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Introduction The early years are a critical period for establishing healthy 24-hour movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep), yet studies examining prospective associations between all 24-hour movement behaviours and young children’s growth and development are lacking. The My Little Moves study aims to (1) examine the prospective association between 24-hour movement behaviours of young children (ie, 0–4 years) and their growth, motor and social–emotional development; and (2) explore potential determinants of young children’s 24-hour movement behaviours from an ecological perspective, to inform public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy behaviours and development.Methods and analysis My Little Moves is a longitudinal observational cohort study, with data collection at baseline, and after 9 and 18 months follow-up. Data are collected in three subcohorts. In all subcohorts, 24-hour movement behaviours are assessed by parent-report. Additionally in subcohort 1, data on potential determinants are collected by parental questionnaires, including child, parental and environmental factors. In subcohort 2, social–emotional development is assessed using the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-third edition (Bayley-III-NL) Social Emotional Scale. In subcohort 3, data on height and weight, gross motor development, using the Bayley-III-NL Gross Motor Scale, and 7 consecutive days of 24-hour accelerometer data are collected. Hybrid model analyses are used to assess the prospective associations of 24-hour movement behaviours with young children’s growth and development. Potential determinants of young children’s 24-hour movement behaviours are explored using regression analysis.Ethics and dissemination The Medical Ethics Committee of the VU University Medical Center approved the protocol for the My Little Moves study (2022.0020). The results of this study will be disseminated through the network of all authors, to inform public health strategies for promoting healthy 24-hour movement behaviours and contribute to the evidence-base of recommendations for ideal 24-hour movement behaviours in young children.

Retrieval practice of isolated words (e.g., with flashcards) enhances foreign vocabulary learning. However, vocabulary is often encountered in context. We investigated whether retrieval opportunities also enhance contextualized word learning. In two within-subjects experiments, participants encoded 24 foreign words and then read a story to further strengthen word knowledge. The story contained eight target words in a "retrieval context," which required participants to recall word meaning from memory to understand the text (e.g., "She borrowed aknyga"), and eight target words in an "inference context" from which meaning could be "inferred" (e.g., "She read aknyga" [book]). After 1 to 2 days, a posttest measured word retention. Reading the words in either the retrieval or inference context increased retention, compared to control words not included in the story. Moreover, in Experiment 1, retention was significantly higher in the inference than in the retrieval condition. In Experiment 2, in which encoding before reading was more extensive and feedback was available, no differences in retention were found between the inference and retrieval + feedback condition (both increased retention, compared to control words). Overall, the findings suggest that the benefits of retrieval may be less pronounced during incidental, contextualized learning than during intentional exercises and that retrieval success must be considered when adding retrieval opportunities to contextualized learning. Under low retrieval success, the better comprehension afforded by an informative context may outweigh the benefits of retrieval opportunities (Exp.1). Yet even when retrieval success was enhanced and feedback was added (Exp. 2), retrieval opportunities were only as beneficial as exposure to rich contextual information.

Background Restrictions around childbirth, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, could decrease maternal feelings of control during birth. The aim of this study was to compare the sense of control of women who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic with women who gave birth before COVID-19. The secondary objective was to identify other factors independently associated with women’s sense of control during birth. Methods A prospective cohort study, in a sub-cohort of 504 women from a larger cohort (Continuous Care Trial (CCT), n = 992), was conducted. Sense of control was measured by the Labor Agentry Scale (LAS). Perinatal factors independently associated with women’s sense of control during birth were identified using multiple linear regression. Results Giving birth during the COVID-19 pandemic did not influence women’s sense of control during birth. Factors statistically significantly related to women’s sense of control were Dutch ethnic background (β 4.787, 95%-CI 1.319 to 8.254), antenatal worry (β − 4.049, 95%-CI −7.516 to −.581), antenatal anxiety (β − 4.677, 95%-CI −7.751 to 1.603) and analgesics during birth (β − 3.672, 95%-CI −6.269 to −1.075). Conclusions Despite the introduction of restrictions, birth during the COVID-19 pandemic was not associated with a decrease of women’s sense of control.

