Specific Age Groups Research Articles

Exploring the Potential Probiotic Properties of Bifidobacterium breve DSM 32583-A Novel Strain Isolated from Human Milk.

Human milk is the best nutrition for infants, providing optimal support for the developing immune system and gut microbiota. Hence, it has been used as source for probiotic strain isolation, including members of the genus Bifidobacterium, in an effort to provide beneficial effects to infants who cannot be exclusively breastfed. However, not all supplemented bifidobacteria can effectively colonise the infant gut, nor confer health benefits to the individual infant host; therefore, new isolates are needed to develop a range of dietary products for this specific age group. Here, we investigated the beneficial potential of Bifidobacterium breve DSM 32583 isolated from human milk. We show that in vitro B. breve DSM 32583 exhibited several characteristics considered fundamental for beneficial bacteria, including survival in conditions simulating those present in the digestive tract, adherence to human epithelial cell lines, and inhibition of growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Its antibiotic resistance patterns were comparable to those of known beneficial bifidobacterial strains, and its genome did not contain plasmids nor virulence-associated genes. These results suggest that B. breve DSM 32583 is a potential probiotic candidate.

Evaluating Public Behavior toward Antibiotic Use in Riyadh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Antibiotic resistance presents a global challenge. Community awareness of antibiotic use has not been studied extensively in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess public awareness of the appropriate use and indications of antibiotics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, the responses were compared across gender and age groups. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between September 2022 and October 2022, including adult participants from Riyadh. The questionnaires were distributed via electronic channels and included sections about participants’ sociodemographic data and behavior concerning antibiotic use. Results: This study included 453 respondents. There were 281 (62%) female and 172 (38%) male respondents. Most respondents were between 46 and 55 years (n = 111; 24.5%) and above 56 years (n = 134; 29.6%). Two hundred seventy-two (60%) were college/university graduates, and 113 (24.9%) were at the secondary school level. Most participants (n = 410; 90.5%) were not affiliated with or working in the health sector. One hundred thirty-nine (30.7%) participants used an antibiotic within the past six months, and 171 (37.7%) kept antibiotics at room temperature. Most participants (n = 380; 83.9%) completed the treatment plan as prescribed. Sixty-eight percent of respondents stopped taking antibiotics when they felt better, and 11.5% believed antibiotics can treat bacterial and viral infections. The responses were compared between patients of both genders and patients aged ≤55 years or older. The comparison indicated that females tended to store antibiotics as instructed by the manufacturer (p = 0.004) and disposed of the remaining antibiotics immediately after completing the treatment (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the indications for antibiotic use differed between the genders, with no difference between the age groups. Participants > 55 years tended to complete the treatment plan (p = 0.007) and continued taking antibiotics at the same time and dose as prescribed (p = 0.002). Conclusions: This study’s findings suggest that public health authorities should implement awareness intervention programs to educate the Riyadh community on the proper use of antibiotics, with target interventions for specific gender and age groups. This study’s findings should be interpreted in the context of the Riyadh community and the potential biases of cross-sectional studies.

Association of sleep patterns and disorders with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and liver fibrosis in contemporary American adults

Introduction and ObjectivesThe impact of sleep on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in American adults remains unclear. This study aimed to address the relationship of sleep patterns and disorders with MASLD and liver fibrosis comprehensively. Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study included adult participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017-2020. Multivariate adjusted regression analysis were used to examine the association of sleep with MASLD and liver fibrosis. We further addressed these associations using restricted cubic splines, mediation analysis, stratified analysis and multiple sensitivity analysis. ResultsWe enrolled 5368 participants. Certain sleep disorders, sleep duration, high sleep debt and specific sleep-wake time were associated with MASLD. Late workday sleep was a shared risk factor for MASLD and liver fibrosis. Short sleep on workdays and free days favored MASLD, whereas average weekly long sleep protected against MASLD. Workday, free day and average weekly optimal sleep duration was 7.5 h, 8 h and 7.78 h, respectively. Mediation analysis suggested that fasting glucose and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol indirectly mediated the relationship between sleep duration and MASLD, whereas stratified analysis showed that sex influenced the relationship, and that the correlation was only observed in women and specific age groups. ConclusionsSleep duration independently affected MASLD but only in women and specific age groups. Moreover, late sleep on workdays was a shared risk factor for MASLD and liver fibrosis. These results suggest targeting sleep behaviors for MASLD prevention and developing age- and sex-specific strategies.

