scholarly journals Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Male Fertility Potential: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Renata Finelli ◽  
Filomena Mottola ◽  
Ashok Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Hormonal Regulation ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
The United States ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Cellular Damage ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cellular Environment ◽  
The Impact

Alcohol abuse disorder is a serious condition, implicating more than 15 million people aged 12 years and older in 2019 in the United States. Ethanol (or ethyl alcohol) is mainly oxidized in the liver, resulting in the synthesis of acetaldehyde and acetate, which are toxic and carcinogenic metabolites, as well as in the generation of a reductive cellular environment. Moreover, ethanol can interact with lipids, generating fatty acid ethyl esters and phosphatidylethanol, which interfere with physiological cellular pathways. This narrative review summarizes the impact of excessive alcohol consumption on male fertility by describing its metabolism and how ethanol consumption may induce cellular damage. Furthermore, the impact of alcohol consumption on hormonal regulation, semen quality, and genetic and epigenetic regulations is discussed based on evidence from animal and human studies, focusing on the consequences on the offspring. Finally, the limitations of the current evidence are discussed. Our review highlights the association between chronic alcohol consumption and poor semen quality, mainly due to the development of oxidative stress, as well as its genotoxic impact on hormonal regulation and DNA integrity, affecting the offspring’s health. New landscapes of investigation are proposed for the identification of molecular markers for alcohol-associated infertility, with a focus on advanced OMICS-based approaches applied to the analysis of semen samples.

scholarly journals School's Out

Elements ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-52
Author(s):  
Charlie Power
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Education System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Learning Loss ◽  
Summer Learning ◽  
Elementary And Secondary Education ◽  
Heated Debate ◽  
The Impact

The debate over the future direction of elementary and secondary education in the United States is fractious and contentious. Many of these are rooted in concerns over disparities in financial circumstances and race. While the full extent of the gaps, in addition to the United States' mediocre education system relative to other industrialized nations, has been a subject of frequent research and heated debate, one crucial component of this divide has yet to be analyzed: summer learning loss. This paper will closely analyze published literature in order to analyze the impact of summer education loss. Additionally, this paper will argue that summer learning varies by socioeconomic status (SES), with low-income populations gradually regressing over the years. This phenomenon has ramifications on students' achievement and explains the disparities that accumulate over a student's educational career. Finally, based on current evidence, this paper will make policy recommendations on how to change the current education system to better address summer's inherent inequities. 

Aged care nurse practitioners in Australia: evidence for the development of their role

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Clark ◽  
Rhian Parker ◽  
Brenton Prosser ◽  
Rachel Davey
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Nurse Practitioner ◽  
The United States ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Healthcare Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Aim To consider evidence surrounding the emerging role of nurse practitioners in Australia with a particular focus on the provision of healthcare to older people. Methods Methods used included keyword, electronic database and bibliographic searches of international literature, as well as review of prominent policy reports in relation to aged care and advanced nursing roles. Results This paper reports on evidence from systematic reviews and international studies that show that nurse practitioners improve healthcare outcomes, particularly for hard to service populations. It also maps out the limited Australian evidence on the impact of nurse practitioners’ care in aged care settings. Conclusions If Australia is to meet the health needs of its ageing population, more evidence on the effectiveness, economic viability and sustainability of models of care, including those utilising nurse practitioners, is required. What is known about the topic? Australia, like many industrialised countries, faces unprecedented challenges in the provision of health services to an ageing population. Attempts to respond to these challenges have resulted in changing models of healthcare and shifting professional boundaries, including the development of advance practice roles for nurses. One such role is that of the nurse practitioner. There is international evidence that nurse practitioners provide high-quality healthcare. Despite being established in the United States for nearly 50 years, nurse practitioners are a relatively recent addition to the Australian health workforce. What does this paper add? This paper positions a current Australian evaluation of nurse practitioners in aged care against the background of the development of the role of nurse practitioners internationally, evidence for the effectiveness of the role, and evidence for nurse practitioners in aged care. Recent legislative changes in Australia now mean that private nurse practitioner roles can be fully implemented and hence evaluated. In the face of the increasing demands of an ageing population, the paper highlights limitations in current Australian evidence for nurse practitioners in aged care and identifies the importance of a national evaluation to begin to address these limitations. What are the implications for practitioners? The success of future healthcare planning and policy depends on implementing effective initiatives to address the needs of older Australians. Mapping the terrain of contemporary evidence for nurse practitioners highlights the need for more research into nurse practitioner roles and their effectiveness across Australia. Understanding the boundaries and limitations to current evidence is relevant for all involved with health service planning and delivery.

scholarly journals O-037 The impact of COVID-19 on male fertility: what do we know?”

