Strong Direct Association Research Articles

The relationship between quality of life, sleep quality, mental health, and physical activity in an international sample of college students: a structural equation modeling approach.

We assessed the direct and indirect relationships between sleep quality, mental health, and physical activity with quality of life (QOL) in college and university students. In a cross-sectional design, 3,380 college students (60% females; age = 22.7 ± 5.4) from four continents (Africa: 32%; America: 5%; Asia: 46%; and Europe: 15%; others: 2%) completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS); the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS); the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ); and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-Brief). We showed that sleep quality, insomnia, and depression had direct negative effects on the physical domain of QOL (β = -0.22, -0.19, -0.31, respectively, p < 0.001). There was a strong negative direct association between depression and the psychological domain of QOL (β = -0.60, z = -22.21, p < 0.001). Both stress and PSQI had direct effects on social relationships QOL (β = 0.11; z = 4.09; and β = -0.13; z = -7.40, respectively, p < 0.001). However, depression had the strongest direct impact on social relationships QOL (β = -0.41, z = -15.79, p < 0.001). The overall QOL of university students is associated with their sleep quality, mental health, and physical activity warranting further interventional studies aiming at improving students' quality of life.

Relationship between Neuromarketing and Online Purchasing Decisions of Peruvian Consumers in the Post-Pandemic Era

The pandemic has accelerated the transition toward e-commerce, highlighting the necessity of understanding how neuromarketing affects online purchasing decisions. This quantitative study, based on a correlational and cross-sectional design, explored the relationship between neuromarketing and purchasing decisions in virtual stores in northern Peru. Using a 40-item questionnaire, data from 498 adults in La Libertad and Lambayeque were collected. The analyses revealed significant correlations between cognition attention and the information search (rho=0.58) and alternative evaluation phases (rho=0.53), between emotion and the postpurchase stage (rho=0.54), and between memory and the recognition of need (rho=0.57), in addition to a strong direct association between cognition attention and the overall influence of neuromarketing on purchasing decisions (rho=0.72). These findings underscore the considerable impact of sensory and emotional experiences generated by neuromarketing on the critical stages of the purchasing behavior of Peruvian digital consumers, pointing to its relevance in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty in the digital age. In conclusion, various components of neuromarketing, specifically linked to the generation of pleasant and memorable sensory experiences, have a significant influence on the search, evaluation, and postpurchase satisfaction behaviors of virtual consumers in the region studied. Received: 3 March 2024 / Accepted: 13 June 2024 / Published: 02 July 2024

Digital literacy, online security behaviors and E-payment intention

E-payment is a key component of e-commerce, facilitating improved user efficiency and fostering the intent to use e-commerce in the digital realm and the international integration arena. This study investigates the joint impact of digital literacy on two similar but fundamentally different activities which are security control behavior and e-payment continuance intention. This research contributes to the growing field of literature in two ways. First, the study examines Digital Literacy, which distinguishes three broad dimensions - Tech Familiarity, Policy understanding, Awareness of institutional surveillance, and its association with Security control Behaviors and E-payment continuance intention. Second, the study tests the mediator effect of Security control Behaviors on the relationship between Digital Literacy and E-payment Intention. The data were collected by using both offline and online survey methods across the national scope, employing a quota sampling approach to encompass a wide range of consumer demographics. Structural equation modeling with the sample of Vietnamese respondents was applied to test the influence of digital literacy on customers’ security control behavior and intention to use e-payments. The results endorse that 1) digital literacy has an important impact on online security behavior; 2) digital literacy bridges a strong direct association with e-payment continuance Intention and indirect through online security behavior. This study suggests several theoretical and practical implications from the findings, as well as limitations and future directions.

