survey 1 km map squares containing 1 or more finds. For each, spot height above sea level, heights of contour lines, flatness of terrain, total length of watercourses, and presence of woods, rock and water features were noted. Comparisons of find sites among species (Kruskal-Wallis test) show significant differences that accord with knowledge of present-day habitat preferences at the landscape level. Considering the species separately each find site was then compared with a randomly selected control map square within 10 km. Compared with their respective control squares, find sites of beaver have, today, a stronger association with presence of lakes; those of brown bear and wolf with presence of cliffs and rock outcrops; and those of aurochs with absence of woodland and with lower elevation and greater flatness. The concordance of these findings with the present-day habitats of the extant species suggests valid inferences can be made about the habitat preference of the extinct aurochs. On this basis the aurochs appears, as hypothesized, to have selected low-lying, flat ground, which (indicated by its present-day use for purposes other than woodland) was relatively fertile. [source] Opposing clines for high and low temperature resistance in Drosophila melanogasterECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2002Ary A. Hoffmann Abstract In insects, species comparisons suggest a weak association between upper thermal limits and latitude in contrast to a stronger association for lower limits. To compare this to latitudinal patterns of thermal responses within species, we considered latitudinal variation in heat and cold resistance in Drosophila melanogaster. We found opposing clines in resistance to these temperature extremes in comparisons of 17,24 populations from coastal eastern Australia. Knockdown time following heat shock increased towards the tropics, whereas recovery time following cold shock decreased towards temperate latitudes. Mortality following cold shock also showed a clinal pattern. Clinal associations with latitude were linear and related to minimum temperatures in the coldest month (for cold resistance) and maximum temperatures in the warmest month (for heat resistance). This suggests that within species both high and low temperature responses can vary with latitude as a consequence of direct or indirect effects of selection. [source] GENETIC STUDY: Interaction of SLC6A4 and DRD2 polymorphisms is associated with a history of delirium tremensADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Victor M. Karpyak ABSTRACT Several genetic polymorphisms have been reported to be associated with alcohol withdrawal seizures (AWS) and delirium tremens (DT). To replicate and further explore these findings, we investigated the effects of 12 previously reported candidate genetic variations in two groups of alcohol-dependent European Americans with a history of withdrawal, which differed according to the presence (n = 112) or absence (n = 92) of AWS and/or DT. Associations of AWS and/or DT with the genomic and clinical characteristics and gene,gene interaction effects were investigated using logistic regression models. None of the polymorphisms were significantly associated with AWS/DT after correction for multiple testing. However, we found a significant interaction effect of the SLC6A4 promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and DRD2 exon 8 single nucleotide polymorphism rs6276 on AWS and/or DT history (P = 0.009), which became more significant after adjustment for lifetime maximum number of drinks consumed per 24 hours (P < 0.001). Subsequent analysis revealed an even stronger association of the SLC6A4,DRD2 interaction with DT (P < 0.0001), which remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Results reveal decreased likelihood of DT in alcoholics that carry the DRD2 rs6276 G allele and SLC6A4 LL genotype. This study provides the first evidence to implicate the interaction between serotonin and dopamine neurotransmission in the etiology of DT. Replication is necessary to verify this potentially important finding. [source] Italian validation of INQoL, a quality of life questionnaire for adults with muscle diseasesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2010V. A. Sansone Background and purpose:, A quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for neuromuscular diseases was recently constructed and validated in the United Kingdom in a sample of adult patients with a variety of muscle disorders. Preliminary results suggested it could be a more relevant and practical measure of QoL in muscle diseases than generic health measures of QoL. The purpose of our work was: (i) To validate INQoL in Italy on a larger sample of adult patients with muscle diseases (ii) to compare INQoL to SF-36. Methods:, We have translated into Italian and applied language adaptations to the original UK INQoL version. We studied 1092 patients with different muscle disorders and performed (i) test,retest reliability (n = 80); (ii) psychometric (n = 345), known-group (n = 1092), external criterion (n = 70), and concurrent validity with SF-36 (n = 183). Results:, We have translated and formally validated the Italian version of INQoL confirming and extending results obtained in the United Kingdom. In addition to good results in terms of reliability, known-group and criterion validity, a comparison with the SF-36 scales showed a stronger association between INQoL total index and SF-36 physical (r = ,0.72) than mental (r = ,0.38) summary health indexes. When considering comparable domains of INQoL and SF-36 with respect to an objective measure of muscle strength assessment (MMRC), regression analysis showed a stronger correlation using INQoL rather than SF-36 scores. Conclusions:, INQoL is recommended to assess QoL in muscle diseases because of its ability to capture physical limitations that are specifically relevant to the muscle condition. [source] The impact of exchange programs on the integration of the hostgroup into the self-conceptEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Kai Sassenberg Two studies analyzed the impact of international exchange programs on students' identity development. More precisely, the authors predict that exchange students integrate the host society (hostgroup) into their self-concept during an exchange year. Study 1 found a stronger social identification with the hostgroup and higher commitment for former exchange students than for future exchange students. Study 2 replicated the difference between former and future exchange students and found in addition that both former and future exchange students had a stronger identification and commitment in comparison to a control group that did neither take part in nor apply for an exchange program. Moreover, in this study the inclusion of the hostgroup into the self-concept was assessed via a response time paradigm. The results indicate that former and future exchange students have a stronger association between the self and the hostgroup than the control sample, but no difference between former and future exchange students was found. The results provide evidence for the impact of interest in and actual intensive intergroup contact on students' self-concept. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Relationship Quality and Changes in Depressive Symptoms Among Urban, Married African Americans, Hispanics, and WhitesFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 3 2009Jay Fagan Bivariate analyses showed that continuously married urban African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic fathers and mothers reporting greater marital support and less relational control experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms. Multiple regression showed a stronger association between concurrent marital support and decreased depressive symptoms for mothers than fathers. African American and Hispanic fathers reporting higher levels of spousal relationship support when children were infants reported a larger decrease in depressive symptoms when children were age 3 compared to non-Hispanic Whites. Relationship control at age 3 was positively related to increased depressive symptoms among all groups except African American fathers and White mothers. African American and Hispanic fathers with marital problems may need additional support services. [source] Genetic association with rheumatoid arthritis,Genetic Analysis Workshop 15: summary of contributions from Group 2GENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue S1 2007Marsha A. Wilcox Abstract The papers in presentation group 2 of Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 (GAW15) conducted association analyses of rheumatoid arthritis data. The analyses were carried out primarily in the data provided by the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC). One group conducted analyses in the data provided by the Canadian Rheumatoid Arthritis Genetics Study (CRAGS). Analysis strategies included genome-wide scans, the examination of candidate genes, and investigations of a region of interest on chromosome 18q21. Most authors employed relatively new methods, proposed extensions of existing methods, or introduced completely novel methods for aspects of association analysis. There were several common observations; a group of papers using a variety of methods found stronger association, on chromosomes 6 and 18 and in candidate gene PTPN22 among women with early onset. Generally, models that considered haplotypes or multiple markers showed stronger evidence for association than did single marker analyses. Genet. Epidemiol. 31 (Suppl. 1):S12,S21, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Negative emotionality, attachment quality, and behavior problems in early childhoodINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2007Ursula Pauli-Pott Negative emotionality, as well as attachment security and disorganization, are seen as major contributors to social adjustment and maladjustment in childhood. However, relatively little is known about whether infant negative emotionality and attachment quality operate together to affect developing behavior problems. The present study thus aims to contribute to this question. Participants were 64 healthy firstborn children and their primary caregivers. Negative emotionality was assessed at the infant ages of 4, 8, and 12 months using laboratory routines. At 18 months, the Strange Situation procedure was conducted to assess infant attachment security and disorganization, and at 30 months, the child's behavior problems were assessed within a structured clinical interview. Attachment security and attachment disorganization were significantly associated with subsequent behavior problems. There was no significant relation between infant negative emotionality and behavior problems. However, there were indications of a stronger association between attachment disorganization and behavior problems in infants high in negative emotionality. The results underpin the importance of attachment quality as well as negative emotionality in social adjustment. Disorganized attachment precedes poor adjustment, especially in infants high in negative emotionality. [source] Lifetime and baseline alcohol intake and risk of cancer of the upper aero-digestive tract in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 2 2009Cornelia Weikert Abstract Recent alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aero-digestive tract. In contrast, the role of lifetime exposure to alcohol with regard to risk of SCC is not well established. Historical data on alcohol use are available in 271,253 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). During 2,330,381 person years, 392 incident SCC cases (279 men and 113 women) were identified. Cox regression was applied to model sex-specific associations between lifetime alcohol intake and SCC risk adjusting for potential confounders including smoking. Compared to men who drank 0.1,6.0 g/day alcohol at lifetime, the relative risks (RR) for developing SCC were significantly increased for men who drank 30.1,60.0 g/day (RR 1.65, 95% confidence interval:1.00,2.71), 60.1,96.0 g/day (RR 2.20, 95%CI 1.23,3.95), and >96.0 g/day, (RR 4.63, 95% CI 2.52,8.48), and for former drinkers (RR 4.14, 95%CI 2.38,7.19). These risk estimates did not considerably change when baseline alcohol intake was analyzed. Compared to women who drank 0.1,6.0 g/day alcohol intake at lifetime, the RR were significantly increased for women who drank >30 g/d (RR 6.05, 95%CI 2.98,12.3). Applying similar categories, the relative risk for baseline alcohol intake was 3.26 (95%CI 1.82,5.87). We observed a stronger