A cross-cultural shortened form of the ZKPQ (ZKPQ-50-CC) adapted to English, French, German, and Spanish languages.

The aim of the present study was to develop a short form of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) with acceptable psychometric properties in four languages: English (United States), French (Switzerland), German (Germany), and Spanish (Spain). The total sample (N = 4,621) was randomly divided into calibration and validation samples. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted in the calibration sample. Eighty items, with loadings equal or higher than 0.30 on their own factor and lower on the remaining factors, were retained. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed over the survival items in the validation sample in order to select the best 10 items for each scale. This short version (named ZKPQ-50-CC) presents psychometric properties strongly similar to the original version in the four countries. Moreover, the factor structure are near equivalent across the four countries since the congruence indices were all higher than 0.90. It is concluded that the ZKPQ-50-CC presented a high cross-language replicability, and it could be an useful questionnaire that may be used for personality research.

Who is at low risk for cardiovascular disease? An assessment of different definitions.

BACKGROUND: There is little information regarding the determinants and trends of the prevalence of low cardiovascular risk factor (RF) profile in the general population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and trends of low RF profile in the Swiss population according to different definitions. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional studies conducted in 1984-1986 (N=3300), 1988-1989 (N=3331), 1992-1993 (N=3133) and 2003-2006 (N=6170) and restricted to age group 35-75 years. Seven different definitions of low RF profile were used to assess determinants, while two definitions were used to assess trends. RESULTS: Prevalence of low RF profile varied between 6.5% (95% confidence interval: 5.9-7.1) and 9.7% (9.0-10.5) depending on the definition used. This prevalence was higher than in other countries. Irrespective of the definition used, the prevalence of low RF profile was higher in women and in physically active participants, and decreased with increasing age or in the presence of a family history of cardiovascular disease. Using one definition, the prevalence of low RF profile increased from 3.8% (3.1-4.5) in 1984-1986 to 6.7% (6.1-7.3) in 2003-2006; using another definition, the results were 5.9% (5.1-6.8) and 9.7% (9.0-10.5), respectively. CONCLUSION: Switzerland is characterized by a high and increasing prevalence of low RF profile within the age group 35 to 75, irrespective of the criteria used. This high prevalence might partly explain the low and decreasing trend in cardiovascular mortality rates.

Effectiveness of a low-intensity smoking cessation intervention for hospitalized patients

Résumé en français Contexte Les interventions intensives d'aide à l'arrêt de la cigarette en milieu hospitalier n'ont pas été adoptées à large échelle, peut-être en raison de barrières organisationnelles. Nous évaluons dans cette étude l'efficacité d'une approche moins contraignante. Méthodes Nous avons conçu et réalisé une étude de cohorte avec un groupe de contrôle historique dans le département de médecine d'un hôpital universitaire de 850 lits. Cent dix-sept fumeurs éligibles consécutifs ont bénéficié d'une intervention d'aide à l'arrêt de la cigarette et 113 fumeurs hospitalisés avant l'implémentation de cette intervention ont constitué notre groupe de contrôle. L'intervention d'aide à l'arrêt de la cigarette, d'une durée de 30 minutes, était réalisée par un médecin assistant formé en désaccoutumance au tabac, sans aucun contact ultérieur de suivi. Tous les patients ont ensuite reçu un questionnaire pour évaluer quelles étaient leurs habitudes en matière de tabagisme 6 mois après leur sortie d'hôpital. Nous avons considéré les patients perdus de vue comme fumeurs et l'abstinence tabagique ponctuelle (au moins 7 jours consécutifs) des ex-fumeurs a été validée par leur médecin traitant. Résultats Les taux d'arrêt de la cigarette validés étaient de 23.9% dans le groupe intervention et de 9.7% dans le groupe contrôle (odds ratio 2.9, intervalle de confiance à 95% [IC95] 1.4 à 6.2). Après ajustement pour les facteurs confondants potentiels, l'intervention était toujours efficace, avec un odds ratio ajusté de 2.7 (1095 = 1.0 à 5.0). Conclusion Une intervention d'aide à l'arrêt de la cigarette de faible intensité, sans contact de suivi, est associée avec un plus haut taux d'arrêt de la cigarette à 6 mois en comparaison avec un groupe de contrôle historique.

