HIV infection is accompanied by production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are regarded as critical in neuronal damage, leading to brain dysfunction. To develop diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions, we need to measure CNS response to immune activation, hence the need to identify specific cytokine biomarkers that are associated with brain damage in HIV infection. This cross-sectional retrospective study applied Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for brain volumetric measurements and high-throughput Luminex-based immunoassays to quantify plasma cytokine and chemokine concentrations. We then used generalized linear models and Partial Least Square Regression models to evaluate the association between brain volume and plasma cytokines in predominantly treatment-naïve participants with HIV. After adjusting for clinical and demographic variables, we observed that higher MCP-1 (p = 0.013) and RANTES (p = 0.002) remained significantly associated with lower cortical white matter volume, whereas the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-9 (p = 0.025) and the growth factors PDGFBB (p = 0.012) and VEGF (p = 0.001) were associated with higher cortical white matter volume. Only IL-6 (p = 0.010) was significantly associated with lower subcortical grey matter volume. Higher concentrations of five pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 (p = 0.0001), IL-8 (p = 0.018), GCSF (p = 0.004), MCP-1 (p = 0.004), and RANTES (p = 0.015), were associated with lower total grey matter volume. Associations of pro-inflammatory cytokines with lower brain volume could imply a link to mechanisms of HIV-associated brain damage, which may lead to neurocognitive impairment. Therefore, the use of highly sensitive neuroimaging and high-throughput immunoassays in HIV-associated brain disorders has potential applications in clinical assessments and therapeutic monitoring.

The impacts of microaggressions and the Model Minority Myth on self-rated mental health among Asian American (AA) women are unclear. A total of 152 AA women completed an online questionnaire including select items from the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS) and the Internalization of the Model Minority Myth Measure (IM-4). Logistic regression was used to estimate associations (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals) between the REMS and IM-4 with fair/poor mental health. Experiencing frequent microaggressions was significantly and consistently associated with fair/poor mental health, particularly those experiences involving exclusion or dismissal during interpersonal or professional interactions. Women who reported more microaggressions (>10), compared to those who reported fewer (<5), had more than twice the odds of fair/poor mental health (OR: 2.70, CI: 1.12, 6.49). For the IM-4, compared to those who were undecided, women who agreed with statements such as "Asian Americans have stronger work ethics" had lower odds of poor or fair/poor mental health: (OR: 0.39, CI: 0.15, 0.99) than those who were undecided. Gaining a greater understanding and acknowledgement of the impacts of subtle microaggressions and stereotyping, including internalization of stereotypes, is necessary to support psychological wellbeing and design effective mental health interventions for Asian American women.

LGBTQ₊ adolescents experience disproportionately high rates of depression globally, yet little is known about how these experiences are shaped by Thailand's unique cultural context. This study addresses this gap by examining how Thai LGBTQ₊ adolescents understand and navigate depression, identity development, and culturally shaped support systems. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted with a sample of 20 Thai LGBTQ₊ adolescents from rural regions. Thematic analysis identified three interrelated themes: (1) struggles with self-discovery, acceptance, and their relationship to depression; (2) living with depression and moving forward; and (3) the need for acceptance and understanding. Findings demonstrate that cultural norms-particularly family obligations, conditional acceptance, and collectivist expectations-intensify depression and shape help-seeking, coping, and identity development. The study highlights the need for culturally responsive mental-health interventions that integrate gender-diversity awareness, family education, LGBTQ₊-affirming school environments, and confidential support options. These findings suggest new, context-specific evidence for designing culturally responsive mental-health interventions for LGBTQ₊ adolescents in Thailand.

As part of a regional initiative to improve care for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in vulnerable territories, a specific module of the Essential Conditions Evaluation (ECE) tool of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was developed and implemented in 15 health facilities in Camiri and the Guaraní Kereimba Iyaambae Indigenous Autonomous Government (GAIGKI) in the Bolivian Chaco region between February and May 2024. The objective was to detect gaps, document strengths, and generate useful evidence for territorial planning.The instrument included 50 variables grouped into 10 key dimensions, in line with the technical frameworks of the World Health Organization (WHO) and PAHO. It was implemented through a participatory methodology, led by PAHO and previously trained local teams. The analysis made it possible to tailor the assessment to the priorities of the territory, focusing on hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and mental disorders.The results revealed gaps in governance, financing, human resources, and information systems in both municipalities. Camiri stood out for its basic equipment and clinical follow-up; GAIGKI, for local planning and the availability of specialized personnel. Both municipalities showed progress in basic tests, essential medicines, and the continuity of care.The experience demonstrated the technical feasibility of the module, its cultural relevance, and its potential for integration into national surveillance systems. With technical and financial support from PAHO, intersectoral coordination and community participation were promoted, generating key input to improve the integrated management of NCDs in primary health care in rural and Indigenous contexts.