Dietary atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes predicting cardiovascular mortality: 50-year follow-up of the Seven Countries Study

Background and aimTo study the relationships of an Atherogenicity Index (ATI) and a Thrombogenicity Index (THI), with 50-year mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), other heart diseases of uncertain etiology (HDUE) and cerebrovascular disease or stroke (STR), in 16 international cohorts of middle-aged men. Methods and resultsFoods from a dietary survey in subsamples of men in each cohort of the Seven Countries Study (SCS) were chemically analyzed for several types of fatty acids that were converted into ATI and THI identifying each of 16 cohorts. Ecological correlations of the ATI and THI were calculated with the three fatal CVD conditions and with all-cause mortality at 25 and 50 years. Correlation coefficients (Rs) were positive and highly significant between ATI and THI versus CHD mortality, with levels ranging from 0.79 to 0.97, depending on the duration of follow-up and the choice of 10 or of 16 cohorts. This was not the case for HDUE and STR mortality for which Rs were variable and not significant. A strong direct association was also found with all-causes deaths at 25 and 50-years. ATI and THI were also directly related with dietary saturated fat and cholesterol levels and inversely with the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (a score identifying the Mediterranean diet). ConclusionThese findings indicate that CHD has a different relationship with dietary lipids intake than HDUE and STR. This suggests that HDUE and STR have different underlying pathways or are different diseases.

Local acceptance of solar farms: The impact of energy narratives

This research explores how a new concept, support for energy transition narratives, and other commonly applied social licence factors influence local acceptance of large-scale solar farms. Producing renewable electricity requires deploying more large-scale renewable technology infrastructure and support of host communities will be paramount. There is a dearth of studies that investigate a comprehensive set of social licence factors that influence local support of solar farms. Moreover, there is a lack of research considering how broader environmental worldview and beliefs about the energy transition influence local level support for renewable energy infrastructure. Survey data from a large, representative sample of the Australian population is analysed using a network modelling approach to identify conditional associations between variables of interest. Results reveal that general support for renewables in the energy transition had relatively strong direct and indirect associations with local acceptance in addition to social licence factors. Conversely, beliefs about the energy transition beyond the role for renewables (i.e., support for the role of natural gas, support for exporting fossil fuels and willingness to make trade-offs for a faster energy transition) had relatively weak effects on local acceptance and other social licence factors. The findings suggest that individual alignment with broader energy transition narratives explains local solar farm support beyond social licence factors. Future social licence research should consider the role of broader public narratives when investigating the factors that facilitate or impede local acceptance of renewable energy projects.

Support for vigilantism in cyberspace: exploring procedural justice, distributive justice, and legal legitimacy

ABSTRACT Vigilantism, harmful acts conducted in response to social deviance and criminal activities, are increasingly happening in cyberspace. These cyber acts often have detrimental effects, and efforts at prosecution attempts can be unsuccessful, difficult, or nearly impossible. An understanding of support for cyber vigilantism can help deter activity and mitigate some of the associated harms. The paper, using US-based survey data, tests whether public perceptions of distributive and procedural justice, via perceived legitimacy of the criminal justice system, are associated with support for cyber vigilantism. The findings provide support for the process-based model of legitimacy. Procedural justice is mediated by legitimacy in its influence on support. Distributive justice, however, has a strong direct association with cyber vigilantism support. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for the field of cyber vigilantism.

The association between nurse managers' transformational leadership and quality of patient care: A systematic review.

To examine and summarize the reported association of nurse managers' transformational leadership and quality of patient care based on the perceptions of registered nurses. Transformational leadership behaviors of nurse managers result in staff nurses' satisfaction and retention and patient satisfaction. Patient safety and quality of care are vital to high-performing healthcare organizations. Perceptions of registered nurses are important because nurses are frontline healthcare providers fundamental to patient safety and quality of care and are considered the final line of defense in preventing adverse events and errors and improving the safety of patients. We searched the CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases for evidence published between 2018 and 2022 in the English language. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines in carrying out this meta-analysis. Nine quantitative studies were appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and were included in the final review that involved a total sample of 3633 registered nurses. The included studies were reported across Asian, Middle East, and European countries within the past five years. The association between the transformational leadership behaviors of nurse managers and the quality of patient care was found in varying degrees (i.e., insignificant, weak, indirect, and strong direct association) based on the perceptions of registered nurses. There is a direct and indirect association between the transformational leadership behaviors of nurse managers and the quality of patient care internationally. This association is influenced by confounding and mediating factors, including gender, organizational culture, structural empowerment, and job satisfaction. Healthcare organizations need to support nursing leaders to have a stronger transformational leadership style by considering several factors that influence their leadership to improve the quality of patient care their staff nurses provide at the bedside.

