Maternal separation and early social enrichment increase anxietyrelated behaviours of adolescent rats in the elevated plus maze / La separación materna y el enriquecimiento social temprano aumentan los comportamientos relacionados con ansiedad de ratas adolescentes en el laberinto en cruz elevado

Abstract Introduction: Adverse or favourable rearing conditions early in life affect emotional response during adolescence. To study the effect of early rearing on emotional response, animal models such as maternal separation (MS) and social enrichment (SE) by community nesting have been useful. However, the comparison of the effect of MS and SE on anxiety-related behaviours in adolescent rats is unknown. Objective: This study aimed to assess the effects of MS and SE on the emotional response of adolescent rats exposed to the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). Method: Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three groups according to the rearing condition. In the MS group, pups were separated daily from their dams for 180 minutes, from postnatal day (P) 2 to 14. In the SE group, two females that gave birth synchronously were housed in a cage with a litter of eight pups. Females from control standard housing (SH) were individually housed and kept with their offspring until weaning (P23). On P32, anxiety-related measures were evaluated using an EPM. Results: MS and SE increase anxiety-related behaviours and locomotion in rats exposed to the EPM. SE had sex-dependent effects on anxiety-related measures, increasing vertical activity in females and horizontal activity in males. MS but not SE increased body weight gain in female rats. Conclusion: Adverse or favourable rearing conditions early in life may result in an increased anxiety phenotype in the EPM during adolescence. It is likely that the favourable effect of SE depends on the number of dams per communal nest.

Resumen Introducción: Las condiciones de crianza adversas o favorables en etapas tempranas de la vida afectan la respuesta emocional durante la adolescencia. Para estudiar el efecto de la crianza temprana sobre la respuesta emocional, han sido útiles modelos animales como la separación materna (SM) y el enriquecimiento social (ES) mediante anidamiento comunitario. Sin embargo, se desconoce la comparación del efecto de la SM y el ES sobre las conductas relacionadas con la ansiedad en ratas adolescentes. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar los efectos de la SM y el ES sobre la respuesta emocional de ratas adolescentes expuestas al test del laberinto en cruz elevado (EPM). Método: Las ratas Wistar preñadas se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en tres grupos según la condición de crianza. En el grupo SM, las crías fueron separadas diariamente de sus madres durante 180 minutos, desde el día postnatal (P) 2 hasta el 14. En el grupo ES, dos hembras que parieron de forma sincronizada se alojaron en una caja con una camada de ocho crías. Las hembras del alojamiento estándar de control (SH) se alojaron individualmente y se mantuvieron con sus crías hasta el destete (P23). En P32, se evaluaron las medidas relacionadas con la ansiedad mediante un EPM. Resultados: La SM y el ES aumentan las conductas relacionadas con la ansiedad y la locomoción en las ratas expuestas al EPM. El ES tuvo efectos dependientes del sexo en las medidas relacionadas con ansiedad, aumentando la actividad vertical en las hembras y la actividad horizontal en los machos. La SM, pero no el ES, incrementó la ganancia de peso corporal en las ratas hembra. Conclusiones: Condiciones de crianza adversas o favorables en etapas tempranas de la vida pueden dar lugar a un fenotipo de ansiedad aumentado en el EPM durante la adolescencia. Es probable que el efecto favorable del ES dependa del número de hembras por nido comunitario.

The Potential Clinical Utility of an Artificial Intelligence Model for Identification of Vertebral Compression Fractures in Chest Radiographs.

