Individual Growth Curves Research Articles

Clinical Effects of Asynchronous Provider-Guided Practice Sessions During Blended Care Therapy for Anxiety and Depression: Pragmatic Retrospective Cohort Study.

Blended care therapy models are intended to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of evidence-based psychotherapy by combining synchronous and asynchronous components of care. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the clinical effects of synchronous video therapy sessions and asynchronous guided practice session elements on anxiety and depression in a blended care therapy program, with a novel focus on asynchronous provider feedback messages. Participants were adults (N=33,492) with clinical symptoms of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale [GAD-7] score of ≥8) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item scale [PHQ-9] score of ≥10) at intake. Symptom trajectories were evaluated via individual growth curve models. Time-varying covariates evaluated effects of synchronous video session attendance and the presence or absence of each asynchronous guided practice session element occurring within 7 days and 8-14 days prior to each clinical outcome assessment. Guided practice session elements included client digital lesson completion, client digital exercise completion, and feedback messages sent by providers. Approximately 86.6% (29,012/33,492) of clients met criteria for clinical improvement by end of care (median 6, IQR 4-8 synchronous sessions). Synchronous video session attendance and client digital lesson completion in the past 7 days and in the past 8-14 days were each uniquely and significantly associated with lower GAD-7 scores (video session effects: bsession7=-0.82, bsession8-14=-0.58, P values<.001; digital lesson effects: blesson7=-0.18, blesson8-14=-0.26, P values <.001) and PHQ-9 scores (video session effects: bsession7=-0.89, bsession8-14=-0.67, P values <.001; digital lesson effects: blesson7=-0.12, blesson8-14=-0.30, P values <.001). Client digital exercise completion in the past 8-14 days was significantly associated with lower GAD-7 scores (bexercise8-14=-0.10; P<.001) but exercise completion in the 7 days prior to clinical outcome assessment was not (bexercise7=0.00; P=.89). Exercise completion in the past 7 days was significantly associated with lower PHQ-9 scores (bexercise7=-0.16; P<.001) but exercise completion in the past 8-14 days was not (bexercise8-14=-0.05; P=.09). Provider feedback messaging in the past 7 days and in the past 8-14 days was significantly associated with lower GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores, respectively (GAD-7: bfeedback7=-0.12, P<.001; bfeedback8-14=-0.07, P=.004; PHQ-9: bfeedback7=-0.15, P<.001; bfeedback8-14=-0.08, P=.01). Provider feedback between synchronous therapy sessions provided significant benefit for symptom reduction, beyond the effects of client digital engagement and synchronous video sessions. When guided practice sessions are well integrated into care, blended care therapy provides meaningful improvements upon the traditional, synchronous session-only therapy model. Provider guidance and feedback for clients between synchronous sessions support more efficient and effective mental health care overall.

Spelling development of children with and without reading difficulties throughout elementary grades: evidence from the Greek orthography.

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the development of spelling in a large sample (N = 503, boys: N = 219) of Greek-speaking children with (N = 41) and without (N = 462) reading difficulties. Children were initially tested in Grades 2-4 and then at five consecutive measurement points over a 3-year period, focusing on how initial reading ability, grade, and gender may moderate the rate of spelling growth. Individual growth curve modeling revealed continuous growth of spelling performance in the total sample, although the growth rate decreased over time for children first tested in Grades 3-4. Spelling growth rate was also significantly slower among children with reading difficulties between Grades 2-4 and 3-5. The two reading groups displayed similar growth rates between Grades 4 and 6. Spelling growth rates did not vary significantly with gender. Overall, our study highlights the persistence of spelling difficulties even after 6years of systematic teaching in children with reading difficulties. The severe and persistent spelling deficits of Greek-speaking children with reading difficulties may be attributed to the rich morphological system of the Greek language, the intermediate Greek orthographic transparency (in the direction of writing), and their limited experience with print.

