Gut microbiota influences female choice and fecundity in the nuptial gift-giving species, Drosophila subobscura (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Recently, there has been rapidly growing interest in the effects of the microbiota on host physiology and behaviour. Due to the nutritional value of bacteria, gut microfl ora may be particularly important in species that present nuptial gifts during courtship. Here, we explore whether the presence or absence of gut microbiota in males and females of the nuptial gift-giving species Drosophila subobscura (Collin, 1936) alters mating behaviour in terms of female preference, male investment, and female fecundity. We found that females that had been fed antibiotics, compared to females with intact gut bacteria, were more willing to mate with a male that had been fed normally. However female fecundity was higher when both males and females lacked gut bacteria compared to both individuals having a full complement of gut bacteria. This implies that the presence of the microbiota acts to reduce female fecundity in this species, and that male gut bacterial content infl uences female fecundity. Our results provide further evidence to the growing consensus that the microbiota of an individual may have important effects on both reproductive behaviour and physiology, and suggest that it may also contribute to the nutritional value of the nuptial gift in this system

Insulin-induced gene expression changes in breast cancer cells and normal breast epithelial cells.

Obesity increases breast cancer incidence rates in postmenopausal women. Chronic high levels of insulin, present in the majority of obese and insulin resistant patients, may provide the growth promoting stimulus to explain this connection. In this work, the cancer progression and cancer initiating properties of high insulin levels were examined in breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) and breast epithelial cells (MCF-10a), respectively. High insulin levels (100 nM) induced differential changes in cell proliferation in the two cell lines used. Human Cancer PathwayFinder DNA Microarrays (SABiosciences) were used to examine gene expression changes after insulin treatment. High insulin levels increased expression of genes involved in cell cycle control (e.g. cyclin D1) and DNA damage repair (e.g. ATM) in MDA-MB 231 cells and in MCF-10a cells (e.g. cyclin E1, CDC25a). Expression of genes responsible for mediating apoptosis and cell senescence (e.g. APAF, BAD, bcl-X) was decreased after insulin treatment in MDA-MB 231 cells but the expression of the same group of genes did not change in MCF-10a cells. High insulin levels increased expression of genes encoding for signal transduction molecules (e.g. AKT1) and transcription factors (e.g. FOS, JUN, MYC), and of genes responsible for invasion and metastasis (e.g. MMP2) in MCF-10a cells whereas gene expression of the same groups of genes did not change or was decreased in MDA-MB 231 cells. These results suggest a role for insulin resistance in breast cancer initiation and progression, aggravating the potential of breast cancer to evade apoptosis, to metastasise and may promote carcinogenesis of healthy epithelial cells

Impact of antiretroviral therapy on fertility desires among HIV-infected persons in rural Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about the fertility desires of HIV infected individuals on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In order to contribute more knowledge to this topic we conducted a study to determine if HIV-infected persons on HAART have different fertility desires compared to persons not on HAART, and if the knowledge about HIV transmission from mother-to-child is different in the two groups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a cross-sectional survey comparing two groups of HIV-positive participants: those who were on HAART and those who were not. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 199 HIV patients living in a rural area of western Uganda. The desire for future children was measured by the question in the questionnaire "Do you want more children in future." The respondents' HAART status was derived from the interviews and verified using health records. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate methods were used to analyze the relationship between HAART treatment status and the desire for future children.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Results from the multivariate logistic regression model indicated an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.08 (95% CI 0.40-2.90) for those on HAART wanting more children (crude OR 1.86, 95% CI 0.82-4.21). Statistically significant predictors for desiring more children were younger age, having a higher number of living children and male sex. Knowledge of the risks for mother-to-child-transmission of HIV was similar in both groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The conclusions from this study are that the HAART treatment status of HIV patients did not influence the desire for children. The non-significant association between the desire for more children and the HAART treatment status could be caused by a lack of knowledge in HIV-infected persons/couples about the positive impact of HAART in reducing HIV transmission from mother-to-child. We recommend that the health care system ensures proper training of staff and appropriate communication to those living with HIV as well as to the general community.</p

Description and evaluation of a pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Objective: (1) To describe a novel integrated pathway for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). (2) To evaluate a population engaged with this service. Design: Description of the integrated pathway (objective 1) and retrospective evaluation, using data from community paediatrics, infectious diseases (IDs) screening and a sexual health (SH) service (objective 2). Setting: Unlinked data were collected from three services across three National Health Service (NHS) trusts in London. Patients: All Camden UASC engaged with the service from 01 January 2016 to 30 March 2019. Interventions: A multidisciplinary approach prioritising the health needs of UASC including a childre and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) clinican and a health improvement practitioner. There are low thresholds for onward referral and universal asymptomatic screening of UASC for ID. Main outcome measures: Data on demographics, unmet health needs and known outcomes. Results: Data were available for 101 UASC, 16% female, median age 16 years (range 14–17). Physical assault/abuse was reported in 67% and 13% disclosed sexual assault/abuse, including 38% of female UASC. Mental health symptoms were documented in 77%. IDs warranting treatment were identified in 41% including latent tuberculosis (25%) and schistosomiasis (13%). Interpreters were required for 97% and initial non-attendance rates at follow-up were 40% (ID) and 49% (SH). Conclusions: These data demonstrate high rates of historical physical and sexual assault/abuse, unmet physical, mental and emotional health needs among UASC and significant barriers to engaging with services. An integrated pathway has been successfully implemented and shown to deliver appropriate, joined-up care for UASC, consistent with current recommendations, with the potential to improve outcomes

