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Objectives: Gastrointestinal (GI) infections are common and most people do not see a physician. There is conflicting evidence of the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on risk of GI infections. We assessed the relationship between SES and GI calls to two National Health Service (NHS) telephone advice services in England.Methods: Over 24 million calls to NHS Direct (2010-13) and NHS 111 (2013-15) were extracted from Public Health England (PHE) syndromic surveillance systems. The relationship between SES and GI calls was assessed using generalised linear models (GLM).Results: Adjusting for rurality and age-sex interactions, in NHS Direct, children in disadvantaged areas were at lower risk of GI calls; in NHS 111 there was a higher risk of GI calls in disadvantaged areas for all ages (0-4 years RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.25-1.29; 5-9 years RR 1.43, 95% CI 1.36-1.51; 10-14 years RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.26-1.41; 15-19 years RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.52-1.67; 20-59 years RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.47-1.53, 60 years and over RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.09-1.14).Conclusions: Disadvantaged areas had higher risk of GI calls in NHS 111. This may relate to differences in exposure or vulnerability to GI infections, or propensity to call about GI infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We examined the coping potential of nostalgia in an educational setting. In particular, we investigated whether nostalgia can protect students from the pernicious link between threat appraisal and low intrinsic motivation. Undergraduate students (N = 382) reported threat and challenge appraisals in regards to a class they were taking, their nostalgia, as well as their intrinsic motivation. Threat appraisals predicted reduced intrinsic motivation, but were also prognostic of increased nostalgia. Nostalgia, in turn, was associated with increased intrinsic motivation. Thus, the negative direct association of threat appraisals with intrinsic motivation was counteracted by a positive indirect association via increased nostalgia—a statistical suppression pattern. Nostalgia appears to have implications for achievement contexts. Highlights • Coping potential of nostalgia in an educational setting was investigated. • Nostalgia shielded against the consequences of threat appraisals. • Nostalgia counteracted the decline in intrinsic motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Estrogen receptors can regulate growth in papillary thyroid cancer and may affect prognosis after menopause. This study examines changes of estrogen receptor subtype ratio expression in papillary thyroid cancer cell lines derived from pre- and postmenopausal women. Methods Cells were harvested from papillary thyroid cancer and non-papillary thyroid cancer thyroid tissue (control) from pre- (n = 9) and postmenopausal women (n = 11). Protein expression of estrogen receptor α, estrogen receptor β, and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase and protein kinase B were analyzed. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was determined as a measure of tumor invasiveness. Mitochondrial retrograde signaling was altered with ethidium bromide to determine its effect on estrogen receptor α protein expression. Results Estrogen receptor α expression was increased in postmenopausal papillary thyroid cancer cells compared with controls but was unchanged in premenopausal papillary thyroid cancer. Estrogen receptor β expression did not change in either group. Increased matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was observed only in postmenopausal papillary thyroid cancer. Premenopausal papillary thyroid cancer cells demonstrated increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase and unchanged protein kinase B activation. Conversely, postmenopausal papillary thyroid cancer cells had decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase and increased protein kinase B activation. Ethidium bromide treatment resulted in increased estrogen receptor α protein expression only in premenopausal papillary thyroid cancer cells. Conclusion Increased estrogen receptor α expression may be involved in papillary thyroid cancer aggressiveness after menopause. This process may be regulated by differential activation of intracellular pathways and differing sensitivities to mitochondrial signaling regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial metaplasia refers to the replacement of normal epithelium at a given site by mature benign epithelium inappropriate to that site. The endometrium is not unique in that it too demonstrates a spectrum of metaplastic epithelia. Some of these cytoplasmic alterations are better termed “changes” as they are thought not to represent true metaplastic transformation of the endometrial epithelium. The terminology is rather confusing as these two terms have been used interchangeably in the literature. This process may be encountered in benign conditions but can also be seen in association with endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma. The presence of endometrial metaplasia can significantly complicate the histological interpretation of endometrial biopsy material due to glandular architectural complexity and crowding which can lead to an erroneous diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia or even carcinoma if the pathologist is unaware of the potential pitfalls. Endometrial metaplasia although commonly seen involving endometrial epithelium, may also on occasions involve the stroma. This review will describe the spectrum of histological features that can be seen in endometrial metaplasia of both epithelium and stroma and will aim to emphasize those histopathological features that will be helpful in distinguishing endometrial metaplasia from hyperplasia and carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female smokers have a faster decline in lung function with increasing age and overall develop a greater loss of lung function than male smokers. This raises the question of whether estrogen status in women affects susceptibility to cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung disease. Mouse models suggest that female mice are more susceptible than males to CS-induced lung disease. Moreover, young CS-exposed female mice develop emphysema earlier than male mice. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship of estrogen status on the pattern and severity of CS-induced lung disease. In this study, 15-month-old female C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized and administered either placebo (pla) or 17β-estradiol (E2, 0.025 mg) 2 weeks after ovariectomy. They were further divided into those that were exposed to CS and no-smoke controls (NSC). Mice were exposed to CS in stainless steel inhalation chambers 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 6 months, and sacrificed after 24 weeks of CS exposure. Blood and urine were collected at sacrifice to measure estrogen and cotinine levels, a metabolite of nicotine. Uterine weight was recorded as an indicator of estrogen status. Results showed that CS in the absence of E2 induced a decrease in hydroxyproline content, macrophage number, and respiratory chain complex-1 protein. CS without E2 also resulted in an increase in matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and apoptosis and a change in the ratio of estrogen receptor subtype. These findings were abrogated with administration of E2, suggesting that estrogen deficiency increases susceptibility to CS-induced lung disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social interdependence theory and the 2 × 2 achievement goal framework represent two important literatures that are often studied independently. The present research examined general social interdependence attitudes in school (cooperative, competitive, and individualistic) as antecedents of individuals' situation-specific (semester- or class-focused) achievement goal adoption. All three studies consistently found that a cooperative attitude positively predicted mastery-approach goals, a competitive attitude positively predicted performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals, and an individualistic attitude positively predicted mastery-approach goals. The only anticipated relation that did not emerge consistently was that of an individualistic attitude as a positive predictor of mastery-avoidance goals. Implications of the present work for future empirical and theoretical development both in the social interdependence and the achievement goal literature are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an increasing body of evidence illustrating the negative health effects of air pollution including increased risk of respiratory, cardiac and other morbid conditions. During March and April 2014 there were two air pollution episodes in England that occurred in close succession. We used national real-time syndromic surveillance systems, including general practitioner (GP) consultations, emergency department attendances, telehealth calls and ambulance dispatch calls to further understand the impact of these short term acute air pollution periods on the health seeking behaviour of the general public. Each air pollution period was comparable with respect to particulate matter concentrations (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), however, the second period was longer in duration (6 days vs 3 days) and meteorologically driven ‘Sahara dust’ contributed to the pollution. Health surveillance data revealed a greater impact during the second period, with GP consultations, emergency department attendances and telehealth (NHS 111) calls increasing for asthma, wheeze and difficulty breathing indicators, particularly in patients aged 15–64 years. Across regions of England there was good agreement between air quality levels and health care seeking behaviour. The results further demonstrate the acute impact of short term air pollution episodes on public health and also illustrate the potential role of mass media reporting in escalating health care seeking behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental study was conducted to assess the role of personal best (PB) goal setting in gains (or declines) in mathematics achievement. A total of 89 elementary and secondary school students participated in a pre/post treatment/control group experimental design to test whether setting a specific PB target score for an upcoming achievement test leads to achievement growth on that test. The treatment group (PB goal setting) demonstrated greater achievement growth than the control group between pre- and post-testing, including after controlling for mastery, performance-approach, performance-avoidance, and test strategy goals. This study provides support for the proposition