Search

Abstract Purpose Emerging research evidence suggests positive relationships between higher screen time and eating disorders. However, few studies have examined the prospective associations between screen use and eating disorder symptoms in early adolescents and how problematic screen use may contribute to symptom development. Methods We analyzed prospective cohort data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 10,246, 2016–2020, ages 9–14). Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the longitudinal associations between baseline self-reported screen time and eating disorder symptoms in year two. Logistic regression analyses were also used to estimate cross-sectional associations between problematic screen use in year two (either problematic social media or mobile phone use) and eating disorder symptoms in year two. Eating disorder symptoms based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS-5) included fear of weight gain, self-worth tied to weight, engaging in compensatory behaviors, binge eating, and distress with binge eating. Results Each additional hour of total screen time and social media use was associated with higher odds of fear of weight gain, self-worth tied to weight, compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, binge eating, and distress with binge eating two years later (odds ratio [OR] 1.05–1.55). Both problematic social media and mobile phone use were associated with higher odds of all eating disorder symptoms (OR 1.26–1.82). Conclusions Findings suggest greater total screen time, social media use, and problematic screen use are associated with more eating disorder symptoms in early adolescence. Clinicians should consider assessing for problem screen use and, when high, screen for disordered eating. Level of evidence Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Abstract Background Despite previous studies highlighting the benefits of social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly under lockdown, limited research has identified the potential detrimental consequences of social media use during lockdown. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of social media on mental health in particular situations and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods A daily diary protocol was adopted. A total of 96 adults (M age = 25.90 ± 8.32 years) were recruited from Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. COVID-19-related social media use, psychological distress, COVID-19-related stress and anxiety, and disordered eating were measured each day for a week. Multilevel path analyses for the nested data were conducted. Results Daily COVID-19-related social media use was positively related to daily disordered eating (r = .13 p

Abstract Background Binge-eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder phenotype and is linked to several negative health outcomes. Yet, little is known about the social epidemiology of BED, particularly in early adolescence. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and BED and binge-eating behaviors in a large, national cohort of 10–14-year-old adolescents in the United States (U.S.) Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of two-year follow-up data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (2018 − 2020) that included 10,197 early adolescents (10 − 14 years, mean 12 years) in the U.S. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and BED and binge-eating behaviors, defined based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia. Results In this early adolescent sample (48.8% female, 54.0% White, 19.8% Latino/Hispanic, 16.1% Black, 5.4% Asian, 3.2% Native American, 1.5% Other), the prevalence of BED and binge-eating behaviors were 1.0% and 6.3%, respectively. Identifying as gay or bisexual (compared to heterosexual; adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.25, 95% CI 1.01–5.01) and having a household income of less than $75,000 (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.21–3.46) were associated with greater odds of BED. Being male (AOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.06–1.55), of Native American (AOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01–2.55) descent, having a household income less than $75,000 (AOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.08–1.65), or identifying as gay or bisexual (AOR for ‘Yes’ Response: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.31–2.91 and AOR for ‘Maybe’ Response: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.19–2.76) were all associated with higher odds of binge-eating behaviors. Conclusion Several sociodemographic variables showed significant associations with binge-eating behaviors, which can inform targeted screening, prevention, and education campaigns for BED among early adolescents.

Abstract Body talk has received increasing research attention in recent years, with accumulating evidence supporting the link between body talk and eating and body image disturbances. However, research on body talk in China is still relatively scarce and generally focused on fat talk, especially in women, and much remains unknown about muscle talk and positive body talk for both Chinese women and men. To promote a better understanding of body talk in the Chinese context, the present study adapted the Body Talk Scale (BTS) into Chinese Mandarin (i.e., C-BTS) and evaluated the factor structure and psychometric properties of the C-BTS in Chinese adult women and men. The English version of the BTS was translated into Chinese Mandarin with standard procedures. With 300 Chinese women (M age = 29.48 years, SD = 7.26) and 300 men (M age = 29.36 years, SD = 6.81), we examined the factor structure and gender invariance of the C-BTS, as well as internal consistency reliability, test–retest reliability, and construct validity, including convergent, concurrent, and incremental validity of the C-BTS. The results indicated that, consistent with the development study of the BTS, the C-BTS had three subscales (i.e., Negative Fat Talk, Negative Muscle Talk, and Positive Body Talk) and good reliability and validity. The findings demonstrate that the C-BTS can be a useful measure of body talk in both Chinese women and men.