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pacey
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Male Reproductive System ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract text Since the very early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, concern has been raised about the possibility of damage to the male reproductive system in those men who are infected with SARS-CoV-2. This was first raised by the early observation (January 2020) that the route of infection was via the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor present on host cells. ACE-2 was first described in the year 2000 and subsequently shown in 2004 to be selectively expressed in the Leydig cells of the adult testis. This opens up the possibility that although COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory infection, it may also infect the male reproductive system. The authors of several review articles have proposed that male fertility may be theoretically impacted by SARS-CoV-2 in a number of ways. This includes alteration of: (i) testicular architecture; (ii) reproductive hormone profiles (LH/FSH); (iii) spermatogenesis as evidenced by changes to ejaculate quality; (iv) sperm function (e.g., DNA damage); (v) sexual/erectile function; or a combination of all five. Clearly each of these individually may impact on the chance of pregnancy or live birth either in natural or medically assisted reproduction. There is also the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted sexually if sufficient numbers of SARS-CoV-2 are found in semen. Reassuringly, of 14 studies published to date, there is little evidence to suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is present in semen and so the possibility of sexual transmission in patient or donor samples can probably be discounted. However, there is currently an incomplete picture of whether semen quality is affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection as studies are often limited by the fact that no pre-infection control samples are available for direct comparison or they are too short to identify any long-term effects. Nevertheless, the few case-controlled studies published which compare semen quality infected with non-infected (control) individuals suggest that there may be a statistically significant alteration in sperm concentration and motility, although it is not clear whether this is linked to infection by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or simply a consequence of febrile illness and fever (or medication given to combat the infection). There is currently a lack of long-term data on any impact of COVID-19 on male reproductive hormones (although much speculation about the role that testosterone might play in the severity of disease). There are also emerging reports of increased risk of erectile dysfunction in men following SARS-CoV-2. In terms of birth rates, it is simply too early to tell whether these have been affected by the pandemic, given the possibility of lockdown affecting sexual behaviour in fertile couples and IVF clinic closures in infertile couples. In conclusion, although the COVID-19 pandemic has infected over 130 million people worldwide we still know too little about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system. Given the incidence of long-COVID, and the asymptomatic nature of the infection for some, it is important to commission and conduct long-term studies which can monitor the reproductive outcomes of young men who have survived a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

scholarly journals Alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems during the COVID-19 pandemic: a narrative review

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 524-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Ramalho
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Excessive Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Potential Increase ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

Objective: To summarise publications reporting on alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in a narrative review. Methods: ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles published in 2020. This search used two terms: ‘alcohol’ and ‘COVID’. Reference lists of articles were reviewed to identify additional articles. Results: There is growing concern around an increase in alcohol intake and alcohol-related harms. These concerns are related to the impact of excessive alcohol consumption in a person with COVID-19 and/or with alcohol use disorder, as well as with a potential increase in the prevalence of harmful drinking, alcohol use disorder, withdrawal symptoms, intimate partner violence, harm to children, suicide, mental health problems and non-communicable diseases. The need for assessing alcohol use and providing adequate advice during the pandemic have been highlighted. Conclusion: The time for action is now, and all necessary measures to prevent an increase in alcohol-related problems should be adopted. At the same time, healthcare services should also prepare for such potential increase, while adapting to the exceptional circumstances presented by the pandemic, such as physical distancing.

