Prospective Associations of Homocysteine, Executive Function, and Depressive Symptoms

Associations of cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms have been well established. However, the directionality of these associations as well as the specificity of these associations with respect to executive function are less clear. Additionally few studies have determined whether genetic risk factors, such as apolipoprotein-E4 (APOE-E4) genotype, and age moderate the associations of cardiovascular risk factors such as homocysteine with changes in depressive symptoms and how these associations may be mediated by cognitive performance. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the bidirectional associations of a full range of cognitive domains and symptoms of depression over a period of 5 years and to determine the extent to which the conditional associations of homocysteine (moderated by age and APOE-E4 genotype) and changes in depressive symptoms are mediated by cognitive performance. Additionally, we aimed to determine the extent to which these associations are specific to executive function as compared with other domains of cognitive function. After exclusions for probable dementia, kidney dialysis, and acute stroke, 719 adult participants were available for analysis for the sixth and seventh waves of the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study. We conducted cross-sectional multiple linear regression analyses and cross-lagged panel analyses (CLPD) to determine the strength and directionality of associations for cognitive function and symptoms of depression. Next, we conducted conditional mediation path analyses to explore the associations of homocysteine (moderated by age and APOE-E4) and changes in self-reported depressive symptoms as mediated by cognitive function. All models were adjusted for wave 6 demographic covariates (age, sex, education, ethnicity, and marital status), cardiovascular risk profile (Framingham Risk Score), and depressive symptoms. In fully adjusted cross-sectional models, depressive symptoms were inversely associated with executive function and several other cognitive domains. In CLPD, cognitive performance was a stronger and more consistent predictor of changes in depressive symptoms (Executive Function, Global performance, Scanning and Tracking, and Visual-Spatial Organization and Memory) than depressive symptoms were of changes in performance. Although cognitive performance largely did not mediate the associations of cardiovascular risk factors (homocysteine and Framingham Risk Score) and changes in depressive symptoms, we did observe direct associations of Framingham Risk Score and changes in symptoms as well as significant moderation by age and APOE-E4 for the associations of homocysteine and changes in depressive symptoms. For APOE-E4 non-carriers, higher homocysteine was associated with symptom increases for individuals ≥ 74.33 years of age and for APOE-E4 carriers, there were marginal risks for individuals ≤ 45 years of age. The findings of this study have important clinical implications in assessing risk for and prevention of depressive symptoms both via maintenance of cognitive function and CVD risk reduction. Better executive functioning and performance in other cognitive domains was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms over five years. Lower levels of CVD risk, both for the well-established CVD risk factors indexed by the Framingham Risk Score and for homocysteine, were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms over five years. Moderation of depressive symptoms may be afforded through interventions designed to maintain executive function and to reduce risk relating to modifiable CVD risk factors such as homocysteine. Clinical trials with patient populations are needed to determine whether modification of homocysteine via dietary or physical activity adjustments could provide effective prevention of depressive symptoms

Challenging the “jolly fat” hypothesis among older adults: High body mass index predicts increases in depressive symptoms over a 5-year period

Several investigators have observed lowered risk of depression among obese older adults, coining the “jolly fat” hypothesis. We examined this hypothesis using baseline and a 5-year follow-up body mass index, depressive symptoms, and covariates from 638 community-based older adults. High objectively measured body mass index and functional limitations predicted increased future depressive symptoms. However, symptoms did not predict future body mass index. Self-reported body mass index showed similar associations despite underestimating obesity prevalence. Results did not differ on the basis of gender. Results for this study, the first longitudinal reciprocal risk analysis between objectively measured body mass index and depressive symptoms among older adults, do not support the “jolly fat” hypothesis

Habitual chocolate intake and type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study: (1975-2010): Prospective observations

Compounds in cocoa and chocolate have established cardiovascular benefits, including beneficial effects on insulin resistance, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aims of this study was to investigate relations between habitual chocolate intakes and diabetes mellitus. Cross-sectional and prospective analyses were undertaken on 953 community-dwelling participants (mean age 62 years, 59% women) from the Maine-Syracuse Longitudinal Study (MSLS). Habitual chocolate intakes, measured using a food frequency questionnaire, were related to prevalence of diabetes mellitus (cross-sectionally) and with risk of diabetes measured approximately five years later (prospectively). We also examined the relation between diabetes (the predictor) and chocolate consumption (the outcome) up to 30 years later. Chocolate intake was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes. Compared to participants who consumed chocolate more than once per week, those who never or rarely ate chocolate exhibited a significantly higher odds of having type 2 diabetes 5 years later (OR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.03, 3.55, p ¼ 0.04), after adjustment for cardiovascular, lifestyle and dietary factors including other polyphenol-rich beverages. However, individuals diagnosed with diabetes prior to the nutritional assessment consumed lower amounts of chocolate at the time of the dietary assessment. Our findings suggest that relations between chocolate and type 2 diabetes may be bi-directional

