Sex Composition Research Articles

Comparative growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) sex groups intank culture: A hormone-free approach for sustainable aquaculture in Dodoma, Tanzania

Male tilapia are globally preferred in aquaculture for their superior growth and uniform harvest sizes. However, hormonal sex reversal techniques used to produce all-male populations can pose health and environmental risks. This study investigated the growth performance of manually separated monosex males, monosex females, and mixed-sex groups of Nile tilapia in tank culture as a sustainable and hormone-free alternative. Over six weeks, the study measured various morphometric parameters, weight gain, specific growth rates, water quality parameters, and condition factors. The fish were fed isonitrogenous commercial feed, and the feeding regime was adjusted based on their weight. Results revealed that monosex tilapia groups attained higher growth rates than mixed-sex groups, with males achieving an average final weight of 56.5 g, followed by females at 53.3 g, and mixed-sex groups at 43.3 g. Males had higher morphometric values compared to females and mixed-sex groups. The water quality parameters remained optimal across all groups, indicating that sex composition does not impact water management. Monosex females and mixed-sex groups exhibited better condition factors. The study concludes that tilapia farming can be effectively conducted with either mono-sex male or mono-sex female tilapia, as their growth rates do not differ significantly. Further research and development of techniques to ease the separation of sexes and enhance the growth rates of monosex female tilapia are recommended as a viable, hormone-free alternative for sustainable aquaculture.

Changes in Health Spending During the COVID-19 Pandemic by Expenditure Type and Household Profiles in Mexican Households

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the changes in the health expenditure of households in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic to approximate changes in healthcare that can lead to difficulties in detecting noncommunicable diseases, among others. MethodsWe compare health spending before and after the pandemic through various estimators using multivariate linear regression models at the household level. We also explore heterogeneous effects by zone, sex, and household composition by age. We explore potential mechanisms of change estimating probit models of healthcare. We use microdata from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018 and COVID-19. ResultsThe results suggest a significant reduction in health spending, mainly referring to oral health, clinical analysis, and medical studies. Moreover, differences arise by type of area and household age profile. Changes are more significant among families with children younger than 12 years and households situated in urban areas. Regarding the mechanisms, the results suggest that the lower spending is not due to fewer health needs but rather due to less healthcare attention. ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic had a significant and heterogeneous impact on household health spending. This lower spending could lead to less detection of noncommunicable diseases, translating into more pressure on the health system in the medium and long term.

DNA methylation in the TXNIP gene is associated with type 2 diabetes in Pacific Peoples living in NZ

Abstract Background Pacific Peoples living in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) have higher rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and have benefited less from improvements in cardiovascular health outcomes when compared with other populations in NZ. DNA methylation markers of T2D have been identified in non-Pacific populations and could be used to monitor the cumulative effects of T2D on cardiovascular disease risk. However, no study has yet investigated the relationships between T2D and DNA methylation in Pacific Peoples living in NZ. Purpose This study aimed to quantify the relationship between DNA methylation and T2D in two cohorts of Pacific Peoples living in NZ. Methods Whole-blood DNA methylation at over 850,000 loci was measured on Illumina MethylationEPIC arrays in 288 Pacific participants from the Pasifika Heart Study (PHS, n=191), a community cohort, and the Multi-Ethnic NZ Study of Acute Coronary Syndromes (MENZACS, n=97), a cohort of patients with acute coronary syndromes. In the PHS, the median age was 41 years, and 98 (51%) participants were female. In MENZACS, the median age was 53 years, and 18 (19%) participants were female. In both cohorts, T2D cases were defined by either previous diagnosis (n=58) or had an HbA1c measurement >58 mmol/mol (n=7). We compared 65 participants with T2D and 223 participants without T2D of Samoan (n=116), Tongan (n=66), Fijian (n=61), Cook Island Māori (n=22), Niuean (n=9), or of Other/Multiple Pacific (n=14) ethnicity in a meta epigenome-wide association study (EWAS). EWAS comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, and imputed blood cell composition. We compared the difference in means at differentially methylated loci between the European and Pacific MENZACS participants using a two-sample z statistic. For the 525 European participants, 85 had T2D, the median age was 57 years, and 149 (28%) were female. Results One locus cg19693031, in the thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) gene, exhibited differential methylation between those with T2D and those without in the meta EWAS (false discovery rate =6.9x10-9). In the PHS we observed a mean reduction in cg19693031 methylation of 7.0% (95% CI, 5.0, 8.9) between those with T2D and those without. Similarly in the MENZACS Pacific participants we observed a mean reduction in cg19693031 methylation of 10.9% (95% CI, 7.6, 12.4) between those with T2D and those without. The MENZACS European participants with T2D had a mean reduction in cg19693031 methylation of 6.5% (95% CI, 5.3, 7.7, p<0.001) compared to those without T2D. The difference in means in T2D cases and controls between MENZACS Pacific and European participants was non-significant (p =0.08). Conclusion DNA methylation at cg19693031 is associated with T2D in Pacific Peoples living in NZ and may be a sensitive marker of T2D in Pacific Peoples with acute coronary syndromes. DNA methylation at this locus may provide valuable information on the relationship between T2D and cardiovascular disease.Miami plot of Pacific T2D EWAST2D methylation by population in MENZACS

