Anterior open bite associated with tongue-thrusting habit is a common malocclusion in children that may adversely affect dentofacial development, oral function, and esthetics. Habit-breaking appliances are frequently used to eliminate tongue-thrusting behavior and facilitate the correction of anterior open bites. However, limited evidence exists regarding the comparative effectiveness of fixed and removable tongue-thrust habit-breaking appliances. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of fixed and removable tongue-thrust habit-breaking appliances in managing anterior open bites in pediatric patients. This retrospective observational comparative study included 100 pediatric patients aged 7-14 years diagnosed with an anterior open bite associated with a tongue-thrusting habit. The patients were divided into two groups: fixed (n = 50) and removable (n = 50) appliance groups. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from patient records. The outcome measures included reduction in anterior open bite, percentage correction, treatment duration, complete open-bite closure, and predictors of successful treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate parametric and regression tests with a significance level of p < 0.05. The two groups were comparable at baseline, with no significant differences in age, sex distribution, baseline open bite severity, duration of habit, or follow-up period (p > 0.05). Both treatment modalities produced significant reductions in the anterior open bite (p < 0.001). The fixed appliance group demonstrated a greater mean reduction in open bite (2.9 ± 1.0 mm) than the removable appliance group (1.9 ± 0.8 mm) (p < 0.001). The percentage correction was significantly higher in the fixed appliance group (76.3 ± 12.4%) than in the removable appliance group (51.4 ± 15.7%) (p < 0.001). Treatment duration was significantly shorter with fixed appliances (10.2 ± 2.1 months) than with removable appliances (11.8 ± 2.6 months) (p = 0.001). Complete open-bite closure was achieved in 35 (70.0%) and 20 (40.0%) patients in the fixed and removable appliance groups, respectively (p = 0.003). Fixed appliance therapy was the strongest independent predictor of successful open bite closure (odds ratio (OR) = 4.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.75-9.14; p = 0.001). Both fixed and removable tongue-thrust habit-breaking appliances were effective in reducing anterior open bites in pediatric patients. However, fixed appliances achieved significantly greater correction, higher rates of complete closure, and shorter treatment durations. Fixed appliance therapy demonstrated superior clinical effectiveness and was the strongest predictor of successful treatment outcomes. These findings support the use of fixed habit-breaking appliances as a preferred treatment option for growing children with tongue-thrust-associated anterior open bites.
Diabetes mellitus is involved in the development of various diseases, including microvascular and macrovascular complications, infections, osteoporosis and dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the mediating role of obesity or metabolic abnormalities (hypertension, dyslipidaemia) in causal pathways between dietary habits (fast eating, skipping breakfast) and developing type 2 diabetes. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using health examination data from employees of Panasonic Corporation in Japan. Information on participants' dietary habits, metabolic factors and the onset of diabetes was collected. Cox regression-based causal mediation analyses were performed to assess associations among dietary habits, metabolic factors and diabetes development. Among 155 963 participants, fast eating (HR 1.93, 95% CI 1.73 to 2.14) and skipping breakfast (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.37) were associated with increased onset of type 2 diabetes within 13 years. Fast eating showed a strong association with diabetes risk mediated through body mass index (BMI) (proportion mediated 0.73, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.85) while skipping breakfast showed a direct association with diabetes risk not mediated through BMI (proportion mediated 0.10, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.14). Both dietary habits exhibited small mediating effects through hypertension or dyslipidaemia. Fast eating increases diabetes risk, primarily through BMI, whereas skipping breakfast poses a risk not through BMI. These findings suggest a mechanism by which dietary habits affect glucose metabolism.
The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the histological and histochemical organization of the esophagus in two avian species with different feeding ecologies. A total of 6 individuals were used for this purpose (3 storks, 3 common buzzards). The esophageal samples were examined using Crossmon's triple stain, PAS with Light green combination, Alcian blue/PAS (pH 1, pH 2.5) and Aldehyde fuchsin/Alcian blue (AF/AB) staining methods following routine histological processing. In the histological evaluation, it was observed that the esophagus in both species typically consists of the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and adventitia/serosa layers. Significant differences were identified between the species in terms of epithelial structure and gland distribution. In storks, the mucosal folds were more distinct, and the glands were more densely distributed. In common buzzards, the epithelial structure was relatively more compact, and the distribution of the glands was limited. Histochemical analyses revealed significant inter-species variations in mucus content. PAS and AB/PAS staining showed that neutral, acidic, and mixed mucopolysaccharides coexist in the stork esophagus, whereas more limited and distinct distribution patterns were observed in common buzzards. AF/AB staining, on the other hand, revealed differences between species in the localization of sulfated and carboxylated mucopolysaccharides. The findings support the notion that the histological and histochemical characteristics of the avian esophagus are closely related to the species' feeding habits. In particular, differences in mucus composition and gland organization are thought to be important in terms of adaptive mechanisms for food transport and esophageal protection. This study contributes to the literature by providing comparative data on the structural differences of the esophagus in avian species with different trophic characteristics.
