bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture for Chemotherapy-Associated Cognitive Dysfunction: A Hypothesis-Generating Literature Review to Inform Clinical Advice
Authors: Johnston Michael Francis , Yang Changqing , Hui Ka-Kit , Xiao Bo , Li Xiuxia (Sharon) , Rusiewicz Anna
Published: March 2007

There is an emerging consensus that between one fifth and one half of breast cancer patients experience chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction. Research shows that patients with cancer are often interested in acupuncture for symptom relief. A clinical question thus arises: What should physicians advise their patients regarding the use of acupuncture to alleviate or ameliorate chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction? The authors review and synthesize 2 bodies of relevant research literature: (1) the developing literature on the etiology and nature of chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction and (2) the literature concerning acupuncture for neurological diseases and psychological issues. There is evidence that acupuncture may be effectively used to manage a range of psychoneurological issues, some of which are similar to those experienced by patients with chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction. The evidence of efficacy is more promising for psychological than neurological conditions. Given evidence of possible efficacy combined with evidence of demonstrated safety, we suggest that physicians should support patient decisions to use acupuncture services for chemotherapy-associated cognitive dysfunction, especially given the lack of proven alternatives.
Modulation of Natural Killer Cell Activity, Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity, and Antibody-Dependent Complement-Mediated Cytotoxicity by Andrographolide in Normal and Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma-Bearing Mice
Authors: Sheeja K. , Kuttan G.
Published: March 2007

Modulation of immune responses is highly relevant in tumor cell destruction. The present study is focused on the effect of Andrographis paniculata extract (APE) and its isolated compound andrographolide (ANDLE) on cell-mediated immune responses in normal and tumor-bearing control animals. Treatment with APE and ANDLE significantly enhanced natural killer cell activity in normal (APE, 46.82% cell lysis; ANDLE, 40.79% cell lysis) and tumor-bearing animals (APE, 48.66% cell lysis; ANDLE, 42.19% cell lysis) on the fifth day, and it was observed earlier than in tumor-bearing control animals (12.89% cell lysis on day 9). Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was also increased in APE (45.17% cell lysis on day 11) as well as ANDLE (39.92% cell lysis on day 11)-treated normal and tumor-bearing animals (APE, 47.39% cell lysis; ANDLE, 41.48% cell lysis on day 11) compared to untreated tumor-bearing control animals (maximum of 11.76% cell lysis on day 17). An early enhancement of antibody-dependent complement-mediated cytotoxicity was also observed by the administration of APE and ANDLE in normal as well as tumor-bearing animals. APE and ANDLE administration could significantly enhance the mitogen-induced proliferation of splenocyte, thymocyte, and bone marrow cells. Moreover, treatment of APE and ANDLE significantly elevated the production of interleukin-2 and interferon-γ in normal and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing animals.
Attendance Policies and Student Grades
Authors: Risen D. Michael
Published: March 2007

The details described in this case study examine the issues related to attendance policies and how such policies might be legally used to affect student grades. Concepts discussed should cause graduate students in educational administration to reflect on the issues presented from various points of view when the students complete an analysis of the topics discussed. The analytical approaches that can be used in thinking about the student behaviors and resulting administrative actions described in the article include the opportunity to apply the graduate students’ understanding of Bolman and Deal’s four frames as well as use the processes followed to solve problems that identified “expert problem solvers” would use.
Structural investigations of the ferredoxin and terminal oxygenase components of the biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase from Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1
Authors: Ferraro Daniel J , Brown Eric N , Yu Chi-Li , Parales Rebecca E , Gibson David T , Ramaswamy S
Published: March 2007

Background

The initial step involved in oxidative hydroxylation of monoaromatic and polyaromatic compounds by the microorganism Sphingobium yanoikuyae strain B1 (B1), previously known as Sphingomonas yanoikuyae strain B1 and Beijerinckia sp. strain B1, is performed by a set of multiple terminal Rieske non-heme iron oxygenases. These enzymes share a single electron donor system consisting of a reductase and a ferredoxin (BPDO-FB1). One of the terminal Rieske oxygenases, biphenyl 2,3-dioxygenase (BPDO-OB1), is responsible for B1's ability to dihydroxylate large aromatic compounds, such as chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene.

Results

In this study, crystal structures of BPDO-OB1 in both native and biphenyl bound forms are described. Sequence and structural comparisons to other Rieske oxygenases show this enzyme to be most similar, with 43.5 % sequence identity, to naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4. While structurally similar to naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase, the active site entrance is significantly larger than the entrance for naphthalene 1,2-dioxygenase. Differences in active site residues also allow the binding of large aromatic substrates. There are no major structural changes observed upon binding of the substrate. BPDO-FB1 has large sequence identity to other bacterial Rieske ferredoxins whose structures are known and demonstrates a high structural homology; however, differences in side chain composition and conformation around the Rieske cluster binding site are noted.

