scholarly journals Linking Behavior, Co-infection Patterns, and Viral Infection Risk With the Whole Gastrointestinal Helminth Community Structure in Mastomys natalensis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Vanden Broecke ◽  
Lisse Bernaerts ◽  
Alexis Ribas ◽  
Vincent Sluydts ◽  
Ladslaus Mnyone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Environmental Stochasticity ◽  
Mastomys Natalensis ◽  
Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Exploration Behavior

Infection probability, load, and community structure of helminths varies strongly between and within animal populations. This can be ascribed to environmental stochasticity or due to individual characteristics of the host such as their age or sex. Other, but understudied, factors are the hosts' behavior and co-infection patterns. In this study, we used the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) as a model system to investigate how the hosts' sex, age, exploration behavior, and viral infection history affects their infection risk, parasitic load, and community structure of gastrointestinal helminths. We hypothesized that the hosts' exploration behavior would play a key role in the risk for infection by different gastrointestinal helminths, whereby highly explorative individuals would have a higher infection risk leading to a wider diversity of helminths and a larger load compared to less explorative individuals. Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro, Tanzania, where we trapped a total of 214 individual mice. Their exploratory behavior was characterized using a hole-board test after which we collected the helminths inside their gastrointestinal tract. During our study, we found helminths belonging to eight different genera: Hymenolepis sp., Protospirura muricola, Syphacia sp., Trichuris mastomysi, Gongylonema sp., Pterygodermatites sp., Raillietina sp., and Inermicapsifer sp. and one family: Trichostrongylidae. Hierarchical modeling of species communities (HMSC) was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on the infection probability, parasite load, and community structure of these helminths. Our results show that species richness was higher in adults and in females compared to juveniles and males, respectively. Contrary to our expectations, we found that less explorative individuals had higher infection probability with different helminths resulting in a higher diversity, which could be due to a higher exposure rate to these helminths and/or behavioral modification due to the infection.

scholarly journals Host related factors determine co-occurrence patterns between pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and helminths in populations of the multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
joachim Marien ◽  
Bram Vanden Broecke ◽  
Pamela June Tafompa ◽  
Lisse Bernaerts ◽  
Alexis Ribas Salvador ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Mastomys Natalensis ◽  
Wildlife Diseases ◽  
Gastrointestinal Helminths ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Single Host

Advances in experimental and theoretical work increasingly suggest that parasite interactions within a single host can affect the spread and severity of wildlife diseases. Yet empirical data to support predicted co-infection patterns are limited due to the practical challenges of gathering convincing data from animal populations and the stochastic nature of parasite transmission. Here, we investigated co-infection patterns between micro- (bacteria and protozoa) and macroparasites (gastrointestinal helminths) in natural populations of the multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis). Fieldwork was performed in Morogoro (Tanzania), where we trapped 211 individual M. natalensis and tested their behavior using a modified open-field arena. All animals were checked on the presence of helminths in their gastrointestinal tract, three bacteria (Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Borrelia) and two protozoan genera (Piroplasma and Hepatozoon). Besides the presence of eight different helminth genera (reported earlier), we found that 21% of M. natalensis were positive for Anaplasma, 13% for Bartonella, and 2% for Hepatozoon species. Hierarchical modelling of species communities was used to investigate the effect of the different host-related factors on these parasites infection probability and community structure. Our results show that the infection probability of Anaplasma and Bartonella was higher in adults than juveniles. We also observed that females and less explorative individuals had a higher infection probability with Bartonella. We found limited support for within-host interactions between micro-and macroparasites, as only animals infected with Bartonella were significantly more likely to be infected with Protospirura, Trichuris, and Trichostrongylidae helminths.

"He seems odd": The effects of risk-irrelevant information and actuarial risk estimates on mock jurors' perceptions of sexual recidivism risk

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kamorowski ◽  
Karl Ask ◽  
Maartje Schreuder ◽  
Marko Jelicic ◽  
Corine de Ruiter
Keyword(s):  
Contextual Information ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Risk Estimate ◽  
Case Vignette ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Recidivism ◽  
Mock Jurors ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Risk Estimates ◽  
Actuarial Risk

Previous research has shown that mock and actual jurors give little weight to actuarial sexual offending recidivism risk estimates when making decisions regarding civil commitment for so-called sexually violent predators (SVPs). We hypothesized that non-risk related factors, such as irrelevant contextual information and jurors’ information-processing style, would influence mock jurors’ perceptions of sexual recidivism risk. This preregistered experimental study examined the effects of mock jurors’ (N = 427) need for cognition (NFC), irrelevant contextual information in the form of the offender’s social attractiveness, and an actuarial risk estimate on mock jurors’ estimates of sexual recidivism risk related to a simulated SVP case vignette. Mock jurors exposed to negative risk-irrelevant characteristics of the offender estimated sexual recidivism risk as higher than mock jurors exposed to positive information about the offender. However, this effect was no longer significant after mock jurors had reviewed Static-99R actuarial risk estimate information. We found no support for the hypothesis that the level of NFC moderates the relationship between risk-irrelevant contextual information and risk estimates. Future research could explore additional individual characteristics or attitudes among mock jurors that may influence perceptions of sexual recidivism risk and insensitivity to actuarial risk estimates.

