Similar Patterns Of Association Research Articles

Associations of free, bioavailable and total 25-hydroxyvitamin D with neonatal birth anthropometry and calcium homoeostasis in mother-child pairs in a sunny Mediterranean region.

Sufficient vitamin D status is crucial for successful pregnancy and fetal development. The assessment of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations is commonly used to evaluate vitamin D status. Our objective was to examine the interrelated biodynamics of maternal and neonatal total, free and bioavailable 25(OH)D in maternal-neonatal dyads at birth and their associations with homeostasis and neonatal birth anthropometry. We analysed a cohort of seventy full-term mother-child pairs. We found positive associations between all neonatal measures of vitamin D status. Maternal forms exhibited a similar pattern of association, except for the bioavailable maternal form. In multivariate analysis, both total and free maternal 25(OH)D concentrations were correlated with all neonatal forms (neonatal total 25(OH)D: 1·29 (95 % CI, 1·12, 1·46) for maternal total 25(OH)D, 10·89 (8·16, 13·63) for maternal free 25(OH)D), (neonatal free 25(OH)D: 0·15 for maternal total 25(OH)D, 1·28 (95 % CI, 0·89, 1·68) for maternal free 25(OH)D) and (0·13 (95 % CI, 0·10, 0·16), 1·06 (95 % CI, 0·68, 1·43) for maternal free 25(OH)D), respectively, with the exclusion of the bioavailable maternal form. We observed no significant interactions within or between groups regarding maternal and neonatal vitamin D parameters and maternal calciumand parathyroid hormone concentrations, and neonatal birth anthropometry. Our study indicates that bioavailable maternal and neonatal 25(OH)D have no significant effects on vitamin D equilibrium, Ca homeostasis and neonatal anthropometry at birth. However, we observed an interaction between maternal and neonatal total and free 25(OH)D concentrations at the maternal-neonatal interface, with no associations observed with other calciotropic or anthropometric outcomes.

Risk exposures in early life and incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer across countries

Abstract Introduction Globally, the incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EoCRC) is increasing, indicating substantial changes in risk exposures. However, little is known about the environmental risk factors for EoCRC in young populations. Methods CRC incidence and risk factors data (1990-2019) were extracted from the GBD 2019. Age-standardised incidence of EoCRC and summary exposure value (SEV) of risk factors were estimated with the GBD world population standard using direct method. Early-life exposures were estimated as the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, the socio-demographic Index (SDI) and the SEV of risk factors in previous decades and at age of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14 and 15-19 years. Average annual percent changes (AAPC) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by Joinpoint regression. Associations between risk exposures and incidence were examined at national level by weighted linear or non-linearity regression. Results The global age-standardized incidence of EoCRC increased from 3.05 (95%CI, 3.03-3.07) per 100 000 in 1990 to 3.85 (95%CI, 3.83-3.86) per 100 000 in 2019. The incidence was higher in countries with high socioeconomic level, but increased drastically in countries in East Asia and Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica [AAPC: 5.1% (95%CI: 3.2, 7.0)]. The GDP per capita, SDI, and SEV of iron deficiency, alcohol use, high body mass index and child growth failure in earlier years were more likely to be associated with the incidence in 2019. Exposures in four age windows in early-life were significantly associated with the incidence, particularly for the exposures at age of 15-19 years. Similar association patterns were found in both gender. Conclusions The global, rapidly rising incidence of EoCRC highlights the importance to screen and control the cancer in young populations. The associated risk factors at country level in early life suggest the contribution of the early-life exposures. Key messages • Incidence of EoCRC is increasing globally, which was most notable in countries or regions that are undergoing rapid demographic and epidemiological transitions. • This study demonstrates significant associations of economical and life-style factors in early-life with the incidence of EoCRC at country level.