Conclusion

This is the first structure of a Rieske oxygenase that oxidizes substrates with five aromatic rings to be reported. This ability to catalyze the oxidation of larger substrates is a result of both a larger entrance to the active site as well as the ability of the active site to accommodate larger substrates. While the biphenyl ferredoxin is structurally similar to other Rieske ferredoxins, there are distinct changes in the amino acids near the iron-sulfur cluster. Because this ferredoxin is used by multiple oxygenases present in the B1 organism, this ferredoxin-oxygenase system provides the structural platform to dissect the balance between promiscuity and selectivity in protein-protein electron transport systems.
Drug treatment program patients' hepatitis C virus (HCV) education needs and their use of available HCV education services
Authors: Strauss Shiela M , Astone-Twerell Janetta , Munoz-Plaza Corrine E , Des Jarlais Don C , Gwadz Marya , Hagan Holly , Osborne Andrew , Rosenblum Andrew
Published: March 2007

Background

In spite of the disproportionate prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among drug users, many remain uninformed or misinformed about the virus. Drug treatment programs are important sites of opportunity for providing HCV education to their patients, and many programs do, in fact, offer this education in a variety of formats. Little is known, however, about the level of HCV knowledge among drug treatment program patients, and the extent to which they utilize their programs' HCV education services.

Methods

Using data collected from patients (N = 280) in 14 U.S. drug treatment programs, we compared patients who reported that they never injected drugs (NIDUs) with past or current drug injectors (IDUs) concerning their knowledge about HCV, whether they used HCV education opportunities at their programs, and the facilitators and barriers to doing so. All of the programs were participating in a research project that was developing, implementing, and evaluating a staff training to provide HCV support to patients.

Results

Although IDUs scored higher on an HCV knowledge assessment than NIDUs, there were many gaps in HCV knowledge among both groups of patients. To address these knowledge gaps, all of the programs offered at least one form of HCV education: all offered 1:1 sessions with staff, 12 of the programs offered HCV education in a group format, and 11 of the programs offered this education through pamphlets/books. Only 60% of all of the participating patients used any of their programs' HCV education services, but those who did avail themselves of these HCV education opportunities generally assessed them positively. In all, many patients were unaware that HCV education was offered at their programs through individual sessions with staff, group meetings, and books/pamphlets, (42%, 49%, and 46% of the patients, respectively), and 22% were unaware thatanyHCV education opportunities existed.

Conclusion

Efforts especially need to focus on ensuring that all drug treatment program patients are made aware of and encouraged to use HCV education services at their programs.
Intensive care unit acquired infection has no impact on long-term survival or quality of life: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Ylipalosaari Pekka , Ala-Kokko Tero I , Laurila Jouko , Ohtonen Pasi , Syrjälä Hannu
Published: March 2007

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired infection on long-term survival and quality of life.

Methods

Long-term survival was prospectively evaluated among hospital survivors who had stayed in a mixed, university-level ICU for longer than 48 hours during a 14-month study period during 2002 to 2003. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the five-dimensional EuroQol (EQ-5D) questionnaire in January 2005.

Results

Of the 272 hospital survivors, 83 (30.5%) died after discharge during the follow-up period. The median follow-up time after hospital discharge was 22 months. Among patients without infection on admission, long-term mortality did not differ between patients who developed and those who did not develop an ICU-acquired infection (21.7% versus 26.9%; P = 0.41). Also, among patients with infection on admission, there was no difference in long-term mortality between patients who developed a superimposed (35.1%) and those who did not develop a superimposed (27.6%) ICU-acquired infection (P = 0.40). The EQ-5D response rate was 75 %. The patients who developed an ICU-acquired infection had significantly more problems with self-care (50%) than did those without an ICU-acquired infection (32%; P = 0.004), whereas multivariate analysis did not show ICU-acquired infection to be a significant risk factor for diminished self-care (odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval = 0.65–4.54; P = 0.28). General health status did not differ between those with and those without an ICU-acquired infection, as measured using the EuroQol visual-analogue scale (mean ± standard deviation EuroQol visual-analogue scale value: 60.2 ± 21 in patients without ICU-acquired infection versus 60.6 ± 22 in those with ICU-acquired infection). The current general level of health compared with status before ICU admission did not differ between the groups either. Only 36% of those employed resumed their previous jobs.

