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Development and Psychopathology Apr 2024The present study examined the longitudinal associations between three dimensions of temperament - activity, affect-extraversion, and task orientation - and childhood...
The present study examined the longitudinal associations between three dimensions of temperament - activity, affect-extraversion, and task orientation - and childhood aggression. Using 131 monozygotic and 173 dizygotic (86 same-sex) twin pairs from the Louisville Twin Study, we elucidated the ages, from 6 to 36 months, at which each temperament dimension began to correlate with aggression at age 7. We employed latent growth modeling to show that developmental increases (i.e., slopes) in activity were positively associated with aggression, whereas increases in affect-extraversion and task orientation were negatively associated with aggression. Genetically informed models revealed that correlations between temperament and aggression were primarily explained by common genetic variance, with nonshared environmental variance accounting for a small proportion of each correlation by 36 months. Genetic variance explained the correlations of the slopes of activity and task orientation with aggression. Nonshared environmental variance accounted for almost half of the correlation between the slopes of affect-extraversion and aggression. Exploratory analyses revealed quantitative sex differences in each temperament-aggression association. By establishing which dimensions of temperament correlate with aggression, as well as when and how they do so, our work informs the development of future child and family interventions for children at highest risk of aggression.
PubMed: 38557599
DOI: 10.1017/S0954579424000634 -
NeuroImage. Clinical 2024Intracranial volume (ICV) represents the maximal brain volume for an individual, attained prior to late adolescence and remaining constant throughout life after. Thus,...
OBJECTIVE
Intracranial volume (ICV) represents the maximal brain volume for an individual, attained prior to late adolescence and remaining constant throughout life after. Thus, ICV serves as a surrogate marker for brain growth integrity. To assess the potential impact of adult-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) and its preceding prodromal subclinical changes on ICV in a large cohort of monozygotic twins clinically discordant for MS.
METHODS
FSL software was used to derive ICV estimates from 3D-T1-weighted-3 T-MRI images by using an atlas scaling factor method. ICV were compared between clinically affected and healthy co-twins. All twins were compared to a large healthy reference cohort using standardized ICV z-scores. Mixed models assessed the impact of age at MS diagnosis on ICV.
RESULTS
54 twin-pairs (108 individuals/80female/42.45 ± 11.98 years), 731 individuals (375 non-twins, 109/69 monozygotic/dizygotic twin-pairs; 398female/29.18 ± 0.13 years) and 35 healthy local individuals (20male/31.34 ± 1.53 years). In 45/54 (83 %) twin-pairs, both clinically affected and healthy co-twins showed negative ICV z-scores, i.e., ICVs lower than the average of the healthy reference cohort (M = -1.53 ± 0.11, P<10). Younger age at MS diagnosis was strongly associated with lower ICVs (t = 3.76, P = 0.0003). Stratification of twin-pairs by age at MS diagnosis of the affected co-twin (≤30 versus > 30 years) yielded lower ICVs in those twin pairs with younger age at diagnosis (P = 0.01). Comparison within individual twin-pairs identified lower ICVs in the MS-affected co-twins with younger age at diagnosis compared to their corresponding healthy co-twins (P = 0.003).
CONCLUSION
We offer for the first-time evidence for strong associations between adult-onset MS and lower ICV, which is more pronounced with younger age at diagnosis. This suggests pre-clinical alterations in early neurodevelopment associated with susceptibility to MS both in individuals with and without clinical manifestation of the disease.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Female; Male; Twins, Monozygotic; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multiple Sclerosis; Middle Aged; Brain; Young Adult; Age of Onset; Organ Size
PubMed: 38522363
DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2024.103597 -
Journal of Perinatal Medicine May 2024To investigate factors associated with outcome of second twin during labour.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate factors associated with outcome of second twin during labour.
METHODS
The study was a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary centre in Malaysia from 2014 until 2018 involving all twin pregnancies delivered at or more than 24 weeks of gestation.
