Longitudinal associations between paternal mental health and child behavior and cognition in middle childhood

IntroductionPaternal mental health has been associated with adverse consequences on offspring psychosocial development, and family environmental factors may partly explain those associations. To clarify this, we need comprehensive prospective studies, particularly in middle-childhood when the child enters school and is expected to make use of behavioral and cognitive skills as part of their interactions and learning.MethodUsing data from a sub-sample of the prospective 3D birth cohort study comprised of mother-father-child triads, and a follow-up of the parents and the children at 6–8 years of age (n = 61; 36 boys, 25 girls), we examined whether paternal anxious and depressive symptoms measured during the pregnancy period (i.e., prenatally) or concurrently when the child was assessed at 6–8 years old were associated with children's cognition/behavior.ResultsIn contrast to our hypotheses, we found that greater prenatal paternal depressive symptoms predicted fewer child behavioral difficulties; and that greater concurrent childhood paternal depression or anxiety symptoms were associated with higher child full-scale IQ, controlling for the equivalent maternal mental health assessment and parental education. Father parenting perception did not mediate these associations, nor were they moderated by maternal mental health at the concurrent assessment, or paternal ratings of marital relationship quality.DiscussionThese findings suggest that higher symptoms of paternal mental health symptoms are associated with fewer child behavioral difficulties and higher cognitive performance in middle childhood. Potential clinical implications and future research directions are discussed

Health-Care Reform and School-Based Health Care

There is growing recognition that health and health care at school can significantly impact children's health. From childhood obesity interventions to new immunization mandates, schools are at the forefront of child health discussions. The 2008 presidential campaign and the renewed focus on health-care reform raise the possibility that in 2009 school health will play a larger role in health policy conversations than previously

Genetic Analysis and Species Specific Amplification of the Artemisinin Resistance-Associated Kelch Propeller Domain in <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i>

<div><p><i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> resistance to artemisinin has emerged in the Greater Mekong Subregion and now poses a threat to malaria control and prevention. Recent work has identified mutations in the kelch propeller domain of the <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> K13 gene to be associated artemisinin resistance as defined by delayed parasite clearance and <i>ex vivo</i> ring stage survival assays. Species specific primers for the two most prevalent human malaria species, <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i>, were designed and tested on multiple parasite isolates including human, rodent, and non- humans primate <i>Plasmodium</i> species. The new protocol described here using the species specific primers only amplified their respective species, <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i>, and did not cross react with any of the other human malaria <i>Plasmodium</i> species. We provide an improved species specific PCR and sequencing protocol that could be effectively used in areas where both <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> are circulating. To design this improved protocol, the kelch gene was analyzed and compared among different species of <i>Plasmodium</i>. The kelch propeller domain was found to be highly conserved across the mammalian <i>Plasmodium</i> species.</p></div

Schematic representation of the <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> K13 gene.

<p>(A) Schematic depicting the <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> K13 gene size and propeller domain region. A 3D model is shown for the predicted propeller domain. (B) Species specific nested PCR workflow for amplifying the K13 gene and propeller domain. The protein structure of the Keap1 protein (Protein Data Bank: 2Z32) was used to generate the 3D model of the <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> K13 propellor domain.</p

<i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> K13 gene species-specific amplification.

<p>The <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> species specific primers were tested on multiple <i>Plasmodium</i> species, including human, rodent, and non-human primate malaria parasites from various geographical regions. The expected K13 propeller domain PCR product for <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> is 784 base pairs. Panels (A) and (B) show human malaria parasites tested; Panel (C) shows non-human primate and rodent malaria parasites tested. Blue text denotes samples that were amplified by the PCR protocol.</p

Genetic distance matrix of kelch propeller domain of various <i>Plasmodium</i> species.

<p><i>P</i>.<i>fal</i> = <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum; P</i>.<i>rei = P</i>.<i>reichenowi; P</i>.<i>viv = P</i>.<i>vivax; P</i>.<i>cyn = P</i>.<i>cynomolgi; P</i>.<i>cyn G = P</i>. <i>cynomolgi Gombok; P</i>.<i>kno = P</i>.<i>knowlsi; P</i>.<i>inu = P</i>. <i>inui; P</i>. <i>simi = P</i>. <i>simiovale; P</i>. <i>sim = P</i>. <i>simium; P</i>.<i>yoe = P</i>. <i>yoelii; P</i>.<i>cha = P</i>.<i>chabaudi;</i> N/A = not available.</p><p>Amino acid and nucleotide sequence percent (%) identify (e.g. percent of residues that are identical) are shown in the table. Amino acid similarity is shown in bold numbers and nucleotide similarity in italicized numbers.</p

Alignment of kelch gene for <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i>.

<p>Nucleotide and amino acid sequence alignment of the kelch gene for <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax;</i> disagreements in nucleotide (black) and amino acid (color) are highlighted. The yellow annotation above the sequence indicates the gene region that encodes the kelch propeller domain; blue squares over the <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> sequence denotes K13 propeller mutations reported by Ariey et al [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0136099#pone.0136099.ref014" target="_blank">14</a>]. Forward primers are annotated in dark green and reverse primers in light green. Shown are sequences for the isolates 3D7 (<i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i>) and Sal-1 (<i>P</i>. <i>vivax)</i>.</p

<i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> non-synonymous amino acid changes in the kelch propeller domain as compared to <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i>.

<p>Relative to alignment between <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> 3D7 and <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> Sal-I.</p

The Montreal Antenatal Well-Being Study (MAWS): a prospective longitudinal study of perinatal mental health.

Objective: This prospective longitudinal cohort aims to identify biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to maternal perinatal mental health, family well-being, and child development. Method: Pregnant individuals (N=1130) were recruited between 8-20 gestation weeks. Questionnaire data were collected through a web-based platform together with biosamples for genetic analysis. Baseline characteristics of the cohort are described. A Bayesian model explored potential pandemic-associated changes in baseline maternal mental health symptoms throughout recruitment. Results: At baseline, 28.3% and 11.6% of pregnant participants reported clinically significant symptoms of anxiety (Spielberger Trait Anxiety Inventory ≥ 40) or depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ≥ 13). The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased likelihood of elevated scores on brief screening instruments for anxiety and depression. There was insufficient evidence for such effects using other screening tools. Conclusion(s): We further highlight anxiety and depression as common complications of pregnancy but find a modest impact of the pandemic on mental health within this cohort. Leveraging the unique data collected through this study we seek to inform screening practices and health policy to improve the well-being of mothers and families