Does neuroticism make you old? Prospective associations between neuroticism and leukocyte telomere length

2013 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. van Ockenburg ◽  
P. de Jonge ◽  
P. van der Harst ◽  
J. Ormel ◽  
J. G. M. Rosmalen
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Biological Marker ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Telomere Attrition

BackgroundTelomere attrition, causing accelerated aging, might be one of the mechanisms through which neuroticism leads to somatic disease and increased all-cause mortality. In the current study we investigated whether neuroticism is prospectively associated with shorter telomere length (TL), a biological marker of aging.MethodParticipants were 3432 adults (mean age 52.9 years, range 32–79). Data were collected at baseline (T1) and at two follow-up visits after 4 years (T2) and 6 years (T3). Neuroticism was assessed using the 12-item neuroticism scale of the Revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) at T2 and T3. TL was measured by a monochrome multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay at T1, T2 and T3. A linear mixed model was used to assess whether neuroticism could predict TL prospectively after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), frequency of sports, smoking status, presence of chronic diseases and level of education.ResultsNeuroticism was a significant negative predictor of TL at follow-up (B = −0.004, p = 0.044) after adjusting for sex, age, baseline TL and various biological and lifestyle factors.ConclusionsHigh neuroticism is significantly and prospectively associated with telomere attrition independent of lifestyle and other risk factors.

Stressful life events and leukocyte telomere attrition in adulthood: a prospective population-based cohort study

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (14) ◽  
pp. 2975-2984 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. van Ockenburg ◽  
E. H. Bos ◽  
P. de Jonge ◽  
P. van der Harst ◽  
R. O. B. Gans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Events ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Stressful Life Events ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Adverse Life Events ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telomere Attrition ◽  
Multivariable Regression

Background.Telomere attrition might be one of the mechanisms through which psychosocial stress leads to somatic disease. To date it is unknown if exposure to adverse life events in adulthood is associated with telomere shortening prospectively. In the current study we investigated whether life events are associated with shortening of telomere length (TL).Method.Participants were 1094 adults (mean age 53.1, range 33–79 years) from the PREVEND cohort. Data were collected at baseline (T1) and at two follow-up visits after 4 years (T2) and 6 years (T3). Life events were assessed with an adjusted version of the List of Threatening Events (LTE). TL was measured by monochrome multiplex quantitative PCR at T1, T2, and T3. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of recent life events on TL prospectively. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess whether the lifetime life events score or the score of life events experienced before the age of 12 predicted TL cross-sectionally. All final models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, presence of chronic diseases, frequency of sports, smoking status, and level of education.Results.Recent life events significantly predicted telomere attrition prospectively (B = −0.031, p = 0.007). We were not able to demonstrate a significant cross-sectional relationship between the lifetime LTE score and TL. Nor did we find exposure to adverse life events before the age of 12 to be associated with TL in adulthood.Conclusions.Exposure to recent adverse life events in adulthood is associated with telomere attrition prospectively.

scholarly journals Early maternal separation is not associated with changes in telomere length in domestic kittens (Felis catus)

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11394
Author(s):  
Mikel Delgado ◽  
C.A. Tony Buffington ◽  
Melissa Bain ◽  
Dana L. Smith ◽  
Karen Vernau
Keyword(s):  
Telomere Length ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Felis Catus ◽  
Telomere Shortening ◽  
Orphan Status ◽  
Animal Rescue

Objective Studies of multiple species have found that adverse early life experiences, including childhood trauma and maternal separation, can result in accelerated telomere shortening. The objective of this study was to determine if premature separation from the mother affected telomere length in domestic kittens (Felis catus). Subjects were 42 orphaned kittens and 10 mother-reared kittens from local animal rescue groups and shelters. DNA was extracted from whole blood collected from kittens at approximately 1 week and 2 months of age. Telomere length was assessed by qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) from a total of 86 samples and expressed as a ratio of telomere PCR relative to a single copy gene PCR (T/S). Results A generalized linear mixed model found there were no detectable differences in telomere length based on survival (F1, 76.2 = 3.35, p = 0.07), orphan status (F1, 56.5 = 0.44, p = 0.51), time point (F1, 43.5 = 0.19, p = 0.67), or the interaction between orphan status and time (F1, 43.5 = 0.86, p = 0.36). Although in other species telomere shortening is commonly associated with aging, even early in life, we did not find evidence for telomere shortening by two months of age. Our results suggest that the experience of early maternal separation in domestic cats who are subsequently hand-reared by humans does not accelerate telomere shortening compared to mother-reared kittens, at least in the first few months of life.

