Big Five personality facets explaining variance in anxiety and depressive symptoms in a community sample.

BACKGROUND: Personality traits are risk and protective factors in affective disorders. However, few studies have investigated the role of narrow personality facets, with existing research yielding contradictory results. Previous research has mostly focused on simple correlations. Several studies have performed separate multiple regressions within each trait, and have used non-standard measures of personality, making it difficult to determine how individual facets make unique contributions. METHOD: This study performed secondary analysis of the NewMood data set (collected 2004-2009), comprising 264 participants from Greater Manchester. Participants provided self-reports of all NEO-PI-R personality facets, and semi-structured questionnaires of clinical depression and anxiety. All personality facets were entered into multiple regressions to explain variance in depression and anxiety. RESULTS: Variance in both anxiety and depression were explained by a small number of personality facets, namely facet depression (referring to demotivation), facets positive emotion and assertiveness in extroversion, and facet competence in conscientiousness. LIMITATIONS: This study relies on cross-sectional data and cannot determine causation. This study uses a mostly female sample, and the results were not stratified by sex due to the small sample. CONCLUSION: Previous studies suggest that broad trait neuroticism positively associates with affective disorders; this study adds that the effect of neuroticism is limited to facet depression (related to demotivation). Contrary to previous studies, no facet of agreeableness or openness explained variance in affective disorders, and facet assertiveness positively associated with affective disorder scores. These findings may help to improve treatment matching and explain the mechanisms through which affective disorders develop.

The genetic profile of elite youth soccer players and its association with power and speed depends on maturity status.

We investigated the association of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with athlete status and power/speed performance in elite male youth soccer players (ESP) and control participants (CON) at different stages of maturity. ESP (n = 535; aged 8-23 years) and CON (n = 151; aged 9-26 years) were genotyped for 10 SNPs and grouped according to years from predicted peak-height-velocity (PHV), i.e. pre- or post-PHV, to determine maturity status. Participants performed bilateral vertical countermovement jumps, bilateral horizontal-forward countermovement jumps, 20m sprints and modified 505-agility tests. Compared to CON, pre-PHV ESP demonstrated a higher ACTN3 (rs1815739) XX ('endurance') genotype frequency distribution, while post-PHV ESP revealed a higher frequency distribution of the PPARA (rs4253778) C-allele, AGT (rs699) GG genotype and NOS3 (rs2070744) T-allele ('power' genotypes/alleles). BDNF (rs6265) CC, COL5A1 (rs12722) CC and NOS3 TT homozygotes sprinted quicker than A-allele carriers, CT heterozygotes and CC homozygotes, respectively. COL2A1 (rs2070739) CC and AMPD1 (rs17602729) GG homozygotes sprinted faster than their respective minor allele carrier counterparts in CON and pre-PHV ESP, respectively. BDNF CC homozygotes jumped further than T-allele carriers, while ESP COL5A1 CC homozygotes jumped higher than TT homozygotes. To conclude, we have shown for the first time that pre- and post-PHV ESP have distinct genetic profiles, with pre-PHV ESP more suited for endurance, and post-PHV ESP for power and speed (the latter phenotypes being crucial attributes for post-PHV ESP). We have also demonstrated that power, acceleration and sprint performance were associated with five SNPs, both individually and in combination, possibly by influencing muscle size and neuromuscular activation.

Cancer driver-passenger distinction via sporadic human and dog cancer comparison: a proof-of-principle study with colorectal cancer.

Herein we report a proof-of-principle study illustrating a novel dog-human comparison strategy that addresses a central aim of cancer research, namely cancer driver-passenger distinction. We previously demonstrated that sporadic canine colorectal cancers (CRCs) share similar molecular pathogenesis mechanisms as their human counterparts. In this study, we compared the genome-wide copy number abnormalities between 29 human and 10 canine sporadic CRCs. This led to the identification of 73 driver candidate genes (DCGs), altered in both species, and with 27 from the whole genome and 46 from dog-human genomic rearrangement breakpoint (GRB) regions, as well as 38 passenger candidate genes (PCGs), altered in humans only and located in GRB regions. We noted that DCGs significantly differ from PCGs in every analysis conducted to assess their cancer relevance and biological functions. Importantly, although PCGs are not enriched in any specific functions, DCGs possess significantly enhanced functionality closely associated with cell proliferation and death regulation, as well as with epithelial cell apicobasal polarity establishment/maintenance. These observations support the notion that, in sporadic CRCs of both species, cell polarity genes not only contribute in preventing cancer cell invasion and spreading, but also likely serve as tumor suppressors by modulating cell growth. This pilot study validates our novel strategy and has uncovered four new potential cell polarity and colorectal tumor suppressor genes (RASA3, NUPL1, DENND5A and AVL9). Expansion of this study would make more driver-passenger distinctions for cancers with large genomic amplifications or deletions, and address key questions regarding the relationship between cancer pathogenesis and epithelial cell polarity control in mammals.

Complete genome sequence of an M1 strain of Streptococcus pyogenes.

