An investigation of the relationship of ethnicity and sex to intelligence and certain dimensions of creativity

This study was designed to investigate: (1) differences in certain dimensions of creativity between Anglos and Chicanos; (2) differences in certain dimensions of creativity between males and females; and (3) the relationship between certain dimensions of creativity and intelligence for (a) the total group, (b) for Anglos, (c) for Chicanos, (3) for males, and (e) for females. The general hypotheses tested were that: (1) there would be no significant differences between Anglos and Chicanos and between males and females with respect to composite creativity and the dimensions of fluency, flexibility, originality and elaboration as measured by the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking; (2) that there would be no significant correlations between each of the dimensions of creativity and intelligence for the total population and its component sub-groups--Anglos, Chicanos, males and females

Running economy and cytokines: what the influence of IL-6 and IL-10?

Introduction: During the exercise performing the muscle produce cytokines, named “myokines”. These molecules show autocrine, paracrine and endocrine effects. One of them IL-6 demonstrates both pro and anti-inflammatory actions. Usually they have an anti-inflammatory action when produced by working muscles and when produced by other tissues, especially adipose, they assume a pro-inflammatory profile. Athletes´ performance, especially those that run long distances races (endurance) is associated with higher levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Running economy (RE) is a methodology used to evaluate the performance of runners and is defined as the rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) required for maintain a specific speed . RE is determined by the energy cost of running (Cr), which is the energy required to transport body mass in a specific running speed (km/h). Despite some studies demonstrated the importance of RE in a performance of athletes, there is no studies relating running economy and cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between cytokine profile and running economy. Subjects: Twenty-two male recreational runners living in the city of São Paulo were recruited for the study that had been approved by the UNIFESP-EPM Ethics Committee. None of the participants were using lipid-lowering medications, no smokers, addicted to alcohol consumption, obese or had systemic arterial hypertension, neither liver, renal, metabolic, inflammatory or neoplastic diseases. Methods: Blood sample was collected at rest. Blood draw for all the individuals was performed after 12 hours of fasting. IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by ELISA in serum. Statistics: Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to identify a correlation between Running Economy (RE) and cytokine levels. The significance level was set to 5% (p \u3c 0.05). Results and Discussion: In the group of athletes studied we found that a significant correlation between RE and IL-6 (figure 1A), showing that runners with better RE presented decreased IL-6 levels. However, no correlation was observed in relation to IL-10 levels and RE (Figure 1B). Previously we demonstrated that pro-inflammatory cytokines influences negatively the VO2max that is used to calculate the aerobic capacity. So, we assumed that athletes with more time and volume of training would have lower levels of IL-6 which in our results is associated to greater RE. However, we couldn´t find any correlation between these parameters

Performance of Chlorella Vulgaris Exposed to Heavy Metal Mixtures: Linking Measured Endpoints and Mechanisms

Microalgae growth inhibition assays are candidates for referent ecotoxicology as a fundamental part of the strategy to reduce the use of fish and other animal models in aquatic toxicology. In the present work, the performance of Chlorella vulgaris exposed to heavy metals following standardized growth and photosynthesis inhibition assays was assessed in two different scenarios: (1) dilutions of single heavy metals and (2) an artificial mixture of heavy metals at similar levels as those found in natural rivers. Chemical speciation of heavy metals was estimated with Visual MINTEQ software; free heavy metal ion concentrations were used as input data, together with microalgae growth and photosynthesis inhibition, to compare different effects and explain possible toxicity mechanisms. The final goal was to assess the suitability of the ecotoxicological test based on the growth and photosynthesis inhibition of microalgae cultures, supported by mathematic models for regulatory and decision-making purposes. The C. vulgaris algae growth inhibition test was more sensitive for As, Zn, and Pb exposure whereas the photosynthesis inhibition test was more sensitive for Cu and Ni exposure. The effects on growth and photosynthesis were not related. C. vulgaris evidenced the formation of mucilaginous aggregations at lower copper concentrations. We found that the toxicity of a given heavy metal is not only determined by its chemical speciation; other chemical compounds (as nutrient loads) and biological interactions play an important role in the final toxicity. Predictive mixture effect models tend to overestimate the effects of metal mixtures in C. vulgaris for both growth and photosynthesis inhibition tests. Growth and photosynthesis inhibition tests give complementary information, and both are a fast, cheap, and sensitive alternative to animal testing. More research is needed to solve the challenge of complex pollutant mixtures as they are present in natural environments, where microalgae-based assays can be suitable monitoring tools for pollution management and regulatory purposes. Keywords: PAM; heavy metal mixtures; metals speciation; microalgae; toxicity

