bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethambutol toxicity manifesting as acute onset psychosis
Authors: Martin S J , Bowden F J
Published: May 2007

Ethambutol is commonly used for the treatment of tuberculous and atypical mycobacterial infection. Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity other than optic neuropathy is not widely reported. A 40-year-old man with advanced HIV infection and Mycobacterium avium complex infection experienced rapid cognitive decline after commencement of ethambutol, and symptoms fully resolved with cessation.
Setting up a clinical psychology service for commercial sex workers
Authors: Stevenson Clare , Petrak Jenny
Published: May 2007

The objective of this study was to provide what we believe to be the first report of the establishment of a clinical psychology service to provide accessible psychological assessment, intervention and crisis support, integrated within an existing East London sexual health clinical and outreach service for commercial sex workers (CSWs). Data are presented on referral patterns, demographics, presenting issues to clinical psychology, interventions and outcomes for the first year of the service. Women presented with a range of psychosocial needs. Psychological interventions included direct therapy, signposting to other services and consultation with staff. We concluded that this flexible model of service provision improves access to mental health services within the context of a specialist sexual health and outreach service for CSWs. The provision of a named, female clinical psychologist who provides both the clinical sessions and attends outreach has been an important factor in developing trust and familiarity, leading to better uptake of the clinical psychology service.
Reactive arthritis due to zoophilic (canine) sexual intercourse
Authors: Ergun U Guney , Celik Mustafa , Ozer Huseyin T E
Published: May 2007

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is defined as a joint inflammation triggered by a distant infection, with no cultivable microbes in the joints. Although efforts have been made to characterize the microorganism linked to ReA, no definite common feature has so far emerged. Here we present a case of ReA which occurred after a zoophilic (canine genus) sexual intercourse.
Experience of setting up a genitourinary medicine in-reach clinic in a male prison
Authors: Sherrard Jackie , Boss Ian , Law Lamont
Published: May 2007

A fortnightly in-reach genitourinary (GU) medicine Service to a medium security male prison has been provided since April 2004. Patients are seen either by referrals from the prison general practitioner (GP), or at an individual's request. Problems have arisen due to a lack of space and time – the health adviser and doctor have to share a room. Since the prisoners have to leave Health Care by 1130 hours, if one inmate has complicated issues, it can result in these not being dealt with, or in patients not being seen as there is no flexibility. There has been an unexpectedly high DNA rate, which is multifactorial. Some prisoners have been moved to another prison since the request to be seen was made, some are on court attendances or have legal visits. Additionally some men choose not to come when sent for on the day. A few men who attend do so mistakenly, thinking that GUM is the dentist. This is particularly a problem where English is not the first language. The attendance of prisoners at the GU medicine service is noted in their prison health record, with relevant information, such as referral for management of hepatitis C. Of the 219 men seen in the first year, 55% had a GU medicine screen. The most common infections were chlamydia 10.5%, warts 12.1% and HCV 9%. The clinic has been well supported by patients and prison staff. High rates of infections are being detected and managed. The men have been happy to be screened, and despite initial concerns all are happy to provide urine specimens for chlamydia screening.
The treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhoea with a single oral dose of cefixime
Authors: McMillan A , Young H
Published: May 2007

An audit of the efficacy treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhoea with a single oral dose of 400 mg of cefixime was undertaken; 83% of patients also received a single oral dose of azithromycin to treat possible concurrent anogenital chlamydial infection. Of the 54 patients studied, only one of 45 patients who attended for at least one test of cure had a positive culture seven days after treatment; the possibility of reinfection could not have been excluded. Two tests of cure were obtained from 18 patients. Cefixime, therefore, seems to be effective in the treatment of pharyngeal gonorrhoea.
High coverage with HAART is required to substantially reduce the number of deaths from tuberculosis: system dynamics simulation
Authors: Atun Rifat A , Lebcir Reda M , Drobniewski Francis , McKee Martin , Coker Richard J
Published: May 2007

We used a system dynamics simulation model of the transmission dynamics of drug-sensitive tuberculosis (DSTB), multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and HIV to estimate the impact of coverage with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and different cure rates for MDRTB in settings of explosive HIV epidemics and high MDRTB levels. Population coverage levels at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% for HAART, and 5% and 80% of MDRTB treatment cure rates were simulated over a 10-year period and cumulative deaths from tuberculosis and HIV-associated tuberculosis were estimated for populations with latent tuberculosis, DSTB, MDRTB, HIV and HIV-associated tuberculosis.

