Risk and Protective Factors of Probable Binge Eating Disorder in US Military Spouses: Findings From the Millennium Cohort Family Study.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a public health concern that has received little research attention in military families. Further research is needed to identify risk and protective factors to inform intervention and prevention efforts. This longitudinal study examined predictors of probable BED in a sample of U.S. military spouses (N = 5,269). Data were derived from the Millennium Cohort Family Study, which included baseline assessments of risk and protective factors and a follow-up assessment of probable BED approximately 3 years later. Results of a multivariable logistic regression model indicated that spouses with probable posttraumatic stress disorder, adverse childhood experiences, or who were former smokers had increased risk of probable BED at follow-up. Spouses whose service member had a deployment with combat exposure, or had not deployed, had higher risk of probable BED than spouses whose service member deployed without combat exposure. Age >34 years was the only protective factor to emerge as significant in the adjusted model. Results highlighted the need for interventions to improve psychoeducation and coping skills in military spouses, which may mitigate BED symptoms stemming from military-related stressors (e.g., combat deployment) or prior trauma, especially once maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g., smoking) have ceased.

Comparison of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist Instruments From Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition vs Fifth Edition in a Large Cohort of US Military Service Members and Veterans.

Importance: The definition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) changed markedly between the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and DSM-5, creating challenges for studies and in medical settings spanning this transition. Objective: To evaluate the ability to compare and assess PTSD, based on DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria, using PTSD Checklists (PCLs). Design, Setting, and Participants: This diagnostic study was conducted with survey data collected in October 2019, from the Millennium Cohort Study, a population-based US military cohort study. The population for the present study was restricted to a subset of initial web responders of the 2019 survey cycle, randomly assigned to 1 of 4 survey groups. Exposures: Each group received the DSM-IV and DSM-5 PCL (PCL-Civilian [PCL-C] version and PCL for DSM-5 [PCL-5]). PCL instruments were counterbalanced to control for order effects. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survey data were used to assess PTSD (using the PCL-C and PCL-5), major depressive disorder (using the Patient Health Questionnaire), generalized anxiety (using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale), and problem drinking (using the Patient Health Questionnaire). Demographic and military characteristics included age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, service branch, pay grade, enrollment panel, and military service status. Results: Among the 1921 participants (mean [SD] age, 50.1 [12.5] years), 1358 (70.7%) were men, 1638 (85.3%) were non-Hispanic White individuals, 1440 (75.0%) were married, and 1190 (61.9%) had at least a bachelor's degree; 295 (15.4%) had probable PTSD according to DSM-IV criteria with PCL-C compared with 286 (14.9%) using DSM-5 criteria with PCL-5 (κ = 0.77). There was substantial agreement between PCLs for probable PTSD based on DSM-IV criteria (295 [15.4%] with PCL-C; 316 [16.4%] with PCL-5; κ = 0.80) and DSM-5 criteria (286 [14.9%] with PCL-5; 258 [13.4%] with PCL-C; κ = 0.77). Estimated PTSD sum scores showed excellent agreement with observed scores. Using an established crosswalk, PCL-5 sum scores estimated with the PCL-C were similar to observed PCL-5 scores. Of the 17 corresponding items between the 2 instruments, 16 had substantial agreement. Appending 2 additional PCL-C items to the PCL-5 did not significantly alter estimates. The PCL-C and PCL-5 had nearly identical associations with comorbid conditions. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this diagnostic study suggest that PTSD can be successfully assessed and compared over time with either PCL instrument in veteran and military populations.

[Use of tadalafil in the rehabilitation of patients with a history of posterior urethral injury in the context of pelvic fracture]. / Uso de tadalafilo en la rehabilitación de pacientes con antecedente de lesión de uretra posterior en el contexto de fractura pélvica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the tadalafil effect in the treatment of erectile dysfunction as a consequence of posterior urethral injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study that included patients with posterior urethral injury caused by previous pelvic fracture; our patients received emergency urethral alignment and urethroplasty between 8 to 10weeks after trauma. To assess the degree of erectile dysfunction pre- and post-treatment, we applied the questionnaire of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Statistics Wilcoxon test and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS: Eight patients were included in this study, with an average age of 32.5years; the IIEF scale prior to treatment was on average 8.5 points and increased to 12.36 points with a value of P=.011. DISCUSSION: These eight patients showed erectile dysfunction at the time of IIEF assessment, this due to emergency urethral realignment arising from the trauma caused by pelvic fracture. Treatment with inhibitors of 5-phosphodiesterase (iPDE5) is the first-line treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction because it is efficient, non-invasive and well tolerated. In this study we found results indicating good response to this treatment in 7 out of the 8 patients (87.5%). Only one patient showed no improvement after treatment, due to the presence of risk factors such as age (65years), tobacco use, and high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The 87.5% of patients with urethral injury medicated with tadalafil were rehabilitated.

