Blood Glutathione and Cysteine Concentrations in Twin Children

2001 ◽  
Vol 226 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin A. Lang ◽  
Adam P. Matheny ◽  
Walter Mastropaolo ◽  
Marcia C. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Twin Study ◽  
Electrochemical Method ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Careful Attention ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Louisville Twin Study ◽  
Reduced And Oxidized Glutathione ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
Mz Twins

Glutathione and cysteine are major antioxidants in blood that are associated with health and longevity. To ensure their measurement, careful attention to avoid auto-oxidation is necessary to stabilize the samples. Since no report of these compounds has been reported in children, our goal was to determine their levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and cysteine (Cys and CSSC), To this end, 140 healthy children, ages 2 to 9 years from the Louisville Twin Study were studied. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for GSH, GSSG, Cys, and CSSC by our HPLC dual electrochemical method. The results showed that GSH and total GSH (GSH + GSSG) levels for monozygotic (MZ) twins were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than levels for dizygotic (DZ) twins. However, the opposite occurred for Cys and total Cys (Cys + CSSC) in that the levels were significantly higher for DZ twins than for MZ twins. (P < 0.005-0.013). In spite of this marked difference in zygosity, the withinpair correlations for twin pairs used for estimating heritability suggested that there was a major environmental influence for total GSH and total Cys. Finally. GSH levels were significantly lower for young (2–9 years) children than adults (P < 0.001).

Validity of the Zygosity Questionnaire and Characteristics of Zygosity-Misdiagnosed Twin Pairs in the Healthy Twin Study of Korea

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Mi Song ◽  
Dong-Hun Lee ◽  
Mi Kyoung Lee ◽  
Kayoung Lee ◽  
Hee Jung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Twin Study ◽  
Twin Pair ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Genotype Information ◽  
Zygosity Questionnaire ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
Short Tandem Repeat Markers ◽  
Mz Twins ◽  
Short Tandem

AbstractDetermining valid zygosity is a basic and important requirement in a twin study, because misdiagnosing zygosity leads to biased results. The Healthy Twin Study has collected data from adult like-sex twins and their families since 2005. In the study, a questionnaire to determine zygosity was developed comprising four questions; one concerning the degree of resemblance, and three concerning the degree of confusion by the resemblance. Among 2,761 individuals (624 twin pairs) of twin and their families, 406 pairs of twins (mean age 38.3, 63.5% women) with both questionnaire and genotype information were selected to examine the validity of the zygosity questionnaire using 16 short tandem repeat markers. We first determined individual zygosity including undetermined category, and then decided the zygosity of a twin pair using a decision tree. Sensitivity of questionnaire diagnosis was 98.8% for monozygotic (MZ) and 88.9% for dizygotic (DZ) twins, and positive predictive value was 97.2% for MZ and 95.0% for DZ. When we compared correctly and wrongly diagnosed twin pairs, misdiagnosed DZ twins (nine pairs) showed striking similarity in stature or obesity even exceeding that of true MZ twins. Our finding suggests that a parsimonious questionnaire method of diagnosing the zygosity will be useful, and adding physical or physiological measurements to a questionnaire of zygosity diagnosis will either confound the correct diagnosis or reduce the efficiency of the study compared with using questionnaire alone or with introducing genotyping.

scholarly journals A twin study of self-regulatory eating in early childhood: estimates of genetic and environmental influence, and measurement considerations

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 931-937 ◽  
Author(s):  
M S Faith ◽  
A Pietrobelli ◽  
M Heo ◽  
S L Johnson ◽  
K L Keller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Environmental Influence

scholarly journals Cohabitation is associated with a greater resemblance in gut microbiota which can impact cardiometabolic and inflammatory risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey T. Finnicum ◽  
Jeffrey J. Beck ◽  
Conor V. Dolan ◽  
Christel Davis ◽  
Gonneke Willemsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Genetic Profile ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Mz Twins ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition ◽  
Inflammatory Burden