Abstract Background Accurate accelerometer-based methods are required for assessment of 24-h physical behavior in young children. We aimed to summarize evidence on measurement properties of accelerometer-based methods for assessing 24-h physical behavior in young children. Methods We searched PubMed (MEDLINE) up to June 2021 for studies evaluating reliability or validity of accelerometer-based methods for assessing physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), or sleep in 0–5-year-olds. Studies using a subjective comparison measure or an accelerometer-based device that did not directly output time series data were excluded. We developed a Checklist for Assessing the Methodological Quality of studies using Accelerometer-based Methods (CAMQAM) inspired by COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). Results Sixty-two studies were included, examining conventional cut-point-based methods or multi-parameter methods. For infants (0—12 months), several multi-parameter methods proved valid for classifying SB and PA. From three months of age, methods were valid for identifying sleep. In toddlers (1—3 years), cut-points appeared valid for distinguishing SB and light PA (LPA) from moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). One multi-parameter method distinguished toddler specific SB. For sleep, no studies were found in toddlers. In preschoolers (3—5 years), valid hip and wrist cut-points for assessing SB, LPA, MVPA, and wrist cut-points for sleep were identified. Several multi-parameter methods proved valid for identifying SB, LPA, and MVPA, and sleep. Despite promising results of multi-parameter methods, few models were open-source. While most studies used a single device or axis to measure physical behavior, more promising results were found when combining data derived from different sensor placements or multiple axes. Conclusions Up to age three, valid cut-points to assess 24-h physical behavior were lacking, while multi-parameter methods proved valid for distinguishing some waking behaviors. For preschoolers, valid cut-points and algorithms were identified for all physical behaviors. Overall, we recommend more high-quality studies evaluating 24-h accelerometer data from multiple sensor placements and axes for physical behavior assessment. Standardized protocols focusing on including well-defined physical behaviors in different settings representative for children’s developmental stage are required. Using our CAMQAM checklist may further improve methodological study quality. PROSPERO Registration number CRD42020184751.

The cryptic nature and low densities of many reptile populations world-wide presents significant challenges for their detection, monitoring and conservation management. Artificial refuges (also known as artificial cover objects and artificial retreats) are a standard method used to sample terrestrial lizards throughout New Zealand. Despite the development of multiple refuge designs for arboreal species, encounter rates are typically low in areas with mammalian predators, particularly for geckos living in tall forest. Here, we compared the effectiveness of novel tree-mounted Onduline refuges with conventional refuge designs for detecting Waitaha gecko (Woodworthia cf. brunnea) and broad-cheeked gecko (Mokopirirakau ‘Okarito’) in tall podocarp forest in Riccarton Bush, Christchurch, and Westland Tai Poutini National Park, respectively. At both sites, the largest Onduline refuge design was the most effective for detecting geckos, yielding 69% of Waitaha gecko encounters over 25 sampling occasions between May 2020 and March 2023, and 62% of broad-cheeked gecko encounters over 10 occasions between December 2021 and December 2023. Closed-cell foam covers were the least effective design, yielding 6% and 0% of Waitaha and broad-cheeked gecko encounters, respectively. Additional research is needed to define optimal conditions for arboreal gecko occupancy and sampling a greater range of species with tree-mounted Onduline refuges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Accurate proxy-report questionnaires, adapted to the child’s developmental stage, are required to monitor 24-h movement behaviors in young children, especially for large samples and low-resource settings. Objectives This review aimed to summarize available studies evaluating measurement properties of proxy-report questionnaires assessing physical activity, sedentary behavior and/or sleep in children aged 0–5 years. Methods Systematic literature searches were carried out in the PubMed, Embase and SPORTDiscus databases, up to January 2021. For physical activity and sedentary behavior questionnaires this is a review update, whereas for sleep questionnaires we included all relevant studies published up to now. Studies had to evaluate at least one of the measurement properties of a proxy-report questionnaire assessing at least duration and/or frequency of physical activity, sedentary behavior and/or sleep in 0- to 5-year-old children. The COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guideline was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Results Thirty-three studies were included, examining a total of 37 questionnaires. Ten questionnaires were designed for infants, two for toddlers, 11 for preschoolers, and 14 for a broader age range targeting multiple of these age groups. Twenty questionnaires assessed constructs of sleep, four assessed constructs of physical activity, two assessed screen behavior, five assessed constructs of both physical activity and sedentary behavior, and six assessed constructs of all 24-h movement behaviors. Content validity was evaluated for six questionnaires, structural validity for two, internal consistency for three, test-retest reliability for 16, measurement error for one, criterion validity for one, and construct validity for 26 questionnaires. None of the questionnaires were considered sufficiently valid and/or reliable for assessing one or more movement behaviors in 0- to 5-year-old children, and the quality of evidence was mostly low or very low. Conclusions Valid and/or reliable questionnaires assessing 24-h movement behaviors in 0- to 5-year-olds are lacking. High-quality studies are therefore required, to develop proxy-report questionnaires and evaluate their measurement properties. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020169268.

