Distinct patterns of hippocampal subfield volumes predict coping strategies, emotion regulation, and impulsivity in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that the hippocampus (HC) is involved in cognitive and behavioral functions beyond memory. We aimed to investigate how the volume of each subfield of the HC is associated with distinct patterns of coping strategies, emotion regulation, and impulsivity in a healthy population. METHODS: We studied a total of 218 healthy subjects using the Leipzig mind-brain-body dataset. Participants were assessed for coping strategies, emotion regulation, and impulsivity using the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE), Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS), and Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System (BAS/BIS). The associations between HC subfield volumes including CA1, CA2/3, CA4/DG, SR-SL-SM, and subiculum, and behavioral scores were examined using multiple linear regression models adjusted for possible confounders, including age, sex, years of education, handedness, total intracranial volume (ICV), and HC volume. RESULTS: The use of emotional support, venting, and positive reframing coping strategies were significantly and positively correlated with total, total right, and total left HC volumes. Venting was significantly associated with CA1 after adjusting for age, sex, handedness, and education (P=0.001, B = 0.265, P-FDR = 0.005). No significant association was observed between CERQ subscales and HC subfield volumes after controlling for confounders and multiple analyses. However, sensation-seeking subscale of the UPPS-P was positively correlated with total and right CA2-CA3 volumes after adjustments for age, sex, handedness, ICV, and HC volumes (P=0.002, B = 0.266, P-FDR = 0.035). BAS and BIS subscales did not show significant relationship with HC subfield volumes. CONCLUSION: Patterns of HC subfields volumes are associated with coping strategies, impulsivity, and emotion regulation. In particular, using emotional support, positive reframing, venting, and sensation seeking are significantly associated with certain HC subfield volumes. These findings suggest that the hippocampus may play a crucial role in modulating emotional responses and behavioral adaptations, offering potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

The interaction effect of high social support and resilience on functional connectivity using seed-based resting-state assessed by 7-Tesla ultra-high field MRI.

Recent resilience research has increasingly emphasized the importance of focusing on investigating the protective factors in mentally healthy populations, complementing the traditional focus on psychopathology. Social support has emerged as a crucial element within the complex interplay of individual and socio-environmental factors that shape resilience. However, the neural underpinnings of the relationship between social support and resilience, particularly in healthy subjects, remain largely unexplored. With advances in neuroimaging techniques, such as ultra-high field MRI at 7T and beyond, researchers can more effectively investigate the neural mechanisms underlying these factors. Thus, our study employed ultra-high field rs-fMRI to explore how social support moderates the relationship between psychological resilience and functional connectivity in a healthy cohort. We hypothesized that enhanced social support would amplify resilience-associated connectivity within neural circuits essential for emotional regulation, cognitive processing, and adaptive problem-solving, signifying a synergistic interaction where strong social networks bolster the neural underpinnings of resilience. (n = 30). Through seed-based functional connectivity analyses and interaction analysis, we aimed to uncover the neural correlates at the interplay of social support and resilience. Our findings indicate that perceived social support significantly (p<0.001) alters functional connectivity in the right and left FP, PCC, and left hippocampus, affirming the pivotal roles of these regions in the brain's resilience network. Moreover, we identified significant moderation effects of social support across various brain regions, each showing unique connectivity patterns. Specifically, the right FP demonstrated a significant interaction effect where high social support levels were linked to increased connectivity with regions involved in socio-cognitive processing, while low social support showed opposite effects. Similar patterns by social support levels were observed in the left FP, with connectivity changes in clusters associated with emotional regulation and cognitive functions. The PCC's connectivity was distinctly influenced by support levels, elucidating its role in emotional and social cognition. Interestingly, the connectivity of the left hippocampus was not significantly impacted by social support levels, indicating a unique pattern within this region. These insights highlight the importance of high social support levels in enhancing the neural foundations of resilience and fostering adaptive neurological responses to environmental challenges.

