Special twin environments, genetic influences and their effects on the handedness of twins and their siblings.

It has been suggested that twinning may influence handedness through the effects of birth order, intra-uterine crowding and mirror imaging. The influence of these effects on handedness (for writing and throwing) was examined in 3657 Monozygotic (MZ) and 3762 Dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs (born 1893-1992). Maximum likelihood analyses revealed no effects of birth order on the incidence of left-handedness. Twins were no more likely to be left-handed than their singleton siblings (n = 1757), and there were no differences between the DZ co-twin and sibling-twin covariances, suggesting that neither intra-uterine crowding nor the experience of being a twin affects handedness. There was no evidence of mirror imaging; the co-twin correlations of monochorionic and dichorionic MZ twins did not differ. Univariate genetic analyses revealed common environmental factors to be the most parsimonious explanation of familial aggregation for the writing-hand measure, while additive genetic influences provided a better interpretation of the throwing hand data.     

Lateralization of hand skill in bipolar affective disorder

Diverse strands of evidence suggest that schizophrenia is associated with an excess of left and mixed handedness, reflecting anomalous cerebral lateralization. Genetic studies have indicated a degree of overlap between bipolar disorder (BPD) and schizophrenia. Nevertheless, pattern of handedness and degree of lateralization have not been explicitly tested in BPD. We measured handedness, footedness and relative manual dexterity in a sample of 47 families comprising BPD probands and their bipolar-spectrum and unaffected relatives (N = 240). The BPD I sample (N = 55) was significantly more lateralized on handedness, footedness and relative manual dexterity than their unaffected relatives (N = 66). They were also more lateralized than their relatives with other psychiatric diagnoses. No evidence of excess mixed handedness or footedness was observed in the BPD I sample. We raise the possibility that schizophrenia and BPD I differ in that disproportionate left-hemisphere dominance in BPD I is associated with right-hemisphere dysfunction leading to deficits in emotional regulation. Given our results, we hypothesized that degree of lateralization may be a phenotypic marker or endophenotype for BPD I. We therefore conducted a family-based genetic association analysis with this quantitative trait. Relative hand skill was significantly associated with a functional variant in the catechol-O-methyltransferase gene. We speculate that this polymorphism may influence brain lateralization.     

Weight loss and sleep-disordered breathing in childhood obesity: effects on inflammation and uric acid

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in childhood obesity. It may be an independent risk factor for the metabolic syndrome. Possible mechanisms are inflammation and oxidative stress. Adenotonsillectomy in childhood obesity is associated with a high recurrence rate and risk of postoperative weight gain. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of SDB on inflammation and oxidative stress in childhood obesity before and after weight loss. We included 132 obese subjects between 10 and 18 years consecutively. Median age was 15.4 years (10.1-18.0). Mean BMI z-score was 2.72 ± 0.42. Leukocytes and differentiation, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and uric acid (UA) were determined at baseline and subjects underwent a sleep assessment. SDB was diagnosed in 39%. Linear regression analysis showed an association between UA(log) and oxygen desaturation index(log) (ODI(log)) (r = 0.20; P = 0.03), between leukocytes(log) and respiratory disturbance index(log) (RDI(log)) (r = 0.23; P = 0.01), and between lymphocytes(log) and RDI(log) (r = 0.19; P = 0.04). Follow-up was organized after 4-6 months of treatment. Median decrease in BMI z-score was 32%. Laboratory measurements were repeated. Subjects with SDB at baseline underwent a second sleep study. Of these 49 subjects, 12 showed residual SDB. This corresponds with a treatment success rate of 71%. Unlike changes in inflammatory markers, improvements in UA were associated with improvements in RDI and ODI (respectively: r = 0.44; P = 0.007, r = 0.41; P = 0.01). In conclusion, weight loss is effective in treating obese children with SDB. At baseline, a link exists between inflammation and SDB. Oxidative stress is reflected by UA at baseline and the concentration decreases after treatment according to improvements in SDB.     

