Disparate benefits of higher childhood socioeconomic status on cognition in young adulthood by intersectional social positions

OBJECTIVES

Emerging evidence supports the protective effects of higher childhood socioeconomic status (cSES) on cognition over the life course. However, less understood is if higher cSES confers benefits equally across intersecting social positions. Guided by a situational intersectionality perspective and the theory of Minority Diminished Returns (MDR), this study examined the extent to which associations between cSES and cognition in young adulthood are jointly moderated by racialized identity and region of childhood residence.

METHODS

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we used multilevel modeling to test associations between cSES and delayed recall and working memory 14 years later when participants were ages 25-34. Further, we examined the influence of racialized identity and region of childhood residence on these associations.

RESULTS

Higher cSES was associated with higher delayed recall and working memory scores across social positions. However, the strength of the association between higher cSES and working memory differed across racialized subgroups and region of childhood residence. We found a statistically significant three-way interaction between cSES, race and region of childhood residence. Of particular important, a small yet statistically robust association was found in all groups, but was especially strong among White Southerners and especially weak among Black participants from the South.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to a growing body of research indicating that the protective effects of higher cSES on cognition are not universal across subgroups of intersecting social positions, consistent with the theory of MDR. These findings provide evidence for the importance of considering the role of systemic racism across geographic contexts as part of initiatives to promote equity in life course cognitive aging and brain health.

Trends in the Incidence of Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Japan: A Nationwide Observational Study, 2015-2021

BACKGROUND

Cryptococcus species can cause severe disseminated infections in immunocompromised hosts. This study investigated the epidemiological features and trends in disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan.

METHODS

We used publicly available Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports to obtain data on the incidence of disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan from 2015 to 2021. Patient information, including age, sex, and regional and seasonal data, were extracted. The Joinpoint regression program was used to determine the age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) per 100,000 population, annual percentage change (APC), and average APC (AAPC).

RESULTS

A total of 1047 cases of disseminated cryptococcosis were reported, of which those aged ≥ 70 years accounted for 68.8%. The AAR in men was significantly higher than that in women (median: 0.13 vs. 0.09: p = 0.0024). APC for the overall cases increased by 9.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] - 5.4-27.7) from 2015 to 2018 and then decreased by 3.3% (95% CI - 15.5-10.7) from 2018 to 2021. AAPC for the entire study period was 3.1% (95% CI - 1.5-8.0), indicating a possible increase in its number, although not statistically significant. In terms of regional distribution, the average AAR was highest in Shikoku District (0.17) and lowest in Hokkaido District (0.04). Northern Japan exhibited a significantly lower median AAR (median [interquartile range]: 0.06 [0.05, 0.08]) than the Eastern (0.12 [0.12, 0.13]), Western (0.11 [0.10, 0.13]), and Southern (0.14 [0.12, 0.15]) regions. No seasonal variation in incidence was observed.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of disseminated cryptococcosis has not increased in Japan. Geographically, the incidence is lower in Northern Japan. Further investigations that incorporate detailed clinical data are required.

Prevalence of KIG-grades 3-5 in an orthodontic practice in North Rhine Westphalia compared with results of the DMS•6 and with KZBV data

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The prevalence of tooth and jaw malocclusions in 8- to 9-year-olds was surveyed in a nationwide setting as part of the orthodontic module of the Sixth German Study on Oral Health (DMS•6), using the orthodontic indication groups (KIG) as index. Aim of this study was the detection of the prevalence of malocclusions requiring treatment according to the KIG index in statutorily insured patients of an orthodontic practice in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, and to compare results with corresponding DMS•6 and KZBV data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2017-2021, n = 953 statutorily insured patients called for an initial consultation and subsequent determination of the KIG-classification and -grades. The malocclusions were classified and graded in the highest possible KIG-grade according to valid SHI guidelines. Multiple classifications were not recorded. KIG-grade > 3 according to the valid guidelines was detected in n = 815 patients. Since the DMS•6 does not contain information on KIG classifications "U" and "S", their inclusion was waived despite evaluation, leaving data from n = 683 patients for analysis and comparison.