Body adiposity estimated with CUN-BAE predicts atrial fibrillation: the SUN cohort

Abstract Background Obesity is widely recognised as a strong risk factor for atrial fibrillation and recent interest has focused on epicardial fat. Although body mass index is commonly used in the clinical practice, it doesn't precisely estimate adiposity. The Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) is an equation developed for body fat calculation, that has been previously associated with cardiometabolic disease. Our objective was to assess the association between body fat, as captured by the CUN-BAE index, and the incidence of atrial fibrillation in a prospective cohort. Methods The SUN project is a dynamic, prospective cohort of Spanish university graduates. A total of 20.136 participants, free of atrial fibrillation at baseline, were followed-up for a median time of 12 years, with a retention proportion of 91%. CUN-BAE was calculated for each participant taking into account only sex, age and body mass index. Incident cases of atrial fibrillation were confirmed by a cardiologist according to a prespecified protocol. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) of atrial fibrillation according to calculated body fat. Results During follow-up, we identified 128 incident cases of atrial fibrillation. There was a strong direct association between a higher CUN-BAE index at baseline and incident atrial fibrillation during follow-up. In comparison to participants with a lower body fat category (median 21.3%), those with a higher category of body fat (median 34.8%) exhibited a significant 118% higher relative risk of incident atrial fibrillation (adjusted HR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.22, 3.90). For each 2-unit increase in the CUN-BAE index, atrial fibrillation risk significantly increased by 10%. The risk of incident atrial fibrillation remained significantly associated with adiposity even after further adjustment for obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) and in repeated measures analysis of the CUN-BAE index every other year. Conclusions Increased body adiposity, as captured by CUN-BAE index, was strongly and independently associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation in a Spanish cohort. These findings support the hypothesis that adiposity is closely related with arrhythmogenic mechanisms that could lead to atrial fibrillation and may be predicted using an equation to estimate body fat. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Spanish Ministry of Health and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)

THE CAUSAL ROLE OF SERUM CALCIUM, PTH AND FGF23 ON BLOOD PRESSURE: A TWO-SAMPLE MENDELIAN RANDOMIZATION

Objective: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) are among the calciotropic hormones involved in the regulation of blood calcium levels among the intestine, kidney, and bone through a tight endocrine feedback loop system. Altered levels of each of them could affect blood pressure either independently or not by the calcium, but the exact mechanisms remain unclear. To evaluate whether a causal relationship exists between serum calcium level and its homeostasis’ regulatory hormones with blood pressure traits, we performed a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization. Design and method: From three large genome-wide association studies (GWAS) we obtained independent (r2 &lt; 0.001) and GWAS-significant (p &lt; 5X10-8) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum calcium level (120 SNPs), PTH (5 SNPs), and FGF23 (5 SNPs), to investigate through MR their association with Systolic (SBP) and Diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in a Swedish large-scale cohort study, the Malmö Diet and Cancer (n = 29,298). Causality was evaluated with the Inverse Variance Weighted Method (IVW), and sensitivity analyses through MR-Egger. Results: Serum calcium level was found to be associated with DBP (IWV: beta = 11.9, SE = 4.2, p = 0.004). Surprisingly PTH didn’t show any association with the traits, while FGF23 was inversely associated with the SBP (IWV: beta = -5.0, SE = 2.0, P = 0.01) even if the association lost its significance at sensitivity analysis with MR-Egger. Conclusions: Our study shows a strong direct association between serum calcium level, described by its genetic component, with diastolic blood pressure. These results underline the importance of understanding the target genes that could alter calcium homeostasis and that could bring harmful implications later in life, moreover, it will be relevant for improving personalized intervention strategies. Despite not showing a strong association as the one shown by serum calcium level, the genetically predicted FGF23 level confirms its involvement in the regulation of blood pressure. Further an alyses deserve to be performed to clarify involved gene pathways.

