Negative Outcomes Research Articles

Social identity, mental health and the experience of migration.

Evidence suggests that social identities, which provide purpose and a sense of belonging, enhance resilience against psychological strain and safeguard well-being. This applies to first-generation migrant populations facing adverse experiences, including prejudice and disconnection from previous identities during host country integration, negatively impacting their well-being. The importance of social identity also extends to first-generation migrant descendants, confronting dual-identity challenges and experiencing exclusion and discrimination despite being native born. Building on the social identity approach to mental health, 20 semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate how migrants construct their social identities, their perspective on the challenges and changes they experience in relation to group memberships and ultimately, the influence this has on their psychological well-being. Findings emphasize the significance of social identity continuity and gain pathways in first-generation migrants' successful adjustment and psychological well-being. For second-generation migrants, dual-identity development is especially difficult during adolescence due to social exclusion and discrimination in schools. Even in early adulthood, pressure to maintain heritage identity can lead to negative mental health outcomes over time. The current study contributes to and strengthens the social identity approach to migrant mental health and has wider implications for psychological interventions and policy.

A cross-sectional study exploring community perspectives on the impacts of COVID-19 in Nunavut and recommendations for a Holistic Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit approach to emergency response

ABSTRACT The goal of this study was to examine and address critical knowledge gaps and develop an understanding of both the positive and negative societal outcomes resulting from the public health measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut and the interventions being undertaken to promote positive well-being. Data collection for this study included narrative, in-person interviews in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, and Cambridge Bay between September 2022 and January 2023. A total of 70 participants were interviewed for this study. Community highlighted challenges, such as crowding and food insecurity, and concern for the collective wellbeing of the community. Strengths included financials supports, food sharing, and maintaining community connections over a distance. Recommendations included a focus on holistic health such as 1) public education and awareness about communicable disease, 2) financial supports, 3) housing, 4) access to healthcare, 5) focus on Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, 6) mental-health and addiction supports, and 7) community spaces. Community members described both strengths and challenges they believe impacted their experiences and service delivery as well as recommendations for the future.

Occupational hazards and pregnancy in orthopaedics: female surgeons are at increased risk of infertility and pregnancy complications.

Female surgeons have increased rates of infertility and pregnancy complications compared to the general population. Reported infertility rates in surgeons are 32% compared to 10.9% in the general population. Reported pregnancy complication rates in surgeons range from 25% to 35%. In the orthopaedic operating theatre occupational hazards that have an effect on pregnancy outcomes include radiation, exposure to methyl methacrylate in bone cement, surgical smoke, sharps injuries, exposure to anaesthetic waste gases and the effects of the physical demands of surgery including prolonged work hours and night shift work. Outside the operating theatre exposure to nitrous oxide, formaldehyde, surgical scrub also have evidence of negative pregnancy outcomes. This review summarizes the available evidence as it relates to specific occupational hazards that face health workers in an orthopaedic operating theatre. This information, while targeted at orthopaedic health workers, is also relevant to anaesthetists, radiographers, nursing staff, medical device company representatives and female surgeons in other specialties.

Investigating Machine Learning Models in Acute Myocardial Infarction to Predict Mortality

Abstract:
 Background
 Pakistan and the rest of the world suffer from a high rate of acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs). In this study, we employed a machine learning model to predict mortality in patients with AMI patients. By analyzing various variables, they assessed the impact of these factors on the predictive models, highlighting the potential of machine learning in improving mortality prediction and informing clinical decision-making in AMI cases.
 Method
 This study conducted three experiments using a Kaggle dataset to predict mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients with machine learning. Relevant input features were selected, and three models (SVM, DT, KNN) classified mortality status. Model performance was rigorously evaluated with metrics like Accuracy, AUC, Precision, Recall, and F1-score. Data preprocessing, including handling missing values and normalization, preceded model training.
 Results
 Among the evaluated models, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) exhibited the highest accuracy of approximately 87.66% and demonstrated robust discrimination capabilities, with an AUC score of 0.796. Precision, recall, and F1-scores indicated a balanced trade-off between correctly identifying negative outcomes and effectively capturing positive cases.
 Conclusion
 The SVM model emerged as the most promising classifier, showcasing strong potential for predicting patient mortality in the context of AMI. However, further refinements and optimizations may be necessary to enhance model performance, ensuring its clinical relevance and utility in real-world medical scenarios.

