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Journal of Vector Borne Diseases Apr 2024Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes breed in natural and artificial containers, and they transmit dengue and chikungunya. A study was conducted to identify the...
BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES
Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes breed in natural and artificial containers, and they transmit dengue and chikungunya. A study was conducted to identify the contribution of bamboo stumps to these disease vectors that were used in the flower garden as pillars to hold the bamboo flex fence.
METHODS
Two sizes of whole bamboo were used to hold fences around gardens at Dhaka University, Bangladesh, and were painted red and green. Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected from bamboo stumps between July and August, and vectors were identified up to the species level. The data were analyzed using the STATA/MP 14.2 version.
RESULTS
83.5% and 0.2% were Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, respectively, and the remaining were Culex and Ar-migeres species. Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and both species-positive bamboo stumps were 46.9, 0.7, and 47.1%, respectively. 54.5% of the bamboo stumps had at least one mosquito species. The average stump depth for Aedes positive stumps (mean=11.7 cm, SE = 0.5) was significantly (p <0.001) higher than the Aedes negative stumps (mean = 9.5 cm, SE = 0.4). 53.8% and 38.0% stumps were found Aedes positive on the ground and upper sides of fences, respectively, and found significant (p<0.01) differences between both sides. A zero-inflated negative binomial count model is significant at a 5% level of significance, χ2(4) = 11.8, p = 0.019 (<0.05) for Ae. albopictus. Stump depth is found to have a significant positive effect on the number of Aedes-positive stumps.
INTERPRETATION CONCLUSION
Artificially used natural containers are adding pressure to current mosquito control activities as mosquitoes are breeding on them, which needs additional attention.
PubMed: 38922657
DOI: 10.4103/jvbd.jvbd_152_23 -
JAMA Psychiatry Jun 2024Recurrent copy number variants (rCNVs) have been associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in case-control studies, but their population-level impact is...
IMPORTANCE
Recurrent copy number variants (rCNVs) have been associated with increased risk of psychiatric disorders in case-control studies, but their population-level impact is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
To provide unbiased population-based estimates of prevalence and risk associated with psychiatric disorders for rCNVs and to compare risks across outcomes, rCNV dosage type (deletions or duplications), and locus features.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This genetic association study is an analysis of data from the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) case-cohort sample of individuals born in Denmark in 1981-2008 and followed up until 2015, including (1) all individuals (n = 92 531) with a hospital discharge diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), or schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and (2) a subcohort (n = 50 625) randomly drawn from the source population. Data were analyzed from January 2021 to August 2023.
EXPOSURES
Carrier status of deletions and duplications at 27 autosomal rCNV loci was determined from neonatal blood samples genotyped on single-nucleotide variant microarrays.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Population-based rCNV prevalence was estimated with a survey model using finite population correction to account for oversampling of cases. Hazard ratio (HR) estimates and 95% CIs for psychiatric disorders were derived using weighted Cox proportional hazard models. Risks were compared across outcomes, dosage type, and locus features using generalized estimating equation models.
RESULTS
A total of 3547 rCNVs were identified in 64 735 individuals assigned male at birth (53.8%) and 55 512 individuals assigned female at birth (46.2%) whose age at the end of follow-up ranged from 7.0 to 34.7 years (mean, 21.8 years). Most observed increases in rCNV-associated risk for ADHD, ASD, or SSD were moderate, and risk estimates were highly correlated across these disorders. Notable exceptions included high ASD-associated risk observed for Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome duplications (HR, 20.8; 95% CI, 7.9-55). No rCNV was associated with increased MDD risk. Also, rCNV-associated risk was positively correlated with locus size and gene constraint but not with dosage type. Comparison with published case-control and community-based studies revealed a higher prevalence of deletions and lower associated increase in risk for several rCNVs in iPSYCH2015.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This study found that several rCNVs were more prevalent and conferred less risk of psychiatric disorders than estimated previously. Most case-control studies overestimate rCNV-associated risk of psychiatric disorders, likely because of selection bias. In an era where genetics is increasingly being clinically applied, these results highlight the importance of population-based risk estimates for genetics-based predictions.
