Strong Association Research Articles

Linear and non-linear relationships between red blood cell indices and cardiovascular risk factors: findings from the China National Health Survey

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Red blood cell indices (RBIs) are associated with CVD risk factors (CRFs) and easy to test, making them useful as a screening tool for early identification of individuals at high risk for CVDs.MethodsData from 31,781 participants in the China National Health Survey conducted from 2012 to 2017 were analyzed. Linear and non-linear relationships between RBIs and CRFs (hyperuricemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia) were assessed using restricted cubic splines. Propensity score weighting was used to balance confounders between RBI groups in the multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsHemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and hematocrit all showed a significant linear dose-response association with all CRFs (p values < 0.001). Higher RBIs levels were associated with increased risk of hyperuricemia, diabetes, high LDL, high triglycerides, and high total cholesterol, but decreased HDL. For example, compared to the lowest quantile of HGB, the highest quantile had a 26% (13-40%) higher risk for hyperuricemia, a 43% (25-63%) higher risk of diabetes, 87% (61%-1.18 fold) higher risk of high LDL, and 68% (52-85%) higher risk of high triglycerides. Non-linear relationships were revealed between RBIs and most CRFs except uric acid and glucose. Sex differences were observed, with stronger associations between RBIs and hyperuricemia in women but stronger links with high LDL in men.ConclusionsElevated RBIs indicated higher risk of multiple CRFs. These findings suggest incorporating RBIs into CVD screening strategies to facilitate early prevention efforts, with consideration of sex differences.

Association Between Serum Essential Metal Elements and Blood Pressure in Children: A Cohort Study.

A limited number of cohort studies have explored the impact of serum essential metal elements on blood pressure (BP) or glycolipids and their regulatory mechanism in children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum metal concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg) and BP in children, and explore the potential mediating effects of glycolipid profiles. This cohort study included 1993 children (3566 BP measurements) aged 6-14 years in Chongqing, China. Serum essential metals, BP, lipid profiles, and glucose and insulin levels were measured. The relationship between serum metal levels and BP was analyzed using generalized linear and regression models, and a mediation analysis was performed to examine the potential mediating role of glycolipids. After adjusting for confounders, positive associations were found between serum Fe and Zn levels and BP parameters (all P < 0.05). A "U" style relationship between Cu and BP was found. Stronger associations were found in children aged ≤ 10years, with sex-specific differences for Fe, Zn, and Cu. The relationship between elevated BP and serum Mg and Ca was not found. Our study found that triglycerides showed a significant relationship with Fe and Zn levels (P < 0.005). Moreover, triglycerides, partially mediate the effects of Zn on elevated BP. Serum Fe, Zn, and Cu concentrations were associated with BP in children, and age and sex differences were observed. Triglycerides may play a mediating role. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining an optimal serum essential metal status for cardiovascular health in children and suggest potential early prevention strategies.

The interplay of verbs and argument structure constructions in second language processing: roles of verb’s lexical properties and verb–construction association

Abstract While verbs and argument structure constructions are essential for deriving sentence meaning, their roles in sentence processing remains less known. To address this issue, the present study explored how a verb’s lexical properties and the strength of verb–construction associations influence second language (L2) sentence processing. In two self-paced reading experiments, Korean-speaking learners of English and native English speakers read English argument structure constructions containing verbs with varying lexical properties and association strength. In both Experiment 1 (involving the prepositional dative construction) and Experiment 2 (involving the caused-motion construction), only the L2-English learners, and not the native speakers, spent more time integrating the target constructions with verbs of weaker associations than those with stronger associations. Furthermore, the learners exhibited greater difficulty with verb–construction integration when the verbs were less frequent and less concrete; L2 proficiency did not modulate these effects. Our findings support the constructionist approach, suggesting that both verbs and verb–construction associations play an instrumental role in sentence comprehension.

