Effects of Chronic Exposure to the Herbicide, Mesotrione, on Spiders

Mesotrione is a widely used agricultural herbicide and is frequently used alone or as an adjuvant for the herbicides glyphosate and atrazine. The effects of mesotrione are largely untested on beneficial non-target species such as spiders. Different spider species may be differentially susceptible due to size differences, microhabitat, and levels of exposure to this herbicide via soil contact. We tested mortality differences of seven species of spider when exposed to field-relevant concentrations of mesotrione-treated soil over a 55-day period. We tested the web-building spiders Frontinella pyramitela and Tetragnatha laboriosa. We also tested the stem and leaf-dwelling ambush spiders Mecaphesa asperata and Pisaurina mira and three species of ground-dwelling wolf spiders that vary in their burrowing propensities: Hogna lenta (infrequent burrower), Tigrosa helluo (facultative burrower) and a habitually burrowing wolf spider Trochosa ruricola. All seven of these species commonly occur in mesotrione-treated agricultural systems. We found that the web-building spider Frontinella but not Tetragnatha showed increased mortality compared to control treatments. Mecaphesa, Pisaurina, Trochosa, and Tigrosa all showed large significant increases in mortality under chronic exposure to mesotrione-treated soil whereas the wolf spider Hogna lenta was unaffected. We also found sex-specific mortality effects in Pisaurina with males having higher mortality. Several species showed significant shifts in space use when exposed to mesotrione and we found significant interaction between spider weight gain and herbicide treatment. In general, mesotrione is an unsafe herbicide for some species of spiders. Alternative herbicides to mesotrione should be considered to minimize the negative biocontrol impact on beneficial spiders within integrated pest management systems

Fierce Female Friendships: An Artistic Representation and Exploration of the Benefits of Gender-Based Inclusivity and Community in STEM

Incorporating visual art, social research, women’s studies, and artificial intelligence, Fierce Female Friendships investigates the ramifications of gendered experience on the learning environment. By reflecting upon her work in a male-dominated discipline, the author transforms her sense of classroom isolation into two paintings that highlight the subtle yet significant differences that separate inclusivity from alienation. In addition to her personalized reflections, the author also creates a fourteen-question survey which invites her peers to consider gender in academia, to assess their experiences on a university campus, and to imagine how they might depict those experiences using visual art. Positing the idea that gender assumptions proliferate in ways that are similar to those with which artificial intelligence (AI) generates texts and images, the author compiles survey responses and uses an AI art generator to create two, eighty-image posters depicting peer experience. Over the course of Fierce Female Friendships, personal and peer experiences suggest that more inclusive and welcoming educational environments for all minority demographics will require active, consistent, and collaborative change

Service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review

The involvement of mental health service users and their caregivers in health system policy and planning, service monitoring and research can contribute to mental health system strengthening, but as yet there have been very few efforts to do so in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This systematic review examined the evidence and experience of service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening, as well as models of best practice for evaluation of capacity-building activities that facilitate their greater participation. Both the peer-reviewed and the grey literature were included in the review, which were identified through database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO, Google Scholar and Cochrane), as well as hand-searching of reference lists and the internet, and a snowballing process of contacting experts active in the area. This review included any kind of study design that described or evaluated service user, family or caregiver (though not community) involvement in LMICs (including service users with intellectual disabilities, dementia, or child and adolescent mental health problems) and that were relevant to mental health system strengthening across five categories. Data were extracted and summarised as a narrative review. Results Twenty papers matched the inclusion criteria. Overall, the review found that although there were examples of service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in numerous countries, there was a lack of high-quality research and a weak evidence base for the work that was being conducted across countries. However, there was some emerging research on the development of policies and strategies, including advocacy work, and to a lesser extent the development of services, service monitoring and evaluation, with most service user involvement having taken place within advocacy and service delivery. Research was scarce within the other health system strengthening areas. Conclusions Further research on service user and caregiver involvement in mental health system strengthening in LMICs is recommended, in particular research that includes more rigorous evaluation. A series of specific recommendations are provided based on the review