Age, Growth, Sex Composition, and Diet of the Burbot, Lota lota, the Only Freshwater Species of the Family Lotidae in the Amur (Heilongjiang) River, Northeast China

Information about the population structure, including the age and sex composition, growth characteristics, and diet of fish, is essential for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fish stock. The burbot, Lota lota, is the only freshwater species of the family Lotidae in the Amur (Heilongjiang) River catchment located in northeastern China. Information on the biological characteristics and data on the population structure of this fish from the Amur River are scarce. To study these factors in burbot, Lota lota, in the Amur River of China, 749 specimens from four sampling areas were taken and analyzed in October 2022, January 2023, and May 2023. The ages of the sampled fish ranged from 1+ to 7+ years. The female/male ratio was 1.04:1, and body length and mass varied from 175 to 595 mm and 73.5 to 1958.7 g, respectively. The length–weight regression parameter b value was estimated as 2.80. The parameters of the von Bertalanffy growth model were L∞ = 596, K = 0.221, and t0 = −0.771 for all sampled fish; L∞ = 625, K = 0.208, and t0 = −0.756 for females; and L∞ = 584, K = 0.219, and t0 = −0.980 for males. The analysis of the stomach contents showed fish to be the major source of nutrition across all areas and sampling periods. In January, the secondary prey of burbots in the Huma reach of the upper Amur River was aquatic insect larvae, while, in the Tongjiang and Fuyuan reaches of the middle Amur River, the secondary prey was shrimp. The mean stomach fullness index and rate of empty stomachs differed with the sampling area, with the greatest proportion of empty stomachs observed in the Luobei reach of the middle Amur River, and the lowest in the Tongjiang and Fuyuan reaches. The mean stomach fullness index showed the opposite trend. In the Huma reach, the contributions of fish to the diet and the mean stomach fullness index were significantly higher in May than in October and January. The study provides the first detailed information on the population age and sex structure, growth patterns, and feeding ecology of burbots from the Amur River, China. The results will aid in formulating management strategies and regulations for local populations of burbots in the Amur River, China.

Food Preference of Purple‐Spotted Bigeye (Priacanthus tayenus Richardson 1846) in Northern Coast of Java, Indonesia

ABSTRACTDiet is one of the essential information used in the management of fisheries resource. The objective of this study was to assess the dietary preferences, index of preponderance, trophic level, food niche breadth, and food overlap of purple‐spotted bigeye (Priacanthus tayenus) caught from the northern coast of Java, Indonesia. A total of 407 fish samples were collected from July to October 2023. Each fish sample was measured for total length and body weight. Fish were then dissected to determine sex, gut length, gut volume, and diet composition. Data analysis included relative gut length, diet composition, frequency of occurrence, trophic level, index of preponderance, food niche breadth, and food overlap. The result showed that the purple‐spotted bigeye is a carnivorous fish (trophic level ranges from 3.88 to 4.18), whose main food is fish and shrimp. Based on the niche breadth value, purple‐spotted bigeye from East Java were more diverse in finding food (niche breadth = 0.26) than from West Java (niche breadth = 0.06) and Central Java (niche breadth = 0.09). The purple‐spotted bigeye species from West Java and Central Java exhibited a high level of competition in their search for food, as indicated by a food overlap value of 0.998.