PURPOSE: To assess the ability of the Annalise Enterprise CXR Triage Trauma (Annalise AI Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia) artificial intelligence model to identify vertebral compression fractures on chest radiographs and its potential to address undiagnosed osteoporosis and its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study used a consecutive cohort of 596 chest radiographs from four US hospitals between 2015 and 2021. Each radiograph included both frontal (anteroposterior or posteroanterior) and lateral projections. These radiographs were assessed for the presence of vertebral compression fracture in a consensus manner by up to three thoracic radiologists. The model then performed inference on the cases. A chart review was also performed for the presence of osteoporosis-related International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision diagnostic codes and medication use for the study period and an additional year of follow-up. RESULTS: The model successfully completed inference on 595 cases (99.8%); these cases included 272 positive cases and 323 negative cases. The model performed with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.955 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.939-0.968), sensitivity 89.3% (95% CI: 85.7%-92.7%) and specificity 89.2% (95% CI: 85.4%-92.3%). Out of the 236 true-positive cases (ie, correctly identified vertebral compression fractures by the model) with available chart information, only 86 (36.4%) had a diagnosis of vertebral compression fracture and 140 (59.3%) had a diagnosis of either osteoporosis or osteopenia; only 78 (33.1%) were receiving a disease-modifying medication for osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The model identified vertebral compression fracture accurately with a sensitivity 89.3% (95% CI: 85.7%-92.7%) and specificity of 89.2% (95% CI: 85.4%-92.3%). Its automated use could help identify patients who have undiagnosed osteoporosis and who may benefit from taking disease-modifying medications.

Characterization of the digestive enzymes of juvenile Dormitator latifrons (Richardson, 1844).

The Pacific fat sleeper, Dormitator latifrons, is an omnivorous freshwater fish that primarily feeds on detritus. Our understanding of the digestive physiology of this species still needs to be completed, particularly concerning the characterization of its digestive enzymes. This information is crucial in guiding the design of diets that promote optimal digestion of this species, which has the potential for aquaculture. Thus, this study aimed to optimize enzymatic methods and characterize the digestive enzymes of the digestive tract regions: anterior region (AR), middle region (MR), posterior region (PR), and hepatopancreas (HP). Total acid protease, total alkaline protease, amylase, and lipase activities were measured. The enzymatic methods were optimized at an eco-physiological temperature of 25 °C based on extract volume, extract dilution, incubation time, pH, and CaCl2 concentration to determine specific activity (U/mg of protein). The optimal pH for acid protease (AR) was pH 2.0; while for alkaline protease, the optimal pH was between 7.5 and 11.0. For AR, chymotrypsin was pH 7.0; for the remaining digestive regions, it was pH 9.0-11.0. The optimal pH for amylase was 6.0 to 7.5 (all regions), and for lipase, it was between 7.0 and 11.0, with two apparent in vitro activity peaks (PR). HP experimental samples showed low or no chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase activity. CaCl2 did not affect enzyme activity except for amylase and lipase (only in PR and HP, respectively). The acid proteolytic activity (pH 2.0) found in AR and the proteolytic inhibition by pepstatin suggest the presence of a stomach.

Comprehensive spatial distribution of patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) and its relation to socio-economic factors.

BACKGROUND: The functional-cognitive impact of first-episode psychosis (FEP) is extremely relevant and implies dysfunction from early life stages like adolescence and youth. Like other illnesses, FEP incidence is also influenced by environmental factors. It is necessary to attend to this age group with early interventions and to act on the environmental factors that the literature correlates with increased FEP incidence: socio-economic aspects, social adversity, bullying at school or cannabis use. In this context, identifying the areas of cities where FEP patients concentrate is important to perform early interventions. The spatial analysis of patient distribution in a whole city is one way to identify the most vulnerable areas and to propose psycho-social interventions for the possible prevention and/or early detection of FEP by improving urban mental health. METHODS: An epidemiological study of point patterns to determine the areas of a city with a higher incidence of patients with FEP. To do so, the addresses of FEP cases were georeferenced from 1 January 2016 to 31 October 2022, and 109 FEP patients were analysed. Data from a random sample of 383 controls, comprising their addresses, age, and sex, were randomly obtained from the official city council database. By GIS, the areas with higher FEP incidence were analysed to see if they coincided with the zones where inhabitants with lower incomes lived. RESULTS: The risk ratio of the FEP patients was compatible with the constant risk ratio in Albacete (p = 0.22). When performing the process separately with cases and controls only in men and women, the results were not significant for both distributions (p value: 0.12 and 0.57, respectively). Nonetheless, areas within the city had a significantly higher risk. These groups of cases coincided with those who had lower income and more inequality for women, but this pattern was not clear for men. CONCLUSIONS: Classifying city areas per income can help to determine the zones at higher risk of FEP, which would allow early healthcare and preventive measures for these zones.