Conclusion

ICU-acquired infection had no impact on long-term survival. The patients with ICU-acquired infection more frequently experienced problems with self-care than did those without ICU infection, but ICU-acquired infection was not a significant risk factor for diminished self-care in multivariate analysis.
Future Issues in Highly Conformal Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Feng Mary , Eisbruch Avraham
Published: March 2007

Improving the conformity of the radiation dose to targets in the head and neck promises reduced toxicity and, in some cases, potentially improved local-regional tumor control. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a method that allows highly conformal delivery of radiotherapy. In recent years, its use has spread rapidly in both academic and community radiation oncology facilities. The use of IMRT has raised multiple issues related to target definition, optimal treatment delivery methods, and the need to account for anatomic changes occurring during therapy. Some of these issues are reviewed in this article.
Alcohol Exposure during the Developmental Period Induces β-Endorphin Neuronal Death and Causes Alteration in the Opioid Control of Stress Axis Function
Authors: Sarkar Dipak K. , Kuhn Peter , Marano Jasson , Chen Cuiping , Boyadjieva Nadka
Published: March 2007

Proopiomelanocortin-producing neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus secrete β-endorphin (β-EP), which controls varieties of body functions including the feedback regulation of the CRH neuronal activity in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Whether ethanol exposure in developing rats induces β-EP neuronal death and alters their influence on CRH neurons in vivo has not been determined. We report here that binge-like ethanol exposures in newborn rats increased the number of apoptotic β-EP neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. We also found that immediately after ethanol treatments there was a significant reduction in the expression of proopiomelanocortin and adenylyl cyclases mRNA and an increased expression of several TGF-β1-linked apoptotic genes in β-EP neurons isolated by laser-captured microdissection from arcuate nuclei of young rats. Several weeks after the ethanol treatment, we detected a reduction in the number of β-EP neuronal perikarya in arcuate nuclei and in the number of β-EP neuronal terminals in paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus in the treated rats. Additionally, these rats showed increased response of the hypothalamic CRH mRNA to the lipopolysaccharide challenge. The ethanol-treated animals also showed incompetent ability to respond to exogenous β-EP to alter the lipopolysaccharide-induced CRH mRNA levels. These data suggest that ethanol exposure during the developmental period causes β-EP neuronal death by cellular mechanisms involving the suppression of cyclic AMP production and activation of TGF-β1-linked apoptotic signaling and produces long-term structural and functional deficiency of β-EP neurons in the hypothalamus.
Bias in Variance Components Due to Nonresponse in Twin Studies
Authors: Dominicus Annica , Palmgren Juni , Pedersen Nancy L.
Published: March 2007

Incomplete data on trait values may bias estimates of genetic and environmental variance components obtained from twin analyses. If the nonresponse mechanism is ‘ignorable’ then methods such as full information maximum likelihood estimation will produce consistent variance component estimates. If, however, nonresponse is ‘nonignorable’, then the situation is more complicated. We demonstrate that a within-pair correlation of nonresponse, possibly different for monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins, may well be compatible with ‘ignorability’. By means of Monte Carlo simulation, we assess the potential bias in variance component estimates for different types of nonresponse mechanisms. The simulation results guide the interpretation of analyses of data on perceptual speed from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging. The results suggest that the dramatic decrease in genetic influences on perceptual speed observed after 13 years of follow-up is not attributable solely to dropout from the study, and thus support the hypothesis that genetic influences on some cognitive abilities decrease with age in late life.
Heritability and Stability of Resting Blood Pressure in Australian Twins
Authors: Hottenga Jouke-Jan , Whitfield John B. , de Geus Eco J. C. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: March 2007

In Australian twins participating in three different studies (1979–1996), the contribution of genetic and environmental influences to variation in resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was studied. The sample consisted of 368 monozygotic and 335 dizygotic twin pairs with measurements for both individuals. Blood pressure measurements in two studies were available for 115 complete twin pairs, and 49 twin pairs had measurements in three studies. This allowed assessment of blood pressure tracking over an average period of 12 years in the age range of 23 to 45 years. Multivariate analyses showed significant heritability (h2) of blood pressure in all studies (SBP h2= 19%–56%, DBP h2= 37%–52%). In addition, the analyses showed that the blood pressure tracking was explained by the same set of genetic factors. These results replicate an earlier finding in Dutch twins that also showed stability of the contribution of genetic factors to blood pressure tracking.
Chorion Type, Birthweight Discordance and Tooth-Size Variability in Australian Monozygotic Twins
Authors: Race Jonathan P. , Townsend Grant C. , Hughes Toby E.
Published: March 2007