Interplay of education and DNA methylation age on cognitive impairment: insights from the Health and Retirement Study.

Few studies have assessed the association of educational attainment on dementia and cognitive impairment through DNA methylation age acceleration, while accommodating exposure-mediator interaction effects. We evaluated the mediation role of six epigenetic clocks with dementia, cognitive impairment non-dementia, and normal cognition, while accommodating exposure-mediator interaction effects. To understand the joint association of low education (≤12 years) and DNA methylation age acceleration (yes/no) in relation to cognitive impairment, we used weighted logistic regression, adjusting for chronological age, sex, race/ethnicity, and cell type composition. We performed four-way mediation and interaction decomposition analysis. Analyses were conducted on 2016 venous blood study participants from the Health and Retirement Study (N=3724). Both GrimAge acceleration (OR=1.6 95%CI 1.3-2.1) and low educational attainment (OR=2.4 95%CI 1.9-3.0) were associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment in a mutually adjusted logistic model. We found additive interaction associations between low education and GrimAge acceleration on dementia. We observed that 6-8% of the association of education on dementia was mediated through GrimAge acceleration. While mediation effects were small, the portion of the association of education on dementia due to additive interaction with GrimAge acceleration was between 23.6 and 29.2%. These results support the interplay of social disadvantage and biological aging processes on impaired cognition.

217 Effect of within-litter competition on lamb survivability

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lamb and littermate competition on lamb survivability to weaning. Litter sex composition and litter birth weight variation were the primary considerations for influencing competition. Records from maternal dual-purpose (Polypay, Rambouillet, and Targhee) and terminal breeds [Suffolk and Paternal Composite (PC; 3/8 Columbia, 3/8 Suffolk, 1/4 Texel)] were used, with 18,654 single and 56,324 twin records from all breeds and 11,082 triplet records from the 3 maternal breeds. Records were reported from 1980 to 2023, except for the PC, which began inter se mating in 2009. Lamb survivability to 90 d was analyzed using a Bayesian logistic regression model with the logit link function. Lamb survivability was assumed binomially distributed and influenced by age of dam, birth year, lamb sex, and sex of littermates as fixed effects. The relationship among littermates was also accounted for. Least squares means were transformed from the log odds scale to the probability scale. Birth weight was assumed normally distributed and influenced by the same fixed effects as lamb survival and was analyzed using a linear mixed model. Lamb survivability was also analyzed using the same model described above but including mean litter weight and individual birth weight deviation as linear covariates. Accounting for mean litter birth weight and individual birth weight deviation removed the birth weight differences between the sexes, leaving only true sex differences between lambs for survivability. For single births, females tended to have greater survivability than males when adjusted for birth weight for all breeds but was only significant (P < 0.05) for Rambouillet and Targhee. For maternal breeds, females in twin litters had significantly greater survivability (P < 0.05) than their male counterparts when adjusted for birth weight; differences in terminal breeds were not significant (Table 1). Males in twin litters had heavier birth weights than females (P < 0.05) for all breeds. Triplet born females for all litter-sex combinations had significantly higher survival than males (P < 0.05) for Polypay when adjusted for birth weight. Females in female-female-male (FFM) litters had 76.4% survival versus 58.9% for males while females in female-male-male (FMM) litters had 75.9% versus 66.7% for males. When lamb survivability was adjusted for birth weight, Rambouillet females in FFM litters had 72.2% survival compared with 59.9% for males (P < 0.05) and females in FMM litters had 73.0% survival compared with 63.8% for males. Similar significant differences were observed for FFM and FMM Targhee litters. This study suggests lamb performance is influenced by its littermate(s). Changes in postnatal management of mixed-sex litters may benefit overall lamb survival. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Investigation of Relationships between Intakes of Human Milk Total Lipids and Metabolic Hormones and Infant Sex and Body Composition.

