4 results
Prefrontal cortical thinning links to negative symptoms in schizophrenia via the ENIGMA consortium
- E. Walton, D. P. Hibar, T. G. M. van Erp, S. G. Potkin, R. Roiz-Santiañez, B. Crespo-Facorro, P. Suarez-Pinilla, N. E. M. van Haren, S. M. C. de Zwarte, R. S. Kahn, W. Cahn, N. T. Doan, K. N. Jørgensen, T. P. Gurholt, I. Agartz, O. A. Andreassen, L. T. Westlye, I. Melle, A. O. Berg, L. Morch-Johnsen, A. Færden, L. Flyckt, H. Fatouros-Bergman, Karolinska Schizophrenia Project Consortium (KaSP), E. G. Jönsson, R. Hashimoto, H. Yamamori, M. Fukunaga, N. Jahanshad, P. De Rossi, F. Piras, N. Banaj, G. Spalletta, R. E. Gur, R. C. Gur, D. H. Wolf, T. D. Satterthwaite, L. M. Beard, I. E. Sommer, S. Koops, O. Gruber, A. Richter, B. Krämer, S. Kelly, G. Donohoe, C. McDonald, D. M. Cannon, A. Corvin, M. Gill, A. Di Giorgio, A. Bertolino, S. Lawrie, T. Nickson, H. C. Whalley, E. Neilson, V. D. Calhoun, P. M. Thompson, J. A. Turner, S. Ehrlich
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- Journal:
- Psychological Medicine / Volume 48 / Issue 1 / January 2018
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 26 May 2017, pp. 82-94
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Background
Our understanding of the complex relationship between schizophrenia symptomatology and etiological factors can be improved by studying brain-based correlates of schizophrenia. Research showed that impairments in value processing and executive functioning, which have been associated with prefrontal brain areas [particularly the medial orbitofrontal cortex (MOFC)], are linked to negative symptoms. Here we tested the hypothesis that MOFC thickness is associated with negative symptom severity.
MethodsThis study included 1985 individuals with schizophrenia from 17 research groups around the world contributing to the ENIGMA Schizophrenia Working Group. Cortical thickness values were obtained from T1-weighted structural brain scans using FreeSurfer. A meta-analysis across sites was conducted over effect sizes from a model predicting cortical thickness by negative symptom score (harmonized Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms or Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores).
ResultsMeta-analytical results showed that left, but not right, MOFC thickness was significantly associated with negative symptom severity (βstd = −0.075; p = 0.019) after accounting for age, gender, and site. This effect remained significant (p = 0.036) in a model including overall illness severity. Covarying for duration of illness, age of onset, antipsychotic medication or handedness weakened the association of negative symptoms with left MOFC thickness. As part of a secondary analysis including 10 other prefrontal regions further associations in the left lateral orbitofrontal gyrus and pars opercularis emerged.
ConclusionsUsing an unusually large cohort and a meta-analytical approach, our findings point towards a link between prefrontal thinning and negative symptom severity in schizophrenia. This finding provides further insight into the relationship between structural brain abnormalities and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.
Microsatellite marker analysis of peach–potato aphids (Myzus persicae, Homoptera: Aphididae) from Scottish suction traps
- G. Malloch, F. Highet, L. Kasprowicz, J. Pickup, R. Neilson, B. Fenton
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- Journal:
- Bulletin of Entomological Research / Volume 96 / Issue 6 / December 2006
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 24 July 2007, pp. 573-582
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The peach–potato aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) is an important vector of plant viruses. A network of suction traps collects aerial samples of this aphid in order to monitor and help predict its spatial distribution and likely impact on virus transmission in crops. A suction trap catch is thought to be a good representation of the total aphid pool. Sensitive molecular markers have been developed that determine the genetic composition of the M. persicae population. In Scotland, UK, these were applied to field collections revealing a limited number of clones. Molecular markers are less successful when applied to specimens that have been preserved in an ethanol-based trap fluid designed to preserve morphology. An assessment of different DNA extraction and PCR techniques is presented and the most efficient are used to analyse M. persicae specimens caught in the Dundee suction trap in 2001, a year when exceptionally high numbers were caught. The results reveal that the majority of the M. persicae caught belonged to two highly insecticide resistant clones. In addition, it was possible to compare the relative frequencies of genotypes caught in the trap with those collected at insecticide treated and untreated field sites in the vicinity. These results indicate that, in addition to suction trap data, the ability to sample field sites provides valuable early warning data which have implications for pest control and virus management strategies.
