Associations among COVID-19 Family Stress, Family Functioning, and Child Health-Related Quality of Life through Lifestyle Behaviors in Children.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lasting effects on children, necessitating a thorough understanding of its impact for effective recovery planning. This study investigated the associations among COVID-19 family stress, family functioning, children's lifestyle behaviors (i.e., healthy food intake, unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time), and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Data from a 2022 survey of parents with children aged 5 to 12 (mean age of boys: 8.36, mean age of girls: 7.76) in the United States through the online Prolific platform were analyzed using path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis. The results showed an inverse relationship between family stressors and functioning (ß = -0.39, p < 0.05). COVID-19 family stress was negatively related to child physical HRQOL (ß = -0.20, p < 0.05) but not psychosocial HRQOL. Family functioning showed a positive relation with child healthy food intake (ß = 0.26, p < 0.05) and a negative relation with unhealthy diet consumption (ß = -0.27, p < 0.05), while no significant associations were found with child physical activity and screen time. Family functioning was indirectly associated with both types of HRQOL through the child's eating patterns. These relationships were more pronounced for girls. The findings point to a complex interplay between family stress and functioning, dietary habits, and the HRQOL of children during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly concerning girls' food intake and well-being.

Associations of Broader Parental Factors with Children's Happiness and Weight Status through Child Food Intake, Physical Activity, and Screen Time: A Longitudinal Modeling Analysis of South Korean Families.

This study investigated how broader parental factors including parental happiness, parental play engagement, and parenting stress are related to Korean children's happiness and weight status across three years via indirect pathways through the children's energy-related behaviors of healthy and unhealthy food intake, physical activity, and screen time. Data from 1551 Korean parent pairs and 7-year-old children in the Panel Study on Korean Children were analyzed. A path analysis and gender-based multi-group analysis were conducted. Maternal happiness was negatively related to child screen time. Maternal play engagement showed positive concurrent associations with child healthy food intake and physical activity and negative associations with screen time. Maternal parenting stress was negatively related to child healthy eating. There was one significant finding related to fathers' role on children's energy-related behaviors, happiness, and weight status: the positive association between parental happiness and boys' unhealthy food intake. Child screen time was positively related to child weight status and negatively to child happiness at each age. Broader maternal parenting factors can serve as a protective factor for childhood happiness and weight status in 7-to-9-year-olds through being associated with a reduction in child screen time.

Combination phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy for retinal reattachment surgery in the Siberian Husky breed.

OBJECTIVE: To report the success rate and complications of combined phacoemulsification and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for treatment of cataracts and retinal detachment in the Siberian Husky breed. ANIMALS STUDIED: Client-owned Siberian Husky dogs that underwent combined phacoemulsification and PPV at two veterinary referral centers. PROCEDURE: Retrospective study of 16 Siberian Husky dogs that underwent combined phacoemulsification and PPV with a minimum 3-month postoperative follow-up. Signalment and preoperative ophthalmic examination findings, intraoperative findings, and postoperative visual status and complications were recorded. Functional success was defined as the maintenance or restoration of vision. RESULTS: Seventeen eyes of 16 dogs were evaluated. Immediate postoperative anatomic success was achieved in all 17 eyes (100%), with functional success through the last known follow-up examination achieved in 88.2% of operated eyes (15/17). The most common postoperative complication was silicone oil migration into the anterior chamber (AC-SiO migration), occurring in 47.1% of eyes (8/17), followed by corneal endothelial decompensation and glaucoma each occurring in 17.6% of eyes (3/17). CONCLUSIONS: Combined phacoemulsification and PPV is a viable option in Siberian Husky dogs with cataracts and preoperative retinal detachment. Visual success was achieved in 88.2% of eyes, with the most common postoperative complication being AC-SiO migration.

Long-term results (>1 year) in 19 dogs treated with MicroPulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation for refractory glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To report the long-term (>1 year) outcome of MicroPulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCP) in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Client owned dogs that underwent MP-TSCP at a veterinary referral center. PROCEDURE: Retrospective study of 19 dogs treated with MP-TSCP. Dogs were evaluated at a median follow-up time of 30.5 months postoperatively. Reported outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP), retention or loss of vision, number of medications, and additional procedures performed. Variables associated with time to treatment failure were evaluated. RESULTS: Data from 19 dogs (24 eyes) was available. Median laser settings employed were 140 s and 2200 mW at 31.3% duty cycle. Long-term postoperative IOP was lower than preoperative IOP values (14 mmHg (IQR = 22 mmHg, range: 4-52 mmHg) versus 30 mmHg (IQR = 31 mmHg, range: 8-62 mmHg), respectively). Laser settings >2000 mW were associated with a significantly longer time to reported failure. MP-TSCP was the sole therapy performed in 16/24 eyes resulting in long-term IOP control in 13/24 eyes and retention of vision in 6 of the 14 sighted eyes. Repeat MP-TSCP was performed in 10/24 eyes. Eight of 24 eyes required additional procedures with long-term IOP control in 4/8 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: MicroPulse transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation can be an effective treatment for refractory glaucoma in select cases. Higher laser settings increased time to reported failure, whereas age, glaucoma type, and preoperative IOP did not affect survival. MP-TSCP as sole therapy or coupled with additional glaucoma procedures controlled the IOP in 70% of cases.