Obesity, Physical Activity, and Cancer Incidence in Two Geographically Distinct Populations; The Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and the United Kingdom—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The relationship between obesity, physical activity, and cancer has not been well studied across different countries. The age-standardized rate of cancer in the UK is double–triple that in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCCs). Here, we study the association between obesity, physical activity, and cancer incidence with the aim to elucidate cancer epidemiology and risk factors in two geographically, ethnically, and climatically different parts of the world. Methods: Our systematic search (from 2016 to 2023) in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and APA PsycINFO databases resulted in 64 studies totaling 13,609,578 participants. The Cochrane risk of bias tool, GRADE, R programming language, and the meta package were used. Results: Significant associations between obesity and cancer were found in both regions, with a stronger association in the UK (p ≤ 0.0001) than the GCCCs (p = 0.0042). While physical inactivity alone did not show a statistically significant association with cancer incidence, the pooled hazard ratio analysis revealed that the presence of both obesity and physical inactivity was associated with a significantly higher cancer incidence. The most common types of cancer were breast cancer in the UK and colorectal cancer across the GCCCs. Conclusion: Although both regions share similarities, advanced healthcare systems, genetic characteristics, dietary habits, and cultural practices may influence cancer incidence and types.

SOIL POLLUTION AND HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION: INSIGHT FROM EFFLUENT DISCHARGED FROM CHALLAWA INDUSTRIAL AREA, NIGERIA

The discharge of industrial wastewater represents a significant source of environmental pollution, particularly in developing regions where regulatory enforcement is often insufficient. This study examined the chemical characteristics of effluent discharged from three locations (LA, LB, and LC) close to the Challawa Industrial Area in Kano, Nigeria, and determined their effects on nearby soil. Effluent samples were analysed for pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), phosphates (PO), nitrates (NO-N) and critical toxic heavy metals (HMs) such as lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd). Simultaneously, soil samples from three locations near the discharge point were evaluated for pH, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). The results revealed that effluent concentrations of HMs and nutrients far exceeded the permissible limits of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency. The Pb (90.79 mg/L), Cd (10.06 g/L), Zn (33.43 mg/L), Cr (4.49 mg/L), and Cu (12.76 mg/L) concentrations were well above the regulatory limits of 0.05 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L, 0.05 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L, and 0.02 mg/L, respectively. The Phosphate (299.74 mg/L) and nitrate (381.97 mg/L) levels also exceeded NESREA standards, indicating a significant risk of eutrophication in nearby water bodies. Regression analysis revealed that higher pH tended to increase the concentration of both nutrients, with P showing a more consistent and stronger association (p&lt;0.05) than nitrogen. This study, therefore, highlight that HMs contamination is evident in the soils around the study area, posing risks to soil fertility and agricultural productivity.

The unique roles of family, friend, and online support in the psychological adjustment of transgender young adults

Background Transgender youth are more likely than cisgender youth to encounter risk, such as a lack of social support from families and offline friends, leading many to turn to online friendships for social support. Feeling supported is crucial for psychological adjustment, measured in positive outcomes such as pride, self-esteem, and belongingness and in negative outcomes such as internalized transphobia, depression, and loneliness. Aims Using the risk and resilience framework, this study explores the relationship between social support across social contexts (families, offline friends, and online friends) and psychological adjustment using hierarchical regression modeling in a sample of 335 binary and nonbinary transgender young adults. Results Family and offline friend support had stronger associations with adjustment than online friend support, and online friend support moderated the relationship between family support and pride and the relationship between offline friend support and pride. A qualitative analysis of participants’ experiences of being transgender online explored additional insights into how transgender young adults use the internet for support. The qualitative analyses contextualized the qualitative findings, showcasing the varied experiences of trans individuals online and the importance of offline support as a cornerstone for psychological adjustment. Conclusions Social support from offline social contexts are more foundational and paramount to promoting positive psychological adjustment than online social support. Online engagement in trans young adults is individualized and offers a variety of supportive and unsupportive experiences.

