Gender differences in the development and adult outcome of co-occurring depression and delinquency in adolescence.

Using a dual trajectory modeling approach, we examined co-occurring trajectories of depression and delinquency from age 11 to age 18 and their relation to adult outcome six years later in a community sample of 1423 (674 boys) adolescents. We also examined the effects of childhood externalizing, internalizing, and social problems on trajectory membership for depression and delinquency. The results showed that although more girls than boys were likely to follow high-level, co-occurring trajectories on depression and delinquency, the adult outcome of adolescents following high-level trajectories on both domains was poorer for boys than for girls. However, the combination of decreasing depression symptoms and increasing delinquency symptoms across adolescence was related with poorer adult outcomes for girls compared to boys. Finally, whereas boys' high-level co-occurring trajectory of depression and delinquency was predicted by childhood aggression, girls' equivalent trajectory was predicted by childhood depression and delinquency. The findings support the “gender paradox” effect (Loeber & Keenan, 1994) stating that in disorders with an unequal gender ratio, members of the gender with the lower prevalence rate tend to be more seriously affected in terms of comorbidity and poor outcome. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Suicidality as a function of impulsivity, callous–unemotional traits, and depressive symptoms in youth.

Suicidality represents one of the most important areas of risk for adolescents, with both internalizing (e.g., depression, anxiety) and externalizing–antisocial (e.g., substance use, conduct) disorders conferring risk for suicidal ideation and attempts (e.g., Bridge, Goldstein, & Brent, 2006). However, no study has attended to gender differences in relationships between suicidality and different facets of psychopathic tendencies in youth. Further, very little research has focused on disentangling the multiple manifestations of suicide risk in the same study, including behaviors (suicide attempts with intent to die, self-injurious behavior) and general suicide risk marked by suicidal ideation and plans. To better understand these relationships, we recruited 184 adolescents from the community and in treatment. As predicted, psychopathic traits and depressive symptoms in youth showed differential associations with components of suicidality. Specifically, impulsive traits uniquely contributed to suicide attempts and self-injurious behaviors, above the influence of depression. Indeed, once psychopathic tendencies were entered in the model, depressive symptoms only explained general suicide risk marked by ideation or plans but not behaviors. Further, callous–unemotional traits conferred protection from suicide attempts selectively in girls. These findings have important implications for developing integrative models that incorporate differential relationships between (a) depressed mood and (b) personality risk factors (i.e., impulsivity and callous–unemotional traits) for suicidality in youth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alleviation of zearalenone toxicity by modified halloysite nanotubes in the immune response of swine

Zearalenone (ZEN) has caused significant economic effects on swine production in China. There is growing concern that exposure to ZEN during pregnancy affects the health of the offspring due to changes in the development of the immune system. To assess the risks associated with maternal ZEN exposure, several immunological parameters were assessed in pregnant sows and their offspring. The main aim of the study was to determine if modified hallosite nanotubes (MHNTs) can be used to protect pigs against the adverse effects of ZEN. Eighteen pregnant sows (second parity Yorkshire sows) were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (1) basal diet (control group); (2) contaminated grain (instead of 50% mouldy corn); and (3) contaminated grain (instead of 50% mouldy corn) + 1% MHNTs. The pregnant sows were fed the different treated diets from days 35 to 70 of gestation. Dietary ZEN exposure decreased the organ coefficient and the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10, and increased ZEN residues and IL-4 mRNA expression in the spleen of pregnant sows and neonatal piglets. Decreases in the serum IgA and IgG levels were observed in the pregnant sows. Maternal ZEN exposure decreased the organ coefficient and the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-10, and increased IL-4 mRNA expression in the spleen of weaning piglets. Exposure to ZEN during pregnancy decreased the level of serum IgG in the weaning piglets. Maternal exposure to ZEN induced histopathological damage and oxidative stress in the spleens of pregnant sows and their piglets. The addition of MHNTs to ZEN-contaminated diets can mitigate the negative effects induced by ZEN in the swine.     

A latent class analysis of maternal depressive symptoms over 12 years and offspring adjustment in adolescence.

The authors used data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development to model patterns of maternal depressive symptoms, from the period of infants’ age 1 month to adolescence (age 12 years), and then examined adolescent adjustment at age 15 years as a function of the course and severity of maternal symptoms. The authors identified 5 latent classes of symptoms in 1,357 women, while also taking into account sociodemographic measures: never depressed, stable subclinical, early decreasing, moderately elevated, and chronic. Women with few symptoms were more likely to be married, better educated, and in better physical health than were women with more elevated symptoms. At age 15 years, adolescents whose mothers were in the chronic, elevated, and stable subclinical latent classes reported more internalizing and externalizing problems and acknowledged engaging in more risky behavior than did children of never depressed mothers. Latent class differences in self-reported loneliness and dysphoria were also found. Discussion focuses on adolescent adjustment, especially among offspring whose mothers reported stable symptoms of depression across their childhoods. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disruptions of social relationships accentuate the association between emotional distress and menstrual pain in young women.

