Nevin Manimala

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2023 May 27:114322. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114322. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Predation or brood parasitism risks can change the behaviors and reproductive decisions in many parental animals. For oviparous species, mothers can mitigate their reproductive success in at least three ways: (1) by avoiding nest sites with high predation or parasitism risks, (2) through hormonal maternal effects that developmentally prime offspring for survival in risky environments, or (3) by investing less in reproduction when predation or parasitism risks are high. Here, we tested if perceived predation and parasitism risks can induce any of these behavioral or physiological responses by exposing female red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) to playbacks of two major nest threats, a predator (Cooper’s hawk, Accipiter cooperii) and an obligate brood parasite (brown-headed cowbird; Molothrus ater), as well as two controls (harmless Eastern meadowlark, Sturnella magna; and silence). We found that female blackbirds did not avoid nesting at sites treated with predator or brood parasite playbacks, nor were females more likely to abandon nesting attempts at these sites. Egg size and yolk hormone profiles, which are common proxies for maternal investment in oviparous species, were statistically similar across treatment sites. Instead, we found intraclutch variation in yolk steroid hormone profiles: concentrations of three progestogens (pregnanedione, 17α-hydroxypregnenolone, and deoxycorticosterone) and two androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) were higher in third-laid than first-laid eggs. Our study largely confirms previous findings of consistent intraclutch yolk hormone variation in this species, in birds in general, and in other oviparous lineages, but uniquely reports on several yolk steroid hormones largely overlooked in the literature on hormone-mediated maternal effects.

PMID:37247827 | DOI:10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114322

J Nutr. 2023 May 27:S0022-3166(23)72117-2. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adding carotenoids, particularly lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), to prenatal micronutrient formulations has been promoted to enhance infant visual and neural development and to maintain maternal health. Although these claims are biologically plausible, they are not yet supported by a compelling prospective trial.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of prenatal carotenoid supplementation on biomarkers of maternal and infant systemic carotenoid status.

METHODS: We randomly assigned 47 first trimester pregnant subjects by 1:1 allocation to receive standard-of-care prenatal vitamins plus a 10 mg L and 2 mg Z softgel (Carotenoid Group) or standard-of-care prenatal vitamins with a placebo softgel (Control Group) for 6 to 8 months. Maternal carotenoid concentrations in the serum and skin at the end of each trimester and postpartum were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography and resonance Raman spectroscopy, respectively. Infants’ systemic carotenoid status was assessed using similar techniques but optimized for infants. Repeated measures and paired t-tests were determined, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Following supplementation, there was a statistically significant increase in maternal serum L+Z concentrations, serum total carotenoid concentrations, and skin carotenoid status (p < 0.001, for all) in the Carotenoid Group relative to the Control Group at all study time points. Similarly, infants whose mothers were in the Carotenoid Group had a significant 5-fold increase in cord blood L+Z concentrations, over a 3-fold increase in cord blood total carotenoids, and a 38% increase in skin carotenoids compared to the Control Group (p < 0.0001, for all). Also, there was a strong positive, statistically significant correlation between postpartum maternal and infants’ systemic carotenoid status (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: Prenatal carotenoid supplementation significantly increased maternal and infant systemic (skin and serum) carotenoid status, which may benefit pregnant women and their babies’ health.

PMID:37247819 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.05.024

J Affect Disord. 2023 May 27:S0165-0327(23)00732-2. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.087. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that gender differences in anxiety and depressive symptoms characterize panic disorder (PD) in terms of vulnerability to stressful life events, anxiety, depressive symptom patterns, and brain structure. However, few studies have investigated the gender differences in PD using a network approach.

METHODS: This study included 619 participants with PD (313 men). The Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory-II were used to evaluate symptomatology. To investigate the PD-related white matter (WM) neural correlates, tract-based spatial statistics were used. The PD-related clinical scales and WM neural correlates were included in the network analysis to identify associations between variables. To evaluate network differences between genders, network comparison tests were conducted.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed that agoraphobia in men was the strongest central symptom. In addition, loss of pleasure, and not anxiety or panic symptoms, was the strongest central symptom in women with PD. The network comparison test revealed that the bridge strength score was higher in agoraphobia and tiredness in men and in self-criticalness in women. Furthermore, in the network that includes neural correlates of WM, the bridge strength score was higher in the cingulate gyrus WM in men and the cingulum hippocampus in women.

LIMITATIONS: Since this is a cross-sectional network study of PD patients, the causal relationship between interactions in this network analysis for both genders may not be accurately determined.

CONCLUSION: Network structures of anxiety and depressive symptomatology and related WM neural correlates can differ according to gender in PD patients.

PMID:37247787 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.087

J Affect Disord. 2023 May 27:S0165-0327(23)00727-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The voice has been thought to be associated with emotions, but conducting large-scale research on this relationship has some limitations. To overcome these limitations, questionnaires have been utilized as a research tool.

METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was done. A total of 15,977 participants completed questionnaires regarding self-recognition of voice disorder (SRVD), and mental health status.