Long-term seizure outcomes after pediatric temporal lobectomy: does brain MRI lesion matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-208
Author(s):  
Ravindra Arya ◽  
Francesco T. Mangano ◽  
Paul S. Horn ◽  
Sabrina K. Kaul ◽  
Serena K. Kaul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Brain Mri ◽  
Temporal Lobectomy ◽  
Seizure Freedom ◽  
Seizure Onset

OBJECTIVEThere is emerging data that adults with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) without a discrete lesion on brain MRI have surgical outcomes comparable to those with hippocampal sclerosis (HS). However, pediatric TLE is different from its adult counterpart. In this study, the authors investigated if the presence of a potentially epileptogenic lesion on presurgical brain MRI influences the long-term seizure outcomes after pediatric temporal lobectomy.METHODSChildren who underwent temporal lobectomy between 2007 and 2015 and had at least 1 year of seizure outcomes data were identified. These were classified into lesional and MRI-negative groups based on whether an epilepsy-protocol brain MRI showed a lesion sufficiently specific to guide surgical decisions. These patients were also categorized into pure TLE and temporal plus epilepsies based on the neurophysiological localization of the seizure-onset zone. Seizure outcomes at each follow-up visit were incorporated into a repeated-measures generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with MRI status as a grouping variable. Clinical variables were incorporated into GLMM as covariates.RESULTSOne hundred nine patients (44 females) were included, aged 5 to 21 years, and were classified as lesional (73%), MRI negative (27%), pure TLE (56%), and temporal plus (44%). After a mean follow-up of 3.2 years (range 1.2–8.8 years), 66% of the patients were seizure free for ≥ 1 year at last follow-up. GLMM analysis revealed that lesional patients were more likely to be seizure free over the long term compared to MRI-negative patients for the overall cohort (OR 2.58, p < 0.0001) and for temporal plus epilepsies (OR 1.85, p = 0.0052). The effect of MRI lesion was not significant for pure TLE (OR 2.64, p = 0.0635). Concordance of ictal electroencephalography (OR 3.46, p < 0.0001), magnetoencephalography (OR 4.26, p < 0.0001), and later age of seizure onset (OR 1.05, p = 0.0091) were associated with a higher likelihood of seizure freedom. The most common histological findings included cortical dysplasia types 1B and 2A, HS (40% with dual pathology), and tuberous sclerosis.CONCLUSIONSA lesion on presurgical brain MRI is an important determinant of long-term seizure freedom after pediatric temporal lobectomy. Pediatric TLE is heterogeneous regarding etiologies and organization of seizure-onset zones with many patients qualifying for temporal plus nosology. The presence of an MRI lesion determined seizure outcomes in patients with temporal plus epilepsies. However, pure TLE had comparable surgical seizure outcomes for lesional and MRI-negative groups.

Identifying patients with CKD risk at the time of nephrectomy: When to initiate nephrology consult

2021 ◽  
pp. 239936932110319
Author(s):  
Yihe Yang ◽  
Zachary Kozel ◽  
Purva Sharma ◽  
Oksana Yaskiv ◽  
Jose Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Radical Nephrectomy ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Interstitial Fibrosis ◽  
Kidney Neoplasm ◽  
Tubular Atrophy ◽  
Independent Risk Factors

