Stressful Life Research Articles

Correlation of intratumoral mast cell quantity with psychosocial distress in patients with pancreatic cancer: the PancStress study

Mast cells are commonly found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), yet their role in the disease remains uncertain. Although mast cells have been associated with depression in several diseases, their connection to PDAC in this context remains unclear. This study explored the correlation between mast cells and psychosocial stress in patients with PDAC. Prior to surgery, 40 patients with PDAC (n = 29 primary resected, n = 11 neoadjuvant treated) completed four questionnaires assessing stress and quality of life. Immunostaining was performed on the resected tumor tissue. Spearman analysis was employed to correlate mast cells with distress and neuropeptides serotonin and beta-endorphin serum and tissue levels. Patients with PDAC exhibited elevated levels of distress and worry. Lower number of mast cells within the tumor correlated with greater psychological burden. Among primary resected patients, mast cell count moderately correlated with joy and inversely with worries. Following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, strong inverse correlation was observed between anxiety, depression, and mast cell quantity. No correlation was found between mast cells and serotonin or beta-endorphin levels. In summary, mast cell presence inversely correlates with psychosocial stress, suggesting a link between immune cells and psychological well-being in pancreatic cancer. Targeting mast cells might offer therapeutic avenues for addressing cancer-induced depression and anxiety.

Nowhere to Go

This article examines epidemics and disease prevention within the War Relocation Authority camps for Japanese Americans during World War II. Although scholars and activists have noted the limits and inadequacies of medical care within the camps, little attention has been given to the actions of camp administrators in curtailing outbreaks of deadly diseases such as polio and tuberculosis, including universal vaccination requirements and the use of quarantine orders. Disease in the camps resulted in cases of social isolation and ostracization and further exacerbated the stresses of life among the confined. Meanwhile, this article explores the use of the camps as sites of scientific study. Administrators and anthropologists documented cases of camp epidemics and published their results in journals on public health.

National Fatality Review Case Reporting System: Twenty Years of Data Collection.

The National Fatality Review Case Reporting System (NFR-CRS) is a web-based data collection tool for child death review and fetal and infant mortality review teams. The NFR-CRS captures information from the multidisciplinary review, including the social and community risk factors that may have impacted the death. The NFR-CRS is a nimble data system that has evolved throughout the past 20 years. The most recent enhancements include a life stressors section focused on collecting contextual information such as racism and poverty, revised cause of death sections to better align data collected with risk factors identified in the research, and enhanced data visualizations. The NFR-CRS has improved data quality since the launch of a data quality initiative in 2015. As a result of the data quality initiative, the completeness, consistency, accuracy, and timeliness of the NFR-CRS data have improved. Limitations for the NFR-CRS include the fact that data entered are not population-based, data fields have evolved over time, and there are high percentages of missing and unknown data. Despite its limitations, the NFR-CRS remains a valuable research tool, especially when paired with other data sources.

Characteristics of Fatalities Among Sexual- and Gender-Diverse Youth in the United States: 2015-2020.

Sexual- and gender-diverse youth face unique stressors that negatively impact their health. The objective of this study was to use National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System data to epidemiologically describe fatalities among identified sexual- and gender-diverse youth to inform future prevention efforts. We used 2015 to 2020 data from the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System to identify deaths among sexual- and gender-diverse youth and compare their characteristics to a matched sample of youth from these same data who were not known to be sexual- and gender-diverse. Demographic, injury, death, history, and life stressor characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. During the study period, 176 fatalities were identified among sexual- and gender-diverse youth. Decedents' mean age was 15.3 years. A greater proportion of deaths was attributed to suicide among sexual- and gender-diverse youth (81%) compared with nonsexual- and gender-diverse youth (54%). Receiving prior (69%) and/or current (49%) mental health services was more common among sexual- and gender-diverse youth, compared with nonsexual- and gender-diverse youth (50% and 31%, respectively). Sexual- and gender-diverse youth were significantly more likely to experience problems in school or be victims of bullying, compared with nonsexual- and gender-diverse youth (63% versus 47% and 28% versus 15%, respectively). Suicide was the most common manner of death for sexual- and gender-diverse youth, despite many decedents receiving current or prior mental health services. These findings indicate the need to improve and diversify interventions to prevent these deaths.