Management of granular myringitis: A systematic review
- L J Neilson, S S M Hussain
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- Journal:
- The Journal of Laryngology & Otology / Volume 122 / Issue 1 / January 2008
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 25 June 2007, pp. 3-10
- Print publication:
- January 2008
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Introduction:
Granular myringitis is a chronic disorder characterised by lateral squamous de-epithelialisation and granulation of the tympanic membrane. Untreated, granular myringitis can lead to post-inflammatory medial external auditory canal fibrosis, acquired canal atresia and inflammatory infiltration of the deep canal.
Aim:This study aimed to establish optimal management strategies which could be applied to clinical practice, through systematic review of the current literature.
Methods:Current literature was obtained by searching evidence-based medical databases, the Cochrane database, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, the Cochrane controlled trials register, Ovid Medline, the various British Medical Journal imprint journals, individual journal websites and citation indexes, and by hand-searching current journals. Detailed inclusion criteria were set. Data were retrieved from the selected studies and checked for accuracy and consistency. The primary outcome measured was the effect of the proposed intervention on recurrence of granular myringitis, compared with empirical antibiotic therapy.
Results:Fifty-eight publications were identified, dating from 1964 to 2005; 46 of these were potentially relevant. After assessment using the preset inclusion criteria, only two studies remained. El-Seifi and Fouad (2000) found that surgical excision of granulation tissue resulted in an 80 per cent reduction in recurrence of granular myringitis when compared with conventional antibiotic therapy. However, Jung et al. (2002) demonstrated a 96 per cent reduction in granular myringitis recurrence when managed with dilute vinegar solution.
Conclusions:There was a reduced recurrence of granular myringitis in both studies' intervention groups, although neither study was randomised or blinded, making it difficult to assess the clinical relevance of the results. However, the following conclusions can be inferred. (1) Conventional topical antibiotic and steroid drops appear to be less efficacious and more likely to lead to recurrence of symptoms, compared with other proposed treatment modalities. (2) Treatment with dilute vinegar solution presents a logical, unharmful alternative to conventional antibiotic drops. Further research of high value is needed.
Production characteristics of high-yielding dairy cows
- D. R. Neilson, C. T. Whittemore, M. Lewis, J. C. Alliston, D. J. Roberts, L. S. Hodgson-Jones, J. Mills, H. Parkinson, J. H. D. Prescott
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- Journal:
- Animal Production / Volume 36 / Issue 3 / June 1983
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 02 September 2010, pp. 321-334
- Print publication:
- June 1983
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Understanding the relationships between food intake, milk output and body condition in high-yielding dairy cows is crucial in determining suitable management strategies. During two winter feeding periods 38 and 37 cows were individually fed, to appetite, complete diets which on average contained 11·7 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter and comprised grass silage, concentrate meal and brewers' grains (draff). The groups' mean 305-day yield was 7 240 kg (s.d. 1 281) with 42 g (s.d. 4·3) fat per kg. Regression analysis was carried out to describe dry-matter intake both for 26 weeks post calving and for four successive 6-week periods from calving. The final equations, which had a residual s.d. of 0·07 to 0·10 of the observed intake, included milk yield, cow size and a measure of body-condition change. The cows were divided into three groups (high, medium and low) on two criteria: (1) mean milk yield (MJ/day) during the first 26 weeks of lactation and (2) post-calving backfat index determined ultrasonically. Differences were found between milk-yield groups from gross efficiency (milk yield (MJ)/energy intake (MJ metabolizable energy)) (P < 0·001), mean metabolizable energy intake (MJ/day) (P < 0·01), dry-matter intake as a proportion of live weight (P < 0·05), and post calving live weight (kg) (P < 0·05). Differences were found between backfat-index groups for maximum backfat loss and loss to day 42 (P < 0·001); also for mean live weight during the 26 weeks and post calving live weight (P < 0·001), dry-matter intake as a proportion of live weight (P < 0·05) and lactation number (P < 0·05). Interactions were found between the milk yield groups and backfat groups for milk yield (P < 0·01) and gross efficiency (P < 0·05) with the fattest group containing the highest and lowest yields and efficiencies.