Human milk (HM) composition, including metabolic hormones and lipids, is influenced by various factors, including lactation stage and, potentially, infant sex, which may affect infant body composition (BC) development. We aimed to: (a) characterize the longitudinal concentration and intake profiles of HM leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and total lipids; (b) determine if their concentrations and intakes differ by infant sex; and (c) explore the intakes relationships with the development of infant BC. Milk samples (n = 501) were collected from 82 mother-infant dyads during the first 6 months postpartum. Infant 24 h HM intake was measured, and the average cumulative HM component intakes were calculated. The statistical analysis used linear mixed modeling. Intakes of HM leptin, adiponectin, insulin, and total lipids increased to 1 month postpartum and then remained stable. HM intake and total lipids intake but not hormone intakes were positively associated with infant BC (fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, fat mass, fat mass index, percentage fat mass, and fat mass to fat-free mass ratio). HM component concentrations and intakes did not differ by sex. These findings advance our understanding of the temporal nature of HM components, emphasizing the role of infant 24 h HM and total lipids intake in development of infant lean and adipose tissue.

23 Pre-surgical visceral adipose tissue may be a novel pre-surgical risk factor for acute kidney injury among clear cell renal cell cancer patients undergoing radical nephrectomy

Abstract Background Patients with renal cancer undergoing partial (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) are at risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Established risk factor for AKI include baseline comorbidities (e.g., obesity, hypertension), normal renal parenchymal loss, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Pre-surgical body composition may be an overlooked modifiable patient characteristic that influences risk of AKI. We hypothesized that patients with higher visceral adipose tissue quantity or lower skeletal muscle quantity would have a higher risk of AKI. Methods The RESOLVE study at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is a retrospective study of 1239 patients with stage I-III clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) undergoing PN or RN from 2000 to 2020. We excluded from analysis patients with solitary kidney, those without preoperative serum creatinine (sCr) measurements, and those without a sCr measurement within seven days following nephrectomy, yielding a study population of 1,200 ccRCC patients with longitudinal sCr assessment (n=754 PN; n=446 PN). AKI was defined as a binary variable using the Kidney Disease – Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, based on a threshold of either a 1.5x relative or 0.3 mg/dl absolute increase in sCr within seven days. The cross-sectional areas and radiodensities of visceral adipose and skeletal muscle tissues were determined from pre-surgical computed tomography (CT) scans at the third lumbar vertebrae using Automatica software. We used generalized linear models with a binomial family and identity link to estimate seven-day risk differences (RD) and 95% confidence intervals in subgroups defined by surgery type. Results AKI was more frequent among patients undergoing RN (66% vs 26% among PN). Male patients, those with higher eGFR prior to surgery, those with lower stage/smaller tumors, and those with a history of hyperlipidemia more frequently experienced AKI in the post-operative period. No associations were observed with other reported comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension). While no association was observed between BMI and risk of AKI, visceral adipose and skeletal muscle variables were significantly associated with risk of AKI in univariate models. After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and other body composition variables, only higher visceral adipose tissue quantity remained significantly associated with increased risk of AKI [RD per 40 unit increase (95% CI): 5.2 (1.3, 9.2)]. Muscle characteristics were not associated with AKI in multivariable models. Among patients undergoing PN, we observed a higher frequency of AKI among male patients, those with higher stage/larger tumors, and those with longer ischemia times. No significant associations were observed with comorbidity histories. In univariate models, visceral adipose tissue quantity and quality as well as skeletal muscle quantity were associated with AKI risk; however, after adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and other body composition variables, we observed no significant associations between any body composition feature and AKI in patients undergoing PN. Conclusions Associations between pre-surgical body composition and risk of AKI vary by surgery type. Visceral adipose tissue quantity was associated with risk of AKI among patients undergoing RN, but not PN. This finding may be relevant for patient counseling, consideration for nephron-sparing surgery, and development of interventions to lower visceral adipose tissue quantity. Future studies should evaluate the impact of both pre-surgical and post-surgical change in body composition in relation on chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy.

