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Brazil is the world leader in pesticide consumption, and its indiscriminate use puts farmers’ health at risk. The CYP2C9 gene encodes the CYP2C9 enzyme, which metabolizes several endogenous substrates and specific xenobiotics, especially pesticides. Our goal is to study the risk of pesticide use, especially the herbicide glyphosate, in the development of diseases and the association with two CYP2C9 polymorphisms, in farmers living in the southern region of Espírito Santo state, Brazil. The allelic frequency of CYP2C9*1, CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3 was determined in blood samples from individuals exposed or not to pesticides using real-time PCR. 304 blood samples were analyzed, dividing CYP2C9 genotypes into three metabolization classes: normal, intermediate, and slow. Our results indicate that normal metabolizers may be more susceptible to conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and kidney problems. Intermediate metabolizers show an association with attention deficit disorder and miscarriages, suggesting that farmers’ symptoms correlated with their CYP2C9 genotype. Insufficient data prevented conclusions about slow metabolizers (*2 and/or *3). These findings suggest that the CYP2C9 genotype may influence the way farmers exposed to pesticides respond, but more research is needed to clarify causality and investigate other possible health effects. As an introductory effort, this study provides insights into the complex relationship between genetic variations and pesticide exposure, laying the groundwork for future research. This pioneering work on associations between specific genetic variations and health risks with pesticide exposure, emphasizes the importance of personalized medicine and stricter regulation of pesticide use for public health and occupational safety.

Introduction The identification of type 1 diabetes at an early presymptomatic stage has clinical benefits. These include a reduced risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the clinical manifestation of the disease and a significant reduction in clinical symptoms. The European action for the Diagnosis of Early Non-clinical Type 1 diabetes For disease Interception (EDENT1FI) represents a pioneering effort to advance early detection of type 1 diabetes through public health screening. With the EDENT1FI Master Protocol, the project aims to harmonise and standardise screening for early-stage type 1 diabetes and care.Methods and analysis Public health islet autoantibody screening is conducted in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK. Between November 2023 (start date) and October 2028 (planned end date), an estimated number of 200 000 children and adolescents aged 1–17 years are expected to be screened. Screening is performed in capillary blood, examining different islet autoantibodies (autoantibodies against insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase-65, insulinoma-associated antigen-2 and/or zinc transporter-8). Positive screening results undergo confirmation through a second antibody method. A second (venous) blood sample is requested if at least two autoantibodies are detected, to confirm the autoantibody status. Children and adolescents with confirmed two or more autoantibodies are invited to metabolic staging (oral glucose tolerance test, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), random glucose, optionally continuous glucose monitoring); an educational programme and recommendations for monitoring are provided. The feasibility and acceptability of screening are evaluated by feedback questionnaires. Pseudonymised data is collated in the EDENT1FI Registry. Study outcomes include country-specific screening rates, prevalences of stage 1 and stage 2 type 1 diabetes, number in EDENT1FI Registry, proportion with DKA and symptoms at clinical diagnosis and median HbA1c.Ethics and dissemination Following the EDENT1FI Master Protocol, site-specific protocols are developed and approved by local ethics committees (Technical University of Munich, Medical Faculty, Nr. 70/14; Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Nr. 9588_BO_S_2021; Technische Universität Dresden, Nr. BO-EK-356082020; Center for Sundhed Region Hovedstaden, Nr. H-22053116; Swedish Ethical Review Authority, Nr. 2023-00312-01; National Health Service Health Research Authority and Health Care Research Wales, IRAS (Integrated Research Application System) project ID 309252; Italian National Institute of Health, National ethics committee for clinical trials of public research bodies (EPR) and other national public institutions, Prot. PRE BIO CE Nr. 0059835; Charles University in Prague, Ethics Committee for Multi-Centric Clinical Trials of the University Hopital Motol and 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Nr. 1271/23; Bioethics Committee at the Medical University of Warsaw, Nr. 21/2024 and KB/6/R/2024; Associação Protectora dos Diabéticos de Portugal, Nr. 211/2024). Results are disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations and will be shared openly.

