scholarly journals Interrelationships between Skin Structure, Function, and Microbiome of Pregnant Females and Their Newborns: Study Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Doris Wilborn ◽  
Jan Kottner ◽  
Kathrin Hillmann ◽  
Sa Xu ◽  
Frank Konietschke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Skin Microbiome ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Skin Changes ◽  
Skin Structure ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Over Time

Background. Pregnancy leads to several skin changes, but evidence about structural and functional skin changes is scarce. Findings on skin structure and function in children in their first year reveal rapid skin maturation, but evidence indicates that in particular, water holding and transport mechanisms are different from adults. Important questions include whether maternal cutaneous properties predict infant skin condition, and if so, how. This is especially relevant for the skin’s microbiome because it closely interacts with the host and is assumed to play a role in many skin diseases. Therefore, the study objective is to explore characteristics of skin and hair of pregnant women and their newborns during pregnancy and in the first six months after delivery and their associations. Methods. The study has an observational longitudinal design. We are recruiting pregnant females between 18 and 45 years using advertisement campaigns in waiting areas of gynecologists and hospital’s outpatient services. A final sample size of n = 100 women is the target. We perform noninvasive, standardized skin, hair, and skin microbiome measurements. We establish the baseline visit during pregnancy until at the latest four weeks before delivery. We schedule follow-up visits four weeks and six months after birth for mothers and their newborns. We will calculate descriptive statistical methods using frequencies and associations over time depending on scale levels of the measurements. Discussion. The majority of previous studies that have investigated infants’ skin microbiome and its associations used cross-sectional designs and focused on selected characteristics in small samples. In our longitudinal study, we will characterize a broad range of individual and environmental characteristics of mothers and their newborns to evaluate interrelationships with skin parameters and their changes over time. Considering the combination of these multiple variables and levels will allow for a deeper understanding of the complex interrelationship of the newborn’s skin maturation. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04759924).

scholarly journals Concurrent and Longitudinal Predictors of Adolescent Delinquency in Mainland Chinese Adolescents: The Role of Materialism and Egocentrism

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7662
Author(s):  
Daniel T. L. Shek ◽  
Xiang Li ◽  
Xiaoqin Zhu ◽  
Esther Y. W. Shek
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Delinquent Behavior ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adolescent Delinquency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mainland Chinese ◽  
Being There ◽  
Over Time

Background: Although studies have examined the influence of materialism on adolescent well-being, there are several methodological limitations: studies examining the influence of materialism on adolescent delinquency are almost non-existent; researchers commonly used cross-sectional designs; the sample size in some studies was not large; validated measures on materialism in non-Western contexts are rare; there are very few Chinese studies. Besides, no study has examined the hypothesis that egocentrism is the mediator in the influence of materialism on adolescent delinquency. Methods: Using a short-term longitudinal design, two waves of data were collected from 2648 early adolescents in mainland China. At each wave, students completed validated measures of materialism, egocentrism and delinquent behavior. Results: Materialism and egocentrism positively predicted adolescent delinquency at Wave 1 and Wave 2 and over time. While materialism at Wave 1 positively predicted increase in delinquency over time, egocentrism did not. However, PROCESS analysis showed that egocentrism mediated the longitudinal influence of materialism on adolescent delinquent behavior. Conclusions: Materialism and egocentrism are predictors of adolescent delinquency, with egocentrism serving as a mediator in the influence of materialism on adolescent delinquency.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the progression of deficit accumulation frailty among adults with an intellectual disability: a systematic review revealing research gaps

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Brendan Dee ◽  
Eilish Burke ◽  
Roman Romero-Ortuno ◽  
Philip McCallion ◽  
Mary McCarron
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Deficit Accumulation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Over Time

Background: People with an intellectual disability are more likely to experience frailty earlier in life and with greater severity compared to the general population. There is growing consideration of determinants of frailty and identifying factors which may influence the change in frailty status over time. The objective of this review was to investigate factors associated with the progression of frailty over time among adults with an intellectual disability. Methods: A systematic review of literature was conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify studies reporting factors associated with transitions and trajectories in deficit accumulation frailty among adults with an intellectual disability. The following eligibility criteria was used: defined frailty as deficit accumulation; longitudinal design; reported at least one individual characteristic associated with change in frailty status; sample was people with an intellectual disability aged ≥18 years; English language. No limitation on publication date was applied. Studies which did not measure frailty according to deficit accumulation, did not report the frailty measure used, or had a cross-sectional design were excluded. Selected studies were assessed for quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) framework. Results: In total, two studies qualified for inclusion in this review. Findings revealed that frailty defined as deficit accumulation is a dynamic process and improvements are possible. Changes in the direction of frailty states over time among adults with an intellectual disability may be influenced by several factors including baseline frailty status, age, the presence of Down syndrome, functional ability, cognitive ability, living in a group home, and the use of nursing services and therapies. Conclusions: There is a relative paucity of research on frailty among adults with an intellectual disability and the evidence base must be grown. Exploration of the social domain of frailty in this group should be a priority of future research. PROSPERO registration: 179803 (05/07/2020)

