Abstract:

Inner strength is increasingly recognized as a protective factor in mental health, but its structure and dynamics remain underexplored, particularly in individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms. This study applied network analysis to investigate the complex relationships among inner strengths in individuals exhibiting BPD symptoms, aiming to identify core and bridging strengths that could inform targeted interventions. The sample consisted of 346 Thai university students (25.4% males, 74.6% females; mean age = 21.60 ± 2.24 years) who screened positive for BPD symptoms using the SI-Bord scale. Network analysis revealed that inner strengths formed an interconnected system with both core and peripheral features. The strongest association was observed between generosity and loving-kindness. A cognitive-behavioral cluster comprising perseverance, wisdom, and determination also emerged. Centrality analysis identified loving-kindness as the most influential node in terms of direct connections, while equanimity exhibited the highest bridge centrality. Generosity and determination demonstrated the greatest expected influence. A negative link between truthfulness and equanimity highlighted a potential conflict between absolute honesty and inner balance in this population. These findings suggest that fostering specific inner strengths, particularly equanimity and loving-kindness, may enhance psychological resilience and inform intervention strategies for BPD.

Abstract: Parental stress is a critical yet understudied dimension of childhood total blindness, a condition that imposes substantial developmental, emotional, and functional challenges on families. This cross-sectional study assessed parenting stress, maternal health symp-toms, and children’s functional vision-related quality of life in 81 mothers of children aged 3 months to 7 years with complete congenital blindness. Mothers completed the Parenting Stress Index-Fourth Edition (PSI-4), the age-appropriate versions of the Quality of Functional Vision Questionnaire (QFVI-3 or QFVI-7), and a sociodemographic and ma-ternal health survey. Total Parent Stress showed moderately elevated percentile scores (mean ≈ 67), with the highest PSI-4 subdomains in Adaptability, Depression, and Health. Approximately 21% of mothers scored within the clinical range for high stress. Maternal symptomsincluding sadness, insomnia, headaches, forgetfulness, and musculoskeletal painwere significant (all p < 0.01). QFVI global scores indicated moderate impairments in functional vi-sion-related quality of life across age groups. Life Stress demonstrated a small-to-moderate negative correlation with QFVI-7, suggesting that cumulative environmental stressors may adversely affect children’s functional outcomes. Several protective factors were identified. Among children under age three, maternal en-gagement in physical activity was associated with better QFVI scores, whereas for chil-dren aged 3-7, school attendance correlated with improved functional functioning. Socio-demographic disadvantages, limited access to educational adaptations, and reduced ma-ternal participation in work or leisure activities were linked to higher stress and poorer child functioning. These findings highlight the importance of multidisciplinary, family-centered care incor-porating psychosocial assessment, early stimulation, orientation and mobility support, and maternal mental health interventions in pediatric ophthalmology.

Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for both recent and lifetime suicide attempts among female inpatients with schizophrenia. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted involving 201 female in-patients. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, and suicide attempts were collected. History of suicide attempts was ascertained from reports from both partici-pants and their family members. Psychometric assessments included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA). Laboratory parameters were ob-tained from baseline blood samples collected at admission. Multivariate logistic re-gression was used to identify independent risk factors. Results: 11.44% of participants attempted suicide within one month prior to admission, and 21.39% reported a lifetime history of suicide attempts. Multivariate analysis revealed that previous suicide at-tempts (OR=6.45, 95% CI: 2.27–18.34, p< 0.001), with delusions of being controlled (OR=4.60, 95% CI: 1.46–14.52, p=0.009) and HAMA score (OR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.26, p=0.001) were independent risk factors for recent suicide attempts. For lifetime at-tempts, being married (OR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.02–4.62, p=0.045), HAMA score (OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.04–1.19, p=0.003), and PANSS total score (OR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.003–1.04, p=0.025) were independent risk factors. Conclusion: Suicide attempts are prevalent among female inpatients with schizophrenia. The findings highlight the critical role of specific clinical symptoms over demographic factors. Routine assessment and targeted management of these symptoms are essential for enhancing suicide prevention strate-gies in this high-risk population.