In-silico study on cumulative effects of degeneration and anterior circumferential annular tear on the L5-S1 spinal unit

Low back pain is a serious health concern prevalent in majority of the people around the world, especially in case of the elderly. The root cause for this is mostly observed to be the development of lesions/ tears complemented by degenerative effects in the intervertebral disc of L4-L5 and L5-S1 segments. This study aims to analyse the effects of disc degeneration and tears on the mechanical responses of the L5-S1 spinal unit, which has not been investigated. The annulus is represented by an anisotropic hyperelastic Gasser-Ogden-Holzapfel (GOH) model wherein the effect of degeneration is defined by varying the constants responsible for the behaviour of the material in different strain-ranges. A systematic approach is proposed for modelling the effects of disc degeneration in the annulus. Further, the commonly found anterior circumferential tear is modelled to understand its combined effects with degeneration of the annulus. The damaging effect of the tear was limited only to extension movement, causing critical stress variations in its vicinity. However, degeneration had a significant influence on both stress and range of motion of the spinal unit across all types of movements. This study highlights the complex relationship of the physiological movements with pathogenesis of tear and degeneration leading to discogenic pain thus enabling clinicians to develop conservative treatment strategies for specific age groups.

Characterization of Chronotypes Using the Symbolic Aggregate apprXimation (SAX) on Actigraphy Data.

In this study, we discuss an efficient approach to characterizing chronotypes using Symbolic Aggregate approXimation (SAX) on actigraphy data. Actigraphy, a non-invasive monitoring of human rest/activity cycles, provides valuable insights into sleep-wake behaviors and circadian rhythms. However, the high dimensionality of actigraphy data poses significant challenges in storage, processing, and analysis. To address these challenges, we applied the SAX algorithm to transform continuous time-series actigraphy data into a symbolic representation, enabling dimensionality reduction while preserving essential patterns. We analyzed actigraphy data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database, covering over 10,000 individuals, and used unsupervised clustering to identify distinct chronotype patterns. The SAX transformation facilitated the application of machine learning techniques, revealing five chronotype clusters characterized by differences in activity onset, resolution, and intensity. Age distribution analysis showed biases towards specific age groups within the clusters, highlighting the relationship between age and chronotype. Key findings include age-related Chronotype variations with younger individuals exhibiting delayed chronotypes with significant differences in sleep onset (SOT) and wake time (WT) compared to older adults, suggesting a phase delay in sleep patterns as age decreases and activity transition dynamics where clusters showed distinct patterns in winding up and winding down periods, providing insights into the dynamics of activity transitions. This study demonstrates the efficiency and effectiveness of SAX in processing large-scale actigraphy data, enabling robust chronotype characterization that can inform personalized healthcare and public health initiatives. Further exploration of SAX integration with other biometric measures could deepen our understanding of human circadian biology and its impact on health and behavior.

Comparison of homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid between rural and urban ageing Indians and its association with mild cognitive impairment and cardiovascular risk factors: a cross-sectional analysis.