Psychological Responses Among Korean Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Survivors and Bereaved Families

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Dayoung Lee ◽  
Junghyun H Lee ◽  
Kyoungsun Jeon ◽  
Nabin Lee ◽  
Minyoung Sim
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Psychological Responses ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Korean Ministry ◽  
Duration Of Hospitalization ◽  
Bereaved Family

Abstract Objective: In 2015, the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea affected 186 patients and led to 38 bereaved families. This study aimed at investigating the nature and related factors of the psychological responses of MERS victims during the acute phase of disaster. Methods: The MERS Psychological Support Team under the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare provided counseling services to MERS survivors and bereaved families for 4 weeks, based on crisis intervention. In this study, we reviewed the counseling records of 109 survivors and 80 bereaved family members, and analyzed their epidemiological and MERS-related information along with psychological responses. Results: Somatic symptoms and anxiety related to social stigmatization or disease transmission were common in MERS survivors, whereas grief reactions such as sadness, and anger were frequently observed in bereaved families. Bereaved MERS survivors showed more avoidance/isolation than non-bereaved MERS survivors. Females, those with an underlying physical or psychiatric health condition, and those having experienced longer duration of hospitalization and non-healthcare workers were more at risk of suffering from psychological problems. Conclusions: Survivors and bereaved families of epidemics can experience various psychological distresses depending on individual characteristics and the inherent features of the epidemic. Therefore, mental health in epidemics should be approached and considered more seriously.

scholarly journals Multicriteria Decision Making Model for the New Team Member Selection Based on Individual and Group-Related Factors

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-114
Author(s):  
Jakub Wojnar
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Team Member ◽  
Team Building ◽  
Multicriteria Decision Making ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Multicriteria Decision ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Member Selection ◽  
Decision Making Model

Multicriteria Decision Making Model for the New Team Member Selection Based on Individual and Group-Related FactorsThis paper presents a novel approach to the team building emphasizing group-related attributes of potential candidates instead of focusing on their individual characteristics during the recruitment process. The main assumption is that the teamwork capabilities are equally if not more important than individual skills or competences when selecting new team member. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is used for analyzing teamwork capabilities and multicriteria decision making model will be developed as a final solution.

scholarly journals Factors That Account For Low Enrollment In Community-Based Senior High Schools In The Ashanti Region Of Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
Denteh Raphael ◽  
Samuel Dontoh ◽  
Augustine Adjei ◽  
Francis Kyei Badu
Keyword(s):  
High Schools ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Ashanti Region ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Science Laboratories ◽  
Quota Sampling

The study was to explore the factors that account for low enrolments in senior high schools in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate the factors that account for low enrolments in the community-based senior high school in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purpose of the study was to investigate socio-economic factors, school related factors, geographical factors and individual characteristics that influence enrolments, participation, retention, attendance, progression and dropout in community-based senior high schools in Ashanti Region of Ghana. The purposive and quota sampling were used to select a sample size of 120 respondent make up of 10 heads, 10 Districts Directors of Education, 10 PTA chairmen and 90 parents of sampled schools. The instruments used to collect data from the respondents were the questionnaire for heads, structured interview guide for parents. PTA Chairmen and the District Directors of GES and observation guide on school building and furniture. The reliability co-efficient of the study was 0.82. The co-efficient is high enough and hence the items were deemed reliable for the study. Data were analysed by the use of frequencies, percentages and apparent cohort method. The finding of the study indicated that most of the sampled senior high schools do not have school bus to convey day students to and from schools. The sample senior high schools do not have workshops for all programmes, classrooms and standard science laboratories and science equipment to enhance academic work.

Comparison of viral infection risk between organic and conventional crops of tomato in Spain

2019 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 1145-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Lázaro ◽  
C. Armero ◽  
J. Roselló ◽  
J. Serra ◽  
M. J. Muñoz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infection ◽  
Infection Risk

scholarly journals Obesity-Related Factors in Turkish School Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cihad Dündar ◽  
Hatice Öz
Keyword(s):  
Private School ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
School Students ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Turkish Children ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Watching Tv

Objective. To determine the prevalence of obesity and its risk factors in Turkish children.Method. This cross-sectional survey was conducted on students including 1271 boys and 1206 girls selected from 20 secondary schools in Samsun, Turkey. A predesigned questionnaire was used to elicit the information on individual characteristics. The height and weight of students were measured in their classroom. Obesity was defined as body mass index at or above the 95th percentile for age of the sex-specific CDC growth charts.Result. The mean age was 12.8 ± 0.9 years, and the prevalence of obesity was found at 10.3%. There were higher numbers of obese students in boys than in girls (X2= 53.4;P< 0.001). The prevalence of obesity was 10.0% and 16.8% in public and private school students, respectively. The percentage of obese children in students who skipped breakfast was found to be higher than that in the group that consumed 3 meals a day regularly. There was no difference at time spent in sedentary behavior except watching TV, and prevalence of obesity in the group of students watching television over 3 hours per day was higher than that in their counterparts (X2= 13.6;P< 0.01). The time of engagement in sports was lower in obese group statistically (F= 8.9;P< 0.001).Conclusion. In order to prevent childhood obesity, monitoring children's lifestyle by parents is necessary.

