Large,Consistent Estimates of the Heritability of Cognitive Ability in Two Entire Populations of 11-Year-Old Twins from Scottish Mental Surveys of 1932 and 1947

Twin studies provide estimates of genetic and environmental contributions to cognitive ability differences, but could be based on biased samples. Here we report whole-population estimates using twins from unique mental surveys in Scotland. The Scottish Mental Surveys of 1st June 1932 (SMS1932) and 4th June 1947 (SMS1947), respectively, administered the same validated verbal reasoning test to almost everyone born in 1921 or 1936 and attending school in Scotland. There were 572 twin pairs from the SMS1932, and 517 pairs from the SMS1947. Information on zygosity was unavailable. A novel application of a mixture distribution was used to estimate genetic and environmental components of verbal reasoning variation by maximum likelihood. We found consistent heritability (~0.70) and shared environment (~0.21) estimates. The estimates did not change substantially when additional quantitative traits (height and weight) were added in a multivariate analysis. More generally for studies in genetics, the methodological innovation developed here implies that large (national) data collections can provide sufficient information on twin pairs to estimate genetic parameters, even without zygosity.     

Are the advantages of the Mediterranean diet transferable to other populations? A cohort study in Melbourne, Australia

A prospective cohort study, involving 141 Anglo-Celts and 189 Greek-Australians of both sexes aged 70 years or more, was undertaken in Melbourne, Australia. The objective was to evaluate whether adherence to the principles of the Mediterranean diet affects survival of elderly people in developed non-Mediterranean countries. Diet was assessed using an extensive validated questionnaire on food intake. A one unit increase in a diet score, devised a priori on the basis of eight key features of the traditional common diet in the Mediterranean region, was associated with a 17% reduction in overall mortality (two-tailed P value 0.07). Mortality reduction with increasing diet score was at least as evident among Anglo-Celts as among Greek-Australians. We conclude that a diet that adheres to the principles of the traditional Mediterranean diet is associated with longer survival among Australians of either Greek or Anglo-Celtic origin.     

Abdominal stoma fashioned by a used circular stapler

A method of application of a used circular stapler in abdominal stoma formation is described. The procedure is rapid, simple, carries less tissue trauma than the conventional methods and does not involve any additional cost. It allows for a precise circular aperture in the abdominal wall which may be optimally adjusted to the bowel diameter. This method seems to minimize the occurrence of stomal complications and particularly the incidence of troublesome parastomal hernias.     

Conversational metrics,psychopathological dimensions and self-disturbances in patients with schizophrenia

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - Difficulties in interpersonal communication, including conversational skill impairments, are core features of schizophrenia. However,...     

The Effect of Electrode Placement and Interphase Interval on Force Production During Stimulation of the Dorsiflexor Muscles

The aims of this study were to investigate whether introducing an interphase interval (IPI) to biphasic pulses during stimulation of the dorsiflexor muscles would affect force production and to determine whether the IPI effect is dependent on electrode position. Twelve healthy volunteers participated in the study. Each subject participated in one session during which electrically induced contraction (EIC) forces of the ankle dorsiflexors were measured with five different IPI settings ranging from 0 to 400 μs. Forces of EICs were assessed with the electrodes placed either with the proximal electrode positioned over the common peroneal nerve and the second electrode over the dorsiflexor muscles or with both electrodes located over the dorsiflexor muscles. The order of electrode placements and of the different IPI settings was randomized across subjects. The results indicated that the introduction of a 100‐μs‐long IPI may enhance force production when one electrode is located over the common peroneal nerve. However, increasing the duration of the IPI beyond 100 μs did not result in further increase in force production. In contrast, the introduction of an IPI did not increase force production when both electrodes were located over the dorsiflexor muscles. These findings may help to optimize stimulation settings during functional electrical stimulation to prevent foot‐drop.     

Anti-actin antibodies. Detection and quantitation of total and skeletal muscle actin in human plasma using a competitive ELISA

A competitive ELISA has been used to titrate skeletal muscle and total actins in human plasma. Specific antibodies directed against the variable N-terminal 1-7 sequence and conserved sequences respectively were used. The N-terminus of actin appears to be accessible in native and brevin-complexed actins. The skeletal muscle actin isoform represents about 1% of the total circulating actin (mean: 50 micrograms/ml plasma), but is markedly increased after severe muscle tissue injuries.