Search Results (1,243)

Many policy recommendations state that children aged 2 to 5 should not spend more than an hour per day in front of a screen; however, these recommendations are challenged as technology use becomes more mobile and accessible to young children. Background/Objectives: The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between children’s and parents’ mobile media use (i.e., smartphones and tablets) and children’s developmental milestones, including their fine motor, gross motor, and personal social skills. Methods: Data for this study comes from two child development centers in the southwestern United States, one serving predominantly middle class families and another serving low-income families (N = 63). Parents completed online surveys regarding their own and their children’s social media use by uploading screenshots of their own and their children’s mobile media device (if applicable) over the last 24 h. Parents identified how many minutes they spent using social media, how many minutes their child spent using social media, and how many minutes their child spent watching television. To capture children’s developmental milestones, parents completed the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ3), which measures children’s fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and social skills. Results: Correlation and regression analyses revealed that parent mobile media use was positively associated with children’s gross motor and personal social skills (B = 0.38 and 0.32, respectively, p < 0.05; R² = 0.09–0.19) and children’s television viewing was negatively associated with children’s gross motor skills (B = −0.30, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children’s mobile media may have different consequences for children’s developmental milestones compared to television, and parents’ mobile media use may be more associated with children’s developmental milestones than children’s own use of these devices. Full article

Objective: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is common in pregnancy and may affect lipid metabolism. The underlying mechanisms are multifactorial, but most evidence so far comes from non-pregnant populations. This study aims to identify metabolites and metabolic patterns associated with VDD in early pregnancy and to evaluate their relationships with maternal lipid profiles. Methods: A nested case–control research was carried out in the Zhoushan Pregnant Women Cohort (ZPWC). Cases were defined as women with VDD (25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL), and controls (≥20 ng/mL) were matched 1:1 using propensity scores based on age, pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational week, and calendar year at blood sampling. The untargeted metabolomics of first-trimester maternal plasma were measured. Metabolic profiles were analyzed using partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to visualize group separation, and metabolite set enrichment analysis (MSEA) was performed to reveal biologically relevant metabolic patterns. Associations between VDD-related metabolite components in early pregnancy and lipid levels in mid-pregnancy were assessed using linear regression models. Results: 44 cases and 44 controls were selected for the study. There were 60 metabolites identified as being connected to VDD. Among these, 26 metabolites, primarily glycerophospholipids and fatty acyls, exhibited decreased levels in the VDD group. In contrast, 34 metabolites showed increased levels, mainly comprising benzene derivatives, carboxylic acids, and organooxygen compounds. PCA based on these metabolites explained 52.8% of the total variance (R²X = 0.528) across the first six principal components (PC1: 16.4%, PC2: 10.6%, PC3: 9.2%, PC4: 6.3%, PC5: 5.7%, PC6: 4.6%). PC2, dominated by lineolic acids and derivatives, was negatively associated with total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (all p < 0.01). PC3, dominated by glycerophosphocholines, was negatively associated with TC, TG, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (all p < 0.05). MSEA revealed significant enrichment of the pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway after multiple testing correction (FDR < 0.05). Conclusions: This study reveals distinct metabolic alterations linked to VDD and suggests potential mechanisms underlying its association with maternal lipid metabolism in early pregnancy. Full article