Voice is essential in university teaching, yet evidence integrating self-reported vocal fatigue with health, lifestyle, sociodemographic, and professional indicators in lecturers remains limited. This study analyzed the associations between two symptom-related dimensions of vocal fatigue, vocal tiredness and physical vocal discomfort, and multidimensional health, lifestyle, sociodemographic, and occupational indicators in university teaching staff. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among teaching staff from the Spanish Network of Health-Promoting Universities. The final sample included 1560 lecturers from 13 Spanish universities, 49.9% men, mean age 47.39 years, SD 11.29. Self-reported vocal fatigue, health-related quality of life, burnout, emotional symptomatology, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep quality, and professional characteristics were assessed. Vocal Fatigue Index-defined vocal tiredness was identified in 7.1% of participants, and physical vocal discomfort in 12.8%. Women reported higher scores in both dimensions, and sex remained independently associated with both outcomes in adjusted models. Lecturers with vocal tiredness or physical vocal discomfort showed lower health-related quality of life and higher anxiety, depression, stress, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and sleep problems. Hierarchical regression models identified lower physical well-being, higher anxiety, and greater emotional exhaustion as the main factors associated with both outcomes. Physical activity, sedentary time, teaching modality, and number of students taught were not clearly associated with vocal fatigue symptoms. Self-reported vocal fatigue symptoms were present in a meaningful minority of university lecturers and were associated with poorer perceived well-being, greater psychological distress, and higher emotional exhaustion, supporting the inclusion of vocal health in university occupational health strategies.
Training and body composition requirements in elite sports may elevate eating disorder (ED) risk. Current estimates suggest a range of 1-28% prevalence of ED in elite athletes, reflecting methodological heterogeneity, underreporting, and limited research focus. EDs adversely affect physical health (e.g., osteoporosis, fatigue, injury), psychological well-being, and athletic performance, often persisting beyond athletic careers. Sport-specific demands may obscure ED symptoms, making underdiagnoses likely. This longitudinal study's objective is to furnish proof for the theoretical model of disordered eating in elite athletes by examining the role of sport-specific indicators, to improve early identification and psychological diagnostics. Three-hundred elite athletes from weight-sensitive (ballet, bodybuilding) and less weight-sensitive (soccer, racket sports, basketball) sports will complete assessments at four time points. A subgroup of 90 athletes will participate in clinical interviews. Logistic and hierarchical regressions will identify ED risk indicators and estimate the prevalence of EDs in athletes. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analyses will assess diagnostic accuracy of single and combined indicators with reporting of sensitivity, specificity, and the Area Under the Curve (AUC). Group differences and measurement invariance of ED instruments will be tested between the athlete group and 300 non-athlete controls. Identifying reliable ED indicators in elite sports may support early intervention. This theory-based approach aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy and athletes' care. Prospective registration of the study in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00035100) on 03 February 2025.
Researchers typically rely on self-report when investigating individuals' behavior. However, when assessing socially undesirable behaviors such as dishonesty, self-report is vulnerable to underreporting and positive response bias ("faking good"). The present study examined whether supernormality, an extreme form of positive response bias, influences self-reported lying behavior. A total of 777 participants completed an online survey assessing supernormality and different dimensions of lying behavior. Based on their scores on the Supernormality Scale-Revised (SS-R), participants were categorized into a "supernormal group" (n = 223, 28.7%) or a "credible group" (n = 554, 71.3%). Group differences across several lying-related outcomes were examined. Compared to the credible group, the supernormal group reported lower lying frequency, greater unwillingness to lie due to negative internal factors (i.e., higher negativity), lower contextuality, and lower relational and antisocial lying. These differences emerged consistently across multiple dimensions of lying, suggesting a systematic shift in responding rather than isolated effects. The findings suggest that extreme positive response bias may extend beyond the underreporting of psychological distress to socially undesirable behaviors such as lying, potentially leading to systematic underestimation in self-report research. Overall, the results highlight the vulnerability of self-report when assessing sensitive behaviors and the importance of accounting for response bias.