Chorion type is an important variable that can affect the prenatal environment of monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, leading to differences in growth and development. In particular, vascular anastomoses between monochorionic (MC) MZ twin pairs can lead to an imbalance in nutrition between co-twins. One objective of this study was to determine whether maternal reports, hospital records or birthweight discordances found in MZ co-twins provide reliable indications of monochorionicity. The other objective was to test the hypotheses that in MZ twin pairs of known chorion type, MC twin pairs would show greater birthweight differences and greater within-pair variability in permanent tooth size than dichorionic (DC) twin pairs, reflecting greater differences in intrauterine environment between MC MZ pairs. Birthweights and tooth size data were recorded for 170 pairs of MZ Australian twins enrolled in an ongoing study of dentofacial growth and development. Chorion type based on maternal reports was compared with that based on hospital records for a subsample of 68 pairs of these MZ twins. Maternal reports were found to be unreliable for determining chorion type and hospital records often did not provide enough information to be certain about chorionicity. For 27 twin pairs with confirmed chorion type, associations were tested between birthweight discordances in MZ twin pairs and chorion type, and also between intrapair variances for tooth size and chorion type. A significant association was noted between birthweight discordance and chorion type (p<.05), with greater discordances occurring more often in MC twin pairs. Although significant heterogeneity of intrapair variances for tooth size was found in only 5 of 48 comparisons, intrapair variances for crown dimensions were greater significantly more often in MC pairs than DC pairs (p<.05). Our findings indicated that neither maternal reports nor often hospital records can be relied upon for information on chorion type. However, when analyses were performed on data for MZ twin pairs of known chorion type, we found evidence of a significant association between intrapair birthweight differences and chorion type and also between intrapair variances of dental crown measurements and chorion type. Consistent with our hypotheses, large birthweight discordances were found to occur more often in MC twin pairs than DC twin pairs, and intrapair variances for tooth size in MC twin pairs exceeded those in DC twin pairs more often than expected due to chance.
Breastfeeding Rates Among Singletons, Twins and Triplets in Japan: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Yokoyama Yoshie , Wada Saeko , Sugimoto Masako , Katayama Mari , Saito Miyuki , Sono Jun
Published: March 2007

This study was performed to determine the rates of breastfeeding among singletons, twins and triplets in Japan, and identify factors associated with the decision to breastfeed or bottle-feed. We analyzed a database of medical check-up of infants aged 3 to 6 months between April 2001 and July 2004 in Nishinomiya City in Japan. This medical check-up is given to almost 100% of infants in Japan and the data of 15,262 infants were analyzed. Among these, 14,963 (98.0%) were singletons, 290 (1.9%) were twins and 9 (0.1%) were triplets. Exclusive breast-feeding was chosen by 6680 (43.8%) mothers, mixed-feeding by 4645 (30.4%) mothers, and bottle-feeding with formula milk only by 3900 (25.6%) mothers. The rate of exclusive breastfeeding among twins or triplets was significantly lower than among singleton babies: 4.1% among twins or triplets, and 44.7% among singletons. Moreover, twins and triplets were independently associated with a higher rate of bottle-feeding: the odds ratio indicated that mothers who had twins or triplets were 2.44 times more likely to choose bottle-feeding with formula milk only than those who had singletons. Sucking ability at birth was associated with a higher rate of bottle-feeding: the odds ratio indicated that mothers who had infants with poor sucking ability at birth were 1.56 times more likely to choose bottle-feeding as those who had infants with normal sucking ability.
Identification of Twin Pairs From Large Population-Based Samples
Authors: Webbink Dinand , Roeleveld Jaap , Visscher Peter M.
Published: March 2007

The basis of most twin studies is the ascertainment of twins, often through twin registries, and determination of zygosity. The current rate of twin births in many industrialized countries implies that in the near future around 3% or more of individuals will be a twin. Hence, there are and will be a lot of twins around and many of those will not participate in twin studies. However, if large population-based samples are available that include appropriate identifiers, then twins can be detected and twin studies performed, even in the absence of zygosity information. We quantified the number of twin pairs that could be detected from a longitudinal survey in the Netherlands, which aims to answer questions about educational strategies and performance in primary education in the Netherlands. We detected 2865 twin pairs if we used a coded name identifier, date of birth, school, grade and year of survey, which is 2.01% of 284,945 pupils in five cohorts. Relaxing our selection criteria increased the number of apparent twin pairs identified, most of which are false positives due to chance matching of identification criteria. We show that the intraclass correlation on measured phenotypes can be used as a quality control measure for twin identification, and quantify the proportion of false negatives (true twin pairs not identified) due to missing data and data coding errors. We compared our estimated rate of twins in the sample to census data and estimate that with our most stringent selection criteria we detect more than 80% of all twin pairs in the sample. We conclude that the identification of twin pairs from large population-based samples is feasible, rapid and accurate if the appropriate identifiers are available, and that twin pairs from such sources are a valuable resource for studies to answer scientific question about twins versus nontwins and about genetic and environmental factors of twin resemblance.
Refractive Errors in Twin Studies
Authors: Dirani Mohamed , Chamberlain Matthew , Garoufalis Pam , Chen Christine , Guymer Robyn H. , Baird Paul N.
Published: March 2007

