Decrements In Health Research Articles

The Association Between Food Insecurity and Intimate Partner Violence Among U.S. Army Soldiers.

Food insecurity in the military ranges between 25% and 33%, significantly higher than the 10.5% for civilians reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The primary objective of this study is to analyze the association between food insecurity and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among U.S. Army Soldiers. The secondary objective is to determine if there are any moderating effects in the relationship between food insecurity and IPV victimization by demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. A cross-sectional, online survey was administered by the U.S. Army Public Health Center at an Army installation in 2019; 56% of respondents reported that they were married or in a relationship (n = 2,740). The main predictor was the two-item food insecurity screener (Hunger Vital Signs), which measures marginal food insecurity (encompassing marginal, low, and very low food security). The main outcome was IPV victimization as measured by the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream scale. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between marginal food insecurity and IPV victimization, controlling for demographic, financial, and mental health covariates. In a multivariable model, marginally food insecure respondents had 2.05-fold greater adjusted odds of reporting any IPV victimization when compared to highly food secure respondents (95% confidence interval [1.40, 3.00]). The only interaction that was statistically significant was between anxiety and food insecurity on IPV victimization (p = .0034). Interactions by soldier's military rank, birth sex, and race and ethnicity were not statistically significant. IPV has implications for the emotional and physical health of survivors. In addition, service members who are food insecure may experience similar decrements in emotional and physical health due to suboptimal nutrient intake. By addressing both food insecurity and IPV, the military has the potential to increase the overall well-being of its service members and their dependents.

Hyperoxia and regional cerebral blood flow: Do brain regions respond differently to high-oxygen gas?

Background: Delivery of oxygen-rich gas (hyperoxia) is used to treat medical emergencies as well as to prevent adverse outcomes in certain occupations that are subjected to extreme environmental conditions. While useful for mitigating acute health risks, hyperoxia has been linked to health decrements including systemic vasoconstriction, increased oxidative stress, worsened neurological outcomes, and increased mortality. Notably, hyperoxia has been found to decrease global cerebral blood flow (CBF) in humans by as much as 37%. Reductions in CBF are associated with increased risk of stroke and cognitive impairment- both of which present heterogeneously. To our knowledge, only one study has explored hyperoxia’s effect on regional CBF and there appeared to be a differential response between regions, but no between-region analysis was performed. If a differential response between regions can be identified, these regions could be monitored more closely for signs of dysfunction or dysregulation. We hypothesized that brain lobes and regions will exhibit a non-uniform reduction in CBF when given 100% oxygen (O2). Methods: Healthy, young adults (n= 15; 7 F; 22 ± 4 yr; BMI: 22 ± 2) were studied after an 8-hour fast and 24-hour abstinence from caffeine, exercise, or alcohol. Women were studied on days 1-5 of their menstrual cycle and not taking any hormonal contraception. Subjects completed a single magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3 Tesla) visit. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI quantified microvascular CBF in six lobes and their 71 subregions during normoxia and again after ~10 min steady-state hyperoxia. Hyperoxia was achieved by breathing 100% O2 with supplemental carbon dioxide (CO2) to maintain end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2). The CAT12 toolbox extension for Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM12) was used to process ASL data. CBF (mL/100g/min) was analyzed as absolute change (Δ), and relative change (%Δ). Two-factor and one-factor repeated measures ANOVA were performed to detect significant main effects and region-condition interactions. A Tukey test was used for post-hoc analysis and pairwise comparisons. Significance was set to P≤0.05. Results: Results are mean ± SD. Heart rate (HR) and ETCO2 remained similar from normoxia to hyperoxia, but mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased by 5 ± 6 mmHg ( P=0.013). Hyperoxia reduced CBF in all anatomical lobes (Occipital; Parietal; Frontal; Temporal; Brainstem/Cerebellum; Subcortical [ P≤0.001]), but the relative decrease was not different between lobes ( P=0.522; range= 18 ± 12% to 21 ± 9%). When examining CBF between 71 smaller brain regions, hyperoxia reduced blood flow in all regions ( P≤0.001; range= 15 ± 13% to 25 ± 13%); ANOVA indicated a region-specific effect ( P≤0.001), however post-hoc analysis did not identify which regions displayed different levels of hypoxic vasoconstriction. Conclusion: These are the first data to systematically examine the regional effects of hyperoxia on CBF. Contrary to our hypothesis, the microvascular CBF reduction to hyperoxia appears uniform across anatomical brain lobes. However, regional analysis indicated that there may be a differential microvascular vasoconstrictor response to hyperoxia between some functional regions of the brain. Funding: NIH R01 HL150361. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