RESULTS

During the study period, n = 235 patients (34.4%) had KIG-classification "D". More than 10% were classified as "K" (120 patients, 17.6%), "P" (98 patients, 14.2%), "M" (89 patients, 13.0%), and "E" (81 patients, 11.9%). Of 16 possible classifications with KIG-grade > 3, "D4" was the most common with 26.6% (182 patients). The results confirm the findings from the multicentric DMS•6 from2021 and corresponding KZBV data from 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

Sagittal deviations described by classifications "D" and "M" represent with 47.4% almost half of the malocclusions with treatment need. KIG-grade D4 is the most frequent classification. There were no regional deviations of the prevalence of KIG-grades 3-5 in the district of Viersen / North Rhine compared with the national average, not even when scrutinizing a five-year-period.

Consumer perspectives of wine typicity and impact of region information on the sensory perception of Cabernet Sauvignon wines

Region of origin is used in marketing of wine and by consumers as a wine quality indicator. To better understand wine consumers' purchase decisions, sensory perception, and wine liking in connection with wine provenance, this study used regular wine consumers (n = 112) to evaluate two Cabernet Sauvignon wines from each of four wine producing regions through hedonic rating and rate-all-that-apply (RATA) testing in conjunction with pre- and post-tasting questionnaires. The majority of consumers rated the region of origin stated on the label as important for purchase intent and for deciding the price they were willing to pay for a wine. The questionnaire also revealed that consumers were familiar with the wine typicity concept, but seemed to consider it only as an extrinsic characteristic rather than an intrinsic aspect of the wine. By randomly dividing the consumers into two groups (n = 56 each), one having information on the origin of samples and the other tasting without such knowledge, it was demonstrated that origin information had a positive impact on hedonic scores. Sensory profiling revealed that origin information did not impact the sample sensory characterisation, and liking for both groups was related to 'full body', 'jammy', and 'dark fruits' attributes. Some regional profile features were apparent for the samples, such as 'minty' for Coonawarra and savoury attributes for Bordeaux. Overall, this work highlighted that consumers could differentiate wines from distinct regions on the basis of sensory characteristics.

[Day care clinics central and/or distributed. A standard element of child and adolescent psychiatric care]

BACKGROUND

Day-care clinics as specialized care units of child and adolescent psychiatric care in Austria represent an important component for person-orientated treatment offers. In addition to numerous advantages, they also put higher demands on the young patients and their relatives.

METHODS

The Austrian structure for day-care settings is recorded in the Austrian structure plan for health. Therefore, particular attention is paid to structural quality criteria, which are based on the Austrian concept of performance-oriented hospital financing.

RESULTS

A high demand and need for readiness for transdisciplinary, multimodal treatment concepts and forms is discussed. It becomes ovious that there is a need for large spatial resource requirements. The establishment of several day clinic groups at one location and spatial requirements cannot be found in the concept of performance-oriented hospital financing.

CONCLUSION

To ensure and evaluate the quality of treatment, recommendations are made on a patient-related and team- or organization-related level. The workgroup "day-care-clinic" of the Austrian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy recommends a treatment structure characterized by transdisciplinarity and participation. Further, it regionalized and local access and the integration of the day clinic into the community is necessary. Networking with other care structures and using social-psychiatric networks is essential. Regional characteristics should be taken into account and specialized, topic-specific day clinic groups should be increasingly included in further planning and concepts.

Exploring the seasonal and regional features of cat-scratch disease on the basis of anti-Bartonella henselae IgM/IgG positive rates in Japan

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the seasonal and regional features of cat-scratch disease (CSD) based on 15-years of test results for anti-Bartonella henselae IgG and IgM by immunofluorescence assay (IFA) performed as a laboratory specialized in diagnostic testing of CSD in Japan. A literature search was performed to put our findings in perspective.

METHODS

A total of 956 sera from patients suspected of CSD were submitted to our laboratory from nationwide. Seasonal changes in the monthly positive rates of IgG/IgM antibodies and regional distribution of the test specimens were analyzed.

RESULTS

The monthly positive rates of anti-B. henselae IFA of IgG and IgM were both significantly high between September and January and low between March and July. The seasonal pattern observed in this study was similar to the ones reported from US and France, which were analyzed from a clinical database (monthly incidence of CSD diagnosis) or from monthly positive rates of either B. henselae PCR or anti-B. henselae IFA. However, fluctuations in the IFA monthly positive rates in this study were more pronounced than other reports. Regarding regionality, the test specimens submitted to us for IFA were prominently more from southwestern areas than from northern/middle-northern areas of Japan. The distribution coincided well with the regional distribution of CSD case reports and with a known regional prevalence of Bartonella-species bacteremia among pet cats in Japan.

