Biology subjects

Thornton, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Thornton, E..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Infants and Children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

BACKGROUNDPrader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex disorder affecting approximately 1/15,000-1/30,000 people. Infants with PWS are at risk for serious complications with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) due to low muscle tone and a weakened pulmonary system. OBJECTIVESUnderstanding RSV incidence, hospitalization rates, lingering effects, and morbidity in children with PWS may help with planning health care, insurance and vaccine recommendations in children with PWS. METHODSLinks to volunteer surveys were provided via direct email and social media to families throughout the United States with children having PWS. The contact distribution lists were provided by PWSA(USA) and the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research. RESULTSA total of 220 surveys were completed by the parents/caregivers of children with PWS. Of those respondents, 60 (27.27%) had contracted the RSV virus during early childhood. Of those with RSV, 44 children required hospitalization, with 16 reporting multiple hospitalizations, some for several weeks. Of those with the virus, 22 required PICU admission, 10 required intubation, 20 needed CPAP, and 46 children needed supplemental oxygen during the infection. Of those who had contracted RSV, 42% were over age 1 year at the time of infection, and 17 children developed chronic lung issues after the RSV infection. The case lethality was 1.37%. Only 38% had received the RSV Synagis shot, and 19% received more than one season of the vaccination. Prematurity prevalence was only 28%, but 99% reported that their child had significant hypotonia. Approximately 30% of parents sited lack of insurance authorization or failure of the physician to recommend the treatment. CONCLUSIONSThe risk of contracting RSV for young children with PWS is high. The implications of contracting RSV include death or lung damage, along with high medical expenditures, which could be ameliorated with routine administration of the Synagis vaccine.

genetics↗

bioRxiv2020

Investigating the effects of incremental conditioning and supplemental dietary tryptophan on the voluntary activity and behaviour of mid-distance training sled dogs

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter synthesized by the amino acid tryptophan (Trp) that has the potential to impact the behaviour and activity of dogs. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of supplemental Trp and a 12-week incremental training regimen on the voluntary activity and behaviour of client-owned Siberian Huskies. Sixteen dogs were blocked for age, BW and sex and then randomly allocated to either the control or treatment group. Both groups were fed the same dry extruded diet; however, the treatment group were supplemented with Trp to achieve a Trp: large neutral amino acid ratio of 0.075:1. Once a week, a 5-minute video recording was taken immediately pre- and post- exercise to evaluate dogs behaviours. Activity monitors were used to record voluntary activity on both training and rest days. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between training week and time spent performing each behaviour. Additionally, a repeated measure mixed model was used to test differences between diet groups and training week for both behavioural and activity count data. The time spent performing agonistic behaviours prior to exercise was negatively associated with week for treatment dogs ({beta} = -0.32, 95% CI [-0.55, -0.10], P < 0.05) and no change was observed for control dogs ({beta} = -0.13, 95% CI [-0.41, 0.15], P > 0.10). Treatment did not have any effect on activity levels (P > 0.10). For all dogs, locomotive behaviours decreased prior to exercise as weeks progressed (P < 0.05), while run day voluntary activity depended on the distance run that day (P < 0.05). These data suggest that sled dogs experience an exercise-induced reduction in voluntary locomotion in response to both single bouts and repetitive bouts of exercise. Additionally, tryptophan supplementation may decrease agonistic behaviours, without having any effect on voluntary activity.

animal behavior and cognition↗