RESULTS: 1053(6.6 %) participants answered that they had SRVD. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, psychological stress (Hazard ratio (HR) = 1.371, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.154-1.629), depressive symptoms (HR = 1.626, 95 % CI = 1.323-1.997), suicidal ideation (HR = 1.739, 95 % CI = 1.418-2.133), and suicide attempt (HR =2.206, 95 % CI = 1.067-4.56) were all associated with SRVD. In SRVD lasting over three weeks, psychological stress (HR = 1.604, 95 % CI = 1.278-2.014), depressive symptoms (HR = 1.807, 95 % CI = 1.384-2.36), and suicidal ideation (HR = 2.073, 95 % CI = 1.587-2.709) were also significant factors. As the number of mental health problems increased, the odds ratio of both SRVD (OR = 2.49, 95 % CI = 1.839-3.37) and SRVD lasting over three weeks (OR = 3.254, 95 % CI = 2.242-4.725) increased, respectively.

LIMITATIONS: SRVD and mental health status were judged only by simple questionnaires. Cross-sectional design and retrospective data could not draw causal relationships.

CONCLUSIONS: SRVD and SRVD lasting over three weeks had a significant relationship with mental health status, including psychological stress, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. There is a need to consider psychiatric treatment for individuals who visit hospitals with voice disorders.

PMID:37247786 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2023.05.082

J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2023 May 27:S1058-2746(23)00395-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2023.04.018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing local injections of either platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or corticosteroid for the treatment of lateral elbow epicondylitis.

METHODS: A systematic review of Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar was performed, and all level 1 and 2 randomized studies from 2000 to 2022 were included. Clinical symptoms, patient perceived outcomes, and pain were assessed by the DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire) and pain by the VAS (visual analog scale). Publication bias and risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tools. The modified Coleman Methodology Score (CMS) and the GRADE system were used to assess the quality of the body of evidence. Heterogeneity was assessed using χ² and I² statistics.

RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included in the analysis. Five studies had a high risk of bias, and the risk of bias across studies was assessed as unclear. There was no publication bias identified. Two of the four GRADE domains (inconsistency of results, imprecision of results) were downgraded to low quality, and the final GRADE assessment was downgraded to a low quality of evidence. The mean CMS score was 62.8, indicating fair quality. The pooled estimate for VAS at 1 month favored corticosteroids (p=0.75), but favored PRP at three (p=0.003) and six months (p=0.0001). The pooled estimate for the DASH score favored corticosteroids at 1 month (p=0.028), but favored PRP at three (p=0.01) and six months (p=0.107) CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that PRP has no advantage over steroid injections within the first month of treatment, but that it is superior to steroids at both 3 and 6 months. These results also suggest that corticosteroids have a short-term beneficial effect during the early treatment period, although the quality of the available evidence is not very robust in support of this finding. However, these findings must all be viewed with caution as the high risk of bias and moderate to low quality of the included studies may not justify a recommendation of one treatment over another.

PMID:37247780 | DOI:10.1016/j.jse.2023.04.018

Cytokine. 2023 May 27;168:156231. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156231. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Burn injury is a sudden and traumatic injury that affects a large part of the population worldwide, who are placed at high risk of developing hypertrophic scars (HTS). HTS are a fibrotic scar resulting in painful contracted and raised scarring, affecting mobility in joints and work life, as well as cosmetically. The aim of this research was to enhance our understanding of the systematic response of monocytes and cytokines in wound healing after burn injury, in order to develop novel approaches to prevention and treatment of HTS.

METHODS: Twenty-seven burn patients and thirteen healthy individuals were recruited in this study. Burn patients were stratified by burn total body surface area (TBSA). Peripheral blood samples were taken post-burn injury. Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were separated from the blood samples. This research investigated cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL1RA, IL-10, and chemokine pathways SDF-1/CXCR4, MCP-1/CCR2, RANTES/CCR5 during the wound healing process in burn patients with varying severity of injuries by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. PBMCs were stained for monocytes and the chemokine receptors by flow cytometry. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA with a Tukey correction, and regression analysis was performed using Pearson’s Correlation analysis.

RESULTS: The CD14⁺CD16^– monocyte subpopulation is larger in patients who developed HTS at 4-7 days. The CD14⁺CD16⁺ monocyte subpopulation is smaller in the first week of injury, where it is similar after 8 days. Burn injury increased CXCR4, CCR2, and CCR5 expressions in CD14⁺ CD16⁺ monocytes. Increases in MCP-1 at 0-3 days after burn injury was positively correlated with burn severity. IL-6, IL-8, RANTES, and MCP-1 significantly increased with increasing burn severity.

CONCLUSIONS: Monocytes and their chemokine receptors, as well as systemic levels of cytokines in wound healing of burn patients and scar development will require ongoing assessment to enhance our understanding of the abnormal wound healing after burn injury.

