The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in physical isolation measures in many parts of the world. In Australia, nationwide restrictions included staying at home, unless seeking ...medical care, providing care, purchasing food, undertaking exercise, or attending work in an essential service. All undergraduate university classes transitioned to online, mostly home-based learning. We, therefore, examined the effect of isolation measures during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia (March/April) on diet (24-h recall) and physical activity (Active Australia Survey) patterns in third-year biomedical students. Findings were compared with students enrolled in the same course in the previous two years. In females, but not males, energy intake was ~20% greater during the pandemic, and snacking frequency and energy density of consumed snacks also increased compared with 2018 and 2019. Physical activity was impacted for both sexes during the pandemic with ~30% fewer students achieving "sufficient" levels of activity, defined by at least 150 min over at least five sessions, compared with the previous two years. In a follow-up study six to eight weeks later (14-18% response rate), during gradual easing of nationwide restrictions albeit continued gym closures and online learning, higher energy intake in females and reduced physical activity levels in both sexes persisted. These data demonstrate the health impacts of isolation measures, with the potential to affect long-term diet and activity behaviours.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention and hyperactivity or impulsivity. The ...heterogeneity of its clinical manifestations and the differential responses to treatment and varied prognoses have long suggested myriad underlying causes. Over the past decade, clinical and basic research efforts have uncovered many behavioural and neurobiological alterations associated with ADHD, from genes to higher order neural networks. Here, we review the neurobiology of ADHD by focusing on neural circuits implicated in the disorder and discuss how abnormalities in circuitry relate to symptom presentation and treatment. We summarise the literature on genetic variants that are potentially related to the development of ADHD, and how these, in turn, might affect circuit function and relevant behaviours. Whether these underlying neurobiological factors are causally related to symptom presentation remains unresolved. Therefore, we assess efforts aimed at disentangling issues of causality, and showcase the shifting research landscape towards endophenotype refinement in clinical and preclinical settings. Furthermore, we review approaches being developed to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of this complex disorder, including the use of animal models, neuromodulation, and pharmacoimaging studies.
Dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulate motivated behavior, but the underlying neurobiological mechanisms remain unresolved. Here, we show that selective upregulation of ...D2Rs in the indirect pathway of the adult NAc enhances the willingness to work for food. Mechanistic studies in brain slices reveal that D2R upregulation attenuates inhibitory transmission at two main output projections of the indirect pathway, the classical long-range projections to the ventral pallidum (VP), as well as local collaterals to direct pathway medium spiny neurons. In vivo physiology confirms the reduction in indirect pathway inhibitory transmission to the VP, and inhibition of indirect pathway terminals to VP is sufficient to enhance motivation. In contrast, D2R upregulation in the indirect pathway does not disinhibit neuronal activity of the direct pathway in vivo. These data suggest that D2Rs in ventral striatal projection neurons promote motivation by weakening the canonical output to the ventral pallidum.
Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) has long been implicated in brain plasticity. However, it is unclear how this short-lived mediator contributes to the long-term molecular ...changes underlying neuroplasticity, which typically require activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway and gene expression. To address this issue, we used a neuroplasticity model based on treatment of neuronal cultures with bicuculline and a model of experience-dependent plasticity in the barrel cortex. In neuronal cultures, NOS inhibition attenuated the bicuculline-induced activation of ERK and the expression of c-Fos, Egr-1, Arc, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), proteins essential for neuroplasticity. Furthermore, inhibition of the NO target soluble guanylyl cyclase or of the cGMP effector kinase protein kinase G (PKG) reduced both ERK activation and plasticity-related protein expression. NOS inhibition did not affect phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), a well-established ERK nuclear target, but it attenuated the nuclear accumulation of the CREB coactivator TORC1 and suppressed the activation of Elk-1, another transcription factor target of ERK. Consistent with these in vitro observations, induction of c-Fos, Egr-1, and BDNF was attenuated in the D1 cortical barrel of nNOS(-/-) mice subjected to single whisker experience. These results establish nNOS-derived NO as a key factor in the expression of proteins involved in neuroplasticity, an effect mediated through cGMP, PKG, and ERK signaling. These actions of NO do not depend on CREB phosphorylation but may involve TORC1 and Elk-1. Our data unveil a previously unrecognized link between neuronal NO and the molecular machinery responsible for the sustained synaptic changes underlying neuroplasticity.