Genetic influences on alcohol flushing in East Asian populations

BackgroundAlthough it is known that variation in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene family influences the East Asian alcohol flushing response, knowledge about other genetic variants that affect flushing symptoms is limited.MethodsWe performed a genome-wide association study meta-analysis and heritability analysis of alcohol flushing in 15,105 males of East Asian ancestry (Koreans and Chinese) to identify genetic associations with alcohol flushing. We also evaluated whether self-reported flushing can be used as an instrumental variable for alcohol intake.ResultsWe identified variants in the region of ALDH2 strongly associated with alcohol flushing, replicating previous studies conducted in East Asian populations. Additionally, we identified variants in the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) gene region associated with alcohol flushing. Several novel variants were identified after adjustment for the lead variants (ALDH2-rs671 and ADH1B-rs1229984), which need to be confirmed in larger studies. The estimated SNP-heritability on the liability scale was 13% (S.E. = 4%) for flushing, but the heritability estimate decreased to 6% (S.E. = 4%) when the effects of the lead variants were controlled for. Genetic instrumentation of higher alcohol intake using these variants recapitulated known associations of alcohol intake with hypertension. Using self-reported alcohol flushing as an instrument gave a similar association pattern of higher alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease-related traits (e.g. stroke).ConclusionThis study confirms that ALDH2-rs671 and ADH1B-rs1229984 are associated with alcohol flushing in East Asian populations. Our findings also suggest that self-reported alcohol flushing can be used as an instrumental variable in future studies of alcohol consumption.

Short-Term Ambient Air Pollution Exposure and Risk of Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Sweden: A Nationwide Case-Crossover Study.

Background Air pollution is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease globally, but its association with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest at low air pollution levels is unclear. This nationwide study in Sweden aims to investigate if air pollution is associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in an area with relatively low air pollution levels. Methods and Results This study was a nationwide time-stratified case-crossover study investigating the association between short-term air pollution exposures and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest using data from the SRCR (Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) between 2009 and 2019. Daily air pollution levels were estimated in 1×1-km grids for all of Sweden using a satellite-based machine learning model. The association between daily air pollutant levels and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was quantified using conditional logistic regression adjusted for daily air temperature. Particulate matter <2.5 μm exposure was associated with a higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among a total of 29 604 cases. In a multipollutant model, the association was most pronounced for intermediate daily lags, with an increased relative risk of 6.2% (95% CI, 1.0-11.8) per 10 μg/m3 increase of particulate matter <2.5 μm 4 days before the event. A similar pattern of association was observed for particulate matter <10 μm. No clear association was observed for O3 and NO2. Conclusions Short-term exposure to air pollution was associated with higher risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The findings add to the evidence of an adverse effect of particulate matter on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, even at very low levels below current regulatory standards.

Ein geschlechterspezifischer Blick auf das gesundheitsbezogene Informationshandeln, seine Treiber und Barrieren

ZusammenfassungHintergrundVor dem Hintergrund der Geschlechterperspektive als relevante Ebene effektiver Gesundheitskommunikation wird das gesundheitsbezogene Informationshandeln fokussiert. Ergänzend zur Informationssuche wird die Informationsvermeidung einbezogen. Beide Formen des Informationshandelns werden geschlechterspezifisch beschrieben und sollen anhand verschiedener Ressourcen wie der Gesundheit, dem Wohlbefinden, dem Empowerment, dem Involvement und der sozialen Unterstützung erklärt werden.MethodeEs wurde eine Online-Befragung einer für die deutsche Bevölkerung stratifizierten Stichprobe (N = 3000) durchgeführt. Erfasst wurden die beiden Formen des Informationshandelns sowie ihre theoretisch abgeleiteten Prädiktoren. Neben deskriptiven Analysen dienen blockweise Regressionsanalysen dazu, geschlechterspezifisch die Prädiktoren der Suche und Vermeidung zu identifizieren.ErgebnisseDie Informationssuche findet häufiger statt als die Informationsvermeidung. Beide unterscheiden sich nur in geringem Maß zwischen Männern und Frauen. Für Suche und Vermeidung zeigen sich die stärksten Zusammenhänge mit dem Involvement der Befragten. Für die Suche sind zudem auch Ressourcen des Bedrohungsmanagements bedeutsam, während die Vermeidung mit dem psychischen Wohlbefinden und der sozialen Unterstützung assoziiert ist. Geschlechterübergreifend zeigen sich ähnliche Assoziationsmuster.DiskussionGeschlechterübergreifend zeigt sich, dass mittels gesundheitskommunikativer Maßnahmen das Involvement der Bevölkerung unterstützt und Ressourcen des Bedrohungsmanagements gestärkt werden müssen, um die Suche zu fördern und der Vermeidung entgegenzuwirken. Zudem wird deutlich, dass Vermeider*innen als eine zentrale Zielgruppe mehr Aufmerksamkeit erhalten sollten.

