Strong Association Research Articles

Social capital, social heterogeneity, and electoral turnout

AbstractAmong the many studied determinants of voting, we predict that i) increased social capital will be positively associated with turnout, while increased heterogeneity will be negatively associated; ii) both factors will work through their influence on the costs of information gathering and on the social norms of voting; and iii) that heterogeneity will interact with social capital in its association with turnout. We test these predictions at the extremely fine “meshblock” level by regressing New Zealand voter turnout in its 2017 national election on its 2013 census characteristics. We use roughly 40,000 meshblock volunteering rates to measure social capital, and heterogeneity based primarily on ethnic fragmentation. We find social capital is positively associated with voter turnout, while heterogeneity is negatively associated. We find robust evidence consistent with ethnic heterogeneity working through information costs and social norms, but less so social capital. We also find a robust interaction between social capital and heterogeneity in their association with turnout, consistent with ethnic heterogeneity raising bridging social capital that has a stronger association with turnout than in‐group bonding social capital.

Associations between contextual factors and school engagement: a longitudinal study of profiles

School engagement, encompassing affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions, is key to promoting school retention and preventing absenteeism. Previous research has shown that maintaining high engagement is crucial for a positive educational trajectory. This study investigates the individual contributions of contextual factors, including family, teacher, and peer support, on students who initially had a lower level of school engagement in one dimension and then advanced to a higher level in the same dimension over time. The study involved students enrolled in their first year of secondary education in public schools in Chile during 2021, with the same students being evaluated again the following year. We used means cluster analysis to identify a group of students who initially had low school engagement but showed high engagement by the second evaluation. This allowed us to identify profiles of school engagement longitudinally. Our results indicated that contextual factors had a stronger association with affective engagement, followed by cognitive and behavioral engagement, respectively. Among the contextual factors, family and teachers had a stronger impact compared to peers. These findings highlight the importance of adults, particularly family and teachers, in enhancing school engagement during secondary education.

Short-Term Exposure to Wildfire-Specific PM2.5 and Hospitalization for Diabetes Morbidity: A Study in Multiple Countries and Territories.

To evaluate associations of wildfire fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with diabetes across multiple countries and territories. We collected data on 3,612,135 diabetes hospitalizations from 1,008 locations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Thailand, and Taiwan during 2000-2019. Daily wildfire-specific PM2.5 levels were estimated through chemical transport models and machine-learning calibration. Quasi-Poisson regression with distributed lag nonlinear models and random-effects meta-analysis were applied to estimate associations between wildfire-specific PM2.5 and diabetes hospitalization. Subgroup analyses were by age, sex, location income level, and country or territory. Diabetes hospitalizations attributable to wildfire-specific PM2.5 and nonwildfire PM2.5 were compared. Each 10 µg/m3 increase in wildfire-specific PM2.5 levels over the current day and previous 3 days was associated with relative risks (95% CI) of 1.017 (1.011-1.022), 1.023 (1.011-1.035), 1.023 (1.015-1.032), 0.962 (0.823-1.032), 1.033 (1.001-1.066), and 1.013 (1.004-1.022) for all-cause, type 1, type 2, malnutrition-related, other specified, and unspecified diabetes hospitalization, respectively. Stronger associations were observed for all-cause, type 1, and type 2 diabetes in Thailand, Australia, and Brazil; unspecified diabetes in New Zealand; and type 2 diabetes in high-income locations. Relative risks (95% CI) of 0.67% (0.16-1.18%) and 1.02% (0.20-1.81%) for all cause and type 2 diabetes hospitalizations were attributable to wildfire-specific PM2.5. Compared with nonwildfire PM2.5, wildfire-specific PM2.5 posed greater risks of all-cause, type 1, and type 2 diabetes and were responsible for 38.7% of PM2.5-related diabetes hospitalizations. We show the relatively underappreciated links between diabetes and wildfire air pollution, which can lead to a nonnegligible proportion of PM2.5-related diabetes hospitalizations. Precision prevention and mitigation should be developed for those in advantaged communities and in Thailand, Australia, and Brazil.