Introduction: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is high among kidney neoplasm patients because of the overlapping risk factors. Our purpose is to identify kidney cancer survivors with higher CKD risk. Methods: We studied a retrospective cohort of 361 kidney tumor patients with partial or radical nephrectomy. Linear mixed model was performed. Results: Of patients with follow-up >3 months, 84% were identified retrospectively to fulfill criteria for CKD diagnosis, although CKD was documented in only 15%. Urinalysis was performed in 205 (57%) patients at the time of nephrectomy. Multivariate analysis showed interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) >25% ( p = 0.005), severe arteriolar sclerosis ( p = 0.013), female gender ( p = 0.024), older age ( p = 0.012), BMI ⩾ 25 kg/m2 ( p < 0.001), documented CKD ( p < 0.001), baseline eGFR ⩽ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 ( p < 0.001), and radical nephrectomy ( p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of lower eGFR at baseline and during follow-up. Average eGFR decreased within 3 months post nephrectomy. However, patients with different risk levels showed different eGFR time trend pattern at longer follow-ups. Multivariate analysis of time × risk factor interaction showed BMI, radical nephrectomy and baseline eGFR had time-dependent impact. BMI ⩾ 25 kg/m2 and radical nephrectomy were associated with steeper eGFR decrease slope. In baseline eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 group, eGFR rebounded to pre-nephrectomy levels during extended follow-up. In partial nephrectomy patients with baseline eGFR ⩾ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2 ( n = 61), proteinuria ( p < 0.001) and BMI ( p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of decreased eGFR during follow up. Conclusions: As have been suggested by others and confirmed by our study, proteinuria and CKD are greatly under-recognized. Although self-evident as a minimum workup for nephrectomy patients to include SCr, eGFR, urinalysis, and proteinuria, the need for uniform applications of this practice should be reinforced. Non-neoplastic histology evaluation is valuable and should include an estimate of global sclerosis% (GS) and IFTA%. Patients with any proteinuria and/or eGFR ⩽ 60 at the time of nephrectomy or in follow-up with urologists, and/or >25% GS or IFTA, should be referred for early nephrology consultation.

scholarly journals Improved cephalic index following early cranial vault remodeling in patients with isolated nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. E7
Author(s):  
Arvid Frostell ◽  
Maryam Haghighi ◽  
Jiri Bartek ◽  
Ulrika Sandvik ◽  
Bengt Gustavsson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Cranial Vault ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Cephalic Index ◽  
Sagittal Synostosis ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cranial Vault Remodeling

OBJECTIVE Isolated nonsyndromic sagittal synostosis (SS) is the most common form of craniosynostosis in children, accounting for approximately 60% of all craniosynostoses. The typical cranial measurement used to define and follow SS is the cephalic index (CI). Several surgical techniques have been suggested, but agreement on type and timing of surgery is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the authors’ institutional experience of surgically treating SS using a modified subtotal cranial vault remodeling technique in a population-based cohort. Special attention was directed toward the effect of patient age at time of surgery on long-term CI outcome. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients with isolated nonsyndromic SS who were surgically treated from 2003 to 2011. Data from electronic medical records were gathered. Eighty-two patients with SS were identified, 77 fulfilled inclusion criteria, and 72 had sufficient follow-up data and were included. CI during follow-up after surgery was investigated with ANOVA and a linear mixed model. RESULTS In total, 72 patients were analyzed, consisting of 16 females (22%) and 56 males (78%). The mean ± SD age at surgery was 4.1 ± 3.1 months. Blood transfusions were received by 81% of patients (26% intraoperatively, 64% postoperatively, 9% both). The mean ± SD time in the pediatric ICU was 1.1 ± 0.25 days, and the mean ± SD total hospital length of stay was 4.6 ± 2.0 days. No patient required reoperation. The mean ± SD CI increased from 69 ± 3 to 87 ± 5 for patients who underwent surgery before 45 days of age. Surgery resulted in a larger increase in CI for patients who underwent surgery at a younger age compared with older patients (p < 0.05, Tukey’s HSD test). In the comparison of patients who underwent surgery before 45 days of age with patients who underwent surgery at 45–90, 90–180, and more than 180 days of age, the linear mixed model estimated a long-term loss of CI of 3.0, 5.5, and 7.4 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The modified subtotal cranial vault remodeling technique used in this study significantly improved CI in patients with SS. The best results were achieved when surgery was performed early in life.

scholarly journals Shortened Relative Leukocyte Telomere Length is Associated with Prevalent and Incident Cardiovascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes- Analysis from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feifei Cheng ◽  
Andrea O Luk ◽  
Claudia HT Tam ◽  
Baoqi Fan ◽  
Hongjiang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Telomere Length ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Chinese Patients ◽  
Diabetes Register