Abstract 45: Elevated Long-Term Triglyceride-Glucose Index Variability From Childhood is Linked to Poorer Midlife Cognitive Function: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Insulin resistance has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events and cognitive impairment in older adults. Recently, an elevated triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a noninvasive marker of insulin resistance, has been linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether long-term TyG index variability from childhood to midlife impacts midlife cognitive function (CF) is unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that elevated TyG index variability from childhood to midlife is associated with poorer midlife CF. Aim: We aimed to identify the impact of elevated TyG index variability from childhood to midlife on midlife CF. Methods: We studied 1,100 midlife Bogalusa Heart Study participants (age at enrollment: mean 9.5 years +/- standard deviation(SD) 3.5 years; age at midlife: 48.1 +/- 5.2 years; 60.3% women(663 of 1100), 34% Black(374 of 1100)) with ≥ 3 lipid and glucose measurements across follow-up. Participants with Type 2 diabetes mellitus were excluded. TyG index levels were calculated as ln [(serum fasting triglyceride in mg/dL x serum fasting glucose in mg/dL)/2]. TyG index measures of each individual were fitted into random-effects models stratified by race and sex, and individual growth curves were obtained. Visit-to visit TyG index variability from childhood to midlife was calculated by the deviation from age-predicted values (DEV) and residual SD (RSD) from these models. Midlife CF was measured from 10 neuropsychological (NP) tests, which were categorized into 3 distinct NP profiles (optimal, average, and mixed-low) using cluster analysis. Associations between TyG index variability and NP profiles were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models, adjusting for education status and the mean of TyG index levels from childhood to midlife. DEV and RSD were standardized to z-scores according to race and sex before regression analysis. Interactions according to race and sex were performed. Results: Every 1 SD increase in DEV increased the odds of having a mixed-low CF by 48.9% (95% CI 1.201, 1.847) and an average CF by 22.9% (95% CI 1.046, 1.443) compared to optimal CF, after adjusting for education status and mean TyG levels. Every 1 SD increase in RSD increased the odds of having a mixed-low CF by 51% (95% CI 1.217, 1.873) and an average CF by 25.4% (95% CI 1.068, 1.472) compared to optimal CF, adjusting for education status and mean TyG levels. Neither race nor sex modified the effects of DEV nor RSD on CF. Conclusions: Greater long-term TyG index variability was linked with poorer midlife CF. Further studies are needed to elucidate the brain effects of higher long-term variability in insulin resistance from childhood to midlife.

Abstract P271: Greater Long-Term Non-High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Variability From Childhood is Associated With Poorer Midlife Cognitive Function: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Exposure to elevated plasma non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels during adulthood has been associated with higher risk of cardiovascular events. However, whether long term non-HDL-C variability from childhood impacts midlife cognitive function (CF) is unclear. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that higher long-term non-HDL-C variability from childhood would be associated with worse midlife CF measures. Aim: We aimed to identify the effect of long term lipid variability from childhood on midlife CF. Methods: We studied 1,249 midlife participants of the Bogalusa Heart Study (age at baseline: mean 9.5 years+/- standard deviation(SD)3.5 years; age at midlife: mean 48.2 years+/- SD 5.2 years; 59.8 % women(747 of 1249), 34.3% Black(428 of 1249)) with ≥3 lipid measurements across follow up. Non-HDL-C levels were obtained as total cholesterol - HDL cholesterol. Visit-to visit non-HDL-C variability from childhood was estimated by the deviation from age predicted values (DEV), and residual SD (RSD). Non-HDL-C measurements were fitted in random-effects models stratified by race and sex, to produce individual growth curves. DEV and RSD were measured as the mean and SD of the residuals of observed and predicted non-HDL levels. Midlife CF was measured by 10 neuropsychological (NP) tests. NP test results were categorized into 3 distinct NP profiles (optimal, average, and mixed-low) using cluster analysis. Associations between non-HDL-C and NP profiles were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression models, adjusting for education status and the mean of non-HDL-C measurements from childhood to midlife. DEV and RSD were standardized to z-scores before conducting regression analysis. Interactions according to race and sex were performed. Results: The odds of having a mixed-low CF compared to optimal increased by 31.1% (95% CI 1.075, 1.599) for every 1 SD increase in DEV, and by 30.5% (95% CI 1.069, 1.591) for every 1 SD increase in RSD, respectively, adjusted for education status and mean non-HDL-C levels. Neither race or sex were found to modify the associations of DEV nor RSD on CF. Conclusions: Higher long-term non-HDL-C variability was linked to poorer midlife CF. Further studies are needed to identify the impact of long-term non-HDL-C variability in the association of cardiometabolic risk factors and midlife CF.