From Experimental Animal to Companion: Astronaut`s Behavioural Health and Risk Management for Mars Exploration

Space science has been developed through past and current missions of the International Space Station (ISS) and Tiangong Space Station (TSS) in low Earth orbit and on the lunar surface. Numerous missions have used animals on test flights to better understand the physiological dangers of space flight for humans. A contemporary focus of space exploration is long-duration crewed travel to establish a Moon station and reach Mars. The astrotechnology of the human-less spaceflights (USA, Russia, ESA, UAE, China, and India) launched in 1965 (Mariner 4), has advanced enough to support the progressive colonisation of the Red Planet with investigating equipment (Perseverance rover, Ingenuity helicopter, Hope orbiter, Tianwen-1 orbiter, and Chinese lander-rover). Are humans, then, ready to explore for Mars soon? What are major hazards that still need to be solved? Can animals play a novel role for humans in deep space travel? While the five factors of altered gravity, radiation, confinement (isolation), distance from Earth, and unknown hostile environments have been analysed in the scientific field of space medicine, this paper explores the biological ripple effects of animal astronauts to mitigate risks for human astronauts. The countermeasures of the psychological well-being and space community security are determined considering the potential role of animals in reducing the emergence rate of behavioural health and performance decrements (loneliness, mental and emotional strain, fear, lethargy, lack of enthusiasm, and violence). This paper argues a new hypothesis that if the engineering aspects of animal (dog) support does not reduce the scientific capabilities, the cognitive policy of a �human-pet companionship� apart from the historically traditional pattern of �experimental animal� can benefit the mental, social, and physical resilience of the Martian astronauts during the return mission (2.5�3 years).

Coping strategies for handling stress and providing mental health in elite athletes: a systematic review.

The combination of stressors unique to the athletic context plus the sensitive developmental phase that elite athletes go through during their peak performance may increase the athletes' vulnerability to mental health decrements. To emphasize the necessity to raise elite athletes' awareness of health risks, it seems to be essential to teach them coping skills to handle stress and to make affected athletes aware of how to recognize, evaluate, and articulate potential risks to their health. This systematic review analyzes coping strategies used by elite athletes to deal with stress and the effect of these strategies on mental health to identify gaps that future research could prioritize. The current review analyzes studies containing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed data and results, all of them focusing on coping strategies to deal with stress and the effect of coping strategies on elite athletes' mental health. Literature search for this systematic review took place between August and October 2023 and included the use of 3 electronic databases: PubMed, PsychINFO, SPORTdiscus. There were initially 5,705 hits from 3 electronic databases, hand search and from a complementary search in Google Scholar. After the screening process and quality appraisal 30 studies were included. The analyzed study results point to a broad spectrum of coping categories, elite athletes make use of to deal with stressful situations. The results of this review underpin the necessity that especially young athletes being confronted with a wide range of stressors, need to be taught mental skills to cope with these stressors. In addition, teaching coaches and teammates about social support seemed to decrease elite athletes' stress reactions, such as anxiety or depressive symptoms. Coping in elite sporting settings is very complex and dynamic. There is evidence of coping being effective to buffer stress, but the interrelationships between stressor, appraisal of the stressor, application of a corresponding coping strategy and its effect especially in terms of mental health outcomes is still unclear because of lacking intervention-based study designs.