PubMed: 38922630
DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.1453 -
Critical Reviews in Food Science and... Jun 2024The nutritional benefits of combining probiotics with plant proteins have sparked increasing research interest and drawn significant attention. The interactions between... (Review)
Review
The nutritional benefits of combining probiotics with plant proteins have sparked increasing research interest and drawn significant attention. The interactions between plant proteins and probiotics demonstrate substantial potential for enhancing the functionality of plant proteins. Fermented plant protein foods offer a unique blend of bioactive components and beneficial microorganisms that can enhance gut health and combat chronic diseases. Utilizing various probiotic strains and plant protein sources opens doors to develop innovative probiotic products with enhanced functionalities. Nonetheless, the mechanisms and synergistic effects of these interactions remain not fully understood. This review aims to delve into the roles of promoting health through the intricate interplay of plant proteins and probiotics. The regulatory mechanisms have been elucidated to showcase the synergistic effects, accompanied by a discussion on the challenges and future research prospects. It is essential to recognize that the interactions between plant proteins and probiotics encompass multiple mechanisms, highlighting the need for further research to address challenges in achieving a comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms and their associated health benefits.
PubMed: 38922612
DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2369694 -
Cognitive Research: Principles and... Jun 2024The Useful Field of View task (UFOV) is a strong and reliable predictor of crash risk in older drivers. However, while the functional domain of attention is clearly...
The Useful Field of View task (UFOV) is a strong and reliable predictor of crash risk in older drivers. However, while the functional domain of attention is clearly implicated in UFOV performance, the potential role of one specific attentional process remains unclear: attentional breadth (the spatial extent of the attended region around the point of visual fixation). The goal of the present study was to systematically test the role of two distinct aspects of attentional breadth, maintaining a specific breadth of attention and resizing the attended region, in UFOV performance. To this end, 135 older adults completed the UFOV and modified Navon tasks to measure their efficiency in maintaining, contracting, and expanding the breadth of attention. We then examined individual-difference associations between these aspects of attentional breadth deployment and UFOV performance. We found that performance on UFOV Subtask 2 was associated with efficient contraction of attentional breadth (i.e., resizing the attended region to a smaller area), while Subtask 3 performance was associated with the efficiency of expanding attentional breadth (i.e., resizing the attended region to a larger area). The selectivity of these relationships appears to implicate these specific deployments of attentional breadth in how people complete the task, as it suggests that these relationships are not simply attributable to shared variance in a broader domain of cognitive functioning. The implications of these results for our understanding of UFOV, as well as future research directions that test the relative contributions of different cognitive processes in predicting task performance, are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Attention; Aged; Male; Female; Psychomotor Performance; Aged, 80 and over; Middle Aged; Aging; Automobile Driving; Space Perception; Visual Perception
PubMed: 38922541
DOI: 10.1186/s41235-024-00569-3 -
Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer Jun 2024The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of early stoma closure on bowel function after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.
METHODS
Patients participating in the FORCE trial who underwent LAR with protective stoma were included in this study. Patients were subdivided into an early closure group (< 3 months) and late closure group (> 3 months). Endpoints of this study were the Wexner Incontinence, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), EORTC QLQ-CR29, and fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) scores at 1 year.
RESULTS
Between 2017 and 2020, 38 patients had received a diverting stoma after LAR for rectal cancer and could be included. There was no significant difference in LARS (31 vs. 30, p = 0.63) and Wexner score (6.2 vs. 5.8, p = 0.77) between the early and late closure groups. Time to stoma closure in days was not a predictor for LARS (R = 0.001, F (1,36) = 0.049, p = 0.83) or Wexner score (R = 0.008, F (1,36) = 0.287, p = 0.60) after restored continuity. There was no significant difference between any of the FIQL domains of lifestyle, coping, depression, and embarrassment. In the EORTC QLQ-29, body image scored higher in the late closure group (21.3 vs. 1.6, p = 0.004).
