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Long-term Effects of Text Messages with Financial Incentives for Men with Obesity: Two-year Follow-up of the Game of Stones trial
Get PDFObjectives: To compare the difference in percentage weight change at 24 months following a 12-month text messaging with financial incentive intervention compared to a waiting list control group, and to compare the text messaging alone group to the control group. Design: Assessor-blinded three-arm randomised clinical trial. Setting: Three disadvantaged communities from the UK. Participants: 585 men with body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m2 enrolled between July 2021 and May 2022, of which 377 participants (64%) completed 24 months’ follow-up. Interventions: 12 months of daily behavioural text messages combined with financial incentives; 12 months of the same text messages alone; or waiting for 12 months followed by receipt of the first 3 months (months 12-15) of text messages (control). Main outcome measures: Within-participant change from baseline weight. Results: At 24 months, the mean percent weight change (standard deviation) was −3.9% (6.9%) for the text messaging with financial incentives group, −2.6% (6.8%) for the text messaging alone group, and −2.2% (6.8%) for the control group. Compared with the control group, the mean percent weight change was not significantly greater in the text messaging with financial incentives group (mean difference, −1.0%; 97.5% CI, −2.6 to 0.6; P = .22) or the text messaging alone group (mean difference, −0.0%; 97.5% CI, −1.6 to 1.5; P = .95).At least 5% weight loss at 24 months was achieved by 52 (40%) participants in the text messaging with financial incentives group; 32 (28%) in the text messaging alone group and 43 (32%) in the control group. Conclusions: A scalable, low-cost text message with financial incentives intervention supported clinically relevant maintenance of weight loss 12 months after the intervention ceased, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.Additional authors: Katrina Turner, Graeme MacLenna
Sea lice gap analysis
Get PDFSea lice are a major health hazard for farmed Atlantic salmon in Europe, and their impact is felt globally. Given the breadth of ongoing research in sea lice dispersal and population modelling, and focus on research lead adaptive management, we brought experts together to discuss research knowledge gaps. Gaps for salmon lice infection pressure from fish farms were identified and rated by experts in sea lice-aquaculture-environment interactions at an international workshop in 2021. The contributors included experts based in Scotland, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, the Faroe Islands, England and Australia employed by governments, industry, universities and non-government organisations. The workshop focused on knowledge gaps underpinning five key stages in salmon lice infection pressure from fish farms: larval production; larval transport and survival; exposure and infestation of new hosts; development and survival of the attached stages; and impact on host populations. A total of 47 research gaps were identified, 5 broad themes emerged with 13 priority research gaps highlighted as important across multiple sectors. The highest-ranking gap called for higher quality and frequency of on farm lice count data, along with better sharing of information across sectors. We highlight the need for synergistic international collaboration to maximise transferable knowledge. Round table discussions through collaborative workshops provide an important forum for experts to discuss and agree research priorities.Additional authors: Ørjan Karlsen, Soizic Garnier, Gunnvør á Norði, Philip A. Gillibrand, Kim S. Last, Alexander G. Murra
Automated face recognition assists with low-prevalence face identity mismatches but can bias users
Get PDFWe present three experiments to study the effects of giving information about the decision of an automated face recognition (AFR) system to participants attempting to decide whether two face images show the same person. We make three contributions designed to make our results applicable to real-word use: participants are given the true response of a highly accurate AFR system; the face set reflects the mixed ethnicity of the city of London from where participants are drawn; and there are only 10% of mismatches. Participants were equally accurate when given the similarity score of the AFR system or just the binary decision but shifted their bias towards match and were over-confident on difficult pairs when given only binary information. No participants achieved the 100% accuracy of the AFR system, and they had only weak insight about their own performance
Acceptability of identification and management of perinatal anxiety: a qualitative interview study with postnatal women
Get PDFBackground: Anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum is highly prevalent but under-recognized and few women receive adequate support or treatment. Identification and management of perinatal anxiety must be acceptable to women in the perinatal period to ensure that women receive appropriate care when needed. We aimed to understand the acceptability to women of how anxiety was identified and managed by healthcare professionals. Method: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 60 women across England and Scotland approximately 10 months after birth. Women were sampled from an existing systematically recruited cohort of 2,243 women who recorded mental health throughout pregnancy and after birth. All women met criteria for further assessment of their mental health by a healthcare professional. We analyzed the data using a theoretical framework of acceptability of healthcare interventions. Results: Interview data fitted the seven constructs within the theoretical framework of acceptability. Women valued support before professional treatment but were poorly informed about available services. Services which treated women as individuals, which were accessible and in which there was continuity of healthcare professional were endorsed. Experience of poor maternity services increased anxiety and seeing multiple midwives dissuaded women from engaging in conversations about mental health. Having a trusted relationship with a healthcare