Search Results (12,524)

Lower-limb strength is a health and performance indicator in adolescents, although its assessment often fails to account for the influence of sex and biological development. This study aimed to analyze the associations between anthropometric parameters, maturational status, and physical activity levels with jumping performance in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female adolescents (mean age: 13.60 ± 1.50 years). Anthropometric variables, maturational status, and physical activity levels were assessed. Performance was measured using the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) and Standing Broad Jump (SBJ). In males, jumping performance was significantly associated with height (p = 0.002), lower-limb length (p < 0.001), and muscle mass (p < 0.001). However, fat mass emerged as a substantial factor, exhibiting a large effect size on performance (p < 0.001). Maturational status in males showed significant differences, with late maturers performing lower than on-time and early maturers (p < 0.023). In females, structural anthropometry and maturation showed limited-to-no significant associations with performance, except for a negative association with fat mass (p < 0.035) and a positive association between muscle mass and CMJ (p < 0.020). Active adolescents of both sexes performed significantly better than inactive ones in both CMJ and SBJ (p < 0.011). In conclusion, jumping performance in adolescents is characterized by marked sexual dimorphism. In males, greater height, lower-limb length, lower fat mass, and early maturation are positively associated with superior performance. Conversely, in females, these factors exhibit limited influence on jump outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Elevated central adiposity (ECA) in childhood is associated with early cardiometabolic risk and hemodynamic alterations. However, evidence in Spanish schoolchildren regarding the relationship between eating behavior traits and central adiposity is limited, particularly across developmental stages. This study aimed to examine the association between Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) subscales and ECA, and to explore potential differences by age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 496 rural schoolchildren aged 6–15 years. ECA was defined using the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and sex-specific cut-offs validated for the Spanish pediatric population. Eating behavior was assessed with the CEBQ (Z-scores), and diet quality was measured using the KIDMED index. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for sex, KIDMED score, and maternal education. Analyses were subsequently stratified by age (6–9 and 10–15 years). Results: The prevalence of ECA was 45.90%. In fully adjusted models, higher Food Responsiveness (FR) was associated with increased odds of ECA, while Satiety Responsiveness (SR) acted as a protective factor; sex also showed an independent association. After stratification, sex remained the only significant predictor in children aged 6–9 years. Among those aged 10–15 years, FR was significantly associated with ECA (p = 0.008), while Slowness in Eating (SE) showed a borderline positive association in the adjusted model (p = 0.049) and was therefore interpreted cautiously. SR and Emotional Undereating (EU) showed protective trends near significance (p = 0.081 and p = 0.082, respectively). Conclusions: The association between eating behavior traits and ECA varies by age. In older children, FR showed a robust association with ECA, whereas no behavioral predictors were observed in younger children. The protective role of SR in the global model and the emergence of behavioral predictors in older participants highlight the importance of targeted interventions during late childhood. Full article

