Search

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity and metabolic diseases both disproportionately affect Hispanic children. Cross-sectional studies have linked food insecurity with adverse cardiometabolic markers, including elevated plasma triglycerides and glucose concentrations. However, the association between changes in food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers in children remains to be explored. Furthermore, few studies have assessed the impact of school-based nutrition interventions on household food insecurity. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of the TX Sprouts intervention on household food insecurity and to examine the association between changes in household food insecurity and changes in cardiometabolic markers over 1 academic year. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from TX Sprouts, a cluster-randomized school-based gardening, cooking, and nutrition trial. The study enrolled 3rd-5th-grade students from 16 schools that served primarily (>50%) Hispanic families with low income in Austin, TX. Participants (n = 619) provided household food insecurity data and fasting lipid panels at both baseline and postintervention, ∼9 mo following. RESULTS: There was no intervention effect on household food insecurity. Independent of the intervention, a 1-point increase in food insecurity, indicative of becoming more food insecure, was associated with a 2.61 mg/dL increase in triglycerides (P = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.04, 4.19) at follow-up. Children who were food insecure at baseline and became food secure at follow-up had a mean 5.05 mg/dL decrease in triglycerides compared with a 7.50 mg/dL increase in triglycerides in children who remained food insecure throughout (95% CI: -23.40, -1.71, P = 0.023). There were no other associations between changes in food insecurity and cardiometabolic markers. CONCLUSION: Although the intervention did not improve food insecurity, reductions in food insecurity over 9 mo were associated with improved cardiometabolic markers in high-risk children, emphasizing the need for interventions targeting food insecurity. The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov under NCT02668744 (https://classic. CLINICALTRIALS: gov/ct2/show/NCT02668744).

Objective: Longitudinal changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior patterns from preconception to postpartum are not fully characterized. We examined changes and baseline sociodemographic/clinical correlates of PA and sedentary behavior in women from preconception to postpartum. Methods: The Singapore Preconception Study of Long-Term Maternal and Child Outcomes cohort recruited 1032 women planning pregnancy. Participants completed questionnaires at preconception, 34 to 36 weeks gestation, and 12 months postpartum. Repeated-measures linear regression models were used to analyze changes in walking, moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), screen time, and total sedentary time, and to identify sociodemographic/clinical correlates associated with these changes. Results: Of the 373 women who delivered singleton live births, 281 provided questionnaires for all time points. Walking time increased from preconception to late pregnancy but decreased postpartum (adjusted means [95% CI]: 454 [333–575], 542 [433–651], and 434 [320–547] min/wk, respectively). Vigorous-intensity PA and MVPA decreased from preconception to late pregnancy but increased postpartum (vigorous-intensity PA: 44 [11–76], 1 [−3–5], and 11 [4–19] min/wk, MVPA: 273 [174–372], 165 [95–234], and 226 [126–325] min/wk, respectively). Screen time and total sedentary time remained consistent from preconception to pregnancy but decreased postpartum (screen: 238 [199–277], 244 [211–277], and 162 [136–189] min/d, total: 552 [506–598], 555 [514–596], and 454 [410–498] min/d, respectively). Individual characteristics of ethnicity, body mass index, employment, parity, and self-rated general health significantly influenced women's activity patterns. Conclusion: During late pregnancy, walking time increased, while MVPA declined significantly, and partially returned to preconception levels postpartum. Sedentary time remained stable during pregnancy but decreased postpartum. The identified set of sociodemographic/clinical correlates underscores need for targeted strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Very preterm and/or very low birthweight (VP/VLBW; <32 weeks' gestation and/or <1500 g birthweight) individuals rated their partner and peer relationships lower than term‐born individuals in emerging adulthood, but their quality of relationships with parents has been rarely investigated. Moreover, it is unclear whether previously reported differences in social relationship characteristics persist or lessen from emerging to established adulthood.To investigate changes in social relationship characteristics in VP/VLBW adults compared to term‐born adults from 26 to 34 years and whether the association between VP/VLBW and social relationship characteristics varies according to sex.In this prospective whole‐population birth cohort study in South Bavaria, Germany, social relationship characteristics with parents, partners and peers, and overall social relationships across these domains were evaluated with a Life Course Interview at 26 and 34 years. Interview items related to these domains were extracted and scored as 0 (optimal) and 1 (non‐optimal). Each score was summed into domain‐specific composite scores and standardised according to the total sample.Participants included 262 VP/VLBW (52.7% males) and 230 term‐born individuals (47.0% males). VP/VLBW adults had lower overall social relationship scores than term‐born adults (β = −.61, 95% CI −0.85, −0.37). Specifically, partner (β = −.50, 95% CI−0.74, −0.27) and peer relationship scores (β = −.55, 95% CI−0.78, −0.32) were lower than those of term‐born adults, but scores did not differ for parent relationships. On average, partner (β = .25, 95% CI 0.14, 0.35) and peer relationship scores increased (β = .16, 95% CI 0.03, 0.29), while parent relationship scores decreased (β = −.64, 95% CI−0.79, −0.49) from 26 to 34 years. These changes were similar for VP/VLBW and term‐born individuals.Patterns of change for the improved partner and peer but worsening parental social relationship scores were common across VP/VLBW and term‐born adults, but differences between the two groups persisted from 26 to 34 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the developmental trajectories in children who do not use canonical babbling (CB) at 10 months. The aim was to examine how speech, language, cognitive and motor abilities developed in children without CB. For 15 children identified as not having CB, consonant production, expressive vocabulary and general development were assessed at 12, 18 and 36 months from audio–video recordings. Twelve (79%) children still lacked CB at 12 months. At 18 months, six (40%) had parent-reported expressive vocabulary results below the 10th percentile, and two (14%) did not use dental/alveolar stops. The percentage of consonants correct for the group was at the level of peers at 36 months (89%, SD 0.17), but the group had fewer established target consonants than age norms. Most children had a small expressive vocabulary in comparison with Swedish age norms for younger children as well as with age-matched norms for other Nordic languages. The general development (Bayley-III) for three children (21%) who did not use speech was 1–2 SD below the average range in at least one domain (cognitive, language or motor), but the results for the whole group were within the average range. In conclusion, the heterogeneity in early consonant development in the study group resembles that of children in clinical groups with known risk for speech and language difficulties and the expressive vocabulary resembles that of children with delayed expressive vocabulary. For about one-fifth of the children, the absence of canonical babbling at age 10 months could be seen as an early sign of a more comprehensive developmental disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have longitudinally assessed the determinants of depressive symptoms among persons 80 years and older. The aim of this study was to estimate the determinants of depressive symptoms among persons 80 years and older based on 4-wave national longitudinal data from Thailand. Methods: Data from the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Thailand study from 2015, 2017, 2020 and 2022 were utilized. The sample was restricted to community-dwelling persons 80 years and older (analytic sample: n = 2763 observations). For the pooled sample, average age was 85.0 years (range 80–117 years). Established measurements were used to assess depressive symptoms. Linear fixed effects regression was applied to assess the time-variant determinants and outcomes. Results: Regressions found that higher functional disability and an increase in the number of chronic conditions worsened depressive symptoms. More favourable self-rated physical health, and higher exercise frequency improved depressive symptoms. In addition, among women higher subjective economic status decreased depressive symptoms. Conclusions: This longitudinal study enhances our understanding of the determinants of depressive symptoms among persons 80 years and older. Strategies to delay or decrease functional disability, chronic conditions, increase physical activity, and improve subjective economic status may help in reducing depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPerfectionism is widely recognised as a key factor in students’ learning experiences, but such evidence is primarily derived from cross-sectional studies testing unidirectional links. To fill in the gap, our study used a longitudinal design and made the initial attempt to examine the bi-directional links between two types of perfectionism (personal standards and concerns over mistakes), two types of academic motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic motivation), and academic engagement. Results from the cross-lagged panel analysis among Chinese university students found that personal standards and intrinsic motivation were positively and reciprocally related. Another reciprocity was revealed: intrinsic motivation positively predicted later extrinsic motivation, while extrinsic motivation negatively predicted later intrinsic motivation. Besides, our study revealed several unidirectional links: intrinsic motivation positively predicted later academic engagement, extrinsic motivation positively predicted