Acceptability and Scalability of a Meditation App Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background Adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) experience stress from general life stressors and diabetes-specific stressors. This stress manifests in a range of ways, such as mood swings, heightened frustration, strained familial relationships, and difficulties in T1DM self-management, which then leads to worse health outcomes. There is small to moderate evidence that frequent use of mental health applications (MHapps) improves mental and physical health outcomes. Meditation apps may help reduce some of the stress associated with living with T1DM. This study explores the acceptability and scalability of a self-guided, smartphone-based meditation app, the Healthy Minds Program (HMP) app, among adolescents with T1DM using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Methods Eight adolescents ages 15-19 were recruited from a pediatric clinic in a Midwestern state and introduced to the HMP app. After using the HMP app for one week, they were invited to participate in three successive focus group meetings. During the meetings, they shared their perspectives on the content, navigation, and acceptability of the HMP app and strategies to introduce and scale app utilization among adolescents with T1DM. Researchers conducted conventional content analysis using a hybrid coding approach. Data was managed and analyzed using NVivo 10 (Lumivero, Denver, Colorado, USA). Findings Participants believed that the HMP app has the potential to enhance their stress management, mood, and coping abilities when dealing with the challenges of T1DM management. They found the app enjoyable and easy to use but expressed concerns about time constraints as a potential barrier. To address this, they shared recommendations for facilitating app uptake and usage. Conclusions This study's results provide an in-depth understanding of how positively this subset of adolescents with T1DM viewed the HMP app. The participants also offered valuable suggestions that can promote the adoption and sustained use of MHapps by adolescents living with T1DM.

Role of Sex and Early Life Stress Experience on Porcine Cardiac and Brain Tissue Expression of the Oxytocin and H2S Systems

Early life stress (ELS) significantly increases the risk of chronic cardiovascular diseases and may cause neuroinflammation. This post hoc study, based on the material available from a previous study showing elevated “serum brain injury markers” in male control animals, examines the effect of sex and/or ELS on the cerebral and cardiac expression of the H2S and oxytocin systems. Following approval by the Regional Council of Tübingen, a randomized controlled study was conducted on 12 sexually mature, uncastrated German Large White swine of both sexes. The control animals were separated from their mothers at 28–35 days, while the ELS group was separated at day 21. At 20–24 weeks, animals underwent anesthesia, ventilation, and surgical instrumentation. An immunohistochemical analysis of oxytocin, its receptor, and the H2S-producing enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase and cystathionine-γ-lyase was performed on hypothalamic, prefrontal cortex, and myocardial tissue samples. Data are expressed as the % of positive tissue staining, and differences between groups were tested using a two-way ANOVA. The results showed no significant differences in the oxytocin and H2S systems between groups; however, sex influenced the oxytocin system, and ELS affected the oxytocin and H2S systems in a sex-specific manner. No immunohistochemical correlate to the elevated “serum brain injury markers” in male controls was identified.

Association of Risk Factors of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Heart Blockage Among non-diabetic Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital – An Observational Study

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of death in the world. In 2015, an estimated 442.7 million prevalent cases of CVD were present worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases account for more than 17 million deaths globally each year. Previous studies identified diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and sedentary lifestyle as risk factors. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for acute myocardial infarction associated with heart blockage among non-diabetic patients. Methods: This was an observational study conducted in the Department of Cardiology of Jashore Medical College Sadar Hospital, Jashore, Bangladesh during the period from April, 2021 to March, 2022. In this study, we included 120 non-diabetic patients who were diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Result: Mean age was 53.03±11.3 years & most of our patients were male. Among all patients, majority (65%) patients had >60% blockage, followed by 30(25%) patients had 40%-60% artery blockage, and <40% blockage was found in 10% patients. Hypertension, dyslipidemia & dyslipidemia with hypertension, age ≥60 years, family history of CHD, smoking, diabetes & obesity were individual risk factors of CHD among non-diabetic patients. The most common risk factors for heart blockage were age >45 years, high blood pressure, high LDL, unhealthy diet, and stressful life. Conclusion: In our study, we found hypertension, history of CHD, dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia with hypertension, stress, age ≥60 years, and obesity were individual risk factors for CHD. These elements work as crucial risk factors for myocardial infarction in non-diabetic patients. Risk factors like age >45 years, high blood pressure, high LDL, unhealthy diet, and stressful life were responsible for the highest heart blockage in myocardial infarction patients. J Inv Clin Cardiol 2023; 5(2): 38-44

