Prenatal thyroid hormones accelerate postnatal growth and telomere shortening in wild great tits

Early-life environment is known to affect later-life health and disease, which could be mediated by the early-life programming of telomere length, a key hallmark of ageing. According to the fetal programming of telomere biology hypothesis, variation in prenatal exposure to hormones is likely to influence telomere length. Yet the contribution of key metabolic hormones, i.e. thyroid hormones (THs), has been largely ignored. We recently showed that in contrast to predictions, exposure to elevated prenatal THs increased postnatal telomere length in wild collared flycatchers, but the generality of such effect, its underlying proximate mechanisms and consequences on survival have not been investigated. We therefore conducted a comprehensive study evaluating the impact of THs on potential drivers of telomere dynamics (growth, post-natal THs, mitochondria and oxidative stress), telomere length and medium-term survival using wild great tits as a model system. While prenatal THs did not significantly affect telomere length after hatching (i.e. day 7), they influenced postnatal telomere shortening (i.e. shorter telomeres at day 14 and the following winter) but not apparent survival. Circulating THs, mitochondrial density or oxidative stress biomarkers were not significantly influenced, whereas TH-supplemented group showed accelerated growth, which may explain the observed delayed effect on telomeres. We discuss several alternative hypotheses that may explain the contrast with our previous findings in flycatchers. Given that shorter telomeres in early life tend to be carried until adulthood and are often associated with decreased survival prospects, the effects of prenatal THs on telomeres may have long-lasting effects on senescence.

A novel car-following model by sharing cooperative information transmission delayed effect under V2X environment and its additional energy consumption

A novel car-following model is offered based on the cooperative information transmission delayed effect involving headway and velocity under V2X environment. The stability conditions and mKdV equation of the new model are obtained via the linear and nonlinear analysis. Through numerical simulation, the variation trend of headway and hysteresis phenomenon are researched. At the same time, we investigated the additional energy consumption of the vehicle during acceleration. In brief, theoretical analysis and simulation results confirm that the new car-following model based on the cooperative information transmission delayed effect can improve traffic stability and reduce additional energy consumption.

Bayesian spatio-temporal distributed lag modeling for delayed climatic effects on sparse malaria incidence data

Background In many areas of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), malaria endemic regions have shrunk to patches of predominantly low-transmission. With a regional goal of elimination by 2030, it is important to use appropriate methods to analyze and predict trends in incidence in these remaining transmission foci to inform planning efforts. Climatic variables have been associated with malaria incidence to varying degrees across the globe but the relationship is less clear in the GMS and standard methodologies may not be appropriate to account for the lag between climate and incidence and for locations with low numbers of cases. Methods In this study, a methodology was developed to estimate the spatio-temporal lag effect of climatic factors on malaria incidence in Thailand within a Bayesian framework. A simulation was conducted based on ground truth of lagged effect curves representing the delayed relation with sparse malaria cases as seen in our study population. A case study to estimate the delayed effect of environmental variables was used with malaria incidence at a fine geographic scale of sub-districts in a western province of Thailand. Results From the simulation study, the model assumptions which accommodated both delayed effects and excessive zeros appeared to have the best overall performance across evaluation metrics and scenarios. The case study demonstrated lagged climatic effect estimation of the proposed modeling with real data. The models appeared to be useful to estimate the shape of association with malaria incidence. Conclusions A new method to estimate the spatiotemporal effect of climate on malaria trends in low transmission settings is presented. The developed methodology has potential to improve understanding and estimation of past and future trends in malaria incidence. With further development, this could assist policy makers with decisions on how to more effectively distribute resources and plan strategies for malaria elimination.