Physical fitness is an independent predictor of chronic kidney disease development in apparently healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of physical activity have been studied at length, however, data on the association between physical fitness and progression to kidney disease is lacking. We aimed to identify the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the healthy population. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 11,579 healthy self-referred subjects who underwent annual medical screening. All subjects had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) above 60 ml/min/1.73 m2, no known kidney disease, hematuria or proteinuria, and were free of diabetes or cardiovascular disease at baseline. All participants completed a maximal exercise test, and were categorized into low and high cardiorespiratory fitness groups based on age- and gender-specific quintiles. The primary end point was the development of significant CKD defined as eGFR below 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 during follow-up. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 7.6 years, and the participants' median age was 50 ± 8 years. Baseline creatinine and eGFR were 1.02 mg/dl and 81 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. During follow-up, 81 (0.6%) participants developed CKD, and the cumulative probability was significantly higher among the low fitness group (HR = 2.41, p = 0.001). The effect of physical fitness on the risk to develop CKD remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, baseline creatinine and other cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Cardiorespiratory fitness is an independent risk factor inversely associated with development of CKD.

Reference Values for Habitual and Fast Gait Speed in Singapore Adults Aged 21 to 80.

Objectives: Gait speed indicates the individual's functional status and predicts overall health. This study aims to determine (1) the intra- and inter-rater and test-retest reliability of the dynamic 4 m gait speed test protocol; (2) establish the normative reference values of habitual and fast gait speeds in community-dwelling healthy Singaporean adults aged 21 to 80; and (3) explore the association of age, gender, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) on gait speed. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study recruited healthy ambulatory community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 21 to 80 who could ambulate independently without aid. Participants were excluded if they required walking aids; were pregnant; or had physical, medical, or cognitive conditions that may affect gait. Each participant completed at least two habitual and fast gait speed test trials via a 4 m walkway with a dynamic start. The data were analysed by descriptive statistics, the Mann-Whitney test, the Spearman coefficient, and the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: In total, 178 males and 201 females were included in the data analysis. The median age was 45.0 years [interquartile range (IQR) 26.2-59.0], and the median height was 1.64 metres (m) (IQR 1.58-1.70). The median habitual gait speed was 1.08 metre/second (m/s) (IQR 0.97-1.22), and the fast gait speed was 1.55 m/s (IQR 1.40-1.70). The ICC for reliability ranged from 0.84 to 0.99, indicating that the 4 m gait speed test had good-to-excellent reliability. Conclusions: Gait speeds were not influenced by gender but declined with age advancement. Age and height and age and BMI were weakly correlated to habitual and fast gait speed, respectively. We established the norm values for the 4 m gait speeds in Singapore and proved it to be a reliable gait speed assessment ready for immediate community applications.

Unraveling the controversy between fasting and nonfasting lipid testing in a normal population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 244,665 participants.

BACKGROUND: The final decision to fast or not fast for routine lipid profile examination in a standard, healthy population is unclear. Whereas the United States and European protocols state that fasting for regular lipid analysis is unnecessary, the North American and Chinese guidelines still recommend fasting before routine lipid testing. AIM: This study aimed to unravel the contradiction between the different protocols of lipid profile testing worldwide and clarify the effect of diet on lipid profile testing only in a regular, healthy population. METHODS: A literature search was conducted through May 2024. The analyses included studies performed from the date 2000 until now because the contradiction of guidelines for lipid profile testing appeared for the first time in this period. A planned internal validity evaluation was performed using the National Institute of Health (NIH) quality measurement tools for observational cohort, case‒control, controlled interventional, and cross-sectional studies. The data were synthesized according to RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 244,665 participants were included. The standardized mean difference in cholesterol in six studies showed significant differences in overall effect among fasting and nonfasting states (P < 0.00001), as did high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.00001). At the same time, with respect to triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there were notable variations in the overall effect between the fasted and nonfasted states (P < 0.00001 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis concluded that fasting for lipid profile testing is preferred as a conservative model to reduce variability and increase consistency in patients' metabolic status when sampling for lipid testing.