Associations of cardiovascular health assessed by life’s essential 8 with diabetic retinopathy and mortality in type 2 diabetes

BackgroundVascular complications are the leading causes of reduced life quality and mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) is a newly modified measurement of cardiovascular health (CVH) by American Heart Association (AHA). Promoting CVH has been previously shown to improve the prognosis of T2DM. However, studies regarding the effects of CVH by LE8 on diabetic retinopathy (DR), a major microvascular complication, and death from the cardiovascular and overall causes in T2DM are currently lacking. This study aimed to investigate these associations thus providing preliminary evidence. MethodsA total of 3192 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in the final analysis. Records of mortality during follow-up were obtained by linking to the National Death Index. The multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard regression with restricted cubic splines were used to estimate the associations. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine the effects of gender, age, and duration of T2DM. Results648 individuals had DR at baseline. During a median follow-up of 76 months, 645 overall deaths (incidence per 1000 person-years, 26.53%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 26.50–26.56) were ascertained, including 216 from cardiovascular causes (incidence per 1000 person-years, 8.96%; 95% CI, 8.94–8.98). The multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR) per 100-point increase of LE8 was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.71–0.90) for DR, and participants with high levels of LE8 were associated with 47% risk reduction (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.40–0.70). The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) per 100-point increase of LE8 was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.62–0.81) and 0.68 (95% CI, 0.58–0.85) for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively. Similar patterns of inverse associations were observed in participants with moderate and high levels of LE8 for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Notably, stronger associations between LE8 and mortality were discovered in participants below 60 years (P < 0.05 for interaction). Moreover, LE8 was correlated with all-cause mortality in a linear way (P for nonlinear=0.32). ConclusionThe AHA’s newly prompted LE8 was strongly and inversely associated with the risk of DR, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular-specific mortality in T2DM. LE8 may be a feasible and effective approach in the tertiary prevention of T2DM.

Multivariate analytical approaches for investigating brain-behavior relationships.

Many studies of brain-behavior relationships rely on univariate approaches where each variable of interest is tested independently, which does not allow for the simultaneous investigation of multiple correlated variables. Alternatively, multivariate approaches allow for examining relationships between psychopathology and neural substrates simultaneously. There are multiple multivariate methods to choose from that each have assumptions which can affect the results; however, many studies employ one method without a clear justification for its selection. Additionally, there are few studies illustrating how differences between methods manifest in examining brain-behavior relationships. The purpose of this study was to exemplify how the choice of multivariate approach can change brain-behavior interpretations. We used data from 9,027 9- to 10-year-old children from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study (ABCD Study®) to examine brain-behavior relationships with three commonly used multivariate approaches: canonical correlation analysis (CCA), partial least squares correlation (PLSC), and partial least squares regression (PLSR). We examined the associations between psychopathology dimensions including general psychopathology, attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms, conduct problems, and internalizing symptoms with regional brain volumes. The results of CCA, PLSC, and PLSR showed both consistencies and differences in the relationship between psychopathology symptoms and brain structure. The leading significant component yielded by each method demonstrated similar patterns of associations between regional brain volumes and psychopathology symptoms. However, the additional significant components yielded by each method demonstrated differential brain-behavior patterns that were not consistent across methods. Here we show that CCA, PLSC, and PLSR yield slightly different interpretations regarding the relationship between child psychopathology and brain volume. In demonstrating the divergence between these approaches, we exemplify the importance of carefully considering the method's underlying assumptions when choosing a multivariate approach to delineate brain-behavior relationships.

Gender role beliefs and wellbeing among young adults in Pakistan and the United Kingdom: Testing a multiple moderator model

ABSTRACT The well-being of individuals is influenced by their beliefs about gender roles, which are influenced by cultural factors. It is therefore important to compare links between gender role beliefs and well-being in cultures that are more or less gender equitable. This study examined links between gender role beliefs and well-being among young adults in the patriarchal culture of Pakistan and the more egalitarian culture of the United Kingdom (UK). Participants were 1141 university students aged 17–30 (mean = 21.56, SD = 2.54): 411 Pakistani women, 307 Pakistani men, 318 UK women, and 105 UK men. Analyses revealed stronger associations between gender role beliefs and well-being among respondents from Pakistan than respondents from the UK. Furthermore, whereas similar patterns of association were found among women in the two countries, the direction of some associations differed between men in Pakistan and the UK. Moderation models also highlighted variations in the links between egalitarian gender role beliefs and well-being outcomes among women and men in the two countries. Considering our results in the context of other research, there is a need to acknowledge young adults’ gender identity concerns when providing, and encouraging engagement with, health care.