Optimization Design and Experimental Analysis of Resistance-Reducing Anti-Fracture Rotary Blade Based on DEM Techniques

To address the significant cutting resistance and fracture susceptibility of rotary blades, an innovative blade design was conceived to minimize resistance and enhance fracture resistance. By analyzing the interaction between the blade, soil, and root systems, an optimized design for the blade structure’s breakage resistance was developed. The theory of eccentric circular side cutting edges was applied to redesign the curve of the side cutting edge, and kinematic analysis was conducted to determine the optimal edge angle (26.57°). A flexible body model of corn residues was established, and cutting resistance measurements indicated a 15.1% reduction in cutting resistance. The breakage resistance of the rotary blade was validated using a discrete element method–finite element method (DEM–FEM) coupling approach. The results demonstrated the following: neck stress (−16.85%), specific strength efficiency (+9.72%), specific stiffness efficiency (+9.78%), fatigue life (+39.08%), and ultimate fracture stress (+20.16%), thereby meeting the design objectives. The comparison between field trial results and simulation data showed an error rate (<5%), confirming the simulation test’s feasibility. These findings provide theoretical references for reducing cutting resistance and enhancing breakage resistance in rotary blades.

Heritable heart failure traits in mice undergoing early life stress

Abstract Introduction Adverse childhood experiences, known as early life stress (ELS), are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in later life, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Recent evidence indicates that parental life experiences can be transmitted to the offspring. Whether ELS exerts transgenerational effects on the heart is unknown. Purpose To investigate the effects of ELS on cardiac structure and function in exposed parents and in their offspring, across 3 generations. Methods We used a mouse model of ELS (MSUS) that mimics the exposure to traumatic experiences during childhood in humans. Mouse pups (F1) were separated from their mother (F0) unpredictably each day for 3 hours from postnatal day 1 (PND1) to PND14. During separation, dams were exposed to an additional unpredictable stressor by being subjected to either, a forced swim (18°C water for 5 minutes) or a 20-minute physical tube restraint, anytime (unpredictably) during the 3 hours. From PND15, mice are left undisturbed with their mother until PND21, are then raised normally until adulthood. Control litters were raised normally. A high-resolution Micro-Ultrasound System (Vevo 3100, Visualsonics) was used for the echocardiographic assessment at 6, 12 and 18 months both in the exposed animals (F0) as well as in their offspring (F1) and grandoffspring (F2). Both male and female mice were studied. Heart weight/tibia length and left ventricle weight/tibia length were used to assess cardiac mass while myocardial fibrosis was assessed by Masson's Trichrome and Picriosirius Red stainings. Lung congestion was assessed as lung wet/dry weight ratio. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) was used in LV specimens from MSUS mice to unveil cell-specific transcriptional changes. Finally, MSUS mice underwent environmental enrichment (cages containing running wheels, maze) to investigate any rescuing effect on cardiac function. Results F1 mice displayed increased LV mass, impaired diastolic function, myocardial fibrosis and lung congestion. A time-dependent worsening of cardiac performance was observed from 6 to 18 months, both in males and females. ScRNAseq unveiled dysregulation of transcriptional programs underlying inflammation and lipotoxicity in the cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell clusters. The MSUS offspring did not show changes of cardiac function at 6 months, however diastolic dysfunction and lung congestion were observed at 12 and 18 months. A similar impairment of cardiac function was observed in the MSUS grandoffspring (F3). Of interest, 6-week exposure to an environmental enrichment protocol was able to improve LV mass, diastolic function and lung congestion in 12 months-old MSUS mice. Conclusions ELS induces a transgenerational transmission of cardiac phenotypic alterations which can be rescued by EE. Our results shed light on the potential role of ELS on heart failure development and potential mitigation strategies.