This analysis of data from the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics and the CDC showed a decline in triplet and higher-order births between 1998 and 2011 that coincided with a reduction in the ...transfer of three or more embryos during in vitro fertilization.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and non-IVF fertility treatments (i.e., ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation) constitute major risk factors for the genesis of multiple births (twin, triplet, and higher-order births).
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IVF procedures, which are defined as procedures in which eggs and sperm are manipulated with the purpose of establishing a pregnancy, represent the overwhelming majority of procedures for assisted reproductive technology. Ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation, which are often included as part of the IVF process, are also coupled with timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination to establish a pregnancy independently of IVF. In ovulation induction, drugs are administered to induce ovulation . . .
Episodic and catastrophic landslides are considered to be one of the main sources of sediment in the steep, mountainous landscapes of the Himalayas. However, the evolution of a single landslide ...through time and its contribution to erosional processes remain poorly constrained. In this study, we focus on a single, large (0.5km2) landslide in a small catchment on the southern flank of the Annapurnas in Nepal (the Khudi valley) in order to quantify its importance in the overall erosion of this steep Himalayan catchment.
The evolution of the Saituti landslide has been continuously monitored by remote sensing for the past 46years. During that period, the Saituti landslide displayed sustained activity, such that the area of the landslide scar increased by a factor of 4. This retrogressive failure, a consequence of several sporadic flank and crown collapses, has not been continuous. Rather, acceleration phases have alternated with more quiescent periods. Simultaneously, the upper edge moved upward by 900m. Based on field evidence from recent activity (such as scarps and open tension cracks above the landslide) and on an analysis of slope angles, at least the next 500m is expected to fail.
Volume losses within the landslide were estimated from differences between digital elevation models (DEMs) and from changes in landslide area, using a calibrated power law relationship between landslide area and volume. Corresponding landslide-induced erosion rates at the scale of the whole Khudi catchment were found to be 2.6±0.9mm/y for the past half-century. Those rates are similar to denudation rates obtained from sediment load measurements between 1999 and 2004. Those results, along with the lack of other major landslides in the valley for the last 46years, suggest that the Saituti landslide plays a dominant role in the modern erosion of the High Himalayan Khudi catchment for the last years and possibly for the past few decades.
We propose that continuous and sustained activity of a few major landslides over the past few decades might represent a significant contribution to the erosion of the High Himalayan range. This long-lasting, landslide-induced erosion should be taken into account when interpreting suspended load measurements, results from provenance analysis, or cosmogenic nuclides in river sand. Such processes should also be included in landscape evolution models when annual to secular problems are explored.
•We monitored the evolution of an Himalayan landslide for the past 46years.•We estimated the eroded volume to 16.8±5.9×106m3 during this period.•This landslide is suspected to play a dominant role in the erosion of the catchment.•Such long-lasting landslides should be included in landscape evolution models.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) participate in NMDA receptor signaling. However, the source(s) of the ROS and their role in the increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) induced by ...NMDA receptor activation have not been firmly established. NADPH oxidase generates ROS in neurons, but there is no direct evidence that this enzyme is present in neurons containing NMDA receptors, or that is involved in NMDA receptor-dependent ROS production and CBF increase. We addressed these questions using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches. We found that the CBF and ROS increases elicited by topical application of NMDA to the mouse neocortex were both dependent on neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), cGMP, and the cGMP effector kinase protein kinase G (PKG). In mice lacking the NADPH oxidase subunit NOX2, the ROS increase was not observed, but the CBF increase was still present. Electron microscopy of the neocortex revealed NOX2 immunolabeling in postsynaptic somata and dendrites that also expressed the NMDA receptor NR1 subunit and nNOS. In neuronal cultures, the NMDA-induced increase in ROS was mediated by NADPH oxidase through NO, cGMP and PKG. We conclude that NADPH oxidase in postsynaptic neurons generates ROS during NMDA receptor activation. However, NMDA receptor-derived ROS do not contribute to the CBF increase. The findings establish a NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase as a major source of ROS produced by NMDA receptor activation, and identify NO as the critical link between NMDA receptor activity and NOX2-dependent ROS production.