The relationship between blood levels of homocysteine (HCY), vitamin B12, folic acid and cognitive impairment is inconclusive. Since HCY is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, understanding its association with Framingham risk score (FRS) may provide insight into the shared underlying mechanism between cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. Cross-sectional analyses utilized baseline data from two ongoing longitudinal studies: the Tata Longitudinal Study of Ageing (n = 923), an urban cohort, and Srinivaspura Ageing, NeuroSenescence and COGnition (n = 4239), a rural cohort. The study compared the HCY, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels across cohorts and normal versus mild cognitive impairment (MCI) participants. The association between HCY and cognitive status was established using regression models. Three models were analysed: model 1-unadjusted; model 2-adjusted for age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, hypertension, cardiac illness, diabetes; and model 3-adjusted for variables in model 2 plus vitamin B12 and folic acid. Correlation was calculated between HCY and FRS. The urban cohort exhibited a significantly higher level of HCY [median (IQR) (17.70 (10.2) versus 14.70 (9.7); P < 0.001)], vitamin B12 (251 (231) versus 219 (138); P < 0.001) and folic acid (8.21 (8) versus 5.48 (4); P < 0.001) levels compared to rural cohort. HCY, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels did not differ significantly between normal and MCI participants in the urban cohort. In the rural cohort, among the age-gender matched MCI-normal, participants with normal cognition had higher levels of vitamin B12 (≥60 years) [227 (152) versus 217 (175); P = 0.03] and folic acid (<60 years) [5.91 (4) versus 5.40 (4); P = 0.04] compared to MCI. There was no association between HCY and cognitive status in both the cohorts, but there was a significant positive relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of the Boxes (CDR-SOB), as well as folic acid deficiency and CDR-SOB in rural and urban cohorts, respectively, within a specific age group. A significant correlation was observed between FRS and HCY in the rural cohort (r = 0.17, P < 0.001), but not in the urban cohort. This study revealed significant differences in HCY, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels between the cohorts. In the rural cohort, participants with MCI had lower vitamin B12 and folic acid levels in a certain age group. Association between HCY and cognitive status was insignificant in both the cohorts. A small significant correlation between FRS and HCY was seen in the rural cohort.

They are still children: a scoping review of conditions for positive engagement in elite youth sport

ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to characterise the key factors that influence positive engagement and desirable developmental outcomes in sport among elite youth athletes by summarising the methods, groups...

How the Impact of Environmentally Sustainable Practices in the Beauty Industry Influences Indonesian Generation Z Purchasing Intention?

The beauty industry in Indonesia is growing rapidly with a projected annual growth rate of 9% by 2026, driven largely by the increasing demand for beauty products. This spending shift happened especially because of the rise of Generation Z as a significant consumer group where it is changing positively towards environmentally sustainable movement. From this knowledge, it raises questions; To what extent do beauty companies integrate environmentally sustainable practices into their current operational activities and overall business strategies from the consumer perspectives? How do environmentally sustainable practices influence the purchasing intentions of Indonesian Generation Z consumers in the beauty industry?; How Indonesian beauty companies can leverage environmentally sustainable practices among Indonesian Generation Z consumers?. This bachelor dissertation aims to act as a guide to help leverage beauty companies among Indonesian Generation Z consumers. This research will help answer the following through quantitative data research based on a primary and secondary data collection. The findings obtained from this study, shows that Indonesian Generation Z values sustainability as their purchasing intentions are significantly affected by companies eco-friendly practices. This study highlights four main examples of ESPs such as eco-friendly packaging, refillable packaging, product ingredient transparency, and overall sustainable business practices, which positively impact the purchasing intention of Indonesian Gen Z. Environmental factors related to the purchasing intention are crucial in the companies future organization plan and business objectives in determining which practical solutions to pursue. Diversity of demographic as in the geographical location and specific age group of only Generation Z are the limitations of this research, followed by the only utilization of quantitative methods. In some ways these limitations could restrict the collection of consumers perspective.

고령사회 노인문화정책의 변화 고찰 및 과제

In 2025, South Korea is projected to enter a super-aged society with 20.6% of its population aged 65 and older. The Baby Boomer generation, which will constitute a significant portion of this aged society, values cultural needs, independence, and the identity of being a free and active participant in society. Thus, understanding the characteristics of an aging society and the new senior is essential, and policy responses based on this understanding are necessary. This study explains the policy lag phenomenon in cultural policies for an aging society, based on Thomas Kuhn's paradigm theory and the path dependency theory of new institutionalism. It demonstrates that the cultural policies for an aging society have not adequately responded to the aging population, using the low birth rate and aging society policies and senior cultural programs as case studies. The study found that society has shifted to an aging society centered on the Baby Boomer generation, which has high cultural activity demands. Despite the shift in social paradigms, the transition from senior policies to the “Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society” did not prioritize the fulfillment of cultural needs, but rather continued to focus primarily on employment policies, as seen in previous welfare policies. It was difficult to find policies implemented from the perspective of cultural activities for seniors in the first Basic Plan, and even in the second and third supplementary plans, the emphasis was predominantly on senior employment. Additionally, the budget for the representative senior cultural policy, the Senior Culture Program, decreased steadily from approximately 4.6 billion KRW in 2016 to 2.5 billion KRW in 2022, with the number of programs reducing from 391 in 2016 to 163 in 2023. This study, which highlights the changes in an aging society and the current state of senior cultural policies, can be used to develop policies that enhance the quality of life in an aging society. Moreover, it suggests the need for more detailed research to create more segmented cultural policies that address specific age groups and genders, rather than policies targeting everyone aged 65 and older as a single group.