Uso de tadalafilo en la rehabilitación de pacientes con antecedente de lesión de uretra posterior en el contexto de fractura pélvica / Use of tadalafil in the rehabilitation of patients with a history of posterior urethral injury in the context of pelvic fracture

Objetivo. Evaluar la utilidad del tadalafilo en el tratamiento de la disfunción eréctil a consecuencia de una lesión uretral posterior. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó pacientes con lesión uretral posterior a consecuencia de fractura de pelvis, tratados en primera instancia mediante realineamiento uretral de urgencia y posteriormente uretroplastia término-terminal entre las 8-10 semanas posteriores al trauma. Para evaluar el grado de disfunción eréctil previa y postratamiento con tadalafilo se aplicó el cuestionario Índice Internacional de Función Eréctil (IIEF-5). Se realizó la prueba estadística de rangos de Willcoxon y estadística descriptiva. Resultados. Se incluyeron 8 pacientes en este estudio, los cuales tuvieron una media de edad de los 32,5 años. La escala IIEF previa al tratamiento con tadalafilo estuvo en promedio de 8,5puntos y tuvo un aumento postratamiento de 12,36 puntos, con una valor de p=0,011. Discusión Los 8 pacientes incluidos mostraron disfunción eréctil al momento de la evaluación IIEF, esto debido al realineamiento uretral de urgencia y derivada del trauma ocasionado por la fractura de pelvis. El tratamiento con inhibidores de la 5-fosfodiesterasa (iPDE5) es el de primera línea en pacientes con disfunción eréctil debido a que es eficiente, no invasivo y bien tolerado. En este estudio encontramos resultados que indican buena respuesta a este tratamiento en 7 de los 8 pacientes (87,5%). Solo un paciente no mostró mejoría con el tratamiento, sobresaliendo la presencia de factores de riesgo, como la edad (65 años), el tabaquismo y la hipertensión arterial. Conclusión. Se rehabilitó el 87,5% de los pacientes con lesión uretral medicados con tadalafilo (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the tadalafil effect in the treatment of erectile dysfunction as a consequence of posterior urethral injury. Material and methods. This is a retrospective study that included patients with posterior urethral injury caused by previous pelvic fracture; our patients received emergency urethral alignment and urethroplasty between 8 to 10 weeks after trauma. To assess the degree of erectile dysfunction pre- and post-treatment, we applied the questionnaire of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Statistics Wilcoxon test and descriptive statistics were performed. Results. Eight patients were included in this study, with an average age of 32.5 years; the IIEF scale prior to treatment was on average 8.5 points and increased to 12.36 points with a value of P=.011. Discussion. These eight patients showed erectile dysfunction at the time of IIEF assessment, this due to emergency urethral realignment arising from the trauma caused by pelvic fracture. Treatment with inhibitors of 5-phosphodiesterase (iPDE5) is the first-line treatment in patients with erectile dysfunction because it is efficient, non-invasive and well tolerated. In this study we found results indicating good response to this treatment in 7 out of the 8 patients (87.5%). Only one patient showed no improvement after treatment, due to the presence of risk factors such as age (65 years), tobacco use, and high blood pressure. Conclusion. The 87.5% of patients with urethral injury medicated with tadalafil were rehabilitated (AU)

Detection, ultrastructure and phylogeny of Sclerorhabditis neotropicalis (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) nematodes associated with the Azteca ant-Cecropia tree symbiosis / Detección, ultraestructura y filogenia de los nemátodos Sclerorhabditis neotropicalis (Nematoda: Rhabditidae) asociados con la simbiosis de la hormiga Azteca y el árbol

Abstract The nematodes involved in ant-plant symbioses have been poorly studied, creating an area of research that is now receiving increasing attention. One example is Sclerorhabditis neotropicalis that inhabit the nests of Azteca ants in Cecropia trees. The goal of the present study is to increase our knowledge about these organisms and their possible symbiotic relationship with the ants and their host plant. The samples were collected during 2011-2013 in different locations in Costa Rica: Parque Nacional Carara (Puntarenas province), San Pedro de Montes de Oca and Highway 27 (San Jose) and La Selva Biological Station (Sarapiquí, Heredia). We examined 576 internodes from 23 plants, comprising four species of Cecropia (including one non-myrmecophyte) and five Azteca species. S. neotropicalis was found in all but one of the Azteca/Cecropia combinations examined. Queen and worker ants were placed in water in order to dislodge nematodes and the results were largely positive, suggesting that alate queens carry S. neotropicalis between trees and that workers carry them between internodes. In addition to transport, preliminary observations suggest that the ants provide masses of scraped parenchyma (possibly fertilized with feces) as a substrate for bacteria upon which the nematodes presumably feed. We also found S. neotropicalis associated with Azteca in another myrmecophyte, Cordia alliodora, suggesting that this ant/nematode association is not restricted to Cecropia. SEM photographs of S. neotropicalis were provided to supplement the original description of this species, and molecular phylogenetic analyses employing three different markers suggest that Sclerorhabditis forms a well-supported clade of bacteria-feeding nematodes associated with Azteca. Indirect evidence suggests that this is a mutualistic association, but the benefits to the ants remain unknown. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 368-380. Epub 2018 March 01.