Preliminary report of postoperative complications of phacoemulsification in Pugs: A multicenter retrospective study of 32 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare complication rates and visual outcomes following phacoemulsification in Pugs versus dogs of other breeds. ANIMALS STUDIED: Thirty-two pure-bred Pugs (55 eyes) and 32 dogs of other breeds (56 eyes) undergoing phacoemulsification. PROCEDURES: Multi-institutional retrospective medical record review of perioperative factors, postoperative complications, and visual outcomes. The reference population of dogs of varying breeds included surgical cases following each Pug case at the same institutions. Perioperative risk factors and postoperative complication rates were compared between the two populations. RESULTS: Pigmentary keratitis and diabetes mellitus were the most common preoperative comorbidities, found in 75% (P < .001) and 72% (P = .12) of Pugs, respectively. No perioperative factors were significantly associated with postoperative complications in Pugs. Postoperative complication rates were similar between groups; however, the most common complication in Pugs was corneal ulceration (15% of operated eyes), whereas glaucoma was most common in the reference population (13% of operated eyes). Three months postoperatively, vision was preserved in 91% of eyes of Pugs (50/55) and 95% of the reference population (53/56). One year postoperatively, 80% (32/40) of Pug eyes and 82% (28/34) of eyes in the reference population remained sighted. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities and complications of cataract surgery in Pugs of this study demonstrate a predisposition for corneal disease. This highlights the importance of preoperative evaluation of factors associated with PK and corneal clarity, and postoperative monitoring for corneal ulceration in this breed.

Corneal hypoesthesia, aqueous tear deficiency, and neurotrophic keratopathy following micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe ocular surface complications following micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCPC) in dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: Eighteen dogs treated with MP-TSCPC at two institutions for glaucoma management. PROCEDURES: MP-TSCPC was applied to each eye (avoiding 3 and 9 o'clock positions) with 31.3% duty cycle, 2000-3000 mW energy, and 90-180 seconds duration per hemisphere. Central corneal tactile sensation (CTS) and Schirmer tear test-1 (STT-1) were measured at baseline and ≥2 post-operative visits in each dog. RESULTS: Corneal sensitivity decreased in 16/18 dogs (89%) by an average of 10%-42% (up to 100% in 4 dogs). CTS decline was rapid (≤1 week) and only fully recovered in 50% of dogs within 8-180 days. Patients' age, glaucoma duration, laser energy, and total energy delivered did not affect CTS at any visit. However, brachycephalic dogs had significantly lower CTS and likelihood to recover full sensation compared with nonbrachycephalic dogs. Aqueous tear deficiency (STT-1 < 15 mm/min) occurred in 8/18 dogs (44%) within 7-270 days, and concurrent signs of keratoconjunctivitis sicca were noted in 2/18 dogs (11%). Neurotrophic corneal ulcers developed in 6/18 dogs (33.3%) and required 16-53 days to heal. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal hypoesthesia is a common complication of MP-TSCPC in dogs, and can lead to serious adverse effects such as aqueous tear deficiency and neurotrophic corneal ulcers. Brachycephalic dogs represent a population at higher risk. Close monitoring of ocular surface health is recommended for months following MP-TSCPC in dogs.

Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages KaiHaiDragon and OneinaGillian, Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum in Riverside, California.

KaiHaiDragon and OneinaGillian are two bacteriophages which have been recovered from soil samples using the bacterial host Microbacterium foliorum Their genome lengths are 52,992 bp and 61,703 bp, with 91 and 104 predicted open reading frames, respectively. KaiHaiDragon belongs to cluster EC, and OneinaGillian is a member of cluster EG.