Imaging of Small Airways Disease.

Bronchiolitis refers to a small airways disease and may be classified by etiology and histologic features. In cellular bronchiolitis inflammatory cells involve the small airway wall and peribronchiolar alveoli and manifest on CT as centrilobular nodules of solid or ground glass attenuation. Constrictive bronchiolitis refers to luminal narrowing by concentric fibrosis. Direct CT signs of small airway disease include centrilobular nodules and branching tree-in-bud opacities. An indirect sign is mosaic attenuation that may be exaggerated on expiratory CT and represent air trapping. Imaging findings can be combined with clinical and pathologic data to facilitate a more accurate diagnosis.

Atherogenic Index as a Cardiovascular Biomarker in Mexican Workers from Marginalized Urban Areas Occupationally Exposed to Metals.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of death and disability worldwide. The etiology of CVD is often associated with multiple risk factors, with environmental factors receiving considerable attention. Individuals with precarious jobs are among the groups most affected by chronic exposure to environmental pollutants. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate occupational exposure to heavy metals among individuals in precarious job settings and investigate atherogenic indices as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A total of 137 workers participated in this cross-sectional study conducted in three work environments in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Urine and blood samples were collected to assess metal exposure and biochemical profiles, including atherogenic indices. RESULTS: The results showed that workers in the brick sector exhibited the highest levels of metal exposure, particularly arsenic (44.06 µg/L), followed by stonecutters and garbage collectors (24.7 and 16.9 µg/L, respectively). Similarly, Castelli risk index (CRI) and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were higher in brickmakers (3.883 and 0.499) compared to stonecutters (3.285 and 0.386) and garbage collectors (3.329 and 0.367). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of exposure to heavy metals was observed in the three populations, in addition to the fact that individuals with greater exposure to arsenic also exhibited higher CRI and AIP.

Amino acid degradation pathway inhibitory by-products trigger apoptosis in CHO cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are widely used to produce complex biopharmaceuticals. Improving their productivity is necessary to fulfill the growing demand for such products. One way to enhance productivity is by cultivating cells at high densities, but inhibitory by-products, such as metabolite derivatives from amino acid degradation, can hinder achieving high cell densities. This research examines the impact of these inhibitory by-products on high-density cultures. We cultured X1 and X2 CHO cell lines in a small-scale semi-perfusion system and introduced a mix of inhibitory by-products on day 10. The X1 and X2 cell lines were chosen for their varied responses to the by-products; X2 was susceptible, while X1 survived. Proteomics revealed that the X2 cell line presented changes in the proteins linked to apoptosis regulation, cell building block synthesis, cell growth, DNA repair, and energy metabolism. We later used the AB cell line, an apoptosis-resistant cell line, to validate the results. AB behaved similar to X1 under stress. We confirmed the activation of apoptosis in X2 using a caspase assay. This research provides insights into the mechanisms of cell death triggered by inhibitory by-products and can guide the optimization of CHO cell culture for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in mercury mining workers in a precarious situation: A preliminary study.