The longitudinal and reciprocal relationships between selfie-related behaviors and self-objectification and appearance concerns among adolescents

2019 ◽  
pp. 146144481989434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhui Wang ◽  
Xiaochun Xie ◽  
Jasmine Fardouly ◽  
Lenny R Vartanian ◽  
Li Lei
Keyword(s):  
Body Dissatisfaction ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reciprocal Relationships ◽  
Chinese Adolescent ◽  
Cross Sectional Studies ◽  
Self Objectification ◽  
Over Time

A few cross-sectional studies have found that selfie-related behaviors have positive associations with self-objectification or appearance concerns, but little is known about whether bidirectional relationships exist between selfie behaviors and these body-related variables over time. The present study examined the reciprocal relationships between selfie-related behaviors and both self-objectification and appearance concerns among adolescents using a longitudinal design. Chinese adolescent boys and girls completed questionnaires at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. The key constructs included selfie-posting, selfie-editing, selfie-viewing, self-objectification, facial dissatisfaction, and body dissatisfaction. Results indicated that selfie-editing, but not selfie-posting, predicted increases in adolescents’ self-objectification and appearance concerns (both body and face) over time. Selfie-viewing predicted increases in self-objectification and facial dissatisfaction, but not body dissatisfaction over time. In the other direction, adolescents’ antecedent levels of self-objectification predicted increases in subsequent selfie-related behaviors. In addition, adolescents’ facial dissatisfaction positively predicted selfie-viewing and selfie-editing but not selfie-posting over time, whereas body dissatisfaction had no influence on subsequent selfie-related behaviors among adolescents. Findings from this study provide new insights into the reciprocal relationships between selfie-related behaviors and body image.

scholarly journals Spermidine-induced recovery of human dermal structure and barrier function by skin microbiome

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gihyeon Kim ◽  
Misun Kim ◽  
Minji Kim ◽  
Changho Park ◽  
Youngmin Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Skin ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Lipid Synthesis ◽  
Skin Barrier ◽  
Streptococcus Thermophilus ◽  
Skin Barrier Function ◽  
Skin Microbiome ◽  
Skin Structure

AbstractAn unbalanced microbial ecosystem on the human skin is closely related to skin diseases and has been associated with inflammation and immune responses. However, little is known about the role of the skin microbiome on skin aging. Here, we report that the Streptococcus species improved the skin structure and barrier function, thereby contributing to anti-aging. Metagenomic analyses showed the abundance of Streptococcus in younger individuals or those having more elastic skin. Particularly, we isolated Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus infantis, and Streptococcus thermophilus from face of young individuals. Treatment with secretions of S. pneumoniae and S. infantis induced the expression of genes associated with the formation of skin structure and the skin barrier function in human skin cells. The application of culture supernatant including Streptococcal secretions on human skin showed marked improvements on skin phenotypes such as elasticity, hydration, and desquamation. Gene Ontology analysis revealed overlaps in spermidine biosynthetic and glycogen biosynthetic processes. Streptococcus-secreted spermidine contributed to the recovery of skin structure and barrier function through the upregulation of collagen and lipid synthesis in aged cells. Overall, our data suggest the role of skin microbiome into anti-aging and clinical applications.

scholarly journals Prevalence of scabies among school children living in urban Chidambaram and its associated risk factors: a cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4879
Author(s):  
V. Gowtham ◽  
P. Kalyani ◽  
A. John William Felix
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
School Children ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Background: Scabies is one of the common contagious human skin diseases with prevalence of 0.2 to 71.4% around the world. Though all age groups are susceptible to scabies, children are at high risk. The study objective was to find out the prevalence and associated risk factors for scabies among the school children aged 11 to 14 years in Chidambaram.Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out among 11 to 14 years old school children between October to December 2019 in urban Chidambaram. Data was collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire. Diagnosis of scabies was made by a trained investigator. Collected data were entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by using SPSS software version 23.Results: Prevalence of scabies was found to be 22.4%. Three variables namely; age of the student, overcrowding, type of house was found to be statistically associated with scabies.Conclusions: Modification of environmental risk factors like overcrowding, type of house, will aid in controlling the spread of scabies. 

The acquisition of relative clauses by Mandarin heritage language children

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiting Jia ◽  
Johanne Paradis
Keyword(s):  
Heritage Language ◽  
Relative Clauses ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Critical Mass ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Design Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Object Relative

Abstract This study examined the phenomena of incomplete acquisition, attrition, and protracted acquisition of the L1 in HL children by focusing on the comprehension and production of subject and object relative clauses (RCs) in Mandarin HL children. A cross-sectional design (study 1) and a longitudinal design (study 2) were both included. Our results showed that HL children were comparable to monolinguals for the comprehension of RCs in both study 1 and 2. For the production of RCs, although monolinguals outperformed HL children in study 1, HL children’s production of RCs was convergent with monolingual-like levels over time (study 2). We conclude that the reduced L1 input HL children receive in the host country does not necessarily lead to deficient acquisition of the L1. Perhaps for some complex structures in the L1 (e.g., RCs), HL children may need more time than monolingual children to accumulate the critical mass of input needed to acquire them.