Background/Objectives: As global aging accelerates, prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) continues to rise, challenging healthcare systems and diminishing older adults’ quality of life. There is great interest in better understanding the neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory properties of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids but the results from many published studies in humans come to different conclusions. This review aims to clarify the efficacy of n-3 fatty acids as a preventive or therapeutic strategy for cognitive health and to inform future clinical recommendations within aging populations. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines and a registered PROSPERO protocol, we reviewed systematic reviews (SRs) from 2014 to 2024 assessing exclusive n-3 fatty acid supplementation and cognitive outcomes via MMSE. Data were extracted on intervention details and cognitive scores. Meta-analyses used fixed and random-effects models, with Hedges’ estimating overall impact. Quality was assessed using AMSTAR-2, and statistical analyses were performed (SPSS 28). Results: A total of nine SRs incorporating 14 RCTs were included, representing 26,881 participants aged 40 years or older. The pooled random-effects meta-analysis showed a statistically significant but modest improvement in MMSE scores (effect size: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.01–0.32). Heterogeneity was moderate (I² = 42.8%), and no publication bias was detected. Further analyses revealed no significant associations between treatment duration or dosage and cognitive outcomes, suggesting a threshold effect rather than a dose–response relationship. Conclusions: These findings support n3-PUFA supplementation as a complementary approach to lifestyle-based strategies for cognitive health, including diet, physical activity, sleep optimization, and cognitive training. While benefits appear modest, consistent effects across studies warrant further high-quality research and well-designed studies to strengthen clinical recommendations. Full article

This paper investigates the prevalence of obesity and its links to health and dietary habits in middle-aged and older populations in Europe (50+), with a particular focus on Croatia. In Croatia, only 33.9% of adults have a normal BMI, while almost two-thirds (64.8%) are classified as overweight or obese, placing Croatia among the EU countries with the highest prevalence of overweight. Obesity significantly increases the risk of serious health complications, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we used data from the SHARE (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe), for the last four waves (wave 6–wave 9). The nutritional status was investigated (using the body mass index, BMI) as well as its relationship with cardiovascular disease and dietary habits. Different BMI categorizations were used (i) for the population under and (ii) over 65 years of age, and the results show that a significant proportion of the middle-aged and older European population is overweight or obese. When it comes to dietary habits, statistically significant differences in meat, fish, or chicken consumption were noted (p < 0.001): the Croatian population, especially men, consumes them significantly more often on a daily basis compared to the EU average. Similar patterns of dairy, legumes/eggs, and fruit/vegetable consumption were observed between the EU and Croatia, although there are some statistically significant differences in daily dairy consumption among the older population and in consumption of legumes/eggs and fruit/vegetables 3–6 times a week among the older population. The prevalence of CVD generally increases with increasing BMI in both regions and age groups. However, Croatia has a statistically significantly lower prevalence of high cholesterol compared to the EU in both age groups. Also, the trend of diabetes is more pronounced in the middle-aged population in Croatia compared to the EU. These results indicate specific differences in dietary habits and the association of BMI with certain CVDs in Croatia compared to the European Union average. Full article

Background and Objectives: Infectious keratitis (IK) is typically managed in an outpatient setting, but patients with severe infections or significant social barriers may require hospital admission. In safety-net hospital systems, these admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) occur due to hospital protocols for frequent topical antibiotic administration. This study aims to characterize the ocular and social risk factors, visual outcomes, and financial costs associated with ICU admission for IK in an underserved population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series of all patients admitted to the ICU for primary treatment of IK at the Denver Health Medical Center between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022. Patients admitted for other medical issues with concurrent IK were excluded. Demographic data, ocular and social risk factors, microbiological culture results, reasons for admission, length of stay, hospital charges, and clinical outcomes were obtained via chart review. Results: Fourteen patients with 16 ICU admissions were included. The average age was 51.7 years, and 79% were male. Most patients endorsed current illicit drug use (71%), and 36% were unhoused. The most common ocular risk factor was trauma (43%). Mean length of stay was 7.43 days, with a mean hospital charge of $48,535.90 per admission. Most ulcers were large (88%) and presented with poor vision (only 19% had better than hand motion vision). The most common reason for ICU admission was concern about outpatient compliance (63%). At last follow-up, 40% of patients had stable vision and 40% had improved vision compared to admission. Conclusions: ICU admission for IK in patients with significant social barriers may preserve vision, but it comes with substantial financial and societal cost. Alternative care strategies and preventative interventions should be considered to reduce reliance on ICU resources while maintaining effective treatment. Full article