Shared and unique lifetime stressor characteristics and brain networks predict adolescent anxiety and depression.

Exposure to major life stressors and aberrant brain functioning have been linked to anxiety and depression, especially during periods of heighted functional brain plasticity, such as adolescence. However, it remains unclear if specific characteristics of major life stressors and functional network disruptions differentially predict anxiety and depression symptoms over time and, if so, whether they act independently or jointly. We collected baseline lifetime stressor exposure data and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data in a longitudinal sample of 107 adolescents enriched for anxiety and depressive disorders. We examined five stressor characteristics: physical danger, interpersonal loss, humiliation, entrapment, and role change/disruption. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed at baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Linear mixed effect models tested if these stressor characteristics, functional connectivity within and between frontoparietal, default, and ventral attention networks, and their interactions differentially predicted anxiety and depression symptoms at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Greater lifetime severity of physical danger and humiliation prospectively predicted increased anxiety symptoms at both follow-ups, whereas greater lifetime entrapment severity prospectively predicted higher anxiety and depression symptoms. Only the effects of lifetime entrapment severity were robust to including within- and between-network functional connectivity metrics and other significantly predictive stressor characteristics. Lifetime entrapment severity more strongly predicted anxiety symptoms in youth with higher default network connectivity. Greater functional connectivity between frontoparietal and default networks prospectively predicted increased depression symptoms. Taken together, these results underscore the critical importance of using stressor characteristics and functional connectivity jointly to study predictors for adolescent anxiety and depression.

Amplifying School Mental Health Literacy Through Neuroscience Education

Children and adolescents face a wide variety of developmental changes and environmental challenges, and it is estimated that at least one in five children aged 3–17 will experience behavioral or mental health issues. This period of life coincides with major changes in brain structure and function that have profound long-term consequences for learning, decision-making (including risk taking), and emotional processing. For example, continued development of the prefrontal cortex in adolescence is a sensitive period during which individuals are particularly susceptible to risky behaviors, environmental stressors, and substance use. While recent advances in mental health literacy programs have paved the way for increased awareness of the benefits of mental health curricula in schools, these efforts could be greatly bolstered with support in basic neuroscience education in developmentally appropriate and area-specific content. Here, we provide a discussion on the basic structural and functional changes occurring in the brain throughout childhood, how this contributes to changes in cognitive function, and the risk factors posed by early life adversity, stress, and drug use. Finally, we provide a perspective on the benefits of integrating findings from the field of neuroscience and suggestions for tools to better equip students, teachers, administrators, and school mental health staff to provide new directions for addressing the mental health crises faced by millions of children and youth each year.

Association of Childhood Abuse with Incident Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

A link between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), stressful life events and psychological factors has previously been reported. Our objective was to examine the relationship between childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and risk of IBD using a large cohort of female health professionals. We included participants in the Nurses' Health Study II who completed the Physical and Emotional Abuse Subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Sexual Maltreatment Scale of the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale in 2001. Diagnosis of IBD was determined by self-report and confirmed independently by two physicians through review of medical records. We used Cox proportional hazard modeling to estimate the risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) while adjusting for covariates. Among 68,167 women followed from 1989 until 2017, there were 146 incident cases of CD and 215 incident cases of UC. Compared to women with no history of abuse, the adjusted hazard ratios of CD were 1.16 (95% CI 0.67 - 2.02) for mild, 1.58 (95% CI 0.92 - 2.69) for moderate, and 1.95 (95% CI 1.22 - 3.10) for severe abuse (Ptrend = 0.002). We did not observe an association between childhood abuse and risk of UC. Women who reported early life severe abuse had an increased risk of CD. These data add to the growing body of evidence on the critical role of early life stressors in development of CD.