that PB goal setting is associated with achievement growth in students' academic lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observation that pulmonary inflammatory lesions and bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis spontaneously resolve in young mice, whereas remaining irreversible in aged mice suggests that impairment of pulmonary regeneration and repair is associated with aging. Because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may promote repair after injury, we postulated that differences in MSCs from aged mice may underlie postinjury fibrosis in aging. The potential for young-donor MSCs to inhibit BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in aged male mice (>22 months) has not been studied. Adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) from young (4 months) and old (22 months) male mice were infused 1 day after intratracheal BLM administration. At 21-day sacrifice, aged BLM mice demonstrated lung fibrosis by Ashcroft score, collagen content, and α(v)-integrin messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Lung tissue from aged BLM mice receiving young ASCs exhibited decreased fibrosis, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity, oxidative stress, and markers of apoptosis vs BLM controls. Lung mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was also decreased in aged BLM mice receiving young-donor ASCs vs BLM controls. In contrast, old-donor ASC treatment in aged BLM mice did not reduce fibrosis and related markers. On examination of the cells, young-donor ASCs had decreased mRNA expression of MMP-2, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptor, and protein kinase B (AKT) activation compared with old-donor ASCs. These results show that the BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in aged mice could be blocked by young-donor ASCs and that the mechanisms involve changes in collagen turnover and markers of inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceiving learning environments as competitive shapes how students think, feel, and behave. We conducted two preregistered studies designed to examine three central constructs in the achievement motivation literature as predictors of perceived academic competitiveness: Trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy. In Study 1, we (a) replicated and (b) extended prior work using a sample of nearly 700 undergraduates (41.9 % Male; M age = 19.57 ± 1.43). In Study 2, we (c) examined how these findings generalized using a sample of approximately half a million secondary school students from 73 countries (49.0 % Male; M age = 15.79 ± 0.29). Students higher in trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy perceived more competitiveness; this was observed across cultural contexts. Cross-cultural generalizability and the joint influence of dispositional and situational predictors on perceived academic competitiveness are discussed. • Three dispositional predictors of perceived academic competitiveness examined • Students' trait competitiveness, fear of failure, and general self-efficacy tested • Unique positive associations observed for each achievement motivation construct • Significant findings across 95 % of countries (N = 73) with only modest variation • Little evidence for moderation by six candidate cultural dimensions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present research, we sought to extend the 3 × 2 achievement goal model recently proffered in the school domain to the sport domain. We did so by conducting two studies focused on the development and initial validation of the 3 × 2 Achievement Goal Questionnaire for Sport (3 × 2 AGQ-S). Study 1 ( n = 679), devised items for the questionnaire and demonstrated that data from the questionnaire nicely fit the proposed 3 × 2 model, showed a better fit to the 3 × 2 model than to alternative models, and indicated that each goal variable had good internal consistency. Study 2 again documented the strong psychometric properties of the measure, and additionally linked the goal variables to other constructs central to the achievement goal literature. The establishment of this measure allows extensive study of the 3 × 2 achievement goal model in the sport domain, and promises to yield deeper insights into the nature of achievement motivation in such contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reading intervention in Haiti shows improved achievement. • Intervention also positively influenced motivation to read. • Achievement increases were facilitated by motivational processes. Research on literacy interventions occasionally focuses on motivation, but such research in low- and mid-income countries is all but nonexistent. Recently, Guzmán, Schuenke-Lucien, D'Agostino, Berends, & Elliot (2021) demonstrated that an intervention, Read to Learn, had a positive influence on literacy skills of first and second grade Haitian students; motivation was assessed, but not examined, in that study. We used the Guzmán, Schuenke-Lucien, D'Agostino, Berends, & Elliot (2021) data set and an integrative conceptual approach to test relations between the intervention, seven theoretically-grounded achievement motivation variables, and two "gold standard" outcomes – reading achievement and intrinsic interest in reading. Results showed that the intervention had a positive influence on mastery-approach goals and importance, and that these variables predicted several indicators of achievement and intrinsic interest; indirect effects of these motivational processes were documented for one indicator of achievement and for intrinsic interest. Findings are discussed with regard to the need for more research on reading motivation in low-income contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the public health legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An integral role was played by the British Health Protection Agency (HPA) in planning and implementing an enhanced public health surveillance programme for the duration of the Games. Information is also presented on two national syndromic surveillance systems coordinated by the HPA.