later concerns over mistakes, and academic engagement negatively predicted later concerns over mistakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Greenspace is an important modifiable environmental factor that is associated with health and well-being. Although previous research has shown that exposure to greenspace is beneficial for cardiovascular diseases, studies have rarely focused on early subclinical health outcomes such as electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormality. Methods: We developed a longitudinal study using data from the China National Stroke Screening Survey (2013–2019). Monthly exposure to greenspace was assessed by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values. ECG abnormality was diagnosed by physicians based on the results of the 12-lead electrocardiogram. We used fixed-effects logistic regression with participant-specific intercepts to estimate the association between exposure to greenspace and ECG abnormalities. Results: A total of 132,108 visits from 61,029 participants with ≥ 2 ECG measurements were included. At baseline, the lag-1 month average NDVI value was 0.29 (SD = 0.15). In the fully adjusted model, per 0.1-unit increment in lag-1 month average NDVI value was associated with a 3.0% (95% CI -1.6 ∼ 7.4%) decreased risk of ECG abnormality. In urban areas, the decreased risk associated with per 0.1-unit increment in NDVI was 14.81% (95% CI 9.38 ∼ 19.92%). Conclusion: Our study found that higher exposure to greenspace was associated with a decreased risk of ECG abnormality, especially in urban areas. Our findings suggested that monthly exposure to greenspace might be beneficial to cardiovascular health, and greenspace provision and maintenance could be considered an important public health intervention in urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested the generalizability of the sensitivity-security link in a sample of 35 preschooler-mother dyads from a low socioeconomic district in Lima, Peru. We first describe maternal sensitivity and attachment security at two timepoints during early childhood. Second, we investigated the stability of attachment security and maternal sensitivity over a time span of one year. Third, we tested the association between sensitivity and security at each timepoint. Finally, we investigated whether changes in maternal sensitivity predict changes in child security. The results indicated that sensitivity and security were lower than scores reported in the literature for middle-class samples. T2 maternal sensitivity scores were significantly higher than T1 sensitivity scores, and no significant differences were found between T1 and T2 security. Sensitivity and security were associated at both timepoints, after controlling for socio-demographic variables. One-tail test indicated that changes in maternal sensitivity were associated with changes in child security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usage of smart glasses in goods logistics and order picking has mainly been studied through cross-sectional experimental studies. Our longitudinal field study investigated the effects of smart glasses on the eyesight of 43 employees at two German companies. We combined ophthalmological examinations and questionnaire surveys at two points in time, six months apart. The vision of the employees was examined before and after each work shift. Mixed effects logistic regression was conducted to determine the associations between smart glasses use and effects on visual acuity. In the baseline examination, differences in eyesight before and after shifts were small and not statistically significant. However, some individuals experienced deteriorations, especially in visual acuity at near distances (n = 7 for the right eye, n = 6 for the left). Participants over 40 years of age had 16.1 times higher odds of deterioration compared to those under 40 years (95% CI: 2.7–95.9, p = 0.002). The most commonly reported eye strains were eye fatigue (n = 32), rubbing (n = 25), and burning (n = 24). If smart glasses are to be implemented in logistics companies, it is recommended to offer employees eye tests with an industrial physician in advance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most personality science is conducted with samples from wealthy Western countries, home to only 11% of the world's population. Longitudinal studies have been particularly informative for psychology, but they are virtually absent from the rest of the world. The Africa Long Life Study (ALLS) brings African perspectives to lifespan research in personality and mental health. Large (N = ∼1000), relatively-representative samples of 18-year-olds were recruited from throughout Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa in 2022. Participants complete two surveys each year. At the time of the fifth wave, we describe here the goals of the ALLS with emphasis on personality psychology, and the contextualized measurement and methodological approaches we have developed, including the process of finding participants again at later waves. Sample characteristics and retention and attrition over the first three waves are reported. Initial lessons learned and reflections on conducting longitudinal research and personality science in Africa are discussed. Plain language summary: Most personality science is conducted with samples from wealthy Western countries, home to only 11% of the world's population. Longitudinal studies have been particularly informative for psychology, but they are virtually absent from the rest of the world. The Africa Long Life Study, a new longitudinal study in Sub-Saharan Africa, brings African perspectives to lifespan research in personality, mental health, and cultural mindset. Large (N = ∼1000), relatively-representative samples of 18-year-olds were recruited from throughout Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa in 2022. Participants complete two surveys each year, allowing us to test findings in personality psychology for cross-cultural relevance. We describe here the goals of the ALLS and the contextualized approach we have taken, including the process of finding participants again for later waves. Details about the particpants and how many stayed with the project into the second and third surveys are reported. We reflect on what it is like to conducting longitudinal research in Africa today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between obesity and depressive symptoms remains controversial. The Weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) shows advantages in assessing central obesity. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal relationship between WWI and depressive symptoms. This prospective cohort study utilized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) spanning 2011–2020. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depressive Symptoms Scale (CESD-10) scores. Linear mixed models were used to examine longitudinal associations. A total of 6835 participants over the age of 45 were included. WWI was positively associated with CESD-10 scores (β per 1 SD increase = 0.052SD; 95%CI: 0.021 to 0.083SD) and was linked to a faster increase in CESD-10 scores over time (β = 0.095SD/year; 95%CI: 0.090 to 0.100 SD/year). Conversely, BMI was negatively associated with CESD-10 scores (β per 1 SD increase = −0.067SD; 95%CI: −0.097 to −0.038SD). However, the negative association between BMI and CESD-10 scores weakened over time (β per 1 SD increase = 0.008SD/y; 95%CI: 0.003 to 0.013 SD/y). Nonlinear associations were detected between both WWI and BMI with CESD-10 scores. Self-reported depressive symptoms assessments may have introduced information bias. The observational design limits ruling out unobserved confounding factors. Our findings highlight the association between WWI and the long-term progression of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. WWI may enhance our understanding of the link between obesity and depressive symptoms and could be superior to BMI in predicting depressive symptom progression. • The association between obesity and depression remains controversial. • Weight-adjusted Waist Index has advantages in reflecting abnormal body composition. • Heterogeneity in depression trajectories was detected among older adults. • Weight-adjusted Waist Index may accelerate the progression of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While dehydration is associated with pediatric renal impairment, the regulation of hydration status can be affected by sleep. However, the interaction of hydration and sleep on kidney health remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a cohort study among 1914 healthy primary school children from October 2018 to November 2019 in Beijing, China. Four-wave urinary β2-microglobulin and microalbumin excretion were assayed to assess transient renal tubular and glomerular impairment, and specific gravity was measured to determine hydration status with contemporaneous assessment of sleep duration, other anthropometric, and lifestyle covariates. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess longitudinal associations of sleep duration and hydration status with renal impairment. Results: We observed 1378 children with optimal sleep (9–<11 h/d, 72.0%), 472 with short sleep (<9 h/d), and 64 with long sleep (≥11 h/d, 3.3%). Over half (55.4%) of events determined across 6968 person-visits were transient dehydration, 19.4% were tubular, and 4.9% were glomerular impairment events. Taking optimal sleep + euhydration as the reference, the results of generalized linear mixed-effects models showed that children with long sleep + dehydration (odds ratio [OR]: 3.87 for tubular impairment [tubules] and 3.47 for glomerular impairment [glomerulus]), long sleep + euhydration (OR: 2.43 for tubules), optimal sleep + dehydration (OR: 2.35 for tubules and 3.00 for glomerulus), short sleep + dehydration (OR: 2.07 for tubules and 2.69 for glomerulus), or short sleep + euhydration (OR: 1.29 for tubules) were more likely to present transient renal impairment, adjusting for sex, age, body mass index z-score, systolic blood pressure z-score, screen time, physical activity, and Mediterranean diet adherence. Conclusions: Dehydration and suboptimal sleep aggravate transient renal impairment in children, suggesting its role in maintaining pediatric kidney health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Edentulism is considered the ultimate sign of oral health disease burden. It is a common and frequent clinical disease, mostly seen in the elderly, which has been reported to be closely associated with many diseases. While physical activity is known to benefit many chronic diseases, the relationship between the volume of physical activity and edentulism remains unclear. Materials and methods: The CHARLS provided the data for this study. A total of 6,480 participants were enrolled in this study, of whom 46.02% were male and 53.98% were female. The edentulism was defined according to self-report and physical activity volume can be represented by metabolic equivalents. Multiple logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, threshold effects analysis, and Cox regression models were used to explore the relationship between physical activity volume and edentulism. Results: In the fully adjusted model, physically active participants had a 24% lower risk of edentulism compared to those who were physically inactive. Then, we subdivided participants with adequate physical activity into four levels: 600 ≤ PAV < 1200; 1200 ≤ PAV < 1800; 1800 ≤ PAV < 3000; and PAV ≥ 3000. We found that the risk of developing edentulism was lowest and statistically significant at the level of 1,800-3,000 MET-minutes/week physical activity volume (OR = 0.41; 95% CI, 0.24–0.69, p < 0.001). A U-shaped relationship between physical activity volume and edentulism with an inflection point of 2514 (MET-minutes/week) was observed. The results of the longitudinal study also confirm the benefits of physical activity volume with edentulism, participants with adequate physical activity volume had a 21% lower risk of developing edentulism than participants with inadequate physical activity volume (HR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.67–0.94, p = 0.008). Conclusions: This study reveals a U-shaped relationship between physical activity volume and edentulism. Physical activity reduces the risk of developing edentulism in middle-aged and older populations, but it is important to control the appropriate volume of physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Very few studies to date investigated the prospective association of changes in exposure to the food environment with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We aim to explore if time-varying exposure to the food environment was associated with hospitalization and mortality due to total and specific types of CVD in The Netherlands. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 4,641,435 Dutch adults aged 35 + years who did not change residence in 2002–2018 were identified through registry data. Exposure to the food environment was defined as time-varying Food Environment Healthiness Index (FEHI) scores (range: − 5 to 5) and time-varying kernel density of specific food retailers (e.g., fast food outlets, supermarkets) around the home location between 2004 and 2018. The main outcome measures were hospitalization and mortality due to overall CVD, stroke, HF, and CHD occurring between 2004 and 2020, based on hospital and death registries. Results: In Cox regression models, each unit increase in the FEHI was associated with a lower hospitalization and mortality of CVD (hospitalization hazard ratio (HRh) = 0.90 (0.89 to 0.91), mortality hazard ratio (HRm) = 0.85 (0.82 to 0.89)), CHD (HRh = 0.88 (0.85 to 0.91), HRm = 0.80 (0.75 to 0.86)), stroke (HRh = 0.89 (0.84 to 0.93)), HRm = 0.89 (0.82 to 0.98)), and HF (HRh = 0.90 (0.84–0.96), HRm = 0.84 (0.76 to 0.92)). Increased density of local food shops, fast food outlets, supermarkets, and convenience stores and decreased density of food delivery outlets and restaurants were associated with a higher risk of CVD, CHD, stroke, and HF hospitalization and mortality. Conclusions: In this observational longitudinal study, changes in exposure to a healthier food environment over 14 years were associated with a risk reduction in CVD hospitalization and mortality, in particular in urbanized areas and for younger adults and those with higher incomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical performance, a competitive edge for children, has received ample attention from stakeholders, especially from parents. However, the association between parenting style and children's mathematics performance remains open to debate, and longitudinal studies are lacking. Therefore, this study used longitudinal data from four waves of surveys (2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018), with an initial sample of 1042 children (51.5% girls) aged 11, 13, and 15 years. Positive associations between supportive parenting style and higher mathematics scores were observed across all waves, both in unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear regression models, with all p < 0.05. Even after running five sets of sensitivity analyses (e.g., controlling counting skills in toddlerhood, imputing key covariates), the positive association remained robust. Ultimately, we found that supportive parenting style was positively associated with improved mathematical performance in adolescents measured up to six years later. This finding underscores the importance of supportive parenting in enhancing adolescents' mathematical performance and suggests that integrating supportive parenting strategies into family-based approaches may effectively improve children's mathematical achievements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of osteoporosis has drastically increased recently. It is not only the most frequent but is also a major global public health problem due to its high morbidity. There are many risk factors associated with osteoporosis were identified. However, most studies have used the traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) to explore their relationships. Recently, machine learning (Mach-L) has become a new modality for data analysis because it enables machine to learn from past data or experiences without being explicitly programmed and could capture nonlinear relationships better. These methods have the potential to outperform conventional MLR in disease prediction. In the present study, we enrolled a Chinese post-menopause cohort followed up for 4 years. The difference of T-score (δ-T score) was the dependent variable. Information such as demographic, biochemistry and life styles were the independent variables. Our goals were: (1) Compare the prediction accuracy between Mach-L and traditional MLR for δ-T score. (2) Rank the importance of risk factors (independent variables) for prediction of δ T-score. Totally, there were 1698 postmenopausal women were enrolled from MJ Health Database. Four different Mach-L methods namely, Random forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Naïve Bayes (NB), and stochastic gradient boosting (SGB), to construct predictive models for predicting δ-BMD after four years follow-up. The dataset was then randomly divided into an 80% training dataset for model building and a 20% testing dataset for model testing. A 10-fold cross-validation technique for hyperparameter tuning was used. The model with the lowest root mean square error for the validation dataset was viewed as the best model for each ML method. The averaged metrics of the RF, SGB, NB, and XGBoost models were used to compare the model performance of the benchmark MLR model that used the same training and testing dataset as the Mach-L methods. We defined that the priority demonstrated in each model ranked 1 as the most critical risk factor and 22 as the last selected risk factor. For Pearson correlation, age, education, BMI, HDL-C, and TSH were positively and plasma calcium level, and baseline T-score were negatively correlated with δ-T score. All four Mach-L methods yielded lower prediction errors than the MLR method and were all convincing Mach-L models. From our results, it could be noted that education level is the most important factor for δ-T Score, followed by DBP, smoking, SBP, UA, age, and LDL-C. All four Mach-L outperformed traditional MLR. By using Mach-L, the most important six risk factors were selected which are, from the most important to the least: DBP, SBP, UA, education level, TG and sleeping hour. δ T score was positively related to SBP, education level, UA and TG and negatively related to DBP and sleeping hour in postmenopausal Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders share substantial similarities in their etiology and treatment. In recent decades, these commonalities have been increasingly recognized in classification systems and treatment programs crossing diagnostic boundaries. Methods: To examine the prospective effects of different transdiagnostic markers on relevant treatment outcomes, we plan to track a minimum of N = 200 patients with emotional disorders during their routine course of cognitive behavioral therapy at two German outpatient clinics. We will collect a wide range of transdiagnostic markers, ranging from basic perceptual processes and self-report measures to complex behavioral and neurobiological indicators, before entering therapy. Symptoms and psychopathological processes will be recorded before entering therapy, between the 20th and 24th therapy session, and at the end of therapy. Discussion: Our results could help to identify transdiagnostic markers with high predictive power, but also provide deeper insights into which patient groups with which symptom clusters are less likely to benefit from therapy, and for what reasons. Trial Registration: The trial was preregistered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00031206; 2023–05-09). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objective Methods Results Conclusions Previous evidence on the relation between early head circumference (HC) growth and behavioural outcomes in preschoolers has been inconsistent.We aimed to investigate whether HC growth from birth to 5 years of age was related to internalising or externalising behavioural problems at 5 years of age in a sex‐specific manner.Among 303 girls and 318 boys from the MINA‐Brazil birth cohort, we examined the associations between changes in HC from birth to 5 years of age and internalising and externalising behaviour problem scores at 5 years according to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for parents. HC values were transformed into sex‐ and age‐specific z‐scores (HCZ) using World Health Organisation standards, and the differences between values at 5 years of age and birth were classified into quintiles. We estimated adjusted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals in behavioural problem scores between HCZ change quintiles using multivariable linear regression by sex. To examine nonlinear associations, we included cubic spline terms.Head circumference growth from birth to 5 years of age was inversely and nonlinearly associated with internalising problems in girls. Compared with girls at the lowest quintile of HC growth, those above had an adjusted 1.27 (95% confidence interval 0.28, 2.27) points lower mean internalising problems score. This association was mostly driven by HC growth during the first 2 years. We found no association between HC growth and externalising behaviour in either sex.Impaired HC growth was related to higher mean internalising problem scores at 5 years of age in girls but not in boys. HC growth was not associated with externalising problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mental distress among retirees and older people is a severe public health challenge, and information on new risk groups is needed. This study aims to identify subgroups of old-age retirees with varying associations between low social support and mental distress by applying model-based recursive partitioning (MOB). Methods: We used the Helsinki Health Study follow-up survey data of old-age retired former municipal sector employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland. Phase 1 data were collected in 2000–2002, when all participants were employed, Phase 2 in 2007, Phase 3 in 2012, Phase 4 in 2017, and Phase 5 in 2022 (n = 4,466, 81% women). Social support and covariates were measured at each Phase 1–5 and the outcome, mental distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS-21]) was measured at a single occasion, during Phase 5. The three subscales and the common factor of general distress were analysed separately. An approach rooted in computational statistics was used to investigate risk factor heterogeneity in the association of low social support and mental distress. MOB combines decision trees with regression analysis to identify subgroups with the most significant heterogeneity among risk factors. Results: Median (IQR) general distress score from DASS-21 was 5.7 (3.0, 9.0), while Social Support Questionnaire number-score (SSQN) was 1.5 (1.15, 2.05). The primary effect modifier for the association between social support and general distress was education (p < 0.001). Those with high education had a different association of low social support and general distress than those with low or medium education. Additionally, the subgroup with low and medium education had a significant effect modification for age (p = 0.01). For the association between low social support and depressive symptoms, the moderating effect of education was dependent on gender, as men with medium–high education had the weakest association, while for women with medium–high education the association was strongest. Conclusions: Our results suggest that stratification by sociodemographic variables is justifiable when investigating risk factors of mental distress in old-age retirees. The incongruent association of low social support and depressive symptoms in men with medium–high education compared to women with medium–high education is a promising target for confirmatory research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between workplace discrimination and psychological distress across 9 years using data from the Midlife in the Unites States study. Methods: Workplace discrimination was measured with a validated six-item scale at baselinewith three categories (low, intermediate, and high), and psychological distress was measured with the Kessler 6 scale at baseline and follow-up. In total, 1,546 workers were analyzed by linear regression. Results: High levels of workplace discrimination were significantly associated with increased psychological distress at follow-up (crude β = 0.633; 95% CI, 0.307-0.959). After adjusting for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and health-related behaviors, associations were slightly attenuated (fully adjusted β = 0.447; 95% CI, 0.115-0.780). Conclusions: High workplace discrimination was longitudinally associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Organizations should actively prevent discrimination, whichmay improveworkers'mental health consequently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the immediate and late effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of adolescents. Design: This is a longitudinal study performed with adolescents (11–15 years old) from Southern Brazil who were evaluated before the COVID‐19 outbreak, and 3 (T2) and 15 (T3) months after the beginning of the pandemic. OHRQoL was assessed using the CPQ11‐14. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were also collected. Changes in OHRQoL before, 3 and 15 months after the start of the pandemic were analyzed through multilevel Poisson regression models for repeated measures. Results: A total of 290 adolescents were evaluated at T1, 207 were re‐evaluated at T2, and 204 at T3. Overall CPQ11‐14 scores over follow‐ups were 11.0 (SD 8.0) at T1, 8.3 (SD 7.8) and 12.8 (SD 8.8) at T3. Compared to T1, adolescents presented 29% lower overall CPQ11‐14 scores (IRR 0.71 95% CI 0.66–0.75) at T2, and 11% higher scores at T3 (IRR 1.11 95% CI 1.05–1 0.17), especially for the emotional and social well‐being domains. Conclusion: COVID‐19 pandemic impacted the adolescents' OHRQoL differently over time, indicating a reduction in impacts immediately after the beginning and worsening over long term exposure to this scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the multifaceted relations between measures of workload, psychological state, and recovery throughout an entire soccer season in female collegiate soccer athletes (19.8±1.2 yrs, 132±12.3 lbs, 63±3.2 in). A prospective longitudinal study was utilized to measure workload (GPS training load, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE), psychological state (mental stress, mental fatigue, and mood), and recovery (sleep duration, sleep quality, and soreness), during 90 observations (59 training sessions and 21 games). Separate linear-mixed effect models were used to assess outcomes of RPE, soreness, and sleep duration. A linear mixed-effects model explained 59% of the variance in RPE following each session. Specifically, each standard deviation increase in GPS load and mental stress in the morning prior to training increased RPE by 1.46 (SE=0.08) and 0.29 (SE=0.07), respectively, following that day's training. Furthermore, a significant interaction was found between several predictor variables and chronological day in the season while predicting RPE. Specifically, for each standard deviation increase in GPS load, RPE went up by 0.0055 per day during the season suggesting that load had a higher impact on RPE as the season progressed. In contrast, the interaction of day by mental stress, sleep duration, and soreness continued to be stronger as the season progressed. Each linear mixed-effect model predicted a larger amount of variance when accounting for individual variations in the random effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID‐19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well‐being), COVID‐19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well‐being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID‐19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well‐being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well‐being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To reveal the within-person trajectories in quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving early palliative care. Previous studies have mostly focused aggregated trajectories, based on all research participants combined, whereas this study focused on within-person trajectories in QOL and on whether the variability in QOL trajectories across patients is substantial enough to raise doubts about aggregated trajectories. Methods: Twenty-five older persons in early palliative care completed the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire multiple times. Reliable change analyses provided estimates of the occurrence of statistically significant within-person change. Results: There was reliable, within-person variation in QOL scores across time, more so for physical than for psychological aspects of well-being. Changes in QOL scores occurred for most patients but the trajectories were not linear and there was no common trend in the nonlinear patterns. Conclusions: Reliable change across time can be identified in persons receiving early palliative care. However, the trajectories are notably variable and patient-specific. The high degrees of within-person variability across time suggests the importance of repeated QOL assessments and of dynamic tailoring of clinical treatments. Plain English Summary: This study describes the quality of life (QOL) trajectories of 25 persons in early palliative care for life-limiting chronic conditions. Previous studies have mostly focused on aggregated trajectories for all research participants combined. In contrast, this study focused on within-person trajectories in QOL and on whether the variability in QOL trajectories across patients is substantial enough to question the meaningfulness of aggregated trajectories. There was both between-patient and within-person variation in QOL scores across time and no common trend. For some patients, the change was for improving scores across time. For other patients the change was for worsening scores across time. And for still other patients, the changes were reliable but not linear. The trajectories are thus quite variable and patient-specific. The variability in QOL trajectories is substantial enough to raise concerns about aggregated trajectories. The high degrees of within-person variability across time suggests the importance of repeated QOL assessments and of dynamic tailoring of clinical treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to explore the relationships between serum cortisol levels, personality traits, and the development of Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) over 2 years among individuals with physical injuries. Methods: Participants were consecutively recruited from a trauma center and followed prospectively for 2 years. At baseline, serum cortisol levels were measured, and personality traits were categorized into five dimensions (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness), using the Big Five Inventory‐10. The diagnosis of PTSD during follow‐up (at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post‐injury) was determined using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the interactions between cortisol levels, personality traits, and PTSD development. Results: Among 923 patients analyzed, 112 (12.1%) were diagnosed with PTSD at some point during the study period, with prevalence rates decreasing from 8.8% at 3 months to 3.7% at 24 months post‐injury. Direct associations between cortisol levels or personality traits and PTSD were not observed. However, a significant interaction between lower cortisol levels and higher Neuroticism in relation to PTSD risk was identified, especially during the early follow‐up periods (3 to 6 months), but this association waned from the 12‐month follow‐up onward. Conclusion: Our findings reveal Neuroticism‐dependent associations between serum cortisol levels and PTSD development, exhibiting temporal variations. These results suggest that PTSD development may be influenced by a complex, time‐sensitive interplay of biological and psychosocial factors, underscoring the importance of considering individual differences in stress reactivity and personality in PTSD research and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive impairments are a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia (SCZ). Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is the second most abundant phospholipid in mammalian cells, yet its role in cognitive deficits remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between plasma LysoPE and cognitive improvements following olanzapine monotherapy in drug-naïve first-episode (DNFE) SCZ patients. Methods: Twenty-five female DNFE SCZ patients were treated with olanzapine for four weeks, and cognitive function was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) at baseline and after the 4-week follow-up. Utilizing an untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS)-based metabolomics approach, we measured LysoPE concentrations. Results: Significant improvements in immediate and delayed memory domains were observed post-treatment. We identified nine differential LysoPE species after olanzapine monotherapy, with increased concentrations for all LysoPE except LysoPE (22:6). Elevated LysoPE (22:1) concentration positively correlated with cognitive improvement in patients. Baseline LysoPE (16:1) emerged as a predictive factor for cognitive improvement following olanzapine monotherapy. Conclusions: This study offers preliminary evidence for the involvement of LysoPE in cognitive improvements observed in drug-naïve first-episode SCZ patients after olanzapine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Existing research on romantic breakups focused on the predictors of breakup, or on its emotional and behavioral sequelae. The current study examines the longitudinal correlates of a breakup experience over a period of eight years, and questions whether breakup experiences may also have negative and positive outcomes. Methods: Data were collected from 124 Israeli emerging adults (mean age 20.22 years; 79 females). Participants were approached again at ages 23, 25, and 28. Breakup distress was assessed at each wave. At age 28, participants' well-being, as well as their romantic capacities, were evaluated. Results: The intensity of breakup distress at age 20 was not found to be associated with future well-being. However, increased accumulating distress explained a greater number of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and reports of feeling insecure about a partner's availability and responsiveness, at age 28. In-depth interviews with participants about their romantic relationships at age 28 showed that breakup distress at age 20 was associated with greater romantic competence at age 28, explaining better capacity to learn from past romantic experiences and draw lessons for future behavior. In addition, earlier breakup distress was associated with more coherent accounts of romantic relationships at age 28. Conclusions: Findings suggest that young adults are likely to experience a number of breakup events during their twenties, and the accumulating breakup experiences can affect future well-being. The experience of a breakup might not necessarily associate with negative future outcomes, while an earlier breakup experience could also serve as a positive learning arena for future relationships. Social policy: Perception of romantic dissolution in a comprehensive manner could be helpful for understanding that breakups are probably part of the normative development of romantic relationships among young adults, and should not be perceived only from a deficit perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To document the long-term visual outcomes in patients with Blau syndrome. Methods: A retrospective institutional cohort study was conducted, and 13 patients with genetically confirmed Blau syndrome were included. Demographic and clinical data were collected from standardised medical charts. Baseline was defined as the first detected uveitis and data were recorded onwards at intervals of 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. Results: Anterior uveitis was the most common classification at baseline (57.1%). Among patients with documented uveitis lasting 10 years or more, all of them developed panuveitis. Median logMAR visual acuity at baseline was 0 (range −0.5; 0.7), 0.19 (range 0; 1.5) at year 5, and 0.7 (range 0.1 – no perception of light) at year 20, as recorded in 13, 16, and 10 eyes, respectively. All patients received treatment with topical and oral steroids, and multiple systemic immunosuppressants including biologics. Disease control, defined as having cells <1+ in both eyes and using topical steroid eye drops less than twice daily, was achieved in 14.3% to 37.5% of patients at the different time points. Cataract surgery was performed in 12 eyes of 8 patients, 3 eyes of 3 patients necessitated glaucoma surgery, and 4 eyes of 4 patients required surgery for retinal detachment. Conclusion: Uveitis associated with Blau syndrome commonly leads to severe, chronic panuveitis, requiring long-term systemic immunosuppression. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of biologics may prevent significant visual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the contribution of early vs. concurrent maternal guidance of emotion dialogues with their children to the security and coherence of the children's attachment representations as adolescents. Maternal Sensitive Guidance was assessed from mother-child emotion dialogues when participants were preschoolers (approximate age 4 years) and young adolescents (approximate age 12.5 years), along with an assessment of adolescents' attachment representations using the Friends and Family Interview (FFI). Mothers' Sensitive Guidance in preschool predicted adolescents' coherence in the FFI, secure maternal (but not paternal) representations, and a positive representation of sibling relationships. In contrast, mothers' concurrent Sensitive Guidance was related only to adolescents' sibling relationships. These results highlight the significance of mothers' sensitive guidance of emotion dialogues during the early years for their children's later attachment representations, and point to the need for further examination of mothers' role when they guide emotion dialogues with their adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To evaluate the long-term effects of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy on patients with dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: A retrospective case series was performed with 110 participants undergoing IPL therapy. Assessments included the eye fitness test (EFT) to gauge subjective symptoms, along with objective measures using the Tearcheck® device (ESW Vision, Houdan, France) noninvasive first breakup time (NIFBUT), noninvasive average breakup time (NIABUT), central tear meniscus height (CTMH), thinnest tear meniscus height (TTMH), and ocular surface inflammatory risk evaluation (OSIE) assessed using the SCHWIND SIRIUS device (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH, Kleinostheim, Germany). Results: This study documented significant improvements in subjective and objective symptoms associated with DED and MGD. Subjective symptoms measured by the EFT showed an average increase of 9.74 points (range −10 to 28, standard deviation [SD] ± 7.54), indicating reduced symptoms. Objective measures of tear film stability, represented by NIABUT, increased by an average of 4.04 s (range −15.00 to 14.40, SD ± 4.91). Tear film stability evaluation (TFSE) scores decreased by 229.12 points on average (range −1775 to 528, SD ± 384.94), suggesting enhanced tear film stability. OSIE type 1 showed a reduction in inflammation, with a percentage decrease of 4.98% (range −45 to 5, SD ± 7.33). Additionally, OSIE capture time decreased by 3.25 s on average (range −27 to 22, SD ± 10.35), further indicating an improvement in ocular surface health. Conclusion: IPL therapy was shown to be a promising, noninvasive approach for improving quality of life in patients with DED by effectively managing symptoms and stabilizing tear film. The findings support the use of IPL as a sustainable treatment modality for DED associated with MGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) with different anal sexual roles, namely bottom, versatile, and top, are at different risk of HIV infection and psychological distress. However, the evidence was primarily derived from cross-sectional designs from Western countries, and it remains unclear how anal sexual roles change over a long time and their health impacts among MSM from Eastern countries. We aimed to describe the changes in anal sexual roles among a Chinese sample of MSM over 14 years and explore their effects on HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Between 2009 and 2023, a longitudinal study was conducted on 373 MSM in Changsha, China, to assess their anal sexual roles, HIV infection, and psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Generalized linear models with a binomial probability was used to analyze the predictive effect of anal sexual roles on HIV infection and psychological distress. At baseline, 30.3% of MSM self-identified as bottom, 32.2% as versatile, and 37.5% as top, and these numbers changed slightly to 35.9%, 33.0%, and 31.1%, respectively, at follow-up (p = 0.131). From baseline to follow-up, 48 (12.9%) new HIV cases were identified. The prevalence of depression increased from 23.1 to 38.1% (p < 0.001), anxiety increased from 25.5% to 35.4% (p = 0.003), and suicidal ideation increased from 30.8 to 38.9% (p = 0.021). MSM with bottom and versatile roles were more likely to have HIV infection, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than those with top roles. MSM's risk of HIV infection and psychological distress varies according to their anal sexual roles, suggesting that future HIV prevention and mental health improvement programs for MSM may benefit from providing targeted and individualized support based on their anal sexual roles, with a particular focus on those with bottom and versatile roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the patterns and predictors of body mass index (BMI) change among undergraduate students from Ontario (Canada). Participants: 68 undergraduate students were followed longitudinally for 3 years with anthropometric data collected bi-annually. Methods: BMI measurements were plotted to generate individual BMI trajectory curves, which were categorized, based on the observed trajectory pattern. Within and between group comparisons of BMI were conducted via nonparametric paired tests. The association of baseline BMI, sex, and ethnicity with BMI trajectory type was assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: Four BMI trajectory types were observed: "stable weight" (n = 15, 22.1%), "weight gain" (n = 30, 44.1%), "weight loss" (n = 12, 17.6%), and "weight cycling" (n = 11, 16.2%) trajectories. Higher baseline BMI was significantly associated with the "weight gain," "weight loss," and the "weight cycling" trajectories as compared to the "stable weight" trajectory type. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate an association between high baseline BMI and "nonstable" subsequent BMI change patterns among Canadian students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between trauma and subsequent substance use has been extensively studied. Substance dependence and its consequences are a source of further traumatization. This explorative qualitative study is an analysis of the recovery narratives of persons with polydrug dependence, using mainly novel psychoactive substances (NPSs). NPS use, with its unpredictability and major health risks poses a challenge to treatment systems, but only few studies are available on NPS users' recovery processes. In this longitudinal study, authors explore processes of identity reconstruction in the emotionally valent episodes of 10 respondents' life interviews. The interviews had been conducted with 77 patients at the beginning of their residential treatment and were repeated a year later with those in recovery and available for the study, altogether 10 persons. Narrative Oriented Inquiry was used as a framework, focusing on the key themes and changes in the narrative mode. Our results support the findings on previous and subsequent NPS use-related traumatization. In this perspective, NPS use corresponds to revictimization. Contrary to available but sporadic evidence suggesting a marked difference between the recovery processes of users of classical substances and NPS users, the respondents in this study could utilize the traditional cultural stock of recovery stories during their treatment. Changes involved more reflective and responsible attitudes and the broadening of a healing social network. Contents describing care/self-care and the emergence of hopeful attitudes were also identified. Further research, involving larger samples and cross-cultural comparisons, could deepen our understandings of NPS users' recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insomnia has been identified as a potential risk factor for suicidality. However, to date, few studies using the longitudinal-design have examined the underlying mechanism of this relationship. Based on a resilience perspective, this study aimed to investigate the dynamic longitudinal relationships between insomnia, resilience, and suicidality. A total of 5785 freshmen were sampled from a large-scale health-related cohort among Chinese college students. This study spanned six waves, covering the period from 2020 to 2022. Data from T 1 to T 4 were used because resilience was not measured at baseline (T 0) and T 5. The cross-lagged panel models and the latent growth curve mediation model were used to examine the longitudinal dynamic relationships between insomnia, resilience, and suicidality. The results showed that insomnia symptoms and suicidality mutually predicted each other, and resilience played a longitudinal mediating role in linking insomnia symptoms and suicidality. Given that resilience served as a mediator in the relation between insomnia symptoms and suicidality, some resilience-oriented prevention and intervention programs will be helpful in reducing the risk of suicide among university students. • Insomnia symptoms and suicidality mutually predicted each other. • Resilience played a longitudinal mediating role in linking insomnia symptoms and suicidality. • Insomnia-oriented and resilience-oriented prevention and intervention programs will be helpful in reducing the risk of suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have reported the correlation of dysregulated blood cell indices and peripheral inflammatory markers with depression in adults but limited studies have examined this correlation in early adolescents. This study used data from the Chinese Early Adolescents Cohort Study, which was conducted in Anhui, China. Students' depression symptoms were repeatedly measured using the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children. Students' blood samples were collected in September 2019 and September 2021. The peripheral blood cell counts and inflammatory marker levels were determined using routine blood tests. Multivariable regression models were used to explore the associations between blood cell indices and adolescent depressive symptoms in both the whole sample and the sex-stratified samples. The white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil count (NC), platelet (PLT) count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) were positively correlated with the severity of depressive symptoms during follow-up. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean hemoglobin (HGB) volume (MCH), and mean corpuscular HGB concentration (MCHC) exhibited negative temporal correlations with depressive symptoms. Additionally, several sex-specific blood cell markers were correlated with depression. Male adolescents with increased red blood cell (RBC) and female adolescents with decreased HGB levels and upregulated WBC, NC, NLR, and SII levels exhibited severe depressive symptoms at follow-up. These findings suggested the potential usefulness of peripheral blood cell indices in the assessment of depression in early adolescents. • Elevated WBC, NC, PLT, NLR, PLR, and SII were positively correlated with adolescent depressive symptoms. • Elevated MCH and MCHC were negatively correlated with adolescent depressive symptoms. • Boys with increased RBC exhibited severe depressive symptoms. • Girls with decreased HGB levels and upregulated WBC, NC, NLR, and SII levels exhibited severe depressive symptoms. • Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of peripheral blood cell indices in the assessment of adolescent depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although a series of studies on OXIS contacts have been performed, studies regarding changes in OXIS contacts over time are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the change in contact type between primary molars after 3 years in children aged 3–7 years. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted using 2922 sectional die models of 926 children. At baseline (T0), the contact type between the primary molars was scored using replication via the sectional die model method according to the OXIS criteria. After 3 years, the sectional die models of the same children were scored using the same criteria (T1). Results: McNemar's tests revealed a significant change in contacts from baseline to 3 years. The post hoc test explained specific changes in the contacts that were observed to be significant. These were O to X (p < 0.001), O to I (p < 0.001), O to S (p = 0.035), and I to X (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A significant change in OXIS contact over time was observed. The O-type contact underwent the maximum change. The least and most stable contacts are the "O" and "I" types, respectively. This change in contact type with age may alter the risk of caries in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is commonly introduced or encouraged in rural areas of developing countries to improve local livelihoods and enhance conservation. While understanding resultant shifts in residents' attitudes are important for effective management, there is scant longitudinal knowledge. This study investigated residents' attitudes to the environment, protected area management, and tourism through a longitudinal mixed-method study from 2011 to 2020 in an Iranian rural village during early tourism stages. Quantitative and qualitative primary data were collected through surveys of residents, interviews with government officials and the village leader, and observations combined with secondary data collected over the nine-year period. This study specifically tested, and confirmed, that residents' attitudes to the environment and protected area management must be measured separately. As attitudes to the environment and its management are commonly combined, this is the first study to measure residents' attitudes to protected area management longitudinally. The findings revealed no significant shift in residents' attitudes to the environment but a significant positive shift regarding protected area management. Also tested were residents' attitudes to tourism, which were initially positive and shifted to be more positive. Finally, this study demonstrated significant negative environmental impacts, and an attitude-behaviour gap, which provide theoretical and practical contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breakfast consumption could have a synchronizer role in chronobiological functions. Across observational studies, the assessment of breakfast frequency consumption is heterogeneous, therefore consensus on the relation between of weekly frequency of breakfast consumption and the risk of diabetes is unclear. We examined the relation between weekly breakfast frequency consumption and the incidence of diabetes in middle-age women. Since baseline (2006–2008) we prospectively followed 71,373 women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort. Participants were classified according to breakfast consumption frequency of 0, 1–3, 4–6, or 7 days/week. Diabetes was identified by self-report and clinical-administrative databases. We used Cox proportional hazards multivariable models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breakfast