Abstract This review provides an update on the growing body of research related to the mental health of transgender youth that has emerged since the 2011 publication of the Institute of Medicine ...report on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The databases PubMed and Ovid Medline were searched for studies that were published from January 2011 to March 2016 in English. The following search terms were used: transgender, gender nonconforming, gender minority, gender queer, and gender dysphoria. Age limits included the terms youth, child, children, teenager*, and adolescen*. The combined search produced 654 articles of potential relevance. The resulting abstracts went through a tiered elimination system, and the remaining 15 articles, which presented quantitative data related to the prevalence of transgender youth and their mental health, were included in the present review. In addition to providing new estimates of the number of young people who identify as transgender (.17%–1.3%), studies since 2011 have shown that transgender youth have higher rates of depression, suicidality and self-harm, and eating disorders when compared with their peers. Gender-affirming medical therapy and supported social transition in childhood have been shown to correlate with improved psychological functioning for gender-variant children and adolescents. Recent research has demonstrated increased rates of psychiatric morbidity among transgender youth compared to their peers. Future work is needed to understand those youth who identify as gender nonbinary, improve methods to capture and understand diverse gender identities and related health disparities, and delineate the social determinants of such disparities.
Growing evidence underlines the pivotal role of infant gut colonization in the development of the immune system. The possibility to modify gut colonization through probiotic supplementation in ...childhood might prevent atopic diseases. The aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing atopic diseases. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of probiotics during pregnancy or early infancy for prevention of allergic diseases. Fixed‐effect models were used, and random‐effects models where significant heterogeneity was present. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Seventeen studies, reporting data from 4755 children (2381 in the probiotic group and 2374 in the control group), were included in the meta‐analysis. Infants treated with probiotics had a significantly lower RR for eczema compared to controls (RR 0.78 95% CI: 0.69–0.89, P = 0.0003), especially those supplemented with a mixture of probiotics (RR 0.54 95% CI: 0.43–0.68, P < 0.00001). No significant difference in terms of prevention of asthma (RR 0.99 95% CI: 0.77–1.27, P = 0.95), wheezing (RR 1.02 95% CI: 0.89–1.17, P = 0.76) or rhinoconjunctivitis (RR 0.91 95% CI: 0.67–1.23, P = 0.53) was documented. The results of the present meta‐analysis show that probiotic supplementation prevents infantile eczema, thus suggesting a new potential indication for probiotic use in pregnancy and infancy.
Abstract Ferulic acid (FA) is a phenolic compound whose neuroprotective activity was extensively studied in vitro . In this study, we provided functional in vivo evidence that FA limits noise-induced ...hearing loss. Guinea-pigs exposed to acoustic trauma for 1 h exhibited a significant impairment in auditory function; this injury was evident as early as 1 day from noise exposure and persisted over 21 days. Ferulic acid (150 mg/kg i.p. for 4 days) counteracted noise-induced hearing loss at days 1, 3, 7 and 21 from noise exposure. The improvement of auditory function by FA was paralleled by a significant reduction in oxidative stress, apoptosis and increase in hair cell viability in the organ of Corti. Interestingly in the guinea-pig cochleae, the neuroprotective effect of FA was functionally related not only to its scavenging ability in the peri-traumatic period but also to the up-regulation of the cytoprotective enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); in fact, FA-induced improvement of auditory function was counteracted by the HO inhibitor zinc-protoporphyrin-IX and paralleled the time-course of HO-1 induction over 3–7 days. These results confirm the antioxidant properties of FA as free-radical scavenger and suggest a role of HO-1 as an additional mediator against noise-induced ototoxicity.
Raman excitation profiles were generated between 695 and 985 nm for individual carbon nanotubes dispersed in aqueous solution. We confirmed that previously published spectral assignments for ...semi-conducting and metallic carbon nanotubes are able to predict the location and resonant maxima of radial breathing mode features in the Raman spectrum. Three large diameter features were observed within the excitation space over the scan range and accurately predicted as metallic species. There was significant agreement between predicted and observed Raman modes. However, one discrepancy is noted with the (6,4) nanotubes. This species is not observed when excited at or near its absorption transition. We find that the Raman cross-sections in general, assuming a diameter-based distribution of nanotubes, are disproportionately smaller for mod(n-m,3)=1 semi-conducting nanotubes than their counterparts by at least an order of magnitude. These results have important implications for the use of Raman spectroscopy to effectively characterize the chirality distribution of carbon nanotube samples.