Association between Sexual Abuse Experience and Salivary Stress Biomarkers among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals in Chennai – A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Gender-nonconforming people undergo unimaginable sexual and physical abuse. This leads to stress and other stress-related disorders which can be easily determined by salivary stress biomarkers. Early life stress has an association with the immune system linked with stress. Transgenders and gender nonconforming people are prone to sexual abuse in early life more compared to normal people. This study aims to know about the association between sexual and physical abuse experience and salivary stress biomarkers in Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional epidemiological study. A snowball sampling design was adopted. The study was conducted in various places in Thozhi Shelter for Transgenders, Chetpet, Chennai among Gender non-conforming individuals and Transgenders. This study was conducted in April 2022. MDA and IL-6 levels were determined from their saliva using the passive drool method. Result: Interleukin L 6 and MDA levels were significantly higher in the GNC Group than in the control group. 63.64% of Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals experienced sexual abuse whereas 73% of them have experienced physical abuse in their lifetime. Conclusion: Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals who experienced physical/sexual abuse have increased IL 6 levels and decreased MDA levels in saliva when compared to the non-transgender individuals.

Childhood neglect is associated with alterations in neural prediction error signaling and the response to novelty.

One in eight children experience early life stress (ELS), which increases risk for psychopathology. ELS, particularly neglect, has been associated with reduced responsivity to reward. However, little work has investigated the computational specifics of this disrupted reward response - particularly with respect to the neural response to Reward Prediction Errors (RPE) - a critical signal for successful instrumental learning - and the extent to which they are augmented to novel stimuli. The goal of the current study was to investigate the associations of abuse and neglect, and neural representation of RPE to novel and non-novel stimuli. One hundred and seventy-eight participants (aged 10-18, M = 14.9, s.d. = 2.38) engaged in the Novelty task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging. In this task, participants learn to choose novel or non-novel stimuli to win monetary rewards varying from $0 to $0.30 per trial. Levels of abuse and neglect were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Adolescents exposed to high levels of neglect showed reduced RPE-modulated blood oxygenation level dependent response within medial and lateral frontal cortices particularly when exploring novel stimuli (p < 0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons) relative to adolescents exposed to lower levels of neglect. These data expand on previous work by indicating that neglect, but not abuse, is associated with impairments in neural RPE representation within medial and lateral frontal cortices. However, there was no association between neglect and behavioral impairments on the Novelty task, suggesting that these neural differences do not necessarily translate into behavioral differences within the context of the Novelty task.

Yoga Education in the 21st Century: A Comprehensive Exploration of its Significance, Effect, and Connectivity in Modern Societal Contexts

Abstract: This paper aims to present a theoretical model based on a synthesis of ancient knowledge and contemporary research, as well as to argue for the integration of yoga with education in the present educational system. Resilience and overall well-being have become increasingly important in today's hectic and demanding environment. This abstract explores the value of yoga instruction as a transforming tool for dealing with the various issues people encounter nowadays. Yoga is an age-old Indian discipline that combines physical postures called asanas, breathing exercises called pranayama, meditation, and moral teachings to bring the mind, body, and spirit into balance. Regular yoga practice provides many physical, mental, and emotional benefits that have been confirmed by scientific studies. With the current state of affairs marked by high levels of stress, sedentary lifestyles, and rising mental health problems, it is essential to integrate yoga instruction into regular classroom instruction. This abstract explores how yoga's focus on self-awareness, stress reduction, and mindfulness corresponds with the modern world's need for coping strategies against life's stresses. The abstract also looks at how yoga instruction might help people develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and a positive outlook. The practice is a flexible strategy for improving general well-being because it may be applied to different age groups and fitness levels. A proactive approach to addressing the growing health concerns and fostering a culture of self-care is the incorporation of yoga into educational curricula, businesses, and healthcare systems. Additionally, by highlighting the preventative qualities of yoga in healthcare, the abstract underlines the social and economic advantages connected to a population that is healthier and more robust. The way this work compares and contrasts the results-driven current research with the process-driven old knowledge makes it special. This makes it possible to develop a more thorough theoretical model of yoga in education in the present scenario.