Salivary Immunoglobulin A Secretion Rate Is Negatively Associated with Cancer Mortality: The West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study

Immunoglobulins are essential for combating infectious disease although very high levels can indicate underlying pathology. The present study examined associations between secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in saliva and mortality rates in the general population. Participants were 639 adults from the eldest cohort of the West of Scotland Twenty-07 Study aged 63 years at the time of saliva sampling in 1995. From unstimulated 2-minute saliva samples, saliva volume and S-IgA concentration were measured, and S-IgA secretion rate determined as their product. Mortality data were tracked for 19 years. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to compute hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality from sIgA secretion rate. Associations were adjusted for gender, assay batch, household occupational group, smoking, medication usage, and self-reported health. There was a negative association between log sIgA secretion rate and all-cause mortality, HR = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.73–0.91, p < .001. Further analysis of specific causes of mortality revealed that the all-cause association was due to an underlying association with cancer mortality and in particular with cancers other than lung cancer. The HR for non-lung cancer was 0.68 (95%CI = 0.54 to 0.85) implying a 32% reduction in mortality risk per standard deviation rise in log sIgA secretion rate. Effects were stronger for men than women. For deaths from respiratory diseases, sIgA secretion had a non-linear relationship with mortality risk whereby only the very lowest levels of secretion were associated with elevated risk. SIgA concentration revealed a similar but weaker pattern of association. In the present study, higher secretion rates of sIgA were associated with a decreased risk of death from cancer, specifically non-lung cancer, as well as from respiratory disease. Thus, it appears that sIgA plays a protective role among older adults, and could serve as a marker of mortality risk, specifically cancer mortality.     

A retrospective analysis of factors contributing to calf mortality and dystocia in beef cattle

Records of 2191 calvings from the Clemson University Beef Physiology Unit between 1981 and 1993 were analyzed to determine factors affecting malpresentation, mortality and dystocia. Only 20 (0.91%) parturitions involved malpresentation: posterior presentation (n = 14), leg deviations (n = 3), head deviations (n = 2) and breech birth (n = 1). Dystocia affected calf mortality within 24 h of birth (P < 0.05), with mortality increasing as the severity of dystocia increased. There was an overall 4.5% death loss within 24 h of birth, with 4 and 7% mortality rates for calves from multiparous and primiparous dams, respectively (P < 0.05). Mortality was higher for bull vs heifer calves (P < 0.05). Ninety-four percent of calvings were unassisted, while 6% were assisted births. Dystocia was greater (P < 0.01) in primiparous (17%) than in multiparous dams (4%). In births involving dystocia, 28.1% required mild traction, 69.3% required heavy traction and 2.6% required Cesarean section. Birth weights associated with normal births and mild traction (36 and 36 kg) were lighter than those associated with heavy traction and Cesarean section (40 and 42 kg, respectively; P < 0.05). In conclusion, malpresentations were too few to be of significance, and dystocia influenced mortality within 24 h of birth. Calf birth weight and parity of dam explained most of the observed variations in dystocia.     

Severity of sepsis alters the effects of superoxide anion inhibition in a rat sepsis model.

Previous analysis showed that selective inhibitors of five different host inflammatory mediators administered for sepsis, although beneficial with severe sepsis and high-control mortality rates, were ineffective or harmful with less severe sepsis. We hypothesized that severity of sepsis would also influence inhibition of superoxide anion, another inflammatory mediator. To test this, 6-h infusions of M40401, a selective SOD mimetic, or placebo were given to antibiotic-treated rats (n=547) starting 3 h after challenge with differing doses of intravenous Escherichia coli designed to produce low- or high-control mortality rates. There was a positive and significant (P=0.0008) relationship between the efficacy of M40401 on survival rate and control mortality rates. M40401 increased or decreased the log (odds ratio of survival) (means +/- SE), dependent on whether control mortality rates were greater or less than the median (66%) (+0.19 +/- 0.12 vs. -0.25 +/- 0.10, P=0.01). In a subset of animals examined (n=152) at 9 h after E. coli challenge, M40401 increased (mean effect +/- SE compared with control) mean arterial blood pressure (8 +/- 5 mmHg) and decreased platelets (-37 +/- 22 cells x 10(3)/ml) with high-control mortality rates but had opposing effects on each parameter (-3 +/- 3 mmHg and 28 +/- 19 cells x 10(3)/ml, respectively) with low rates (P < or = 0.05 for the differing effects of M40401 on each parameter with high- vs. low-control mortality rates). A metaregression analysis of published preclinical sepsis studies testing SOD preparations and SOD mimetics showed that most (16 of 18) had control mortality rates >66%. However, across experiments from published studies, these agents were less beneficial as control mortality rate decreased (P=0.03) in a relationship not altered (P=not significant) by other variables associated with septic challenge or regimen of treatment and which was similar, compared with experiments with M40401 (P=not significant). Thus, in these preclinical sepsis models, possibly related to divergent effects on vascular function, inhibition of superoxide anion improved survival with more severe sepsis and high-control mortality rates but was less effective or harmful with less severe sepsis. Extrapolated clinically, inhibition of superoxide anion may be most efficacious in septic patients with severe sepsis and a high risk of death.     