We present the two-dimensional targeted fused ridge estimator of the linear and logistic regression models. The estimator (i) handles both unpenalised and penalised covariates, (ii) accommodates possible relations among the covariates' coefficients through a fusion penalty, and (iii) incorporates prior information on the regression parameter through a non-zero shrinkage target. In this work, the aforementioned relations are similarities among the covariates' coefficients due to spatial proximity in a two-dimensional grid. In an extensive re-analysis of an epidemiological and an image analysis study, we illustrate the use of the estimator's aforementioned features that result in a tangibly interpretable predictor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capture of animals in live traps poses inherent risks of heat stress and mortality to trapped individuals. Despite a long history of pitfall trap use in New Zealand for monitoring small lizards, the design of traps and their covers often varies; however, the effects that this has on the internal temperature of the traps is unknown. Poor trap design may increase the risk of stress and mortality if internal temperatures exceed thermal limits. We tested the influence of three aspects of trap design (cover material, cover colour, and internal trap size) on the maximum and mean internal trap temperatures at Kaitorete Spit, New Zealand. Temperatures were recorded with dataloggers across 24 days during midsummer (December 2020 to January 2021). Internal temperatures reached a maximum of 38.2 °C (on a day with a maximum air temperature around 31 °C). Those trap temperatures are above predicted harmful thermal limits of some New Zealand gecko species and levels that induce avoidance behaviour in some skinks. Maximum temperatures were lower under plywood covers than those made of plastic or Onduline, brown covers than black, and in 4 L traps rather than 1 L. The best trap design had thermal maxima 3.9 °C lower than the worst design, averaging 4.9 °C above air maximum temperatures in the best design compared with 8.6 °C above for the worst. As climate change increases temperatures in some areas, the risk of heat stress and mortality rises for lizards constrained in pitfall traps. We recommend the use of plywood covers and larger internal trap sizes to reduce this risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to most expectations, we showed previously that dietary fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate intestinal colonization and translocation of invasive Salmonella enteritidis in rats. Even before infection, FOS increased the cytotoxicity of fecal water, mucin excretion, and intestinal permeability. In the present study, we tested whether FOS has these effects in humans. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 2 x 2 wk, with a washout period of 2 wk, was performed with 34 healthy men. Each day, subjects consumed lemonade containing either 20 g FOS or placebo and the intestinal permeability marker chromium EDTA (CrEDTA). On the last 2 d of each supplement period, subjects scored their gastrointestinal complaints on a visual analog scale and collected feces and urine for 24 h. Fecal lactic acid was measured using a colorimetric enzymatic kit. The cytotoxicity of fecal water was determined with an in vitro bioassay, fecal mucins were quantified fluorimetrically, and intestinal permeability was determined by measuring urinary CrEDTA excretion. In agreement with our animal studies, FOS fermentation increased fecal wet weight, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, and lactic acid. Consumption of FOS increased flatulence and intestinal bloating. In addition, FOS consumption doubled fecal mucin excretion, indicating mucosal irritation. However, FOS did not affect the cytotoxicity of fecal water and intestinal permeability. The FOS-induced increase in mucin excretion in our human study suggests mucosal irritation in humans, but the overall effects are more moderate than those in rats. KEY WORDS: * fructooligosaccharides * humans * microflora * mucin * prebiotics