The One Pill Can Kill Myth.

"One Pill Can Kill" is a meme originating in the 1990s. This construct lists pharmaceuticals that have the alleged potential for fatality after the ingestion of a single pill by a toddler. However, its foundation is fundamentally flawed because it contravenes a basic principle of pediatric pharmacology, allometric scaling. Other than opioids, there are no literature examples of one pill killing a toddler. The negative outcome of the one pill can kill construct is inappropriate management manifested by over-referral of young children by poison centers to emergency departments for care, overly prolonged emergency department observation and needless hospital admissions. A more accurate construct is that one pill of anything other than opioids will not kill anybody with the caveat being that we are referring to regulated pharmaceuticals.

Impact of Online Shopping Addiction on Compulsive Buying Behavior and Life Satisfaction among College Students

Background: The advent of digital commerce has significantly altered consumer behaviors, particularly among college students who represent a dynamic and influential demographic. While online shopping offers convenience and a broad range of choices, it has also led to concerns regarding online shopping addiction, compulsive buying behavior, and their impacts on life satisfaction. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing strategies to address potential negative outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of online shopping addiction on compulsive buying behavior and life satisfaction among college students, with a particular focus on identifying gender differences in online shopping behaviors. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional survey design, the study sampled 200 college students from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, using purposive sampling techniques. Instruments included the Online Shopping Addiction Scale (OSAS), Compulsive Buying Behavior Screening Tool (CBBST), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), with data analysis conducted through Pearson correlation, t-tests, and linear regression analyses using SPSS version 25. Results: The study revealed significant gender differences in online shopping addiction, with female students showing higher levels of addiction (M = 49.5, SD = 12.0) compared to male students (M = 43.1, SD = 12.4), t(198) = 3.7, p < .000. A strong positive correlation was found between online shopping addiction and compulsive buying behavior (r = .64, p < .000). Online shopping addiction predicted 41% of the variance in compulsive buying behavior (β = .64, p < .000) but had a minimal impact on life satisfaction, explaining only 3% of the variance (β = .05, p = .4). Conclusion: The findings underscore the significant role of online shopping addiction in influencing compulsive buying behaviors among college students, with notable gender differences in addiction levels. However, the impact of online shopping addiction on life satisfaction remains minimal. These insights highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the negative effects of online shopping addiction and support healthier consumer behaviors among young adults.

ANALYSING THE INCIDENCE OF COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH KNEE ARTHROSCOPY

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique for diagnosing and treating knee conditions. While generally safe, complications can occur, ranging from minor infections to severe nerve damage or septic arthritis. Understanding these complications is essential for optimal patient care. Objective: To explore the occurrence of complications related to knee arthroscopy. Methods: After the ethical approval from the institutional review board, this retrospective cohort study was conducted at JPMC Karachi from 01/09/23 to 29/02/24. Through the non-probability consecutive sampling, patients between ages 18 and 50, either gender and patients undergoing elective arthroscopy procedures were included in the present study. Detailed documentation of difficulties during surgery and recovery, such as infections, blood clots, nerve damage, and mechanical issues, is crucial for assessing the frequency and seriousness of negative outcomes. Results: Synovectomy (79%) followed by Meniscectomy 78% was the common arthroscopic procedure performed. The incidence of complications after the arthroscopic procedure in the present study was 23%. Septic arthritis (33%), followed by Neural, vascular, or ligament injury and superficial infections (20%) were the complications observed in the present study. Conclusion: Arthroscopic knee surgeries are minimally invasive, generally safe procedures with low complication rates. Within this series were 15 (2%) complications, with five occurrences (33%) explicitly involving septic arthritis.

An exploratory, randomised, crossover study to investigate the effect of nicotine on cognitive function in healthy adult smokers who use an electronic cigarette after a period of smoking abstinence

