What aspects of the pandemic had the greatest impact on adolescent mental health: duration of lockdown or subjective experience?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted global mental health, with adolescents experiencing disproportionate effects. Limited research has explored the impact of different pandemic restrictions on adolescent mental health, and only a few studies have examined the longer-term impacts of the pandemic on adolescent mental health. These investigations are crucial for informing public health policies, particularly the integration of mental health care in future public health emergencies. METHODS: This study aimed to investigate the impact of lockdown duration and the impact of adolescents' subjective experiences of the pandemic on their wellbeing, internalising symptoms, and externalising symptoms. Australian adolescents (N = 1,001, mean age = 14.2 years) completed a baseline survey in 2021, shortly after pandemic lockdowns were lifted (Time 1), and a follow-up survey approximately 12 months later (Time 2). Predictors of interest were the total duration of COVID-19 lockdowns across 2020-2021, and adolescents' subjective experiences of the pandemic on their social connections, learning, technology use and family relationships. A range of covariates were included in analyses to examine subgroup differences. RESULTS: Linear mixed-effects models indicated that total duration of the lockdown was not associated with any of the outcomes at Time 1 or Time 2 (all ps > 0.017). Negative subjective experience of the pandemic on learning was associated with greater externalising symptoms at both Time 1 (t = 5.17, df = 980, p <.001) and Time 2 (t = 2.72, df = 708, p =.007). Negative subjective experience of the pandemic on social connection was associated with greater internalising symptoms at Time 2 only (t = 3.20, df = 709, p =.001). Negative subjective experience of the pandemic on family relationships or technology use was not associated with any of the outcomes at Time 1 or Time 2 (all ps > 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents' negative subjective experience of the pandemic on learning and social connections was associated with greater internalising and externalising symptoms after the lockdown had been lifted. Duration of lockdowns was not associated with any of the primary outcomes. During future public health emergencies, mental health interventions should be tailored to assist adolescents to adapt to new learning environments, and to build and maintain social connections.

Implementing a Digital Depression Prevention Program in Australian Secondary Schools: Cross-Sectional Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is common during adolescence and is associated with adverse educational, employment, and health outcomes in later life. Digital programs are increasingly being implemented in schools to improve and protect adolescent mental health. Although digital depression prevention programs can be effective, there is limited knowledge about how contextual factors influence real-world delivery at scale in schools. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the contextual factors that influence the implementation of the Future Proofing Program (FPP) from the perspectives of school staff. The FPP is a 2-arm hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial evaluating whether depression can be prevented at scale in schools, using an evidence-based smartphone app delivered universally to year 8 students (13-14 years of age). METHODS: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 staff from 20 schools in New South Wales, Australia, who assisted with the implementation of the FPP. The interviews were guided by our theory-driven logic model. Reflexive thematic analysis, using both deductive and inductive coding, was used to analyze responses. RESULTS: Staff perceived the FPP as a novel ("innovative approach") and appropriate way to address an unmet need within schools ("right place at the right time"). Active leadership and counselor involvement were critical for planning and engaging; teamwork, communication, and staff capacity were critical for execution ("ways of working within schools"). Low student engagement and staffing availability were identified as barriers for future adoption and implementation by schools ("reflecting on past experiences"). CONCLUSIONS: Four superordinate themes pertaining to the program, implementation processes, and implementation barriers were identified from qualitative responses by school staff. On the basis of our findings, we proposed a select set of recommendations for future implementation of digital prevention programs delivered at scale in schools. These recommendations were designed to facilitate an organizational change and help staff to implement digital mental health programs within their schools. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042133.

The Future Proofing Study: Design, methods and baseline characteristics of a prospective cohort study of the mental health of Australian adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The Future Proofing Study (FPS) was established to examine factors associated with the onset and course of mental health conditions during adolescence. This paper describes the design, methods, and baseline characteristics of the FPS cohort. METHODS: The FPS is an Australian school-based prospective cohort study with an embedded cluster-randomized controlled trial examining the effects of digital prevention programs on mental health. Data sources include self-report questionnaires, cognitive functioning, linkage to health and education records, and smartphone sensor data. Participants are assessed annually for 5 years. RESULTS: The baseline cohort (N = 6388, M = 13.9 years) is broadly representative of the Australian adolescent population. The clinical profile of participants is comparable to other population estimates. Overall, 15.1% of the cohort met the clinical threshold for depression, 18.6% for anxiety, 31.6% for psychological distress, and 4.9% for suicidal ideation. These rates were significantly higher in adolescents who identified as female, gender diverse, sexuality diverse, or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (all ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides current and comprehensive data about the status of adolescent mental health in Australia. The FPS cohort is expected to provide significant insights into the risk, protective, and mediating factors associated with development of mental health conditions during adolescence.

What is the best way to measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in a virtual clinic?