Resumen Cecropia. Los nemátodos asociados a la simbiosis entre plantas y hormigas han sido poco estudiados, creando un área de investigación que está recibiendo cada vez más atención. Un ejemplo de esto es Sclerorhabditis neotropicalis, que habita en los nidos de las hormigas Azteca asociadas a árboles de Cecropia. El objetivo de este trabajo es incrementar el conocimiento sobre esta especie de nemátodo y su relación con Azteca-Cecropia. Las muestras fueron recolectadas durante 2011-2013 en diferentes localidades de Costa Rica: Parque Nacional Carara (Puntarenas), San Pedro de Montes de Oca y Ruta 27 (San José) y la Estación Biológica La Selva (Sarapiquí, Heredia). Se examinaron 576 entrenudos de 23 plantas, comprendiendo cuatro especies de Cecropia (incluyendo una especie no mirmecófita) y cinco especies de Azteca. Se encontraron individuos de S. neotropicalis en todas las combinaciones de Azteca/Cecropia examinadas. Las hormigas reinas y trabajadoras fueron colocadas en agua para observar los nematodos y los resultados fueron en gran medida positivos, lo cual sugiere que las reinas aladas transportan S. neotropicalis hacia nuevos árboles y que las trabajadoras los transportan entre los entrenudos. Además del transporte, las observaciones preliminares insinúan que las hormigas proporcionan una masa de parénquima raspado (posiblemente fertilizado con heces) como sustrato para bacterias que luego servirán de alimento a los nematodos. Adicionalmente, encontramos S. neotropicalis asociado con Azteca en otro tipo de árbol, Cordia alliodora, sugiriendo que esta asociación de hormigas/nematodos no se limita a Cecropia. Las fotografías de microscopía electrónica de S. neotropicalis obtenidas en este trabajo complementan la descripción original de esta especie. Por otra parte, los análisis filogenéticos moleculares sugieren que Sclerorhabditis forma un clado bien definido de nematodos bacteriófagos asociados con Azteca. La evidencia indirecta apunta a que se trata de una asociación mutualista, pero los beneficios para las hormigas siguen siendo desconocidos.

Reverse taxonomy for elucidating diversity of insect-associated nematodes: a case study with termites.

BACKGROUND: The molecular operational taxonomic unit (MOTU) has recently been applied to microbial and microscopic animal biodiversity surveys. However, in many cases, some of the MOTUs cannot be definitively tied to any of the taxonomic groups in current databases. To surmount these limitations, the concept of "reverse taxonomy" has been proposed, i.e. to primarily list the MOTUs with morphological information, and then identify and/or describe them at genus/species level using subsamples or by re-isolating the target organisms. Nevertheless, the application of "reverse taxonomy" has not been sufficiently evaluated. Therefore, the practical applicability of "reverse taxonomy" is tested using termite-associated nematodes as a model system for phoretic/parasitic organisms which have high habitat specificity and a potential handle (their termite host species) for re-isolation attempts. METHODOLOGY: Forty-eight species (from 298 colonies) of termites collected from the American tropics and subtropics were examined for their nematode associates using the reverse taxonomy method and culturing attempts (morphological identification and further sequencing efforts). The survey yielded 51 sequence types ( =  MOTUs) belonging to 19 tentatively identified genera. Within these, four were identified based on molecular data with preliminary morphological observation, and an additional seven were identified or characterized from successful culturing, leaving eight genera unidentified. CONCLUSIONS: That 1/3 of the genera were not successfully identified suggests deficiencies in the depth of available sequences in the database and biological characters, i.e. usually isolated as phoretic/parasitic stages which are not available for morphological identification, and too many undiscovered lineages of nematodes. Although there still is the issue of culturability of nematodes, culturing attempts could help to make reverse taxonomy methods more effective. However, expansion of the database, i.e., production of more DNA barcodes tied to biological information by finding and characterizing additional new and known lineages, is necessary for analyzing functional diversity.

Ecometagenetics confirm high tropical rainforest nematode diversity.

The general patterns of increasing biodiversity from the poles to the equator have been well documented for large terrestrial organisms such as plants and vertebrates but are largely unknown for microbiota. In contrast to macrobiota, microbiota have long been assumed to exhibit cosmopolitan, random distributions and a lack of spatial patterns. To evaluate the assumption, we conducted a survey of nematode diversity within the soil, litter and canopy habitats of the humid lowland tropical rainforest of Costa Rica using an ultrasequencing ecometagenetic approach at a species-equivalent taxonomic level. Our data indicate that both richness and diversity of nematode communities in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica are high and exceed observed values from temperate ecosystems. The majority of nematode species were unknown to science, providing evidence for the presence of highly endemic (not cosmopolitan) species of still completely undiscovered biodiversity. Most importantly, the greater taxonomic resolution used here allowed us to reveal predictable habitat associations for specific taxa and thus gain insights into their nonrandom distribution patterns.