The 1,852,442-bp sequence of an M1 strain of Streptococcus pyogenes, a Gram-positive pathogen, has been determined and contains 1,752 predicted protein-encoding genes. Approximately one-third of these genes have no identifiable function, with the remainder falling into previously characterized categories of known microbial function. Consistent with the observation that S. pyogenes is responsible for a wider variety of human disease than any other bacterial species, more than 40 putative virulence-associated genes have been identified. Additional genes have been identified that encode proteins likely associated with microbial "molecular mimicry" of host characteristics and involved in rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis. The complete or partial sequence of four different bacteriophage genomes is also present, with each containing genes for one or more previously undiscovered superantigen-like proteins. These prophage-associated genes encode at least six potential virulence factors, emphasizing the importance of bacteriophages in horizontal gene transfer and a possible mechanism for generating new strains with increased pathogenic potential.

Case study approach to removing physical restraint.

The pathway to discarding the use of restraints on older people with a dementing illness is cluttered with misinformation. While exploring the reasons restraints are used as an intervention on an older person with a dementing illness, we find duty of care is an important aspect. This paper presents the process that occurred when an aged care facility used an education and consultation approach in an attempt to remove the need for physical and chemical restraint. This case involved the family of an older person with a dementing illness and staff of the aged care facility.

Endodontic instruments for root canal therapy.

This article on endodontic instrumentation includes endodontic instruments and techniques of root-canal preparation of teeth in veterinary patients. Familiarity with instruments covered in this article and with advances in veterinary endodontics has become necessary for the veterinary dental practitioner who wishes to practice dentistry using current techniques. Veterinary endodontic techniques that help to retain the teeth longer are increasing in demand as an option to extracting damaged teeth. Endodontic treatment involves removal of the irreversibly damaged pulp, followed by cleaning and shaping of the root canal space using endodontic instruments and subsequent filling, or obturation, with a semisolid material and a sealer.

Massive ascites secondary to severe endometriosis.

Massive ascites is an unusual association with endometriosis. This case report is of such a condition in an Afro-Jamaican woman. The diagnosis was made at laparotomy and conservative treatment was adopted allowing for retention of reproductive function. Postoperative therapy was Goserelin, a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, for six months. This relieved all of her symptoms. However, long term follow-up is needed, as recurrence is possible.

Massive ascites secondary to severe endometriosis

Massive ascites is an unusual association with endometriosis. This case report is of such a condition in an Afro-Jamaican woman. The diagnosis was made at laparotomy and conservative treatment was adopted allowing for retention of reproductive function. Postoperative therapy was Goserelin, a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, for six months. This relieved all of her symptoms. However, long term follow-up is needed, as recurrence is possible.(AU)

Massive ascites secondary to severe endometriosis

Massive ascites is an unusual association with endometriosis. This case report is of such a condition in an Afro-Jamaican woman. The diagnosis was made at laparotomy and conservative treatment was adopted allowing for retention of reproductive function. Postoperative therapy was Goserelin, a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) agonist, for six months. This relieved all of her symptoms. However, long term follow-up is needed, as recurrence is possible.

Identification of disease response genes expressed in Gossypium hirsutum upon infection with the wilt pathogen Verticillium dahliae.

Verticillium wilt is a vascular disease of cotton (Gossypium spp.) caused by the fungal pathogen Verticillium dahliae. To begin to understand the molecular mechanisms of the disease response in cotton cultivars that display superior wilt tolerance, such as Gossypium hirsutum cv. Sicala V-1, a cDNA library was constructed with mRNA isolated from root tissue of Sicala V-1, 24 h after inoculation with V. dahliae. The library was screened by a differential screening technique which was successful in identifying differences in gene expression between uninfected and V. dahliae-infected G. hirsutum root tissue. Among the differentially expressed clones, 51% represented up-regulated genes which had the potential to be involved in the defence response of G. hirsutum. The temporal expression patterns of nine suspected defence response genes were examined by northern blot analysis at several time intervals after inoculation with V. dahliae. The rapid increase in mRNA transcripts corresponding to each of these clones upon infection suggests a role for these genes in the defence response of G. hirsutum. Genes not previously associated with the defence response of the cotton plant, such as those for a 14-3-3-like protein and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, have been identified together with presumably novel genes, for which a definite function could not be ascribed.

Endodontic therapy in the veterinary patient.

Standard root canal therapy is more clearly described as conventional endodontics. Most modern endodontic treatment involves removal of the irreversibly damaged pulp followed by cleaning and shaping of the root canal space and subsequent filling, or obturation, with a semisolid material and a sealer. A general increase in awareness of the benefits of veterinary endodontics has created a rise in the demand for endodontic procedures that help to retain the teeth longer. This article on endodontic therapy includes endodontic anatomy, diagnosis of endodontic disease, pulpectomy techniques of access preparation, canal preparation and filling the canal, partial coronal pulpectomy, and treatment of the open apex. Familiarity of the techniques covered in this article and with advances in veterinary endodontics have become necessary for the veterinary dental practitioner.

An instrument to measure functional status outcomes for disorders of excessive sleepiness.

