Pet Ownership, Living Alone, and Cognitive Decline Among Adults 50 Years and Older.

Importance: It remains unclear whether pet ownership is associated with cognitive decline and to what extent pet ownership mitigates the association between living alone and cognitive decline. Objective: To explore the association of pet ownership with cognitive decline, the interaction between pet ownership and living alone, and the extent to which pet ownership mitigates the association between living alone and cognitive decline in older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from waves 5 (June 2010 to July 2011) to 9 (from June 2018 to July 2019) in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Participants included adults 50 years and older. Data were analyzed from April 1 to June 30, 2023. Exposures: Pet ownership and living alone in wave 5. Main Outcomes and Measures: In waves 5 to 9, verbal memory and verbal fluency were assessed, and composite verbal cognition was further calculated. Results: Of the 7945 participants included, the mean (SD) age was 66.3 (8.8) years, and 4446 (56.0%) were women. Pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in composite verbal cognition (ß = 0.008 [95% CI, 0.002-0.014] SD/y), verbal memory (ß = 0.006 [95% CI, 0.001-0.012] SD/y), and verbal fluency (ß = 0.007 [95% CI, 0.001-0.013] SD/y). Three-way interaction tests showed that living alone was a significant modifier in all 3 associations. Stratified analyses showed that pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in composite verbal cognition (ß = 0.023 [95% CI, 0.011-0.035] SD/y), verbal memory (ß = 0.021 [95% CI, 0.008-0.034] SD/y), and verbal fluency (ß = 0.018 [95% CI, 0.005-0.030] SD/y) among individuals living alone, but not among those living with others. Joint association analyses showed no significant difference in rates of decline in composite verbal cognition, verbal memory, or verbal fluency between pet owners living alone and pet owners living with others. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, pet ownership was associated with slower rates of decline in verbal memory and verbal fluency among older adults living alone, but not among those living with others, and pet ownership offset the associations between living alone and declining rates in verbal memory and verbal fluency. Further studies are needed to assess whether pet ownership slows the rate of cognitive decline in older adults living alone.

Associations of physical activity and screen time with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common type of idiopathic scoliosis, affecting approximately 0.61%-6.15% adolescents worldwide. To date, the results on the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and AIS were inconsistent, and the association between screen time (ST) and AIS remained unclear. This study aimed to describe MVPA and ST among adolescents, and to explore the independent and joint associations between PA, ST, and AIS. METHODS: A frequency-matched case-control study based on the 2021 Chinese School-based Scoliosis Screening Program in Shenzhen city, south China, was conducted. The research involved 494 AIS patients (aged 9-17 years) and 994 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. MVPA and ST were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression models estimated associations between PA, ST, and AIS. RESULTS: Compared to subjects meeting the recommended 60-min daily of MVPA, adolescents reporting daily MVPA time less than 60 min had 1.76 times higher odds of experiencing AIS (95% CI: 1.32-2.35) and adolescents reporting daily MVPA in inactive status had 2.14 times higher odds of experiencing AIS (95% CI: 1.51-3.03). Moreover, participants reporting ST for 2 hours or more had 3.40 times higher odds of AIS compared with those reporting ST less than 2 hours (95% CI: 2.35-4.93). When compared with the adolescents reporting both ST and MVPA meeting the guidelines recommended times (ST < 2 h and MVPA ≥ 60 min/day), those reporting both ST ≥ 2 h and MVPA in inactive status are 8.84 times more likely to develop AIS (95% CI: 3.99-19.61). CONCLUSIONS: This study reported that the insufficient MVPA, especially MVPA in inactive status, and excessive ST were risk factors for AIS. Additionally, the joint effects of insufficient MVPA and excessive ST probably increase the risk of AIS.

[Rapid characterization and identification of non-volatile constituents in Pogostemonis Herba by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS combined with UNIFI and an in-house library].

