Handedness in Twins: Joint Analysis of Data From 35 Samples

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Medland ◽  
David L. Duffy ◽  
Margaret J. Wright ◽  
Gina M. Geffen ◽  
Nicholas G. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Joint Analysis ◽  
Additive Genetic Effect ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Environmental Model ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

AbstractSimultaneous analysis of handedness data from 35 samples of twins (with a combined sample size of 21,127 twin pairs) found a small but significant additive genetic effect accounting for 25.47% of the variance (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.69–29.51%). No common environmental influences were detected (C = 0.00; 95% CI 0.00–7.67%), with the majority of the variance, 74.53%, explained by factors unique to the individual (95% CI 70.49–78.67%). No significant heterogeneity was observed within studies that used similar methods to assess handedness, or across studies that used different methods. At an individual level the majority of studies had insufficient power to reject a purely unique environmental model due to insufficient power to detect familial aggregation. This lack of power is seldom mentioned within studies, and has contributed to the misconception that twin studies of handedness are not informative.

Personal Goals of Older Female Twins

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katariina Salmela-Aro ◽  
Sanna Read ◽  
Jari-Erik Nurmi ◽  
Markku Koskenvuo ◽  
Jaakko Kaprio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Environmental Effect ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Environmental Influence ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Additive Genetic Effect ◽  
Personal Goals ◽  
Cultural Activities ◽  
The Individual

This study examined genetic and environmental influences on older women’s personal goals by using data from the Finnish Twin Study on Aging. The interview for the personal goals was completed by 67 monozygotic (MZ) pairs and 75 dizygotic (DZ) pairs. The tetrachoric correlations for personal goals related to health and functioning, close relationships, and independent living were higher in MZ than DZ twins, indicating possible genetic influence. The pattern of tetrachoric correlations for personal goals related to cultural activities, care of others, and physical exercise indicated environmental influence. For goals concerning health and functioning, independent living, and close relationships, additive genetic effect accounted for about half of the individual variation. The rest was the result of a unique environmental effect. Goals concerning physical exercise and care of others showed moderate common environmental effect, while the rest of the variance was the result of a unique environmental effect. Personal goals concerning cultural activities showed unique environmental effects only.

scholarly journals Estimation of the Center Effect on Early Peritoneal Dialysis Failure: A Multilevel Modelling Approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 519-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Guillouët ◽  
Ghislaine Veniez ◽  
Christian Verger ◽  
Clémence Béchade ◽  
Maxence Ficheux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Multilevel Modelling ◽  
French Language ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Center Effect ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Observation Period ◽  
Modelling Approach

IntroductionThis study was carried out to investigate the center effect on the risk of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure within the first 6 months of therapy using a multilevel approach.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We analyzed 5,406 incident patients starting PD between January 2008 and December 2012 in 128 PD centers. The end of the observation period was December 31, 2013.ResultsOf the 5,406 patients, 415 stopped PD within the first 6 months. There was a significant heterogeneity between centers (variance of the random effect: 0.10). Only 3% of the variance of the event of interest was attributable to differences between centers. At the individual level, only treatment before PD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.93 for hemodialysis and OR: 2.29 for renal transplantation) and underlying nephropathy ( p < 0.01) were associated with early PD failure. At the center level, only center experience was associated (OR: 0.78) with the risk of PD failure. Center effect accounted for 52% of the disparities between centers.ConclusionCenter effect on early PD failure is significant. Center experience is associated with a lower risk of transfer to hemodialysis.

