scholarly journals Heligmosomoides polygyrusreduces infestation ofIxodes ricinusin free-living yellow-necked mice,Apodemus flavicollis

Parasitology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. FERRARI ◽  
I. M. CATTADORI ◽  
A. RIZZOLI ◽  
P. J. HUDSON

SUMMARYFree-living animals are usually inhabited by a community of parasitic species that can interact with each other and alter both host susceptibility and parasite transmission. In this study we tested the prediction that an increase in the gastrointestinal nematodeHeligmosomoides polygyruswould increase the infestation of the tickIxodes ricinus, in free-living yellow-necked mice,Apodemus flavicollis. An extensive cross-sectional trapping survey identified a negative relationship betweenH. polygyrusandI. ricinuscounter to the prediction. An experimental reduction of the nematode infection through anthelmintic treatment resulted in an increase in tick infestation, suggesting that this negative association was one of cause and effect. Host characteristics (breeding condition and age) and habitat variables also contributed to affect tick infestation. While these results were counter to the prediction, they still support the hypothesis that interactions between parasite species can shape parasite community dynamics in natural systems. Laboratory models may act differently from natural populations and the mechanism generating the negative association is discussed.

Author(s):  
Sanqin Mao ◽  
Jie Chen

This study examined the association between neighborhood-based social capital (NSC) and depressive symptoms in the context of urban neighborhoods in China, with special attention given to the association heterogeneity across socioeconomic groups. Drawing on cross-sectional data collected from 39 neighborhoods in Guangzhou, this research demonstrated that adults’ depressive symptoms were higher among those with lower cognitive (trustworthiness, reciprocity, and cohesion within a neighborhood) and structural (social network and participation) dimensions of NSC. Further analysis showed that the negative association between NSC and depressive symptoms was significantly heterogeneous across socioeconomic groups. Specifically, this negative relationship was more prominent in the lower socioeconomic classes than in the upper socioeconomic classes, indicating that the lower accumulation of NSC among disadvantaged groups may aggravate depression unequally across social classes. In addition, the negative association between social participation and depressive symptoms was stronger for people who are older or unemployed. The findings of this study not only provide new evidence concerning the significance of the beneficial effects of NSC in the Chinese context, but also, more importantly, highlight that NSC plays a crucial role in creating mental health inequality across social classes. Thus, the relevant social interventions including fostering neighborhood relationships and social activities should be carefully tailored against the backdrop of community building during the urbanization process. The implications of our study for urban governance to promote healthy cities are discussed.


GeroPsych ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134
Author(s):  
Mechthild Niemann-Mirmehdi ◽  
Andreas Häusler ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Johanna Nordheim

Abstract. To date, few studies have focused on perceived overprotection from the perspective of people with dementia (PwD). In the present examination, the association of perceived overprotection in PwD is examined as an autonomy-restricting factor and thus negative for their mental well-being. Cross-sectional data from the prospective DYADEM study of 82 patient/partner dyads (mean age = 74.26) were used to investigate the association between overprotection, perceived stress, depression, and quality of life (QoL). The analyses show that an overprotective contact style with PwD has a significant positive association with stress and depression, and has a negative association with QoL. The results emphasize the importance of avoiding an overprotective care style and supporting patient autonomy.


2020 ◽  
pp. 009862832097989
Author(s):  
Michael T. Geier

Background: Previous research suggests a relationship between teacher behaviors and students’ effort. However, it is not clear what role the students’ expectations (i.e., importance of teacher behaviors) play in this relationship. Objective: Utilizing the teacher behavior checklist, this study sought to investigate whether teacher behaviors mediate the relationship between the importance students set on teacher behaviors and students’ effort. Further, the study explored which specific behaviors influence students’ effort. Method: Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed ( N = 159) using mediation analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression. Results: There was evidence that teacher behaviors mediate the relationship between the importance students set on teacher behaviors and students’ effort. Four of the 28 teacher behaviors had a significant relationship to students’ effort: creative and interesting, enthusiastic about teaching, happy/positive/humorous, and promotes critical thinking. Conclusion: Knowing students’ expectations (i.e., the importance of teacher behaviors) is essential to increasing students’ effort. Teaching Implications: Happy/positive/humorous had a negative relationship with students’ effort, while creative and interesting, enthusiastic about teaching, and promotes critical thinking showed a positive relationship with students’ effort.