BackgroundPatients with mental disorders often have difficulties maintaining a daily routine, which can lead to exacerbated symptoms. It is known that apps can help manage mental health in a low-threshold way and can be used in therapeutic settings to complement existing therapies. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of an app-based support service specifically developed for outpatients with severe mental disorders in addition to regular face-to-face therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsPatients in a psychiatric outpatient department at a German university hospital were invited to use an app-based support service designed transdiagnostically for mental disorders for 4 weeks. The app included 7 relaxation modules, consisting of video, audio, and psychoeducational text; ecological momentary assessment–like questionnaires on daily mood answered via a visual smiley-face scale; and an activity button to record and encourage daily activities. Standardized questionnaires at baseline (T0; preintervention time point) and after 4 weeks (T2; postintervention time point) were analyzed. Feedback via the smiley-face scale was provided after using the app components (T1; during the intervention). Measures included depressive symptoms, quality of life, treatment credibility and expectancy, and satisfaction. Furthermore, participation rates, use of app modules and the activity button, and daily mood and the provided feedback were analyzed (T2). ResultsIn total, 57 patients participated in the study, and the data of 38 (67%) were analyzed; 17 (30%) dropped out. Satisfaction with the app was high, with 53% (30/57) of the participants stating being rather satisfied or satisfied. Furthermore, 79% (30/38) of completers stated they would be more likely or were definitely likely to use an app-based support service again and recommend it. Feasibility and acceptability were high, with nearly half (18/38, 47%) of the completers trying relaxation modules and 71% (27/38) regularly responding to the ecological momentary assessment–like questionnaire between 15 and 28 times (mean 19.91, SD 7.57 times). The activity button was used on average 12 (SD 15.72) times per completer, and 58% (22/38) felt “definitely” or “rather” encouraged to perform the corresponding activities. Depressive symptomatology improved significantly at the postintervention time point (P=.02). Quality of life showed a nonsignificant increase in the physical, psychological, and social domains (P=.59, P=.06, and P=.42, respectively) and a significant improvement in the environment domain (P=.004). Treatment credibility and expectancy scores were moderate and significantly decreased at T2 (P=.02 and P

Background The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected students’ mental health, increasing pre-existing psychosocial vulnerabilities. University students worldwide have presented differences in their mental health status; however, cross-country studies comparing students’ mental health during the pandemic are lacking. Aims To investigate potential differences between university students from Brazil and those from Germany with respect to (a) depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption, (b) social and emotional aspects (loneliness, self-efficacy, perceived stress, social support and resilience) and (c) attitudes towards vaccination. Method Two online cross-sectional studies were conducted with university students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil (November 2021 to March 2022) and in Germany (April to May 2022). Depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, loneliness, self-efficacy, perceived stress, social support, resilience, sociodemographic information and attitudes towards vaccination were assessed. Data were analysed using univariate and bivariate models. Results The total sample comprised N = 7911 university students, with n = 2437 from Brazil and n = 5474 from Germany. Brazilian students presented significantly more depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts, higher levels of perceived stress, higher frequency of drug or substance consumption, and lower levels of perceived social support and resilience than German students, whereas German students presented higher levels of loneliness than Brazilian students. A more favourable opinion towards vaccinations in general was found among Brazilian students compared with German students. Conclusions In both countries, low-threshold (online) counselling targeting university students is needed. The differences between the samples could indicate country and/or cultural differences which justify further research in this area.

Essa pesquisa parte da indagação sobre que histórias as infâncias podem contar através dos sonhos, explorando as representações oníricas infantis e as múltiplas formas que as crianças veem o mundo. A partir da perspectiva da sociologia da infância e da poética como gramática das culturas infantis, a pesquisa destaca que as infâncias e seus sonhos são espaços de resistência oferecendo uma crítica ao mal-estar cultural e social que vivemos na modernidade. Nesse sentido, proponho uma articulação sobre esperança e barbárie e o lugar da infância na modernidade. Um lugar que se mostra através da face de desigualdade e da exclusão, a partir das narrativas das crianças que participaram da pesquisa, onde o sonho diurno se coloca como fio narrativo para que essa história possa ser contada. A pesquisa adota uma abordagem etnográfica e a experimentação artística por meio da confecção de filtro dos sonhos, valorizando o diálogo, as narrativas, e as histórias, visando a construção do conhecimento e de pedagogias que se constituem e se vinculam em diversos espaços sociais, valorizando os conhecimentos produzidos a partir das manifestações culturais, de saberes locais e de sujeitos tidos como “marginalizados” dentro da sociedade. Tomando as infâncias e os sonhos enquanto um momento de reflexividade, as representações se revelam como testemunhos de uma cultura, despertam e evidenciam o mal-estar cultural em que vivemos.

