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Background: Psychological resilience is known as a protective factor against mental health disorders for which valid measures are indispensable. The present work aims to evaluate the Resilience Scale-5 (RS-5) psychometrically, and provide norm values. Methods: Data from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS), encompassing 7,496 participants aged 25 to 86, spanning the years 2017 to 2022, was used. Selectivity, item difficulty, internal consistency, construct and factor validity, as well as factorial invariance were tested. Additionally, correlations and associations with depression, anxiety, and sociodemographic factors were determined. Furthermore, norm values were provided. Results: The RS-5 displayed robust psychometric properties. Participants reported an average resilience score of 28.94 (SD = 5.53, median = 30, IQR = 6, range = 5–35), with those aged ≥75 exhibiting the highest resilience levels (M = 30.21, SD = 5.75, median = 32, IQR = 7). The RS-5 displayed a very good model fit, affirming measurement invariance across sex and age decades. Construct validity found support through anticipated intercorrelations with related psychological constructs. Significant correlations (p <.001) linked higher resilience with female gender, advanced age, higher education, elevated household income, and diminished psychological distress. Conclusion: The RS-5 emerged as a reliable and economic instrument for assessing psychological resilience in individuals aged 25 to 86. The study unraveled distinct sociodemographic characteristics significantly tied to resilience levels within this cohort. In contributing recent norm values tailored to the German population, this research enhances the practical applicability of the RS-5 across diverse contexts and enriches our comprehension of the demographic nuances associated with psychological resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini show potential for patient health education, but concerns about their accuracy require careful evaluation. This study evaluates the readability and accuracy of ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini in answering questions about retinal detachment. Methods: Comparative study analyzing responses from ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini to 13 retinal detachment questions, categorized by difficulty levels (D1, D2, D3). Masked responses were reviewed by ten vitreoretinal specialists and rated on correctness, errors, thematic accuracy, coherence, and overall quality grading. Analysis included Flesch Readability Ease Score, word and sentence counts. Results: Both Artificial Intelligence tools required college-level understanding for all difficulty levels. Google Gemini was easier to understand (p = 0.03), while ChatGPT-4 provided more correct answers for the more difficult questions (p = 0.0005) with fewer serious errors. ChatGPT-4 scored highest on most challenging questions, showing superior thematic accuracy (p = 0.003). ChatGPT-4 outperformed Google Gemini in 8 of 13 questions, with higher overall quality grades in the easiest (p = 0.03) and hardest levels (p = 0.0002), showing a lower grade as question difficulty increased. Conclusions: ChatGPT-4 and Google Gemini effectively address queries about retinal detachment, offering mostly accurate answers with few critical errors, though patients require higher education for comprehension. The implementation of AI tools may contribute to improving medical care by providing accurate and relevant healthcare information quickly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Peripheral hypertrophic subepithelial corneal opacification (PHSCO) is a corneal disease that may severely affect vision. The major goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that tear secretion, medication and systemic diseases are associated with PHSCO. Methods: This is a retrospective, case–control study conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. We analysed medical records of patients diagnosed with PHSCO. Sex, age, Schirmer's test II, general medication and medical history were assessed and compared to an age‐ and sex‐matched control group from the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). Results: One hundred ninety‐five eyes of 112 patients with PHSCO were included. Eighty‐eight patients were female with a mean age of 55.3 ± 14.7 years (23–89 years) and 24 patients were male with a mean age of 59.3 ± 12.6 years (38–84 years). In 83 patients (74.1%) both eyes were involved. The Schirmer's test II was significantly reduced in patients with PHSCO compared to the GHS control group (p < 0.001). Patients with PHSCO were more frequently administered artificial tears and steroid eye drops (p < 0.001) and were more hyperopic than healthy controls (p = 0.01). Systemic diseases or medication did not differ markedly between PHSCO and healthy controls. Conclusion: Reduced tear secretion and more frequent use of artificial tears in patients with PHSCO suggest a link between PHSCO