Off-axis low coherence interferometry contouring

In this article we present a method to achieve tri-dimensional contouring of macroscopic objects. A modified reference wave speckle interferometer is used in conjunction with a source of reduced coherence. The depth signal is given by the envelope of the interference signal, directly determined by the coherence length of the source. Fringes are detected in the interferogram obtained by a single shot and are detected by means of adequate filtering. With the approach based on off-axis configuration, a contour line can be extracted from a single acquisition, thus allowing to use the system in harsh environment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of a lifestyle intervention on adiposity and fitness in overweight or low fit preschoolers (Ballabeina).

OBJECTIVE: Overweight (OW) and low fit children represent cardiovascular high-risk groups. A multidimensional school-based lifestyle intervention performed in 652 preschoolers reduced skinfold thickness and waist circumference, and improved fitness, but did not affect BMI. The objective of this study is to examine whether the intervention was equally effective in OW (≥90th national percentile) and/or low fit (lowest sex- and age-adjusted quartile of aerobic fitness) children compared to their normal weight and normal fit counterparts. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cluster randomized controlled single blinded trial, conducted in 2008/09 in 40 randomly selected preschool classes in Switzerland. The intervention included a playful physical activity program and lessons on nutrition, media use and sleeps. Primary outcomes were BMI and aerobic fitness; secondary outcomes included sum of four skinfolds, waist circumference and motor agility. Modification of intervention effects by BMI-group and fitness-group was tested by interaction terms. RESULTS: Compared to their counterparts, OW children (n = 130) had more beneficial effects on waist circumference (p for interaction = 0.001) and low fit children (n = 154) more beneficial effects on all adiposity outcomes (p for interaction ≤0.03). The intervention effects on both fitness outcomes were not modified by BMI- or fitness-group (all p for interaction ≥0.2). Average intervention effect sizes for BMI were -0.12, -0.05, -0.26 and -0.02 kg/m(2) and for aerobic fitness were 0.40, 0.30, 0.12 and 0.36 stages for OW, normal weight, low fit and normal fit children, respectively. Conclusions: This multidimensional intervention was equally and for some adiposity measures even more effective in high-risk preschoolers and represents a promising option for these children.

Coping specificities in bipolar affective disorder: relations with symptoms and therapeutic alliance

Ways to enhance research into coping have been suggested by Lazarus (2000). The issues of adaptiveness and conceptual structure of coping (Cramer, 1998; Skinner et al., 2003) are particularly relevant; thus, this study addresses them in a clinical research setting. A total of 30 inpatients presenting with Bipolar Affective Disorder (BD) have been interviewed twice, as well as the participants of a matched control group (N = 30). Self-report (CISS) and observerrater methods (CAP) of coping have been applied: low correlations were found between the instruments. Coping specificities in BD have been identified: opposition and support-seeking are most frequently practiced by BD patients, in comparison with controls. No significant link has been found between coping processes, symptom level and the therapeutic alliance. This study lends support for a quantitative definition of coping adaptiveness which is discussed, along with clinical implications on psychological treatments of BD (German J Psychiatry 2009; 12: 19-27).

Low-dose multidetector computed tomography of the cervical spine: optimization of iterative reconstruction strength levels.