It is estimated that 1.6 billion people worldwide have myopia, a refractive error, and this number is expected to increase to approximately 2.5 billion by the year 2020. It is now well established that both the environment and genetics play a role in the development of myopia. However, the exact contribution of each of these components to myopia development has yet to be completely determined. Twin studies (classical twin model) are commonly used to determine the weighting of genetic and environmental components in disease. Over the last century, twin studies have investigated the heritability of refractive errors in different sample populations and have collectively supported a genetic basis to refractive errors. However, different sample populations and methods of data collection have produced a wide range of heritability estimates ranging from .5 to .9. This article will review those twin studies that have investigated refractive error, particularly myopia, as well as biometric measures linked to refractive error, to compare heritability estimates and methodology designs.
Fetal Death Registration in Multiple Births: Anomalies and Clinical Significance
Authors: Pharoah Peter O. D.
Published: March 2007

Trends in the civil registration of fetal death in multiple gestations that has occurred before, but expelled from the womb after, 24 weeks' gestation are examined using England and Wales 1993–2004 registration obtained from the Office for National Statistics. Count was made of fetal death registrations in which fetus papyraceous, fetal death before 24 weeks' gestation or fetocide before 24 weeks' gestation was recorded. There were 3700 fetal death registrations among 217,595 twin, triplet and higher order multiple births in England and Wales between 1993 and 2004. In 354 (9.6%) of these fetal deaths, death was recorded as having occurred before 24 weeks' gestation. There has been a threefold increase in such fetal death registrations. It is a legal requirement of parents to register a fetal death. The definition of a fetal death that meets formal registration criteria is that the fetus is expelled from the womb after 24 weeks' gestation. However, if the fetal death occurs before 24 weeks, there is confusion, nationally and internationally, whether or not registration is legally required. Fetal death in a multiple gestation has serious clinical implications for a surviving co-conceptus and failure to inform parents of an early death in a multiple gestation may have important repercussions. Legal definition for the registration of fetal death requires international agreement and application.
Nonadditive Genetic Effects on Hostility in South Korean Adolescent and Young Adult Twins
Authors: Hur Yoon-Mi
Published: March 2007

Hostility has been shown to be a vulnerability marker for various health problems. The present study examined genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in hostility in South Korean adolescent and young adult twins. Seven hundred and nineteen same- and opposite-sex twin pairs aged from 13 to 23 years completed a hostility scale. The scalar sex-limitation model was applied to the data. The best fitting model indicated that 34% of the total variation of hostility was attributable to genetic factors operating in a nonadditive manner. The remaining 66% of the variance was associated with nonshared environmental influences and measurement error. These findings were largely consistent with results from previous twin studies of personality based on Caucasian twins, rendering support for the pervasive influence of genetic non-additivity on human personality traits and the generalization of the heritability of personality across human populations.
Body Size in Five-Year-Old Twins: Heritability and Comparison to Singleton Standards
Authors: Estourgie-van Burk G. Frederiek , Bartels Meike , van Beijsterveldt Toos C. E. M. , Delemarre-van de Waal Henriette A. , Boomsma Dorret I.
Published: March 2007

The aim of this study is to examine causes of individual differences in height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in 5-year-old children registered with the Netherlands Twin Register. In addition, we examine whether the results of twin studies can be expanded to the singleton population by comparing the data from twins to Dutch reference growth data and by looking at the twins' target height, which was derived from parental height. For 2996 5-year-old twin pairs, information on height and weight and on parental height was available. Univariate and bivariate genetic analyses of height and weight and univariate analyses of BMI were conducted. In order to compare the twins to the singleton population, standard deviation scores (SDS) for height, BMI and target height were calculated based on Dutch reference growth charts for the general population from 1997. Genetic influences were an important source of variation in height, weight and BMI and the main source of covariation between height and weight. Additive genetic factors accounted for 69% and 66% of the individual differences in height in boys and girls, respectively. For weight, heritability estimates were 59% in boys and 78% in girls and for BMI 34% and 74%. The influence of common environment on height was 25% and 27%, on weight 24% and 10% and on BMI 44% and 12% in boys and girls. The bivariate model showed a large overlap between the genes influencing height and weight. Genes explain 78% (in boys) and 76% (in girls) of the covariance between weight and height. At the age of 5 years, female twins were as tall as singleton children, while male twins were shorter than singletons. For both boys and girls, however, mean height SDS was 0.6 standard deviation scores below the mean target height. All twins had lower BMI than singletons. Twins grow fairly well compared to singletons, but they grow below their target height. This may be due to the above average height of twin parents.
Course of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome in 19 Intact Twin Pregnancies After Assisted Reproduction Techniques, With a Case Report of Severe Thromboembolism
Authors: Cupisti Susanne , Emran Jasmin , Mueller Andreas , Dittrich Ralf , Beckmann Matthias W. , Binder Helge
Published: March 2007

