The effects of disruptive and stabilizing selection on body size in Drosophila melanogaster. III. Genetic analysis of two lines with different reactions to disruptive selection with mating of opposite extremes

A genetic analysis was made of two lines which when subjected to disruptive selection with compulsary mating of opposite extremes (D−) showed a different response viz. one, D−-1, showing predominantly an increase of environmental variance and possibly interaction variance, the other, D−-2, showing an increase of genetic variance. Crosses between extreme flies within lines revealed that D−-1 genomes from large flies are dominant to genomes from small individuals. In D−-2 the genetic variation is predominantly additive variance. Tests for dominant chromosome effect in crosses with an inbred stock with recessive markers showed clear third chromosome differences in D−-2 and not in D−-1. Chromosome exchange between extreme flies corroborated the importance of genetic differences in D−-2. A factor or complex of factors with large effect decreasing body size is located on third chromosomes from small flies in D−-2. Interaction between chromosomes has a similar magnitude in the two lines. Crowding and temperature experiments did not reveal an increased general sensitivity to environmental factors in D−-1, which was suggested by the enlarged environmental variance of this line

Induction of morphological aberrations by enzyme inhibition in Drosophila melanogaster

Zusatz zum Futter vonDrosophila melanogaster von 5-Fluoro-2-deoxyuridin oder Aminopterin induziert überzählige Skutellar- und Dorsozentralborsten sowie gekerbte Flügel. Diese Modifikationen wurden als Konsequenz von Enzymhemmung interpretiert

Isotopic analysis of Solenopsis geminata diets in invaded Indonesian savanna.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which smokers express negative statements about quitting and the extent to which these statements influence general practitioners' (GPs') and practice nurses' (PNs') (dis)continuation of guideline-recommended smoking cessation care. METHODS: Fifty-two video-consultations were observed (GP-consultations: 2007-2008; PN-consultations: 2010-2011). Dialogues were transcribed verbatim and professionals' and patients' speech units were coded and analysed using sequential analyses (n=1424 speech units). RESULTS: GPs focused on asking about smoking (GPs: 42.4% versus PNs: 26.2%, p=0.011) and advising them to quit (GPs: 15.3% versus PNs: 3.5%, p<0.001), whereas PNs focused on assisting them with quitting (GPs: 25.4% versus PNs: 55.2%, p<0.001). Overall, patients expressed more negative statements about quitting than positive statements (negative: 25.3% versus positive: 11.9%, p<0.001), especially when PNs assessed their willingness to quit (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.44-9.01) or assisted them with quitting (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.43-3.48). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: An alternative approach to smoking cessation care is proposed in which GPs' tasks are limited to asking, advising, and arranging follow-up. This approach seems the least likely to evoke negative statements of patients about quitting during dialogues with GPs and is compatible with the tasks and skills of PNs who could, subsequently, assist smokers with quitting

A Prospective Study of the Association of Metacognitive Beliefs and Processes with Persistent Emotional Distress After Diagnosis of Cancer

Two hundred and six patients, diagnosed with primary breast or prostate cancer completed self-report questionnaires on two occasions: before treatment (T1) and 12 months later (T2). The questionnaires included: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Impact of Events Scale; the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) and the Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-revised. A series of regression analyses indicated that metacognitive beliefs at T1 predicted between 14 and 19 % of the variance in symptoms of anxiety, depression and trauma at T2 after controlling for age and gender. For all three outcomes, the MCQ-30 subscale ‘negative beliefs about worry’ made the largest individual contribution with ‘cognitive confidence’ also contributing in each case. For anxiety, a third metacognitive variable, ‘positive beliefs about worry’ also predicted variance in T2 symptoms. In addition, hierarchical analyses indicated that metacognitive beliefs explained a small but significant amount of variance in T2 anxiety (2 %) and T2 depression (4 %) over and above that explained by demographic variables, T1 symptoms and T1 illness perceptions. The findings suggest that modifying metacognitive beliefs and processes has the potential to alleviate distress associated with cancer