association between alcohol intake at lifetime and risk of SCC in women compared to men (p for interaction = 0.045). The strong dose-response relation for lifetime alcohol use underscores that alcohol is an important risk factor of SCC of the upper aero-digestive tract throughout life. © 2009 UICC [source] Distinct expression patterns of the immunogenic differentiation antigen NY-BR-1 in normal breast, testis and their malignant counterpartsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2008Jean-Philippe Theurillat Abstract NY-BR-1 is a differentiation antigen and a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Its mRNA expression is restricted to breast, testis, prostate and breast cancer by RT-PCR. In this study, we correlated NY-BR-1 protein and mRNA expression on tissue microarrays of mammary, prostatic and testicular malignancies using immunohistochemisty and in situ hybridization with probes for exon 4,7 and 30,33. NY-BR-1 mRNA was confined to primary spermatocytes, suggesting a role in spermatogenesis. Exon 4,7 and 30,33 were equally expressed this cell type. However, NY-BR-1 was absent in all germ cell tumours analyzed (n = 475) and present in one of 56 (2%) prostate carcinomas. In breast, NY-BR-1 mRNA expression was detected in 307 of 442 (70%) primary carcinomas, with strong correlation to its protein expression (p < 0.0001). mRNA expression was significantly stronger and more frequently detected by the exon 30,33 probe than by the exon 4,7 probe (70% vs. 35%, p < 0.0001), indicating the presence of alternative splice variants that lack 5-prime sequences. A similar restricted mRNA pattern was also observed in the normal breast epithelium. NY-BR-1 protein and mRNA correlated significantly with estrogen receptor , (ER,) protein expression (p < 0.0001), with stronger association to NY-BR-1 mRNA than protein (odds ratio 7.7 compared to 4.6). We identified 4 estrogen response elements (ERE)-like sequences nearby the promoter region, suggesting that NY-BR-1 transcription might be controlled by ER,. Accordingly, analysis of matching pairs of primary tumors with their recurrences showed a marked decrease of NY-BR-1 expression in recurrences after tamoxifen treatment (p < 0.0001). © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Factors associated with antisocial behavior in combat veterans,AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR, Issue 5 2010Stephanie Booth-Kewley Abstract The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with antisocial behavior in 1,543 Marines who deployed to combat zones in support of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan during 2002,2007. Five factors were associated with antisocial behavior in multivariate analyses: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, deployment-related stressors, combat exposure, younger age, and being divorced. PTSD symptoms had a stronger association with antisocial behavior than any other variable. A unique and important finding of this study was the association between deployment-related stressors and a higher incidence of antisocial behavior. Because deployment-related stressors are potentially modifiable, the military may be able to address them in concrete ways such as by shortening deployments and improving communication with home. Aggr. Behav. 36:330,337, 2010. Published 2010 by Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Willingness to pay for a hearing aid: comparing the payment scale and open-ended questionJOURNAL OF EVALUATION IN CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009Janneke P. C. Grutters MSc Abstract Rationale & objectives, Different question formats elicit different willingness-to-pay (WTP) results, but there is no consensus on which method elicits the most valid WTP. In spite of the methodological controversies, WTP is a potentially valuable tool in health economics to value health services. Our general objective was to provide additional evidence on the validity of two WTP elicitation formats: the open-ended question and the payment scale. Methods, We elicited WTP for a hearing aid among hearing aid users (n = 108), using both a payment scale and an open-ended question. We compared the results from both formats. We tested criterion validity by comparing both formats with the actual out-of-pocket payment. Construct validity was tested by examining whether WTP was consistent with positive income elasticity. Results, The WTP results elicited with the payment scale and open-ended question were not statistically significantly different. Both formats showed good criterion validity, although the open-ended question showed a stronger association with the actual out-of-pocket payment. The open-ended format showed better construct validity, as it was influenced by family income. Conclusion, The results of the present study showed that the open-ended question was more valid than the payment scale question. We, therefore, recommend that in future WTP studies on hearing aids the open-ended question is used to directly elicit WTP values. The same recommendation may apply to other studies where respondents are familiar with costs or payments for the intervention under evaluation. [source] Relating Descriptive Sensory Analysis to Gas Chromatography/Olfactometry Ratings of Fresh Strawberries Using Partial Least Squares RegressionJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2004K.F. Schulbach ABSTRACT: Sensory properties of 5 strawberry varieties were related to gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/ O) analysis using partial least squares regression (PLS). The sour and green sensory aspects were strongly associated with titratable acidity, hexanal, and E-2 hexenal. The caramel/sweet character was differentiated from the strawberry/fruity character by its stronger association with Furaneol, which had a high score in the 2nd PLS dimension. The sensory scores for peach and the GC/O ratings for the peach-like lactones were also associated. The fruity sensory scores and the floral sensory scores were not well correlated with compounds having fruity or floral character. This lack of relationship could partially be explained by covariance among the sensory ratings for the samples. [source] The association of psychosocial factors and smoking with periodontal health in a community populationJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2010L.