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Pathogens are common and diverse in natural communities and have been implicated in the success of host invasions. Yet few studies have experimentally measured how pathogens impact native versus exotic hosts, particularly when individual hosts are simultaneously coinfected by diverse pathogens. To estimate effects of interactions among multiple pathogens within host individuals on both transmission of pathogens and fitness consequences for hosts, we conducted a greenhouse experiment using California grassland species: the native perennial grass Nassella (Stipa) pulchra, the exotic annual grass Bromus hordeaceus, and three virus species, Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV, Barley yellow dwarf virus-MAV, and Cereal yellow dwarf virus-RPV. In terms of virus transmission, the native host was less susceptible than the exotic host to MAV. Coinfection of PAV and MAV did not occur in any of the 157 co-inoculated native host plants. In the exotic host, PAV infection most strongly reduced root and shoot biomass, and coinfections that included PAV severely reduced biomass. Infection with single or multiple viruses did not affect biomass in the native host. However, in this species the most potentially pathogenic coinfections (PAV + MAV and PAV + MAV + RPV) did not occur. Together, these results suggest that interactions among multiple pathogens can have important consequences for host health, which may not be predictable from interactions between hosts and individual pathogens. This work addresses a key empirical gap in understanding the impact of multiple generalist pathogens on competing host species, with potential implications for population and community dynamics of native and exotic species. It also demonstrates how pathogens with relatively mild impacts independently can more substantially reduce host performance in coinfection.

As the effects of climate change become more visible, extreme weather events are becoming more common. The effects of flooding on health are understood but the long-term impact on the well-being of those affected need to be considered. This mixed methods secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey examined the extent to which being flooded in the past is associated with ongoing concerns about flooding. Survey data were collected from residents in Hull 11 years after the initial flooding event. Respondents were asked about the floods in 2007 and their current level of concern about flooding. Ordinal logistic regression explored the effect of age and tenancy status as predictors of current concern. Textual data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Responses were received from 457 households, of whom 202 (48%) were affected by flooding in 2007. A fifth of respondents were very concerned about future flooding. Those who were not flooded were significantly less concerned about the risk of future flooding (U = 33391.0, z = 5.89, p < 0.001). Those who reported negative health and wellbeing effects from the floods were significantly more concerned about future flooding than those whose health was not affected (U = 7830.5, z = 4.43, p < 0.001). Whilst some residents were reassured by the introduction of new flood alleviation schemes, others did not feel these were adequate, and worried about the impact of climate change. The financial and emotional impacts of the floods still resonated with families 11 years after the event, with many fearing they would not cope if it happened again. Despite the 2007 floods in Hull happening over a decade ago, many of those affected continue to experience high levels of anxiety when storms are forecast. Residents feel powerless to protect themselves, and many remain unconvinced by the presence of new flood alleviation schemes. However, with the ongoing threat of climate change, it may be that other residents are unrealistic in their expectation to be ‘protected’ from flood events. Therefore, public health agencies need to be able to mobilize organizations to come together to pro-actively support families affected by flooding, to ensure those in need do not fall through the gaps of public healthcare delivery.

Research in recent years has revealed the rate of premature and avoidable deaths from suicide and drug/‌alcohol misuse is rising in the United States. These are sometimes referred to as deaths of despair based on evidence that they are concentrated in relatively poor communities with less access to social resources and low labor force participation. The pattern was first noted in middle-aged White men but seems to be gradually spreading to other ethnic groups. As a first step in establishing a psychological response to this public health issue, the present article summarizes two studies that compared psychological variables to demographics as predictors of hopefulness. A number of intriguing findings emerged. Despite concerns about American despair and conflict, U.S. residents proved the most hopeful among residents of eight countries. Low-income Americans are particularly hopeful except for low-income Whites. Positive character traits and primal beliefs about the world generally proved to be better predictors of hope than ethnicity, financial status, or their interaction. A number of relationships were found between psychological variables and community demographics. The findings as a group suggest hopefulness is driven more by psychological variables than by life circumstances. It is suggested that psychologists could play an important role in the study of this topic by implementing programs intended to enhance hopefulness in impoverished populations, and by encouraging an intentional communal focus on the importance of enhancing well-being.

