Genetic and Environmental Etiologies of Adolescent Dysfunctional Attitudes: A Twin Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Chen ◽  
Xinying Li
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Dysfunctional Attitudes ◽  
Dysfunctional Attitude ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adolescent Twins ◽  
Age Range

Despite the importance of dysfunctional attitudes in the development and maintenance of depression, little is known about the etiological origin of dysfunctional attitudes. The Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale for Children was administered to 674 adolescent twins derived from the Beijing Twin Study (BeTwiSt). Four hundred and thirty-nine monozygotic and 235 same-gender dizygotic twin pairs were included. Approximately 54% were females. The age range of the twins was 11–17 years. Model-fitting analyses were conducted. Biometric genetic model-fitting estimates indicated that additive genetic factors accounted for 31% (95% CI: 11%, 45%) of variance in adolescent dysfunctional attitude. The influence of shared environmental factors was small and negligible (9% [95% CI: 0%, 27%]). Non-shared environmental factors explained 60% (95% CI: 55%, 66%) of variance. Equating the estimate parameters across gender or age groups resulted in a non-significant difference of model fit, but there were trends suggesting higher heritability in females and older adolescents. Our results provide evidence for moderate heritability of dysfunctional attitudes in adolescents. Dysfunctional attitudes can be used as an endophenotype to identify risk genes for depression.

Genetic Component of Noise Sensitivity

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marja Heinonen-Guzejev ◽  
Heikki S. Vuorinen ◽  
Helena Mussalo-Rauhamaa ◽  
Kauko Heikkilä ◽  
Markku Koskenvuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Study Design ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Genetic Component ◽  
Noise Sensitivity ◽  
Quantitative Genetic ◽  
Genetic Modeling ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Age Range

AbstractWe investigated the genetic component of noise sensitivity using a twin-study design. The study sample consisted of 573 same-sexed twin pairs from the Finnish Twin Cohort. The 131 monozygotic (MZ) and 442 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs with an age range of 31 to 88 years replied to a questionnaire on noise and health-related items in 1988. The noise sensitivity of respondents was defined as high, quite high, quite low or low. MZ pairs were more similar with regards noise sensitivity than DZ pairs, and quantitative genetic modeling indicated significant familiality. The best z-fitting genetic model provided an estimate of heritability of 36% (95% CI = .20–.50) and when hearing impaired subjects were excluded this rose to 40% (95% CI = .24–.54). In conclusion, noise sensitivity does aggregate in families and probably has a genetic component.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis among Almajiri Children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-104
Author(s):  
S. M. Gamde ◽  
◽  
P. J. Tongvwam ◽  
K. Hauwa ◽  
A. M. Ganau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Urinary Schistosomiasis ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Age Range ◽  
North Western

Urinary schistosomiasis is a severe threat to global health with uncountable morbidities in Africa including Nigeria where control interventions focused on children in public and private schools neglecting Almajiri children. This undermined control interventions as those infected contaminate the environments with infective stages of the parasite. The objective of the study was to identify the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis amongst Almajiri children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study, socio-demographic data was collected in April 2020 on 206 consented Almajiri children in Silame and their urine samples were examined using the sedimentation method. The study showed a prevalence of 35.4% among the Almajiri children in Silame, Sokoto State, North-western Nigeria. The highest prevalence was found among children within the age range 16-20 years (63.6%) while the lowest prevalence was among those in the age range 6-10 years (24.4%). There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of urinary schistosomiasis between the age groups (χ 2 = 11.637a , df =3, p=0.002). Urinary schistosomiasis was prevalent among Almajiri children in the study area and parasite infection was associated with the participant's socio-demographic factors such as age, level of education, and water contact activities. Hence, the National Schistosomiasis Control Programs should incorporate the Almajiri children in the control interventions Keywords: Schistosoma hematobium infection; Makarantarallo;Almajiri;Silame

scholarly journals Environmental Factors Determine Where the Dutch Live: Results From the Netherlands Twin Register

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 312-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonneke Willemsen ◽  
Danielle Posthuma ◽  
Dorret I. Boomsma
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Residential Area ◽  
Postal Code ◽  
Young Cohort ◽  
Dutch Population ◽  
Urbanization Level ◽  
Age Cohorts