Association of Vascular Risk With Severe vs Non-Severe Stroke: An Analysis of the INTERSTROKE Study.

Acute stroke is associated with a spectrum of functional deficits. The objective of this analysis was to explore whether the importance of individual risk factors differ by stroke severity, which may be of relevance to public health strategies to reduce disability. INTERSTROKE is an international case-control study of risk factors of first acute stroke (recruitment 2007-August 2015) in 32 countries. Stroke severity was measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score within 72 hours of admission to hospital. Severe stroke is defined as mRS scores of 4-6 (and non-severe stroke, score of 0-3). We used multinomial logistic regression to estimate comparative odds ratios (ORs; 95% CIs) for severe and non-severe stroke and tested for heterogeneity (pheterogeneity). We also conducted a matched case-case analysis (matched for age, sex, country, and primary stroke subtype) to determine whether the prevalence of risk factors differed significantly between severe and non-severe stroke. A significant difference in the association of a risk factor of severe stroke compared with non-severe stroke was defined as p < 0.05 for both pheterogeneity and pcase-case. Of patients with acute stroke (n = 13,460), 64.0% (n = 8,612) were reported to have mRS scores of 0-3 and 36.0% (n = 4,848) scores of 4-6. The mean age was 61.7 years for patients with non-severe stroke and 62.9 years for patients with severe stroke (p = 0.72). 38.1% (n = 3,278) of patients with non-severe stroke and 44.6% (n = 2,162) of patients with severe stroke were female. Hypertension (OR 3.21; 95% CI 2.97-3.47 for severe stroke, OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.69-3.05 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.03; pcase-case < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR 4.70; 95% CI 4.05-5.45 for severe stroke, OR 3.61; 95% CI 3.16-4.13 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.009; pcase-case < 0.001), and smoking (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.72-2.03 for severe stroke, OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.54-1.77 for non-severe stroke; pheterogeneity = 0.02; pcase-case < 0.001) had a stronger association with severe stroke, compared with non-severe stroke. The waist-to-hip ratio had a stronger association with non-severe stroke compared with severe stroke (pheterogeneity < 0.001; pcase-case < 0.001). Hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and smoking had a stronger magnitude of association with severe stroke (compared with non-severe stroke) while the increased waist-to-hip ratio had a stronger magnitude of association with non-severe stroke.

Association between NT-proBNP levels and risk of atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Background and aimsN-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a well-established biomarker in clinical practice, particularly for heart failure, but its role in predicting atrial fibrillation (AF) risk is not fully...

Linking Mechanisms in the Intergenerational Transmission of Mental Health: The Role of Sex in Parent–Adolescent Dynamics

Background/Objectives: This study addresses the significance of mental health concerns by examining the intergenerational transmission of mental health between parents and adolescents. It investigates the serial mediating effects of family resilience, adolescents’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and their ability to flourish in the transmission of mental health from parents to adolescents, with a focus on sex differences. Methods: This study used a sample of 54,434 adolescents aged 12–17 from the 2016–2020 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Mothers reported on their mental health status and family resilience, and adolescents’ ACEs, flourishing, and mental health problems including depression and anxiety. Serial mediation models were used to assess the hypotheses. Results: The findings revealed that better parental mental health status was associated with fewer mental health problems in adolescents, with significant sex differences observed in these associations. Specifically, in both maternal and paternal models, better parental mental health was linked to higher family resilience, which was associated with fewer ACEs, greater flourishing, and ultimately fewer adolescent mental health problems. Furthermore, maternal mental health had a stronger association with daughters’ mental health, while paternal mental health more strongly influenced sons’. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of targeted prevention and clinical interventions to disrupt the intergenerational transmission of mental health issues.