Effect of obesity on repeat revascularization in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents

Obesity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. The impact of obesity on prognosis among those with established coronary disease is less clear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity on repeat revascularization in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents (DES). We examined 6,083 patients who were divided into three groups according to BMI: normal (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2), n = 1,592); overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2), n = 3,026) and obese (BMI >30 kg/m(2), n = 1,465). The follow-up focused on clinical-driven repeat revascularization, including target lesion revascularization (TLR) and nonTLR. Median follow-up was 26 months (interquartile range 20-32). There was no significant difference in the incidence of TLR among normal, overweight, and obese patients (6.3% vs. 6.1% vs. 7.1%; P = 0.423). In contrast, the incidence of nonTLR was significantly higher in obese patients compared with normal and overweight (8.4% vs. 6.0% vs. 5.8%, P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that obesity was an independent predictor of nonTLR during follow-up (hazard ratio = 1.39; 95% confidence interval = 1.06-1.83; P = 0.019), along with diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Concomitant use of statins was independently associated with decreased risk of nonTLR (hazard ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval = 0.62-0.92; P = 0.005). In conclusion, among patients undergoing PCI with DES, obesity was not associated with TLR, but was associated with a higher risk of nonTLR.     

Bacterial hand contamination and transfer after use of contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers

Bulk-soap-refillable dispensers are prone to extrinsic bacterial contamination, and recent studies demonstrated that approximately one in four dispensers in public restrooms are contaminated. The purpose of this study was to quantify bacterial hand contamination and transfer after use of contaminated soap under controlled laboratory and in-use conditions in a community setting. Under laboratory conditions using liquid soap experimentally contaminated with 7.51 log(10) CFU/ml of Serratia marcescens, an average of 5.28 log(10) CFU remained on each hand after washing, and 2.23 log(10) CFU was transferred to an agar surface. In an elementary-school-based field study, Gram-negative bacteria on the hands of students and staff increased by 1.42 log(10) CFU per hand (26-fold) after washing with soap from contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers. In contrast, washing with soap from dispensers with sealed refills significantly reduced bacteria on hands by 0.30 log(10) CFU per hand (2-fold). Additionally, the mean number of Gram-negative bacteria transferred to surfaces after washing with soap from dispensers with sealed-soap refills (0.06 log(10) CFU) was significantly lower than the mean number after washing with contaminated bulk-soap-refillable dispensers (0.74 log(10) CFU; P < 0.01). Finally, significantly higher levels of Gram-negative bacteria were recovered from students (2.82 log(10) CFU per hand) than were recovered from staff (2.22 log(10) CFU per hand) after washing with contaminated bulk soap (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that washing with contaminated soap from bulk-soap-refillable dispensers can increase the number of opportunistic pathogens on the hands and may play a role in the transmission of bacteria in public settings.     

Association of circulating levels of MMP-8 with mortality from respiratory disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in the destruction of the joint and have been shown to be strongly associated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Circulating MMPs have also been associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population, and are predictive of cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether circulating levels of MMPs are predictive of mortality in RA.