scholarly journals Community diversity reduces Schistosoma mansoni transmission, host pathology and human infection risk

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1662) ◽  
pp. 1657-1663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter T.J Johnson ◽  
Peder J Lund ◽  
Richard B Hartson ◽  
Timothy P Yoshino
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Host Density ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Community Diversity ◽  
Complex Life Cycle ◽  
Intermediate Hosts

Global biodiversity loss and disease emergence are two of the most challenging issues confronting science and society. Recently, observed linkages between species-loss and vector-borne infections suggest that biodiversity may help reduce pathogenic infections in humans and wildlife, but the mechanisms underlying this relationship and its applicability to a broader range of pathogens have remained speculative. Here, we experimentally evaluated the effects of host community structure on transmission of the human pathogen, Schistosoma mansoni , which alternates between snail intermediate hosts and vertebrate definitive hosts. By manipulating parasite exposure and community diversity, we show that heterospecific communities cause a 25–50 per cent reduction in infection among snail hosts ( Biomphalaria glabrata ). Infected snails raised alongside non-host snails ( Lymnaea or Helisoma sp.) also produced 60–80 per cent fewer cercariae, suggesting that diverse communities could reduce human infection risk. Because focal host density was held constant during experiments, decreases in transmission resulted entirely from diversity-mediated pathways. Finally, the decrease in infection in mixed-species communities led to an increase in reproductive output by hosts, representing a novel example of parasite-mediated facilitation. Our results underscore the significance of community structure on transmission of complex life-cycle pathogens, and we emphasize enhanced integration between ecological and parasitological research on the diversity–disease relationship.

scholarly journals The course and predictors of perceived unsupportive responses by family and friends among women newly diagnosed with gynecological cancers

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 682-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon L Manne ◽  
Deborah A Kashy ◽  
David W Kissane ◽  
Melissa Ozga ◽  
Shannon Myers Virtue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Usual Care ◽  
Growth Models ◽  
Gynecologic Cancer ◽  
Psychological Adaptation ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Systematic Change ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Counseling Intervention ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Perceived unsupportive responses from close others play an important role in psychological adaptation of patients with cancer. Little is known about whether these negative responses change after someone experiences a serious life event, and even less is known about the individual characteristics and related factors that might contribute to both the levels of and changes in perceived unsupportive responses over the course of adaptation to an experience. This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate changes in perceived unsupportive behavior from family and friends among women newly with gynecologic cancer as well as initial demographic, disease, and psychological factors that predict the course of perceived unsupportive behavior over time. Women (N = 125) assigned to the usual care arm of a randomized clinical trial comparing a coping and communication intervention with a supportive counseling intervention to usual care completed six surveys over an 18 month period. Growth models using multilevel modeling were used to predict unsupportive responses over time. Average levels of perceived unsupportive responses from family and friends were low. Unsupportive responses varied from patient to patient, but patients did not report a systematic change in perceived unsupportive responses over time. Cultivating meaning and peace and coping efficacy were associated with fewer perceived unsupportive responses as well as reductions in perceived unsupportive responses over time. Emotional distress, cancer concerns, functional impairment, holding back sharing concerns, and cognitive and behavioral avoidance predicted higher perceived unsupportive responses over time. The findings are discussed in terms of the self-presentation theory and social network responses to persons undergoing difficult life events.

Non-suicidal self-injury within the school context: Multilevel analysis of teachers’ support and peer climate

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Madjar ◽  
S. Ben Shabat ◽  
R. Elia ◽  
N. Fellner ◽  
M. Rehavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Hierarchical Linear Modeling ◽  
Teacher Support ◽  
School Context ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
School Students ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Classroom Level

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies regarding non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescents have focused primarily on individual characteristics (e.g., depressive symptoms) and background factors (e.g., parental relationship), whereas less emphasis has been given to the role of school-related factors in NSSI. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the relationships between teachers’ support, peer climate, and NSSI within the school context.MethodsThe sample consisted of 594 high school students nested within 27 regular classes (54.4% boys; mean age 14.96, SD = 1.33 years). The students were evaluated for NSSI behaviors, perception of teacher support, peer climate, relationships with mothers, and depressive symptoms using validated scales.ResultsThe primary analysis used hierarchical linear modeling (HLM), controlling for gender and age. The main findings indicated that teacher support was positively associated with NSSI at the classroom-level (OR = 6.15, 95% CI = 2.05–18.5) but negatively associated at the student-level (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49–0.89). There was a trend toward an association between positive peer climate and NSSI at the classroom-level (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.18–1.05), while negative peer climate was associated with NSSI at the student-level (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.00–1.87).ConclusionsSchool-related factors are associated with NSSI behaviors among students. Teachers and educators should focus on both individual-level and classroom-level perceptions of school context. Students who feel supported by their teachers and who are exposed to a positive peer climate are less likely to engage in NSSI.

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