Tree ferns are substantial hosts for epiphytes, often hosting distinct communities that are considerably different from other hosts. While previous research has highlighted the prevalence of epiphytic ferns growing on tree ferns, studies have yet to explore this host relationship for the gametophyte generation. This study aims to investigate the epiphytic fern gametophyte communities growing on low trunks of Alsophila spinulosa (Cyatheaceae). A high-throughput DNA barcoding approach was used to identify fern gametophytes collected from tree fern trunks and neighboring angiosperm hosts across six established plots. Co-occurring sporophytes were surveyed along the same trunks. Gametophyte identification was achieved by sequencing multiplexed trnL-F amplicons derived from tissue-direct PCR on an Illumina MiSeq platform. Tree fern trunks harbored a higher abundance and species richness of fern gametophytes than angiosperm trunks, and hosted more cordiform gametophytes, most of which were otherwise terrestrial ferns considered to be accidentally epiphytic. In comparison, angiosperm hosts were associated with non-cordiform, obligately epiphytic ferns. The humid microclimate of tree fern trunks simulate a terrestrial-like environment, offering an indistinct boundary from the forest floor which provides habitat for fern species that typically establish on the ground. Our survey also recovered three species we interpret as independent fern gametophytes Antrophyum henryi., Callistopteris apiifolia, and Haplopteris yakushimensis, given that their sporophyte phases were not present and are not known from nearby localities. DNA barcoding techniques provide an opportunity to study the distribution and habit of fern gametophytes, the life history stage of ferns which is often overlooked. Our results demonstrate that gametophyte growth form and habit are correlated with habitat preference and community structure. Our findings support the importance of incorporating gametophytes into broader studies of fern ecology and distribution.
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a leading cause of long-term disability for children in Vietnam and across the world, affecting both gross and fine motor skills as well as daily independence. Intensive therapy has been shown to significantly improve motor outcomes. Moreover, parental involvement in therapy contributes positively to child development. Hand-Arm Bimanual Intensive Therapy Including Lower Extremities (HABIT-ILE) is a structured intervention that targets motor function of the upper and lower extremities through intensive, goal-directed practice. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a parent-delivered HABIT-ILE programme in young children with CP in Vietnam, using a randomised controlled trial comparing onsite and online groups of intervention. A total of 48 children aged 2-6 years diagnosed with bilateral CP will be randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: parent-delivered HABIT-ILE conducted either in a rehabilitation centre or at home. Participants will be paired based on their age and functional levels using the Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised and the (mini-)Manual Ability Classification System before randomisation. Each group will receive an identical 50-hour intervention over 2 weeks, delivered by parents under the supervision of HABIT-ILE experts. Primary outcomes include the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 and the Melbourne Assessment 2. Secondary outcomes will consist of Vietnamese versions of the West-African version of the ACTIVLIM-CP questionnaire, Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and parental quality of life with World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version questionnaire. Assessments will occur twice at baseline with 2 weeks in between (T0 and T1), postintervention (T2, 2 weeks after T1) and 3-month follow-up (T3). A 2 (group)×4 (time) repeated-measures analysis of variance will be used to analyse the data ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (Approval No. 726/HĐĐĐ-ĐHYD, issued on 13 June 2024). NCT06593158.
