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Empathy is a key skill in the daily life of preschoolers, and it is important to understand how it evolves during this crucial period of development. This paper includes two studies. The first study, which had a cross-sectional design, examined affective, cognitive, and behavioral empathy in 354 children (aged from 3 to 6 years) through a performance-based measure and questionnaires completed by their mothers. Although girls tended to have better affective empathy than boys on the performance-based task, no difference was noted in the mothers' perceptions of their children's empathy. Empathy dimensions varied depending on the age of the children. The hierarchical cluster analyses of the cases identified differentiated subgroups of children, according to their empathic skills in the three dimensions. The second study, which was longitudinal, used the same measures and investigated the developmental trajectory of empathy in 69 preschoolers over one year. The results showed that each empathic dimension predicted itself one year later, but did not predict the two others. The implications for potential interventions are emphasized in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals' gender development is influenced by the characteristics of personal and contextual environments. However, the role of sibling contexts in shaping gender norms has rarely been studied among Chinese youth at early adolescence as most of them were the only child. The aim of this paper is to compare perceived gender norms among adolescents aged 10–14 with different sibling configurations, to help inform and tailor guidance for sexual and reproductive health education in the future. We used the Global Early Adolescent Study baseline data collected from Shanghai, China. The sample for analysis was 1615 students. We used univariate analysis and multivariate ordinal logistic regression to compare perceived gender-stereotyped traits and gender role attitudes, stratified by age and sex. The results showed that sibling context was more influential for boys than girls at early adolescence in their gender socialization process. Among boys those who were with mixed-sex siblings scored higher on gender-stereotyped traits (ORonly-childvs. mixed-sex siblings = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48–0.94, p = 0.019; ORsame-sex siblingsvs. mixed-sex siblings = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37–0.96, p = 0.033). Younger early adolescents aged 10–12 who were the only child or who had mixed-sex siblings perceived more traditional gender role attitudes than those living with same-sex siblings (ORonly-childvs. same-sex siblings = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.06–2.75, p = 0.028; ORmixed-sex siblingsvs. same-sex siblings = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03–2.94, p = 0.037). Comprehensive sexuality education with gender and power components being well addressed, both in and out of the family, is needed to provide extra gender-inclusive and gender-egalitarian environments for youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For the past 50 years, standard guidelines have recommended the use of sex-adjusted mid-parental height to predict a child's final height. Here, we studied the accuracy of this procedure. Methods: We used height data in a cohort of 23 very large nuclear families (mean = 11 adult children per family). We compared the actual final height of the children to their height predicted by the standard procedure, as well as to alternative height predictions that incorporate corrections of mid-parental height for age, sex, and regression to the mean. Results: Standard mid-parental height explained 36% of the variance in children's heights, with a heritability of 74%, and children were on average 2.7 cm taller than predicted by their target heights. When we introduced a nonlinear correction for the age of the parents, employed a multiplicative (rather than additive) correction for sex, and accounted for regression to the mean, the variance explained increased to 40%, heritability increased to 80%, and prediction bias was reduced from 2.7 cm to 0.14 cm (representing an improvement in prediction by half a standard deviation of the height distribution). We further measured the empirical distribution of the heights of adult children around their predicted height. We describe how this distribution can be used to estimate the probability that a child's height is within the normal expected range. Conclusions and Relevance: Based on these observations, we propose an improved method for predicting children's target heights. Our procedure for determining whether the deviation of a child's projected height from the target height is in the normal range can be used to assess whether the child should be tested further for potential medical abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Taste and smell alterations (TSAs) are a distressing yet underdiagnosed side effect in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, long-term investigations using both questionnaires and chemosensory tests are scarce. We examined the prevalence of quantitative and qualitative TSAs, as well as their connection with clinical characteristics such as age, sex, anorexia, and neuropathy. We also compared patients receiving perpetual or temporary chemotherapy. All patients were examined up to five times within 12 to 24 months, commencing before the beginning of chemotherapy. We found TSAs in approximately 4 out of 5 patients during chemotherapy. The highest prevalence was documented among patients above 60 years of age as well as among those reporting anorexia or presenting signs of neuropathy. Post-therapy, taste and smell function recovered; however, scores did not reach baseline levels within 6 to 12 months. Future investigations will assess potential interventions to prevent or reduce TSAs. Previous data regarding chemotherapy-induced olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (CIOGD) are heterogeneous due to inconsistent study designs and small numbers of patients. To provide consistent, reliable data, we conducted a cohort study using standardized testing. Patients diagnosed with lymphoma, leukemia, or gastrointestinal malignancies were examined up to five times (T1 to T5), beginning prior to chemotherapy. We examined patients receiving temporary treatment up to 12 months post-therapy. Clinical assessment included extensive questionnaires, psychophysical tests of olfactory and gustatory function, and measurement of peripheral neuropathy. Statistical analysis included non-parametric tests to evaluate the longitudinal development of CIOGD. Our data (n = 108) showed a significant decline in olfactory and gustatory testing during chemotherapy (p-values < 0.001). CIOGD appeared stronger among patients above 60 years, while sex did not matter significantly. However, we identified distinct associations between CIOGD and reported anorexia as well as with higher neuropathy scores. Self-assessment appeared less sensitive to chemosensory dysfunction than psychophysical testing. Post-therapy, olfactory and gustatory function regenerated, though baseline levels were not attained within 6 to 12 months. In conclusion, our data highlight the wide prevalence and slow recovery of CIOGD. Understanding CIOGD as a potential neurotoxic effect may disclose new therapeutic prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The quality of life of patients with facial basal cell carcinoma significantly improves after surgery. Nevertheless, it remains inferior to those without the disease. Facial scarring has been identified as a contributing factor to adverse psychosocial changes. In this study, we explore the aesthetic assessment of facial scars within this specific patient group, aiming to uncover potential correlations between the severity of scars and the quality of life. This study comprises two phases as follows: scale validation and pilot with a sample size of 100 patients. The Lithuanian version of the POSAS 2.0 was established after a thorough psychometric evaluation, surpassing acceptable validity thresholds. The pilot phase findings show a notable improvement in scars during the later stages of postoperative recovery, with the initial identification of specific groups that perceive their scars more negatively. Given the observed correlations between the scar assessment and the quality of life, this study highlights the crucial role of addressing the aesthetic satisfaction of patients with surgically treated basal cell carcinoma. Facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) surgery enhances the quality of life (QoL) but leaves patients with inferior QoL, presumably caused by scarring, emphasizing the need to understand post-surgery aesthetic satisfaction. This study aimed to validate the Lithuanian version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) 2.0 and utilise it to identify scar evaluation differences and correlations among POSAS scores and specific aesthetic facial regions, age, gender, surgery types, and short- and long-term QoL. Employing a prospective longitudinal design, 100 patients with facial scars after surgical BCC removal were enrolled. The validation phase confirmed the translated POSAS 2.0 psychometric properties, while the pilot phase used statistical analyses to compare scores among demographic and clinical groups and evaluate correlations between scar assessment and QoL. The findings indicate that the translated Lithuanian version of POSAS 2.0 exhibits good psychometric properties, revealing insights into aesthetic satisfaction with post-surgical facial scars and their impact on QoL. The Lithuanian version of the POSAS 2.0 was established as a valid instrument for measuring post-surgical linear scars. QoL with scar assessment statistically significantly correlates, 6 months after surgery, with worse scores, particularly notable among women, younger patients, and those with tumours in the cheek region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of bulking agents and single-incision slings in the treatment of urinary incontinence in 159 patients during a 29-month follow-up period. Material and methods: Of the 159 patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence, 64 were treated with bulking agents (PAHG Bulkamid®) and 75 with a single-incision sling (Altis®). The ICIQ-UI-SF (Incontinence Questionnaire-Urine Incontinence-Short Form), PISQ-12 (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaires short form), FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), FSDS (Female Sexual Distress Scale), and PGI-I (Patient Global Improvement Index) were used to assess efficiency and quality of life. Results: The bulking agents showed high efficacy and safety during the 29-month follow-up. Post-operative complications were recorded in both groups, with only two significant differences. The Bulkamid group experienced no pain, while 10.8% of the ALTIS group experienced groin pain and 5% experienced de novo urgency. Furthermore, patients treated with bulking agents experienced reduced nicturia (0.78 vs. 0.92 in patients treated with single-incision slings.). In both groups, we noticed a significant improvement in QoL (quality of life), with a halved ICIQ-UI-SF (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urine Incontinence-Short Form) score which was completed to assess the impact of urine symptoms. After 24 months of therapy, the Bulkamid group saw a decrease from 14.58 ± 5.11 at baseline to 5.67 ± 1.90 (p < 0.0001), whereas the ALTIS group experience a decrease from 13.75 ± 5.89 to 5.83 ± 1.78. Similarly, we observed an improvement in sexual function, with the number of sexually active patients increasing from 29 to 44 (56.4%) in the Bulkamid group (p = 0.041) and from 31 to 51 (61.7%) in the ALTIS group (p = 0.034). According to the most recent statistics, the PISQ-12, FSFI, and FSDS scores all