This systematic review analyzes the representation of older adults in the media to determine whether news coverage contributes to reinforcing or combating ageism. For societies undergoing population ageing, it is essential to understand the image of old age conveyed by the media, as they play a significant role in shaping public perception. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines were followed. In total, 21 articles addressing the media representation of old age were selected from 1435 search results across three databases: Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. The results show that the media do not sufficiently make older adults visible, often present negative narratives about old age, and use stigmatizing terms to refer to this group. Most of the research comes from the field of sociology, mainly employs discourse analysis, and does not examine journalistic aspects such as genres, information sources, or the images accompanying news stories. In conclusion, the reviewed literature provides a valuable diagnosis of media ageism but highlights the need to broaden the disciplinary perspective and incorporate analyses and proposals aimed at transforming journalistic routines, in order to move toward a more plural, realistic, and stigma-free representation of older adults in the media. Full article

The circadian rhythm controls the sleep/wake cycle and a wide variety of metabolic and physiological functions. Clock genes regulate it in response to both external and endogenous stimuli, and their expression may change because of aging, leading to an increased risk of health problems. Despite the well-described benefits of physical exercise as a circadian synchronizer, there is a lack of literature regarding the role of chronic exercise intensity in clock gene expression during aging. This article aims to analyze the differential expression of genes that regulate the biological clock under the effects of variable-intensity aerobic swimming training in aging mice, determining whether these exercise regimens interfere with the genomic regulation of the circadian rhythm. For this purpose, the mice were exposed to low- and high-intensity exercise and had their heart and gastrocnemius tissues molecularly analyzed by cDNA synthesis and qPCR to determine the expression levels of the selected genes: Clock, Arntl, Per1, Per2, Cry1, Cry2, and Nr1d1. The results showed that low-intensity exercise, performed at workloads below the anaerobic threshold, significantly changed their expression in the gastrocnemius muscle (p < 0.05), while high-intensity exercise had no statistically significant effects (p > 0.05), with the heart being immune to exercise influence except when it comes to the Per1 gene, for which expression was increased (p = 0.031) by low-intensity exercise. Additionally, both body weight and lactate thresholds had no change during the experiment (p > 0.05), while the maximum supported workload was maintained for high-intensity exercise (p > 0.05) and increased for low-intensity exercise (p < 0.01), with the control group experiencing a decay instead (p < 0.05). Thus, the present study highlights the importance of chronic exercise in modulating clock genes and opens exciting possibilities for circadian medicine, such as improvements in exercise capacity, heart condition, and lipid metabolism for subjects of low-intensity regimens. Full article

The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Huntington’s disease (HD) are still incompletely understood, despite the remarkable advances in identifying the molecular effects of the Htt mutation in this disease. Clinical positron emission tomography studies suggest that phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) declines earlier than dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in HD, indicating that it might serve as a key molecular marker in understanding disease mechanisms. In movement disorders, mutations in the genes encoding PDE10A and G-protein α subunit (Gα_olf), both critical cAMP regulators in striatal spiny projection neurons, have been linked to chorea and dystonia. These observations highlight the potential importance of striatal cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling in these disorders, but how such dysfunction could come is unknown. Here, we suggest that a key to understanding signaling dysfunction might be to evaluate these messenger systems in light of the circuit-level compartmental organization of the caudoputamen, in which there is particular vulnerability of the striosome compartment in HD. We developed machine learning algorithms to define with high precision and reproducibility the borders of striosomes in the brains of Q175 knock-in (Q175KI) HD mice from 3–12 months of age. We demonstrate that the expression of multiple molecules, including Gα_olf, PDE10A, dopamine D1 and D2 receptors, and adenosine A2A receptors, is significantly reduced in the striosomes of Q175KI mice as compared to wildtype controls, across 3, 6, and 12 months of age. By contrast, mu-opioid receptor (MOR1) expression is uniquely upregulated, suggesting a compartment-specific and age-dependent shift in molecular profiles in the Q175KI HD mouse model caudoputamen. These differential changes may serve as a useful platform to determine factors underlying the greater vulnerability of striatal projection neurons in the striosomes than in the matrix in HD. Full article

The Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect has been studied for many decades, yet the influence of testing modes has received limited attention. In the past 20 years, it has become increasingly recognized that the stiffness of the testing machine can significantly affect the occurrence of jerky flow, particularly the serrations observed during tensile tests. This study addresses this issue by conducting tests on the Al-Mg alloy AA5083H111, which contains a substantial amount of diffusible magnesium in solid solution and exhibits dynamic strain aging, resulting in a pronounced PLC effect. Both electromechanical and servohydraulic testing machines were used in the tests; these machines differ in stiffness and control technology for applied strain rates. The study also explored different control modes, including stroke control for both machines and true strain control for the servohydraulic machine. The findings indicate that machine stiffness has a moderate effect on material behavior, and no single machine or testing mode can precisely control the strain rate in the sample during the PLC effect. However, it was noted that true strain rate control using a servohydraulic machine comes closest to accurately reflecting the material’s behavior during jerky flow. Full article

Aluminum is widely used in many industries like automotive, aerospace and construction because of its low weight, good mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion. This resistance comes mainly from a passive oxide layer that forms on its surface. However, when aluminum is exposed to harsh environments, especially those containing chloride ions in marine environments, this layer can break down and lead to localized corrosion, such as pitting. This study examined aluminum profiles at different processing stages, including homogenization and aging, anodizing and pre-anodizing followed by painting. Corrosion behavior of samples was studied using two electrochemical methods. Potentiodynamic polarization was used to measure corrosion rate and current density, while Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) helped to understand the behavior of protective layers and corrosion progression. Tests were carried out in a 3.5% NaCl solution at room temperature. EIS results were analyzed using equivalent circuit models to better understand electrochemical processes. Overall, this study shows how surface treatment affects corrosion resistance and highlights advantages of EIS in studying corrosion behavior in a more reliable and repeatable way. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute myocardial infarction with ST-segment elevation (STEMI) remains a clinical condition with high mortality. The Ion Shift Index (ISI) and Naples Prognostic Score (NPS) are two prognostic indicators that have recently come to the fore. The aim of this study is to compare the predictive value of ISI and NPS in predicting in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients. Methods: This retrospective study included 214 STEMI patients (1 January 2022–1 January 2024). Exclusion criteria included active cancer, infection, autoimmune disease, or chronic kidney disease. ISI and NPS were calculated from laboratory results obtained from the emergency department at the time of initial presentation. Patients were categorized according to in-hospital survival. Logistic regression and ROC curve analyses were performed for in-hospital mortality. Results: The mean age of participants was 64.8 ± 11.2 years, and 40.2% were female; a total of 36 patients (16.8%) died during hospitalization. Hypertension and female gender were more common in those who died, and LDL cholesterol and inflammatory markers were higher. The ISI value was significantly increased in the mortality group, whereas no significant difference was observed in NPS. ROC analysis revealed that at a threshold value of 3.0, ISI had a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 71%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70, while NPS had an AUC of 0.55 and did not demonstrate significant discriminatory power. In the multivariate analysis, ISI and increased LDL cholesterol were independently associated with mortality; decreased lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and female gender were also additional independent predictors. NPS did not emerge as an independent factor in predicting in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: ISI was found to be a superior and independent early risk predictor of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients compared to NPS. ISI may serve as a rapid and inexpensive risk classification tool in the acute phase, as it reflects sudden changes in intracellular–extracellular ion balance, whereas NPS may not be sufficiently sensitive in the hyperacute phase, as its components reflect chronic nutritional and inflammatory states. Due to limitations such as a single-center retrospective design and low mortality rates, validation through multicenter prospective studies is required for the integration of ISI into clinical practice. Full article