AbstractThe heritability of the degree of residential area urbanization in twins and their siblings in the Dutch population was examined. The postal code was known for 6879 twins and 2724 siblings registered with the Netherlands Twin Register and born between 1940 and 1983. Using data from Statistics Netherlands (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, 2001), these postal codes could be related to residential area characteristics, including urbanization level. The degree of urbanization was assessed on a 5-point scale: very heavy, heavy, moderate, low and not urbanized. Genetic model-fitting was carried out in three age cohorts: young adults (born 1975 to 1983), adults (born 1965 to 1974) and older adults (born 1940 to1964). Twin and sibling resemblance in urbanization level was expressed in polychoric correlations. These correlations decreased from the youngest cohort (.66 to .86) to the oldest cohort (.20 to .58). In all 3 age cohorts, genetic factors did not contribute to familial resemblance. The influence of common environment decreased in importance from the young cohort (70% to 83%) to the old cohort (46% to 47%) and was lower in women than in men in all but the oldest age cohort. This study did not replicate Australian findings of a genetic contribution in the older cohorts; common environmental factors and, increasingly with age, unique environmental factors determine where the Dutch live. Future studies in European and other populations will reveal whether these results are specific to the Dutch population.

scholarly journals Heritability of Risk-Taking in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Twin Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 366-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrey P. Anokhin ◽  
Simon Golosheykin ◽  
Julia Grant ◽  
Andrew C. Heath
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Behavioral Measure ◽  
Longitudinal Stability ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Longitudinal Twin Study ◽  
Adolescent Twins

AbstractAdolescents are prone to risk-taking behaviors leading to adverse consequences such as substance abuse, accidents, violence, and victimization. However, little is known about the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to individual differences in the propensity for risk-taking. This study investigated developmental changes, longitudinal stability, and heritability of risk-taking using data from 752 adolescent twins including 169 MZ and 203 DZ pairs. The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), an experimental behavioral measure of risk taking, was administered to the twins at age 12 and then re-administered to a part of this sample at age 14. Risk-taking increased with age, but individual differences showed a significant longitudinal stability. Genetic model fitting showed that at age 12, heritability of risk-taking was modest but significant in both sexes, whereas at age 14, heritability increased to 55% in males and became nonsignificant in females. The findings suggest that propensity for risk-taking as measured by BART can be a useful endophenotype for genetic studies of adolescent externalizing psychopathology, however, the utility of this measure may be limited by sex differences in heritability.

Exploring Genetic and Environmental Influences on Miscarriage Rates: A Twin Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea V. Burri ◽  
Lynn Cherkas ◽  
Timothy D. Spector
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Variance Components ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
Genetic Influence ◽  
Shared Environment ◽  
Pair Correlations ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Common Variable

AbstractMiscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, occurring in up to 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Our understanding of the etiology is still limited but is believed to be multifactorial, including endocrine and anatomical abnormalities, immunologic, genetic and lifestyle factors. The aim of this study was to explore whether genetic variability in miscarriage is under any genetic influence. 3234 MZ and DZ female twins completed postal self-completion questionnaires on pregnancies. Rates were adjusted for total number of pregnancies. The relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to variation in miscarriage was assessed using twin intra-pair correlations and quantified using a variance components model fitting approach. We found 22.7% of our twins reporting having suffered at least one miscarriage. Current age, age at first pregnancy and higher number of pregnancies all had a significant influence on reported miscarriage. The concordance of miscarriage was similar in identical and non-identical twins, 26% and 27%, respectively. Shared environment and predominantly random error and unique environment rather than genetic factors best explained the total variation of miscarriage. To our knowledge, this is the first large twin study exploring heritability of miscarriage which unlike the vast majority of common variable traits, shows no significant genetic influence. In the absence of clear environmental factors, these results suggest the influence of random factors.

scholarly journals Very low prevalence of ultrasound-detected tenosynovial abnormalities in healthy subjects throughout the age range: OMERACT ultrasound minimal disease study

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-219931
Author(s):  
Jeanette Trickey ◽  
Ilfita Sahbudin ◽  
Mads Ammitzbøll-Danielsen ◽  
Irene Azzolin ◽  
Carina Borst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Power Doppler ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Early Arthritis ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Minimal Disease ◽  
Disease Study ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Age Range

ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of ultrasound-detected tendon abnormalities in healthy subjects (HS) across the age range.MethodsAdult HS (age 18–80 years) were recruited in 23 international Outcome Measures in Rheumatology ultrasound centres and were clinically assessed to exclude inflammatory diseases or overt osteoarthritis before undergoing a bilateral ultrasound examination of digit flexors (DFs) 1–5 and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) tendons to detect the presence of tenosynovial hypertrophy (TSH), tenosynovial power Doppler (TPD) and tenosynovial effusion (TEF), usually considered ultrasound signs of inflammatory diseases. A comparison cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was taken from the Birmingham Early Arthritis early arthritis inception cohort.Results939 HS and 144 patients with RA were included. The majority of HS (85%) had grade 0 for TSH, TPD and TEF in all DF and ECU tendons examined. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of TSH and TPD involvement between HS and subjects with RA (HS vs RA p<0.001). In HS, there was no difference in the presence of ultrasound abnormalities between age groups.ConclusionsUltrasound-detected TSH and TPD abnormalities are rare in HS and can be regarded as markers of active inflammatory disease, especially in newly presenting RA.

Evidence for a Heritable General Factor of Personality in Two Studies

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Livia Veselka ◽  
Julie Aitken Schermer ◽  
K. V. Petrides ◽  
Philip Anthony Vernon
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Model Fitting ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
General Factor Of Personality ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractTwo studies were conducted to see whether a general factor of personality (GFP) could be extracted from different measures of personality. Using samples of twins in both studies also allowed an assessment of the extent to which genetic and/ or environmental factors contributed to individual differences in the GFPs that were found. In Study 1, principal components analysis of the Big Five personality traits in combination with four scales of mental toughness yielded a strong GFP and behavior genetic model-fitting showed that individual differences in this GFP were fully accounted for by genetic and nonshared environmental factors. In Study 2, a GFP was extracted from the Big Five traits in combination with 15 facets of emotional intelligence. Individual differences in this GFP were also fully accounted for by genetic and nonshared environmental factors. These studies add to the growing body of research demonstrating the existence of a GFP and replicate one previous report of its heritability.

scholarly journals Development of Serum Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and Evidence of Immunity in Older Adults Convalescing from COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 942-942
Author(s):  
Rebecca Caffrey ◽  
James Wright ◽  
Nicole Waltrip ◽  
David Bostwick
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Sandwich Elisa ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Age Range

Abstract The presence and magnitude of SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and Neutralizing Antibody (NAbs) response was investigated in study cohort comprised of 58 volunteers who survived COVID-19 in a Virginia LTC facility. All subjects were confirmed positive by PCR nasal swab at least once and blood samples were drawn a minimum of 14 days post symptom onset or first positive COVID-19 test. The cohort was split between LTC residents (n=32, mean age 77.8 yrs, age range 48-97), and the LTC staff (n=26, mean age 41.3 yrs, range 23-61); the age difference between groups was statistically significant (P&lt;0.001). Serum IgG measurement was quantitative over 5 orders of magnitude (0.6-1250µg/mL) and IgM was qualitative, measured with sandwich ELISA; NAbs were measured with surrogate virus neutralization assay (sVNT) competition ELISA (both Genscript). The convalescent older adult LTC patients were fully immuno-competent and showed no significant difference in IgG, IgM, or NAbs compared to the younger staff group. All older adults developed NAbs and were positive for either IgG, IgM, or both. All study participants were then grouped by age range and IgG, IgM, and NAbs compared between the following groups: ≤ 50 yrs old(n=20), 51-60(n=6), 61-70(n=8), 71-80(n=14), 81-90(n=6), and ≥91(n=4). There was no significant difference in immune response parameters between the age groups. Furthermore, repeat testing at 3 months on a subset of participants showed that NAbs, IgG and IgM persist. We conclude that development of competent immune response was age-independent, and that presence of NAbs in serum suggests older adults may develop true immunity.

scholarly journals DETERMINATION OF DENTAL AGE OF 10-13 YEAR-OLD CHILDREN OF THE CARPATHIAN REGION OF UKRAINE BY THE CAMERIERE METHOD IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE

2019 ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
V.F. Makieyev ◽  
O.O. Isakova
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Dental Age ◽  
Ray Method ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Age Range