VR FestLab is a virtual reality party simulation application. The tool allows users to make decisions while experiencing a virtual party where they are offered alcohol. This study examines the user experience, game satisfaction, and engagement of 181 adolescent users (aged 15–18) with VR FestLab involving seven schools in Denmark. All user experience factors of the short user experience questionnaire were rated positively or neutral, and 66% of the students liked the VR experience. Neither the user experience score nor a score for game satisfaction and engagement were associated with sex, age, perceived family affluence, school performance, alcohol consumption and attitudes or mental health of students. Overall, positive user experiences and game satisfaction of VR FestLab were found not to differ according to student characteristics. We conclude that virtual simulations offer new ways for developing drinking refusal skills that are attractive and acceptable for adolescent users.

Contexte Zingiber zerumbet Smith est une herbe vivace, largement distribuée dans de nombreuses zones tropicales. En Malaisie, il est localement connu par le peuple malais sous le nom de « lempoyang » et ses rhizomes, en particulier, sont largement utilisés en médecine traditionnelle pour le traitement de l'ulcère gastroduodénal au-delà des autres troubles gastriques. Objectif de l'étude L'objectif de la présente étude est d'évaluer l'effet gastroprotecteur de la zerumbone, le principal composé bioactif du rhizome de Zingiber zerumbet, contre le modèle d'ulcère gastrique induit par l'éthanol chez le rat. Matériels et méthodes Les rats ont été prétraités avec de la zérumbone et par la suite exposés à un ulcère gastrique aigu induit par l'administration d'éthanol absolu. Après le traitement, l'acidité du suc gastrique, l'indice d'ulcère, la teneur en mucus, l'analyse histologique (HE et pas), la localisation immunohistochimique pour HSP-70, la synthèse des prostaglandines E2 (PGE2), la teneur gastrique en sulfhydryle non protéique (NP-SH), le taux réduit de glutathion (GSH) et le taux de malondialdéhyde (MDA) ont été évalués dans l'ulcère induit par l'éthanol in vivo. Le dosage du pouvoir antioxydant réducteur ferrique (FRAP) et l'activité anti-H. pylori ont été étudiés in vitro. Résultats Les résultats ont montré que l'administration intragastrique de zerumbone protégeait la muqueuse gastrique de l'effet agressif de l'ulcère gastrique induit par l'éthanol, coïncidait avec une réduction de l'œdème sous-muqueux et de l'infiltration leucocytaire. Cet effet gastroprotecteur observé de la zerumbone s'est accompagné d'un effet significatif (p <0,05) du composé pour restaurer les niveaux abaissés de NP-SH et de GSH, et pour réduire le niveau élevé de MDA dans l'homogénat gastrique. De plus, le composé a induit une régulation positive du HSP-70 dans le tissu gastrique. De plus, la zerumbone a significativement augmenté (p <0,05) la production de mucus, a montré une coloration intense du PAS et a maintenu la teneur en PG près du niveau normal. Le composé présentait une activité antisécrétoire et une concentration inhibitrice minimale (CMI) intéressante contre la souche H. pylori. Conclusion Les résultats de la présente étude ont révélé que la zerumbone favorise la protection contre les ulcères, ce qui pourrait être attribué au maintien de l'intégrité du mucus, à l'activité antioxydante et à l'induction de HSP-70. Zerumbone a également montré une action antibactérienne contre H. pylori. Antecedentes Zingiber zerumbet Smith es una hierba perenne, ampliamente distribuida en muchas áreas tropicales. En Malasia, es conocido localmente entre los malayos como "lempoyang" y sus rizomas, en particular, se utilizan ampliamente en la medicina tradicional para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de úlcera péptica más allá de otros trastornos gástricos. Objetivo del estudio El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar el efecto gastroprotector de la zerumbona, el principal compuesto bioactivo del rizoma zerumbet de Zingiber, frente al modelo de úlcera gástrica inducida por etanol en ratas. Materiales y métodos Las ratas se pretrataron con zerumbona y posteriormente se expusieron a úlcera gástrica aguda inducida por la administración de etanol absoluto. Después del tratamiento, se evaluaron la acidez del jugo gástrico, el índice de úlcera, el contenido de moco, el análisis histológico (HE y PAS), la localización inmunohistoquímica para HSP-70, la síntesis de prostaglandina E2 (PGE2), el contenido gástrico de sulfhidrilo no proteico (NP-SH), el nivel reducido de glutatión (GSH) y el nivel de malondialdehído (MDA) en la úlcera inducida por etanol in vivo. Se investigó in vitro el ensayo de poder antioxidante reductor férrico (FRAP) y la actividad anti-H. pylori. Resultados Los resultados mostraron que la administración intragástrica de zerumbona protegió la mucosa gástrica del efecto agresivo de la úlcera gástrica inducida por etanol, coincidió con la reducción del edema submucoso y la infiltración de leucocitos. Este efecto