Previous research on adults has shown that a functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene moderates the impact of childhood maltreatment on risk for ...developing antisocial behavior. Thus far, attempts to replicate this finding have been mixed. The current study (i) presents new data investigating this finding in a sample of 975 seven-year-old boys, and (ii) evaluates the extant data by conducting a meta-analysis of published findings. We replicated the original finding by showing that the MAOA polymorphism moderates the development of psychopathology after exposure to physical abuse, we extended the finding to childhood closer in time to the maltreatment experience, and we ruled-out the possibility of a spurious finding by accounting for passive and evocative gene-environment correlation. Moreover, meta-analysis demonstrated that across studies, the association between maltreatment and mental health problems is significantly stronger in the group of males with the genotype conferring low vs high MAOA activity. These findings provide the strongest evidence to date suggesting that the MAOA gene influences vulnerability to environmental stress, and that this biological process can be initiated early in life.
To determine the prevalence of gingival recession (GR) and associations with dentine hypersensitivity (DH), erosive toothwear (BEWE), gingival bleeding (BOP) and periodontal pocketing (PPD) in young ...European adults.
This is a secondary analysis using data collected from 350 UK participants enrolled in a European cross sectional study of 3187 young adults. GR, BOP, PPD, DH (participant and clinician assessment) and BEWE were recorded. A questionnaire assessed demographics, oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.
349 participants completed the study. GR, BOP and PPD showed the same pattern of distribution, prevalence increasing from incisors to molars in upper and lower arches for buccal and palatal scores. Every participant exhibited recession affecting at least 1 tooth, 42% having a maximum recession of 4–8 mm. There was a significant and linear association demonstrating an increase in maximum recession with age. DH and BEWE produced a similar pattern to buccal periodontal indices, the premolars being most affected. Maximum recession correlated significantly with maximum DH (participant and Schiff), PPD, BOP, BEWE (scores of 2/3), BMI (≥25 kg/m2) and unsystematic brushing motion. 94% of the study population exhibited some BOP at one or more sites. 5% of the population had periodontal pocketing ≥4 mm, 46% had DH and 80% BEWE 2/3.
Widespread recession and gingivitis with minimal periodontal disease was observed. Every participant exhibited at least one tooth with recession. Many teeth did not exhibit DH despite prevalent recession and severe erosive toothwear. Recession correlates to a number of oral and lifestyle variables.
Recession in young adults is multifactorial and highly prevalent. It can result in DH and consequential increase in demand for treatment relating to both pain and aesthetics. Further research is needed to understand the underlying aetiology to prevent recession occurring.
The present experiment aimed at determining whether the timing of the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) was specific to individual mares by determining when luteostasis, a failure to return to ...oestrus, reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5-29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10 (n = 20), 11 (n = 65), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 12) or 14 (n = 15) of pregnancy. Prior to embryo reduction, the vesicle diameter was measured in 71% (106/150) of the singleton pregnancies. The interovulatory interval (IOI) was recorded on 78 occasions in seven of the mares in either non-pregnant cycles (n = 37) or those in which luteolysis followed embryo reduction (n = 41). The earliest time post-ovulation at which the embryo reduction resulted in luteostasis in an individual was 252 h (mid-Day 10). Consistency in luteostasis following embryo reduction showed individual variation between mares (272-344 h). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an individual mare effect (
< 0.001) and an effect of the interval post-ovulation at which embryo reduction was undertaken (
< 0.001). However, there was no significant effect of vesicle diameter at the time of embryo reduction (
= 0.099), nor a singleton or twin pregnancy (
= 0.993), on the dependent of luteolysis or luteostasis. The median IOI between individual mares varied significantly (
< 0.05) but was not correlated to the timing of MRP. The timing of MRP varied between the mares but was repeatable in each individual. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study.
Antibody production: Polyclonal-derived biotherapeutics Newcombe, Claire; Newcombe, Anthony R.
Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences,
03/2007, Letnik:
848, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Antibody based therapies using monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies are emerging as an important therapeutic approach for the treatment of a number of diseases. With increasing emphasis on new ...technologies associated with monoclonal antibody expression and purification, the clinical need of polyclonal therapeutics for treatment of a variety of specific illnesses and infections is often overlooked. Despite being largely abandoned in the early twentieth century due to the development of antibiotics, polyclonal antibody therapeutics are today widely used in medicine for viral and toxin neutralization and for replacement therapy in patients with immunoglobulin deficiencies. Over the past 20 years, intravenous immunoglobulins have shown beneficial immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in many illnesses. Hyperimmune antibody preparations have been used over the past century for the treatment of a variety of infectious agents and medical emergencies, including digoxin toxicity, snake envenomation and spider bites. Here, we examine the contemporary techniques and applications, and assess the future therapeutic potential, for polyclonal-derived antibody therapeutics.
Summary A survey of adult patients was conducted in February 2006 to May 2006 in acute hospitals across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to estimate the prevalence of ...healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). A total of 75 694 patients were surveyed; 5743 of these had HCAIs, giving a prevalence of 7.59% (95% confidence interval: 7.40–7.78). HCAI prevalence in England was 8.19%, in Wales 6.35%, in Northern Ireland 5.43% and in the Republic of Ireland 4.89%. The most common HCAI system infections were gastrointestinal (20.6% of all HCAI), urinary tract (19.9%), surgical site (14.5%), pneumonia (14.1%), skin and soft tissue (10.4%) and primary bloodstream (7.0%). Prevalence of MRSA was 1.15% with MRSA being the causative organism in 15.8% of all system infections. Prevalence of Clostridium difficile was 1.21%. This was the largest HCAI prevalence survey ever performed in the four countries. The methodology and organisation used is a template for future HCAI surveillance initiatives, nationally, locally or at unit level. Information obtained from this survey will contribute to the prioritisation of resources and help to inform Departments of Health, hospitals and other relevant bodies in the continuing effort to reduce HCAI.
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