RESULTS
Total of 409 twin pregnancies were included. Dichorionic twin comprises of 54.5 % (n=223) and 45.5 % (n=186) are monochorionic. Women with dichorionic pregnancies are significantly older (p<0.001), have more pre-existing medical disorders (p=0.011) and fetal structural anomalies (p=0.009). Monochorionic pregnancies are significantly more amongst Malay (p=0.01) and conceived spontaneously (p<0.001). There are significantly more fetuses both in cephalic presentation (p=0.026), birthweight discrepancy more than 20 % (p=0.038) and shorter mean inter-twin delivery duration (p=0.048) in monochorionic pregnancies. Second twin delivered with Apgar score <7 is significantly more in dichorionic pregnancies (p=0.006). The second twin is associated with lower birthweight, small for gestational age and arterial cord pH<7.25. Within the group of women who delivered both fetuses vaginally, there was significantly more second twins with intertwin delivery duration less than 30 min who were delivered vaginally without instrumentation (p=0.018). There was significantly more second twin with intertwin delivery duration of 30 min and more with arterial cord pH<7.25 (p=0.045). Those who delivered spontaneously had inter-twin delivery duration within 15-29 min. The outcome of second twin is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth.
CONCLUSIONS
The neonatal outcome for the second twin at birth is not influenced by type of twin, gestational age at delivery, inter-twin delivery duration, mode of delivery and presentation at birth in a cohort managed with non-active management of the second twin in Malaysia.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Retrospective Studies; Malaysia; Pregnancy, Twin; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy Outcome; Tertiary Care Centers; Birth Weight; Twins, Dizygotic
PubMed: 38511669
DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2023-0449 -
Clinical Case Reports Mar 2024To raise awareness about the increasing incidence of superfetation and heterotopic pregnancy in patients with ovarian induction, their insidious symptoms of abdominal...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
To raise awareness about the increasing incidence of superfetation and heterotopic pregnancy in patients with ovarian induction, their insidious symptoms of abdominal pain, anemia, and hemodynamic instability in early pregnancy, and the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and quantitative beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (b-hCG) for diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Superfetation, occurrence of ovulation, fertilization, and implantation during an ongoing pregnancy and heterotopic pregnancy (HP) simultaneous presence of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancies are infrequent phenomena. We report a case where both coexisted, challenges in diagnosis and management and association with the widespread use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). A 32-year-old woman, who previously underwent ovulation induction therapy, presented with abdominal pain at 8 weeks pregnancy according to her last menstrual period. The patient had high quantitative serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) (30,883 mIU/mL). She was vitally stable and not anemic. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) revealed two pregnancies at different gestational ages: an intrauterine pregnancy at 5 weeks and 3 days, and a right intact tubal ectopic pregnancy at 10 weeks and 5 days. Superfetation resulting in HP was then diagnosed. Subsequently, the patient underwent right laparoscopic salpingectomy. The intrauterine pregnancy progressed normally, resulting in delivery of a healthy full-term neonate via Cesarean section at 38 weeks. Superfetation is typically rare from suppression of follicular development and ovulation during pregnancy. Various theories have been proposed to explain its etiology, including polyovulation, delayed blastocyst implantation, and abnormal estrogen and b-hCG surges. In superfetation, an embryo resulting from a previous conception coexists with another embryo, either intrauterine, resulting in diamniotic dizygotic twins with significantly different gestational ages, or extrauterine resulting in HP. Despite being particularly challenging to diagnose because its presenting symptoms can overlap with those of other more common clinical conditions in early pregnancy, HP is increasingly seen with ARTs. In addition, the treatment of HP is versatile, ranging from expectant management to laparoscopic surgery. High level of suspicion for HP and superfetation is crucial in patients who, after ART, present with abdominal pain, hemodynamic instability, or anemia. Additionally, patients planning to undergo subsequent ART cycles should be thoroughly screened with b-hCG and TVUS to exclude an ongoing intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy.
PubMed: 38505479
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8571 -
Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey Mar 2024Multiple pregnancy is relatively common in many countries and is associated with various pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
Multiple pregnancy is relatively common in many countries and is associated with various pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and congenital anomalies. In particular, a poorer prognosis has been reported when congenital anomalies overlap with other pregnancy complications in multiple pregnancy compared with singleton pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
This study reviews the characteristics of congenital anomalies that occur in multiple gestations as compared with singleton pregnancies.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
An extensive manual search of major electronic databases was conducted in June 2023. This literature review provides a comprehensive coverage of the congenital anomalies in multiple pregnancy.
