Younger Ones Research Articles

Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and quality of life among older patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionThe Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its associated health restrictions have harmed the population psychologically. We aimed to compare the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) in older French patients with cancer to the younger ones. Materials and MethodsThis longitudinal multicenter study named COVIPACT began in April 2020 during the first French lockdown and has included 579 outpatients receiving treatment for a solid or hematological malignancy. Data were collected every three months, namely at the first release period (M3), at the second lockdown (M6), at the second release period (M9), and finally at the last curfew period (M12) in France. Standardized validated self-questionnaires were used to assess PTSD symptoms (using the Event Scale–Revised self-questionnaire), insomnia (through the Insomnia Severity Index questionnaire), QoL (using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General questionnaire), and cognitive complaints (through the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Cognition questionnaire). Student (or Wilcoxon) tests and Chi-squared tests were used for continuous or discrete variables, respectively. We conducted linear mixed model to study the change during follow-up. ResultsOut of 579 included patients, 157 (27%) were ≥ 70 years old at baseline, of whom 104 participated in the longitudinal study. At baseline, older patients reported fewer PTSD symptoms (17% versus 23%, p = .06), insomnia (17% versus 27%, p = .02), and cognitive complaint (3% versus 16%, p < .01) than younger patients. QoL at baseline was similar between age subgroups. We observed no significant difference in the trajectory of PTSD symptoms, insomnia, or emotional well-being between both groups during the follow-up. Cognitive complaints were lower at baseline in older patients but steadily increased during the follow-up and reached the same level as younger patients at one year. DiscussionOne in five older patients reported PTSD symptoms, evolving similarly to younger patients during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. While cognitive complaints tend to recover in a bell-shaped curve at one year in younger patients, the trend is increasing in older ones. Screening for PTSD symptoms and late cognitive impairment should be given special attention in older patients.Trial Registration:Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04366154

Influence of age on static postural control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study.

It was the aim of this study to assess static postural control characteristics in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) of different ages using a force platform. A relationship was also established between static postural control parameters and age in this study. A total of 706 participants with T2D were included in this study. The participants were stratified into three age groups: Group 1 (<60 years old), Group 2 (60-70 years old), and Group 3 (>70 years old). Static postural control assessment during two-leg stance was performed on a force platform by all participants. The center of pressure (CoP)-related parameters were measured under two stance conditions (eyes open and closed). Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to explore the difference among the different age groups. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the relation between age and static postural control parameters. Group 1 (<60 years old) had significantly less CoP total tracking length (TTL), sway area (SA), and CoP velocity along the Y direction (V-Y) under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions compared with Group 2 (60-70 years old) and Group 3 (>70 years old). Group 1 (<60 years old) had significantly less CoP maximum sway length along the X direction (MSL_X) and longer tracking length each area unit (TTL/SA) under the eyes-open condition compared with Group 2 (60-70 years old) and Group 3 (>70 years old). There was a significantly positive correlation between age and the most static postural parameters such as CoP TTL, SA, MSL-X, MSL-Y, and V-Y. There was a significantly negative correlation between age and TTL/SA. This study suggested that older T2D participants had worse static postural control ability than younger ones. Most static postural parameters presented a significant correlation with age; the higher the age, the worse the static postural control.

The age-dependent changes in risk weights of the prognostic factors for multiple myeloma