Depending on levels of HAART population coverage, increasing MDRTB cure rates from 5% to 80% reduces cumulative tuberculosis deaths by 1% and 13%. High population coverage with HAART (75% or higher), allied with high MDRTB cure rates, reduces cumulative deaths by 60%, with limited impact below this level. High coverage with HAART is required to substantially reduce the number of deaths from tuberculosis.
Investigation of the Vibration Behaviour of Timber-Concrete Composite Floors as Part of a Performance Evaluation for the Belgian Building Industry
Authors: Mertens C , Martin Y , Dobbels F
Published: May 2007

Until recently, timber-concrete composite floors were unknown in Belgium. Today, little information is available and the application of this type of floor is problematical, because Belgian standards are not yet available. In order to change this situation, BBRI and CTIB (CTIB Belgian Institute for Wood Technology) are conducting a prenormative research project (2002–2006). The main purpose is not to investigate possible new solutions, but to evaluate existing systems and provide information necessary to update Belgian standards. The research programme mainly consists of an overall evaluation of some of the most common timber-concrete composite floor types, as well as some reference floors. In order to comply with Belgian building practice as closely as possible, an anhydrite layer was chosen as the top layer, since this type is frequently used to improve sound insulation. Also, timber floors with an anhydrite layer (or concrete layer) but without connectors were tested. The first two years of the project focused on mechanical resistance, vibration comfort and acoustics. To evaluate the analytical and numerical methods, a set of bending tests were executed, as well as shear tests, to characterize the connectors. Vibration behaviour was studied using a test set-up which allows the generation and measurement of vibrations on different parts of a construction. In this way, the transmission of vibrations can be analysed through the structure. During the second period of the project (2004–2006), long-term mechanical tests are taking place, along with further acoustic and vibration tests, and also fire safety is being studied. This paper describes the overall structure of the research with additional information about the vibratory part. Acoustic insulation will be presented in future, more specialized papers.
Noise Radiation by Rotating Machine Subject to Angular Misalignment
Authors: Hili Molka Attia , Fakhfakh Tahar , Haddar Mohamed
Published: May 2007

Rotating machine dysfunction is often caused by shaft misalignment. This defect generates concentrated or distributed loads that produce vibrations and noise. These vibrations depend on the machine itself through the transfer function while the noise is a function of the machine environment. The objective of this paper is to study the noise generated by shaft misalignment. A numerical model, describing a spinning system, capable of computing mechanical vibrations and noise radiations resulting from the defect, is developed.
Finite Element Approach for Flanking Transmission in Building Acoustics
Authors: Clasen Dirk , Langer Sabine
Published: May 2007

It is a well known fact that the acoustical properties of a building are seldom the main focus of the design. Constructive constraints and aesthetic aspects take centre stage in the early stage of design. As a consequence, the acoustic properties of the building may be insufficient and have to be improved by a costly reconstruction. One possibility to circumvent this problem is to use numerical tools that are able to predict the acoustical behaviour of a building at the early design stage. Here, a numerical tool, based upon the Finite Element Method (FEM), is presented. This tool is used to simulate building acoustic problems. A fully coupled formulation allows consideration of the complex interactions of materials and components. Air-borne sound, structure-borne sound, and sound insulation can be modelled. Example calculations show how numerical simulations can influence the design of a building. Further, numerical simulations can complement measurements and reduce the number of costly experiments, and also indicate improvements in sound insulation.
Pricing Communication Services with Delay Guarantee
Authors: Zhang Zhongju , Dey Debabrata , Tan Yong
Published: May 2007

Although pricing communication services has received attention, there has been little work where quality-of-service (QoS) guarantees are incorporated into ex ante pricing of communication links. In recent years, however, data networks providing services with QoS guarantees have become quite popular. We study optimal pricing for communication links provided over packet-switching networks with explicit QoS guarantees in terms of an expected per-packet delay. We first develop a pricing scheme for multiple classes of service when the delay guarantees are fixed and exogenously determined and analyze this scheme with one and two classes. Subsequently, we extend this analysis to the case where a provider can choose her own QoS parameters. We also examine long-run pricing and capacity planning for one and two classes of service. Finally, we consider other QoS guarantees such as jitter, packet-loss ratio and maximum delay.
ETAQA Solutions for Infinite Markov Processes with Repetitive Structure
Authors: Riska Alma , Smirni Evgenia
Published: May 2007

We describe the ETAQA (efficient technique for the solution of quasi birth-death processes) approach for the exact analysis of M/G/1 and GI/M/1-type processes, and their intersection, i.e., quasi birth-death processes. ETAQA exploits the repetitive structure of the infinite portion of the chain and derives a finite system of linear equations. In contrast to the classic techniques for solution of such systems, the solution of this finite linear system does not provide the entire probability distribution of the state space, but simply allows calculation of the aggregate probability of a finite set of classes of states from the state space, appropriately defined. Nonetheless, these aggregate probabilities allow for computation of a rich set of measures of interest such as the system queue length or any of its higher moments. The proposed solution approach is exact and, for the case of M/G/1-type processes, compares favorably to the classic methods as shown by detailed time and space complexity analysis. Detailed experimentation further corroborates that ETAQA provides significantly less expensive solutions when compared to the classic methods.
Performance of a Wavelet-Based Spectral Procedure for Steady-State Simulation Analysis
Authors: Lada Emily K. , Wilson James R. , Steiger Natalie M. , Joines Jeffrey A.
Published: May 2007

