In a pattern known as the positivity effect, older adults tend to prioritize positive over negative information in attention and memory compared to younger adults. Traditional theories attribute this effect to age-related shifts toward positive emotions, and it is typically operationalized as a two-by-two interaction between age (younger vs. older) and valence (negative vs. positive). Alternative accounts, however, suggest that discrete emotions within valence categories may differentially drive the effect. To test this, from June to July 2023, younger adults (n = 101) and older adults (n = 108) completed an emotion-induced blindness task online. In each task trial, an emotional distractor image appeared shortly before a task-relevant target in a rapid stream of images. Emotional distractors depicted scenes of fear, disgust, excitement, contentment, or were emotionally neutral. We measured distraction from the emotional images and found minimal age-related differences between trials with different discrete emotion categories, but the positivity effect was evident when we compared across negative and positive valence categories. These findings suggest that valence, rather than discrete emotions, drives the positivity effect in attention. We discuss insights gained, limitations of our approach, and generalizability of our results to understand age-related changes in emotional prioritization. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Eco-anxiety refers to psychological distress arising from the anticipated impacts of planetary crises. Even though young people are at major risk for both psychopathology and the long-term consequences of planetary crises, no psychometrically validated German instrument currently exists to assess eco-anxiety in this age group, and research on age differences in eco-anxiety remains limited. The present study aimed to replicate the psychometric properties of the German validation study of the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) in a younger age group (N = 414; Mage = 20.24, SDage = 2.80, age range: 15-25) as well as the four-factor structure (Affective Symptoms, Rumination, Behavioral Symptoms, and Anxiety about Personal Impact). By combining the present sample with two additional samples, measurement invariance across two age groups (15-25 years vs. >25 years) was established, suggesting that the HEAS measures eco-anxiety similarly across ages. All hypotheses were confirmed; additionally, latent mean comparisons show that the younger group experiences higher levels of eco-anxiety than the older group. Exploratory analyses further found that participants demonstrating elevated symptoms of depression or anxiety reported significantly higher levels of eco-anxiety across all HEAS subscales. Moreover, individuals residing in metropolitan areas scored higher on the scale Anxiety about the Personal Impact compared to participants from rural regions. Enhancing the precision of eco-anxiety assessment depending on age, clinical status, and geographical contexts enables the targeted development and implementation of preventive and therapeutic interventions according to the level of severity indicated by this instrument.

Sex differences in musculoskeletal aging are often attributed to gonadal hormones, but the independent role of sex chromosomes remains unclear. Using the Four Core Genotype mouse model, which dissociates sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) from gonadal sex (ovaries vs. testes), our goal was to examine sex chromosomes and gonads independent and interactive effects on bone, muscle and organ phenotypes from 8 to 20months of age in XXO, XYO, XXT, and XYT mice. XYO mice showed high mortality (38.7%-survival by 20months) when compared with other genotypes (67-86.7%). Between 8 and 20months, XYO mice showed increases in lean mass and femoral BMD and improved bone structural parameters, yet lower cortical tissue mineral density. XXO mice displayed pronounced late-life gains in body weight, lean and fat mass not observed in other genotypes, although lean mass differed only versus XXT mice at 20months. Total and spine BMD declined in XXO mice, accompanied with lower structural parameters and higher tissue mineral density than XYO mice. XXT mice displayed bone loss at all skeletal sites, whereas XYT mice showed a selective decline in spine BMD. Overall, chromosome sex adversely affected bone and muscle mass in XX versus XY mice, while gonadal sex influenced bone structure and absolute muscle mass, with mice bearing ovaries generally exhibiting lower muscle mass. Organ weight effects were modest and limited to spleen (XYO>XXO/XYT) and brain (XYT>XXT). Collectively, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized, tissue-specific contribution of sex chromosomes to musculoskeletal aging, independent of gonadal sex.