ABSTRACTObjectiveMultiple myeloma is a highly heterogenous plasma cell malignancy, commonly seen in older patients. Age is one of the important prognostic factors. However, nearly all the prognostic staging systems are based on clinical trials, where patients were relatively fit and young. It is unknown how the presence of biochemical or cytogenetic prognostic factors and their risk weights changes with older age. To further investigate this question, we retrospectively analyzed the data from a consecutive cohort of patients treated with either bortezomib or thalidomide-based therapy.MethodsThis retrospective study was carried out on a cohort of 1125 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, from January 2008 to December 2019. Patients received bortezomib or thalidomide-based induction and maintenance therapy. Patients accepted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation if eligible. Statistical analysis was conducted by Stata/MP 16.0 and SPSS 26.0.ResultsWith age increasing, the proportion of patients with ISS 3, performance status score ≥2, and the incidence rate of gain(1q) significantly increased. We also found that ISS became less important in older patients. However, cytogenetic abnormalities exerted a consistently adverse impact on survival, both in young and old patients. Older patients had an inferior outcome than their young counterparts. All patients in our cohort benefitted more from bortezomib than thalidomide-based induction therapy, except for patients ≥71 years old.ConclusionsISS may lose prognostic value in patients ≥71 years old. Older patients had an inferior outcome and needed more effective and less toxic treatment.Plain Language SummaryMultiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer commonly seen in older people. To treat this disease, genetic abnormality, the poor physical status of patients and the abundance of tumor cells are the main difficulties. We often draw these conclusions from clinical trials. However, clinical trials always enrolled relatively younger patients, so the presence and significance of these factors may vary from clinical trials to the real world. We conducted the study to find out the real risk in both young and old patients. We found that older patients were more likely to have anemia, poor nutritional status and renal function. We also found older patients had more risk of relapse, progression or death than young patients. Frail physical status is the key obstacle to treating older patients, and tumor burden no longer impacts the outcome of these people. Bortezomib is a powerful drug to treat this disease, but patients ≥71 years old had less benefit than younger ones. More studies should focus on older or frail patients as these patients need more effective and less toxic treatment.

Responsibility attribution about mechanical devices by children and adults

We investigated the causal responsibility attributions of adults and children to mechanical devices in the framework of the criticality-pivotality model. It establishes that, to assign responsibility, people consider how important a target is to reaching a positive outcome (criticality) and how much the target contributed to the actual outcome (pivotality). We also tested theoretical predictions about relations between the development of counterfactual thinking and assessments of pivotality. In Experiment 1, we replicated previous findings in adults using our task. In Experiment 2, we administered this task and a brief counterfactual reasoning questionnaire to children aged between 8 and 13 years. Results showed that children also considered both criticality and pivotality when they attributed responsibility. However, older children were more sensitive than younger ones to pivotality. Also, we found a positive correlation between children’s pivotality judgements and a measure of counterfactual thinking. Results are discussed regarding the model’s relation to counterfactual thinking.

The Relationship between Social Media Use and Body Image in Lebanese University Students.

Well-being is not only defined as being physically healthy; multiple factors can affect a person's well-being. Social media is strongly correlated with the body dissatisfaction of an individual. High exposure to lean and toned body shapes has created new standards and "idealized" body types. The aim of this article was to assess the relationship between social media and body image among university students in Lebanon. Data were obtained from 292 university students (median age: 22 years), selected from different Lebanese regions by using convenience sampling. Demographic data, social media addiction, body satisfaction, levels of physical activity, eating behaviors, and ultimate well-being were expressed as median and interquartile range. People who relied more on social media were younger than those who did not. Individuals addicted to social media had higher odds of having moderate and marked body image concerns. A significant association was found between social media addiction and emotional overeating, food responsiveness, and feeling hunger. These findings stress the need for rising regional and national awareness among social media users, especially the younger ones, and the implementation of intervention and prevention techniques to help prevent body image dissatisfaction, disordered eating patterns, and the alteration of overall well-being.

HSP27 induced glaucomatous damage in mice of young and advanced age.