CONCLUSION

These epidemiological features in Japan are of relevance in the clinical diagnoses of CSD.

Geographic modeling and simulation systems for geographic research in the new era: Some thoughts on their development and construction

Regionality, comprehensiveness, and complexity are regarded as the basic characteristics of geography. The exploration of their core connotations is an essential way to achieve breakthroughs in geography in the new era. This paper focuses on the important method in geographic research: Geographic modeling and simulation. First, we clarify the research requirements of the said three characteristics of geography and its potential to address geo-problems in the new era. Then, the supporting capabilities of the existing geographic modeling and simulation systems for geographic research are summarized from three perspectives: Model resources, modeling processes, and operational architecture. Finally, we discern avenues for future research of geographic modeling and simulation systems for the study of regional, comprehensive and complex characteristics of geography. Based on these analyses, we propose implementation architecture of geographic modeling and simulation systems and discuss the module composition and functional realization, which could provide theoretical and technical support for geographic modeling and simulation systems to better serve the development of geography in the new era.

Naive geography: geoconceptology and topology of geomental maps

The article presents the study of the geospace mental representations and their variability depending on the regional point of view. The research material comprises about 500 naive maps of Russia, created by informants of seven Russian regions: Moscow, St. Petersburg (capitals), Siberia (Barnaul, Biysk), Southern, Mid- and Northern Ural (Orenburg, Ufa, Perm) and Kaliningrad. A geoconcept, as a set of collective ideas about a geographic object, synthesizes images of a geographic location (topos), its name (toponym), ideas about it and its spatial parameters (length, coordinates, location relative to other geolocations). The paper raises the problem of the topology of the mental space, and describes the method and results of constructing computable metric models of geomental spaces. The use of modern means of processing and analyzing naive maps allowed to detect spatial dependencies between geoconcepts, their probable localization zones, and position relative to each other on the geomental map space. Modeling of geoconcepts was carried out on the example of the analysis of the collective regional representations associated with the capital (Moscow). Noticeable differences were found in the regional geoconcepts of Moscow, which makes it relevant to conduct research on the regional variability of the geoconcept systems of the country's common space.

Sensory typicity of regional Australian Cabernet Sauvignon wines according to expert evaluations and descriptive analysis

The concept of wine typicity has been an important tool for the international wine trade, and especially for Old World wine producing countries, where provenance criteria are regulated and act as a quality indicator. Provenance in Australia is governed by Geographical Indications, for which typicity should also be evident in terms of regional sensory profiles of wine from a given grape cultivar. Two approaches were used to identify sensory drivers for regional typicity of commercial Cabernet Sauvignon wines from three Australian regions, namely Coonawarra, Margaret River, and Yarra Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines from Bordeaux were also assessed for benchmarking purposes. A set of 84 wines underwent a sorting task and rate-all-that-apply (RATA) analysis of the sorted groups with an expert panel. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering of the sorting task data did not show a clear regional driver upon separating the samples into four main clusters, although certain sensory traits could be associated with the different clusters. On the other hand, canonical variate analysis (CVA) of the group-RATA results indicated several sensory drivers for the separation between the regions, such as 'mint' and 'dark fruits' being important for Coonawarra wine profiles, 'floral' and 'green pepper' for Margaret River, 'stemmy' for Yarra Valley, and 'barnyard' and 'savoury' differentiating Bordeaux wines from the other regions. A subset (n = 52) of wines was selected for further evaluation by descriptive analysis with a trained panel. Statistical evaluation with CVA revealed similar results to the expert evaluation, with Bordeaux wines showing more dissimilarity when compared to Australian regions, and having 'savoury' and 'earthy' as significant characters. The results also demonstrated that 'mint' and 'Mallee leaf' were relevant characters for Coonawarra regional sensory profile, 'violets' and 'red fruits' for Margaret River, and 'cooked vegetables' for Yarra Valley. Analysing both data sets (expert RATA and DA) revealed some agreement between the sets of results for attributes such as 'mint', 'cooked vegetables', 'floral', green-related characters, and oak characters like 'vanilla' and 'chocolate'. Overall, experts and trained panellists were able to distinguish regions based on a few characteristic sensory traits.