Abstract: The influence of achievement goals and social goals on help-seeking from peers in an academic context was examined in two studies. A total of 551 high school students participated in the two studies. The results across the studies demonstrated strong convergence, revealing that mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, and friendship-approach goals were positive predictors of instrumental help-seeking, whereas performance-avoidance and friendship-avoidance goals were negative predictors. Study 2 additionally demonstrated that attitudes toward help-seeking mediate the influence of achievement and social goals on instrumental help-seeking. These results add to the body of work investigating achievement and social motivation together to more fully understand motivational influences on academic outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The present research was designed to examine whether viewing a subtle threat cue, the color red, prior to a simple motor task influences strength output. Thirty-nine participants performed a maximal voluntary contraction of the thigh, viewed red or a chromatic or achromatic control color, and then repeated the maximal voluntary contraction. Participants also reported their general arousal and mood, and were asked to guess the purpose of the experiment. Results indicated that viewing red (relative to a control color) inhibited the rate of force development, but did not influence the peak amplitude of force production. Null findings for general arousal and mood indicated that the observed effect on rate of force development could not be accounted for by these self-report variables; no participant correctly guessed the purpose of the experiment. This research, in conjunction with recent work by Elliot and Aarts (in press) clearly establishes a link between red and basic motor output, and highlights the importance of attending to the functional, as well as aesthetic, value of color. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Recent studies suggest an increased prevalence of food-induced allergy and an increased incidence of food-related anaphylaxis. However, prevalence estimates of food allergies vary considerably between studies. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, and sesame allergy in Canada. Methods: Using comparable methodology to Sicherer et al in the United States in 2002, we performed a cross-Canada, random telephone survey. Food allergy was defined as perceived (based on self-report), probable (based on convincing history or self-report of physician diagnosis), or confirmed (based on history and evidence of confirmatory tests). Results: Of 10,596 households surveyed in 2008 and 2009, 3666 responded (34.6% participation rate), of which 3613 completed the entire interview, representing 9667 individuals. The prevalence of perceived peanut allergy was 1.00% (95% CI, 0.80%-1.20%); tree nut, 1.22% (95% CI, 1.00%-1.44%); fish, 0.51% (95% CI, 0.37%-0.65%); shellfish, 1.60% (95% CI, 1.35%-1.86%); and sesame, 0.10% (95% CI, 0.04%-0.17%). The prevalence of probable allergy was 0.93% (95% CI, 0.74%-1.12%); 1.14% (95% CI, 0.92%-1.35%); 0.48% (95% CI, 0.34%-0.61%); 1.42% (95% CI, 1.18%-1.66%); and 0.09% (95% CI, 0.03%-0.15%), respectively. Because of the infrequency of confirmatory tests and the difficulty in obtaining results if performed, the prevalence of confirmed allergy was much lower. Conclusion: This is the first nationwide Canadian study to determine the prevalence of severe food allergies. Our results indicate disparities between perceived and confirmed food allergy that might contribute to the wide range of published prevalence estimates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To examine the role of automatic processes in sport and exercise settings. More specifically, the present studies tested the hypothesis that visual exposure to a sports drink would increase endurance by influencing perceptions of a physically demanding task. Design: An experimental design was used, such that participants performed a physically demanding task both before and after exposure to either a popular sports drink, or a spring water control condition. Method: Across three experiments (total ), physical endurance was measured using amount of time spent persisting at the task. Results: Across three experiments, visual exposure to a sports drink, relative to a spring water control condition, led to greater persistence on physical tasks, consistent with the well-known association between sports drinks and endurance. Participants exhibited no awareness of the effect that viewing the sports drink had on their subsequent behavior. The observed effect was partially mediated by challenge construal, such that those exposed to a sports drink were more likely to perceive an achievement task as a positive challenge and this, in turn, led to greater persistence. Conclusions: Findings provide support for the notion that physical objects can alter athletic performance outside of conscious awareness. Results are discussed in terms of the subtle influence of environmental cues on behavior. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Young female mice on a C57Bl/6J (B6) background are considered glomerulosclerosis (GS)-resistant but aging B6 mice develop mild GS. Estrogen deficiency accelerates while estrogen replacement retards GS in young sclerosis-prone oligosyndactyly mutant mice on an ROP background. To explore the effects of sex hormones on glomerular structure and function in the context of gender and genetic background, we studied mice in which the estrogen-receptor (ER) genes α- or -β were deleted (α- or βER knockout (KO) and crossed into the B6 background. We also studied ovariectomized (Ovx) B6 mice given testosterone. Male and female βERKO and male αERKO mice had no glomerular dysfunction at 9 months of age; however, αERKO female mice displayed albuminuria and GS. Ovx prevented glomerular dysfunction in αERKO female mice by eliminating endogenous testosterone production while exogenous testosterone induced GS in Ovx B6 mice. Androgen receptor (AR) expression and function was found in microdissected glomeruli and cultured mesangial cells. Testosterone compared to placebo increased both AR expression and TGF-β1 mRNA levels in glomeruli isolated from female B6 mice. Estrogen deficiency had no deleterious effects on the glomeruli in B6 mice. Our study shows that genetic traits strongly influence the GS-promoting effects of estrogen deficiency while testosterone induces GS in a gender-specific manner.Kidney International (2007) 72, 464–472; doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5002328; published online 9 May 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influenza pandemic of 1918 caused unprecedented levels of morbidity and mortality in its 12-month period of circulation around the globe. The haemagglutinin molecule has been shown to affect the pathogenicity of some subtypes of influenza A viruses. Using a recombinant vaccinia system that allowed expression of the 1918 influenza haemagglutinin, we performed functional assays to assess the glycoprotein''s involvement in determining the high pathogenicity of the 1918 virus. We show that in respect of expression levels, proteolytic processing, receptor-binding, membrane fusion and antigenic properties, the haemagglutinin of the 1918 virus is unremarkable when compared with the haemagglutinins of other ‘early’ H1 influenza viruses. This suggests that whilst the 1918 haemagglutinin, as a new/novel antigen in the human population, was responsible for the influenza pandemic its functions per se were not responsible for the high mortality and acute symptoms experienced by patients infected with the 1918 influenza virus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There are many small differences in national influenza vaccination polices, some are age related and others morbidity related. This study examines a large English general practice database for 2003 to estimate the size of the England and Wales population at risk because of co-morbidity and to make recommendations on the choice of morbidity codes for use when estimating demand for vaccine and in auditing medical records to assess vaccination uptake. Morbidity codes relevant to the assessment of risk were defined and the database was analysed to estimate the annual period prevalence of the various diseases and groups of diseases. A set of morbidity codes is recommended which taken together include 3.2% of age group 0–14 years, 7.5% of 15–44 years and 16.6% of 45–64 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At present, there is disagreement among achievement goal theorists regarding the beneficial or inimical nature of performance-approach goals. This article evaluates performance-approach goals using three criteria: empirical, theoretical, and meta-theoretical (values/beliefs). On the basis of these criteria, we conclude that performance-approach goals may be construed in both positive and negative terms, and that one''s opinion of these goals is likely to be based in which evaluative criteria one highlights. At the end of the article, we offer our own opinion of how educators should view performance-approach goals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Discusses the nature and conceptualization of Trichotillomania (TCM), a condition characterized by chronic hair pulling. Conceptualizations of the disorder; Measurement of TCM; Treatment; Conclusions.

In accord with Festinger (1954) and Garcia et al. (2013), we investigate the understudied link between social comparison and competition. Specifically, in two correlational studies using university undergraduate (N = 298) and adult worker (N = 645) samples, we used path models to test relations between two types of social comparison orientation (SCO-ability and SCO-opinion), trait competitiveness (TC), and both overall and domain-specific risk-taking. The findings were largely consistent across studies, with some variation within risk-taking domain. SCO-ability positively predicted TC, but the reciprocal relation was not observed. SCO-ability positively predicted overall risk-taking and risk-taking in the ethical, gambling, and health/safety domains across studies (and social-investment risk-taking for adult workers). TC was also an independent positive predictor