Prior exposure to weathered oil influences foraging of an ecologically important saltmarsh resident fish

Estuarine ecosystem balance typically relies on strong food web interconnectedness dependent on a relatively low number of resident taxa, presenting a potential ecological vulnerability to extreme ecosystem disturbances. Following the Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill disaster of the northern Gulf of Mexico (USA), numerous ecotoxicological studies showed severe species-level impacts of oil exposure on estuarine fish and invertebrates, yet post-spill surveys found little evidence for severe impacts to coastal populations, communities, or food webs. The acknowledgement that several confounding factors may have limited researchers’ abilities to detect negative ecosystem-level impacts following the DwH spill drives the need for direct testing of weathered oil exposure effects on estuarine residents with high trophic connectivity. Here, we describe an experiment that examined the influence of previous exposure to four weathered oil concentrations (control: 0.0 L oil m−2; low: 0.1 L oil m−2; moderate: 0.5–1 L oil m−2; high: 3.0 L oil m−2) on foraging rates of the ecologically important Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis). Following exposure in oiled saltmarsh mesocosms, killifish were allowed to forage on grass shrimp (Palaeomonetes pugio) for up to 21 h. We found that previous exposure to the high oil treatment reduced killifish foraging rate by ~37% on average, compared with no oil control treatment. Previous exposure to the moderate oil treatment showed highly variable foraging rate responses, while low exposure treatment was similar to unexposed responses. Declining foraging rate responses to previous high weathered oil exposure suggests potential oil spill influence on energy transfer between saltmarsh and off-marsh systems. Additionally, foraging rate variability at the moderate level highlights the large degree of intraspecific variability for this sublethal response and indicates this concentration represents a potential threshold of oil exposure influence on killifish foraging. We also found that consumption of gravid vs non-gravid shrimp was not independent of prior oil exposure concentration, as high oil exposure treatment killifish consumed ~3× more gravid shrimp than expected. Our study findings highlight the sublethal effects of prior oil exposure on foraging abilities of ecologically valuable Gulf killifish at realistic oil exposure levels, suggesting that important trophic transfers of energy to off-marsh systems may have been impacted, at least in the short-term, by shoreline oiling at highly localized scales. This study provides support for further experimental testing of oil exposure effects on sublethal behavioral impacts of ecologically important estuarine species, due to the likelihood that some ecological ramifications of DwH on saltmarshes likely went undetected.

A MULTICENTRIC COMPARATIVE STUDY IDENTIFYING ‘RESEARCH OBSTACLES’ AMONG POSTGRADUATE RESIDENTS OF DIFFERENT ‘MEDICAL & DENTAL INSTITUTES OF BALOCHISTAN AND PUNJAB’

Objective: To compare the research obstacles including lack of proper training, previous exposure, time management, motivation, faculty research knowledge, skill, social constrains and lack of interest among post-graduate residents of Balochistan with those of Children’s Hospital, Lahore. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dental College, Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences, Quetta, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences & Institute of Public Health of Balochistan, from Mar to May 2018, and Children’s Hospital Lahore, Lahore, from Jul to Aug 2017. Methodology: A total of 72 postgraduates from three different institutes of Balochistan and 90 from Children’s Hospital, Lahore were recruited in this study. The questionnaire was distributed to the participants of both institutions; data was collected & entered into SPSS version 22. Results: Female predominance (64.4%) was observed in post-graduates of Children’s Hospital, Lahore in comparison to institutions from Balochistan while there were 61% males. Majority (90%) post-graduate residents of Balochistan recognized time management, deficient laboratory and other facilities followed by lack of mentoring by faculty 59 (83%) and lack of motivation 60 (84%) as the most important factors that hinder their scientific activities. Additionally, 91 (86.6%) postgraduates of Children’s Hospital, Lahore suggested lack of proper research training and 87 (83.3%) suggested lack of previous exposure as the main hindering factors in their research work. Conclusion: Post-graduate residents of diverse economic, educational and cultural backgrounds present different perceptions about research hurdles. However, those from both provinces identified that lack of..........