Purpose:  to evaluate the chronological and dental age of children in Lviv and the Lviv region aged 10-13 years with the help of the modified formula Cameriere.  Methods. Оrthopantomograms  46 children (26 boys and 20 girls) aged 10-13 years from Lviv and Lviv region have been used for this study. A questionnaire was developed for the submission of individual patient data and a standardized format for making their indicators derived from orthopantomograms (OPG). The examination of the area of the lower seven teeth on the left was done using the Cameriere method and the age of the child was evaluated, which was further compared with the chronological age.  Results.The obtained results of the study showed a high accuracy and reliability of the estimation of dental age in children up to 10-13 years with the help of the Cameriere formula modified by us. The research is based on the detection of physiological changes (the rate of formation of the roots) in the permanent teeth of children using the X-ray method.  Evaluating the results obtained by two methods, among girls and boys of the selected age group, a statistically significant strong correlation between the chronological age and the age calculated by the Cameriere method was revealed. Cameriere research has been carried out in many countries around the world and, in particular, in European countries, by implementing the general formula. Children in the period of occlusive bite remain the most critical in terms of age and, therefore, the determination of the correct time for dental interventions. In this age group, the development of permanent teeth passes through different stages and depends on many factors of the environment, genetic, geographical and food factors. The process of teething also affects many local factors, such as space and space for a permanent tooth in the dental artery and the loss of temporary precursors. Even with a large number of factors affecting the eruption and formation of permanent teeth in children, this method showed high accuracy and independence. In order to assess the Cameriere method among the children under study and its further practical application, a comparison was made between the age obtained using this methodology and the chronological age of the children under study in different age groups, both among boys and girls. Analyzing the obtained data, it was found that the mean of chronological age among the studied boys aged 10-11 (n = 14) was 11.02 ± 0.59 years, and the Cameriere method was 10.63 ± 1.03 years.  Student's assessment did not reveal a significant difference between the data (p = 0.22) for the age group of 10-11 years.  Further analysis among the studied boys revealed that in the age group 12-13 years the average chronological age was 12.94 ± 0.49 years, and the age was determined by the Cameriere method 12.59 ± 0.63 years, and no significant difference was established between them  (p = 0.14). The results of the studies have shown the suitability of the Cameriere formula modified during the process, based on the assessment of open tops and the number of teeth with completed root formation as a marker for the physiological development of the child and one that can be used to determine the child's age.Since studies had a limited age range on a particular sample of dental patients, further studies should evaluate the utility of this method in a larger sample of children in the extended age range of the given region of Ukraine and, if possible, adjust the formula we modified for the stability of the averaged indicators in different samples by age and sex. 

scholarly journals Total Outflow Facility in Live C57BL/6 Mice of Different Age

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandr Yelenskiy ◽  
MinHee K. Ko ◽  
Edward R. Chu ◽  
Jose M. Gonzalez ◽  
Kimberly Siegmund ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Constant Pressure ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Anterior Segment ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Outflow Facility ◽  
Perfusion Flow ◽  
Perfusion Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Age Range

Purpose: To characterize total outflow facility across the live adult mouse lifespan as a reference for mouse glaucoma studies and the common C57BL/6 background strain. Methods: Microperfusion was performed by single-needle cannulation and feedback-controlled coupling of pressure and flow to maintain a constant pressure in the anterior chambers of live C57BL/6NCrl mice aged 3-4 months (n = 17), 6-9 months (n = 10), and 23-27 months (n = 12). This mouse age range represented an equivalent human age range of young adult to elderly. We characterized the following across age groups in vivo: (1) outflow facility based on constant pressure perfusion in a pressure range of 15-35 mm Hg, (2) perfusion flow rates, and (3) anterior segment tissue histology after perfusion. Thirty-nine live mice underwent perfusion. Results: Pressure-flow rate functions were consistently linear for all age groups (all R2 > 0.96). Total outflow facility in mice aged 3-4, 6-9, and 23-27 months was 0.0066, 0.0064, and 0.0077 μL/min/mm Hg, respectively. Facility was not significantly different between age groups (all p > 0.4). The groups had closely overlapping frequency distribution profiles with right-sided tails. Post hoc estimates indicated that group facility differences of at least 50% would have been detectable, with this limit set mainly by inherent variability in the strain. A trend toward higher perfusion flow rates was seen in older mice aged 23-27 months, but this was not significantly different from that of mice aged 3-4 months or 6-9 months (p > 0.2). No histological disruption or difference in iridocorneal angle or drainage tissue structure was seen following perfusion in the different age groups. Conclusion: We did not find a significant difference in total outflow facility between different age groups across the live C57BL/6 mouse adult lifespan, agreeing with some human studies. The possibility that more subtle differences might exist ought to be judged with respect to the heterogeneity in facility at different ages. Our findings provide reference data for live perfusion studies pertaining to glaucoma involving the C57BL/6 strain.

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