Adult's Lived Experience Using the Insulin-Only Bionic Pancreas.

The purpose of this study was to assess adults' perspectives after using the insulin-only Bionic Pancreas (BP) during a 13-week pivotal trial. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems show promise in improving glycemic outcomes and reducing disease burden for those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Understanding the lived experience of those using the BP can help to inform education and uptake of AID devices. Adults ages 19 to 75 (n = 40) participated in age-specific focus groups (19-25, 26-40, 41-64, and 65+) exploring their experiences, thoughts, and feelings about using the BP. Three authors analyzed the focus group data using a hybrid thematic approach. Qualitative analysis of focus groups revealed 14 sub-themes falling into four major themes (diabetes burden, managing glucose levels, daily routine, and user experience). Although participants' overall experience was positive, some reported struggles related to managing out-of-range glucose levels and challenges with the system responding to unique meal schedules and exercise regimens. This study captures patient perspectives regarding their experiences with a new AID system. Patient voice can inform device development and educational approaches for people with T1D. Identifying which patients may benefit the most from wearing this system may facilitate patient/clinician discussions regarding insulin delivery systems that best meet their individualized needs and expectations that may support device uptake and continued use.

The comparison of metabolic syndrome parameters, trichoscopic and trichoscan characteristics in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and early-onset androgenetic alopecia (early-onset AGA).

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common cause of hair loss, is influenced by various risk factors. Metabolic syndrome constitutes a collection of risk factors elevating the risk of cardiovascular disease. The presence of early-onset AGA could serve as an indicator of the emergence of metabolic syndrome, yet to date, no research has examined these parameters in AGA. This is a cross-sectional study comparing two groups; early onset versus normal onset AGA. Forty participants were enlisted and evenly distributed into the two groups. Subsequently, participants underwent examinations utilizing trichoscopy, trichoscan, and laboratory assessments. Apart from waist circumference, BMI, and age of alopecia onset, there were no notable differences concerning sociodemographic and clinical features. In terms of hair growth parameters, the telogen hair rate stands out as the sole indicator exhibiting a significant difference between both groups, while trichoscopy data also revealed varying hair characteristics. Lastly, metabolic parameters namely triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and HDL differ significantly, with the normal onset group demonstrating a higher prevalence of metabolic abnormality. This suggests a potential association between AGA and metabolic syndrome. However, the exact nature of this relationship remains uncertain, necessitating further research with larger samples, specific age groups and diverse study designs.

Trunk Flexor and Extensor Muscle Strength Capacity in Healthy Individuals

Objective: Generating reference values of trunk muscle strength is of value for specific age groups and gender in every society. The aim of this study was to define flexor and extensor muscle strength of the trunk and the flexion/extension ratio in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Hundred and two healthy individuals were included in this study. Isokinetic concentric strength of trunk flexor (Flex) and extensor (Ext) muscles of the participants were measured via an isokinetic dynamometer. Tests were performed at speeds of 60°/s and 180°/s. Maximum strength was characterized with peak torque (PT) (Flexabs, Extabs; N·m), peak torque normalized to body weight (PTNBW) (Flexnorm, Extnorm; N·m·kgbw-1), and Flexabs/Extabs ratio. Results: For angular velocity of 600/s, PT and PTNBW of flex and ext strength were higher in men; while for angular velocity of 1800/s, PTNBW of flex and ext strength were higher in women (p&lt;0.05). Extensor strength for 600/s and 1800/s angular velocities yielded lower values than flexor strength in both genders. The Flexabs/Extabs ratios were 1.67±0.62 for 600/s and 4.93±4.60 for 1800/s. Conclusion: Trunk extensor strength was higher than flexor strength in men and women at 600/s and 1800/s angular velocities. In this study, the ratio of Flexabs/Extabs was not within the accepted range in non-active adults and there was no difference between men and women, indicating that muscle strength is not sufficient in this population. The data of this study can be used as a comparison parameter in future studies to get normative data, or common values in healthy individuals aged 18-30.