Human estrogen receptors alpha and beta are crucially involved in the regulation of mammary growth and development. Normal breast tissues display a relative higher expression of ER beta than ER ...alpha, which drastically changes during breast tumorogenesis. Thus, it is reasonable to suggest that a dysregulation of the two estrogen receptor subtypes may induce breast cancer development. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the potential opposing roles played by the two estrogen receptors on tumor cell growth remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we have demonstrated that ER beta overexpression in breast cancer cells decreases cell proliferation and down-regulates ER alpha mRNA and protein content, along with a concomitant repression of estrogen-regulated genes. Transient transfection experiments, using a vector containing the human ER alpha promoter region, showed that elevated levels of ER beta down-regulated basal ER alpha promoter activity. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis and deletion analysis revealed that the proximal GC-rich motifs at −223 and −214 are critical for the ER beta-induced ER alpha down-regulation in breast cancer cells. This occurred through ER beta-Sp1 protein–protein interactions within the ER alpha promoter region and the recruitment of a corepressor complex containing the nuclear receptor corepressor NCoR, accompanied by hypoacetylation of histone H4 and displacement of RNA-polymerase II. Silencing of NCoR gene expression by RNA interference reversed the down-regulatory effects of ER beta on ER alpha gene expression and cell proliferation. Our results provide evidence for a novel mechanism by which overexpression of ER beta through NCoR is able to down regulate ER alpha gene expression, thus blocking ER alpha’s driving role on breast cancer cell growth.
Presently, few options are available for refractory colorectal cancer (CRC). O6-methyl-guanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation is a frequent and early event in CRC tumourigenesis. ...This epigenetic silencing is a predictor of response to the alkylating drug temozolomide in glioblastoma. Preclinical evidences and some case reports showed temozolomide activity in CRC with MGMT silencing, but the available data from clinical trials are inconsistent.
This was a multicentre, phase 2 trial, planned according to a two-stage Simon's optimal design to investigate activity and safety of temozolomide in refractory CRC harbouring MGMT promoter methylation. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Patients who failed two or more prior treatments received temozolomide at a dose of 150-200 mg m
per day on days 1-5 every 28 days.
From July 2012 to June 2016, 225 patients were screened, 80 showed MGMT promoter methylation and 41 were enrolled. Overall response rate was 10% and disease control rate was 32%. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.9 and 5.1 months, respectively.
Temozolomide showed a modest activity in this heavily pretreated population and the study did not meet its primary end point. The role of temozolomide in CRC remains still controversial and further research is warranted.
Motion platforms and driving simulators have been shown to contribute to motion sickness and a short-term increase in standing postural sway. However, no studies to date have investigated how the ...motion of a passenger vehicle and the performance of a task during a drive on a closed test track affects post-drive standing balance.
What are the effects of (1) a continuous, scripted drive on a closed test track, and (2) the performance of a handheld tablet-based task during the scripted drive, on post-drive standing balance?
Fifty adults (23 males, 27 females; 40.0 ± 20.6 yr) rode in the front passenger seat of a midsized sedan on a scripted drive. Participants were assigned to one of the acceleration levels (Low, Moderate) and completed both Task and No-Task test conditions, involving a visual-based task on a handheld tablet device. Before and after each scripted drive, participants completed two standing balance exercises: 1) feet tandem, eyes open, on firm support, and 2) feet together, eyes closed, on foam support. An inertial measurement unit (IMU) captured estimates of postural trunk sway. Root-mean-square (RMS) of angular position and velocity in the anteroposterior (A/P) and mediolateral (M/L) directions, and elliptical fit and path length of sway trajectory were computed. A nonparametric analysis was performed on the balance metrics.