A voxel-based morphometry study on gray matter correlates of need for cognition and exploratory information seeking.

Need for cognition (NFC) represents interindividual differences in tendencies to engage and enjoy cognitive endeavors. Exploratory information seeking (EIS) refers to individual tendencies to attain cognitive stimulation through acquiring information related to consumer products or services out of curiosity. The current study aims to provide an in-depth investigation of the relationship between NFC and EIS and extend this relation to determine neuroanatomical correlates of NFC and EIS. This study proposed two central hypotheses: (1) NFC and EIS scores are positively correlated and (2) the gray matter volume (GMV) of brain regions implicated in motivation, valuation, and reward systems are positively associated with both NFC and EIS. Self-report and structural MRI data of 91 Singaporean Chinese participants were utilized for the study. No statistically significant correlation was revealed between NFC and EIS scores. Neuroanatomical associations of the GMV of brain regions implicated in visuospatial, attentional, and reward processing with individual constructs of interest were explored. When examining NFC and EIS scores, larger GMV in the right pallidum and left fusiform gyrus was found in participants that reported higher levels of NFC (vs. lower NFC levels), larger GMV in the left precuneus in those with greater tendencies to engage in EIS (vs. lower EIS levels), and larger GMV of the left fusiform gyrus associated with greater endorsement of both NFC and EIS. When investigating the exploratory factor analysis-generated factors of NFC and EIS, similar patterns of associations were found between self-reported levels of agreement against factors and GMV of brain regions implicated. Correlational analysis and exploratory factor analysis indicated the absence of a relationship between NFC and EIS. Additionally, voxel-based morphometry whole-brain analysis revealed neuroanatomical correlates of the GMV of brain regions implicated in visuospatial, attentional, and reward processing with NFC and EIS.

Dietary fat and fatty acid consumptions and the odds of asthenozoospermia: a case-control study in China.

Are dietary fat and fatty acid (FA) intakes related to the odds of asthenozoospermia? Plant-based fat consumption was associated with decreased asthenozoospermia odds, while the consumption of animal-based monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) was positively related to asthenozoospermia odds. Dietary fat and FA are significant ingredients of a daily diet, which have been demonstrated to be correlated to the reproductive health of men. However, to date, evidence on fat and FA associations with the odds of asthenozoospermia is unclear. The hospital-based case-control study was performed in an infertility clinic from June 2020 to December 2020. Briefly, 549 asthenozoospermia cases and 581 controls with normozoospermia were available for final analyses. We collected dietary data through a verified food frequency questionnaire of 110 food items. Asthenozoospermia cases were ascertained according to the World Health Organization guidelines. To investigate the correlations of dietary fat and FA consumptions with the odds of asthenozoospermia, we calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% CIs through unconditional logistic regression models. Relative to the lowest tertile of consumption, the highest tertile of plant-based fat intake was inversely correlated to the odds of asthenozoospermia (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.91), with a significant dose-response relation (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.75-0.97, per standard deviation increment). Inversely, animal-based MUFA intake (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.04-2.14) was significantly correlated to increased odds of asthenozoospermia, and an evident dose-response relation was also detected (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.05-1.45, per standard deviation increment). Subgroup analyses showed similar patterns of associations to those of the primary results. Moreover, we observed significant interactions on both multiplicative and additive scales between animal-based MUFA and cigarette smoking. Selection bias and recall bias were unavoidable in any of the observational studies. As we failed to obtain the information of trans-fatty acid (TFA) consumption, the relation of TFA intake and asthenozoospermia odds was unclear. This study indicated that different sources of fat and FAs might exert different effects on the etiology of asthenozoospermia, and cigarette smoking could exacerbate the adverse effect of high animal-based MUFA intake on asthenozoospermia. Our findings provide novel evidence pertaining to the fields of prevention of asthenozoospermia through decreasing animal-derived fat and FA consumptions and smoking cessation. This work was supported by the JieBangGuaShuai Project of Liaoning Province, Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province, Clinical Research Cultivation Project of Shengjing Hospital, and Outstanding Scientific Fund of Shengjing Hospital. All authors have no conflict of interest to declare. N/A.

Nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein profile and risk of breast cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.

While crudely quantified lipoproteins have been reported to affect the risk of breast cancer, the effects of subclass lipoproteins characterized by particle size, particle number, and lipidomes remain unknown. Utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance-based GWAS of 85 lipoprotein traits, we performed two-sample univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal relationship between each trait with breast cancer (Ncase/control = 133,384/113,789) and with its estrogen receptor (ER) subtypes. Then, we applied multivariable MR to investigate the independent effects considering both general and central obesity. In univariable MR, a heterogeneous effect of subclass high-density lipoproteins (HDL) was observed, in which small HDL traits (ORs ranged from 0.89 to 0.94) were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer while non-small HDLs traits (OR ranged from 1.04 to 1.08) were associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) traits and serum total triglycerides (TG) were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (ORs ranged from 0.88 to 0.94). Similar association patterns were found for ER + subtype. In multivariable MR, only the protective effects of small HDL, VLDL and TG on ER + subtype remained significant. We identified a heterogeneous effect of subclass HDLs and a consistent protective effect of VLDL on breast cancer. Only the effects of small HDL and VLDL on ER + subtype remained robust after controlling for obesity. These findings provide new insight into the causal pathway underlying lipoproteins and breast cancer.

Radon and lung cancer in the pooled uranium miners analysis (PUMA): highly exposed early miners and all miners

ObjectivesRadon is a ubiquitous occupational and environmental lung carcinogen. We aim to quantify the association between radon progeny and lung cancer mortality in the largest and most up-to-date pooled study...

Personality traits and psychosocial adjustment in patients with limb amputation

Purpose: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between psychosocial adjustment and personality traits since research regarding psychosocial adjustment and variables that influence adjustment in patients with limb amputation is relatively scarce. Methods: There were 63 (81% male) participants in this study. The sample consisted of 51 men and 12 women between the ages of 27 and 86 (M = 56.63, SD = 13.35). The Next Big Five Inventory (BFI 2; Soto &amp; John, 2017) was used to assess personality traits and The Trinity Amputation and Prosthesis Experience Scales – Revised (TAPES-R; Gallagher &amp; MacLachlan, 2000) was used to measure psychosocial adjustment (general adjustment, social adjustment and adjustment to limitation). Results: Extraversion was positively and negative emotionality negatively associated with general adjustment. No significant associations were found between social adjustment and personality traits. Extraversion, agreeableness and open-mindedness correlated positively with adjustment to limitation. Similar pattern of associations was found between personality facets and general adjustment and adjustment to limitation. The strongest associations were found with negative emotionality facet depression. Conclusions: Results indicate that personality traits are associated with psychosocial adjustment in patients with limb amputation. Since this finding can be useful for adaptation to amputation, further research in larger samples is needed.

Associations Between Early Life Adversity, Reproduction-Oriented Life Strategy, and Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is often accompanied by a history of high-risk sexual behavior and somatic comorbidities. Yet, these features are most often considered in isolation and little is known about their underlying developmental pathways. Life history theory, a leading framework in evolutionary developmental biology, can help make sense of the wide range of behaviors and health issues found in BPD. To examine whether the emergence of BPD is associated with the prioritization of immediate reproductive goals over longer-term somatic maintenance goals, a life strategy that can be viewed as a developmental response to adverse early life experiences, providing rapid reproductive benefits despite costs to health and well-being. This study used cross-sectional data from the second wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions in 2004-2005 (n = 34 653). Civilian, noninstitutionalized individuals in the US, 18 years or older, and those with and without a DSM-IV diagnosis of BPD were included. Analysis took place between August 2020 and June 2021. Structural equation models were used to examine whether early life adversity was associated with the likelihood of a BPD diagnosis, either directly or indirectly through a life strategy whereby individuals trade somatic maintenance for immediate reproduction. Analyses were performed on a sample of 30 149 participants (females: 17 042 [52%]; mean [SE] age, 48.5 [0.09]; males: 12 747 [48%]; mean [SE] age, 47 [0.08]). Of these, 892 (2.7%) had a diagnosis of BPD and 29 257 (97.3%) did not have BPD. Mean early life adversity, metabolic disorder score, and body mass index were significantly higher among participants with a diagnosis of BPD. In an analysis adjusted for age, individuals with BPD reported having significantly more children than those without BPD (b =0.06; SE, 0.01; t = 4.09; P < .001). Having experienced greater levels of adversity in early life was significantly associated with a greater risk of being diagnosed with BPD later in life (direct relative risk = 0.268; SE, 0.067; P < .001). Importantly, this risk was further increased by 56.5% among respondents who prioritized short-term reproductive goals over somatic maintenance (indirect relative risk = 0.565; SE, 0.056; P < .001). Similar patterns of associations were found in male and female individuals. The hypothesis of a reproduction/maintenance life history trade-off mediating the association between early life adversity and BPD helps make sense of the high dimensionality that characterizes the physiological and behavioral correlates of BPD. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results using longitudinal data.