professional facilitated conversation about and disclosure of mental health problems. Conclusion: Women's experiences would be improved if given the opportunity to form a trusting relationship with a healthcare provider. Interventions offering support before professional treatment may be valued and suitable for some women. Clear information about support services and treatment options available for perinatal mental health problems should be given. Physiological aspects of maternity care impacts women's mental health and trust in services needs to be restored. Findings can be used to inform clinical guidelines and A and Ayers S (2024) Acceptability of identification and management of perinatal anxiety: a qualitative interview study with postnatal women.RECEIVED 17 July 2024 ACCEPTED 03 October 2024 PUBLISHED 07 November 2024 CITATION; Frontiers in Public Health 01 frontiersin.org 5 Retired General Practitioner, Oxford, United Kingdom, 6 Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust, Surrey, United Kingdom, *CORRESPONDENCE Rose Meades [email protected]
Men with long-term conditions in the Game of Stones text messaging and financial incentives trial: an explortory mixed methods study
Get PDFAbstract: Men living with multiple long-term conditions and obesity are under-represented in behavioural weight management trials. Within an effective text messaging and financial incentives trial, our aim was to explore retention, secondary mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and experiences of men with multiple long-term conditions. Methods: Mixed methods process evaluation within a 3-group randomised controlled trial: behavioural text messages with financial incentives, texts alone and waiting-list control, for 583 of 585 men with obesity. Trial retention, mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and experiences were compared for 235 (40%) participants with multiple long-term conditions, 181 (31%) with single conditions, 167(29%) with no conditions, and for 165 (29%) with disability. Semi-structured interviews, analysed using the Framework method, explored experiences with weight trajectories. Concurrent descriptive and qualitative analyses were undertaken. Results: Of the 235 (40%) trial participants with multiple long-term conditions, 99 were disabled and 93 were living in deprived areas. Participants with multiple long-term conditions and/or disability were older, fewer had a degree level qualification, and fewer were in full time work. Retention at 12 months was higher for men with disability (76%) or no long-term conditions (75%), and lower for men with diabetes (65%). Self-reported weight stigma, wellbeing and quality of life scores improved or stayed the same for men living with multiple long-term conditions in the intervention groups, however, results for anxiety and depression screening scores were inconsistent. Participant experiences indicated complex dynamic health, social and life situations which could provide motivation to lose weight for some but not others. Hospitalisation and poor mobility, with inability to exercise, was de-motivating for making changes to reach weight loss targets. Conclusion: Men with multiple long-term conditions varied from very successful weight loss and improved health, to not prioritising or feeling helped by the programme or disengagement due to immobility or diabetes
Applying best practice to feasibility assessment and strategic planning for great ape translocation: a case study of Grauer's gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri)
Get PDFWe outline the feasibility and risk assessments that are essential prerequisites to conservation translocation of great apes, while upholding the precautionary principle to avoid harms to conspecifics, sympatric taxa and ecosystems. As part of a strategic planning process, we addressed key questions on the costs and benefits of a translocation of Grauer's gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo. We reviewed published and gray literature to compile data on Grauer's gorilla ecology and potential release sites in the subspecies' geographic range. Taking into account ecological dimensions of the habitats, impacts on conspecifics, sympatric great apes and other wildlife, and existing threats, we formulated recommendations on whether and where translocation could benefit conservation of this taxon. We concluded that one site assessed is compatible with key IUCN criteria. At Mt. Tshiaberimu in Virunga National Park, the resident Grauer's gorilla population is non-viable, no sympatric great ape species is present and the site is actively protected against poaching and habitat encroachment. Conservation translocations are widely used for species recovery; however, detailed accounts of the analyses and planning required to adhere to IUCN best practice are rare. Our approach enabled evidence-based determination of feasibility despite some initial information gaps. The process is widely applicable and could encourage improved compliance with IUCN guidelines when risks to wild conspecifics might be high, yet ecological knowledge of the target population is limited. The Grauer's Gorilla Conservation and Reinforcement Project is a partnership between the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center, Virunga National Park and Re:wild
A longitudinal framework to describe the relation between age-related hearing loss and social isolation
Get PDFMany older adults live with some form of hearing loss and have difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background sound. Experiences resulting from such difficulties include increased listening effort and fatigue. Social interactions may become less appealing in the context of such experiences, and age-related hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of social isolation and associated negative psychosocial health outcomes. However, the precise relationship between age-related hearing loss and social isolation is not well described. Here, we review the literature and synthesize existing work from different domains to propose a framework with three conceptual anchor stages to describe the relation between hearing loss and social isolation: within-situation disengagement from listening, social withdrawal, and social isolation. We describe the distinct characteristics of each stage and suggest potential interventions to mitigate negative impacts of hearing loss on social lives and health. We close by outlining potential implications for researchers and clinicians
