38 research outputs found
The effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult male attachments in close relationships
No full textOver the past two decades society has become more aware of the prevalence and impact
of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). While society has become more aware of this problem, there
is still much that remains unknown. This is evident especially in regard to the effects of CSA on
adult males. There are several reasons for this; one such reason is that males who come to
therapy are rarely asked about sexual abuse histories. However, the effects of CSA are often
quite severe for males. One area particularly affected is adult close relationships. Attachment
theory offers a way to conceptualize how people interact in close relationships. In this study, the
influence of CSA on adult male relationships was examined. Seven hypotheses examined were
that males who were abused by a male, males who were abused for a longer period of time,
males who were abused at an earlier age, males who perceived little support from their family
with regards to the abuse, males who were abused by a family member, males who were abused
more frequently, and males who were abuse more severely would be more likely to have an
insecure attachment than other males. These CSA characteristics were measured by the
Childhood Sexual Experiences Questionnaire and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire (AAQ).
Although limitations to this study make it difficult to reject the null hypothesis and to make
statements that these results reflect the population, findings generally confirm the stated
hypotheses
Loss of Kaiso expression in breast cancer cells prevents intra-vascular invasion in the lung and secondary metastasis
No full textabstract: The metastatic activity of breast carcinomas results from complex genetic changes in epithelial tumor cells and accounts for 90% of deaths in affected patients. Although the invasion of the local lymphatic vessels and veins by malignant breast tumor cells and their subsequent metastasis to the lung, has been recognized, the mechanisms behind the metastatic activity of breast tumor cells to other distal organs and the pathogenesis of metastatic cancer are not well understood. In this study, we utilized derivatives of the well-established and highly metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 (MDA-231) to study breast tumor metastasis in a mouse model. These MDA-231 derivatives had depleted expression of Kaiso, a POZ-ZF transcription factor that is highly expressed in malignant, triple negative breast cancers. We previously reported that Kaiso depletion attenuates the metastasis of xenografted MDA-231 cells. Herein, we describe the pathological features of the metastatic activity of parental (Kaiso[superscript positive]) versus Kaiso[superscript depleted] MDA-231 cells. Both Kaiso[superscript positive] and Kaiso[superscript depleted] MDA-231 cells metastasized from the original tumor in the mammary fat pad to the lung. However, while Kaiso[superscript positive] cells formed large masses in the lung parenchyma, invaded large pulmonary blood vessels and formed secondary metastases and large tumors in the distal organs, Kaiso[superscript depleted] cells metastasized only to the lung where they formed small metastatic lesions. Importantly, intravascular invasion and secondary metastases in distal organs were not observed in mice xenografted with Kaiso[superscript depleted] cells. It thus appears that the lung may constitute a barrier for less invasive breast tumors such as the Kaiso[superscript depleted] TNBC cells; this barrier may limit tumor growth and prevents Kaiso[superscript depleted] TNBC cells from invading the pulmonary blood vessels and forming secondary metastases in distal organs.The article is published at http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.018388
Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum diversity in natural infections by deep sequencing.
No full textMalaria elimination strategies require surveillance of the parasite population for genetic changes that demand a public health response, such as new forms of drug resistance. Here we describe methods for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation in Plasmodium falciparum by deep sequencing of parasite DNA obtained from the blood of patients with malaria, either directly or after short-term culture. Analysis of 86,158 exonic single nucleotide polymorphisms that passed genotyping quality control in 227 samples from Africa, Asia and Oceania provides genome-wide estimates of allele frequency distribution, population structure and linkage disequilibrium. By comparing the genetic diversity of individual infections with that of the local parasite population, we derive a metric of within-host diversity that is related to the level of inbreeding in the population. An open-access web application has been established for the exploration of regional differences in allele frequency and of highly differentiated loci in the P. falciparum genome
Richardson, Barbauld, and the construction of an early modern fan club
No full textMPhilMuch has been written about the life and long works of the eighteenth century epistolary novelist, Samuel Richardson, but the prospect of his position as the first celebrity novelist – responsible for courting his own fame as well as initiating his own fan club – has largely been ignored. The body of manuscripts housed at the National Art Library in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London provides the modern scholar with evidence of the skeletal beginnings of an early fan club. This thesis aims to show how these manuscripts were turned into a saleable commodity by the publisher and entrepreneur Richard Phillips, while under the guiding hand of another, slightly later, literary celebrity, Anna Laetitia Barbauld. In order to restore Richardson’s reputation amongst a new nineteenth century audience, Barbauld was required to construct her own idea of him as an eighteenth century celebrity author, and in doing so the insecurities of a self-professed, apparently diffident man, are revealed. Barbauld’s capacious, but heavily edited selection of letters is analyzed in this thesis, providing ample evidence that Richardson’s correspondents were more than just eager letter writers. By using Barbauld’s biography of Richardson this thesis aims to show how she manipulates the genre of life writing in her construction of him.
