The relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) and hyperuricaemia.

PURPOSE: The ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (NHHR) is a novel comprehensive lipid index. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the NHHR and the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA) in the adult population of the U.S. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2018). HUA was defined as a serum uric acid (SUA) concentration ≥ 7 mg/dL in men and ≥ 6 mg/dL in women. Multivariate logistic regression models and the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method were applied to examine the relationship between the NHHR and the risk of developing HUA. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were also performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of HUA increased with increasing NHHR values (9.01% vs. 13.38% vs. 17.31% vs. 25.79%, P < 0.001). The NHHR was independently correlated with the risk of developing HUA (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.16; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the risk of developing HUA was significantly greater among individuals with the highest NHHR quartile than among those with the lowest NHHR quartile (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.62-2.33; P < 0.001). This relationship was consistent across subgroups. According to the RCS analysis, an inverted U-shaped relationship existed between the NHHR and the risk of developing HUA. CONCLUSIONS: The NHHR was closely associated with an increased risk of developing HUA. Further studies on the NHHR could be beneficial for preventing and treating HUA.

Acculturation and depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants in the United States: the roles of positive and negative social interactions.

Objectives: Immigration is a stressful experience. Social interactions with family members and friends play an important role in the health and well-being of immigrant older adults. This study examined the association between different domains of acculturation and depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants in the United States and investigated the roles of positive and negative interactions with family and friends in such associations.Method: We used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly (PINE), a population-based survey of community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area (N = 3,158). Depressive symptoms were measured by the PHQ-9. Acculturation, positive and negative social interactions with partner/family/friends were all measured by standard scales. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between acculturation and the probability of having depressive symptoms.Results: Results showed that only social acculturation was correlated with a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms after controlling for relevant sociodemographic variables. Results also demonstrated that 'high positive & high negative', as well as 'high positive & low negative' social interactions had significant moderating effects on the association between media acculturation and depressive symptoms.Conclusion: The study findings suggest that although older Chinese immigrants in the United States with high levels of social acculturation are vulnerable to depressive symptoms, high positive social interactions with partner/family/friends buffer the relationship between media acculturation and depressive symptoms. Community services can help with social acculturation and more positive interactions from partner/family/friends to alleviate depressive symptoms among older Chinese immigrants.

A Social-Ecological Approach to Understanding Activity Engagement Patterns Among Older Chinese Immigrants.

Few studies have focused on activity engagement among older immigrants. We aim to map the patterns of activity engagement and examine the associations with social-ecological factors in a sample of older Chinese immigrants. Participants were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Four patterns of activity engagement were identified through latent class analysis: restricted, diverse, informal social, and community-based social. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, cultural, and environmental factors distinguished latent classes of activity engagement. In particular, acculturation and family-oriented immigration differentiated the restricted from the diverse class membership. Positive attributes of social environment such as social network size, positive social support, and neighborhood cohesion were associated with the likelihood of categorization in the diverse, informal social, and community-based social groups relative to the restricted group. Findings point to the importance of positive attributes of social environment in enhancing engagement with life among older Chinese immigrants.

Stress, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Custodial Grandparents.

An increasing number of custodial grandparents are raising grandchildren, and intensive childcare is stressful with many negative personal, interpersonal, economic, and health implications. Grandparents' strengths, including resilience, positive caregiving appraisal, and social support should be considered in the face of parenting stress and adversity. Guided by the stress and resilience model, the current study investigated the associations of parenting stress and coping resources with life satisfaction and mental wellness among custodial grandparents (N = 76). Data were collected between December 2020 and April 2021, through collaborations with community-based agencies located in two metropolitan areas, which provide supportive services to custodial grandparents and their families. Findings showed that more parenting stress was associated with less life satisfaction and worse mental health, and that stress management boosted life satisfaction and mental wellness. Grandparents with more informal social support and social service utilization fared better than their counterparts with less social support and no experience of service use. The results of this study suggest that social work interventions should focus on improving stress management to cope with daily and caregiving stressors. Social workers can help with informal social support and formal social services utilization to address caregiving needs among custodial grandparents.

The quality of relationships with adult children and depressive symptoms among grandparents.