Barriers to access health facilities: a self-reported cross-sectional study of women in India

Background: Accessing healthcare facilities by the women is one of the biggest challenges in the low- and middle-income countries. The present study aimed to understand the barriers to access health facilities for women in India and examine the various determinants that interplay healthcare accessing behaviour among women in India. Methods: The study utilised the Indian National Family Health Survey 4 data from all the 29 member states and seven union territories and performed cross-tabulations with chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The disparity in access to health facilities for Indian women still exists for minorities and lower-income groups. Women aged 40+, living in urban areas, belonging to rich families, and women who hold bank accounts have shown better access to healthcare facilities. Women’s education was an important factor for accessing healthcare facilities. Conclusions: This significant difference in the rate of healthcare utilization among women suggests that it may contribute to more prevalent and severe health decrements among the disadvantaged group. It is also worth mentioning that the cultural and educational differences in health measures may further explain women's low utilization of healthcare facilities. Women's experiences regarding access to healthcare facilities raise essential questions about policymakers’ priorities that increasingly allow women and their families to bear the brunt of poverty and poor health.

The effect of selected rest break activities on reaction time, balance, and perceived discomfort after one hour of simulated occupational whole-body vibration exposure in healthy adults

Background & Objective : Negative health effects from occupational whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure during machinery operation include alterations in proprioception, vestibular function, reaction time, stress, motor response, and decrements in musculoskeletal health. To reduce WBV exposure during machinery operation, it may be possible to incorporate short rest break activities throughout the day. This study aims to determine if there are intervention activities that can minimize decrements in cognitive, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal effects related to WBV exposure during machine operation. Materials & Methods Eleven healthy adults participated in four 1-hour sessions of ecologically valid WBV exposure followed by one of four 5-minute activities: sitting, walking, 2 min of gaze stabilization exercise (GSE) coupled with 3 min of trunk mobility exercise (GSE + MOBIL), or 2 min of GSE coupled with a 3-minute walk (GSE + WALK). Baseline and post-activity measurements (rating of perceived discomfort, balance and postural sway measurements, 5-minute psychomotor vigilance task test) were submitted to a paired t-test to determine the effect of WBV exposure and activities on physical, cognitive, and sensorimotor systems and to a repeated measures ANOVA to determine any differences across activities. Results We observed degradation of the slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes between baseline and post-activity after walking (7.3%, p < 0.05) and sitting (8.6%, p < 0.05) but not after GSE + MOBIL or GSE + WALK activities. Slowest 10% reaction speed after GSE + MOBIL activity was faster than all other activities. The rating of perceived discomfort was higher after SIT and WALK activities. There were no notable differences in balance outcomes. Conclusion When compared to sitting for 5 min, an activity including GSE and an active component, such as walking or trunk mobility exercises, resulted in maintenance of reaction time after WBV exposure. If confirmed in occupational environments, GSE may provide a simple, rapid, effective, and inexpensive means to protect against decrements in reaction time after WBV exposure.

Abstract 13559: Altered Nucleotide Biosynthesis is a Prominent Metabolic Feature of Cardiac and Liver Aging