BackgroundAs well as being associated with serious negative health outcomes, smoking has been reported to have an array of physiological and psychological effects, including effects on mood and cognitive function. Post-cessation, loss of such effects (including temporary deficits in cognitive function) have been cited as reasons for resumption of smoking. The effects of e-cigarettes and nicotine delivered by e-cigarettes on these functions have not been widely researched but may play a role in the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a satisfactory alternative to combustible cigarettes for people who smoke, and in encouraging individuals who would otherwise continue to smoke, to transition to e-cigarettes.MethodsThe study was an exploratory, randomised, partially-blinded, single-centre, five-arm crossover trial that recruited 40 healthy male and female people who smoke. At 5 study sessions, following a 12-h period of nicotine abstinence, participants were randomly assigned to use either a combustible cigarette, an e-cigarette of three varying nicotine strengths (18 mg/mL, 12 mg/mL or 0 mg/mL respectively) or observe a no product usage session. Participants completed pre- and post-product usage assessments to examine the product usage effect on cognitive performance (using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)), subjective mood and smoking urges.ResultsA significant improvement in sustained attention task performance was observed following use of both the nicotine containing e-cigarettes and combustible cigarette compared to no product use. Additionally, there were no significant differences between the nicotine containing products, indicating that nicotine use enhanced sustained attention regardless of delivery format. Nicotine containing e-cigarette and combustible cigarette use also significantly improved overall mood of participants compared to no product use, with no significant differences observed between the nicotine containing products. Nicotine containing e-cigarette and combustible cigarette use significantly reduced smoking urges compared to no product use, though combustible cigarette use elicited the greatest reduction in smoking urges.ConclusionsOverall, the nicotine containing products improved sustained attention and mood while reducing smoking urges, with the studied e-cigarettes having comparable effects to combustible cigarettes across the assessed cognitive parameters and mood measures. These results demonstrate the potential role of e-cigarettes to provide an acceptable alternative for combustible cigarettes among people who would otherwise continue to smoke.Trial registration ISRCTN (identifier: ISRCTN35376793).

Preventing eating pathology among elite adolescent ballet dancers: a pilot trial of the Athlete Body Project

ABSTRACT Adolescent ballet dancers are commonly recognized as aesthetic athletes who are at higher risk for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and eating disorders. Although athletic participation can generally protect against negative mental and physical health outcomes, idealization of a body ideal specific to ballet can confer unique vulnerability for eating pathology. Despite this known vulnerability, rigorous efforts to prevent eating pathology among young dancers are lacking. Previously, we reported on a trial of the Female Athlete Body Project adapted for professional female ballet dancers. The current study tested a subsequent adaptation, the Athlete Body Project (ABP), tailored for younger dancers, including a version for boys. This non-randomized, uncontrolled pilot trial tested ABP among boys and girls in two elite ballet schools (N = 23), formatted in-person and via video-conferencing. Program delivery met benchmarks for feasibility and acceptability across gender and delivery formats, and dancers provided positive qualitative feedback. Overall results suggest the potential of ABP in intervening on pre-post eating pathology and body appreciation, and significantly decreasing drive for muscularity among young ballet dancers. Taken together, this pilot work addresses a gap in the field and advances the needed development of eating disorder prevention programming for young, high-risk aesthetic athletes.

Capable Fish or Deficient Ponds? A Meta-Analysis of Consequences, Mechanisms, and Moderators of Perceived Overqualification

Perceived overqualification (POQ) has traditionally been seen as an undesirable employment situation associated with negative outcomes. However, recent research suggests that POQ may have positive implications for both employees and organizations. Despite the growing literature on this topic, scholars have offered numerous explanatory mechanisms for linking POQ with its work outcomes, and inconsistent findings have been reported, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of why, where, and for whom POQ is beneficial or detrimental. In the present study, we developed an integrative theoretical framework that depicts the consequences, mechanisms, and moderators of POQ. We then conducted a meta-analytical review of the POQ literature, analyzing 704 effect sizes from 251 independent samples (N = 87,229). By organizing the dominant mechanisms in POQ research within a unified framework of work motivation, we elucidate the distinct pathways by which POQ induces differential work consequences. We further consider the role of key cultural, economic, sociodemographic, and methodological characteristics as boundary conditions. Overall, our findings provide support for our predictions and provide novel insights into the work-related consequences of POQ. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are thoroughly discussed.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Truancy in High School: An Analysis of Florida Adolescents

ABSTRACT Previous research links exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) with a host of negative outcomes, including negative school outcomes. For instance, some studies link exposure to ACEs with weak school attachment, school misbehavior, suspension, negative academic performance, and absenteeism. The current study extends the previous literature by examining the association between exposure to ACEs and truancy using self-reports from a representative sample of Florida high-school students. The findings reveal that exposure to ACEs is associated with truancy in a dose–response fashion. In addition, the findings provide some evidence that the association between ACEs and truancy is partially attenuated by school- and parenting-related variables.

