Age Patterns Research Articles

Dietary Patterns, Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality, and Psychometric Mild Cognitive Impairment: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

AbstractBackgroundDietary factors play a major role in cognitive aging, but few study has compared the associations of major dietary patterns with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mortality and psychometric mild cognitive impairment (p‐MCI).MethodWe included 27,773 participants (mean age = 57.0 years, 52.9% female) from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1998‐2016. We calculated five dietary pattern scores from repeated one day 24‐hour recalls, including the Healthy Eating Index (HEI‐2015), alternate Mediterranean diet score (AMED), Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension score (DASH), the Mediterranean‐DASH Intervention for Neurodegeneration Delay diet score (MIND), and the healthful plant‐based diet index (hPDI). AD mortality was ascertained from linkage to the National Death Index through December, 2019. P‐MCI is defined as a composite cognitive function score being 1.0 standard deviation (SD) lower than the age‐, sex‐, and education‐specific norm measured in 2,713 participants in 2011‐2014. We applied Cox proportional hazard models and logistic models to assess the relations of the dietary scores to AD mortality and p‐MCI, respectively.ResultDuring follow‐up (median = 9.8 years), 260 participants died of AD. Higher AMED was associated with lower risk of AD mortality (HR per SD: 0.87, 0.76 to 0.99). In 2011‐2014, 432 out of 2713 participants had prevalent p‐MCI. Higher HEI‐2015 (OR per SD: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.80 to 1.00), AMED (0.84, 0.75 to 0.95), and MIND (0.81, 0.72 to 0.92) scores were associated with lower odds of p‐MCI.ConclusionAdherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with both lower risk of AD mortality and lower odds of p‐MCI. Our findings highlight the importance of health dietary patterns in the healthy cognitive aging.

Differential Patterns of Brain and Body Aging on MR Imaging

Differential Patterns of Brain and Body Aging on MR Imaging

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comprehensive Review

Introduction: This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted relationship between social media use and mental health, highlighting its positive and negative effects. While social media fosters connectivity and mental health awareness, excessive use has been linked to adverse outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. It is utilizing theoretical frameworks such as Social Comparison Theory and the personal Model.Objectives: This study examines how curated online interactions influence psychological well-being. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted, encompassing recent studies from 2019 onward. Results: Findings reveal that age, developmental stage, and usage patterns significantly moderate the effects of social media on mental health. Emerging concerns include Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), sleep disturbances, and low self-esteem, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Despite its challenges, social media presents opportunities for mental health support through peer networks and online interventions. Conclusions: This review underscores the need for tailored strategies, digital literacy programs, and policy regulations to mitigate risks and maximize social media’s potential for positive mental health outcomes. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, cross-cultural analyses, and innovative digital interventions to address gaps in understanding the complexities of social media's impact on mental health.

Exploring Oesophageal Cancer in Ethiopia: Elevated Incidence in Females and Younger Cases.

Oesophageal cancer is a public health concern in Ethiopia. Identifying the incidence and demographic profile of the two histological subtypes: oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and oesophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are the key steps in recognizing the disease burden and potential aetiopathological associations. The aim of this study is to identify the age and gender-specific incidence patterns of the most common subtype of oesophageal cancer in a high-incidence area of Ethiopia. A retrospective cross-sectional study from a high-incidence oesophageal cancer district in Ethiopia identified 630 cases from the pathology registry of nine hospitals. The patient records were carefully reviewed and data on age, gender, tumour location and histological types was systematically compiled. The patient data were retrieved and descriptive statistics were used to generate results. ESCC subtype, accounted for constituting 500 (79.437%) cases. A gender disparity was observed, with 62.80% of cases occurring in females and 37.20% in males. This distribution of higher female ESCC incidences aligns with previous findings indicating a regional consistency and probable aetiological factor. Furthermore, ESCC incidence peaked at 40-50 years in females, highlighting an age-related incidence trend. EAC was observed in 67 (51.5%) females and 63 (48.5%) males showing similar prevalence. Spatial analysis revealed that the majority of ESCC cases were located in the lower oesophagus, followed by the middle part, with fewer instances in the upper oesophagus. This study from Ethiopia identified ESCC as the predominant subtype, with a marked female predominance and age-related gender disparities. EAC with a lesser proportion identified with consistent spatial distribution patterns in both genders provide valuable insights into the epidemiological landscape of this disease. These findings emphasize the urgency of targeted research to uncover the underlying factors.