Abstract Background The gut microbiota composition is known to be influenced by a myriad of factors including the host genetic profile and a number of environmental influences. Here, we focus on the environmental influence of cohabitation on the gut microbiota as well as whether these environmentally influenced microorganisms are associated with cardiometabolic and inflammatory burden. We perform this by investigating the gut microbiota composition of various groups of related individuals including cohabitating monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, non-cohabitating MZ twin pairs and spouse pairs. Results A stronger correlation between alpha diversity was found in cohabitating MZ twins (45 pairs, r = 0.64, p = 2.21 × 10− 06) than in non-cohabitating MZ twin pairs (121 pairs, r = 0.42, p = 1.35 × 10− 06). Although the correlation of alpha diversity did not attain significance between spouse pairs (42 pairs, r = 0.23, p = 0.15), the correlation was still higher than those in the 209 unrelated pairs (r = − 0.015, p = 0.832). Bray-Curtis (BC) dissimilarity metrics showed cohabitating MZ twin pairs had the most similar gut microbiota communities which were more similar than the BC values of non-cohabitating MZ twins (empirical p-value = 0.0103), cohabitating spouses (empirical p-value = 0.0194), and pairs of unrelated non-cohabitating individuals (empirical p-value< 0.00001). There was also a significant difference between the BC measures from the spouse pairs and those from the unrelated non-cohabitating individuals (empirical p-value< 0.00001). Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated between the various groups of interest and the results indicate the presence of OTUs with an environmental influence and one OTU that appeared to demonstrate genetic influences. One of the OTUs (Otu0190) was observed to have a significant association with both the cardiometabolic and inflammatory burden scores (p’s < 0.05). Conclusions Through the comparison of the microbiota contents of MZ twins with varying cohabitation status and spousal pairs, we showed evidence of environmentally influenced OTUs, one of which had a significant association with cardiometabolic and inflammatory burden scores.

The Louisville Twin Study: Past, Present and Future

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 735-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah W. Davis ◽  
Eric Turkheimer ◽  
Deborah Finkel ◽  
Christopher Beam ◽  
Lesa Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Data Collection Methods ◽  
Data Preservation ◽  
Louisville Twin Study ◽  
Collection Methods

AbstractThe Louisville Twin Study (LTS) is nationally recognized as one of the largest and most comprehensive studies of child development related to multiple birth status. The LTS is unique because of the extensive longitudinal face-to-face assessments, the frequency of data collection, the inclusion of data on additional family members (i.e., parents, siblings, grandparents; and later, twins’ own spouses and children), and the variety of data collection methods used. Data preservation efforts began in 2008 and are largely complete, although efforts are ongoing to obtain funding to convert the electronic data to a newer format. A pilot study was completed in the summer of 2018 to bring the twins, who are now middle-aged, back for testing. A grant is currently under review to extend the pilot study to include all former participants who are now ≥40 years of age. Opportunities for collaboration are welcome.

Diagnostic Role Of MPV In Acute Appendicitis

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-13
Author(s):  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Mean Platelet Volume ◽  
Pathological Diagnosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Platelet Volume ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Diagnostic Role ◽  
And Control

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic role of mean platelet volume (MPV) for acute appendicitis. Methods: Patient files were retrospectively observed. MPV of 311 patients with pathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis were compared with the MPV of 314 healthy children (blood samples were taken for elective operations). SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) was used to evaluate the results. Results: 188 of acute appendicitis were male (%60.5). Mean age of acute appendicitis group was 10.22±3.83. MPV of children with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis (8.37±0.83fL) and the control group (10.55±0.83fL). MPV values were statistically different between the acute appendicitis and control group (p<0,001). Conclusion: MPV may be used as a marker for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, but it is not a specific biomarker for appendicitis.

scholarly journals Twin Differentiation of Cognitive Ability Through Phenotype to Environment Transmission: The Louisville Twin Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (6) ◽  
pp. 622-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Beam ◽  
Eric Turkheimer ◽  
William T. Dickens ◽  
Deborah Winders Davis
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Louisville Twin Study