RESULTS
Most studies have shown that multiple gestations are associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies compared with singleton pregnancies. In addition, higher rates of congenital anomalies and concordance have been observed in monozygotic versus dizygotic twins. The effect of assisted reproductive therapies on the risk of congenital anomalies appears to be smaller in multiple gestations than in singleton pregnancies.
CONCLUSIONS
Multiple pregnancy is significantly associated with an increased risk of congenital anomalies.
RELEVANCE
This review provides obstetrical providers with the requisite knowledge to offer appropriate antenatal care and prenatal anomaly screening to patients with multiple pregnancies.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Female; Premature Birth; Pregnancy, Multiple; Prenatal Diagnosis; Prenatal Care; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 38482746
DOI: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001251 -
Translational Psychiatry Mar 2024Flow is a phenomenon where one experiences optimal challenge, marked by an intense, effortless, and rewarding concentration on a task. Past research shows that flow...
Flow is a phenomenon where one experiences optimal challenge, marked by an intense, effortless, and rewarding concentration on a task. Past research shows that flow proneness is associated with good mental and cardiovascular health. However, this research has been primarily cross-sectional, based on self-report data, and has not controlled for potential confounding effects of neuroticism. In a large, longitudinal twin sample (N = 9361), we used nationwide patient registry data to test whether flow proneness predicted registry-based diagnoses of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, stress-related disorders, or cardiovascular diseases. We used survival analyses taking time to diagnosis into account to test if (a) there is a relationship between flow proneness and health diagnoses over time, (b) neuroticism confounds this relationship, and (c) the relationship remains present within discordant monozygotic twin pairs (N = 952), thereby controlling for genetic and shared environmental confounding. Individuals with higher flow proneness had a decreased risk of receiving diagnoses for depression (16%; CI [14%, 18%]), anxiety (16%; CI [13%, 18%]), schizophrenia (15%; CI [4%, 25%]), bipolar (12%; CI [6%, 18%]), stress-related (9%; CI [9%, 12%]), and cardiovascular disorders (4%; CI [1%, 8%]). When controlling for neuroticism, higher flow proneness still decreased the risk of depression (6%; CI [3%, 9%]) and anxiety diagnoses (5%; CI [1%, 8%]). Monozygotic twins who experienced more flow than their co-twin had a lower risk for depression (16%; CI [5%, 26%]) and anxiety (13%; CI [1%, 24%]), though only the association with depression remained significant when also controlling for neuroticism (13%; CI [1%, 24%]). Findings are in line with a causal protective role of flow experiences on depression and potentially anxiety and highlight that neuroticism and familial factors are notable confounding factors in observed associations between flow proneness and health outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Prospective Studies; Twins, Dizygotic; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Twins, Monozygotic
PubMed: 38480692
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02855-6 -
The Journal of Genetic Psychology Mar 2024This study explored the influence of genetic and environmental factors on adolescent anxiety. Ninety-eight monozygotic and dizygotic twins from Chongqing, China (aged...
This study explored the influence of genetic and environmental factors on adolescent anxiety. Ninety-eight monozygotic and dizygotic twins from Chongqing, China (aged 15-18 years) were assessed for anxiety with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were applied to assess environmental factors. Venous blood was drawn from the twins for zygosity determination. Structural equation modeling was performed to evaluate the effects of additive genetic factors (A), common environmental factors (C), and individual-specific environmental factors (E) on adolescent anxiety. The estimates of A and E on adolescent anxiety were 0.34 (95% CI = 0.12-0.53) and 0.66 (95% CI:0.47-0.89), respectively. The environment played an important role in adolescent anxiety. Adolescent anxiety was significantly positively correlated with peer relations ( = 0.606, < 0.05) and negatively correlated with prosocial behavior ( = 0.207, < 0. 05). No sex differences were observed. Adolescent anxiety was influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The individual-specific environmental factors played an important role. Consideration of these variables will facilitate the targeted and individualized implementation of specific interventions for adolescent anxiety.
PubMed: 38456243
DOI: 10.1080/00221325.2024.2319235 -
JAMA Psychiatry Jun 2024Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has consistently been associated with multiple negative mental health outcomes extending into adulthood. However, given...