Nearshore fish abundance in an urban estuary is weakly associated with shoreline conditions across spatial scales

Understanding the scale at which species respond to habitat characteristics can improve detection of effects from anthropogenic alterations to marine shorelines. Spatial context matters because habitat alteration may have more of an effect when prevalent throughout a region, depending on the spatial scale at which species experience changes in habitat value. In this study, we examined the associations of 4 highly motile fish species with shorelines that are altered via shoreline armor. We sampled fish for 4 yr in the Salish Sea, Washington, USA, and used model selection to evaluate the weight of evidence for associations between fish abundance and shoreline armor extent within hierarchically nested spatial scales. We evaluated species that inhabit nearshore waters under different contexts during their life histories because we expected different associations with armor between them. Of the species that are beach-associated at multiple times during their life histories, surf smelt showed no association with armor while Pacific herring showed a negative association, particularly at larger spatial scales. Of the species that pass through nearshore habitats during outmigration to the ocean, juvenile Chinook and chum salmon both showed slightly positive associations with armor presence, but these associations were not strong. The stronger association we observed in herring suggests that they may avoid areas with greater armor presence throughout a region. Distributions of anadromous species during migration are likely governed by other factors. This work highlights the importance of maintaining ecological context when considering future research aimed at understanding the impacts of shoreline armor on fish populations.

Domain-specific cognitive impairment is differentially affected by Alzheimer disease tau pathologic burden and spread

Abstract Tau pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD) is often evaluated in regions associated with episodic memory impairment. However, heterogeneous spreading patterns of tau are observed and correspond to impairment in different cognitive domains. We have previously developed a metric to quantify tau spread extent that is robustly sensitive to atypical spreading patterns. Here, we evaluate tau spread relative to domain-specific and general cognitive impairments during early stages of AD. 529 participants with baseline tau positron emission tomography (PET) and neuropsychological testing were separated into disease stage groups based on amyloid PET positivity and clinical status via CDR. General cognition was assessed using the Knight Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (Knight PACC). Domain-specific composites were calculated for episodic memory, semantic memory, working memory, and attention/processing speed. Baseline tau burden, the average tau intensity across previously defined AD signature regions, and baseline tau spread extent, the proportion of the brain with elevated tau pathology, were quantified for each participant as Tau Index and Tau Spatial Spread respectively. Tau burden and tau spread were evaluated relative to baseline and longitudinal cognitive performance, as well as longitudinal clinical progression. Tau burden and tau spread extent both significantly correlate with cognitive impairment in symptomatic AD. Tau burden is most strongly correlated to episodic (r = -0.37, p = 0.02) and semantic (r = -0.36, p = 0.02) memory. In contrast, tau spread extent is most strongly correlated to the Knight PACC (r = -0.37, p = 0.01) and attention/processing speed (r = -0.44, p &amp;lt; 0.01), especially in preclinical AD (r = -0.27, p &amp;lt; 0.01). Tau burden captures more variance than tau spread extent in longitudinal change in the Knight PACC, episodic memory, semantic memory, attention/processing speed, and clinical progression. Tau burden strongly relates to baseline episodic and semantic memory, which may reflect that it is heavily weighted by entorhinal tau, a region previously linked to memory processing. In contrast, stronger associations between tau spread extent and baseline attention/processing speed could reflect the inclusion of additional brain regions, particularly the frontal lobe, which support a wider range of cognitive processing. Additionally, tau spread extent is generally more sensitive to baseline preclinical deficits, however tau burden better estimates future decline across all cognitive domains and clinical symptom onset. Together, these findings suggest complementary utility of evaluating both tau burden and tau spread extent in early AD progression.

