Investigating Estrogen as a Biomarker for Depressive and Anxious Behavior in an Emotional Stroop Task

Sex differences have shown to have a profound effect on the increased prevalence of the development of depression and anxiety disorders within women. Women are two times more likely to suffer from major depression than men (Shors & Leuner, 2003). This suggests that gender-specific biological factors, specifically hormones, may be responsible. Women are known to have fluctuating levels of estrogen throughout their menstrual cycles. Furthermore, estrogen is also known to act as a protective mechanism against symptoms of both depression and anxiety. In order to examine any potential correlations between levels of estrogen and symptoms pertaining to Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, participants were recruited to partake in responding to a Qualtrics survey containing items from the Beck’s Hopelessness Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Afterwards, participants were guided to complete an Emotional Stroop Task measuring accuracy and response time in reference to emotionally positive or negative words. To test the estrogen concentration levels of each participant, saliva samples will be collected and identified through conducting ELISA saliva tests. We hypothesize that there will be better performance on the Emotional Stroop task and decreased risk of depressive and anxious behavior based on a Beck’s Hopelessness Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory screening in participants with higher levels of estrogen. The results of this study further the discussion on how biological factors, such as estrogen, play a role in the mental health of women

A Survey of Tick Surveillance and Control Practices in the United States

Tickborne diseases are an increasing public health threat in the United States. Prevention and diagnosis of tickborne diseases are improved by access to current and accurate information on where medically important ticks and their associated human and veterinary pathogens are present, their local abundance or prevalence, and when ticks are actively seeking hosts. The true extent of tick and tickborne pathogen expansion is poorly defined, in part because of a lack of nationally standardized tick surveillance. We surveyed 140 vector-borne disease professionals working in state, county, and local public health and vector control agencies to assess their 1) tick surveillance program objectives, 2) pathogen testing methods, 3) tick control practices, 4) data communication strategies, and 5) barriers to program development and operation. Fewer than half of respondents reported that their jurisdiction was engaged in routine, active tick surveillance, but nearly two-thirds reported engaging in passive tick surveillance. Detection of tick presence was the most commonly stated current surveillance objective (76.2%). Most of the programs currently supporting tick pathogen testing were in the Northeast (70.8%), Upper and Central Midwest (64.3%), and the West (71.4%) regions. The most common pathogens screened for were Rickettsia spp. (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and bacterial and viral agents transmitted by Ixodes (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks. Only 12% of respondents indicated their jurisdiction directly conducts or otherwise financially supports tick control. Responses indicated that their ability to expand the capacity of tick surveillance and control programs was impeded by inconsistent funding, limited infrastructure, guidance on best practices, and institutional capacity to perform these functions