Customer Care-Specific Attributes and The Performance of Quoted Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

This study assesses the relationship between customer care-specific attributes and the customer growth of quoted deposit money banks in Nigeria. In this study, a cross-sectional survey, which is a quasi-experimental method, was employed. This study encompasses the entire Survey Respondents of 105 sample staffs and their bank customers of the 14 quoted money deposit banks in Nigeria, serving as the accessible population for the study. Data Collection Method was the Primary Data Collection designed questionnaire. The Likert scale, consisting of response options such as Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, and Strongly Disagree, was employed. The study used Spearman's rho correlation to observe the statistical significance at 1% level. The result showed that p-values for all correlations are highly significant (p < 0.01), suggesting strong evidence that these relationships are meaningful. This provides confidence in the model's fitness in terms of statistical significance in the given results, with the highest being between customer growth and the number of financial products (0.494), indicating a moderate positive relationship. The coefficients show the strength of the relationships, with high values indicating stronger associations. The model's relationships are robust and not due to random chance, indicating good fitness. It was recommended that banks should ensure that customer service personnel are accessible, responsive, and effective by investing in convenient customer service channels. They should regularly provide training and development opportunities for bank customer service personnel to ensure that they can handle customer inquiries and issues effectively. They should recognize and reward the efforts of bank customer service personnel with fair and competitive salaries and benefits to motivate and retain top talent. They should also diversify the range of financial products offered by banks to meet varying customer needs and attract a broader customer base.

The effect of BMI on survival outcome of breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The main goal of the present research is to explore the potential link of body mass index (BMI) with different survival metrics in breast cancer patients. Our aim is to offer the latest and most thorough meta-analysis, assessing the strength and reliability of the connection that BMI has with prognostic indicators in this disease. As of January 2024, we conducted a systematic literature search across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases. Our search aimed to identify studies examining BMI as an exposure factor, with breast cancer patients constituting the study population, and utilizing adjusted hazard ratio (HR) as the data type of interest. The evidence synthesis incorporated a total of 61 eligible articles involving 201,006 patients. Being underweight posed a risk factor for overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients compared to normal weight (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98-1.35; P = 0.08). Overweight or obesity, in comparison to normal weight, was a risk factor for OS (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.14-1.23; P < 0.00001), disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.08-1.13; P < 0.00001), relapse-free survival (RFS) (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.22; P = 0.03), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11-1.26; P < 0.00001), but not for progression-free survival (PFS) (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.76-1.10; P = 0.33). Notably, in subgroup analyses, overweight patients achieved prolonged PFS (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.64-0.99; P = 0.04), and compared to the obese population, the overweight cohort exhibited a significant difference in OS (HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.05-1.16; P < 0.00001) and DFS (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.10; P = 0.0004), with a considerably stronger association. Furthermore, compared to HER- patients, HER + patients exhibited a greater predictive value for OS (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.37; P = 0.0004), RFS (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03-1.64; P < 0.00001), and DFS (HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.17; P = 0.003). The results of our meta-analysis reveal a notable association between BMI and various survival measures in breast cancer prognosis. These findings provide a solid basis for predicting breast cancer outcomes and implementing more effective therapeutic approaches.

Length of Overnight Fasting and 6-year Weight Change in the Cancer Prevention Study-3

