Humanization of wildlife gut microbiota in urban environments

Urbanization is rapidly altering Earth’s environments, demanding investigations of the impacts on resident wildlife. Here, we show that urban populations of coyotes (Canis latrans) and crested anole lizards (Anolis cristatellus) acquire gut microbiota constituents found in humans, including the gut bacterial lineages most significantly associated with urbanization in humans (e.g., Bacteroides). Comparisons of urban and rural wildlife and human populations revealed significant convergence of the gut microbiota among urban host populations. Remarkably, all microbial lineages found in humans that were overrepresented in urban wildlife relative to rural wildlife were also overrepresented in urban humans relative to rural humans. These results indicate parallel effects of urbanization on human and wildlife gut microbiota and suggest spillover of bacteria from humans into wildlife in cities.

Stigma among tuberculosis patients and associated factors in urban slum populations in Uganda

Background: Stigma continues to be a major barrier to tuberculosis (TB) control particularly in urban populations. Stigma can influence health seeking behaviour and affect adherence to TB treatment, yet few studies have examined TB related stigma and associated factors in Uganda. This study was therefore conducted to determine the level of stigma and associated factors among TB patients in an urban setting in Kampala, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Makindye division, Kampala among 204 patients with TB aged 18 years and above. Data were collected on socio-demographic, individual patient and HIV/AIDS related factors using an intervieweradministered questionnaire. The outcome variable (stigma) was assessed on a four-point Likert scale from the participants’ perspective. Stigma scores ranged from 0 to 36 which were summed up and a median stigma score calculated. Individuals with a stigma score equal or greater than the median were categorized as having high stigma. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with TB stigma. Results: Over half (52%) of the participants were found to have high TB stigma. Knowing someone who had died of TBAOR = 4.42, 95% CI (1.69 - 11.50) and believing that TB and HIV symptoms were similarAOR = 3.05, 95% CI (1.29 - 7.22) were positively associated with high TB stigma. The odds of having high stigma were 79% lower among individuals who had been previously treated for TBAOR = 0.21, 95% CI (0.09 - 0.52). Conclusions: Stigma towards TB was high in this urban population and mainly associated with knowing a person who had died of TB, perception that symptoms of TB are similar to those of HIV/AIDS, and previous TB treatment. Interventions to mitigate TB stigma are needed in urban populations and should also address HIV/AIDS related stigma. Key terms: Stigma; tuberculosis; health facility; urban population; Uganda.

343. RURAL-COVID-19 Trial: Retrospective Analysis of COVID-19 Coinfections in Hospitalized Urban and Rural Adults

Background The impact of COVID-19 in rural communities has been well described. However, little is known regarding differences in coinfections among COVID-19 patients in rural vs. urban settings. Our primary objective is to evaluate community acquired coinfection (CACo) rates (< 72 hrs from admission) and healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates ( > 72 hrs from admission) in these populations. Secondary objectives include use of empiric antibiotics, pathogen prevalence, and patient outcomes. Methods Retrospective analysis of the first 255 adult patients admitted to a tertiary medical center with symptomatic COVID-19 and confirmed by PCR. Rural and urban categories were determined using patient address and county census data. Isolated pathogens were individually evaluated and considered coinfections if the patient met predetermined criteria. Predetermined Coinfection Criteria Results The rates of CACo for rural (n = 90) and urban (n = 165) residents were 11.1% and 13.3%, respectively. Non-respiratory coinfections, such as bloodstream and urinary tract infections, were more common in urban residents; however, empiric antibiotics were started in 75.1% of all subjects. Methicillin susceptible staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogens isolated on admission in both populations. HAI rates were 13.3% in the rural residents vs 13.9% in the urban residents with Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus as the most common respiratory pathogen, although Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most prevalent overall pathogen. There was no significant difference in hospital length of stay or 30-day all-cause mortality among both populations. Patient Outcomes Among Rural and Urban Populations Conclusion There was no significant difference in the rate of CACo or HAI among rural or urban populations. Despite the high rate of antibiotic use to empirically cover community acquired respiratory infections at the start of the pandemic, only 1.9% of the subjects had a possible or proven respiratory coinfection on admission. Despite prior research showing worse outcomes for rural populations with COVID-19, our data demonstrates that coinfection rates and patient outcomes were similar among these populations when receiving medical care at an academic hospital. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Rural Versus Urban Variations on the Factors Associated with Early Initiation of Breastfeeding in Ethiopia.