Frequency of the Main Human Leukocyte Antigen A, B, DR, and DQ Loci Known to Be Associated with the Clearance or Persistence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in a Healthy Population from the Southern Region of Morocco: A Preliminary Study.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a significant global health challenge, with its natural course largely influenced by the host's immune response. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, particularly HLA class I and II, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response against HCV. The polymorphism of HLA molecules contributes to the variability in immune response, affecting the outcomes of HCV infection. This study aims to investigate the frequency of HLA A, B, DR, and DQ alleles known to be associated with HCV clearance or persistence in a healthy Moroccan population. Conducted at the University Hospital Center Mohammed VI, Marrakech, this study spanned from 2015 to 2022 and included 703 healthy Moroccan individuals. HLA class I and II typing was performed using complement-dependent cytotoxicity and polymerase chain reaction-based methodologies. The results revealed the distinct patterns of HLA-A, B, DRB1, and DQB1 alleles in the Moroccan population. Notably, alleles linked to favorable HCV outcomes, such as HLA-DQB1*0301, DQB1*0501, and DRB1*1101, were more prevalent. Conversely, alleles associated with increased HCV susceptibility and persistence, such as HLA-DQB1*02 and DRB1*03, were also prominent. Gender-specific variations in allele frequencies were observed, providing insights into genetic influences on HCV infection outcomes. The findings align with global trends in HLA allele associations with HCV infection outcomes. The study emphasizes the role of host genetics in HCV infection, highlighting the need for further research in the Moroccan community, including HCV-infected individuals. The prevalence of certain HLA alleles, both protective and susceptibility-linked, underscores the potential for a national HLA data bank in Morocco.

Ovarian Morphology in Non-Hirsute, Normo-Androgenic, Eumenorrheic Premenopausal Women from a Multi-Ethnic Unselected Siberian Population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent disorder in women, and its diagnosis rests on three principal features: ovulatory/menstrual dysfunction, clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). Currently, data on age- and ethnicity-dependent features of PCOM remain insufficient. We aimed to estimate ethnicity- and age-dependent differences in ovarian volume (OV) and follicle number per ovary (FNPO) in a healthy, medically unbiased population of Caucasian and Asian premenopausal women, who participated in the cross-sectional Eastern Siberia PCOS epidemiology and phenotype (ESPEP) study (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05194384) in 2016-2019. The study population consisted of 408 non-hirsute, normo-androgenic, eumenorrheic premenopausal women aged 18-44 years. All participants underwent a uniform evaluation including a review of their medical history and a physical examination, blood sampling, and pelvic ultrasonography. The statistical analysis included non-parametric tests and the estimation of the upper normal limits (UNLs) by 98th percentiles for OV and FNPO. In the total study population, the upper OV percentiles did not differ by ethnicity or age group. By contrast, the UNL of FNPO was higher in Caucasian women than in Asian women, and women aged <35 years demonstrated a higher UNL of FNPO compared to older women. In summary, these data suggest that the estimation of FNPO, but not OV, should take into account the ethnicity and age of the individual in estimating the presence of PCOM.

A Rasch analysis of the Danish version of the occupational balance questionnaire (OBQ11).

BACKGROUND: OBQ11 was developed in a Swedish context. To evaluate occupational balance, accurate self-rating instruments in the native language are needed. AIM: The aim was to investigate the measurement properties of the Danish version of OBQ11, using the Rasch analysis. METHOD: Data for the analysis of the Danish version of OBQ11 (OBQ11-DK) was gathered online, and all full data records (n 366) were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Three items showed non-significant marginal under- or overfit, suggesting a degree of misfit between the data and the Rasch model. Unidimensionality was not reached, though, since the proportion of persons with different estimates were more than 5% and thus the OBQ11-DK cannot be said to assess a person's perception of occupational balance. CONCLUSION: The present version of the OBQ11-DK shows the need for further development and testing and is not tested for test/retest or in clinical samples. The results and small number of items may after modifications and further studies make it feasible to implement OBQ11-DK into settings where the measuring of occupational balance is needed.