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental xenobiotic; the primary sources of exposure to this metal are artisanal gold mining and the direct production of mercury. In Mexico, artisanal mercury mining continues to be an important activity in different regions of the country. Exposure to mercury vapors releases can have severe health impacts, including immunotoxic effects such as alterations in cytokine profiling. Therefore, in the present work, we evaluated the inflammatory cytokines profile in the blood serum of miners exposed to mercury. A cross-sectional observational study was performed on 27 mining workers (exposed group) and 20 control subjects (nonexposed group) from central Mexico. The mercury urine concentration (U-Hg) was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, and IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were measured using a Multiplex Assay. The results showed that the U-Hg in the miners had a median value of 552.70 µg/g creatinine. All cytokines showed a significant increase in the miner group compared with the control group, except for TNF-α. In addition, we observed a positive correlation between U-Hg concentration and cytokine levels. In conclusion, mercury exposure correlated with cytokine levels (considered acute inflammatory marker) in miners; therefore, workers exposed to this metal show an acute systemic inflammation that could lead to alterations in other organs and systems.

Creating Space for Adolescents and Families With Lived Experience of Homelessness to Build Familial Empathy, Communication, and Emotional Regulation: A Qualitative Study of Facilitators of Implementation.

Youth experiencing homelessness are vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Structural racism disproportionately entraps marginalized youth into CSE while simultaneously obscuring their identification as victims. Adaptation and tailoring of effective interventions to mitigate associated sequelae and inequities is warranted. Support To Reunite, Involve, and Value Each Other (STRIVE) is a strengths-based dyadic intervention with demonstrated efficacy in reducing delinquency, substance use, and high-risk sexual behaviors among marginalized adolescents experiencing homelessness. The adapted STRIVE+ was piloted to explore potential for reducing youth risk factors for CSE. The current article reports findings from interviews exploring participants' experiences with STRIVE+. Youth and caregivers reported increased empathy, communication, and emotional regulation post-STRIVE+ and found relevance and meaning through participating in the adapted intervention. Feasibility of recruitment, engagement, and retention of minoritized adolescents and their caregivers were also demonstrated. Findings warrant larger scale implementation trials of STRIVE+ among minoritized youth at highest risk for CSE. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(1), 27-35.].

Evaluation of renal function in precarious workers exposed to heavy metals in vulnerable scenarios in the metropolitan area of San Luis Potosí, México.

The aim of the study was to evaluate renal function in three groups of precarious workers: garbage recyclers (REC), quarry workers (CAN), and brick makers (LAD). Samples of urine and blood were collected to evaluate clinical parameters and the metal levels in urine was measured using ICP-MS. REC group had the highest concentrations of chromium in urine (36.03 ± 27.2 µg/l) compared to CAN and LAD groups. Mercury concentrations were higher in the LAD group (3.7 ± 0.8 µg/l). Additionally, arsenic was detected in both CAN and REC groups (25.4 ± 26.2 and 19.09 ± 16.7 µg/l, respectively), while arsenic concentrations in LAD were higher (47.2 ± 30.8 µg/l). In kidney biomarkers, ß2-microglobulin concentrations were higher in the REC group (87867 ± 115159.5 ng/g UCr). Similarly, cystatin-C concentrations were higher in the REC group (32795.61 ± 34965.8 ng/g UCr). The data suggests that precarious workers are exposed to heavy metals and have elevated protein levels that contribute to kidney damage.

Microplastics: challenges of assessment in biological samples and their implication for in vitro and in vivo effects.

Microplastics (MPs) have attracted global interest because they have been recognized as emerging pollutants that require urgent attention. MPs are plastic particles with a size between 1 micron and 5 mm (1 µm-5mm); those measuring less than 1 µm are known as nanoplastics (NPs). MP is distributed in the environment in various physical forms that depend on the degradation process, the erosion factors to which it was subjected, or the original form in which it was intentionally manufactured. Humans may be exposed to these pollutants mainly by ingestion or inhalation, which could adversely affect human health with effects that are still unknown due to limitations that are often dependent on their analytical determination and lack of studies over time, as it is a relatively new topic. Therefore, this review focuses on the challenges currently faced by laboratories for determining MPs in different matrices. We highlight the application of methods and techniques to assess the precise levels of exposure to MPs in biological samples. In addition, exposure pathways, sources, and evidence of adverse effects reported in vitro and in vivo studies are described to generate knowledge about their potential threat to human health.