Genetics of heart rate in heart failure patients (GenHRate)

BACKGROUND: Elevated resting heart rate (HR) is a risk factor and therapeutic target in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Previous studies indicate a genetic contribution to HR in population samples but there is little data in patients with HFrEF. METHODS: Patients who met Framingham criteria for HF and had an ejection fraction \u3c 50% were prospectively enrolled in a genetic HF registry (2007-2015, n = 1060). All participants donated blood for DNA and underwent genome-wide genotyping with additional variants called via imputation. We performed testing of previously identified variant hits (43 loci) as well as a genome-wide association (GWAS) of HR, adjusted for race, using Efficient Mixed-Model Association Expedited (EMMAX). RESULTS: The cohort was 35% female, 51% African American, and averaged 68 years of age. There was a 2 beats per minute (bpm) difference in HR by race, AA being slightly higher. Among 43 candidate variants, 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in one gene (GJA1) were significantly associated with HR. In genome-wide testing, one statistically significant association peak was identified on chromosome 22q13, with strongest SNP rs535263906 (p = 3.3 x 10(-8)). The peak is located within the gene Cadherin EGF LAG Seven-Pass G-Type Receptor 1 (CELSR1), encoding a cadherin super-family cell surface protein identified in GWAS of other phenotypes (e.g., stroke). The highest associated SNP was specific to the African American population. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm GJA1 association with HR in the setting of HFrEF and identify novel candidate genes for HR in HFrEF patients, particularly CELSR1. These associations should be tested in additional cohorts

Genetics of heart rate in heart failure patients (GenHRate)

BACKGROUND: Elevated resting heart rate (HR) is a risk factor and therapeutic target in patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Previous studies indicate a genetic contribution to HR in population samples but there is little data in patients with HFrEF. METHODS: Patients who met Framingham criteria for HF and had an ejection fraction \u3c 50% were prospectively enrolled in a genetic HF registry (2007-2015, n = 1060). All participants donated blood for DNA and underwent genome-wide genotyping with additional variants called via imputation. We performed testing of previously identified variant hits (43 loci) as well as a genome-wide association (GWAS) of HR, adjusted for race, using Efficient Mixed-Model Association Expedited (EMMAX). RESULTS: The cohort was 35% female, 51% African American, and averaged 68 years of age. There was a 2 beats per minute (bpm) difference in HR by race, AA being slightly higher. Among 43 candidate variants, 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in one gene (GJA1) were significantly associated with HR. In genome-wide testing, one statistically significant association peak was identified on chromosome 22q13, with strongest SNP rs535263906 (p = 3.3 x 10(-8)). The peak is located within the gene Cadherin EGF LAG Seven-Pass G-Type Receptor 1 (CELSR1), encoding a cadherin super-family cell surface protein identified in GWAS of other phenotypes (e.g., stroke). The highest associated SNP was specific to the African American population. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm GJA1 association with HR in the setting of HFrEF and identify novel candidate genes for HR in HFrEF patients, particularly CELSR1. These associations should be tested in additional cohorts

Primer reporte de Anagyrus kamali Moursi y Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam y Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoides de la cochinilla rosada del hibisco Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) en la isla de San Andres, Col.

Here we report for the first time the presence of Anagyrus kamali Moursi and Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam and Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoids of the pink hibiscus mealybug (PHM), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on San Andres Island, Colombia. Brief notes are provided to allow differentiation of the two parasitoid species.Se reporta por primera vez la presencia de Anagyrus kamali Moursi y Gyranusoidea indica Shafee, Alam y Agarwal (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), parasitoides de la cochinilla rosada del hibisco (CRH), Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) en la Isla de San Andrés, Colombia. Se proveen notas breves para diferenciar las dos especies de parasitoides.  

