Age Patterns Research Articles

Age-Dependent Bi-Phasic Dynamics of Ly49+CD8+ Regulatory T Cell Population.

Aging is tightly associated with reduced immune protection but increased risk of autoimmunity and inflammatory conditions. Regulatory T cells are one of the key cells to maintaining immune homeostasis. The age-dependent changes in CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been well documented. However, the nonredundant Foxp3-CD8+ Tregs were never examined in the context of aging. This study first established clear distinctions between phenotypically overlapping CD8+ Tregs and virtual memory T cells. Then, we elucidated the dynamics of CD8+ Tregs across the lifespan in mice and further extended our investigation to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In mice, we discovered a bi-phasic dynamic shift in the frequency of CD8+CD44hiCD122hiLy49+ Tregs, with a steady increase in young adults and a notable peak in middle age followed by a decline in older mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that mouse CD8+ Tregs upregulated a selected set of natural killer (NK) cell-associated genes, including NKG2D, with age. Importantly, NKG2D might negatively regulate CD8+ Tregs. Additionally, by analyzing a scRNA-seq dataset of human PBMC, we found a distinct CD8+ Treg-like subset (Cluster 10) with comparable age-dependent frequency changes and gene expression, suggesting a conserved aging pattern in CD8+ Treg across mice and humans. In summary, our findings highlight the importance of CD8+ Tregs in immune regulation and aging.

Differences in mean age at diagnosis of invasive melanoma for men and women, by anatomic site, thickness, and subtype.

Understanding the factors influencing age at melanoma diagnosis by sex and anatomic site is crucial for developing effective prevention and early detection strategies. While previous research has highlighted sex-based differences in melanoma incidence by age and anatomic distribution, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-specific patterns in melanoma age at diagnosis across different anatomic sites and thickness categories, considering the potential influence of disease progression and detection rates. We conducted a registry-based study to examine mean age at diagnosis of invasive melanoma over two decades for men and women in the US (limited to white race), and Queensland, Australia. Mean age at diagnosis was calculated for men and women according to anatomic site (head/neck, trunk, upper limb, lower limb), and further by Breslow thickness (<1.00 mm, 1.01-2.00 mm, 2.01-4.00 mm, >4.00 mm) and histologic subtype (superficial spreading, nodular, lentigo maligna, 'other' subtypes, and subtype 'not otherwise specified'). Case-listings of all invasive melanoma diagnoses between 1 January 1999 and 31 December 2018 were obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (9 registries) and from the Queensland Cancer Registry. Sensitivity analyses were performed restricting the data to the most recent 5-year time period (2014-2018). All analyses were conducted between 15 July and 19 August 2024. On average, women were diagnosed with invasive melanoma 3-8 years younger than men. The sex-difference in mean age at diagnosis was observed at all body sites and across most thickness categories in the US White and Queensland populations, but was most marked for thinner melanomas (<1.00 mm) and melanoma of the trunk. Women were significantly younger than men at diagnosis of superficial spreading and nodular melanoma at all body sites in both populations, even within 0.1mm thickness strata. Sex may be a factor that influences melanocytic progression. The consistently younger age of melanoma diagnosis in women compared with men suggests a need for tailored approaches to melanoma control.

Brain change trajectories in healthy adults correlate with Alzheimer’s related genetic variation and memory decline across life

Throughout adulthood and ageing our brains undergo structural loss in an average pattern resembling faster atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using a longitudinal adult lifespan sample (aged 30-89; 2–7 timepoints) and four polygenic scores for AD, we show that change in AD-sensitive brain features correlates with genetic AD-risk and memory decline in healthy adults. We first show genetic risk links with more brain loss than expected for age in early Braak regions, and find this extends beyond APOE genotype. Next, we run machine learning on AD-control data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative using brain change trajectories conditioned on age, to identify AD-sensitive features and model their change in healthy adults. Genetic AD-risk linked with multivariate change across many AD-sensitive features, and we show most individuals over age ~50 are on an accelerated trajectory of brain loss in AD-sensitive regions. Finally, high genetic risk adults with elevated brain change showed more memory decline through adulthood, compared to high genetic risk adults with less brain change. Our findings suggest quantitative AD risk factors are detectable in healthy individuals, via a shared pattern of ageing- and AD-related neurodegeneration that occurs along a continuum and tracks memory decline through adulthood.