Background/Objectives: Research has shown a high prevalence of co-occurring trauma-related disorders and cocaine use disorder (CUD). However, there remains a need for preclinical studies to determine how traumatic event exposure influences vulnerability to CUD development and relapse. In this study, we assessed the impact of traumatic event exposure using a threat conditioning (TC) paradigm, which models traumatic event exposure through associative threat learning on cocaine-seeking behavior in adult male and female rats. Methods: Adult male and female rats were exposed to a single TC session. After TC, the rats underwent cocaine self-administration (SA), extinction training, cue-primed reinstatement, and cocaine-primed reinstatement testing. A parallel cohort was subjected to a sucrose SA cohort to assess whether TC altered non-drug reward seeking in the form of sucrose SA. Results: In the cocaine cohort, stressed male rats exhibited greater cue- and cocaine-primed reinstatement relative to non-stressed males, whereas no reinstatement differences emerged in female rats. In the sucrose cohort, stressed females displayed increased sucrose pellet delivery during self-administration compared to non-stressed females, but no differences were observed during sucrose reinstatement in either male or female rats. Conclusions: These findings indicate that trauma exposure prior to cocaine use influences cocaine relapse-related behavior, as well as non-drug reward reinforcement earning, in a sex-specific manner. Overall, these results highlight the value of associative stress models such as TC for studying trauma–addiction comorbidity and the need to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms driving these sex-specific outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Measures of excess body fat are often more informative for predicting health risk than body mass index (BMI) alone. With obesity prevalence increasing among young adults, this study evaluated whether adding dominant handgrip strength improves prediction of body fat percentage (BF%) and BF%-defined obesity in a university population. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 895 students (401 women, 494 men; mean age 19.9 years; fall 2015–spring 2016) in Kentucky, USA were analyzed. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. BF% was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and dominant handgrip strength was measured with a hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. Sex-specific linear and logistic regression models assessed associations among BMI, grip strength, relative grip strength, and BF%. Results: BMI was a strong predictor of BF% in linear models (R² = 0.74 in women; 0.68 in men). Grip strength alone was not associated with BF% but showed an inverse association when combined with BMI. For BF%-defined obesity, BMI remained the most influential predictor, with grip strength contributing additional predictive value. Among men, age significantly modified these relationships, with marked differences between those aged 18–19 years versus older participants. Conclusions: BMI strongly predicted BF% and BF%-based obesity in this cross-sectional study of a predominantly white young adult population. Incorporating handgrip strength modestly improved classification, particularly among women, suggesting that a functional measure like hand grip strength may enhance obesity screening and health communication in young adults. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia and is characterized by abnormal aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, tau proteins, and neuroinflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). While most AD research has focused on the brain, the molecular pathology of the spinal cord remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated amyloid pathology, neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and cholesterol metabolism across distinct regions of the spinal cord and examined sex-specific differences using a model of AD, 5xFAD mice. Our data reveal that Aβ accumulation was restricted to the cervical spinal cord at 3 months but was evident in all areas of the spinal cord by 9 months, with similar patterns in both female and male animals. Despite this early and progressive Aβ deposition, no significant neuronal loss was observed in the ventral horn of the cervical spinal cord in either sex at 3 or 9 months of age. In contrast, there was a significant positive correlation between Aβ deposition and Iba1+ cell density in the spinal cord of 5xFAD mice. The number of Iba1+ cells in both the grey and white matter was significantly increased in female and male 5xFAD mice compared with age-matched wild-type (WT) littermates at 9 months of age. Astrocytic responses, however, were sex-specific: female, but not male, 5xFAD mice exhibited a significant increase in GFAP+ astrocytes in the grey matter of the thoracic and lumber spinal cord at 9 months compared with 3 months and relative to age-matched WT controls in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Furthermore, GFAP+ area in the thoracic spinal cord was significantly higher in female 9-month-old 5xFAD mice compared with their male counterparts, indicating a female-specific astrocytic response in AD spinal cord pathology. Our data also show an increase in free cholesterol (Filipin+ area) in 5xFAD mice at 9 months relative to WT controls, accompanied by altered expression of cholesterol metabolism genes, including downregulation of Abca1, Cyp46a1 and Cyp27a1. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into AD progression in the spinal cord, highlighting molecular pathology of AD extending beyond the brain. Full article

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and imposes a substantial financial burden on health systems due to both the direct and indirect costs of acute management and long-term complications. This systematic review aimed to assess patient satisfaction with anticoagulation therapy for VTE and to highlight potential differences according to the type of anticoagulant. The review focused on factors influencing the patient experience, such as perceived efficacy, ease of use, adverse effects, and health-related quality of life. Materials and Methods: A systematic review, without quantitative meta-analysis, was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Articles were identified through searches in major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and others) using keywords including “patient satisfaction”, “anticoagulation”, “venous thromboembolic disease”, and “quality of life”. In total, 21 studies published between 2009 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. The studies assessed patient satisfaction with different types of anticoagulation, including vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) injections. Results: Across the included studies, patients generally reported higher levels of treatment satisfaction with DOACs compared with VKAs, mainly due to the absence of routine laboratory monitoring and fewer dietary restrictions. However, satisfaction varied according to age, sex, and clinical status. In specific patient populations, such as those with cancer-associated thrombosis, factors including fewer drug–drug interactions and perceptions of safety with LMWH appeared to influence treatment choice and satisfaction. Adverse effects, particularly bleeding, were identified as major drivers of dissatisfaction. Several studies suggested that higher treatment satisfaction was associated with better adherence, while quality of life appeared to improve in patients treated with DOACs in comparison with VKAs. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction is a critical component of successful VTE management. Overall, DOACs appear to be associated with higher treatment satisfaction than traditional therapies such as VKAs, although further high-quality research is needed to individualise anticoagulation strategies. Systematic incorporation of patient-reported satisfaction into clinical decision-making and into international guidelines may improve adherence, enhance quality of life, and ultimately increase the effectiveness of anticoagulation therapy. Full article