-J. Chiou Chiou L-J, Yang Y-H, Hung H-C, Tsai C-C, Shieh T-Y, Wu Y-M, Wang W-C, Hsu T-C. The association of psychosocial factors and smoking with periodontal health in a community population. J Periodont Res 2009; doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2008.01194.x. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective:, The association between psychosocial factors and periodontal disease has been widely reported and might be modified by smoking status. This study investigated the association of periodontal status with psychosocial factors and smoking in a community population. Material and Methods:, A structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 1764 civilian noninstitutional (general population excluding from nursing homes, sanitariums and hospitals) Taiwanese individuals to assess the presence and severity of psychosocial factors [using the 12-item Chinese health questionnaire (CHQ-12)], smoking habits and other related factors. Periodontal status was established using the community periodontal index and by measuring clinical loss of attachment. Results:, Psychological factors and smoking were significantly associated with loss of attachment (odds ratio = 1.69, 95% confidence interval = 1.01,2.77, comparing the CHQ-12 score of , 6 with the CHQ-12 score of 0,2 and p = 0.032 for linear trend; odds ratio = 2.21, 95% confidence interval = 1.45,3.37, comparing smokers with nonsmokers) but not with community periodontal index. The association was found to be stronger among smokers than among nonsmokers. Smokers with a CHQ-12 score of , 6 had a higher odds ratio of loss of attachment (odds ratio = 2.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.91,6.49) than nonsmokers (odds ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval = 0.76,2.58). For periodontal health measured using the community periodontal index, married and divorced/widowed subjects tended to have poorer periodontal health (odds ratio = 3.38, 95% confidence interval = 1.26,10.81 and odds ratio = 3.83, 95% confidence interval = 1.21,13.83, respectively) than single subjects among nonsmokers but not among smokers. Conclusion:, Poor mental health had a stronger association with periodontal disease among smokers than among nonsmokers, especially in accumulative attachment loss. Our findings suggest that mental health and smoking might have a synergistic effect on the risk of developing periodontal disease. [source] MAOA Interacts With the ALDH2 Gene in Anxiety,Depression Alcohol DependenceALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2010Sheng-Yu Lee Background:, Alcohol dependence is usually comorbid with anxiety disorder, depressive disorder, or both; this comorbidity may increase drinking behavior. We previously hypothesized that anxiety,depressive alcohol dependence (ANX/DEP ALC) was a genetically specific subtype of alcohol dependence. ANX/DEP ALC may be related to dopamine and serotonin, which are catalyzed by monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). The aim of this study was to determine whether the interaction between the MAOA and the ALDH2 genes is associated with ANX/DEP ALC. Methods:, We recruited 383 Han Chinese men in Taiwan: 143 ANX/DEP ALC and 240 healthy controls. The diagnosis of ANX/DEP ALC (alcohol dependence with a past or current history of anxiety, depressive disorder, or both) was made using DSM-IV criteria. Genotypes of ALDH2 and MAOA-uVNTR (variable number of tandem repeat located upstream) were determined using PCR-RFLP. Results:, The ALDH2, but not the MAOA-uVNTR, polymorphism was associated with ANX/DEP ALC. After stratifying the MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism, we found a stronger association between the ALDH2*1/*2 and *2/*2 genotypes and the controls in the MAOA-uVNTR 4-repeat subgroup. Logistic regression significantly associated the interaction between ALDH2 and MAOA variants with ANX/DEP ALC. Conclusion:, We conclude that the MAOA and ALDH2 genes interact in ANX/DEP ALC. Although the MAOA gene alone is not associated with ANX/DEP ALC, we hypothesize that different variants of MAOA-uVNTR polymorphisms modify the protective effects of the ALDH2*2 allele on ANX/DEP ALC in Han Chinese in Taiwan. [source] Standard setting in an objective structured clinical examination: use of global ratings of borderline performance to determine the passing scoreMEDICAL EDUCATION, Issue 11 2001Tim J Wilkinson Background Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) standard-setting procedures are not well developed and are often time-consuming and complex. We report an evaluation of a simple ,contrasting groups' method, applied to an OSCE conducted simultaneously in three separate schools. Subjects Medical students undertaking an end-of-fifth year multidisciplinary OSCE. Methods Using structured marking sheets, pairs of examiners independently scored student performance at each OSCE station. Examiners also provided a global rating of overall performance. The actual scores of any borderline candidates at each station were averaged to provide a passing score for each station. The passing scores for all stations were combined to become the passing score for the whole exam. Validity was determined by making comparisons with performance on other fifth-year assessments. Reliability measures comprised interschool agreement, interexaminer agreement and interstation variability. Results The approach was simple and had face validity. There was a stronger association between the performance of borderline candidates on the OSCE and their in-course assessments than with their performance on the written exam, giving a weak measure of construct validity in the absence of a better ,gold standard'. There was good agreement between examiners in identifying borderline candidates. There were significant differences between schools in the borderline score for some stations, which disappeared when more than three stations were aggregated. Conclusion This practical method provided a valid and reliable competence-based pass mark. Combining marks from all stations before determining the pass mark was more reliable than making decisions based on individual stations. [source] Relationship between eye symptoms and blepharospasm: A multicenter case,control studyMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 12 2005Davide Martino MD Abstract Although patients with primary blepharospasm (BSP) commonly report experiencing ocular symptoms before the onset of orbicular spasms, the precise frequency and pathogenic role of this subjective ocular discomfort are poorly understood. We conducted a multicenter case,control study to investigate symptoms related to disorders of the anterior segment of the eye, administering a questionnaire to 165 patients with BSP and 180 age- and gender-matched control patients with hemifacial spasm. On a validation sample, our questionnaire yielded high accuracy in detecting eye diseases (predominantly, dry eye syndrome) using detailed ophthalmological examination as the criterion. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between ocular symptoms at disease onset and BSP. Ocular symptoms starting in the year preceding disease onset (short-latency symptoms) showed a stronger association with BSP than ocular symptoms occurring earlier in time (long-latency symptoms). The association was stronger when short-latency symptoms developed from 40 to 59 years of age, whereas this was not observed for long-latency symptoms. Our findings support the view that eye symptoms associated with BSP result from eye diseases and may be involved in the pathogenesis of BSP. The differential risk of developing BSP, based on age at onset of ocular symptoms, suggests that age and eye diseases may interact in giving rise to BSP. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society [source] Asymmetric sphincter innervation is associated with fecal incontinence after anal sphincter trauma during childbirthNEUROUROLOGY AND URODYNAMICS, Issue 1 2007Beate M. Wietek Abstract Aims Functional asymmetry of pelvic floor innervation has been shown to exist in healthy subjects, and has been proposed to be a predictor of increased risk for fecal incontinence in case of trauma. However, this remains to be shown for different clinical conditions such as traumatic childbirth. Methods A conventional surface EMG system was used to assess the innervation of the external anal sphincter. A symmetry index was used to define the relative EMG amplitude asymmetry of the external anal sphincter between 0 (symmetric) and 1 (asymmetric). Three cohorts were studied: 40 nulliparous women in the third trimester (Study 1), 15 primiparous women within 6 months following vaginal delivery without clinically apparent anal sphincter trauma (Study 2), and 50 women after childbirth-related third or fourth degree perineal tear 6,12 months postpartum (Study 3). Furthermore, all women underwent conventional anorectal manometry. Results Sixteen or forty nulliparous women reported signs of fecal incontinence; however, relative asymmetry was not correlated to symptom severity (P,=,0.345), and not to manometric measures (Study 1). In Study 2, Women who had suffered clinically apparent anal sphincter trauma (P,=,0.07) tended to have a stronger association between incontinence and asymmetry. In Study 3, 19/50 women reported moderate to severe incontinence. Asymmetry and symptom severity were significantly correlated (P,<,0.001). Patients with incontinence had a significantly higher asymmetry score than their continent counterparts. Conclusion Functional asymmetry of anal sphincter innervation is significantly associated with incontinence symptoms, but only after childbirth-related sphincter injuries and therefore, should be regarded as an additional risk factor. Neurourol. Urodynam. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: the Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005PEDIATRIC DIABETES, Issue 4 2010PGF Swift Swift PGF, Skinner TC, de Beaufort CE, Cameron FJ, Åman J, Aanstoot H-J, Castaño L, Chiarelli F, Daneman D, Danne T, Dorchy H, Hoey H, Kaprio EA, Kaufman F, Kocova M, Mortensen HB, Njølstad PR, Phillip M, Robertson KJ, Schoenle EJ, Urakami T, Vanelli M, Ackermann RW, Skovlund SE for the Hvidoere Study Group on Childhood Diabetes. Target setting in intensive insulin management is associated with metabolic control: the Hvidoere Childhood Diabetes Study Group Centre Differences Study 2005. Objective: To evaluate glycaemic targets set by diabetes teams, their perception by adolescents and parents, and their influence on metabolic control. Methods: Clinical data and questionnaires were completed by adolescents, parents/carers and diabetes teams in 21 international centres. HbA1c was measured centrally. Results: A total of 2062 adolescents completed questionnaires (age 14.4 ± 2.3 yr; diabetes duration 6.1 ± 3.5 yr). Mean HbA 1c = 8.2 ± 1.4% with significant differences between centres (F = 12.3; p < 0.001) range from 7.4 to 9.1%. There was a significant correlation between parent (r = 0.20) and adolescent (r = 0.21) reports of their perceived ideal HbA1c and their actual HbA1c result (p < 0.001), and a stronger association between parents' (r = 0.39) and adolescents' (r = 0.4) reports of the HbA1c they would be happy with and their actual HbA1c result. There were significant differences between centres on parent and adolescent reports of ideal and happy with HbA1c (8.1 < F > 17.4;p < 0.001). A lower target HbA1c and greater consistency between members of teams within centres were associated with lower centre HbA1c (F = 16.0; df = 15; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Clear and consistent setting of glycaemic targets by diabetes teams is strongly associated with HbA1c outcome in adolescents. Target setting appears to play a significant role in explaining the differences in metabolic outcomes between centres. [source] Expression of p53 in lesions and unaffected skin of patients with plaque-type and guttate psoriasis: A quantitative comparative studyTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Ayça Cordan YAZICI ABSTRACT Psoriasis is a common inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. The pathogenesis of psoriasis has yet to be determined. The control of cell growth is a delicately balanced process, regulated by external signals or the internal genetic program of an individual cell. In psoriasis, these processes are disturbed and some candidate genes like p53 are suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. The p53 protein is essential for the regulation of cell proliferation. The study was performed on 32 patients with