CONCLUSION
Timing of stoma closure does not appear to affect long-term bowel function and quality of life, except for body image. To improve functional outcome, attention should be focused on other contributing factors.
PubMed: 38922517
DOI: 10.1007/s12029-024-01062-2 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024The Sichuan takin (Budorcas tibetanus) and the golden takin (Budorcas bedfordi) are endemic to China. Studies of their habitat ecology have attracted attention, but... (Review)
Review
The Sichuan takin (Budorcas tibetanus) and the golden takin (Budorcas bedfordi) are endemic to China. Studies of their habitat ecology have attracted attention, but dedicated reviews of the topic have not been published. To fill this gap, research advances on the habitat ecology of these takin species were reviewed based on published journal papers from 2001-2022, covering habitat selection and use, as well as habitat assessment and protection. Habitat selection and use by the takins received the most frequent reports in a few protected areas, such as the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve in Sichuan and the Foping Nature Reserve in Shaanxi. Higher herb cover characterized some of the Sichuan takin habitats, while some of the golden takin population exhibited seasonal altitude migration. The focus on habitat assessment and protection differed between the two species. Studying the habitat of the Sichuan takin involves the relationship between its habitat and the protected areas and habitat status in various ranges while studying the habitat of the golden takin involves habitat distribution and change, protection effects, and corridor planning. Some issues worthy of consideration in future research are proposed, including basic habitat information, impacts of human disturbances, habitat restoration, and theoretical, independent, and comprehensive studies on both takins. Habitat conservation frameworks should be formulated for both takins to improve protection and restoration effects. This review provides convenient information to help understand the habitat characteristics of the two takins and is a reference for future research.
PubMed: 38922472
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34062-7 -
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England... Jun 2024As the two typical basic binary solid solutions of the relaxor-PbTiO family, Pb(MgNb)O-PbTiO (PMN-PT) has been widely investigated, whereas Pb(NiNb)O-PbTiO (PNN-PT) has...
As the two typical basic binary solid solutions of the relaxor-PbTiO family, Pb(MgNb)O-PbTiO (PMN-PT) has been widely investigated, whereas Pb(NiNb)O-PbTiO (PNN-PT) has not. Here, 1.5 mol% Sm-doped (1 - )Pb(NiNb)O-PbTiO, (1 - )PNN-PT:0.015Sm with = 0.33-0.39, ceramics have been prepared and the chemical composition-induced evolution of crystal structure, domain, and electrical properties investigated systematically. With increasing PT content, evolution of the rhombohedral-tetragonal structure was observed. A rhombohedral-tetragonal morphotropic phase boundary occurred around = 0.36-0.37, which showed a peak piezoelectric property with piezoelectric constant = 531 pC N and planar electromechanical coupling factor = 0.37 at room temperature. At the same time, the = 0.36 composition showed improved ferroelectric behavior with remanent polarization = 13.4 μC cm and coercive field = 3.2 kV cm. Interestingly, different from its PMN-PT counterpart, there is no temperature-driven phase transition between room temperature and the Curie temperature for (1 - )PNN-PT:0.015Sm. These parameters indicated that the PNN-PT system is worthy of more attention and is a promising platform for further development of high-performance piezo/ferroelectric materials.
PubMed: 38922443
DOI: 10.1039/d4dt01398k -
Psychological Research Jun 2024Previous studies on crossmodal visual-auditory attention switching using a spatial discrimination task showed performance costs when the target modality changed relative...