Despite the increasing volume of research addressing the relevance of de-Westernizing Media Studies, we lack a comparative evaluation of the performance of Global South universities regarding their presence in the most prestigious domains within the field of Communication. Against this background, the article explores if and to what extent the publication of articles authored by BRICS-based scholars in top-ranked journals is restricted to a handful of academic institutions – making them a national “elite” authorized to engage in the mainstream intellectual debate.

Abstract Theoretical and empirical accounts suggest that adolescence is associated with heightened reward learning and impulsivity. Experimental tasks and computational models that can dissociate reward learning from the tendency to initiate actions impulsively (action initiation bias) are thus critical to characterise the mechanisms that drive developmental differences. However, existing work has rarely quantified both learning ability and action initiation, or it has relied on small samples. Here, using computational modelling of a learning task collected from a large sample (N = 742, 9-18 years, 11 countries), we test differences in reward and punishment learning and action initiation from childhood to adolescence. Computational modelling reveals that whilst punishment learning rates increase with age, reward learning remains stable. In parallel, action initiation biases decrease with age. Results are similar when considering pubertal stage instead of chronological age. We conclude that heightened reward responsivity in adolescence can reflect differences in action initiation rather than enhanced reward learning.

Background: Most women who are treated at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics have trouble conceiving due to ovarian failure (OF), which seems to be associated to short telomeres and reduced or absent telomerase activity in their granulosa cells. Indeed, telomere pathways are involved in organ dysfunction. However, sexual steroids can stimulate the expression of the telomerase gene and have been successfully used to prevent telomere attrition. Thus, a strategy to improve IVF outcomes in women with OF could be telomerase reactivation using sexual steroids. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients with diminished ovarian reserve were randomized to Danazol or placebo for 3 months. We included patients with normal ovarian reserve in the study as untreated controls. Patients and controls underwent several ovarian stimulations (OSs). Telomere and IVF parameters were assessed. Results: We found that the mean telomere length in blood and the percentage of short and long telomeres were similar throughout the 3 months of treatment with Danazol. Remarkably, while the number of cells with one telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) focus decreased (p?=?0.04) after the first month of Danazol treatment, the number of cells with 2 to 4 TERRA foci increased (p?=?0.02). Regarding fertility, no differences were found in the antral follicle count. Interestingly, in OS performed after the trial, all Danazol-treated patients had a better MII oocyte rate compared to OS performed before the pilot study. EudraCT number: 2018-004400-19. Conclusions: Danazol treatment seemed to affect telomere maintenance, since both the number of TERRA foci and the ratio of MII oocytes changed. However, further research is needed to confirm these results.

BackgroundNon-participation in mental health studies is an under-explored but very important topic. Investigating reasons for non-participation holds promise for the planning of future study designs and recruitment strategies. This study aimed at investigating reasons for children and adolescents (C&A) not participating in a school-based mental health research project.MethodsData collection took place within the school-based recruitment of a large-scale multi-site project (“ProHEAD—Promoting Help-seeking using E-technology for Adolescents”) in Germany. Participants were N = 534 C&A aged ≥ 12 years attending secondary schools. The present cross-sectional study analyzed anonymous survey data of C&A who themselves or whose parents, respectively, did not provide written consent to participate in the mental health research project. The questionnaire consisted of 14 items covering potential reasons for non-participation, and four free text fields. Besides descriptive statistics, free text field answers were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsStudents indicated an average of M = 2.94 (SD = 1.75) reasons for their non-participation in the project. In the descriptive analysis of indicated items, the three most frequently reported reasons for non-participation included students reporting to not be concerned by the topic “mental health” (n = 290, 54.3%), not having returned the consent form to the teacher (n = 175, 32.8%), and not having time for participation (n = 149, 27.9%). In the qualitative content analysis, the most frequently assigned categories were organizational reasons (n = 216, 57.1%), general disinterest in study participation (n = 139, 36.8%), and personal attitudes toward the topic “mental health” (n = 84, 22.2%), such as not being concerned with the topic “mental health” (n = 23, 6.1%) or being too concerned with the topic “mental health” (n = 16, 4.2%).ConclusionThe study provides unique insights into reasons for C&A and their caregivers not participating in a large federally funded mental health research project. The results suggest that in order to increase participation rates, stigma should be reduced, parents as well as teachers should be involved where possible, and the use of incentives might be helpful. The study highlights the importance of assessing reasons for non-participation, especially in online intervention studies on mental health.