This article reports the development of the functional outcomes of sleep questionnaire (FOSQ). This is the first self-report measure designed to assess the impact of disorders of excessive sleepiness (DOES) on multiple activities of everyday living. Three samples were used in the development and psychometric analyses of the FOSQ: Sample 1 (n = 153) consisted of individuals seeking medical attention for a sleep problem and persons of similar age and gender having no sleep disorder; samples 2 (n = 24) and 3 (n = 51) were composed of patients from two medical centers diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Factor analysis of the FOSQ yielded five factors: activity level, vigilance, intimacy and sexual relationships, general productivity, and social outcome. Internal reliability was excellent for both the subscales (alpha = 0.86 to alpha = 0.91) and the total scale (alpha = 0.95). Test-retest reliability of the FOSQ yielded coefficients ranging from r = 0.81 to r = 0.90 for the five subscales and r = 0.90 for the total measure. The FOSQ successfully discriminated between normal subjects and those seeking medical attention for a sleep problem (T157 = -5.88, p = 0.0001). This psychometric evaluation of the FOSQ demonstrated parameters acceptable for its application in research and in clinical practice to measure functional status outcomes for persons with DOES. Thus, the FOSQ can be used to determine how disorders of excessive sleepiness affect patients' abilities to conduct normal activities and the extent to which these abilities are improved by effective treatment of DOES.

The impact of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors on the number of prostatectomies for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

To determine the impact of a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor on the need for surgical treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in clinical urologic practice, we retrospectively reviewed records of 794 patients treated with pharmacotherapy or surgery (or both). The number of transurethral resections of the prostate (TURPs) performed during the 30 months since introduction of finasteride was compared with the number performed during the 30 months before finasteride became available. The alpha-blockers doxazosin and prazosin were used during both times for the treatment of BPH. Of the 619 patients treated with drugs, 88.5% received finasteride for a mean of 249.6 days. The alpha-blockers, either alone or combined with finasteride, were prescribed for 11.5% of patients for a mean of 179 days. In the 30 months after the introduction of finasteride, 65 patients underwent TURP: 28 of these men had initially received drug therapy. In contrast, 138 TURPs were performed in the 30 months prior to the availability of finasteride. The use of a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor as primary medical therapy for symptomatic BPH decreased the number of prostatectomies by 52.9% (65 vs 138). This observation warrants corroboration through additional prospective studies.

Are we going round in circles, or standing still (and did the Cheshire cat smile enigmatically because of resorptive lesions)?

April 1, 1995. Recent advances and directions in veterinary dentistry are reviewed, to point out that not a lot of progress is being made on some fronts, and none at all on others. The authors conclude that veterinary dentists should brush their own and their pets' teeth at least once during their professional careers.

Symbiotic and nonsymbiotic hemoglobin genes of Casuarina glauca.

Casuarina glauca has a gene encoding hemoglobin (cashb-nonsym). This gene is expressed in a number of plant tissues. Casuarina also has a second family of hemoglobin genes (cashb-sym) expressed at a high level in the nodules that Casuarina forms in a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with the actinomycete Frankia. Both the nonsymbiotic and symbiotic genes retained their specific patterns of expression when introduced into the legume Lotus corniculatus. We interpret this finding to mean that the controls of expression of the symbiotic gene in Casuarina must be similar to the controls of expression of the leghemoglobin genes that operate in nodules formed during the interaction between rhizobia and legumes. Deletion analyses of the promoters of the Casuarina symbiotic genes delineated a region that contains nodulin motifs identified in legumes; this region is critical for the controlled expression of the Casuarina gene. The finding that the nonsymbiotic Casuarina gene is also correctly expressed in L. corniculatus suggests to us that a comparable non-symbiotic hemoglobin gene will be found in legume species.

Epoxide metabolite of quinine and inhibition of the multidrug resistance pump in human leukemic lymphoblasts.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) in neoplastic cells is usually due to decreased cellular retention of drugs such as vincristine or doxorubicin. An ATP-dependent drug efflux pump has been detected in MDR-1-phenotypic cells; inhibition of the MDR pump is probably the primary mechanism for reversal of MDR. Although quinine (SQ1) and quinidine are reversal agents and inhibitors of the MDR pump, the results from in vivo experiments and in vitro experiments with these diastereomers are contradictory. These observations suggest that an oxidized metabolite of SQ1 is a more potent inhibitor of the MDR pump than is the parent compound. The chemical synthesis of the epoxides of SQ1 and quinidine is reported. The epoxy compounds have been tested as inhibitors of the ATP-dependent MDR pump in human CEM/VLB100 cells. The procedure is based on preloading the cells with an inhibitor and a low concentration of a substrate, rhodamine 123 (R123). After several cold rinses, the cell suspension is passed through a filtration-flow apparatus and the R123 in the filtrate (determined by fluorescence measurements) reveals the initial efflux of R123 through the MDR pump. When tested as an inhibitor of the MDR pump, quinine-10,11-epoxide is approximately 8-fold more potent than SQ1.