Exposure to a scripted drive in a vehicle affected participants’ postural sway, especially after using a handheld device during the drive. M/L RMS sway velocity and path length increased for both exercises following the scripted drive with task. Additionally, M/L RMS sway increased for the more challenging balance exercise, during which participants stood with feet together on foam support with eyes closed.
This study is the first to explore balance following a scripted drive on a closed test track. Changes in post-drive balance introduces potential risks to vehicle passengers; concurrent performance of a task on a handheld device further increases the likelihood that post-drive balance will be negatively affected.
•The effectiveness of different enrichments was tested on undocked weaners.•Minor differences were observed in animal behaviour in both trials.•Overall welfare status did not differ between the ...experimental groups.•In controlled conditions none of the proposed enrichments improved piglets’ welfare.•Under controlled conditions, all devices provided a similar enrichment level.
Two experimental trials were carried out in order to test the effectiveness of different environmental enrichments in improving the welfare of weaned pigs. A total of 120 undocked piglets was used. In trial one, group C1 received a metal chain and group WL a wooden log mounted on a frame. In trial two, the enrichments proposed were a hanging chain (group C2), an edible block (group ED) and a wooden briquette (group WB) mounted on a frame. The effectiveness of the enrichments was assessed in terms of animal behaviour, cortisol from bristles, hematologic and hematic profiles, cutaneous (skin and tail) lesions. Growth parameters were also recorded. Although some differences were detected in growth parameters in trial 1 (with C1 group having better productive outcomes than WL group) and some minor differences were observed in animal behaviour in both trials, the overall welfare status did not differ among the experimental groups. On the other hand, no welfare issues emerged in groups C1 and C2, receiving the enrichment device which is generally believed to be scarcely attractive, i.e. the hanging chain. We can therefore conclude that, if no managerial errors are made (floor space availability, feed inadequacy, group stability, microclimate, illumination), under the tested experimental conditions, hanging chains can provide a sufficient environmental enrichment for undocked piglets, even when compared to more attractive enrichments (e.g. an edible block).
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Artificial insemination is extensively performed in pig farms in Europe, the United States and Canada. Antibiotics are typically added to the inseminating dose to limit bacterial growth ...during liquid phase storage at 16°C, as bacterial contamination is unavoidable. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) take action to control and reduce antibiotic use in animals as more bacteria are becoming resistant to antimicrobials. To avoid the use of antibiotics, we prepared inseminating doses using microfiltered seminal plasma (SP). Microfiltration is a common technology used to reduce bacterial contamination but may retain seminal substances, influencing sperm quality during storage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morphofunctional parameters of spermatozoa during storage at 16°C in doses prepared with or without microfiltered SP, with or without the addition of antibiotics, in a Latin square design. Artificial insemination doses with microfiltered SP and without antibiotic addition preserved spermatozoa viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosome integrity and objective motility, with absolute values equal or even better than those observed in conventional doses. In conclusion, although the results could be considered preliminary due to the small sample size, this study suggests that microfiltration of SP can be a simple method, feasible on farms, to replace antibiotic use in extended doses stored in the liquid phase at 16°C for up to 7 days.
With increasing awareness of the impact of food on the climate, consumers are gradually changing their dietary habits towards a more plant-based diet. While acceptable products have been developed in ...meat analogues and non-fermented dairy products, alternative fermented dairy products such as yogurt and particularly ripened hard and semi-soft cheese products are not yet satisfactory. Since the cheese category has such a broad range of flavors and applications, it has proven complicated to find plant-based sources able to mimic them in terms of texture, meltability, ripening and flavor. Moreover, plant-based dairy alternatives do not provide the same nutritional supply. New technological approaches are needed to make cheese production more sustainable, which should be integrated in the already existing conventional cheese production to ensure a fast and cost-efficient transition. This can be tackled by incorporating plant-based components into the milk matrix, creating so-called “hybrid cheeses”. This review will discuss the challenges of both animal- and plant-based cheese products and highlight how the combination of both matrices can associate the best properties of these two worlds in a hybrid product, reviewing current knowledge and development on the matter. Emphasis will be drawn to the selection and pre-processing of raw materials. Furthermore, the key challenges of removing the off-flavors and creating a desirable cheese flavor through fermentation will be discussed.
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