Use of susceptibility scoring in conjunction with the genotypic transmission disequilibrium test

We explored the utility of selecting a genetically predisposed subgroup to increase the finding of a genetic signal in the Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism dataset. A subgroup of affected probands with low environmental risk exposures was defined using a susceptibility score calculated from an environmental risk model. Thirty-nine probands with highly positive scores were selected, along with their parents, for use in a genotypic transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) test. We compared the results of the genotypic TDT in this subgroup to the TDT results using all probands and their parents. For some markers, the susceptibility scoring approach resulted in smaller p-values, while for other markers, evidence for a genetic signal weakened. Further explorations into genetic and environmental population characteristics that benefit from this approach are warranted

Influence of Temperature and Concentration on the Self-Assembly of Nonionic CiEjSurfactants: A Light Scattering Study

Nonionic poly(ethylene oxide) alkyl ether (C$_{i}$iE$_{j}$) surfactants self-assemble into aggregates of various sizes and shapes above their critical micelle concentration (CMC). Knowledge on solution attributes such as CMC as well as aggregate characteristics is crucial to choose the appropriate surfactant for a given application, e.g., as a micellar solvent system. In this work, we used static and dynamic light scattering to measure the CMC, aggregation number (N$_{agg}$), and hydrodynamic radius (R$_{h}$) of four different C$_{i}$E$_{j}$ surfactants (C$_{8}$E$_{5}$, C$_{8}$E$_{6}$, C$_{10}$E$_{6}$, and C$_{10}$E$_{8}$). We examined the influence of temperature, concentration, and molecular structure on the self-assembly in the vicinity of the CMC. A minimum in the CMC vs temperature curve was identified for all surfactants investigated. Further, extending the hydrophilic and hydrophobic chain lengths leads to an increase and decrease of the CMC, respectively. The size of the aggregates strongly depends on temperature. N$_{agg}$ and R$_{h}$ increase with increasing temperature for all surfactants investigated. Additionally, N$_{agg}$ and R$_{h}$ both increase with increasing surfactant concentration. The data obtained in this work further improve the understanding of the influence of temperature and molecular structure on the self-assembly of C$_{i}$iE$_{j}$ surfactants and will further foster their use in micellar solvent systems

Геоэкологическая оценка объектов водоснабжения поселка Ванавара (Красноярский край)

В работе представлены результаты оценки качества подземных вод нижнетриасового туфогенно-осадочного водоносного комплекса. Данные подземные воды используются для питьевого водоснабжения п. Ванавара. Дана характеристика геологического строения участка, гидрогеологические условия, охарактеризованы геохимические особенности, при которых изменение качественного состава подземных вод происходит в связи с природными процессами. Произведен расчет уровня загрязнения подземных вод под воздействием техногенного воздействия.The paper presents the results of assessing the quality of underground waters of the Lower Triassic tuff-sedimentary aquifer complex. These underground waters are used for drinking water supply in the village of Vanavara. The characteristics of the geological structure of the site, hydrogeological conditions, geochemical features of the territory, in which the change in the qualitative composition of underground water occurs in connection with natural processes, are described. The calculation of the level of pollution of underground water under the influence of man-made impact is made

P2‐540: Polygenetic Risk For Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia Status

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/153242/1/alzjjalz2019062948.pd

The Australian Work Exposures Study: Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to produce a population-based estimate of the prevalence of work-related exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to identify the main circumstances of exposure and to describe the use of workplace control measures designed to decrease those exposures. METHODS: The analysis used data from the Australian Workplace Exposures Study, a nationwide telephone survey which investigated the current prevalence and exposure circumstances of work-related exposure to 38 known or suspected carcinogens, including PAHs, among Australian workers aged 18-65 years. Using the web-based tool OccIDEAS, semi-quantitative information was collected about exposures in the current job held by the respondent. Questions were addressed primarily at tasks undertaken rather than about self-reported exposures. RESULTS: Of the 4,993 included respondents, 297 (5.9%) were identified as probably being exposed to PAHs in their current job [extrapolated to 6.7% of the Australian working population-677 000 (95% confidence interval 605 000-757 000) workers]. Most (81%) were male; about one-third were farmers and about one-quarter worked in technical and trades occupations. In the agriculture industry about half the workers were probably exposed to PAHs. The main exposure circumstances were exposure to smoke through burning, fighting fires or through maintaining mowers or other equipment; cleaning up ash after a fire; health workers exposed to diathermy smoke; cooking; and welding surfaces with a coating. Where information on control measures was available, their use was inconsistent. CONCLUSION: Workers are exposed to PAHs in many different occupational circumstances. Information on the exposure circumstances can be used to support decisions on appropriate priorities for intervention and control of occupational exposure to PAHs, and estimates of burden of cancer arising from occupational exposure to PAHs

P3‐558: Exposures Prior To Age 16 Are Associated With Dementia Status In The Health And Retirement Study

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/152762/1/alzjjalz2019063595.pd