Methods

A multiplex suspension array system (Luminex^®) was used to measure levels of MMPs (1, 2, 3, 8 and 9) in sera taken at recruitment of RA patients (n = 487) in a study of factors associated with mortality in RA. Patients were tracked on the National Health Service Central Register for notification of death, and the relationship between baseline MMP levels and mortality was analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results

At the time of follow-up, 204/486 patients had died, of which 94 (46.1%) had died of circulatory diseases, 49 of malignancy (24.0%), and 42 (20.6%) of respiratory diseases. In a stepwise analysis which included all MMPs, only MMP-8 was significantly associated with all cause mortality (P = 0.0007, 0.6% hazard ratio increase per ng/ml). No association was found between MMP levels and mortality due to circulatory disease or malignancy. However MMP-8 levels were strongly associated with mortality due to respiratory disease (P < 0.0001, 1.3% hazard ratio increase per ng/ml). The association with respiratory disease related mortality remained highly significant in multivariate models which included smoking as well as markers of severity and disease activity such as rheumatoid factor, nodular disease, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Conclusions

The serum level of MMP-8 is a strong predictor of mortality in RA, especially that due to respiratory disease. This finding is consistent with increased activation of neutrophils in RA and identifies serum MMP-8 as a useful marker for increased risk of premature death.     

Developmental and genetic components explain enhanced pulmonary volumes of female peruvian Quechua

High altitude natives have enlarged vital capacities and residual volumes (RV). Because pulmonary volumes are an indication of functionally relevant traits, such as diffusion capacity, the understanding of the factors (genetic/developmental) that influence lung volumes provides insight into the adaptive responses of highlanders. In order to test for the effect of growth and development at high altitude on lung volumes, we obtained forced vital capacities (FVC), RV, and total lung capacities (TLC) for a sample of 65 Peruvian females of mostly Quechua origins (18-34 years) who were sub-divided into two well-matched groups: 1) sea-level born and raised females (BSL, n = 34) from Lima, Peru (150 m), and 2) high-altitude born and raised females (BHA, n = 31) from Cerro de Pasco, Peru (4,338 m). To determine Quechua origins, Native American ancestry proportion (NAAP) for each individual was assessed using a panel of 70 ancestry informative markers. NAAP was similar between groups (BSL = 91.71%; BHA = 89.93%; P = 0.240), and the analysis confirmed predominantly Quechua origins. After adjusting for body size and NAAP, BHA females had significantly higher FVC (3.79 ± 0.06 l; P < 0.001), RV (0.98 ± 0.03 l; P < 0.001) and TLC (4.80 ± 0.07 l; P < 0.001) compared to BSL females (FVC = 3.33 ± 0.05 l; RV = 0.69 ± 0.03 l; TLC = 4.02 ± 0.06 l). NAAP was not associated with FVC (P = 0.352) or TLC (P = 0.506). However, NAAP was positively associated with RV (P = 0.004). In summary, results indicate that developmental exposure to high altitude in females constitutes an important factor for all lung volumes, whereas both genetic and developmental factors seem to be important for RV.     

Effects of delivery method on serological responses of bighorn sheep to a multivalent Pasteurella haemolytica supernatant vaccine

The safety and efficacy of a remotely delivered multivalent Pasteurella haemolytica supernatant vaccine (serotypes A2 and T10) were examined in captive Rocky, Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis). Twenty bighorn sheep were grouped according to baseline leukotoxin neutralizing antibody titers (< or =2 or >2 log2(-1)) and vaccination history (previously vaccinated or unvaccinated). Within these groups, animals were randomly assigned to one of two delivery treatments: hand injection (control) or biobullet implantation. All bighorns received a single dose from the same lot of vaccine (n = 10/treatment); four additional animals were injected intramuscularly with 0.9% saline as unvaccinated sentinels. Mild, transient lameness one day after hand injection or biobullet implantation was the only adverse effect. Serum neutralizing antibody titers to P. haemolytica leukotoxin differed between delivery treatments (P = 0.009) and among baseline titer/vaccination history groups (P = 0.013). Neutralizing titers were higher among hand-injected bighorns. Although neutralizing titers were lower among implanted bighorns than hand-injected controls at 1 wk (P = 0.002) and 2 wk (P = 0.021) after vaccination, seroconversion rates in response to implantation (6/10) and hand injection (9/10) did not differ (P = 0.303). Agglutinating antibody titers to T10 were high and did not vary over time or between delivery treatments. Agglutinating antibody titers to A2 in the hand-injected controls were not different (P > or = 0.07) than those in bighorns vaccinated with biobullet implantation. These data demonstrate that although hand injection elicits higher absolute titers, biobullet implantation may also stimulate effective antibody responses to P. haemolytica supernatant vaccine. Further evaluation of biobullet vaccination against pneumonic pasteurellosis in free-ranging populations of wild bighorn sheep is warranted.     