Positional nystagmus is observed in the vast majority of healthy individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a vestibular disease characterized by brief  positional vertigo. When examined, characteristic patterns of positional nystagmus (PN) are found with specific head position changes. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of PN among vestibular healthy subjects. Considering the current diagnostic criteria of BPPV and the potentially high prevalence of PN in healthy individuals, this raises the question of potential over diagnosing BPPV, if diagnostics are based exclusively upon objective findings. This study aims to determine the prevalence of PN within a healthy, adult population and furthermore include a characterization of the PN observed. METHODS: This is a prospective cross-sectional study. 78 subjects were included. The subjects underwent four standardized positional tests for BPPV in a mechanical rotational chair while using a VNG-goggle to monitor and record eye movements. RESULTS: Positional nystagmus was recorded in 70.5% (55/78) of the subjects. Of the 55 subjects, who presented with PN, 81.8% (45/55) had upbeating PN. The 95th percentile of the maximum a-SPV was found to be 10.4 degrees per second, with a median of 4. Five subjects (6.4%) in total presented with PN mimicking BPPV. CONCLUSION: This study found PN to be a common finding within a healthy, adult population based on the high prevalence of PN in the study population. Upbeating PN mimicking posterior canalolithiasis was found in numerous subjects. The authors recommend a cautious approach when diagnosing BPPV, especially in cases of purely vertical PN (without a torsional component) and if no vertiginous symptoms are present during Dix-Hallpike and Supine Roll Test examinations.

Increased Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A-I Ratio Is Associated With Decline in Lung Function in Healthy Individuals: The Kangbuk Samsung Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung dysfunction and high apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I (apoB/apoA-I) ratio are both recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have examined the association between the apoB/ApoA-I ratio and lung function. Therefore, we investigated whether this ratio is associated with decreased lung function in a large healthy cohort. METHODS: We performed a cohort study on 68,418 healthy Koreans (34,797 males, mean age: 38.1 years) who underwent a health examination in 2019. ApoB/apoA-I ratio was categorized into quartiles. Spirometric values at the fifth percentile in our population were considered the lower limit of normal (LLN), which was used to define lung function impairment. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using the lowest quartile as the reference, were estimated to determine lung function impairment. RESULTS: Mean apoB/apoA-I ratio was 0.67 ± 0.21. Subjects with the highest quartile of this ratio had the lowest predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) and forced vital capacity (FVC%) after controlling for covariates (P < 0.001). However, FEV1/FVC ratio was not significantly different among the four quartiles (P = 0.059). Compared with the lowest quartile (Q1, reference), the aORs (95% CI) for FEV1% < LLN across increasing quartiles (from Q2 to Q4) were 1.216 (1.094-1.351), 1.293 (1.156-1.448), and 1.481 (1.311-1.672) (P for trend < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, the aORs for FVC% < LLN compared with the reference were 1.212 (1.090-1.348), 1.283 (1.147-1.436), and 1.502 (1.331-1.695) with increasing quartiles (P for trend < 0.001). However, the aORs for FEV1/FVC < LLN were not significantly different among groups (P for trend = 0.273). CONCLUSION: High apoB/apoA-I ratio was associated with decreased lung function. However, longitudinal follow-up studies are required to validate our findings.

Caffeine intake and anxiety: a meta-analysis.

The results from studies on relationship between caffeine intake and risk of anxiety remains controversial, so we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the evidence about the association between caffeine intake and risk of anxiety. Relevant articles were identified by researching PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Embase, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, SinoMed and VIP from the inception to December, 2022. Three investigators independently sifted through the literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the quality of the included studies based on predetermined selection criteria and assessed articles with Risk of bias assessment tool for Cochrane systematic reviews and analytical cross-sectional study quality assessment tool from JBI PACES. After assessing the quality of the literature, meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 and Stata 12.0. Data were obtained from eight articles, and 546 participants from 14 studies in eight articles from healthy populations were included in the caffeine-anxiety analyses. As the scales used to assess anxiety vary in the literature, we chose standardized mean difference as the outcome indicator. In terms of overall effect, the results of the meta-analysis showed that caffeine intake increased the risk of anxiety [SMD = 0.94, 95% Cl = (0.28, 1.60), p < 0.05]. After suspecting that dose size might be responsible for the heterogeneity by sensitivity analysis, we performed subgroup analysis according to dose size and found that low-dose caffeine intake moderately increased the risk of anxiety [SMD = 0.61, 95%Cl = (0.42, 0.79), p < 0.05], whereas high-dose caffeine intake had a highly significant increase in the risk of anxiety [SMD = 2.86, 95%Cl = (2.50, 3.22), p < 0.05]. The results confirm that caffeine intake is associated with an elevated risk of anxiety in healthy individuals without psychiatric disorders, especially when the intake dose is greater than 400 mg.

The Effect of Active Release Technique on Hamstring Extensibility: A Critically Appraised Topic.

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Hamstring extensibility plays a significant role in maintaining postural alignment essential for a functional musculoskeletal system. When hamstring extensibility is lacking, individuals are placed at a higher risk for developing various lumbar spine, pelvis, knee, and foot dysfunctions. Limited hamstring extensibility is common, occurring in as much as 40% of college students and 86% of the adult population. Therefore, it is essential to maintain hamstring extensibility, which can be aided by understanding intervention effectiveness for improving flexibility. PURPOSE: To critically appraise the literature on the effectiveness of Active Release Technique (ART) for the treatment of hamstring extensibility deficits. CLINICAL QUESTION: What is the effect of ART in a healthy population with or without hamstring extensibility deficits? SUMMARY OF KEY FINDINGS: Three studies were included for critical appraisal. Two studies concluded a single treatment session of ART that individuals possessing limited straight leg raise range of motion experienced improved active knee extension, popliteal angle, and sit-and-reach test measures. In the third study, a single session of ART was effective at improving hamstring extensibility in males without hamstring extensibility dysfunction. CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: Based on the current level 1 and level 3 evidence, ART may be an effective treatment to produce acute increases in hamstring extensibility. Future research is still needed. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION: Level B evidence exists to support the use of ART to improve hamstring extensibility in the healthy population.

Safety of COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients With Breast Cancer: Cross-Sectional Study in China.