P513: Project GIVE: Expanding genetic testing to underserved areas in the Rio Grande Valley using an EHR-agnostic tele-engagement platform

Introduction Providing an accurate genetic diagnosis to children in a timely manner is crucial for providing appropriate medical interventions, counseling families about recurrence risks, and addressing the psychosocial and financial challenges that are known to be associated with diagnostic odysseys. Unfortunately, underserved and under resourced areas across the nation have poor access to genetic testing. There is a significant disparity in access to genomic healthcare in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) along the Texas-Mexico border, which has a population of about 1.4 million residents and no local full-time genetics provider. Over 94% of the population in the RGV is Hispanic, 34% of individuals are uninsured, and upwards of 40% of children in these four counties live in poverty. A lack of expertise of the frontline healthcare providers in identifying individuals in need of a genetics referral and the limited pool of highly trained and qualified board-certified geneticists in the region impedes patient pathways to receive timely genetics evaluation and testing. Project GIVE is an NIH-funded research study at Baylor College of Medicine and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), initiated in February 2022 that was designed to change the current clinical practice in the region. By leveraging Consultagene, a cutting-edge EHR-Agnostic Tele-Engagement Platform, we can provide timely genetic evaluation and whole genome sequencing (WGS) to improve genetic health of less resourced children in the RGV. Additionally, we improve genetics expertise among frontline healthcare providers in the RGV through CME events that cover various genetics concepts. Methods Frontline providers – including physicians, nurse practitioners, developmental therapists, and medical assistants – refer patients directly to Project GIVE through the HIPAA compliant virtual Consultagene portal (www.consultagene.org). Families accepted into the study meet with the study’s bilingual research coordinator at the UTRGV Specialty Clinic for a virtual genetic evaluation with the BCM geneticists and genetic counselor (“Visit 1”). Buccal samples for trio GS are sent to Baylor Genetics, and “Visit 2” is scheduled when results are available. Return of results counseling is provided, with follow-up recommendations as needed. Patients are longitudinally followed for 1 year. Clinical Sequencing Evidence-Generating Research (CSER) surveys are utilized at all study visits to collect demographic information and assess study outcomes. In addition, two in-person CME conferences have been delivered to improve genomic competency of the frontline providers. Surveys were administered before and after the CME event to assess the impact of the CME event on comfortability with genetics concepts. Data were also collected regarding clinic demographics and access to care factors. Results To date, 147 families have been referred through Consultagene, 102 were accepted, and 49 families have completed Visit 1. Most families identify as Hispanic/Latino (97%), and about half have an annual household income of less than $20,000. WGS results have been returned to 38 families. Thirteen children received a diagnosis or partial diagnosis (34%). We are exploring potential new gene-disease associations for three of our participants with negative WGS. Preliminary results from surveys show that families feel satisfied with WGS results and the use of telemedicine for return of results. Attendees of the CME events reported that they struggled knowing when to refer patients and how to interpret genetic results. They also report challenges with accessing medical records for patients with complex diseases. Providers reported increased comfortability with several genetic concepts post-CME. Conclusion Project GIVE addresses genomic health disparities in under-represented populations by offering virtual genetic evaluation and WGS to pediatric patients with rare diseases. We believe that our model of integrating community engagement and using an advanced virtual platform can be replicated in other disadvantaged areas that lack genetic professionals and resources to improve genomic health of children

Evaluation of potential transfer of the pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica between farmed salmonids and wild fish

Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 634429. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use, which may be made of the information contained therein. Data Availability Statement: The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the fish farmers/staff, veterinarians, biologists and local authorities who collaborated in the sample collection.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Impact of abiotic factors and husbandry on saprolegniosis in salmonid farms