gastroprotector observado de la zerumbona se acompañó con un efecto significativo (p <0.05) del compuesto para restaurar los niveles reducidos de NP-SH y GSH, y para reducir el nivel elevado de MDA en el homogeneizado gástrico. Además, el compuesto indujo la regulación positiva de HSP-70 en el tejido gástrico. Además, la zerumbona mejoró significativamente (p <0.05) la producción de moco, mostró una tinción intensa de PAS y mantuvo el contenido de PG cerca del nivel normal. El compuesto mostró actividad antisecretora y una concentración mínima inhibitoria (CIM) interesante contra la cepa H. pylori. Conclusión Los resultados del presente estudio revelaron que la zerumbona promueve la protección de la úlcera, lo que podría atribuirse al mantenimiento de la integridad del moco, la actividad antioxidante y la inducción de HSP-70. Zerumbone también mostró acción antibacteriana contra H. pylori. Background Zingiber zerumbet Smith is a perennial herb, broadly distributed in many tropical areas. In Malaysia, it's locally known among the Malay people as "lempoyang" and its rhizomes, particularly, is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease beyond other gastric disorders. Aim of the study The aim of the current study is to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of zerumbone, the main bioactive compound of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome, against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Materials and Methods Rats were pre-treated with zerumbone and subsequently exposed to acute gastric ulcer induced by absolute ethanol administration. Following treatment, gastric juice acidity, ulcer index, mucus content, histological analysis (HE and PAS), immunohistochemical localization for HSP-70, prostaglandin E2 synthesis (PGE2), non-protein sulfhydryl gastric content (NP-SH), reduced glutathione level (GSH), and malondialdehyde level (MDA) were evaluated in ethanol-induced ulcer in vivo. Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) and anti-H. pylori activity were investigated in vitro. Results The results showed that the intragastric administration of zerumbone protected the gastric mucosa from the aggressive effect of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, coincided with reduced submucosal edema and leukocyte infiltration. This observed gastroprotective effect of zerumbone was accompanied with a significant (p <0.05) effect of the compound to restore the lowered NP-SH and GSH levels, and to reduce the elevated MDA level into the gastric homogenate. Moreover, the compound induced HSP-70 up-regulation into the gastric tissue. Furthermore, zerumbone significantly (p <0.05) enhanced mucus production, showed intense PAS stain and maintained PG content near to the normal level. The compound exhibited antisecretory activity and an interesting minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against H. pylori strain. Conclusion The results of the present study revealed that zerumbone promotes ulcer protection, which might be attributed to the maintenance of mucus integrity, antioxidant activity, and HSP-70 induction. Zerumbone also exhibited antibacterial action against H. pylori. خلفية Zingiber zerumbet Smith هو عشبة معمرة، موزعة على نطاق واسع في العديد من المناطق الاستوائية. في ماليزيا، يُعرف محليًا بين شعب الملايو باسم "ليمبويانغ"، ويستخدم جذوره، على وجه الخصوص، على نطاق واسع في الطب التقليدي لعلاج مرض القرحة الهضمية بخلاف اضطرابات المعدة الأخرى. الهدف من الدراسة الحالية هو تقييم التأثير الواقي للمعدة للزيرومبون، المركب النشط بيولوجيًا الرئيسي لجذر زينجيبر زيرومبت، ضد نموذج قرحة المعدة الناجم عن الإيثانول في الفئران. المواد والأساليب تم علاج الفئران مسبقًا بالزيرومبون وتعرضت لاحقًا لقرحة المعدة الحادة الناجمة عن إعطاء الإيثانول المطلق. بعد العلاج، تم تقييم حموضة عصير المعدة، ومؤشر القرحة، ومحتوى المخاط، والتحليل النسيجي (HE و PAS)، والتوطين الكيميائي الهيستولوجي المناعي لـ HSP -70، وتوليف البروستاجلاندين E2 (PGE2)، ومحتوى المعدة من غير سلفهيدريل البروتين (NP - SH)، وانخفاض مستوى الجلوتاثيون (GSH)، ومستوى الألدهيد المالوندي (MDA) في القرحة المستحثة بالإيثانول في الكائن الحي. تم التحقيق في اختبار قوة الحد من الحديد المضاد للأكسدة (FRAP) والنشاط المضاد للبكتيريا الملوية البوابية في المختبر. النتائج أظهرت النتائج أن إعطاء الزيرومبون داخل المعدة يحمي الغشاء المخاطي للمعدة من التأثير العدواني لقرحة المعدة الناجمة عن الإيثانول، وتزامن ذلك مع انخفاض الوذمة تحت المخاطية وتسلل الكريات البيض. كان هذا التأثير الواقي المعدي الملحوظ للزيرومبون مصحوبًا بتأثير كبير (p <0.05) للمركب لاستعادة مستويات NP - SH و GSH المنخفضة، وتقليل مستوى MDA المرتفع إلى تجانس المعدة. علاوة على ذلك، تسبب المركب في زيادة تنظيم HSP -70 في أنسجة المعدة. علاوة على ذلك، عزز الزيرومبون بشكل كبير (p <0.05) إنتاج المخاط، وأظهر بقع PAS مكثفة وحافظ على محتوى PG بالقرب من المستوى الطبيعي. أظهر المركب نشاطًا مضادًا للإفراز وتركيزًا مثبطًا أدنى مثيرًا للاهتمام (MIC) ضد سلالة الملوية البوابية. الاستنتاج كشفت نتائج هذه الدراسة أن الزيرومبون يعزز حماية القرحة، والتي قد تعزى إلى الحفاظ على سلامة المخاط، والنشاط المضاد للأكسدة، وتحريض HSP -70. أظهر زيرومبون أيضًا تأثيرًا مضادًا للبكتيريا ضد H. pylori.