“Am I my genes?”: Questions of identity among individuals confronting genetic disease

Purpose: To explore many questions raised by genetics concerning personal identities that have not been fully investigated. Methods: We interviewed in depth, for 2 hours each, 64 individuals who had or were at risk for Huntington disease, breast cancer, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Results: These individuals struggled with several difficult issues of identity. They drew on a range of genotypes and phenotypes (e.g., family history alone; mutations, but no symptoms; or symptoms). They often felt that their predicament did not fit preexisting categories well (e.g., “sick,” “healthy,” “disabled,” “predisposed”), due in part to uncertainties involved (e.g., unclear prognoses, since mutations may not produce symptoms). Hence, individuals varied in how much genetics affected their identity, in what ways, and how negatively. Factors emerged related to disease, family history, and other sources of identity. These identities may, in turn, shape disclosure, coping, and other health decisions. Conclusions: Individuals struggle to construct a genetic identity. They view genetic information in highly subjective ways, varying widely in what aspects of genetic information they focus on and how. These data have important implications for education of providers (to assist patients with these issues), patients, and family members; and for research, to understand these issues more fully

‘You feel like you haven’t got any control’: A qualitative study of side effects from medicines

Objectives: An aging UK population and multi-morbidity means patients are receiving an increasing number of medicines. This can lead to greater risk of unintended side effects. The aim of this study was to increase understanding of how people identify and manage side effects from their medicines. Design: A qualitative interview study with patients who had experienced side effects, recruited from community pharmacies. Methods: This study examined patients’ experiences of side effects and the impact of these effects on their daily life. Fifteen participants were interviewed – 10 females and 5 males, with ages that ranged between 25 and 80 years, using different types and numbers of medicines. Results: Thematic analysis revealed six themes: side effect experience, identification, adherence, information use, coping and body awareness. Participants described a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms which had both explicit and implicit impact on their lives. A system of identification based on constructed cognitive processes was common across participants. A variety of strategies were used by participants to cope with their side effects which included information seeking, social support seeking and non-adherent behaviours. Conclusions: Psychological factors, such as medication beliefs, symptom interpretation and body awareness, contribute to cognitive and behavioural processes used to identify and manage side effects. These processes can have significant impacts on an individual’s decisions about adherence

The development and validation of the Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire for patients with pituitary disease: the LBNQ-Pituitary

Background Patients report persisting impairment in quality of life (QoL) after treatment for pituitary disease. At present, there is no questionnaire to assess (a) whether patients with pituitary disease are bothered by these consequences, and (b) their needs for support. Objective To develop and validate a disease-specific questionnaire for patients with pituitary disease which incorporates patient perceived bother related to the consequences of the disease, and their needs for support. Methods Items for the Leiden Bother and Needs Questionnaire for patients with pituitary disease (LBNQ-Pituitary) were formulated based on results of a recent focus group study (n = 49 items). 337 patients completed the LBNQ-Pituitary and six validated QoL questionnaires (EuroQoL-5D, SF-36, MFI-20, HADS, AcroQol, CushingQoL). Construct validity was examined by exploratory factor analysis. Reliabilities of the subscales were calculated with Cronbach’s alphas, and concurrent validity was assessed by calculating Spearman’s correlations between the LBNQ-Pituitary and the other measures. Results Factor analyses produced five subscales (i.e., mood problems, negative illness perceptions, issues in sexual functioning, physical and cognitive complaints, issues in social functioning) containing a total of 26 items. All factors were found to be reliable (Cronbach’s alphas all ≥.765), and the correlations between the dimensions of the LBNQ-Pituitary and other questionnaires (all P ≤ .0001) demonstrated convergent validity. Conclusions The LBNQ-Pituitary can be used to assess the degree to which patients are bothered by the consequences of the pituitary disease, as well as their needs for support. It could also facilitate an efficient assessment of patients’ needs for support in clinical practice. We postulate that paying attention to needs for support will lead to optimal patient care (e.g., improvement in psychosocial care), and positively affect QoL