This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in Pogostemonis Herba by using ultra-perfor-mance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with UNIFI and an in-house library. The chemical components in 50% methanol extract of Pogostemonis Herba were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS in both positive and negative MS~E continuum modes. Then, the MS data were processed in UNIFI combined with an in-house library to automatically characterize the metabolites. Based on the multiple adduct ions, exact mass, diagnostic fragment ions, and peak intensity of compounds and the fragmentation pathways and retention behaviors of reference substances, the structures identified by UNIFI were further verified and those of the unidentified compounds were tentatively elucidated. A total of 120 compound structures were identified or tentatively identified, including flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolic acids, terpenes, fatty acids, alkaloids, and phenylethanoid glycosides. Sixteen of them were accurately identified by comparison with reference substances, and 53 compounds were reported the first time for Pogostemonis Herba. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile compounds in Pogostemonis Herba for the first time. The findings provide a scientific basis for revealing the pharmacodynamic material basis, establishing a quality control system, and developing products of Pogostemonis Herba.

Academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most prevalent spinal deformity, which may have long-term negative consequences on adolescents. The research on the etiology is of great importance for identifying high-risk population and formulate tailored prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the association between academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits and AIS. METHODS: In this population-based case-control study, 491 AIS cases and 1,346 healthy controls that frequency-matched by age and sex were recruited in Shenzhen, Southern China. AIS was diagnosed as a Cobb angle ≥ 10° on standing posteroanterior radiographs of the whole spine. The academic-related factors (e.g., reading and writing posture) and daily lifestyle habits (e.g., intake of milk and dairy products) were collected by a self-reported questionnaire. The logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: After adjusting for potential confounding factors, multivariable logistic regression models demonstrated that academic-related factors were associated with AIS. Individuals with poor reading and writing posture were more likely to have AIS (AOR: 2.06, 95%CI: 1.58-2.68). Moreover, there was a significant association between heavy school bags and AIS (AOR: 2.22, 95%CI: 1.50-3.31). Additionally, adolescents who reported daily screen time on weekdays over 2 hours were more likely to develop AIS (P < 0.001). Regarding daily lifestyle habits, individuals without the habit of taking milk and dairy products had a higher risk of developing AIS (AOR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.29-2.71). CONCLUSIONS: Academic-related factors and daily lifestyle habits were associated with AIS among Chinese adolescents. Schools, families, and related facilities are recommended to take actions on developing effective prevention and management strategies that integrates "Student-Family-School-Education-Health-Sports" for AIS.

Childhood maltreatment and subsequent depressive symptoms: a prospective study of the sequential mediating role of self-esteem and internalizing/externalizing problems.

BACKGROUND: Depression among adolescents is a seriously disabling public health problem with an extremely high prevalence. Identifying risk factors of depression at an early stage is important to reduce the disease burden. Childhood maltreatment (CM) is one of the major risk factors for depression. The key mediating processes that how CM affects the development of depression, however, still need further clarification. The present study tested the mediating effect of self-esteem, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems between CM and depressive symptoms. Potential sex differences in the foregoing associations were also explored. METHODS: A three-wave longitudinal study was carried out among 1,957 middle and high school students from 69 classes in 10 public schools in the Guangdong province of China. Data collection started when students were in grades 7 and 10 (median age: 13.0, range: 11-18) between January and April 2019, and the students were followed up once a year thereafter. Self-reported CM, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, internalizing and externalizing problems, and other demographics were collected. The multiple serial mediation analysis was conducted. RESULTS: We found that CM was positively related to subsequent internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as depressive symptoms, while self-esteem was negatively related to depressive symptoms. Serial mediation analysis indicated that self-esteem (mediator 1) and internalizing problems (mediator 2) sequentially mediated the path from CM to depressive symptoms in the overall and male population. Moreover, with externalizing problems as mediator 2, self-esteem (mediator 1) acted as a partial mediator in the association between CM and depressive symptoms in males, whereas externalizing problems played a complete mediating role in females. CONCLUSION: Findings revealed that self-esteem and internalizing problems sequentially mediated the influence of CM on depressive symptoms whereas externalizing problems played an independent mediating role. In addition, sex differences need to be taken into consideration when designing prevention and intervention strategies, given the different psychosocial processes between boys and girls.

Mediating role of personality traits in the association between multi-dimensional adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms among older adults: A 9-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To explore the mediating role of personality traits in the correlation between multi-dimensional adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and depressive symptoms in older adults. METHODS: This cohort study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, and included 4050 older adults without depressive symptoms in 2010-2011. Multi-dimensional ACEs were evaluated in 2006-2007. Personality traits were assessed using the Midlife Development Inventory in 2010-2011. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 8-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale during 2012-2019. Cox proportional hazard model was used to explore the associations between ACEs and depressive symptoms. The package named "mediation" in R was used to test mediating role of personality traits. RESULTS: ACEs in each dimension significantly increased the risk of depressive symptoms (all P-values < 0.05). The association of maltreatment (18.18 %) and household dysfunction (19.69 %) with depressive symptoms was significantly mediated by neuroticism. The correlation between poor parent-child bonding and depressive symptoms was significantly mediated by neuroticism (19.43 %), conscientiousness (4.84 %), and extroversion (8.02 %). LIMITATIONS: ACEs were retrospectively assessed based on participants' memories, which may induce recall bias. CONCLUSIONS: Maltreatment and household dysfunction may induce depressive symptoms by increasing neuroticism. Poor parent-child bonding may induce depressive symptoms by increasing neuroticism and reducing conscientiousness and extraversion. In addition to reducing the occurrence of ACEs, reducing neuroticism of individuals with maltreatment and household dysfunction in childhood, and reducing neuroticism, and increasing conscientiousness and extraversion of individuals with poor parent-child bonding in childhood might help to decrease their risk of depressive symptoms.

Reciprocal relationships between self-esteem, coping styles and anxiety symptoms among adolescents: between-person and within-person effects.

BACKGROUND: Previous researches have not distinguished the between-person effects from the within-person effects when exploring the relationship between self-esteem, coping styles, and anxiety symptoms among adolescents. To address this gap, this study investigated reciprocal associations among self-esteem, coping styles, and anxiety symptoms in a three-wave longitudinal panel survey, using an analytical strategy that disaggregates the within-person and the between-person variance. METHODS: Data was drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Adolescents' Mental and Behavioral Well-being Research study conducted in 10 public schools in the Guangdong province of China. All participants had a baseline visit (N = 1957, mean age 13.6, grades 7 and 10) and follow-up interviews at 1-year intervals for 3 years. A random intercept cross-lagged panel model combined with mediation analysis was performed. RESULTS: At the within-person level, the following results were observed. (1) Low self-esteem and anxiety symptoms bidirectionally predicted each other. (2) Low self-esteem and negative coping style bidirectionally predicted each other. (3) Anxiety symptoms predicted subsequent negative coping style but not vice versa. At the between-person level, we obtained the following main results. (1) Significant predictive effects on the random intercept were found among all three study constructs. (2) There were sex differences regarding the association between self-esteem and anxiety symptoms and the correlation of females was stronger than that of males. (3) Self-esteem mediated the reciprocal relations between coping styles and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, findings revealed a reciprocal relationship between low self-esteem and anxiety symptoms for both females and males. Besides, anxiety symptoms predict subsequent negative coping style but not vice versa. We also highlighted the mediating role of self-esteem in the reciprocal relations between coping styles and anxiety symptoms. Thus, interventions targeted at promoting self-esteem and cultivating positive coping style may help reduce adolescent anxiety.

