Timing of standard chow exposure determines the variability of mouse phenotypic outcomes and gut microbiota profile.

Standard chow diet contributes to reproducibility in animal model experiments since chows differ in nutrient composition, which can independently influence phenotypes. However, there is little evidence of the role of timing in the extent of variability caused by chow exposure. Here, we measured the impact of diet (5V5M, 5V0G, 2920X, and 5058) and timing of exposure (adult exposure (AE), lifetime exposure (LE), and developmental exposure (DE)) on growth & development, metabolic health indicators, and gut bacterial microbiota profiles across genetically identical C57BL6/J mice. Diet drove differences in macro- and micronutrient intake for all exposure models. AE had no effect on measured outcomes. However, LE mice exhibited significant sex-dependent diet effects on growth, body weight, and body composition. LE effects were mostly absent in the DE model, where mice were exposed to chow differences from conception to weaning. Both AE and LE models exhibited similar diet-driven beta diversity profiles for the gut bacterial microbiota, with 5058 diet driving the most distinct profile. Diet-induced beta diversity profiles were sex-dependent for LE mice. Compared to AE, LE drove 9X more diet-driven differentially abundant genera, majority of which were the result of inverse effects of 2920X and 5058. Our findings demonstrate that lifetime exposure to different chow diets has the greatest impact on reproducibility of experimental measures that are common components of preclinical mouse model studies. Importantly, weaning DE mice onto a uniform diet is likely an effective way to reduce unwanted phenotypic variability among experimental models.

Attitudes toward harm reduction and low-threshold healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: qualitative interviews with people who use drugs in rural southern Illinois.

BACKGROUND: Chronic health conditions associated with long-term drug use may pose additional risks to people who use drugs (PWUD) when coupled with COVID-19 infection. Despite this, PWUD, especially those living in rural areas, may be less likely to seek out health services. Previous research has highlighted the increased disease burden of COVID-19 among PWUD. Our manuscript supplements this literature by exploring unique attitudes of PWUD living in rural areas toward the pandemic, COVID-19 vaccination, and the role of harm reduction (HR) organizations in raising health awareness among PWUD. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 PWUD living in rural southern Illinois. Audio recordings were professionally transcribed. A preliminary codebook was created based on interview domains. Two trained coders conducted iterative coding of the transcripts, and new codes were added through line-by-line coding and thematic grouping. RESULTS: Twenty participants (45% female, mean age of 38) completed interviews between June and November 2021. Participants reported negative impacts of the pandemic on mental health, financial wellbeing, and drug quality. However, the health impacts of COVID-19 were often described as less concerning than its impacts on these other aspects of life. Many expressed doubt in the severity of COVID-19 infection. Among the 16 unvaccinated participants who reported receiving most of their information from the internet or word of mouth, uncertainty about vaccine contents and distrust of healthcare and government institutions engendered wariness of the vaccination. Distrust of healthcare providers was related to past stigmatization and judgement, but did not extend to the local HR organization, which was unanimously endorsed as a positive institution. Among participants who did not access services directly from the HR organization, secondary distribution of HR supplies by other PWUD was a universally cited form of health maintenance. Participants expressed interest in low-threshold healthcare, including COVID-19 vaccination, should it be offered in the local HR organization's office and mobile units. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 and related public health measures have affected this community in numerous ways. Integrating healthcare services into harm reduction infrastructures and mobilizing secondary distributors of supplies may promote greater engagement with vaccination programs and other healthcare services. TRIAL NUMBER: NCT04427202.

Psychological Resilience and Cognitive Function Among Older Military Veterans.

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between psychological resilience and cognitive function in military veterans. We obtained public-use data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) for this cross-sectional study of military veterans aged 52 to 101 years (n = 150). We estimated a multivariable linear regression model in which cognitive function served as the dependent variable and psychological resilience served as the independent variable. After controlling for demographics, health conditions, and health behaviors, veterans who had higher psychological resilience scores had better cognitive function (b = 0.22, p = 0.03). Our findings suggest that psychological resilience may be associated with cognitive function among veterans. These findings highlight the importance of assessing psychological resilience in gerontological social work practice.

Pregnancy and Binge Drinking: An Intersectionality Theory Perspective Using Veteran Status and Racial/Ethnic Identity.

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol use during pregnancy is a critical public health issue that results in several adverse outcomes for both mother and child. While the prevalence of and consequences of binge drinking among pregnant women is well-documented in the literature, little is known about the intersectional effect of racial/ethnic identity and veteran status. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of binge drinking among pregnant women using the intersectionality of racial/ethnic identity and veteran status. METHODS: This study utilized combined data from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS is a telephone survey that collects health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and use of preventative services among U.S residents. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the prevalence of binge drinking using the interaction between race/ethnicity and veteran status. RESULTS: Overall binge drinking prevalence was 3.60% among the sample of 6101 pregnant women. Binge drinking prevalence was the highest among racial/ethnic minority veterans at 17.42%, compared to 5.34% among white veterans, 4.05% among non-veteran racial/ethnic minorities and 3% among non-veteran whites, supporting the theory of intersectionality. CONCLUSIONS: Intersectionality Theory suggests that the stressors from membership in two vulnerable groups may lead to increased disparities. The results of this study highlight the unique experience of being a veteran and identifying as a member of a racial/ethnic minority group. This calls for a need to customize preventative measures that address the combined impact of both racial/ethnic minority group status and veteran status.