The use of colored LED lights is a tool for controlling the development of lymphoid organs and the immune system in general. This study aims to analyze the effects of using simple and combined colored LED lights throughout a 6 week period (1–42 days of age). In this study, 336 one-day-old chicks were used, separated randomly into four groups with different sex and lighting systems, with each group being divided into four separate replicates (4 × 21 birds). The chicks in the WL-Male and WL-Female were exposed to white LED light (WL, 400–760 nm) for 6 weeks, while the chicks in the G-GxB-BL-Male and G-GxB-BL-Female were exposed to a combination of monochromatic lights as follows: green (560 nm) from 1 to 14 days of age, green and blue (480–560 nm) for 15–28 days of age, and blue lights (480 nm) for 29–42 days of age. The use of a mixture of green and blue LED lights (G-GxB-BL) resulted in a significant decrease in the average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio compared to white light, without causing changes in the body weight of the chicks, average daily gain, mortality rate, and coefficient of variability. G-GxB-BL lights also improved the morphological development of the bursa of Fabricius (BF) compared to white light by significantly increasing the organ index and the lymphoid follicle area. At the same time, G-GxB-BL light compared to white light improved B lymphocytes proliferation in the BF by significantly increasing the lymphocyte density in lymphoid follicles, as well as the number of PCNA-positive cells. This light treatment had these results due to the activation of melatonin receptors, which led to a significant increase in Mel1a-positive cells and a significant decrease in the number of RORα-positive cells. These results demonstrate that G-GxB-BL lights improved the growth performance and immune response in the BF of broiler chickens. Full article

This study analysed the potential influence of crew size on performance (stroke rate, strokes/min; distance travelled, m/min; and average power, W), physiological responses (post-exercise heart rate and heart rate measured three minutes after exercise) and perceptual responses (Borg scale). A total of 136 adolescent athletes (100 males and 36 females; mean age = 15.79 ± 1.14 years) performed four three-minute maximal-effort trials on a rowing ergometer across four conditions: individual trials (C1), two-person crews (C2), four-person crews (C3), and eight-person crews (C4). Results showed a significant increase in stroke rate (strokes/min) in both sexes as crew size increased (C1 33.16 ± 2.54 vs. C4 34.19 ± 2.21 strokes/min; C1–C4 p = 0.01; C2–C4 p = 0.003). Men reported greater perceived exertion in C1 compared with C4 (Borg 7.80 ± 0.79 vs. 7.46 ± 0.74; p = 0.032), despite no associated changes in performance (863.88 ± 45.10 vs. 863.26 ± 47.63 m/min) or average power (311.71 ± 46.43 vs. 311.44 ± 50.43 W), whereas no differences in perceived exertion were observed in women (Borg 7.59 ± 0.84 vs. 7.56 ± 0.76). Cardiovascular responses were similar across sexes and experimental conditions. In summary, these preliminary findings could point toward the existence of sex-differentiated patterns. The data appear to suggest a more pronounced tendency toward the ‘crew-size effect’ among the men in the sample, whereas an inclination toward maintaining individual responsibility is observed in the women. Full article

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a public health concern in the United States. Using the 2019 National Survey of Children’s Health, this cross-sectional secondary analysis examined associations between cumulative ACEs (0, 1, 2, and 3 or more) and three health behaviors among children ages 6 to 17, including physical activity, recreational screen time, and sleep. Interaction models were also estimated by child sex and race/ethnicity (White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and Hispanic) to assess whether these associations differed across groups. Nearly half of children experienced at least one ACE, and about one in eight experienced three or more. In adjusted models, higher numbers of ACEs were associated with a lower likelihood of meeting recreational screen time guidelines and sleep recommendations, while no statistically significant association was observed for meeting physical activity recommendations. Interaction analyses by child sex and race/ethnicity found no statistically significant differences in these associations across groups. These findings suggest that children with higher numbers of ACEs may be less likely to meet recommended sleep and recreational screen time guidelines, underscoring the potential value of trauma-informed strategies that strengthen sleep routines and healthy media practices. Full article