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a serious complication of assisted reproduction techniques using in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Its etiology has still not yet been fully resolved. Human chorionic gonadotrophin, administered exogenously as well as produced endogenously during pregnancy, is responsible for the onset of OHSS, and high levels of estradiol appear to worsen the condition. In this case series, the course of mild to severe OHSS was evaluated in 19 intact twin pregnancies after IVF/ICSI. Another serious complication associated with OHSS is thromboembolic events. In these cases, the pregnancy can be protected through anticoagulation treatment, but there may be exceptions to this. This series includes a case of bilateral thrombosis of the internal and external jugular veins in the 7th gestational week in a twin pregnancy after OHSS and ICSI, with termination of the pregnancy in the 9th gestational week due to progressive thrombosis during anticoagulation therapy.
An Acephalus Acardius Amorphous Fetus in a Monochorionic Pregnancy With Sex Discrepancy
Authors: Lattanzi Wanda , De Vincenzo Rosa P. , De Giorgio Fabio , Stigliano Egidio , Capelli Arnaldo , Arena Vincenzo
Published: March 2007

Acephalus acardia is among the most severe malformations described in fetuses, with an incidence of about 1 in 35,000 births and is due to twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, frequently occurring in monochorionic twin pregnancies. The severity of the syndrome depends upon the type of the anastomoses arising between the vascular networks of the two fetuses, usually configuring the ‘twin reverse arterial perfusion syndrome’. No clear and univocal etiological explanation is known, though few cases with chromosomal abnormalities have been reported so far. In some cases the fusion of two or more separate placentae of dizygotic fetuses occurs, leading to monochorionic twinning. Few cases of acardius amorphous with complete autoptical examination have been described so far. We report a case of acephalus acardius amorphus fetus, showing features of extremely severe sistemic immaturity with very few structured organs. Defined external and autoptic examinations have been performed on the dismorphic twin, along with the histological examination of tissue samples. Kariotype analysis showed sex discrepancy between the twins, as a normal female kariotype had been detected in the acephalus acardius while the living co-twin was a normal healthy male. The analysis of the placenta showed the vascular anomalies leading to the twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
Pittsburgh Registry of Infant Multiplets (PRIM): An Update
Authors: Jenkins Elizabeth A. , Maher Brion S. , Marazita Mary L. , Tarter Ralph E. , Ganger Jennifer B. , Watt-Morse Margaret , Vanyukov Michael M.
Published: March 2007

This article is an updated review of the Pittsburgh Registry of Infant Multiplets including recruitment methods, data collection, and results of pilot studies conducted in this registry. The main goal of the registry is to study psychological development. The risk for behavior disorders including substance use disorders, as well as language development and dental health are among research targets. Pilot data on the heritability of minor physical anomalies and neuropsychological characteristics (Continuous Performance Test) are reported.
Genes, Environment, and Time: The Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA)
Authors: Kremen William S. , Thompson-Brenner Heather , Leung Yat-Ming J. , Grant Michael D. , Franz Carol E. , Eisen Seth A. , Jacobson Kristen C. , Boake Corwin , Lyons Michael J.
Published: March 2007

The Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging (VETSA) is a large-scale investigation of cognitive aging from middle to later age. The intended sample of 1440 twin subjects is recruited from the Vietnam Era Twin Registry (VETR), a registry of middle-aged male-male twin pairs who both served in the military during the Vietnam conflict (1965–1975). VETSA employs a multitrait multimethod approach to cognitive assessment to focus on the genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive processes over time, as well as the relative contributions to cognitive aging from health, social, personality, and other contextual factors. The cognitive domains of episodic memory, working memory, abstract reasoning, and inhibitory executive functioning are assessed through neuropsychological testing. In addition, VETSA obtains the participant's score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, taken at the time of induction into the military around age 20 years, and readministers the test. Two other projects — VETSA Cortisol and VETSA Magnetic Resonance Imaging — are also in progress using subsamples of the VETSA twins. Prior waves of data collection by VETSA investigators using the VETR have provided historical data on physical and mental health, while future waves of VETSA data collection are planned every 5 years. These methods will provide data on multiple pheno-types in the same individuals with regard to genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive functioning over time, personality and interpersonal risk and protective factors, stress and cortisol regulation, and structural brain correlates of aging processes.
University of Washington Twin Registry: Construction and Characteristics of a Community-Based Twin Registry
Authors: Afari Niloofar , Noonan Carolyn , Goldberg Jack , Edwards Karen , Gadepalli Kiran , Osterman Bethany , Evanoff Cynthia , Buchwald Dedra
Published: March 2007