BackgroundLonger overnight fasting (ONF) is a potential strategy for weight control. Although promising, the evidence from large population-based studies is limited. ObjectivesTo examine the association of self-reported ONF duration with 3- and 6-y weight change in the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 prospective cohort. MethodsUnited States adult Cancer Prevention Study-3 participants completed a 24-h validated meal and snack timing and frequency grid (weekday and weekend) in 2015, from which weighted ONF hours were calculated. Participants reported body weight in 2015, 2018, and 2021. Three- and 6-y weight change (kg, and % body weight) were assessed. ResultsAmong 104,420 mostly female (78.5%) participants aged 52.7 ± 9.5 (standard deviation) y followed for 6 y, a 1-h increase in ONF length was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in weight gain over 3- and 6-y periods [multivariable-adjusted mean difference in % body weight = −0.02, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.05, −0.00, P = 0.03 and −0.04, 95% CI: −0.07, −0.01, P < 0.01, respectively]. The mean difference of 6-y % reduction in weight gain was slightly greater among individuals with overweight (−0.05, 95% CI: −0.10, 0.00, P = 0.05) and obesity (−0.06, 95% CI: −0.12, 0.01, P = 0.08) compared with those with healthy body mass index (−0.03, 95% CI:−0.07, 0.01, P = 0.13) or underweight (0.16, 95% CI: −0.04, 0.36, P = 0.13, Pinteraction < 0.0001). Stronger associations were observed among those ≤55 y than 56+ (P < 0.001), and those with higher waist circumference (Pinteraction < 0.0001) but not by sex or earlier/later fasting period. ConclusionsLonger ONF was associated with slightly lower body weight in adult males and females over 6 y that was stronger among those with overweight or obesity, higher waist circumference, and those aged ≤55 y. The magnitude of weight change, although in the hypothesized direction, suggests that prolonged ONF may have modest impact on weight control over time.

Whole genome sequencing of a family with autosomal dominant features within the oculoauriculovertebral spectrum.

Oculoauriculovertebral Spectrum (OAVS) encompasses abnormalities on derivatives from the first and second pharyngeal arches including macrostomia, hemifacial microsomia, micrognathia, preauricular tags, ocular and vertebral anomalies. We present genetic findings on a three-generation family affected with macrostomia, preauricular tags and uni- or bilateral ptosis following an autosomal dominant pattern. We generated whole genome sequencing data for the proband, affected parent and unaffected paternal grandparent followed by Sanger sequencing on 23 family members for the top 10 candidate genes: KCND2, PDGFRA, CASP9, NCOA3, WNT10A, SIX1, MTF1, KDR/VEGFR2, LRRK1, and TRIM2 We performed parent and sibling-based transmission disequilibrium tests and burden analysis via a penalized linear mixed model, for segregation and mutation burden respectively. Next, via bioinformatic tools we predicted protein function, mutation pathogenicity and pathway enrichment to investigate the biological relevance of mutations identified. Rare missense mutations in SIX1, KDR/VEGFR2, and PDGFRA showed the best segregation with the OAV phenotypes in this family. When considering any of the 3 OAVS phenotypes as an outcome, SIX1 had the strongest associations in parent-TDTs and sib-TDTs (p=0.025, p=0.052) (unadjusted p-values). Burden analysis identified SIX1 (RC=0.87) and PDGFRA (RC=0.98) strongly associated with OAVS severity. Using phenotype-specific outcomes, sib-TDTs identified SIX1 with uni- or bilateral ptosis (p=0.049) and ear tags (p=0.01), and PDGFRA and KDR/VEGFR2 with ear tags (both p<0.01). SIX1, PDGFRA, and KDR/VEGFR2 are strongly associated to OAVS phenotypes. SIX1 has been previously associated with OAVS ear malformations and is co-expressed with EYA1 during ear development. Efforts to strengthen the genotype-phenotype co-relation underlying the OAVS are key to discover etiology, family counseling and prevention.

Fish oil supplementation modifies the associations between genetically predicted and observed concentrations of blood lipids: a cross-sectional gene-diet interaction study in UK Biobank