The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: A Comparative Study of Adolescents in Urban and Rural Communities

This paper explores the impact of social media on the mental health of adolescents in urban and rural communities. The researchers explore how geographical settings shape social media use and its consequences for mental well-being. Initial findings indicate that, while social media is prevalent among adolescents in both areas, urban youth exhibit higher engagement and greater susceptibility to negative mental health outcomes. The paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on digital well-being, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to foster a healthier approach to social media among adolescents

COCCOS study: Developing a transition program for adolescents with chronic conditions using Experience-Based Co-Design. A study protocol.

During adolescence, adolescents and young adults (AYAs) are expected to transfer their care from the pediatric environment towards an adult-focused setting. To prevent an abrupt transfer of care, it is recommended to provide AYAs with chronic conditions an adequate transition program. The aim of this paper is to describe the study protocol for the development of a transition program for AYAs with common chronic conditions (COCCOS study), using the Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) methodology. A qualitative, participatory study is conducted in Flanders (Belgium). Study participants are AYAs (n≥15, 14-25 years old, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, asthma, or obesity), their families, and healthcare providers (n≥15). The study is composed of eight EBCD stages: clinical site observations, in-depth interviews, trigger film, healthcare providers' feedback event, AYAs' feedback event, joint event, co-design workshops, and a celebration event. Photovoice will take place as a starting point of EBCD. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Data collection has started in January 2023 and is expected to be completed in May 2024. As of August 2023, over 15 clinical site observations have been conducted. A total of 18 AYAs, two parents, six healthcare providers have been enrolled and a total of 20 interviews have been conducted. Advancing transitional care is essential for tackling negative health outcomes. Applying the innovative participatory EBCD methodology will reveal key elements of transitional care for AYAs with common chronic conditions in the development of a person-centered transition program. Study findings will apply key elements of transitional care of AYAs with chronic conditions in the development of an adequate transition program.

Malnutrition-Related Health Outcomes in Older Adults with Hip Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hip fracture is a common condition in older adults, leading to disability and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated the association between nutritional status and the risk of a negative health outcome after fractures. In this systematic review, we evaluated the association between malnutrition and mortality, changes in mobility/living arrangements, and postoperative complications, such as delirium, in older patients with hip fractures. A literature search on the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, up to September 2023, was conducted to identify all studies involving older subjects that reported an association between MNA/GNRI/PNI/CONUT and health outcome after hip fracture. Meta-analysis was performed by a random-effects model using risk values (RR, OR, and HR) extracted from the 14 eligible selected studies. Malnutrition significantly increased the risk of any analyzed adverse outcome by 70% at 1 month, and up to 250% at 1 year. Malnutrition significantly increased delirium risk by 275% (OR = 2.75; 95% CI 1.80-4.18; p ≤ 0.05), mortality risk by 342% (OR = 3.42; 95% CI 2.14-5.48; p ≤ 0.05), mortality hazard risk by 351% (HR = 3.51; 95% CI 1.63-7.55; p ≤ 0.05) at 1 month, and transfer-to-more-supported-living-arrangements risk by 218% (OR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.58-3.01; p ≤ 0.05), and declined mobility risk by 41% (OR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.14-1.75; p ≤ 0.05), mortality risk by 368% (OR = 3.68; 95% CI 3.00-4.52; p ≤ 0.05), and mortality hazard risk by 234% (HR = 2.34; 95% CI 1.91-2.87; p ≤ 0.05) at 1 year. Malnutrition of older patients increases the risk of death and worsens mobility and independence after hip fractures. The results of the present study highlight the importance of nutritional status evaluation of older subjects with hip fractures in order to prevent potential adverse outcomes (Registration No: CRD42023468751).

Does the Design of Welfare Programs Stipulate Nursing Home Utilization? A Comparative Analysis of Long-Term Care Systems in Japan and Germany

Abstract Japan and Germany are both facing a rapidly aging population and have similar social insurance-based long-term care systems. However, there are significant differences in utilization and costs. This paper presents a microeconomic decision model validated by regression analysis, Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, and Data Envelopment Analysis to contrast the utilization patterns in the Japanese and German long-term care sectors. The design of the welfare programs for low-income families has been identified as one of the main reasons. In Germany, the welfare system leads to a demand curve for nursing home care that is comparable to that of an inferior good which makes external long-term care in nursing homes the more attractive, the poorer the respective households are. In addition, the resulting inelastic demand of the population groups in need of social benefits seem to reduces competition among Germany’s long-term care providers, which is associated with a loss of efficiency in how they use production factors. In Japan, this negative outcome is avoided by a comfort segmentation in the nursing home market.