psoriasis (24 plaque type, eight guttate type). Biopsy specimens for immunohistochemical determination of p53 protein expression were collected from both the lesional and the nonlesional skin sites that were not exposed to sun in all of the patients (n = 32). Taking the ultraviolet (UV) exposure of the skin into consideration, a third skin sample was taken from each patient (n = 7) who had lesions on the sun-exposed areas. Immunohistochemical assessment of p53 expression in skin was determined as p53 protein expression per 1000 cells (keratinocytes). The statistical analysis revealed that the expressions of p53 per 1000 cells were higher in non-sun-exposed lesional skin than the non-sun-exposed nonlesional skin, also in plaque-type psoriasis than guttate-type psoriasis (P = 0.000, P = 0.046, P = 0.037, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the p53 expression in non-sun-exposed lesional skin versus expression in sun-exposed lesional skin (cubic centimeters = 0.811, P = 0.027). Our results show a stronger association of elevated p53 expression with chronic rather than acute inflammatory psoriasis. This may indicate a mechanistic difference between plaque-type and guttate psoriasis. Alternatively, this could reflect a chronological course as the disease transitions from an acute to a chronic phase. [source] Sexlessness among Married Chinese Adults in Hong Kong: Prevalence and Associated FactorsTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 11 2009Jean H. Kim ScD ABSTRACT Introduction., Despite recent media coverage in the topic of sexless marriages in East Asia, population-based studies examining the absence of sexual activity among nonelderly married individuals are scant. Previous studies have not simultaneously examined sociodemographic, physiological, and lifestyle predictors of sexless marriages. Aims., To determine the prevalence of past-year sexlessness and the associated factors among the married Chinese adults in Hong Kong. Methods., An anonymous, population-based telephone survey was conducted on 2,846 married Chinese men and women between the ages of 25 and 59 in Hong Kong. Main Outcome Measures., The prevalence of past-year sexlessness and the associated factors and mental health symptoms were examined. Results., The prevalence of past-year sexlessness between the ages of 25,34 years, 35,44 years and 45,59 years was 5.5, 5.1, and 17.0%, respectively, among married males, and 8.3, 12.4, and 31.6%, respectively, among married females. Older age and poor spousal relationship were associated with sexlessness for females, whereas lack of interest in sex, older age, and lower education were significant factors for males. Married women demonstrated statistically significant associations between sexlessness and poorer mental health indicators, such as lower quality of life and being bothered by the unavailability of a sex partner. Conclusions., Sexlessness is prevalent among certain subgroups of urban Chinese couples in Hong Kong, and the large discrepancy in sexlessness between married men and women in each age strata suggests a high prevalence of extramarital relationships. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, there was a stronger association between sexlessness and poorer psychosocial symptoms among married females than males. Sexless marriages are an underappreciated phenomenon among urban Chinese individuals. Kim JH, Lau JTF, and Cheuk KK. Sexlessness among married Chinese adults in Hong Kong: Prevalence and associated factors. J Sex Med 2009;6:2997,3007. [source] Complications and mortality in older surgical patients in Australia and New Zealand (the REASON study): a multicentre, prospective, observational study,ANAESTHESIA, Issue 10 2010D. A. Story Summary We conducted a prospective study of non-cardiac surgical patients aged 70 years or more in 23 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. We studied 4158 consecutive patients of whom 2845 (68%) had pre-existing comorbidities. By day 30, 216 (5%) patients had died, and 835 (20%) suffered complications; 390 (9.4%) patients were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Pre-operative factors associated with mortality included: increasing age (80,89 years: OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.6,2.8), p < 0.001; 90+ years: OR 4.0 (95% CI 2.6,6.2), p < 0.001); worsening ASA physical status (ASA 3: OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.8,5.5), p < 0.001; ASA 4: OR 12.4 (95% CI 6.9,22.2), p < 0.001); a pre-operative plasma albumin < 30 g.l,1 (OR: 2.5 (95% CI 1.8,3.5), p < 0.001); and non-scheduled surgery (OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.3,2.5), p < 0.001). Complications associated with mortality included: acute renal impairment (OR 3.3 (95% CI 2.1,5.0), p < 0.001); unplanned Intensive Care Unit admission (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.9,4.9), p < 0.001); and systemic inflammation (OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.7,3.7), p < 0.001). Patient factors often had a stronger association with mortality than the type of surgery. Strategies are needed to reduce complications and mortality in older surgical patients. [source] Association of BLV infection profiles with alleles of the BoLA-DRB3.2 geneANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2008M. A. Juliarena Summary Bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) causes lymphosarcoma and persistent lymphocytosis (PL). Some MHC class II gene polymorphisms have been associated with resistance and susceptibility to the development of lymphosarcoma and PL, as well as with a reduced number of circulating BLV-infected lymphocytes. Previously, 230 BLV-infected Holstein cattle were classified into two infection profiles characterized by low and high proviral loads (LPL and HPL respectively). Here, the influence of the polymorphism at the BoLA-DRB3.2* gene of these animals was examined. After genotyping, the association between the BoLA-DRB3.2* alleles and the BLV infection profile was determined as the odds ratio (OR). Two subtypes of allele *11 were identified (ISAG*0901 and *0902). Allele ISAG*0902 showed a stronger association with the LPL profile (OR = 8.24; P < 0.0001) than allele *11 itself (OR = 5.82; P < 0.0001). Allele ISAG*1701 (*12) also showed significant association with the LPL profile (OR = 