Associations of Parental General Monitoring with Adolescent Weight-Related Behaviors and Weight Status.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how parental general monitoring (PGM), which refers to parental awareness of adolescents' activities in various domains, is associated with adolescents' weight status and related behaviors and whether these relationships differ among racial/ethnic groups. METHODS: Data are from 4,088 Black, Latino, and White youth assessed in seventh grade (mean age = 13.06). BMI percentile based on measured height and weight indicated weight status. PGM was assessed by adolescent report of parents' awareness of money spending, friends, and whereabouts. Adolescents reported both healthy and unhealthy dietary intake (DI), physical activity, and screen time over the past 7 days. Total sample and multigroup structural models were estimated. RESULTS: PGM was associated with lower weight status for the total sample, as well as being positively associated with healthy DI and physical activity and inversely associated with screen time across racial/ethnic groups. PGM was also inversely associated with unhealthy DI, except for in Black adolescents. There was an indirect effect from PGM to lower weight status via reduced screen time among Latino and White adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Positive outcomes associated with PGM are extended to weight status and related behaviors. Efforts at improving weight status and related behaviors could benefit from addressing general parenting practices with their children.

Preliminary findings in 30 dogs treated with micropulse transscleral cyclophotocoagulation for refractory glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the preliminary results of a novel micropulse transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (MP-TSCP) as primary therapy for glaucomatous dogs. ANIMAL STUDIED: Client owned dogs undergoing MP-TSCP therapy at a veterinary referral center. PROCEDURE: Retrospective study of dogs with glaucoma that were treated with MP-TSCP with a minimum of 1 month (range: 1-18 months) of follow-up. Reported outcomes were intraocular pressure (IOP), treatment parameters, reduction in medications, complications, and incidence of repeat therapy. RESULTS: Thirty dogs (35 eyes) were evaluated. The mean age was 9.0 years. Mean preoperative IOP was 34.5 mm Hg. Mean postoperative IOP at 1 month (35/35 eyes) was 22 mm Hg, 2 months (26/35 eyes) was 20.5 mm Hg, 4 months (20/35 eyes) was 19 mm Hg, 6 months (10/35 eyes) was 19 mm Hg, 12 months (8/35 eyes) was 21 mm Hg. First treatment success rate was 19/35 eyes (54.3%). Repeat laser was performed in 11 eyes with 4/11 eyes responding favorably for a total IOP control of 23/35 eyes (65.7%). Mean energy levels employed were 137.5 seconds and 2351 mW at 31.3% duty cycle. Reduction in medications was from a mean of 3.6 medications preoperatively to 3.1 medications postoperatively. Complications included corneal ulcers 5/35 eyes (14.3%), uncontrolled IOP in 12/35 eyes (34.3%) and repeat treatment in 11/35 eyes (31.4%). CONCLUSIONS: MP-TSCP was successful in controlling IOP in most patients as well as to reduce postoperative medications with minimal resultant intraocular inflammation and complications. The micropulse procedure also can be repeated. Future investigations to study effective treatment parameters are warranted in a larger series of patients over a longer period of evaluation.

Associations Between Parental SES and Children's Health-Related Quality of Life: The Role of Objective and Subjective Social Status.

Objective: We examined (1) the relationship that parental objective social status (OSS) and subjective social status (SSS) have with children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL), (2) whether SSS mediates the association between OSS and HRQOL, and (3) whether these associations differ among Black, Latino, and White children. Method: Data came from 4,824 Black, Latino, and White 5th graders in the Healthy PassagesTM study. OSS was measured as parent educational attainment and net equivalent household income. SSS was measured by parent rating of community and national standing on the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status. Child HRQOL was measured with child report on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) physical and psychosocial scales. Structural equation modeling path analysis was conducted using Mplus version 7.4. Results: The data supported the hypothesized measurement and structural models. Whereas parental OSS was positively related to psychosocial HRQOL for all three racial/ethnic groups and to physical HRQOL for Latino children, parental SSS was not related to either for any of the racial/ethnic groups. Therefore, mediation by SSS was not supported for any group. Conclusion: OSS was confirmed to have stronger association with children's HRQOL than parental SSS. This is in contrast to some research on adults, raising the questions of how best to assess SSS relevant to children and at what point in development SSS may influence children's health and well-being. The persistent relationship found between parental OSS and child health suggests that efforts to improve low socioeconomic resources in families may contribute to improve children's health.