Mold and Endotoxin Levels in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina: A Pilot Project of Homes in New Orleans Undergoing Renovation

BACKGROUND: After Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans homes remained flooded for weeks, promoting heavy microbial growth. OBJECTIVES: A small demonstration project was conducted November 2005–January 2006 aiming to recommend safe remediation techniques and safe levels of worker protection, and to characterize airborne mold and endotoxin throughout cleanup. METHODS: Three houses with floodwater lines between 0.3 and 2 m underwent intervention, including disposal of damaged furnishings and drywall, cleaning surfaces, drying remaining structure, and treatment with a biostatic agent. We measured indoor and outdoor bioaerosols before, during, and after intervention. Samples were analyzed for fungi [culture, spore analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)] and endotoxin. In one house, real-time particle counts were also assessed, and respirator-efficiency testing was performed to establish workplace protection factors (WPF). RESULTS: At baseline, culturable mold ranged from 22,000 to 515,000 colony-forming units/m(3), spore counts ranged from 82,000 to 630,000 spores/m(3), and endotoxin ranged from 17 to 139 endotoxin units/m(3). Culture, spore analysis, and PCR indicated that Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Paecilomyces predominated. After intervention, levels of mold and endotoxin were generally lower (sometimes, orders of magnitude). The average WPF against fungal spores for elastomeric respirators was higher than for the N-95 respirators. CONCLUSIONS: During baseline and intervention, mold and endotoxin levels were similar to those found in agricultural environments. We strongly recommend that those entering, cleaning, and repairing flood-damaged homes wear respirators at least as protective as elastomeric respirators. Recommendations based on this demonstration will benefit those involved in the current cleanup activities and will inform efforts to respond to future disasters

The effect of climate change on avian offspring production: A global meta-analysis

Climate change affects timing of reproduction in many bird species, but few studies have investigated its influence on annual reproductive output. Here, we assess changes in the annual production of young by female breeders in 201 populations of 104 bird species (N = 745,962 clutches) covering all continents between 1970 and 2019. Overall, average offspring production has declined in recent decades, but considerable differences were found among species and populations. A total of 56.7% of populations showed a declining trend in offspring production (significant in 17.4%), whereas 43.3% exhibited an increase (significant in 10.4%). The results show that climatic changes affect offspring production through compounded effects on ecological and life history traits of species. Migratory and larger-bodied species experienced reduced offspring production with increasing temperatures during the chick-rearing period, whereas smaller-bodied, sedentary species tended to produce more offspring. Likewise, multi-brooded species showed increased breeding success with increasing temperatures, whereas rising temperatures were unrelated to reproductive success in single-brooded species. Our study suggests that rapid declines in size of bird populations reported by many studies from different parts of the world are driven only to a small degree by changes in the production of young.This meta-analysis was financed by the grant of the Polish National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki) (no. 2017/27/B/NZ8/00465) awarded to Lucyna Hałupka.Peer reviewe

The effect of climate change on avian offspring production: A global meta-analysis

Climate change affects timing of reproduction in many bird species, but few studies have investigated its influence on annual reproductive output. Here, we assess changes in the annual production of young by female breeders in 201 populations of 104 bird species (N = 745,962 clutches) covering all continents between 1970 and 2019. Overall, average offspring production has declined in recent decades, but considerable differences were found among species and populations. A total of 56.7% of populations showed a declining trend in offspring production (significant in 17.4%), whereas 43.3% exhibited an increase (significant in 10.4%). The results show that climatic changes affect offspring production through compounded effects on ecological and life history traits of species. Migratory and larger-bodied species experienced reduced offspring production with increasing temperatures during the chick-rearing period, whereas smaller-bodied, sedentary species tended to produce more offspring. Likewise, multi-brooded species showed increased breeding success with increasing temperatures, whereas rising temperatures were unrelated to repro- ductive success in single-brooded species. Our study suggests that rapid declines in size of bird populations reported by many studies from different parts of the world are driven only to a small degree by changes in the production of young

Wheat gluten elasticity - a similar molecular-basis to elastin

AbstractWe have used circular dichroism spectroscopy and structure prediction to study the secondary structure of a group of gluten proteins. They have short α-helices at the N- and C-termini, which are cross-linked by disulphide bonds. The long repetitive central domain has regular β-turns. This structure is similar to that previously proposed for elastin, suggesting a common molecular basis for elasticity.WheatGluten proteinSecondary structureElasticit