of overall risk-taking and ethical risk-taking (and social-investment, gambling, and health/safety risk-taking for adult workers). Mediation analyses showed that TC partially mediated the relation between SCO-ability and both overall risk-taking and ethical risk-taking across studies (and social, gambling, and health/safety risk-taking for adult workers). SCO-opinion exhibited few consistent links to risk-taking. This research furthers integration of the social comparison and competition literatures, and expands the literature on antecedents of risk-taking behavior. • Social Comparison Orientation (SCO) was related to trait competitiveness (TC). • SCO-ability positively predicted TC and the reciprocal relation was not present. • SCO-ability and TC positively predicted overall and domain-specific risk-taking. • TC partially mediated the relation between SCO-ability and risk-taking variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on predictors of test anxiety has focused primarily on the role of psychological factors and the proximal environment. However, the role of the broader socio-ecological context, specifically, national income inequality, is seldom explored. The present study aimed to test whether national income inequality is associated with greater test anxiety and whether test anxiety is associated with lower academic achievement. We analyzed data from the 2015 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), drawing on responses from 389,215 students nested in 51 countries. Multi-level structural equation modeling was used. Results indicated that students in more unequal countries experienced greater test anxiety and had lower levels of achievement. Test anxiety, in turn, was associated with lower academic achievement in reading, math, and science. However, test anxiety did not mediate the effects of income inequality on achievement nor did income inequality moderate the relationship between test anxiety and achievement. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate the importance of taking socio-ecological factors such as income inequality into account when examining anxiety and achievement in academic settings. • Students in more unequal countries experienced greater test anxiety. • Students in more unequal countries had lower levels of achievement. • Test anxiety was associated with lower academic achievement. • Inequality did not moderate the test anxiety-achievement association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite intensive research, influenza viruses still present one of the major causes of respiratory disease throughout the world. The elderly population and those individuals considered “at risk” due to presenting co-morbidity are especially vulnerable to influenza infection; this is evident from increased rates of morbidity and mortality in these populations during winter epidemic periods. Successful vaccination campaigns have targeted these groups over the last few years, providing protection to an increasing number of susceptible individuals. However, during periods of influenza virus activity there are still seasonal pressures put on both primary and secondary health care services. In the event of a serious influenza epidemic or pandemic, these burdens could jeopardise health care provision to at risk populations. In this report we discuss current issues surrounding the impact of influenza on the health care utilisation of elderly people. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Seasonal epidemics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cause a clinically significant burden of disease among young children. Non-pharmaceutical interventions targeted at SARS-CoV-2 have affected the activity of other respiratory pathogens. We describe changes in the epidemiology of RSV among children younger than 5 years in England since 2020. Surveillance data on RSV infections, comprising laboratory-confirmed cases, proportion of positive tests, hospital admissions for RSV-attributable illness, and syndromic indicators for RSV-associated disease (emergency department attendances for acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis, non-emergency health advice telephone service [NHS 111] calls for cough, general practitioner [GP] in-hours consultations for respiratory tract infections, and GP out-of-hours contacts for acute bronchitis or bronchiolitis) were analysed from Dec 29, 2014 to March 13, 2022, for children younger than 5 years. Data were extracted from national laboratory, clinical, and syndromic surveillance systems. Time-series analyses using generalised linear models were used to estimate the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions targeting SARS-CoV-2 on RSV indicators, with absolute and relative changes calculated by comparing observed and predicted values. RSV-associated activity was reduced for all RSV indicators during winter 2020–21 in England, with 10 280 (relative change –99·5% [95% prediction interval –100·0 to –99·1]) fewer laboratory-confirmed cases, 22·2 (–99·6%) percentage points lower test positivity, 92 530 (–80·8% [–80·9 to –80·8]) fewer hospital admissions, 96 672 (–73·7% [–73·7 to –73·7]) fewer NHS 111 calls, 2924 (–88·8% [–90·4 to –87·2]) fewer out-of-hours GP contacts, 91 304 (–89·9% [–90·0 to –89·9]) in-hours GP consultations, and 27 486 (–85·3% [–85·4 to –85·2]) fewer emergency department attendances for children younger than 5 years compared with predicted values based on winter seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic. An