Diverse methodological approaches to a Circumpolar multi-site case study which upholds and responds to local and Indigenous community research processes in the Arctic

ABSTRACT This paper outlines the methodological approaches to a multi-site Circumpolar case study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous and remote communities in 7 of 8 Arctic countries. Researchers involved with the project implemented a three-phase multi-site case study to assess the positive and negative societal outcomes associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Arctic communities from 2020 to 2023. The goal of the multi-site case study was to identify community-driven models and evidence-based promising practices and recommendations that can help inform cohesive and coordinated public health responses and protocols related to future public health emergencies in the Arctic. Research sites included a minimum of 1 one community each from Canada (Nunavut,) United States of America (Alaska), Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland. The approaches used for our multi-site case study provide a comprehensive, evidence-based account of the complex health challenges facing Arctic communities, offering insights into the effectiveness of interventions, while also privileging Indigenous local knowledge and voices. The mixed method multi-site case study approach enriched the understanding of unique regional health disparities and strengths during the pandemic. These methodological approaches serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals, informing future strategies and interventions.

Social Isolation, Brain Food Cue Processing, Eating Behaviors, and Mental Health Symptoms

Perceived social isolation is associated with negative health outcomes, including increased risk for altered eating behaviors, obesity, and psychological symptoms. However, the underlying neural mechanisms of these pathways are unknown. To investigate the association of perceived social isolation with brain reactivity to food cues, altered eating behaviors, obesity, and mental health symptoms. This cross-sectional, single-center study recruited healthy, premenopausal female participants from the Los Angeles, California, community from September 7, 2021, through February 27, 2023. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a food cue viewing task. The main outcomes included brain reactivity to food cues, body composition, self-reported eating behaviors (food cravings, reward-based eating, food addiction, and maladaptive eating behaviors), and mental health symptoms (anxiety, depression, positive and negative affect, and psychological resilience). The study included 93 participants (mean [SD] age, 25.38 [7.07] years). Participants with higher perceived social isolation reported higher fat mass percentage, lower diet quality, increased maladaptive eating behaviors (cravings, reward-based eating, uncontrolled eating, and food addiction), and poor mental health (anxiety, depression, and psychological resilience). In whole-brain comparisons, the higher social isolation group showed altered brain reactivity to food cues in regions of the default mode, executive control, and visual attention networks. Isolation-related neural changes in response to sweet foods correlated with various altered eating behaviors and psychological symptoms. These altered brain responses mediated the connection between social isolation and maladaptive eating behaviors (β for indirect effect, 0.111; 95% CI, 0.013-0.210; P = .03), increased body fat composition (β, -0.141; 95% CI, -0.260 to -0.021; P = .02), and diminished positive affect (β, -0.089; 95% CI, -0.188 to 0.011; P = .09). These findings suggest that social isolation is associated with altered neural reactivity to food cues within specific brain regions responsible for processing internal appetite-related states and compromised executive control and attentional bias and motivation toward external food cues. These neural responses toward specific foods were associated with an increased risk for higher body fat composition, worsened maladaptive eating behaviors, and compromised mental health. These findings underscore the need for holistic mind-body-directed interventions that may mitigate the adverse health consequences of social isolation.

ROBot-assisted physical training of older patients during acUte hospitaliSaTion—study protocol for a randomised controlled trial (ROBUST)