West coast

The sensorial and chemical differences among Pinot noir wines from different vineyard locations were investigated. Grapes of a single Pinot noir clone were grown on twelve different vineyard sites along the U.S. West Coast. Wines from a single vintage (2015) were made using a standardized protocol and equipment. Sensorial (i.e. aroma, taste, and mouthfeel) and chemical (i.e. polyphenolic and volatile) differences were observed among these wines at two aging time points (8- and 20- months). Vineyard location (i.e. latitude and longitude) was one of the main factors describing the major differences between the wines, while other details (i.e. soil type (60 cm), rootstock age, soil pH, rootstock type, and vines/acres) were possibly important for defining unique aging characteristics of certain vineyards. Overall, single clone Pinot noir grapes grown in different regions but made under standardized winemaking produced wines with unique chemical and sensorial profiles, which generally persisted throughout aging.

Unraveling the chemosensory characteristics of strong-aroma type Baijiu from different regions using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and descriptive sensory analysis

Comprehensive 2D gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry was combined with descriptive sensory analysis to elucidate the specificity of strong-aroma type Baijiu (Chinese liquor) from different regions, based on regionally distinct flavor characterized by chemical and sensory profiles. Numerous potential aroma compounds (262) were identified, among which 58 aroma compounds were significantly different between the samples from Sichuan and Jianghuai regions. Relationships between these potential aroma compounds and sensory attributes were investigated by partial least squares regression and network analysis. The compounds that dominantly contributed to the important sensory attributes were identified. The high pyrazines, furanoids, and carbonyls amounts contributed to the high intensities of the cellar, toasted, and grain aroma profiles of the Sichuan region samples, while the high ester and alcohol levels contributed to the fruity and floral aroma profiles of the Jianghuai region samples. This approach may have practical application in flavor characterization of other alcoholic beverages.

A review on the aroma composition of Vitis vinifera L. Pinot noir wines: origins and influencing factors

Vitis vinifera L. Pinot noir still wines are some of the most popular and expensive red wines in the world. Several research articles are reported in literature concerning the impacts of viticultural and enological practices, and vineyard location, on Pinot noir still wine aroma. This review summarizes the previous and latest literature pertaining to volatile compounds including esters, higher alcohols and C₁₃-norisoprenoids, and their effect on Pinot noir wine perceived aroma. Their origin and behavior are discussed, as well as their role in regional differentiation. The first part of this review paper presents an overview of volatile compounds that are usually found in Pinot noir still wines at concentrations higher than their odor detection threshold. The second part deals with studies pertaining to human inputs that impact on Pinot noir wine aroma profile such as viticulture and winemaking interventions. The role of the vineyard site is also revised. This review concludes by considering what further opportunities are available to researchers in this field for greater control over Pinot noir wine quality outcomes.

The Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Landscape: A Patient's Eye View

Patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), a group of rare haematological conditions including polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocythaemia, and myelofibrosis, often experience a range of symptoms which can significantly impact their quality of life (QoL). Although symptom burden is highest in myelofibrosis and high-risk patients, lower-risk patients also report symptoms impacting their daily life and ability to work. In addition to physical symptoms, MPNs affect emotional well-being, with anxiety and depression frequently reported by patients. Despite significant advances in treatment options, such as the introduction of JAK1/JAK2 inhibitors, therapy for MPNs is often palliative; therefore, reduction of symptoms and improvement of QoL should be considered as major treatment goals. One of the main issues impacting MPN treatment is the discord between patient and physician perceptions of symptom burden, treatment goals, and expectations. New technologies, such as app-based reporting, can aid this communication, but are still not widely implemented. Additionally, regional variation further affects the psychosocial burden of MPNs on patients and their associates, as treatments and access to clinical trials are options for patients living in some areas, but not others. Overcoming some of the challenges in patient-physician communication and treatment access are key to improving disease management and QoL, as well as giving the patient greater input in treatment decisions.