Eight-Year Trajectories of Late-Life Loneliness and Incident Dementia: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Some older adults with loneliness might have transient loneliness, followed by full remission, while others might have persistent loneliness. Such different courses might differ in predicting the risk of dementia, but most previous studies assessed short-term loneliness at a single time point, ignoring the long-term changes of loneliness. This study aimed to explore the association between 8-year trajectories of late-life loneliness and incident dementia. METHODS: Data were from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (waves 2-9). This study included 6,722 older adults measured for loneliness greater than or equal to three times from wave 2 (2004-2005) to wave 6 (2012-2013) and free from dementia in wave 6. Loneliness was assessed using the short 1980 version of the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to explore loneliness trajectories during waves 2-6. Cox proportional hazard models were used to investigate the association of loneliness trajectories with incident dementia during waves 6-9. RESULTS: Five distinct loneliness trajectories were identified: long-term low, persistently decreasing, persistently increasing, long-term moderate, and long-term high. Compared with long-term low loneliness, the HRs (95% confidence intervals) for persistently decreasing, persistently increasing, long-term moderate, and long-term high loneliness were 1.29 (0.83-2.00), 1.55 (1.04-2.31), 1.56 (1.03-2.38), and 3.35 (1.89-5.91), respectively. CONCLUSION: The elderly show distinct patterns of loneliness over time, which cannot be captured by a single assessment of loneliness. The elderly with long-term loneliness and persistently increasing loneliness might be the high-risk group for dementia. Further studies are needed to determine whether reducing loneliness can prevent dementia.

The association of FKBP5 gene methylation, adolescents' sex, and depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents: a nested case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive symptoms among adolescents are a serious health concern around the world. Altered DNA methylation in the FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) gene has been reported to regulate stress response, which has been reported to be closely associated with depressive symptoms. However, most of the contributing studies have been conducted among adults and relatively few studies have considered the effect of disparate social influences and sex differences on the DNA methylation of FKBP5 in persons with depressive symptoms. The present study aimed to test the associations of FKBP5 DNA methylation and depressive symptoms among adolescents and explore possible sex differences in the foregoing associations. METHODS: This study was conducted using a nested case-control design within a longitudinal cohort study from January 2019 to December 2019. Adolescents aged 12 to 17 years from 69 classes in 10 public high schools located in Guangdong province of China participated in this research. Students with persistent depressive symptoms that reported having depressive symptoms at both baseline and follow-up were treated as the case group, and those without depressive symptoms were randomly selected as the control group. Our study finally included 87 cases and 151 controls. Quantitative methylation analyses of the selected gene were carried out by MassARRAY platform System. RESULTS: The overall DNA methylation trend of FKBP5 CpG sites in the case group was lower in comparison to the control group. Compared to healthy controls, lower methylation percentage of FKBP5-12 CpG 1 was observed in adolescents with persistent depressive symptoms after adjusting for covariates (case: 0.94 ± 2.00, control: 0.47 ± 0.92; F = 5.41, P = 0.021), although the statistical significance of the difference was lost after false discovery rate correction (q > 0.05). In addition, the hypomethylation of FKBP5-12 CpG 1 was approaching significance after adjustment for social-environmental factors (aOR = 0.77; P = 0.055), which indicated that no independent association was detected between hypomethylation of FKBP5 CpG sites and persistent depressive symptoms. Furthermore, in the present study, we were unable to identify sex differences in the association of FKBP5 gene methylation with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: The decreased methylation level of FKBP5 was observed in adolescents with persistent depressive symptoms, albeit non-significant after correction for multiple testing. Our results presented here are preliminary and underscore the complex gene-environment interactions relevant to the risk for depressive symptoms.

Research on Transboundary Regulation of Plant-Derived Exogenous MiRNA Based on Biological Big Data.

