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Microbiome Sep 2022Although the lack of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is a risk factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psychiatric disorders, the underlying...
BACKGROUND
Although the lack of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is a risk factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psychiatric disorders, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Herein, we revealed the role of gut microbiota in the development of IBD and related anxiety-like behavior in ERβ-deficient mice.
RESULTS
In response to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) insult, the ERβ knockout mice displayed significant shift in α and β diversity in the fecal microbiota composition and demonstrated worsening of colitis and anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, DSS-induced colitis also induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity in ERβ-deficient mice, which was associated with colitis and anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, RNA sequencing data suggested that ErbB4 might be the target of ERβ that is involved in regulating the HPA axis hyperactivity caused by DSS insult. Gut microbiota remodeling by co-housing showed that both the colitis and anxiety-like behaviors were aggravated in co-housed wild-type mice compared to single-housed wild-type mice. These findings suggest that gut microbiota play a critical role in mediating colitis disease activity and anxiety-like behaviors via aberrant neural processing within the gut-brain axis.
CONCLUSIONS
ERβ has the potential to inhibit colitis development and anxiety-like behaviors via remodeling of the gut microbiota, which suggests that ERβ is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD and related anxiety-like behaviors. Video Abstract.
Topics: Animals; Anxiety; Colitis; Dextran Sulfate; Disease Models, Animal; Estrogen Receptor beta; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Pituitary-Adrenal System
PubMed: 36175956
DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01356-2 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2021Poor housing is an important determinant of poor health. One key aspect of housing quality is lighting. Light is important for visual performance and safety, and also... (Review)
Review
Poor housing is an important determinant of poor health. One key aspect of housing quality is lighting. Light is important for visual performance and safety, and also plays a vital role in regulating human physiological functions. This review aims to synthesise existing evidence on the relationship between lighting in the home and health and recommends areas for future research. Three databases were searched for relevant literature using pre-defined inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Extracted data were qualitatively synthesised according to type of lighting (natural light, artificial light and light at night) and stratified by broad health domains (physical, mental and sleep health). Of the 4043 records retrieved, 28 studies met the inclusion criteria. There was considerable heterogeneity in light exposure metrics used and specific health outcome assessed by the studies. Lighting in the home can negatively affect health but the current evidence base is limited to a small number of studies in different domains of light and health. Further research surrounding specific health outcomes is required to better inform housing quality assessments and lighting practises in the home.
Topics: Housing; Humans; Lighting; Sleep
PubMed: 33445763
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020609 -
American Journal of Public Health Jul 2020To examine the association between residence in different housing typologies and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and to compare with the 25 × 25 risk factors...
To examine the association between residence in different housing typologies and all-cause and cause-specific mortality, and to compare with the 25 × 25 risk factors defined by the World Health Organization. We used data from EPIPorto cohort (Porto, Portugal; n = 2485). We georeferenced and matched participants to a housing type-conventional, affordable, social, or substandard housing (locally called ). We used Poisson regression models to estimate mortality rates and associations. Age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates (per 100 000 person-years) were 713 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 584, 863) for individuals residing in conventional housing, and 1019 (95% CI = 637, 1551), 1200 (95% CI = 916, 1551), and 1239 (95% CI = 839, 1772) for individuals residing in affordable housing, social housing, and , respectively. After further adjustment, the associations between mortality and residence in social housing (rate ratio [RR] = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.22, 2.06) and in (RR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.33) remained. The association between disadvantaged housing and mortality was stronger than that observed for well-established risk factors such as hypertension, sedentariness, heavy drinking, manual occupation, or obesity. Disadvantaged housing is a major risk factor for mortality that should be accounted for by health policies and surveillance systems.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Cohort Studies; Female; Housing; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mortality; Portugal; Public Housing; Risk Factors; Urban Population
PubMed: 32437286
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.305661 -
World Journal of Diabetes Jun 2020Diabetes has become an increasingly important health problem worldwide due to its prevalence. Although effective treatments for diabetes management have been developed,... (Review)
Review
Diabetes has become an increasingly important health problem worldwide due to its prevalence. Although effective treatments for diabetes management have been developed, many patients have difficulty in achieving their therapeutic goals. Regular exercise training is suggested to prevent or delay the symptoms and complications of type 2 diabetes along with other medical treatments. It has become necessary to develop new rehabilitation models and practices in order to cope with the changing needs of the population. Treatment models using technology can be effective in disease management. Telerehabilitation may be effective as part of the rehabilitation program in the home environment, especially for patients who are unable to participate in conventional center-based rehabilitation due to transport difficulties or work resumption. Telerehabilitation is defined as the delivery of rehabilitation services telecommunication technology, including phone, internet, and videoconference communications between the patient and health care provider. It is possible that telerehabilitation may benefit people with type 2 diabetes in similar ways with telemonitoring and interactive health communication systems. Although the applicability of telehealth methods has been proven in previous studies, telerehabi-litation studies in type 2 diabetes are inadequate in the literature. With larger, multi-centered randomized controlled studies, established clinical guidelines can be developed that will ultimately improve patient outcomes.