A summary and an analysis are given for an experimental performance evaluation of WASSP, an automated wavelet-based spectral method for constructing an approximate confidence interval on the steady-state mean of a simulation output process such that the delivered confidence interval satisfies user-specified requirements on absolute or relative precision as well as coverage probability. The experimentation involved three difficult test problems, each with an output process exhibiting some combination of the following characteristics: a long warm-up period, a persistent autocorrelation structure, or a highly nonnormal marginal distribution. These problems were used to compare the performance of WASSP with that of the Heidelberger-Welch algorithm and ASAP3, two sequential procedures based respectively on the methods of spectral analysis and nonoverlapping batch means. Concerning efficiency (required sample sizes) and robustness against the statistical anomalies commonly encountered in simulation studies, WASSP outperformed the Heidelberger-Welch procedure and compared favorably with ASAP3.
An Evolutionary Metaheuristic for Approximating Preference-Nondominated Solutions
Authors: Köksalan Murat , Phelps Selcen (Pamuk)
Published: May 2007

We propose an evolutionary metaheuristic for approximating the preference-nondominated solutions of a decision maker in multiobjective combinatorial problems. The method starts out with some partial preference information provided by the decision maker, and utilizes an individualized fitness function to converge toward a representative set of solutions favored by the information at hand. The breadth of the set depends on the precision of the partial information available on the decision maker’s preferences. The algorithm simultaneously evolves the population of solutions out toward the efficient frontier, focuses the population on those segments of the efficient frontier that will appeal to the decision maker, and disperses it over these segments to have an adequate representation. Simulation runs carried out on randomly generated instances of the multiobjective knapsack problem and the multiobjective spanning-tree problem have found the algorithm to yield highly satisfactory results.
Toward Automated Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (AIMS)
Authors: Chi Hoi-Ming , Ersoy Okan K. , Moskowitz Herbert , Altinkemer Kemal
Published: May 2007

Information technology (IT) has been the driver of increased productivity in the manufacturing and service sectors, bringing real-time information to decision makers and process owners to improve process behavior and performance. Thus, organizations have invested heavily in training their employees to use IT in a disciplined, scientific way to make process improvements. This has spawned such popular initiatives as Six Sigma, yielding significant returns, but at considerable investment in training in statistical-analysis and decision-making tools. Can aspects of the decision-making process be automated, letting humans do what they do best (create, define, and measure) and machines (e.g., learning machines) do what they do best (analyze)? We propose an automated intelligent manufacturing system (AIMS) for analysis and decision making that mines real-time or historical data, and uses statistical and computational-intelligence algorithms to model and optimize enterprise processes. The algorithms employed involve a regression support vector machine (SVM) for model construction and a genetic algorithm (GA) for model optimization. Performance of AIMS was compared to Six-Sigma-trained teams employing statistical methodologies, such as design of experiments (DOE), to improve a simulated manufacturing operation, a three-stage TV-manufacturing process, where the objectives were to maximize yield, minimize cycle time and its variation, and minimize manufacturing costs, which were affected by conflicting defects and their causes. AIMS generally outperformed the teams on the above criteria, required relatively little data and time to train the SVM, and was easy to use. AIMS could serve as a productivity springboard for enterprises in existing and emergent technologies, such as nanotechnology and biotechnology/life sciences, where environment and miniaturization may make human monitoring and intervention difficult or infeasible.
Anaphylactic Shock Associated with Cefuroxime Axetil: Structure—Activity Relationships
Authors: Hasdenteufel Frédéric , Luyasu Samuel , Renaudin Jean-Marie , Trechot Philippe , Kanny Gisèle
Published: May 2007

OBJECTIVE:

To present a predictive model of allergenicity based on a structure– activity relationship analysis of β-lactam antibiotics using appropriate skin testing procedures.

CASE SUMMARY:

A 39-year-old woman was diagnosed with anaphylactic shock a few minutes after taking a 500 mg tablet cefuroxime of axetil and was admitted to the emergency department with dizziness, facial angioedema, generalized skin rash, and inferior cardiac ischemia. Skin testing confirmed the involvement of cefuroxime as the cause of the anaphylactic reaction, and the reaction was defined as probable according to the Naranjo probability scale. We then performed skin testing to study cross-reactivity between different β-lactam antibiotics. In addition to this initial assessment, a structure—activity relationship (SAR) analysis was done. It showed that the patient was sensitized to β-lactam antibiotics presenting a methoxyimino group, but not to similar compounds lacking this chemical group (eg, amoxicillin or penicillin G or V). Challenge with amoxicillin under intensive medical monitoring was tolerated up to a cumulated dose of 1 g, administered intravenously over 2 hours.

DISCUSSION:

This study demonstrates that SAR analysis could be useful to predict potential adverse reactions to related antibiotics and to select alternative strategies when antibiotic administration is essential.