The Characteristics of Targets of Bullying Among Chinese Youth Attending Key Versus Non-Key Schools: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

The current study examined the characteristics of targets of bullying using a sample of students from two distinct school types (key vs. non-key), wherein key middle schools are defined as having better teaching resources and higher performing students than non-key middle schools. Open-ended, self-report surveys were collected from 322 Chinese students in sixth to 11th grades. Two cycle coding methods analyses generated 3,566 original codes in which 21 main categories and 77 subcategories were extracted. Five major themes emerged: multiple deviant personalities; prominent puniness and imperfect body characteristics accompanied by polarization of appearance; polarization school engagement and academic performance; psychological and behavioral problems; and problematic family and social contexts. Results of chi-square analysis indicated characteristics of targets of bullying were significantly different between key and non-key school in 12 main categories. Implications for ecological systems theory and person-group dissimilarity theory as well as bullying prevention approaches in schools are discussed.

Improving outcomes for homeless people with alcohol disorders: a multi-program community-based approach.

Background: Relatively few community-based programs have been found to be helpful for homeless people with alcohol disorders, even though this group represents a high-risk, vulnerable population prone to poor outcomes.Aims: This study sought to implement and evaluate intensive community-based programs for homeless people with alcohol disorders.Method: The project worked closely with a homeless outreach team for referrals, and then provided two different, intensive substance abuse treatment approaches matched to the needs of two subgroups: homeless individuals with alcohol disorders without severe mental illness received community reinforcement approach (CRA) and case management services, while those with alcohol and severe mental illness were assigned to assertive community treatment and integrated dual disorders (ACT/IDDT) services. The study enrolled 322 homeless people with alcohol disorders and outcomes were assessed at six months and program discharge.Results: Participants improved significantly over the first six months in a number of outcome areas, including substance abuse, mental health, housing, employment and health; progress generally remained stable between six months and discharge.Conclusions: Community-based programs that coordinate with mobile outreach teams and then provide CRA and ACT/IDDT appear to be promising approaches for helping individuals with alcohol disorders out of homelessness and into recovery.

Implementing illness management and recovery within assertive community treatment teams: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to assess the feasibility, advantages/disadvantages, and factors that hinder or facilitate the implementation of illness management and recovery (IMR) within assertive community treatment (ACT) teams. METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted with 11 ACT teams that implemented IMR. We conducted semistructured individual interviews with 17 persons enrolled in services and 55 ACT staff in individual and focus groups. Questions were designed to assess perceptions of IMR implementation, effects of IMR, staff training considerations, and recommendations. Data were analyzed using an inductive, consensus-building, thematic analysis, which included multiple research staff reviewing interview transcripts and field notes, developing and refining a codebook, constructing data summaries, and thematic synthesis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed six major themes: (a) a generally positive fit exists between the two models and population served, (b) both people with serious mental illness and staff benefited from ACT + IMR, (c) ACT teams encountered significant implementation barriers, (d) relationships and engagement with participants facilitated implementation, (e) taking a flexible approach to IMR and ACT improved implementation, and (f) programs should focus on greater integration of IMR within ACT teams. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: While there can be barriers to implementing IMR within ACT teams, there is generally a positive fit, it is feasible to implement, and it offers meaningful benefits. ACT teams should improve their recovery orientation by more widespread implementation of IMR. Future research on ACT + IMR should include mixed-methods approaches, implementation methodologies to identify barriers and facilitators, and idiographic measures that capture the individualized recovery goals of people with serious mental illness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

A Comparative Effectiveness Trial to Reduce Burnout and Improve Quality of Care.

Clinician burnout is presumed to negatively impact healthcare quality; yet scant research has rigorously addressed this hypothesis. Using a mixed-methods, randomized, comparative effectiveness design, we tested two competing approaches to improve care-one addressing clinician burnout and the other addressing how clinicians interact with consumers-with 192 clinicians and 469 consumers at two community mental health centers. Although qualitative reports were promising, we found no comparative effectiveness for either intervention on burnout, patient-centered processes, or other outcomes. Discussion includes identifying ways to strengthen approaches to clinician burnout.

Restriction digest screening facilitates efficient detection of site-directed mutations introduced by CRISPR in C. albicans UME6.