BackgroundDyslipidemia is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Although habitual intake of fish oil is associated with cardioprotective effects through triglyceride reduction, the interactions of fish oil with the genetic predisposition to dysregulated lipids remain elusive. ObjectivesWe examined whether fish oil supplementation modifies the association between genetically predicted and observed concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. MethodsA total of 441,985 participants with complete genetic and phenotypic data from the UK Biobank were included. Polygenic scores (PGS) of the 4 lipids were calculated in participants of diverse ancestries. For each lipid, multivariable linear regression models were used to assess if fish oil supplementation modified the association between PGS and the observed circulating concentration, with adjustment for relevant covariates. ResultsFish oil supplementation attenuates the associations between genetically predicted and observed circulating concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides while accentuating the corresponding association for HDL cholesterol among 424,090 participants of European ancestry. Consistent significant findings were obtained using PGS calculated based on multiple genome-wide association studies or alternative PGS methods. For triglycerides, each standard deviation (SD) increment in PGS is associated with 0.254 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.248, 0.259] SD increase in the observed concentration among European-ancestry participants who reported fish oil usage. In contrast, a stronger association was observed in nonusers (0.267; 95% CI: 0.263, 0.270). Consistently, we showed that fish oil significantly attenuates the association between genetically predicted and observed concentrations of triglycerides in African-ancestry participants. ConclusionsFish oil supplementation attenuates the association between genetically predicted and observed circulating concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides while accentuating the corresponding association for HDL cholesterol in individuals of European ancestry. Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of these findings.

Regional Deprivation and Suicide.

Regional deprivation due to regional economic and social differences can increase the risk of suicide. This study investigated whether regional structural deprivation in Germany is associated with a higher rate of suicide. Data from cause-of-death statistics for the years 2015-2021 were analyzed. A regression analysis for data with a negative binomial distribution was used to study the association between suicide mortality and the German Index of Multiple Deprivation (GIMD), which is based on data from 2015 and includes 401 districts and independent cities in Germany. Among the districts and independent cities covered by the GIMD, the quintile with the highest deprivation had higher suicide rates than the quintile with the lowest deprivation (relative risk [RR]: 1.85; 95% confidence interval [1.72; 2.00]). A sensitivity analysis revealed similar associations when the analysis was restricted to men (RR = 1.99 [1.80; 2.18]) or women (RR = 1.69 [1.49; 1.92]). A stronger association, however, was found in a comparison of rural (RR = 2.29 [2.04; 2.57]) with urban areas (RR = 1.51 [1.36; 1.68]). These findings document an association between regional deprivation and suicide. They highlight the need for a more targeted approach to suicide prevention in deprived regions. At the same time, more research is needed into the mechanisms and effects of regional deprivation on mortality due to suicide.

Associations of muscle mass, strength, and quality with diabetes and the mediating role of inflammation in two National surveys from China and the United states

AimsThe evidence for joint and independent associations of low muscle mass and low muscle strength with diabetes is limited and mixed. The study aimed to determine the associations of muscle parameters (muscle mass, strength, quality, and sarcopenia) and sarcopenia obesity with diabetes, and the previously unstudied mediating effect of inflammation. Materials and MethodsA total of 13,420 adults from the 2023 China National Health Survey (CNHS) and 5,380 adults from the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included in this study. Muscle mass was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in the CNHS, and whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the NHANES. Muscle strength was assessed using digital hand dynamometer. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the associations of muscle parameters and sarcopenia obesity with diabetes. Inflammatory status was assessed using blood cell counts and two systemic inflammation indices (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and system inflammation response index (SIRI)). Mediation analysis was conducted to examine inflammation’s role in these associations. ResultsLow muscle mass and strength were independently related to diabetes. Low muscle quality was associated with elevated diabetes risk. Sarcopenia has a stronger association with diabetes compared to low muscle strength alone or mass alone (CNHS, odds ratio (OR) = 1.93, 95 % confidence interval (CI):1.64–2.27; NHANES, OR = 3.80, 95 %CI:2.58–5.58). Participants with sarcopenia obesity exhibit a higher risk of diabetes than those with obesity or sarcopenia alone (CNHS, OR = 2.21, 95 %CI:1.72–2.84; NHANES, OR = 6.06, 95 %CI:3.64–10.08). Associations between muscle parameters and diabetes were partially mediated by inflammation (mediation proportion: 1.99 %-36.64 %, P < 0.05). ConclusionLow muscle mass and muscle strength are independently or jointly associated with diabetes, and inflammation might be a potential mechanism underlying this association. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of sarcopenia and obesity could significantly increase diabetes risk.

Dissecting the vascular-cognitive nexus: energetic vs. conventional hemodynamic parameters.