CONCLUSIONS:

An SAR-based approach could help physicians and pharmacists provide allergic patients with relevant advice and propose viable alternatives regarding drug therapy.
Experimental Transmission and Induction of Ranaviral Disease in Western Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata) and Red-Eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Johnson A. J. , Pessier A. P. , Jacobson E. R.
Published: May 2007

An experimental transmission study was designed to determine whether a causal relationship exists between a Ranavirus (BSTRV) isolated from a Burmese star tortoise that died and the lesions observed in that tortoise. A pilot study was performed with 3 box turtles ( Terrapene ornata ornata) and 3 red-eared sliders (RESs; Trachemys scripta elegans) to assess their suitability in a larger study. Based on the outcome of this study, RESs were selected, and 2 groups of 4 RESs received either an oral (PO) or intramuscular (IM) inoculum containing105 50% Tissue Culture Infecting Dose (TCID50) of a BSTRV-infected cell lysate. One turtle each was mock inoculated PO or IM with the same volume of uninfected cell lysate. Three of four IM-inoculated RESs developed clinical signs (nasal and ocular discharge [3 of 3], oral plaques [1 of 3], conjunctivitis and hyphema [1 of 3] and extreme lethargy [3 of 3]). A Ranavirus was isolated from kidney homogenates of 3 euthanatized turtles; DNA sequences of a portion of the major capsid protein gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Consistent histologic lesions were observed only in IM-inoculated turtles and included fibrinoid vasculitis centered on splenic ellipsoids, multifocal hepatic necrosis, and multicentric fibrin thrombi in a variety of locations, including hepatic sinusoids, glomerular capillary loops, and pulmonary capillaries. Virions compatible with Ranavirus were observed within necrotic cells of the spleen of 1 IM-inoculated turtle using transmission electron microscopy. This study fulfills Koch's postulates, confirming a causal relationship between BSTRV and the clinical and histologic changes in chelonians infected with this virus.
Cellular Proliferation in Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors: Associations with c-KIT and Its Role in Prognostication
Authors: Webster J. D. , Yuzbasiyan-Gurkan V. , Miller R. A. , Kaneene J. B. , Kiupel M.
Published: May 2007

Canine cutaneous mast cell tumor (MCT) is a common neoplastic disease in dogs. Due to the prevalence of canine MCTs and the variable biologic behavior of this disease, accurate prognostication and a thorough understanding of MCT biology are critical for the treatment of this disease. The goals of this study were to evaluate and compare the utility of the proliferation markers Ki67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) as independent prognostic markers for canine MCTs and to evaluate the use of these markers in combination, as each marker assesses different aspects of cellular proliferation. An additional goal of this study was to evaluate the associations between cellular proliferation and c-KIT mutations and between cellular proliferation and aberrant KIT protein localization in canine MCTs. Fifty-six MCTs treated with surgical excision alone were included in this study. Each MCT was evaluated for Ki67 expression, PCNA expression, and KIT protein localization using immunohistochemistry; for AgNOR counts using histochemical staining; and for the presence of internal tandem duplication c-KIT mutations using polymerase chain reaction amplification. In this study, increased Ki67 and AgNOR counts were both associated with significantly decreased survival. On the basis of these results, we recommend that the evaluation of cellular proliferation, including evaluations of both Ki67 expression and AgNORs, should be routinely used in the prognostication of canine MCTs. Additionally, the results of this study show that MCTs with aberrant KIT protein localization or internal tandem duplication c-KIT mutations are associated with increased cellular proliferation, further suggesting a role for c-KIT in the progression of canine MCTs.
Conidiobolomycosis in Sheep in Brazil
Authors: Silva S. M. M. S. , Castro R. S. , Costa F. A. L. , Vasconcelos A. C. , Batista M. C. S. , Riet-Correa F. , Carvalho E. M. S.
Published: May 2007

Conidiobolomycosis is reported in the state of Piauí, in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Affected sheep had depression, weight loss, serous or mucohemorrhagic nasal discharge, and cranium-facial asymmetry from exophthalmos of 1 eye, generally with increased volume of the eyeball, keratitis, and corneal ulceration. At necropsy of 60 sheep, friable masses were observed in the posterior region of the nasal cavity, often destroying the ethmoturbinate bones. Frequently, the lesions invaded the nasal sinuses, cribiform plate, orbit, and brain. The masses were irregular, granular with moist surfaces, and soft and friable with white, yellow, or tan coloration. Dissemination of the lesion to lungs was observed in 27 sheep, to the brain in 26, to lymph nodes in 3, to the kidney in 2, and to the gallbladder and heart in 1. The microscopic examination showed granulomatous inflammation composed of central necrosis surrounded by lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells, and fibrous tissue. In all lesions, negatively stained structures representing hyphae were surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli material. Coagulative necrosis, thrombosis, and vasculitis were also observed. Grocott methenamine silver stain showed 8–30-μm-thick hyphae, rarely septate or ramified, irregular in shape, and with black contoured wall, sometimes with bulbous dilatation in the extremities. On electron microscopy, the hyphae had a thick double wall surrounded by cellular remnants and an inflammatory exudate. Conidiobolus coronatus was isolated from the lesions of 6 sheep. Conidiobolomycosis is an important disease of sheep in the state of Piauí, and other regions of northeastern Brazil.
Histologic Features of Mammary Carcinomas in Zoo Felids Treated with Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) Contraceptives
Authors: McAloose D. , Munson L. , Naydan D. K.
Published: May 2007