Abstract:

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are clonal hematopoietic malignancies in which next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become integral for diagnosis, classification, risk stratification, and measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring. Traditional cytogenetic and PCR-based assays remain useful, but targeted NGS panels now represent the standard of care, providing rapid and sensitive detection of recurrent gene mutations, structural variants, and gene fusions. Whole-genome, whole-exome, RNA sequencing, and long-read platforms expand the spectrum of detectable alterations, though targeted panels remain most practical for routine diagnostics. Bioinformatic pipelines and quality metrics-including read length, sequencing depth, and coverage-are critical for accurate variant calling, with validation often required for variants of uncertain significance or those near detection thresholds. NGS is now embedded in diagnostic frameworks, including the WHO 2022 and ICC classifications, which incorporate recurrently mutated genes such as TP53, ASXL1, RUNX1, and FLT3. These data inform prognostic models, with ELN-2022 defining adverse-risk AML subgroups for patients treated with intensive chemotherapy, ELN-2024 AML patients treated with less-intensive therapies, and the IPSS-M refining MDS risk categories by integrating mutational data. NGS also enables MRD monitoring, with gene panels and PCR-NGS hybrid approaches (e.g., for FLT3-ITD) showing increasing clinical utility, though standardization is still lacking. Furthermore, diagnostic NGS frequently uncovers germline predisposition syndromes (e.g., DDX41, GATA2), with significant implications for treatment decisions and donor selection in transplantation. In this manuscript, we review the advantages, limitations, and future perspectives of NGS in the clinical management of AML and MDS with a particular emphasis on the biological and technical principles underlying its use in these diseases. Furthermore, we discuss how NGS findings may influence diagnosis, prognostic classification and therapeutic decision-making within current clinical frameworks. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of NGS fundamentals to support clinicians in navigating the increasing complexity of molecular data in daily practice.

Abstract: Background HIV-serodiscordant heterosexual couples, where one partner is HIV-positive and the other HIV-negative, provide important insights into public health when prevention is declined. Prior studies suggested that HIV-negative female partners may present borderline personality disorder (BPD), often linked to child abuse, trauma, and neglect. Methods This study surveyed 175 couples to assess condom use, followed by qualitative interviews with HIV-negative female partners. Narrative analysis consistently revealed BPD and associated psychopathology, leading to the development of a theoretical model integrating quantitative and qualitative findings to explain how BPD-related psychopathology interacts with relational dynamics and HIV risk behaviours. Results HIV-negative women with BPD who declined prevention frequently exhibited comorbid self-defeating personality disorder (SDPD), dependent personality disorder (DPD), and complex PTSD, adopting health belief models and behaviours that heightened vulnerability to HIV transmission. Comparable findings were not observed in HIV-negative males. Conclusions: Women’s health behaviours are shaped by personality, trauma, and psychosocial factors, which may act as hidden drivers of pandemic transmission. Public health strategies must integrate trauma-informed and personality-focused interventions, recognising the lifelong impact of abuse and neglect to strengthen prevention and reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Abstract:

Industrial hemp flower oil has gained attention in the nutraceutical field for its anti-inflammatory properties beneficial to skin health, particularly in acne management. The primary objective of this review is to evaluate whether hemp-derived compounds, especially cannabidiol (CBD), can effectively reduce inflammatory lesions, modulate cytokine activity and reduce acne severity while maintaining safety and tolerability. Acne vulgaris is characterised by inflammation, sebaceous gland hyperactivity and microbial colonisation, with evidence suggesting that CBD and hemp flower extracts down-regulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8. Methods reported in clinical studies include twice-daily topical application of hemp oil formulations, assessed through lesion counts and inflammatory markers over several weeks. Results consistently demonstrate reductions in inflammatory lesions, decreased sebum production and inhibition of Cutibacterium acnes growth, alongside favourable tolerability profiles. These findings indicate that hemp flower oil offers multi-targeted effects addressing key pathological factors such as inflammation, oxidative stress and sebocyte activity. Conclusively, industrial hemp flower oil emerges as a promising natural anti-inflammatory nutraceutical for acne management; however, large-scale randomised clinical trials are needed to standardise formulations and confirm long-term efficacy and safety across diverse populations.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Similarities have been identified between the dependence on psychoactive substances and the patterns of use of cosmetic products. However, there is no specific scale for identifying a substance-related disorders in cosmetic addiction. In this way, the aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary validation of Cosmetic Addiction Scale (CAS) in order to identify signs of addiction to cosmetic products, describing its prevalence and analysing their concordance with a modified version Cut down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye-opener test (mCAGE). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with sample of 224 university students (80 % women, age range 19-68 years). The mCAGE and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria were modified to evaluate participants for a substance-related disorder in cosmetic addiction. Sociodemographic characteristics and cosmetics use were evaluated. Results: Results showed a 16.1 % met modified CAGE criteria, 38 % met modified DSM-V criteria, 7% of serious nature and with differences related by gender, being more prevalent in women. No differences by age were found. A 12.1 % of the subjects were detected as putative addicts in both scales. Results from both instruments were significantly associated (rho = 0.51, p < 0.001). Modified DSM-V criteria obtained a robust validity and intern coherence of 0.77 for the detection of cosmetic addiction. Conclusions: A type of symptomatology involving cosmetic addiction is pointed out. CAS showed as an useful and adequate psychometric tool for detecting cosmetic usage as a type of substance-related disorder.

Abstract:

The review was aimed at exploring models across Africa that could best help Lesotho succeed in its efforts to establish a case-based surveillance (CBS) system for their HIV program. Research involved looking through several sources and databases including EBSCOHOST, Google Scholar, Science Direct and PubMed. The insights of suitable models were from the following Africa countries: South Africa, Kenya, Guinea, Tanzania, Ghana, Mozambique and Zambia. The researched models focused on infectious diseases such as measles, HIVand COVID-19. The key takeaway is that setting up electronic medical records systems (EMRs) is critical as a first step for any effective CBS. Also, using unique identifiers, establishing clear data governance policies and building strong infrastructure is a necessity in making CBS work. For a successful establishment of CBS, Lesotho should adopt these strategies that can be sustainable, improve disease tracking, response and ultimately health outcomes for Basotho.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: This study explores the perceived usefulness and use of artificial intelligence (AI)–based technologies as informational and emotional support among uni-versity students with and without disabilities. Methods: The sample consisted of 358 stu-dents aged between 16 and 30 years; 88 participants identified as having a disability, while 270 reported no disability. The gender distribution was balanced, with 53% women and 47% men. A validated questionnaire was administered to assess familiarity, frequency of use, and perceived usefulness of AI as a means of obtaining informational and emo-tional support. Results: ANOVA results showed that students without disabilities report-ed greater familiarity with and more frequent use of AI tools compared to students with disabilities. Significant differences were found in perceived usefulness for obtaining both informational and emotional support, with higher ratings among students without disa-bilities, and a moderate effect size. Moreover, frequency of use was positively associated with perceived usefulness in both groups, suggesting that practical experience influences users’ evaluations. Discussions: Overall, the findings suggest that students perceive AI as a resource that can facilitate access to informational and emotional support. However, as with other technologies, it is crucial to address accessibility and perception gaps to pro-mote effective inclusion in university contexts.