Genetic Divergence and Spatial Configuration Influence the Weed Spectrum, Herbage Yield and Nutritive Quality of Temperate Cowpea

Under a changing climate, the biologically viable management of weeds and the exploration of the genetic divergence of spreading and towering cultivars of forage cowpea in different row configuration systems hold the potential to boost sustainable feed supply for dairy animals. A field study was undertaken to sort out the most nutritive and high-biomass-producing cultivar (Cowpea−,2007 and Rawan−,2010) of cowpea and optimize the row configuration (R × R of 15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) to manage the weed spectrum. The results revealed that Rawan-2010 remained superior in the 15 cm row configuration by recording 39% lesser weed density (WD) than the corresponding value recorded by the same cultivar sown in the 60 cm row configuration. The same treatment combination recorded a 20% lesser fresh weed weight than Cowpea−,2007 sown in the same row configuration, while it exhibited a 5.6 g m−2 lesser corresponding value of dry weed weight. In contrast, Cowpea-2010 sown in the 45 cm row configuration recorded the maximum yield attributes (stem girth, leaf and branch numbers, leaf area, fresh and dry weights per plant), except plant height (PH), which resulted in 7% and 13% higher green herbage yield (GH) and dry matter biomass (DM), respectively, than the same cultivar sown in the 30 cm row configuration. Pertaining to nutritional value, Rawan-2010 in the 45 cm row configuration yielded the maximum crude protein and minimum crude fiber content, while the same cultivar gave the greatest ash content in the wider row spacing. With GH, the correlation analyses indicated an antagonistic association for PH, a moderately linear relationship between stem girth and branch numbers and a strong direct association between leaf area and fresh plant weight.

A Model of Depression in University Faculty, Staff, and Health Care Workers Using an Automated Mental Health Screening Tool.

This study aimed to examine relationships among worked hours, stress, sleep hours, burnout, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression reported by academic medical center employees. Employees completed an anonymous electronic mental health survey with automated feedback that included self-help and professional local resources. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Eighty percent of participants reported ( n = 693) medium/high stress, 58% reported burnout, 37%/26% screened positive for anxiety/depression, and 14% reported PTSD. Structural equation modeling attained highly significant coefficients ( P < 0.05) and excellent goodness of fit, with strong stress and PTSD positive direct associations with anxiety, burnout, and depression. The model explained 58% of variation in depression scores. A clinician only model demonstrated stronger PTSD effects, but no work hours effects. Workplace self-screening tools can guide employee mental health self-assessment, self-help programs, and professional resources, while also informing targets for employer programs.

Women's Empowerment and Livestock Vaccination: Evidence from Peste des Petits Ruminants Vaccination Interventions in Northern Ghana.

Simple SummarySmall ruminants (goat and sheep) are key livestock species in supporting women’s empowerment (WE) in low- and middle-income countries. Animal vaccines are essential for livestock productivity, hence an important means to support WE. WE is, in turn, important for animal vaccine adoption. Little is known, however, of how WE is associated with animal vaccination for women-controlled livestock assets (e.g., goats and sheep). Our analysis explores the link between domains of WE and knowledge of, access to, and use of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccines. Such knowledge can help inform the design of livestock vaccine systems that are better able to reach women and support their empowerment. Using a partial least squares structural equilibrium model (PLS-SEM), we analyzed data collected using the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) tool from goat keepers in Northern Ghana, which included a module on the PPR vaccine. We found a strong direct positive association between women and men’s knowledge about animal health and PPR vaccination and a strong indirect positive association between access to PPR vaccines and empowerment. Moreover, women and men goat keepers differed in the dimensions of empowerment that the PPR vaccine facets were strongly associated with—asset ownership and input into decisions concerning livestock was significant for women but not for men. Consequently, policy and actions towards enhancing women’s asset ownership, input into decisions about livestock production, knowledge of animal health and vaccines, and access to vaccines are important in designing effective and equitable livestock vaccine systems.Healthy livestock provide meaningful opportunities to enhance women’s empowerment (WE) in low- and middle-income countries. Animal vaccines are important to keep livestock healthy and productive. However, gender-based restrictions limit women’s access to animal health services, thereby affecting the potential of livestock to enhance their empowerment. While growing empirical evidence reveals that women-controlled livestock (e.g., small ruminants) have important implications for WE and support better household nutrition outcomes, little empirical evidence exists from rigorous analyses of the relationship between WE and animal vaccines for women-controlled livestock species. Our analysis explores the relationship between WE and involvement with PPR vaccination in Ghana. Data collected using the Women’s Empowerment in Livestock Index (WELI) tool from 465 women and 92 men farmers (who keep goats) from northern Ghana, and analyzed using PLS-SEM, revealed a significant direct positive association between knowledge about animal health and PPR vaccines and a significant indirect positive association between access to PPR vaccines and empowerment. The empowerment of women goat farmers, as revealed by our model’s results for the relationship between empowerment and vaccine facets, was significantly represented by asset ownership and input into decisions concerning livestock. These study results reveal important considerations in designing effective and equitable livestock vaccine systems.