Objectives: The present study aims to identify distinct types of relationships between grandparents and their adult children, measure the associations between these relationship types and depressive symptoms among grandparents, and determine whether these associations vary by grandparent status. Method: This study uses data from a sample of 1,196 grandparents age 51 and older from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study. Latent class analysis (LCA) is applied and identifies types of grandparent-adult children relationships. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models are used to estimate the association between relationship types and depressive symptoms by grandparent status.Results: LCA identified four grandparent-adult children relationship types: amicable, ambivalent, detached, and disharmonious. Custodial and co-parenting grandparents were most likely to report having an ambivalent relationship with their adult children. Among co-parenting and custodial grandparents, disharmonious relationships were associated with more depressive symptoms.Conclusion: Interventions are suggested to improve emotional relationships with adult children and dyadic family relationships among grandparent families.

Depressive symptoms in the context of Chinese grandparents caring for grandchildren.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the longitudinal association of depressive symptoms with grandchild care intensity and whether the association varies by household structure, residential area, and gender for Chinese grandparents. METHODS: Using data from three waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011-2015), we applied multilevel mixed effects models to examine changes in depressive symptoms and the associations with caregiving intensity and to test the moderation effects of residence, living arrangement, and gender. RESULTS: After controlling for sociodemographic and health covariates, we found that providing a medium level of grandchild care was associated with fewer baseline depressive symptoms compared with non-caregivers. Providing low-level care among those living with spouse/partner and among those living with child(ren)/others was associated with fewer depressive symptoms relative to non-caregivers with similar living arrangements. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that a medium level of involvement in childcare was associated with better mental wellness and low levels of caregiving may benefit nonresidential caregivers. More prospective longitudinal studies are needed to improve the operationalization of grandparent caregiving, validate the associated health outcomes, and apply a contextual approach to examine socioeconomic, cultural, and policy-related contexts of caregiving in the changing world of China.

Loneliness, age at immigration, family relationships, and depression among older immigrants: A moderated relationship.

Guided by a convoy model of social relations, this study explores the complex relationships between loneliness, age at immigration, familial relationships, and depressive symptoms among older immigrants. This study used 2010 Health and Retirement Study data from a sample of 575 immigrants (52% female, age range 65-99 years). Ordinary least squares regression models were estimated. The findings indicate that for older immigrants who came to the United States at age 45 or older, loneliness was significantly positively associated with depressive symptoms. Further, perceived negative strain and hours spent helping family moderated this relationship such that the effect of loneliness on depressive symptoms was stronger among respondents who perceived more negative family strain and spent fewer hours helping family. Familial relationships are crucial for the psychological well-being of older immigrants because they can be a source of either stress or support. The results have implications for how research and practices can support the immigrant families.

The Role of Solitary Activity in Moderating the Association between Social Isolation and Perceived Loneliness among U.S. Older Adults.

Social isolation has been recognized as a critical public health problem. As the most vulnerable population, older adults are disproportionately affected by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purposes of this study were to examine the association between social isolation and loneliness among U.S. older adults and to explore the moderating effect of solitary activity by using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Social isolation was measured by six indicators, including marital status, living arrangement, social participation in any clubs or social organizations, and the frequency of social contact with children, family members, and friends. Loneliness was assessed by eleven questions derived from the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Solitary activity included 11 types of activities that respondents could perform alone with limited or no social interaction. Results from the multivariate regression analyses indicated that unmarried status and lower frequency of social contact were associated with more perceived loneliness. Solitary activity significantly moderated the negative effects of the low frequency of social contact with family members on loneliness. The findings implicate that social work programs and interventions can aim to expand social networks and provide more opportunities for solitary activities, particularly for isolated older adults.

Formal volunteering as a protector of health in the context of social losses.

This study aims to examine the effect of the death of a family member or friend on psychological well-being, specifically the moderating effects of first-time volunteering and social network. With the sample of 354 volunteers from the Experience Corps® (EC) programs, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) estimated the differences in psychological well-being. Among volunteers who had experienced the death of a family member or friend, new volunteers showed significant improvement in positive affect compared to experienced volunteers. EC members gained additional social contacts through volunteering. Formal volunteering has a salutatory effect on older adults' health after the loss of family members.

Effects of Social Support and Volunteering on Depression Among Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.