New U-Pb zircon ages from Cadomian basement of the Balkan fold-and-thrust belt of northern Bulgaria

New U-Pb zircon ages are preliminarily reported here from various high-grade units within the overall low-grade Balkan fold-and-thrust belt of northern Bulgaria. The Stakevtsi gneisses yielded Cadomian ages interpreted as magma crystallization ages ranging from 651±8 Ma to 601±3 Ma, some of the samples exhibited a significant proportion of Mesoproterozoic ages with peaks at 1.6 and 1.5 Ga. Paragneisses in the Barzyia Massif exhibit complex U-Pb zircon age patterns, with age peaks typically at 580 Ma and 540 Ma, but also Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic and younger at 430 Ma to 310 Ma. The Divchovoto gneisses yielded age spectra with a minor contribution of Archean, Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic grains and a dominant population of Cadomian ages at 610 Ma. In summary, most of the samples point to the north African provenance, however, some of the Stakevtsi gneisses indicate rather a Baltican provenance. This suggests that the pre-Variscan tectonics and juxtaposition of different terranes was complex in this segment the former Cadomian orogenic belt, but also the possible proximity of Baltica to Gondwana at the end of Neoproterozoic.

Changing age pattern and diverse outcomes of herpes zoster ophthalmicus: exploring the temporal trend, decrease in incident age and influence of treatment strategies.

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) is a disease commonly affecting the elderly and immunocompromised. Over the last several years, a trend towards decreasing incident age, albeit with varying clinical features, has been observed. This temporal trend towards the younger age group necessitates a detailed evaluation to determine possible causes of its occurrence in this population. This is a hospital-based retrospective study. 154 datasheets were initially identified. After excluding non-relevant data sheets (88), 56 relevant and complete records were subjected to comprehensive analysis in adherence to the inclusion criteria. Most commonly affected age group was < 40years, with the mean age being 38. Conjunctivitis was the most frequent occurrence seen in 82.05%. Keratitis was seen in varying forms as, epithelial (64.44%), stromal (15.3%) & nummular (3.57%). Anterior uveitis in 35.89%, posterior uveitis (retinitis, neuro-retinitis) in 7.69% of cases, posterior segment involvement (rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, optic atrophy) in 8.8%, secondary glaucoma in 28.2%, optic neuritis in 5.3% while orbital apex and cavernous sinus involvement were seen in one case. This study reflects a temporal shift in the incidence of HZO towards the younger age group. The proportion of younger patients with HZO is increasing with some male preponderance. Identifiable factors contributing to potential risk, recurrence, and chronicity of HZO are related to demographics, immune status, dietary, environmental associations, vaccination status, and previous history of recurrences. Reported outcomes can be valuable in understanding the evolving patterns of HZO and improving patient care, public health and vaccination policies.

Spectrum of Craniofacial and Oral Malformations in China, a Multicenter Study.

Craniofacial and oral malformations (COMs) represent an important class of human developmental disorders with profound implications on the anatomical structure, appearance, and various physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to define the spectrum of COMs and analysis its features or possible influencing factors to improve the surveillance and control of the disease. We organized a multicenter survey of COMs from 19 hospitals in 14 provinces. The clinical data of COM cases were collected from the electronic medical records system, cleaned and aggregated for analysis. A total of 90,895 COM cases with 76 types of diseases were identified from 34,649,545 hospital population. The four most common COMs were supernumery teeth (62.64%), cleft lip and palate (28.53%), microdontia (2.86%), and tooth agenesis (1.70%). The remaining 72 diseases were detected in 3881 cases and were considered to be rare COMs. Moreover, 84.72% of rare COMs also manifested as other malformations or dysfunctions of the bone, skin and other tissues. COMs exhibit age and gender distribution patterns, have multiple types, and significant dental malformations. The diagnostic criteria and registration practices for COMs influence their reported prevalence and temporal trends, necessitating future improvements.

Selection for early reproduction leads to accelerated aging and extensive metabolic remodeling in Drosophila melanogaster.

