The etiology of mathematical and reading (dis)ability covariation in a sample of Dutch twins

The genetic etiology of mathematical and reading (dis)ability has been studied in a number of distinct samples, but the true nature of the relationship between the two remains unclear. Data from the Netherlands Twin Register was used to determine the etiology of the relationship between mathematical and reading (dis)ability in adolescent twins. Ratings of mathematical and reading problems were obtained from parents of over 1500 twin pairs. Results of bivariate structural equation modeling showed a genetic correlation around .60, which explained over 90% of the phenotypic correlation between mathematical and reading ability. The genetic model was the same for males and females

Gender differences in marital status moderation of genetic and environmental influences on subjective health

From the IGEMS Consortium, data were available from 26,579 individuals aged 23 to 102 years on 3 subjective health items: self-rated health (SRH), health compared to others (COMP), and impact of health on activities (ACT). Marital status was a marker of environmental resources that may moderate genetic and environmental influences on subjective health. Results differed for the 3 subjective health items, indicating that they do not tap the same construct. Although there was little impact of marital status on variance components for women, marital status was a significant modifier of variance in all 3 subjective health measures for men. For both SRH and ACT, single men demonstrated greater shared and nonshared environmental variance than married men. For the COMP variable, genetic variance was greater for single men vs. married men. Results suggest gender differences in the role of marriage as a source of resources that are associated with subjective health

Brugada-like ECG Changes After Conducted Electrical Weapon Exposure: A Case Report

Introduction: A 38-year-old with suicidal ideation and alcohol intoxication received conducted energy from a conducted energy weapon (CEW) and subsequently was found to have a transient electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality consistent with Brugada waveform that resolved over a period of three hours.Case Report: A 38-year-old male with no pertinent medical history presented with suicidal ideation and alcohol intoxication after an altercation with the police. The patient received two CEW exposures during an encounter with law enforcement prior to transport to the emergency department. He was asymptomatic, but an ECG was performed as part of the triage process given his reported CEW exposure. His initial ECG showed ST-segment and T-wave changes in the precordial leads similar to those found in Brugada syndrome. After a three-hour period of observation and resolution of the patient’s alcohol intoxication, a repeat ECG was performed that showed resolving Brugada morphology.Conclusion: Review of the literature surrounding the safety profile associated with CEW exposure shows few if any documented concerning cardiac electrophysiology changes and suggests that routine electrocardiographic studies or monitoring is not required. This case presents an isolated but interesting instance of a transient ECG abnormality associated with a CEW exposure

The Etiology of Mathematical and Reading (Dis)ability Covariation in a Sample of Dutch Twins

The genetic etiology of mathematical and reading (dis)ability has been studied in a number of distinct samples, but the true nature of the relationship between the two remains unclear. Data from the Netherlands Twin Register was used to determine the etiology of the relationship between mathematical and reading (dis)ability in adolescent twins. Ratings of mathematical and reading problems were obtained from parents of over 1500 twin pairs. Results of bivariate structural equation modeling showed a genetic correlation around.60, which explained over 90 % of the phenotypic correlation between mathematical and reading ability. The genetic model was the same for males and females. The phenotypic relationship between mathematica

Social Networks and Clinical Outcomes Dually Diagnosed Homeless Persons

Longitudinal associations between social network characteristics and clinical outcomes were examined in a group of 130 homeless persons diagnosed with substance abuse and severe mental illness. Patients whose alcohol-use disorder remitted over 18 months had more frequent contact with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) members at baseline, and those whose other substance use disorder remitted had fewer substance users in their baseline social networks. Smaller social networks predicted heavier alcohol use over time which, in turn, predicted attrition of abstinence supporters and decreased multiplexity of relationships. More frequent social contact predicted improved Expanded Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) symptoms. Improved BPRS symptoms and greater multiplexity of social relationships predicted each other over time. More severe BPRS symptoms and attrition of abstinence supporters predicted each other, but the mechanisms of this relationship and possible associations with alcohol or drug use remain to be tested. More severe BPRS symptoms also predicted later, proportional loss of professional contacts. Addiction Severity Index (ASI) drug use showed no longitudinal associations with social network characteristics