Subjective wellbeing in the Indian general population: a validation study of the Personal Wellbeing Index

© 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Purpose: The Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI) is a commonly used measure of life satisfaction that reflects a person’s level of subjective wellbeing (SWB). The present study aimed to establish the validity and reliability of the PWI in a large sample of Indian adults and describe their SWB. Methods: 2004 Indian adults completed a cross-sectional online survey, which was presented in English and included the PWI and demographic questions. The sample was split to assess the psychometric properties of the 7-item (n = 981) and 8-item (n = 937) versions of the PWI. Results: Both the 7- and 8-item versions of the PWI demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α =.89 and.88, respectively). The global means for both versions of the PWI (7-item = 74.43, 8-item = 73.82) were within the normative range for Western countries. Achieving in life had the lowest domain scores for both the 7-item (M = 70.51) and 8-item (M = 68.37) versions; the spirituality or religion domain had the highest domain score in the 8-item version (M = 78.84). Conclusion: The findings suggest that both the 7- and 8-item versions of the PWI are valid and reliable measures of life satisfaction for use in India. The global mean scores for both versions of the PWI were within the normative range for Western countries. In this study, Indians reported high levels of satisfaction with their spirituality or religion, suggesting this domain may be an important contributor of SWB; however, more research is needed to determine this

Seroprevalence of West Nile, Rift Valley, and sandfly arboviruses in Hashimiah, Jordan.

We conducted a serosurvey among patients of a health center in Hashimiah, a Jordanian town of 30,000 inhabitants located near a wastewater treatment plant and its effluent channel. Serum samples from 261 patients >/=5 years of age were assessed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against West Nile, sandfly Sicilian, sandfly Naples, and Rift Valley viruses; the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies was 8%, 47%, 30%, and 0%, respectively. Female participants were more likely to have been infected than male. Persons living within 2 km of the treatment plant were more likely to have been infected with West Nile (p=0.016) and sandfly Sicilian (p=0.010) viruses. Raising domestic animals within the house was a risk factor for sandfly Sicilian (p=0.003) but not for sandfly Naples virus (p=0.148). All serum samples were negative for IgM antibodies against the tested viruses. Our study is the first documentation of West Nile and sandfly viruses in Jordan and calls attention to the possible health hazards of living close to wastewater treatment plants and their effluent channels

Transcriptional and pathway analysis in the hypothalamus of newly hatched chicks during fasting and delayed feeding

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The hypothalamus plays a central role in regulating appetite and metabolism. However, the gene networks within the hypothalamus that regulate feed intake and metabolism, and the effects of fasting on those pathways are not completely understood in any species. The present experiment evaluated global hypothalamic gene expression in newly hatched chicks using microarray analysis to elucidate genes and pathways regulated by feeding, fasting, and delayed feeding. Ten groups of chicks were sampled over four days post-hatch, including fed, fasted, and 48 h fasted followed by access to feed for 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h. Hypothalamic samples were collected for microarray analysis (n = 4). Expression patterns of selected genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Pathway analysis of the microarray results predicted a network of genes involved in neuropeptide or neurotransmitter signaling. To confirm the functionality of this predicted gene network, hypothalamic neurons from fed and fasted chicks were isolated and cultured in the presence of neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, norepinephrine, and L-phospho-serine. Results confirmed functional relationships among members of the predicted gene network. Moreover, the effects observed were dependant upon the nutritional state of the animals (fed <it>vs</it>. fasted).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Differences in gene expression (≥ 1.6 fold) were detected in 1,272 genes between treatments, and of those, 119 genes were significantly (P < 0.05) different. Pathway Miner analysis revealed that six genes (<it>SSTR5</it>, <it>NPY5R</it>, <it>POMC</it>, <it>ADRB2</it>, <it>GRM8</it>, and <it>RLN3</it>) were associated within a gene network. <it>In vitro </it>experiments with primary hypothalamic neurons confirmed that receptor agonists involved in this network regulated expression of other genes in the predicted network, and this regulation within the network was influenced by the nutritional status and age of the chick.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Microarray analysis of the hypothalamus during different nutritional states revealed that many genes are differentially regulated. We found that functional interactions exist among six differentially regulated genes associated within a putative gene network from this experiment. Considering that <it>POMC</it>, an important gene in controlling metabolism, was central to this network, this gene network may play an important role in regulation of feeding and metabolism in birds.</p

SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in educational settings : cross-sectional analysis of clusters and outbreaks in England

BACKGROUND: Understanding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and transmission in educational settings is crucial for ensuring the safety of staff and children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and outbreaks among staff and students in educational settings during the summer half-term (June-July, 2020) in England. METHODS: In this prospective, cross-sectional analysis, Public Health England initiated enhanced national surveillance in educational settings in England that had reopened after the first national lockdown, from June 1 to July 17, 2020. Educational settings were categorised as early years settings (<5-year-olds), primary schools (5-11-year-olds; only years 1 and 6 allowed to return), secondary schools (11-18-year-olds; only years 10 and 12), or mixed-age settings (spanning a combination of the above). Further education colleges were excluded. Data were recorded in HPZone, an online national database for events that require public health management. RT-PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 event rates and case rates were calculated for staff and students, and direction of transmission was inferred on the basis of symptom onset and testing dates. Events were classified as single cases, coprimary cases (at least two confirmed cases within 48 h, typically within the same household), and outbreaks (at least two epidemiologically linked cases, with sequential cases diagnosed within 14 days in the same educational setting). All events were followed up for 28 days after educational settings closed for the summer holidays. Negative binomial regression was used to correlate educational setting events with regional population, population density, and community incidence. FINDINGS: A median of 38 000 early years settings (IQR 35 500-41 500), 15 600 primary schools (13 450-17 300), and 4000 secondary schools (3700-4200) were open each day, with a median daily attendance of 928 000 students (630 000-1 230 000) overall. There were 113 single cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, nine coprimary cases, and 55 outbreaks. The risk of an outbreak increased by 72% (95% CI 28-130) for every five cases per 100 000 population increase in community incidence (p<0·0001). Staff had higher incidence than students (27 cases [95% CI 23-32] per 100 000 per day among staff compared with 18 cases [14-24] in early years students, 6·0 cases [4·3-8·2] in primary schools students, and 6·8 cases [2·7-14] in secondary school students]), and most cases linked to outbreaks were in staff members (154 [73%] staff vs 56 [27%] children of 210 total cases). Probable direction of transmission was staff to staff in 26 outbreaks, staff to student in eight outbreaks, student to staff in 16 outbreaks, and student to student in five outbreaks. The median number of secondary cases in outbreaks was one (IQR 1-2) for student index cases and one (1-5) for staff index cases. INTERPRETATION: SARS-CoV-2 infections and outbreaks were uncommon in educational settings during the summer half-term in England. The strong association with regional COVID-19 incidence emphasises the importance of controlling community transmission to protect educational settings. Interventions should focus on reducing transmission in and among staff. FUNDING: Public Health England

Effects of different mineral supplementations in sheep grazing in Caatinga ecosystem: methane emission.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different mineral supplements on methane emission of sheep grazing in Caatinga ecosystem. An experiment in a completely randomized design, in which 15 Santa Inês crossbred sheep (19.3 kg) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: mineral salt for sheep (control; SALTMC), mineral salt with addition of 750 ppm of zinc per animal (SALTMZn) and mineral salt supplied with 2.5 ml of propylene glycol per kg of metabolic body weight (BW0.75; SALTMPeg). Methane emission (CH4) was performed by technique of sulfur hexafluoride tracer gas (SF6). Treatments did not affect (P>0.05) the intakes (in g/d and g/kgBW0.75) of dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM). Methane emission, in g/d and g/kg of MO ingested, was significantly affected (P0,05) para consumos de matéria seca (MS) e matéria orgânica (MO) em g/dia e em g/kgPV0,75 para os tratamentos. Para emissão de CH4 em g/dia, g/kgMS e em g/kgMO ingerida, houve efeito (P<0,05) para tratamento e período. Os animais do tratamento SALTMZn emitiram menor quantidade de CH4, principalmente durante os meses de abril a junho. Para emissão de CH4 durante todo o período experimental, foi observado menor emissão pelos animais do tratamento SALTMZn (P<0,05). O uso do sal mineral adicionado de zinco contribui para diminuição da emissão de CH4 por ovinos terminados em pastagem nativa da Caatinga

Peso e rendimento dos cortes comerciais de ovinos em pastagem nativa da Caatinga, submetidos a diferentes suplementações de sal mineral.

Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar o peso e o rendimento de cortes comerciais de ovinos terminados em pastagem nativa da Caatinga e suplementados com diferentes suplementos minerais. Utilizaram-se 24 ovinos em terminação mestiços Santa Inês, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, em três tratamentos, conforme as seguintes suplementações de sal mineral: sal mineral comercial (SALMINC), sal mineral comercial acrescido de 750 ppm de zinco animal-1 (SALMINCZn) e sal comercial com fornecimento de 2,5 ml por peso vivo metabólico (PV)0,75 animal-1 de propilenoglicol (SALMINCPeg), com oito repetições. Não foi verificado diferenças (P>0,05) para peso da hemi-carcaça, pesos de cortes e seus rendimentos com as inclusões dos diferentes suplementos de sal mineral??O uso do sal mineral adicionado de zinco ou propilenoglicol não propicia maiores pesos e rendimentos de cortes comercias de ovinos terminados em pastagem nativa da Caatinga. [Weight and yield of commercials cuts of sheep on native pasture Caatinga, submitted to different supplements of mineral salt] Abstract: The aim was to evaluate the weight and the yield of commercial cuts of sheep in termination on native pasture Caatinga and supplemented with different mineral supplements. Were used 24 crossbred sheep Santa Ines in termination, distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments, according to the following supplements of mineral salt: commercial mineral salt (SALMINC), commercial mineral salt plus 750 ppm of zinc per animal-1 (SALMINCZn) and commercial mineral salt supply with 2.5 ml of propylene glycol per metabolic body weight (BW)0.75 animal-1 (SALMINCPeg), with eight replicates. There was no difference (P> 0.05) for the hemi-carcass weight, weights and cuts their income with the inclusions of different mineral salt supplements. The mineral salt added of zinc or propyleneglycol not provide higher weights and yields of the commercial cuts from lambs finished on native pasture Caatinga

Desempenho produtivo e características de carcaça de ovinos terminados em pastagem nativa da Caatinga submetidos a diferentes suplementações de sal mineral.

Resumo: Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar a influência de diferentes suplementos minerais sobre o desempenho e características de carcaça de ovinos em pastagem nativa da Caatinga. Utilizaram-se 24 ovinos em terminação mestiços Santa Inês, distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualisado, em três tratamentos, conforme as seguintes suplementações de sal mineral: sal mineral comercial (SALMINC), sal mineral comercial acrescido de 750 ppm de zinco animal-1 (SALMINCZn) e sal comercial com fornecimento de 2,5 ml por peso vivo metabólico (PV)0,75 animal-1 de propilenoglicol (SALMINCPeg), com oito repetições cada. Não foi verificado diferenças (P>0,05) para desempenho, características de carcaça e seus rendimentos. A suplementação mineral acrescida de zinco ou propilenoglicol não implica em melhoria no desempenho e nas características de carcaça de ovinos em pastagem nativa da Caatinga. [Growth performance and carcass characteristics of sheep finished on native pasture Caatinga submitted to different salt mineral supplements]. Abstract: The aim with this study was to evaluate the influence of different mineral supplements on performance and carcass characteristics of sheep on native pasture Caatinga. Were used 24 crossbred sheep Santa Ines in termination, distributed in a completely randomized design, with three treatments, according to the following supplements of mineral salt: commercial mineral salt (SALMINC), commercial mineral salt plus 750 ppm of zinc per animal-1 (SALMINCZn) and commercial mineral salt supply with 2.5 ml of propylene glycol per metabolic body weight (BW)0.75 animal-1 (SALMINCPeg), with eight replicates each. There was no difference (P>0.05) on performance, carcass characteristics and their yields. Mineral supplementation plus of zinc or propylene glycol don't imply in improved in performance and carcass characteristics of sheep in native grass of Caatinga