While experimental evolution studies featuring Drosophila melanogaster have generated significant insights into the forces that shape aging and life history patterns, more recent efforts incorporating genomic and transcriptomic data have had comparatively little success identifying the molecular mechanisms underlying these patterns. Here we work to incorporate molecular phenotyping into this general framework as a way forward. Specifically, we characterize how the metabolome changes with age in populations of D. melanogaster where hundreds of generations of selection for early reproduction have led to enrichment for an accelerated aging phenotype. By comparing to control populations, we show that the metabolome does appear to capture true signals of "biological age" and provides a new avenue for understanding the factors that underlie complex trait variation in real populations.

Questionnaires of Artists as a Method of Contemporary Art Conservation

The article highlights the transformation and alternative approach to conservation as the main criterion for the restoration of modern art, which implies preserving the author's idealism. The resistance against poor-quality restoration originated in the 19th century when artists began to express their attitude toward restoration. Later, the focus switched to a new narrative. Artists would state that the materiality of the work is no longer the main goal of restoration, the most important thing is the preservation of their original idea. In modern conservation, a widely accepted approach is to seek a dialogue with the artist, if he is still alive, to avoid neglecting or denying his primary intentions when researching or conserving a work of art. Of course, collecting and archiving artists' intentions is worth a lot of effort. Some artists are approachable and readily express their opinions on acceptable patterns of aging. They determine tolerance for discoloration, resin cracking, contamination, and physical damage. Others decline to talk about the future of their work. The article also examines the history beyond the formation of the artists' surveys, which is put down in chronological order. The first attempts to organize the timeline trace back to the early 1900s. In 1977, the collection of information from living artists has begun, bringing along new directions of research on the preservation of modern art, which are being improved over the years. In the 21st century, conservators look at lists of material and technical data from a broader perspective. They document their application to other works of the artist, their possible future development, and the impact of conservation measures on the artist's intent. The artist survey is the main approach to the conservation of contemporary art. Over the years, many scholars have developed general artist survey items. A survey of a particular collection derives from these items. Setting the problem. The second half of the 20th century marks the reconsideration of the approach to the restoration of modern art. A wide range of issues regarding the preservation of the work in the context of the artist's idea was raised. The purpose of the article is to highlight the stages of forming a survey of artists and solving the problem of the approach to the conservation of modern art. Analysis of the latest research is contained in the scientific works of Carol Mancusi-Ungaro, Dr Hélia Marçal, Cornelia Weyer, and many others.

Association of Self-Reported Sleep Characteristics With Neuroimaging Markers of Brain Aging Years Later in Middle-Aged Adults.

To determine the association between early midlife sleep and advanced brain aging patterns in late midlife. Using the CARDIA study, we analyzed sleep data at baseline and 5 years later, focusing on short sleep duration, bad sleep quality (SQ), difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep (DIS and DMS), early morning awakening (EMA), and daytime sleepiness. These were categorized into 0-1, 2-3, and >3 poor sleep characteristics (PSC). Brain MRIs obtained 15 years later were used to determine brain age through a machine learning approach based on age-related atrophy. This cohort study included 589 participants (mean age 40.4 ± 3.4 years, 53% women). At baseline, around 70% reported 0-1 PSC, 22% reported 2%-3%, and 8% reported >3 PSC. In multivariable linear regression analyses, participants with 2-3 or >3 PSC had 1.6-year (β = 1.61, 95% CI 0.28-2.93) and 2.6-year (β = 2.64, 95% CI 0.59-4.69) older brain age, respectively, compared with those with 0-1 PSC. Of the individual characteristics, bad SQ, DIS, DMS, and EMA were associated with greater brain age, especially when persistent over the 5-year follow-up. Poor sleep was associated with advanced brain age in midlife, highlighting the importance of investigating early sleep interventions for preserving brain health.

Preoperative resting-state electrophysiological signals predict acute but not chronic postoperative pain.