Blood pressure or flow measurements have been associated withvascular health and cognitive function. We proposed that energetic hemodynamic parameters may provide a more nuanced understanding and stronger correlation with cognitive function, in comparisons with conventional aortic and carotid pressure and flow parameters. The study comprised 1858 participants, in whom we assessed cognitive function via MoCA method, and measured central aortic and carotid pressure and flow waveforms. In addition to various pressure and flow parameters, we calculated energetic hemodynamic parameters through integration of pressure multiplying flow with respect to time. Energetic hemodynamic parameters, particularly aortic and carotid mean and pulsatile energy and pulsatility index (PI), were significantly associated with MoCA score more than any aortic and carotid pressure and flow parameters, after adjusting for age, sex, education, depression score, heart rate, BMI, HDL-cholesterol, and glucose levels. MoCA exhibited a strong positive relationship with carotid mean energy (standardized beta = 0.053, P = 0.0253) and a negative relationship with carotid energy PI (standardized beta = -0.093, P = 0.0002), exceeding the association with all traditional pressure- or flow-based parameters. Aortic pressure reflection coefficient at the aorto-carotid junction was positively correlated with mean carotid energy and negatively correlated with PI. Aortic characteristic impedance positively correlated with carotid energy PI but not mean energy. Our research indicates that energetic hemodynamic parameters, particularly carotid mean energy and carotid energy PI, have a stronger association with MoCA scores than traditional pressure- or flow-based metrics. This correlation with cognitive function is notably influenced by the properties of the aorto-carotid interface.

The contribution of silencer variants to human diseases

BackgroundAlthough disease-causal genetic variants have been found within silencer sequences, we still lack a comprehensive analysis of the association of silencers with diseases. Here, we profiled GWAS variants in 2.8 million candidate silencers across 97 human samples derived from a diverse panel of tissues and developmental time points, using deep learning models.ResultsWe show that candidate silencers exhibit strong enrichment in disease-associated variants, and several diseases display a much stronger association with silencer variants than enhancer variants. Close to 52% of candidate silencers cluster, forming silencer-rich loci, and, in the loci of Parkinson’s-disease-hallmark genes TRIM31 and MAL, the associated SNPs densely populate clustered candidate silencers rather than enhancers displaying an overall twofold enrichment in silencers versus enhancers. The disruption of apoptosis in neuronal cells is associated with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and can largely be attributed to variants within candidate silencers. Our model permits a mechanistic explanation of causative SNP effects by identifying altered binding of tissue-specific repressors and activators, validated with a 70% of directional concordance using SNP-SELEX. Narrowing the focus of the analysis to individual silencer variants, experimental data confirms the role of the rs62055708 SNP in Parkinson’s disease, rs2535629 in schizophrenia, and rs6207121 in type 1 diabetes.ConclusionsIn summary, our results indicate that advances in deep learning models for the discovery of disease-causal variants within candidate silencers effectively “double” the number of functionally characterized GWAS variants. This provides a basis for explaining mechanisms of action and designing novel diagnostics and therapeutics.

Sex-specific in the association between depressive symptoms and risk of cognitive impairment in Chinese older adults

BackgroundMany studies have focused on the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment, but gender differences in this relationship are unclear, especially among Chinese older adults. Therefore, this study explores whether there are gender differences between depressive symptoms and risk of cognitive impairment based on a survey of a Chinese older adult population. Study designThis is a cross-sectional study. MethodWe screened 9678 older adults aged 65 to 105 from the 2018 CLHLS database. The 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were utilized for measuring depressive symptoms and cognitive performance, respectively. Logistic regressions and restricted cubic spline were applied to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment. ResultsOf the 9678 participants, 4719 (48.8 %) were men. The association between severe depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment was more pronounced in older men (male × severe depressive symptoms: OR = 2.71, 95%CI = 1.07–6.92, p = 0.037). Compared with no depressive symptoms, severe depressive symptoms were associated with an almost five times greater risk of cognitive impairment in men (OR = 4.84, 95 % CI = 2.26–10.40, p < 0.001, compared to OR = 2.25, 95 % CI = 1.27–3.96, p = 0.005 in women). Gender differences were demonstrated in the association of individual ten depressive symptoms with cognitive impairment: men who felt lonely were more likely to have cognitive impairment (OR = 1.24, 95 % CI = 1.06–1.47, p = 0.010), while women who slept poorly were more likely to have cognitive impairment (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI = 1.16–1.74, p = 0.001). ConclusionResults indicate a stronger association between severe depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment among older Chinese males. Our study suggests that reducing loneliness can help prevent cognitive impairment in older men, and improving sleep quality can help improve cognitive function in older women.