Introduction: The heart is particularly vulnerable to age-related dysfunction, with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction developing in late life. In this study, we used deep network tracing to elucidate the effects of aging on glucose metabolism in the heart and peripheral tissues of a mouse model of late-life cardiac dysfunction. Hypothesis: Aging processes in the heart are mediated through altered nucleotide metabolism. Methods: Young (12–16 wk, n =6) and aged (80–84 wk, n =6) male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to treadmill exercise capacity tests and echocardiographic measurements. To delineate the effects of age on in vivo glucose metabolism, we delivered 13 C 6 -glucose to mice via a liquid diet and analyzed 13 C enrichment and the relative abundance of metabolites in the heart, liver, and skeletal muscle by ion exchange chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Compared with young mice, aged mice had lower exercise capacity (257.3 vs. 394.2 meters distance, p =0.0002 and 0.9 vs. 1.4 kg/m work, p =0.07), which was associated with a 1.3–fold increase in left ventricular mass ( p =0.0006) and longer isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT: 12.3 vs. 14.1 ms, p =0.03). Although no significant differences in 13 C enrichment were found for metabolites in the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle pathways, we found 1.2- to 1.5-fold difference in 13 C enrichment ( p &lt;0.05) in purine (AMP, ADP, ATP and GMP, GDP, GTP) and pyrimidine (UMP, UDP, UTP, uridine, orotidine) metabolites. Additionally, aged hearts had 2.4-fold higher levels of the pyrimidine precursor N-carbamoyl L-aspartate. Similar changes were detected in the pyrimidine metabolite pool in aged liver, but not skeletal muscle. Conclusions: These data indicate that altered nucleotide biosynthesis is a prominent metabolic feature of cardiac and liver aging and could provide novel insights into age-related decrements in cardiovascular health.

Types of childhood maltreatment, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and indices of fertility.

Child maltreatment, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV), and neglect, is related to decrements in physical health. Yet, it is not clear how maltreatment may impact indices of fertility and the specific forms of maltreatment may exhibit distinct associations with aspects of fertility. Because posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have corresponded with a longer length to conception, it is prudent to account for current level of trauma symptoms. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the five types of maltreatment and PTSS were positively related to infertility, including length of time to conception, number of live births and miscarriages, and use of infertility treatments. Two hundred seventy-five trauma-exposed females (Mage = 38.82, SD = 12.73) who had been, or had tried to become, pregnant participated in the study. Despite expectations, none of the maltreatment types, nor PTSS, was related to longer length to conception. Minorities reported longer length of time to conceive. PTSS was tied to fewer number of live births. A history of neglect corresponded with a greater number of miscarriages, as well as greater use of fertility treatments. Racial minorities may be at higher risk for longer conception length times. Although replication is needed, neglect and PTSS may be associated with fertility difficulties whereas other forms of child maltreatment (sexual, physical, and emotion abuse and witnessing IPV) may not evince ties to aspects of fertility. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of disordered eating attitude and mental health among Indian Kho-Kho players

PurposeThe potential problems of Kho-Kho players have been less studied. Considering eating disorders a public health problem, but also in particular for athletes, as it can cause serious health and performance decrements if left unmonitored. This study aims to determine the prevalence of disordered eating attitude and their relationship with mental health among Indian Kho-Kho players.Design/methodology/approachFifty-two male Kho-Kho players aged 16–31 years were assessed for disordered eating attitude using Eating Attitude Test (EAT)-26 and mental health using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and t-test were computed to know the difference between positive and negative disordered eating attitude.FindingsThe disordered eating attitude was prevalent among 11.5% of players. The players with disordered eating attitudes showed a significantly (p < 0.01) higher score for EAT-26 subscales related to dieting and oral control. Players were involved in binging (21.2%), purging (5.8%), use of laxatives (1.9%), extra exercise (>1 h) (34.6%) and lost >20 pounds of body weight in the last six months (13.5%). Depression, anxiety and stress were higher in the group with a disordered eating attitude. However, a significant difference (p < 0.01) was found only for depression.Research limitations/implicationsThe disordered eating attitude was present among Kho-Kho Players and linked with depression. Health care service providers are encouraged to monitor and guide the players with disordered eating attitudes to take active measures to ensure optimum health and performance.Originality/valueThe present paper provides evidence of disordered eating attitude linked with depression among Kho-Kho players.