Fusional Reserves and Psychological Variables in Monozygotic Twins

1961 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 366-369
Author(s):  
James Shields
Keyword(s):  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
The One ◽  
Psychological Criterion ◽  
Mz Twins ◽  
Temporal Reliability

Summary and ConclusionsFollowing a suggestion of Gedda and Bérard-Magistretti, intra-pair differences between MZ twins in fusional reserves were compared with differences in psychological variables. While the strong relationship between twin leadership and FR which these workers found in twin children was not confirmed in the present small sample of 14 adult pairs, the twin with the higher FR tended to be the more introverted, the more intelligent and the one who volunteered for the investigation. He also tended to be the taller and the first born.Further studies, including the temporal reliability of scores of fusional convergence, are required before the value of this characteristic as a psychological criterion can be established.

Twin Similarity in the Developmental Transformations of Infant Temperament as Measured in a Multi-Method, Longitudinal Study

1984 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam P. Matheny
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Twin Study ◽  
Infant Temperament ◽  
Social Orientation ◽  
Genetic Influences ◽  
Louisville Twin Study ◽  
Parental Ratings ◽  
Developmental Transformations ◽  
Study Laboratory ◽  
Temperament Dimension

AbstractIn the Louisville Twin Study, laboratory observations of twin infants' temperament at 12, 18, and 24 months were linked with parental ratings from temperament questionnaires. Core dimensions of temperament were extracted by factor analysis applied to each set of measures at each age. The laboratory temperament dimension was recurrently represented by emotional tone, social orientation, attentiveness, and reaction to restraint. The questionnaire temperament dimension was recurrently represented by mood, approach/withdrawal and adaptability. The laboratory and questionnaire dimensions were found to be correlated at each age (convergent correlations: 0.38 to 0.52) and to be stable across ages (stability correlations 0.37 to 0.66). The temperament dimensions were used to demonstrate that temperament profiles were more concordant for identical than for fraternal twin pairs. The results demonstrate the genetic influences on (a) the primary dimensions of temperament and (b) the developmental transformations of temperament.

scholarly journals Clinical Implications of Procalcitonin in Kawasaki Disease: A Useful Candidate For Differentiating From Sepsis and Evaluating IVIG Responsiveness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Man Man Niu ◽  
Qi Jiang ◽  
Jin Wei Ruan ◽  
Hui Hui Liu ◽  
Wei Xia Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kawasaki Disease ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
C Reactive Protein ◽  
Significant Elevation ◽  
Ivig Infusion ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Childhood Vasculitis

Abstract Objective Kawasaki disease (KD) is a common childhood vasculitis absent of the specific laboratory definitions, besides a significant elevation in several inflammatory mediators, such as procalcitonin (PCT). However, whether PCT can serve as a useful candidate for differentiating KD from sepsis, and even for predicting incomplete KD, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) nonrespondsiveness and coronary artery abnormalities (CAAs) remains unclear.Methods 254 Chinese KD children were enrolled and divided into 6 subgroups, including complete KD, incomplete KD, IVIG-responsive KD, IVIG-nonresponsive KD, KD with CAAs and KD without CAAs. Blood samples were collected from all subjects within 24-h pre- and 48-h post-IVIG infusion, respectively. PCT, C-reactive protein, sedimentation rate and blood cell counts were detected. In addition, both 261 sepsis children and 251 healthy children sex- and age-matched with KD children were enrolled in the same period.Results (1) PCT experienced the highest increase in sepsis patients before antibiotic therapy, followed by acute KD patients and the healthy controls. (2) The proportion of KD patients with a PCT concentration below 0.25 ng/ml was 11 folds higher than that of sepsis patients. (3) PCT had a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 30.3% at a cut-off value of >0.15 ng/ml to predict IVIG nonresponsiveness, and the proportion of IVIG-nonresponders with a PCT concentration of 0.25-0.50 ng/ml was 2 folds higher than that of IVIG-responders. Conclusions The PCT concentrations below 0.25 ng/ml may be useful for discriminating KD from sepsis, and moreover, the PCT concentrations of 0.25-0.50 ng/ml may be helpful in predicting IVIG nonresponsiveness.

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