Key lessons learned from the INDIGO global network on mental health related stigma and discrimination

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Determination of the in vivo structural DNA loop organization in the genomic region of the rat albumin locus by means of a topological approach

Nuclear DNA of metazoans is organized in supercoiled loops anchored to a proteinaceous substructure known as the nuclear matrix (NM). DNA is anchored to the NM by non-coding sequences known as matrix attachment regions (MARs). There are no consensus sequences for identification of MARs and not all potential MARs are actually bound to the NM constituting loop attachment regions (LARs). Fundamental processes of nuclear physiology occur at macromolecular complexes organized on the NM; thus, the topological organization of DNA loops must be important. Here, we describe a general method for determining the structural DNA loop organization in any large genomic region with a known sequence. The method exploits the topological properties of loop DNA attached to the NM and elementary topological principles such as that points in a deformable string (DNA) can be positionally mapped relative to a position-reference invariant (NM), and from such mapping, the configuration of the string in third dimension can be deduced. Therefore, it is possible to determine the specific DNA loop configuration without previous characterization of the LARs involved. We determined in hepatocytes and B-lymphocytes of the rat the DNA loop organization of a genomic region that contains four members of the albumin gene family

Building the capacity of policy-makers and planners to strengthen mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Background Little is known about the interventions required to build the capacity of mental health policy-makers and planners in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We conducted a systematic review with the primary aim of identifying and synthesizing the evidence base for building the capacity of policy-makers and planners to strengthen mental health systems in LMICs. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS, ScieELO, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases for studies reporting evidence, experience or evaluation of capacity-building of policy-makers, service planners or managers in mental health system strengthening in LMICs. Reports in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or German were included. Additional papers were identified by hand-searching references and contacting experts and key informants. Database searches yielded 2922 abstracts and 28 additional papers were identified. Following screening, 409 full papers were reviewed, of which 14 fulfilled inclusion criteria for the review. Data were extracted from all included papers and synthesized into a narrative review. Results Only a small number of mental health system-related capacity-building interventions for policy-makers and planners in LMICs were described. Most models of capacity-building combined brief training with longer term mentorship, dialogue and/or the establishment of networks of support. However, rigorous research and evaluation methods were largely absent, with studies being of low quality, limiting the potential to separate mental health system strengthening outcomes from the effects of associated contextual factors. Conclusions This review demonstrates the need for partnership approaches to building the capacity of mental health policy-makers and planners in LMICs, assessed rigorously against pre-specified conceptual frameworks and hypotheses, utilising longitudinal evaluation and mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches

Evaluation of capacity-building strategies for mental health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries for service users and carers, policymakers and planners, and researchers

Background Strengthening of mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires the involvement of appropriately skilled and committed individuals from a range of stakeholder groups. Currently, few evidence-based capacity-building activities and materials are available to enable and sustain comprehensive improvements. Aims Within the Emerald project, the goal of this study was to evaluate capacity-building activities for three target groups: (a) service users with mental health conditions and their caregivers; (b) policymakers and planners; and (c) mental health researchers. Method We developed and tailored three short courses (between 1 and 5 days long). We then implemented and evaluated these short courses on 24 different occasions. We assessed satisfaction among 527 course participants as well as pre–post changes in knowledge in six LMICs (Ethiopia, India, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda). Changes in research capacity of partner Emerald institutions was also assessed through monitoring of academic outputs of participating researchers and students and via anonymous surveys. Results Short courses were associated with high levels of satisfaction and led to improvements in knowledge across target groups. In relation to institutional capacity building, all partner institutions reported improvements in research capacity for most aspects of mental health system strengthening and global mental health, and many of these positive changes were attributed to the Emerald programme. In terms of outputs, eight PhD students submitted a total of 10 papers relating to their PhD work (range 0–4) and were involved in 14 grant applications, of which 43% (n = 6) were successful. Conclusions The Emerald project has shown that building capacity of key stakeholders in mental health system strengthening is possible. However, the starting point and appropriate strategies for this may vary across different countries, depending on the local context, needs and resources