Functioning Of Young People Research Articles

Aortic valve function and aortic dimensions in obese and overweight patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common CHD and commonly associated with activity restrictions that may lead to a sedentary lifestyle known to increase obesity risk. It is unknown whether obesity is associated with changes in aortic dimensions or aortic valve function in young people with bicuspid aortic valve. This study investigates whether overweight and obese children with bicuspid aortic valve have worse aortic valve function or increased aortic dimensions compared to healthy weight children with bicuspid aortic valve. This was a single centre retrospective cohort study comprised of patients 5 to 25 years old with a diagnosis of bicuspid aortic valve between 1 January, 2019 and 31 December, 2020. Patients were classified as healthy weight or overweight/obese. Values for aortic dimensions as well as peak and mean aortic valve gradients were obtained from echocardiogram reports. About 251 patients were analysed. Demographics were similar between groups. When indexed to height, the aortic valve annulus (1.28 ± 0.14 vs. 1.34 ± 0.15, p = 0.001) and sinotubular junctions (1.44 ± 0.21 vs. 1.49 ± 0.24, p = 0.038) were larger in the overweight/obese group, with no differences in aortic root or ascending aorta sizes. The obese/overweight group had a higher peak aortic valve gradient (23.03 ± 1.64 mmHg vs. 16.17 ± 1.55 mmHg, p = 0.003) compared to the healthy weight group. Healthy weight patients did not have larger aortic dimensions compared to the overweight/obese patients. There was evidence of worsening aortic valve stenosis in overweight/obese patients compared to those at a healthy weight.

Supporting Co-Regulation and Development of Self-Regulation Skills in Students With Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Abstract Young people with intellectual disability (ID) frequently have challenges with self-regulation that impact their success and participation in daily life. As they often require additional support with self-regulation, it is important to consider regulatory function and skill development within the context of co-regulatory interactions with caregivers. This scoping review aimed to identify factors associated with improved self-regulation and co-regulation in young people with ID. The review was conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, with 142 full-text records reviewed and critically appraised. The diverse factors that affect regulatory function in young people with ID fit within the five categories identified in the model of factors contributing to self-regulation enactment — biology, skills, motivation, caregiver support, and environmental context — highlighting the relevance of this model to regulatory function for this population. This review’s findings allow this model to be refined further for young people with ID, identifying the unique factors contributing to self-regulation enactment for this population and intervention characteristics that may support regulatory function for these individuals.

Vocational functioning in young people accessing services for first-episode psychosis and ultra-high risk of psychosis: A longitudinal naturalistic cohort study.

Young people with first-episode psychosis (FEP) or at ultra-high risk (UHR) of psychosis often have lower vocational engagement than their peers. This study examines the effect of treatment in early intervention for psychosis services in Australia on engagement in education and employment. This is a naturalistic sample of young people aged 12-25 with FEP (n = 1574) and UHR (n = 1515), accessing treatment in the headspace Early Psychosis (hEP) programme. Engagement in education and employment was assessed at baseline and every 90 days in treatment. Mixed effects logistic regression were used to analyse changes over time. On entering the hEP programme, approximately 49% of the young people with FEP and 28% of the young people at UHR status identified as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The odds of being NEET were reduced by 27% (95% confidence interval = [14, 39]) for every 6 months treatment for the FEP group, but no change in NEET status was observed in the UHR group. In both groups, absence from daily activities was significantly reduced during time in treatment. While there are methodological challenges analysing real-world non-control group cohort data, the findings indicate positive effects of the hEP programme on vocational and daily activity engagement for young people with FEP and at UHR status. A large proportion of the young people still identified as NEET after receiving treatment services, suggesting further refinement to ensure targeted and consistent vocational support throughout care.

Relationship between subjective motor ability and physical function in young people

Relationship between subjective motor ability and physical function in young people

Early adolescent perceived friendship quality aids affective and neural responses to social inclusion and exclusion in young adults with and without adverse childhood experiences.