Infectious crystalline keratopathy in dogs and cats: clinical, in vivo confocal microscopic, histopathologic, and microbiologic features of eight cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical, in vivo confocal microscopic, histopathologic, and microbiologic features of canine and feline cases of infectious crystalline keratopathy (ICK). ANIMALS STUDIED: Six dogs and two cats with naturally acquired ICK. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs and cats with a clinical diagnosis of ICK were reviewed. Signalment, medical history, clinical findings, and diagnostic evaluations were retrieved, including corneal cytology, histopathology, in vivo confocal microscopy, and microbiology results. RESULTS: All animals presented with fine, needle-like, and branching white crystalline anterior stromal opacities emanating from corneal facets or corneal epithelial defects. Mild conjunctival hyperemia and anterior uveitis were frequently present. Concurrent ocular and systemic diseases were common, including keratoconjunctivitis sicca, corneal sequestrum, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, and malignant neoplasia. Bacteria, with minimal or absent leukocytes, were identified by cytology and histopathology. Histopathologically, the crystalline corneal opacities corresponded with dense accumulations of bacteria present in the interlamellar stromal spaces and forming cord-like projections within the stroma. In vivo confocal microscopy demonstrated deposits of reflective crystalline or amorphous structures within the stroma with a paucity of associated inflammatory changes. The most frequently cultured bacteria were alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species. Resolution of clinical lesions was achieved in most cases with long-term medical or surgical therapy; however, the initiation of medical treatment was associated with an acute, dramatic onset of severe keratitis and anterior uveitis in some animals. CONCLUSIONS: Infectious crystalline keratopathy in dogs and cats shares many features with this condition in human patients. Prolonged medical therapy, or surgical intervention, is required for resolution.

Clinical and immunological assessment of therapeutic immunization with a subunit vaccine for recurrent ocular canine herpesvirus-1 infection in dogs.

Latent canine herpesvirus-1 (CHV-1) infections are common in domestic dogs and reactivation of latent virus may be associated with recurrent ocular disease. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the ability of a subunit CHV-1 vaccine to stimulate peripheral CHV-1 specific immunity and prevent recurrent CHV-1 ocular disease and viral shedding. Mature dogs with experimentally-induced latent CHV-1 infection received a 2-dose CHV-1 vaccine series. Recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection was induced by corticosteroid administration in the prevaccinal, short-term postvaccinal (2 weeks post-vaccination), and long-term postvacccinal (34 weeks post-vaccination) periods. Immunological, virological, and clinical parameters were evaluated during each study period. Quantitative assessment of peripheral immunity included lymphocyte immunophenotyping, proliferation response, and interferon-γ production; and CHV-1 virus neutralizing antibody production. In the present study, vaccination did not prevent development of ocular disease and viral shedding; however, there was a significant decrease in clinical ocular disease scores in the short-term postvaccinal period. Significant alterations in peripheral immunity detected in the dogs during the short-term and long-term postvaccinal periods included increased T and B lymphocyte subpopulation percentage distributions, increased lymphocyte expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and II, increased CHV-1 virus neutralizing antibody titers, decreased lymphocyte proliferation, and decreased interferon-γ production. Vaccination of latently infected mature dogs with the selected subunit CHV-1 vaccine was not effective in preventing recurrent ocular CHV-1 infection and viral shedding induced by corticosteroid administration. The vaccine did induce long-term CHV-1 specific immunity and may decrease the severity of clinical ocular disease in the immediate postvaccinal period.

Fluoxetine alleviates behavioral depression while decreasing acetylcholine release in the nucleus accumbens shell.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, have demonstrated the ability to alleviate behavioral depression in the forced swim test; however, the sites and mechanisms of their actions remain to be further elucidated. Previous studies have suggested that behavioral depression in the swim test is mediated in part by acetylcholine (ACh) stimulating the cholinergic M1 receptors in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell. The current study tested whether acute, local, and chronic, subcutaneous fluoxetine treatments increase escape motivation during the swim test while simultaneously lowering extracellular ACh in the NAc shell. Experiment 1: Fluoxetine (1.0 mM) infused unilaterally in the NAc shell for 40 min reduced extracellular ACh while simultaneously increasing swimming time. Experiment 2: Fluoxetine (0.2, 0.5, and 0.75 mM) infused bilaterally in the NAc shell on day 3 dose-dependently decreased immobility and increased the total escape attempts (swimming and climbing) compared with Ringer given on day 2. Experiment 3: Fluoxetine (0.5 mM) infused bilaterally in the NAc for 40 min did not affect activities in an open field. Experiment 4: Chronic systemic fluoxetine treatment decreased immobility scores and increased total escape attempt scores compared with control saline treatment. In all, 14 days after the initial swim test, basal extracellular ACh in the shell was still elevated in the saline-treated group, but not in the fluoxetine-treated group. In summary, these data suggest that one of the potential mechanisms by which fluoxetine alleviates behavioral depression in the forced swim test may be to suppress cholinergic activities in the NAc shell.