The University of Washington Twin Registry is a community-based registry of twins identified from the Washington State Department of Licensing. A fortuitous quirk in the Washington State drivers' license and identification number assignment, and collaborative Washington State laws, permitted us to build a statewide registry. Since obtaining approval from the Washington State Attorney General, the Washington State Department of Licensing has provided us with information on over 26,000 newly licensed twins, and we continue to receive computerized records on approximately 80 new twins per week. The University of Washington Twin Registry is assembled by mailing each twin a recruitment packet that includes an information sheet, brochure, brief survey, and nominal gift. Once both members of a twin pair have completed the packet, the pair is enrolled in the registry. As of June 2006, 2287 adult twin pairs have enrolled in the registry; about one half of these are female–female pairs. Among all twins, the average age is 32 years. Based on self-report, 52% of twins are monozygotic, 42% are dizygotic, and zygosity on 6% cannot yet be determined. We also have instituted a clinical protocol for collecting additional data and DNA from all twins participating in research studies requiring an in-person visit. The registry has established policies and procedures to protect the confidentiality of twin data and guidelines for the use of the registry by investigators. Plans for the further growth of the University of Washington Twin Registry and its use are discussed.
The University of British Columbia Twin Project: Personality is Something and Personality Does Something
Authors: Jang Kerry L. , Taylor Steven , Livesley W. John
Published: March 2007

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Twin Project is a registry of approximately 1500 pairs of reared-together twins recruited from Vancouver, British Columbia and surrounding municipalities. The focus of the project is to examine personality and its disorders from a behavioral genetic perspective. The primary measures include self-report measures of variables from the major models of personality and personality disorders. Subsamples of the study have also been surveyed on a wide range of psychiatric conditions and symptoms, including, for example, substance use, mood, anxiety, coping, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizotypy, and several measures of the environment and experience. Also surveyed are general health and basic psychological processes including cognitive ability. This broad assessment has enabled us to examine not only the structure of personality, but also its potential role in psychopathology and other psychological processes. A feature of the project is that the measures selected reflect current thinking in the field as opposed to traditional psychiatric diagnostic criteria. The UBC Twin Project has been used in a number of collaborative projects on personality and psychopathology with other worldwide twin registries. At the present time, no DNA has been collected; however the facility to collect these data is available. Collaborative projects on this and future questionnaire studies are welcome.
Chilean School-Age Children Twin Registry: Planning, Sampling and Implications
Authors: Ivanovic Daniza M. , Llop Elena R. , Alvear Jorge A. , Pérez Hernán T. , Díaz Nora S. , Leyton Bárbara D. , Almagià Atilio F. , Larraín Cristián G. , Alvarez Joel E. , Herrera Yilda F. , Hazbun Elizabeth L.
Published: March 2007

We describe subject recruitment from the University of Chile School-Age Children Twin Registry (REMEUCHI). The research aim of REMEUCHI is to quantify the impact of genetic and environmental factors on scholastic achievement in a multicausal approach. The Ministry of Education of Chile, in collaboration with the Registry Office, provided the list of possible twin pairs graduated from high school in 2004 in Chile's metropolitan region. From a population of 70,065 school-age children who had graduated from high school, 434 possible twin pairs were analyzed. Of these, 327 were twins reared together (75.3% of the 434 possible twins pairs) and born between 1986 and 1987 in Chile (mean age 18 years), and approximately 8% were not twins despite matches on full name and birth data. The rest of the possible twin pairs were probably twins reared apart, since one member of the pair had moved to study in another region of Chile. Zygosity was determined through questionnaires, maternal reports of twin similarities, and by the hospital records of the twins at the time of birth. Three hundred and twenty-seven pairs were identified, where monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins represented 46.8% and 53.2% of pairs, respectively, with a DZ/MZ ratio of 1.14. Considering same-sex MZ pairs, the percentage of female pairs was greater (55.6%) than male pairs (44.4%). When DZ pairs were analyzed, 47.7% were of opposite sex, 20.1% were male pairs and 32.2% female pairs. In Chile, these findings represent a baseline study to contribute to the establishment of a national twin registry in the future.
Current Status of the Chinese National Twin Registry
Authors: Li Liming , Gao Wenjing , Lv Jun , Cao Weihua , Zhan Siyan , Yang Huiying , Hu Yonghua
Published: March 2007

The Chinese National Twin Registry is the first and largest population-based twin registry in China. It was established in 2001. The primary goal of this program is the establishment of a population-based twin registry of 45,000 twin pairs from several regions representing north, south, urban, and rural areas in China. A secondary goal is to study genetic contributions to complex diseases, and to test associations of candidate genes with related phenotypes. Seven thousand, four hundred and twenty-three twin pairs have been enrolled in the registry, in which 1613 pairs have undergone detailed questionnaire assessments and physical examination. Based on the baseline registry, a twin cohort was established. Continued research includes studies on intermediate phenotypes of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and psychological studies in adult twins, studies on growth and development in adolescent twins, and so forth. The current state and future plans for the Chinese National Twin Registry will be discussed in this article.
The Guangzhou Twin Project
Authors: He Mingguang , Ge Jian , Zheng Yingfeng , Huang Wenyong , Zeng Junwen
Published: March 2007