In recent years, researchers have discovered plant miRNA (plant xenomiR) in mammalian samples, but it is unclear whether it exists stably and participates in regulation. In this paper, a cross-border regulation model of plant miRNAs based on biological big data is constructed to study the possible cross-border regulation of plant miRNAs. Firstly, a variety of human edible plants were selected, and based on the miRNA data detected in human experimental studies, screening was performed to obtain the plant xenomiR that may stably exist in the human body. Then, we use plant and animal target gene prediction methods to obtain the mRNAs of animals and plants that may be regulated, respectively. Finally, we use GO (Gene Ontology) and the Multiple Dimensional Scaling (MDS) algorithm to analyze the biological processes regulated by plants and animals. We obtain the relationship between different biological processes and explore the regulatory commonality and individuality of plant xenomiR in plants and humans. Studies have shown that the development and metabolic functions of the human body are affected by daily eating habits. Soybeans, corn, and rice can not only affect the daily development and metabolism of the human body but also regulate biological processes such as protein modification and mitosis. This conclusion explains the reasons for the different physiological functions of the human body. This research is an important meaning for the design of small RNA drugs in Chinese herbal medicine and the treatment of human nutritional diseases.

Effects of the psychological aggression and corporal punishment college students experienced before the age of 10 on anxiety and health related risky behaviors / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To provide a basis for college students mental health education and guidance, the impact of psychological aggression and corporal punishment college students experienced before the age of 10 on anxiety and health risk behaviors was explored.@*Methods@#In April and May 2019, the convenience sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey among all the freshman and sophomore students of some majors in two universities in Harbin, including a total of 2 150 students. The contents of the questionnaire included general information survey, Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC)，Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Adolescent Health related Risky Behavior Inventory (AHRBI).@*Results@#The percentage of college students who suffered psychological aggression and corporal punishment before the age of 10 was 80.05% and 58.37%. The detection rate of corporal punishment in boys and non-only child was significantly higher than that in girls and only child (P<0.05). The students who experienced psychological aggression and corporal punishment before the age of 10 had higher detection rates of anxiety state and six subscales of health risk behaviors than those who didn t experienced those (P<0.05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that, psychological aggression, place of residence, corporal punishment, and only child were positively associated with college students anxiety state (OR=1.85,1.53,1.49,1.34). The Logistic regression analysis showed that, psychological aggression, place of residence were positively associated with college students health-compromising behaviors (OR=1.60,1.26). Psychological aggression, gender factors, corporal punishment, and only child all influenced college students aggression and violence behavior (OR=1.75,1.66,1.63,1.28). Corporal punishment influenced college students suicide and self-injury behavior (OR=3.44). Gender factors and corporal punishment all influenced college students smoking and drinking behavior (OR=2.67,2.25).Corporal punishment and psychological aggression were positively associated with college students rule breaking behavior (OR=1.88,1.55). Corporal punishment, gender factors, and family income all influenced college students unprotected sexual behavior (OR=4.51,1.91,0.62).@*Conclusion@#Parental psychological aggression and corporal punishment college students experienced during childhood have a negative impact on their anxiety and health risk behaviors.

Comparative study on the life satisfaction and social desirability of only and non-only children in urban and rural areas of Harbin / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To compare life satisfaction and social desirability between only and non-only children in urban and rural areas, and to provide a basis for future mental health education guidance.@*Methods@#Stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 3 765 students of grade 4 and 5 from 9 primary schools in urban and rural area of Harbin. The contents of the questionnaires included general information survey, the Multidimensional Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS) and the Children’s Social Desirability Scale (CSD).@*Results@#In the overall life satisfaction, county children had the highest satisfaction (5.10±0.50), while rural children had the lowest satisfaction (4.96±0.57);The life satisfaction of girls was higher than that of boys; The life satisfaction of only children was higher than that of non-only children(F/t=17.04,-5.91,2.21,P<0.05). In terms of social desirability, the social desirability of urban children(32.33±7.04) and county children (31.78±6.30) was higher than that of rural children(30.82±6.34).The social desirability of girls was higher than that of boys, the only children was higher than that of the non-only children (P<0.05). In the overall life satisfaction and all domains of life satisfaction apart from friend life satisfaction, the life satisfaction of urban girls was higher than that of boys(P<0.05). Except for county non-only children, the social desirability of girls was higher than that of boys (P<0.05). In the overall life satisfaction and all domains of life satisfaction apart from family life satisfaction, the life satisfaction of county boys was highest among three areas (P<0.05). In all domains of life satisfaction, the life satisfaction of county girls was highest and the life satisfaction of rural girls was lowest(P<0.05). In the family life satisfaction, the life satisfaction of only boys in urban areas was higher than that of non-only boys(P=0.03). In the overall, friend, living environment and self-dimension life satisfaction, the only and non-only children in the urban, county and rural area had significant differences (P<0.05). In addition, the life satisfaction of county children was highest and the life satisfaction of rural children was lowest. The social desirability of only children in urban and county areas was higher than that of only children in rural areas.@*Conclusion@#There are differences in life satisfaction and social expectations among urban, county and rural children in Harbin. Corresponding intervention strategies should be developed when administers psychological counselling to children.

