Vegan and vegetarian males and females have higher orthorexic traits than omnivores, and are motivated in their food choice by factors including ethics and weight control.

BACKGROUND: Evidence associating plant-based diets with the proposed 'obsessively healthy eating' eating disorder, orthorexia nervosa, has mostly focused on females. Diet motivations have seldom been assessed. AIM: To compare orthorexic tendencies between vegans/vegetarians and omnivores of both sexes, and reasons behind food choice with an English-validated Food Choice Questionnaire. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 444 males and females were recruited via social media, email, and Amazon MTurk; to investigate eating patterns, orthorexic tendencies using the ORTO-15 questionnaire, and eating motivations using the Food Choice Questionnaire. RESULTS: Over half of the participants were male (53.4%), younger adults (mean ± SD 37.2 ± 11.2 years), and mostly from the United States (89%). Vegan and vegetarian eating habits were reported by 15.8% of people. Vegans/vegetarians had significantly higher orthorexic tendencies than omnivores, and chose food significantly more often for Weight Control, Ethical Concern, Natural Content, and Mood reasons. People with greater orthorexic tendencies (ORTO-15 score<35) chose food significantly more often for Weight Control and Ethical Concern reasons than those with less orthorexic tendencies (ORTO-15 score 35+). CONCLUSION: This study's results are in line with the majority of the evidence that shows an association between vegan/vegetarian diets and orthorexic tendencies, but strengthens the evidence base by including more male participants. Additionally, this is the first study to use an English-validated motivation-based questionnaire that explored diet motivators in vegans/vegetarians compared to omnivories, and in those with orthorexic tendencies vs. those without orthorexic tendencies.

Genomics of altitude-associated wing shape in two tropical butterflies.

Understanding how organisms adapt to their local environment is central to evolution. With new whole-genome sequencing technologies and the explosion of data, deciphering the genomic basis of complex traits that are ecologically relevant is becoming increasingly feasible. Here, we studied the genomic basis of wing shape in two Neotropical butterflies that inhabit large geographical ranges. Heliconius butterflies at high elevations have been shown to generally have rounder wings than those in the lowlands. We reared over 1,100 butterflies from 71 broods of H. erato and H. melpomene in common-garden conditions and showed that wing aspect ratio, that is, elongatedness, is highly heritable in both species and that elevation-associated wing aspect ratio differences are maintained. Genome-wide associations with a published data set of 666 whole genomes from across a hybrid zone, uncovered a highly polygenic basis to wing aspect ratio variation in the wild. We identified several genes that have roles in wing morphogenesis or wing aspect ratio variation in Drosophila flies, making them promising candidates for future studies. There was little evidence for molecular parallelism in the two species, with only one shared candidate gene, nor for a role of the four known colour pattern loci, except for optix in H. erato. Thus, we present the first insights into the heritability and genomic basis of within-species wing aspect ratio in two Heliconius species, adding to a growing body of evidence that polygenic adaptation may underlie many ecologically relevant traits.

Parallel and costly changes to cellular immunity underlie the evolution of parasitoid resistance in three Drosophila species.

A priority for biomedical research is to understand the causes of variation in susceptibility to infection. To investigate genetic variation in a model system, we used flies collected from single populations of three different species of Drosophila and artificially selected them for resistance to the parasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi, and found that survival rates increased 3 to 30 fold within 6 generations. Resistance in all three species involves a large increase in the number of the circulating hemocytes that kill parasitoids. However, the different species achieve this in different ways, with D. melanogaster moving sessile hemocytes into circulation while the other species simply produce more cells. Therefore, the convergent evolution of the immune phenotype has different developmental bases. These changes are costly, as resistant populations of all three species had greatly reduced larval survival. In all three species resistance is only costly when food is in short supply, and resistance was rapidly lost from D. melanogaster populations when food is restricted. Furthermore, evolving resistance to L. boulardi resulted in cross-resistance against other parasitoids. Therefore, whether a population evolves resistance will depend on ecological conditions including food availability and the presence of different parasite species.

Interactions between the sexual identity of the nervous system and the social environment mediate lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster.