Abstract P270: Higher Long-Term Fasting Glucose Variability From Childhood is Associated With Poorer Cognitive Function in Midlife: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: Elevated fasting blood glucose(FBG) levels have been associated with poorer cognitive function. High FBG variability has also been associated with accelerated cognitive decline in late life. However, the impact of long term FBG variability from childhood on midlife cognitive function (CF) remains understudied. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there would be an association of higher long-term FBG variability from childhood with poorer midlife CF measures. Aim: We aimed to identify the influence of higher long term FBG variability on midlife CF. Methods: We studied 1,005 midlife Bogalusa Heart Study participants (age at baseline: mean 9.4 years +/- SD 3.5 years; age at neuropsychological(NP) exam: mean 47.9 years+/- SD 5.2 years; 60.4% women(607 of 1005); 33.5 % Black(337 of 1005)) with ≥3 FBG measurements across follow up. Participants having type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) were excluded. T2DM was defined as FBG ≥126 mg/dL or taking diabetes medication. Long-term visit-to visit FBG variability was measured as deviation from age predicted values (DEV) and residual SD (RSD). Using ≥3 FBG measurements, DEV and RSD were obtained from individual growth curves created by fitting random-effects models stratified by race and sex. Participants’ midlife CF was first measured with 10 NP tests, then were classified into 3 distinct NP profiles (optimal, average, and mixed-low) using cluster analysis. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between long-term FBG variability parameters and NP profiles, adjusting for education status and mean of FBG measures from childhood to midlife . DEV and RSD were standardized to z-scores by race and sex before regression analysis. Tests for interaction according to race and sex were conducted. Results: After adjusting for the mean FBG level and education status, for a 1 SD increase in DEV, the odds of having a mixed-low CF increased by 57.3% (95% CI 1.244, 1.990) and the odds of an average CF increased by 36.9% (95% CI 1.144, 1.640) respectively, compared to optimal CF. After adjusting for the mean FBG level and education status, for a 1 SD increase in RSD, the odds of having a mixed-low CF increased by 56% (95% CI 1.232, 1.974) and the odds of an average CF increased by 37.7% (95% CI 1.147, 1.653), respectively, compared to optimal CF. No significant interactions between long-term FBG variability parameters and race and sex were found. Conclusions: Higher long-term FBG variability was associated with poorer midlife CF. Further studies are needed to identify the role of long-term FBG variability in the association of cardiometabolic risk factors and midlife CF.

Iterative nearest neighbour age-height curve adjustment: Addressing the impact of spatial heterogeneity on longitudinal forestry provenance trial data

Spatial heterogeneity in long term forestry genetics trials can obscure genetic variation and influence conclusions made based on the data. Nearest neighbour adjustment methods have been employed to account for spatial patterns, however such methods are limited in their applicability to longitudinal provenance trial data because of the need to account for repeated measures as well as the interest in preserving among-site variation. In this study, a novel approach combining nearest neighbour adjustment techniques with longitudinal data analysis concepts was developed to adjust lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifola Douglas) provenance trial data for spatial heterogeneity. Individual height-age logistic growth curves were fit to each tree to age 35, and the horizontal asymptote parameters of the height-age curves were adjusted for spatial patterns using iterative nearest neighbour adjustments. The methods developed in this study successfully removed positive spatial correlation and reduced the interaction between block and provenance, thus reducing changes in population ranking among blocks within sites. The adjustments applied caused large shifts in population ranks at many sites, indicating that seed selection decisions based on data not adjusted for spatial heterogeneity could lead to selecting non-optimal populations for a given site. This research provides a methodological framework for adjusting longitudinal genetics trial data for underlying site conditions and spatial patterns. Additionally, a spatially adjusted version of a large and extensively utilized provenance trial dataset was created for use in future analyses.