Volatile Organic Compounds Produced by Kosakonia cowanii Cp1 Isolated from the Seeds of Capsicum pubescens R & P Possess Antifungal Activity.

The Kosakonia cowanii Cp1 strain was isolated from seeds of Capsicum pubescens R. & P. cultivated in Michoacan, Mexico. Genetic and ecological role analyses were conducted for better characterization. The results show that genome has a length of 4.7 Mbp with 56.22% G + C and an IncF plasmid of 128 Kbp with 52.51% G + C. Furthermore, pathogenicity test revealed nonpathogenic traits confirmed by the absence of specific virulence-related genes. Interestingly, when fungal inhibitory essays were carried out, the bacterial synthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with antifungal activity showed that Sclerotinia sp. and Rhizoctonia solani were inhibited by 87.45% and 77.24%, respectively. Meanwhile, Sclerotium rolfsii, Alternaria alternata, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides demonstrated a mean radial growth inhibition of 52.79%, 40.82%, and 55.40%, respectively. The lowest inhibition was by Fusarium oxysporum, with 10.64%. The VOCs' characterization by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) revealed 65 potential compounds. Some of the compounds identified with high relative abundance were ketones (22.47%), represented by 2-butanone, 3-hydroxy (13.52%), and alcohols (23.5%), represented by ethanol (5.56%) and 1-butanol-3-methyl (4.83%). Our findings revealed, for the first time, that K. cowanii Cp1 associated with C. pubescens seeds possesses potential traits indicating that it could serve as an effective biocontrol.

Levels of persistent organic pollutants in cane toads (Rhinella marina) differ among sites with varying industrial and agricultural activities.

In this study, we captured cane toads (Rhinella marina) in four sites located in different regions affected by anthropogenic activities in Mexico. Subsequently we analyzed liver tissue for the presence of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) The levels of these POPs in the toads' livers ranged from 863.2 to 3109.6 ng/g of lipid weight across all sites. A multivariate statistical analysis highlighted two sites with the highest POPs levels, with the most polluted site displaying a high level of PCBs, suggesting influence of industrial activities. The second most polluted site displayed significant amounts of OCs, linking this location to agricultural activity. Additionally, we found pesticide metabolites and isomers that allowed us to distinguish past and recent exposure events. Our observations indicate that R. marina is suitable bioindicator of sites impacted by anthropogenic activities.

Optimal Reaction Coordinates and Kinetic Rates from the Projected Dynamics of Transition Paths.

Finding optimal reaction coordinates and predicting accurate kinetic rates for activated processes are two of the foremost challenges of molecular simulations. We introduce an algorithm that tackles the two problems at once: starting from a limited number of reactive molecular dynamics trajectories (transition paths), we automatically generate with a Monte Carlo approach a sequence of different reaction coordinates that progressively reduce the kinetic rate of their projected effective dynamics. Based on a variational principle, the minimal rate accurately approximates the exact one, and it corresponds to the optimal reaction coordinate. After benchmarking the method on an analytic double-well system, we apply it to complex atomistic systems: the interaction of carbon nanoparticles of different sizes in water.

Long-Term Efficacy of High-Dose Imatinib in Hispanic Patients Without Access to Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Treated in LATAM Centers.