Sex differences in lifespan are ubiquitous, but the underlying causal factors remain poorly understood. Inter- and intrasexual social interactions are well known to influence lifespan in many taxa, but it has proved challenging to separate the role of sex-specific behaviours from wider physiological differences between the sexes. To address this problem, we genetically manipulated the sexual identity of the nervous system-and hence sexual behaviour-in Drosophila melanogaster, and measured lifespan under varying social conditions. Consistent with previous studies, masculinization of the nervous system in females induced male-specific courtship behaviour and aggression, while nervous system feminization in males induced male-male courtship and reduced aggression. Control females outlived males, but masculinized female groups displayed male-like lifespans and male-like costs of group living. By varying the mixture of control and masculinized females within social groups, we show that male-specific behaviours are costly to recipients, even when received from females. However, consistent with recent findings, our data suggest courtship expression to be surprisingly low cost. Overall, our study indicates that nervous system-mediated expression of sex-specific behaviour per se-independent of wider physiological differences between the sexes, or the receipt of aggression or courtship-plays a limited role in mediating sex differences in lifespan.

Should Symbionts Be Nice or Selfish? Antiviral Effects of Wolbachia Are Costly but Reproductive Parasitism Is Not.

Symbionts can have mutualistic effects that increase their host's fitness and/or parasitic effects that reduce it. Which of these strategies evolves depends in part on the balance of their costs and benefits to the symbiont. We have examined these questions in Wolbachia, a vertically transmitted endosymbiont of insects that can provide protection against viral infection and/or parasitically manipulate its hosts' reproduction. Across multiple symbiont strains we find that the parasitic phenotype of cytoplasmic incompatibility and antiviral protection are uncorrelated. Strong antiviral protection is associated with substantial reductions in other fitness-related traits, whereas no such trade-off was detected for cytoplasmic incompatibility. The reason for this difference is likely that antiviral protection requires high symbiont densities but cytoplasmic incompatibility does not. These results are important for the use of Wolbachia to block dengue virus transmission by mosquitoes, as natural selection to reduce these costs may lead to reduced symbiont density and the loss of antiviral protection.

Symbiont strain is the main determinant of variation in Wolbachia-mediated protection against viruses across Drosophila species.

Wolbachia is a common heritable bacterial symbiont in insects. Its evolutionary success lies in the diverse phenotypic effects it has on its hosts coupled to its propensity to move between host species over evolutionary timescales. In a survey of natural host-symbiont associations in a range of Drosophila species, we found that 10 of 16 Wolbachia strains protected their hosts against viral infection. By moving Wolbachia strains between host species, we found that the symbiont genome had a much greater influence on the level of antiviral protection than the host genome. The reason for this was that the level of protection depended on the density of the symbiont in host tissues, and Wolbachia rather than the host-controlled density. The finding that virus resistance and symbiont density are largely under the control of symbiont genes in this system has important implications both for the evolution of these traits and for public health programmes using Wolbachia to prevent mosquitoes from transmitting disease.

Addicted? Reduced host resistance in populations with defensive symbionts.

Heritable symbionts that protect their hosts from pathogens have been described in a wide range of insect species. By reducing the incidence or severity of infection, these symbionts have the potential to reduce the strength of selection on genes in the insect genome that increase resistance. Therefore, the presence of such symbionts may slow down the evolution of resistance. Here we investigated this idea by exposing Drosophila melanogaster populations to infection with the pathogenic Drosophila C virus (DCV) in the presence or absence of Wolbachia, a heritable symbiont of arthropods that confers protection against viruses. After nine generations of selection, we found that resistance to DCV had increased in all populations. However, in the presence of Wolbachia the resistant allele of pastrel-a gene that has a major effect on resistance to DCV-was at a lower frequency than in the symbiont-free populations. This finding suggests that defensive symbionts have the potential to hamper the evolution of insect resistance genes, potentially leading to a state of evolutionary addiction where the genetically susceptible insect host mostly relies on its symbiont to fight pathogens.

Update: Influenza Activity--United States, October 4, 2015-February 6, 2016.

From October through mid-December 2015, influenza activity remained low in most regions of the United States. Activity began to increase in late December 2015 and continued to increase slowly through early February 2016. Influenza A viruses have been most frequently identified, with influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominating during October until early December, and influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominating from mid-December until early February. Most of the influenza viruses characterized during that time are antigenically similar to vaccine virus strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015-16 Northern Hemisphere vaccines. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity* during October 4, 2015-February 6, 2016, and updates the previous summary (1).

Update: Influenza Activity - United States and Worldwide, May 22-September 10, 2016.

