Resting State fcMRI in the Social Cognition Network as a Predictive Measure for Scores of Socialization of Preterm Neonates

Many resting state networks have been detected in newborn infants using functional connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fcMRI). Few studies have looked at a social cognition network in adults and none have looked at this network in infants. Social cognition plays an important role in social competence at school age and beyond, and infants born prematurely tend to have difficulties with peer relationships and lower academic performance by school-age. This study had two purposes: to find a social cognition network in our preterm and neurologically diagnosed sample, and to find a relationship to social interaction scores from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II (VABS-II). Results showed a positive correlation between an adult fcMRI and neonate fcMRI social cognition network, r(64) = .59, p \u3c .05, however, no correlation was found between fcMRI similarity (to adults) scores in the first six months, r(30) = .17, p \u3e .05, or the second six months, r(30) = .09, p \u3e .05 of life using the VABS-II social interaction category. Results also show no correlation between fcMRI scores of neonates and gestational age, r(30) = .20, p \u3e .05, nor birth weight, r(30) = .22, p \u3e .05). There are important implications for government spending, educational support, and child outcomes if we can predict which children need intervention, and implement them sooner than school-age. More research is needed to further assess and confirm the social cognition network in infants and find connections to later social adeptness in children so we can benefit this population sooner

A cross-sectional study of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in a Caribbean population: combining objective and questionnaire data to guide future interventions

Abstract Background Current understanding of population physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour in developing countries is limited, and based primarily on self-report. We described PA levels using objective and self-report methods in a developing country population. Methods PA was assessed in a cross-sectional, representative sample of the population of Barbados (25–54 years), using a validated questionnaire (RPAQ) and individually calibrated combined heart rate and movement sensing monitors. The RPAQ collects information on recalled activity in 4 domains: home, work, transport, and leisure. Physical inactivity was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines; sedentary lifestyle was defined as being sedentary for 8 h or more daily; PA overestimation was defined as perceiving activity to be sufficient, when classified as ‘inactive’ by objective measurement. Results According to objective estimates, 90.5 % (95 % CI: 83.3,94.7) of women and 58.9 % (48.4,68.7) of men did not accumulate sufficient activity to meet WHO minimum recommendations. Overall, 50.7 % (43.3,58.1) of the population was sedentary for 8 h or more each day, and 60.1 % (52.8,66.9) overestimated their activity levels. The prevalence of inactivity was underestimated by self-report in both genders by 28 percentage points (95 % CI: 18,38), but the accuracy of reporting differed by age group, education level, occupational grade, and overweight/obesity status. Low PA was greater in more socially privileged groups: higher educational level and higher occupational grade were both associated with less objectively measured PA and more sedentary time. Variation in domain-specific self-reported physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) by educational attainment was observed: higher education level was associated with more leisure activity and less occupational activity. Occupational PA was the main driver of PAEE for women and men according to self-report, contributing 57 % (95 % CI: 52,61). The most popular leisure activities for both genders were walking and gardening. Conclusions The use of both objective and self-report methods to assess PA and sedentary behaviour provides important complementary information to guide public health programmes. Our results emphasize the urgent need to increase PA and reduce sedentary time in this developing country population. Women and those with higher social economic position are particularly at risk from low levels of physical activity

The contribution of physical fitness to individual and ethnic differences in risk markers for type 2 diabetes in children: The Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE).

BACKGROUND: The relationship between physical fitness and risk markers for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in children and the contribution to ethnic differences in these risk markers have been little studied. We examined associations between physical fitness and early risk markers for T2D and cardiovascular disease in 9- to 10-year-old UK children. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1445 9- to 10-year-old UK children of South Asian, black African-Caribbean and white European origin. A fasting blood sample was used for measurement of insulin, glucose (from which homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]-insulin resistance [IR] was derived), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and lipids. Measurements of blood pressure (BP) and fat mass index (FMI) were made; physical activity was measured by accelerometry. Estimated VO2 max was derived from a submaximal fitness step test. Associations were estimated using multilevel linear regression. RESULTS: Higher VO2 max was associated with lower FMI, insulin, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, glucose, urate, CRP, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, BP and higher HDL-cholesterol. Associations were reduced by adjustment for FMI, but those for insulin, HOMA-IR, glucose, urate, CRP, triglycerides and BP remained statistically significant. Higher levels of insulin and HOMA-IR in South Asian children were partially explained by lower levels of VO2max compared to white Europeans, accounting for 11% of the difference. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness is associated with risk markers for T2D and CVD in children, which persist after adjustment for adiposity. Higher levels of IR in South Asians are partially explained by lower physical fitness levels compared to white Europeans. Improving physical fitness may provide scope for reducing risks of T2D

A unique androgen excess signature in idiopathic intracranial hypertension is linked to cerebrospinal fluid dynamics

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of unknown etiology, characterized by elevated intracranial pressure frequently manifesting with chronic headaches and visual loss. Similar to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), IIH predominantly affects obese women of reproductive age. In this study, we comprehensively examined the systemic and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) androgen metabolome in women with IIH in comparison with sex-, BMI-, and age-matched control groups with either simple obesity or PCOS (i.e., obesity and androgen excess). Women with IIH showed a pattern of androgen excess distinct to that observed in PCOS and simple obesity, with increased serum testosterone and increased CSF testosterone and androstenedione. Human choroid plexus expressed the androgen receptor, alongside the androgen-activating enzyme aldoketoreductase type 1C3. We show that in a rat choroid plexus cell line, testosterone significantly enhanced the activity of Na+/K+-ATPase, a surrogate of CSF secretion. We demonstrate that IIH patients have a unique signature of androgen excess and provide evidence that androgens can modulate CSF secretion via the choroid plexus. These findings implicate androgen excess as a potential causal driver and therapeutic target in IIH

Gender Differences and Misattribution in Anger Arousal

Gender differences are not often studied in the field of arousal misattribution. This research examines 40 male and female participants in a neutral condition and an anger arousal condition to determine if there is an effect of gender. Participants were undergraduate students from Huron University College. Each participant was asked to look at photographs of either neutral or anger arousing stimulus and then rate the attractiveness of eight photographs of male and female faces. They were then asked to fill out a short questionnaire. Results showed no significant gender effect, F(1,36) = 1.44, p\u3e 0.05. Possible explanations and previous research theories are discussed

Additional file 3: Table S1. of A cross-sectional study of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in a Caribbean population: combining objective and questionnaire data to guide future interventions

Participant characteristics of Health of the Nation sample aged 25–54 years. Table S2. Distribution of inactivity as assessed by objective and subjective measures for selected population characteristics. Table S3. Proportional contribution of each domain to total energy expenditure in young to middle aged Barbadian adults (excluding unemployed participants). (XLS 17 kb

Additional file 1: of A cross-sectional study of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in a Caribbean population: combining objective and questionnaire data to guide future interventions

Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire. (DOC 132 kb