Age-related diseases such as glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, are having an upward trend due to an aging society. In glaucoma, some patients display altered antibody profiles and increased antibody titers, for example against heat shock protein 27 (HSP27). An intravitreal injection of HSP27 leads to glaucoma-like damage in rats. We now aimed to investigate if aged mice are more prone to this damage than younger ones. We intravitreally injected HSP27 into young (1-2 months) and aged (7-8 months) mice to compare glaucomatous damage. Respective age-matched controls received PBS. Not injected eyes served as naive controls. Optical coherence tomography 4 weeks after injection showed no changes in retinal thickness in all groups at both ages. Cell counts and RT-qPCR revealed a significant reduction in RGC numbers in HSP27 mice at both ages. Comparing aged and young HSP27 mice, no differences in Rbpms and Pou4f1 (RGCs) expression was detected, while the Tubb3 expression (neuronal cells) was significantly upregulated in aged HSP27 animals. Neither microglia/macrophages nor (resident) microglia counts revealed significant differences in HSP27 mice at both ages. Nevertheless, increased relative Iba1 and Tmem119 expression was detected in young and aged HSP27 mice. Aged HSP27 mice displayed a significantly lower Iba1 expression than young ones, whereas Cd68 levels were upregulated. A larger GFAP+ area and an upregulation of GFAP expression in HSP27 animals of both ages indicated a macrogliosis. Also, elevated Il1b and Nos2 expression levels were observed in young and aged HSP27 mice. However, only Il1b levels were upregulated when comparing 7-8 months to 1-2 months old animals. A larger HSP25+ area was seen in aged HSP27 animals, while Hspb2 expression levels were downregulated in both HSP27 groups. The aged HSP27 group displayed an upregulated Hspb2 expression compared to young mice. Furthermore, a higher optic nerve degeneration score was noted in young and aged HSP27 groups. These findings indicate that an intravitreal injection of HSP27 led to RGC loss accompanied by inflammation. Age-dependent effects (7-8 months vs. 1-2 months) were not very prominent. The results suggest a potential role of extracellular HSP27 in the development of glaucoma.

Can Language Show-off Promote Social Status and Solidarity? An Explanatory Study of the Cognitive Attitudes of Kuwaitis towards Arabic-English Code-switching in Kuwaiti Social Domains

The omnipresence of Arabic-English code-switching in Kuwaiti social contexts is unequivocal. Several studies have indicated that the motivation behind deploying such linguistic variety is to promote social status and solidarity. This study investigates whether adopting such linguistic variety in Kuwaiti social domains meets code-switchers’ expectations by characterizing and positioning them in the desired social category. Using a verbal-guise test, the study examines the status (class, education, intelligence) and solidarity (showing-off, attractiveness, sociability) dimensions of 92 Kuwaitis’ cognitive attitudes towards Arabic-English code-switching. A paired t-test has shown that Kuwaitis’ attitudes are in favour of Arabic-English code-switching. In complete contrast with other studies, a one-way ANOVA has uncovered that older generations are more in favour of code-switching than younger ones. Additionally, the results suggest that females are less in favour of Arabic-English code-switching than males, and their positive ratings for Kuwaiti Arabic are significantly higher. The findings are subsequently examined and subjected to critical analysis in order to elucidate the extent to which this phenomenon is deemed appealing by specific parts of Kuwaiti society whilst unfavoured by others. The paper concludes with some recommendations for future research endeavours that might contribute to the investigation of language attitudes and variation in Kuwait.

Children Learn Simple, Adaptive Decision Strategies from Probabilistic Feedback

ABSTRACT In two studies, children learned simple but adaptive decision strategies from decision feedback. In a probabilistic multi-cue decision task, we investigated children's decision strategies under different feedback conditions. In Study 1 (N = 313), 7- and 9-year-old German children learned the selective decision strategy Take-the-Best. Children learned Take-the-Best equally well in both strict and lenient feedback environments, but worse than adult controls. In Study 2 (N = 246), feedback reinforced either the selective Take-the-Best strategy or the holistic Equal-Weight strategy. Results showed that children adapted to both decision environments. Children used both strategies more or less frequently depending on the feedback structure. Adaptation to the environment favoring Equal-Weight was better overall. This was not because the feedback was more effective, but rather because children, especially the younger ones, tended to use the Equal-Weight strategy even in the absence of feedback. Consistent with this, both studies showed an age effect on strategy use: overall, older children used the selective Take-the-Best strategy more often, while younger children used the holistic Equal-Weight strategy more often. Our results show that feedback can quickly improve decisions and increase the use of adaptive decision strategies in children as young as six years old.

Дети и детство у средневековых тюрок. VI—VIII вв.

Social relations are among the most complex matters in history of the Inner and Western Asia. Archaeological and narrative sources do not offer us a complete picture of daily life and intra-family relations. Written accounts focused on the warriors, campaigns and deeds of the rulers. However, episodic information and ethnographic data allow us to look into the world of children and childhood. Among the medieval Kok Türks, the relations among children in the same family are a model in the construction of the state. As in any patriarchal family, the relationship was based on obeying to the elders, i. e. the father and elder brothers. The elders take care of the general well-being of the family, protect the younger ones, and in return, the younger brothers and sisters obey them and their requirements. Among the Kok Türks, the dynastic clan “Ashina and Ashide” were recognized as “elder brothers”, while the people — “Budun” — became their “younger brother”. All this, together with religious ideas, ensured the stability of the society during the 200 years of the existence of the Khaganate and in subsequent successor states of the Kok Türks.