62 Outcomes from a randomized controlled trial of a brief virtual group intervention for adolescents with mild to moderate suicidal ideation and their caregivers: The BRAVA study

Abstract Background Building Resilience and Attachment in Vulnerable Adolescents (BRAVA) is a brief virtual group intervention designed for adolescents with mild to moderate suicidal ideation (SI) and their caregivers. The goal of BRAVA is to reduce SI in adolescents and increase family connection. The intervention consists of six independent, 90 minute modules that are delivered in a group setting on a weekly basis. Independent modules allow for rolling admission thereby reducing wait time to start the intervention. The modules include components of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Attachment Based Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Collaborative Problem Solving and psychoeducation. Adolescents and their parents attend separate groups. Adolescents focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, managing crisis situations and caregivers focus on connecting with their teen, validation and crisis management Objectives This randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessed the efficacy of BRAVA in reducing symptoms of SI, depression and anxiety in adolescents, and improving life stress and competency in caregivers. Design/Methods Ninety-nine eligible youth (13-17.5 years) presenting with mild to moderate SI (rated 1 on the suicide item of HEADS-ED MH screening tool) and their caregivers were recruited from hospital and community services. Families were randomized to BRAVA (n=50) or the control group (n=49). The control group intervention consisted of weekly text messages and the opportunity to join the BRAVA group post-exit assessment). Outcome measures were administered at intake and exit for adolescents (Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior, SIQ-JR; Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale, RCADS) and caregivers (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS; Parent Sense of Competency Scale, PSOC). Outcomes were analyzed using repeated measures of multivariable analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results Preliminary analyses showed no significant differences between groups at intake for any demographic or clinical variables. Most adolescents and caregivers completed their exit assessment (nBRAVA=37; nControl=39). Adolescents and caregivers attended a median of six and five groups, respectively. Comparing to the control group, BRAVA was superior in reducing SI (p = 0.05) and depression (p = 0.005) in adolescents and caregiver life stress (p = 0.026). Preliminary MANOVA of adolescent outcomes were significant for time [p &amp;lt;0.01, Effect size (ES) = 0.98] and between groups (p = 0.03, ES = 0.11). Caregiver outcomes were significant for time (p=0.051, ES=0.70). Conclusion This study demonstrates that a brief virtual group intervention can have a significant impact on adolescent SI and depression compared to an enhanced treatment as usual control group. In addition, BRAVA can reduce caregiver perceived stress, helping them view their lives as less unpredictable, uncontrollable and overloaded.

Preconception and prenatal vitamin D associations with positive behavioral health in Black children.

Low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are associated with offspring behavioral problems but little is known about pre-pregnancy influences. Additionally, Black American individuals are underrepresented in studies, limiting translational impact. We tested independent and interactive effects of preconception and prenatal vitamin D in Black women in relation to positive behavioral and emotional outcomes in early childhood. Black-identifying participants (N = 156) enrolled in the longitudinal Pittsburgh Girls Study (PGS) provided venous blood samples before and during pregnancy to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels. Participants completed questionnaires assessing sociodemographic factors, depression severity and life stress, and later reported on child behavioral and emotional problems and prosocial behavior between 2 and 4 years. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 15.5 ng/ml (s.d. = 7.7) before pregnancy and 18.0 ng/ml (s.d. = 9.2) during pregnancy; below the sufficiency threshold according to commonly used dietary guidelines. After adjusting for covariates, prenatal 25(OH)D was negatively related to behavior problems and positively related to prosocial behavior in children, although the association attenuated for behavior problems after accounting for preconception 25(OH)D, which may reflect patterns of stability. Maternal 25(OH)D was unrelated to child emotional problems, and no synergistic effects of 25(OH)D timing were observed for any child outcome. Findings have relevance for Black women living in the northeast U.S. Results suggest specific associations between maternal vitamin D and positive behaviors in early childhood, regardless of sufficiency levels and suggest potential opportunities for early interventions to support healthy child development.