BACKGROUND: The widespread use of vaccines against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become one of the most effective means to establish a population immune barrier. Patients with cancer are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, adverse events, and high mortality, and should be the focus of epidemic prevention and treatment. However, real-world data on the safety of vaccines for patients with breast cancer are still scarce. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the safety of COVID-19 vaccines between patients vaccinated before or after being diagnosed with breast cancer. METHODS: Patients with breast cancer who sought medical advice from October 2021 to December 2021 were screened. Those who received COVID-19 vaccines were enrolled in this study to analyze the safety of the vaccines. The primary outcome was patient-reported adverse events (AEs). All events after vaccine injection were retrospectively documented from the patients. RESULTS: A total of 15,455 patients with breast cancer from 41 hospitals in 20 provinces in China were screened, and 5766 patients who received COVID-19 vaccines were enrolled. Of those enrolled, 45.1% (n=2599) of patients received vaccines before breast cancer diagnosis, 41.3% (n=2379) were vaccinated after diagnosis, and 13.6% (n=784) did not known the accurate date of vaccination or cancer diagnosis. Among the patients vaccinated after diagnosis, 85.4% (n=2032) were vaccinated 1 year after cancer diagnosis and 95.4% (n=2270) were vaccinated during early-stage cancer. Of all 5766 vaccinated patients, 93.9% (n=5415) received an inactivated vaccine, 3.7% (n=213) received a recombinant subunit vaccine, and 2.4% (n=138) received other vaccines, including adenovirus and mRNA vaccines. In the first injection of vaccines, 24.4% (n=10, 95% CI 11.2-37.5) of patients who received an adenovirus vaccine reported AEs, compared to only 12.5% (n=677, 95% CI 11.6-13.4) of those who received an inactivated vaccine. Patients with metastatic breast cancer reported the highest incidence of AEs (n=18, 16.5%, 95% CI 9.5-23.5). Following the second injection, patients who received an inactivated vaccine (n=464, 8.7%, 95% CI 8.0-9.5) and those who received a recombinant vaccine (n=25, 8.7%, 95% CI 5.5-12.0) reported the same incidence of AEs. No significant differences in patient-reported AEs were found between the healthy population and patients with breast cancer (16.4% vs 16.9%, respectively); the most common AEs were local pain (11.1% vs 9.1%, respectively), fatigue (5.5% vs 6.3%, respectively), and muscle soreness (2.3% vs 3.6%, respectively). The type of vaccine and time window of vaccination had little impact on patient-reported AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients vaccinated before breast cancer diagnosis, there were no significant differences in patient-reported AEs in the patients vaccinated after diagnosis. Thus, it is safe for patients with breast cancer, especially for those in the early stage, to receive COVID-19 vaccines. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200055509; https://tinyurl.com/33zzj882.

Validation study of the apathy motivation index in French adults.

Objective: Apathy is present in many brain disorders, but it is also prevalent to varying degrees in healthy people. While many tools have been developed to assess levels of apathy in pathology, no standardized measure of apathy in healthy people exists. Method: Therefore, this study aimed to validate the French version of the Apathy Motivation Index (f-AMI). The results of 729 participants were analyzed using an exploratory factorial analysis. Results: Preliminary analyses suggested that the three domains of apathy extracted in the original AMI scale-behavioral activation (BA), social motivation (SM), and emotional sensitivity (ES)-could be found also in the f-AMI. A further exploratory analysis showed that a higher number of factors could be extracted, particularly for women. Specifically, both social and emotional factors could be divided into two sub-factors: (1) social motivation toward strangers or toward an acquaintance and (2) self-directed emotional sensitivity directed toward others. Regarding construct validity, the scores of f-AMI were correlated with the French Dimensional Apathy Scale results. Concerning the divergent validity, emotional sensitivity in apathy is different from depression, anhedonia, and fatigue levels. Conclusion: These results suggest that the f-AMI can be used to assess levels of apathy in healthy adults.

The examination of some virulence factors in S. aureus isolates obtained from the healthy human population, sheep mastitis, and cheese.