Job satisfaction and perception of workloads among dietitians and nutritionists registered in South Africa

Background: Personal perspective concerning work demands directly impacts quality health care and patient satisfaction. Little is known about job satisfaction amongst dietitians and nutritionist, while workload has not previously been studied in this population. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemography. Job satisfaction was measured with Spector’s Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS) (including an added subscore for resource availability) and workload with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Results: Respondents (n = 238) had a median age of 32.0 years (IQR: 27−39 years); 92.4% were female; 95.7% were dietitians, 2.4% were nutritionists and 18.9% had a postgraduate degree. Respondents had practised the profession for a median of 8 years (IQR 3−15 years), and 225 were in dietetic and nutrition-related jobs. Median scores indicated that they were slightly satisfied with their jobs (n = 224) and experienced slightly high workload (n = 224). Most respondents were moderately satisfied with the nature of their work and found it rewarding. The median scores for salaries, promotion opportunities, work environment and availability of resources were low. Total JSS was higher in older and more experienced dietitians and nutritionists than in younger ones (p < 0.05). Those employed in the government sector (n = 100) experienced higher physical demands and levels of frustration, and had lower JJS than those employed elsewhere (n = 124), particularly regarding promotion opportunities and resources availability. Conclusion: Despite being generally positive towards practising their profession, South African dietitians and nutritionists, particularly in the public health sector, experienced only slight job satisfaction, related to salary and promotion issues and lack of resources, and were slightly overworked. Understanding the factors that shape perceptions of work within nutrition and dietetics may assist managers in recruiting and retaining a highly skilled workforce, particularly in developing countries with overburdened healthcare systems.

IMPLEMENTATION OF AESTHETIC EDUCATION OF STUDENTS WITH COOPERATIVE METHODS OF TEACHING OF FINE ARTS (BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES)

Cooperative learning is a new culture of group work cooperation. First of all, it is due to the development of students’ ability to work independently, because during group work, pupils are separated from the teacher-they work without the teacher’s intervention. Group work is a form of learning, the frequent use of which leads to independence, which is already seen as a personal quality, and it is very necessary in the further work of the schoolchild. The philosopher of the 20th century, John Dury, believes that the school should teach pupils to work together in order to apply it all in life. Cooperative learning helps pupils think, make a research, share experience with each other, make independent decisions discuss certain ideas and perspectives. In order to perform group work, heterogeneous groups are formed in two ways. 1. Mixed groups with pupils recruited from different classes. This method is applicable in the yard form of cooperative learning [3]. When working in this way, closeness, friendship, and respect are created among the pupils: the younger ones take into account the opinions of the upperclassmen, and the latter show great attention, care and help to the younger ones. 2. Permanent, long-term operation groups applicable to cooperative learning a) in classroom form [4], b) during group games. When assigning groups work, ready-made groups whose members are already adapted seem to communicate intuitively and immediately begin to work together. As a result, when looking at the finished painting, it looks like it was done by single pupil. Group games stimulate students’ creative thinking, develop their imagination, ability to quickly find solutions, team thinking. Thanks to group games, pupils student develop independence and friendship. It affects the formation of students’ personality and value system. Group work is supervised by the teacher, and if necessary, some help is given. A certain group of parents and teachers have a mistaken opinion that many pupils are not capable and cannot draw, because in order to be able to draw they need innate abilities. Based on work experience, it can be concluded that all children are capable, even talented. The teacher’s role is to discover the student’s potential, especially among the insecure, to break the stereotypes of their fear and mistrust, to awaken love for the art subject. Different forms and methods of approach should be used in this matter:

Occupational Burnout Among Obstetrics And Gynaecology Healthcare Professionals In A Public Hospital In Islamabad, Pakistan.