PubMed: 32547696
DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v11.i6.218 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Nov 2021Housing and management around the time of calving impact dairy cow behaviour, health and welfare, but little is known about current practice. The aim was to provide an...
Housing and management around the time of calving impact dairy cow behaviour, health and welfare, but little is known about current practice. The aim was to provide an overview of current calving practice and the study describes the main calving housing and management based on replies to an online questionnaire by 42 dairy cattle experts in 28 countries, or regions, in Europe, Canada and USA. The survey suggests that in the majority of countries and regions included in this study, dairy cows typically calve in indoor calving facilities; either individual pens, group pens or a system where the cow is moved from a group pen into an adjacent individual pen before calving. Regarding individual calving pens, the survey suggests that in the majority of countries and regions included in this study, most pens have open sides and offer cows no opportunity to isolate, although research shows that a secluded corner of an individual pen creates a preferred calving site. Further, the survey suggests that when cows calve in individual calving pens or tie-stalls, they are often moved there with signs of imminent calving, although research shows that this practice increases the duration of calving and it is recommended to move cows before their expected calving time. Regarding group pens, none of the 42 respondents replied that group pens typically offer cows the opportunity to isolate at calving. Recent research suggests that when cows calve in a secluded area of a group calving pen, this reduces the risk of failure of passive transfer of immunity. Regarding calving facilities where group pens are combined with adjacent individual pens, this was reported to be the most typical in 10 of the 24 countries and regions with indoor calving sections covered by the survey. The same concerns regarding when the cow is moved from the group pen to an individual pen apply, as outlined above. Irrespective of pen type, the most frequently reported surface was deep bedded straw and the most frequent type of separation between pens was open sides. Cow-calf separation within 12 hours of birth, and thereafter individual housing of calves combined with milk feeding via a teat bucket or bar was indicated the most frequent management. The survey presents experts' evaluations of current practice of housing and management of peri-parturient dairy cows and their calves, and suggests that there is a discrepancy between current calving management and housing and recommendations based on recent research.
Topics: Animals; Behavior, Animal; Cattle; Female; Housing, Animal; Milk; Parturition; Pregnancy; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 34781163
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100388 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2021Housing is essential for healthy ageing, being a source of shelter, purpose, and identity. As people age, and with diminishing physical and mental capacity, they become...
Housing is essential for healthy ageing, being a source of shelter, purpose, and identity. As people age, and with diminishing physical and mental capacity, they become increasingly dependent on external supports from others and from their environment. In this paper we look at changes in housing across later life, with a focus on the relationship between housing and women's care needs. Data from 12,432 women in the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were used to examine the interaction between housing and aged care service use across later life. We found that there were no differences in access to home and community care according to housing type, but women living in an apartment and those in a retirement village/hostel were more likely to have an aged care assessment and had a faster rate of admission to institutional residential aged care than women living in a house. The odds of having an aged care assessment were also higher if women were older at baseline, required help with daily activities, reported a fall, were admitted to hospital in the last 12 months, had been diagnosed or treated for a stroke in the last 3 years, or had multiple comorbidities. On average, women received few services in the 24 months prior to admission to institutional residential aged care, indicating a potential need to improve the reach of these services. We find that coincident with changes in functional capacities and abilities, women make changes to their housing, sometimes moving from a house to an apartment, or to a village. For some, increasing needs in later life are associated with the need to move from the community into institutional residential aged care. However, before moving into care, many women will use community services and these may in turn delay the need to leave their homes and move to an institutional setting. We identify a need to increase the use of community services to delay the admission to institutional residential aged care.
Topics: Accidental Falls; Aged; Australia; Female; Housing; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Retirement
PubMed: 34222159
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.566960 -
Aging Aug 2021Despite associated with multiple geriatric disorders, whether housing type, an indicator of socioeconomic status (SES) and environmental factors, is associated with...