Investigating the Prevalence and Predictors of Apathy among the Canadian Long-Term Care Residents: A Secondary Data Analysis.

In long-term care facilities (LTCF), apathy is a prevalent issue, leading to cognitive decline, functional impairment, and increased mortality risk. Despite its significance, apathy often remains underrecognized and undermanaged in these settings. Recognizing and addressing the predictors of apathy is critical for early intervention and improved care outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence of apathy and identify its associated risk factors among newly admitted residents in the Canadian LTCF, using the InterRAI Minimum Data Set (MDS 2.0). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of MDS 2.0 admission assessment data between 2015 and 2019, covering 157,596 residents across six Canadian provinces and one territory. Apathy was measured using the Apathy Index of the MDS 2.0, with the biopsychosocial model guiding the analysis. The prevalence of apathy was 12.5% (19,758 individuals). The most significant predictors include cognitive impairments, specific age groups, hearing impairments, vision impairments, facility size and location. The findings of this study underscore the need for tailored strategies in LTCF to address apathy, considering individual, institutional, and regional variations. Emphasis on environmental and personal factors is crucial in the management and prevention of apathy in these settings.

Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Schools: Assessing the Evidence Base.

Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly being used in schools to improve students' mental, emotional, and behavioral development. Although many mindfulness programs exist, the types of programs that are effective for specific age groups remain unclear. In this systematic review, the authors used established rating criteria to describe the level of evidence for school-based mindfulness interventions. A search of major databases, gray literature, and evidence base registries was conducted to identify studies published between 2008 and 2022 that focused on mindfulness interventions within school settings. The authors rated mindfulness interventions as having high, moderate, or low levels of evidence based on the number and rigor of studies with positive outcomes. Of the 24 interventions identified across 41 studies, three interventions-Learning to BREATHE, Mindfulness in School Project, and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)-received a rating of high level of evidence. Three interventions-Gaia Program, MindUP, and a blended version of MBSR and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy-received a rating of moderate level of evidence. The interventions rated as having a high level of evidence were conducted with middle or high school students, and interventions with moderate evidence were also conducted with elementary students, demonstrating effectiveness of mindfulness across a range of age groups. Few studies examined outcomes for underserved populations. With greater use and more research, mindfulness interventions have the potential to promote student well-being and prevent mental health conditions.

Gender and Age Trends in HIV Incidence in Turkey between 1990 and 2021: Joinpoint and Age-Period-Cohort Analyses.

Background and Objectives: Despite a global decrease in HIV incidence, recent trends in Türkiye indicate a concerning rise, particularly among younger populations and women. This study investigates the local and regional dynamics influencing these trends using advanced epidemiological methodologies. Material and Methods: Utilizing Age-period-cohort analysis and joinpoint regression, we analysed HIV incidence and prevalence data from the Global Burden of Disease study for Türkiye. These methods allowed for a detailed examination of changes over time, identifying specific age groups and periods with significant shifts in incidence rates. Results: Key findings include a 13.03% increase in annual percentage change among males aged 15-19 and an 11.37% increase among females in the same age group. Additionally, the incidence rates among females have shown a significant rise after 2008. Conclusions: The rising HIV incidence in Türkiye reflects complex socio-economic, cultural, and biological factors, with significant increases among young people and women. Addressing these challenges requires targeted interventions, comprehensive educational programs, and inclusive healthcare services to align with global efforts and commitments. The study underscores the importance of incorporating young people in decision-making processes to effectively combat HIV in Türkiye.

Comprehensive sex-specific and age-dependent analysis of 4D-flow MRI assessed aortic blood flow-related parameters in normal subjects using single-vendor MR systems and single-vendor software.