To further investigate the heterogeneity of adolescents' social anxiety, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 6540 Chinese adolescents aged 11 to 19 years (3294 boys). Latent profile analysis and network analysis were adopted to identify subgroups based on social anxiety symptoms and further reveal core features of each group. Results showed that four subgroups were identified: "Profile 1 (n = 1,768, 26.8%): the low group with diffuse social anxiety"; "Profile 2 (n = 1,202, 18.7%): the moderate group with cognitive disturbance"; "Profile 3 (n = 1995, 30.6%): the moderate group with difficulties in new situations"; and "Profile 4: high group with diffuse social anxiety". Multiple logistic regression analyses showed significant age and gender differences across the four profiles. Network analyses revealed that, with regard to standardized strength indices of SAS-A symptoms, generally, symptoms F4 "worry that others don't like me", and F6 "feel that others make fun of me" emerged as central symptoms across the four networks. Network 4 showed a higher average predictability of all nodes, indicating a greater resistance to intervention. Network comparison tests indicated that there were significant differences regarding network structures in all pairs of networks except for Network 1 versus 2. All pairs of networks differed significantly in network strengths except for Network 2 versus 3, particularly revealing the "essence" and "manifestation" of adolescents' social anxiety. The findings help understand adolescents' social anxiety symptoms and the interactions of symptoms, potentially providing novel perspectives and approaches for the prevention and treatment of adolescents' social anxiety.

Age and sex differences in longitudinal CPAP adherence patterns.

Executive function (EF) and emotion regulation (ER) have been proposed as transdiagnostic factors that contribute to the socio-emotional and behavioural difficulties observed in neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Investigating potential differences in the association between EF and ER in autism, ADHD and autism/ADHD co-occurrence could be an important avenue to inform possible differential diagnosis. In this study, we present a systematic review examining the associations between EF and ER in autism, ADHD, and autism/ADHD. PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and Scopus datasets were searched for empirical articles, published between January 2013 and October 2024. Twenty-two articles were included. Of these, four analysed the relationship between EF and ER in autism, 16 in ADHD and two in autism/ADHD, demonstrating a clear focus on the study of these dimensions in ADHD over the past decade. Although age (i.e., children versus adults) and methodological (i.e., task-based versus report-based measures) differences may contribute to the variability of findings, the overall evidence suggests an association between EF difficulties and emotional dysregulation across conditions. Further research comparing autism, ADHD and autism/ADHD individuals is needed to draw clearer conclusions about how the association between EF and ER differs across these neurodevelopmental disorders, to inform more accurate diagnosis.

Both seizures and epileptiform discharges have been reported in various amyloid plaque- forming mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These mice also show premature mortality possibly related to epileptic seizures. Yet, the relationship between epileptic manifestations and amyloid pathology remains elusive. We utilized deltaFosB as a marker for sustained neuronal hyperactivity to localize the epileptic focus and compared it with age and sex differences in premature mortality between APP/PS1, 5xFAD and wildtype littermate mice and epileptiform discharges (EDs) during sleep in cortex and hippocampus. APP/PS1 mice showed elevated FosB/deltaFosB (shortly FosB) staining in the dentate granule (DG) cells and CA1-CA3 pyramidal cells. These were also the origins of identified epileptiform discharges (EDs) in LFP recordings. APP/PS1 mice showed much higher premature mortality than 5xFAD mice, females more than males. FosB staining intensity in APP/PS1 mice was robustly elevated compared to wildtype mice and peaked at 3months of age. In contrast, FosB intensity in 5xFAD was lower than in wildtype mice at 1 and 3months of age, showing a modest elevation at 10months. In APP/PS1 mice between 1.5 and 3months of age, the DG amyloid load correlated positively with FosB intensity. Furthermore, the DG FosB intensity showed a positive correlation with the frequency of EDs during sleep. These findings suggest that FosB staining intensity can be used as a proxy for local epileptiform activity in AD model mice and help unveil cellular and molecular basis of AD related neuronal hyperactivity and epilepsy.

Racial and/or Ethnic, Sex, and Age Differences in Smoking Prevalences Among Youth and Young Adults.

Age differences in visual and multisensory imagery: Notes on distributions of aphantasia and hyperphantasia in individuals aged 20s-70s.

Age differences in innovation strategies: Children favour exploration and adults prefer exploitation.

Purpose: To assess microvascular changes on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched to identify observational studies reporting OCTA metrics in patients with type 1 DM without clinically evident diabetic retinopathy as well as age-matched controls. Standardized mean differences were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression assessed diabetes duration, glycosylated hemoglobin, eye selection, age differences, and sex distribution. Results: This meta-analysis incorporated data from 11 studies. Our results showed that, compared with healthy controls, children with type 1 DM had a significantly enlarged area (standardized mean difference, 0.25) and increased perimeter (standardized mean difference, 0.42) of foveal avascular zone (FAZ). Mean foveal and perifoveal superficial capillary plexus vessel density and mean foveal deep capillary plexus vessel density did not differ between the patients with DM and healthy controls (standardized mean difference, -0.17, -0.67, and -0.21, respectively). However, the mean parafoveal superficial capillary plexus (standardized mean difference, -0.50), mean parafoveal deep capillary plexus (standardized mean difference, -0.44), mean perifoveal deep capillary plexus (standardized mean difference, -0.43), optic nerve whole image (standardized mean difference, -0.36), and peripapillary (standardized mean difference, -0.43) vessel densities were lower in patients with type 1 DM compared with healthy controls. Conclusion: Compared with healthy children, the eyes of patients with type 1 DM have higher values for the FAZ area and perimeter and a lower vessel density in the parafoveal, perifoveal, and optic nerve head areas. These findings may provide insight into early retinal changes relevant for future screening strategies in pediatric patients with type 1 DM.