Abstract: Background: Bedside manipulation of adult anti-tuberculosis tablets for paediatric dosing is common in low-resource settings, yet it can compromise drug stability. This study investigated how grinding and multi-drug co-suspension affect the supramolecular organisation, thermal stability, and dissolution of isoniazid (INH). Methods: INH raw, INH branded tablets (whole and ground), and multi‑drug combination mixtures (MCM) that simulate paediatric multi-dose-resistant Tuberculosis (MDR‑TB) regimens were assessed. Samples were analysed as solids and aqueous suspensions using hot‑stage microscopy (HSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Raman spectroscopy, FTIR-ATR, USP dissolution, and HPLC (LOD 0.0015 mg mL⁻¹; LOQ 0.005 mg mL⁻¹). Results: Grinding and co‑mixing lowered melting points and masked typical INH events. Spectroscopy revealed the broadening and shifting of OH/NH and pyridine-ring bands, consistent with the formation of new hydrogen bonding networks, correlative with supramolecular rearrangements. In mul-ti-drug suspensions, INH fell below the HPLC quantification limit in both pH 1.2 and 6.8 media, despite visible residue, suggesting formation of non-dissociable supramolecular complexes. Conclusions: Co‑suspension of INH with companion Tuberculosis (TB) drugs disrupts its supramolecular integrity, leading to pre‑administration degradation and loss of quantifiable drug. These findings emphasise the critical need for paediatric formulations designed to preserve INH molecular stability and avoid bedside multi‑drug co‑suspension. Dissolution testing showed minimal INH release at pH 1.2 and none at pH 6.8, contrasting with intact tablets/API. These observations highlight that converting an immediate-release tablet into an aqueous suspension fundamentally alters its physicochemical environment and requires rational formulation design to preserve molecular stability, differentiating true resistance from formulation failure.

Abstract: Purpose: While oral PrEP has demonstrated efficacy, adherence remains suboptimal among adult MSM in China. Long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP), such as Cabotegravir and Lenacapavir, offers a promise for closing this gap, but evidence on awareness and acceptability in Chinese populations is still limited. This study seeks to evaluate awareness and intention to use LAI-PrEP among MSM in China. Methods: We conducted an online cross-sectional study among adult MSM across China from November 2024 to February 2025. Participants who were recruited through community-based organizations and social media platforms completed a structured questionnaire measuring socio‑demographics, sexual behaviors, and health-related behaviors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore the correlates of awareness and willingness. Results: A total of 1022 eligible MSM with a mean age of 29.6 years (SD = 7.61) completed the survey. Overall, 321 (31.4%) reported awareness of LAI-PrEP, while 706 (69.1%) expressed an intention to use it. Three-quarters (75.0%) of the participants identified as gay, and about four-fifths (82.0%) disclosed their sexual orientation to others. The majority (97.3%) of the participants had ever tested for HIV. Multivariable logistic regression showed greater awareness among participants with postgraduate education (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.06–3.52), monthly income > $1,110 (aOR = 2.26, 95% CI 1.40–3.73), self-identifying as gay (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.06–2.21), having more than one casual partner (aOR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.05–2.49), and HIV testing (aOR = 3.58, 95% CI 1.21–15.40). Willingness to use LAI-PrEP was higher among participants with a college education (aOR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.02–2.39), higher income ($420–1,110: aOR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.11–2.49 > $1,110: aOR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.40–3.43), and having more than one casual male partner (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.09–2.72).Conclusion: The substantial gap between awareness (31.4%) and willingness (69.1%) represents a critical implementation opportunity. Focusing on critical factors such as higher education, income levels, and sexual identity, public health campaigns can tailor their outreach efforts to engage individuals most likely to benefit from LAI-PrEP.