scholarly journals Nutrition Knowledge of Collegiate Athletes in the United States and the Impact of Sports Dietitians on Related Outcomes: A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1772
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Riviere ◽  
Rae Leach ◽  
Haleigh Mann ◽  
Samuel Robinson ◽  
Donna O. Burnett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Collegiate Athletes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
The Impact

In the last decade, the number of full-time registered dietitians (RDs) serving intercollegiate athletes in the United States has more than quadrupled. However, many student athletes may be at increased risk of nutrition-related problems that impact physical and academic performance, which include inadequate macronutrients, inadequate micronutrients, and excessive macronutrients. This narrative review reports the current literature to date on nutrition-related knowledge in collegiate athletes and the impact of sports RDs on student athletes’ nutrition knowledge and behaviors. To date, only observational and quasi-experimental studies have been published with regard to changes in nutrition knowledge and behaviors in NCAA athletes. While these studies report benefits of the RD as a member of the interdisciplinary student athlete support team, more well-designed randomized control trials are warranted to determine benefits related to health outcomes and sport-specific performance outcomes.

scholarly journals Understanding the Impact of Pain Among Latinx Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 343-344
Author(s):  
Calia Morais ◽  
Michael Robinson ◽  
Roger Fillingim ◽  
Emily Bartley
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Management ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sociocultural Factors ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Pain is the number one reason for seeking medical attention, and a top contributor to healthcare costs in the United States. Considerable evidence highlights racial/ethnic disparities in pain with Latinx communities being disproportionally affected at higher rates. Compared to other ethnic minority groups, Latinx older adults are more socioeconomically disadvantaged and experience higher rates of disability and frailty (Garcia, Downer, Crowe, & Markides, 2017). Given the rapidly growing population of Latinx, it is anticipated that the incidence of pain and its associated impact will adversely affect the quality of life of many older adults. The public health focus on improving pain management with non-opioid treatment options also highlights the need to provide culturally responsive care for Latinx older adults. However, limited efforts have addressed this important target for intervention. Following the biopsychosocial model of pain, this presentation will provide an overview of biological, psychosocial and cultural factors influencing pain disparities among older adults. Findings from experimental and clinical settings will be discussed. The presenter will also review current evidence highlighting the preference for self-management strategies for pain management among Latinxs, as well as the need to increase accessibility to psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for pain (CBT-pain). Furthermore, preliminary findings from a qualitative study will be presented to illustrate the need to offer culturally adapted treatments for pain management (Torres, Thorn, Kapoor, & DeMonte, 2017). Future research is needed to study sociocultural factors influencing pain disparities to help identify modifiable targets for intervention.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Patients With ADPKD

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205435812110564
Author(s):  
Meherzad Kutky ◽  
Erin Cross ◽  
Darin J. Treleaven ◽  
Ahsan Alam ◽  
Matthew B. Lanktree
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Chronic Medical Condition ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose of review: Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have kidney cysts and kidney enlargement decades before progressing to advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), meaning patients live most of their adult life with a chronic medical condition. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created common questions among patients with ADPKD. In this review, we discuss COVID-19 concerns centered around a patient with a common clinical vignette. Sources of information: We performed PubMed and Google scholar searches for English, peer-reviewed studies related to “COVID-19,” “ADPKD,” “CKD,” “tolvaptan,” “angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors” (ACEi), “angiotensin receptor blockers” (ARB), and “vaccination.” We also evaluated transplant data provided by the Ontario Trillium Gift of Life Network. Methods: Following an assessment of available literature, this narrative review addresses common questions of patients with ADPKD in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings: Data regarding the risk of developing COVID-19 and the risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with ADPKD remain limited, but patients with ADPKD with impaired estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), kidney transplants, or on dialysis are likely at similar increased risk as those with generally defined CKD. We provide strategies to improve virtual care, which is likely to persist after the pandemic. Current evidence suggests ACEi, ARB, and tolvaptan treatment should be continued unless contraindicated due to severe illness. When available, and in the absence of a severe allergy, vaccination is recommended for all patients with ADPKD. Limitations: This narrative review is limited by a paucity of high-quality data on COVID-19 outcomes in patients specifically with ADPKD. Implications: Patients with ADPKD who have developed advanced CKD, require dialysis, or who have received a kidney transplant are at elevated risk of COVID-19 complications.