Estimating Maturity Status in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Evaluation of Methods.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the concordance of predicted maturity status classifications (pre-, circa-, or post-peak height velocity (PHV)) relative to observed age at PHV in youth soccer players. Longitudinal height records for 124 male soccer players were extracted from academy records spanning the 2000 to 2022 seasons. Age at PHV for each player was estimated with the Superimposition by Translation and Rotation model. Players were classified as pre-, circa-, or post-PHV using both ±1- and ±0.5-yr criteria to define the circa-PHV interval. Maturity status was estimated with several prediction protocols: maturity offset (Mirwald, Moore-1, Moore-2), maturity ratio (Fransen), and percentage of predicted adult height (PAH%) using the Khamis-Roche and Tanner-Whitehouse 2 equations using several bands: 85% to 96%, 88% to 96%, 88% to 93%, and 90% to 93% for the circa-PHV interval, and visual evaluation of individual growth curves alone or with PAH% based on Khamis-Roche and Tanner-Whitehouse 2. Concordance of maturity status classifications based on complete growth curves and predicted estimates of maturity status was addressed with percentage agreement and Cohen's kappa. Visual evaluation of the growth curves had the highest concordance (≈80%) with maturity status classifications (pre-, circa-, post-PHV) based on longitudinal data for individual players. Predicted maturity offset with the Mirwald, Moore-1, and Fransen equations misclassified about one-third to one-half of the players, whereas concordance based on PAH% varied with the band used, but not with the method of height prediction. Visual assessment of the individual growth curves by an experienced assessor provides an accurate estimate of maturity status relative to PHV. Maturity offset prediction equations misclassify the majority of players, whereas PAH% provides a reasonably valid alternative.

Measuring differential fitness costs and interactions between genetic cassettes using fluorescent spectrophotometry.

In this article, we present a method for designing, executing, and analyzing data from a microbial competition experiment. We use fluorescent reporters to label different competing strains and resolve individual growth curves using a fluorescent spectrophotometer. Our comprehensive data analysis pipeline integrates multiple experiments to simultaneously infer sources of variation, extract selection coefficients, and estimate the genetic contributions to fitness for various synthetic genetic cassettes (SGCs). To demonstrate the method, we employ a synthetic biological system based on Escherichia coli. Strains carry 1 of 10 different plasmids and one of three genomically integrated fluorescent markers. All strains are co-cultured to obtain real-time measurements of optical density (total population density) and fluorescence (sub-population densities). We identify challenges in calibrating between fluorescence and density and of fluorescent proteins maturing at different rates. To resolve these issues, we compare two methods of fluorescence calibration and correct for maturation by measuring in vivo maturation times. We provide evidence of genetic interactions occurring between our SGCs and further show how to use our statistical model to test some hypotheses about microbial growth and the costs of protein expression.IMPORTANCEFluorescently labeled co-cultures are becoming increasingly popular. The approach proposed here offers a high standard for experimental design and data analysis to measure selection coefficients and growth rates in competition. Measuring competitive differences is useful in many laboratory studies, allowing for fitness cost-correction of growth rates and ecological interactions and testing hypotheses in synthetic biology. Using time-resolved growth curves, rather than endpoint measurements, for competition assays allows us to construct a detailed scientific model that can be used to ask questions about fine-grained phenomena, such as bacterial growth dynamics, as well as higher-level phenomena, such as the interactions between synthetic cassette expression.