The Burden of Hate: How Nonwork Discrimination Experienced During the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts Asian American Employees.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by a sharp increase in prejudice and discrimination targeting Asian Americans in the USA. Thus, in addition to the public health risks associated with the virus, exposure to discrimination poses a unique threat to the health and well-being of Asian Americans. Indeed, empirical evidence has documented the linkage between experiencing anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic and health decrements among Asian Americans. The goal of this study was to expand that research to also consider the ways experiencing discrimination in a nonwork context may spill over to affect the general and job-related well-being of Asian American employees as well as the potential mitigating role of coworker compassion. Results from a sample of 311 Asian American employees demonstrated that experiencing nonwork discrimination was associated with decrements in physical health and increased depression and job-related exhaustion. Further, there were significant interactions between nonwork discrimination and coworker compassion for engagement, emotional exhaustion, and depressive symptoms such that nonwork discrimination was more strongly related to each outcome when coworker compassion was low. The findings from the current study suggest that experiences of racial derogation, even those that occur outside the workplace environment, are detrimental to the well-being of employees and that coworker compassion is a positive resource that may foster healthier and more inclusive work environments.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10869-022-09848-6.

Addressing Shortcomings in Contingency Standards of Care

Addressing Shortcomings in Contingency Standards of Care

5-Fluorouracil Alters Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Content And Inflammation In Mice

5-fluorouracil (5FU) is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs for colon, breast, head & neck, and pancreatic cancers; however, 5FU’s non-selective cytotoxic effects lead to debilitating fatigue coupled with decrements in skeletal muscle health and function. PURPOSE: To investigate the impacts of 5FU on physical activity, indices of skeletal muscle function, and the underlying changes in skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and inflammation. METHODS: Adult male CD2F1 mice were subjected to 1 cycle of 5FU (cycle: 5d, 30 mg/kg Lean Mass, i.p.) or PBS control. Cage activity, grip strength and neuromuscular function were assessed and skeletal muscle protein was isolated 48 hours following the last dose of 5FU or PBS. Mitochondria biogenesis [transcription factor A (TFAM)] and total content [electron transport chain complexes I-V (CI-V), cytochrome c (CytoC), voltage-dependent anion channels (VDAC)] was analyzed via western blot analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze skeletal muscle macrophage [CD68, EGF-like module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like 1 (EMR1), integrin subunit alpha X (Itgax), mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1)], pro-inflammatory [interleukin (IL) -1ß, -6, -13), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interferon-gamma (IFNγ)] and anti-inflammatory [IL-10] gene expression. RESULTS: 5FU did not significantly impact grip strength or neuromuscular function (p > 0.05); however, cage activity and body weight (Δ8%) appreciably decreased following 5FU compared to controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, we observed a significant reduction in TFAM, VDAC, CIV, and CV following 5FU administration (p < 0.05) while no differences in CytoC, CI, CII, and CIII were found (p > 0.05). Interestingly, EMR1 (Δ43%) and CD68 (Δ37%) expression significantly decreased along with reductions in IL-1ß (Δ85%), IL-6 (Δ37%), TNF (Δ52%), and IFNγ (Δ42%) expression following 5FU compared to controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results demonstrate 1 cycle of 5FU notably impacts mitochondrial content and inflammation concomitant with decreases in body weight and cage activity. While changes in skeletal muscle function were not found, the observed changes in mitochondria and the inflammatory micro-environment may precede the functional decrements in skeletal muscle.