The prevalence of postoperative pain is notably high among the elderly population, which poses significant challenges for their postoperative recovery. In this study, we aimed to identify preoperative predictors for acute and chronic postoperative pain in patients undergoing lumbar spinal surgery through a longitudinal investigation. We recruited 75 patients (mean age 68.29 ± 5.60 years) and collected their resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) data two hours before the surgery. The aperiodic and periodic signal components were extracted from the resting-state EEG using the Fitting Oscillations and One-Over-F algorithm. We also collected the preoperative pain ratings, demographic information and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale from all patients. The postoperative pain ratings were collected ten times from Day 1 to Week 12 after surgery. We observed a high incidence of postoperative acute and chronic pain among older patients. Preoperative pain and peak alpha frequency in resting-state EEG were the primary predictors of acute postoperative pain. Although age is a significant predictor of chronic postoperative pain, its predictive performance is poor. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the complex pattern of preoperative EEG features, preoperative pain and age in predicting postoperative pain at different stages. Our findings highlight the significance of exploring preoperative features to identify patients who are at a higher risk of developing severe postoperative pain, which can aid in the development of more personalized and effective pain management strategies. The heightened occurrence of postoperative pain among the elderly presents formidable obstacles to their recuperation. This study delves into identifying preoperative factors influencing acute and chronic postoperative pain. Our findings indicate that preoperative pain and peak alpha frequency are crucial predictors of acute postoperative pain. However, the predictive performance for chronic postoperative pain is limited, although age was a significant predictor of chronic postoperative pain. These insights contribute to the identification of patients at elevated risk for severe acute and chronic postoperative pain, offering valuable guidance for pre-surgical risk assessment.

Optimal sites for mini-implant insertion into the infrazygomatic crest according to different craniofacial morphologies: A cross-sectional cone-beam computed tomography study

The infrazygomatic bone crest and other extraalveolar regions represent a viable option for the placement of temporary anchorage devices when distalizing the maxillary arch. This approach allows for the movement of the dentition without concern for potential collisions among dental structures. Nevertheless, it is of the utmost importance to conduct a thorough examination of the anatomy of this region before the placement of mini-implants to prevent potential injuries, such as maxillary sinus perforations. The objective of this study was to quantify the depth of the infrazygomatic crest and evaluate its correlations with age, gender, skeletal classification, and vertical pattern. The study sample of this cross-sectional, retrospective study consisted of 201 cone-beam computed tomography scans collected from patients treated at the master's program in orthodontics at the University of Valencia and at a private dental clinic. The cone-beam computed tomography scans were collected for 5 years, from January 2017 to May 2022. The total and intraalveolar lengths were defined and measured at 3 points: the distal roots of the maxillary second molars, the distal roots of the maxillary first molars, and the mesial roots of the maxillary first molars. These measurements were taken on both the right and left sides using the Carestream 3D Imaging System (Atlanta, Ga). The total length (TL) at the mesiobuccal level of the first molars was found to be significantly longer on both sides (P= 0.001). The intraalveolar length exhibited statistically significant differences between the right and left sides, with those of the left side exhibiting greater length (P<0.001). The normodivergent patterns demonstrated lower TL values than hypodivergent (P= 0.006) and hyperdivergent patterns (P= 0.033). A statistically significant inverse relationship was observed between the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the vestibular bone crest and the total and intraalveolar lengths in the studied regions. The TL was greatest in the region of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molars, followed by the region of the distal root of the second molars, and finally, the region of the distobuccal root of the maxillary first molars. Patients with normodivergent patterns exhibited the lowest total infrazygomatic ridge height.

Machine-learning models to predict myopia in children and adolescents.

To explore machine-learning applications in myopia prediction and analyze the influencing factors of myopia. Stratified cluster random sampling was used to select elementary school students in Shenzhen, China for inclusion in this case-control study. Myopia screening, ocular biological parameter measurements, and questionnaires were conducted. Random forest (RF), decision tree (DT), extreme gradient boosting trees (XGBoost), support vector machine (SVM), and logistic regression (LR) algorithms were used to construct five myopia prediction models using R software (version 4.3.0). These myopia prediction models were used to investigate the relationship between ocular biological parameters, environmental factors, behavioral factors, genetic factors, and myopia. This study included 2,947 elementary school students, with a myopia prevalence rate of 47.2%. All five prediction models had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) above 0.75, with prediction accuracy and precision exceeding 0.70. The AUCs in the testing set were 0.846, 0.837, 0.833, and 0.815 for SVM, LR, RF, and XGBoost, respectively, indicating their superior predictive performance to that of DT (0.791). In the RF model, the five most important variables were axial length, age, sex, maternal myopia, and feeding pattern. LR identified axial length was the most significant risk factor for myopia [odds ratio (OR) =8.203], followed by sex (OR = 2.349), maternal myopia (OR = 1.437), Reading and writing posture (OR = 1.270), infant feeding pattern (OR = 1.207), and age (OR = 1.168); corneal radius (OR = 0.034) and anterior chamber depth (OR = 0.516) served as protective factors. Myopia prediction models based on machine learning demonstrated favorable predictive performance and accurately identified myopia risk factors, and may therefore aid in the implementation of myopia prevention and control measures among high-risk individuals.