Introduction of point mutations to a gene of interest is a powerful tool when determining protein function. CRISPR-mediated genome editing allows for more efficient transfer of a desired mutation into a wide range of model organisms. Traditionally, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing is used to determine if isolates contain the intended mutation. However, mutation efficiency is highly variable, potentially making sequencing costly and time consuming. To more efficiently screen for correct transformants, we have identified restriction enzymes sites that encode for two identical amino acids or one or two stop codons. We used CRISPR to introduce these restriction sites directly upstream of the Candida albicans UME6 Zn2+-binding domain, a known regulator of C. albicans filamentation. While repair templates coding for different restriction sites were not equally successful at introducing mutations, restriction digest screening enabled us to rapidly identify isolates with the intended mutation in a cost-efficient manner. In addition, mutated isolates have clear defects in filamentation and virulence compared to wild type C. albicans. Our data suggest restriction digestion screening efficiently identifies point mutations introduced by CRISPR and streamlines the process of identifying residues important for a phenotype of interest.

Implementing Illness Management and Recovery Within Assertive Community Treatment: A Pilot Trial of Feasibility and Effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: In a pilot feasibility and effectiveness study, illness management and recovery (IMR), a curriculum-based program to help people with serious mental illness pursue personal recovery goals, was integrated into assertive community treatment (ACT) to improve participants' recovery and functioning. METHODS: A small-scale cluster randomized controlled design was used to test implementation of IMR within ACT teams in two states. Eight high-fidelity ACT teams were assigned to provide IMR (ACT+IMR; four teams) or standard ACT services (ACT only; four teams). Clinical outcomes from 101 individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum or bipolar disorders were assessed at baseline, six months, and one year. RESULTS: Exposure to IMR (session attendance and module completion) varied between the ACT+IMR teams, with participants on one team having significantly less exposure. Results from intent-to-treat analyses showed that participants in ACT+IMR demonstrated significantly better outcomes with a medium effect size at follow-up on clinician-rated illness self-management. A nonsignificant, medium effect size was found for one measure of functioning, and small effect sizes were observed for client-rated illness self-management and community integration. Session and module completion predicted better outcomes on four of the 12-month outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the feasibility of implementing IMR within ACT teams. Although there were few significant findings, effect sizes on some variables in this small-scale study and the dose-response relationships within ACT+IMR teams suggest this novel approach could be promising for improving recovery for people with serious mental illness. Further large-scale studies utilizing a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design could provide a promising direction in this area.

Dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complexes and related pathogens in cultures.

Two rapid dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays were evaluated for detecting M. tuberculosis and related pathogens in cultures. The MN Genus-MTBC FISH assay uses an orange fluorescent probe specific for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and a green fluorescent probe specific for the Mycobacterium and Nocardia genera (MN Genus) to detect and distinguish MTBC from other Mycobacteria and Nocardia. A complementary MTBC-MAC FISH assay uses green and orange fluorescent probes specific for the MTBC and M. avium complex (MAC) respectively to identify and differentiate the two species complexes. The assays are performed on acid-fast staining bacteria from liquid or solid cultures in less than two hours. Forty-three of 44 reference mycobacterial isolates were correctly identified by the MN Genus-specific probe as Mycobacterium species, with six of these correctly identified as MTBC with the MTBC-specific probe and 14 correctly as MAC by the MAC-specific probe. Of the 25 reference isolates of clinically relevant pathogens of other genera tested, only four isolates representing two species of Corynebacterium gave a positive signal with the MN Genus probe. None of these 25 isolates were detected by the MTBC and MAC specific probes. A total of 248 cultures of clinical mycobacterial isolates originating in India, Peru and the USA were also tested by FISH assays. DNA sequence of a part of the 23S ribosomal RNA gene amplified by PCR was obtained from 243 of the 248 clinical isolates. All 243 were confirmed by DNA sequencing as Mycobacterium species, with 157 and 50 of these identified as belonging to the MTBC and the MAC, respectively. The accuracy of the MN Genus-, MTBC-and MAC -specific probes in identifying these 243 cultures in relation to their DNA sequence-based identification was 100%. All ten isolates of Nocardia, (three reference strains and seven clinical isolates) tested were detected by the MN Genus-specific probe but not the MTBC- or MAC-specific probes. The limit of detection for M. tuberculosis was determined to be 5.1x104 cfu per ml and for M. avium 1.5x104 cfu per ml in liquid cultures with the respective MTBC- and MAC-specific probes in both the MN Genus-MTBC and MTBC-MAC FISH assays. The only specialized equipment needed for the FISH assays is a standard light microscope fitted with a LED light source and appropriate filters. The two FISH assays meet an important diagnostic need in peripheral laboratories of resource-limited tuberculosis-endemic countries.

Inferential Processing among Adequate and Struggling Adolescent Comprehenders and Relations to Reading Comprehension.

Separate mixed model analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to examine the effect of textual distance on the accuracy and speed of text consistency judgments among adequate and struggling comprehenders across grades 6-12 (n = 1203). Multiple regressions examined whether accuracy in text consistency judgments uniquely accounted for variance in comprehension. Results suggest that there is considerable growth across the middle and high school years, particularly for adequate comprehenders in those text integration processes that maintain local coherence. Accuracy in text consistency judgments accounted for significant unique variance for passage-level, but not sentence-level comprehension, particularly for adequate comprehenders.