BackgroundText messaging is widely used by young people for communicating and seeking mental health support through chat-based helplines. However, written communication lacks nonverbal cues, and language usage is an important source of information about a person’s mental health state and is known to be a marker for psychopathology. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate language usage, and its gender differences and associations with the presence of psychiatric symptoms within a chat counseling service for adolescents and young adults. MethodsFor this study, the anonymized chat content of a German messenger–based psychosocial chat counseling service for children and adolescents (“krisenchat”) between May 2020 and July 2021 was analyzed. In total, 661,131 messages from 6962 users were evaluated using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, considering the following linguistic variables: first-person singular and plural pronouns, negations, positive and negative emotion words, insight words, and causation words. Descriptive analyses were performed, and gender differences of those variables were evaluated. Finally, a binary logistic regression analysis examined the predictive value of linguistic variables on the presence of psychiatric symptoms. ResultsAcross all analyzed chats, first-person singular pronouns were used most frequently (965,542/8,328,309, 11.6%), followed by positive emotion words (408,087/8,328,309, 4.9%), insight words (341,460/8,328,309, 4.1%), negations (316,475/8,328,309, 3.8%), negative emotion words (266,505/8,328,309, 3.2%), causation words (241,520/8,328,309, 2.9%), and first-person plural pronouns (499,698/8,328,309, 0.6%). Female users and users identifying as diverse used significantly more first-person singular pronouns and insight words than male users (both P

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic affected university students' mental health worldwide. International students were presenting high levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms before the pandemic. This study aimed to investigate (i) differences between various timepoints of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020, 2021, and 2022) in mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects in domestic and international students, separately, (ii) differences between international and domestic students between the three timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects, and (iii) possible moderation effects of timepoints on mental health outcomes and social and emotional aspects of domestic and international students.Material and methodsData from three cross-sectional anonymous online surveys conducted in German universities were analyzed and compared. Data were collected in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, with a total N = 14,498. Depressive symptoms, hazardous alcohol use, social support, self-efficacy, resilience, perceived stress, and loneliness were assessed through standardized self-report instruments. Differences between domestic and international students in mental health outcomes, and social and emotional aspects across three timepoints were assessed with one-way and two-way ANCOVAs.ResultsRegardless of the timepoint, international students presented more depressive symptoms and perceived stress, lower perceived social support and resilience, but higher levels of self-efficacy and less alcohol consumption compared to domestic students. A significant interaction effect between timepoint and student status emerged only for loneliness.ConclusionsInternational students generally presented poorer mental health outcomes than domestic students. Mental health care and prevention such as low-threshold, online counseling should address university students, especially international students.

O artigo analisa como o conceito de Comunicação Pública é mobilizado nas pesquisas desenvolvidas na área da Comunicação no Brasil. Observa-se, para tanto, 276 artigos e papers que trazem em seu escopo tal abordagem. Utiliza-se a perspectiva cientométrica que culmina em uma revisão sistematizada, mesclada à perspectiva narrativa. A discussão trata I) da distribuição institucional das pesquisas; II) dos aspectos temáticos e objetos; III) das organizações promotoras e, por fim, IV) da centralidade do conceito dentro do desenho de pesquisa apresentado. Os resultados indicam: foco na comunicação de Estado, uma perspectiva voltada às redes sociais digitais, centralidade da produção no eixo Sul-Sudeste e o impacto do contexto político e governamental sobre a produção acadêmica da área.