Long-term exposure to air pollution, road traffic noise and greenness, and incidence of myocardial infarction in women

BackgroundEmerging evidence shows that long-term exposure to air pollution, road traffic noise, and greenness can each be associated with cardiovascular disease, but only few studies combined these exposures. In this study, we assessed associations of multiple environmental exposures and incidence of myocardial infarction using annual time-varying predictors. Materials and MethodsIn a population-based cohort of 20,407 women in Sweden, we estimated a five-year moving average of residential exposure to air pollution (PM2.5, PM10 and NO2), road traffic noise (Lden), and greenness (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI in 500 m buffers), from 1998 to 2017 based on annually varying exposures and address history. We used adjusted time-varying Cox proportional hazards regressions to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) of myocardial infarction per interquartile range (IQR). Furthermore, we investigated interactions between the exposures and explored potential vulnerable subgroups. ResultsIn multi-exposure models, long-term exposure to greenness was inversely associated with incidence of myocardial infarction (HR 0.89; 95 % CI 0.80, 0.99 per IQR NDVI increase). Stronger associations were observed in some subgroups, e.g. among women with low attained education and in overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) compared to their counterparts. For air pollution, we observed a tendency of an increased risk of myocardial infarction in relation to PM2.5 (HR 1.07; 95 % CI 0.93, 1.23) and the association appeared stronger in women with low attained education (HR 1.30; 95 % CI 1.06, 1.58). No associations were observed for PM10, NO2 or road traffic noise. Furthermore, there were no clear interaction patterns between the exposures. ConclusionOver a 20-year follow-up period, in multi-exposure models, we found an inverse association between residential greenness and risk of myocardial infarction among women. Furthermore, we observed an increased risk of myocardial infarction in relation to PM2.5 among women with low attained education. Road traffic noise was not associated with myocardial infarction.

The health implications of cumulative exposure to contextual (dis)advantage: Methodological and substantive advances from a unique data linkage.

Deleterious neighborhood conditions are associated with poor health, yet the health impact of cumulative lifetime exposure to neighborhood disadvantage is understudied. Using up to five decades of residential histories for 4,177 adult participants in the Survey of Health of Wisconsin (SHOW) and spatio-temporally linked neighborhood conditions, we develop four operational approaches to characterizing cumulative neighborhood (dis)advantage over the life course. We estimated their associations with self-reported general health and compared to estimates using neighborhood (dis)advantage at time of study enrollment. When cumulative exposures were assessed with the most granular temporal scale (Approach 4), neighborhood transport constraints (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.36), residential turnover (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.34), education deficit (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.32), racial segregation (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.38) and median household income (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.97) were significantly associated with risk of fair or poor health. For composite neighborhood disadvantage, cumulative exposures had a stronger association (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08) than the cross-sectional exposure (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06). Single point-in-time neighborhood measures underestimate the neighborhood and health relationship, underscoring the importance of a life course approach to cumulative exposure measurement.