Baseline cortisol levels and social behavior differ as a function of handedness in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Population hand preferences are rare in nonhuman primates, but individual hand preferences are consistent over a lifetime and considered to reflect an individual's preference to use a particular hemisphere when engaged in a specific task. Previous findings in marmosets have indicated that left‐handed individuals tend to be more fearful than their right‐handed counterparts. Based on these findings, we tested the hypotheses that left‐handed marmosets are (a) more reactive to a social stressor and (b) are slower than right‐handed marmosets in acquiring a reversal learning task. We examined the hand preference of 27 male and female marmosets (ages of 4–7 years old) previously tested in a social separation task and a reversal learning task. Hand preference was determined via a simple reaching task. In the social separation task, monkeys were separated from their partner and the colony for a single 7‐hr session. Urinary cortisol levels and behavior were assessed at baseline, during the separation and 24 hr postseparation. Hand preferences were equally distributed between left (n = 10), right‐handed (n = 10), and ambidextrous (n = 7) individuals. The separation phase was associated with an increase in cortisol levels and behavioral changes that were similar across handedness groups. However, cortisol levels at baseline were positively correlated with right‐handedness, and this relationship was stronger in females than in males. In addition, the occurrence of social behaviors (pre‐ and postseparation) was positively correlated with right‐handedness in both sexes. Baseline cortisol levels did not correlate significantly with social behavior. Acquisition of the reversals was poorer in females than males but did not differ as a function of handedness. We conclude that (a) both stress reactivity and cognitive flexibility are similar across handedness groups and (b) left‐handers exhibit less social behavior and have lower basal cortisol levels than ambidextrous and right‐handed subjects. The underlying causes for these differences remain to be established.     

Pilot study of DNA methylation-derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and survival in pediatric medulloblastoma

IntroductionMethylation-derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (mdNLR) has been identified as a potential prognostic biomarker of outcomes in various cancers. We evaluated the prognostic value of blood-derived mdNLR within a retrospective cohort of pediatric medulloblastoma patients.Materials and methodsDNA methylation was measured in archival peripheral blood samples collected on 56 pediatric medulloblastoma patients. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between mdNLR and survival were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models.ResultsCompared to patients who were alive at last follow-up (n = 43), the mean mdNLR value was slightly higher in deceased patients (n = 13) (12.3 vs. 5.2,P = 0.163). Elevated log-transformed mdNLR was suggestively associated with an increased likelihood of death in unadjusted models (HR=1.43, 95%CI: 0.92–2.22) and significantly associated with mortality in adjusted models (HR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.01–2.58).DiscussionFuture work is warranted to investigate the relationship between mdNLR outcomes in specific pediatric medulloblastoma molecular subgroups.     

