Gambling encompasses a wide variety of activities, and the structural characteristics of each form contribute to its potential risk. However, the literature does not fully agree on the risk levels of certain gambling forms. In this study, we classify less risky gambling forms (soft forms) based on public perceptions of their riskiness. We examine the link between gambling experience and problem gambling prevalence. A survey was conducted in a model region of the Czech Republic, a post-socialist country with high gambling availability, with N = 2,498 respondents. A typology of gambling forms (lotteries, betting, and casino games) was created based on perceived risk similarities. Lotteries are the most frequently played gambling form, with 86.3% reporting lifetime participation. Among those who exclusively engage in lottery-type forms, 15 percentage points more women than men participated in the last year, and the gap widens to 31 points over a lifetime. Forms of gambling perceived as more risky show a lower proportion of non-problem gamblers, both for recent and lifetime participation. Furthermore, individuals who gambled within the past month or year are at higher risk of developing gambling problems compared to those whose gambling experiences were less recent.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Gambling * psychology classification epidemiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Behavior, Addictive * psychology epidemiology classification MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Surveys and Questionnaires MeSH
- Risk-Taking * MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
The prevalence of centenarians, people who lived 100 years and longer, is steadily growing in the last decades. This exceptional longevity is based on multifaceted processes influenced by a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors such as sex, (epi-)genetic factors, gut microbiota, cellular metabolism, exposure to oxidative stress, immune status, cardiovascular risk factors, environmental factors, and lifestyle behavior. Epidemiologically, the incidence rate of cardiovascular diseases is reduced in healthy centenarians along with late onset of age-related diseases compared with the general aged population. Understanding the mechanisms that affect vascular ageing in centenarians and the underlying factors could offer valuable insights for developing strategies to improve overall healthy life span in the elderly. This review discusses these key factors influencing vascular ageing and how their modulation could foster healthy longevity.
- MeSH
- Longevity * physiology MeSH
- Cardiovascular Diseases physiopathology epidemiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Oxidative Stress physiology MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aging * physiology MeSH
- Gastrointestinal Microbiome physiology MeSH
- Healthy Aging physiology MeSH
- Life Style MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Review MeSH
Community-acquired respiratory viral infections (CARV) significantly impact patients with hematological malignancies (HM), leading to high morbidity and mortality. However, large-scale, real-world data on CARV in these patients is limited. This study analyzed data from the EPICOVIDEHA-EPIFLUEHA registry, focusing on patients with HM diagnosed with CARV during the 2023-2024 autumn-winter season. The study assessed epidemiology, clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes. The study examined 1312 patients with HM diagnosed with CARV during the 2023-2024 autumn-winter season. Of these, 59.5% required hospitalization, with 13.5% needing ICU admission. The overall mortality rate was 10.6%, varying by virus: parainfluenza (21.3%), influenza (8.8%), metapneumovirus (7.1%), RSV (5.9%), or SARS-CoV-2 (5.0%). Poor outcomes were significantly associated with smoking history, severe lymphopenia, secondary bacterial infections, and ICU admission. This study highlights the severe risk CARV poses to patients with HM, especially those undergoing active treatment. The high rates of hospitalization and mortality stress the need for better prevention, early diagnosis, and targeted therapies. Given the severe outcomes with certain viruses like parainfluenza, tailored strategies are crucial to improving patient outcomes in future CARV seasons.
- MeSH
- Influenza, Human epidemiology mortality complications MeSH
- COVID-19 * epidemiology mortality complications MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Hematologic Neoplasms * mortality epidemiology MeSH
- Hospitalization MeSH
- Respiratory Tract Infections * epidemiology virology MeSH
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections epidemiology mortality complications MeSH
- Community-Acquired Infections epidemiology mortality MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Metapneumovirus isolation & purification MeSH
- Registries MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Seasons * MeSH
- SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: The distribution of time across physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and sleep appears to be essential for the management of obesity. However, the impact of reallocating time among these behaviors, collectively known as 24-h movement behaviors, remains underexplored. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the theoretical effects of reallocating time between 24-h movement behaviors on obesity indicators across different age groups. METHODS: We performed a pooled data meta-analysis of 9818 participants from 11 observational and experimental studies. To estimate the time spent in movement behaviors, we reprocessed and harmonized individual-level raw accelerometer-derived data. Isotemporal substitution models estimated theoretical changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) associated with time reallocation between movement behaviors. We performed the analysis separately for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults. RESULTS: Even minor reallocations of 10 min led to significant changes in obesity indicators, with pronounced effects observed when 30 min were reallocated. The most substantial adverse effects on BMI and WC occurred when moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was reallocated to other movement behaviors. For 30-min reallocations, the largest increase in BMI (or BMI z-score for children) occurred when MVPA was reallocated to light-intensity physical activity (LPA) in children (0.26 units, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.15, 0.37) and to sedentary behavior (SB) in adults (0.72 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.47, 0.96) and older adults (0.73 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.59, 0.87). The largest increase in WC was observed when MVPA was substituted with LPA in adults (2.66 cm, 95% CI 1.42, 3.90) and with SB in older adults (2.43 cm, 95% CI 2.07, 2.79). Conversely, the highest magnitude of the decrease in obesity indicators was observed when SB was substituted with MVPA. Specifically, substituting 30 min of SB with MVPA was associated with a decrease in BMI z-score by - 0.15 units (95% CI - 0.21, - 0.10) in children and lower BMI by - 0.56 kg/m2 (95% CI - 0.74, - 0.39) in adults and by - 0.52 kg/m2 (95% CI - 0.61, - 0.43) in older adults. Reallocating time away from sleep and LPA showed several significant changes but lacked a consistent pattern. While the predicted changes in obesity indicators were generally consistent across age groups, inconsistent findings were observed in adolescents, particularly for reallocations between MVPA and other behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation emphasizes the crucial role of MVPA in mitigating obesity risk across the lifespan, and the benefit of substituting SB with low-intensity movement behaviors. The distinct patterns observed in adolescents suggest a need for age-specific lifestyle interventions to effectively address obesity. Emphasizing manageable shifts, such as 10-min reallocations, could have significant public health implications, promoting sustainable lifestyle changes that accommodate individuals with diverse needs, including those with severe obesity.
- MeSH
- Accelerometry MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Exercise * MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Body Mass Index MeSH
- Obesity Management * methods MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Obesity * MeSH
- Waist Circumference MeSH
- Sedentary Behavior * MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Sleep MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Meta-Analysis MeSH
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Spondylodiscitis management presents significant clinical challenges, particularly in critically ill patients, where the risks and benefits of surgical intervention must be carefully balanced. The optimal timing of surgery in this context remains a subject of debate. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of early surgery versus delayed surgery or conservative management in critically ill patients with de novo pyogenic spondylodiscitis. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This is an international, multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 24 centers, primarily in Europe. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study included 192 critically ill patients (65.63% male) with a median age of 69 years, all severely affected by pyogenic spondylodiscitis characterized by an initial CRP level >200 mg/l or the presence of two out of four Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome criteria upon admission. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of ICU stay, length of hospital stay, and relapse rates of spondylodiscitis. METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups: early surgery (within three days of admission), delayed surgery (after three days of admission), and conservative therapy. Propensity score matching and multivariate regression analyses were performed to adjust for baseline differences and assess the impact of treatment modalities on mortality and other clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Delayed surgery was associated with significantly lower 30-day mortality (4.05%) compared to early surgery (27.85%) and conservative therapy (27.78%) (p<.001). Delayed surgery also resulted in shorter hospital stays (42.76 days) compared to conservative therapy (55.53 days) and early surgery (26.33 days) (p<.001), and shorter ICU stays (4.52 days) compared to conservative therapy (16.48 days) and early surgery (7.92 days) (p<.001). The optimal window for surgery, minimizing mortality, was identified as ten to fourteen days postadmission (p=.02). Risk factors for increased mortality included age (p<.05), multiple organ failure (p<.05), and vertebral body destruction (p<.05), whereas delayed surgery (p<.05) and the presence of an epidural abscess were associated with reduced mortality (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed surgery, optimally between 10 to 14 days postadmission, was associated with lower mortality in critically ill spondylodiscitis patients. These findings highlight the potential benefits of considering surgical timing to improve patient outcomes.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Length of Stay MeSH
- Discitis * therapy mortality surgery microbiology MeSH
- Conservative Treatment MeSH
- Critical Illness MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH
BACKGROUND: The current requirement is to establish the preoperative diagnosis accurately as possible and to achieve an adequate extent of surgery. The aim of this study was to define the preoperative clinical and molecular genetic risks of malignancy in indeterminate thyroid nodules (Bethesda III and IV) and to determine their impact on the surgical strategy. METHODS: Prospectively retrospective analysis of 287 patients provided the basis of preoperative laboratory examination, sonographic stratification of malignancy risks and cytological findings. Molecular tests focused on pathogenic variants of genes associated with thyroid oncogenesis in cytologically indeterminate nodules (Bethesda III and IV). The evaluation included clinical risk factors: positive family history, radiation exposure and growth in size and/or number of nodules. RESULTS: Preoperative FNAB detected 52 cytologically indeterminate nodules (28.7%) out of 181 patients. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed malignancy in 12 cases (23.7%) and there was no significant difference between Bethesda III and IV categories (P=0.517). Clinical risk factors for malignancy were found in 32 patients (61.5%) and the presence of at least one of them resulted in a clearly higher incidence of malignancy than their absence (31.3% vs. 10.0%, respectively). Pathogenic variants of genes were detected in 12/49 patients in Bethesda III and IV, and in 4 cases (33.3%) thyroid carcinoma was revealed. The rate of malignancies was substantially higher in patients with pathogenic variants than in those without (33.3% vs. 16.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience implies that molecular genetic testing is one of several decision factors. We will continue to monitor and enlarge our patient cohort to obtain long-term follow-up data.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Genetic Testing MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Thyroid Neoplasms * genetics MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Biopsy, Fine-Needle MeSH
- Thyroid Nodule * genetics pathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
OBJECTIVE: Previous retrospective studies have reported vigabatrin-associated brain abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (VABAM), although clinical impact is unknown. We evaluated the association between vigabatrin and predefined brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in a large homogenous tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) cohort and assessed to what extent VABAM-related symptoms were reported in TSC infants. METHODS: The Dutch TSC Registry and the EPISTOP cohort provided retrospective and prospective data from 80 TSC patients treated with vigabatrin (VGB) before the age of 2 years and 23 TSC patients without VGB. Twenty-nine age-matched non-TSC epilepsy patients not receiving VGB were included as controls. VABAM, specified as T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity or diffusion restriction in predefined brain areas, were examined on brain MRI before, during, and after VGB, and once in the controls (at approximately age 2 years). Additionally, the presence of VABAM accompanying symptoms was evaluated. RESULTS: Prevalence of VABAM in VGB-treated TSC patients was 35.5%. VABAM-like abnormalities were observed in 13.5% of all patients without VGB. VGB was significantly associated with VABAM (risk ratio [RR] = 3.57, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43-6.39), whereas TSC and refractory epilepsy were not. In all 13 VGB-treated patients with VABAM for whom posttreatment MRIs were available, VABAM entirely resolved after VGB discontinuation. The prevalence of symptoms was 11.7% in patients with VABAM or VABAM-like MRI abnormalities and 4.3% in those without, implicating no significant association (RR = 2.76, 95% CI = .68-8.77). SIGNIFICANCE: VABAM are common in VGB-treated TSC infants; however, VABAM-like abnormalities also occurred in children without either VGB or TSC. The cause of these MRI changes is unknown. Possible contributing factors are abnormal myelination, underlying etiology, recurrent seizures, and other antiseizure medication. Furthermore, the presence of VABAM (or VABAM-like abnormalities) did not appear to be associated with clinical symptoms. This study confirms that the well-known antiseizure effects of VGB outweigh the risk of VABAM and related symptoms.