Personality traits and measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms

Objectives Changes in personality and behavioral symptoms are a core clinical criterion for the diagnosis of dementia. This study examines the association between caregiver-rated personality traits and multiple measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Method Caregivers of individuals with dementia (N = 191) or cancer (N = 137) provided premorbid and concurrent personality trait ratings using the Big Five Inventory-2. Caregivers also completed the Mild Behavioral Impairment Checklist, Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, and Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist. Results In the combined sample, high concurrent neuroticism was associated with emotional dysregulation (r = 0.51), low agreeableness with impulse dyscontrol (r=-0.40), and low conscientiousness with decreased motivation (r=-0.42). Associations were similar across neuropsychiatric symptom scales, similar across cancer and dementia, but stronger with concurrent than premorbid personality ratings, and stronger for the individuals with mild than moderate-severe dementia. Conclusion Personality was associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including with the measure for mild behavioral impairment. Personality had stronger associations when concurrently assessed, indicating that personality traits co-develop with neuropsychiatric symptoms. The associations were similar across cancer and dementia, suggesting transdiagnostic processes not limited to dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are partly an expression of personality; accounting for personality traits could help with diagnosis and disease monitoring, tailoring interventions, and fostering person-centered care.

Novel measures of cognition and function for the AD spectrum in the Novel Measures for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Trials (NoMAD) project: Psychometric properties, convergent validation, and contrasts with established measures.

This study derived composite scores for two novel cognitive measures, the No Practice Effect (NPE) battery and the Miami Computerized Functional Skills Assessment and Training system for use in early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials. Their psychometric properties and associations with AD risk markers were compared to those of well-established measures. For 291 older adults with healthy cognition or early mild cognitive impairment, Exploratory factor analyses were used to identify the factor structure of the NPE. Factor and total scores were examined for their psychometric properties and associations with AD risk biomarkers. Composite scores from the novel cognitive and functional measures demonstrated better psychometric properties (distribution and test-retest reliability) and stronger associations with AD-related demographic, genetic, and brain risk markers than well-established measures, DISCUSSION: These novel measures have potential for use as primary cognitive and functional outcomes in early-stage AD clinical trials. Well-established cognitive tests may not accurately detect subtle cognitive changes. No Practice Effect (NPE) and Computerized Functional Skills Assessment and Training are novel measures designed to have improved psychometric properties. NPE had Executive Function, Cognitive Control/Speed, and Episodic Memory domains. Novel measures had better psychometric properties compared to established measures. Significant associations with Alzheimer's disease biomarkers were found with novel measures.

Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Pregnancies without Congenital Transmission Is Associated with Reduced Fetal Growth: A Cross-Sectional Study in Argentina, Honduras, and Mexico.

We aimed to measure the association between Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnancy and reduced fetal growth in the absence of T. cruzi congenital transmission. We conducted a cross-sectional study of secondary data of all singleton live births between 2011 and 2013 in five hospitals from Argentina, Honduras, and Mexico. We excluded newborns with T. cruzi infection. Noninfected pregnant people were those without any positive rapid tests. The main study outcomes were birth weight, head circumference, and length for gestational age and sex. Logistic regression models were adjusted for country, age, education level, and obstetric history. Of the 26,544 deliveries, 459 (1.7%) pregnant people were found by rapid tests to be positive for T. cruzi. Of these, 320 were positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 231 had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Uninfected newborns from T. cruzi-infected pregnant people were more likely to have birth weights below the 5th and 10th percentiles and head circumferences below the 3rd and 10th percentiles. Among T. cruzi-infected pregnant people diagnosed by PCR, the odds ratios were 1.58 for birth weight below the 10th percentile (95% CI, 1.12-2.23) and 1.57 for birth weight below the 5th percentile (95% CI, 1.02-2.42). Higher T. cruzi parasitic loads in pregnancy had a stronger association with reduced fetal growth (both in birth weight and head circumference), with an odds ratio of 2.31 (95% CI, 1.36-3.91) for a birth weight below the 5th percentile. The association shows, irrespective of causality, that newborns of pregnancies with T. cruzi have an increased risk of reduced fetal growth. We recommend further studies to assess other potential confounders and the causality of these associations.