VALIDATION OF THE FAITH DEVELOPMENT SCALE USING LONGITUDINAL AND CROSS-SECTIONAL DESIGNS

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 637-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary K. Leak
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Faith Development ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Senior College ◽  
Over Time

Two studies were conducted to further evaluate the validity of the Faith Development Scale (FDS). Study 1 used a longitudinal design and evaluated the change in scores on the scale in response to normal maturational and faith-based experiences over 4 years. Study 2 examined the differences in level of faith development between entering freshmen and graduating senior college students. Both studies found differences consistent with the hypothesis that the FDS is sensitive: (a) between groups expected to differ in faith development and (b) to changes in faith development within groups over time. Despite limitations within both studies, it was concluded that the results offer further support for the validity of the FDS. Implications of these results are discussed.

scholarly journals Do international institutions matter? Socialization and international bureaucrats

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 852-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zuzana Murdoch ◽  
Hussein Kassim ◽  
Sara Connolly ◽  
Benny Geys
Keyword(s):  
International Organizations ◽  
Attitude Change ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Gender ◽  
International Socialization ◽  
Constructivist Approaches ◽  
Over Time

A key component of (neo-)functionalist and constructivist approaches to the study of international organizations concerns staff socialization. Existing analyses of how, or indeed whether, staff develop more pro-internationalist attitudes over time draw predominantly on cross-sectional data. Yet, such data cannot address (self-)selection issues or capture the inherently temporal nature of attitude change. This article proposes an innovative approach to the study of international socialization using an explicitly longitudinal design. Analysing two waves of a large-scale survey conducted within the European Commission in 2008 and 2014, it examines the beliefs and values of the same individuals over time and exploits exogenous organizational changes to identify causal effects. Furthermore, the article theorizes and assesses specified scope conditions affecting socialization processes. Showing that international institutions do, in fact, influence value acquisition by individual bureaucrats, our results contest the widely held view that international organizations are not a socializing environment. Our analysis also demonstrates that age at entry and gender significantly affect the intensity of such value change.

scholarly journals Preliminary evidence for progressive prefrontal abnormalities in adolescents and young adults with bipolar disorder

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
JESSICA H. KALMAR ◽  
FEI WANG ◽  
LINDA SPENCER ◽  
ERIN EDMISTON ◽  
CHERYL M. LACADIE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Anterior Cingulate ◽  
Volume Changes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Over Time

AbstractPrevious cross-sectional study of ventral prefrontal cortex (VPFC) implicated progressive volume abnormalities during adolescence in bipolar disorder (BD). In the present study, a within-subject, longitudinal design was implemented to examine brain volume changes during adolescence/young adulthood. We hypothesized that VPFC volume decreases over time would be greater in adolescents/young adults with BD than in healthy comparison adolescents/young adults. Eighteen adolescents/young adults (10 with BD I and 8 healthy comparison participants) underwent two high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans over approximately 2 years. Regional volume changes over time were measured. Adolescents/young adults with BD displayed significantly greater volume loss over time, compared to healthy comparison participants, in a region encompassing VPFC and rostral PFC and extending to rostral anterior cingulate cortex (p < .05). Additional areas where volume change differed between groups were observed. While data should be interpreted cautiously due to modest sample size, this study provides preliminary evidence to support the presence of accelerated loss in VPFC and rostral PFC volume in adolescents/young adults with BD. (JINS, 2009, 15, 476–481.)

scholarly journals Study of Specific Dermatoses of Pregnancy and Skin Diseases affected by Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Rural Hospital

2017 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 075-078
Author(s):  
Stuti Khare ◽  
Adarshlata Singh
Keyword(s):  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Tertiary Care Center ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pregnant Females ◽  
Dermatoses Of Pregnancy ◽  
Morphology Pattern

Abstract Aims and objectives: To study the various specific dermatoses of pregnancy and changes due to pregnancy. Study design: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care center, Department of Dermatology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Materials and methods: A total of 400 pregnant females were enrolled and studied for various cutaneous changes of pregnancy. In pregnant females with specific dermatoses of pregnancy, detailed clinical examination was done regarding the morphology, pattern, and distribution of lesions. Routine blood investigations were done in all pregnant females. Biopsy was done wherever required. Results: Among 400 pregnant females, we found 38 (9.5%) to be having specific dermatosis of pregnancy. The most common specific dermatosis of pregnancy was prurigo of pregnancy (4.75%), followed by pruritic urticarial papules and plaques (PUPP) of pregnancy (4%), intrahepatic cholestasis (ICP) of pregnancy (0.25%), and pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy (0.125%). In 9.5% females, skin diseases were caused due to pregnancy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document