PMID:37247448 | DOI:10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156231

Water Res. 2023 May 21;240:120110. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120110. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

There has been a significant increase in antimicrobial agents (AAs) usage, globally – however the relative consumption is unevenly distributed between nations. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can harbour inherent antimicrobial resistance (AMR); therefore, it is important to understand and monitor community-wide prescribing and consumption behaviours throughout different communities around the world. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) is a novel tool enabling low cost and large scale studies focussed on AA usage patterns. The back-calculation of community antimicrobial intake was performed from quantities measured in municipal wastewater and informal settlement discharge in the city of Stellenbosch, utilising WBE. Seventeen antimicrobials, and their human metabolites, were evaluated, in concordance with prescription records corresponding to the catchment region. The proportional excretion, biological/chemical stability, and method recovery of each analyte were all crucial factors in the efficacy of the calculation. Mass per day measurements were normalised to the catchment area via population estimates. Municipal wastewater treatment plant population estimates were used to normalise the wastewater samples and prescription data (mg/day/1000 inhabitants). Population estimates for the informal settlements were less accurate due to a lack of reliable sources that were relevant to the sampling time period. Both mass loads and normalised loads suggested higher than average usage throughout the settlements, relative to municipal wastewater. This was seen most prominently in emtricitabine and lamivudine; but also, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, sulfadiazine, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and doxycycline. Urban water fingerprinting (UWF) data triangulation with prescription datasets showed good correlations for several antimicrobial agents (AAs) (e.g., clindamycin, clarithromycin, ofloxacin, and doxycycline). It also revealed discrepancies in usage for some compounds (e.g., tetracycline and sulfapyridine). This might be linked with a lack of pharma compliance in prescription datasets; erroneous association of prescription boundaries with the sewerage catchment; and/or uncertainties within the sewerage catchment (e.g., population estimations). The UWF tool provided a comprehensive overview of multiclass AAs usage, both prescription and over-the counter. For example, tetracycline was not reported in available prescription statistics, but was detected at an average of 18.4 mg/day/1000inh; and no antiviral prescriptions were obtained, but emtricitabine and lamivudine were quantified at 2415.4 and 144.4 mg/day/1000inh, respectively. A lack of clarity regarding prescriptions and a lack of inclusion of several critical (often over-the-counter) medications in public health databases makes WBE a useful and comprehensive epidemiology tool for tracking pharma usage within a catchment.

PMID:37247434 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2023.120110

Percept Mot Skills. 2023 May 29:315125231179591. doi: 10.1177/00315125231179591. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous mastery motivational climate (MMC) movement interventions have enhanced fundamental motor skill (FMS) competence across diverse groups of preschool-age children. Yet, an adequate intervention length has not been established. Our purposes in this study were to (i) compare FMS competence in preschool children across two doses of MMC interventions, and (ii) describe changes in children’s FMS ‘mastery’ across doses. We used secondary data analysis from a larger MMC intervention study in which 32 children (M_age = 4.4) received FMS testing (TGMD-3) at the mid-point of intervention and at post-intervention. A two-way mixed ANOVA with Group as the independent variable and FMS competence across three Time points as the repeated measure was significant for both Group and Time main effects for locomotor and ball skill competences separately. There was a statistically significant interaction between Group and Time on locomotor (p = .02) and ball skills (p < .001). Both groups showed significant improvements in their locomotor skills at each time point, but the intervention group improved faster than the comparison group. For ball skills, only the MMC group significantly improved by mid-intervention, and the comparison group showed significant improvements from pre-to post-intervention only. Children in this study were most likely to show mastery in running first, followed by sliding at mid-intervention. Few children mastered skipping, galloping, and hopping across the study. For ball skills, overhand and underhand throwing were more likely to be mastered, and few children mastered one and two-hand striking across the study. Collectively, these findings suggest that duration of instructional minutes may not be the most effective proxy for identifying a dose-response relationship of MMC intervention. Moreover, focusing on the patterns of skill mastery can help inform researchers and practitioners as to how to allocate instructional time during MMC interventions to optimize FMS competence for young children.

PMID:37247423 | DOI:10.1177/00315125231179591

Age Ageing. 2023 May 1;52(5):afad080. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afad080.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: midlife hearing loss is a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. Addressing comorbid hearing loss and cognitive impairment in services for older adults may offer opportunities to reduce dementia risk.

OBJECTIVE: to explore current practice and views amongst UK professionals regarding hearing assessment and care in memory clinics and cognitive assessment and care in hearing aid clinics.

METHODS: national survey study. Between July 2021 and March 2022, we distributed the online survey link via email and via QR codes at conferences to professionals working in National Health Service (NHS) memory services and audiologists working in NHS and private adult audiology services. We present descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: 135 professionals working in NHS memory services and 156 audiologists (68% NHS, 32% private sector) responded. Of those working in memory services, 79% estimate that >25% of their patients have significant hearing difficulties; 98% think it useful to ask about hearing difficulties and 91% do so; 56% think it useful to perform a hearing test in clinic but only 4% do so. Of audiologists, 36% estimate that >25% of their older adult patients have significant memory problems; 90% think it useful to perform cognitive assessments, but only 4% do so. Main barriers cited are lack of training, time and resources.

CONCLUSIONS: although professionals working in memory and audiology services felt addressing this comorbidity would be useful, current practice varies and does not generally address it. These results inform future research into operational solutions to integrating memory and audiology services.

PMID:37247401 | DOI:10.1093/ageing/afad080