Melengestrol acetate (MGA), a potent synthetic progestin, has been used as a contraceptive in zoo felids since 1975. Mammary gland carcinomas have been linked to MGA treatment in zoo felids, but the histologic features of these tumors and steroid receptor expression have not been described. Zoo felid mammary tumors were requested from participating zoos from 1986 through 1998, and 31 mammary carcinomas from 28 MGA-treated and 3 untreated felids were received. The carcinomas were evaluated on the basis of histologic pattern, tumor grade, and occurrence of metastasis; then features of the tumors were compared to determine if carcinomas in MGA-treated felids differed from those that occur spontaneously. Estrogen- and progesterone-receptor expression was evaluated in 17 of the 31 carcinomas. Of the 31 tumors, 22 (70.9%) had multiple histologic patterns, 29 (93.5%) were high grade, and 28 (90.3%) had metastasized. Within tumors, the tubulopapillary pattern was most common (87.1%, n = 27); solid (61.3%, n = 19), cribriform (38.7%, n = 12), and comedone (25.8%, n = 8) patterns were less common; and the mucinous (3.2%, n = 1) pattern was rare. Both MGA-treated and untreated zoo felids had similar patterns and grades of mammary gland cancer as well as prevalence of metastasis. These results indicate that mammary carcinomas in zoo felids are high grade with a predominant tubulopapillary pattern and aggressive behavior. Five of 17 carcinomas expressed progesterone receptors, and 1 of 17 expressed estrogen receptors. Although more zoo felids with cancer had been exposed to MGA in this study, mammary carcinomas were similar in appearance and behavior in untreated and MGA-treated zoo felids. The association of MGA with the development of malignant mammary gland tumors should be considered when using this contraceptive in zoo felids.
Distribution and Activation of T-lymphocyte Subsets in Tuberculous Bovine Lymph-node Granulomas
Authors: Liebana E. , Marsh S. , Gough J. , Nunez A. , Vordermeier H. M. , Whelan A. , Spencer Y. , Clifton-Hardley R. , Hewinson G. , Johnson L.
Published: May 2007

The immune response against mycobacterial infections is dependant upon a complex interaction between T lymphocytes and macrophages in the context of the granuloma. For this study, we performed the analysis of 18 stage I or II, and 13 stage III or IV granulomas found in lymph nodes from 8 experimentally and 2 naturally infected cattle. T-cell subpopulations (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, WC1+, CD25+) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In the majority of stage I/II lesions, CD8+ and CD25+ cells were predominantly found in the lymphocytic outer region of the granuloma, suggesting a possible role for activated CD8+ cells in the initial attempt to restrain the granuloma growth. CD4+ T cells appeared equally distributed in the lymphocytic mantle and in the internal areas of the granulomas. WC1+ cells appeared interspersed among the macrophages. We speculated that this could indicate a role for these 2 subsets in the maintenance and the maturation of the granuloma. In stage III/IV lesions, all of the T-cell subsets investigated appeared interspersed among the mononuclear component of the granulomas. In general terms, there was a higher density of CD8+ cells compared with CD4+ cells. However, there was no sense of rimming effect for any of the investigated cell populations.
Statistical analysis of the seasonal variation in the twinning rate
Authors: Fellman Johan , Eriksson Aldur W
Published: May 2007

There have been few secular analyses of the seasonal variation in human twinning and the results are conflicting. One reason for this is that the seasonal pattern of twinning varies in different populations and at different periods. Another reason is that the statistical methods used are different. The changing pattern of seasonal variation in twinning rates and total maternities in Denmark was traced for three periods (1855–69, 1870–94, and 1937–84). Two alternative methods of analysis are considered. The method of Walter and Elwood and a trigonometric regression model give closely similar results. The seasonal distribution of twin maternities for the periods in the 19th century showed highly significant departures. For both twin and general maternities, the main peaks can be seen from March to June and a local peak in September. During the spring– summer season the twinning rates were higher than the total birth rates, indicating a stronger seasonal variation for the twin maternities than for the general maternities. For 1937–84, there was a similar, but less accentuated, pattern. Studies of other populations are compared with the Danish results. The more accentuated seasonal variation of twinning in the past indicate that some factors in the past affected women during summer–autumn and around Christmas time, making them more fecund and particularly to be more prone to polyovulation and/or more able to complete a gestation with multiple embryos.
Genetics of early cancer detection behaviours in Australian female twins
Authors: Treloar Susan A , McDonald Christine A , Martin Nicholas G
Published: May 2007