The relationship between psychosocial variables and drive for muscularity among male bodybuilding supplement users

ABSTRACT Objective Given that a high drive for muscularity (DM) has been found to be associated with negative mental health outcomes for men, this research examined pathways involving social influence which may explain why some men are more susceptible to a DM than others. Method Building on previous qualitative research, this study examined psychosocial factors (self-esteem, perception of body by others, and body satisfaction during youth) and social influences (peer pressure and social media) associated with DM among young Australian men who lift weights and take bodybuilding supplements daily (N= 250) – both precursors for developing risky body enhancement strategies. This investigation extends the conceptualisation of social influence factors to include social identity (ingroup identification with a muscularity centred subculture). Results Path analysis found social media and peer pressure were directly associated with DM. Self-esteem and perception of body by others had a direct association with DM and an indirect association mediated by peer pressure and social media. Ingroup identification with a muscularity-centred subculture was associated with perception of body by others, peer pressure, and social media. Conclusions These findings highlight the mediating role of social influences on DM in young men, reinforcing the role of peers especially via online mediums. Key Points What is already known about this topic: Men are increasingly reporting body dissatisfaction, often associated with an increased drive for muscularity. Research indicates a drive for muscularity is associated with psychosocial factors (e.g., self-esteem) and increasingly social influences (e.g., social media). Questions remain as to why some men are more susceptible than others to perform muscularity enhancing behaviour.What this topic adds: An online survey of 250 young men who weight-train and take supplements found social media and peer pressure had strong direct associations with DM. Psychosocial factors had direct and indirect associations with DM, mediated by the social influences of peer pressure and social media. Ingroup identification with a muscularity-centred subculture did not have a direct association with DM but was linked via other social influence constructs.

Dietary patterns and risk of bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSeveral studies have investigated the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of bladder cancer (BC) in different regions including Europe, the United States, and Asia, with no conclusive evidence. A meta-analysis was undertaken to integrate the most recent information on the relationship between a data-driven Western diet (WD), the Mediterranean diet (MD), and dietary-inflammatory-index (DII) and the risk of BC.MethodWe looked for published research into the relationship between dietary patterns and the incidence of BC in the PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up until February 2021. Using a multivariate random-effects model, we compared the highest and lowest categories of WD, MD and DII patterns and provided the relative risk (RR) or odds ratios (OR) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) for the relevant relationships.ResultsThe analysis comprised 12 papers that were found to be suitable after scanning the databases. Both case–control (OR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.94; I2 = 49.9%, n = 2) and cohort studies (RR 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88, 0.97; I2 = 63%, n = 4) found a substantial inverse association between MD and BC. In addition, although cohort studies (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.37, 1.70; I2 = 0%, n = 2) showed a direct association between WD and BC, case–control studies (OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.81, 1.88; I2 = 68.5%, n = 2) did not. In cohort studies, we found no significant association between DII and BC (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.93, 1.12; I2 = 38.5%, n = 2). In case–control studies, however, a strong direct association between DII and BC was discovered (RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.23, 2.85; I2 = 0%, n = 2).ConclusionThe current meta-analysis showed that MD and WD have protective and detrimental effects on BC risk, respectively. No significant association between DII and the risk of BC was observed. More research is still needed to confirm the findings. Additional study is warranted to better understand the etiological mechanisms underlying how different dietary patterns affect BC.Trial registrationProtocol registration number:CRD42020155353.Database for protocol registration: The international prospective register of systematic reviews database (PROSPERO).Data of registration: August 2020.