Unearthing Insights into Metabolic Syndrome by Linking Drugs, Targets, and Gene Expressions Using Similarity Measures and Graph Theory.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic disorders that includes obesity in combination with at least any two of the following conditions, i.e., insulin resistance, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides level. Treatment of this syndrome is challenging because of the multiple interlinked factors that lead to increased risks of type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to conduct extensive in silico analysis to (i) find central genes that play a pivotal role in MetS and (ii) propose suitable drugs for therapy. Our objective is to first create a drug-disease network and then identify novel genes in the drug-disease network with strong associations to drug targets, which can help in increasing the therapeutical effects of different drugs. In the future, these novel genes can be used to calculate drug synergy and propose new drugs for the effective treatment of MetS. For this purpose, we (i) investigated associated drugs and pathways for MetS, (ii) employed eight different similarity measures to construct eight gene regulatory networks, (iii) chose an optimal network, where a maximum number of drug targets were central, (iv) determined central genes exhibiting strong associations with these drug targets and associated disease-causing pathways, and lastly (v) employed these candidate genes to propose suitable drugs. Our results indicated (i) a novel drug-disease network complex, with (ii) novel genes associated with MetS. Our developed drug-disease network complex closely represents MetS with associated novel findings and markers for an improved understanding of the disease and suggested therapy.

Lipoprotein(a) concentrations and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease: Results from the German Chronic Kidney Disease study.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a causal, genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general population. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased CVD risk and elevated Lp(a) concentrations. Only a few studies on Lp(a) were performed in persons with mild-to-moderate CKD; none of them used genetic variants to explore potential causal associations. This study aims to investigate the association of measured and genetically predicted Lp(a) concentrations on prevalent and incident CVD events in the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study. The study included 5043 participants of European ancestry with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 30 and 60mL/min/1.73m2 or an eGFR >60mL/min/1.73m2 in the presence of overt albuminuria with a follow-up of 6.5 years. With each 10mg/dL higher Lp(a) concentration, odds for prevalent CVD (1290 events) increased 1.065-fold (95%CI: 1.042-1.088, p<0.001). The risk was significantly higher in patients with Lp(a) ≥50mg/dL but most pronounced in Lp(a) ≥70mg/dL (odds ratio=1.775 [1.409-2.231], p<0.001) compared to Lp(a) <30mg/dL. Each 10mg/dL higher Lp(a) concentration and Lp(a) ≥70mg/dL increased the risk for incident 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (474 events): hazard ratio [HR]=1.037 [1.009-1.067], p=0.009 and HR=1.335 [1.001-1.781], p=0.050), respectively. Similar results were obtained for 4-point MACE (653 events). Analyses based on apo(a) isoforms and genetically predicted Lp(a) concentrations led to even stronger associations. In patients with mild-to-severe CKD, elevated Lp(a) concentrations and genetic determinants of Lp(a) concentrations are significantly associated with CVD at baseline and during follow-up, independent of traditional risk factors.

Stronger association between morning serum cortisol level and diurnal time in range in type 2 diabetes?

BackgroundThe hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is thought to play a vital role in glucose homeostasis and diabetes. This study investigated the association between morning serum cortisol and time in range (TIR), including daytime TIR, in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods310 patients with T2DM had serum cortisol measured at 8 a.m. All participants underwent continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for three consecutive days, then TIR and glycemic variability (GV) parameters were evaluated. Using 100 g standard steamed bread meal test, blood glucose, C peptide and insulin at different points were collected to assess insulin sensitivity and islet function.ResultsPatients with higher serum cortisol exhibited lower TIR and TITR (P < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the negative correlation between cortisol and daytime TIR (r=-0.231, P < 0.001) was stronger than that of overnight TIR (r=-0.134, P = 0.028). Similarly, there existed a negative correlation between cortisol and pancreatic function indicators such as HOMA-β, insulinogenic index (IGI), area under the curve of C-peptide within half an hour (AUCCp0.5 h) and three hours (AUCCp3h) (r=-0.248, -0.176, -0.140, -0.185, respectively, P < 0.05). In contrast, cortisol was positively associated with TAR (r = 0.217, P < 0.001) and GV parameters including MBG, MAGE, LAGE, HBGI, MODD, ADDR (P of MAGE and MODD > 0.05). Multiple stepwise regression revealed that cortisol was an independent contributor of TIR, TITR and diurnal TIR, with diurnal TIR of stronger relevance.ConclusionsMorning serum cortisol is negatively correlated with TIR, especially diurnal TIR and positively associated with GV parameters. Inappropriate cortisol secretion may have an adverse influence on glucose homeostasis in T2DM.