To assess burnout by the extent of exhaustion and disengagement, and to compare the two elements among obstetrics and gynaecology healthcare professionals. The cross-sectionalstudy was conducted at the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, in July and August, 2020 during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, and comprised healthcare professionals from the obstetrics and gynaecology department. Data was collected online using the 25-item Oldenburg Burnout Inventory. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. Ofthe 142 individuals approached, 102(71.83%)responded; 55(53.92%) doctors, 43(42.15%) nurses and 4(3.92%) operation theatre technicians. Overall, there were 98(96.1%) females, and 67(65.7%) married subjects. Mean exhaustion scorewas 2.53±0.54 anddisengagementscorewas 2.14±0.57. Burnoutwasfoundin40(39.2%)participants, 83 (81.4%)were exhausted, 44(43.1%)weredisengaged, and4(3.1%)weredisengagedbutnot exhausted. Participants aged>50 yearswere significantly more exhausted and disengaged than the younger ones(p<0.05). Those with work hours >60 per week were significantly more exhausted and disengaged than the rest (p<0.05). Health care professionals inobstetrics and gynaecology teams showed considerably highburnout levels during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic in Pakistan.

International experience of drug correction of vitamin D level depending on its initial level in blood serum and the age of the patient (review and mathematical analysis)

Vitamin D deficiency is a global public health problem and poses a particular threat to the elderly and those with comorbidities such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, recurrent infections, immunodeficiency, and patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. D-avitaminosis is extremely common among pregnant women and has a huge impact not only on the health of the mother, but also on the health of the child throughout his later life. There is an inverse correlation between human serum 25(OH)D levels and incidence of twelve types of cancer, with prevalence of myocardial dysfunction, mortality due to heart failure, and sudden cardiac death. In this paper, an analysis of documents regulating the procedure for increasing the level of vitamin D for therapeutic purposes was carried out. It is shown that many documents are replete with contradictions and need to be corrected. Uncertainty in research results, recommendations and guidelines leads to wide variability in the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of doctors, which translates into an equally wide variability in doctors’ advice to patients on types of supplements, dosage, frequency and duration of vitamin D intake. In this regard, based on the results of numerous clinical experiments on increasing the level of 25(OH)D in the blood serum of residents of Europe, the USA and Canada, we have obtained multiple correlation equations that describe the relationship between the level of the required daily dosage of cholecalciferol and calcifediol supplements with the patient’s age, the initial level of calcifediol in the blood serum, the required value of its increase and duration of taking the drug, which can be used by practitioners when choosing a daily dosage of a vitamin for each patient, taking into account international experience. The results of multiple correlations in the authors’ studies, largely echoing some of the results of studies by foreign scientists, suggest the possibility of revising the currently existing stereotypes about the usage of higher daily doses of vitamin D to increase the level of calcifediol concentration in the blood serum of elderly patients, compared to younger ones.

The effect of script reform on levels of orthographic knowledge: Evidence from alphasyllabary Malayalam scripts.

This study explores the idea of the two levels of orthographic knowledge, i.e. lexical and sublexical; in particular, how these levels are affected in the case of the Indian language Malayalam that went through a script reform in 1971. Through reading and writings tasks, we compare the performance of elderly participants who gained literacy in the traditional script (with complex ligatures), with younger participants who gained literacy in the reformed script (with simpler glyphs). Both the groups read text faster in reformed script indicating script simplification was beneficial. While writing, the elderly participants largely employed the traditional script and younger ones used the reformed script. The study provides proof from non-European alphabet that orthographic knowledge indeed has two independent but related levels. Although a change in script affects both the levels, sublexical one seems more resistant to change, possibly due to less opportunities to update it.

Supraspinal neuroinflammation and anxio-depressive-like behaviors in young- and older- adult mice with osteoarthritis pain: the effect of morphine.

Asteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain in the elderly population and is often associated with emotional comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Despite age is a risk factor for both OA and mood disorders, preclinical studies are mainly conducted in young adult animals. Here, using young adult (11-week-old) and older adult (20-month-old) mice, we evaluate in a monosodium-iodoacetate-(MIA)-induced OA model the development of anxio-depressive-like behaviors and whether brain neuroinflammation may underlie the observed changes. We also test whether an effective pain treatment may prevent behavioral and biochemical alterations. Mechanical allodynia was monitored throughout the experimental protocol, while at the end of protocol (14days), anxio-depressive-like behaviors and cognitive dysfunction were assessed. Neuroinflammatory condition was evaluated in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus. Serum IFNγ levels were also measured. Moreover, we test the efficacy of a 1-week treatment with morphine (2.5mg/kg) on pain, mood alterations and neuroinflammation. We observed that young adult and older adult controls (CTRs) mice had comparable allodynic thresholds and developed similar allodynia after MIA injection. Older adult CTRs were characterized by altered behavior in the tests used to assess the presence of depression and cognitive impairment and by elevated neuroinflammatory markers in brain areas compared to younger ones. The presence of pain induced depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation in adult young mice, anxiety-like behavior in both age groups and worsened neuroinflammation in older adult mice. Morphine treatment counteracted pain, anxio-depressive behaviors and neuroinflammatory activation in both young adult and older adult mice. Here, we demonstrated that the presence of chronic pain in young adult mice induces mood alterations and supraspinal biochemical changes and aggravates the alterations already evident in older adult animals. A treatment with morphine, counteracting the pain, prevents the development of anxio-depressive disorders and reduces neuroinflammation.

Can yoga show better vascular outcomes than regular exercise among office workers: a scoping review

Background: Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) in the elderly is mostly brought on by arterial stiffness with ageing, which results in a lack of vascular compliance. The main cardiovascular (CV) hazards for elderly persons are arterial ageing and high blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study was to investigate if endothelial function in young, middle-aged, and older, healthy persons would be improved by Bikram yoga, a heated form of hatha yoga. Methods: Randomised control trials on yoga, vascular function, exercise, and office employees were used in the study, which was done in four databases (Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, and Science Direct). Results: 3 of 103 articles were included. We identified improvement of vascular function, FMD and arterial stiffness using yoga intervention. While exercise does not significantly affect ventricular function, yoga significantly reduces heart rate (p = 0.031) and increases pulse pressure (PD). Yoga also results in a mean increase in left ventricular ejection time (LVET), which was observed in the yoga group. The improvement in myocardial function was more pronounced in the yoga group than in the exercise group, according to the between-group analysis, which revealed a significant difference in post-intervention rate-pressure product (RPP) between the yoga and exercise groups. With a P value of 0.004, the mean% Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) was significantly lower, demonstrating that yoga was effective in lowering MAP. However, older adults, but not younger ones, experienced a significant increase in brachial artery FMD (Flow Mediated Dilation) following the intervention. Conclusions: Yoga interventions may improve vascular function, arterial stiffness, flow-mediated dilation, heart rate, RRP and MAP, with older adults experiencing a significant increase in brachial artery FMD, suggesting the effectiveness of yoga in improving myocardial function and lowering MAP, particularly in older adults.

Anxiety, age, education and activities of daily living as predictors of the occurrence of frailty syndrome in patient with heart rhythm disorders

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cardiac arrhythmias associated with psychological changes that occur in the conducting system and frequent coexistence of coronary artery disease and hypertension are more common in elderly patients than in younger ones. Aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between anxiety and depression and the presence of frailty syndrome in patients with heart rhythm disorder who had been qualified for pacemaker implantation. Methods 171 consecutive patients (mean age 73,91 ± 6,72; 48,5% woman) with qualified to pacemaker implantation were included into the study. Patients were divided according type of heart rhythm disorders: 90 patients with atrio-ventricular blocks (AVB) and 81 with sinus node dysfunction (SND). To evaluate frailty syndrome we used Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), to recognize anxiety and depression Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used. Obtained data were analyzed and multiple regression model using stepwise input was created. Results Frailty syndrome was diagnosed in 54,46% of the included patients. Average general TFI score was 4,60 ± 2,34: in the physical component 2,90 ± 1,65; in the psychological component 0,69 ± 0,76 and 1.05 ± 0,74 in the social components. Age, number of years education anxiety and activities of daily living were found to be important predictors of the higher level of frailty syndrome. Detail results are presented in table below. Conclusion Anxiety, age, education and the activities of daily living can be predictors factors of the occurrence of frailty syndrome in patients with heart rhythm disorders who have been qualified for pacemaker implantation.