Physical inactivity is a prevalent concern among people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). Exercise identity, a construct thought to be important for exercise maintenance, has received limited attention in survivorship research. Within the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework, identity and habit are key reflexive processes proposed to help sustain behavior. This study examined the applicability of the M-PAC framework in people LWBC and to identify how M-PAC, clinical, demographic, and behavioral variables are associated with exercise identity. In this cross-sectional survey, participants were recruited globally via cancer organizations, social media, and research platforms. Validated self-reported measures assessed exercise (Modified Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), reflective processes (affective attitude, instrumental attitude, perceived capability, and perceived opportunity), regulatory processes (regulatory behaviors including self-monitoring, goal-setting, and action planning), and reflexive processes (habit and exercise identity). Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) examined model fit and relationships; regression analyses examined factors associated with exercise identity. Participants (N = 477; Mage = 48.5 ± 15.4; 69.4% female) were on average 61 months post-diagnosis. Common cancer types were breast (29.1%), hematologic (12.0%), and gynecologic cancers (11.8%). SEM indicated good fit (CFI = 0.975, RMSEA = 0.064, SRMR = 0.038). Reflective processes were positively associated with both regulatory and reflexive processes, and regulatory processes were positively associated with reflexive processes (all p < 0.001). In the final regression model, exercise identity was positively associated with higher MVPA (β = 0.62, p < 0.001), stronger habit (β = 1.30, p < 0.001), greater regulatory behaviors (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), higher perceived capability (β = 0.39, p = 0.004), more positive affective attitude (β = 0.63, p < 0.001), and older age (β = 1.70, p = 0.006), and negatively associated with BMI (β = - 1.91, p = 0.015). Among people LWBC, exercise identity was associated with habit, regulatory behaviors, perceived capability, affective attitude, higher MVPA, older age, and lower BMI. These findings are broadly consistent with the M-PAC framework and suggest that future survivorship research may benefit from exploring strategies to support exercise identity.
Physiological traits related to digestion and energy allocation play a central role in shaping trophic strategies and niche differentiation among coexisting fish species. Here, we evaluated digestive enzyme activities, intestinal coefficient (IC) and energy reserves in three juvenile fish species inhabiting a coastal lagoon system (Mugil liza, Odontesthes argentinensis and Oligosarcus jenynsii) with contrasting feeding habits and trophic strategies. Clear interspecific differences were observed: M. liza exhibited higher amylase activity and intestinal coefficient values, whereas O. argentinensis and O. jenynsii showed greater proteolytic activity. Energy reserve patterns also differed markedly, with O. argentinensis characterized by elevated hepatic triglycerides and O. jenynsii associated with glycogen and protein-related variables. Principal component analysis revealed clear multivariate differentiation among species, indicating coordinated variation across digestive and metabolic traits. These findings highlight that digestive physiology, intestinal morphology and energy allocation form an integrated functional axis underlying trophic differentiation and suggest that such physiological integration may facilitate species coexistence in coastal lagoon ecosystems.
This study aims to identify tapeworms found in a captive red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) and local crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and to investigate their genetic relationships, with a focus on Digramma interrupta. Molecular analyses, including ITS and cox1 gene sequencing, were conducted to identify the parasite species. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the ITS2 and cox1 sequences from tapeworms in both hosts. The ITS and cox1 sequences from the tapeworms in the red-crowned crane presented greater than 99.5% similarity to those from the crucian carp. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that tapeworm specimens recovered from both hosts likely correspond to the same species, D. interrupta. Our phylogenetic results also provide tentative support for the placement of the genus Digramma within Ligula. This study is the first to report a zoo-captive red-crowned crane likely infected with D. interrupta through the consumption of crucian carp. The overlapping habitats and dietary habits of the crane support the infection of D. interrupta via infected fish. These findings constitute a new documented case of D. interrupta infecting cranes via fish-eating bird infection pathways, supplying fresh evidence to understand its infection and spread, offering valuable insights for the monitoring, diagnosis, and prevention of avian tapeworm diseases and contributing to the effective management and protection of captive bird populations.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in the Netherlands: approximately 1.2 million people have diabetes, of which 1.1 million have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is strongly related to lifestyle factors (e.g. unhealthy eating habits, being overweight and smoking), but also to ageing and it has a genetic component. An individual's social environment may influence their lifestyle (choices), and subsequently their chance of having diabetes. This study examines the relationship between an individual's social environment and diabetes with administrative data from the Person Network of Statistics Netherlands. The Person Network includes five types of relationships (so-called network layers) of each inhabitant of the Netherlands in 2022: household members, (extended) family members, colleagues, neighbours and classmates. Individuals' diabetes status was based on whether they were prescribed diabetes medication in 2022. An "exposure score" was calculated for each individual indicating to what extent diabetes was present in their (local) network. The exposure score was decomposed to assess the distinct contribution of each network layer to the overall score. The population was limited to individuals aged 40+ years as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes increases rapidly after age 40. Exposure to diabetes was higher for individuals with diabetes than those without. Both before and after adjusting for individual background factors (e.g. age, gender, origin, income, social economic category, household composition, urbanity of the neighbourhood), individuals who had relatively more network members with diabetes were more likely to have diabetes themselves than those with fewer network members with diabetes.