Abstract: Frequent pattern mining (FPM) has become an essential analytical technique in healthcare for discovering clinically relevant associations, predicting disease risks, and improving decision-making systems. As hospital databases continue to grow in size and complexity, evaluating the scalability and accuracy of FPM algorithms becomes increasingly important. This study provides a comparative assessment of three widely used FPM algorithms—Apriori, FP-Growth, and ECLAT—when applied to large-scale hospital datasets. Using simulated and real-world electronic health records (EHRs), the algorithms were compared based on runtime efficiency, memory consumption, scalability, and accuracy in identifying meaningful disease co-occurrences and risk factors. Results show that FP-Growth significantly outperforms Apriori and ECLAT in scalability and computational efficiency, while ECLAT demonstrates better performance in sparse datasets. Apriori, although accurate, struggles with large datasets due to exponential candidate generation. The study concludes with practical recommendations for algorithm selection in healthcare data mining environments.

Abstract:

Objective: To explore how operating room (OR) sock choices reflect professional identity and behaviour, and how these vary by gender, generation, and clinical role. Design: Multicentre cross-sectional survey. Setting: Operating rooms in 42 Dutch hospitals. Participants: 935 operating room staff members, including doctors, nurses, students and support staff. Main outcome measures and variables: Self-reported sock characteristics included sock age, height, colour, and the SCALPEL-sock score, which categorised the visual style of the OR socks worn. Sock usage patterns—such as the number of socks owned and monthly frequency of wearing clean socks—were assessed. Sock-related behaviours comprised opinions on odd socks, general attitudes towards socks (functional vs expressive), and frequency of sock sniffing. All variables were analysed in relation to demographic and professional factors. Results: Leading in both SCALPEL-scores and the belief that socks serve as self-expression, women (73.4%) and nurses (70.7%) emerged as the most style-conscious sock wearers in the OR. Bare feet in clogs were rare (3%) but spiked among orthopaedic surgeons (13%). Sock sniffing was remarkably common, with 28% of participants admitting to the habit. Men— especially male doctors, sniffed more than twice as often as women, who simply changed socks more frequently. The ten most enthusiastic sniffers, true olfactory outliers, averaged 74.5 sniffs per month (overall group mean: 2.5), peaking at 180. Boomers held on to older socks; nurses and women preferred newer socks. Younger generations held the boldest sock philosophies in theory — but their actual socks told a more modest story. Most participants (70%) saved odd socks in hope of reunion, rather than discarding or mixing them. Based on mean values and modal responses, a typical ORdinary profile emerged— our archetypical staff member: a 42-year-old millennial female working in a teaching hospital wearing ankle-high blue socks, EU size 40.6, less than a year old, freshly changed, never sniffed. The sock drawer holds 34.5 pairs—and a quiet faith that single sad socks will one day find their match. Conclusions: In the highly standardised environment of the operating room, socks emerge as a subtle marker for personal expression. Our findings show that even in a setting defined by conformity, this sign of individuality slips quietly beneath the radar—warming not just feet, but identity.

Abstract: Background: Patient portals are online platforms that allow patients to view their medical records and test results. These portals can release patient’s medical test results immediately, negating fixed embargo periods before release; however, clinicians are concerned that without clinical guidance, via a face-to-face consultation, patients may misinterpret results, causing unnecessary distress or confusion. Objective: To explore patients’ views on delayed release of certain medical test results via a hospital patient portal, the acceptability of immediate access to test results, any concerns, and possible barriers or enablers to the roll-out of immediate access. Methods: A two-phase mixed method acceptability study, comprising: 1) a cross-sectional survey of portal users’ experiences of receiving medical test results and views on potential immediate access via the portal, and 2) semi-structured qualitative interviews exploring patients views on immediate access to test results in more depth. Results: 357 portal users completed the survey and 22 took part in interviews. Whilst most survey respondents favoured immediate access, interviews highlighted several potential issues this could cause, including avoidable distress and confusion in understanding results before clinician review. Conclusions: Immediate access to test results via the patient portal may only alleviate patient waiting anxiety in some cases. Clear, consistent information regarding procedures and timelines may be more appropriate in supporting patients to engage meaningfully in their healthcare.