Adiponectin-to-leptin ratio and incident chronic kidney disease: Sex and body composition-dependent association.

The association between the adiponectin-to-leptin ratio (A/L ratio) and the risk of incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between A/L ratio and the risk of incident CKD and to examine whether such a relationship varied according to sex and body composition. In this prospective community-based cohort, participants with normal kidney function were analysed (N=5192). The association between the A/L ratio at baseline and the risk of incident CKD, defined as two or more occasions with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60mL/min/m2 or proteinuria of ≥1+ on a dipstick test during the follow-up period, was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on sex, body mass index (BMI) and the presence of sarcopenia. The participants' mean age was 57.2±8.3years, and 53.2% were women. The A/L ratio was higher in men compared with women (1.5 [0.8-3.2] and 0.5 [0.3-0.9] μg/ng, P<0.001). During a median follow-up of 9.8 [9.5-10.0] years, 417 incident CKD events occurred (8.7 per 1000 person-years). Men in the highest quartile of A/L ratio had a lower risk of incident CKD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.57; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.33-0.99) than those in the lowest quartile. Additionally, a 1.0 increase in A/L ratio was associated with a 12% decreased risk of incident CKD in men (aHR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.80-0.97). However, no significant association was observed in women. In subgroup analysis stratified by BMI and the presence of sarcopenia, the association between a high A/L ratio and a reduced risk of incident CKD was consistent in men with a BMI<23.0kg/m2 and those with sarcopenia. However, no significant association was observed between men with a BMI≥23.0kg/m2 and those without sarcopenia. A high A/L ratio is an independent marker of a reduced risk of incident CKD in men, especially in those with a BMI<23.0kg/m2 and sarcopenia.

Intergenerational and Sibling Spillovers in High School Majors

This paper estimates family spillovers in high school major choice in Sweden, where admission to oversubscribed majors is determined based on GPA. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find large sibling and intergenerational spillovers that depend on the sex mix of a dyad. Same-sex siblings copy one another, while younger brothers recoil from an older sister’s choices. Fathers and mothers influence sons but not their daughters, except when a mother majors in the male-dominated program of engineering. Back-of-the-envelope calculations reveal that these within-family spillovers have sizable implications for the sex composition of majors. (JEL I21, J12, J13, J16)

Effects of Physiological Status and Environmental Factors on the Lure Responses of Three Pest Fruit Fly Species (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Biotic and abiotic factors influence how insects respond to stimuli. This can make it challenging to interpret captures in traps used to monitor pest abundance in management programmes. To address this, the lure response of three pest fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) was evaluated in a semi-field setting with respect to several physiological and environmental factors. Using standardised methods with known fly numbers in field cages, the response to Biolure (food-based lure) was evaluated for Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis cosyra and Bactrocera dorsalis. Response to the male lures was tested: E.G.O PheroLure for C. capitata and C. cosyra, Trimedlure for C. capitata, and methyl eugenol for B. dorsalis. The physiological variables evaluated were fly age, sex, weight, and total body nutritional composition. The environmental effects of temperature, relative humidity and light intensity were also assessed. Protein-deprived adults responded more strongly to Biolure. The response to Biolure was not sex-specific. Fly age influenced the response of all species to all tested lures. However, this effect was species and lure specific. Temperature was the most influential environmental factor, with response generally increasing with temperature. Lower thresholds for lure response, despite the proximity of responsive flies, range from 12.21 to 22.95°C depending on the species and lure tested. These results indicate that trapping systems and management activity thresholds must take physiological and environmental variation into account to increase their accuracy.

Physical Fitness of the Older Adult Community Living in Leiria, Portugal.