demonstrated an improvement in women's sexual function. Conclusions: In terms of efficacy and safety, bulking agents had notable results over the 29-month follow-up period. Furthermore, the patients treated with bulking agents reported a lower incidence of postoperative complications and a no discernible difference in terms of quality of life and sexual activity compared to the ones treated with single-incision slings. Bulking agents can be considered a very reliable therapeutic option based on accurate patient selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic adults experience challenges in maintaining employment; however, little is known about patterns of competitive employment through late midlife. This longitudinal study examined the change in hours of competitive employment for a cohort of autistic adults over a 22-year period. The study's aims were to provide a fine-grained analysis of competitive employment patterns, to determine whether there was age-related change, and to test whether trajectories differed between those with and without intellectual disability (ID). Using an accelerated longitudinal design, trajectories of hours of competitive employment were estimated from young adulthood through late midlife in a community-based cohort (n = 341; 1327 observations). Results indicated a significant curvilinear trajectory of age-related change in hours of competitive employment, with differences between those with and without ID. For those without ID, the number of competitive employment hours increased from young adulthood until early midlife, then leveled off and decreased into late midlife. For those with ID, engagement in competitive employment was low throughout. Although competitive employment is just one option for vocational engagement, it is a goal often articulated by autistic adults who seek entry into the general workforce. The present research reveals their degree of engagement in the competitive workforce across the decades of adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Several oral problems occurring during cancer treatment can lead to the discontinuation or interruption of the scheduled treatment, with a negative impact on patient's overall survival. Very few studies focused on patients' self-reported oral problems during chemotherapy treatment for solid tumors. Through the administration of a dedicated questionnaire, we aim at correlating the presence of oral complications to demographic and medical information. Metastatic disease represented a risk factor for the onset of oral mucositis and salivary gland hypofunction, while specific chemotherapy regimens increased the risk to develop a subjective reduction in the salivary flow and difficulty in swallowing. Most of the participants were informed by the oncologist about the possibility of oral problems arising during oncological therapies. It is of paramount importance to collect observational data on oral problems from the patients' perspective in order to plan information and prevention campaigns to inform patients about their possible occurrence by providing useful tools for prevention and management. PURPOSE: Oral problems in a group of oncological patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) for solid tumors have been examined. Incidence and severity of patients' self-reported oral problems have been evaluated along their interaction with age, gender, tumor diagnosis and stage, presence of mestastasis, CT agent type, and number of CT cycle. We also analyzed the presence of paraesthesia and anaesthesia and their predisposing factors associated with clinical and treatment-related variables. METHODS: Patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire to evaluate the onset and the intensity of oral and perioral pain, oral mucositis, salivary gland hypofunction, dysgeusia, dysphagia, dysphonia, and sensitivity neuropathy (paraesthesia or dysaesthesia) since the last CT infusion. We also investigated which types of medications have possibly been used and who recommended it, as well as patients' degree of awareness about the possibility of oral problems arising during CT. RESULTS: We recruited 194 patients and obtained 491 questionnaires. We found that a metastatic disease was a risk factor for OM (OR 2.02, p = 0.026) and salivary gland hypofunction (OR 1.66, p = 0.042) and that platinum agents, compared to mitotic inhibitors, increased the risk of developing salivary gland hypofunction (OR 2.16, p = 0.013), dysphagia (OR 3.26, p = 0.001), and anaesthesia (OR 5.16, p = 0.041). Young age was a slight protective factor for most symptoms. The 80% of enrolled patients were informed by the oncologist about possible oral problems arising during CT. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted the importance of collecting observational data from the patients' perspective on oral problems arising during the routine oncology practice, across a range of solid tumors and CT regimens. The relevance of these findings focused on the key role of the multidisciplinary team in advising the patients on the possible occurrence of oral problems, also by recommending their management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea can have a negative impact on children's and adolescents' neurocognitive abilities and hinder their academic and adaptive progress in academic, social, and/or behavioral dimensions. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we investigated the influence of body weight conditions and allergy status on long-term mental health, cognitive development, and quality of life in children and adolescents who snored. Methods: The study sample included 47 subjects (age range 4.1 to 15.3 years) who exhibited high levels of snoring and underwent home-based polysomnography between 2015 and 2019. Follow-up assessments (3 years on average between baseline and follow-up) entailed phone interviews with the subject's parents/caregivers who completed three validated questionnaires investigating sleep, quality of life, and parental ratings. Results: We found a correlation between age at diagnosis and being retrospectively overweight and high levels of snoring. In addition to a higher risk of developing emotional symptoms (8.2% increase in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the emotional score at follow-up) and oppositional behavior (9% increase in retrospective overweight status for each unit of oppositional T points at follow-up), we also noted reduced long-term social symptoms (11% decrease in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the social score at follow-up) and cognitive symptoms (10.6% decrease in retrospective overweight status for each unit increase in the cognitive score at follow-up), as well as a 6.1% increase in retrospective allergy status for each unit increase in academic performance at follow-up. Conclusions: Snoring can have negative impacts on mental health and cognitive development in the long term. Early detection and intervention for neuropsychological disorders is important in children and adolescents who score high on snoring. In the long term, the effects of snoring on neuropsychological disorders may vary based on previous body weight and allergy status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging research indicates that there is increased sedentary behaviour and insufficient physical activity levels across the older adult population. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that pet ownership can have beneficial physical and mental health effects. Data were drawn from the Northern Ireland Cohort for the Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NICOLA). This questionnaire measured general social demographics such as gender, age, and marital status while also examining elements of physical activity, lifestyle factors (drinking status, smoking status), and education. Two items from the short form International Physical Activity Questionnaire recorded moderate and vigorous activity. Respondents were asked if they owned a pet (Yes/No). The results are based on a secondary data analysis. An ordinal logistic regression revealed that an increase in moderate activity days was associated with pet ownership with an odds ratio of 0.111 (95% CI, −0.036 to 0.337), Wald χ2 (1) 15.013, p < 0.001. An increase in vigorous activity days was associated with pet ownership with an odds ratio of 0.039 (95% CI, 0.004 to 0.342), Wald χ2 (1) 8.952, p = 0.003). Amongst older adults in Northern Ireland, those with a pet were more likely to engage in regular physical activity. This study was based on a small specific sample of the population and showed differences in physical activity levels between pet owners and non-pet owners. Additionally, the study showed that physical activity is extremely low among the older adult population, therefore further investigation is warranted on the reasons for these low levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is associated with cancer prognosis as well as with age, sex, race, and lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity. To investigate the hypothesis that HRQOL has genetic underpinnings in patients with cancer, we performed a genome-wide association study to evaluate genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs) associated with mental and physical QOL as measured by the PROMIS assessment tool in breast cancer survivors participating in a longitudinal cohort study, the Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry (MCBDR). Age and financial concerns were associated with worse physical and mental health, and previous receipt of chemotherapy was associated with worse mental health. SNPs in SCN10A, LMX1B, SGCD, PARP12, and SEMA5A were associated with physical and mental QOL, but none at the genome-wide significance thresholds of p < 5 × 10−8. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important prognostic patient-reported outcome in oncology. Because prior studies suggest that HRQOL is, in part, heritable, we performed a GWAS to elucidate genetic factors associated with HRQOL in breast cancer survivors. Physical and mental HRQOL were measured via paper surveys that included the PROMIS-10 physical and mental health domain scales in 1442 breast cancer survivors participating in the Mayo Clinic Breast Disease Registry (MCBDR). In multivariable regression analyses, age and financial concerns were significantly associated with global physical health (age: p = 1.6 × 10−23; financial concerns: p = 4.8 × 10−40) and mental health (age: p = 3.5 × 10−7; financial concerns: p = 2.0 × 10−69). Chemotherapy was associated with worse global mental health (p = 0.01). In the GWAS, none of the SNPs reached the genome-wide association significance threshold of 5 × 10−8 for associations with either global physical or global mental health, however, a cluster of SNPs in SCN10A, particularly rs112718371, appeared to be linked to worse global physical health (p = 5.21 × 10−8). Additionally, SNPs in LMX1B, SGCD, PARP12 and SEMA5A were also moderately associated with worse physical and mental health (p < 10−6). These biologically plausible candidate SNPs warrant further study as possible predictors of HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The goal of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on Portuguese dental students on their depression, anxiety, temporomandibular dysfunction, academic degree, and oral behaviors. Methods: The target of this population study was to enroll third-, fourth-, and fifth-year students of the Integrated Master's degree in Dental Medicine at the Universidade Católica Portuguesa—Faculty of Dental Medicine (Viseu, Portugal) in the academic year 2021–2022. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptoms, oral behaviors, anxiety, and depression were assessed using validated questionnaires. The variables under study were (a) age, gender, marital status, academic level, academic degree, medication, and any existing pathologies; (b) questions related to taste changes or thoughts that would indicate (or not) worsening psychological conditions (anxiety and depression). After data collection (Google Forms®), data were transferred to an Excel file and entered into SPSS® software. A chi-square test allowed the independence between ordinal or nominal variables. The Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between variables in the study (significant if p ≤ 0.05). Results: 98.2% of the students answered the questionnaire. TMD had a prevalence of 35%, and anxiety and depression a prevalence of 29% and 24%, respectively. The results showed that the female gender was the most affected by psychological and temporomandibular disorders. Statistically significant correlations were identified between variables, such as gender and anxiety, TDM, and depression (respectively, p = 0.0001, p = 0.014, and p = 0.026); between TDM and anxiety and depression (respectively, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001); and between performing oral behaviors and TMD, anxiety, and depression (respectively, p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.006). The variables, such as age and academic degree, did not establish a statistically significant relationship with TMD, oral behaviors, and the two psychological conditions. Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that there was a moderate prevalence of TMD, anxiety, and depression in the period studied. Moreover, a statistically significant relationship was found between TMD, anxiety, and depression with gender and frequency of OBs; however, no significant association was found for TMD, anxiety, and depression with the age of students and with the academic degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child marriage, defined as union before age 18 years, has detrimental health and socioeconomic consequences. This study examines whether women married as children have a disproportionately higher risk of being obese at adulthood compared to their peers married as adults. Using data from the 2012 and 2017 waves of the Tajikistan Demographic and Health Survey, we matched women aged 25 to 49 years by birth year and month to create four birth cohorts. We fitted multivariable logistic regressions to assess the differential odds of being obese and estimated simultaneous quantile regression models to examine the differences in average body mass index (BMI) between women married as adults and as children within birth cohorts. We found that the adjusted odds of being obese for women married as children were 1.5 (CI: 1.3–1.7) times those of those who were married as adults, after controlling for sociodemographic correlates along with birth cohort and survey wave fixed effects. Results of the quantile regression analyses suggest higher expected BMI levels among women married as children compared to those of women married as adults across different quantiles of BMI. The differences though were more pronounced in the younger cohorts than in the older cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with ovarian cancer using a questionnaire based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The HR-QoL for 155 enrolled patients with ovarian cancer was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) prior to surgery and compared with 501 healthy females in Germany, as well as to the previously published European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) reference data for 917 patients with ovarian cancer worldwide. The HR-QoL for the emotional, cognitive, and social functioning scales was lower in patients with ovarian cancer than the healthy female population. Interestingly, the patients with ovarian cancer had no significant differences in the physical functioning scale when compared with the healthy women. Furthermore, the younger patients with ovarian cancer had an even lower HR-QoL for the emotional, social, and cognitive functioning scales, and additionally had more fatigue and financial difficulties. Introduction: The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in patients with ovarian cancer using a patient-reported outcome (PRO) based questionnaire and to compare it to the healthy female population in Germany and to other ovarian cancer patients worldwide. Additionally, we looked for differences in the HR-QoL with respect to the patients' ages in our cohort. Methods: The HR-QoL for 155 enrolled patients with ovarian cancer was assessed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) prior to surgery and then compared with 501 healthy females in Germany, as well as to the previously published European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) reference data for 917 patients with ovarian cancer worldwide. Moreover, we grouped our cohort by ages <65 and >65 years and analyzed them for further differences. To identify the differences, T-tests were applied. Results: Overall, 155 patients were enrolled, and 126 patients had advanced-stage ovarian cancer (FIGO III–IV) (82.4%). Fifty-five (36%) patients were >65 years. Except for the physical functioning scale, all other domains of the functioning scales were significantly lower in our patients with ovarian cancer than in the healthy female population. The emotional (50 points versus 60 points, p = 0.02), cognitive (76 points versus 88 points, p = 0.005), and social functioning scales (68 points versus 81 points, p = 0.006) were lower in the younger subgroup. Further, the younger subgroup exhibited significantly more fatigue (40 points versus 29 points, p = 0.03) and financial difficulties (20 points versus 2 points, p < 0.001) than the older subgroup. Discussion: Interestingly, the patients with ovarian cancer had no significant differences in the physical functioning scale when compared with the healthy women. In contrast, the patients, especially in the younger group, needed special support for the emotional and social areas of their daily lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]