BACKGROUND: Patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) and glaucoma are increasingly reviewed in virtual clinics. As the clinician is not present during the patient's visit it is important that measurements obtained are reliable. The aim of this study was to examine agreement between Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT) intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements (obtained by ophthalmologists and ophthalmic nurses) and a newer automated tonometer-the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted including 116 eyes of 116 patients with glaucoma and OHT. All subjects had GAT IOP obtained by a nurse and ophthalmologist and ORA IOP by a technician. The order of testing was randomised and previous measurements were masked. Agreement was examined using Bland-Altman plots and 95% limits of agreement (LoA). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of repeat GAT and ORA measurements were calculated. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 70 ± 13 years. The 95% LoA between ophthalmologist (mean: 14.6 ± 4.3 mmHg) and nurse (mean: 15.0 ± 4.0 mmHg) GAT measurements was ±5.21 mmHg, whereas the 95% LoA between repeat ORA IOPg (mean: 13.8 ± 4.7 mmHg) was ±2.52 mmHg. There was no proportional bias. The ICC was 0.972 for repeat IOPg compared with 0.863 for repeat GAT. CONCLUSIONS: There was only moderate agreement between GAT IOP measurements obtained by nurses working in the virtual clinic and ophthalmologists. Agreement between ORA IOP and ophthalmologists' GAT IOP was better and ORA produced more repeatable measurements, providing evidence it may be a more reliable tool for IOP assessment in virtual clinics.

Fluctuation in Blood Pressure and Intraocular Pressure in Normal Tension Glaucoma Using Ambulatory Monitoring.

PRCIS: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring of patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) revealed features of vascular dysregulation including hypertension, blunted nocturnal BP dipping, and morning BP surge. PURPOSE: The aim was to examine ambulatory fluctuations in IOP and BP in patients with NTG. METHODS: A prospective study of 45 participants with NTG and 10 controls. All participants had a comprehensive ophthalmological examination followed by glaucoma medication washout. Patients using systemic antihypertensives were excluded. IOP and BP were recorded using home monitoring over 48 hours using a self-rebound tonometer and ambulatory blood pressure monitor. BP was recorded every 30 minutes by day and every 60 minutes overnight. IOP was recorded at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00, 16:00, 20:00, and 04:00. RESULTS: Participants with NTG had a median mean deviation (MD) of -4.66 dB (interquartile range: -7.16 to -2.81 dB) in the worse eye. Among those with glaucoma, 18 of 45 (40%) had normal nocturnal BP dipping, 24 (53%) blunted dipping and 3 (6.7%) exaggerated dipping. Each 10 mm Hg lower minimum sleeping systolic BP was associated with a 0.9 dB (95% confidence interval: 0.1-1.6 dB) worse MD. Sixteen of 45 participants with glaucoma (35.6%) and 1 of 10 controls (10%) were found to have systemic hypertension on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and 32 of those with glaucoma (71%) had a surge in morning BP, compared with 5 controls (50%). There was no difference in MD between patients with normal, exaggerated and blunted dipping (P=0.813). CONCLUSIONS: Though glaucoma has been associated with exaggerated nocturnal BP dipping, we found a higher proportion of patients had systemic hypertension, blunted nocturnal BP dipping, and a morning BP surge, measures also associated with vascular dysregulation.

Macular vessel density, branching complexity and foveal avascular zone size in normal tension glaucoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between glaucoma severity and perifoveal vessel density (pfVD), branching complexity, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) size in normal tension glaucoma (NTG). 31 patients with NTG washed out of glaucoma medications were subjected to tests including; intraocular pressure measurement; standard automated perimetry; optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurement of macular ganglion cell complex (mGCC), inner macular thickness (IMT) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (cpRNFL); and OCT angiography measurement of pfVD, FAZ perimeter and multispectral fractal dimensions (MSFD). Eyes with more severe glaucoma had significantly thinner mGCC and cpRNFL and lower pfVD. MD decreased by 0.4 dB (95% CI 0.1 to 0.6 dB, P = 0.007) for every 1% decrease in pfVD. Lower MSFD was observed in eyes with lower pfVD and in patients with systemic hypertension. Multivariable analysis, accounting for age and OCTA quality, found lower pfVD remained significantly associated with thinner IMT, thinner mGCC and worse MD but not with MSFD. pfVD was reduced in NTG and was diminished in eyes with worse MD. Macular vessel branching complexity was not related to severity of visual field loss but was lower in patients with systemic hypertension.

Trends in the detection of aquatic non-indigenous species across global marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems: A 50-year perspective.

Aim: The introduction of aquatic non-indigenous species (ANS) has become a major driver for global changes in species biogeography. We examined spatial patterns and temporal trends of ANS detections since 1965 to inform conservation policy and management. Location: Global. Methods: We assembled an extensive dataset of first records of detection of ANS (1965-2015) across 49 aquatic ecosystems, including the (a) year of first collection, (b) population status and (c) potential pathway(s) of introduction. Data were analysed at global and regional levels to assess patterns of detection rate, richness and transport pathways. Results: An annual mean of 43 (±16 SD) primary detections of ANS occurred-one new detection every 8.4 days for 50 years. The global rate of detections was relatively stable during 1965-1995, but increased rapidly after this time, peaking at roughly 66 primary detections per year during 2005-2010 and then declining marginally. Detection rates were variable within and across regions through time. Arthropods, molluscs and fishes were the most frequently reported ANS. Most ANS were likely introduced as stowaways in ships' ballast water or biofouling, although direct evidence is typically absent. Main conclusions: This synthesis highlights the magnitude of recent ANS detections, yet almost certainly represents an underestimate as many ANS go unreported due to limited search effort and diminishing taxonomic expertise. Temporal rates of detection are also confounded by reporting lags, likely contributing to the lower detection rate observed in recent years. There is a critical need to implement standardized, repeated methods across regions and taxa to improve the quality of global-scale comparisons and sustain core measures over longer time-scales. It will be fundamental to fill in knowledge gaps given that invasion data representing broad regions of the world's oceans are not yet readily available and to maintain knowledge pipelines for adaptive management.