The impact of temperature on the transmissibility potential and virulence of COVID-19 in Tokyo, Japan

Assessing the impact of temperature on COVID-19 epidemiology is critical for implementing non-pharmaceutical interventions. However, few studies have accounted for the nature of contagious diseases, i.e., their dependent happenings. We aimed to quantify the impact of temperature on the transmissibility and virulence of COVID-19 in Tokyo, Japan, employing two epidemiological measurements of transmissibility and severity: the effective reproduction number ($$R_{t}$$ R t ) and case fatality risk (CFR). We estimated the $$R_{t}$$ R t and time-delay adjusted CFR and to subsequently assess the nonlinear and delayed effect of temperature on $$R_{t}$$ R t and time-delay adjusted CFR. For $$R_{t}$$ R t at low temperatures, the cumulative relative risk (RR) at the first temperature percentile (3.3 °C) was 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–1.7). As for the virulence to humans, moderate cold temperatures were associated with higher CFR, and CFR also increased as the temperature rose. The cumulative RR at the 10th and 99th percentiles of temperature (5.8 °C and 30.8 °C) for CFR were 3.5 (95% CI: 1.3–10.0) and 6.4 (95% CI: 4.1–10.1). Our results suggest the importance to take precautions to avoid infection in both cold and warm seasons to avoid severe cases of COVID-19. The results and our proposed approach will also help in assessing the possible seasonal course of COVID-19 in the future.

Acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for pain among cancer survivors with insomnia: an exploratory analysis of a randomized clinical trial

Pain and insomnia often co-occur and impair the quality of life in cancer survivors. This study evaluated the effect of acupuncture versus cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) on pain severity among cancer survivors with comorbid pain and insomnia. Using data from the CHOICE trial that compared acupuncture versus CBT-I for insomnia among cancer survivors, we analyzed the effect of interventions on pain outcomes in 70 patients with moderate to severe baseline pain. Interventions were delivered over eight weeks. We assessed average pain severity (primary outcome) and pain interference at baseline, week 8, and week 20. We further defined insomnia and pain responders as patients who achieved clinically meaningful improvement in insomnia and pain outcomes, respectively, at week 8. We found that compared with baseline, the between-group difference (-1.0, 95% CI -1.8 to -0.2) was statistically significant favoring acupuncture for reduced pain severity at week 8 (-1.4, 95% CI -2.0 to -0.8) relative to CBT-I (-0.4, 95% CI-1.0 to 0.2). Responder analysis showed that 1) with acupuncture, insomnia responders reported significantly greater pain reduction from baseline to week 4, compared with insomnia non-responders (-1.5, 95% CI -2.7 to -0.3); 2) with CBT-I, pain responders reported significantly greater insomnia reduction at week 8, compared with pain non-responders (-4.7, 95% CI -8.7 to -1.0). These findings suggest that among cancer survivors with comorbid pain and insomnia, acupuncture led to rapid pain reductions, which contributed to a decrease in insomnia, whereas CBT-I had a delayed effect on pain, possibly achieved by insomnia improvement.

Mozart effect in patients with epilepsy

Objective: to analyze available publications assessing efficacy of the Mozart effect in patients with epilepsy.Material and methods. A search for scientific publications has been performed in PubMed, Scopus and eLibrary databases by retrieving inquiries "Mozart effect" and "epilepsy" in paper title, resume and keywords. As a result, 18 studies matching inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The data obtained were systematized into four categories: 1) whether a single listening of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos in D major, K.448 affect interictal epileptiform activity (IEA) immediately during an event; 2) whether a repeated (course) of listening K.448 affect IEA; 3) is there a delayed effect on IEA after a single or repeated listening of K.448; 4) how does the Mozart effect act on rate of epileptic seizures during ongoing therapy course of listening K.448 or afterwards.Results. It was found that therapy with Mozart’s sonata K.448 may lower IEA index during a single listening of this musical composition and shortly afterwards. A lowered IEA index during a course listening of K.448 lasting for some time afterwards may be observed as well. Moreover, a repeated listening of K.448 may reduce rate of epileptic seizures within entire music course.Conclusion. The analysis revealed that there are currently some reasons to consider the Mozart effect as a means of neurostimulation impacting on rate of epileptic seizures and IEA.