2021 ◽  
pp. 875647932110210
Author(s):  
Idigo Felicitas Ugochinyere ◽  
Nwankwo Sylvia Chiamaka ◽  
Abonyi Everistus Obinna ◽  
Anakwue Angel-Mary Chukwunyelu ◽  
Agbo Julius Amechi

Objective: Renal volume (RV) assessment during obstetric sonography is rarely considered in our locality. Understanding the changes in RV in both normotensive pregnant (NP) and pregnancy-induced hypertensive (PIH) women is important in making correct diagnosis regarding pregnancy outcome. This study is aimed at determining the RV in NP and PIH women and correlating RV with fetal gestational age (FGA), body mass index (BMI), and parity in NP women. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 450 patients recruited at a Tertiary Hospital. A pilot study was done to determine the interobserver variability in RV measurement. RV was calculated using the following formula: L × W × AP × 0.523. Parity, BMI, and blood pressure were documented, while FGA was calculated as an average of FGAs obtained from the measurements of fetal biometric parameters. Results: Mean RV of PIH women was significantly higher than that of NP women ( P < .05). RV shows a positive significant relationship with BMI and FGA, while it shows a negative relationship with parity in NP ( P < .05). Conclusion: Reference range values of RV were generated for clinical use in our locality, while there is statistically significant difference between RV in NP and PIH women.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Mentesana ◽  
Martin N. Andersson ◽  
Stefania Casagrande ◽  
Wolfgang Goymann ◽  
Caroline Isaksson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In egg-laying animals, mothers can influence the developmental environment and thus the phenotype of their offspring by secreting various substances into the egg yolk. In birds, recent studies have demonstrated that different yolk substances can interactively affect offspring phenotype, but the implications of such effects for offspring fitness and phenotype in natural populations have remained unclear. We measured natural variation in the content of 31 yolk components known to shape offspring phenotypes including steroid hormones, antioxidants and fatty acids in eggs of free-living great tits (Parus major) during two breeding seasons. We tested for relationships between yolk component groupings and offspring fitness and phenotypes. Results Variation in hatchling and fledgling numbers was primarily explained by yolk fatty acids (including saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids) - but not by androgen hormones and carotenoids, components previously considered to be major determinants of offspring phenotype. Fatty acids were also better predictors of variation in nestling oxidative status and size than androgens and carotenoids. Conclusions Our results suggest that fatty acids are important yolk substances that contribute to shaping offspring fitness and phenotype in free-living populations. Since polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be produced de novo by the mother, but have to be obtained from the diet, these findings highlight potential mechanisms (e.g., weather, habitat quality, foraging ability) through which environmental variation may shape maternal effects and consequences for offspring. Our study represents an important first step towards unraveling interactive effects of multiple yolk substances on offspring fitness and phenotypes in free-living populations. It provides the basis for future experiments that will establish the pathways by which yolk components, singly and/or interactively, mediate maternal effects in natural populations.


Author(s):  
Afsara B. Zaheed ◽  
Neika Sharifian ◽  
A. Zarina Kraal ◽  
Ketlyne Sol ◽  
Jennifer J. Manly ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Stress is a risk factor for numerous negative health outcomes, including cognitive impairment in late-life. The negative association between stress and cognition may be mediated by depressive symptoms, which separate studies have identified as both a consequence of perceived stress and a risk factor for cognitive decline. Pathways linking perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and cognition may be moderated by sociodemographics and psychosocial resources. The goal of this cross-sectional study was to identify modifying factors and enhance understanding of the mechanisms underlying the stress–cognition association in a racially and ethnically diverse sample of older adults. Method: A linear regression estimated the association between perceived stress and episodic memory in 578 older adults (Mage = 74.58) in the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project. Subsequent models tested whether depressive symptoms mediated the stress–memory relationship and whether sociodemographics (gender, race, and ethnicity) or perceived control moderated these pathways. Results: Independent of sociodemographics and chronic diseases, greater perceived stress was associated with worse episodic memory. This relationship was mediated by more depressive symptoms. Higher perceived control buffered the association between stress and depressive symptoms. There was no significant moderation by gender, race, or ethnicity. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms may play a role in the negative association between perceived stress and cognition among older adults; however, longitudinal analyses and studies using experimental designs are needed. Perceived control is a modifiable psychological resource that may offset the negative impact of stress.