Background/Objectives: Corneal epithelial thickness (CET) alterations reflect distinct mechanisms in aqueous-deficient and evaporative dry eye disease (DED) subtypes. In this study, we compare the CET profiles between patients with Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) and those with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with SS and 30 age- and sex-matched with MGD. Assessments included corneal staining, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive breakup time, lipid layer thickness (LLT), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) CET mapping. Regional CET and superior–inferior asymmetry were compared. Results: The SS group exhibited higher corneal staining scores (2.18 ± 1.23 vs. 1.03 ± 1.18, p = 0.001) and lower TMHs (0.14 ± 0.06 vs. 0.18 ± 0.07 mm, p = 0.013), while the MGD group reported greater OSDI scores (40.39 ± 22.49 vs. 31.25 ± 22.81, p = 0.029). A significantly thinner central epithelium (p = 0.043) and localized inferior paracentral thinning (2–5 mm zone, p = 0.008) were noted in SS. Corneal staining was identified as the primary independent predictor of central and inferior CET reduction in both groups. In the MGD group, LLT was associated with the preserved inferior CET (p = 0.045) and superior–inferior thickness difference (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Distinct structural signatures are observed between DED subtypes. SS features central/inferior thinning from aqueous deficiency-mediated friction, whereas MGD shows a relatively preserved epithelial thickness influenced by LLT. Regional CET analysis may provide mechanistic insights into DED subtyping. Full article

Background: Upper limb functional performance depends on the interaction of strength, mobility, and neuromuscular control, while inter-limb asymmetries may increase injury risk. However, comprehensive analyses integrating these factors remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate sex differences and identify functional phenotypes in young adults using a multidimensional assessment approach. Methods: Forty-six healthy young adults (23 women, 23 men) underwent a comprehensive battery of upper limb assessments, including anthropometric measurements, maximal handgrip strength, isometric elbow flexion and extension torque, postural stability via the Fall Risk Index (FRI), and functional reach using the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-UQ). Inter-limb symmetry was calculated using the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI). K-means clustering was applied to standardized variables to identify latent functional phenotypes. Results: Men demonstrated significantly greater body mass, height, limb length, and absolute strength (p < 0.01), while functional performance (YBT-UQ composite scores) and inter-limb symmetry were similar between sexes. Strength asymmetry was most prevalent for elbow flexion and handgrip strength (up to 89%), whereas stability asymmetry was less frequent (≈54%). Three functional clusters were identified: Cluster 1—high strength and moderate stability, Cluster 2—lower anthropometry and strength, Cluster 3—high strength but reduced stability and increased asymmetry. Despite phenotypic differences, composite functional performance was comparable across clusters. Conclusions: Upper limb function reflects the interaction of morphological and neuromuscular factors rather than strength alone. Observed asymmetries should be interpreted within a functional context, as moderate asymmetries may represent normal variation in motor control, while larger asymmetries may indicate potential functional imbalance; however, due to the cross-sectional design of this study, no causal inferences regarding injury risk can be made. Functional phenotyping provides a framework for individualized training, screening, and rehabilitation strategies. Full article