Beverage consumption and mortality among adults with type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study

ObjectiveTo investigate the intake of specific types of beverages in relation to mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes among adults with type 2 diabetes.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingHealth professionals in the United...

A plausible role of imagination in pretend play, counterfactual reasoning, and executive functions.

A notable observation is the similarities in the cognitive processes of pretend play (PP) and counterfactual reasoning (CFR) as both involve thinking about alternatives to reality. It is argued by Weisberg and Gopnik (Cogn. Sci., 37, 2013, 1368) that alternative thinking in PP and CFR is underpinned by an imaginary representational capacity but few studies have empirically investigated this link. We use a variable latent modelling approach to test a hypothetical model of the structural relationship of PP and CFR predicting that if PP and CFR are cognitively similar; they should have similar patterns of associations with Executive Functions (EFs). Data were collected on PP, CFR, EFs and Language from 189 children (M=4.8 years, males=101, females=88). Confirmatory factor analyses showed that measures of PP and CFR loaded onto single latent constructs and were significantly correlated (r=.51, p=.001) with each other. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that EF accounted for unique significant variance in both PP (β=21) and CFR (β=22). The results of the structural equation modelling revealed that the data were a good fit for the hypothetical model. We discuss the plausible role of a general underlying imaginative representational capacity to explain similarities in the cognitive mechanisms of different states of alternative thinking like PP and CFR.

Synthesising psychometric evidence for the Climate Anxiety Scale and Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale

Two tools have recently been developed to reflect experiences of climate- and eco-anxiety. However, it is not yet clear how these tools perform across countries, thus highlighting a need to synthesise current evidence on their psychometric performance. We consolidated findings from existing validation studies on the Climate Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS), and provided new evidence on their performance in Australia (N = 530). We found good support for the four-dimensional HEAS model, both in our data and in the extant literature. Model fit indices for the two-factor CAS in our Australian data were mixed, with some fit indices indicating unsatisfactory fit, and others indicating satisfactory or good fit. This performance was consistent with findings reported in prior CAS validation studies, leading some researchers to propose alternative CAS models. We contributed to the literature by testing all alternative CAS models using our Australian data. Dimensions of climate anxiety and eco-anxiety were closely related, and showed similar patterns of associations with risk perceptions and the ways people engage with environmental news. Validating tools for climate- and eco-anxiety is an important first step in establishing the experience of these anxieties across nations, and understanding their causes and consequences.

Associations of Cardiac Ventricular Repolarization with Serum Adhesion Molecules and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The MIND-China Study.

Emerging evidence has linked electrocardiographic parameters with serum adhesion molecules and cognition; however, their interrelationship has not been explored. We sought to investigate the associations of ventricular depolarization and repolarization intervals with serum adhesion molecules and cognitive function among rural-dwelling older adults. This population-based study engaged 4,886 dementia-free participants (age ≥60 years, 56.2% women) in the baseline examination (March-September 2018) of MIND-China. Of these, serum intercellular and vascular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) were measured in 1591 persons. We used a neuropsychological test battery to assess cognitive function. Resting heart rate, QT, JT intervals, and QRS duration were assessed with electrocardiogram. Data were analyzed using general linear models adjusting for multiple confounders. Longer JT interval was significantly associated with lower z-scores of global cognition (multivariable-adjusted β= -0.035; 95% confidence interval = -0.055, -0.015), verbal fluency (-0.035; -0.063, -0.007), attention (-0.037; -0.065, -0.010), and executive function (-0.044; -0.072, -0.015), but not with memory function (-0.023; -0.054, 0.009). There were similar association patterns of QT interval with cognitive functions. In the serum biomarker subsample, longer JT and QT intervals remained significantly associated with poorer executive function and higher serum adhesion molecules. We detected statistical interactions of JT interval with adhesion molecules (pinteraction <0.05), such that longer JT interval was significantly associated with a lower executive function z-score only among individuals with higher serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Longer ventricular depolarization and repolarization intervals are associated with worse cognitive function in older adults and vascular endothelial dysfunction may play a part in the associations.