Influence of Prolonged Serotonin and Ergovaline Pre-Exposure on Vasoconstriction Ex Vivo

Ergot alkaloid mycotoxins interfere in many functions associated with serotonergic neurotransmitters. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate whether the association of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and ergot alkaloids during a 24 h pre-incubation could affect the vascular contractile response to ergot alkaloids. To evaluate the effects of 24 h exposure to 5-HT and ergot alkaloids (ergovaline, ERV), two assays were conducted. The first assay determined the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) following the 24 h pre-exposure period, while the second assay evaluated the effect of IC50 concentrations of 5-HT and ERV either individually or in combination. There was an interaction between previous exposure to 5-HT and ERV. Previous exposure to 5-HT at the IC50 concentration of 7.57 × 10−7 M reduced the contractile response by more than 50% of control, while the exposure to ERV at IC50 dose of 1.57 × 10−10 M tended to decrease (p = 0.081) vessel contractility with a response higher than 50% of control. The 24 h previous exposure to both 5-HT and ERV did not potentiate the inhibitory response of blood vessels in comparison with incubation with each compound alone. These results suggest receptor competition between 5-HT and ERV. More studies are necessary to determine the potential of 5-HT to treat toxicosis caused by ergot alkaloids.

Determinants of RSV epidemiology following suppression through pandemic contact restrictions

Introduction COVID-19 related non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) led to a suppression of RSV circulation in winter 2020/21 throughout Europe and an off-season resurgence in Summer 2021 in several European countries. We explore how such temporary interruption may shape future RSV epidemiology and what factors drive the associated uncertainty. Methods We developed an age-structured dynamic transmission model to simulate pre-pandemic RSV infections and hospitalisations. We sampled parameters governing RSV seasonality, immunity acquisition and duration of post-infection immunity and retained those simulations that qualitatively fit the UK's pre-pandemic epidemiology. From Spring 2020 to Summer 2021 we assumed a 50% reduced contact frequency, returning to pre-pandemic levels from mid-May 2021. We simulated transmission forwards until 2023 and evaluated the impact of the sampled parameters on the projected trajectories of RSV hospitalisations. Results Following a lifting of contact restrictions in summer 2021 the model replicated an out-of-season resurgence of RSV. If unmitigated, paediatric RSV hospitalisation incidence in the 2021/22 season was projected to increase by 32% to 67% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The size of the increase depended most on whether infection risk was primarily determined by immunity acquired from previous exposure or general immune maturation. While infants were less affected, the increase in seasonal hospitalisation incidence exceeded 100% in 1-2 year old children and 275% in 2-5 year old children, respectively, in some simulations where immunity from previous exposure dominated. Consequently, the average age of a case increased by 1 to 5 months, most markedly if there was strong immunity acquisition from previous exposure. If immunity to infection was largely determined by age rather than previous exposure, the 2021/22 season started earlier and lasted longer but with a peak incidence lower or similar to pre-pandemic levels. For subsequent seasons, simulations suggested a quick return to pre-pandemic epidemiology, with some slight oscillating behaviour possible depending on the strength of post-exposure immunity. Conclusion COVID-19 mitigation measures stopped RSV circulation in the 2020/21 season and generated immunity debt that will likely lead to a temporary increase in RSV burden in the season following the lifting of restrictions, particularly in 1 to 5 year old children. A more accurate understanding of immunity drivers for RSV is needed to better predict the size of such an increase and plan a potential expansion of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical mitigation measures.

Potential cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2 from previous exposure to bovine coronavirus

Humans have long shared infectious agents with cattle, and the common cold OC-43 CoV is a not-so-distant example of cross-species viral spillover. Human exposure to BCoV is certainly common, as the virus is endemic in cattle-raising regions. This article shows an in silico investigation of shared viral epitopes between BCoV and SARS-CoV-2. HLA recognition and lymphocyte reactivity were assessed using freely-available resources. Several epitopes were shared between BCoV and SARS-CoV-2, both for B and T lymphocytes. These data demonstrate that possible cross-protection is being induced by human exposure to cattle.