Corpus luteum function and embryonic mortality in buffaloes treated with a GnRH agonist, hCG and progesterone

The effect of treatment with a GnRH agonist, hCG or progesterone (P(4)) on corpus luteum function and embryonic mortality was investigated in buffaloes inseminated during mid-winter. Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (n=309) were synchronized using the Ovsynch with timed-AI program and mated by AI at 16 h (Day 0) and 40 h after the second injection of GnRH. On Day 5, buffaloes were randomly assigned to four groups: Control (no treatment, n=69), GnRH agonist (buserelin acetate, 12.6 microg, n=73), hCG (1500 IU, n=75) and P(4) (PRID without E(2) for 10 days, n=77). Progesterone (pg/ml) was determined in milk whey on Days 5, 10, 15 and 20 and pregnancy diagnosis was undertaken on Day 26 by ultrasound and Day 40 by rectal palpation. Treatment with buserelin and hCG increased (p<0.05) P(4) on Day 15 compared with controls (456+/-27, 451+/-24 and 346+/-28 pg/ml, respectively). Buffaloes treated with a PRID had intermediate P(4) concentrations (380+/-23 pg/ml). Embryonic mortality between Days 26 and 40 (22.9%) and pregnancies at Day 40 (48.9%) did not differ between treatments. A higher (p<0.01) P(4) concentration was found on Day 20 in pregnant animals compared with non-pregnant and embryonic mortality buffaloes, which did not differ. In summary, buserelin and hCG increased P(4) concentrations on Day 15 but this was not associated with a reduced incidence of embryonic mortality in buffaloes during mid-winter.     

Improved survival in homozygous sickle cell disease: lessons from a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether simple interventions in a sickle cell clinic improve survival in sickle cell disease. DESIGN: Survival curve analysis and hazard ratios in a cohort study followed from birth. SETTING: MRC Laboratories (Jamaica) at the University of the West Indies, and Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica. SUBJECTS: 315 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease detected during the screening of 100,000 consecutive non-operative deliveries between June 1973 and December 1981 at the main government maternity hospital, Kingston, Jamaica. INTERVENTIONS: Prophylactic penicillin to prevent pneumococcal septicaemia, parental education in early diagnosis of acute splenic sequestration, close monitoring in sickle cell clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival. RESULTS: Survival appeared to improve, the log rank test for trend comparing the first, second, and last third of the study reaching borderline significance (P = 0.05). Combined deaths from acute splenic sequestration and pneumococcal septicaemia-meningitis declined significantly (test for trend, P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and simple prophylactic measures significantly reduce deaths associated with homozygous sickle cell disease.     

Leukocyte Telomere Length in Young Adults Born Preterm: Support for Accelerated Biological Ageing

Background

Subjects born preterm have an increased risk for age-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular disease in later life, but the underlying causes are largely unknown. Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of biological age, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objectives

To compare LTL between subjects born preterm and at term and to assess if LTL is associated with other putative cardiovascular risk factors at young adult age.

Methods

We measured mean LTL in 470 young adults. LTL was measured using a quantitative PCR assay and expressed as T/S ratio. We analyzed the influence of gestational age on LTL and compared LTL between subjects born preterm (n = 186) and at term (n = 284). Additionally, we analyzed the correlation between LTL and potential risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

Results

Gestational age was positively associated with LTL (r = 0.11, p = 0.02). Subjects born preterm had shorter LTL (mean (SD) T/S ratio = 3.12 (0.44)) than subjects born at term (mean (SD) T/S ratio = 3.25 (0.46)), p = 0.003). The difference remained significant after adjustment for gender and size at birth (p = 0.001). There was no association of LTL with any one of the putative risk factors analyzed.

Conclusions

Young adults born preterm have shorter LTL than young adults born at term. Although we found no correlation between LTL and risk for CVD at this young adult age, this biological ageing indicator may contribute to CVD and other adult onset diseases at a later age in those born preterm.     

The influence of gender, athletic events, and athletic experience on the subjective dominant hand and the determination of the dominant hand based on the laterality quotient (LQ) and the validity of the LQ