Abstract Background Racial and ethnic discrimination are known stressors and are associated with negative psychological and physical health outcomes. Previous studies have found relationships between racial/ethnic discrimination and binge-eating disorder (BED), though they have mainly focused on adult populations. The aim of this study was to determine associations between racial/ethnic discrimination and BED in a large, national cohort study of early adolescents. We further sought to explore associations between the racial/ethnic discrimination perpetrator (students, teachers, or other adults) and BED. Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 11,075, 2018–2020). Logistic regression analyses examined associations between self-reported experiences of racial or ethnic discrimination and binge-eating behaviors and diagnosis, adjusting for potential confounders. Racial/ethnic discrimination measures were assessed based on the Perceived Discrimination Scale, which measures experiences of discrimination based on race/ethnicity and frequency of ethnic discrimination by teachers, adults outside of school, and students. Binge-eating behaviors and diagnosis were based on the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSAD-5). Results In this racially diverse sample of adolescents (N = 11,075, age range 9–12 years), 4.7% of adolescents reported racial or ethnic discrimination and 1.1% met the criteria for BED. In the adjusted models, racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with 3 times higher odds of having BED (OR 3.31, CI 1.66–7.74). Further, experiences of ethnic discrimination by students and adults outside school were associated with significantly increased odds of BED diagnosis (OR 1.36, CI 1.10–1.68 and OR 1.42 CI 1.06–1.90, respectively)., Increased odds of binge eating behaviors were only significantly associated with ethnic discrimination perpetuated by students (OR 1.12, CI 1.02–1.23). Conclusions Children and adolescents who have experienced racial/ethnic discrimination, particularly when discrimination was perpetuated by other students, have higher odds of having binge-eating behaviors and diagnoses. Clinicians may consider screening for racial discrimination and providing anti-racist, trauma-informed care when evaluating and treating patients for BED.

Abstract Background Functionality appreciation, as an important aspect of positive image, is associated with fewer body image disturbances, fewer disordered eating behaviors, and improved psychological well-being. However, it has been under-researched in Asian countries. The current work aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS) among four Chinese samples of different ages, and further examine measurement invariance and differences of the FAS across gender and age groups. Methods Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA) were conducted to examine the factorial structure of the FAS among four Chinese samples of different ages, including middle school adolescents (n = 894, M age = 12.17 years), high school adolescents (n = 1347, M age = 15.07 years), young adults (n = 473, M age = 21.95 years), and older adults (n = 313, M age = 67.90 years). The measurement invariance of the FAS across gender and age was examined. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity were evaluated. Results The FAS had a unidimensional structure and was invariant across gender and age groups. The FAS presented sound psychometric properties in all age groups by gender, with good internal consistency reliability [e.g., high Cronbach’s α values (.91 ~ .97)] and good construct validity (e.g., significant associations with body appreciation, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating). Moreover, group comparisons showed minimal gender differences in functionality appreciation. However, significant age differences were found in functionality appreciation, with older ages generally associated with higher functionality appreciation. Conclusion Overall, findings suggest that the FAS is a sound instrument to be used in the Chinese context. Furthermore, functionality appreciation was found to be higher in older adults than adolescents or young adults, suggesting the potential important role of aging in functionality appreciation.

In this paper, we propose a method to compute the muon anomalous precession frequency through solving the wave functions of the Dirac equations straightforwardly. The Lorentz violation terms are also considered. Our method is different from the traditional two-step algorithm in the literature, with the first step to extract the anomalous magnetic momentum factors through the Fouldy-Wouthuysen transformation or Born approximation comparison methods regarding the muon particle as a “quantum” object, and the second step to utilize the Thomas-Bargmann-Michel-Telegdi formula regarding the muon particle as a “classical” point-like object. Compared with the literature, the method we developed is more consistent and the Lorentz violation terms are taken into account in a unified and straightforward frameset, and expand perturbatively up to the lowest non-trivial order and find out that only b3, c11, c22, H12′ and d30 affect the precession up to this order.