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is defined as starting breastfeeding within the first hour of birth. It has clinical importance to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. Previously studies have been conducted in Ethiopia to identify factors associated with EIBF. However, those studies hadn’t investigated the variation of factors within rural versus urban populations. Therefore, this study is aimed to investigate the differences in factors associated with the early initiation of breastfeeding in rural-urban populations.Methods: This study was used Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data, 2016. A total of 3662 children aged less than 24 months were included in the study. Thus,2897 children were disaggregated into rural and the rest 765 of them were into urban. A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinant of EIBF. Finally, a statistically significant association was declared at a p-value of ≤0.05.Results: In rural populations, the study found that the age of mothers 15-24 years (AOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.13,2.00), mothers not working (AOR=1.38,95%CI: 1.12,1.69), large birth size (AOR=1.44,95%CI:1.12,1.85), and participation of mothers in making health care decisions (AOR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.17,1.75) were positively associated with EIBF. Rural mothers having ≤2 children(AOR=0.55,95%CI: 0.45,0.67), living in larger to center regions (AOR=0.13,95%CI: 0.06, 0.27), and small peripheral regions (AOR=0.12,95%CI:0.06, 0.24) were negatively associated with EIBF. Irrespective of residence, the odds of EIBF were higher in vaginal delivery (RuralAOR= 4.38,95%CI:1.81,10.59; urban AOR= 3.19,95%CI:1.86, 5.48 ).In the urban population, having frequent ANC follow-ups was associated with a higher odds of EIBF.Conclusions: The study concludes that the age of mothers, working status of mothers, birth sizes, mothers participation in making health care decisions, numbers of children in the households, living in large to center regions and small peripheral regions were determinants of early initiation of breastfeeding, only rural residence. Mode of delivery was associated with EIBF, Irrespective of the residence. In the urban population, having frequent ANC follow-ups was associated with a higher odds of EIBF. Special emphases to mothers living in rural large to center and small peripheral regions should be given. Regardless of the residence, appropriate guidance and supports should be given for babies delivered through cesarean section.

Divorce in Malaysia: Historical Trends and Contemporary Issues

Divorce rates in Malaysia have risen substantially in the first two decades of the 21st century. The main upsurge was between 2007 and 2010, after which the rates levelled off. The Muslim divorce rate remains at a level more than double that of non-Muslims, though the trends in divorce have moved in the same direction for both groups. East Malaysia has its own patterns. Muslim divorce rates in Sabah are only half those in Peninsular Malaysia, as are non-Muslim divorce rates in both Sabah and Sarawak. Although information is not available for Malaysia about the proportion of Muslim divorces initiated by wives, for both Indonesia and Singapore, more than two thirds of Muslim divorces are initiated by the wife. Clearly, many similar forces are influencing divorce for both Muslims and non-Muslims in the predominantly urban populations of these three countries. “Modern divorce” is related to the pressures of urban living; pressures of balancing work responsibilities and household arrangements when both partners are working; decreasing tolerance for remaining in an unsatisfactory marriage; and increasing community acceptance of divorce in such circumstances. As similar pressures have been experienced by both Muslim and non-Muslim populations, the tendency for Muslim and non-Muslim divorce rates in Malaysia to move in parallel directions is not surprising.

СРАВНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ АНТРОПОГЕНЕТИЧЕСКИЙ АНАЛИЗ ПРОЦЕССОВ ВОСПРОИЗВОДСТВА ПОПУЛЯЦИИ САРАНСКА ПЕРИОДА 90-х

Представлены данные по городу Саранску, полученные в рамках проводимой ИЭА РАН долгосрочной антропогенетической программы исследования процессов воспроизводства в популяциях РФ. Показано, что в семьях городских популяций Поволжья практикуется регулируемый тип рождаемости. Выявлено резкое возрастание вклада небиологических факторов в величину коэффициента отбора. Применение искусственной регуляции репродукции влияет на процессы воспроизводства в популяциях. Репродукция выступает в роли универсального индикатора социального и биологического здоровья общества. The paper presents the data on the city of Saransk, obtained in the course of the long-term anthropogenetic program of research on reproduction processes in the populations of the Russian Federation conducted by the IEA RAS. It is shown that fertility is controlled among the families of urban populations in the Volga region. A sharp increase in the contribution of non-biological factors to the value of the coefficient of selection is revealed. Artificial reproduction regulation affects the reproduction processes in populations. Reproduction acts as a universal indicator of social and biological health of society.

A global meta-analysis reveals more variable life histories in urban birds compared to their non-urban neighbours

Cities pose a major ecological challenge for wildlife worldwide. Phenotypic variation is a pivotal metric to predict evolutionary potential in response to environmental change. Recent work suggests that urban populations might have higher levels of phenotypic variation than non-urban counterparts. This prediction, however, has never been tested across taxa nor over a broad geographical range. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of the urban avian literature to compare urban versus non-urban means and variances for phenology and reproductive performance. First, we show that urban birds reproduce earlier and have smaller broods than non-urban ones. Second, we demonstrate that urban populations have a more variable phenology than non-urban populations. Our analyses reveal that the latter pattern arises from differences in phenological variation between individuals within breeding seasons, likely because of higher heterogeneity in the urban study areas. These findings suggest that the opportunity for selection on phenology may be stronger in urban bird populations and that the patterns of phenotypic variation in urban and non-urban avian populations may consistently differ.