The evolution of preferred male traits, female preference and the G matrix: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore".

Female preference exerts selection on male traits. How such preferences affect male traits, how female preferences change and the genetic correlation between male traits and female preference were examined by an experiment in which females were either mated to males they preferred (S lines) or to males chosen at random from the population (R lines). Female preference was predicted to increase the time spent calling by males.

Proteomic signature of HIV-associated subclinical left atrial remodeling and incident heart failure.

People living with HIV are at higher risk of heart failure and associated left atrial remodeling compared to people without HIV. Mechanisms are unclear but have been linked to inflammation and premature aging. Here we obtain plasma proteomics concurrently with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in two independent study populations to identify parallels between HIV-related and aging-related immune dysfunction that could contribute to atrial remodeling and clinical heart failure.

Deep imaging of LepR stromal cells in optically cleared murine bone hemisections.

Tissue clearing combined with high-resolution confocal imaging is a cutting-edge approach for dissecting the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of tissues and deciphering cellular spatial interactions under physiological and pathological conditions. Deciphering the spatial interaction of leptin receptor-expressing (LepR) stromal cells with other compartments in the bone marrow is crucial for a deeper understanding of the stem cell niche and the skeletal tissue. In this study, we introduce an optimized protocol for the 3D analysis of skeletal tissues, enabling the visualization of hematopoietic and stromal cells, especially LepR stromal cells, within optically cleared bone hemisections.

Gut dysbiosis was inevitable, but tolerance was not: temporal responses of the murine microbiota that maintain its capacity for butyrate production correlate with sustained antinociception to chronic morphine.

The therapeutic benefits of opioids are compromised by the development of analgesic tolerance, which necessitates higher dosing for pain management thereby increasing the liability for drug dependence and addiction. Rodent models indicate opposing roles of the gut microbiota in tolerance: morphine-induced gut dysbiosis exacerbates tolerance, whereas probiotics ameliorate tolerance. Not all individuals develop tolerance, which could be influenced by differences in microbiota, and yet no study design has capitalized upon this natural variation.

Seroprevalence, incidence estimates, and environmental risk factors for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika infection amongst children living in informal urban settlements in Indonesia and Fiji.

Background: The burden of Aedes aegypti-transmitted viruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika are increasing globally, fueled by urbanization and climate change, with some of the highest current rates of transmission in Asia. Local factors in the built environment have the potential to exacerbate or mitigate transmission.

Methods: In 24 informal urban settlements in Makassar, Indonesia and Suva, Fiji, we tested children under 5 years old for evidence of prior infection with dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses by IgG serology.

The Calicophoron daubneyi genome provides new insight into mechanisms of feeding, eggshell synthesis and parasite-microbe interactions.

Background: The rumen fluke, Calicophoron daubneyi, is the major paramphistome species infecting ruminants within Europe. Adult flukes reside within the rumen where they are in direct contact with a unique collection of microorganisms. Here, we report a 1.

Neighborhood environment associations with cognitive function and structural brain measures in older African Americans.

Background: Since older adults spend significant time in their neighborhood environment, environmental factors such as neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage, high racial segregation, low healthy food availability, low access to recreation, and minimal social engagement may have adverse effects on cognitive function and increase susceptibility to dementia. DNA methylation, which is associated with neighborhood characteristics as well as cognitive function and white matter hyperintensity (WMH), may act as a mediator between neighborhood characteristics and neurocognitive outcomes.

Methods: In this study, we examined whether DNA methylation in peripheral blood leukocytes mediates the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and cognitive function (N = 542) or WMH (N = 466) in older African American (AA) participants without preliminary evidence of dementia from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA).

Ethnic and racial discrimination in maternal health care in Mexico: a neglected challenge in the search for universal health coverage.

Background: Ethnic and racial discrimination in maternal health care has been overlooked in academic literature and yet it is critical for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). There is a lack of empirical evidence on its impact on the effective coverage of maternal health interventions (ECMH) for Indigenous women in Mexico. Documenting progress in reducing maternal health inequities, particularly given the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ethnic minorities, is essential to improving equity in health systems.

β-alanine supplementation in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Objective: Overweight and obesity are characterized by excess adiposity and systemic, chronic, low-grade inflammation, which is associated with several metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and tolerability of β-alanine supplementation and to explore the effects on cardiometabolic health and cardiovascular, hepatic, and renal function in adults with overweight and obesity.

Methods: A total of 27 adults (44% female; mean [SD], age: 58 [10] years, BMI: 31.

Time to weight plateau with tirzepatide treatment in the SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-4 clinical trials.