unprecedented summer surge of RSV activity occurred in 2021, including 11 255 (1258·3% [1178·3 to 1345·8]) extra laboratory-confirmed cases, 11·6 percentage points (527·3%) higher test positivity, 7604 (10·7% [10·7 to 10·8]) additional hospital admissions, 84 425 (124·8% [124·7 to 124·9]) more calls to NHS 111, 409 (39·0% [36·6 to 41·8]) more out-of-hours GP contacts, and 9789 (84·9% [84·5 to 85·4]) more emergency department attendances compared with the predicted values, although there were 21 805 (–34·1% [–34·1 to –34·0]) fewer in-hours GP consultations than expected. Most indicators were also lower than expected in winter 2021–22, although to a lesser extent than in winter 2020–21. The extraordinary absence of RSV during winter 2020–21 probably resulted in a cohort of young children without natural immunity to RSV, thereby raising the potential for increased RSV incidence, out-of-season activity, and health-service pressures when measures to restrict SARS-CoV-2 transmission were relaxed. None. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to test the moderating roles of ovulatory status and sociosexuality on female attraction to male red. Female participants were shown a picture of a man surrounded by a red or gray border, and then reported their sexual desire toward the man and their perceptions of his general likeability. The results indicated that women at times of high conception probability reported stronger sexual desire for the man surrounded by a red, relative to gray, border; this pattern was not found for women at times of low conception probability. The effect was significant only when the categorical “fertile window” (days 9–14) was calculated using the forward counting method from last menstrual onset. Color did not influence ratings of general likeability, and sociosexuality did not moderate the influence of color on participants' reports of sexual desire or their perceptions of general likeability. The results suggest that women tend to have a stronger sensitivity to red stimuli when their likelihood of conception is greatest. The increased sexual desire for men in red may be due to preferences for healthy and dominant men with high status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: An evaluation of the Cold Weather Plan (CWP) for England 2011-2012 was undertaken in April 2012 to generate the basis for further revisions. It is widely considered good practice to formulate and revise policy on the basis of the best available evidence. This paper examines whether the evaluation is an example of pragmatic evidence-based policy-making. Study design: A process evaluation with a formative multimethods approach. Methods: An electronic survey and national workshop were conducted alongside the production of a number of summary reports from the Health Protection Agency surveillance systems and Met Office meteorological data. The Department of Health and the Met Office were consulted on how the evaluation recommendations shaped the revised CWP and Met Office Cold Weather Alerting System respectively. Results: The Cold Weather Plan survey had 442 responses, a majority from Local Authorities, and from all regions of England. Thematic analysis generated qualitative data, which along with feedback from the workshop were synthesized into six main recommendations. Reviewing the new CWP and the Met Office Cold Weather Alerting System revealed significant modifications on the basis of the evaluation. Conclusions: The evaluation sets the context for cold weather and health during the 2011 -2012 winter. This study shows that the CWP 2012-2013 was revised on the basis of the national evaluation recommendations and is an example of pragmatic evidence-based policy-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to gain insights into the renal and hepatic glucuronidation of frusemide (FSM), this study: (i) characterised the kinetics of FSM glucuronidation by human liver microsomes (HLM) and human kidney cortical- (HKCM) and medullary- (HKMM) microsomes, and (ii) identified the human UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzyme(s) involved in this pathway. HLM, HKCM and HLMM efficiently glucuronidated FSM. FSM glucuronide (FSMG) formation followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics in all tissues. While the mean K m for FSMG formation by HKMM (386±68μM) was lower than the K m values for HLM (988±271μM) and HKCM (704±278μM), mean V max/K m values were comparable for the three tissues. A panel of recombinant UGT enzymes was screened for the capacity to glucuronidate FSM. UGT 1A1, 1A3, 1A6, 1A7, 1A9, 1A10 and 2B7 metabolised FSM. Of the renally and hepatically expressed enzymes, comparison of kinetic parameters suggests a predominant role of UGT1A9 in FSM glucuronidation, although UGT1A1 may also contribute to FSMG formation by HLM. Consistent with these observations, the UGT1A selective inhibitors phenylbutazone and sulfinpyrazone decreased FSMG formation by HLM, HKCM and HKMM by 60–80%, whereas the UGT2B7 selective inhibitor fluconazole reduced FSM glucuronidation by ≤20%. The ability of HKCM and HKMM to form FSMG supports the proposition that the kidney is the main organ involved in FSM glucuronidation in vivo, although a role for hepatic metabolism remains a possibility in renal dysfunction. The data further demonstrate the potential importance of both the medulla and cortex in renal drug metabolism and detoxification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]