“Spilling the tea” on generation Z social media use and body image

AbstractOver ninety percent of American teens and the majority of children have smartphones. As access to social media increases so does the growing concern for the psychological well‐being of today's youth. The current cross‐sectional study examined the media use, appearance pressure, and body image of 150 Midwestern American Generation Z (born in 1997–2012) youth. This study assessed media use by child‐report, parent‐report, and by gathering data directly from the child's smartphone. Results demonstrated that media use was higher in teens than children, but did not suggest strong gender differences. The data also showed the inconsistencies present in media use reporting, with parents overestimating the amount of time their children spend on phones. Media use was found to be unrelated to body image. Media pressure and social media integration into participants’ social routines were intercorrelated and higher in the older age groups than the younger ones. Media pressure and media use was found to be less gendered than expected, but greatly shifted with age. Time spent on social media may be less influential on body image than the content of the media being consumed.

Clinical application of the 21-gene oncotype recurrence score in an older cohort: A single center experience

BackgroundIn early luminal breast cancer, the Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score (RS) prognostic and predictive value with regards to chemotherapy (CHT) application benefit has been broadly validated. In older patients its value has not been deeply addressed. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of RS testing and to look at differences in treatment allocation for these patients when compared with younger ones. MethodsWe included data from consecutive patients with early luminal HER2-negative breast cancer, treated between 2010 and 2022 at the University Hospital Basel and Cantonal Hospital Baselland, Switzerland. The older cohort included 63 (19%) patients aged ≥70, and the younger cohort 263 (81%) patients aged <70. ResultsOlder breast cancer patients had more co-morbidities (N = 36, 57% vs. N = 92, 35%, p = 0.002) and a higher clinical risk status (N = 49, 78% vs. N = 155, 59%; p = 0.01) when compared to younger patients. Histopathologic characteristics were significantly different between the two cohorts. Although older patients had a higher clinical risk status (78% vs. 59%) (p = 0.01), most of them (74%) received no CHT. Specifically, adjuvant CHT was administered less frequently in older than in younger patients (13% vs. 22%; p = 0.01). Moreover, older patients were less likely to complete CHT (>4 cycles: 78% vs. 97%). ConclusionBreast cancer patients aged ≥70 have higher clinical risk status, more co-morbidities, higher clinical stage (driven by larger tumor size), and more often RS ≥26. However, they receive fewer adjuvant RT and CHT than those aged <70. RS maintains its independent prognostic value in older patients. However, assessing the predictive value of additional CHT benefit remains challenging due to significant differences in CHT administration. Although therapy decision-making in older patients with breast cancer still follows RS-based guidelines, clinical practice indicates an individualized treatment approach.

Examining the effect of sociodemographic factors on feral horses' social networks

AbstractThe benefits of sociality are not equitably shared among members of a social group. The position individuals occupy in social networks is key to maximizing their fitness and contribution to group cohesion, as well as stability in the network structure. Individuals' position in a social network is highly influenced by intra‐group competition and affiliation; therefore, it should be assessed by examining various spatial‐social variables. In this study, we examined the relationship between proximity, grooming and agonistic networks, controlling for genetic relatedness, and the effects of sociodemographic factors on the strength centrality (SC) of these social networks. We combined drone technology and social network analysis to test several hypotheses on 16 feral horse (Equus ferus caballus) groups during three consecutive breeding seasons. Our results show a clear relationship between spatial and social behaviours, suggesting that proximity and grooming are intimately connected in promoting social bonding, and agonism may be a consequence of close proximity between conspecifics. Sociodemographic factors shaped the three network centralities differently. Females and higher‐ranking individuals are more central in spatial networks, whereas younger ones may benefit from higher centrality in affiliative networks. Newly integrated individuals tend to be peripheral on spatial networks and engage more in agonistic behaviours; corroborating that integration into a new group is a costly process for females, ultimately leading to a decreased foaling rate. Individuals in multi‐male groups showed higher SC in proximity, but not in agonistic networks, suggesting that a second male may play a role in decreasing overall intra‐group competition. Our results provide a step forward in understanding the costs and benefits of network centrality in non‐matrilineal societies and mechanisms leading to social cohesion, namely in populations under the constant threat of predation and human pressures.