During May 22-September 10, 2016,* the United States experienced typical low levels of seasonal influenza activity overall; beginning in late August, clinical laboratories reported a slight increase in influenza positive test results and CDC received reports of a small number of localized influenza outbreaks caused by influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses were detected during May-September in the United States and worldwide. The majority of the influenza viruses collected from the United States and other countries during that time have been characterized antigenically or genetically or both as being similar to the reference viruses representing vaccine components recommended for the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere vaccine. During May 22-September 10, 2016, 20 influenza variant virus† infections were reported; two were influenza A (H1N2) variant (H1N2v) viruses (Minnesota and Wisconsin) and 18 were influenza A (H3N2) variant (H3N2v) viruses (12 from Michigan and six from Ohio).

Influenza Activity - United States, 2015-16 Season and Composition of the 2016-17 Influenza Vaccine.

During the 2015-16 influenza season (October 4, 2015-May 21, 2016) in the United States, influenza activity* was lower and peaked later compared with the previous three seasons (2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15). Activity remained low from October 2015 until late December 2015 and peaked in mid-March 2016. During the most recent 18 influenza seasons (including this season), only two other seasons have peaked in March (2011-12 and 2005-06). Overall influenza activity was moderate this season, with a lower percentage of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI),(†) lower hospitalization rates, and a lower percentage of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) compared with the preceding three seasons. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated overall, but influenza A(H3N2) viruses were more commonly identified from October to early December, and influenza B viruses were more commonly identified from mid-April through mid-May. The majority of viruses characterized this season were antigenically similar to the reference viruses representing the recommended components of the 2015-16 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine (1). This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during the 2015-16 influenza season (October 4, 2015-May 21, 2016)(§) and reports the vaccine virus components recommended for the 2016-17 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccines.

Update: Influenza Activity--United States and Worldwide, May 24-September 5, 2015.

During May 24­September 5, 2015, the United States experienced typical low levels of seasonal influenza activity. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses were detected worldwide and were identified sporadically in the United States. All of the influenza viruses collected from U.S. states and other countries during that time have been characterized antigenically and/or genetically as being similar to the influenza vaccine viruses recommended for inclusion in the 2015­16 Northern Hemisphere vaccine. During May 24­September 5, 2015, three influenza variant† virus infections were reported; one influenza A (H3N2) variant virus (H3N2v) from Minnesota in July, one influenza A (H1N1) variant (H1N1v) from Iowa in August, and one H3N2v from Michigan in August.

Update: Influenza Activity - United States.

CDC collects, compiles, and analyzes data on influenza activity year-round in the United States. The influenza season generally begins in the fall and continues through the winter and spring months; however, the timing and severity of circulating influenza viruses can vary by geographic location and season. Influenza activity in the United States remained low through October and November in 2015. Influenza A viruses have been most frequently identified, with influenza A (H3) viruses predominating. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity for the period October 4-November 28, 2015.

Influenza activity - United States, 2014-15 season and composition of the 2015-16 influenza vaccine.

During the 2014-15 influenza season in the United States, influenza activity increased through late November and December before peaking in late December. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated, and the prevalence of influenza B viruses increased late in the season. This influenza season, similar to previous influenza A (H3N2)-predominant seasons, was moderately severe with overall high levels of outpatient illness and influenza-associated hospitalization, especially for adults aged ≥65 years. The majority of circulating influenza A (H3N2) viruses were different from the influenza A (H3N2) component of the 2014-15 Northern Hemisphere seasonal vaccines, and the predominance of these drifted viruses resulted in reduced vaccine effectiveness. This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during the 2014-15 influenza season (September 28, 2014-May 23, 2015) and reports the recommendations for the components of the 2015-16 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine.

Update: Influenza activity--United States, September 28, 2014-February 21, 2015.

Influenza activity in the United States began to increase in mid-November, remained elevated through February 21, 2015, and is expected to continue for several more weeks. To date, influenza A (H3N2) viruses have predominated overall. As has been observed in previous seasons during which influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated, adults aged ≥65 years have been most severely affected. The cumulative laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization rate among adults aged ≥65 years is the highest recorded since this type of surveillance began in 2005. This age group also accounts for the majority of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza. The majority of circulating influenza A (H3N2) viruses are different from the influenza A (H3N2) component of the 2014-15 Northern Hemisphere seasonal vaccines, and the predominance of these antigenically and genetically drifted viruses has resulted in reduced vaccine effectiveness. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity* since September 28, 2014, and updates the previous summary.

