This study sought to determine whether the well-established relation between fraternity/sorority (Greek) membership and heavy alcohol use persists beyond the college years and whether some common third variables might account for the relation between Greek status and heavy drinking. During each of 4 years of college and 1 additional year, young adults (N = 319) completed measures of alcohol use, personality, alcohol expectancies, and environmental influences on drinking. Throughout the college years, Greeks consistently drank more heavily than non-Greeks. Statistically controlling for previous alcohol use did not eliminate this effect. However, Greek status did not predict postcollege heavy drinking levels. Also, perceived peer norms for heavy drinking mediated the relation between Greek affiliation and heavy alcohol use. Results are discussed in terms of situational determinants of heavy alcohol involvement in young adults.
Metabolism is a highly compartmentalized process that provides building blocks for biomass generation during development, homeostasis, and wound healing, and energy to support cellular and organismal processes. In metazoans, different cells and tissues specialize in different aspects of metabolism. However, studying the compartmentalization of metabolism in different cell types in a whole animal and for a particular stage of life is difficult. Here, we present MEtabolic models Reconciled with Gene Expression (MERGE), a computational pipeline that we used to predict tissue‐relevant metabolic function at the network, pathway, reaction, and metabolite levels based on single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (scRNA‐seq) data from the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Our analysis recapitulated known tissue functions in C. elegans, captured metabolic properties that are shared with similar tissues in human, and provided predictions for novel metabolic functions. MERGE is versatile and applicable to other systems. We envision this work as a starting point for the development of metabolic network models for individual cells as scRNA‐seq continues to provide higher‐resolution gene expression data.
A major challenge to atopic dermatitis (AD) management lies in its complex treatment, which must be tailored for both acute exacerbations and long-term maintenance. The addition of a written eczema action plan (EAP) to the routine verbal instruction (VI) may enhance patients' understanding of AD and facilitate treatment adherence. 1 This randomized controlled study was designed to evaluate the effect of a written EAP on patient and caregiver understanding of AD, distress level regarding treatment regimen, and preference for the addition of an EAP compared with those receiving traditional in-office VI. Methods. The study was approved by the New England Institutional Review Board (IRB No. 11-137; IORG registration No. IRB00000755), registered at ClinicalTrials .gov (NCT01660217), and conducted at a private dermatology office. The study schema flow diagram is shown in the Figure. Thirty-seven participants were randomized to receiving either VI or EAP (eAppendix 2; http: //www.jamaderm.com) at the end of a clinic visit. The EAPs were tailored to each patient given their age, location, and disease severity. After receiving either VI or EAP, the participants completed surveys (eAppendixes 3 and 4) on their self-perceived understanding, comfort, and anxiety level regarding AD management. The initial VI group then crossed over and received an EAP, and their outcomes were assessed again. The effect of the EAP on participants' perception of AD management was compared with that of VI. Their responses were recorded on a numeric scale of 0 to 10, with 10 indicating the most positive self-perception. The control group participants were asked whether they preferred VI alone, the EAP alone, or both, and to list reasons for their preference.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.