Age-related physiological and cognitive changes significantly affect older adults’ participation in day-to-day functioning. This interview study aimed to uncover and illuminate the intricate dynamics between individuals’ responses to aging restrictions and day-to-day functioning, and how they relate to successful aging. We used a qualitative research design to explore the various responses to aging decline and their implications for daily functioning among older adults. Eighteen in-depth interviews were conducted with older adults, focusing on their occupational characteristics, needs, and responses to aging constraints. The transcripts were analyzed using principles of constructivist grounded theory. Three main categories were identified regarding older adults’ responses to the decline in abilities that come with age: (a) acceptance, reflecting the individual’s ability to adapt to the age-related changes and constraints; (b) personal resources, including a positive mindset and self-efficacy; and (c) coping strategies, including meaningful roles and occupational adaptation. This study’s findings indicate three types of responses to aging restrictions that may contribute to greater engagement in daily life and, consequently, be a key to successful aging. Developing individually tailored interventions that focus on occupational adaptations according to individual needs and preferences is vital in helping older adults maintain their daily functioning and quality of life. Full article

Since cancer is often linked to the aging process, the importance of cellular senescence in cancer has come under the spotlight. While senescence in cancer cells can serve as a natural barrier against cancer due to its proliferation arrest, its secretory phenotypes and alterations in the surface proteome can paradoxically promote or suppress tumor progression. Senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells can also contribute to cancer promotion. During therapeutic interventions for cancer, not only their therapeutic effects, but also therapy-induced senescence may have an impact on cancer outcomes. Senotherapeutics, therapy targeting senescent cells, have been reported as novel cancer therapy in recent studies, and the combination of senescence induction and senotherapeutics has been increasingly recognized. Although some clinical trials of senotherapeutic drugs for cancer with or without senescence-inducible therapy are ongoing, there is as yet no satisfactory clinical application. With further research into targeting senescence in oncology, it is expected that senotherapeutics, particularly in combination with senescence-inducing therapy, will become a novel therapeutic strategy. Full article

Purpose: This paper examines the differences between transgender persons who self-identify as bisexual (n = 4129) and those who self-identify as pansexual (n = 5056) when it comes to experiencing anti-transgender harassment, discrimination, and violence, serious psychological distress, and suicidal ideation. Methods: Data from the 2015 U.S. National Transgender Survey were used to evaluate the differences between bisexual and pansexual persons in a sample of transgender Americans aged 18 or older. The Kessler-6 scale assessed psychological distress, and a dichotomous measure of past-year suicidal ideation was used. A 20-item scale assessed the extent to which people experienced anti-transgender harassment, discrimination, and violence. Multivariate analysis and structural equation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Compared to their bisexual counterparts, pansexual persons experienced more anti-transgender harassment, discrimination, and violence, were more likely to experience serious psychological distress, and were more likely to report suicidal ideation. A structural equation analysis revealed that the bisexual–pansexual distinction is important when understanding transgender persons’ likelihood of experiencing suicidal ideation. It operates indirectly through its direct impact on the number of anti-transgender experiences incurred. Conclusions: Pansexual individuals fare more poorly than their bisexual counterparts on measures of anti-transgender experiences, serious psychological distress, and suicidal ideation. The bisexual–pansexual distinction is a meaningful one when trying to understand the transgender persons’ odds of thinking about dying by suicide. Full article

The mosaic tesserae that are the topic of this study were found during an archeological excavation in a Roman villa at Aiano, in the municipality of San Gimignano, Tuscany (Italy). Many thousands of tesserae were found in the site in many different stratigraphic units (US). For this study, 392 tesserae mainly from three US (US 1095, US 5010 and US 5015 being the most consistent ones) were selected for non-invasive analyses. They might be tesserae coming from different places, collected to be reused or melted down to create new glass objects. The characterization of the tesserae, divided in various groups depending on their color, is an important tool in evaluating their compositional homogeneity/inhomogeneity. The presence of certain markers, such as the opacifiers based on Sb or Sn, could be helpful also in approximately dating the tesserae, since, as reported in the literature, various opacifiers were used in different periods. A well-established diagnostic protocol, based only on non-invasive techniques, allowed us to study a large number of tesserae, which certainly did not derive from a single mosaic and could have been of very different ages, compositions and origins. This procedure has proven to be a winning tool for this aim. Full article