Heritability and Shared Genetic Effects of Asthma and Hay Fever: An Italian Study of Young Twins

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Fagnani ◽  
Isabella Annesi-Maesano ◽  
Sonia Brescianini ◽  
Cristina D'Ippolito ◽  
Emanuela Medda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Familial Aggregation ◽  
Hay Fever ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Twin Method ◽  
Estimate Heritability ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
The Individual

AbstractA number of studies have provided evidence of a significant familial aggregation for both asthma and hay fever, and have reported a substantial comorbidity between the two conditions. However, far fewer, especially in Italy, have aimed at clarifying the origins of such comorbidity. The main aims of the present study were (a) to estimate heritability of asthma and hay fever, (b) to measure the association between asthma and hay fever at the individual level, and (c) to assess the extent to which genetic and environmental factors, shared by the two conditions, mediate this association. The twin method was used. The study sample was derived from the Italian Twin Registry, and included 392 twin pairs aged 8 to 17 years. Data collection was performed through parent self-administered questionnaire. Bivariate structural equation twin modeling was applied to asthma and hay fever. Genetic factors accounted for 92% and 78% of the variance in liability to asthma and hay fever, respectively, with the remaining contributions due to unique environmental influences. The within-individual association between asthma and hay fever was substantial. The genetic correlation between the two conditions was .58, whereas no evidence of overlapping unique environmental effects was found. In conclusion, this study showed a high heritability of asthma and hay fever in the Italian child and adolescent population. It also indicated that asthma and hay fever share, to a large extent, a common genetic background, and environmental factors are not relevant to explain the comorbidity.

scholarly journals Incomplete protection against dengue virus type 2 re-infection in Peru

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett M. Forshey ◽  
Robert C. Reiner ◽  
Sandra Olkowski ◽  
Amy C. Morrison ◽  
Angelica Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Age Distribution ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Denv Infection ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Background. Nearly half of the world’s population is at risk for dengue, yet no licensed vaccine or anti-viral drug is currently available. Dengue is caused by any of four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1 through DENV-4), and infection by a DENV serotype is assumed to provide life-long protection against re-infection by that serotype. We investigated the validity of this fundamental assumption during a large dengue epidemic caused by DENV-2 in Iquitos, Peru, in 2010-2011, 15 years after the first outbreak of DENV-2 in the region.Methodology/Principal Findings. We estimated the age-dependent prevalence of serotype-specific DENV antibodies from longitudinal cohort studies conducted between 1993 and 2010. During the 2010-2011 epidemic, active dengue cases were identified through active community- and clinic-based febrile surveillance studies, and acute inapparent DENV infections were identified through contact tracing studies. Based on the age-specific prevalence of DENV-2 neutralizing antibodies, the age distribution of DENV-2 cases was markedly older than expected. Homologous protection was estimated at 35.1% (95% confidence interval: 0% -- 65.2%). At the individual level, pre-existing DENV-2 antibodies were associated with an incomplete reduction in the frequency of symptoms. Among dengue cases, 43% (26/66) exhibited elevated DENV-2 neutralizing antibody titers for years prior to infection, compared with 76% (13/17) of inapparent infections (age-adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 – 17.7).Conclusions/Significance. Our data indicate that protection from homologous DENV re-infection may be incomplete in some circumstances, which provides context for the limited vaccine efficacy against DENV-2 in recent trials. Further studies are warranted to confirm this phenomenon and to evaluate the potential role of incomplete homologous protection in DENV transmission dynamics.Author SummaryHomotypic immunity against DENV infection has been assumed to be complete and lifelong, and to our knowledge, instances of homologous DENV re-infection have not been rigorously documented. However, few long-term studies have been conducted in such a way that homologous re-infection could be observed, if it did in fact occur. Our study provides evidence that homologous re-infection may occur in certain circumstances. We draw from data collected during a 2010-2011 DENV-2 epidemic in northeastern Peru, 15 years after the initial DENV-2 outbreak in the region. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of dengue epidemiology and for dengue vaccine formulation, which may need to consider multiple genotypes of each serotype. Data from other long-term dengue epidemiology studies should be analyzed to determine of homologous re-infection is a more widespread phenomenon.

scholarly journals Genetic maternal effects contributes to the risk of Tourette’s disorder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behrang Mahjani ◽  
Lambertus Klei ◽  
Christina M. Hultman ◽  
Henrik Larsson ◽  
Sven Sandin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Genetic Effect ◽  
Tic Disorders ◽  
Additive Genetic Effect ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Compulsive Disorder ◽  
Medical Birth Register ◽  
Swedish Medical ◽  
The Individual

