Beyond main effects of gene-sets: harsh parenting moderates the association between a dopamine gene-set and child externalizing behavior

Background: In a longitudinal cohort study, we investigated the interplay of harsh parenting and genetic variation across a set of functionally related dopamine genes, in association with children's externalizing behavior. This is one of the first studies to employ gene-based and gene-set approaches in tests of Gene by Environment (G × E) effects on complex behavior. This approach can offer an important alternative or complement to candidate gene and genome-wide environmental interaction (GWEI) studies in the search for genetic variation underlying individual differences in behavior. Methods: Genetic variants in 12 autosomal dopaminergic genes were available in an ethnically homogenous part of a population-based cohort. Harsh parenting was assessed with maternal (n = 1881) and paternal (n = 1710) reports at age 3. Externalizing behavior was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at age 5 (71 ± 3.7 months). We conducted gene-set analyses of the association between variation in dopaminergic genes and externalizing behavior, stratified for harsh parenting. Results: The association was statistically significant or approached significance for children without harsh parenting experiences, but was absent in the group with harsh parenting. Similarly, significant associations between single genes and externalizing behavior were only found in the group without harsh parenting. Effect sizes in the groups with and without harsh parenting did not differ significantly. Gene-environment interaction tests were conducted for individual genetic variants, resulting in two significant interaction effects (rs1497023 and rs4922132) after correction for multiple testing. Conclusion: Our findings are suggestive of G × E interplay, with associations between dopamine genes and externalizing behavior present in children without harsh parenting, but not in children with harsh parenting experiences. Harsh parenting may overrule the role of genetic factors in externalizing behavior. Gene-based and gene-set analyses offer promising new alternatives to analyses focusing on single candidate polymorphisms when examining the interplay between genetic and environmental factors

Schutz des baeuerlichen Familienbetriebes - Verhinderung von agrarindustriellen Unternehmen: Eine kritische Betrachtung zu Abgrenzungsversuchen und vorgelegten Gesetzesentwuerfen

SIGLEBibliothek Weltwirtschaft Kiel A 175540 / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Push an pull forces in the building and construction industry

Push and pull activities are increasing in the building and construction industry. These activities can be assumed as one of the risk factors for the development of low back and upper extremity complaints. For a risk evaluation, besides the frequency and the duration of the activities, information concerning push and pull forces are necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the external forces during common push and pull activities at construction sites. In total 115 male construction workers were involved. The force measurements were executed during the daily tasks and activities at the workplace with a digital force gauge. The exerted forces during a lot of activities were high. The magnitude of the forces gave reason to preventive interventions from a health point of view

Effects of hepatic triglyceride content on myocardial metabolism in type 2 diabetes

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between hepatic triglyceride content and both myocardial function and metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).BackgroundHeart disease is the leading cause of mortality in T2DM. Central obesity and hepatic steatosis, both hallmark abnormalities in T2DM, have been related to increased risk of heart disease.MethodsSixty-one T2DM patients underwent myocardial perfusion and substrate metabolism measurements by positron emission tomography, using [15O]water, [11C]palmitate, and [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose. In addition, whole-body insulin sensitivity (M/I) was determined. Myocardial left ventricular function and high-energy phosphate metabolism were measured using magnetic resonance imaging and [31P]-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, respectively. Hepatic triglyceride content was measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Patients were divided according to hepatic triglyceride content (T2DM-low ≤5.56% vs. T2DM-high >5.56%).ResultsIn addition to decreased M/I (p = 0.002), T2DM-high patients had reduced myocardial perfusion (p = 0.001), glucose uptake (p = 0.005), and phosphocreatine/adenosine triphosphate (PCr/ATP) ratio (p = 0.003), compared with T2DM-low patients, whereas cardiac fatty acid metabolism and left ventricular function were not different. Hepatic triglyceride content correlated inversely with M/I (Pearson's r = −0.620, p < 0.001), myocardial glucose uptake (r = −0.413, p = 0.001), and PCr/ATP (r = −0.442, p = 0.027). Insulin sensitivity correlated positively with myocardial glucose uptake (r = 0.528, p < 0.001) and borderline with myocardial PCr/ATP (r = 0.367, p = 0.072), whereas a positive association was found between cardiac glucose uptake and PCr/ATP (r = 0.481, p = 0.015).ConclusionsHigh liver triglyceride content in T2DM was associated with decreased myocardial perfusion, glucose uptake, and high-energy phosphate metabolism in conjunction with impaired M/I. The long-term clinical implications of hepatic steatosis with respect to cardiac metabolism and function in the course of T2DM require further study