Mortality and morbidity risks from space radiation exposure are an important concern for astronauts participating in International Space Station (ISS) missions. NASA's radiation limits set a 3% cancer fatality probability as the upper bound of acceptable risk and considers uncertainties in risk predictions using the upper 95% confidence level (CL) of the assessment. In addition to risk limitation, an important question arises as to the likelihood of a causal association between a crew-members' radiation exposure in the past and a diagnosis of cancer. For the first time, we report on predictions of age and sex specific cancer risks, expected years of life-loss for specific diseases, and probability of causation (PC) at different post-mission times for participants in 1-year or multiple ISS missions. Risk projections with uncertainty estimates are within NASA acceptable radiation standards for mission lengths of 1-year or less for likely crew demographics. However, for solar minimum conditions upper 95% CL exceed 3% risk of exposure induced death (REID) by 18 months or 24 months for females and males, respectively. Median PC and upper 95%-confidence intervals are found to exceed 50% for several cancers for participation in two or more ISS missions of 18 months or longer total duration near solar minimum, or for longer ISS missions at other phases of the solar cycle. However, current risk models only consider estimates of quantitative differences between high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. We also make predictions of risk and uncertainties that would result from an increase in tumor lethality for highly ionizing radiation reported in animal studies, and the additional risks from circulatory diseases. These additional concerns could further reduce the maximum duration of ISS missions within acceptable risk levels, and will require new knowledge to properly evaluate.

Alcohol consumption is associated with increased breast cancer risk; however, the underlying mechanisms that contribute to mammary tumor initiation and progression are unclear. Alcohol is known to induce oxidative stress and DNA damage; likewise, p53 is a critical modulator of the DNA repair pathway and ensures genomic integrity. p53 mutations are frequently detected in breast and other tumors. The impact of alcohol on p53 is recognized, yet the role of p53 in alcohol-induced mammary carcinogenesis remains poorly defined. In our study, we measured alcohol-mediated oxidative DNA damage in MCF-7 cells using 8-OHdG and p-H2AX foci formation assays. p53 activity and target gene expression after alcohol exposure were determined using p53 luciferase reporter assay, qPCR, and Western blotting. A mechanistic study delineating the role of p53 in DNA damage response and cell cycle arrest was based on isogenic MCF-7 cells stably transfected with control (MCF-7/Con) or p53-targeting siRNA (MCF-7/sip53), and MCF-7 cells that were pretreated with Nutlin-3 (Mdm2 inhibitor) to stabilize p53. Alcohol treatment resulted in significant DNA damage in MCF-7 cells, as indicated by increased levels of 8-OHdG and p-H2AX foci number. A p53-dependent signaling cascade was stimulated by alcohol-induced DNA damage. Moderate to high concentrations of alcohol (0.1-0.8% v/v) induced p53 activation, as indicated by increased p53 phosphorylation, reporter gene activity, and p21/Bax gene expression, which led to G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Importantly, compared to MCF-7/Con cells, alcohol-induced DNA damage was significantly enhanced, while alcohol-induced p21/Bax expression and cell cycle arrest were attenuated in MCF-7/sip53 cells. In contrast, inhibition of p53 degradation via Nutlin-3 reinforced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 control cells. Our study suggests that functional p53 plays a critical role in cellular responses to alcohol-induced DNA damage, which protects the cells from DNA damage associated with breast cancer risk.