Higher Education and Religious Liberalization among Young Adults

Going to college has long been assumed to liberalize students’ religious beliefs. Using longitudinal data from the National Survey of Youth and Religion, we compare change in the content of religious beliefs of those who do and do not attend college. We find that, in general, college students are no more likely to develop liberal religious beliefs than nonstudents. In some cases, collegians actually appear more likely to retain their initial beliefs. Change in religious beliefs appears instead to be more strongly associated with network effects. These findings indicate that college’s effect on students’ religious beliefs is both weak and fragmented, and suggest that the multiplicity of social worlds on college campuses may help to sustain religious beliefs as well as religious practice and commitment

Racism as a determinant of health: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite a growing body of epidemiological evidence in recent years documenting the health impacts of racism, the cumulative evidence base has yet to be synthesized in a comprehensive meta-analysis focused specifically on racism as a determinant of health. This meta-analysis reviewed the literature focusing on the relationship between reported racism and mental and physical health outcomes. Data from 293 studies reported in 333 articles published between 1983 and 2013, and conducted predominately in the U.S., were analysed using random effects models and mean weighted effect sizes. Racism was associated with poorer mental health (negative mental health: r = -.23, 95% CI [-.24,-.21], k = 227; positive mental health: r = -.13, 95% CI [-.16,-.10], k = 113), including depression, anxiety, psychological stress and various other outcomes. Racism was also associated with poorer general health (r = -.13 (95% CI [-.18,-.09], k = 30), and poorer physical health (r = -.09, 95% CI [-.12,-.06], k = 50). Moderation effects were found for some outcomes with regard to study and exposure characteristics. Effect sizes of racism on mental health were stronger in cross-sectional compared with longitudinal data and in non-representative samples compared with representative samples. Age, sex, birthplace and education level did not moderate the effects of racism on health. Ethnicity significantly moderated the effect of racism on negative mental health and physical health: the association between racism and negative mental health was significantly stronger for Asian American and Latino(a) American participants compared with African American participants, and the association between racism and physical health was significantly stronger for Latino(a) American participants compared with African American participants.<br /

Impact of inactivity and exercise on the vasculature in humans

The effects of inactivity and exercise training on established and novel cardiovascular risk factors are relatively modest and do not account for the impact of inactivity and exercise on vascular risk. We examine evidence that inactivity and exercise have direct effects on both vasculature function and structure in humans. Physical deconditioning is associated with enhanced vasoconstrictor tone and has profound and rapid effects on arterial remodelling in both large and smaller arteries. Evidence for an effect of deconditioning on vasodilator function is less consistent. Studies of the impact of exercise training suggest that both functional and structural remodelling adaptations occur and that the magnitude and time-course of these changes depends upon training duration and intensity and the vessel beds involved. Inactivity and exercise have direct “vascular deconditioning and conditioning” effects which likely modify cardiovascular risk

Higher Education and Religious Liberalization among Young Adults

Going to college has long been assumed to liberalize students’ religious beliefs. Using longitudinal data from the National Survey of Youth and Religion, we compare change in the content of religious beliefs of those who do and do not attend college. We find that, in general, college students are no more likely to develop liberal religious beliefs than nonstudents. In some cases, collegians actually appear more likely to retain their initial beliefs. Change in religious beliefs appears instead to be more strongly associated with network effects. These findings indicate that college’s effect on students’ religious beliefs is both weak and fragmented, and suggest that the multiplicity of social worlds on college campuses may help to sustain religious beliefs as well as religious practice and commitment

Bariatric Surgery Before Abdominoplasty Is Associated with Increased Perioperative Anemia, Hemoglobin Loss and Drainage Fluid Volume: Analysis of 505 Body Contouring Procedures

Background: The global rise in obesity rates has led to an increase in bariatric procedures, resulting in more patients needing relief from excess skin through body contouring surgeries (BCS), such as abdominoplasty. Although these procedures are generally considered safe, they can be associated with notable perioperative complications, including increased Hb-loss (hemoglobin loss) and drainage fluid volumes. Thus, this study analyzed risk factors for prolonged fluid secretion after abdominoplasty. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 505 body contouring procedures performed between January 2018 and December 2023 at the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University Clinic of St. Poelten. The investigation focused on postoperative Hb-loss, drainage fluid volumes and hemoglobin levels in patients, comparing those with and without prior bariatric surgery. Statistical analyses utilized the t-test for Equality of Means, while correlation analyses were conducted using Spearman Rho and the Mann&ndash;Whitney U test. Results: Bariatric patients demonstrated markedly reduced hemoglobin levels both preoperatively (13.24 g/dL) and postoperatively (10.68 g/dL) compared to their non-bariatric counterparts (14.02 g/dL preoperatively and 11.71 g/dL postoperatively; p &lt; 0.001). The prevalence of anemia was likewise substantially higher in the bariatric cohort, rising from 14.52% preoperatively to 82.48% postoperatively, versus 6.25% and 61.25%, respectively, in the non-bariatric group (p = 0.001). Moreover, prior bariatric surgery was significantly associated with increased postoperative drainage volume (p = 0.009) and prolonged operative time (p = 0.002). Notably, extended hospital stays exhibited a strong correlation with postoperative anemia (p = 0.005). Conclusions: Collectively, our findings underscore the potential risk of increased hemoglobin loss at BCS after bariatric weight loss. Tailored hemoglobin management and nutritional strategies are essential to improve the outcomes and safety of post-bariatric BCS. Meticulous preoperative identification of hematological discrepancies and adequate patient preparation are imperative for positive postoperative patient safety