Previous studies on crossmodal visual-auditory attention switching using a spatial discrimination task showed performance costs when the target modality changed relative to when it repeated. The present study (n = 42 for each age group) examined age-related changes in crossmodal attention switching by asking young (age range 19 to 30 years old) and older (age range 64 to 80 years old) participants to respond to unimodal central cues and bimodal lateralized stimuli. The participants' task was to indicate the location of the target in the relevant modality using button presses. Results showed general attention switch costs. Additionally, we found no specific age-related increase of attention switch costs (no difference in performance between switch and repetition of target modality), but age-related increased mixing costs (decreased performance for repetition in modality-mixed condition compared to single target modality). Moreover, spatial distraction produced a crossmodal congruency effect, which was only slightly larger in older adults. Taken together, age-related increased mixing costs suggest a general difficulty with maintaining more than one task, but no specific age-related crossmodal impairment in crossmodal attention switching.
PubMed: 38922395
DOI: 10.1007/s00426-024-01992-3 -
Veterinary Research Communications Jun 2024Extracellular phospholipase (EPL) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis. Currently, the attention of researchers is focused...
Extracellular phospholipase (EPL) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis. Currently, the attention of researchers is focused on studying the virulence factors involved in this process and searching solutions to reduce their activity. One of the options is the use of natural remedies as anti-virulence agents. This study is aimed at investigating the production of extracellular phospholipase in M. pachydermatis strains (18 samples) and followed by the time-dependent inhibitory effect of selected azole antifungals (itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole) and plant essential oil components (terpinen-4-ol, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and geraniol), evaluated by Egg Yolk Agar plate method. Almost all strains (17 isolates, (94.4%) were found to be intense EPL producers. A significant, time-dependent inhibition of EPL was noted after 1-, 3- and 6-h exposure of Malassezia cells to itraconazole (26.4%, 47.2% and 50.9%, respectively) compared to exposure to posaconazole (26.4%, 28.3% and 28.3%, respectively) and voriconazole (18.8%, 20.8% and 35.8%, respectively). After one-hour exposure to plant essential oil components, the best inhibitory effect was recorded for eugenol (62.3%), followed by terpinen-4-ol and thymol (56.6%), geraniol (41.5%) and carvacrol (26.4%). A 3-h exposure revealed that thymol retained the best inhibitory effect (88.7%) on EPL production, followed by carvacrol (73.6%), eugenol (56.6%), terpinen-4-ol (52.8%) and geraniol (49.1%). After 6-h exposure, no growth of M. pachydermatis strains exposed to carvacrol was observed, and the inhibitory efficiency for the other tested essential oil (EO) components achieved 88.7%. The obtained results indicate the promising efficacy of plant essential oils components in the inhibition of virulence factors such as EPL production.
PubMed: 38922388
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10446-5 -
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Jun 2024This study aimed to compare and rank the effectiveness of optimal exercise intensity in improving executive function in patients with ADHD (Attention deficit... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to compare and rank the effectiveness of optimal exercise intensity in improving executive function in patients with ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD) through a comprehensive comparison of direct and indirect evidence. A systematic search was performed in five electronic databases to explore the optimal exercise intensity for improving executive function in patients with ADHD by directly and indirectly comparing a variety of exercise intervention intensities. In addition, the isolated effects of exercise on improving executive function in patients with ADHD were explored through classical meta-analysis of paired direct comparisons. Twenty-nine studies were retrieved and included in this study. Classical paired meta-analysis showed that for the patients with ADHD in the age group of 7-17 years, statistical difference was observed for all the parameters of exercise interventions (intensity, frequency, period, and training method), the three dimensions of executive function, the use of medication or not, the high and low quality of the methodological approach. Network meta-analysis showed that high-intensity exercise training was optimal for improving working memory (97.4%) and inhibitory function (85.7%) in patients with ADHD. Meanwhile, moderate-intensity exercise training was optimal for improving cognitive flexibility (77.3%) in patients with ADHD. Moderate to high intensity exercise training shows potential for improving executive function in these patients. Therefore, we recommend applying high-intensity exercise intervention to improve executive function in patients with ADHD to achieve substantial improvement.
PubMed: 38922348
DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02507-6