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANME Karim ◽  
D Das ◽  
M Salahuddin ◽  
GA Marjan ◽  
MN Islam ◽  
...  

Hypertension is the third leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Bangladesh. Microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria are the markers of the CKD. So detection of microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria in hypertensive subjects will help to identify the patient at risk of developing progressive renal impairment. This cross sectional study was carried out in a rural area of Bangladesh.1134 adult population (age between 18 and 65 years) were screened. A total of 217 (19.1%) were detected hypertensive; spot urine dipstick test was done among them. Those who where dipstick negative further studied for presence of microalbumin [ mg/L ]. Blood glucose level, serum creatinine, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were evaluated. A group of normotensive people (n=245) taken as comparison group. Microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria were present in 26.4% and 9.7% of the hypertensive subjects, respectively. Correlation between microalbuminuria and eGFR showed that two variables exhibited a tendency for negative relationship, although correlation was not statistically significant (P=0.186, r=-0.064). Overt proteinuric subjects showed no statistically significant deterioration of eGFR (81.6±21.1). Microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria are prevalent among the hypertensive rural Bangladeshi people. So early detection of microalbuminuria and overt proteinuria will help to prevent or delay the development of end stage renal disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v24i2.18700 Bangladesh J Medicine 2013; 24 : 59-64


Author(s):  
Ashish Rai ◽  
Niranjan Devkota ◽  
Udbodh Bhandari ◽  
Udaya Raj Paudel

This study aims to explore farmers’ perspectives on land management for agricultural entrepreneurship in Udayapur, Nepal. The research is based on cross-sectional explanatory research design, and a structured questionnaire was administered for collecting the data from 297 farmers in Tiryuga, Chudandhigadhi, and Belaka municipalities in Udayapur. The results were derived with the help of descriptive and inferential analysis using STATA. The results show that agricultural training and market information play significant roles in gaining awareness about agricultural entrepreneurship and ideas on land management. Agricultural training, credit facilities, and market information have a positive relationship with an awareness of agricultural entrepreneurship and ideas on land management. In contrast, the age, land size, crop cycle, credit facility and agricultural subsidy have a negative relationship with them. This study suggests the need for increasing and enhancing the knowledge for farmers about agricultural entrepreneurship and proper land management in Nepal. The outcome of this study remains significant mostly in developing nations like Nepal and even in the developed ones to feed the growing population’s increasing food demand, as land area is limited on earth and the population living on it is swelling.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Uma Warrier ◽  
Cyril Foropon ◽  
Melinda Chehimi

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of mindfulness on organizational role stress (ORS) based on the Monitor Acceptance Theory (MAT) perspective.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on a cross-sectional data analysis collected from 137 employees working at an Indian IT organization located in Bangalore (India). ORS and MAAS scales have been used for measuring ORS and mindfulness, respectively.FindingsOverall, the study findings have indicated a negative relationship (r = −0.588) between mindfulness (M) and ORS. First, both personal inadequacy (PI) and self-role distance (SRD) are found to be predominantly impacted by M, whereas both role erosion (RE) and role overload (RO) appear to be less affected by mindfulness. Second, SRD appears to be the highest ORS sub-dimension among IT employees. Third, building on the extant literature, it can be inferred that “no one size fits all”, ORS is both organization and context specific.Originality/valueThis study pioneers to establish empirical evidence between M and ORS. Training employees on M can help in effectively handling ORS.


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