INTRODUCTION
Despite associated with multiple geriatric disorders, whether housing type, an indicator of socioeconomic status (SES) and environmental factors, is associated with accelerated biological aging is unknown. Furthermore, although individuals with low-SES have higher body mass index (BMI) and are more likely to smoke, whether BMI and smoking status moderate the association between SES and biological aging is unclear. We examined these questions in urbanized low-SES older community-dwelling adults.
METHODS
First, we analyzed complete blood count data using the cox proportional hazards model and derived measures for biological age (BA) and biological age acceleration (BAA, the higher the more accelerated aging) ( = 376). Subsequently, BAA was regressed on housing type, controlling for covariates, including four other SES indicators. Interaction terms between housing type and BMI/smoking status were separately added to examine their moderating effects. Total sample and sex-stratified analyses were performed.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between men and women in housing type and BAA. Compared to residents in ≥3 room public or private housing, older adults resided in 1-2 room public housing had a higher BAA. Furthermore, BMI attenuated the association between housing type and BAA. In sex-stratified analyses, the main and interaction effects were only significant in women. In men, smoking status instead aggravated the association between housing type and BAA.
CONCLUSION
Controlling for other SES indicators, housing type is an independent socio-environmental determinant of BA and BAA in a low-SES urbanized population. There were also sex differences in the moderating effects of health behaviors on biological aging.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Body Mass Index; Female; Health Behavior; Housing; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Social Class
PubMed: 34456185
DOI: 10.18632/aging.203447 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Jun 2020A major feature of life in groups is that individuals experience social stressors of varying intensity and type. Social stress can have profound effects on health,... (Review)
Review
A major feature of life in groups is that individuals experience social stressors of varying intensity and type. Social stress can have profound effects on health, social behavior, and ongoing relationships. Relationships can also buffer the experience of exogenous stressors. Social stress has most commonly been investigated in dyadic contexts in mice and rats that produce intense stress. Here we review findings from studies of diverse rodents and non-traditional group housing paradigms, focusing on laboratory studies of mice and rats housed in visible burrow systems, prairie and meadow voles, and mole-rats. We argue that the use of methods informed by the natural ecology of rodent species provides novel insights into the relationship between social stress, behavior and physiology. In particular, we describe how this ethologically inspired approach reveals how individuals vary in their experience of and response to social stress, and how ecological and social contexts impact the effects of stress. Social stress induces adaptive changes, as well as long-term disruptive effects on behavior and physiology.
Topics: Animals; Arvicolinae; Housing; Mice; Rodentia; Social Behavior; Stress, Psychological
PubMed: 32278793
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.03.033 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2022Aggression among group-housed male mice is a major animal welfare concern often observed at animal facilities. Studies designed to understand the causes of male mice... (Review)
Review
Aggression among group-housed male mice is a major animal welfare concern often observed at animal facilities. Studies designed to understand the causes of male mice aggression have used different methodological approaches and have been heterogeneous, using different strains, environmental enrichments, housing conditions, group formations and durations. By conducting a systematic literature review based on 198 observed conclusions from 90 articles, we showed that the methodological approach used to study aggression was relevant for the outcome and suggested that home cage observations were better when studying home cage aggression than tests provoking aggression outside the home cage. The study further revealed that aggression is a complex problem; one solution will not be appropriate for all animal facilities and all research projects. Recommendations were provided on promising tools to minimize aggression, based on the results, which included what type of environmental enrichments could be appropriate and which strains of male mice were less likely to be aggressive.
PubMed: 36611751
DOI: 10.3390/ani13010143 -
Environmental Science & Technology Feb 2021Residential energy demand can be greatly influenced by the types of housing structures that households live in, but few studies have assessed changes in the composition...
Residential energy demand can be greatly influenced by the types of housing structures that households live in, but few studies have assessed changes in the composition of housing stocks as a strategy for reducing residential energy demand or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this paper we examine the effects of three sequenced federal policies on the share of new housing construction by type in the U.S., and estimate the cumulative influence of those policies on the composition of the 2015 housing stock. In a counterfactual 2015 housing stock without the policy effects, 14 million housing units exist as multifamily rather than single-family, equal to 14.1% of urban housing. Accompanied by floor area reductions of 0-50%, the switch from single- to multifamily housing reduces energy demand by 27-47% per household, and total urban residential energy by 4.6-8.3%. This paper is the first to link federal policies to housing outcomes by type and estimate associated effects on residential energy and GHG emissions. Removing policy barriers and disincentives to multifamily housing can unlock a large potential for reducing residential energy demand and GHG emissions in the coming decades.
Topics: Greenhouse Effect; Greenhouse Gases; Housing; Policy; United States
PubMed: 33508933
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05696