Age patterns of emigration from Egypt and return to it during 2000–2013

Egyptian emigration has been addressed as a singular incident, and it does not examine the possibility of returning to its home country or moving to another destination. Thus, more studies are needed to fill a gap in our knowledge of emigration from Egypt. Using a multistate life table approach, the study estimated the probability of emigration from Egypt according to destinations and the exact age of the emigrants, the probability of returning from the destination to the home country before reaching age 60, and the expected migration time in each destination; the study depended on data from the rich nationwide “The Egypt Household International Migration Survey.” Results confirm the pattern of migration from Egypt, which is acknowledged through previous studies, except that the driver of migration is no longer unemployment but rather in search of better conditions or a decent life. Also, the results indicate that Saudi Arabia attracted the largest percentage of working-age emigrants from Egypt, while Kuwait was the more stable destination. Libya is considered the least stable destination for Egyptian emigrants and the preferred country for young emigrants. Moreover, Saudi Arabia was the preferred destination for older Egyptians, followed by Kuwait. The probability of returning to Egypt increases significantly at 50-59 for all destination countries except Jordan. Finally, if an Egyptian emigrant wishes to move from their first destination, the next destination will be Saudi Arabia.

Associations between modifiable risk factors and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: joint modelling of longitudinal and survival data.

Stronger associations between modifiable risk factors and cognitive function have been found in younger than older adults. This age pattern may be subject to mortality selection and non-ignorable missingness caused by dropouts due to death, but this remains unclear. Longitudinal data from 9,562 adults aged 50 and older from Waves 1-4 (2011-2018) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. Cognitive function was assessed repeatedly using a battery of cognitive tests. Joint models of longitudinal and survival data were applied to examine the associations of modifiable risk factors with cognitive function and mortality. Worse cognitive function score was associated with being female (coefficient[β] = -1.669, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.830, -1.511, p < 0.001), low education (β = -2.672, 95%CI: -2.813, -2.530, p < 0.001), rural residence (β = -1.204, 95%CI: -1.329, -1.074, p < 0.001), stroke (β = -0.451, 95%CI: -0.857, -0.051, p = 0.030), probable depression (β = -1.084, 95%CI: -1.226, -0.941, p < 0.001), and current smoking (β = -0.284, 95%CI: -0.437, -0.133, p < 0.001); whereas dyslipidaemia (β = 0.415, 95% CI: 0.207, 0.626, p < 0.001), heart disease (β = 0.513, 95% CI: 0.328, 0.698, p < 0.001), overweight (β = 0.365, 95% CI: 0.224, 0.506, p < 0.001) and obesity (β = 0.264, 95% CI: 0.048, 0.473, p = 0.014) were associated with better cognitive function. These associations changed less than 5% when the longitudinal and survival data were modelled separately. An increase in cognitive function over age was associated with reduced mortality risk (hazard ratio: 0.418, 95%CI: 0.333, 0.537, p < 0.001). The association between socioeconomic disadvantage and cognitive function was more evident in women than in men, while the associations of socioeconomic disadvantage and lifestyle with cognitive function increased with age. Mortality selection and non-ignorable missingness caused by dropouts due to death played a minor role in the associations between modifiable risk factors and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese adults.