BACKGROUND: While second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) revolutionized treatment for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who developed a suboptimal response to imatinib, many patients in developing countries are fixed to the latter due to socioeconomic barriers. Despite this scenario, scarce information is available to evaluate the clinical prognosis of these patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to compare the overall mortality of patients with CML who developed a suboptimal response to a standard dose of imatinib and were treated with either high-dose imatinib or a second-generation TKI. We created a marginal structural model with inverse probability weighting and stabilized weights. Our primary outcome was overall survival (OS) at 150 months. Our secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS) at 150 months and adverse events. RESULTS: The cohort included 148 patients, of which 32 received high-dose imatinib and 116 a second-generation TKI. No difference was found in the 150-month overall survival risk (RR: 95% CI 0.91, 0.55-1.95, P-value = .77; RD: -0.04, -0.3 to 0.21, P-value = .78) and disease-free survival (RR: 1.02, 95% CI 0.53-2.71, P-value = .96; RD: 0.01, -0.26 to 0.22, P-value = .96). There was also no difference in the incidence of adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION: Ideally, patients who develop a suboptimal response to imatinib should be switched to a second-generation TKI. If impossible, however, our findings suggest that patients treated with high-dose imatinib have a similar overall survival and disease-free survival prognosis to patients receiving a second-generation TKI.

DNA Barcode of symbiotic chironomids: Findings in the genus Symbiocladius (Diptera: Chironomidae).

Chironomidae of symbiotic habits have been recorded in different parts of the world, among commensals and parasites. There are different genera reported at the moment, however questions such as the origin of commensal or parasitic life, which occurred first or what are their benefits remain debatable. In order to contribute with information to elucidate the above mentioned issues, the present study reports the finding of immature stages of Symbiocladius (Acletus) wygodzinskyi Roback, 1965 in the Churup stream located in the Andes Cordillera (Peru), living on nymphs of Leptophlebiidae (Ephemeroptera). We present a morphological description of immature stages of this species and for the first time the sequence of COX1 gene S. (A.) wygodzinskyi. The genetic result also supports differences between the morphospecies of Symbiocladius (Symbiocladius) rhithrogenae Zavrel, 1924 and S. (A.) wygodzinskyi in 23%.

Health effects of informal precarious workers in occupational environments with high exposure to pollutants.

The aim is to investigate and describe the health conditions of workers who are employed in precarious work settings in Mexico. Specifically, the study aims to provide insight on the health status of workers who are vulnerable due to the informal nature of their employment. Through the evaluation of three different scenarios of precarious employment (n = 110), including workers in mercury miner (workers A), brick-kilns (workers B), and quarries workers (workers C). The study analyzes clinical parameters to determine the workers' renal health condition and assesses their pulmonary function using spirometry. Multivariate analyses and Spearman correlation are performed to determine the contribution of length of service to workers' health parameters. Workers B have the highest incidence of clinical health alterations, with the highest BMI and prediabetes/diabetes index, albumin creatinine ratio, and eGFR. Moreover, pulmonary function parameters show a decrease in %FEV1/FVC in workers B and C compared to workers A, while workers A demonstrate a more significant decrease in %FEV1. Additionally, a negative correlation is observed between the length of service in precarious work settings and lung parameters (r = -0.538, p < 0.001). In conclusion, this study highlights the need to address the issue of precarious employment in Mexico by improving working conditions, access to healthcare and promoting social protection for workers, which can reduce the number of work-related illnesses and deaths and ensure the safety and health of workers.

A short form of the Crisis in Family Systems (CRISYS) in a racially diverse sample of pregnant women.

Assessing stressful life events in large-scale epidemiologic studies is challenged by the need to measure potential stressful events in a reasonably comprehensible manner balanced with burden on participants and research staff. The aim of this paper was to create a short form of the Crisis in Family Systems-Revised (CRISYS-R) plus 17 acculturation items, a measure that captures contemporary life stressors across 11 domains. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to segment the sample of 884 women from the PRogramming of Intergenerational Stress Mechanisms (PRISM) study experiencing different patterns of exposure to stressful events and identify items from each domain that best discriminate between individuals with different patterns of stressful-event exposures (high vs. low stress exposure). The results from the LCA, in conjunction with the expert opinions provided by the original developers of the CRISYS, yielded a 24-item item short form (CRISYS-SF) with at least one question from each of the original domains. Scores on the 24-item CRISYS-SF had high correlations with scores on the 80-item CRISYS. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02335-w.