Abstract Background There is a lack of psychometrically sound measures to assess internalized weight and muscularity biases among Arabic-speaking people. To fill this gap, we sought to investigate the psychometric properties of Arabic translations of the Three-Item Short Form of the Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS-3) and the Muscularity Bias Internalization Scale (MBIS) in a sample of community adults. Methods A total of 402 Lebanese citizens and residents enrolled in this cross-sectional study (mean age: 24.46 years (SD = 6.60); 55.2% females). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted using the principal-axis factoring and oblimin rotation to estimate parameters and the parallel analysis to determine the number of factors. CFA was conducted using the weighted least square mean and variance adjusted estimator which was recommended for ordinal CFA. Results An Exploratory Factor Analysis of the WBIS-3 resulted in a robust single-factor solution for the three items. An examination of the factorial structure of the MBIS revealed a two-factor structure, which showed adequate model fit. We obtained excellent internal consistency as indicated by McDonald’s ω coefficients of .87 for the WBIS-3 total score and ranging between .92 and .95 for the MBIS two factor scores. Cross-sex invariance of the MBIS was confirmed at the configural, metric, and scalar levels. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between the WBIS-3 and MBIS. Divergent and concurrent validity were approved by showing small to medium correlations between MBIS/WBIS-3 scores and muscle dysmorphia, disordered eating symptoms, and body image concerns. Conclusion Findings suggest that the Arabic versions of the WBIS-3 and MBIS are suitable for use in Arabic-speaking adults.

Plain English Summary Muscle dysmorphic disorder (MDD) refers to an important muscularity-oriented dimension related to eating disorder (ED) symptoms and body image disturbances. One widely used self-report measure to assess the MDD construct is the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI). Despite its high clinical relevance, MDD has not been previously investigated in the Lebanese context and among the Arabic-speaking communities in general. Indeed, the multiple scales assessing ED symptomatology that have previously been translated to the Arabic language and adapted to the Lebanese population have been mainly focused on thinness-oriented ED; and no Arabic validation of muscularity-oriented body image and disordered eating symptoms measures, including the MDDI, exists so far to the best of our knowledge. To overcome this gap, the present study aimed to validate the Arabic version of the MDDI (Ar-MDDI) in a sample of Lebanese men university students. The findings showed that the AR-MDDI is robust in terms of reliability, factor structure, convergent and divergent validity. We, therefore, preliminarily recommend its use in clinical practice, preventive interventions and future research in Arab settings.

Plain English summary Previous studies have identified multiple risk factors of eating disorders that are related to emotion regulation and coping strategies in the Western context. However, most of these studies failed to describe any kind of hierarchy or interaction between risk factors that co-occur. To address this knowledge gap, the present study investigated a broad range of risk factors from the perspective of emotion regulation and then used a decision tree classification method to screen for EDs among young women in China. Results showed that body image inflexibility, psychological distress, and body dissatisfaction were the primary classifiers for Chinese women at high risk of EDs.

Science education is attracting increasing attention and many researchers focus on the issue about the attitude-achievement relationship in science, but there is still no consistent conclusion. By using a three-level meta-analytic approach, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between attitude toward science and academic achievement in learning science among primary and secondary school students, and to explore if some study characteristics could have contributed to the inconsistent findings with regard to this relationship as observed in the research literature. A total of 37 studies with 132 effect sizes involving a total of 1,042,537 participants were identified. The meta-analytic results revealed that there was an overall positive and moderate relationship between attitude toward science and learning achievement in science (r = 0.248, p < 0.001). The results further found that this association was moderated by the type of attitude and larger effect sizes were shown in self-efficacy than in interest, societal relevance of attitude toward science, and mixed attitude. Moreover, the effect sizes of studies with unstandardized measure to assess science achievement were larger than those with standardized measure. Possible explanations for these findings and its implications for future research directions were also discussed in this review.