The Australian Work Exposures Study: Occupational Exposure to Lead and Lead Compounds.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of this study were to produce a population-based estimate of the prevalence of work-related exposure to lead and its compounds, to identify the main circumstances of exposures, and to collect information on the use of workplace control measures designed to decrease those exposures. METHODS: Data came from the Australian Workplace Exposures Study, a nationwide telephone survey which investigated the current prevalence and circumstances of work-related exposure to 38 known or suspected carcinogens, including lead, among Australian workers aged 18-65 years. Using the web-based tool, OccIDEAS, semi-quantitative information was collected about exposures in the current job held by the respondent. Questions were addressed primarily at tasks undertaken rather than about self-reported exposures. RESULTS: A total of 307 (6.1%) of the 4993 included respondents were identified as probably being exposed to lead in the course of their work. Of these, almost all (96%) were male; about half worked in trades and technician-related occupations, and about half worked in the construction industry. The main tasks associated with probable exposures were, in decreasing order: soldering; sanding and burning off paint while painting old houses, ships, or bridges; plumbing work; cleaning up or sifting through the remains of a fire; radiator-repair work; machining metals or alloys containing lead; mining; welding leaded steel; and working at or using indoor firing ranges. Where information on control measures was available, inconsistent use was reported. Applied to the Australian working population, approximately 6.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.6-7.0] of all workers (i.e. 631000, 95% CI 566000-704000 workers) were estimated to have probable occupational exposure to lead. CONCLUSIONS: Lead remains an important exposure in many different occupational circumstances in Australia and probably other developed countries. This information can be used to support decisions on priorities for intervention and control of occupational exposure to lead and estimates of burden of cancer arising from occupational exposure to lead

The Australian Work Exposures Study: Prevalence of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica

Background: Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a biologically active dust that can accumulate in the lung and induce silicosis and lung cancer. Despite occupational exposure being the predominant source, no study has described current occupational RCS exposure on a national scale in Australia. The aim of this study is to estimate the characteristics of those exposed and the circumstances of RCS exposure in Australian workplaces. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the Australian working population (18–65 years old) was conducted. Information about the respondents’ current job and their demographic characteristics was collected in a telephone interview. Occupational exposure to RCS was determined based on preprogrammed decision rules regarding potential levels of exposure associated with self-reported tasks. Results: Overall, 6.4% of respondents were deemed exposed to RCS at work in 2012 (3.3% were exposed at a high level). The exposure varied with sex, state of residence, and socioeconomic status. Miners and construction workers were most likely to be highly exposed to RCS when performing tasks with concrete or cement or working near crushers that create RCS-containing dusts. When extrapolated to the entire Australian working population, 6.6% of Australian workers were exposed to RCS and 3.7% were highly exposed when carrying out tasks at work. Conclusion: This is the first study investigating occupational RCS exposure in an entire national working population. The information about occupational tasks that lead to high level RCS exposure provided by this study will inform the direction of occupational interventions and policies

From binary to singular: the AGN PSO J334.2028+1.4075 under the high-resolution scope

PSO J334.2028+1.4075 (PSO J334) is a luminous quasar located at redshift z=2.06. The source gained attention when periodic flux density variations were discovered in its optical light curve. These variations were initially interpreted as the variability due to the orbital motion of a supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) residing in a single circumbinary accretion disk. However, subsequent multiwavelength observations provided evidence against the binary hypothesis as no optical periodicity was found on extended time baselines. On the other hand, detailed radio analysis with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) revealed a lobe-dominated quasar at kpc scales, and possibly a precessing jet, which could retain PSO J334 as a binary SMBH candidate. We aim to study both the large- and small-scale radio structures in PSO J334 to provide additional evidence for or against the binary scenario. We observed the source at 1.7 GHz with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN), and at 1.5 and 6.2 GHz with the VLA, at frequencies that complement the previous radio interferometric study. Our images reveal a single component at parsec scales slightly resolved in the southeast-northwest direction and a lobe-dominated quasar at kiloparsec scales with a complex structure. The source morphology and polarization in our VLA maps suggest that the jet is interacting with dense clumps of the ambient medium. While we also observe a misalignment between the inner jet and the outer lobes, we suggest that this is due to the restarted nature of the radio jet activity and the possible presence of a warped accretion disk rather than due to the perturbing effects of a companion SMBH. Our analysis suggests that PSO J334 is most likely a jetted AGN with a single SMBH, and there is no clear evidence of a binary SMBH system in its central engine

The effects of acute and elective cardiac surgery on the anxiety traits of patients with Marfan syndrome

BACKGROUND: Marfan syndrome is a genetic disease, presenting with dysfunction of connective tissues leading to lesions in the cardiovascular and skeletal muscle system. Within these symptoms, the most typical is weakness of the connective tissue in the aorta, manifesting as aortic dilatation (aneurysm). This could, in turn, become annuloaortic ectasia, or life-threatening dissection. As a result, life-saving and preventative cardiac surgical interventions are frequent among Marfan syndrome patients. Aortic aneurysm could turn into annuloaortic ectasia or life-threatening dissection, thus life-saving and preventive cardiac surgical interventions are frequent among patients with Marfan syndrome. We hypothesized that patients with Marfan syndrome have different level of anxiety, depression and satisfaction with life compared to that of the non-clinical patient population. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with Marfan syndrome were divided into 3 groups: those scheduled for prophylactic surgery, those needing acute surgery, and those without need for surgery (n = 9, 19, 17, respectively). To examine the psychological features of the patients, Spielberger's anxiety (STAI) test, Beck's Depression questionnaire (BDI), the Berne Questionnaire of Subjective Well-being, and the Satisfaction with Life scale were applied. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in trait anxiety between healthy individuals and patients with Marfan syndrome after acute life-saving surgery (p 0.1). Finally, a significant, medium size effect was found between patient groups on the Joy in Living scale (F (2.39) = 3.51, p = 0.040, eta2 = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Involving psychiatric and mental-health care, in addition to existing surgical treatment interventions, is essential for more successful recovery of patients with Marfan syndrome