BackgroundDuring hospitalisation, older patients spend most of their time passive in bed, which increases the risk of functional decline and negative adverse outcomes. Our aim is to examine the impact of robot-assisted physical training on functional status in older geriatric patients during acute hospitalisation.MethodsThis is a single-centre investigator-blinded placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial including geriatric patients aged ≥ 65 years, able to ambulate before hospitalisation, and with expected length of stay ≥ 2 days. In addition to standard physiotherapy treatment, the intervention group receive active robot-assisted resistance training and the control group passive robot-assisted sham training. Exclusion criteria are as follows: ambulation without assistance at the time of inclusion, known severe dementia, delirium, patients who have received less than three training sessions at discharge, terminal illness, recent major surgery/lower extremity fracture, conditions contradicting the use of training robot, lower extremity metastases, deemed unsuitable for robot-assisted training by a healthcare professional, or weight > 165 kg. The primary outcome is functional status assessed by change in Barthel Index-100 and 30-s chair stand test between inclusion and day of discharge. Secondary outcomes include functional status at 1- and 3-month follow-up, quality of life, depression, concern about falling, falls, cognition, qualitative interviews, need of homecare, discharge destination, readmissions, healthcare costs, sarcopenia, muscle quantity (bioimpedance), and mortality.Clinical meaningful change of the Barthel Index is 5 points. A recent study in geriatric patients reported a 6.9-point change following exercise. With a significance level of 5%, 80% power, and a drop-out rate of 20%, 244 participants per group (n = 488) are needed to detect the same mean difference. With a significance level of 5%, 80% power, and a drop-out rate of 20%, 74 participants per group (n = 148) are needed to detect a minimum clinical change of 2.6 repetitions for 30-s chair stand test. Recruitment started in January 2023 and is expected to continue for 19 months including follow-up.DiscussionIf our study shows that in-hospital robot-assisted training prevents functional decline in older patients, this may have a major impact on the individual patient due to increased wellbeing and a higher level of independency. In addition, society will benefit due to potential decrease in the need of municipality-delivered homecare following discharge.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05782855. Registration date: March 24, 2023.

Exploring the effects of the dietary fiber compound mediated by a longevity dietary pattern on antioxidation, characteristic bacterial genera, and metabolites based on fecal metabolomics

BackgroundAge-related dysbiosis of the microbiota has been linked to various negative health outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effects of a newly discovered dietary fiber compound (DFC) on aging, intestinal microbiota, and related metabolic processes. The DFC was identified through in vitro fermentation screening experiments, and its dosage and composition were determined based on a longevity dietary pattern.MethodsAged SPF C57BL/6 J mice (65 weeks old) and young mice (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups: a subgroup without dietary fiber (NDF), a low DFC dose subgroup (LDF, 10% DFC), and a high DFC dose subgroup (HDF, 20% DFC). The total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in liver and serum samples of the mice were measured according to the manufacturer’s protocol. The expression levels of characteristic bacterial genera and fecal metabolite concentrations in mice were determined using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (1H NMR). Metabolomics analysis was further conducted to identify biological functions and potential pathways related to aging.ResultsAfter an 8-weeks dietary intervention, DFC supplementation significantly attenuated age-related weight loss, organ degeneration, and oxidative stress. And promoted the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Bacteroides (p < 0.05) in the intestinal tracts of aged mice. Metabolomic analysis identified glycolipid and amino acid metabolic pathway biomarkers associated with aging that were differentially regulated by DFC consumption. Correlation analysis between the identified microbial flora and the biomarkers revealed potential mechanistic links between altered microbial composition and metabolic activity with aging markers.ConclusionsIn conclusion, this study revealed an important mechanism by which DFC consumption impacts healthspan and longevity, shedding light on optimizing dietary fiber or developing fiber-based interventions to improve human health.

Childhood Emotional Abuse, Neuroticism, Perfectionism, and Workaholism in an Italian Sample of Young Workers.

The literature has linked childhood emotional abuse (CEA) to severe negative outcomes such as the development of several maladaptive personality traits and coping mechanisms. Nonetheless, its concurrent connection with neuroticism, perfectionism, and workaholism has not been explored. For the above reasons, the present study sought to investigate whether neuroticism and perfectionism mediate the relationship between CEA and workaholism, as well as evaluate the gender invariance of the model. The sample of the present research comprised 1176 young workers (50% women), aged 18-25, who completed validated self-report questionnaires. The findings highlighted significant positive direct and indirect paths, suggesting a complex interplay between CEA, neuroticism, perfectionism, and workaholism. Furthermore, the model exhibited no significant differences between genders, suggesting that the identified relationships are consistent across both women and men. The findings highlight the importance of identifying CEA and considering the adoption of trauma-informed approaches to manage its adverse effects, thereby potentially averting the onset of workaholism. Moreover, the results underline the necessity for customized preventive measures, aiming to mitigate traits associated with neuroticism and perfectionism as potential paths for successful therapeutic interventions.