Biorreducción in vitro de cromo hexavalente utilizando consorcios microbianos

Constant industrial development has increased the chromium use, resulting in chromium discharge into wastewater. The implementation of microbial bioremediation has been proposed as an ecological, efficient and economical alternative for the implementation of microorganisms to reduce chromium to a less toxic form. Our objective was to evaluate the Cr (VI) removal capacity of microbial consortia at different concentrations. Accordingly, an activation and identification of microorganisms from chromium-containing wastewater was carried out. Seven microbial consortia were established and their synergy, individual and consortium growth curves were evaluated. Subsequently, a scaled adaptation of the consortia was carried out with eight concentrations of Cr (VI). Reciprocal regression models and growth curves were used to identify the consortium with the highest removal. Synergy was found in the consortia evaluated; growth curves of consortia showed higher absorbance than individually, with higher absorption in the Candida famata-Serratia sp. Consortium. However, in the scaled adaptation, greater Cr (VI) reduction capacity was demonstrated in Candida tropicalis-Serratia sp. with 79.20% at a concentration of 100 ppm with a total chromium reduction of 31.12%. At the same time, a greater adaptation of the consortia to high concentrations of Cr (VI) was identified. This is the first research to report C. tropicalis-Serratia sp. microbial consortium with a positive interaction and higher metabolic reduction capacity, which will have a positive impact on bioremediation of chromium-containing wastewater.

The effect of the loss of one's own parent on the change in personal growth during the transition to parenthood: An individual growth curve model.

The study aimed to identify contributors to the trajectory of personal growth (PG) during the transition to parenthood against the background of a critical life event that occurred previously, namely, losing a parent. The study examined the contributions of the loss of one's own parent, the bond with one's parents in childhood, current parental distress (PD), and demographic variables to changes in the PG of adults when they themselves become parents. New Israeli parents completed self-report questionnaires in three phases: (a) up to 1 year following the birth of their first child (n = 2,182), (b) 6 months later (n = 1,045), (c) after another 6 months (n = 811). Our key findings showed that parental loss was not directly associated with changes in PG, but changes in PD mediated the associations between both loss and parental bonding on the one hand and the changes in PG on the other. Increase in PG levels over time was associated with being a woman, lower level of education and economic status, higher perceived paternal care, and higher maternal overprotection in childhood and decrease in PD. The present study extends knowledge of PG during the transition to parenthood, indicating that it may be shaped by changes in PD levels and the relationships with one's own parents. On the practical level, understanding the consequences for the trajectory of PG of having lost a parent and the nature of their bonding with their parents in childhood can help professionals design appropriate interventions for new parents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An energetic approach to the evolution of growth curve plasticity

Growth in individual body size amongst different species can to a greater or lesser extent depend on environmental factors such as resource availability. Individual growth curves can therefore be largely fixed or more plastic. Classic theory about phenotypic plasticity assumes that such plasticity has associated costs. In contrast, according to dynamic energy budget theory, maintaining a fixed growth rate in the face of variable resource availability would incur additional energetic costs. In this article, we explore the simultaneous evolution of the degree of plasticity in individual growth curves and the rate of non-plastic, environment-independent individual growth. We explore different relations between possible additional energetic costs and the degree of growth curve plasticity. To do so, we use adaptive dynamics to analyze a size-structured population model that is based on dynamic energy budget theory to account for the energetic trade-offs within an individual. We show that simultaneous evolution of the degree of growth curve plasticity and the rate of non-plastic individual growth will drive these traits to intermediate values at first. Afterwards, the degree of growth curve plasticity might evolve slowly towards extreme values depending on whether energetic costs increase or decrease with the degree of plasticity. In addition, the analysis shows that it is unlikely to encounter species in which individual growth is entirely fixed or entirely plastic, opposing general assumptions in dynamic energy budget theory.

The course of self-perceived cognitive functioning among patients with lymphoma and the co-occurrence with fatigue and psychological distress.