The association between organophosphate esters exposure and body mass index in children and adolescents: The mediating effect of sex hormones

Organophosphate esters (OPEs), used as flame retardants and plasticizers, have been indicated to impair growth and development in toxicological studies, but current epidemiological data on their associations with body mass index (BMI) are limited and the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aim to explore the association of OPE metabolites with BMI z-score, and assess whether sex hormones mediate the relationships between OPE exposure and BMI z-score. We measured weight and height, and determined OPE metabolites in spot urine samples and sex hormones in serum samples among 1156 children and adolescents aged 6–18 years in Liuzhou city, China. The results showed that di-o-cresyl phosphate and di-pcresyl phosphate (DoCP & DpCP) levels were associated with lower BMI z-score of all participants and a similar pattern of associations were presented in prepubertal boys stratified by sex-puberty groups and male children stratified by sex-age groups. In addition, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were related to reduced BMI z-score among all subgroups including prepubertal boys, prepubertal girls, pubertal boys, and pubertal girls (all Ptrend<0.05). We also found that DoCP & DpCP showed positive associations with SHBG among prepubertal boys. Mediation analysis further showed that SHBG mediated 35.0% of the association between DoCP & DpCP and reduced BMI z-score in prepubertal boys. Our results indicated that OPEs may impair growth and development by disrupting the sex hormones in prepubertal boys.

The Brief Negative Symptom Scale: external validation of symptom domains with clinical, cognitive and functioning-related variables in subjects with schizophrenia

IntroductionNegative symptoms (NS) represent a heterogeneous construct of schizophrenia, whose conceptualization is still to be clarified. In the last decade, the conceptualization model that has received the most support from the literature has described 2 NS domains: the expressive deficit (EXP), which includes blunted affect and alogia, and the motivational deficit (MAP), which includes avolition, asociality, and anhedonia. However, different confirmatory factor-analytic studies suggest that the bi-dimensional model may not capture the complexity of this construct, which could be better defined by a 5-factor model (5 individual negative symptoms) or a hierarchical model (5 individual negative symptoms as first-order factors, and the 2 domains, MAP and EXP domains, as second-order factors). However, to our knowledge, no study has investigated associations between negative symptom models with social cognition and functional capacity, which are largely documented to correlate with negative symptoms, nor the associations with external validators over time, looking at the potential stability of negative symptom models validity through the course of the illness.ObjectivesIn the light of this observations, we investigated, the external validity of the five-factor model and the hierarchical model of the BNSS in subjects with schizophrenia, looking at associations with cognition, social cognition, functioning and functional capacity at baseline and at four years follow-up.MethodsNS were assessed in 612 subjects with schizophrenia using the Brief Negative Symptom Scale at the baseline and after 4-year follow-up. State of the art assessment instruments were used to assess cognitive and functioning related variables. Structural equation models (SEM) that included the NS models and 4 external variables were used to our aim.ResultsAccording to recent multicenter studies, our results confirmed the validity of the 5-factor- and the hierarchical-model of negative symptoms. In particular, these 2 models proved to be equivalent in terms of fit to the data at baseline and follow-up. As regard to the relationship of the two BNSS models with external variables, we found that there was a similar pattern of associations at the two time points despite minor variations.ConclusionsThe five factor and the hierarchical models provide an optimal conceptualization of negative symptoms in relation to external variables. The similar pattern of associations with external variables of the two models at the two time points despite minor variations, suggests that the simple and widely used 5-factor solution provides the best balance between parsimony and granularity to summarize BNSS structure. This data is of important relevance with consequent implications in the study of pathophysiological mechanisms and the development of targeted treatments for NS.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared