Gene-environment interplay between parent-child relationship problems and externalizing disorders in adolescence and young adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that genetic risk for externalizing (EXT) disorders is greater in the context of adverse family environments during adolescence, but it is unclear whether these effects are long lasting. The current study evaluated developmental changes in gene-environment interplay in the concurrent and prospective associations between parent-child relationship problems and EXT at ages 18 and 25 years. METHOD: The sample included 1382 twin pairs (48% male) from the Minnesota Twin Family Study, participating in assessments at ages 18 years (mean = 17.8, s.d. = 0.69 years) and 25 years (mean = 25.0, s.d. = 0.90 years). Perceptions of parent-child relationship problems were assessed using questionnaires. Structured interviews were used to assess symptoms of adult antisocial behavior and nicotine, alcohol and illicit drug dependence. RESULTS: We detected a gene-environment interaction at age 18 years, such that the genetic influence on EXT was greater in the context of more parent-child relationship problems. This moderation effect was not present at age 25 years, nor did parent-relationship problems at age 18 years moderate genetic influence on EXT at age 25 years. Rather, common genetic influences accounted for this longitudinal association. CONCLUSIONS: Gene-environment interaction evident in the relationship between adolescent parent-child relationship problems and EXT is both proximal and developmentally limited. Common genetic influence, rather than a gene-environment interaction, accounts for the long-term association between parent-child relationship problems at age 18 years and EXT at age 25 years. These results are consistent with a relatively pervasive importance of gene-environmental correlation in the transition from late adolescence to young adulthood.

General and substance-specific predictors of young adult nicotine dependence, alcohol use disorder, and problem behavior: replication in two samples.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents two replications of a heuristic model for measuring environment in studies of gene-environment interplay in the etiology of young adult problem behaviors. METHODS: Data were drawn from two longitudinal, U.S. studies of the etiology of substance use and related behaviors: the Raising Healthy Children study (RHC; N=1040, 47% female) and the Minnesota Twin Family Study (MTFS; N=1512, 50% female). RHC included a Pacific Northwest, school-based, community sample. MTFS included twins identified from state birth records in Minnesota. Both studies included commensurate measures of general family environment and family substance-specific environments in adolescence (RHC ages 10-18; MTFS age 18), as well as young adult nicotine dependence, alcohol and illicit drug use disorders, HIV sexual risk behavior, and antisocial behavior (RHC ages 24, 25; MTFS age 25). RESULTS: Results from the two samples were highly consistent and largely supported the heuristic model proposed by Bailey et al. (2011). Adolescent general family environment, family smoking environment, and family drinking environment predicted shared variance in problem behaviors in young adulthood. Family smoking environment predicted unique variance in young adult nicotine dependence. Family drinking environment did not appear to predict unique variance in young adult alcohol use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Organizing environmental predictors and outcomes into general and substance-specific measures provides a useful way forward in modeling complex environments and phenotypes. Results suggest that programs aimed at preventing young adult problem behaviors should target general family environment and family smoking and drinking environments in adolescence.

Amino acid composition of algal products and its contribution to RDI.

In this paper, the amino acid profiles of algal products from diverse groups (Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta) were established. Contents of essential and non-essential amino acids varied in the range of 22.8-42.3 and 31.0-66.5 (g·16 g(-1)N), respectively. In dependence on daily algal intakes, the highest participation in recommended daily intakes (RDI; related to adult, body weight of 70 kg) of all EAAs was observed in freshwater micro-algal products, especially from Spirulina genus where contribution ranged from 12.6% (Lys, SB) to 38.8% (Thr, S). Generally, Lys was the lowest contributor to RDIs in almost all algal samples except Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C) and Palmaria palmata (D), where Ile and Leu, respectively, were established. Interestingly, the contents of sulfur AAs of both products of the Spirulina genus covered 74.5% (S) and 73.8% (SB) of their RDI. Finally, products from brown seaweeds showed the lowest contributions to the RDIs of all EAAs.

Occupational and patient exposure in interventional cardiology in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Monitoring of professionally exposed workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina started in 1960s. Doses received by patients and professionals in interventional cardiology are high in comparison with other practices in medicine. The purpose of this study is to present personal and patient dosimetry data. Results show increase in doses of personnel in interventional cardiology. Total collective dose for four cardiology centres in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased from 15 person mSv in 2007 to 52 person mSv in 2010. This increase mainly corresponds to higher number of personnel and increase in the number of procedures. Average monthly dose has increased from 0.40 to 0.72 mSv in the same period. The results of occupational and patient doses in interventional cardiology are similar to results reported in the literature. It is of great importance for professionals working in this field to be educated in radiation protection and proper use of X-ray equipment.