The relationship between cardiovascular disease and the inflammatory potential of diet has been recently reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between a pro-inflammatory diet, as assessed by the dietary inflammatory index (DII), and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and biochemical markers in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease. This study was conducted with 100 patients with atherosclerotic heart disease who were admitted or hospitalised at the Department of Cardiology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine between March and September 2024. Participants' sociodemographic variables, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical markers were recorded. Their AIP and DII values were calculated. The 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Tool and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire were administered to them. In our study, DII scores ranged from (-0.50) to (+12.20). Patients were divided into three groups based on their DII scores; T1 and T3 represented lower and higher DII scores, respectively. There were no significant differences in AIP values among the groups (p > 0.05). There were also no differences among the groups in serum Na, K, Ca, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) values (p > 0.05 for all); only Hemoglobin (Hb) value was higher in the T1 group compared to the other groups (p = 0.014). Participants in the T1 group had higher intakes of energy, total fat, carbohydrates, protein, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, fiber; beta-carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and vitamins A, E, C, and B6; and iron and zinc (p < 0.001 for all). Significant differences were observed among the groups in the intake of saturated fat (p = 0.020), vitamin B12 (p = 0.030), magnesium (p < 0.001), garlic (p = 0.004), onion (p < 0.001), and pepper (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found for cholesterol, vitamin D, selenium, and tea consumption (p > 0.05). No associations were observed between DII and HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, TC, CRP, AIP, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) score, or the 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence score after adjustment for confounders in the whole cohort (p > 0.05 for all). This study demonstrates that patients with atherosclerotic heart disease tend to have more pro-inflammatory dietary habits, which are significantly correlated with energy intake and various macronutrient and micronutrient levels. Although there is no direct association between DII and AIP or key biochemical markers, continued pro-inflammatory dietary habits in patients may increase inflammation, potentially affecting the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Accordingly, reducing the inflammatory load of the diet may be a beneficial strategy for preventing and managing atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases.
This study aims to investigate the impact of genetic factors, dietary habits, and social behavior patterns on allergic airway diseases among children in Beijing, providing evidence for disease prevention and early intervention. A random cluster sampling method was employed to survey 2,132 children aged 6-12 years in a district of Beijing. Participants were categorized into disease and control groups according to ARIA and GINA guidelines. Data on genetic background, dietary habits, and social behavior patterns were collected via questionnaires and physical examinations. Results were presented using descriptive statistics, with associated factors analyzed through binary logistic regression. Among 2,132 children, the prevalence of allergic airway disease was 28.8%. Compared with the control group, the disease group exhibited significantly higher proportions of males (P < 0.001), parents with higher education (P = 0.020, P = 0.011), household annual income exceeding 120,000 yuan (P = 0.007), exposure to second-hand smoke (P = 0.030), pet ownership (P = 0.003), and personal/familial atopic history (P < 0.001). They also reported higher consumption of meat (P = 0.037) and soft drinks (P = 0.020). Their depression (P < 0.001) and sleep (P < 0.001) questionnaire scores were significantly higher. Compared to children with allergic rhinitis without asthma, those with asthma exhibited higher rates of multiple allergy-related histories, longer close-distance screen exposure times, and higher sleep questionnaire scores than children with allergic rhinitis alone (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis identified male gender (P < 0.001, aOR, 1.644; 95% CI: 1.302 to 2.076), a history of asthma in first-degree relatives (P = 0.040, aOR, 3.544; 95% CI: 1.059 to 11.933), a self-reported history of food allergies (P < 0.001, aOR, 2.574; 95% CI: 1.691 to 3.916), and a history of atopic dermatitis (P < 0.001, aOR, 7.224; 95% CI: 3.087 to 16.903), and frequency of meat consumption (P = 0.043, aOR, 1.290; 95% CI: 1.008 to 1.651) were identified as independent associated factors with statistically significant differences. This study investigated the impact of various factors on the prevalence of allergic airway diseases among children in a district of Beijing. In addition to revealing associations between allergic airway diseases and gender, genetic factors, tobacco exposure, and a history of atopic dermatitis, the study also found that meat consumption is an independent associated factor for allergic airway diseases in children. Furthermore, we found a certain association between localized allergic airway inflammation and sleep disturbances as well as depressive symptoms. Our findings underscore the need for public health interventions that simultaneously address multiple lifestyle factors to reduce the risk of allergic diseases.
Childhood sleep disorders are common and are associated with familyand diet-related factors, such as parental snoring and unhealthy eating habits. However, culturally relevant studies remain limited, and existing research often overlooks weak correlations in large populations. This study aimed to identify familyand diet-related risk factors for childhood sleep disorders in a Chinese population and to provide insights for prevention. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jinan, China, between January 2022 and December 2023, enrolling 845 children aged 1-7 years through convenience sampling. Sleep disorders were defined based on parent-reported symptoms (mouth breathing, habitual snoring, apnea, or gasping) using a validated questionnaire. Demographic, family, and dietary factors were collected. Associations were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression with stepwise selection based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), adjusted for age, with subgroup analyses according to age (1-3, 4-5, and 6-7 years). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Among the 845 children (mean age: 5.2 years), 192 (22.7%) had sleep disorders. Multivariable analysis showed that parental snoring (father: odds ratio (OR) = 2.20, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.44-3.41; mother: OR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.15-2.66), maternal education at the associate degree level (OR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.27-5.66) or bachelor's degree level (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.21-5.29), and children's preferences for fried foods (OR = 6.49, 95% CI: 2.51-17.40), meat (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.43-3.35), and sweets (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.31-3.51) were significant risk factors. Moderate sweet consumption (1-2 times/week: OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29-0.95; 3-5 times/week: OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.27-0.94) was associated with a protective effect compared with daily consumption. Childhood sleep disorders were significantly associated with parental snoring, higher maternal educational attainment, and children's preferences for fried foods, meat, and sweets, whereas moderate sweet consumption appeared to have a protective effect.
The high use of social media among youth poses a risk for disordered eating behaviours. Although parental involvement may play a protective role against the development of these behaviours, research to date has primarily focused on adolescent girls or relied on a single informant. This study examined whether lower parental awareness of adolescents' online activities is associated with higher odds of disordered eating behaviours, using both parent- and youth-reported measures of parental awareness. Data were drawn from the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), a cross-sectional and nationally representative survey. The sample included youth aged 12 to 17 years and their parent or the person most knowledgeable. Logistic regression analyses examined the associations between parental awareness of adolescents' online activities and three disordered eating indicators experienced by youth in the past 12 months: desire to be thinner, vomiting to lose weight, and changes in eating habits to manage weight. The final sample included 8919 youth. Low or no parental awareness of adolescents' online activities was significantly associated with increased odds of desiring to be thinner and modifying eating habits to manage weight in both boys and girls, compared to youth whose parents reported always being aware. The adverse effects of social media on body dissatisfaction may be mitigated through a combination of interventions and parental awareness. Digital service providers could explore a safety-by-design approach that enables parental shared oversight through features that facilitate co-viewing and mediation of online content.
This study evaluated the effects of mandala coloring on pain, perceived stress, and sleep quality in children hospitalized in a pediatric burn unit. A pretest-posttest parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Burn Center of University of Health Sciences Van Training and Research Hospital between July 2025 and February 2026. Forty children aged 7-12 years were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 20) or control (n = 20) group. The intervention group received 30-min mandala coloring sessions daily for seven days, controls received routine nursing care. Pain, perceived stress, and sleep quality were assessed using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale, Perceived Stress Scale for Children, and Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire, respectively. Data were analyzed using two-way mixed ANOVA (Group × Time). Groups were comparable (p > .05). Significant Group × Time interactions were found for pain (F(1,38) = 38.329, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.508), perceived stress (F(1,38) = 65.595, p < .001, ηp2 = 0.639), and sleep quality (F(1,38) = 9.100, p = .005, ηp2 = 0.197). The mandala coloring group showed greater reductions in pain and perceived stress and greater improvement in sleep quality than controls. Effect sizes were large to very large. Mandala coloring is an effective, low-cost, non-invasive intervention for reducing pain and perceived stress and improving sleep quality in hospitalized pediatric burn patients. Mandala coloring may be integrated into routine pediatric burn nursing care as a nurse-led intervention to support pain relief, stress reduction, and sleep improvement.