Relational Mobility and Other Contributors to Decline in Intimate Partner Violence

This study explored whether changes in risk and protective factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) can account for the noted reduction in 12-month IPV prevalence in New Zealand between 2003 and 2019. Changes in relational mobility over time were also explored. Data from two population-based surveys of 18-64 year-old ever-partnered women in New Zealand that were conducted according to identical procedures in 2003 (n=2764) and 2019 (n=944) were used. Changes in a variety of potential risk and protective factors over time and their possible contribution to IPV reduction were assessed. The findings indicated that there was no change in the prevalence of the strongest risk and protective factors of IPV victimisation and perpetration over time (e.g. partner concurrent relationship, previous exposure to violence for both respondent and partner, and partner’s problematic alcohol/drug use). However, a combination of factors including decline in women’s problematic alcohol or drug use, decline in the number of children within families, and increases in the proportion of women and partners with a qualification higher than secondary education are likely to be associated with the reduction in IPV prevalence. A greater degree of relational mobility, demonstrated through a greater proportion of women who left their abusive partner permanently and increased numbers of relationships that women had, was also observed between two study years. Overall, these results indicate that changes in 12-month IPV prevalence over time are likely to be linked with changes that increase women’s autonomy and ability to move out of violent relationships. To achieve sustained reductions in IPV, more comprehensive and planned efforts are needed to address other underlying and exacerbating causes, including problematic alcohol/drug use and previous exposure to violence during childhood and adulthood.

Plasmodium falciparum and Helminth Coinfections Increase IgE and Parasite-Specific IgG Responses

Coinfection with Plasmodium falciparum and helminths may impact the immune response to these parasites because they induce different immune profiles. We compared the antibody profile between groups of Mozambican individuals defined by P. falciparum and helminth previous exposure and/or current infection.

Serological Responses in Patients Infected with Mayaro Virus and Evaluation of Cross-Protective Responses against Chikungunya Virus

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an alphavirus endemic to both Latin America and the Caribbean. Recent reports have questioned the ability of MAYV and its close relative, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), to generate cross-reactive, neutralizing antibodies to one another. Since CHIKV was introduced to South America in 2013, discerning whether individuals have cross-reactive antibodies or whether they have had exposures to both viruses previously has been difficult. Using samples obtained from people infected with MAYV prior to the introduction of CHIKV in the Americas, we performed neutralizing assays and observed no discernable neutralization of CHIKV by sera from patients previously infected with MAYV. These data suggest that a positive CHIKV neutralization test cannot be attributed to prior exposure to MAYV and that previous exposure to MAYV may not be protective against a subsequent CHIKV infection.

Towards a COVID-19 symptom triad: The importance of symptom constellations in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Pandemic scenarios like SARS-Cov-2 require rapid information aggregation. In the age of eHealth and data-driven medicine, publicly available symptom tracking tools offer efficient and scalable means of collecting and analyzing large amounts of data. As a result, information gains can be communicated to front-line providers. We have developed such an application in less than a month and reached more than 500 thousand users within 48 hours. The dataset contains information on basic epidemiological parameters, symptoms, risk factors and details on previous exposure to a COVID-19 patient. Exploratory Data Analysis revealed different symptoms reported by users with confirmed contacts vs. no confirmed contacts. The symptom combination of anosmia, cough and fatigue was the most important feature to differentiate the groups, while single symptoms such as anosmia, cough or fatigue alone were not sufficient. A linear regression model from the literature using the same symptom combination as features was applied on all data. Predictions matched the regional distribution of confirmed cases closely across Germany, while also indicating that the number of cases in northern federal states might be higher than officially reported. In conclusion, we report that symptom combinations anosmia, fatigue and cough are most likely to indicate an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

EXTENT OF ANXIETY AND STRESS AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN THE STATE OF SIKKIM

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of anxiety and stress among different groups of Sikkim's health-care workers, based on gender and previous exposure to ICU duties. The current study's sample included 152 HCWs who were chosen via stratified random sampling. The anxiety and stress dimension of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to assess anxiety and stress. Based on gender and previous exposure to ICU duty, different groups of health care workers were found to have varying levels of anxiety and stress.