The relationship between social odour awareness and emotional contagion susceptibility in females.

Previous research has shown a strong link between our sense of smell and emotion. More recently, the importance we attach to olfaction has been found to relate to our susceptibility to 'catch' the emotions of others. We explore this further by examining the relation between a newly developed measure of olfaction (social odour scale, SOS), which measures awareness of social odours, and emotional contagion susceptibility in female participants. The study therefore aimed to test the strength of this relationship and also help validate the English language version of the SOS. Female (n = 148) participants completed an online study that measured odour awareness [SOS; important of odour questionnaire, IOQ] and emotional contagion (EC). We found that the English version of the SOS yielded high reliability and supported the previous factor structure of the scale; additionally, we demonstrated a strong association between the SOS and IOQ which provides criterion validity for its usage. The study also revealed that whilst both the SOS and IOQ were positively associated with EC, the SOS was the more accurate predictor. These findings provide further validation for the use of the SOS and suggest that our subjective awareness of olfaction, especially concerning 'social odours' is an accurate predictor of emotional contagion.

Collective Emotions in Doubles Table Tennis.

Researchers have shown that the emotions that athletes experience during sporting competition can be transferred between team members to create collective team emotional states. Nevertheless, collective emotions have not yet been investigated for sporting dyads. In this study, the emotional experiences of 68 doubles table tennis players (34 dyads) were examined at three time points: precompetition, in-competition, and postcompetition. It was found that the intensity of each emotional state differed as a function of match situation (positive/negative). Moreover, in-competition anxiety, dejection, and anger were shown to predict poorer subjective performance, and anxiety was shown to negatively impact future objective athlete performance. Most pertinently, within-dyad emotional aggregation was identified for athlete in-competition happiness and dejection and for postcompetition happiness, dejection, and anger. These findings represent the first quantitative evidence of emotional convergence in sport dyads and provide support for the social functional theory of emotion in sport.

Ablation of reactive astrocytes exacerbates disease pathology in a model of Alzheimer's disease.

The role of astrocytes in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains poorly understood. We assessed the consequences of ablating astrocytic proliferation in 9 months old double transgenic APP23/GFAP-TK mice. Treatment of these mice with the antiviral agent ganciclovir conditionally ablates proliferating reactive astrocytes. The loss of proliferating astrocytes resulted in significantly increased levels of monomeric amyloid-ß (Aß) in brain homogenates, associated with reduced enzymatic degradation and clearance mechanisms. In addition, our data revealed exacerbated memory deficits in mice lacking proliferating astrocytes concomitant with decreased levels of synaptic markers and higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data suggest that loss of reactive astrocytes in AD aggravates amyloid pathology and memory loss, possibly via disruption of amyloid clearance and enhanced neuroinflammation.

Incorporating sprint training with endurance training improves anaerobic capacity and 2,000-m Erg performance in trained oarsmen.

A 2,000-m time-trial performance, aerobic capacity, and anaerobic capacity were assessed in 16 trained oarsmen after sprint interval training (SIT) replaced a portion of an endurance-based training program (EBTSIT) vs. an endurance-based program alone (EBTAlone). The EBTSIT involved 10 SIT sessions over 4 weeks, in addition to 12 continuous exercise sessions, 2 anaerobic threshold exercise sessions, and 4 strength training sessions. The EBTAlone consisted of 20 continuous, 6 anaerobic threshold, 2 interval exercise sessions, and 8 strength training sessions. Time-trial performance (2,000-m erg performance) improved with EBTSIT (baseline = 414.6 ± 18.5, post = 410.6 ± 17.5 seconds; p < 0.001) but only approached significance in EBTAlone (baseline = 413.0 ± 27.7, post = 411.4 ± 27.9 seconds; p = 0.06). In a 60-second "all-out" anaerobic capacity test, peak power output (PPO) increased significantly with EBTSIT (PPO: EBTSIT: baseline = 566 ± 82, post = 623 ± 60 W; p = 0.02) but not with EBTAlone (EBTAlone: baseline = 603 ± 81, post = 591 ± 123 W; p = 0.59). Changes in average power output (APO) also approached significance (p = 0.07) (APO: EBTSIT: baseline = 508 ± 48, post = 530 ± 52 W; EBTAlone: baseline = 532 ± 55, post = 533 ± 68 W). Neither group experienced any change in aerobic capacity ((Equation is included in full-text article.)or ventilatory threshold; p ≥ 0.16). We conclude that replacing a portion of EBT with SIT can improve both 2,000-m erg performance and anaerobic capacity, while maintaining aerobic fitness in trained oarsmen. Incorporating SIT within endurance training programs may be useful during periods of low-volume training, to improve performance without sacrificing aerobic capacity.

CURATE.AI-assisted dose titration for anti-hypertensive personalized therapy: study protocol for a multi-arm, randomized, pilot feasibility trial using CURATE.AI (CURATE.AI ADAPT trial).