Funding Information: This work was financially supported by the EU H2020 [ H2020-SFS-10a-2014 (ParaFishControl, grant agreement No. 634429) (PT, MS, RG, JD-U, PvW, BO & MF)], the BBSRC [ BB/P020224/1 (MS & PvW) & BB/M026566/1 (MS & PvW)] and the University of Aberdeen (MS & PvW). The authors would like to thank all the fish farmers/staff and colleagues who collaborated in the fieldwork and provided valuable information for the study. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsPeer reviewedPublisher PD

O Conflito Político. Alguns Aspectos da sua Modelação

Objective: Sports practice alters the homeostasis of athletes. To achieve homeostatic equilibrium, the integrated action of the neuroendocrine and immune systems is necessary. Here we studied the relation between cytokines, hormones and mood states in marathon runners. Methods: A total of 20 male recreational marathon runners (mean age = 35.7 ± 9 years) and 20 male sedentary individuals (mean age = 35.5 ± 7 years) were recruited. We compared the serum levels of growth hormone (GH), cortisol and interleukins 8 and 10 and the amounts of these two cytokines spontaneously produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Blood samples of the sedentary group were collected at rest. Blood from the marathon runners was collected at rest (baseline: 24 h before the race), immediately after a marathon and 72 h after a marathon. Mood state analysis in both groups was performed using the 24-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). Results: Our results showed that, at rest, levels of interleukins 8 and 10 in the supernatant of culture cells, the serum concentration of GH, and tension and vigour (evaluated using the BRUMS), were significantly higher in athletes compared to sedentary people. Immediately after the race all serum parameters analysed were statistically higher than baseline values. At 72 h after the marathon, serum levels of hormones and interleukins returned to values at rest, but the concentrations of interleukins in the supernatant of culture cells showed a significant reduction compared to values at rest. Conclusion: The higher serum levels of GH in athletes at rest and the higher production of cytokines in culture without previous stimulus suggest that marathon runners present mechanisms that may be associated with preparing the body to perform prolonged strenuous exercise, such as a marathon

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Shedding light on the performance of a pyrosequencing assay for drug-resistant tuberculosis diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Rapid molecular diagnostics, with their ability to quickly identify genetic mutations associated with drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical specimens, have great potential as tools to control multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (M/XDR-TB). The Qiagen PyroMark Q96 ID system is a commercially available pyrosequencing (PSQ) platform that has been validated for rapid M/XDR-TB diagnosis. However, the details of the assay’s diagnostic and technical performance have yet to be thoroughly investigated in diverse clinical environments. METHODS: This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of the PSQ assay for 1128 clinical specimens from patients from three areas of high TB burden. We report on the diagnostic performance of the PSQ assay between the three sites and identify variables associated with poor PSQ technical performance. RESULTS: In India, the sensitivity of the PSQ assay ranged from 89 to 98 % for the detection of phenotypic resistance to isoniazid, rifampicin, fluoroquinolones, and the injectables. In Moldova, assay sensitivity ranged from 7 to 94 %, and in South Africa, assay sensitivity ranged from 71 to 92 %. Specificity was high (94–100 %) across all sites. The addition of eis promoter sequencing information greatly improved the sensitivity of kanamycin resistance detection in Moldova (7 % to 79 %). Nearly all (89.4 %) sequencing reactions conducted on smear-positive, culture-positive specimens and most (70.8 %) reactions conducted on smear-negative, culture-positive specimens yielded valid PSQ reads. An investigation into the variables influencing sequencing failures indicated smear negativity, culture negativity, site (Moldova), and sequencing of the rpoB, gyrA, and rrs genes were highly associated with poor PSQ technical performance (adj. OR > 2.0). CONCLUSIONS: This study has important implications for the global implementation of PSQ as a molecular TB diagnostic, as it demonstrates how regional factors may impact PSQ diagnostic performance, while underscoring potential gene targets for optimization to improve overall PSQ assay technical performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (#NCT02170441). Registered 12 June 2014. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1781-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users