PROBLEMS OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF INNOVATIONS WITH A DELAYED EFFECT IN THE FOREST COMPLEX

The work is aimed at solving one of the most important fundamental and topical interdisciplinary scientific problems of the Russian Federation – the need for scientific substantiation of optimal options for the functioning of state policy in the field of use, protection, protection and reproduction of forests in the Russian Federation through economic mechanisms aimed at effective management of the forest sector of the economy and increasing gross domestic product in the forestry sector based on market demand for products. Hence, there is a special interest in the processes of the spatio-temporal dissemination of innovations for the country’s forestry complex, especially which are the guarantor and basis of intensive forestry, but due to the specifics of my reproduction, I have a deferred economic effect relative to similar innovative products obtained with the help of basic technologies. The paper provides an analytical review of the rate of diffusion of innovations in the sectors of the forestry complex based on the analysis of reliable and objective indicators, in accordance with which it was concluded that the rate of spread of innovative forestry products in time and space is extremely low. It has been established that one of the factors preventing the diffusion of innovative forestry products is the high cost of their creation and the uncertainty of the result obtained. It has been established that the high capital costs of creating an innovative product for commercial use must be compared with biological advantages: growth rate, resistance to diseases and pests, productivity.

Identifying Plasmodium falciparum transmission patterns through parasite prevalence and entomological inoculation rate

Background:Monitoring malaria transmission is a critical component of efforts to achieve targets for elimination and eradication. Two commonly monitored metrics of transmission intensity are parasite prevalence (PR) and the entomological inoculation rate (EIR). Comparing the spatial and temporal variations in the PR and EIR of a given geographical region and modelling the relationship between the two metrics may provide a fuller picture of the malaria epidemiology of the region to inform control activities.Methods:Using geostatistical methods, we compare the spatial and temporal patterns of Plasmodium falciparum EIR and PR using data collected over 38 months in a rural area of Malawi. We then quantify the relationship between EIR and PR by using empirical and mechanistic statistical models.Results:Hotspots identified through the EIR and PR partly overlapped during high transmission seasons but not during low transmission seasons. The estimated relationship showed a 1-month delayed effect of EIR on PR such that at lower levels of EIR, increases in EIR are associated with rapid rise in PR, whereas at higher levels of EIR, changes in EIR do not translate into notable changes in PR.Conclusions:Our study emphasises the need for integrated malaria control strategies that combine vector and human host managements monitored by both entomological and parasitaemia indices.Funding:This work was supported by Stichting Dioraphte grant number 13050800.

Credit and investment factors of economic growth of regions of Ukraine in conditions of financial and economic turbulence

The important problem of regional development is the strengthening of interregional disparities due to the concentration of financial capital in some of the most economically developed and investment-attractive regions and its outflow from economically weaker regions. The purpose of the article is to analyze the spatial distribution of the processes of credit activity and capital investment in conditions of financial and economic turbulence, to assess their impact on the economic growth of the regions of Ukraine. The following methods were used for the study: abstract-logical, comparative analysis, graphical visualization, statistical. The article identifies trends and problems of spatial distribution of credit activity, capital investment and highlights the features of credit and investment development of regions in crisis conditions; the influence of credit and investment factors on the economic growth of the regions is estimated. It has been found that in Ukraine a high concentration of capital investment in highly developed regions does not always guarantee them high investment productivity. Regional development under the COVID-19 quarantine restrictions was often influenced by behavioral factors and a number of irrational decisions by economic entities. During 2020, the share of public capital investments increased, but these investments were often financed by international funds. However, unlike most developed countries, the main objects of investment were not the health care system (including its increased capacity to fight the pandemic) or the digitalisation of public services, but the objects of hard infrastructure. The article identifies the risks of economic growth of regions, in particular: the risk of delayed effect of economic growth in the short term, the risk of deepening imbalances in economic development of Ukraine, the risk of low productivity of public investment, the risk of increasing irrationality of consumer behavior in the short term.