ABSTRACT Parental beliefs about physical aggression are one of the socialization factors that may be associated with children's externalizing behaviors during early childhood. Using multidimensional and person-centered approach, the purposes of the study were to: (1) examine the beliefs that Portuguese mothers about physical aggression, depending onchild’s sex and age, (2) identify different profiles of maternal beliefs, and (3) compare these profiles in terms of parenting practices and children’s externalizing behaviors. One hundred and fifty-two mothers completed the Parental Beliefs Questionnaire, the Child-Rearing Practices Report Questionnaire and the Social Behavior and Competence Scale-30. Data analysis involved a two-step clustering procedure and multivariate analyses of variance, followed by univariate analyses of variance with Bonferonni corrections (when applicable). Our findings showed that mothers reported a greater proneness to: (1) describe disappointment; (2) attribute physical aggression to external factors; and (3) report that they would use reflection strategies, guided by child-centered and social goals. Few sex and age differences were found. Three profiles were identified (parent, child and socially centered beliefs). Mothers who held parent-centered beliefs reported higher parenting restrictiveness than mothers in the remaining profiles. Our findings suggest that a multidimensional and person-centered approach to parental beliefs can guide the development of evidence-based interventions.

Prior visual neuroscience research has contributed ample evidence on functional anatomy of two long-range systemic visual networks, dorsal (DVN) and ventral (VVN). Their developmental course of functional connectivity was rarely studied. We examined within- and between-network connectivity using cortical periodic alpha band 8-13 Hz, a well-elaborated developmental marker of cognitive inhibitory control. Resting state magnetoencephalography (rsMEG) investigated age differences in functional network connectivity between carefully screened male participants: younger group (YG, 6:10-12 years) and older group (OG, 18:7-29 years). The morphology of cortical network nodes was informed a priori by pilot resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and MRI morphometry studies. Phase Lag Index was employed to compute within- and between-network connectivity. We summarized the age differences in connectivity using graph theory metrics. The power spectral density across cortical areas was comparable between YG and OG, indicating similar signal-to-noise ratios across the age groups. The dorsal brain in YG showed higher within-network connectivity for the inferior parietal/occipital (DVN) and medial posterior nodes (cingulate/precuneus) of the default mode network (DMN), functionally/anatomically linked to DVN. A significantly reduced anterior brain connectivity for VVN in YG suggested its protracted maturation. The topography of alpha connectivity between age groups displayed no statistically significant differences in the posterior dorsal nodes of DVN/DMN but significantly lower connectivity in the anterior dorsal/medial cortex in YG as compared with OG. The current rsMEG finding on intrinsic alpha-band oscillatory connectivity in child participants is consistent with prior neuroimaging evidence in humans and primates securing an early maturational course of posterior dorsal brain networks.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) frequently rely on pharmacological treatment to manage core symptoms. This study examined how Medicaid expansion and the COVID-19 pandemic influenced medication use among children with ASD or ADHD, including those with comorbid diagnoses. We analyzed 2016-2023 data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) for children aged 3-17 years with caregiver-reported diagnoses. Logistic regression models assessed the association between Medicaid expansion, the pandemic period, and current medication use, including an interaction between expansion and pandemic period. Analyses were conducted for the full sample (N = 35,198) and a subgroup with comorbid ASD and ADHD (N = 4298). Current Medicaid expansion was associated with significantly lower odds of medication use in the full sample (aOR = 0.68, p < 0.001) but not the comorbid group (aOR = 0.98, p = 0.9). Medication use showed no significant change during the COVID-19 period in either the full sample (aOR = 0.99; p > 0.90) or the comorbid subgroup (aOR = 1.22; p = 0.4). A significant interaction indicating increased odds of medication use during the pandemic in expansion states was observed only in the full sample, although a similar but non-significant pattern appeared in the comorbid group. Age, race, and insurance-related differences were significant across groups, with coverage consistency playing a larger role in the full sample. Sensitivity analyses, excluding the 2020 survey year and modeling pre/post pandemic periods, supported the robustness of findings. Medicaid expansion was associated with patterns consistent with buffering pandemic-related disruptions in medication use among children with ASD or ADHD overall, but those with co-occurring conditions remain especially vulnerable.