Real-World Safety of Esketamine Nasal Spray: A Comprehensive Analysis of Esketamine and Respiratory Depression.

Esketamine nasal spray (ESK) is approved, in conjunction with an oral antidepressant, for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression in adults and for the treatment of depressive symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder with acute suicidal ideation or behavior. No adverse events (AEs) of respiratory depression were reported in ESK phase 3 clinical trials; however, postmarketing incidents of respiratory depression associated with ESK use have been observed. The Janssen Global Medical Safety (GMS) database was reviewed for cases meeting criteria for respiratory depression with ESK using 47 months of postapproval data, based on the Standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) preferred term (PT) acute central respiratory depression (broad). FAERS, EudraVigilance, and literature searches were performed to identify reports of respiratory depression related to ESK use. Fifty cases, representing 50 patients, in the GMS database met the case definition for respiratory depression; 8 of these had a stronger association with ESK use. The MedDRA PT hypopnea met the threshold for disproportionality with ESK in FAERS. The MedDRA PTs asphyxia, oxygen saturation decreased, respiratory depression, and apnea, met the threshold for disproportionality with ESK in EudraVigilance. Despite extensive soliciting of AEs for ESK with the US Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program, respiratory depression is infrequently observed with ESK treatment in the postmarketing setting (estimated incidence: 1 case per 20,000 treatment sessions). Symptoms are manageable and resolve with minor supportive measures. Monitoring for symptoms of respiratory depression, including pulse oximetry, is recommended within the postdose observation period.

Windows of Susceptibility to Air Pollution During and Surrounding Pregnancy in Relation to Longitudinal Maternal Measures of Adiposity and Lipid Profiles.

Pregnancy is a critical window for long-term metabolic programming of fetal effects stemming from airborne particulate matter ≤2.5μm (PM 2.5 ) exposure. Yet, little is known about long-term metabolic effects of PM 2.5 exposure during and surrounding pregnancy in mothers. We assessed potential critical windows of PM 2.5 exposure during and surrounding pregnancy with maternal adiposity and lipid measures later in life. We included 517 pregnant women from the PROGRESS cohort with adiposity [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), % body fat] and lipids [total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL), low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)] measured repeatedly at 4, 6 and 8 years post-delivery. Monthly average PM 2.5 exposure was estimated at each participant's address using a validated spatiotemporal model. We employed distributed lag interaction models (DLIMs) adjusting for socio-demographics and clinical covariates. We found that a 1 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 exposure throughout mid-/late-pregnancy was associated with higher WC at 6-years post-delivery, peaking at 6 months of gestation: 0.04 cm (95%CI: 0.01, 0.06). We also identified critical windows of PM 2.5 exposure during and surrounding pregnancy associated with higher LDL and lower HDL both measured at 4 years post-delivery with peaks at pre-conception for LDL [0.17 mg/dL (95%CI: 0.00, 0.34)] and at the 11 th month after conception for HDL [-0.07 mg/dL (95%CI: -0.11, -0.02)]. Stratified analyses by fetal sex indicated stronger associations with adiposity measures in mothers carrying a male, whereas stronger associations were observed with lipids in mothers carrying a female fetus. Stratified analyses also indicated potential stronger deleterious lagged effects in women with folic acid intake lower than 600mcg/day during pregnancy.

Parental depressiveness and children’s emotional problems

This study used panel data to examine the longitudinal effect of maternal and paternal depressiveness on children’s emotional difficulties in two-parent families in Germany. The main purpose was to examine whether the strength of this association differs depending on whether parents or children themselves assessed children’s emotional difficulties. Based on data from 1,586 children from the German Family Panel (pairfam), our findings show much stronger associations between parental depressiveness and children’s emotional difficulties when using parent-reported measures than when using child-reported measures, which indicates a negative mood bias in parent reports. The findings emphasise the importance of taking children’s self-reports into account when studying child wellbeing.