Guided by a stress-buffering model, this study examined the effect of the caregiver stress on depressive symptoms, specifically the moderating effects of social support and volunteering on the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms among grandparent caregivers. The 2010 Health and Retirement Survey included a sample of 1,973 grandparent caregivers who reported their stress scores. Findings suggest that positive social support and volunteering significantly moderated the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. In particular, the study revealed that perceived quality of relations may help grandparent caregivers cope with their ongoing stress and enlarged social interaction may buffer the increase of negative stressor outcomes.

Longitudinal Relationships Between Productive Activities and Functional Health in Later Years: A Multivariate Latent Growth Curve Modeling Approach.

This study examined the longitudinal relationships between functional health in later years and three types of productive activities: volunteering, full-time, and part-time work. Using the data from five waves (2000-2008) of the Health and Retirement Study, we applied multivariate latent growth curve modeling to examine the longitudinal relationships among individuals 50 or over. Functional health was measured by limitations in activities of daily living. Individuals who volunteered, worked either full time or part time exhibited a slower decline in functional health than nonparticipants. Significant associations were also found between initial functional health and longitudinal changes in productive activity participation. This study provides additional support for the benefits of productive activities later in life; engagement in volunteering and employment are indeed associated with better functional health in middle and old age.

An intervention to maximize medication management by caregivers of persons with memory loss: Intervention overview and two-month outcomes.

Overseeing medication-taking is a critical aspect of dementia caregiving. This trial examined a tailored, problem-solving intervention designed to maximize medication management practices among caregivers of persons with memory loss. Eighty-three community-dwelling dyads (patient + informal caregiver) with a baseline average of 3 medication deficiencies participated. Home- and telephone-based sessions were delivered by nurse or social worker interventionists and addressed basics of managing medications, plus tailored problem solving for specific challenges. The outcome of medication management practices was assessed using the Medication Management Instrument for Deficiencies in the Elderly (MedMaIDE) and an investigator-developed Medication Deficiency Checklist (MDC). Linear mixed modeling showed both the intervention and usual care groups had fewer medication management problems as measured by the MedMaIDE (F = 6.91, p < .01) and MDC (F = 9.72, p < .01) at 2 months post-intervention. Reduced medication deficiencies in both groups suggests that when nurses or social workers merely raise awareness of the importance of medication adherence, there may be benefit.

Stressors and Caregivers' Depression: Multiple Mediators of Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Problem-Solving Skill.

Caring for an older adult with memory loss is stressful. Caregiver stress could produce negative outcomes such as depression. Previous research is limited in examining multiple intermediate pathways from caregiver stress to depressive symptoms. This study addresses this limitation by examining the role of self-efficacy, social support, and problem solving in mediating the relationships between caregiver stressors and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 91 family caregivers, we tested simultaneously multiple mediators between caregiver stressors and depression. Results indicate that self-efficacy mediated the pathway from daily hassles to depression. Findings point to the importance of improving self-efficacy in psychosocial interventions for caregivers of older adults with memory loss.

Recent applications and prospects of omega-3 fatty acids: A bibliometric study and visualization analysis in 2014-2023.

Omega-3 fatty acids are indispensable and crucial nutrients that are pivotal in promoting cardiovascular well-being, enhancing cognitive function, and regulating the body's inflammatory response. This study employed bibliometric analysis to investigate the progression of omega-3 fatty acids research. We used the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) to find articles about omega-3 fatty acids published from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2023. The bibliometric analysis and visualization were conducted using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. This analysis contained a total of 18,764 articles that were focused on omega-3 fatty acids. Among these articles, the nations with the highest number of publications were the United States, China, and Spain. The United States held the greatest influence. The journal Nutrients had the most publications related to this search. Upon analyzing the highly referenced literature, we discovered there is ongoing debate on the potential benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for illnesses. Moreover, the time-overlapping network analysis of keywords finds investigating the impact of omega-3 fatty acids dietary supplementation on gut microbiota is a promising area of future research. Ultimately, bibliometrics could help researchers comprehend the trajectory of development, noticeable topics, and scholarly impact within omega-3 fatty acids linked domains, thereby offering substantial backing for future investigations of greater depth.

Sleep quality and cognitive functioning among Chinese older adults living in the US: A mixed-effects model analysis.

