Development of a PCR-RFLP marker to genetically distinguish Prosorhynchus crucibulum and Prosorhynchus aculeatus

The cercariae stages of Prosorhynchus crucibulum and Prosorhynchus aculeatus are morphologically indistinguishable. However, the differentiation of these two species is crucial to understand the transmission dynamics between these primary hosts (mussels) and the secondary hosts (fish). In this way, the objective of this study is to develop an accurate molecular identification too] to differentiate the cercariae stage of P. crucibulum and P. aculeatus. We targeted the 18S nuclear ribosomal DNA region by PCR amplification and sequenced this amplicon. By generating these sequences, we developed a RFLP tool with the use of the enzymes Hincll and FokI that produced different restriction profiles between P. crucibulum and P. aculeatus. Each enzyme generated different-sized fragments specific to the species examined and no cross-reaction between the species was detected in their restriction pattern. By sequencing, no intraspecific-polymorphism was detected since there is 100% homology among A aculeatus or A crucibulum. These results indicate that PCR-linked restriction analysis of the 18S rDNA region provided us with rapid and reliable molecular tools for distinction of the cercariae of these species. The sequences generated were deposited in GenBank accession numbers for P. crucibulum cercariae (FJ463407, FJ463408 and FJ463409) and adult worm (FJ429096, FJ429097), and for A aculeatus adult (FJ429094 and FJ429095). (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

New Genetic Insights About Hybridization and Population Structure of Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles From Brazil

An extremely high incidence of hybridization among sea turtles is found along the Brazilian coast. This atypical phenomenon and its impact on sea turtle conservation can be elucidated through research focused on the evolutionary history of sea turtles. We assessed high-quality multilocus haplotypes of 143 samples of the 5 species of sea turtles that occur along the Brazilian coast to investigate the hybridization process and the population structure of hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). The multilocus data were initially used to characterize interspecific hybrids. Introgression (F2 hybrids) was only confirmed in hatchlings of F1 hybrid females (hawksbill × loggerhead), indicating that introgression was either previously overestimated and F2 hybrids may not survive to adulthood, or the first-generation hybrid females nesting in Brazil were born as recent as few decades ago. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear markers recovered the mtDNA-based Indo-Pacific and Atlantic lineages for hawksbill turtles, demonstrating a deep genetic divergence dating from the early Pliocene. In addition, loggerhead turtles that share a common feeding area and belong to distinct Indo-Pacific and Atlantic mtDNA clades present no clear genetic differentiation at the nuclear level. Finally, our results indicate that hawksbill and loggerhead rookeries along the Brazilian coast are likely connected by malemediated gene flow

A double-edged sword: Residents' views on the health consequences of gentrification in Porto, Portugal

Gentrification is currently shaping the urban environment in important ways. It also contributes to shaping the health of the inhabitants of gentrifying cities, although it is still unclear how. Gentrification processes are often linked to different drivers and have specific local translations, further complicating the study of the relationship between gentrification and health. We investigated this relationship in Porto, Portugal, a southern European city undergoing rampant transnational gentrification. In order to study how gentrification impacts health from the point of view of that city's residents, we conducted a study using photovoice with a sample of participants recruited from a population-based cohort, which was divided into three different groups: one from gentrifying areas of Porto, another from deprived non-gentrifying areas, and the other from affluent areas. The thematic analysis of data generated six themes, each referring to a change, or a set of connected changes, related to gentrification: increasing floating population, lack of housing access and displacement, construction and rehabilitation, changing local commerce, loss of place, and broader socioeconomic change. According to the accounts from participants, these changes affect health in different ways, both beneficial and harmful. Participants also reflected on how to act on this issue. This research adds to the knowledge about the relationship between gentrification and health by providing detailed and nuanced views about this relationship considering its city-wide impacts.This work was supported by FEDER through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalisation and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) under the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia - Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (UIDB/04750/2020) and Laboratório para an Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR) (LA/P/0064/2020); and the project “HUG: The health impacts of inner-city gentrification, displacement and housing insecurity: a quasi-experimental multi-cohort study” (PTDC/GES-OUT/1662/2020); Ana Isabel Ribeiro was supported by National Funds through FCT, under the ‘Stimulus of Scientific Employment – Individual Support’ programme within the contract CEECIND/02386/2018. The funding sources had no role in the research conducted neither in the preparation of this article