Recent advances in applying metabolomics to uncover dietary impact on cardiometabolic health.

Cardiometabolic diseases are a major global health concern, with diet playing a crucial role in their prevention and management. Recent advancements in the identification of metabolic signatures related to dietary patterns offer a more objective assessment of individualized dietary exposure and provide deeper insights into diet-disease associations. Recent studies have shown that distinct metabolic signatures are associated with the adherence to various dietary patterns. These signatures show even stronger associations with cardiometabolic disease incidence, independent of traditional risk factors and self-reported adherence to such dietary patterns. Emerging dietary approaches, such as sustainable diets, health outcome-focused diets, and population data-driven dietary patterns, also hold promise for improving cardiometabolic health. Additionally, metabolic signatures could offer insights into diet-disease associations in underrepresented populations, addressing genetic and lifestyle differences. Application of metabolomics provides a more precise understanding of how dietary patterns influence cardiometabolic health. Although the number of studies remains limited, and current evidence is inconsistent, the approach has significant potential for improving clinical and public health strategies. Future research should prioritize prospective studies and address population- and outcome-specific dietary needs to enable targeted interventions that optimize cardiometabolic health.

The relationship between climate change and mental health: a systematic review of the association between eco-anxiety, psychological distress, and symptoms of major affective disorders

Background and objectivesThe adverse impacts of climate change on mental health is a burgeoning area, although findings are inconsistent. The emerging concept of eco-anxiety represents distress in relation to climate change and may be related to mental health. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between eco-anxiety with validated mental health outcomes, specifically psychological distress and symptoms of major affective disorders.DesignSystematic review.MethodsEBSCO, ProQuest, and Web of Science databases were searched to February 2024 for studies of adult samples quantifying eco-anxiety (exposure, i.e. fear, worry or anxiety in relation to climate change) and symptoms of psychological distress and major affective disorders (outcomes), as assessed by validated measures.ResultsFull text review of 83 studies was performed, and k = 35 studies were included in the review (N = 45 667, 61% female, Mage 31.2 years). Consistently, eco-anxiety showed small to large positive correlations with mental health outcomes of psychological distress, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress symptoms. However, results regarding post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and pathological worry were mixed. Stronger associations were observed where eco-anxiety was operationalised as ‘anxiety’ rather than ‘worry’.ConclusionsFindings underscore that eco-anxiety is related to psychological burden. Greater consideration of eco-anxiety in assessment and treatment is needed in clinical practice and further policy development is warranted at the intersection of climate and health to address the mental health challenges posed by climate change.

Association of Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: insights from NHANES 2015-2018 data.

This study examines the relationship between several anthropometric indices-Body Roundness Index (BRI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Waist-to-Weight Index (WWI), Waist Circumference (WC), and Body Mass Index (BMI)-and the prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2015 to 2018. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 7,004 adult participants was conducted using NHANES 2015-2018 data. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between BRI, ABSI, and OSA. Non-linear relationships were explored via smooth curve fitting and threshold effect analysis using a two-part linear regression model. Subgroup analyses identified sensitive populations, and the discriminatory power of the indices in screening OSA was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The analysis revealed a significant positive association between BRI and OSA, with a threshold effect observed at a BRI of 4.3. Below this threshold, OSA risk increased with higher BRI; however, no significant association was found above this threshold. Similarly, ABSI demonstrated a threshold effect at 8.2, with OSA risk positively associated to the left and negatively associated to the right. Subgroup analyses indicated stronger associations in younger and non-diabetic populations. ROC analysis identified BRI as a promising predictive tool for OSA, with an AUC of 0.64 (95% CI: 0.62-0.65). BRI demonstrates significant potential as a predictive index for OSA incidence, warranting further large-scale prospective studies to validate these findings.