Abstract. Background: Staphylococcus aureus is responsible for many infections in humans and animals from skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening diseases. In this study to explore the origin of S. aureus infections in humans, the antibiotic resistance profile and the variety of virulence factors in S. aureus isolates were examined in three groups: a healthy human population, cheese, and the milk of sheep with mastitis. Aims: The examination of some virulence factors in S. aureus isolates obtained from the healthy human population, sheep mastitis, and cheese. Methods: A total of 400 nasal swab samples from healthy students, 30 cheese samples, and 122 sheep milk samples were collected for the detection of S. aureus isolates from January 1, 2018, to March 1, 2018. The frequency of hla, hlb, Acme/arcA, pvl, and tsst-1 virulence genes and mecA gene was determined in each group by PCR assay. Results: There was a direct relationship between the antibiotic susceptibility profile of the isolates from a healthy population and those from mastitis milk samples. Of 400 nasal samples, 15% (60/400) were positive for S. aureus, of which 60% (36/60) were positive for mecA. While 50% (15/30) of cheese samples were positive for S. aureus. of which 7 cases (46.66%, 7/15) were positive for mecA. The prevalence of S. aureus among students was dependent on gender (P=0.025). Also, 47.5% (58/122) of milk samples from sheep mastitis were positive for S. aureus, and 41.37% (24/58) were positive for the mecA gene. Based on PCR results, the highest rate of hla (68.33%, 41/60), hlb (53.33%, 32/60), and Acme/arcA (46.66%, 28/60) genes were related to a healthy population, and the highest frequency of pvl (41.38%, 24/58), and tsst-1 (27.59%, 16/58) was related to milk samples (P<0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the presence of the arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME)-arcA gene and resistance to methicillin (P<0.05). Conclusion: The high rate of virulence factors in the S. aureus isolates obtained from mastitis and dairy products is an alert point, because they could be source of the spreading of S. aureus to humans. There is an essential need for continuous monitoring to control staphylococcal food poisoning.

The role of arts engagement in reducing cognitive decline and improving quality of life in healthy older people: a systematic review.

In recent years, arts engagement has been proposed as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce cognitive decline and increase well-being and quality of life in specific populations such as the elderly or patients with severe disease. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of receptive or active arts engagement on reducing cognitive decline and improving quality of life and well-being in healthy populations, with a particular focus on the role of arts engagement in the long term. A comprehensive search strategy was conducted across four databases from February to March 2023. Ten studies with a total of 7,874 participants were incorporated in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Active and receptive arts engagement was found to be an effective approach to reduce cognitive decline and improve well-being and quality of life in healthy populations. The role of the positive effects of arts engagement could be determined by the combination of several factors such as exposure to cultural activities and the group effect. There is limited evidence of the protective effects of active arts engagement over a long period of time. Given the increasing demand for preventive programmes to reduce the negative effects of population ageing, more research on arts engagement should be conducted to identify its mechanisms and long-term effects.

Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index Level (ASMI) and Its Influencing Factors in Healthy Adult Males.

Background: We aimed to retrospectively analyze the level of appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) in adult males and its influencing factors for early screening and intervention of sarcopenia. Methods: From January 2020 to December 2021, adult male medical examiners from the Health Management Center of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Chengdu City, China were selected as the research subjects. The ASMI level was measured by bioelectrical impedance (BIA) method. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of ASMI level, the levels of related indicators between the groups were compared, and the related factors affecting the ASMI level were analyzed. Results: The detection rate of sarcopenia was about 1.09% (78/7187). One-way ANOVA or nonparametric test results showed that age, BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, FPG, HbA1c, AST, ALT, GGT, Cr, UA, TG, TC, HDLC, LDL-C and FT3 levels were significantly different among the four ASMI groups (P<0.05). ASMI was positively correlated with BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP, FPG, HbA1c, AST, ALT, GGT, Cr, UA, TG, TC, LDL-C, FT3, and TSH (all P<0.05); negatively correlated with age and HDL-C (all P<0.05). Age, WHR and TG were independent risk factors for ASMI level, and BMI was an independent protective factor for ASMI level. Conclusion: The ASMI level in healthy adult males is related to age, obesity, blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism disorder, inflammation and thyroid hormone, among which age, BMI, WHR and TG are independent influencing factors of ASMI level.

A Comprehensive Analysis of the Nutritional Composition of Plant-Based Drinks and Yogurt Alternatives in Europe.