frequency and diabetes adjusting for covariates. Stratified analyses were performed for age, birth weight, ethnicity, and physical activity. We identified 3613 new diabetes cases between baseline and 2014. The prevalence of daily breakfast consumers was 25%. The median follow-up was 2.2 years, interquartile range 1.8–3.8 years. Relative to women who skipped breakfast, those who consumed breakfast every day had a 12% lower risk of diabetes (multivariable HR = 0.88; 95% CI 0.78, 0.99; p-trend = 0.0018). One additional day per week of breakfast was associated with a lower risk of diabetes (HR = 0.98; 95% CI 0.97, 0.99). In stratified analysis, the observed inverse relation appeared to be stronger in women aged ≥40 years and in indigenous women. Breakfast frequency was inversely associated with the incidence of diabetes independently of lifestyle factors. Regular breakfast consumption may be a potential component of diabetes prevention. • Higher frequency of breakfast consumption was associated to lower diabetes incidence. • Increased breakfast frequency could be a modifiable factor for diabetes control. • Breakfast regularity could be beneficial for diabetes prevention. • Four levels of breakfast frequency were analyzed instead of dichotomized categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown that sexting—the practice of sending, receiving, and forwarding sexual messages on digital media services—is associated with poor mental health. However, few studies have moved beyond cross-sectional designs, demonstrating that individuals who engage in sexting differ in mental health from those who do not. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether sexting was associated with increases in depression symptoms and conduct problems over time. We analyzed data from three rounds of the longitudinal MyLife study among Norwegian adolescents (n = 3,000). The participants completed e-questionnaires containing instruments on sexting and mental health at three annual assessments. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models were estimated to examine the effect of sexting on within-person changes in mental health, measured one year later. We also examined the potential reverse order of the effects. In accordance with findings from cross-sectional research, the analyses showed that boys who frequently engaged in sexting also reported more depression symptoms and conduct problems. For girls, we found only a significant between-person association for sexting and depression symptoms. However, sexting was not predictive of changes in depression symptoms or conduct problems over time. On the contrary, conduct problems predicted increased sexting scores but only for girls. Our results suggest that efforts to reduce sexting may not prevent mental health problems among young people. Intervention efforts should thus redirect attention from sexting as a driver of individual mental health problems to educating adolescents on how to perform safe and responsible sexting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this longitudinal study we explore how changes in food environments have shaped the acquisition and consumption of wild foods among people living near forests. Our study conceptually improves food environment frameworks by including evidence on changes in wild food consumption. We used data collected in both the dry and rainy seasons in 2009 and 2021/2022 in four villages in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Across data collections, we conducted qualitative interviews, focus groups and repeated household surveys, including questions on dietary intake, food sources, agricultural practices, and use of wild resources. We found that the proportion of people who collected wild foods within the past seven days had declined from 90 to 61% in the dry season and from 99 to 72% in the wet season. The main reasons were 1) decreased availability caused by, for example, loss of biodiversity, 2) lack of access due to government forest regulations, and 3) increased desirability towards marked-based foods. Our results show how changes in both availability, access and desirability of wild foods have shifted dietary choices from wild foods towards cultivated and purchased foods. Also, we see less widespread consumption of sentinel food groups such as dark green leafy vegetables. Our results highlight the need for an additional dimension in existing food environment frameworks: "Legal access to wild resources" that would cover access to wild foods. This dimension is important as loss of legal access and declining consumption can have negative dietary implications, since the most commonly consumed wild foods, such as leafy vegetables, are nutritionally important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis show impairment in executive function (EF). However, findings are mixed regarding differences in the age effect on EF between autistic individuals and persons with typical development (TD). Questions remain regarding whether the age‐related trajectories of EF in ASD are the same as or different from those in TD. To bridge this knowledge gap, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analyses of longitudinal studies that compared age‐related changes in EF between ASD and TD groups (preregistration: osf.io/j5764). A literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science on January 29, 2024. After screening by two independent reviewers, 14 longitudinal studies were included. Random‐effects meta‐analyses of studies involving a maximum total of 518 autistic and 3558 TD children and adolescents (mean baseline ages: 5.7–12.0 years) showed that ASD had significantly poorer EF than TD at both baseline and follow‐up. However, there was no significant group difference in the age‐related change in EF across domains, including working memory, inhibition, shifting, and planning. Robust Bayesian meta‐analyses also provided substantial evidence in favor of the null hypothesis that ASD and TD groups showed similar changes over time for most EF processes. Limitations of the literature included the limited number of longitudinal studies and a narrow range of developmental stages and EF constructs analyzed across studies. Altogether, these findings suggest that autistic children and adolescents generally can improve in EF over time similarly to their neurotypical peers. This has important implications for parents and educators, encouraging appropriate EF training and intervention for autistic children and adolescents at an early stage. Lay Summary: Our meta‐analyses based on two complementary methods found that despite falling behind in executive function (EF) development, autistic children and adolescents showed similar EF improvements over time compared with their typical development (TD) peers. Over the years, various interventions have been identified that have the potential to improve EF in autistic children and adolescents, suggesting that EF may be modifiable with training over and above the general improvement. As a result, parents and educators are encouraged to take early actions to facilitate these individuals to catch up with their EF development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2D) is associated with accelerated biological aging and the increased risk of onset of other age-related diseases. Epigenetic changes in DNA methylation levels have been found to serve as reliable biomarkers for biological aging. This study explores the relationship between various epigenetic biomarkers of aging and diabetes risk using longitudinal data. Data from the Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) was collected from 1984 to 2014 and included 536 individuals with at least one epigenetic measurement. The following epigenetic biomarkers of aging were employed: DNAm PAI-1, DNAmTL, DunedinPACE, PCHorvath1, PCHorvath2, PCHannum, PCPhenoAge, and PCGrimAge. Firstly, longitudinal analysis of biomarker trajectories was done. Secondly, linear correlations between the biomarkers and time to diabetes were studied within individuals developing diabetes. Thirdly, Cox proportional hazards (PH) models were used to assess the associations between these biomarkers and time of diabetes diagnosis, with adjustments for chronological age, sex, education, smoking, blood glucose, and BMI. The longitudinal trajectories of the biomarkers revealed differences between individuals with and without diabetes. Smoothened average curves for DunedinPACE and DNAm PAI-1 were higher for individuals with diabetes around the age 60–70, compared to controls. Likewise, DunedinPACE and DNAm PAI-1 were higher closer to diabetes onset. However, no significant associations were found between the epigenetic biomarkers of aging and risk of diabetes in Cox PH models. Our findings suggest the potential value of developing epigenetic biomarkers specifically tailored to T2D, should we wish to model and explore the potential for predicting the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of social network consumption on adolescents' subjective well-being (SWB) has remained a subject of debate in cross-sectional studies, and the understanding of how changing social network consumption patterns affect SWB over time is even more limited. This study adopts an innovative approach, utilizing various measurement scales to assess adolescents' SWB alongside the evolution of their SSNC patterns. A four-wave longitudinal study was conducted involving 341 participants aged 9 to 14 from Spain. The findings indicate that as adolescents age, their perception of SSNC increases, while SWB declines over time. Adolescents categorizing themselves as low consumers of social networks consistently exhibited higher SWB scores than those with medium and high consumption levels. Notably, the relationship between SSNC and SWB showed variations depending on the measurement scale used. An analysis of the evolution of social network consumption profiles (SNCPs) revealed four distinct profiles, although these were not linked to changes in SWB over time. Finally, participants with an extreme consumption profile consistently exhibited significantly lower SWB scores. These findings underscore the importance of continuously monitoring social media use and its effects on SWB, especially within subgroups displaying more extreme consumption patterns, an insight that has implications for preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify career decision groups based on the career decision trajectories of college students over a 3-year period, and to examine the factors influencing group classification and differences. To achieve this goal, a latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was conducted on longitudinal data collected from 867 college students from 2018 to 2020. As a result of the analysis, a total of four groups were identified based on the change in career decision status of college students: a group that retained previous career decision, a group with a significant increase in career decision, a group that maintained career indecision status, and a group that reduced career decision. A college student's self-directed learning experience and ability, which are predictors of latent group classification, significantly affect their chances of belonging to each group based on their change in career decision level. Also, a significant difference was found in college students' understanding of their desired job based on the changing pattern of their career decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a cross-national approach, we focused on sport perfectionism among university athletes from two Western countries (i.e., Italy and Spain). We examined a guiding theoretical model in which sport perfectionism influenced athletes' experience of their own performance through the intervening effects of their basic psychological needs' satisfaction (BPN). We collected data on the short version of the "Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport" (MIPS) from athletes in both countries and first examined the country measurement invariance of the instrument. We then conducted a second study on a subsample of athletes from study 1 to examine the statistical tenets and the country invariance of the guiding theoretical model. Overall, we found support to the guiding hypotheses. Study 1 findings showed that the MIPS had good psychometric properties and was invariant across countries (i.e., MIPS items had similar meaning among Italian and Spanish athletes). Study 2 findings overall showed support across countries for the guiding model. Athletes with relatively high levels of perfectionistic strivings, later showed greater levels of BPN satisfaction and this, in turn, positively influenced their personal experience of performance. On the contrary, athletes with relatively high levels of perfectionistic concerns, later showed lower levels of BPN satisfaction and this, in turn, negatively influenced their personal experience of performance. This investigation provides initial cross-national evidence for possible mediation mechanisms that may underpin the relations between perfectionism and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm) have been observed in patients with fatty liver, but whether they are cause or consequence remains unknown. The study aimed to investigate longitudinal association of epigenome-wide DNAm with liver fat content (LFC) in Chinese participants, and explore their temporal relationships. Methods: Data were obtained from 2 waves over a four-year time period of the Shanghai Changfeng Study (discovery, n = 407 and replication, n = 126). LFC and peripheral blood DNAm were repeatedly measured using quantitative hepatic ultrasonography and the 850 K Illumina EPIC BeadChip, respectively. Longitudinal and cross-sectional epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) were conducted with linear mixed model and linear regression model, respectively. Meta-analysis was performed using METAL. Cross-lagged panel analysis (CLPA) was carried out to infer temporal relationships between the significant CpGs and LFC. Results: Longitudinal EWAS identified cg11024682 (SREBF1), cg06500161 (ABCG1), cg16740586 (ABCG1), cg15659943 (ABCA1) and cg00163198 (SNX19) significantly associated with LFC with P < 1e-7. Another 6 of the 22 previously reported CpGs were replicated in the present longitudinal EWAS. CLPA showed longitudinal effects of cg11024682 (SREBF1) (β = 0.14 [0.06, 0.23]), cg16740586 (ABCG1) (β = 0.17 [0.08, 0.25]), cg06500161 (ABCG1) (β = 0.12 [0.03, 0.20]), cg17901584 (DHCR24) (β = -0.10 [-0.18, -0.02]), cg00574958 (CPT1A) (β = -0.09 [-0.17, -0.01]), cg08309687 (LINC00649) (β = -0.11 [-0.19, -0.03]), and cg27243685 (ABCG1) (β = 0.09 [0.01, 0.18]) on subsequent LFC. The effects were attenuated when further adjusting for body mass index. High levels of LFC led to alterations in DNAm of cg15659943 (ABCA1) (β = 0.13 [0.04, 0.21]), cg07162647 (β = -0.11 [-0.19, -0.03]), cg06500161 (ABCG1) (β = 0.10 [0.02, 0.18]), and cg27243685 (ABCG1) (β = 0.10 [0.02, 0.18]). Conclusions: Blood DNAm at SREBF1, ABCG1, DHCR24, CPT1A, and LINC00649 may be predictors of subsequent LFC change. The effects of DNAm at SREBF1 and ABCG1 on LFC were partially influenced by obesity. The findings have potential implications in understanding disease pathogenesis and highlight the potential of DNAm for early detection or intervention of fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Given the established link between obesity and hyperuricemia (HUA), the research want to investigate the relationship between different obesity indices and HUA, and further analyze which obesity index can better predict HUA. Methods: The data were obtained from a longitudinal study involving middle-aged and elderly populations in Dalian, China. The research encompassed individuals who exhibited typical uric acid levels initially and tracked their progress over a three-year period. 8 obesity indices were evaluated retrospectively. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify susceptible populations. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized to model the dose-response relationships between obesity indices and HUA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to visualize and compare the predictive value of both traditional and new obesity indices for HUA. Results: Among 4,112 individuals with normal baseline uric acid levels, 950 developed HUA. Significant associations with HUA were observed for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body roundness index (BRI), cardiometabolic index (CMI), visceral adiposity index (VAI), Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and abdominal volume index (AVI). Subgroup analysis indicated that all obesity indices proved more effective in assessing the onset of HUA in women without Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). Further analysis using RCS revealed non-linear dose-response relationships between LAP, CMI, VAI, and HUA in males, with similar non-linear relationships observed for all indices in females. The results from the ROC curves indicate that LAP may serve as a better predictor of HUA in males, and CVAI may serve as a better predictor in females. Conclusion: HUA is closely associated with obesity indices. Among females, CVAI emerges as the preferred predictive index for HUA. In males, LAP emerges as the preferred predictive index for HUA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a demand for facilitators who can ease the collaboration within a team or an organization in the implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) and who are positioned to build the implementation capacity in an organization. This study aimed to evaluate the results the Building implementation capacity for facilitation (BIC-F) intervention had on the participants' perceived knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy to facilitate implementation and the normalization of a systematic implementation model into their work routines, and its use into their respective organizations. Methods: The BIC-F intervention was delivered to 37 facilitators in six workshops, which focused on teaching participants to apply a systematic implementation model and various facilitation tools and strategies. A longitudinal mixed methods design was used to evaluate the intervention. Data was collected pre- and post-intervention using questionnaires and semistructured interviews grounded on the Normalization Process Theory (NPT). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive (mean, SD) and inferential (paired t-tests) methods. Qualitative data were analyzed using deductive content analysis according to NPT. Results: An increase in the participants' perceived knowledge, skills, and selfefficacy was observed post-intervention. Normalization of the systematic implementation model in the participants' work routines was in an early phase, facilitated by high coherence, however, other NPT mechanisms were not sufficiently activated yet to contribute to full normalization. In the organizations where participants initiated the normalization process, they were still working towards achieving coherence and cognitive participation among relevant stakeholders. Conclusion: The intervention had positive results on the participants' perceived knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy and these recognized the value of a systematic implementation model for their practice. However, further efforts are needed to apply it consistently as a part of their work routines and in the organization. Future interventions should provide long-term support for facilitators, and include methods to transfer training between organizational levels and to overcome contextual barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Introduction Methods Results Conclusions The Dark Triad (DT), including narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, represents the dark side of human nature and has been related to psychopathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, and stress). However, little is known about how the two constructs are related longitudinally. To fill this gap and to clarify the directionality between them, we conducted a longitudinal study.We measured DT traits and psychopathological symptoms in a large sample of university students (NT1 = 1815) annually for 3 years. We implemented random intercept cross‐lagged panel models in analysis.Narcissism and psychopathological symptoms showed a reciprocal relationship at the within‐person level: greater narcissism preceded a decline in psychopathological symptoms, while more severe symptoms preceded a decrease in narcissism. Within the same individual, increases in the DT, particularly psychopathy and Machiavellianism, were linked to concurrent escalations in the symptoms. Additionally, all DT traits were positively correlated with psychopathological symptoms as stable differences between individuals.This study constitutes an important step in clarifying the directionality between the DT and psychopathological symptoms, and advances our understanding of the interplay between these two constructs at both the between‐person and within‐person levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]