Remote Working for Sustainability of Organization during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Mediator-Moderator Role of Social Support

Remote working became a widespread business practice during the COVID-19 pandemic as an organizational response to protect employees’ health and maintain business continuity. The aim of this paper is to reveal the role of social support in the relationship among NWHI, NHWI and loneliness, and work engagement and job performance. The study respondents were employees with a remote working status in Serbian companies, and a total of 226 valid surveys were collected. The PLS-SEM approach was deployed to test the hypothesized relationship between named variables. A standard bootstrapping procedure was used to reveal direct and indirect effects among latent variables. Results indicate a strong and positive direct association between social support and work engagement and job performance, while mediation and moderation of the role of social support were mostly confirmed but with some results opposite to what was expected. Social support was not able to buffer a negative home–work interaction and loneliness within remote working. The study offers insight into the role of social support and recommendations for managing the antecedents and consequences of remote working, with the aim to determine a sustainable model for extensive application, not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in regular times.

Increased Adiposity Appraised with CUN-BAE Is Highly Predictive of Incident Hypertension. The SUN Project.

Overweight and obesity are growing worldwide and strongly associated with hypertension. The Clínica Universidad de Navarra-Body Adiposity Estimator (CUN-BAE) index is proposed as an optimal indicator of body fatness. We aimed to investigate the association of body fat as captured by the CUN-BAE index with incident hypertension in a Mediterranean population. We assessed 15,950 participants of the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) prospective cohort (63.7% women) initially free of hypertension. Participants completed follow-up questionnaires biennially. A validated 136-item food-frequency questionnaire was administered at baseline. We used Cox models adjusted for multiple confounders. Among 12.3 years of median follow-up (interquartile range: 8.3, 15.0 years), 2160 participants reported having received a diagnosis of hypertension. We observed a strong direct association between progressively higher the CUN-BAE index at baseline and incident hypertension during follow-up in multivariable-adjusted models for men and women, even after further adjustment for BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2, showing a significant association also in non-obese participants. For each 2-unit increase in the CUN-BAE index, hypertension risk increased by 27% and 29% in men and women, respectively. The results remained significant when considering longitudinal repeated measures of changes in body fat assessed with the CUN-BAE index among the different biennial follow-up questionnaires. Our results emphasize the importance of reducing and maintaining a low body fat to prevent hypertension.

Maternal depression is the predominant persistent risk for child cognitive and social-emotional problems from early childhood to pre-adolescence: A longitudinal cohort study

RationaleBrain development occurs rapidly during early childhood and continues throughout middle childhood. Early and later windows of opportunity exist to alter developmental trajectories. Few studies in low- and middle-income countries have examined the importance of the timing of exposure to risks for poor pre-adolescent cognitive and social-emotional outcomes. MethodsWe assessed 359 children who participated in two follow-up studies of the Supplementation with Multiple Micronutrients Intervention Trial conducted in Indonesia in 2001–2004: at 3.5 years in 2006 and 9–12 years in 2012–2014. Using structural equation models, we examined indicators of early childhood (3.5 y) and pre-adolescent (9–12 y) exposure to risks (child height-for-age z-score [HAZ], hemoglobin [Hb], maternal depressive symptoms [MDS], home environment [HOME]), with two developmental outcomes: cognitive ability and social-emotional problems. We characterized patterns of change by calculating residuals of indicators measured earlier (3.5 y) predicting the same indicators measured later (9–12 y), for example, the residual of 3.5 y MDS predicting 9–12 y MDS (rMDS). ResultsThree early risk indicators (HOME, Hb, and MDS) were indirectly associated with pre-adolescent cognitive scores through early cognitive scores (HOME: 0.15, [95% CI 0.09, 0.21]; Hb: 0.08 [0.04, 0.12], MDS: −0.07 [-0.12, −0.02]). Pre-adolescent cognitive scores were also associated with change in MDS (rMDS: −0.13 [-0.23, −0.02]) and Hb (rHb: 0.10 [0.00, 0.20]) during middle childhood. For pre-adolescent social-emotional problems, both early childhood MDS (0.31 [0.19, 0.44]) and change in MDS during middle childhood (rMDS: 0.48 [0.37, 0.60]) showed strong direct associations with this outcome. ConclusionsOur findings confirm those of previous studies that prevention of risk exposures during early childhood is likely to support long-term child development. It also adds evidence to a previously scarce literature for the middle childhood period. Prevention of maternal depressive symptoms and child anemia during middle childhood should be assessed for effectiveness to support child development.