This study examined the effects of social support on dysmenorrhea and whether social support moderates the relationship between negative emotions and painful symptoms. Women (N?=?184) completed questionnaires on menstrual symptoms, depression, anxiety, and social networks. Depression and anxiety were strongly associated with menstrual pain. Women who no longer had access to their prior support providers manifested more symptoms than did women with stable social relations. In addition, this disruption in their social networks moderated the relationship between distress and menstrual pain. Results indicate that loss of social support is a significant contributor to menstrual symptoms and point to the importance of considering specific aspects of social support in studying its effect on health. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

IAPV-Induced Paralytic Symptoms Associated with Tachypnea via Impaired Tracheal System Function

Although it had been reported that Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) can cause systemic infection in honey bees, little is known about how it establishes this infection and results in the typical symptoms, paralysis and trembling. Here, we used our previously constructed IAPV infectious clone to investigate viral loads in different tissues of honey bees and further identify the relation between tissue tropism and paralytic symptoms. Our results showed that tracheae showed a greater concentration of viral abundance than other tissues. The abundance of viral protein in the tracheae was positively associated with viral titers, and was further confirmed by immunological and ultrastructural evidence. Furthermore, higher viral loads in tracheae induced remarkable down-regulation of succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase genes, and progressed to causing respiratory failure of honey bees, resulting in the appearance of typical symptoms, paralysis and body trembling. Our results showed that paralysis symptoms or trembling was actually to mitigate tachypnea induced by IAPV infection due to the impairment of honey bee tracheae, and revealed a direct causal link between paralysis symptoms and tissue tropism. These findings provide new insights into the understanding of the underlying mechanism of paralysis symptoms of honey bees after viral infection and have implications for viral disease prevention and specific therapeutics in practice.     

Psychometric properties of the Affect Intensity and Reactivity Measure adapted for Youth (AIR–Y).

A valid and reliable instrument for measuring affect intensity does not exist for adolescents; such a measure may help to refine understanding of emotion among youths. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical relevance of a measure of affect intensity adapted for youths. Two hundred five community adolescents and 179 adolescents from a residential treatment program were recruited; both samples completed self-report questionnaires, and the community-based sample participated in positive and negative mood-eliciting laboratory tasks. Confirmatory factor analyses comparing multiple models indicated a 3-factor structure was the best fit. This Affect Intensity and Reactivity Scale for Youth (AIR–Y) evidenced good internal consistency and test–retest reliability, and the 3 factors showed incremental predictive validity for mood ratings following emotion-elicitation procedures, even after accounting for the relevant scale on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale for Children. Evidence for the clinical relevance of the AIR–Y, particularly the Negative Intensity factor, was found. Overall, the AIR–Y appears to be a psychometrically sound measure for the assessment of affect intensity among youths. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Longitudinal analysis of physical activity and symptoms as predictors of change in functional limitations and disability in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: This longitudinal, observational study examined changes in physical activity and symptoms as correlates of changes in functional limitations and disability across a 6-month period among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). Method: Individuals with MS wore an accelerometer for a 7-day period and completed a battery of measures including the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (Godin & Shephard, 1985), Symptom Inventory (Schwartz, Vollmer, & Lee, 1999), MS-Related Symptom Checklist (Gulick, 1989), and abbreviated Late-Life Function and Disability Inventory (McAuley, Konopack, Motl, Rosengren, & Morris, 2005) at baseline (n = 292) and 6-month follow-up (n = 276). The data were analyzed using panel analysis with latent variables in AMOS 16.0. Results: The standardized coefficients indicated that (a) change in physical activity was associated with residual change in function (β = .22), (b) change in symptoms was associated with residual changes in both function (β = –.29) and disability (γ = –.15), and (c) change in function was associated with residual change in disability (β = .20). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that change in physical activity is associated with change in disability through a pathway that is consistent with Nagi’s (1976) Disablement Model and its extension in individuals with MS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Gestational Effects of Maternal Bone Marker Molecules on Fetal Growth,Metabolism and Long-Term Metabolic Health: A Systematic Review

Fetal exposure in adverse environmental factors during intrauterine life can lead to various biological adjustments, affecting not only in utero development of the conceptus, but also its later metabolic and endocrine wellbeing. During human gestation, maternal bone turnover increases, as reflected by molecules involved in bone metabolism, such as vitamin D, osteocalcin, sclerostin, sRANKL, and osteoprotegerin; however, recent studies support their emerging role in endocrine functions and glucose homeostasis regulation. Herein, we sought to systematically review current knowledge on the effects of aforementioned maternal bone biomarkers during pregnancy on fetal intrauterine growth and metabolism, neonatal anthropometric measures at birth, as well as on future endocrine and metabolic wellbeing of the offspring. A growing body of literature converges on the view that maternal bone turnover is likely implicated in fetal growth, and at least to some extent, in neonatal and childhood body composition and metabolic wellbeing. Maternal sclerostin and sRANKL are positively linked with fetal abdominal circumference and subcutaneous fat deposition, contributing to greater birthweights. Vitamin D deficiency correlates with lower birthweights, while research is still needed on intrauterine fetal metabolism, as well as on vitamin D dosing supplementation during pregnancy, to diminish the risks of low birthweight or SGA neonates in high-risk populations.