BACKGROUND: Iterative reconstruction (IR) techniques reduce image noise in multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging. They can therefore be used to reduce radiation dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality nearly constant. However, CT manufacturers offer several strength levels of IR to choose from. PURPOSE: To determine the optimal strength level of IR in low-dose MDCT of the cervical spine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients investigated by low-dose cervical spine MDCT were prospectively studied. Raw data were reconstructed using filtered back-projection and sinogram-affirmed IR (SAFIRE, strength levels 1 to 5) techniques. Image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured at C3-C4 and C6-C7 levels. Two radiologists independently and blindly evaluated various anatomical structures (both dense and soft tissues) using a 4-point scale. They also rated the overall diagnostic image quality using a 10-point scale. RESULTS: As IR strength levels increased, image noise decreased linearly, while SNR and CNR both increased linearly at C3-C4 and C6-C7 levels (P < 0.001). For the intervertebral discs, the content of neural foramina and dural sac, and for the ligaments, subjective image quality scores increased linearly with increasing IR strength level (P ≤ 0.03). Conversely, for the soft tissues and trabecular bone, the scores decreased linearly with increasing IR strength level (P < 0.001). Finally, the overall diagnostic image quality scores increased linearly with increasing IR strength level (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal strength level of IR in low-dose cervical spine MDCT depends on the anatomical structure to be analyzed. For the intervertebral discs and the content of neural foramina, high strength levels of IR are recommended.

MDM2 and CDK4 immunohistochemistry is a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcomas and other primary fibro-osseous lesions of the bone.

Low-grade osteosarcoma is a rare malignancy that may be subdivided into two main subgroups on the basis of location in relation to the bone cortex, that is, parosteal osteosarcoma and low-grade central osteosarcoma. Their histological appearance is quite similar and characterized by spindle cell stroma with low-to-moderate cellularity and well-differentiated anastomosing bone trabeculae. Low-grade osteosarcomas have a simple genetic profile with supernumerary ring chromosomes comprising amplification of chromosome 12q13-15, including the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and murine double-minute type 2 (MDM2) gene region. Low-grade osteosarcoma can be confused with fibrous and fibro-osseous lesions such as fibromatosis and fibrous dysplasia on radiological and histological findings. We investigated MDM2-CDK4 immunohistochemical expression in a series of 72 low-grade osteosarcomas and 107 fibrous or fibro-osseous lesions of the bone or paraosseous soft tissue. The MDM2-CDK4 amplification status of low-grade osteosarcoma was also evaluated by comparative genomic hybridization array in 18 cases, and the MDM2 amplification status was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 31 cases of benign fibrous and fibro-osseous lesions. MDM2-CDK4 immunostaining and MDM2 amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were investigated in a control group of 23 cases of primary high-grade bone sarcoma, including 20 conventional high-grade osteosarcomas, two pleomorphic spindle cell sarcomas/malignant fibrous histiocytomas and one leiomyosarcoma. The results showed that MDM2 and/or CDK4 immunoreactivity was present in 89% of low-grade osteosarcoma specimens. All benign fibrous and fibro-osseous lesions and the tumors of the control group were negative for MDM2 and CDK4. These results were consistent with the MDM2 and CDK4 amplification results. In conclusion, immunohistochemical expression of MDM2 and CDK4 is specific and provides sensitive markers for the diagnosis of low-grade osteosarcomas, helping to differentiate them from benign fibrous and fibro-osseous lesions, particularly in cases with atypical radio-clinical presentation and/or limited biopsy samples.

Low rates of X-Y recombination, not turnovers, account for homomorphic sex chromosomes in several diploid species of Palearctic green toads (Bufo viridis subgroup).

Contrasting with birds and mammals, most ectothermic vertebrates present homomorphic sex chromosomes, which might be due either to a high turnover rate or to occasional X-Y recombination. We tested these two hypotheses in a group of Palearctic green toads that diverged some 3.3 million years ago. Using sibship analyses of sex-linked markers, we show that all four species investigated share the same pair of sex chromosomes and a pattern of male heterogamety with drastically reduced X-Y recombination in males. Phylogenetic analyses of sex-linked sequences show that X and Y alleles cluster by species, not by gametolog. We conclude that X-Y homomorphy and fine-scale sequence similarity in these species do not stem from recent sex-chromosome turnovers, but from occasional X-Y recombination.