3.46; P < 0.0055). Only one allele, ISAG*1501 or 03 (*16), showed significant association with HPL (OR = 0.36; P < 0.0005). The DRB3.2* alleles were assigned to three categories: resistant (R), susceptible (S) and neutral (N). Based on their DRB3 genotypes, cattle were classified as homozygous or heterozygous. The RR and RN genotypes were associated with the LPL profile, while the SS and NS genotypes were associated with the HPL profile. The RS genotype could not be associated with any particular profile. Our results show that allele ISAG*0902 appears to be the best BLV resistance marker in Holstein cattle. [source] Rheumatoid arthritis risk allele PTPRC is also associated with response to anti,tumor necrosis factor , therapyARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 7 2010Jing Cui Objective Anti,tumor necrosis factor , (anti-TNF) therapy is a mainstay of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to test established RA genetic risk factors to determine whether the same alleles also influence the response to anti-TNF therapy. Methods A total of 1,283 RA patients receiving etanercept, infliximab, or adalimumab therapy were studied from among an international collaborative consortium of 9 different RA cohorts. The primary end point compared RA patients with a good treatment response according to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria (n = 505) with RA patients considered to be nonresponders (n = 316). The secondary end point was the change from baseline in the level of disease activity according to the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (,DAS28). Clinical factors such as age, sex, and concomitant medications were tested as possible correlates of treatment response. Thirty-one single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with the risk of RA were genotyped and tested for any association with treatment response, using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results Of the 31 RA-associated risk alleles, a SNP at the PTPRC (also known as CD45) gene locus (rs10919563) was associated with the primary end point, a EULAR good response versus no response (odds ratio [OR] 0.55, P = 0.0001 in the multivariate model). Similar results were obtained using the secondary end point, the ,DAS28 (P = 0.0002). There was suggestive evidence of a stronger association in autoantibody-positive patients with RA (OR 0.55, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.39,0.76) as compared with autoantibody-negative patients (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.41,1.99). Conclusion Statistically significant associations were observed between the response to anti-TNF therapy and an RA risk allele at the PTPRC gene locus. Additional studies will be required to replicate this finding in additional patient collections. [source] Association of the FAM167A,BLK region with systemic sclerosisARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 3 2010Ikue Ito Objective An association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FAM167A (previously referred to as C8orf13),BLK region with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been demonstrated in Caucasians and in Asians. Recent studies have shown that many genes, including IRF5, STAT4, and PTPN22, are shared susceptibility genes in multiple autoimmune diseases. We undertook the current study to examine whether the FAM167A,BLK region is also associated with susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods Japanese patients with SSc (n = 309) and healthy controls (n = 769) were enrolled in a 2-tiered case,control association study. In tier 1, 124 patients and 412 controls were tested to determine association of 16 tag SNPs encompassing the FAM167A,BLK region with SSc. In tier 2, an additional 185 patients and 357 controls were analyzed for SNP rs13277113. Results Two haplotype blocks that correspond approximately to FAM167A and BLK were observed. In tier 1 of the study, the rs13277113A allele in the BLK block exhibited the most significant association with SSc after correction for multiple testing (permutated P = 0.024). Two SNP haplotypes formed by rs13277113 and the most significant SNP in the FAM167A block did not exhibit stronger association. When samples from tier 1 and tier 2 were combined, the rs13277113A allele was significantly associated with SSc (odds ratio 1.45 [95% confidence interval 1.17,1.79], P = 6.1 × 10,4). Association or a tendency toward association of rs13277113A with SSc was observed regardless of a patient's autoantibody profile or whether a patient had diffuse cutaneous or limited cutaneous SSc. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the rs13277113A allele is associated not only with SLE but also with SSc and that the FAM167A,BLK region is a common genetic risk factor for both SLE and SSc. [source] The health of children in sole-parent families in New Zealand: results of a population-based cross-sectional surveyAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2010Martin Tobias Abstract Objective: To investigate whether children in sole-parent families in New Zealand bear excess risks of poor mental and physical health relative to children in two parent families. Data sources and statistical methods: The data source was the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey, a nationally representative household survey that sampled 502 children (5-14 years) of sole mothers and 1,281 children of partnered mothers. Results: Children of sole mothers were 1.26 (0.94 , 2.69) times as likely as children of partnered mothers to return a low PhS score. Adjusting for maternal health and family socio-economic disadvantage eliminated this weak association (which in any case was of borderline statistical significance). Children of sole mothers were more than twice as likely as children of partnered mothers to return a low PsS score, adjusting for demographic variables only. Conclusions: There is only a weak negative association (if any) between sole-parenting and child physical health, but a stronger association with child mental health , consistent with most of the New Zealand and international literature. The association with child mental health is largely (but possibly not completely) ,explained' by the poorer mental health of sole-parents and the poorer socio-economic circumstances of