Diagnosing early-onset neonatal sepsis in low-resource settings: development of a multivariable prediction model

OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinical prediction model to diagnose neonatal sepsis in low-resource settings. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data collected by the Neotree digital health system from 1 February 2019 to 31 March 2020. We used multivariable logistic regression with candidate predictors identified from expert opinion and literature review. Missing data were imputed using multivariate imputation and model performance was evaluated in the derivation cohort. SETTING: A tertiary neonatal unit at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Zimbabwe. PATIENTS: We included 2628 neonates aged <72 hours, gestation ≥32+0 weeks and birth weight ≥1500 g. INTERVENTIONS: Participants received standard care as no specific interventions were dictated by the study protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical early-onset neonatal sepsis (within the first 72 hours of life), defined by the treating consultant neonatologist. RESULTS: Clinical early-onset sepsis was diagnosed in 297 neonates (11%). The optimal model included eight predictors: maternal fever, offensive liquor, prolonged rupture of membranes, neonatal temperature, respiratory rate, activity, chest retractions and grunting. Receiver operating characteristic analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.74 (95% CI 0.70-0.77). For a sensitivity of 95% (92%-97%), corresponding specificity was 11% (10%-13%), positive predictive value 12% (11%-13%), negative predictive value 95% (92%-97%), positive likelihood ratio 1.1 (95% CI 1.0-1.1) and negative likelihood ratio 0.4 (95% CI 0.3-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical prediction model achieved high sensitivity with low specificity, suggesting it may be suited to excluding early-onset sepsis. Future work will validate and update this model before considering implementation within the Neotree

A self-help diet and physical activity intervention with dietetic support for weight management in men treated for prostate cancer:pilot study of the PRO-MAN randomised controlled trial

Acknowledgements: We thank the Urology consultants at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and staff of the UCAN centre, especially Paul Mannion, for support with the conduct of the study and the CLAN centre staff for hosting intervention group meetings. Funding: HM carried out this work while in receipt of a PhD scholarship from the Government of Malaysia. We thank Cancer Research in Aberdeen and NE Scotland (CRANES) for financial support for the pedometers and weighing scales. LCAC and GMcN acknowledge support from the RESAS programme of the Scottish Government.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Nurture Early for Optimal Nutrition (NEON) programme: qualitative study of drivers of infant feeding and care practices in a British-Bangladeshi population

OBJECTIVES: To explore optimal infant feeding and care practices and their drivers within the British-Bangladeshi population of East London, UK, as an exemplar to inform development of a tailored, coadapted participatory community intervention. DESIGN: Qualitative community-based participatory research. SETTING: Community and children's centres and National Health Service settings within Tower Hamlets, London, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 141 participants completed the community study including: British-Bangladeshi mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers of infants and young children aged 6-23 months, key informants and lay community members from the British-Bangladeshi population of Tower Hamlets, and health professionals working in Tower Hamlets. RESULTS: 141 participants from all settings and generations identified several infant feeding and care practices and wider socioecological factors that could be targeted to optimise nutritional outcomes. Our modifiable infant feeding and care practices were highlighted: untimely introduction of semi and solid foods, overfeeding, prolonged parent-led feeding and feeding to 'fill the belly'. Wider socioecological determinants were highlighted, categorised here as: (1) society and culture (e.g. equating 'chubby baby' to healthy baby), (2) physical and local environment (e.g. fast food outlets, advertising) and (3) information and awareness (e.g. communication with healthcare professionals around cultural norms). CONCLUSIONS: Parenting interventions should be codeveloped with communities and tailored to recognise and take account of social and cultural norms and influence from different generations that inform infant feeding and care practices and may be of particular importance for infants from ethnically diverse communities. In addition, UK infant feeding environment requires better regulation of marketing of foods for infants and young children if it is to optimise nutrition in the early years

Diagnostic Assessment of Autism in Children Using Telehealth in a Global Context: a Systematic Review

Reflecting the significant delays in autism assessments globally, studies have explored whether autism assessments conducted via telehealth are feasible and accurate. This systematic review investigated the psychometric properties of autism assessment tools for children administered via telehealth and examined the diagnostic accuracy of telehealth assessment procedures compared to care-as-usual in-person assessments. Relevant databases (MEDLINE, Embase and PsycInfo) were searched for eligible studies (PROSPERO: CRD42022332500). In total, 18 studies were included, collectively assessing 1593 children for autism. Telehealth assessments for autism were largely comparable to in-person assessments, with a diagnostic agreement of 80–88.2%. Individual behavioral observation tools, diagnostic interviews, and clinician-administered screening tools demonstrated acceptable validity. For many children, diagnostic decision-making can be expedited without loss of validity using telehealth