A randomised controlled trial and cost-consequence analysis of traditional and digital foot orthoses supply chains in a National Health Service setting : application to feet at risk of diabetic plantar ulceration

Background: Diabetic foot ulceration is a considerable cost to the NHS and foot orthotic provision is a core strategy for the management of the people with diabetes and a moderate to high risk of foot ulceration. The traditional process to produce a custom-made foot orthotic device is to use manual casting of foot shape and physical moulding of orthoses materials. Parts of this process can be undertaken using digital tools rather than manual processes with potential advantages. The aim of this trial was to provide the first comparison of a traditional orthoses supply chain to a digital supply chain over a 6 month period. The trial used plantar pressure, health status, and health service time and cost data to compare the two supply chains. Methods: 57 participants with diabetes were randomly allocated to each supply chain. Plantar pressure data and health status (EQ5D, ICECAP) was assessed at point of supply and at sixmonths. The costs for orthoses and clinical services accessed by participants were assessed over the 6 months of the trial. Primary outcomes were: reduction in peak plantar pressure at the site of highest pressure, assessed for non-inferiority to current care. Secondary outcomes were: reduction in plantar pressure at foot regions identified as at risk (>200kPa), costconsequence analysis (supply chain, clinician time, service use) and health status. Results: At point of supply pressure reduction for the digital supply chain was non-inferior to a predefined margin and superior (p<0.1) to the traditional supply chain, but both supply chains were inferior to the margin after six months. Custom-made orthoses significantly reduced pressure for at risk regions compared to a flat control (traditional -13.85%, digital -20.52%). The digital supply chain was more expensive (+£13.17) and required more clinician time (+35minutes). There were no significant differences in health status or service use between supply chains. Conclusions: Custom made foot orthoses reduce pressure as expected. Given some assumptions about the cost models we used, the supply chain process adopted to produce the orthoses seems to have marginal impact on overall costs and health status. Trial Registration: retrospectively registered on ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN10978940, 04/11/2015). Key Words: Foot Orthotic, Biomechanics, Diabetes, Plantar Pressure, Cost, Health Economics, Supply Chai

Sequential action of JNK genes establishes the embryonic left-right axis

\ua9 2022. Published by The Company of Biologists LtdThe establishment of the left-right axis is crucial for the placement, morphogenesis and function of internal organs. Left-right specification is proposed to be dependent on cilia-driven fluid flow in the embryonic node. Planar cell polarity (PCP) signalling is crucial for patterning of nodal cilia, yet downstream effectors driving this process remain elusive. We have examined the role of the JNK gene family, a proposed downstream component of PCP signalling, in the development and function of the zebrafish node. We show jnk1 and jnk2 specify length of nodal cilia, generate flow in the node and restrict southpaw to the left lateral plate mesoderm. Moreover, loss of asymmetric southpaw expression does not result in disturbances to asymmetric organ placement, supporting a model in which nodal flow may be dispensable for organ laterality. Later, jnk3 is required to restrict pitx2c expression to the left side and permit correct endodermal organ placement. This work uncovers multiple roles for the JNK gene family acting at different points during left-right axis establishment. It highlights extensive redundancy and indicates JNK activity is distinct from the PCP signalling pathway

Evaluation of orthotic insoles for people with diabetes who are at-risk of first ulceration

