Conectar
by Sándor Hornok, Róbert Berkecz, Andor Pitó, Paula Baro, Kathrin M. Röper, József Lanszki, Alexandra Biácsi, Károly Erdélyi, Endre Sós, Viktor Molnár, Endre Papp, Sándor Boldogh, Solt Szabolcs, Gergő Keve, Attila Hunyadi
Arthropod molting hormones, the so-called ecdysteroids were experimentally shown to have anabolic effects in higher vertebrates, promoting energy supply, protein synthesis, and tissue growth. Insectivorous songbirds (Aves: Passeriformes) and bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) were demonstrated to have naturally acquired ecdysteroids in their blood. However, it is not known if partly insectivorous or artificially insect-fed vertebrates would also have ecdysteroids in their circulation. The aim of this screening study was to clarify this, by collecting blood samples of mammals, birds and reptiles that are wild-living or receive insect diet at zoological gardens, followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry analyses. The zoo animal samples originated from one reptilian species (n = 3), as well as one species of insectivorous mammals (n = 8), three species of carnivores (n = 17) and one species of primates (n = 2). Three further species of road-killed mammalian carnivores were sampled postmortem (n = 15). Finally, blood samples were also drawn and analyzed from six species of water-associated (n = 44) and three species of predatory birds (n = 47). Ecdysteroids were detected in two out of 136 samples: from a Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) that contained 58.9 nM 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), and from a beech marten (Martes foina) that contained 40.9 nM dacryhainansterone (a phytoecdysteroid). Although these concentrations do not mean evidence for sustained biological or anabolic effects, 20E was reported to transactivate estrogen receptors β and α with EC50 values of 13.0 and 25.7 nM, respectively. Accordingly, our results show for the first time that ecdysteroids may be present in pharmacologically relevant concentrations in the blood of predominantly carnivorous species of birds and mammals. However, unlike in songbirds and bats which continuously feed on insects, detectable levels of ecdysteroids appear only rarely in the blood of opportunistic insectivores, therefore their health benefits remain questionable in artificially and occasionally insect-fed zoo animals.This study aimed to analyse temporal trends in fertility and birth rates, examine maternal characteristics and forecast future demographic changes in Georgia.
This was a retrospective observational study using population-level data from the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) and the Georgian Birth Registry (GBR). Temporal trends were analysed using Prais-Winsten regression models and annual percentage changes (APCs) and future projections were generated using autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models.
The study included data on 543 662 live births retrieved from the Geostat for the period 2014–2024. Additionally, maternal characteristics were analysed for 366 684 births recorded in the GBR for the period 2017–2024. Selection criteria included all live births during the study period, with no specific exclusion criteria applied.
Primary outcome measures were trends in the total fertility rate (TFR) and crude birth rate (CBR) over the study period (2014–2024) and their projections for 2025–2034. Secondary outcome measures were concurrent changes in maternal characteristics, including maternal age, nationality, place of residence, region of residence and parity.
Between 2014 and 2024, Georgia’s TFR declined from 2.30 to 1.68 children per woman (APC=3.12%, 95% CI –3.65 to –2.59), and the CBR dropped from 16.3 to 10.7 births per 1000 population per year (APC=4.39%, 95% CI –4.63 to –4.15). Fertility rates decreased most significantly among women aged
Georgia is undergoing a demographic transition characterised by declining fertility rates and delayed childbearing. Assuming the mechanisms underlying 2014–2024 data remain unchanged, projections indicate a continued decline in fertility and birth rates by 2034, which may pose significant social and economic challenges for the country. Further research is needed to explore the underlying factors driving these trends and to develop strategies to address the potential implications of this demographic shift.
Iron-folic acid (IFA) supplementation in pregnancy is recommended by the WHO, with a dose of 60 mg of iron in contexts where anaemia remains a severe public health problem. Iron-containing supplements may cause side effects that affect acceptability and adherence in a dose-response manner. Maternal multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS), which include iron and folic acid plus additional micronutrients, are also recommended in the context of rigorous research, and programmes are considering transitioning from IFA to MMS containing 30 mg of iron. We will evaluate the effect of iron dose in MMS on maternal acceptability, side effects, adherence and preferences.
The Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) Iron Dose Acceptability Crossover Trial is an individually randomised, quadruple-blind, non-inferiority crossover trial of daily antenatal MMS supplementation formulations that contain 60 mg, 45 mg and 30 mg elemental iron among pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 156 pregnant participants will be randomised to a sequence in which they receive each of the three MMS formulations for 1 month. Participants, investigators, outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded to the treatment sequence. The primary trial outcome is participant-reported acceptability of each MMS formulation, measured on a Likert scale. Secondary and tertiary outcomes include preferred and least preferred formulation, identification of MMS formulation, reported side effects and adherence assessed by pill count. Regression analyses will be used to assess differences between formulations and will account for sequence and period effects of the crossover trial design. Qualitative in-depth interviews from a subsample of participants will be conducted to understand women’s perceptions and experiences taking the different MMS formulations.
The trial protocol was approved by Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Ifakara Health Institute IRB, the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences IRB, the National Health Research Ethics Sub-Committee and the Tanzania Medicine and Medical Device Authority. Results will be shared through publications and presentations at the local, regional and international levels.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06069869.
Objetivo principal: Explorar las barreras percibidas para el autocuidado de la salud sexual de una mujer cisgénero de 57 años en situación de trabajadora sexual. Metodología: Se abordó un relato biográfico de naturaleza cualitativa, constructivista y fenomenológica. Resultados principales: Del análisis sistemático y de contenido, emergieron los temas: el trabajo sexual como una alternativa de vida; el estigma y la discriminación por la identidad ocupacional; la falta de una atención en salud preventiva, humanizada e incluyente; la necesaria autoestima para autocuidarse; la psicología informal como método de cribaje del cliente; el saber profesional en prácticas protectoras y de cuidado; las brechas y dificultades para el uso del condón masculino; y la necesidad de una política pública con mirada de género e inclusiva. Conclusión: La narrativa refleja la necesidad de afrontar las barreras para el autocuidado de la salud sexual, mediante metodologías participativas e inclusivas que promuevan la cooperación de políticas, estrategias e intervenciones en salud preventiva congruentes con las necesidades de las mujeres trabajadoras sexuales.
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