Abstract: Children and adolescents with mental illness are at increased risk of developing over-weight and obesity, a relationship that is complex, bidirectional, and often exacerbated by the weight-related side effects of psychotropic medications. This review addressed the re-search question: How are overweight and obesity addressed in children and adolescents with mental illness? A systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO was conducted, including studies in English or Scandinavian languages across all de-signs that focused on non-pharmacological approaches for this population aged 0-19 years. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising four qualitative studies, four cohort studies, and one cross-sectional study. Based on content analysis, three overarch-ing themes were developed; Approaches to weight and health, showing a predominant focus on individual lifestyle modifications; Roles, resources, and prioritization, reflecting how constrained resources influence healthcare professionals' decisions, and Critical re-percussions and future directions, highlighting the consequences for children, adoles-cents, and their families. Overall, interventions mainly target behavior change, with lim-ited attention to structural or systemic factors. The findings underscore the need for tai-lored guidance and clear clinical strategies to support healthcare professionals and fami-lies in addressing weight-related issues in child and adolescent mental health care.

Abstract: Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are among the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and are increasingly recognized as conditions shaped by social and structural determinants of health. However, nationally representative evidence quantifying how family socioeconomic position, insurance, food security, and neighborhood context relate to ADHD and ASD remains limited. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study used pooled data from the 2018–2023 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) for children aged 3–17 years. Parent-reported, clinician-diagnosed current ADHD and ASD were the primary outcomes. Key exposures included federal poverty level–based household income, highest parental education, health insurance type, food insecurity, and caregiver-reported neighborhood safety. Analyses incorporated survey weights, strata, and primary sampling units. Weighted prevalence estimates, Rao–Scott χ² tests, and survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for ADHD and ASD associated with social determinants. Results: The analytic sample comprised 205,480 children, representing approximately 73.1 million U.S. children. The weighted prevalence of current ADHD was 9.7% (95% CI 9.3–10.1), and ASD was 2.9% (95% CI 2.7–3.2); 1.1% had comorbid ADHD and ASD. Boys had a higher prevalence of ADHD (13.3% vs. 6.0%) and ASD (4.1% vs. 1.1%) than girls. Strong social gradients were evident. Compared with children in households at ≥400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), those below 100% FPL had 2.11 times higher odds of ADHD (95% CI 1.82–2.46) and 1.73 times higher odds of ASD (95% CI 1.32–2.28) after adjustment. Low parental education, public insurance, unsafe neighborhoods, and food insecurity independently predicted higher odds of both disorders. Hispanic children had lower adjusted odds of ASD than non-Hispanic White children despite similar contextual risk patterns. Conclusions: ADHD and ASD among U.S. children are patterned along socioeconomic and environmental lines. Income, parental education, food security, and neighborhood safety are powerful independent predictors of both prevalence and severity. Findings support integrating developmental screening with social risk assessment, strengthening neighborhood-level investments, and designing equity-focused early intervention strategies to reduce neurodevelopmental disparities.

Abstract: Circadian misalignment, whether from external factors (shift work, jetlag, irregular schedules, or evening screen exposure) or internal factors (chronotype, circadian rhythm disorders), extends beyond sleep disruption to affect immune, cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health. Despite growing evidence for their efficacy, circadian-based strategies such as timed light exposure, structured activity schedules, meal timing, and circadian psychoeducation, are not consistently integrated into behavioral sleep interventions, and standardized protocols remain limited. While Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) remains standard treatment for insomnia, it does not directly address biological timing. Recent evidence demonstrates that combining CBT-I with circadian rhythm support produces superior outcomes compared to either approach alone. However, gaps remain regarding optimal intervention timing, personalized protocols based on chronotype, long-term efficacy, and implementation in diverse clinical settings. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on integrating circadian interventions with CBT-I in different clinical applications, and reviews novel assessment tools such as chronotype questionnaires and wearable devices that enable identification of circadian patterns and personalized interventions. By bridging behavioral therapy with circadian-based strategies, clinicians can move beyond symptom management to address underlying causes of sleep disruption, offering a more comprehensive framework for improving sleep and well-being.

