Error management theory, age and gender

Ziel dieser Studie was es die Error Management Theorie in einem anderen Kontext als den partnerwahlbezogenen zu untersuchen. Die Error Management Theorie (EMT) besagt dass bestimmte kognitive biases, wie die Tendenz der Männer die sexuellen Intentionen der Frauen zu überschätzen (Fehler Typ-I), wie die der Frauen die Investitionsbereitschaft der Männer zu unterschätzen (Fehler Typ-II), evolutionärpsychologisch verankert sind, um beide Geschlechter in Richtung der geringeren Fitness-Kosten zu manövrieren. Die EMT basiert auf dem elterlichen Investment von Trivers (1972); jenes Geschlecht welches weniger in die Nachkommenschaft investiert (Männer) konkurriert stärker um die Gunst des anderen, höher investierenden, Geschlechts (Frauen). Um Altersvergleiche anstellen zu können, wurde das erhobene Kollektiv von 405 Studienteilnehmern in 2 Altersgruppen aufgeteilt (Grenzalter 50stes Lebensjahr / Menopause). Wir nahmen an dass ältere Studienteilnehmer die Effekte der EMT in abgeschwächter Form vorweisen würden. Die Menopause kann anhand der Großmutter-Hypothese bei Frauen erklärt werden, während die Display-Hypothese das Nachlassen der Überschätzungstendenzen bei Männern erläutern könnte. Ein Fragebogen, sowie ein Geduldspiel wurden verwendet, um 405 Testpersonen für die Studie zu rekrutieren. 204 männlichen Teilnehmer (10550) sowie 201 Frauen (10150) wurden dazu angehalten sich selbst, in Bezug auf das Geduldspiel einzuschätzen. Anhand des Fragebogens wurden demographische Daten erfasst. Die Interviews wurden in zwei verschiedenen Parks in Wien, Österreich durchgeführt. Hypothese 1 – Männer überschätzen sich und Frauen unterschätzen sich in Bezug auf das Geduldspiel – konnte, unabhängig von der Zeit, bestätigt werden. Hypothese 2 – mit zunehmendem Alter nimmt der EMT-Effekt ab – zeigte eine Tendenz der Männer in diese Richtung.Aim of our study was to examine the Error Management Theory (EMT) which proposes that cognitive biases, such as men’s overperception of women’s sexual interest (Type I – Error) as well as women’s underestimation of men’s commitment (Type II – Error) are designed in direction of the lesser evolutionary costs. The EMT is based on the parental investment theory by Trivers (1972); the sex with the greater obligatory investment concerning reproduction (women), should be choosier when selecting a mating partner (female-choice), than the sex with the lower obligatory investment (men), who should be highly competitive (male-male competition). We predicted significant differences between men and women as well as between differently aged persons; the older participants should show a decrease of the EMT-effect. We based this hypothesis on the grandmother-hypothesis at women and the display-hypothesis at men. The mean menopausal-age of middle European women (50 years) was chosen as an age-limit. Using a questionnaire and a patience-game, we interviewed 405 test-persons (204 men: 105 50, 201 / women: 10150) and let them estimate their efficiency in mastering a patience-game before and after being able to try it. Several demographically data were documented. The interviews took place at two parks in Vienna, Austria. Hypothesis 1- men would over- and women would underestimate themselves while performing a patience-game - could be confirmed. The second hypothesis – younger individuals should show the EMT-effects more intensely than older ones – could not be confirmed. Hence, there was a tendency observable toward this direction in men

Mentors and mountainboarding: The development and delivery of an innovative program for rural adolescent males at risk of mental health problems

Sense of belonging to a community offers protection against depression (Glover et al. 1998); however, rural adolescents with mental health issues often feel isolated, lonely and socially excluded (Aisbett et al. 2007). This is exacerbated by the stoic attitudes and fear of social stigma which prevent many rural adolescents from engaging with mainstream mental health programs (Boyd et al. 2006). With this knowledge, we aimed to engage atrisk rural adolescent males who would otherwise not seek psychological help in an innovative program which would link them to a broader sporting community. The project also aimed to strengthen leaders of this community to act as mentors for these young people. In this article, we describe the development and delivery of the mentoring component of this innovative program. The outcomes for the youth involved in this program are described in the subsequent article by Kemp and colleagues in the next edition of Children Australia.</jats:p

Large infectious bladder stone after long delay in removing ureteral stent

We herein present a case of formation of a large infectious bladder calculous resulted from placement of a double pigtail catheter for an extensive period. The concomitant poor function of the corresponding renal unit made selection of nephroureterectomy unavoidable in the management of our patient.Int Urol Nephro

Glutathione S-transferase null genotypes in transitional cell bladder cancer: a case-control study

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted (1) to examine whether the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are risk factors for bladder cancer, and (2) to study a possible association of these genotypes with disease severity. METHODS: This case-control study was undertaken over a 21-month period and included 89 newly diagnosed transitional cell bladder cancer patients and 147 controls; both patients and controls originated from a defined population (residents of the loannina region, Northwestern Greece) and were similar with regard to mean age, male to female ratio and smoking habits. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood DNA samples. Genotype frequencies among patients and controls were assessed and the association of the genotypes with tumor grade and stage at presentation were statistically evaluated by the chi(2) test. RESULTS: The GSTM1 null genotype was strongly associated with bladder cancer. The odds ratio, attributable and population attributable risks were estimated at 2.76, 0.64 and 0.40, respectively. The correlation between the GSTM1 null genotype with stage, although not statistically significant, was estimated at an odds ratio of 2.6 for invasive disease. The correlation of GSTM1 null genotype with tumor grade did not yield a statistically significant result. The GSTT1 null genotype was not statistically associated with bladder cancer. CONCLUSION: According to our study, individuals with the GSTM1 null genotype carry a substantially higher risk for bladder carcinogenesis. The GSTM1 null genotype is not associated with more aggressive disease in terms of tumor grade, although there is a correlation between this genotype and stage of the disease.Eur Uro

Genotypes of N-acetyltransferase-2 and risk of bladder cancer: a case-control study

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine whether certain slow N-acetylation genotypes could be risk factors for bladder cancer, and the possible association between specific genotypes and the severity of the disease at first diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 89 patients with transitional cell bladder cancer (diagnosed over a period of 21 months) and 147 controls. N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT-2) genotypes were identified by allele specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on peripheral blood DNA samples. The x2 test was used for statistical evaluation to compare the differences observed between patients and controls and the different genotypes with tumor grading and local staging at presentation. Relative, attributable and population attributable risks were estimated for the genotypes found to present a significantly increased frequency for bladder cancer. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in the frequency of genotypes was found between the two groups. The patient group had the higher frequency of slow acetylation genotypes (p = 0.0016). Among slow acetylators, homozygotes 341C/341C and compound heterozygotes 341C/857A had the most excessive risk for bladder cancer (p = 0.0041 and 0.0031, respectively). The 341C/341C genotype was found to be associated with more aggressive disease, in terms of tumor grading at presentation (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, slow acetylators with 341C/341C and 341C/857A genotypes carry a substantially higher odds ratio (3.73 and 12.46, respectively) for bladder carcinogenesis. Additionally, among the slow acetylators, 341C/341C homozygotes are likely to have a higher risk for more aggressive disease.J Uro