CAIRS Newsletter 2010

https://aquila.usm.edu/cairs_newsletters/1000/thumbnail.jp

Genetic mechanisms of critical illness in COVID-19.

Host-mediated lung inflammation is present1, and drives mortality2, in the critical illness caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Host genetic variants associated with critical illness may identify mechanistic targets for therapeutic development3. Here we report the results of the GenOMICC (Genetics Of Mortality In Critical Care) genome-wide association study in 2,244 critically ill patients with COVID-19 from 208 UK intensive care units. We have identified and replicated the following new genome-wide significant associations: on chromosome 12q24.13 (rs10735079, P = 1.65 × 10-8) in a gene cluster that encodes antiviral restriction enzyme activators (OAS1, OAS2 and OAS3); on chromosome 19p13.2 (rs74956615, P = 2.3 × 10-8) near the gene that encodes tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2); on chromosome 19p13.3 (rs2109069, P = 3.98 ×  10-12) within the gene that encodes dipeptidyl peptidase 9 (DPP9); and on chromosome 21q22.1 (rs2236757, P = 4.99 × 10-8) in the interferon receptor gene IFNAR2. We identified potential targets for repurposing of licensed medications: using Mendelian randomization, we found evidence that low expression of IFNAR2, or high expression of TYK2, are associated with life-threatening disease; and transcriptome-wide association in lung tissue revealed that high expression of the monocyte-macrophage chemotactic receptor CCR2 is associated with severe COVID-19. Our results identify robust genetic signals relating to key host antiviral defence mechanisms and mediators of inflammatory organ damage in COVID-19. Both mechanisms may be amenable to targeted treatment with existing drugs. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials will be essential before any change to clinical practice

Using Writing Instruments: Invariances in Young Children and Adults

In 2 studies, developmental changes in variability associated with handwriting were investigated. In Study 1, variability in grip patterns and pen positioning relative to a flat surface were examined in 3- and 5-year-olds and adults. The results indicated that between 3 and 5 years of age there is a reduction in the number of grips that individual children routinely use and a reduction in variability associated with pen-surface positioning. In Study 2, the 3-year-old children who participated in Study 1 were tested 6 months later. In comparison to young 3-year-old children, older 3-year-olds use an adult grip pattern more often and are less variable in pen-surface positioning, although the use of multiple grip patterns is still common. The findings from both studies are considered in relation to prior research that emphasized modal patterns of motor development and newer work that uses developmental changes in variability to understand the acquisition of motor skill

Linguistic Analysis of Interpersonal Forgiveness: Process Trajectories

Expressive writing benefits with clinical treatment protocols have been shown in a variety of mental health and medical settings, though the unfolding processes involved in interpersonal forgiveness is undetermined. Using linguistic analysis methodology, this study determined the trajectories of positive and negative emotions and time orientation associated with forgiveness. Over five weeks, 123 participants showed quadratic effects for positive emotional responses, linear decreases of negative emotional responses, and expected changes in time orientation. Additional analyses revealed forgiveness change differences based on contact status, including more positive and negative emotional content, and anger. Linguistic analysis in forgiveness research has significant potential to determine interpersonal forgiveness change processes. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Canonical Correlation and Chi-Square: Relationships and Interpretation

A 2 X 2 chi-square can be computed from a phi coefficient, which is the Pearson correlation between two binomial variables. Similarly, chi-square for larger contingency tables can be computed from canonical correlation coefficients. The authors address the following series of issues involving this relationship: (a) how to represent a contingency table in terms of a correlation matrix involving r -1 row and c - 1 column dummy predictors; (b) how to compute chi-square from canonical correlations solved from this matrix; (c) how to compute loadings for the omitted row and column variables; and (d) the possible interpretive advantage of describing canonical relationships that comprise chi-square, together with some examples. The proposed procedures integrate chi-square analysis of contingency tables with general correlational theory and serve as an introduction to some recent methods of analysis more widely known by sociologists