Body dissatisfaction and eating disorders have become major global concerns, including in Asian populations. Few studies have examined intervention effects on body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in China, especially for interventions with positive psychological perspectives (e.g., intuitive eating). In this pilot study, 66 women participated in an eight-module intuitive eating intervention delivered online (n = 42; mean age, 30.74 years) and face-to-face (n = 24; mean age, 19.46 years) for 8 weeks. Measures of body image and eating behaviors were used to assess the intervention’s feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the data. The intervention had significant effects on both groups, promoting positive body image and intuitive eating and reducing negative body image and disordered eating behaviors. The effects of the online and face-to-face interventions did not differ significantly. Thus, whether delivered online or face-to-face, an intuitive eating intervention may effectively improve Chinese women’s body image and eating behaviors. However, the efficacy of the intuitive intervention in the Chinese context should be confirmed in future studies with designs in randomized control trials.

Dieting and disinhibited eating patterns are presented in both clinical and nonclinical samples. Repetitive negative thinking (i.e., rumination) may lead to maladaptive eating behaviors. While numerous studies have focused on dieting and disinhibited eating behaviors in clinical samples, less is known about these behaviors in nonclinical samples with normal body weight. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore how dieting, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating are related to rumination in adult women with normal body weight. One hundred eighty-eight women (Mage = 29.46 ± 8.94; MBMI = 23.16 ± 4.04) were involved in the current study. The Eating Attitudes Test, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 and the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire were administered to the participants. The results showed that repetitive negative thinking was a partial mediator in the relationship between dieting and uncontrolled eating, as well as in the relationship between dieting and emotional eating. Targeting repetitive negative thinking may be important for reducing disinhibited eating patterns in women with normal body weight.

Food intake has been shown to be related to several environmental factors including the presence of music. However, previous findings of the relationship between music and food intake are inconsistent. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively review the extent to which music is associated with food intake as well as to investigate potential moderators that might have contributed to the heterogeneity of the existing findings. Literature was searched on four databases (i.e., PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses) and Google Scholar. Nine articles published from 1989 to 2020 met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was carried out via a three-level random-effects model. The overall effect size (i.e., Hedges’ g) was 0.19 (95% Confidence Interval: −0.003, 0.386; SE = 0.10, t = 1.99, p = 0.054), indicating a marginally significant but small effect size. Body Mass Index (F(1, 21) = 5.11, p = 0.035) was found to significantly contribute to the heterogeneity of effect sizes, with larger positive effects of music on food intake for individuals with higher BMI. However, music-related features did not significantly moderate the relationship between music and food intake. More experimental studies are needed to update the current meta-analysis and get a better understanding of this topic.

Individuals with Internet gaming disorder (IGD) show deficits in face processing due to long-term Internet-game social activities based on cartoon faces in the popular online game "Strike of Kings." However, the abnormal neurocognitive mechanism of face recognition and processing in individuals with IGD has not been systematically explored. This study used event-related potential (ERP) methods and the reversed deviant-standard oddball paradigm to comprehensively compare four ERP components, namely, P100, N170, P200, and mismatch negativity (MMN), induced in the unconscious and automatic processing of realistic and cartoon faces in individuals with IGD. Results showed that, with respect to cartoon faces, individuals with IGD exhibited not only P100, P200 and MMN enhancements but also the absence of the N170 dominance effect in the left hemisphere. Our results also demonstrated that individuals with IGD had the advantages of early automatic perception of cartoon faces and automatic detection of changes in "cartoon" features. This study enhances our understanding of the mechanism of IGD from the neurocognitive perspective and provides candidate electrophysiological indicators for the clinical diagnosis of IGD.

Sleep quality, diet quality, and physical activity are significant factors influencing physical and mental health. However, few studies have explored their underlying mechanisms, especially among the elderly population in East Asia, where people have food culture and lifestyles distinct from those living in Western countries. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the relationships among sleep quality, diet quality, physical activity, and physical and mental health in a Chinese elderly sample. Sleep quality, diet quality, physical activity, physical health, and mental health were investigated among 313 Chinese elderly (aged 51–92 years, M = 67.90, SD = 7.94). Mediation analysis was used to examine the empirical model based on previous theories and literature. Close positive relationships were observed between all factors investigated (r = 0.22~0.73, p < 0.001). The relationships between sleep quality and physical and mental health were partially mediated by diet quality and physical activity. In clinical interventions, sleep quality, diet quality, and physical activity can be targeted to improve physical and mental health among the older adult populations.