This study aimed to achieve two primary objectives. Firstly, to compare physical fitness levels based on sex, age groups, and body composition. Secondly, to examine physical fitness of the older adults against criterion-referenced fitness standard values using a representative sample from the district of Leiria in Portugal, a region undergoing exponential population growth, including a rise in the elderly population. Data from cross-sectional assessments of the Portuguese older adult community living in the Municipality of Leiria from 2014 to 2022 were collected. This study comprised a sample of 664 community-dwelling older adults (female = 480; male = 184) aged between 60 and 90 years (M = 70.34; SD = 12.67). Participants had a body mass ranging from 45 kg to 122 kg (M = 71.48; SD = 12.34) and a height ranging from 1.30 m to 1.89 m (M = 1.59; SD = 0.08). The Senior Fitness Test battery was used to evaluate parameters of physical fitness, body mass index was calculated, and abdominal circumference was measured. Females displayed a tendency to greater physical fitness compared to males, specifically in terms of lower and upper body flexibility compared to older male adults (p < 0.05). In addition, sexagenarian and older adults with normal weight tended to display greater physical fitness compared to septuagenarian and octogenarian, and overweight adults and those with obesity (p < 0.05), respectively. Information concerning physical fitness is crucial for guiding policymakers and other stakeholders in Leiria for the promotion of healthy aging among the older adult community. Furthermore, this study has established the preliminary reference standards for physical fitness, serving as a tool to promote healthy aging among Portuguese older adults residing in Leiria.

Analysis of the relationship between intestinal segmented filamentous bacteria and rotavirus infection in children

Objective: To investigate the association between intestinal colonization of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) and the risk of rotavirus infection, and the possible mechanisms by which SFB resist rotavirus infection. Methods: This case-control study enrolled 50 children aged 0 to 5 years who present to the outpatient Department of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine with diarrhea and positive stool tests for rotavirus. The children were divided into rotavirus enteritis group and control group consisting of 55 children with non-gastrointestinal and non-infectious surgical diseases.The age and sex composition of the two groups was matched. The DNA of the fecal flora was extracted and SFB was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis. The children in the rotavirus enteritis group and the control group were subgrouped by age and sex to analyze the differences in SFB positivity rates between different groups, and further compare and analyze the differences in SFB positivity rates between these two groups of children in the ≤2 years old subgroup and the >2-5 years old subgroup. Neutralization test was performed with p3340 protein and rotavirus to determine the relationship between rotavirus infection rate and p3340 concentration in Vero cells. χ2 test or Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison between the two groups. Results: There were 50 children in the rotavirus enteritis group with an age of (1.7±0.9) years, and 55 children in the control group with an age of (1.8±1.1) years. The positive rate of SFB in children with rotavirus enteritis showed a declining trend across ages groups, with the highest rate of 10/14 in the ≤1 year old group, followed by 67% (14/21) in the >1-2 years old group, 9/15 in the >2-5 years old group, and there was no statistically significant difference (P=0.867). The positive rate of SFB in the control group was 12/15 in the ≤1 year old group, 95% (19/20) in the >1-2 years old group, 50% (10/20) in the >2-5 years old group, with statistical significance (P=0.004). The positive rate of SFB in children with rotavirus enteritis was 74% (20/27) in males and 56% (13/23) in females (χ2=1.71, P=0.192). In the control group, it was 79% (22/28) in males and 70% (19/27) in females (χ2=0.49, P=0.485). The positive rate of SFB was 66% (33/50) in the rotavirus enteritis group and 75% (41/55) in the control group, with no statistically significant (χ2=0.56, P=0.454). In the children ≤2 years old, the SFB positivity rate was 69% (24/35) in the rotavirus enteritis group and 89% (31/35) in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (χ2=4.16, P=0.041). However, in the children >2-5 years old, no statistically significant difference was observed, with the positive rate of SFB being 9/15 in the rotavirus enteritis group and 50% (10/20) in the control group (P=0.734). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between rotavirus infection and SFB positivity (r=-0.87,P<0.001). As the concentration of the p3340 specific protein increased, the luminescence intensity of the luciferase in the Vero cells, which were suitable for cultivating rotavirus, exhibited a decreasing trend (F=4.17, P=0.001). Conclusions: SFB colonization in infants less than 2 years old is associated with a reduced risk of rotavirus infection. Cloning of specific SFB functional protein p3340 neutralizes rotavirus infection of Vero cells, and this mechanism of targeting rotavirus infection differs from the common antiviral mechanism.