This thesis offers an alternative reading of how the Richardson manuscripts are viewed, redefining them as not simply a collection of letters, but as a collective entity, deliberately selected and archived as evidence of an early modern fan club, and its celebrity managing director
Hundreds of variants clustered in genomic loci and biological pathways affect human height
No full textMost common human traits and diseases have a polygenic pattern of inheritance: DNA sequence variants at many genetic loci influence the phenotype. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified more than 600 variants associated with human traits(1), but these typically explain small fractions of phenotypic variation, raising questions about the use of further studies. Here, using 183,727 individuals, we show that hundreds of genetic variants, in at least 180 loci, influence adult height, a highly heritable and classic polygenic trait(2,3). The large number of loci reveals patterns with important implications for genetic studies of common human diseases and traits. First, the 180 loci are not random, but instead are enriched for genes that are connected in biological pathways (P = 0.016) and that underlie skeletal growth defects (P<0.001). Second, the likely causal gene is often located near the most strongly associated variant: in 13 of 21 loci containing a known skeletal growth gene, that gene was closest to the associated variant. Third, at least 19 loci have multiple independently associated variants, suggesting that allelic heterogeneity is a frequent feature of polygenic traits, that comprehensive explorations of already-discovered loci should discover additional variants and that an appreciable fraction of associated loci may have been identified. Fourth, associated variants are enriched for likely functional effects on genes, being over-represented among variants that alter amino-acid structure of proteins and expression levels of nearby genes. Our data explain approximately 10% of the phenotypic variation in height, and we estimate that unidentified common variants of similar effect sizes would increase this figure to approximately 16% of phenotypic variation (approximately 20% of heritable variation). Although additional approaches are needed to dissect the genetic architecture of polygenic human traits fully, our findings indicate that GWA studies can identify large numbers of loci that implicate biologically relevant genes and pathways
Meta-analysis identifies 13 new loci associated with waist-hip ratio and reveals sexual dimorphism in the genetic basis of fat distribution
No full textWaist-hip ratio (WHR) is a measure of body fat distribution and a predictor of metabolic consequences independent of overall adiposity. WHR is heritable, but few genetic variants influencing this trait have been identified. We conducted a meta-analysis of 32 genome-wide association studies for WHR adjusted for body mass index (comprising up to 77,167 participants), following up 16 loci in an additional 29 studies (comprising up to 113,636 subjects). We identified 13 new loci in or near RSPO3, VEGFA, TBX15-WARS2, NFE2L3, GRB14, DNM3-PIGC, ITPR2-SSPN, LY86, HOXC13, ADAMTS9, ZNRF3-KREMEN1, NISCH-STAB1 and CPEB4 (P = 1.9 × 10⁻⁹ to P = 1.8 × 10⁻⁴⁰) and the known signal at LYPLAL1. Seven of these loci exhibited marked sexual dimorphism, all with a stronger effect on WHR in women than men (P for sex difference = 1.9 × 10⁻³ to P = 1.2 × 10⁻¹³). These findings provide evidence for multiple loci that modulate body fat distribution independent of overall adiposity and reveal strong gene-by-sex interactions
A review of health utilities using the EQ-5D in studies of cardiovascular disease
No full textBackground
The EQ-5D has been extensively used to assess patient utility in trials of new treatments within the cardiovascular field. The aims of this study were to review evidence of the validity and reliability of the EQ-5D, and to summarise utility scores based on the use of the EQ-5D in clinical trials and in studies of patients with cardiovascular disease.