The Influence of Corneal Biomechanical Properties on Intraocular Pressure Measurements Using a Rebound Self-tonometer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of corneal biomechanical properties on intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained using a rebound self-tonometer (Icare HOME) compared with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT). METHODS: An observational study of 100 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. All had a comprehensive ophthalmic examination and standard automated perimetry. IOP was assessed by GAT, Icare HOME and Ocular Response Analyzer, which was also used to assess corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF). Central corneal thickness (CCT) was recorded. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) IOP measurements were 14.3±3.9 and 11.7±4.7 mm Hg using GAT and Icare HOME, respectively. Average CCT, CRF, and CH were 534.5±37.3 µm, 9.0±1.7 mm Hg, and 9.4±1.5 mm Hg, respectively. The mean difference between Icare HOME and GAT was -2.66±3.13 mm Hg, with 95% limits of agreement of -8.80 to 3.48 mm Hg, however, there was evidence of proportional bias. There was negative correlation between IOP and CH [5.17 mm Hg higher Icare HOME IOP (P=0.041, R=0.029) and 7.23 mm Hg higher GAT IOP (P=0.008, R=0.080) for each 10 mm Hg lower CH], whereas thinner CCT was significantly associated with lower IOP (P<0.001, R=0.14 for Icare HOME and P<0.001, R=0.08 for GAT). In multivariable analysis, although CRF and CH remained associated with IOP measured using either GAT or Icare HOME, CCT was no longer significant. CONCLUSION: IOP measurements obtained using a self-tonometer, similar to GAT, were more influenced by overall corneal biomechanics than CCT.

Measurement of Intraocular Pressure by Patients With Glaucoma.

Importance: The ability of patients to measure their own intraocular pressure (IOP) would allow more frequent measurements and better appreciation of peak IOP and IOP fluctuation. Objective: To examine whether patients with glaucoma can perform self-tonometry using a rebound tonometer and examine patient acceptability. Design, Setting, and Participants: An observational study in which IOP was assessed using Goldmann applanation tonometry and a rebound tonometer. Consecutive patients were provided with a patient information sheet and those consenting to take part in the study received standardized self-tonometry training and were then instructed to measure their own IOP under observation. This study was conducted at a glaucoma clinic at a university hospital from March 1, 2016, to December 30, 2016, and included both eyes of 100 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Main Outcomes and Measures: The percentage of patients who could successfully perform self-tonometry. Complete success was defined by a good technique and an IOP reading within 5 mm Hg of that obtained by a clinician using the same device. A 3-item questionnaire was used to examine perceptions of self-tonometry among patients. Results: Among the 100 patients, the mean (SD) age was 67.5 (10.9) years (53% female). A total 73 of 100 patients (73%) met the complete success criteria. An additional 6 patients could use the device but had IOP readings greater than 5 mm Hg different from those obtained by the clinician. On average, IOP by the rebound tonometer was 2.66 mm Hg lower than Goldmann applanation tonometry (95% limits of agreement, -3.48 to 8.80 mm Hg). The IOPs with the rebound tonometer were similar whether obtained by self-tonometry or investigator, with excellent reproducibility with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.903 (95% CI, 0.867-0.928). A total of 56 of 79 successful or partially successful patients (71%) felt self-tonometry was easy, with 73 of 79 (92%) reporting self-tonometry to be comfortable, and a similar number happy to perform self-tonometry in the future. Conclusions and Relevance: Most patients could perform self-tonometry and the method was acceptable to patients. Self-tonometry has the potential to improve patient engagement, while also providing a more complete picture of IOP changes over time.

The influence of demersal trawl fishing gears on the resuspension of dinoflagellate cysts.

To investigate the influence of towed demersal fishing gears on dinoflagellate cyst resuspension, towing trials with four gear components were carried out at three sites of differing sediment type in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Samples of sediment plumes were collected using plankton nets mounted on a towed sledge. Diversity of resuspended dinoflagellate cysts was similar at all sites and included Protoperidinium and Gonyaulax spp., Proroceratium reticulatum and unidentified 'round brown' cysts. Cyst concentrations per gram of resuspended sediment varied by gear component and sediment particle size distribution. Gear components with lower hydrodynamic drag generated wakes with smaller shear stresses, mobilising fewer larger sand particles, giving larger concentrations of cysts. Muddy sediments contained higher cyst concentrations which declined with increasing grain size. This study has shown that fishing gear and sediment type can influence the redistribution of dinoflagellate cysts and highlights the importance this may have in relation to dinoflagellate blooms.