and dry eye disease. The results of the study do not support our hypothesis that PHSCO is associated with systemic diseases. Interestingly, patients with PHSCO were less frequently on β‐blockers than control subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory trials were carried out to investigate the development of three entomophagous parasitoid wasps in preimaginal stages of Sarcophaga dux in monoinfections and mixed infections. Laboratory-raised postfeeding S. dux third-stage larvae were exposed to Brachymeria podagrica. After pupation, 50 of these fly puparia were brought in contact with pupal parasitoid Dirhinus himalayanus and 50 with Nasonia vitripennis, and the remaining 50 puparia were left as Brachymeria monoinfection. In three further trials, each set of 50 freshly pupated host puparia from the same source was exposed to N. vitripennis and D. himalayanus, as monoinfections and mixed infections, respectively. The uninfected control group consisted of 50 S. dux larvae that were kept separately under the same conditions. The percentages of successfully developed B. podagrica and D. himalayanus in monoinfections were 56 and 86%, respectively, and progeny of N. vitripennis hatched from 88% of the exposed host puparia. In mixed infections, N. vitripennis dominated over B. podagrica and D. himalayanus with rates of successfully infected hosts of 50 and 94%, respectively. The number of Nasonia progeny in these groups ranged from 4 to 49 and 5 to 43, respectively. Dirhinus himalayanus did not develop in the simultaneous infection with N. vitripennis. Not a single S. dux eclosed in the six experimental groups, while in the uninfected control group, 46 (92%) adult flies eclosed 11 to 14 days after the start of pupation. Since the three parasitoids emerge from flesh fly pupae, these insects can become important in criminal forensic investigations when corpses are in an advanced stage of decay. More data on their preimaginal development at different temperatures are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the association between self-reported birth weight (BW) and the prevalence of hypertensive retinopathy (HR) in a large population-based cohort in Germany, as part of the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS). The study involved analyzing fundus photographs of 6855 participants, aged 35 to 74, to assess signs of HR, classified according to the Mitchell-Wong Classification. The research aimed to explore the correlation between fetal growth restriction indicated by BW and the frequency of HR. The results showed that the frequency of HR did not significantly differ among groups with different BW ranges. In the univariable analysis, HR was initially associated with high BW, but this association disappeared after adjusting for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. No association was found between low BW and HR. The study reveals novel insights as there are no prior population-based studies specifically exploring this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The Oldenburg Sentence Test (OLSA) is a German matrix test designed to determine speech recognition thresholds (SRT). It is widely used for hearing-aids and cochlear implant fitting, but an age-adjusted standard is still lacking. In addition, knowing that the ability to concentrate is an important factor in OLSA performance, we hypothesized that OLSA performance would depend on the time of day it was administered. The aim of this study was to propose an age standardization for the OLSA and to determine its diurnal performance. Methods: The Gutenberg Health Study is an ongoing population-based study and designed as a single-centre observational, prospective cohort study. Participants were interviewed about common otologic symptoms and tested with pure-tone audiometry and OLSA. Two groups—subjects with and without hearing loss—were established. The OLSA was performed in two runs. The SRT was evaluated for each participant. Results were characterized by age in 5-year cohorts, gender and speech recognition threshold (SRT). A time stamp with an hourly interval was also implemented. Results: The mean OLSA SRT was − 6.9 ± 1.0 dB (group 1 male) and − 7.1 ± 0.8 dB (group 1 female) showing an inverse relationship with age in the whole cohort, whereas a linear increase was observed in those without hearing loss. OLSA-SRT values increased more in males than in females with increasing age. No statistical significance was found for the diurnal performance. Conclusions: A study with 2900 evaluable Oldenburg Sentence Tests is a novelty and representative for the population of Mainz and its surroundings. We postulate an age- and gender-standardized scale for the evaluation of the OLSA. In fact, with an intergroup standard deviation (of about 1.5 dB) compared to the age dependence of 0.7 dB/10 years, this age normalization should be considered as clinically relevant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm birth is a risk factor for a variety of detrimental health outcomes. Previous studies have identified