Methods
A structured literature search was conducted using keywords related to cardiovascular disease and EQ-5D. Original research studies of patients with cardiovascular disease that reported EQ-5D results and its measurement properties were included.
Results
Of 147 identified papers, 66 met the selection criteria, with 10 studies reporting evidence on validity or reliability and 60 reporting EQ-5D responses (VAS or self-classification). Mean EQ-5D index-based scores ranged from 0.24 (SD 0.39) to 0.90 (SD 0.16), while VAS scores ranged from 37 (SD 21) to 89 (no SD reported). Stratification of EQ-5D index scores by disease severity revealed that scores decreased from a mean of 0.78 (SD 0.18) to 0.51 (SD 0.21) for mild to severe disease in heart failure patients and from 0.80 (SD 0.05) to 0.45 (SD 0.22) for mild to severe disease in angina patients.
Conclusions
The published evidence generally supports the validity and reliability of the EQ-5D as an outcome measure within the cardiovascular area. This review provides utility estimates across a range of cardiovascular subgroups and treatments that may be useful for future modelling of utilities and QALYs in economic evaluations within the cardiovascular area.The authors are grateful for the funding support of the EuroQol Group (PI: Buxton)
Exploring the use of the Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in Older adults in research and/or practice: A scoping review of literature
No full textObjective: This scoping review aims to map and describe the available studies that have used the Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in older adults in policy development, clinical practice, and/or research.
Introduction: Mobility and the ability for movement is essential for healthy aging as it forms a basis for meaningful social participation. However, older adults often face greater susceptibility to mobility limitations, such as performance deficits in walking, which puts them at higher risk of disability, falls, hospitalization, mortality, and poor quality of life. In addition to the expensive healthcare costs resulting from this increased risk, these limitations emphasize the growing need to explore the complexity associated with mobility.
There are numerous definitions associated with mobility. The one followed in this scoping review is “the ability to move oneself (e.g., by walking, by using assistive devices, or by using transportation) within community environments that expand from one’s home, to the neighbourhood, and to regions beyond” (reference).
The Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in Older Adults, by Webber et al., stipulates that multifaceted factors, such as cognitive, environmental, financial, personal, physical, physiological, and social, may explain the complexity associated with mobility. When published, the framework is intended to drive interdisciplinary analysis of mobility from various perspectives and motivate new research directions while enhancing diagnostic and treatment practices in the clinical setting. However, the use of this model in policy development, clinical, and research practice has not been explored since its formation. Therefore, examining the use of this framework in clinical research and policies will be vital to highlighting its practicality and determining its ability to promote interdisciplinarity between professions to further explore the complexity of mobility.
Inclusion criteria: The conical model was organized into (a) articles that use the model as their theoretical framework; (b) articles that tested the model using a data set; c) and articles that expanded the model.
Exclusion criteria: Articles that cited the model in the introduction or discussion section without explicitly stating that the model informed their study or guided some aspect of their study will be excluded.
Methods: This scoping review considers all research studies, grey literature, and mixed methods studies to analyze the mobility of older adults within and beyond their homes into the community (Webber et al. 2010). With consultation from a health science librarian, the preliminary search terms helped develop a comprehensive search that will be adapted for CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE (OVID), Scopus, Embase, and PSYCInfo. Searches for relevant sources of grey literature will include searches of Google Scholar, Proquest&Theses A&I, Theses Canada. The article list will be reviewed by the corresponding author of the Conical model, Dr. Webber
Exploring the use of the Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in Older adults in research and/or practice: A scoping review of literature
No full textObjective: This scoping review aims to map and describe the available studies that have used the Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in older adults in policy development, clinical practice, and/or research.
Introduction: Mobility and the ability for movement is essential for healthy aging as it forms a basis for meaningful social participation. However, older adults often face greater susceptibility to mobility limitations, such as performance deficits in walking, which puts them at higher risk of disability, falls, hospitalization, mortality, and poor quality of life. In addition to the expensive healthcare costs resulting from this increased risk, these limitations emphasize the growing need to explore the complexity associated with mobility.
There are numerous definitions associated with mobility. The one followed in this scoping review is “the ability to move oneself (e.g., by walking, by using assistive devices, or by using transportation) within community environments that expand from one’s home, to the neighbourhood, and to regions beyond” (reference).