To investigate the proportion of patients with lymphoma with persistent clinically relevant cognitive impairment, and its relation to treatment, fatigue, and psychological distress. Patients with diffuse-large-B-cell-lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular-lymphoma (FL), and chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia (CLL)/small-lymphocytic-lymphoma (SLL), diagnosed between 2004-2010 or 2015-2019, were followed up to 8years post-diagnosis. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Population-based HAematological Registry for Observational Studies. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was used to assess cognitive functioning and fatigue, and the HADS to assess psychological distress. Individual growth curve models were performed. Results were compared with an age- and sex-matched normative population. A total of 924 patients were included (70% response rate). Persistent cognitive impairment was twice as high in patients (30%) compared to the normative population (15%). Additionally, 74% of patients reported co-occurring symptoms of persistent fatigue and/or psychological distress. Patients with FL (- 23 points, p < 0.001) and CLL/SLL (- 10 points, p < 0.05) reported clinically relevant deterioration of cognitive functioning, as did the normative population (FLnorm - 5 points, DLBCLnorm - 4 points, both p < 0.05). Younger age, higher fatigue, and/or psychological distress at inclusion were associated with worse cognitive functioning (all p's < 0.01). Treatment appeared less relevant. Almost one-third of patients with lymphoma report persistent cognitive impairment, remaining present up to 8years post-diagnosis. Early onset and co-occurrence of symptoms highlight the need for clinicians to discuss symptoms with patients early. Early recognition of cognitive impairment could increase timely referral to suitable supportive care (i.e., lifestyle interventions) and reduce (long-term) symptom burden.

Call me maybe? In-person vs. teletherapy outcomes among married couples

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of teletherapy compared to in-person couple therapy in outcomes such as couple satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and the therapeutic alliance. Method: Data from 1157 married clients seeking couple therapy were examined. Individual growth curve models were used to analyze changes in the aforementioned outcomes, with teletherapy as a predictor. The study also examined client age and clinic type as moderators. Results: The results indicated that overall, teletherapy is as effective as in-person therapy in improving outcomes. However, there were notable differences in the development of the therapeutic alliance. The alliance improved at twice the rate in in-person therapy as in teletherapy. Clinic type was also found to be a moderator of changes in sexual satisfaction. Clients in group and private practices reported improvements in sexual satisfaction; whereas clients seen in training clinics reported decreases in sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: The study concludes that although teletherapy may be a viable alternative to in-person couple therapy, there are nevertheless differences in the development of the therapeutic alliance that warrant care and further investigation. The setting of the therapy also plays a role in the effectiveness of therapy, although not specific to therapy modality.

Universal ontogenetic growth without fitted parameters: implications for life history invariants and population growth

Since the work of von Bertalanffy (Q Rev Boil 32:217–231, 1957), several models have been proposed that relate the ontogenetic scaling of energy assimilation and metabolism to growth, which are able to describe ontogenetic growth trajectories for living organisms and collapse them onto a single universal curve (West et al. in Nature 413:628–631, 2001; Barnavar et al. in Nature 420:626, 2002). Nevertheless, all these ontogenetic growth models critically depend on fitting parameters and on the allometric scaling of the metabolic rate. Using a new metabolic rate relation (Escala in Theor Ecol 12(4):415–425, 2019) applied to a Bertalanffy-type ontogenetic growth equation, we find that ontogenetic growth can also be described by a universal growth curve for all studied species, but without the aid of any fitting parameters (i.e., no fitting procedure is performed on individual growth curves). We find that the inverse of the heart frequency mathrm f_H, rescaled by the ratio of the specific energies for biomass creation and metabolism, defines the characteristic timescale for ontogenetic growth. Moreover, our model also predicts a generation time and lifespan that explain the origin of several “Life History Invariants’ (Charnov in Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1993) and predict that the Malthusian parameter should be inversely proportional to both the generation time and lifespan, in agreement with the data in the literature (Duncan et al. in Ecology 88:324–333 2007; Dillingham et al. in Paper 535, 2016; Hatton et al. in PNAS 116(43):21616–21622 2019). In our formalism, several critical timescales and rates (lifespan, generation time, and intrinsic population growth rate) are all proportional to the heart frequency mathrm f_H, and thus, their allometric scaling relations come directly from the allometry of the heart frequency, which is typically mathrm f_H propto M^{-0.25} under basal conditions.