This study aimed to reveal the influence of gender, athletic events and athletic experience on the subjective dominant hand and the dominant hand based on the laterality quotient (LQ). It also aimed to examine the validity of the Edinburgh Inventory (Oldfield, 1971). Males and females (n=3,726) living in 7 prefectures in Japan (age: 16-45 yrs) participated in this survey. Analysis was performed on 3,557 separate datasets with high reliability. The reliability of the survey was examined using a test-retest method consisting of 100 people selected randomly from all participants. All participants provided the same answers for each question. The influence of gender, event and experience was examined for the subjective and LQ-based dominant hands. In addition, concordance rates of the subjective dominant hand and the LQ-based dominant hand and both dominant hands were examined. Differences of concordance rates between hands used in the 10 movement questions of the Inventory and the subjective dominant hand were tested using the chi(2) test. The frequency differences among items were tested using Ryan's method (multiple comparisons). Significant gender differences were found between rates of the LQ-based dominant hand (males: 94.4%; females: 96.6%) and the subjective dominant hand (males: 91.6%; females: 94.0%), but the degree was only 2.0-4.0%. Insignificant differences were found among athletic events, two groups of different athletic experience, and gender according to each athletic event. The subjective dominant hand almost always agreed with the LQ-based dominant hand (complete concordance rate=0.96, kappa=0.67). Of the 10 question items, inexperienced answers were found only in the item "Knife (without fork)". The "Toothbrush", "Broom (upper hand)", and "Opening box (lid)" items had significantly lower correspondence with the subjective dominant hand (79.7-87.0%) than the other items (92.1-95.7%).In conclusion, athletic experience appears to have little influence on handedness, although there is a slight gender difference. The subjective dominant hand almost always agrees with the dominant hand based on the Inventory. A more efficient handedness inventory may be constructed by excluding the above 4 items.     

Predictive value of plasma copeptin level for the risk and mortality of heart failure: a meta‐analysis

Epidemiologic studies are inconsistent regarding the association between plasma copeptin level and heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis to determine whether high level of copeptin is correlated with incidence of HF and mortality in patients with HF. We searched PUBMED and EMBASE databases for studies conducted from 1966 through May 2016 to identify studies reporting hazard ratio (HR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between plasma copeptin level and HF. A random‐effects model was used to combine study‐specific risk estimates. A total of 13 studies were included in the meta‐analysis, with five studies on the incidence of HF and eight studies on the mortality of patients with HF. For incidence of HF, the summary HR indicated a borderline positive association of high plasma copeptin level with HF risk (HR, 1.60; 95% CI, 0.90–2.85). Furthermore, an increase of 1 standard deviation in log copeptin level was associated with a 17% increase in the risk of incident HF (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02–1.33). For all‐cause mortality of patients with HF, we also found a significant association between elevated plasma copeptin level and increased mortality of HF (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.33–2.33). Our dose–response analysis indicated that an increment in copeptin level of 1 pmol/l was associated with a 3% increase in all‐cause mortality (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01–1.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that elevated plasma copeptin level is associated with an increased risk of HF and all‐cause mortality in patients with HF.     

A Genomewide Linkage Screen for Relative Hand Skill in Sibling Pairs

Genomewide quantitative-trait locus (QTL) linkage analysis was performed using a continuous measure of relative hand skill (PegQ) in a sample of 195 reading-disabled sibling pairs from the United Kingdom. This was the first genomewide screen for any measure related to handedness. The mean PegQ in the sample was equivalent to that of normative data, and PegQ was not correlated with tests of reading ability (correlations between minus sign0.13 and 0.05). Relative hand skill could therefore be considered normal within the sample. A QTL on chromosome 2p11.2-12 yielded strong evidence for linkage to PegQ (empirical P=.00007), and another suggestive QTL on 17p11-q23 was also identified (empirical P=.002). The 2p11.2-12 locus was further analyzed in an independent sample of 143 reading-disabled sibling pairs, and this analysis yielded an empirical P=.13. Relative hand skill therefore is probably a complex multifactorial phenotype with a heterogeneous background, but nevertheless is amenable to QTL-based gene-mapping approaches.     

Correlation of Campylobacter bacteriophage with reduced presence of hosts in broiler chicken ceca

Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter-specific bacteriophage were enumerated from broiler chicken ceca selected from 90 United Kingdom flocks (n = 205). C. jejuni counts in the presence of bacteriophage (mean log(10) 5.1 CFU/g) were associated with a significant (P < 0.001) reduction compared to samples with Campylobacter alone (mean log(10) 6.9 CFU/g).