Background: Racial and ethnic disparities in sleep quality and cognitive health are increasingly recognized, yet little is understood about their associations among Chinese older adults living in the United States. This study aims to examine the relationships between sleep parameters and cognitive functioning in this population, utilizing data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE). Methods: This observational study utilized a two-wave panel design as part of the PINE, including 2,228 participants aged 65 years or older, self-identified as Chinese, who completed interviews at two time points. Cognitive functioning was assessed using a battery of tests on perceptual speed, episodic memory, working memory, and mental status. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) with four aspects: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and sleep duration at night. Insomnia was assessed using four items from the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale. Mixed-effects regression models were estimated to assess the predictive effects of sleep parameters on baseline cognitive functioning and the rate of cognitive change over time. Results: Significant negative associations were observed between poor sleep quality and baseline cognitive functioning across various domains, although these initial negative associations diminished over time. More insomnia problems were related to poorer perceptual speed and episodic memory. Long sleep latency, or a long time to sleep onset, was associated with worse functioning across all domains except mental status. Sleep efficiency showed inconsistent associations with various cognitive domains, while sleep duration showed no significant relation to any domains. Conclusions: These findings suggest that poor sleep quality indicators serve as early markers of cognitive impairments. Hence, targeted interventions aimed at improving sleep quality could potentially enhance cognitive health outcomes.

Social Disconnectedness, Perceived Loneliness, and Cognitive Functioning: The Role of Neighborhood Environment.

Background and Objectives: Social disconnectedness and loneliness pose significant challenges for older Chinese immigrants. Yet, it remains unclear whether they are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline in this population. This study aimed to investigate the association of social disconnectedness and loneliness with cognitive functioning and examine the moderation role of neighborhood contexts. Research Design and Methods: This longitudinal analysis examined a sample of individuals aged 60 years and older from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (N = 2,044). Global cognition was assessed using the averaged z-scores of cognitive performance tests. Social disconnectedness was constructed using 5 indicators about structural aspects of social relationships. Loneliness was assessed with the R-UCLA loneliness scale. Neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) and neighborhood segregation index were constructed using 2010-2014 American Community Survey data at the census tract level. Individual perceptions about neighborhood environments were used to construct neighborhood cohesion index and neighborhood disorder index (NDI). Latent growth curve models with adjusted cluster robust standard errors were estimated. Results: More loneliness was associated with a higher level of initial cognitive functioning (B = 0.030, p < .01), but also with a faster decline rate over time (B = -0.007, p < .01) after adjusting for covariates. High NSES and less neighborhood segregation buffered the negative effects of loneliness on cognitive decline, respectively. High NDI amplified the positive relationship between loneliness and initial functioning, but accelerated the rate of cognitive decline associated with loneliness. Discussion and Implications: The study revealed that perceived loneliness, but not social disconnectedness, is a risk factor for cognitive decline among older Chinese immigrants. Living in a neighborhood with low socioeconomic status, more segregation, and high disorder elevated the detrimental effect of loneliness on long-term cognitive decline. Further research needs to investigate the complex interplay between social relationships, neighborhood environment, and cognition.

Causal relationships between gut microbiota and hypothyroidism: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the maintenance of thyroid homeostasis. We aimed to evaluate the causal relationships between gut microbiota and hypothyroidism. METHODS: Summary statistics for 211 gut microbiota taxa were obtained from the largest available genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis conducted by the MiBioGen consortium. Summary statistics for hypothyroidism were obtained from two distinct sources: the FinnGen consortium R9 release data (40,926 cases and 274,069 controls) and the UK Biobank data (22,687 cases and 440,246 controls), respectively. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design was employed, and thorough sensitivity analyses were carried out to ensure the reliability of the results. RESULTS: Based on the FinnGen consortium, we found increased levels of Intestinimonas (OR = 1.09; 95%CI = 1.02-1.16; P = 0.01) and Ruminiclostridium5 (OR = 1.11; 95%CI = 1.02-1.22; P = 0.02) may be associated with a higher risk of hypothyroidism, while increased levels of Butyrivibrio (OR = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.92-0.99; P = 0.02), Eggerthella (OR = 0.93; 95%CI = 0.88-0.98; P = 0.01), Lachnospiraceae UCG008 (OR = 0.92; 95%CI = 0.85-0.99; P = 0.02), Ruminococcaceae UCG011 (OR = 0.95; 95%CI = 0.90-0.99; P = 0.02), and Actinobacteria (OR = 0.88; 95%CI = 0.80-0.97; P = 0.01) may be associated with a lower risk. According to the UK Biobank data, Eggerthella and Ruminiclostridium5 remain causally associated with hypothyroidism. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates consistent results without evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the impact of specific gut microbiota on hypothyroidism. Strategies to change composition of gut microbiota may hold promise as potential interventions.

Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: The Moderating Effect of Resilience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Social isolation has been recognized as a social problem with negative health consequences. Using data from 3 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, this study aimed to examine the long-term impact of social isolation on loneliness and depressive symptoms and to explore the moderating effect of resilience. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This study comprised 3,681 U.S. adults aged 60 and older at the baseline wave. Social isolation index was constructed using 5 indicators, including not married or cohabitating with a partner, no social participation, and less than monthly contacts with children, family members, or friends. Loneliness was measured by the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale and depressive symptoms were measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. The moderator of resilience was assessed by the simplified resilience score. Latent growth curve models with robust standard errors were estimated. RESULTS: The results of latent growth curve models showed that social isolation was significantly associated with more initial loneliness and depressive symptoms. However, social isolation was associated with a slower increasing rate of loneliness, but no significant relationship with the change rate of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, resilience significantly buffered the negative effect of social isolation on the initial level of depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: The findings underscore the importance of enacting strategies and interventions targeting resilience to address social isolation and its negative consequences among older adults.

Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones is associated with albuminuria in the euthyroid population: results from NHANES.

PURPOSE: The relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and albuminuria remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between thyroid hormone sensitivity and the risk of albuminuria in a euthyroid population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 7634 euthyroid adults collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2012. Central sensitivity to thyroid hormones was evaluated using the thyroid-stimulating hormone index (TSHI), the thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index (TT4RI), and the thyroid feedback quantile-based index (TFQI). Peripheral sensitivity to thyroid hormones was measured using the free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio. Furthermore, the independent relationship between sensitivity to thyroid hormones and albuminuria was assessed. RESULTS: The proportion of albuminuria increased with a higher interquartile range of TFQI levels (7.31% vs. 7.89% vs. 7.95% vs. 9.89%, P = 0.024). Furthermore, TFQI was found to be independently associated with the risk of albuminuria after adjusting for confounding factors (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.01-1.60, P = 0.037). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant relationship between TFQI and albuminuria, especially among individuals over 60. CONCLUSIONS: In euthyroid subjects, impaired central sensitivity to thyroid hormones is associated with albuminuria. TFQI holds significant potential as an epidemiological tool for quantifying the impact of impaired central sensitivity on the risk of albuminuria.

Identification of Senescence-Associated Biomarkers in Diabetic Glomerulopathy Using Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis.

Background: Cellular senescence is thought to play a significant role in the onset and development of diabetic nephropathy. The goal of this study was to explore potential biomarkers associated with diabetic glomerulopathy from the perspective of senescence. Methods: Datasets about human glomerular biopsy samples related to diabetic nephropathy were systematically obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Hub senescence-associated genes were investigated by differential gene analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator analysis. Cluster analysis was employed to identify senescence molecular subtypes. A single-cell dataset was used to validate the above findings and further evaluate the senescence environment. The relationship between these genes and the glomerular filtration rate was explored based on the Nephroseq database. These gene expressions have also been explored in various kidney diseases. Results: Twelve representative senescence-associated genes (VEGFA, IQGAP2, JUN, PLAT, ETS2, ANG, MMP14, VEGFC, SERPINE2, CXCR2, PTGES, and EGF) were finally identified. Biological changes in immune inflammatory response, cell cycle regulation, metabolic regulation, and immune microenvironment have been observed across different molecular subtypes. The above results were also validated based on single-cell analysis. Additionally, we also identified several significantly altered cell communication pathways, including COLLAGEN, PTN, LAMININ, SPP1, and VEGF. Finally, almost all these genes could well predict the occurrence of diabetic glomerulopathy based on receiver operating characteristic analysis and are associated with the glomerular filtration rate. These genes are differently expressed in various kidney diseases. Conclusion: The present study identified potential senescence-associated biomarkers and further explored the heterogeneity of diabetic glomerulopathy that might provide new insights into the diagnosis, assessment, management, and personalized treatment of DN.