Aims: Artificial intelligence-driven small data platforms such as CURATE.AI hold potential for personalized hypertension care by assisting physicians in identifying personalized anti-hypertensive doses for titration. This trial aims to assess the feasibility of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the efficacy of CURATE.AI-assisted dose titration intervention. We will also collect preliminary efficacy and safety data and explore stakeholder feedback in the early design process. Methods and results: In this open-label, randomized, pilot feasibility trial, we aim to recruit 45 participants with primary hypertension. Participants will be randomized in 1:1:1 ratio into control (no intervention), home blood pressure monitoring (active control; HBPM), or CURATE.AI arms (intervention; HBPM and CURATE.AI-assisted dose titration). The home treatments include 1 month of two-drug anti-hypertensive regimens. Primary endpoints assess the logistical (e.g. dose adherence) and scientific (e.g. percentage of participants for which CURATE.AI profiles can be generated) feasibility, and define the progression criteria for the RCT in a 'traffic light system'. Secondary endpoints assess preliminary efficacy [e.g. mean change in office blood pressures (BPs)] and safety (e.g. hospitalization events) associated with each treatment protocol. Participants with both baseline and post-treatment BP measurements will form the intent-to-treat analysis. Following their involvement with the CURATE.AI intervention, feedback from CURATE.AI participants and healthcare providers will be collected via exit survey and interviews. Conclusion: Findings from this study will inform about potential refinements of the current treatment protocols before proceeding with a larger RCT, or potential expansion to collect additional information. Positive results may suggest the potential efficacy of CURATE.AI to improve BP control. Trial registration number: NCT05376683.

Epidemiology of IDDM in black and white children in Jefferson County, Alabama, 1979-1985.

For the period of 1 January 1979 through 31 December 1985, an average annual incidence rate (IR) of 12.1/100,000 (95% confidence interval [10.4/100,000, 14.0/100,000]) of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) was observed in Jefferson County, Alabama, among people less than 20 yr old. Hospital medical-record review was the primary source of case ascertainment. A large proportion of Black children in the county permitted race-specific analyses. The average annual IR among the Black children was less than half that observed in the White children (7.0/100,000 vs. 15.6/100,000, respectively). Nearly equal numbers of White boys and girls were diagnosed during this period; however, there were three times as many Black girls as Black boys diagnosed. Among the 134 Whites, age-specific annual IRs were highest in the 5- to 9- and 10- to 14-yr age groups. Little variation was observed in age-specific rates among the 41 Black subjects. A seasonal trend was evident in both races, with the fewest cases of IDDM diagnosed in the months of April through June (P less than .001). No association between the incidence of diabetes and income level was found among White or Black children. Significant differences in the epidemiology of IDDM between White and Black children suggest an important avenue for studying the etiology of IDDM.

Bacteremia and meningitis following fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Bacteremia and meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae developed in a 52-year-old man 28 hours after an otherwise uncomplicated fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The patient responded to antimicrobial therapy and supportive care and later underwent pneumonectomy for carcinoma. This report reinforces previous observations that bacteremia may occasionally be associated with the performance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Emetic food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus.

Symptoms of acute food poisoning developed in eight members of a group who ate lunch at a cafeteria. After brief incubation periods, all affected individuals complained of nausea and abdominal cramps. Four persons promptly experienced vomiting. None of those affected was found to have fever and all recovered with 48 hours. Epidemiologic investigation incriminated macaroni and cheese as a cause of the illness and samples of this food contained large numbers of Bacillus cereus. Previous outbreaks of B cereus emetic food poisoning have been associated with consumption of contaminated fried rice and may occur after ingestion of other foods.

Disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The ongoing epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has affected homosexual men, intravenous (IV) drug abusers, Haitians, hemophiliacs, and others. Defects in cell-mediated immunity place these patients at risk for opportunistic infections. We recently saw three men from Alabama with disseminated infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum. Two of these men were homosexual and the other was an IV drug abuser. These three patients had evidence of depressed cellular immunity consistent with a diagnosis of AIDS. Infection caused by organisms indigenous to certain geographic areas of the United States may become more common in patients with AIDS as the epidemic continues.

Simple primary tuberculosis in an elderly woman.

The diagnosis of primary tuberculous infection was made in a 78-year-old woman. The chest roentgenographic findings were remarkably similar to those often seen in children and adolescents with primary infection. Like the majority of adults with this entity, the patient was asymptomatic; the diagnosis was suspected epidemiologically and was confirmed by culture of M. tuberculosis from the sputum. As the incidence of new tuberculosis cases declines, the diagnosis of primary tuberculosis in the adult may be made more frequently.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare from a Vietnamese refugee.