Epidemiological analysis of porcine rotavirus A genotypes in Germany

Group A porcine rotaviruses are a global threat to animal health in stock breeding. While certain genotypes have shown predominance in other countries, data from Europe's second largest swine population is still scarce. Therefore, porcine rotaviruses taken from different areas of Germany were genotyped to create a basis for comparison with data from neighboring countries. In addition, the potential predominance and regionality based on regions (federal states) have been investigated by examining 101 samples. The study revealed the dominance of the VP7 genotypes G9, G4, G5 as well as VP4 genotypes P[23], P[6], P[32]. The most common genotype combinations were G9P[23], G4P[6], and G9P[32]. Analysis focusing on the regionality aspect revealed that areas with high pig populations promote the emergence of dominant genotype combinations. However, pig populations in Germany cannot be considered individually and therefore results were put into international context, taken from already published genotyping data. In consequence, our data contributes to the fundamental understanding of regional and supraregional rotavirus epidemiology. The detected genotypes provide a basis for prospective porcine rotavirus surveillance, that first of all helps to identify interspecies transmission. Furthermore it may provide supporting data for the selection of particular genotypes, suitable for the production of porcine rotavirus A vaccine candidates.

Compartmentalized expression patterns of pancreatic- and gastric-related genes in the alimentary canal of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis: evolutionary insights into the functional regionality of the gastrointestinal tract in Olfactores

Many heterotrophic animals have a one-way alimentary canal that is essential for their nutrition and sequential steps of the digestive system, namely ingestion, digestion, absorption and elimination, are widely shared among bilaterians. Morphological, functional and molecular knowledge of the alimentary canal has been obtained in particular from mammalian research but the shared features and evolution of these aspects of the highly diverged alimentary canal in the animal kingdom are still unclear. We therefore investigate spatial gene expression patterns of pancreatic- and gastric-related molecules of ascidians (a sister group of vertebrates) with special reference to the functional regionality of the gastrointestinal tract. Genome-wide surveys of ascidian homologs to mammalian exocrine digestive enzyme genes revealed that pancreatic enzymes, namely alpha-amylase, lipase, phospholipase A2, trypsin, chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase, exist in the ascidian genome. However, an ascidian homolog of the mammalian gastric enzyme pepsin has not been identified, although molecules resembling cathepsin D, a pepsin relative, are indeed present. Spatial expression analyses in the ascidian Ciona intestinalis, by means of whole-mount in situ hybridization, have elucidated that the expression of Ciona homologs of pancreatic- and gastric-related exocrine enzyme genes and of their transcriptional regulator genes is restricted to the Ciona stomach. Furthermore, the expression of these genes is localized to specific regions of the stomach epithelium according to their regionality in the vertebrate digestive system. The compartmentalized expression patterns of Ciona homologs imply primitive and/or ancestral aspects of molecular, functional and morphological bases among Olfactores.

Sources of variation analysis and derivation of reference intervals for ALP, LDH, and amylase isozymes using sera from the Asian multicenter study on reference values

BACKGROUND

Sources of variation (SV) of ALP, LDH, and amylase isozymes were explored.

METHODS

We analyzed 3511 sera from well-defined healthy individuals recruited during the 2009 Asian project for derivation of common reference intervals (RIs). Up-to-date electrophoresis auto-analyzer and reagents were employed for high resolution and reproducibility. SVs including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), ABO blood groups, and levels of drinking, smoking, and exercise were analyzed by multiple regression analysis. RIs were determined by parametric methods after refining healthy individuals by use of latent reference values exclusion method.

RESULTS

Age-related changes in ALP2-3 were different in females: ALP2, linear increase from 20-64y; ALP3, lowering until 45 y and rising steeply thereafter. ALP2 increased with BMI especially in females. ALP5 was barely detectable except in blood-types O and B. Age-related increases in LDH1-LDH3 were noted in females, whereas BMI-related increases were found only for LDH2-LDH5 in both sexes. Pancreatic amylase showed age-related increase in females and was slightly higher in blood-type O. RIs for absolute and relative activities of each isozyme were derived in consideration of sex and age.

CONCLUSIONS

Investigation of these isozymes revealed various age-, BMI-, and blood-type-related changes that are all relevant in clinical interpretation of enzyme test results.