PREVALENCE OF PARVOVIRUS INFECTION IN THE NORTHWESTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT OF RUSSIA

Abstract Here, we analyze the spread of parvovirus B19 infection in the Northwestern Federal District from the years 2018 to 2023. It was shown that cases of infection were recorded in 10 out of 11 territories, excepting the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Overall, IgM antibodies to parvovirus B19 (B19V) were detected in 295 samples out of 2079 tested (14.1%). The prevalence of parvovirus B19 infection varied over the years of the study: in 2023, an increase in incidence was detected in the Northwestern Federal District, with an indicator of 0.93 per 100 thousand population, which significantly exceeded the long-term average level of 0.43 per 100 thousand population in the district. Children under 14 years of age predominated in the age pattern. The virus circulated most actively in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, which is due to the high population density in these territories and the many municipal institutions where long-term close contacts between people take place. The winter-spring seasonality of the infection has been confirmed. An analysis of primary diagnoses in patients with laboratory-confirmed parvovirus infection (2022) showed that the correct clinical diagnosis was not established in any case. The most common clinical diagnostic errors were: “Acute respiratory infection”; “measles” and “rubella”; herpes virus infections. In 30% of cases, parvovirus B19 infection was assessed by clinicians as a non-infectious disease. Errors in the initial diagnosis of parvovirus infection can contribute to the spread of infection, including in risk groups. Thus, while examining patients at a dialysis center, laboratory methods revealed latent parvovirus B19 circulation in this risk group confirmed by the detection of B19V DNA and virus-specific IgM antibodies in some samples tested. The seroprevalence established among patients not exceeding 76.9% accounts for an opportunity of infection spread among patients seronegative for parvovirus B19 with worsening of disease course and prognosis. Considering the widespread distribution of parvovirus infection, when identifying infectious diseases and respiratory diseases that occur with unclear exanthema manifestations among people at risk and/or from organized groups, it is advisable to conduct targeted serological monitoring for laboratory markers of parvovirus B19 infection. One of the directions for further qualitative study of parvovirus infection is to solve an issue of its identification and recording in the epidemiological surveillance system.

The role of online information sources in enhancing circular consumption behaviour: Fostering sustainable consumption patterns in the digital age

AbstractCircular consumption is an element of the circular economy that is vital for fostering economic progress whilst addressing environmental degradation and resource scarcity. The majority of the existing studies on the circular economy focus on its organisational aspects and examine circular business models, including approaches to enhance circular value propositions and their advantages. However, the link amongst responsible consumption, digital technologies, consumer behaviour and the circular economy model has received limited attention. We aim to fill this gap by employing behavioural reasoning theory to investigate the intentions of consumers to engage in circular consumption behaviour. We enhance the theoretical robustness of our findings by integrating the theory of consumption values as ‘reason for’ and status quo bias theory as ‘reason against’. We conducted a questionnaire survey in two phases to validate our model and test our hypotheses. We collected our survey data from 305 respondents in Bangladesh and used partial least squares–structural equation modelling to validate our model. Results show that exposure to online information sources significantly influences the ‘reasons for’ and ‘reasons against’ factors. These two factors also demonstrate positive and negative associations with circular consumption behaviour, respectively. These findings offer important insights for service providers, policymakers and government entities.

U-Pb ages and Hf isotopic composition of detrital zircon in western Algarve Triassic sandstone (SW Iberia): Implications for crustal evolution, provenance, and paleogeography