The Conical Model of Theoretical Framework for Mobility in Older Adults, by Webber et al., stipulates that multifaceted factors, such as cognitive, environmental, financial, personal, physical, physiological, and social, may explain the complexity associated with mobility. When published, the framework is intended to drive interdisciplinary analysis of mobility from various perspectives and motivate new research directions while enhancing diagnostic and treatment practices in the clinical setting. However, the use of this model in policy development, clinical, and research practice has not been explored since its formation. Therefore, examining the use of this framework in clinical research and policies will be vital to highlighting its practicality and determining its ability to promote interdisciplinarity between professions to further explore the complexity of mobility.
Inclusion criteria: The conical model was organized into (a) articles that use the model as their theoretical framework; (b) articles that tested the model using a data set; c) and articles that expanded the model.
Exclusion criteria: Articles that cited the model in the introduction or discussion section without explicitly stating that the model informed their study or guided some aspect of their study will be excluded.
Methods: This scoping review considers all research studies, grey literature, and mixed methods studies to analyze the mobility of older adults within and beyond their homes into the community (Webber et al. 2010). With consultation from a health science librarian, the preliminary search terms helped develop a comprehensive search that will be adapted for CINAHL (EBSCO), MEDLINE (OVID), Scopus, Embase, and PSYCInfo. Searches for relevant sources of grey literature will include searches of Google Scholar, Proquest&Theses A&I, Theses Canada. The article list will be reviewed by the corresponding author of the Conical model, Dr. Webber
Crop Updates 2007 - Farming Systems
No full textThis session covers forty papers from different authors:
1. Quality Assurance and industry stewardship, David Jeffries, Better Farm IQ Manager, Cooperative Bulk Handling
2. Sothis: Trifolium dasyurum (Eastern Star clover), A. Loi, B.J. Nutt and C.K. Revell, Department of Agriculture and Food
3. Poor performing patches of the paddock – to ameliorate or live with low yield? Yvette Oliver1, Michael Robertson1, Bill Bowden2, Kit Leake3and Ashley Bonser3, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems1, Department of Food and Agriculture2, Kellerberrin Farmer3
4. What evidence is there that PA can pay? Michael Robertson, CSIRO Floreat, Ian Maling, SilverFox Solutions and Bindi Isbister, Department of Agriculture and Food
5.The journey is great, but does PA pay? Garren Knell, ConsultAg; Alison Slade, Department of Agriculture and Food, CFIG
6. 2007 Seasonal outlook, David Stephens and Michael Meuleners, Department of Agriculture and Food
7. Towards building farmer capacity to better manage climate risk, David Beard and Nicolyn Short, Department of Agriculture and Food
8. A NAR farmers view of his farming system in 2015, Rob Grima, Department of Agriculture and Food
9. Biofuels opportunities in Australia, Ingrid Richardson, Food and Agribusiness Research, Rabobank
10. The groundwater depth on the hydrological benefits of lucerne and the subsequent recharge values, Ruhi Ferdowsian1and Geoff Bee2; 1Department of Agriculture and Food, 2Landholder, Laurinya, Jerramungup
11. Subsoil constraints to crop production in the high rainfall zone of Western Australia, Daniel Evans1, Bob Gilkes1, Senthold Asseng2and Jim Dixon3; 1University of Western Australia, 2CSIRO Plant Industry, 3Department of Agriculture and Food
12. Prospects for lucerne in the WA wheatbelt, Michael Robertson, CSIRO Floreat, Felicity Byrne and Mike Ewing, CRC for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity, Dennis van Gool, Department of Agriculture and Food
13. Nitrous oxide emissions from a cropped soil in the Western Australian grainbelt, Louise Barton1, Ralf Kiese2, David Gatter3, Klaus Butterbach-Bahl2, Renee Buck1, Christoph Hinz1and Daniel Murphy1,1School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, 2Institute for Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 3The Department of Agriculture and Food