Self-management behaviours are crucial for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) but adherence is often poor. Most studies treat diabetes self-management (DSM) behaviours as a single construct, ignoring variations in behavioural patterns and their metabolic impacts. This study aims to identify distinct DSM behaviour profiles in T2DM patients, explore associated factors, and compare their metabolic outcomes. A multicentre cross-sectional study. The study was conducted from March to September 2024 at four tertiary care hospitals. A total of 304 patients diagnosed with T2DM were included. The primary outcomes were DSM behaviours, self-efficacy, habit strength and metabolic indicators (glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure and body mass index). Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct DSM behaviour profiles. Univariate analyses (χ² test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate) were performed to identify factors associated with profile membership, followed by multinomial logistic regression analysis. Analysis of variance with post hoc tests was used to compare metabolic indicators across profiles. Three distinct profiles were identified: low-engagement (14.0%), moderate-engagement (12.0%) and high-engagement behaviours (74.0%). These profiles were significantly associated with self-efficacy, personal monthly income, medication duration and diabetes-related complications (all p<0.05). Compared with the high-engagement profile, the moderate-engagement profile had significantly higher HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol, with the lowest high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, whereas the low-engagement profile showed higher fasting blood glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (all p<0.05). Distinct DSM behaviour profiles exist among patients with T2DM and are influenced by psychosocial and clinical factors. The high-engagement behaviour profile was associated with more favourable glycaemic and lipid control, whereas the low- and moderate-engagement behaviour profiles were linked to poorer metabolic outcomes. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions targeting behaviour-specific profiles to optimise metabolic management in T2DM.
Gut microbiotas play pivotal roles in host adaptation, yet their composition and function in high-altitude small mammals remain poorly characterized. This study investigated how host phylogeny (order-level) and dietary habits shape the gut microbiome and virome of three mammalian orders (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha) in Gongga Mountain, a biodiversity hotspot on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Metagenomic sequencing of 219 samples from 22 species revealed order-specific microbial signatures: Eulipotyphla (carnivorous) harbored higher abundances of potential pathogens (e.g., Helicobacter, Hafnia) and Retroviridae; Lagomorpha (herbivorous) was enriched in cellulolytic bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae, Prevotella) and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes); Rodentia (omnivorous) showed intermediate traits. We reconstructed 1 385 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), 1 328 representing novel species, and identified 749 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), >80% being Caudoviricetes. Crucially, Retroviridae abundance in Eulipotyphla suggests zoonotic risk. Phage-host network analysis indicated Caudoviricetes regulates cellulolytic bacteria in Lagomorpha. Host phylogeny and diet jointly drive gut microbiome divergence in small mammals. We establish the first gut microbiome and virome resource of small mammals in the high-altitude area of Gongga Mountain, highlighting Eulipotyphla as a potential vector for zoonotic pathogens. 肠道微生物群在宿主适应过程中发挥着关键作用，然而在高海拔小型兽类中，其组成与功能特征仍未得到充分阐明。该研究以青藏高原生物多样性热点区域——贡嘎山为研究区域，探究了宿主的系统发育（目水平）和食性如何影响三类哺乳动物（劳亚食虫目、啮齿目、兔形目）的肠道微生物组与病毒组。对来自22个物种的219份样本进行宏基因组测序后，研究发现了具有目特异性的肠道微生物特征：劳亚食虫目（肉食性）动物肠道中潜在病原体（如螺杆菌属、哈夫尼亚菌属）和逆转录病毒科的相对丰度更高；兔形目（草食性）动物肠道中富含纤维素分解菌（如毛螺菌科、普雷沃氏菌属）和碳水化合物活性酶（CAZymes）；啮齿目（杂食性）动物则表现出介于两者之间的特征。该研究还通过组装获得了1385个高质量宏基因组组装基因组（MAGs），其中1328个可能为新物种；同时鉴定出了749个病毒操作分类单元（vOTUs），其中超过80%属于有尾噬菌体纲。有趣的是，劳亚食虫目动物肠道中逆转录病毒科的高相对丰度提示存在人畜共患病传播风险。肠道噬菌体-宿主互作分析表明，有尾噬菌体纲对兔形目动物肠道中的纤维素分解菌具有调控作用。宿主系统发育与食性共同驱动小型兽类肠道微生物组的分化。本研究建立了贡嘎山高海拔地区首个小型兽类肠道微生物组与病毒组资源库，并推测劳亚食虫目动物可能是人畜共患病病原体的潜在传播载体。.