Biology subjects

Potter, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Potter, E..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Associations between amygdala connectivity and experienced discrimination in children

Discrimination is a chronic stressor linked to adverse health outcomes, particularly in racial and ethnic minorities. Understanding associations between early discrimination and the brain in childhood may help identify mechanisms through which discrimination impacts future health. Data from 4512 children (ages 9-11) and a subsample of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC; N = 1567) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study(R) was used to create linear mixed-effects models that evaluated associations between Perceived Discrimination (PD) and amygdala resting-state fMRI connectivity (AC) to the salience network (SN), default mode network (DMN), and thalamus. PD was measured using the youth self-reported PD Scale. Results indicated that greater PD significantly predicted greater AC to the right thalamus in our full sample. In secondary analyses, environmental and behavioral factors were evaluated as potential moderators for associations significant at least at a trend level in both our full sample and BIPOC subsample. In our BIPOC subsample, traumatic events experienced moderated the relationship between PD and AC to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; SN), such that greater traumatic experiences predicted stronger positive associations between PD and this connection. Results suggest PD impacts neural connections in early life, highlighting the need to consider the impact of discrimination on risk for psychopathology.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

The vaginal microbiota, symptoms, and local immune correlates in transmasculine individuals using sustained testosterone therapy

Transmasculine individuals (assigned female at birth, masculine gender identity, TM) may use gender-affirming testosterone therapy, and some TM report adverse genital symptoms during treatment. In cis women, the vaginal microbiota is a key determinant of reproductive and sexual health outcomes; Lactobacillus-dominant communities are considered optimal, while more even, diverse, Lactobacillus-depleted microbiota are considered non-optimal. Prior studies suggest Lactobacillus deficiency in TM vaginal microbiota, but associations with symptoms and immune markers remain unclear. We launched the TransBiota study to characterize the TM vaginal microbiota, soluble mediators of local inflammation (SMI), and self-reported symptoms over three weeks. Fewer than 10% of TM possessed Lactobacillus-dominant microbiota, and most exhibited more diverse, Lactobacillus-depleted microbiota. We identified 11 vaginal microbiota community state types (tmCSTs), with Lactobacillus-dominant tmCSTs unexpectedly linked to abnormal odor and elevated IL-1. These findings indicate that Lactobacillus dominance may no longer be an optimal state for TM during gender-affirming testosterone therapy and change in clinical management is needed.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2025

The Neovaginal Microbiota, Symptoms, and Local Immune Correlates in Transfeminine Individuals with Penile Inversion Vaginoplasty

Transfeminine people (assigned male at birth) often undergo penile inversion vaginoplasty to create vulva, a clitoris and a vaginal canal (referred to as a neovagina). After vaginoplasty, transfeminine people frequently experience gynecological concerns but their etiology is unknown due to a lack of knowledge of the neovaginal microenvironment. We characterized neovaginal microbiota and cytokines in 47 transfeminine participants. Participants self-reported sexual behaviors and symptoms, enabling correlation with bacterial (16S rRNA) and immune profiles. Four distinct clusters of co-occurring bacteria with unique immune profiles were identified. One cluster, which included Fastidiosipila, Ezakiella, and Murdochiella, was abundant, stable, and correlated with lower cytokines. Conversely, another cluster containing Howardella, Parvimonas, Fusobacterium, and Lawsonella was linked to higher cytokines. Although Lactobacillus was detected, Lactobacillus-dominance was rare. These findings underscore the need for evidence-based clinical guidelines tailored to transfeminine gynecologic care, emphasizing the vital role of the neovaginal microbiome in symptom management and sexual health.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Impacts of radiation on the bacterial and fungal microbiome of small mammals in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone

Environmental impacts of the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident are much debated, but the effects of radiation on host microbiomes has received little attention to date. We present the first analysis of small mammal gut microbiome from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in relation to total absorbed dose rate and including caecum as well as faeces sample. The associations between microbiome communities and radiation exposure varied between host species. Associations between microbiome and radiation was different for analyses based on ambient versus total weighted absorbed dose rates. We found considerable variation between patterns for faecal and gut samples of bank voles, suggesting faecal samples are not an accurate indicator of gut composition. For bank vole guts, associations between radiation and bacterial community composition were robust against geographical and habitat variation. We found limited associations between radiation and fungal communities. Host physiological mechanisms or environmental factors may be driving these patterns.

ecology↗