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare grew from the sputum of a Vietnamese woman, a recent immigrant, seen at a tuberculosis clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. The possibility that she had acquired this Mycobacterium in her native Vietname was considered, since current literature, indicates these agents have no predictable geographic patterns of distribution. Data indicate that outside the United States group III mycobacterial isolates are most common in Japan, Western Australia, and parts of Canada. No data are available for Vietnam. US physicians should be alert for possible nontuberculous mycobacteria in the 115,768 Vietnamese immigrants known to have entered the United States in the mid-1970s.

A case-control study of spermicides and gonorrhea.

A case-control study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal spermicides as a prophylaxis against gonorrhea. The subjects included 735 women with gonorrhea and 958 controls seen in a sexually transmitted disease clinic. The relative risk (RR) of gonorrhea for spermicide users compared with nonusers was 0.67 with 90% confidence limits, 0.44 to 1.0. This RR was 0.47 (90% confidence limits, 0.25 to 0.87) after the exclusion of women using oral contraceptives, an intrauterine device, or with a tubal ligation. The protective effect of spermicides was confined largely to women who had also used diaphragms or whose partners had used condoms. The RR of gonorrhea for spermicide and condom users relative to nonusers of spermicides, condoms, and diaphragms was 0.41 (90% confidence limits, 0.21 to 0.79), while for spermicide and diaphragm users, this RR was 0.45 (90% confidence limits, 0.15 to 1.3). These results suggest that a woman can appreciably decrease her risk of contracting gonorrhea if she uses spermicides in conjunction with either the diaphragm or the condom.

Screening for rubella in schools of optometry.

Rubella can cause birth defects in fetuses of pregnant women who are susceptible to this disease. Because national immunization efforts have been relatively successful, most cases of rubella occur in young adults. The School of Optometry and Jefferson County Department of Health in Alabama, and the Division of Optometry in Northeastern Oklahoma, cooperated to provide a voluntary serologic rubella screening for their students. About 9% were seronegative and were immunized against rubella. To eliminate the risk of future optometrists transmitting rubella to susceptible patients, we recommend that optometry students be screened for rubella antibodies and be provided immunization if found to be seronegative.

Bactericidal activity of human serum against Escherichia coli chi1776.

Escherichia coli chi1776 is a host strain providing the EK2 level of biological containment. Laboratories equipped to use this strain may be located near medical care facilities where patients prone to infection may be found. We have therefore documented the marked susceptibility of chi1776 to killing by human serum from normal as well as ill individuals.

Modification of bacterial serum susceptibility by rifampin.

A subinhibitory concentration of rifampin converted a strain of Escherichia coli from serum resistant to serum susceptible. When continually cultured in nutrient broth containing 1.5 microgram of rifampin per ml, this strain of E. coli became susceptible to killing by both normal human serum and normal rabbit serum. Copared to the original strain, the rifampin-treated E. coli displayed no detectable change in adherence capability, but appeared less virulent in the rabbit model of endocarditis. A rifampin-resistant mutant of the E. coli strain was not found to undergo conversion to serum susceptibility upon culture in rifampin.

Infections in sexual contacts and associates of children with gonorrhea.

The productivity of gonorrhea case-finding among persons epidemiologically associated with children infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae was examined. During a 33-month period, 36 cases of gonococcal infection in children prompted the examination of 244 individuals who were identified as either sexual contacts, household associates, or nonhousehold associates. Overall, we found an infection rate of 18.4% among 244 persons associated with cases of gonococcal infection in children. Of 21 sexual contacts examined, ten (47.6%) had gonorrhea. Of 223 persons associated with the childhood cases of gonorrhea, 21 (16%) of household associates and 14 (15.2%) of nonhousehold associates were found to have gonorrhea. Associates aged greater than or equal to 30 years who were not named as sexual contacts had a risk of infection significantly lower than that of younger persons examined. These results emphasize that gonorrhea screening prompted by reports of cases in children should not be limited to those persons identified as sexual contacts or household members.

A follow-up study of methods of contraception, sexual activity, and rates of trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.

A randomized, clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the spermicidal agent nonoxynol 9 as prophylaxis for sexually transmitted diseases. Eight hundred eighteen women using birth control who attended a sexually transmitted disease clinic were evaluated monthly for trichomoniasis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis for 6 months. Women using the active spermicide experienced a somewhat lower incidence rate of trichomoniasis (relative rate 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.61 to 1.12) and bacterial vaginosis (relative rate 0.86; 95% confidence interval 0.69 to 1.12) as compared with placebo users. The rate of candidiasis was nearly identical for spermicide and placebo users (relative rate 1.02; 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 1.35). The number of sexual partners during the preceding month was related directly to the occurrence of trichomoniasis (p = 0.047) and bacterial vaginosis (p = 0.009) but not candidiasis (p = 0.99). Subjects using oral contraceptives experienced a statistically significant lower rate of trichomoniasis than did women using an intrauterine contraceptive device or who had had a tubal ligation (relative rate 0.56; 95% confidence interval 0.39 to 0.81).