Energy-nitrogen balances and protein turnover in small and appropriate for gestational age low birthweight infants.

The aim of the present study was to compare, under the same nursing conditions, the energy-nitrogen balance and the protein turnover in small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) low birthweight infants. We compared 8 SGA's (mean +/- s.d.: gestational age 35 +/- 2 weeks, birthweight 1520 +/- 330 g) to 11 AGA premature infants (32 +/- 2 weeks, birthweight 1560 +/- 240 g). When their rate of weight gain was above 15 g/kg/d (17.6 +/- 3.0 and 18.2 +/- 2.6 g/kg/d, mean postnatal age 18 +/- 10 and 20 +/- 9 d respectively) they were studied with respect to their metabolizable energy intake, their energy expenditure, their energy and protein gain and their protein turnover. Energy balance was assessed by the difference between metabolizable energy and energy expenditure as measured by indirect calorimetry. Protein gain was calculated from the amount of retained nitrogen. Protein turnover was estimated by a stable isotope enrichment technique using repeated nasogastric administration of 15N-glycine for 72 h. Although there was no difference in their metabolizable energy intakes (110 +/- 12 versus 108 +/- 11 kcal/kg/d), SGA's had a higher rate of resting energy expenditure (64 +/- 8 versus 57 +/- 8 kcal/kg/d, P less than 0.05). Protein gain and composition of weight gain was very similar in both groups (2.0 +/- 0.4 versus 2.1 +/- 0.4 g protein/kg/d; 3.5 +/- 1.1 versus 3.3 +/- 1.4 g fat/kg/d in SGA's and AGA's respectively). However, the rate of protein synthesis was significantly lower in SGA's (7.7 +/- 1.6 g/kg/d) as compared to AGA's (9.7 +/- 2.8 g/kg/d; P less than 0.05). It is concluded that SGA's have a more efficient protein gain/protein synthesis ratio since for the same weight and protein gains, SGA's show a 20 per cent slower protein turnover. They might therefore tolerate slightly higher protein intakes. Postconceptional age seems to be an important factor in the regulation of protein turnover.

Horizontal, but not vertical, biotic interactions affect fine-scale plant distribution patterns in a low-energy system

Studies of species range determinants have traditionally focused on abiotic variables (typically climatic conditions), and therefore the recent explicit consideration of biotic interactions represents an important advance in the field. While these studies clearly support the role of biotic interactions in shaping species distributions, most examine only the influence of a single species and/or a single interaction, failing to account for species being subject to multiple concurrent interactions. By fitting species distribution models (SDMs), we examine the influence of multiple vertical (i.e., grazing, trampling, and manuring by mammalian herbivores) and horizontal (i.e., competition and facilitation; estimated from the cover of dominant plant species) interspecific interactions on the occurrence and cover of 41 alpine tundra plant species. Adding plant-plant interactions to baseline SDMs (using five field-quantified abiotic variables) significantly improved models' predictive power for independent data, while herbivore-related variables had only a weak influence. Overall, abiotic variables had the strongest individual contributions to the distribution of alpine tundra plants, with the importance of horizontal interaction variables exceeding that of vertical interaction variables. These results were consistent across three modeling techniques, for both species occurrence and cover, demonstrating the pattern to be robust. Thus, the explicit consideration of multiple biotic interactions reveals that plant-plant interactions exert control over the fine-scale distribution of vascular species that is comparable to abiotic drivers and considerably stronger than herbivores in this low-energy system.

Microtubule-associated protein-2 immunoreactivity: a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of low-grade neuroepithelial tumors.