Multimorbidity, depression with anxiety symptoms, and decrements in health in 47 low- and middle-income countries

BackgroundComorbid depression and anxiety is associated with worse health outcomes compared to depression or anxiety occurring in isolation, but there is little data on its association with multimorbidity. Thus, we investigated this association across 47 low- and middle-income countries, and further explored whether having anxiety symptoms in addition to depression is associated with significant declines in health outcomes among those with multimorbidity. MethodsCross-sectional, predominantly nationally representative, community-based data were analyzed from the World Health Survey. DSM-IV depression was assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Anxiety symptoms referred to severe/extreme problems with worry or anxiety. Ten chronic conditions and health status across five domains (cognition, interpersonal activities, sleep/energy, self-care, pain/discomfort) were assessed. Multivariable regression analyses conducted. ResultsData included 237,952 adults aged ≥18 years [mean age (SD) 38.4 (16.0); 50.8 % females]. Compared to no chronic conditions, 2 (OR = 6.86; 95%CI = 5.59–8.42), 3 (OR = 12.33; 95%CI = 9.72–15.63), and ≥4 (OR = 26.55; 95%CI = 20.21–35.17) chronic conditions were associated with significantly higher odds for comorbid depression/anxiety symptoms (vs. no depression or anxiety symptoms) in the multinomial logistic regression model. Among those with depression and multimorbidity, anxiety symptoms were associated with significantly worse health status across all domains. LimitationsCross-sectional design, depression and anxiety symptoms were not based on a clinical assessment. ConclusionsComorbid depression/anxiety is common in people with multimorbidity, and anxiety symptoms in people with depression and multimorbidity signify worse health status. Future studies should assess the utility of screening for and treating comorbid depression/anxiety in patients with multimorbidity in terms of clinical outcomes.

Investigating the prevalence of low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders in competitive and recreational female endurance runners

ABSTRACT Eating disorders (ED), disordered eating (DE) and low energy availability (LEA) can be detrimental to health and performance. Previous studies have independently investigated the prevalence of ED, DE or LEA; however, limited studies have combined methods identifying risk within female runners. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of ED, DE and LEA in United Kingdom-based female runners and associations between age, competition level and running distance. The Female Athlete Screening Tool (FAST) and Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q) were used in a cross-sectional study design. A total of n = 524 responses eligible for analysis were received. A total of n = 248 (47.3%), n = 209 (40%) and n = 49 (9.4%) athletes were at risk of LEA, DE and ED, respectively. LEAF-Q scores differed based upon age (Age: H(3) = 23.998, p ≤ .05) and competitive level (Comp: H(1 ) = 7.682, p ≤ .05) whereas FAST scores differed based on age (Age: F(3,523) = 4.753, p ≤ .05). Tukey’s post-hoc tests showed significantly higher FAST scores in 18–24 years compared to all other age categories (p ≤ .05). Stepwise multiple regression demonstrated age and competitive level modestly predicted LEAF-Q scores (R 2 adj = 0.047, F(2,523) = 13.993, p ≤ .05, VIF = 1.0) whereas age modestly predicted FAST scores (R 2 adj = 0.022, F(1,523) = 12.711, p ≤ .05, VIF = 1.0). These findings suggest early identification, suitable screening methods and educational intervention programmes should be aimed at all levels of female endurance runners. Highlights A total of 524 female endurance completed a self-administered, online questionnaire screening for low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders risk. Age and competitive level modestly predicted low energy availability and age modestly predicted disordered eating and eating disorders in female endurance runners. A higher percentage of 18- to 24-year-old female endurance runners were at greater risk of low energy availability, disordered eating and eating disorders compared to other age categories. These findings highlight the need for regular screening in order to aid early interventions to prevent potential decrements in performance and health as endurance runners mature.

Survey of lower urinary tract symptoms in United States women using the new lower urinary tract dysfunction research Network-Symptom Index 29 (LURN-SI-29) and a national research registry.