Given the lack of cultural consideration of studies on digital natives, this study reports on a large-scale validation of the Digital Native Assessment Scale (DNAS) among university students from three regions of Greater China: Chinese mainland, Macau, and Taiwan, to examine measurement invariance and latent mean differences in the four constructs of the DNAS, grew up with technology, comfortable with multitasking, reliant on graphics for communication, and thrive on instant gratifications and rewards. The results from 5198 participants revealed the DNAS has a stable factorial structure and is valid in measuring students' digital nativity. The DNAS achieved a strong/scalar measurement invariance among students from the three regions in each of the four factors. Latent mean difference tests suggested that Macau students had significantly higher levels on all four constructs than those from the mainland, with small to medium effects; and the latent means of Taiwanese students were significantly higher than those of mainland students in three constructs (i.e. Tech, Multi, and Graphics), with small to large effects. Discussions of the findings were provided by taking into account the historical, economic, and cultural backgrounds of the three regions.

This study aimed to examine the patterns of, as well as the predictors for, Chinese adolescents’ food preferences. Using the national data of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), we analyzed the data of 697 adolescents in the age range of 12 to 17 years. Latent class analysis revealed four types of food preferences: varied diet (37.09%, n = 254), avoiding vegetables (19.69%, n = 131), low appetite (7.56%, n = 50), and healthy diet (35.66%, n = 222). Major predictors for food preferences included demographic variables (e.g., gender, urban versus rural residence), nutrition knowledge, preference for activities, and social attitudes. Results did not show any significant differences in BMI z-scores among the four latent classes. However, there were significant differences in the number of sleeping hours among the classes.