Early detection of cervical and breast cancers is an important component of women's health strategy. Screening programmes, health professional interventions and preventive behaviours such as breast self-examination provide the means to this end. Our twin study sought to identify the relative influence of environmental and genetic factors on liability to early cancer detection behaviours, including use of cervical smear tests, mammograms, and breast examination. Additive genetic and random environmental effects models gave the best, most parsimonious fit to the data for each early cancer detection behaviour. The heritability of liability to Pap smear use was 66%, mammogram use 50%, breast examination by a doctor or nurse 38% and breast self-examination 37%. Genetic influences were behaviour-specific; there was no evidence for a common genetic influence on the four behaviours. Potential covariates investigated included age, amount of contact between co-twins, educational level and personality traits such as harm avoidance, novelty seeking, reward dependence, neuroticism, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, perceived control, interpersonal dependency and ways of coping. None were significant. The study was carried out before the implementation of national screening programmes with media campaigns to increase participation rates. Hence follow-up investigation, including data on regularity of behaviours, would be informative
A religious upbringing reduces the influence of genetic factors on disinhibition: Evidence for interaction between genotype and environment on personality
Authors: Boomsma DI , de Geus EJC , van Baal GCM , Koopmans JR
Published: May 2007

Information on personality, on anxiety and depression and on several aspects of religion was collected in 1974 Dutch families consisting of adolescent and young adult twins and their parents. Analyses of these data showed that differences between individuals in religious upbringing, in religious affiliation and in participation in church activities are not influenced by genetic factors. The familial resemblance for different aspects of religion is high, but can be explained entirely by environmental influences common to family members. Shared genes do not contribute to familial resemblances in religion. The absence of genetic influences on variation in several dimensions of religion is in contrast to findings of genetic influences on a large number of other traits that were studied in these twin families. Differences in religious background are associated with differences in personality, especially in Sensation Seeking. Subjects with a religious upbringing, who are currently religious and who engage in church activities score lower on the scales of the Sensation Seeking Questionnaire. The most pronounced effect is on the Disinhibition scale. The resemblances between twins for the Disinhibition scale differ according to their religious upbringing. Receiving a religious upbringing seems to reduce the influence of genetic factors on Disinhibition, especially in males.
Religion and depression: a review of the literature
Authors: McCullough Michael E , Larson David B
Published: May 2007

We reviewed data from approximately 80 published and unpublished studies that examined the association of religious affiliation or involvement with depressive symptoms or depressive disorder. In these studies, religion was measured as religious affiliation; general religious involvement; organizational religious involvement; prayer or private religious involvement; religious salience and motivation; or religious beliefs. People from some religious affiliations appear to have an elevated risk for depressive symptoms and depressive disorder, and people with no religious affiliation are at an elevated risk in comparison with people who are religiously affiliated. People with high levels of general religious involvement, organizational religious involvement, religious salience, and intrinsic religious motivation are at reduced risk for depressive symptoms and depressive disorders. Private religious activity and particular religious beliefs appear to bear no reliable relationship with depression. People with high levels of extrinsic religious motivation are at increased risk for depressive symptoms. Although these associations tend to be consistent, they are modest and are substantially reduced in multivariate research. Longitudinal research is sparse, but suggests that some forms of religious involvement might exert a protective effect against the incidence and persistence of depressive symptoms or disorders. The existing research is sufficient to encourage further investigation of the associations of religion with depressive symptoms and disorder. Religion should be measured with higher methodological standards than those that have been accepted in survey research to date.
Resiliency factors protecting against teenage alcohol use and smoking: influences of religion, religious involvement and values, and ethnicity in the Missouri Adolescent Female Twin Study
Authors: Heath AC , Madden PAF , Grant JD , McLaughlin TL , Todorov AA , Bucholz KK
Published: May 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of ethnicity (African American vs European/other ancestry), family religious affiliation, religious involvement, and religious values, to risk of alcohol and cigarette use in adolescent girls; and to estimate genetic and shared environmental effects on religious involvement and values. Telephone interviews were conducted with a sample of female like-sex twin pairs, aged 13–20 (n = 1687 pairs, including 220 minority pairs), as well as with one or both parents of twins aged 11–20 (n = 2111 families). These data, together with one-year follow-up twin questionnaire data, and two-year follow-up parent interview data, were used to compare ethnic differences. Proportional hazards regression models and genetic variance component models were fitted to the data. Despite higher levels of exposure to family, school and neighborhood environmental adversities, African American adolescents were less likely to become teenage drinkers or smokers. They showed greater religious involvement (frequency of attendance at religious services) and stronger religious values (eg belief in relying upon their religious beliefs to guide day-to-day living). Controlling for religious affiliation, involvement and values removed the ethnic difference in alcohol use, but had no effect on the difference in rates of smoking. Religious involvement and values exhibited high heritability in African Americans, but only modest heritability in EOAs. The strong protective effect of adolescent religious involvement and values, and its contribution to lower rates of African American alcohol use, was confirmed. We speculate about the possible association between high heritability of African American religious behavior and an accelerated maturation of religious values during adolescence.
Religious attendance and frequency of alcohol use: same genes or same environments: a bivariate extended twin kinship model
Authors: Maes Hermine H , Neale Michael C , Martin Nicholas G , Heath Andrew C , Eaves Lindon J
Published: May 2007