Aortic blood flow characterization by 4D flow MRI is increasingly performed in aneurysm research. A limited number of studies have established normal values that can aid the recognition of abnormal flow at an early stage. This study aims to establish additional sex-specific and age-dependent reference values for flow-related parameters in a large cohort of healthy adults. 212 volunteers were included, and 191 volunteers completed the full study protocol. All underwent 4D flow MRI of the entire aorta. Quantitative values for velocity, vorticity, helicity, as well as total, circumferential, and axial wall shear stress [WSS] were determined for the aortic root [AoR], ascending aorta [AAo], aortic arch [AoA], descending [DAo], suprarenal [SRA], and infrarenal aorta [IRA]. Vorticity and helicity were indexed for segment volume (mL). The normal values were estimated per sex- and age-group, where significant differences between males (M) and females (F) were found only for specific age groups. More specifically, the following variables were significantly different after applying the false discovery rate correction for multiple testing: 1) velocity in the AAo and DAo in the 60-70 years age group (mean±SD: (M) 47.0 ± 8.2cm/s vs. (F) 38.4 ± 6.9cm/s, p=0.001 and, (M) 55.9 ± 9.9cm/s vs. (F) 46.5 ± 5.5cm/s, p=0.002), 2) normalized vorticity in AoR in the 50-59 years age group ((M) 27539 ± 5042s-1mL-1 vs. (F) 30849 ± 7285s-1mL-1, p=0.002), 3) axial WSS in the Aao in the 18-29 age group ((M) 1098 ± 203 mPa vs. (F) 921 ± 121 mPa, p=0.002). Good to strong negative correlations with age were seen for almost all variables, in different segments, and for both sexes. This study describes reference values for aortic flow-related parameters as acquired by 4D flow MRI. We observed limited differences between males and females. A negative relationship with age was seen for almost all flow-related parameters and segments.

Replication of Radial Pulses Using Magneto-Rheological Fluids.

The radial pulse is a critical health marker with expanding applications in wearable technology. To improve these applications, developing a pulse generator that consistently produces realistic pulses is crucial for validation and training. The goal of this study was to design and test a cost-effective pulse simulator that can accurately replicate a wide range of age-dependent radial pulses with simplicity and precision. To this end, this study incorporated a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid device into a cam-based pulse simulator. The MR device, as a key component, enables pulse shaping without the need for additional cams, substantially reducing the cost and complexity of control compared with existing pulse simulators. To evaluate the performance of the MR pulse simulator, the root-mean-square (RMS) error criterion (less than 5%) was used to compare the experimentally obtained pulse waveform with the in vivo pulse waveform for specific age groups. After demonstrating that the MR simulator could produce three representative in vivo pulses, a parametric study was conducted to show the feasibility of the slope-based pulse-shaping method for the MR pulse simulator to continuously generate a range of age-related pulses.

Prevalence and correlates of meeting 24-hour movement behavior guidelines among 8523 youth prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses

BackgroundContemporary 24-h movement behavior (24-HMB) guidelines provide recommendations on time spent on physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), and sleep (SL). There is evidence of physiological and psychological health benefits associated with meeting such guidelines. However, the prevalence of meeting 24-HMB guidelines among youth prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses is less clear. The primary purpose of this cross-sectional analysis was to examine the prevalence of partially or fully meeting 24-HMB guidelines in U.S. youth prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses, and variations in meeting the guidelines by demographic, health status, and environmental attributes. MethodsData from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) yielded a target subpopulation of 8523 youth aged 6–17 years (54.22 % girls) prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses. The representative sample of US children and adolescents was used to estimate the prevalence of meeting 24-HMB guidelines, and a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the odds of meeting 24-HMB guidelines by demographic, health status, and environmental variables. ResultsOverall, only 6.57 % met all three 24-HMB guidelines, 23.74 % did not meet any of the three 24-HMB guidelines, and 3.57 %, 10.88 %, and 29.98 % met single guidelines for physical activity, screen time, or sleep duration, respectively, while 25.27 % met any of two 24-HMB guidelines. Female participants were less likely to meet PA + SL guidelines (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI [0.38, 0.56]) but more likely to meet ST + SL guidelines (OR = 1.52, 95 % CI [1.20, 1.91]). Hispanic participants were less likely to meet PA + ST (OR = 0.28, 95 % CI [0.14, 0.52]) guidelines and all three guidelines (OR = 0.41, 95 % CI [0.23, 0.71]) while participants identified as black (OR = 0.33, 95 % CI [0.21, 0.51]) were significantly less likely to meet ST + SL guidelines. With respect to health status, overweight status, repeated/chronic physical pain, and born premature, were detrimentally associated with meeting two or more 24-HMB guidelines. Living in neighborhoods with parks or playgrounds and neighborhood safety were positively linked to meeting the guidelines while living in neighborhoods with sidewalks or walking paths was negatively linked to meeting PA + ST guidelines. ConclusionIn U.S. youth prescribed eyeglasses/contact lenses the prevalence of meeting all three 24-HMB guidelines was low, especially the low prevalence observed in female participants, Hispanic and black participants, participants with overweight status, repeated/chronic pain, born premature, living in neighborhoods with sidewalks. Policy makers should take initiative to promote integrated guidelines among this special age group for health benefits.