An online bladder health survey was administered to national registry volunteers to: (1) determine the feasibility of using ResearchMatch for studying lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS); (2) pilot the new, comprehensive Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index-29 (LURN-SI-29) and determine its ability to detect known associations with LUTS; and (3) explore novel areas of bladder health in community-based women. A cross-sectional web-based survey was administered to a random sample of ResearchMatch adult female, transgender and non-binary volunteers. Participant demographics, health characteristics, the LURN-SI-29, and LUTS-related experiences were collected. A total of 1725 ReseachMatch volunteers with a mean age of 44.0 years completed the study and were eligible for the analysis. Participants were primarily white, cisgendered, highly educated, nulliparous, and premenopausal. The median LURN-SI-29 score was 17 (interquartile range: 11-26). More than half the sample reported urinary urgency (71.0%), nocturia (65.7%), and stress incontinence (52.3%) a "few times" or more in the last 7 days. Approximately half reported sensation of incomplete bladder emptying (49.6%) with one-third reporting urgency incontinence (37.6%); notably, 52.6% of respondents reported being at least "somewhat" bothered by LUTS. LURN-SI-29 scores increased with age, body mass index, decrements in self-reported health, medical comorbidity, parity, menopausal status, and urinary symptom bother, providing evidence of convergent validity. LURN-SI-29 scores varied by race and education, with the lowest scores in Asian and highly educated women. Overall, the prevalence and spectrum of LUTS in an online research registry of women volunteers were high and comparable to other population-based samples. The new LURN-SI-29 demonstrated its ability to detect expected associations with demographic and health characteristics in a nonclinical population.

Successful Inclusion of High Vegetable Protein Sources in Feed for Rainbow Trout without Decrement in Intestinal Health.

Simple SummaryA reduction in fishmeal in diets is essential to achieve the aim of sustainable production. In the current work, using a plant protein blend of wheat gluten, wheat and soybean meal supplemented with Tau, Val, Lys and Met, a 10% higher fishmeal substitution without affecting growth and health parameters has been accomplished.The aquaculture of carnivorous fish is in continuous expansion, which leads to the need to reduce the dependence on fishmeal (FM). Plant proteins (PP) represent a suitable protein alternative to FM and are increasingly used in fish feed. However, PP may lead to stunted growth and enteritis. In the current study, the effect of high FM substitution by PP sources on the growth, mortality and intestinal health of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was evaluated in terms of the histological intestine parameters and expression of genes related to inflammation (IL-1β, IL-8 and TGF-β) and immune responses (Transferrin, IgT and IFN-γ). The results show that a total substitution registered lower growth and survival rates, probably due to a disruption to the animal’s health. Confirming this hypothesis, fish fed FM0 showed histological changes in the intestine and gene changes related to inflammatory responses, which in the long-term could have triggered an immunosuppression. The FM10 diet presented not only a similar expression to FM20 (control diet), but also similar growth and survival. Therefore, 90% of FM substitution was demonstrated as being feasible in this species using a PP blend of wheat gluten (WG) and soybean meal (SBM) as a protein source.

Posttraumatic stress phenomena in critical illness and intensive care survivors

The intensive care unit (ICU) within a hospital is typically thought of as a place for the provision of patient care for a life-threatening emergency. Less frequently do we consider it an integral part of disaster response. The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health disaster that has caused surges of critically ill patients requiring treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). However, it is important to bear in mind that survival of a critical illness can come at a cost, including to mental health. Being critically ill and requiring life-saving treatments is extremely stressful, and survivors frequently have substantial decrements in physical functioning, cognition, and emotional health. Remarkably, one in five critical illness survivors has clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Risk factors, or markers of risk, include prior anxiety and depression, high doses of sedative medications in the intensive care unit (ICU), memories of nightmare-like experiences in the ICU, and emotional distress in early recovery. As with PTSD in other contexts, social support is a protective factor. ICU follow-up clinics, in-ICU psychological interventions, ICU diaries, post-ICU telephonic and computer-based cognitive-behavioral interventions, and virtual reality interventions all show promise in preventing long-term PTSD in critical illness survivors, perhaps particularly in those with substantial emotional distress in early recovery. However, awareness regarding this problem is still growing, as are changes to post-ICU care delivery. Hopefully, improved awareness on the part of the psychiatric community will help with recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic disaster.

Health effects of COVID-19 for vulnerable adolescents in a randomized controlled trial.

Emerging evidence suggests the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is adversely affecting adolescents' mental health and health behaviors, particularly among those with preexisting mental health conditions and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. However, direct tests of changes in health outcomes among vulnerable adolescents from before to during COVID-19 are limited. In addition, little is known about how to buffer adolescents, particularly those who are most vulnerable, against stress-related decrements in health. This randomized controlled trial begins to fill these gaps in the literature by exploring changes in mental health, health behaviors, executive function, emotion regulation, and mindfulness among vulnerable adolescents involved in a mentoring program during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also examined to what extent there were protective benefits of incorporating mindfulness training within a mentoring program for buffering adolescents from negative pandemic health effects. Thirty-five adolescents (Mage = 12.9, 37% female) and 32 parents (Mage = 44.75, 80% female) completed questionnaires at baseline (February 2020) and follow-up (July 2020). There were few significant reductions in health; instead, on average, youth reported improvements in sleep, emotion regulation, executive function, and mindfulness over time. Adolescents randomized to mentoring + mindfulness displayed significantly less posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and emotional impulsivity at follow-up, compared to the mentoring-as-usual condition. These pilot findings suggest that mentoring with a mindfulness training component may offer an effective strategy for protecting adolescents from deteriorations in health outcomes during COVID-19. Further, there may be unique benefits of mindfulness training for vulnerable youth as a way to adapt to stressful events. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Acute Cardiac Alterations Among Young Adults With Sars-CoV-2

BACKGROUND The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus inflicts far-reaching health decrements, both directly and through secondary inflammatory stimulation. To date, there is little information regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the heart after infection, especially among young healthy adults. PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether contracting SARS-CoV-2 affects cardiac function in young, otherwise healthy adults, weeks after testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 14 subjects with SARS-CoV-2 (8F/6M, 21 ± 1y, 24 ± 3 kg·m-1) who tested positive 3-4 weeks prior to study test date. A parasternal long-axis view was utilized to measure septal and left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricular volume, and left ventricular outflow tract dimensions. A four-chamber view was utilized to measure mitral valve function, diastolic function, end diastolic and systolic volume, and ejection fraction. Z-tests were performed to determine if these values were significantly different from sex- and age-matched normative values with significance set at p < 0.01 (mean ± SD). RESULTS: The left ventricular diastolic mass and index were found to be higher in both female (Mass: 173 ± 52 g, Index: 95 ± 18 g/m^2) and male (Mass: 214 ± 34 g, Index: 110 ± 15 g/m^2) subjects with SARS-CoV-2 compared to reference values (Female Mass: 104 ± 28 g, Female Index: 62 ± 15 g/m^2, Male Mass: 143 ± 39 g, Male Index: 72 ± 18 g/m^2) (p < 0.01). Septal wall e’ was elevated in both female (0.16 ± 0.05 m/s) and male (0.15 ± 0.01 m/s) subjects compared to reference values (Female: 0.12 ± 0.2 m/s, Male: 0.12 ± 0.03 m/s) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggest subclinical alterations to the myocardium of young adults who have recently contracted SARS-CoV-2. These results warrant further review to examine whether low-level myocardial inflammation or interstitial edema may be present and whether persistent systemic vascular resistance may be causing left ventricular dysfunction and wall thickening.

Hormesis: Transforming disciplines that rely on the dose response.

This article tells the story of hormesis from its conceptual and experimental origins, its dismissal by the scientific and medical communities in the first half of the 20th century, and its rediscovery over the past several decades to be a fundamental evolutionary adaptive strategy. The upregulation of hormetic adaptive mechanisms has the capacity to decelerate the onset and reduce the severity of a broad spectrum of common age-related health, behavioral, and performance decrements and debilitating diseases, thereby significantly enhancing the human health span. Incorporation of hormetic-based lifestyle options within the human population would have profoundly positive impacts on the public health, significantly reducing health care costs.