This study examined the digital nativity of university teachers in China and tested the factor structure and measurement invariance from exploratory structural equation modelling analyses of the Digital Native Assessment Scale (DNAS) developed by Teo [(2013). An initial development and validation of a digital natives assessment scale (DNAS). Computers & Education, 67, 51-57]. Data were collected from 502 university teachers from 11 Chinese universities. The results indicate that Chinese university teachers demonstrate "digital native" characteristics. The results also support the measurement invariance of the DNAS across age, teaching experience, years of technology use, and years of teaching with technology. This study is the first in the digital native literature to examine the digital nativity of teacher cohorts using the DNAS. It addresses the issue of age when characterising digital natives and enriches our understanding of digital natives by empirically proving the validity of the DNAS in measuring teachers' digital nativity in China. This study also has implications for policy makers who develop technologyrelated education policies and design continuing professional development training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on findings from an ongoing research project exploring Chinese EFL teachers' conceptions of assessment and their classroom assessment practices, as well as to examine the relationship between these two. The sample for the study consisted of 107 EFL teachers from 18 secondary schools who completed a Chinese version of the Teachers' Conceptions of Assessment inventory (Brown, Hui, Yu, & Kennedy, 2011) and the Classroom Assessment Practices Questionnaire modified from Assessment Practices Inventory (Zhang & Burry-Stock, 2003). This study found that Chinese EFL teachers strongly associated assessment as a means of improving students' EFL learning' with assessment as a means of cultivating positive moral and personal character contributing to students' lifelong learning and good citizenship. Results also showed that although there existed some level of alignment of teaching and assessment in the classroom, traditional assessment practices rather than alternative assessment such as student self-assessment were seen by the EFL teachers as contributing to students' learning and making individual and school accountable, which is potentially a matter of some concern if innovative assessment reform that avoids using mandated external examinations is to be carried out in the Chinese EFL classroom. Implications of the results for Chinese EFL teacher assessment literacy development are also discussed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Impact of Weight on Quality of Life for Kids(IWQOL-Kids) is the first self-report questionnaire for assessing weight-related quality of life for youth. However, there is no Chinese version of IWQOL-Kids. Thus, the objective of this research was to translate IWQOL-Kids into Mandarin and evaluate its psychometric properties in a large school-based sample. Methods The total sample included 2282 participants aged 11 -18 years old, including 1703 non-overweight, 386 overweight and 193 obese students. IWQOL-Kids was translated and culturally adapted by following the international guidelines for instrument linguistic validation procedures. The psychometric evaluation included internal consistency, test-retest reliability, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), convergent validity and discriminant validity. Results Cronbach's a for the Chinese version of IWQOL-Kids (IWQOL-Kids-C) was 0.956 and ranged from 0.891 to 0.927 for subscales. IWQOL-Kids-C showed a test-retest coefficient of 0.937 after 2 weeks and ranged from 0.847 to 0.903 for subscales. The original four-factor model was reproduced by EFA after seven iterations, accounting for 69.28% of the total variance. CFA demonstrated that the four-factor model had good fit indices with comparative fit index = 0.92, normed fit index = 0.91, goodness of fit index = 0.86, root mean square error of approximation = 0.07 and root mean square residual = 0.03. Convergent validity and discriminant validity were demonstrated with higher correlations between similar constructs and lower correlations between dissimilar constructs of IWQOL-Kids-C and PedsQL™ 4.0. The significant differences were found across the body mass index groups, and IWQOL-Kids-C had higher effect sizes than PedsQL™4.0 when comparing non-overweight and obese groups, supporting the sensitivity of IWQOL-Kids-C. Conclusions IWQOL-Kids-C is a satisfactory, valid and reliable instrument to assess weight-related quality of life for Chinese children and adolescents aged 11-18 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive study of the factors that affect the interfacial assembly of bionanoparticles at the oil/water (O/W) interface is reported. Bionanoparticles, such as viruses, have distinctive structural properties due to the unique arrangement of their protein structures. The assembly process of such bionanoparticles at interfaces is governed by factors including the ionic strength and pH of the aqueous layer, concentration of the particles, and nature of the oil phase. This study highlights the impact of these factors on the interfacial assembly of bionanoparticles at the O/W interface using native turnip yellow mosaic virus (TYMV) as the prototype. Robust monolayer assemblies of TYMV were produced by self-assembly at the O/W interface using emulsions and planar interfaces. TYMV maintained its structure and integrity under different assembly conditions. For the emulsion droplets, they were fully covered with TYMV as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning force microscopy (SFM). Tensiometry and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) further supported this finding. Although the emulsions offered a complete coverage by TYMV particles, they lacked long-range ordering due to rapid exchange at the interface. By altering the assembly process, highly ordered, hexagonal arrays of TYMV were obtained at planar O/W interfaces. The pH, ionic strength, and viscosity of the solution played a crucial role in enhancing the lateral ordering of TYMV assembled at the planar O/W interface. This interfacial ordering of TYMV particles was further stabilized by introduction of a positively charged dehydroabietyl amine (DHAA) in the organic phase which held the assembly together by electrostatic interactions. The long-range array formation was observed using TEM and SFM. The results presented here illustrate that the interfacial assembly at the O/W interface is a versatile approach to achieve highly stable self-assembled structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Headache is a common symptom and disease. Cervicogenic headache (CH) is a common type of headache that can be effectively treated with both manual therapy (MT) and dry needling (DN). However, the results of MT plus DN (MDN) for CH remain controversial. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of MDN for CH. Methods: A systematic search from database inception to June 1, 2023 on clinical outcome of MDN and MT in the treatment of CH was conducted. Four databases were searched, including Pubmed (Medline), Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library related randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Main outcomes included numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) in the post-treatment, the first month and the third month, extension and flexion in the post-treatment, headache frequency in the first month and the third month, neck disability index (NDI) in the first month and the third month. Results: Three studies involving 263 patients out of 68 studies were conducted. The pooled data showed that there was significant differences in NPRS in the post-treatment, the first month and the third month, extension in the post-treatment, flexion in the post-treatment between MDN group and MT group, but there was no statistically significant difference in the headache frequency in the first month and the third month, NDI in the first month and the third month. Conclusion: Current evidence suggests that MDN may be superior to MT in improving NPRS, extension, and flexion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]