Occupational exposure doses in interventional procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Monitoring of occupationally exposed workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina started in 1960s and it was interrupted in 1992. Dosimetry service resumed in 1999 when the International Atomic Energy Agency provided Radiation Protection Centre with Harshaw 4500 Thermoluminescence dosemeter (TLD)-reader and the first set of TLDs. The highest doses are received by professionals working in interventional procedures (radiology, cardiology, gastroenterohepatology etc.). Number of these procedures is increasing each year (just in cardiology this increase is 24 % per year). Results from two TLDs are used to estimate effective dose. One is worn under the apron (chest level), and the other above (neck level). Calculation is performed using Niklason's methodology. Total number of occupationally exposed persons in interventional radiology is 90. The collective dose they receive is 67 person mSv, while the mean dose is 0.77 mSv (based on 12-month period). Highest doses are received by physicians (3.7 mSv), while radiographers and nurses receive 2.1 and 1.9 mSv respectively. This occurs due to the fact that physicians stand closer to the source (patient). The lead apron is proven to be the most efficient radiation protection equipment, but, also, lead thyroid shield and glasses can significantly lower doses received by professionals. The use of this equipment is highly recommended.

Ten years of monitoring the occupational radiation exposure in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Monitoring of occupationally exposed persons in Bosnia and Herzegovina started in 1960s and it was interrupted in 1992. Dosimetry service resumed in 1999 when the International Atomic Energy Agency provided Harshaw 4500 TLD-reader and the first set of TLDs for the Radiation Protection Centre (RPC) of the Institute of Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In January 2009, the RPC covered 1279 professionals with personal dosimetry, which is more than 70 % of all radiation workers in the country. Most of the TLD users work in medical institutions. In period 1999-2003 RPC provided 984 workers with dosemeters. In the next 5 y period (2004-2008), the number of persons covered by dosimetry increased by an average of 51 %. The mean and collective effective dose in the period 1999-2003 were 1.55 mSv and 1.54 personSv, respectively. In the period 2004-2008, the mean doses changed by 1 % on average, but the collective effective dose increased by 53 % for all practices. Mean and collective effective dose were 1.57 mSv and 2.34 personSv, respectively. The highest personal doses are associated with industrial radiography, than exposures in nuclear medicine. Radiology plays a significant role in collective dose only, whereas other exposures are low. Results correspond to results found in the literature. New practices in industry and medicine emphasise the need for more personal dosemeters, as well as specialised dosemeters for extremities monitoring, etc.

Arterial blood pressure and electric activity of aortic nerves in rabbits during hyperthermia.

The experiments were carried out on 30 rabbits with whole body heating to lethal temperatures. During the process of heating records were done of the rectal temperature, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and action potentials in the aortic nerves. It was found that heating the animals up to 41.5 degrees and to 43 degrees C increased initially slightly the arterial blood pressure but then decreased this pressure gradually. The heart rate increased during heating but decreased steeply at temperatures preceding death. The fall of the arterial blood pressure was associated with a decrease in the frequency of action potentials in the aortic nerves. The appearance of isolated action potentials within several minutes after heart arrest suggests spontaneous activity of certain baroreceptors.

Effect of stimulation of aortic nerves in rabbits under hyperthermia.

Stimulation of the aortic nerves was studies in 20 rabbit in relation to increasing body temperature. Depressive reaction was not changed within temperature range of 38--42 degrees C. This reaction was abolished when the temperature exceeded 42 degrees C, in spite of the fact that heating was discontinued and the body temperature returned to its initial value. A complete loss of the reaction or trace depressive reaction, observed when the temperature exceeded 42 degrees C, could be due to thermal inactivation of the neurons in the cardiovasomotor centre.

The detection of preclinical coronary artery disease in male subjects using the omnigram.

The segregation of seemingly similar electrocardiogram data into two mutually exclusive classes can be achieved with a non-invasive procedure. Specifically, the problem of separating the electrocardiograms of preclinical-coronary subjects from those who are truly normal has been studied. In the current approach, the standard EKG waveform in its conventional linear format is transformed into a non-linear closed display, greatly improving the degree of visual perceptibility. In addition, specific non-dimensionalized parameters of the EKG waveform are extracted to produce a multivector spatial representation. The analysis of 129 cases indicates that this new technique results in a significantly higher degree of detection of preclinical coronary artery disease than current clinical methods. A prototype of a clinical system utilizing the output of an electrocardiograph has been developed for performing this analysis.

Glycogen content in human embryonic heart.

Glycogen concentration in the human embryonic heart is about 10 times higher than in that of human adults. Glycogen content of embryonic right atrium is significantly higher than that in ventricles.