An immersive virtual reality-based object-location memory task reveals spatial long-term memory alterations in Long-COVID

Object-location memory (OLM) is a type of declarative memory for spatial information and consists of the individual's ability to establish accurate associations between objects and their spatial locations. Long-COVID describes the long-term effects of the COVID-19 disease. Long-COVID patients show medial temporal lobe dysfunction and neuropsychological alterations affecting memory. This study aimed to assess OLM in a group of Long-COVID patients, n=66, and a Control group of healthy individuals with similar age and sex composition, n=21, using an immersive virtual reality (iVR)-based OLM task. We also explored associations between the performance in the iVR-based OLM task and general cognitive function (MoCA), and both verbal (VSTM) and visuospatial (SSTM) span. The Long-COVID group showed fewer correct responses, made more task attempts, and invested more time in the iVR-based OLM task than the Control group. Delayed memory was more severely altered than immediate memory in Long-COVID participants. Better MoCA scores of the Long-COVID group were strongly associated with shorter times to complete the immediate recall of the iVR-based OLM task. Besides, the months elapsed since the COVID-19 infection were slightly associated with fewer correct responses in the immediate and 24-hour recalls. These results corroborate previous findings of memory alterations in the Long-COVID syndrome using an iVR-based OLM task, adding new evidence on spatial memory and long-term memory in this population. Implementing spatial iVR tasks to clinical research may improve our understanding of neuropsychological disorders.

The complexity of coffee and its impact on metabolism.

Coffee is one of the three most consumed beverages in the world. It is made by first roasting coffee beans, and then grinding and boiling or steeping the roasted beans in water (brewing). The process of roasting and brewing produces a complex mix of bioactive compounds, including methylxanthines (caffeine, theobromine, theophylline), diterpenes, chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acid. In the body, these compounds may be metabolized to produce other bioactive compounds. For example, caffeine is primarily (80%) broken down by demethylation to produce paraxanthine. In the post-ingestion period, levels of paraxanthine may be higher than caffeine due to its slower elimination. Hence, while paraxanthine is not found in coffee itself, it has many of the same properties as caffeine and may be a major contributor to its metabolic effects. The impacts of caffeine and paraxanthine on metabolism relate to their impact on adenosine receptors (notably the A2A receptor). It has been known for almost 100 years that intake of coffee stimulates metabolism by between 5% and 20% for at least 3 h. About half of the increase in metabolic rate after drinking coffee is due to caffeine and derivatives, but the source of the other half is unclear. There are large differences in the response to the same amount of coffee in different individuals, which may be related to caffeine clearance rates, effects of other unknown pathways, genetic polymorphism, age, sex, and body composition.

Population of Russia: demographic situation, problems and prospects

Analysis of the size, structure and age-sex composition of the population of Russia is the most important task of modern statistics, providing government agencies with the necessary information for developing programs and plans for the development of key sectors of the economy. In times of economic downturns and recessions, it is important for authorities to have reliable and complete information about the state of the population, since it is the population size and its structure that are the basis of human resources for the development of sectors of the economy, including agriculture, which ensures food security and preservation of the population, decides strategic development tasks for the country as a whole. The study is aimed at analyzing the state and identifying patterns of changes in the Russian population, population distribution, identifying trends in the dynamics of the working-age and elderly population, and analyzing the gender and age pyramid of Russia for 2023. To conduct a comprehensive study, the following methods were used: calculation of demographic coefficients, alignment of time series. The results of the study made it possible to propose directions for improving measures within the framework of the existing demographic policy of the state to ensure uniform distribution of the population throughout the country, reduce the tax burden on individuals, and increase labor productivity.

Differences in Type 2 Fiber Composition in the Vastus Lateralis and Gluteus Maximus of Patients with Hip Fractures.