Concerns for human and planetary health have led to a shift towards healthier plant-based diets. Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDA) have experienced exponential market growth due to their lower environmental impact compared to dairy products. However, questions have arisen regarding their suitability as dairy substitutes and their role in food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). Our study aimed to analyse the nutritional profiles of leading PBDA across Europe and compare them with their dairy counterparts. We examined the nutritional profiles of 309 unflavoured PBDA representing the European market leaders, including 249 plant-based drinks (PBD) and 52 plant-based alternatives to yogurt (PBAY). PBD and PBAY, excluding coconut varieties, were low in saturated fat (<1 g per serving). Seventy percent of PBDA were unsweetened, and most had sugar levels comparable to dairy. Except for soya varieties, PBDA protein levels were lower than dairy. Organic PBDA lacked micronutrients due to legal restrictions on fortification. Among non-organic PBDA, 76% were fortified with calcium, 66% with vitamin D, and 60% with vitamin B12. Less than half were fortified with vitamin B2, and a few with iodine (11%) and vitamin A (6%). PBAY were less frequently fortified compared to PBD. PBDA displayed a favourable macronutrient profile despite lower protein levels, which would be compensated for by other protein-dense foods in a usual mixed diet. Enhancing fortification consistency with dairy-associated micronutrients would address concerns regarding PBDA's integration into FBDG. Our analysis supports the inclusion of fortified PBDA in environmentally sustainable FBDG for healthy populations.

Conceptualizing psychological resilience through resting-state functional MRI in a mentally healthy population: a systematic review.

Conceptualizations and operational definitions of psychological resilience vary across resilience neuroimaging studies. Data on the neural features of resilience among healthy individuals has been scarce. Furthermore, findings from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies were inconsistent across studies. This systematic review summarized resting-state fMRI findings in different modalities from various operationally defined resilience in a mentally healthy population. The PubMed and MEDLINE databases were searched. Articles that focused on resting-state fMRI in relation to resilience, and published before 2022, were targeted. Orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, insula and amygdala, were reported the most from the 19 included studies. Regions in emotional network was reported the most from the included studies. The involvement of regions like amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex indicated the relationships between emotional processing and resilience. No common brain regions or neural pathways were identified across studies. The emotional network appears to be studied the most in association with resilience. Matching fMRI modalities and operational definitions of resilience across studies are essential for meta-analysis.

[Association between vitamin D level and blood eosinophil count in healthy population and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with blood eosinophil count in healthy population and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: We analyzed the data of a total 6163 healthy individuals undergoing routine physical examination in our hospital between October, 2017 and December, 2021, who were divided according to their serum 25(OH)D level into severe vitamin D deficiency group (< 10 ng/mL), deficiency group (< 20 ng/mL), insufficient group (< 30 ng/mL) and normal group (≥30 ng/mL). We also retrospectively collected the data of 67 COPD patients admitted in our department from April and June, 2021, with 67 healthy individuals undergoing physical examination in the same period as the control group. Routine blood test results, body mass index (BMI) and other parameters were obtained from all the subjects, and logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between 25(OH)D levels and eosinophil count. RESULTS: The overall abnormal rate of 25(OH)D level (< 30 ng/mL) in the healthy individuals was 85.31%, and the rate was significantly higher in women (89.29%) than in men. Serum 25(OH)D levels in June, July, and August were significantly higher than those in December, January, and February. In the healthy individuals, blood eosinophil counts were the lowest in severe 25(OH)D deficiency group, followed by the deficiency group and insufficient group, and were the highest in the normal group (P < 0.05). Multivariable regression analysis showed that an older age, a higher BMI, and elevated vitamin D levels were all risk factors for elevated blood eosinophils in the healthy individuals. The patients with COPD had lower serum 25(OH)D levels than the healthy individuals (19.66±7.87 vs 26.39±9.28 ng/mL) and a significantly higher abnormal rate of serum 25(OH)D (91% vs 71%; P < 0.05). A reduced serum 25(OH)D level was a risk factor for COPD. Blood eosinophils, sex and BMI were not significantly correlated with serum 25(OH)D level in patients with COPD. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common in both healthy individuals and COPD patients, and the correlations of vitamin D level with sex, BMI and blood eosinophils differ obviously between healthy individuals and COPD patients.