We showed previously that fructooligosaccharides (FOS) decrease the resistance to salmonella infection in rats. However, the mechanism responsible for this effect is unclear. Therefore, we examined whether dietary FOS affects intestinal permeability before and after infection with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Male Wistar rats were fed restricted quantities of a purified diet that mimicked the composition of a Western human diet. The diet was supplemented with 60 g/kg cellulose (control) or 60 g/kg FOS and with 4 mmol/kg of the intestinal permeability marker chromium EDTA (CrEDTA) (n = 8 or 10). After an adaptation period of 2 wk, rats were orally infected with [10.sup.8] colony-forming units (cfu) of S. enteritidis. Mucin concentrations in intestinal contents and mucosa were measured fluorimetrically, as markers of mucosal irritation. Intestinal permeability was determined by measuring urinary CrEDTA excretion. Translocation of salmonella was quantified by analysis of urinary nitric oxide metabolites with time. Before infection, FOS increased mucosal lactobacilli and enterobacteria in cecum and colon, but not in the ileum. However, FOS increased cytotoxicity of fecal water and intestinal permeability. Moreover, FOS increased fecal mucin excretion and mucin concentrations in cecal and colonic contents, and in cecal mucosa before infection. After infection, mucin excretion and intestinal permeability in the FOS groups increased even further in contrast to the control group. In addition, FOS increased translocation of salmonella to extraintestinal sites. Thus, FOS impairs the intestinal barrier in rats, as indicated by higher intestinal permeability. Whether these results can be extrapolated to humans requires further investigation. KEY WORDS: * infection * microflora * mucin * prebiotics * salmonella

Gut 2004;53:530-535. doi: 10.1136/gut.2003.023499 Background: We have shown recently that rapid fermentable fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) decreased resistance of rats towards salmonella. It is not known whether inulin (which is fermented more [...]

Gut 2003;52:1572-1578 Background and aims: It is frequently assumed that dietary non-digestible carbohydrates improve host resistance to intestinal infections by stimulating the protective gut microflora. However, compelling scientific evidence from [...]

Prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), stimulate the protective gut microflora, resulting in an increased production of organic acids. This may result in increased luminal killing of acid-sensitive pathogens. However, host defense against invasive pathogens, like salmonella, also depends on the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa. Rapid fermentation of prebiotics leading to high concentrations of organic acids may impair the barrier function. Therefore, we determined the dose-dependent effect of dietary FOS on the resistance of rats to Salmonella enteritidis. Male Wistar rats were fed restricted quantities of a 'humanized' purified diet supplemented with 0, 3 or 6 g/100 g of FOS (n = 7 in the 6% FOS group and n = 8 in the other diet groups). After an adaptation period of 2 wk, rats were orally infected with 1.7 x [10.sup.10] colony-forming units of S. enteritidis. Supplement-induced changes in the intestinal microflora and fecal cation excretion were determined before and after infection. Cytotoxicity of fecal water was determined with an in vitro bioassay, and fecal mucins were quantified fluorimetrically. Colonization of S. enteritidis was determined by quantification of salmonella in cecal contents and mucosa. Translocation of S. enteritidis was quantified by analysis of urinary nitric oxide metabolites in time. Before infection, FOS decreased cecal and fecal pH, increased fecal lactic acid concentration and increased bifidobacteria and enterobacteria. FOS also increased cytotoxicity of fecal water and fecal mucin excretion, indicating mucosal irritation. Remarkably, FOS dose-dependently increased salmonella numbers in cecal contents and mucosa and caused a major increase in infection-induced diarrhea. In addition, FOS enhanced translocation of salmonella. Thus, in contrast to most expectations, FOS dose-dependently impairs the resistance to salmonella infection in rats. These results await verification by other controlled animal and human studies. KEY WORDS: * fermentation * fructo-oligosaccharides * infection * prebiotics * rats * salmonella