recalled (or remembered) parental rearing behaviour as a potential modifier of preterm individuals' mental health in adulthood. However, no investigations to date have contrasted the parents' and children's views, explored whether their congruence is associated with preterm individuals' mental health, or tested associations with maternal self-reported first skin-on-skin contact. Methods: This cohort study involved 199 participants of the Gutenberg Prematurity Eye Study (GPES), with prospective clinical examination and psychological assessment data available for individuals born preterm and term and their mothers' perspective on recalled parental rearing behaviour. Participants also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Results: There were substantial similarities between reported recalled maternal rearing behaviour of individuals born preterm and at term and their mothers, with individuals born preterm with lower gestational age (age of the pregnancy from the woman's last menstrual period) recalling mothers as comparatively more controlling and overprotective. Incongruence in recalled rejection/punishment was associated with more depressive symptoms. Late first skin-to-skin contact was related to more recalled maternal rejection/punishment, less emotional warmth, and more control/overprotection. Conclusions: this study expands the knowledge about the interrelations of preterm birth, maternal rearing behaviour, and mental health, underscoring the relevance of first relationship experiences, including close intimate contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Intrauterine growth restriction leading to a birth weight (BW) which is too low for gestational age (GA) is a known risk factor for various altered organ morphologies and dysfunction in later life. This study aimed to determine for the first time the effects of being small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) on the ocular geometry of adults born at term. Methods: All participants were examined with optical biometry (LenStar 900, Haag Streit) to compare the corneal curvature, white‐to‐white distance, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and axial length between former moderate (BW percentile 3rd to <10th) and severe (BW <3rd percentile) SGA, controls (BW 10th‐90th percentile) and former moderate (BW >90th to 97th percentile) and severe (BW >97th percentile) LGA. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyse associations with GA, BW percentile categories, placental insufficiency, preeclampsia and breastfeeding after adjustment for age and sex. Results: In total, 589 eyes of 296 individuals born at term (aged 30.0 ± 9.4 years, 156 females) were examined, including 40 severe SGA, 38 moderate SGA, 140 with normal BW, 38 moderate LGA and 40 severe LGA. There was an association between a steeper corneal curvature with moderate (B = −0.201; p < 0.001) and severe SGA (B = −0.199; p < 0.001), with extreme SGA associated with smaller white‐to‐white (B = −0.263; p = 0.001) and a shorter axial length (B = −0.524; p = 0.031). Conclusions: Severe and moderate prenatal growth restriction in adults born at term leads to an altered ocular geometry, namely a steepening of the cornea and a smaller corneal diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate whether prematurity and perinatal stress exert long-term effects on the onset of panic disorder in later life. From 40,189 adults born in Germany between 1969 and 2002, a study cohort (n = 427) stratified by gestational age (GA) (extremely preterm: GA < 29 weeks; very preterm: GA 29–32 weeks; moderately preterm: GA 33–36 weeks; and full-term GA ≥ 37 weeks) was selected (age 28.5 ± 8.7 years). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate associations between gestational age at birth and panic disorder adjusting for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and perinatal factors. The prevalence of panic disorder was roughly equal in moderate to very preterm and full-term birth groups at 1.9%–3.8%. However, this rate significantly increased to 14.3% in the extreme preterm category (GA <2 9: 14.3 %, p = 0.002). In multivariable analyses, female gender and GA were independently associated with panic disorder. Adjusting for age, gender and socioeconomic status, panic disorder was associated with lower GA at birth (OR = 1.12 per week (CI95%: 1.01–1.26, p = 0.037). Whereas adjustment for nutrition status or indicators of perinatal stress had no effect, correction for the length of postnatal ICU-stay eliminated the association between preterm birth and later panic disorder. Limitations include the small number of cases and the reliance on questionnaires to assess mental status. Prematurity likely increases the risk of panic disorder later in life, and the subsequent postnatal ICU-stay appears to be of critical importance. However, due to strong collinearity and other associated factors with preterm births, it remains unclear which is the primary determinant. [Display omitted] • Retrospective cohort study with prospective clinical and