Abstract: Background: Aging is a multidimensional process influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Social support contributes to cognitive reserve by reducing stress, promoting mental engagement, and reinforcing a sense of belonging. Objective: To examine the association between perceived social support and cognitive functioning among older adults, and to investigate whether social support mediates the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive performance. Methods: The sample included 265 older adults aged 65 years and above, recruited using snowball sampling between March and July 2025 in rural communities. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and perceived social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in JASP, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: In this study, higher perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others was associated with better cognitive performance (MoCA: ρ = 0.363–0.497; p < 0.001). Participants with normal cognition (≥26 points) reported greater social support across all dimensions. Multiple regression showed that all three dimensions of social support significantly predicted MoCA scores (R² = 0.290), with the strongest effect from friends’ support (β = 0.371, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that perceived social support mediated the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive functioning, while the direct effect of cohabitation alone was not significant (indirect effect, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of perceived social support in preserving cognitive health in older adults.

Abstract: Background: Obesity and depression are public health crises in the United States. College students are impacted by both obesity and depression congruently in the US. Purpose: This study analyzed the impact of obesity on depression among 986 undergraduate and graduate students in two colleges located in the Bronx, NY. Methods: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected using a subsection (depression) of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Body Mass Index was calculated using participant’s self-reported height and weight. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Researchers found an association between obesity and depression. Students who were normal weight were less likely to be depressed compared to obese students after controlling for potential confounders in the logistic regression analysis (Exp(B)=0.698, C.I.=0.493-0.987, p=0.042). Those who were between the ages of 18-24 (Exp(B)=2.463, C.I.=1.602-3.786, p< 0.001) and 25-34 (Exp(B)=1.616, C.I.=1.024-2.549, p=.039) were respectively 2.4 and 1.6 times more likely to experience depression compared to those who were 35 years-old or above. Conclusion: Institutions should screen students for obesity and depression on college campuses. They should develop programs that treat obesity and depression simultaneously with the goal of improving overall well-being and academic outcomes.

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted health systems, including the delivery of childhood immunizations. This study assessed COVID-19 vaccination coverage in families of children with incomplete routine immunization and explored why adults accepted COVID-19 vaccines despite skipping routine vaccination for their children in the district of Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted in Swat District during March 2022 – April 2023. A cross-sectional survey assessed COVID-19 vaccination in household members of children under 2 years of age for whom vaccination registries showed missed routine vaccinations. In-depth interviews with 18 household members explored motivations for vaccine acceptance through thematic analysis. Results: Among 249 families of children with incomplete immunization found through vaccination records, 237 families (88% response) were interviewed. Among 382 children below 2 years of age in these families, 29.5% (n=113) were fully vaccinated, 67.5% (n=258) were incompletely vaccinated according to age, and 2.9 % (n=11) had not received any vaccine. Data from 237 of the defaulter children—one per household—was included in further analysis. Among household members above 12 years of age, 87% (964/1103) of males and 82% (n=901/1093) of females were vaccinated against COVID-19. Households with at least one fully vaccinated child were significantly more likely to have vaccinated family members. Multivariable analysis showed maternal COVID-19 vaccination (AOR 2.08, 95% CI:1.15–3.76) and urban residence (AOR 2.08, 95% CI:1.14–3.79) were associated with full childhood vaccination. In-depth interviews revealed that key motivators for COVID-19 vaccination included the perception that it was mandatory, house-to-house vaccination, and fear of hospitalization or death. Conclusions: Vaccine requirements and ease of access to vaccination services enhanced coverage with COVID-19 vaccines among families of children with incomplete routine immunization. Ethical use of vaccine requirements and community education to enhance levels of risk perception of vaccine-preventable diseases could potentially improve childhood immunization.