single-parent families (on average). Implications: These findings support policies aiming to improve access of sole-parents and their children to community mental health services, and (more especially) policies aiming to ameliorate the disadvantaged economic circumstances of single parent families. [source] Maternal vitamin B-6 and folate status and risk of oral cleft birth defects in the PhilippinesBIRTH DEFECTS RESEARCH, Issue 7 2004Ronald G. Munger Abstract BACKGROUND Vitamin deficiencies induce oral clefts in animal experiments, but the role of specific nutrients in human oral clefts is uncertain. METHODS Associations between maternal vitamin B-6 and folate status and risk of nonsyndromic cleft lip, with or without cleft palate (CL/P), were examined in case,control studies at two sites in the Philippines,Negros Occidental and Davao. Cases were mothers of affected children and control mothers were those who had no children with oral clefts. RESULTS The risk of having a CL/P-affected child increased with increasing tertile of vitamin B-6 deficiency in both Negros Occidental and Davao (odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs] for sites combined = 1.0 [reference], OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.51,5.73; OR, 4.98; 95% CI, 2.56,9.67). Poor B-6 status had a stronger association with CL/P among mothers with lower versus higher plasma folate levels. Increasing tertiles of plasma folate were marginally associated with an increased risk of clefts in both sites combined (1.0 [reference]; OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.93,2.68; OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 0.94,2.70). Increasing tertiles of erythrocyte folate were associated with a decreased risk of CL/P in Negros Occidental (1.0 [reference]; OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13,0.90; OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.20,1.09) and an increased risk in Davao (1.0 [reference]; OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.54,2.81; OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 2.24,10.50). The inconsistent associations between folate status and CL/P risk appeared to be a result of statistical interaction between folate, vitamin B-6, and case,control status that produced different results in study areas of higher versus lower prevalence of vitamin B-6 deficiency. CONCLUSIONS Poor maternal vitamin B-6 status was consistently associated with an increased risk of CL/P at two sites in the Philippines. Folate-CL/P associations were inconsistent and may be related to the vitamin B-6 status or other characteristics of the populations under study. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Enantioselective [4+2]-Cycloaddition Reaction of a Photochemically Generated o -Quinodimethane: Mechanistic Details, Association Studies, and Pressure EffectsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 9 2004Benjamin Grosch Dipl. Abstract 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-oxoquinoline-5-aldehyde (2) was prepared from m -aminobenzoic acid and 3-ethoxyacryloyl chloride (4) in 19,% overall yield. Compound 2 underwent a photochemically induced [4+2]-cycloaddition reaction with various dienophiles upon irradiation in toluene solution. The exo product 10,a was obtained with acrylonitrile (9,a) as the dienophile, whereas methyl acrylate (9,b) and dimethyl fumarate (9,c) furnished the endo products 11,b and 11,c (69,77,% yield). The reactions proceeded at ,60,°C in the presence of the chiral complexing agent 1 (1.2 equiv) with excellent enantioselectivity (91,94,% ee). The enantiomeric excess increases in the course of the photocycloaddition as a result of the lower product association to 1. The intermediate (E)-dienol 8 was spectroscopically detected at ,196,°C in an EPA (diethyl ether/isopentane/ethanol) glass matrix. The association of the substrate 2 to the complexing agent 1 was studied by circular dichroism (CD) titration. The measured association constant (KA) was 589,M,1 at room temperature (25,°C) and normal pressure (0.1 MPa). An increase in pressure led to an increased association. At 400 MPa the measured value of KA was 703,M,1. Despite the stronger association the enantioselectivity of the reaction decreased with increasing pressure. At 25,°C the enantiomeric excess for the enantioselective reaction 2 + 9,a,10,a decreased from 68,% ee at 0.1 MPa to 58,% ee at 350 MPa. This surprising behavior is explained by different activation volumes for the diastereomeric transition states leading to 10,a and ent - 10,a. 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-2-oxochinolin-5-aldehyd (2) wurde ausgehend von m -Aminobenzoesäure und 3-Ethoxyacryloylchlorid (4) in fünf Schritten und einer Gesamtausbeute von 19,% hergestellt. Die Verbindung ließ sich in Toluol als Lösungsmittel mit verschiedenen Dienophilen in einer photochemisch induzierten [4+2]-Cycloaddition umsetzen (69,77,% Ausbeute), wobei als Hauptprodukt mit Acrylnitril (9,a) das exo -Produkt 10,a entstand. Methylacrylat (9,b) und Dimethylfumarat (9,c) lieferten die endo -Produkte 11,b and 11,c. In Gegenwart des chiralen Komplexierungsreagenz, 1 (1.2 Äquiv.) verliefen die Reaktionen mit exzellenter Enantioselektivität (91,94,% ee). Der Enantiomerenüberschuß nahm im Verlauf der photochemischen Umsetzung zu, was man auf die relativ zum Substrat 2 niedrigere Assoziation des Produkts zurückführen kann. Das intermediär gebildete (E)-Dienol 8 wurde spektroskopisch in einer EPA (Ether/i -Pentan/Ethanol) Glasmatrix bei ,196,°C nachgewiesen. Die Assoziation des Substrats 2 an das Komplexierungsreagenz 1 wurde durch CD-Titration genauer untersucht. Die Assoziationskonstante (KA) wurde bei Zimmertemperatur (25,°C) und Normaldruck (0.1 MPa) zu 589,M,1bestimmt. Bei höherem Druck beobachtete man eine verstärkte Assoziation und bei 400 MPa wurde eine Assoziationskonstante von KA=703,M,1bestimmt. Trotz der stärkeren Assoziaion nahm die Enantioselektivität mit wachsendem Druck ab. Bei 25,°C sank der Enantiomerenüberschuß der enantioselektiven Reation 2 + 9,a,10,a von 68,% ee bei 0.1 MPa auf 58,% ee bei 350 MPa. Dieses überraschende Verhalten läßt sich möglicherweise durch die unterschiedlichen Aktivierungsvolumina für die Übergangszustände erklären, die zu 10,a und ent - 10,a führen. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||