Friendships increase mental wellbeing and resilient functioning in young people with childhood adversity (CA). However, the mechanisms of this relationship are unknown. We examined the relationship between perceived friendship quality at age 14 after the experience of CA and reduced affective and neural responses to social exclusion at age 24. Resilient functioning was quantified as psychosocial functioning relative to the degree of CA severity in 310 participants at age 24. From this cohort, 62 young people with and without CA underwent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to assess brain responses to social inclusion and exclusion. We observed that good friendship quality was significantly associated with better resilient functioning. Both friendship quality and resilient functioning were related to increased affective responses to social inclusion. We also found that friendship quality, but not resilient functioning, was associated with increased dorsomedial prefrontal cortex responses to peer exclusion. Our findings suggest that friendship quality in early adolescence may contribute to the evaluation of social inclusion by increasing affective sensitivity to positive social experiences and increased brain activity in regions involved in emotion regulation to negative social experiences. Future research is needed to clarify this relationship with resilient functioning in early adulthood.

Associations of adipocytokines and kidney function in young people with abdominal obesity

Associations of adipocytokines and kidney function in young people with abdominal obesity

Alterations of functional connectivity in young people with depression mediate the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive function

BackgroundSleep disturbances is common in young people with depression, and poor sleep quality affects the ability to learn. In this study, we examined possible resting-state functional connectivity abnormalities between regions of interest, and clarified the relationship with depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and cognitive function. MethodsResting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was collected on 42 healthy controls (HCs), 82 youth depressive patients (44 without sleep disturbances (NSD), and 38 with sleep disturbances (SD)). Regions of interest were defined by using Brainnetome Atlas. Functional connectivity was calculated, and its associations with depressive symptoms, sleep quality, and cognitive function were examined using correlation analysis and mediation analysis. ResultsThe left and right caudal of cingulate gyrus, tongue and larynx region of postcentral gyrus were significant brain regions in NSD versus SD. The average functional connectivity between these regions was associated with poor sleep quality (r = 0.368, p = 0.001) and worse working memory (r = −0.256, p = 0.023) and mediated the relationship between sleep quality and working memory (c = −0.738, c' = −0.500). LimitationData consistency in this study was not good enough. This study did not monitor sleep rhythms to provide objective sleep-related data. ConclusionThe functional connectivity between the left and right caudal of cingulate gyrus with tongue and larynx region of postcentral gyrus may be the neural mechanism by which sleep disturbances affect working memory. This provides an intervention target for clinically improving cognitive function in young people with depression.

Learning and memory function in young people with and without perinatal HIV in England.

Learning and memory are important for successful education and career progression. We assess these functions in young people (YP) with perinatal HIV (PHIV) (with or without a previous AIDS-defining illness) and a comparable group of HIV-negative YP. 234 PHIV and 68 HIV-negative YP completed 9 tests; 5 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox tests (2 executive function, 1 speed of information processing, 2 memory); 2 Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised (HVLT-R) (learning (L), delayed recall (R)), and 2 verbal application measures. Z-scores for each test were calculated using normative data and averaged by domain where appropriate. The effect of predictors on test scores in the three domains with the lowest z-scores were analysed using linear regression. 139(59%) and 48(71%) PHIV and HIV-negative YP were female, 202(86%) and 52(76%) Black, and median age was 19 [17, 21] and 18 [16, 21] years respectively. 55(24%) PHIV had a previous Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) class C AIDS-defining diagnosis (PHIV/C). For HVLT-R, there was a trend towards PHIV/C YP having the lowest mean z-scores (L -1.5 (95% CI -1.8,-1.2), R -1.7 (-2.0,-1.4)) followed by PHIV without a CDC C diagnosis (L -1.3 (-1.4,-1.1), R -1.4 (-1.5,-1.2)) and then the HIV-negative group (L -1.0 (-1.3,-0.7), R -1.1 (-1.3,-0.8)); all were greater than 1 SD below the reference mean. The same trend was seen for verbal application measures; however, z-scores were within 1 SD below the reference mean. NIH Toolbox tests were similar for all groups. In multivariable analyses PHIV/C and Black ethnicity predicted lower HVLT-R scores. Black ethnicity also predicted lower executive function scores, however each year increase in age predicted higher scores. In conclusion, cognitive performance in verbal learning and recall fell below population normative scores, and was more pronounced in PHIV/C, supporting wider findings that earlier antiretroviral therapy initiation, before the occurrence of AIDS-defining conditions, may protect aspects of cognitive development.