P-390 The percentage of regulatory T cells is associated with T follicular helper cell quantity in the peripheral blood of pregnant women

Abstract Study question Is there a relationship between the percentage of peripheral regulatory T cells (Treg) and other T cell subtypes in the first trimester of pregnancy? Summary answer The percentage of Treg cells showed a significant positive correlation with the quantity of T follicular helper cells (TFH). What is known already Regulatory T cells (Treg) play an essential role in the process of embryo implantation and maintenance of normal pregnancy. The quantity of these cells in the peripheral blood expands during the first trimester of pregnancy. Several studies report the importance of Treg in the control of the inflammatory process and in the pathophysiology of common adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is a scarce data about the quantitative relation between Treg and other important T sub-types during pregnancy. Study design, size, duration This is an observational study of 93 women, 28 to 53 years of age (mean 38 years), who had a blood sample during the first trimester (at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy). The study was conducted between November 2022 and October 2023. The exclusion criteria were history of recent inflammatory or infection disorders, recent antibiotic treatment, autoimmune diseases, oncological diseases, moderate or severe endometriosis, and endometrial polyps. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant. Participants/materials, setting, methods SIx peripheral T cell subtypes were measured by flow cytometry: T helpers % (CD3+CD4+CD8-/CD3+), T killers % (CD3+CD4-CD8+/CD3+), double-positive T cells % (CD3+CD4+CD8+/CD3+), double-negative T cells % (CD3+CD4-CD8-/ CD3+), T follicular helper cells % (CD3+CD4+CD8-CD185+/CD4+), T reg cells (CD4+CD8-CD25+CD127−/CD4+). Spearman’s correlation test was performed with all studied T cell subtypes in SPSS 21 package program. Main results and the role of chance The median percentage (range) of the studied T cell subtypes was: T helpers (51.7%, 12.1%÷91.45%), T killers (39.0%, 4.1%÷72.5%), DPT cells (1.2%, 0÷8.75), DNT cells (8.4%, 1.9%÷46.2%), Treg cells (4.6%, 1.9%÷12.7%), TFH cells (7.6%, 1.4%÷42.6%). To examine the association between the percentage of Treg cells and the other T cell subtypes, the Spearman’s Rho Correlation coefficient for non-paramentric data was used. No correlation was found between the quantity of Treg and T helpers, T killers, Total T cells, double-positive T cells (p &amp;gt; 0.05). In contrast, the percentage of Treg showed a significant positive correlation with the percentage of TFH (R = 0.36; p = 0.01), and a significant negative correlation with double-negative T cells (R= - 0.29; p = 0.04). Limitations, reasons for caution The main limitation of the study is that it was carried out only in a limited period of time during the pregnancy. Thus, it would be beneficial to compare the percentage of Treg cells with other T cell sub-types in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. Wider implications of the findings Our study demonstrated that Treg cells have stronger association with TFH cells than with other T cell subtypes. The strength of this quantitative relationship might be important for the normal progress of pregnancy, and it remains subject of further studies. Trial registration number not applicable

Life course weight transitions from birth to childhood to midlife and risk of cardiovascular diseases and its subtypes

Background and aimsEvidence on weight transitions across life stages and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is limited. We aimed to explore weight transition patterns from birth to childhood to midlife and risk of incident CVDs. MethodsA total of 193,905 participants from the UK Biobank were included. Weight at birth, childhood, and midlife were collected at baseline (2006–2010). CVD outcomes were collected at year 2022. We constructed 27 transition patterns from birth to age 10 years to midlife. Cox proportional hazard models yielded hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) between weight transition patterns and CVDs. Mediation analyses were performed. Rate advancement periods (RAP) were also calculated. ResultsSeveral weight transition patterns were clearly linked to risk of CVDs, including “Low birth weight → high weight at age 10 years → obesity at midlife” (HR 2.64, 95% CI 2.24–3.11), “Low birth weight → low weight at age 10 years → obesity at midlife” (2.27, 1.93–2.66), “High birth weight → low weight at age 10 years → obesity at midlife” (2.29, 1.96–2.67), and “High birth weight → high weight at age 10 years → obesity at midlife” (2.14, 1.89–2.42), which showed even stronger association with HF. RAPs of these patterns were 8.3–10.6 years for CVD and 10.0–13.1 for HF. 50% of the association between birth weight and CVDs was mediated by weight at midlife. ConclusionsOur findings highlight the importance of weight management throughout the life course in reducing the risk of CVDs, especially maintaining a heathy weight at midlife.