Complex and variable morphological phenotypes pose a major challenge to the histopathological classification of neuroepithelial tumors. This applies in particular for low-grade gliomas and glio-neuronal tumors. Recently, we and others have identified microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) as an immunohistochemical marker expressed in the majority of glial tumors. Characteristic cell morphologies can be recognized by MAP2 immunoreactivity in different glioma entities, i.e., process sparse oligodendroglial versus densely ramified astrocytic elements. Here, we describe MAP2-immunoreactivity patterns in a large series of various neuroepithelial tumors and related neoplasms (n = 960). Immunohistochemical analysis led to the following conclusions: (1) specific pattern of MAP2-positive tumor cells can be identified in 95% of glial neoplasms; (2) ependymal tumors do not express MAP2 in their rosette-forming cell component; (3) tumors of the pineal gland as well as malignant embryonic tumors are also characterized by abundant MAP2 immunoreactivity; (4) virtually no MAP2 expression can be observed in the neoplastic glial component of glio-neuronal tumors, i.e. gangliogliomas; (5) malignant glial tumor variants (WHO grade III or IV) exhibit different and less specific MAP2 staining patterns compared to their benign counterparts (WHO grade I or II); (6) with the exception of melanomas and small cell lung cancers, MAP2 expression is very rare in metastatic and non-neuroepithelial tumors; (7) glial MAP2 expression was not detected in 56 non-neoplastic lesions. These data point towards MAP2 as valuable diagnostic tool for pattern recognition and differential diagnosis of low-grade neuroepithelial tumors.

Disentangling reasons for low Y chromosome variation in the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula).

Y chromosome variation is determined by several confounding factors including mutation rate, effective population size, demography, and selection. Disentangling these factors is essential to better understand the evolutionary properties of the Y chromosome. We analyzed genetic variation on the Y chromosome, X chromosome, and mtDNA of the greater white-toothed shrew, a species with low variance in male reproductive success and limited sex-biased dispersal, which enables us to control to some extent for life-history effects. We also compared ancestral (Moroccan) to derived (European) populations to investigate the role of demographic history in determining Y variation. Recent colonization of Europe by a small number of founders (combined with low mutation rates) is largely responsible for low diversity observed on the European Y and X chromosomes compared to mtDNA. After accounting for mutation rate, copy number, and demography, the Y chromosome still displays a deficit in variation relative to the X in both populations. This is possibly influenced by directional selection, but the slightly higher variance in male reproductive success is also likely to play a role, even though the difference is small compared to that in highly polygynous species. This study illustrates that demography and life-history effects should be scrutinized before inferring strong selective pressure as a reason for low diversity on the Y chromosome.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in a country with low tuberculosis incidence: role of immigration and HIV infection.

Immigrants from high-burden countries and HIV-coinfected individuals are risk groups for tuberculosis (TB) in countries with low TB incidence. Therefore, we studied their role in transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Switzerland. We included all TB patients from the Swiss HIV Cohort and a sample of patients from the national TB registry. We identified molecular clusters by spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) analysis and used weighted logistic regression adjusted for age and sex to identify risk factors for clustering, taking sampling proportions into account. In total, we analyzed 520 TB cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2008; 401 were foreign born, and 113 were HIV coinfected. The Euro-American M. tuberculosis lineage dominated throughout the study period (378 strains; 72.7%), with no evidence for another lineage, such as the Beijing genotype, emerging. We identified 35 molecular clusters with 90 patients, indicating recent transmission; 31 clusters involved foreign-born patients, and 15 involved HIV-infected patients. Birth origin was not associated with clustering (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73 to 3.43; P = 0.25, comparing Swiss-born with foreign-born patients), but clustering was reduced in HIV-infected patients (aOR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.93; P = 0.030). Cavitary disease, male sex, and younger age were all associated with molecular clustering. In conclusion, most TB patients in Switzerland were foreign born, but transmission of M. tuberculosis was not more common among immigrants and was reduced in HIV-infected patients followed up in the national HIV cohort study. Continued access to health services and clinical follow-up will be essential to control TB in this population.