A comprehensive study of adverse effects of chemotherapy on female breast cancer patients in NORI Cancer Hospital, Islamabad in a developing country.

Breast cancer is one of the top three malignancies worldwide. While radiotherapy, hormone replacement therapys, and chemotherapy are treatments, chemotherapy causes adverse effects that hinder daily life activities. To assess the prevalence, severity, and association of symptomatic toxicities in female breast cancer patients affecting various organ systems post systemic chemotherapy (adjuvant and neoadjuvant), and their impact on daily activities. Additionally, to determine the severity of adverse effects in specific age groups and their association with family history and disease stage. An observational study was conducted on 253 female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at NORI Cancer Hospital from May to October 2023. Data collection tools included the NCI-PRO-CTCAE standardized questionnaire and patient medical records. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, T-tests, and Chi-square tests. Among the 253 patients, 41.4% were aged 41-50. Significant weight changes (p = 0.034) were observed with more than three chemotherapy cycles. Notable associations included increased chemotherapy cycles with gastrointestinal (mouth/throat sores p = 0.031, vomiting p = 0.021), respiratory (cough p = 0.04), cardiovascular (arm/leg swelling p = 0.007, palpitations p = 0.052), integumentary (hair loss p = 0.000, skin dryness p = 0.054), and musculoskeletal (fatigue p = 0.002) adverse effects. Positive family history and the 18-30 age group also showed significant associations with adverse effect severity. Disease stage significantly influenced the nervous system (stage 2 p = 0.007, stage 3 p = 0.01). The severity of adverse effects varies among age groups, depending on disease stage, genetics, and treatment duration. These patient-reported outcomes highlight the need for better management strategies considering prognostic factors and treatment adverse effects.

Evaluating a web-based visual acuity and refractive error self-assessment tool in myopic children.

Demands for myopia management are rising. A web-based tool that allows home-performed self-assessments of visual acuity (VA) and refractive error may enable hybrid care pathways and aid in identifying those with deteriorating visual performance. The tool has been validated in adult populations, but has yet to be evaluated in children. This study compared home-performed VA and refraction self-assessments to conventional measurements obtained at the clinic in a population of myopic children. Myopic children aged ≥6 years old were invited to perform web-based eye tests at home, assisted by a parent. At two myopia control clinics, they also underwent measurements of VA using a Snellen chart and refractive error using cycloplegic autorefraction. Agreement between the tests, repeatability of the web-based test and associations between clinical characteristics and web-based test accuracy were evaluated. A total of 147 children were enrolled, of whom 116 (51% male; mean age 13 ± 3 years; mean spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) -5.58 ± 3.05) performed the web-based tests at home. Overall, the home-performed VA self-assessment and the Snellen chart assessment at the clinic agreed well (mean difference 0.03 ± 0.11 logMAR). A significant proportional bias was identified (β 0.65, p < 0.001), indicating underestimated web-based VA scores when the child's vision declined. The sensitivity to detect VA poorer than 0.10 logMAR was 94%; the specificity was 71%. The web-based refractive error algorithm measured more myopia progression compared to clinic observations (mean difference SEQ 0.40 ± 0.51 dioptres). Age, sex or use of atropine drops were not significantly associated with test accuracy. The web-based test for self-assessing vision, performed at home by children with assistance from their parents, yielded VA scores with a precision similar to Snellen chart testing conducted in a clinical setting. However, the web-based refractive error algorithm overestimated myopia progression and requires recalibration for this specific age group.