Greater Improvement in Obesity Among Children With Prediabetes in a Clinical Weight Management Program.

Background: There is a range of responses among individuals seen for medical management of their obesity. This retrospective analysis of longitudinal data considers the relationship between identified prediabetes and subsequent weight change among children (8-17 years) in a weight management clinic. Methods: Analysis included 733 patients (2687 visits in 2008-2016) with overweight and obesity (but not diabetes) whose referral laboratories included a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) within 90 days. Mixed-effects modeling examined the association between baseline prediabetes (serum HbA1c 5.7%-6.4%) and growth curve of percentage of the 95th percentile for BMI (%BMIp95). Random effects (individual growth curves) and fixed effects (prediabetes status, starting age and %BMIp95, sex, race/ethnicity, and linear slope and quadratic term of months since the initial visit) were modeled. Interactions between prediabetes and elapsed time estimated the influence of a recent prediabetic-range HbA1c on weight during the subsequent 12 months. Results: Mean %BMIp95 was 125.5% (SD 22.5), corresponding to severe obesity, and 35% had prediabetes. Adjusted monthly decrease in %BMIp95 was stronger for children with prediabetes compared with the peers in this clinic (slope: -0.62, standard error 0.10, p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was greater weight improvement among children with prediabetes compared with their peers with normal HbA1c.

Individual growth curve modeling for applied linguistics research

In applied linguistics research interest has surged in recent years for questions related to individuals’ development and change. The most commonly used methods in the field for analyzing repeated measures data, for studying variation and stability in individual change, and for investigating how individual level outcomes relate to the group may not be the most robust available. In this methods tutorial, we introduce a state-of-the-art longitudinal data analysis method: individual growth curve modeling. We describe the various uses for individual growth curve models (IGCM) in comparison with other cross-sectional or single-subject analytical methods, define important terms related to such models that describe outcome variable Y at time t, and show how IGCM can be used to analyze variables at the individual and group levels simultaneously. In our tutorial, we provide a worked example of IGCM that draws on a dataset of L2 students’ classroom disengagement and use R to exemplify the necessary steps for conducting IGC modeling. Through this example, we demonstrate how IGCM are especially suited to data structured on multiple levels, where repeated measures varying across time are nested within individuals, and where both time-variant and time-invariant measures are of interest. We further demonstrate how, in addition to examining changes over time in the outcome variable for the same individual using repeated measures, IGCM can also capture individual differences in those changes. We conclude with a brief review of how such models have been used recently across a selective sample of research domains in applied linguistics

The past, present, and future of child growth monitoring: A review and primer for clinical genetics.

Child growth measurements are critical vital signs to track, with every individual child growth curve potentially revealing a story about a child's health and well-being. Simply put, every baby born requires basic building blocks to grow and thrive: proper nutrition, love and care, and medical health. To ensure that every child who is missing one of these vital aspects is identified, growth is traditionally measured at birth and each well-child visit. While the blue and pink growth curves appear omnipresent in pediatric clinics, it is surprising to realize that their use only became standard of care in 1977 when the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) adopted the growth curve as a clinical tool for health. Behind this practice lies a socioeconomically, culturally, and politically complex interplay of individuals and institutions around the world. In this review, we highlight the often forgotten past, current state of practice, and future potential of this powerful clinical tool: the growth reference chart, with a particular focus on clinical genetics practice. The goal of this article is to understand ongoing work in the field of anthropometry (the scientific study of human measurements) and its direct impact on modern pediatric and genetic patient care.