scholarly journals What happens when the party moves home? The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. college student alcohol consumption as a function of legal drinking status using longitudinal data

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 772-774
Author(s):  
Nicole C Ryerson ◽  
Oliver W A Wilson ◽  
Alejandra Pena ◽  
Michele Duffy ◽  
Melissa Bopp
Keyword(s):  
College Student ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
The United States ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Drinking Age ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Many young adults in the United States (U.S.) moved from college accommodations to live with their parents/family during the Spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While alcohol consumption fluctuates during a typical semester among students, the impact of the sudden changes stemming from the pandemic on students’ alcohol consumption patterns is unclear. To examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college student alcohol consumption while accounting for legal drinking age and living situation. Data were collected from students (n = 302) at a large, northeastern U.S. university at the beginning and end of the of the 2019 and 2020 Spring semesters via an online survey that assessed socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, living situation) and alcohol consumption using the daily drinking questionnaire. Data were analyzed using a 2 (cohort group: COVID-19 vs. normal) × 2 (age group: above 21 vs. under 21) × 2 (time: beginning vs. end of the semester) mixed model ANOVA. There was a significant three-way interaction. Students over the legal drinking age impacted by the pandemic demonstrated a drastic decrease in alcohol consumption by the end of the semester compared to those under normal circumstances. Change in living situation as a result of the pandemic drastically impacted the alcohol consumption patterns of students over the legal drinking age. Suggestions for future research on the continuing effects of the pandemic on students are discussed.

scholarly journals Thrombopoietin receptor agonist for treatment of immune thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: a narrative review

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204062072110011
Author(s):  
Nikki Agarwal ◽  
Ankit Mangla
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intravenous Immunoglobulins ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Thrombopoietin Receptor ◽  
Acute Itp ◽  
In Pregnancy

The treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults has evolved rapidly over the past decade. The second-generation thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), romiplostim, eltrombopag, and avatrombopag are approved for the treatment of chronic ITP in adults. However, their use in pregnancy is labeled as category C by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to the lack of clinical data on human subjects. ITP is a common cause of thrombocytopenia in the first and second trimester of pregnancy, which not only affects the mother but can also lead to thrombocytopenia in the neonatal thrombocytopenia secondary to maternal immune thrombocytopenia (NMITP). Corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) are commonly used for treating acute ITP in pregnant patients. Drugs such as rituximab, anti-D, and azathioprine that are used to treat ITP in adults, are labeled category C and seldom used in pregnant patients. Cytotoxic chemotherapy (vincristine, cyclophosphamide), danazol, and mycophenolate are contraindicated in pregnant women. In such a scenario, TPO-RAs present an attractive option to treat ITP in pregnant patients. Current evidence on the use of TPO-RAs in pregnant women with ITP is limited. In this narrative review, we will examine the preclinical and the clinical literature regarding the use of TPO-RAs in the management of ITP in pregnancy and their effect on neonates with NMITP.

Alcohol Consumption in the United States: Past, Present, and Future Trends

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Fogarty ◽  
Derby Voon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
State Level ◽  
The United States ◽  
Alcohol Policy ◽  
Consumption Patterns ◽  
Estimation Methods ◽  
Tax Rate ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis research examines long-run changes in alcohol consumption patterns for the United States, at the state level, and presents forecasts for per capita consumption of beer, wine, and spirits developed using the ARIMA methodology. The evidence is then presented on the extent of convergence in consumption through time. This evidence shows that from the 1970s through the early 2000s, a pattern of convergence in both the level of consumption and the consumption mix was evident, but since the early 2000s, and unlike the pattern observed globally, there has been a reversal of this trend. The changes in consumption through time are illustrated via ternary plots. Bayesian estimation methods are used to formally describe changes in historical consumption patterns and to investigate the impact of policy settings on consumption forecasts. There were no systematic correlations found between alcohol policy settings and forecast future consumption changes, or tax rate levels and forecast consumption changes. (JEL Classifications: D12, I18, L66)

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