psychological assessment. • Extreme prematurity was associated with an increased prevalence of panic disorder later in life. • Persons born extremely preterm had a 4-fold higher prevalence of panic disorder. • Intensive care stay drives the association between prematurity and panic disorder onset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study on the postnatal environmental factors associated with corneal shaping in individuals born preterm and full-term. The study found that a longer stay in the incubator and increased time in the intensive care unit were linked to steeper corneal morphology, while postnatal temperature did not have a significant impact. The findings suggest that factors related to prematurity during incubator and ICU stays may affect corneal development. However, the study has limitations, such as being a single-center study and taking place several decades after birth. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the potential impact of low birthweight on macular morphology in individuals born at term. Previous studies have shown that low birthweight is associated with increased foveal thickness in individuals born preterm. However, it is unclear whether this effect is solely due to preterm birth or if it is also influenced by perinatal hypotrophy in individuals born small-for-gestational age (SGA). This study aimed to explore the association between fetal growth restriction in individuals born at term and various macular parameters. The results showed no significant differences in macular morphology between different birthweight groups, suggesting that macular developmental alterations are more likely a consequence of prematurity rather than perinatal growth indicated by birthweight. [Extracted from the article]

Although the effect of early childhood stress on central nervous pain processing is well known, studies on the association of prematurity and chronic pain are scarce. This study used data from a single-centre retrospective cohort study followed by a prospective clinical examination and pain assessment. The study was based on data from the local birth registry. Newborns born between 1969 and 2002 who had reached adulthood were eligible .. Using a selection algorithm, a study cohort stratified by gestational age (GA) was recruited. Chronic pain conditions were assessed using questionnaire and standardized pain drawings. Data on the pre-, peri- and postnatal clinical course was assessed from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate associations between prematurity and chronic pain with adjustment for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and perinatal stress factors. 427 participants born preterm and full-term were included (age 28.5 ± 8.7 years). Chronic pain conditions were similarly common between groups with different levels of prematurity (GA ≥ 37 weeks: 34.5 %, GA33-36 weeks: 37.6 %, GA32-29 weeks: 25.2 %, GA < 29 weeks: 30.4 %, p = 0.20). In multivariable analyses, no association between low GA and the presence of chronic pain was found (OR = 0.99 (CI95 %: 0.94-1.04, p = 0.63); this was also true for a subanalysis of widespread pain. While neither fetal nutritional status nor perinatal stressors were associated with pain, exposure to maternal but not paternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with increased risk to develop pain (OR = 2.77 (CI95 %: 1.31-5.88, p = 0.008) in adults born preterm and full-term. This study suggests that prematurity by itself does not increase the risk of chronic pain later in life, but provides preliminary evidence for maternal smoking during pregnancy as risk factor., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The Gutenberg Prematurity Study was supported by the Ernst und Berta-Grimmke Stiftung, Stufe 1 support of the UM and the Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung. Tesarz J received support by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1158 and by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (PerPAIN consortium, FKZ:01EC1904A). Schuster AK holds the professorship for ophthalmic healthcare research endowed by “Stiftung Auge” and financed by “Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft” and “Berufsverband der Augenärzte Deutschlands e.V.”. Pfeiffer N receives financial support and grants from Novartis, Ivantis, Santen, Thea, Boehringer Ingelheim Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Alcon, and Sanoculis. Schuster AK receives research support from Allergan, Bayer, Heidelberg Engineering, PlusOptix and Norvartis. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The submitted manuscript does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s). The authors report no conflict of interest. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party directly or indirectly related to the subject of this manuscript. During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used natural language processing software (ChatGPT, deepl.com, SciteAI). After using this tools, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)