Changes in immunofluorescence staining during islet regeneration in a cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) ferret model

ABSTRACT Background Knockout (KO) ferrets with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) exhibit distinct phases of dysglycemia and pancreatic remodeling prior to cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) development. Following normoglycemia during the first month of life (Phase l), hyperglycemia occurs during the subsequent 2 months (Phase Il) with decreased islet mass, followed by a period of near normoglycemia (Phase Ill) in which the islets regenerate. We aimed to characterize islet hormone expression patterns across these Phases. Methods Immunofluorescence staining per islet area was performed to characterize islet hormone expression patterns in age matched CFTR KO and wild type (WT) ferrets, focusing on the first three phases. Results In Phase I, insulin staining intensity was higher in CF (p < 0.01) than WT but decreased in Phase III (p < 0.0001). Glucagon was lower in CF during Phases I and increased in Phase III, while proinsulin decreased (p < 0.0001) Phases II and III. CF sections showed lower proinsulin-to-insulin ratio in Phase I (p < 0.01) and in Phase III (p < 0.05) compared to WT. Conversely, glucagon-to-insulin ratio was lower in CF in Phase I (p < 0.0001) but increased in Phase III (p < 0.0001). Mender’s coefficient overlap showed higher overlap of insulin over proinsulin in CF sections in Phase II (p < 0.001) and Phase III (p < 0.0001) compared to WT. Mender’s coefficient rate was higher in CF sections during Phase II (p < 0.001). Conclusion CF ferret islets revealed significant immunofluorescent staining changes compared to WT during various phases of disease, providing insights into CRFD pathophysiology.

Study on the age-period-cohort effects of cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults based on the cognitive reserve hypothesis

BackgroundCognitive abilities serves as a critical indicator of healthy aging. As China progresses into a stage of advanced population aging, there has been a significant increase in the number of elderly individuals experiencing age-related cognitive decline. Despite this demographic shift, there is a paucity of longitudinal research examining cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults over extended time periods. This study aims to investigate changes in cognitive abilities and explore group differences among older Chinese adults aged 65 to 110 years, employing a multidimensional temporal approach that encompasses age, period, and birth cohort effects.MethodsThis study utilizes data from eight waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), spanning from 1998 to 2018. The dataset comprises 94,116 observations from 36,157 unique participants. Cognitive abilities are assessed using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores as a proxy measure. To address the issue of perfect collinearity in the temporal dimension, the study employs the Hierarchical Age-Period-Cohort Cross-Classified Random Effects Model (HAPC-CCREM). This model allows for the examination of age effects, period effects, and cohort effects on cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults. In the model specification, age is treated as a fixed effect, while period and birth cohort are incorporated as random effects. Drawing upon the cognitive reserve hypothesis, the study investigates significant factors influencing cognitive abilities in this population.ResultsAt the fixed-effect level, demographic factors, health behaviors, self-rated health, subjective well-being, and childhood adversity significantly influence cognitive abilities among older Chinese adults. The age effects are significant, with cognitive abilities exhibiting an inverted U-shaped curve across the lifespan. At the random-effect level, period effects are significant, revealing a gradual annual increase in overall cognitive levels among older Chinese adults since 2008. Cohort effects are also significant, demonstrating an increasing trend in overall cognitive levels for the earlier-born cohorts in the first six groups. Conversely, later-born cohorts in the latter five groups show a declining trend in overall cognitive levels. Notably, period effects significantly enhance cohort effects.ConclusionsThe cognitive reserve hypothesis supports the significance of the majority of identified influencing factors. Cognitive abilities demonstrate an accelerating decline with increasing age, following an evolutionary trajectory consistent with physiological principles among older Chinese adults. Since 2008, cognitive abilities have shown a monotonic increasing trend annually, further validating the Flynn effect in this population. The cognitive abilities of the six earlier-born cohorts exhibit an increasing trend, supporting the compression of morbidity hypothesis. Conversely, the cognitive abilities of the five later-born cohorts show a declining trend, supporting the expansion of morbidity hypothesis. These findings collectively contribute to our understanding of cognitive aging patterns and their underlying mechanisms among older Chinese adults.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

P-Wave Duration Is Associated With Aging Patterns in Structural Brain Networks.

Impaired cardiac function is associated with cognitive impairment and brain imaging features of aging. Cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, are implicated in clinical and subclinical brain injuries. Even in the absence of a clinical diagnosis, subclinical or prodromal substrates of arrhythmias, including an abnormally long or short P-wave duration (PWD), a measure associated with atrial abnormalities, have been associated with stroke and cognitive decline. However, the extent to which PWD has subclinical influences on overall aging patterns of the brain is not clearly understood. Here, using neuroimaging and ECG data from the UK Biobank, we use a novel regional "brain age" method to identify the brain aging networks associated with abnormal PWD. We find associations between short PWD and accelerated brain aging in the sensorimotor, frontoparietal, ventral attention, and dorsal attention networks, even in the absence of overt cardiac diseases. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between PWD and structural brain aging. This work emphasizes the need for continued study designs that consider brain-based outcomes related to abnormally short PWD.

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

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

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

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

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

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

PREVALENCE OF PARVOVIRUS INFECTION IN THE NORTHWESTERN FEDERAL DISTRICT OF RUSSIA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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