14. Managing seasonal risk is an important part of farm management but is highly complex and therefore needs a ‘horses for courses’ approach, Cameron Weeks, Planfarm / Mingenew-Irwin Group, Dr Michael Robertson, Dr Yvette Oliver, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems and Dr Meredith Fairbanks, Department of Agriculture and Food
15. Novel use application of clopyralid in lupins, John Peirce, and Brad Rayner Department of Agriculture and Food
16. Long season wheat on the South Coast – Feed and grain in a dry year – a 2006 case study, Sandy White, Department of Agriculture and Food
17. Wheat yield response to potassium and the residual value of PKS fertiliser drilled at different depths, Paul Damon1, Bill Bowden2, Qifu Ma1 and Zed Rengel1; Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia1, Department of Agriculture and Food2
18. Saltbush as a sponge for summer rain, Ed Barrett-Lennard and Meir Altman, Department of Agriculture and Food and CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity
19. Building strong working relationships between grower groups and their industry partners, Tracey M. Gianatti, Grower Group Alliance
20. To graze or not to graze – the question of tactical grazing of cereal crops, Lindsay Bell and Michael Robertson, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
21. Can legume pastures and sheep replace lupins? Ben Webb and Caroline Peek, Department of Agriculture and Food
22. EverGraze – livestock and perennial pasture performance during a drought year, Paul Sanford, Department of Agriculture and Food, and CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity
23. Crop survival in challenging times, Paul Blackwell1, Glen Riethmuller1, Darshan Sharma1and Mike Collins21Department of Agriculture and Food, 2Okura Plantations, Kirikiri New Zealand
24. Soil health constraints to production potential – a precision guided project, Frank D’Emden, and David Hall, Department of Agriculture and Food
25. A review of pest and disease occurrence in 2006, Mangano, G.P. and Severtson, D.L., Department of Agriculture and Food
26. e-weed – an information resource on seasonal weed management issues, Vanessa Stewart and Julie Roche, Department of Agriculture and Food
27. Review of Pesticide Legislation and Policies in Western Australia, Peter Rutherford, BSc (Agric.), Pesticide Legislation Review, Office of the Chief Medical Adviser, WA Department of Health
28. Future wheat yields in the West Australian wheatbelt, Imma Farré and Ian Foster, Department of Agriculture and Food, Stephen Charles, CSIRO Land and Water
29. Organic matter in WA arable soils: What’s active and what’s not, Frances Hoyle, Department of Agriculture and Food, Australia and Daniel Murphy, UWA
30. Soil quality indicators in Western Australian farming systems, D.V. Murphy1, N. Milton1, M. Osman1, F.C. Hoyle2, L.K Abbott1, W.R. Cookson1and S. Darmawanto1; 1UWA, 2Department of Agriculture and Food
31. Impact of stubble on input efficiencies, Geoff Anderson, formerly employed by Department of Agriculture and Food
32. Mixed farming vs All crop – true profit, not just gross margins, Rob Sands and David McCarthy, FARMANCO Management Consultants, Western Australia
33. Evaluation of Local Farmer Group Network – group leaders’ surveys 2005 and 2006, Paul Carmody, Local Farmer Group Network, Network Coordinator, UWA
34. Seeding rate and nitrogen application and timing effects in wheat, J. Russell, Department of Agriculture and Food, J. Eyres, G. Fosbery and A. Roe, ConsultAg, Northam
35. Foliar fungicide application and disease control in barley, J. Russell, Department of Agriculture and Food, J. Eyres, G. Fosbery and A. Roe, ConsultAg, Northam
36. Brown manuring effects on a following wheat crop in the central wheatbelt, , J. Russell, Department of Agriculture and Food, J. Eyres, G. Fosbery and A. Roe, ConsultAg, Northam
37. Management of annual pastures in mixed farming systems – transition from a dry season, Dr Clinton Revell and Dr Phil Nichols; Department of Agriculture and Food
38. The value of new annual pastures in mixed farm businesses of the wheatbelt, Dr Clinton Revell1, Mr Andrew Bathgate2and Dr Phil Nichols1; 1Department of Agriculture and Food, 2Farming Systems Analysis Service, Albany
39. The influence of winter SOI and Indian Ocean SST on WA winter rainfall, Meredith Fairbanks and Ian Foster, Department of Agriculture and Food
40. Market outlook – Grains, Anne Wilkins, Market Analyst, Grains, Department of Agriculture and Foo