Update: influenza activity -- United States and worldwide, May 18-September 20, 2014.

During May 18-September 20, 2014, the United States experienced low levels of seasonal influenza activity overall. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and influenza B viruses were detected worldwide and were identified sporadically in the United States. In August, two influenza A (H3N2) variant viruses (H3N2v) were detected in Ohio. This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States and worldwide during May 18-September 20, 2014.

Update: influenza activity - United States, September 28- December 6, 2014.

CDC collects, compiles, and analyzes data on influenza activity year-round in the United States (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm). The influenza season generally begins in the fall and continues through the winter and spring months; however, the timing and severity of circulating influenza viruses can vary by geographic location and season. Influenza activity in the United States increased starting mid-October through December. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity during September 28-December 6, 2014.

Looking up to the sky! An exploration of new graduate nurses' perceptions of remote area nursing.

Remote area nursing is characterised by two known realities: health inequalities and nursing challenges. The health inequalities are complex consequences of social determinants and health care access. Remote area nurses must negotiate these realities that powerfully interact. Yet we, as new graduate nurses, contemplate a remote area nursing career pathway with additional points of view, including a strong attraction to the long-lasting image of the 'Flying Nurse' within aero medical remote health services. This image holds for us the possibilities of excitement, drama, vital service, and intensive care. This paper explores the realities of this career attraction, and consequently explores the aspirations of contemplative new graduate nurses, as they assimilate their knowledge of remote area nursing with their plans for their future transitions into nursing practice.

Association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Literature surrounding the association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage is conflicting. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies among pregnant women regarding the association between exposure to antidepressants during pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage, compared with pregnant women not exposed to antidepressants. DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomised studies. DATA SOURCES: We searched Medline, Embase and PsychINFO up to 6 August 2023. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND OUTCOMES: Case-control, cohort and cross-sectional study designs were selected if they compared individuals exposed to any antidepressant class during pregnancy to comparator groups of either no antidepressant use or an alternate antidepressant. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Effect estimates were extracted from selected studies and pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool, and heterogeneity assessed using the I2 statistic. Subgroup analyses were used to explore antidepressant classes and the impact of confounding by indication. RESULTS: 1800 records were identified from the search, of which 29 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The total sample included 5 671 135 individuals. Antidepressant users initially appeared to have a higher risk of miscarriage compared with unexposed individuals from the general population (summary effect estimate: 1.24, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.31, I2=69.2%; number of studies (n)=29). However, the summary estimate decreased when comparing against unexposed individuals with maternal depression (1.16, 1.04 to 1.31; I2=58.6%; n=6), suggesting confounding by indication may be driving the association. 22 studies suffered from serious RoB, and only two of the 29 studies were deemed at moderate RoB. CONCLUSIONS: After accounting for maternal depression, there is little evidence of any association between antidepressant use during pregnancy and miscarriage. Instead, the results indicate the biasing impact of confounding by indication.

Emotion in Motion: Weight Bias Internalization, Exercise Avoidance, and Fitness-Related Self-Conscious Emotions.

Weight bias internalization (WBI), the process of internalizing negative attitudes and stereotypes towards overweight individuals, significantly impacts self-worth and health behaviors, such as exercise avoidance. In the current study, we focused on the mediating role of fitness-related self-conscious emotions, particularly shame and guilt. A cross-sectional study involving 150 self-described overweight Dutch women (age M = 49.63 ± 10.72) was conducted online. Participants completed measures assessing weight bias internalization, exercise avoidance, and body/fitness-related self-conscious emotions. Data were analyzed using linear regression and mediation analysis, controlling for age, BMI, and exercise frequency. The results show that weight bias internalization, guilt-free shame, and shame-free guilt uniquely predict exercise avoidance. Guilt-free shame partially mediated the relationship between weight bias internalization and exercise avoidance, indicating that increased internalized weight bias led to higher levels of guilt-free shame, which in turn contributed to exercise avoidance. Shame-free guilt did not act as a unique mediator. These findings underscore the importance of addressing weight bias internalization and fitness-related self-conscious emotions, particularly guilt-free shame, in interventions targeting exercise avoidance among overweight individuals. Strategies promoting self-compassion and reducing shame may prove beneficial in improving exercise behaviors and overall well-being.