AbstractBackgroundRisk for Tourette’s and related tic disorders (CTD) derives from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of direct additive genetic variation for CTD, little is known about the role of cross-generational transmission of genetic risks, such as maternal effects. Here, we partition sources of variation on CTD risk into direct additive genetic effect and maternal effects.MethodsThe study population consists of 2,522,677 individuals from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, born in Sweden between January 1, 1982, to December 31, 1990, and followed for a diagnosis of CTD through December 31, 2013.ResultsWe identified 6,227 (0.25%) individuals in the birth cohort diagnosed with CTD. Using generalized linear mixed models, we estimated 4.7% (95% CrI, 4.4%-4.8%) genetic maternal effects, 0.5% (95% CrI, 0.2%-7%) environmental maternal effects, and 61% (95% CrI, 59%-63%) direct additive genetic effects. Around 1% of genetic maternal effects were due to maternal effects from the individual with comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate genetic maternal effects contributing to the risk of CTD in offspring and also highlight new sources of overlapping risk between CTD and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Differential Effects of Competence and Morality on Self-Esteem at the Individual and the Collective Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-198
Author(s):  
Wiktor Soral ◽  
Mirosław Kofta
Keyword(s):  
Self Esteem ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. The importance of various trait dimensions explaining positive global self-esteem has been the subject of numerous studies. While some have provided support for the importance of agency, others have highlighted the importance of communion. This discrepancy can be explained, if one takes into account that people define and value their self both in individual and in collective terms. Two studies ( N = 367 and N = 263) examined the extent to which competence (an aspect of agency), morality, and sociability (the aspects of communion) promote high self-esteem at the individual and the collective level. In both studies, competence was the strongest predictor of self-esteem at the individual level, whereas morality was the strongest predictor of self-esteem at the collective level.

Metonymy in Dance: Ballet Bunheads Take a Cognitive Turn

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-34
Author(s):  
Edward C. Warburton
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Artistic Development ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Figures Of Speech ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Level I ◽  
Dance Educators ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Metaphor And Metonymy

This essay considers metonymy in dance from the perspective of cognitive science. My goal is to unpack the roles of metaphor and metonymy in dance thought and action: how do they arise, how are they understood, how are they to be explained, and in what ways do they determine a person's doing of dance? The premise of this essay is that language matters at the cultural level and can be determinative at the individual level. I contend that some figures of speech, especially metonymic labels like ‘bunhead’, can not only discourage but dehumanize young dancers, treating them not as subjects who dance but as objects to be danced. The use of metonymy to sort young dancers may undermine the development of healthy self-image, impede strong identity formation, and retard creative-artistic development. The paper concludes with a discussion of the influence of metonymy in dance and implications for dance educators.

Exploring the effect of weight loss on food reward at the individual level

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pauline Oustric ◽  
Kristine Beaulieu ◽  
Nuno Casanova ◽  
Francois Husson ◽  
Catherine Gibbons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Food Reward ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
The Individual

Personality change and environmental concerns

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher James Hopwood ◽  
Ted Schwaba ◽  
Wiebke Bleidorn
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
German Population ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sustainable Behavior ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Over Time

Personal concerns about climate change and the environment are a powerful motivator of sustainable behavior. People’s level of concern varies as a function of a variety of social and individual factors. Using data from 58,748 participants from a nationally representative German sample, we tested preregistered hypotheses about factors that impact concerns about the environment over time. We found that environmental concerns increased modestly from 2009-2017 in the German population. However, individuals in middle adulthood tended to be more concerned and showed more consistent increases in concern over time than younger or older people. Consistent with previous research, Big Five personality traits were correlated with environmental concerns. We present novel evidence that increases in concern were related to increases in the personality traits neuroticism and openness to experience. Indeed, changes in openness explained roughly 50% of the variance in changes in environmental concerns. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the individual level factors associated with changes in environmental concerns over time, towards the promotion of more sustainable behavior at the individual level.

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