Early life stress induces decreased expression of CB1R and FAAH and epigenetic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex of male rats

Several studies in both animal models and in humans have provided substantial evidence that early life stress (ELS) induces long-term changes in behavior and brain function, making it a significant risk factor in the aetiology of various mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ELS in male rats (i) leads to increased anxiety and depressive-like symptoms; and (ii) that these behavioral changes are associated with functional alterations in the endocannabinoid system of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We further assessed whether the predicted changes in the gene expression of two key components of the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) and the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Behavioral profiling revealed that the proportion of behaviorally affected animals was increased in ELS exposed male rats compared to control animals, specifically showing symptoms of anhedonia and impaired social behavior. On the molecular level we observed a decrease in CB1R and FAAH mRNA expression in the mPFC of adult ELS exposed animals. These gene expression changes were accompanied by reduced global histone 3 acetylation in the mPFC, while no significant changes in DNA methylation and no significant changes of histone-acetylation at the promoter regions of the analyzed genes were detected. Taken together, our data provide evidence that ELS induces a long-term reduction of CB1R and FAAH expression in the mPFC of adult male rats, which may partially contribute to the ELS-induced changes in adult socio-emotional behavior.

Stress and Quality of Life of Parents of Children With POLR3-Related Leukodystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study.

Background: RNA polymerase III (POLR3)-related leukodystrophy is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Despite the challenges of caring for a child with POLR3-related leukodystrophy, few studies have examined parents' disease burden. We sought to investigate quality of life and stress levels amongst parents of children with POLR3-related leukodystrophy. Methods: 43 parents of 32 children completed questionnaires on demographics, stress, quality of life, coping mechanisms, and experience of injustice. Detailed clinical data was collected from all patients. Results: Mothers (t[27] = -8.66, P < .001) and fathers (t[16] = -4.47, P < .001) had lower quality of life scores compared to the normative population, yet 80% of parents' stress scores fell within the normal stress range. Parents' experience of injustice scores were high (>60). Correlations were found between and within parents' scores. Years since disease onset and certain life circumstances correlated to mothers' quality of life scores; however, no correlation was found between modifiable factors and fathers' quality of life scores. Helpful coping mechanisms included those that allowed parents to be involved in their child's life. Conclusions: This is the first study to assess stress and quality of life in this population. These results shed light on the importance of implementing services and social support to improve the well-being of parents.

Impact of Academic Progress on the Mental Health of Young People in Nigeria: A Case Study of Undergraduate Students in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Education is important in forging a pathway to economic opportunity and social mobility. It is widely regarded as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of personal and social development. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study employs a quantitative data collection approach. Four hundred individuals were interviewed using semi-structured, interviewer-administered questions through a multi-stage sampling technique. After data analysis with SPSS version 26, a chi-square test statistic was employed to determine whether there was a significant relationship between the categorical variables, with a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Out of 400 respondents, 211 (52.8%) male and 189 (47.2%) female were questioned. Nearly half of the respondents (49.0%) were between the ages of 19 and 21 years old. According to the survey, most of the respondents (70.0%) asserted that their current academic workload is heavy, while (18.0%) and (9.0%) described their workload as moderate and light, respectively. Additionally, (60.0%) of the respondents rated their overall academic performance as good. However, only (13.0%) acknowledged that academic pressure contributes to stress and anxiety in life and (79.0%) occasionally expressed stress related to academic demands. About (11.8%) and (8.8%) of the respondents reported having been diagnosed with a mental health disorder before and experienced symptoms of depression in the past month respectively. An additional (20.0%) of respondents reported having experienced depression, while (24.5%) and (23.5%) claimed to have experienced anxiety and stress, respectively. Moreover, (11.8%) reported experiencing panic attacks, and (5.3%) mentioned having had suicidal thoughts. More than half of the respondents used to exercise (59.0%) and engaged in hobbies or interests (56.5%) as coping mechanisms for academic stress. Additionally, (45.5%) practiced mindfulness or relaxation techniques, and (25.5%) sought social support to manage their academic stress. About (32.5%) of respondents claimed they were aware of mental health support services available at their institutions, compared to (67.5%) who were unaware of these services. Of those aware, (33.1%) had utilized mental health support services. Additionally, (44.2%) of respondents were satisfied with the mental health support services on campus, while (39.5%) were very satisfied. The study also reveals that there’s no statistically significant association between the age, gender, monthly upkeep of the respondents and utilization of mental health support services. Conclusion: There is a complex connection between academic performance, psychological well-being, and the use of coping strategies and mental health support services among university students. This underscores the importance of addressing students' mental health needs alongside providing academic assistance. Keywords: Mental health, Academic performance, Mental health support services, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Mental health coping mechanisms