IMPORTANCE
Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has consistently been associated with multiple negative mental health outcomes extending into adulthood. However, given that ACEs and psychiatric disorders cluster within families, it remains to be comprehensively assessed to what extent familial confounding contributes to associations between ACEs and clinically confirmed adult psychiatric disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether associations between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes remain after adjusting for familial (genetic and environmental) confounding.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This Swedish twin cohort study used a discordant twin pair design based on monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. A total of 25 252 adult twins (aged 18-47 years) from the Swedish Twin Registry born between 1959 and 1998 were followed up from age 19 years until 2016, with a maximum follow-up time of 39 years. Data were analyzed from April 2022 to November 2023.
EXPOSURES
A total of 7 ACEs, including family violence, emotional abuse or neglect, physical neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, rape, and hate crime, were assessed with items from the Life Stressor Checklist-Revised in a web-based survey.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Adult (ages >18 years) clinical diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (ie, depressive, anxiety, alcohol or drug misuse, or stress-related disorders) were obtained from the Swedish National Patient Register.
RESULTS
Of 25 252 twins included in the study (15 038 female [59.6%]; mean [SD] age at ACE assessment, 29.9 [8.7] years), 9751 individuals (38.6%) reported exposure to at least 1 ACE. A greater number of ACEs was associated with increased odds of any psychiatric disorder in the full cohort (odds ratio [OR] per additional ACE, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.48-1.57). The association remained but ORs per additional ACE were attenuated in DZ (1.29; 95% CI, 1.14-1.47) and MZ (1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.40) twin pairs. Individuals who were exposed to sexual abuse compared with those who were not exposed had increased odds of any clinically confirmed psychiatric disorder in all comparisons: full cohort (OR, 3.09; 95% CI, 2.68-3.56), DZ twin pairs (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.33-3.32), and MZ twin pairs (1.80; 95% CI, 1.04-3.11).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This study found that associations between ACEs and adult mental health outcomes remained after controlling for shared genetic and environmental factors, which was particularly evident after multiple ACEs or sexual abuse. These findings suggest that targeted interventions may be associated with reduced risks of future psychopathology.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Female; Male; Adverse Childhood Experiences; Sweden; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent; Mental Disorders; Registries; Cohort Studies; Twins, Monozygotic; Twins, Dizygotic; Mental Health
PubMed: 38446452
DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0039 -
Twin Research and Human Genetics : the... Feb 2024There are sex-dependent differences in hematological and biochemical variables in adulthood attributed to the predominant effects of testosterone in males and estrogen...
There are sex-dependent differences in hematological and biochemical variables in adulthood attributed to the predominant effects of testosterone in males and estrogen in females. The Twin Testosterone Transfer (TTT) hypothesis proposes that opposite-sex females may develop male-typical traits due to exposure to relatively higher levels of prenatal testosterone than same-sex females. Additionally, prenatal testosterone exposure has been suggested as a correlate of current circulating testosterone levels. Consequently, opposite-sex females might exhibit male-typical patterns in their hematological and biochemical variables. Despite this hypothesis, routine laboratory investigations assign the same reference range to all females. Our cross-sectional study, conducted in Tamale from January to September 2022, included 40 twins, comprising 10 opposite-sex (OS) males (25%), 10 OS females (25%), and 20 same-sex (SS) females (50%), all aged between 18 and 27 years. Fasting venous blood samples were collected and analyzed using automated hematology and biochemistry laboratory analyzers. Results indicated that levels of hemoglobin, serum creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total protein, globulins, and total testosterone were significantly higher in OS males than OS females. Conversely, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in OS females than OS males. Unexpectedly, levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total testosterone were significantly higher in SS females than OS females. Contrary to expectations, opposite-sex females did not exhibit male-typical patterns in their hematological and biochemical variables. This suggests that the TTT effect may not occur or may not be strong enough to markedly affect hematological and biochemical variables in OS females.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Ghana; Testosterone; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adolescent; Twins, Dizygotic; Twins, Monozygotic; Young Adult
PubMed: 38444332
DOI: 10.1017/thg.2024.7