Cannabis use and effect of cannabis abstinence on cognitive functioning in young people — an observational case-control follow-up study from rehabilitation centre in Andhra Pradesh

BackgroundCannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance globally, in India particularly. In recent times, younger people started abusing cannabis, resulting in academic decline and psychological disorders. Research from developed countries had shown that abstinence from cannabis reverses cognitive decline in the young population to a certain extent. Studies on this topic have been very few in India. We intended to assess the effects of cannabis use and abstinence from cannabis on the cognitive functioning of young adults.The study was an observational study including 50 consecutive young male patients, who got admitted to our rehabilitation centre with cannabis use disorder (group A). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used to assess the baseline cognitive functioning of these patients initially after 1 week of abstinence and compared with 50 graduate students with no history of cannabis use (group B). The MoCA test was re-administered to group A subjects after 3 months of strict abstinence from cannabis use.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference between the baseline MoCA score of cannabis users and the controls (P < 0.001). Both the duration (r = −0.296, P = 0.036) and the quantity (r= −0.491, P < 0.001) of cannabis use had a negative correlation with the MoCA score. When the MoCA test was re-administered after 3 months of abstinence, we found a statistically significant improvement in cognitive functioning in cannabis users (P < 0.001), but the mean score was still less than the mean score of the control group (24.08 ± 2.66 vs 28.62 ± 0.85, P < 0.001) showing only partial improvement.ConclusionThis study showed that cognitive deficits were seen in cannabis users as compared to nonusers. It also had shown that abstinence from cannabis had partially reversed the impairment, but still some deficits were remaining. There is an urgent need for primary prevention strategies at community level to decrease the prevalence of cannabis use.

Neuroergonomic assessment of developmental coordination disorder

Until recently, neural assessments of gross motor coordination could not reliably handle active tasks, particularly in realistic environments, and offered a narrow understanding of motor-cognition. By applying a comprehensive neuroergonomic approach using optical mobile neuroimaging, we probed the neural correlates of motor functioning in young people with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), a motor-learning deficit affecting 5–6% of children with lifelong complications. Neural recordings using fNIRS were collected during active ambulatory behavioral task execution from 37 Typically Developed and 48 DCD Children who performed cognitive and physical tasks in both single and dual conditions. This is the first of its kind study targeting regions of prefrontal cortical dysfunction for identification of neuropathophysiology for DCD during realistic motor tasks and is one of the largest neuroimaging study (across all modalities) involving DCD. We demonstrated that DCD is a motor-cognitive disability, as gross motor /complex tasks revealed neuro-hemodynamic deficits and dysfunction within the right middle and superior frontal gyri of the prefrontal cortex through functional near infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, by incorporating behavioral performance, decreased neural efficiency in these regions were revealed in children with DCD, specifically during motor tasks. Lastly, we provide a framework, evaluating disorder impact in ecologically valid contexts to identify when and for whom interventional approaches are most needed and open the door for precision therapies.

Disparities between determinants of impaired vascular structure and function in young people with primary hypertension: a systematic review.

Early effects of primary hypertension on arterial structure and function in children and young people (CYP) and their determinants remain elusive. We aimed to review independent determinants of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid wall cross-sectional area (WCSA) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in CYP with primary hypertension. We performed a systematic review of studies reporting multivariable analysis of cfPWV, cIMT and WCSA in CYP (up to 25 years of age) with primary hypertension. Literature search was performed in PubMed database and 13, 12 and two articles including 3860 (age range 4-25 years, 50% male individuals), 2038 children (5-25 years, 55% male individuals) and 136 children (5-17 years, 85% male individuals) were selected for final analysis of cfPWV, cIMT and WCSA, respectively. Ninety and 86% of the studies reported higher cfPWV and cIMT in CYP with elevated blood pressure (BP) compared with normotensive controls. Different indices of BP were positively associated with cfPWV in 92% of studies, whereas BMI showed association in 31%. Carotid IMT associated with BP indices in 50% and with BMI in 25% of the studies. WCSA was studied longitudinally and its improvement associated with decrease in measures of central obesity. We found a disparity between the determinants of structural and functional impairment of arterial tree in CYP with primary hypertension. In contrast to cIMT and WCSA, increase of cfPWV is almost exclusively determined by BP.

Neurodisability care in the time of COVID-19.

BackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic resulted in an unprecedented societal and healthcare global crisis. Associated changes in regular healthcare provision and lifestyle through societal lockdown are likely to have affected clinical management and well‐being of children/young people with neurodisability, who often require complex packages of multidisciplinary care.MethodsWe surveyed 108 families of children/young people with severe physical neurodisability and multiple comorbidities to understand how the pandemic had affected acute clinical status, routine healthcare provision, schooling and family mental and social well‐being.ResultsA significant proportion of families reported missing hospital appointments and routine therapy, with subsequent worsening of symptoms and function. Families additionally described worsening stress and anxiety during the pandemic, regardless of their baseline level of socio‐economic deprivation.ConclusionThis highlights the profound effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on health and function in young people with severe neurodisabilities and emphasizes the clear need to better understand how to support this vulnerable population moving forwards.

Reduced renal function in hypertension in young adults: a systematic review

Objective. The aim of the systematic review was to find an answer to the question: «does an increased blood pressure affect kidney function at young age?».Design and methods. The following key words were used to search for relevant publications: “hypertensive nephropathy”, “reduction of glomerular filtration rate in arterial hypertension” in Russian and English. We used “eLIBRARY.RU — SCIENTIFIC ELECTRONIC LIBRARY” and PubMed.gov databases. The inclusion criteria were the young age of the examined patients (from 18 to 44 years), the absence of concomitant pathology. The analysis included only publications of the last 5 years (2015-2020).Results. A total of 18 articles were selected from Russian and international databases that meet inclusion criteria.Conclusions. Based on the analysis of the literature of the last 5 years we assume that increase in blood pressure disrupts kidney function in young people. However, the current data a number of limitations. Until now, gender characteristics, risk factors for decreased renal function in hypertension in young people, and most importantly, the pathogenetic basis of renal dysfunction remain unclear.

Does Adding Social Cognitive Remediation Therapy to Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy Improve Outcomes in Young People With a Severe Mental Illness?-The Advantage Trial.

IntroductionCognitive impairments are a common and significant issue for young people with a severe mental illness. Young people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression all experience significant cognitive problems that impede their ability to return to work or study. These neurocognitive problems are frequently exacerbated by social cognitive deficits that interfere with their ability to integrate into the community and understand the social and emotional nuances about them. This study aimed to assess if the addition of a social cognitive remediation treatment to a neurocognitive remediation therapy improved functional outcome.MethodsFive youth mental health services were trained in both the Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation (NEAR) and the Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) treatments. Participants were randomised between receiving either NEAR + SCIT or NEAR + treatment as usual (TAU) over a 20-week period, with all participants receiving the NEAR treatment first. Symptoms, neurocognition, social cognition and functioning were examined at baseline, end of treatment and at 3 months follow-up and compared between the two arms of the study. The primary outcome was function.ResultsThirty-nine participants were randomised to treatment (Schizophrenia spectrum = 28, Bipolar disorder = 7, Major Depression = 2). The trial was curtailed by Covid-related service restrictions. There was an overall significant improvement in function over time with a trend towards a greater improvement in the NEAR + SCIT arm. No changes in symptoms, neurocognitive or social cognitive measures were seen. While 74% completed treatment only 49% agreed to follow up at 3 months affecting our ability to interpret the findings. Attrition did not differ by arm.ConclusionsIn a pragmatic, service-based research project, treatment aimed at improving cognition enhanced functional outcome in young people with a range of severe mental illnesses. There was a trend towards improved function in young people who had a combined NEAR + SCIT approach.Clinical Trial RegistrationIdentifier: ACTRN12622000192785.

Assessment of Exercise Function in Children and Young Adults with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Correlation with Transthoracic Echocardiographic Parameters.

Exercise function is well characterized in adults with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM); however, there is a paucity of data in children and young adults with HCM. Here we sought tocharacterize exercise function in young people with HCM, understand limitations in exercise function by correlating exercise function parameters with echocardiogram parameters and identify prognostic value of exercise parameters. We performed aretrospective, single-center cohort study characterizing exercise function in patients < 26years old with HCM undergoing cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Patients with syndromic HCM or submaximal effort were excluded. We compared exercise function in this cohort to population normal values and measured changes in exercise function over time. We correlated exercise function parameters with echocardiographic parameters and investigated the relationship between exercise test parameters and a clinical composite outcome comprised of significant ventricular arrhythmia, death, or heart transplantation. We identified 229 CPETs performed by 117 patients (mean age at time of first CPET 15.6 ± 3.2years). Mean %-predicted peak VO2, O2 pulse, and peak heart rate were statistically significantly depressed compared to population normal values and exercise function gradually worsened over time. Abnormal exercise testing correlated closely with echocardiographic indices of diastolic dysfunction. There was a trend toward increased incidence of poor clinical outcome in patients with abnormal exercise function.While adverse clinical outcomes were rare, normal exercise function appears to be a marker of low risk for adverse clinical outcomes in this population.