A Monte Carlo Evaluation of the Tetrachoric Correlation Coefficient

The tetrachoric correlation coefficient (r(tet)), computed from a phi coefficient, approximates what the bivariate normal correlation would have been had the dichotomous variables been analyzed in their continuous form with underlying normal distributions. Although often used by early researchers to adjust phi when marginal distributions had extreme proportions, r(tet), more commonly, has been regarded with suspicion. The purpose of these Monte Carlo simulations was to investigate the inaccuracy of r(tet). More specifically, the bias and standard error of r(tet) was examined for dichotomized scores computed from bivariate normal and lognormal continuous raw scores when the proportions of 0s and 1s ranged from somewhat to extremely skewed. Findings indicated that rtet tended to estimate what Pearson\u27s r may have been if symmetry in the marginal distributions of continuous raw scores had been induced by transformation and that in general (a) r(tet) exhibited little bias with standard errors slightly less than double those for Pearson\u27s r with proportions of 1s between .3 and .7, (b) r(tet) performed well with proportions more extreme than .3 and .7 provided there were no empty cells, (c) r(tet) resulted in less bias and smaller standard errors with larger sample sizes, and (d) the .5 adjustment further reduced bias and the standard error of r(tet)

A Computer-Assisted Administration of the Continuous Visual Memory Test

The Continuous Visual Memory Test (CVMT) is a continuous design recognition test designed for the assessment of visual memory for clinical and research applications. Comparisons were made between the traditional and a computer-assisted format of the CVMT using 51 university students. Formats were compared on five CVMT dependent measures, concurrent validity, split-half reliability, and selected dependent measures from the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT). Participants scored higher on the computer format dependent measures, with the exception of false alarms (new items incorrectly identified as old), which remained comparable between formats. Adequate concurrent validity (r = .70) and split-half reliability (rs = .61-.70) were demonstrated for CVMT Total Score. Restriction of range and ceiling effects precluded reliability and validity conclusions for CVMT Delay. The computer format showed a nonsignificant trend towards lower correlations with CVLT dependent measures

Behavior Problems in Children with Diabetes: Disentangling Possible Scoring Confounds on the Child Behavior Checklist

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL; T. M. Achenbach, 1991), when used to assess the behavior of children with diabetes, may contain confounds because some behavioral items can have a physiologic etiology, and may skew reports of behavioral disturbance. Methods: Two techniques were used to disentangle possible scoring confounds in the behavioral ratings of children with and without diabetes: (1) the Somatic Complaints scale was deleted, or (2) Diabetes Items, identified a priori with 89% agreement by nine medical personnel, were deleted. Results: As expected, with traditionally scored protocols, children with diabetes obtained higher Internalizing and Total Behavior Problem scores than controls. This group difference persisted whether the Somatic Complaints scale or the Diabetes Items were deleted. Conclusions: Compared to controls, children with diabetes obtained mildly elevated scores on six of the eight CBCL scales, regardless of scoring method

The Effects of Education Programmes on Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin (\u3ci\u3eTursiops truncatus\u3c/i\u3e) Behaviour

Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are found in zoos and aquaria throughout the world. As the number of facilities with dolphin shows and interaction programmes increases, it becomes more important to understand the effects of such programmes on dolphin behaviour. The present study examined the short-term effects of dolphin shows and interaction programmes on the behaviour of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins at six facilities. Rates of affiliative behaviour, aggressive behaviour, repetitive behaviour and percentage of time spent socialising were found to be unrelated to dolphin shows or interaction programmes. Additionally, dolphins exhibited higher rates of behavioural diversity, diversity of swimming style, and play behaviour following shows and interaction programmes. These results suggest that dolphin shows and interaction programmes can be an important part of an enrichment programme for dolphins in zoological institutions. However, individual differences should be considered when animals participate in these types of programmes

We Are a Religious People; We Are a Vengeful People

We evaluate the relation between religiousness and vengeance using multiple indicators of religiousness (religious orientation and church variables) and behavioral as well as self-reports of vengeance. Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed that intrinsic religious orientation was negatively and extrinsic religious orientation positively related to self-reports of revenge but not to behavioral indicators of revenge. Only quest orientation was related to behavioral indicators of revenge with those higher on quest setting relatively lower levels of shock following a provocation and giving more money to an obnoxious confederate. Of the church variables, the number of religious activities was negatively and frequency of monetary donations positively related to self-reported vengeance. Only frequency of monetary donations, however, was uniquely related to one of the behavioral indicators of revenge, level of shock, with those who give more frequently also retaliating with higher levels of shock