Growth as a measure for environmental conditions and relatedness of North Sea fish stocks

Information about the ecological connections between species is needed to make the shift from fisheries management strategies centred around single species to ecosystem-based fisheries management. Growth rates of fish strongly depend on the environment. Individual growth curves could therefore contain valuable information about the environmental conditions experienced by an individual throughout its life. In this study, we explored whether estimated growth curves contain information about the competition within and between species. We estimated growth curves for 10 species in 10 North Sea roundfish areas based on length-at-age data from the North Sea International Bottom Trawl Survey (NS-IBTS) fish survey by fitting a von Bertalanffy growth model with varying asymptotic length. From these model fits, we extracted a relative measure for the temporal variation in growth in body size of a stock, which can be used as an indicator of the experienced environmental conditions. We found signs of density-dependent growth in at least 6 out of the 10 species for some specific areas as well as all North Sea areas combined. In addition, we used cluster analysis to explore the relatedness in ecological growth conditions between species and areas. Ecologically related species tended to show more similar temporal variation in ecological growth conditions than ecologically more distant species. Likewise, areas that were geographically closer showed more similarity in ecological growth conditions compared to geographically more distant areas. This suggests that information on ecological conditions derived from growth curves provide a useful way to distinguish ecological groups or regions without the need for additional stomach sampling or ecological studies.

Blended Care Therapy for Depression and Anxiety: Outcomes across Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups

BackgroundStudies have reported positive outcomes of blended care therapy (BCT), which combines face-to-face care with internet modules. However, there is insufficient evidence of its effectiveness across racial and ethnic groups. This study evaluated outcomes of a BCT program, which combined video psychotherapy with internet cognitive-behavioral modules, across race and ethnicity.MethodsParticipants were 6492 adults, with elevated anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7] ≥ 8) and/or depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] ≥ 10) symptoms, enrolled in employer-offered BCT. Changes in anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) symptoms during treatment were evaluated using individual growth curve models. Interaction terms of time with race and ethnicity tested for between-group differences. Treatment satisfaction was assessed using a Net Promoter measure (range = 1 (lowest satisfaction) to 5 (greatest satisfaction)).ResultsParticipants’ self-reported race and ethnicity included Asian or Pacific Islander (27.5%), Black or African American (5.4%), Hispanic or Latino (9.3%), and White (47.2%). Anxiety symptoms decreased during treatment (p < 0.01), with greater reductions among Hispanic or Latino participants compared to White participants (p < 0.05). Depressive symptoms decreased across treatment (p < 0.01), with significantly greater decreases among some racial and ethnic groups compared to White participants. Declines in anxiety and depressive symptoms slowed across treatment (p’s < 0.01), with statistically significant differences in slowing rates of depressive symptoms across some racial and ethnic groups. Among participants with responses (28.45%), average treatment satisfaction ranged from 4.46 (SD = 0.73) to 4.67 (SD = 0.68) across race and ethnicity (p = 0.001). Racial and ethnic differences in outcomes were small in magnitude.ConclusionsBCT for anxiety and depression can be effective across diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder Studied the Long Way: Predicting Change in Narcissistic Pathology During College.

Otto F. Kernberg pioneered the description, understanding, and treatment of pathological narcissism. Narcissism has emerged as a clinical construct of considerable interest in clinical psychology, psychiatry, and psychoanalysis and has often been featured in the literature on personality and social psychology. Considerable discussion in recent years has focused on whether levels of narcissism seen among young adults have been increasing. Nearly all of that discussion has been focused on changes in successive cohorts in normative (normal-range) expressions of narcissism. No direct prospective longitudinal study of the same individuals has assessed for pathological narcissism during college, the period that has been the specific focus of such lively debate. This study aimed to fill that gap in the literature. This multiwave, longitudinal study explored pathological narcissism during college by enrolling first-year undergraduate students (N=250) from the Longitudinal Study of Personality Disorders and by using individual growth curve (IGC) analysis. Participants were assigned to either a possible personality disorder or no personality disorder group, according to results from the International Personality Disorder Examination. By the third wave of assessments, 16% of the sample received a probable or definite diagnosis of at least one axis II personality disorder. IGC analysis revealed that pathological narcissism declined across the first 4 years of college. Personality predictors of this pattern of change are also discussed. This study highlights the need for a fine-grained prospective study of the same participants over time to illuminate patterns of change in narcissism.