Religious attendance has been shown to correlate negatively with alcohol use. We investigated whether this relationship is driven by genetic or environmental factors. Data on frequency of church attendance and frequency of alcohol use were obtained from twins and their families in the Virginia 30 000 study. A comprehensive bivariate model of family resemblance was fitted to the data using Mx. This model is described in detail. Results indicate that genetic factors primarily account for the relationship between alcohol and church attendance in males, whilst shared environmental factors, including cultural transmission and genotype-environment covariance, are stronger determinants of this association in females.
Self-transcendence as a measure of spirituality in a sample of older Australian twins
Authors: Kirk Katherine M , Eaves Lindon J , Martin Nicholas G
Published: May 2007

Measures of self-transcendence, physical health and psychological well-being were included in a self-report Health and Lifestyle questionnaire administered to Australian twins aged over 50 between 1993 and 1995. Self-transcendence appears to be higher among older Australian women than men, and was significantly associated with religious affiliation, marital status (in women) and age (in men). No strong correlations were observed between self-transcendence and any measure of psychological or physical health. Additive genetic effects were found to be important in influencing self-transcendence, with heritability estimates of 0.37 and 0.41 for men and women respectively, whilst shared environment effects were not found to be significant. Multivariate modelling of self-transcendence scores and self-reported church attendance behavior indicated substantially different etiologies for these variables, with implications for methods of investigation of religiosity and spirituality.
Frequency of church attendance in Australia and the United States: models of family resemblance
Authors: Kirk KM , Maes HH , Neale MC , Heath AC , Martin NG , Eaves LJ
Published: May 2007

Data on frequency of church attendance have been obtained from separate cohorts of twins and their families from the USA and Australia (29 063 and 20 714 individuals from 5670 and 5615 families, respectively). The United States sample displayed considerably higher frequency of attendance at church services. Sources of family resemblance for this trait also differed between the Australian and US data, but both indicated significant additive genetic and shared environment effects on church attendance, with minor contributions from twin environment, assortative mating and parent–offspring environmental transmission. Principal differences between the populations were in greater maternal environmental effects in the US sample, as opposed to paternal effects in the Australian sample, and smaller shared environment effects observed for both women and men in the US cohort.
Genetic and environmental influences on pupil performances
Authors: Fischbein Siv , Guttman Ruth , Nathan Michael
Published: May 2007

The results presented in this paper are part of a current comparative study of genetic and environmental influences in three educational settings: Stockholm, Jerusalem and the Israeli kibbutz. We specifically wanted to investigate whether a more restrictive educational setting would decrease genetic influences. Here we report on comparisons of cognitive performance measures at several time points for twins/controls, boys/girls and within-pair similarity in MZ, DZ and controls. The tests used were the Raven Progressive Matrices, verbal, reading comprehension and arithmetic. The results show no differences between twins and controls, whilst gender differences seem to be smallest in the Stockholm sample and largest in Jerusalem. A pattern of genetic influences on cognitive performance was also clearly visible in Jerusalem. In Stockholm shared environmental influences at home and at school seemed even stronger than in the kibbutz. No consistent differences were found between tests or occasions.
Joint-specific twin and familial aggregation of recalled physician diagnosed osteoarthritis
Authors: Kujala Urho M , Leppävuori Jenni , Kaprio Jaakko , Kinnunen Jaakko , Peltonen Leena , Koskenvuo Markku
Published: May 2007

In our three-stage questionnaire study we investigated patterns of twin and familial aggregation of osteoarthritis (OA) for commonly affected joints. The baseline questionnaire study of the Finnish Twin Cohort was performed in 1975. In 1990, 4095 twin pairs of the same gender born 1930–1957 responded to a questionnaire and reported whether they had OA diagnosed by a physician. In 1996 both twins of 266 pairs of which at least one had reported OA in 1990 responded to a detailed questionnaire on joint-specific OA, including family history of OA. In male pairs shared (non-genetic) familial effects accounted for 37% of the total variance in liability to OA and unshared environmental effects for 63%. In female pairs additive gene effects explained 44% of the variance in liability to OA, and unshared environmental effects for 36%. Familial aggregation of finger and knee OA was clearly higher than that of hip OA. Twin-pair discordance for OA was, to some extent, associated with body-mass index, occupational loading and trauma. Our results indicate that genetic effects may be modulated by sex or by environmental factors distributed differently between men and women. Based on our joint-specific data finger and knee joints are the most optimal targets for studies of genetic factors predisposing to the development of OA.
The Chronic Fatigue Twin Registry: method of construction, composition, and zygosity assignment
Authors: Buchwald Dedra , Herrell Richard , Ashton Suzanne , Belcourt Megan , Schmaling Karen , Goldberg Jack
Published: May 2007