<b>Objective</b>: Several studies support potential links between leukocyte relative telomere length (rLTL), a biomarker of biological aging and type 2 diabetes. This study investigates relationships between rLTL and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes. <p><b>Research design and methods</b>: Consecutive Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (N=5349) from the Hong Kong Diabetes Register with stored baseline DNA and available follow-up data were studied. rLTL was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CVD was diagnosed based on ICD-9 code.</p> <p><b>Results: </b>Mean (SD) follow-up was 13.4(5.5) years. rLTL was correlated inversely with age, diabetes duration, blood pressure, HbA<sub>1c</sub>, urine ACR and positively with eGFR (all P<0.001). Subjects with versus without CVD at baseline had shorter rLTL (4.3±1.2 vs. 4.6±1.2, P<0.001). Of the 4541 CVD-free subjects at baseline, the 1140 who developed CVD during follow-up had shorter rLTL than those remaining CVD-free after adjusting for age, sex, smoking and albuminuria status (4.3±1.2 vs. 4.7±1.2, P<0.001). In Cox regression models, shorter rLTL was associated with higher risk of incident CVD (hazard ratio (95% CI) for each unit decrease: 1.252 (1.195-1.311), P<0.001), which remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, SBP, LDL-C, HbA<sub>1c</sub>, eGFR and ACR (hazard ratio (95% CI): 1.141 (1.084-1.200), P<0.001).</p> <p><b>Conclusions: </b>rLTL is significantly shorter in type 2 diabetes patients with CVD, is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, and is independently associated with incident CVD. Telomere length may be a useful biomarker for CVD risk in type 2 diabetes.</p> <b><br> </b>

scholarly journals Thalamic white matter macrostructure and subnuclei volumes in Parkinson’s disease depression

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bhome ◽  
A. Zarkali ◽  
G. E. C. Thomas ◽  
J. E. Iglesias ◽  
J. H. Cole ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Neural Structure ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Antidepressant Use ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractDepression is a common non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) which confers significant morbidity and is challenging to treat. The thalamus is a key component in the basal ganglia-thalamocortical network critical to the pathogenesis of PD and depression but the precise thalamic subnuclei involved in PD depression have not been identified. We performed structural and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on 76 participants with PD to evaluate the relationship between PD depression and grey and white matter thalamic subnuclear changes. We used a thalamic segmentation method to divide the thalamus into its 50 constituent subnuclei (25 each hemisphere). Fixel-based analysis was used to calculate mean fibre cross-section (FC) for white matter tracts connected to each subnucleus. We assessed volume and FC at baseline and 14–20 months follow-up. A generalised linear mixed model was used to evaluate the relationship between depression, subnuclei volume and mean FC for each thalamic subnucleus. We found that depression scores in PD were associated with lower right pulvinar anterior (PuA) subnucleus volume. Antidepressant use was associated with higher right PuA volume suggesting a possible protective effect of treatment. After follow-up, depression scores were associated with reduced white matter tract macrostructure across almost all tracts connected to thalamic subnuclei. In conclusion, our work implicates the right PuA as a relevant neural structure in PD depression and future work should evaluate its potential as a therapeutic target for PD depression.

scholarly journals Bi-directional prospective associations between objectively measured physical activity and fundamental motor skills in children: a two-year follow-up

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Kristine Ofrim Nilsen ◽  
Sigmund Alfred Anderssen ◽  
Kjersti Johannessen ◽  
Katrine Nyvoll Aadland ◽  
Einar Ylvisaaker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Object Control ◽  
Fundamental Motor Skills

Abstract Background The direction of the longitudinal relationship between physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) remains unclear. We evaluated the bi-directional, prospective relationships between intensity-specific physical activity (PA) and domain-specific fundamental motor skills (FMS) over 2 years in children attending preschool at baseline. Methods A sample of 230 children (mean age at baseline 4.7 yr, 52% boys) from the 'Sogn og Fjordane Preschool Physical Activity Study' was measured 2 years apart. PA was assessed using ActiGraph accelerometers (GT3X+). FMS were evaluated by a test battery guided by the 'Test of Gross Motor Development 3' and the 'Preschooler Gross Motor Quality Scale'. PA outcomes were total PA (TPA [counts per minute]) and intensity specific PA and sedentary behaviour (SED) (min/day). FMS outcomes were locomotor, object control, and balance skills. Linear mixed model adjusting for potential co-variates was used to evaluate the bi-directional prospective associations between these variables, including the moderating effect of sex and age. Results Baseline total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and vigorous PA predicted higher locomotor, object control, and balance skills at follow-up (standardized regression coefficient (β): 0.17 to 0.26, p = 0.002–0.017). Baseline SED predicted lower locomotor skills at follow-up (β: − 0.27, p = 0.012). Baseline light PA did not predict FMS at follow-up. Baseline FMS were not associated with PA or SED at follow-up. Conclusions MVPA was positively associated with development of FMS in young children. In contrast, FMS were not related to future PA levels. Our results suggest promotion of MVPA is important for FMS development in young children.