The Guangzhou Twin Registry, initiated in 2005, is a population-based registry of twins born between 1987 and 2000. To date, over 9700 pairs of twins, regardless of their health and medical history, were enrolled in the database using the Official Household Registry of Guangzhou City. The twins were subsequently verified by door-to-door visits based on the registry address. The primary goal of this registry is to develop a resource for genetic epidemiological studies on common diseases in the southern Chinese population. The initial focus is to distinguish the genetic and environmental determinants of eye diseases, in particular myopia and glaucoma. About 1000 pairs of twins living close to the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were invited for the first phenotyping examination, questionnaire administration and DNA collection in July and August 2006. An annual eye examination and other phenotype data collection have been scheduled for up to 5 years in order to investigate changes in phenotypes including the myopia progression, physical development and the changes of other eye-related phenotypes. Recruitment of adult twins aged 50 years and over is underway in the same city with the assistance of the government.
The Italian Twin Register: New Cohorts and Tools, Current Projects and Future Perspectives of a Developing Resource
Authors: Fagnani Corrado , Brescianini Sonia , Cotichini Sonia , D'Ippolito Cristina , Dukic Tatjana , Giannantonio Lorenzo , Medda Emanuela , Nisticò Lorenza , Patriarca Valeria , Pulciani Simonetta , Rotondi Daniela , Toccaceli Virgilia , Stazi Maria Antonietta
Published: March 2007

Since its start as a database of ‘possible twins’, the Italian Twin Register has developed remarkably in terms of twin approach and recruitment, data-management tools, the cohorts enrolled, and the breadth of information gathered, making the Italian Twin Register a valuable resource for genetic epidemiological research. The Italian Twin Register is a random population of twins at both the national level and within targeted geographical areas or birth cohorts. Further, the Register is linked with disease records and has recently implemented a web-based method for volunteer twin recruitment specifically designed to promote the Register and to disseminate information on genetic epidemiology. To date, approximately 9000 twins have joined the Italian Twin Register, the majority of whom (approximately 70%) represent young adults aged 20 at time of enrolment. Although the total number of twins recruited to date is far below the expected figure initially predicted, the newly established standardized procedures guarantee an increase of around 2000 twins each year. Following the collaboration between the Italian Twin Register and the main Italian nonprofit association for blood donors, twin DNA sampling and storage has recently accelerated contributing to the large amount of phenotypic data collected. The Italian Twin Register is currently involved in both population and clinical based studies on various complex pheno-types and diseases, some conducted within large European consortia.
The Tokyo Twin Cohort Project: Overview and Initial Findings
Authors: Ando Juko , Nonaka Koichi , Ozaki Koken , Sato Naho , Fujisawa Keiko K. , Suzuki Kunitake , Yamagata Shinji , Takahashi Yusuke , Nakajima Ryoko , Kato Noriko , Ooki Syuichi
Published: March 2007

The Tokyo Twin Cohort Project (ToTCoP) is a large-scale longitudinal study of 5 years based on 1619 pairs of infant twins reared together. The purpose of the study is to construct a population-based twin registry in Japan and to investigate human growth and development and twin themselves. It covers behavioral, neurological, physical and environmental variables measured by questionnaire, home visiting and brain imaging technology. The full registry contains over 47,000 multiple births collected from the Basic Resident Register, and the targeted population is 3070 probable twins of 0 to 2 years old. Preliminary analysis of the entry questionnaire data showed no serious sampling biases. Descriptive statistics of parental characteristics (parental age, gestation age, parity and placentation, maternal weight, parenting stress) and children's characteristics (body size at birth, 4 and 10 months of age, milk consumption, and sleeping and social behavior) and their correlations, genetic and environmental contributions and correlations are reported.
The Swedish Young Male Twins Study: A Resource for Longitudinal Research on Risk Factors for Obesity and Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Rasmussen Finn , Kark Malin , Tholin Sanna , Karnehed Nina , Tynelius Per
Published: March 2007

The Swedish Young Male Twins Study is a population-based longitudinal twin study founded in 1997 through record-linkages of several national registers. Details on pregnancy and birth were obtained from the Swedish Medical Birth Register and used to identify 3566 male twins (1783 pairs) born in Sweden between 1973 and 1979 and resident in Sweden in 1997. A record-linkage was made between the Medical Birth Register and the Military Service Conscription Register for the years 1991 to 1999, providing information on body weight, height, blood pressure, muscle strength, cognitive ability of these twins at age 18 and 19 years. In 1998, 2002 and 2005 to 2006, the twins were surveyed on their zygosity, socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors (such as eating habits, physical activity, smoking habits, use of alcohol etc), height and weight. In 2002, additional information was collected on perceived body shape and size, and eating behavior, according to the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. In 2003, DNA via buccal mucosa was collected from a subset of the twins. Recent research using the Swedish Young Male Twins datasets has explored the relationships between fetal growth, body size and blood pressure in young adulthood, genetic and environmental contributions to eating behavior and physical activity, and relationships between diet and physical activity patterns with longitudinal changes in body mass index and attained waist circumference.