Persistence of ‘wet wipes’ in beach sand: An unrecognised reservoir for localised E. coli contamination
Get PDFThe flushing of wet wipes down toilets leads to blockages of sewerage systems. This, together with unregulated sewage discharge, often results in increasing numbers of wet wipes washing up onto beaches. However, it is unclear how long wet wipes can persist on the beach and whether they pose a prolonged public health risk if contaminated by E. coli. In this mesocosm study, three types of wet wipes (plastic containing, and home and commercially compostable) colonised with E. coli were buried in beach sand and their degradation, tensile strength, and concentration of E. coli was quantified over 15 weeks. Wet wipes containing plastic remained largely intact for 15 weeks, whilst both compostable wet wipes fragmented and degraded. Importantly, E. coli persisted on all three wet wipe types, representing localised reservoirs of E. coli in the sand, which could present a human health risk at the beach
Novel functional insights into the microbiome inhabiting marine plastic debris: critical considerations to counteract the challenges of thin biofilms using multi-omics and comparative metaproteomics
Get PDFMicrobial functioning on marine plastic surfaces has been poorly documented, especially within cold climates where temperature likely impacts microbial activity and the presence of hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms. To date, only two studies have used metaproteomics to unravel microbial genotype–phenotype linkages in the marine ‘plastisphere’, and these have revealed the dominance of photosynthetic microorganisms within warm climates. Advancing the functional representation of the marine plastisphere is vital for the development of specific databases cataloging the functional diversity of the associated microorganisms and their peptide and protein sequences, to fuel biotechnological discoveries. Here, we provide a comprehensive assessment for plastisphere metaproteomics, using multi-omics and data mining on thin plastic biofilms to provide unique insights into plastisphere metabolism. Our robust experimental design assessed DNA/protein co-extraction and cell lysis strategies, proteomics workflows, and diverse protein search databases, to resolve the active plastisphere taxa and their expressed functions from an understudied cold environment. Results For the first time, we demonstrate the predominance and activity of hydrocarbonoclastic genera (Psychrobacter, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas) within a primarily heterotrophic plastisphere. Correspondingly, oxidative phosphorylation, the citrate cycle, and carbohydrate metabolism were the dominant pathways expressed. Quorum sensing and toxin-associated proteins of Streptomyces were indicative of inter-community interactions. Stress response proteins expressed by Psychrobacter, Planococcus, and Pseudoalteromonas and proteins mediating xenobiotics degradation in Psychrobacter and Pseudoalteromonas suggested phenotypic adaptations to the toxic chemical microenvironment of the plastisphere. Interestingly, a targeted search strategy identified plastic biodegradation enzymes, including polyamidase, hydrolase, and depolymerase, expressed by rare taxa. The expression of virulence factors and mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance suggested pathogenic genera were active, despite representing a minor component of the plastisphere community. Conclusion Our study addresses a critical gap in understanding the functioning of the marine plastisphere, contributing new insights into the function and ecology of an emerging and important microbial niche. Our comprehensive multi-omics and comparative metaproteomics experimental design enhances biological interpretations to provide new perspectives on microorganisms of potential biotechnological significance beyond biodegradation and to improve the assessment of the risks associated with microorganisms colonizing marine plastic pollution
Exploring the impact of thermal delousing on gill health and microbiome dynamics in farmed Atlantic Salmon
Get PDFThe economic cost of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus rogercresseyi) infestations in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) industry has been estimated to be around $900 million annually. This high cost has driven a concerted effort to develop, examine, understand, and implement various methods for louse control. Husbandry interventions utilising warm water exposure have been highly successful in complementing traditional chemotherapeutants, especially as the efficiency of the latter has reduced in recent years. In this study, we sought to examine the impact of thermal delousing on gill health in two commercial sites with different historical husbandry and treatment interventions prior to and post-thermal treatment. Methods to characterise gill health and the response to thermal treatment included a detailed examination of the gill for microparasites using both histology and qPCR and targeted immune gene expression analysis, most notably antigen-presenting cells (mhc ii), proinflammatory cytokines (il-1β and tnf-α) and inhibitory cytokines (tgf-β and il-10). Furthermore, we examined the bacterial communities present on the gill surface using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Data obtained from these trials indicated a minimal impact on gill microparasite prevalence in response to the thermal treatment. The expression of immune markers exhibited a significant decrease across both sites after treatment. Intriguingly, marked differences in the gill bacterial communities in response to treatment between the two sites were clearly observed. This divergence could be attributed to the notable differences in husbandry history and health status of the fish at the two sites prior to the thermal treatment. Our data suggest that microbiome diversity is an informative indicator of fish gill health and could be used to define appropriate interventions when treating sea lice
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