- MeSH
- Anticonvulsants * adverse effects therapeutic use MeSH
- Cohort Studies MeSH
- Infant MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging * MeSH
- Brain * diagnostic imaging drug effects MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Registries MeSH
- Retrospective Studies MeSH
- Tuberous Sclerosis * diagnostic imaging complications MeSH
- Vigabatrin * therapeutic use adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Infant MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Child, Preschool MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Due to methodological reasons, the X-chromosome has not been featured in the major genome-wide association studies on Alzheimer's Disease (AD). To address this and better characterize the genetic landscape of AD, we performed an in-depth X-Chromosome-Wide Association Study (XWAS) in 115,841 AD cases or AD proxy cases, including 52,214 clinically-diagnosed AD cases, and 613,671 controls. We considered three approaches to account for the different X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) states in females, i.e. random XCI, skewed XCI, and escape XCI. We did not detect any genome-wide significant signals (P ≤ 5 × 10-8) but identified seven X-chromosome-wide significant loci (P ≤ 1.6 × 10-6). The index variants were common for the Xp22.32, FRMPD4, DMD and Xq25 loci, and rare for the WNK3, PJA1, and DACH2 loci. Overall, this well-powered XWAS found no genetic risk factors for AD on the non-pseudoautosomal region of the X-chromosome, but it identified suggestive signals warranting further investigations.
- MeSH
- Alzheimer Disease * genetics MeSH
- Genome-Wide Association Study methods MeSH
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease genetics MeSH
- X Chromosome Inactivation genetics MeSH
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide genetics MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Chromosomes, Human, X * genetics MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: Plantar fasciitis (PF) is one of the most common running-related injuries. PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of PF and identify potential risk or protective factors for PF in runners and non-runners. METHODS: Data from 1206 participants from the 4HAIE cohort study (563 females/643 males; 715 runners/491 non-runners; 18-65 yr of age) were included in the analysis. We collected biomechanical data during overground running using a three-dimensional motion capture system at the baseline and running distance data via retrospective questionnaires and followed the participants for 12 months following the baseline data collection. Participants were asked weekly about any sports-related injury (including PF). A binary logistic regression was performed to reveal potential associations between running distance and biomechanical risk factors and PF while controlling for running distance, sex, and age. RESULTS: The total incidence of PF was 2.3% (28 PF from 1206 participants), 2.5% in runners and 2.0% in non-runners ( P = 0.248). Runners who ran more than 40 km·wk -1 had six times higher odds of suffering PF than individuals who ran 6-20 km·wk -1 ( P = 0.009). There was a significant association between maximal ankle adduction and PF; that is, runners with a lower abduction angle during the stance period had higher risk of PF ( P = 0.024). No other biomechanical variables indicated significant associations with PF. CONCLUSIONS: Regular running with a moderate weekly volume and more toeing out of the foot relative to the shank may reduce the risk against PF in runners, which may be useful for researchers, runners, coaches, and health professionals to minimize PF injury risk.
- MeSH
- Running * physiology injuries MeSH
- Biomechanical Phenomena MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Fasciitis, Plantar * epidemiology physiopathology MeSH
- Incidence MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Risk Factors MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
BACKGROUND: Limited licensed medications are available for multiple sclerosis (MS) in pediatric patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of alemtuzumab in pediatric patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and disease activity on prior disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). METHODS: LemKids was a multicenter, multinational, single-arm, open-label, switch (from ongoing DMT to alemtuzumab treatment) study in pediatric RRMS patients (aged 10-<18 years), with disease activity on DMT. The primary endpoint was a comparison of the number of new/enlarging T2 lesions on the magnetic resonance imaging of the brain between the prior-DMT period and alemtuzumab treatment. RESULTS: This study was prematurely terminated due to low enrollment and an European Medicines Agency Article-20 pharmacovigilance review of alemtuzumab in adult RRMS. Of 46 screened patients, 16 were enrolled; 12 completed prior-DMT treatment period; 11 received alemtuzumab of whom 7 completed treatment. Patients on alemtuzumab developed fewer new/enlarging T2 lesions compared with prior-DMT (7 vs 178, relative risk (95% confidence interval): 0.04 (0.01-0.14)). No significant pharmacodynamic changes or safety concerns were noted in this limited dataset. CONCLUSION: Alemtuzumab treatment was associated with a low number of new/enlarging T2 lesions in pediatric patients with RRMS and was safe and well tolerated in seven patients during infusion and the initial 4 months.
- MeSH
- Alemtuzumab * adverse effects MeSH
- Child MeSH
- Immunologic Factors * adverse effects administration & dosage MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting * drug therapy diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Treatment Outcome MeSH
- Check Tag
- Child MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Multicenter Study MeSH