The rate of weight reduction during obesity treatment declines over time and eventually reaches a weight plateau. We investigated factors associated with time to weight plateau (TTWP) in tirzepatide-treated participants with obesity or overweight in a post-hoc analysis of SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-4 trials. Participants adherent to tirzepatide treatment and achieving ≥5% weight loss by primary endpoint (week 72 SURMOUNT-1; week 88 SURMOUNT-4) were included.

Effect of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor on liver transient elastography, fibrosis indices and blood tests in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) has significantly improved the clinical course of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) and eligible CFTR variants. In this study, we prospectively evaluated liver elastography, liver fibrosis indices and liver tests in children with CF aged 6-12 years started on ETI therapy.

Methods: Body mass index, sweat test, percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second, serum markers of liver injury or portal hypertension, liver fibrosis indices, controlled attenuation parameter and liver stiffness were assessed before starting ETI and three and twelve months post-ETI, according to new international guidelines.

CFTR mutation is associated with bone differentiation abnormalities in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic Fibrosis-related Bone Disease is an emerging challenge faced by 50 % of adult people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The multifactorial causes of this comorbidity remain elusive. However, congenital bone defects have been observed in animal models with CFTR mutations, suggesting its importance.

Does using the Lung Clearance Index (LCI) inform clinical decisions in children with cystic fibrosis?

Introduction: The Lung Clearance Index (LCI) is an established research test, but its role in clinical decision-making is not well defined. This study estimated the proportion of treatment decisions that are changed or supported by the added information provided by LCI.

Methods: A mixed methods prospective observational study was conducted in North America.

Temperature-dependent pathways in carbon dioxide electroreduction.

Temperature affects both the thermodynamics of intermediate adsorption and the kinetics of elementary reactions. Despite its extensive study in thermocatalysis, temperature effect is typically overlooked in electrocatalysis. This study investigates how electrolyte temperature influences CO electroreduction over Cu catalysts.

Relationships between adrenal insufficiency and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background And Aims: Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) face elevated risks during various hospitalizations including cardiovascular related admissions. Despite this, limited data exist specifically regarding congestive heart failure (CHF) in the context of AI. This investigation leveraged a comprehensive national database to examine the association between AI and cardiovascular outcomes among patients admitted with CHF.

Cannabis use and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease outcomes: A meta-analysis of multinational cohort data.

Background: While an association between cannabis use and the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) has been reported numerous times, it remains inconclusive as to whether this link is causal in nature. We sought to consolidate data from observational studies to explore the association between ever use of cannabis and ASCVD outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and a combined measure of any adverse cardiovascular events in comparison to non-users or controls.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library for relevant studies from inception until April 2024.

Predicting admission for fall-related injuries in older adults using artificial intelligence: A proof-of-concept study.

Aim: Pre-injury frailty has been investigated as a tool to predict outcomes of older trauma patients. Using artificial intelligence principles of machine learning, we aimed to identify a "signature" (combination of clinical variables) that could predict which older adults are at risk of fall-related hospital admission. We hypothesized that frailty, measured using the 5-item modified Frailty Index, could be utilized in combination with other factors as a predictor of admission for fall-related injuries.

The associations of the diagnostic criterion pain modified by function with functional limitation and behavioral frequency.

The aim is to assess the associations of jaw functional limitation and jaw overuse behavior with pain modified by function as a required diagnostic criterion for painful temporomandibular disorders. This cross-sectional study from the TMJ Impact Project utilized secondary data analyses of 249 participants who met the inclusion criteria of having facial pain in the prior 30 days and valid responses to the pain modified by function (Items 4A-D derived from the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Symptom Questionnaire). Independent -tests (alpha = 0.

Autonomic features of craniofacial neuralgias: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

The aim of the study is to describe the severity, temporal characteristics, and types of autonomic features as they relate to the characteristics of pain of the neuralgias. Also, to describe, based on literature, how these autonomic features can affect the treatment outcomes of patients with craniofacial neuralgias. We carried out a literature search using five databases, PubMed, Embase, OVID, Scopus and Web of Science.

School-Based Physical Activity Program Implementation Is Enhanced With Support From Community-Based Partners.

Background: School-based physical activity (PA) programs are an equitable, evidence-based approach to combat health and PA disparities. This study examined factors associated with implementation of BE Physically Active 2Day (BEPA 2.0), a K-5 school-based PA program, and examined how support from Cooperative Extension via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) partners influenced implementation.

Advocacy in Action: International Patient Group Improves Hereditary Angioedema Diagnosis and Care Across the Asia-Pacific.

This study demonstrates that patient advocacy groups significantly enhance medication availability and improve diagnosis of hereditary angioedema (HAE), particularly in emerging economies within the Asia-Pacific region. This study supports integrating patient advocacy group involvement into management guidelines, emphasising their role in improving access to diagnostics and treatment for HAE.