The Triassic paleogeographic configuration before the Central Atlantic Ocean's opening and the Pangea's breakup establishes that Iberia was close to North America and North Africa. We present UPb and Hf isotope data of Triassic siliciclastic rocks of the Western Algarve basin (Southwest Iberia, Portugal) to draw inferences on their provenance to define the crustal evolution of the potential sources. Detrital zircon age populations of five samples of Triassic sandstones (68–80 % Neoproterozoic; 5–23 % Paleoproterozoic; 5–14 % Mesoproterozoic; <5 % Archaen and < 4 % Paleozoic) differ significantly from those of the underlying Carboniferous turbidites of the South Portuguese Zone suggesting provenance from outside present-day SW Iberia. Hf isotope signatures of the zircon grains from the western Algarve Triassic sandstones unravel a complex crustal evolution characterized by successive cycles of input of juvenile magmas and magmas derived from the reworking of older crust. Archean detrital zircon grains with positive εHf(t) values and model ages of 3.1–3 Ga indicate juvenile crust formation (Leonian event), while a grain dated at ca. 2.6 Ga showing negative εHf(t) values and model ages of 3.1 Ga suggests that the Archean crust became reworked later (Liberian event). Zircon grains dated between 2.4 and 2.5 Ga having positive to slightly negative εHf(t) values and model ages of 3.3–2.6 Ga model ages correspond to magmatism older than the Eburnean event known in the Reguibat shield, involving a juvenile component mixed with variable proportions of reworked Archean crust. Younger Paleoproterozoic grains (ca. 2.10 to 2.05 Ga; Eburnean-Birimian event) having positive εHf(t) values and model ages of 2.3–2.1 Ga and negative εHf(t) values and model ages of 3.6–2.6 Ga, also indicate interaction of juvenile sources with mixing of old crust. Mesoproterozoic grains show positive εHf(t) values and model ages of 2.3–2.1 Ga, suggesting juvenile crust formation and reworking of the Eburnean crust. Neoproterozoic (ca. 695–555 Ma) detrital zircon with positive εHf(t) values and model ages of 0.76–0.58 Ga point to juvenile crust formation (i.e. Cadomian/Pan-African and Avalonian arcs). They also have negative εHf(t) values in the range − 21.6 to −11.7 and model ages of 3.2–2.1 Ga, suggesting reworking of older crust. In summary, the εHf(t) values and UPb age pattern of the zircon grains from the Triassic siliciclastic rocks are similar to NW Africa and North America potential sources. Still, there is a notable gap in juvenile crust production during the Siderian in the peri-Eastern Laurentia, Avalonia, and Ganderia potential sources unknown in NW Africa. The lack of ca. 525–380 Ma and ca. 380–330 Ma detrital zircon in the western Algarve Triassic sandstones makes it challenging to admit an Atlantic margin of North America and SW Iberia provenance.

Analysis of allergen positivity rates in relation to gender, age, and cross-reactivity patterns

Objective: This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the patterns of allergen detection positivity rates among different age and gender groups, and to explore cross-reactivity patterns among allergens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent allergen testing at our hospital. The sample for this study included all patients who underwent allergen testing. We utilized immune blotting to detect specific IgE antibodies to 20 allergens in patient sera. Results: The study results showed a higher proportion of female samples (72.35%) compared to male samples (27.65%). Among all participants, the age distribution was primarily concentrated in the 25–35 age group, accounting for 37.43% of the total sample, followed by the 45 years and older age group, accounting for 27.00%. This indicates that allergic symptoms may occur not only in children and adolescents but also at any time after adulthood. We further observed significant influences of factors such as gender and age on individual sensitivity to specific allergens. For example, compared to males, females were found to be more sensitive to certain allergens such as cat hair, dust mites, and dog epithelium. Similarly, we also found variations in sensitivity to specific allergens among different age groups. Conclusion: Close monitoring of allergen distribution in populations facilitates active engagement of allergic individuals in self-management, while gender and age may be important factors influencing individual sensitivity to specific allergens. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and designing more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

No evidence of early life resource pulse effects on age-specific variation in survival, reproduction and body mass of female Siberian flying squirrels.

Understanding the diversity and causes of senescence patterns in the wild remains a challenging task, in particular among fast-living species for which senescence patterns have been poorly studied. Early life environmental conditions can shape senescence by influencing trade-offs between early and late life performance (disposable soma theory) or individual fitness through lifelong positive effects (silver spoon effects). Using a 23-year-long monitoring dataset of two populations of Siberian flying squirrels (Pteromys volans L.) in western Finland, we analysed the occurrence, onset and rate of senescence in female survival, body mass and reproductive performance. We also examined how early life pulsed resources (tree masting during the year of birth) influence age-specific variations in these traits. Our results indicate that survival senescence occurs after sexual maturity from 3 years of age. Females experiencing high resource availability at birth tended to survive better, but the age-specific trend was not affected by early life resource conditions. Maternal body mass declined slightly with age, starting at 4 years, regardless of early resource conditions. Similarly, among reproductive traits, we showed late-onset senescence in both litter size and annual reproductive probability, with no evidence supporting an effect of early life resources on these trends. We found no decline in juvenile body mass or in the juvenile size-number trade-off with maternal age. Our findings suggest that pulsed resources experienced at birth have a limited long-lasting impact on the life-history traits of this fast-living rodent, with no significant effect on senescence patterns.