Aging leads to sarcopenia, which is characterized by reduced muscle mass and strength. Many factors, including altered muscle protein turnover, diminished neuromuscular function, hormonal changes, systemic inflammation, and the structure and composition of muscle fibers, play a crucial role in age-related muscle decline. This study explored differences in muscle fiber types contributing to overall muscle function decline in aging, focusing on individuals with hip fractures from falls. A pilot study at Chungnam National University Hospital collected muscle biopsies from hip fracture patients aged 20 to 80 undergoing surgical treatment. Muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis and gluteus maximus were obtained during hip arthroplasty or internal fixation. Handgrip strength, calf and thigh circumference, and bone mineral density were evaluated in individuals with hip fractures from falls. We analyzed the relationships between each clinical characteristic and muscle fiber type. In total, 26 participants (mean age 67.9 years, 69.2% male) were included in this study. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 53.8%, and that of femoral and lumbar osteoporosis was 19.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Vastus lateralis analysis revealed an age-related decrease in type IIx fibers, a higher proportion of type IIa fibers in women, and an association between handgrip strength and type IIx fibers in men. The gluteus maximus showed no significant correlations with clinical parameters. This study identified complex associations between age, sex, handgrip strength, and muscle fiber composition in hip fracture patients, offering insights crucial for targeted interventions combating age-related muscle decline and improving musculoskeletal health.

Sex, racial, and ethnic disparities in motor neuron disease: clinical trial enrolment

Objective Motor neuron disease (MND) is a group of neurological diseases, the majority being amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with varying clinical presentations across demographics. Clinical trial enrollment reflecting global disease burden improves understanding of diverse presentations and aids personalized therapy development. We assessed the sex, racial, and ethnic composition of MND/ALS clinical trial participants relative to global disease burdens. Methods We searched ‘motor neuron disease OR amyotrophic lateral sclerosis’ on ClinicalTrials.gov from 02/2000–04/2024. We extracted trial (start year, study site, sponsor location, phase, masking, intervention) and demographic data (sex, race, ethnicity) from randomized interventional studies. We obtained sex-based MND/ALS disease burden estimates from the Global Burden of Disease database. For females, we calculated pooled participation-to-prevalence ratio (PPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with PPR of 0.8–1.2 indicating adequate enrollment. We used Kruskal–Wallis tests to compare demographic groups across trial characteristics. Results Of 85 trials, females comprised 37.47% (n = 5011) of 13,372 participants; the pooled female PPR was 0.97 (95% CI: 0.77–1.16). Of 41 trials (9340 participants) reporting race, 121 (1.30%) participants were Black or African American, 16 (0.17%) American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 6 (0.06%) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. 24 trials (595 participants) reported ethnicity, with a minority of Hispanic participants (n = 153; 2.57%). Conclusions MND/ALS clinical trials had adequate female enrollment relative to global disease burdens. Race and ethnicity data were underreported. However, there were enrollment disparities of racial and ethnic groups. Increased trial leadership diversity, equitable enrollment policies, and addressing barriers to participation could improve enrollment diversity.

Opposites attract? Mixed-sex parents' and siblings' sport participation differentiates youth athletes' perceived parenting climates.

Guided by family systems and achievement goal theories, this study examined how the sex of athletes and their main sport parents, as well as sport participation patterns (same sport, different sports, and no sports) of parent-athlete and sibling sex compositions (same-sex and mixed-sex), differentiated athlete perceptions of parenting climates-task-involving (emphasizing individual improvements, effort, and mastery) and ego-involving (emphasizing winning and performance comparison). Participants were 353 U.S. high school athletes (Mage=15.52 and SD=1.18; 55% male) who completed a survey on perceived parenting climates, family compositions, and sport backgrounds of their parents and siblings. We conducted six moderated regression analyses, two of which used (1) athlete sex and main sport parents' sex, (2) sport participation patterns of parent-athlete sex compositions, or (3) sport participation patterns of sibling sex compositions as independent variables. Four of the analyses were statistically significant with small effect sizes, showing that (1) boys perceived greater ego-involving climates than girls; (2) athletes whose same-sex parents played sports (same or different sports) compared to no sports-perceived greater task-involving climates: (3) athletes whose mixed-sex parents played (same or different sports) compared to no sports-perceived greater task-involving climates and less ego-involving climates; and (4) athletes whose mixed-sex siblings played different sports than they did, compared no sports, and perceived greater task-involving climates. None of the interactions were significant. Findings provide theoretical and practical implications by incorporating motivational climates, addressing the potential relationships of parents' and mixed-sex siblings' sport participation to adaptive parenting climates.