Following the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, simplified thyroid screening was carried out in children to determine internal exposure to radioactive iodine. Because NaI(Tl) scintillation survey meters - originally designed for environmental radiation - were used, quantifying radioiodine accumulated in the thyroid involved considerable uncertainty. This study investigated factors impacting measurements, specifically thyroid size (volume) and the contribution of short-lived radionuclides other than ¹³¹I (132I, 133I, and 135I) using Monte Carlo simulations with the PHITS code. For 1-y-old children, comparison between standard and minimal thyroid volumes showed that volume differences combined with variations in soft tissue thickness could cause the thyroid equivalent dose to differ by up to 76.5%. Furthermore, considering short-lived radionuclides revealed that at a ¹³¹I thyroid-equivalent dose of 100 mSv, the actual dose could reach 131.7 mSv. Thus, a screening level was used in the simplified method to effectively detect ¹³¹I. As individual differences in thyroid volume exist even among children of the same age, contributions from radionuclides other than ¹³¹I may not be negligible, impacting screening level use. The results suggest that to assess thyroid radiation dose more accurately, it is necessary to consider both age and individual thyroid volume differences, which can cause measurement errors up to 76.5%. Regarding dose contribution from short-lived radionuclides, estimates based on relative proportions of radioactive materials adhered to evacuees' clothing at the time of the accident indicated a maximum impact of 31.7%.

The experience hypothesis predicts that juvenile birds (including immature and subadult individuals) are more exploratory and bolder than their adults. Alternatively, the habituation hypothesis suggests that with urbanization, antipredator strategies are relaxed in certain animals that coexist with humans, resulting in losses of some wild behaviors during development. Flight initiation distance (FID) is widely used to assess trade-offs in bird responses to threats; however, age differences in FID have mostly been studied in passerines. In this study, the FIDs of adults and juveniles were determined in a wintering population of black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in China, to test the two hypotheses for avian responses to human activities. The findings indicate that juveniles exhibit shorter FIDs than adults when approached by observer wearing black, white, red, and green, thereby supporting the experience hypothesis. Additionally, results from four sites with a black-clothing control group further support this conclusion. These results contribute new experimental evidence regarding age-related differences in cognition and behavior among birds.

ABSTRACT Objectives Clinical assessment of anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents is gaining interest due to the need for brief, valid and reliable instruments that allow early screening through a multiple informant approach. The aim of the present study was to validate the brief self‐reported version of the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale for children (SCAS‐C‐8) by examining its concordances and discrepancies with reports from other informant, for example, parents, as relevant and complementary information for screening. Methods Italian children and early adolescents ( N = 1019; 50.5% female) aged 8–12 years, their mothers and fathers were included in the study by completing the SCAS‐C‐8 and its parent‐version (SCAS‐P‐8). The children and early adolescents also self‐reported internalizing, that is, anxiety and emotional problems, and externalizing symptoms on the other scales. Results After confirming the one‐factor structure of the SCAS‐C‐8 and its psychometric properties, that is, reliability, convergent validity with internalizing symptoms and discriminant validity with externalizing symptoms, and complete invariance across sex and age, both concordance and discrepancies between SCAS‐C‐8 and SCAS‐P‐8, were examined. Results confirmed the low/moderate agreement between reports of anxiety and that mothers overestimate levels compared to fathers. Sex and age differences emerged in patterns of discrepancy between reports as well. Conclusion Overall, results confirm that the SCAS‐C‐8 is a valid, reliable, brief, and cross‐domain instrument that, together with the parent‐reported version, could help to expand the early detection of anxiety symptoms by adopting a systematic approach with multiple informants capable of integrating relevant and complementary information for prevention and intervention programs.

Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major global health concern, contributing substantially to mortality and long-term disability. Although sex hormones have been proposed to influence TBI outcomes, sex has not been incorporated into widely used prognostic models. Given the rapidly aging population in Japan, this study aimed to investigate the impact of sex on post-TBI outcomes. Methods: We analyzed data from the Japan Neurotrauma Data Bank, comprising four prospective multicenter cohorts (P1998, P2004, P2009, P2015). Patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores ≥9 at admission were included. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of unfavorable outcomes (death, vegetative state, or severe disability) on the Glasgow Outcome Scale. Subgroup analyses stratified by sex and age were performed. Results: Of 717 eligible patients, 195 (27.2%) were females. Females were significantly older than males (median age: 68 vs. 58.5 years). Traffic accidents were more common among females, whereas non-traffic injuries predominated in males. Independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes included age ≥51 years, male sex, GCS 9-12, Injury Severity Score ≥ 16, hypoxia, targeted temperature management, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Stratified analysis showed that females aged ≥75 years had significantly better outcomes. Conclusions: Female sex was independently associated with more favorable functional outcomes among patients with TBI presenting with admission GCS ≥ 9, particularly among those aged ≥75 years. Although prior studies have reported potential biological influences, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Further investigation of sex differences and associated risk factors may help inform the development of more individualized management strategies for patients with TBI.

The content of vital elements in the blood of animals can depend on a complex of factors, which include both the individual characteristics of organisms and environmental factors. It is interesting to study the effect of animal age on the blood mineral profile, however, taking into account possible differences in the chemical composition of feeds in different periods, an adequate assessment of the mineral profile on the same animals does not seem correct. The aim of the research was to study the differences in phosphorus, calcium, sodium and iron content in the blood serum of cows and heifers of the Hereford breed belonging to two adjacent generations. The material for the study were blood samples taken from 79 pairs of animals (motherdaughter) kept in the same conditions. As a result of the research, significant age differences in mineral status were established. The daughter generation (heifers) showed a higher phosphorus content (2.08 mmol/L versus 1.68 mmol/L in mothers; p = 0.0036) and, as a result, a lower Ca/P ratio (p = 0.0094). On the contrary, the sodium concentration was significantly higher in the maternal generation (median 179.70 mmol/L versus 144.60 mmol/L in daughters; p = 0.0001). No significant differences in the content of calcium and iron were found. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has confirmed that the main vector of variability between generations is related to calcium-phosphorus metabolism. At the same time, a significant overlap of the concentration ellipses indicates a high individual variability of the mineral profile, unrelated to the age. Thus, the results obtained indicate multidirectional age-related changes in the metabolism of key macronutrients. This justifies the need to adjust the mineral composition of diets and premixes for Hereford breed animals, taking into account their age (generation) in order to maintain physiological health and productive potential.

Atherosclerosis, the primary pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, exhibits a strong association with glucose metabolism dysregulation. While cross-sectional studies have linked fasting blood glucose (FBG) to atherosclerosis risk, the dose-response relationship and threshold characteristics of long-term FBG trajectories remain poorly characterized. This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate longitudinal FBG trajectory patterns and their associations with atherosclerosis risk prevalence, incidence, and recovery in Chongqing, China, while also identifying population-specific risk thresholds. Based on the three-year longitudinal follow-up data collected annually from 2017 to 2019, a population-based trajectory model (GBTM) was adopted to identify the dynamic trajectory of FBG. The association between FBG and atherosclerosis risk was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the non-linear relationship between FBG and atherosclerosis risk and to determine risk thresholds. Confounding factors such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipids were adjusted for in the regression models, and subgroup analyses were performed to examine the interactions of age, sex, and BMI. Longitudinal analysis showed that compared with the Trajectory Normal Glucose Regulation (NGR) group, the Trajectory Prediabetes Mellitus group (Pre-DM) group had significantly higher prevalence (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.63-2.51) and incidence (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.39) of atherosclerosis risk. The Trajectory Pre-DM group also had a significantly lower likelihood of atherosclerosis risk recovery than the Trajectory NGR group (OR: 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.79). Dose-response analysis revealed a non-linear association between FBG and atherosclerosis risk prevalence, with a risk threshold at 5.10 mmol/L. This suggests that the atherosclerosis risk threshold in Chongqing is significantly lower than the international prediabetes standard of 5.60 mmol/L. Subgroup analyses showed sex and age differences, with lower thresholds in women and younger individuals. Long-term elevation of FBG was associated with increased atherosclerosis risk. The study suggests that intervention strategies should be based on dynamic blood glucose trajectories and population-specific thresholds, especially lower thresholds for women and younger individuals. This study provides evidence-based support for regional atherosclerosis risk prevention and control.