Impact of school bullying victimization and social supports on anxiety symptoms among medical college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand impacts of past experiences of school bullying victimization and social supports on anxiety symptoms of college students, and to provide basic data for appropriate mental health education.@*Methods@#By using cluster random sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among freshman, sophomore and junior college students majoring in clinical medicine from one medical university in Heilongjiang Province. The questionnaire included general demographic information, school bullying and self-rating anxiety scale.@*Results@#In this survey, 647 students (28.4%) were reported of anxiety symptoms, including 462 (20.3%) with mild anxiety, 162 (7.1%) with moderate anxiety, and 23(1.0%) with severe anxiety. Reported rate of mild, moderate and severe anxiety among college students with bullying victimization experiences during primary school students was 22.8%,33.9% and 59.6%, respectively (χ2=93.05, P<0.05). The figure among students with bullying victimization during junior school was 21.5%, 45.2% and 57.3%, respectively (χ2=186.79, P<0.05). Among those with bullying victimization experiences, anxiety symptoms showed no differences between students with or without social supports from peers, parents and teachers (χ2=7.95, P=0.54; χ2=11.57, P=0.24). Ordinal logistic regression showed bullying victimization during primary school and affection to primary school positively associated with anxiety symptoms among college students, while bullying victimization experiences during junior school showed no association with anxiety symptoms in college.@*Conclusion@#Bullying victimization experiences during primary school shows significant association with anxiety symptoms among college students.

Behavioral and emotional health and associated factors among first-born children in Harbin / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To compare behavioral and emotional health among first-born children and the only-child in Harbin, as well as associated factors including parents, family background, parenting and family environment.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted for 156 parents of first-born children and the only-children, matched in age (<3 months), class and gender. Achenbach Child behavior scale (CBCL), the Self-evaluation of Anxiety Scale (SAS), the Self-rating Depression Scale(SDS), the Parents Rearing Behavior Questionnaire (CRPR) and the Family Assessment Device Scale (FAD) were used.@*Results@#There was no statistically significant difference in the scores of each dimension of children's emotional and behavioral health between the two groups(17.88±5.93)(19.13±6.01),total score(t=-0.74，P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in anxiety and depression between the two groups of parents(χ2=0.51，0.40，P>0.05); In terms of parenting style, the acceptance and encouragement achievement score for first-born children was significantly higher than that of the only child (t=2.10,2.12, P<0.05). In terms of family functions, there was no statistical difference in total function (t=-0.43, P>0.05). Behavioral problems associated with parents' anxiety, depression, parental rearing style and family function. Regression analysis showed that behavioral problems were mainly affected by sibling relationship for first-born children(B=8.74) and family role function for the only child (B=1.27).@*Conclusion@#No significant differences in behavioral and emotional health between first-born child and the only child are observed. However, harmonious sibling relationship, emotionally supportive parents and home environment could help improving behavioral and emotional health.