Effects of Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport on Executive Function in Young People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that negatively affects the inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity–impulsivity in children and adolescents who suffer from it, included cases being reported that continue into adulthood. This disorder impairs social, academic, emotional, psychological, and health system functioning due to its high cost of treatment. The present systematic review aims to analyze the effects of physical activity, exercise, and sports on the executive function in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD through the scientific literature. The results show that the practice of physical activity, exercise, or sport produces improvements in executive function in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, mainly through aerobic exercise. A 20 min session of physical activity, sport, or exercise leads to improvements in executive functions in children and adolescents with ADHD. It can be concluded that the practice of physical activity, exercise, and sport generate improvements on executive functions in children and adolescents with ADHD, mainly through aerobic exercise.

The Influence of Cannabis and Alcohol Use on Sexuality: An Observational Study in Young People (18–30 Years)

The consumption of cannabis and alcohol results in a variety of effects on the psychic functions of young users. Notwithstanding their widespread and prevalent use, the impact of these drugs on sexual health remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study is to analyse the influence of alcohol and cannabis consumption on sexual function in young people. An observational study was conducted in 274 participants aged 18–30 years. The following selection tools were used: Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Cannabis Abuse Screening Test (CAST), and Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire Short-Form. Participants who were at high risk of having cannabis-related problems performed better on the CAST concerning sexual function, arousal, and orgasm. Participants at high risk had higher arousal and orgasm scores than those who were not at risk for cannabis problems. Improvements in sexual function were found between people who were at high risk of having alcohol problems and those who were not at risk. Sexual function in young people who use cannabis and alcohol more frequently was shown to be better than in those who do not use either, highlighting the need for more information aimed at the young population.

P.0514 Analysis of post-COVID-19 cognitive functioning in young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus

P.0514 Analysis of post-COVID-19 cognitive functioning in young people with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Treatments for objective and subjective cognitive functioning in young people with depression: Systematic review of current evidence.

Cognitive deficits are recognized features of depressive disorders in youth aged 12-25. These deficits are distressing, predict functional impairment and limit the effectiveness of psychological therapies. Cognitive enhancement using behavioural, biochemical or physical treatments may be useful in young people with depression, but studies have not been synthesized. The aim was to systematically review the evidence for treatments for objective and subjective cognitive functioning, and their acceptability and functional outcomes in people aged 12-25 with depression. Three electronic databases were searched for articles using pre-specified criteria. Pharmacological treatments were not eligible. Risk of bias was rated using the Cochrane Collaboration's revised risk-of-bias tool. Dual full-text article screening, data extraction and quality ratings were completed. Twelve studies were included for review (median participant age: 20.39 years), five of which were randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Sample sizes were generally small (median=23; range: 9-46). Eight studies investigated behavioural treatments including aerobic exercise, cognitive training and education or strategy-based methods. Four studies examined repetitive transcranial magnetic brain stimulation (rTMS). Most behavioural treatments revealed preliminary evidence of improved cognitive function in youth depression. Consent rates were greatest for exercise- and education-based approaches, which may indicate higher acceptability levels. Findings from rTMS trials were mixed, with only half showing cognitive improvement. Functional outcomes were reported by three behavioural treatment trials and one rTMS trial, with functional improvement reported only in the former. Some concern of risk of bias was found in each RCT. Behavioural treatments, such as exercise, cognitive training and education/strategy-focused techniques, show encouraging results and appear to be acceptable methods of addressing cognitive deficits in youth depression based on participation rates. Brain stimulation and biochemical treatments (e.g., nutrient-based treatment) require further investigation.

Młodzież wobec zjawiska rywalizacji we współczesnym świecie

The author defines here the concept of competition and presents the mechanism of how competition permeates through schools which act as a habitat for the functioning of young people. Reference is made to the ecological concept of human development by Urie Bronfenbrenner, assumptions of neoliberalism, as well as to over modernity as a stage in development of a society. The author analysed the differences between women and men in terms of evolution and social and cultural attitudes.