Objective This study focussed on pressure relieving orthotic insoles designed for retail footwear and people with diabetes and at risk of first forefoot ulceration. The aim was to investigate whether the pressure relieving effects of a customised metatarsal bar and forefoot cushioning are sensitive to bar location and shape, and material choice. Research Design and Methods Patient-specific foot shape was used to design an orthotic insole, with metatarsal bar location and shape customised according to plantar pressure data. Changes in forefoot plantar pressure were investigated when 60 people with diabetes and neuropathy walked in nine variants of the orthotic insole. These comprised three variations in proximal/distal location of the customised metatarsal bar and three different metatarsal head offloading materials. Results and Conclusions The most frequent reductions in pressure occurred when the anterior edge of the metatarsal bar was placed at 77% of the peak pressure values, and its effects were independent of the choice of EVA or Poron offloading material. In the flat insole, 61% of participants had one or more metatarsal head areas with pressure above the 200 KPa, reducing to 58% when adopting generic orthotic design rules and 51% when using the best orthotic insole of the nine tested. Our results confirm that plantar pressure relief is sensitive to orthotic insole design decisions 39 and individual patient feet. Key words: Diabetic foot, ulcer, orthotic, CAD/CAM, preventio

Metabolic state alters economic decision making under risk in humans

Background: Animals' attitudes to risk are profoundly influenced by metabolic state (hunger and baseline energy stores). Specifically, animals often express a preference for risky (more variable) food sources when below a metabolic reference point (hungry), and safe (less variable) food sources when sated. Circulating hormones report the status of energy reserves and acute nutrient intake to widespread targets in the central nervous system that regulate feeding behaviour, including brain regions strongly implicated in risk and reward based decision-making in humans. Despite this, physiological influences per se have not been considered previously to influence economic decisions in humans. We hypothesised that baseline metabolic reserves and alterations in metabolic state would systematically modulate decision-making and financial risk-taking in humans. Methodology/Principal Findings: We used a controlled feeding manipulation and assayed decision-making preferences across different metabolic states following a meal. To elicit risk-preference, we presented a sequence of 200 paired lotteries, subjects' task being to select their preferred option from each pair. We also measured prandial suppression of circulating acyl-ghrelin (a centrally-acting orexigenic hormone signalling acute nutrient intake), and circulating leptin levels (providing an assay of energy reserves). We show both immediate and delayed effects on risky decision-making following a meal, and that these changes correlate with an individual's baseline leptin and changes in acyl-ghrelin levels respectively. Conclusions/Significance: We show that human risk preferences are exquisitely sensitive to current metabolic state, in a direction consistent with ecological models of feeding behaviour but not predicted by normative economic theory. These substantive effects of state changes on economic decisions perhaps reflect shared evolutionarily conserved neurobiological mechanisms. We suggest that this sensitivity in human risk-preference to current metabolic state has significant implications for both real-world economic transactions and for aberrant decision-making in eating disorders and obesity

What matters to women: a systematic scoping review to identify the processes and outcomes of antenatal care provision that are important to healthy pregnant women

BACKGROUND: Global uptake of antenatal care (ANC) varies widely and is influenced by the value women place on the service they receive. Identifying outcomes that matter to pregnant women could inform service design and improve uptake and effectiveness. OBJECTIVES: To undertake a systematic scoping review of what women want, need and value in pregnancy. SEARCH STRATEGY: Eight databases were searched (1994-2015) with no language restriction. Relevant journal contents were tracked via Zetoc. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: An initial analytic framework was constructed with findings from 21 papers, using data-mining techniques, and then developed using meta-ethnographic approaches. The final framework was tested with 17 more papers. MAIN RESULTS: All continents except Australia were represented. A total of 1264 women were included. The final meta-theme was: Women want and need a positive pregnancy experience, including four subthemes: maintaining physical and sociocultural normality; maintaining a healthy pregnancy for mother and baby (including preventing and treating risks, illness and death); effective transition to positive labour and birth; and achieving positive motherhood (including maternal self-esteem, competence, autonomy). Findings informed a framework for future ANC provision, comprising three equally important domains: clinical practices (interventions and tests); relevant and timely information; and pyschosocial and emotional support; each provided by practitioners with good clinical and interpersonal skills within a high quality health system. CONCLUSIONS: A positive pregnancy experience matters across all cultural and sociodemographic contexts. ANC guidelines and services should be designed to deliver it, and those providing ANC services should be aware of it at each encounter with pregnant women. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Women around the world want ANC staff and services to help them achieve a positive pregnancy experience