scholarly journals Follow-Up Household Serosurvey in Northeast Brazil for Zika Virus: Sexual Contacts of Index Patients Have the Highest Risk for Seropositivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tereza Magalhaes ◽  
Clarice N L Morais ◽  
Iracema J A A Jacques ◽  
Elisa A N Azevedo ◽  
Ana M Brito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Northeast Brazil ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Sexual Contacts ◽  
Household Members

Abstract Background Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus that is also transmitted sexually; however, the epidemiological relevance of ZIKV sexual transmission in endemic regions is unclear. Methods We performed a household-based serosurvey in Northeast Brazil to evaluate the differential exposure to ZIKV and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) among households. Individuals who participated in our previous arboviral disease cohort (indexes) were recontacted and enrolled, and their household members were newly enrolled. Results The relative risk of sexual partners being ZIKV-seropositive when living with a ZIKV-seropositive index participant was significantly higher, whereas this was not observed among nonsexual partners of the index. For CHIKV, both sexual and nonsexual partner household members living with a CHIKV-seropositive index had a significantly higher risk of being seropositive. In the nonindex-based dyadic and generalized linear mixed model analyses, the odds of sexual dyads having a concordant ZIKV plaque reduction neutralization test result was significantly higher. We have also analyzed retrospective clinical data according to the participants’ exposure to ZIKV and CHIKV. Conclusions Our data suggest that ZIKV sexual transmission may be a key factor for the high ZIKV seroprevalence among households in endemic areas and raises important questions about differential disease from the 2 modes of transmission.

Symptomatic Relief is Related to Serum Free Triiodothyronine Concentrations during Follow-up in Levothyroxine-Treated Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

2018 ◽  
Vol 126 (09) ◽  
pp. 546-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolf Larisch ◽  
John Midgley ◽  
Johannes Dietrich ◽  
Rudolf Hoermann
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Symptom Relief ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Free Triiodothyronine ◽  
Generalised Linear Mixed Model

Abstract Aim Patients on levothyroxine-treatment frequently have complaints although TSH is within the reference range. Moreover, FT3 is often low in these patients. The clinical significance of this disequilibrium is studied here. Patients, methods We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study including 319 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma on LT4-medication (1.8 [1.6,2.1] µg/kg body weight). Patients were followed at 2309 visits for at median 63 [46,81] months. Association of reported complaints during follow-up with changes in thyroid parameters were analysed using a generalised linear mixed model accounting for within-variability and intra-subject correlations. Results 26% of patients expressed hypothyroid and 9.7% hyperthyroid complaints at any one visit, rates per visit being 6.5% and 2%, respectively. During follow-up, median changes in spans were as follows, LT4-dose 0.49 [IQR 0.29,0.72] µg/kg, FT3 1.77 [1.25,2.32] pmol/l, FT4 9.80 [6.70,12.8] pmol/l and TSH 1.25 [0.42,2.36] mIU/l. While rates of both hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms were significantly related to all three thyroid parameters, the relationship of hypothyroid symptoms with FT3 extended to a below reference TSH range. Hypothyroid symptom relief was associated with both a T4 dose giving TSH-suppression below the lower reference limit and FT3 elevated further into the upper half of its reference range. In multivariable analysis, relationships between complaints and FT3 concentrations remained significant after adjusting for gender, age and BMI. Conclusion Residual hypothyroid complaints in LT4-treated patients are specifically related to low FT3 concentrations. This supports an important role of FT3 for clinical decision making on dose adequacy, particularly in symptomatic athyreotic patients.

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