Abortion is highly stigmatized in the United States which prevents its accurate measurement in surveys. The list experiment aims to improve the reporting of abortion history. We evaluated whether a ...list experiment resulted in higher reporting of abortion experiences than did two direct questions. Utilizing data from a representative survey of adult women of reproductive age in Ohio, we examined abortion history using two direct questions and a double list experiment. Through the double list experiment, we asked respondents to report how many of two lists of health items they had experienced; one list included abortion. We compared weighted history of abortion between these measures and by respondent demographic characteristics (age and socioeconomic status). Estimates of abortion history were similar between direct and list experiment questions. When measured with the two different direct question of abortion history, 8.4% and 8.0% of all respondents indicated ever having an abortion and with the list experiment, 8.5% indicated ever having an abortion. In a Midwestern state-level survey, the list experiment did not lead to increases in abortion reporting as compared to the direct questions. Subgroup analyses require larger samples, and future iterations should incorporate related but non-stigmatized control items to reduce misclassification and under-powering of such subgroup analyses.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Recent findings have suggested an association between pubic hair grooming and self-reported history of sexually transmitted infection (STI), specifically gonococcal infection (GC), chlamydial ...infection (CT), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We evaluated the association between self-reported extreme grooming and laboratory-confirmed prevalence of GC/CT. Between April 2017 and April 2018, we enrolled English-speaking, adult, female students at a large, Midwestern university who presented on-campus for STI testing. Participants completed a questionnaire on demographics and sexual and grooming behaviors, which was linked to their GC/CT test results based on nucleic acid amplification testing. We defined extreme grooming as removal of all pubic hair either at least weekly in the past 12 months or ≥6 times in the past 30 days. We used two separate logistic regression models to determine whether odds of GC/CT varied by extreme groomer status for either time interval. In the study sample of 214 women, prevalence of GC/CT was 9.8%. Nearly all participants (98.1%) reported ever grooming; 53.6% were extreme groomers in the past year and 18% in the past month. Extreme grooming was not associated with prevalent GC/CT in the past year (odds ratio OR = 0.8; 95% confidence interval CI: 0.3-1.9; adjusted OR = 0.7; 95% CI: 0.3-2.0) or in the past month (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.1-2.0; aOR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.1-1.9). Pubic hair grooming was common among female university students attending for STI testing. Findings do not support pubic hair grooming as an STI risk factor in this population.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background and purpose
No subgroups of patients with higher treatment effects have been clearly detected in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present work was to evaluate whether there are ...subgroups of relapsing−remitting MS (RRMS) patients who are more responsive to treatments.
Methods
All published randomized clinical trials in RRMS reporting a subgroup analysis of treatment effect were collected. Two main outcomes, the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and the disability progression, were studied. The treatment effect in each subgroup was reported as a relative effect (RE), defined as the treatment effect in the subgroup relative to the overall effect. A meta‐analysis was run to compare the RE between subgroups.
Results
Six trials (6693 RRMS patients) were included. Treatment effects on ARR were significantly higher in younger than in older subjects (RE = 0.83 vs. RE = 1.30, P < 0.001), in patients with than those without gadolinium activity (RE = 0.86 vs. RE = 1.15, P = 0.005) and in patients with lower than in those with higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (RE = 0.96 vs. RE = 1.23, P = 0.02), and on disability progression in younger than in older subjects (RE = 0.82 vs. RE = 1.28, P = 0.017).
Conclusions
This study formally shows that in RRMS higher treatment effects are associated with characteristics of earlier (lower age and Expanded Disability Status Scale) and more active (higher gadolinium activity) disease.
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