Development of Novel Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) Mutants and Deciphering Genotype × Environment Interaction for Yield-Related Traits of Mutants

Blackgram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) yields are noticeably poor due to a shortage of improved varieties and an aggravated narrow genetic base. An attempt was made to isolate novel blackgram mutants by selecting for yield-related traits derived through gamma irradiation and testing the mutant genotype’s stability across the different environments. The irradiated blackgram populations M1-M5 were established in the background of cultivars ADT 3, Co 6, and TU 17-9. Desirable mutants were selected from M3 to M5 generations. It was observed in M2 and M3 that gamma rays showed higher mutagenic efficacy and generated good inherited variance for the yield-related traits. M4 established three divergent groups in each blackgram cultivar revealed by clustering analysis. The number of pods per plant, number of clusters per plant, and number of pods per cluster showed a strong direct association with single plant yield and could be considered as selection traits. G × E interactions were higher than the variation due to genotype for single plant yield. Limited environmental interaction was observed for the genotypes G24, G16, G36, G30, and G17, as revealed by AMMI, and the genotypes G18 and G29, as revealed by GGE. GGE biplot revealed the environment-specific genotypes G13 for E1 (Aduthurai), G7 for E2 (Kattuthottam), and G34 for E3 (Vamban) and also portrayed the highly discriminating (E3) and representative (E2) environments. Selected novel blackgram genotypes from this research are useful genetic stocks for genetic improvement and breeding.

Stunting, IQ, and final school attainment in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey birth cohort

School attainment is an important aspect of human capital, and a key determinant of long-term health and well-being. Early life deprivation and poor nutritional status are well known predictors of school entry and progression. We examine the persistence of early life influences and subsequent socioeconomic disadvantage (SED) across the multiple school continuation decisions that lead to final school attainment. Using data from a Philippine birth cohort followed for 35 years, we model 6 continuation decisions: Did not complete elementary school, elementary graduate only (completed grade 6), some secondary schooling, high school graduate, some postsecondary schooling, and college graduate, as well as total years of schooling. We estimate the association of school attainment with early life length for age Z-score (LAZ at 2 years of age) and cognitive development (IQ) as well as underlying indicators of SED and other family influences through early adulthood. The analysis sample includes >1900 participants in the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey. Females completed, on average, one year more schooling than males, and twice as many females as males were college graduates (29.1 vs 15.0 %). LAZ and one standard deviation of IQ were each independently associated with 0.4 more years of attained schooling. A path model demonstrated strong direct associations of SED with years of schooling as well as indirect associations through LAZ and IQ. Sequential logits used to estimate continuing education decisions show persistent associations of early life LAZ and IQ and schooling even after accounting for changing SED of households over the schooling life course. Filipino parents had high but often unmet educational aspirations for their children because of the child’s loss of interest in school and perceived financial barriers. Results further emphasize the importance of early life SED as a key risk factor for suboptimal school attainment.

Contrasting association of Helicobacter pylori oipA genotype with risk of peptic ulceration and gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori OipA (outer inflammatory protein A) is an outer membrane protein that involves in the binding and colonization of the bacterium in the stomach. The oipA status is associated with the risk of peptic ulcerations (PUs) and gastric cancer (GC) diseases. However, the association trend with PUs compared to GC is often different and highly challenging. We therefore aimed to determine the presence of this genotype in Iranian strains and assess its association with the risk of PUs and GC in a larger number of samples. A total of 319 strains were obtained from 172 patients with non-atrophic gastritis (NAG), 52 with PUs and 95 with GC. The prevalence of the oipA+vs. oipA- genotype was 67.7% (216/319). The total frequency of the oipA+vs. oipA- genotypes in NAG, PUs, GC, non-peptic ulceration (including NAG and GC), and non-tumor (including NAG and PUs) groups was 121/172 (70.3%), 50/52 (96.2%), 45/95 (47.4%), 166/267 (62.2%), and 171/224 (76.3%), respectively. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the oipA+vs. oipA- genotype showed a strong direct association with PUs; the ORadj (95% CI) was 18.751 (4.421-79.531), (p=0.00007). In contrast, it had a significant reverse association with GC; the ORadj (95% CI) was 0.330 (0.179-0.607), (p=0.00036). In the present study, we interestingly found a contrasting association of the H. pylori oipA genotype with the risk of PUs and GC in Iran. Therefore, the contrasting effect of this genotype may emphasize its independent role in predicting clinical outcomes.