Background: Treatment adherence and outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) continue to be subpar in rural South Africa, where structural health system limitations, comorbid conditions, and diverse resistance patterns make clinical management more challenging. This study aimed to assess how demographic, clinical, and programmatic factors, including a Community Engagement–Clinical Governance (CE–CG) implementation period, affect DR-TB treatment outcomes using explanatory predictive modeling. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using routine program data from 694 DR-TB patients. A complete-case analysis was performed for multivariable modeling (n = 282). Logistic regression and decision tree models were used to examine the relationships between treatment success and selected predictors, including age, sex, treatment regimen, resistance phenotype, comorbidities, and the CE–CG implementation period. Model discrimination and performance were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, pseudo-R² statistics, likelihood ratio tests, and multicollinearity diagnostics. Results: The cohort had a mean age of 40.7 years, and 58.8% of patients were male. Overall treatment success was 59.9%. Severe resistance phenotypes were rare (1.7%) but clinically significant. Comparative analysis showed no notable demographic or outcome differences between included and excluded patients, indicating minimal selection bias. In adjusted models, treatment initiation during the CE–CG implementation period was significantly linked to lower odds of treatment success (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.443; 95% CI: 0.240–0.818; p = 0.009). Severe resistance phenotypes were strongly negatively associated with treatment success (aOR = 0.303; p = 0.056). Logistic regression models had limited discriminatory ability (AUC: 0.523–0.548), while the decision tree model showed modest improvement (AUC: 0.626). Overall, the model’s explanatory power was limited (pseudo-R² = 0.029), although no evidence of multicollinearity was found. Conclusions: Programmatic implementation periods and resistance severity were important factors associated with treatment outcomes in this rural DR-TB cohort. Although model discrimination was modest and explanatory power was limited, the findings provide useful insights into structural and programmatic vulnerabilities that affect treatment success in real-world settings. Strengthening clinical governance, improving routine program documentation, and incorporating more granular adherence, social, and governance indicators into routine data systems may improve both program evaluation and future predictive modeling. Full article

Preimplantation embryo genomic selection (eGS) enables selection prior to implantation and could accelerate genetic gain in cattle. A major hurdle is the limited DNA from embryo biopsies, requiring efficient whole-genome amplification (WGA) for accurate genomic analyses. However, alternative WGA methods and genotyping strategies have not been systematically compared in cattle. This study evaluated different methods for WGA (multiple displacement amplification (MDA) or multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycles (MALBAC)) and for genotyping (single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array), genotyping by targeted sequencing (GBTS), or whole-genome sequencing (WGS)) using 3-, 6-, and 9-cell bovine samples. MDA consistently outperformed MALBAC across various performance metrics, including amplification length, call rates, genome coverage (93.43–94.40% vs. 53.01–67.08%), and genotyping concordance (0.89–0.98 vs. 0.75–0.92). GBTS achieved the highest call rates, while SNP-array and GBTS showed excellent concordance and low error rates. WGS provided genome-wide data for precise aneuploidy detection. We further validated the workflow in trophectoderm biopsies and arrested embryos, generating reliable data for genomic evaluation, sex determination, and aneuploidy screening. MDA from ≥6 cells combined with GBTS or SNP-array showed a favorable balance of efficiency and accuracy for bovine eGS. This framework may facilitate the application of eGS in cattle breeding by enhancing selection intensity and accelerating genetic improvement. Full article

Background: The pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a complex anatomical region containing critical neurovascular structures and serving as an important surgical landmark for endoscopic and transmaxillary approaches. Quantitative data on its volumetric and linear morphology remain limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate bilateral PPF volumes and linear dimensions using CBCT-based semi-automated segmentation, and to assess the influence of sex and age on PPF morphometry in a Romanian cohort. Methods: This single-center, retrospective pilot cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) study analyzed 50 patients (28 males and 22 females; age range 16–80 years). Semi-automated segmentation was performed using ITK-SNAP software, and linear measurements were obtained from multiplanar reconstructions. Results: Males exhibited significantly larger mean PPF volumes than females (right: 868.96 vs. 759.86 mm³, p = 0.018; left: 836.71 vs. 703.00 mm³, p = 0.003). Significant age-related differences were observed, with younger patients (≤40 years) showing greater volumes (right: 907.06 mm³; left: 845.90 mm³) than older patients (>40 years: right: 691.80 mm³; left: 675.45 mm³; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Similar trends were observed for linear dimensions: mean height and width were consistently greater in males, and height was greater in the ≤40 age group. Left-side width did not differ significantly across age groups. No clinically relevant bilateral asymmetry was identified. Intra- and inter-observer reliability were excellent across all parameters (ICC > 0.90). Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary morphometric reference data on the PPF with potential implications for preoperative planning in maxillofacial surgery, endoscopic approaches, and regional anesthesia, pending prospective clinical validation. Full article