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and the symptom of chronic fatigue are conditions of unknown etiology. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) define CFS as an illness characterized by ≥ 6 months of disabling fatigue associated with muscle pain, pharyngitis, and alterations in mood, sleep and neurocognition. We constructed a registry of twins with chronic fatigue to facilitate research on the impact of illness, the associated medical and psychosocial factors, and the heterogeneous proposed mechanisms for these conditions. We have recruited 204 twin pairs in which one or both members reported persistent fatigue through patient support group newsletters (60%), clinicians/researchers familiar with CFS (12%), notices placed on electronic bulletin boards for CFS (11%), twin organizations and researchers (6%), relatives and friends (3%) and other sources (8%). Complete data are available for 177 pairs (87%). Twins completed an extensive questionnaire booklet that included measures of physical and mental health, functional status, and psychosocial factors; a structured psychiatric interview was also conducted by telephone. Twins were classified using three increasingly more stringent diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue: 1) ≥ 6 months of fatigue (115 discordant and 61 concordant pairs); 2) chronic fatigue with additional symptoms and application of the medial exclusions of the CDC CFS case definition as obtained by self-report (92 discordant and 41 concordant pairs) and; 3) chronic fatigue with additional symptoms unexplained by self-reported medical conditions and psychiatric diagnoses as determined by the structured interview (69 discordant pairs and 25 concordant pairs). Despite the limitations of a volunteer registry, the Chronic Fatigue Twin Registry promises to be an important resource for research on CFS and chronic fatigue.
Aetiology of teenage childbearing: reasons for familial effects
Authors: Olausson Petra Otterblad , Lichtenstein Paul , Cnattingius Sven
Published: May 2007

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the contribution of the genetic and environmental factors to the risk of teenage childbearing, and to study whether life style, socio-economic conditions, and personality traits could explain possible familial effects. We linked two population-based registers: the Swedish Twin Register and the Swedish Medical Birth Register. The study covers female twin pairs born between 1953 and 1958, having their first infant before the age of 30 years (n = 1885). In order to separate familial effects from other environmental influences, and genetic effects from shared environmental effects, only complete twin pairs with known zygosity were included, in all 260 monozygotic and 370 dizygotic twin pairs. We used quantitative genetic analyses to evaluate the importance of genetic and environmental effects for liability to teenage childbearing. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the effects of life style, socio-economic situation, and personality on the probability of teenage childbearing, and to study whether psychosocial factors could explain possible familial effects. Fifty-nine percent (0–76%) of the variance in being a teenage mother was attributable to heritable factors; 0% (0–49%) was due to shared environmental factors; and 41% (23–67%) was explained by non-shared environmental factors. Thus, the data were consistent with the hypothesis that the familial aggregation of teenage childbearing is completely explained by genetic factors, although the alternative hypothesis that familial aggregation is entirely explained by shared environmental factors cannot be ruled out. Significant effects of smoking habits, housing conditions, and educational level were found in relation to liability to teenage childbearing. However, the familial effects on risk of teenage childbearing were not mediated through similarities in life style and socio-economic factors. When studying risk factors for teenage childbearing, it is recommended to include life style and socio-economic variables as well as information about family history of teenage childbearing. Twin Research (2000) 3, 23–27.
Ultrasound examination of neonatal hip: correlation of twin pregnancy and congenital dysplasia
Authors: Rühmann O , Lazović D , Bouklas P , Schmolke S , Flamme CH
Published: May 2007

Twin pregnancy is considered to be a risk factor for congenital dysplasia of the hip. From 1987 until 1996, the hips of 4476 (2260 male, 2216 female) newborn babies were examined by ultrasound according to Graf's technique and classification in our hospital. In this study, we compare the results of twins and singletons for this risk factor. Of the newborns, 97 (2.2%) were twins (40 male, 57 female); 39 pairs of twins (10 male/male, 19 female/female, 10 male/female) and 19 individual twins (6 male, 13 female) were investigated. Hips of typeIa, Ib and IIa (α ≥ 55°) are not pathologic; hips of typeIIa (α < 55°) need an early control examination; and hips of typeIIc, D, IIIa, IIIb and IV require therapy. TypesIa, Ib, and IIa (α ≥ 55°) were found in 4207 (94.0%) of all newborns, in 4112 (93.9%) of the singletons, and in 95 (97.9%) of the twins. Early control examination and/or therapy (indicated for typesIIa (α < 55°), IIc, D, IIIa, IIIb, and IV) were necessary in 269 (6.0%) of all cases, in 267 (6.1%) of singletons and two (2.1%) of twins. Twins with additional factors such as breech position birth, hip dysplasia in the family or premature birth did not show the types of hip IIa (α < 55°), IIc, D, IIIa, IIIb, IV. We did find these hips in two (3.5%) of the female twins, but not at all in the male twins. Statistically, twins with or without other risk factors that are known before birth did not show significantly more of type hip IIa (α < 55°), IIc, D, IIIa, IIIb, IV (P > 0.05). Twin Research (2000) 3, 7–11.