This study aimed to analyze the temporal and spatial distribution, as well as spatio-temporal aggregation, of road traffic fatalities in Shandong Province, China, from 2012 to 2022, with the aim of establishing scientific foundation for crafting customized intervention strategies and preventive actions to mitigate road traffic fatalities.

Data were obtained from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Population Death Information Registration Management System. Statistical analyses, including composition ratios, chi-square tests, spatial autocorrelation analyses, and spatio-temporal aggregation, were conducted. Software tools, such as Excel, Geoda, and SaTScan v10.1.2, were utilized for data analysis.

The study showed pedestrians were the most affected group (55.18%), followed by motorized drivers, non-motorized drivers, and passengers. The temporal distribution showed cyclical trends, with the largest number of deaths in autumn. Passengers had a higher number of deaths during leave in lieu (χ² = 12.247, p = 0.007) and vacation (χ² = 17.599, p = 0.001) than other subgroups. The spatial distribution identified varying hotspots and cold spots across different cities in Shandong Province. The spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated unique patterns for different groups of road traffic fatalities. Spatio-temporal cluster analysis indicated that a notable and novel finding was the emergence of non-motorized drivers as the newest spatio-temporal agglomeration in southwestern Shandong, while that of motorized drivers was distinctly located in the Jiaodong Peninsula.

Targeted measures in high-risk areas and peak periods have reduced road traffic fatalities. Legislative efforts and educational campaigns have improved road safety; however, challenges with e-bikes require focused interventions.

The global population is aging rapidly and the prevalence of age-related noncommunicable diseases is increasing. Favorable dietary patterns have the power to reduce the risk or progression of various age-related chronic diseases, including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several types of cancer, and some neurodegenerative diseases. In contrast, adverse dietary patterns may contribute to the onset or progression of many chronic diseases or their risk factors. A diet rich in wholesome, nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods, such as a Mediterranean-style diet, may promote health and prevent disease through its abundance of antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and micronutrients. Conversely, a diet high in nutrient-poor and ultra-processed foods may accelerate disease onset and progression by promoting inflammation and affecting metabolic pathways adversely. This narrative review summarizes the literature from clinical trials and large population-based studies on protective dietary patterns and adverse dietary patterns that influence risk of cardiovascular disease and related risk factors, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, type 2 diabetes, frailty, and liver disease.

Background: Lifestyle factors often interact in complex ways when influencing chronic disease risk. We aimed to examine the prospective associations between empirically derived real-life lifestyle patterns (LPs) and the incidence of major chronic diseases, and to explore the linearity of the relationships between lifestyle summation scores and disease risk. Methods: We included adults free of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), or type 2 diabetes (T2D) at baseline (2006-2013) from the Dutch Lifelines cohort. LPs and lifestyle summation scores were derived from baseline self-reported data on diet, physical activity, substance use, sleep, stress, and social connectedness, each categorised as healthy, moderately healthy, or unhealthy. Fine-Gray sub-hazard regression models assessed associations between LPs and disease incidence, with natural spline functions used to evaluate linearity in summation scores. Results: Among 114,919 T2D-free, 131,248 cancer-free, 91,777 CRD-free, and 77,645 CVD-free participants, we observed 3114 T2D, 4685 cancer, 4133 CRDs, and 2850 CVD incident cases (median follow-up time: 8 years). Compared to the "Unhealthy" pattern, both the "Healthy-in-a-balanced-way" and "Healthy-but-physically-inactive" patterns were broadly significantly protective. The "Unhealthy-but-no-substance-use" pattern was associated with increased T2D risk (Sub-Hazard Ratio (SHR) = 1.27, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.11-1.47) but reduced cancer risk (SHR = 0.85, 95%CI: 0.74-0.97). The "Unhealthy-but-light-drinking-and-never-smoked" pattern was protective for T2D (SHR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.79-0.99). Linear associations were observed between lifestyle summation scores and disease risk, except for "healthy lifestyle" scores with T2D and "unhealthy lifestyle" scores with CRDs (non-linear p-value < 0.05). Conclusions: There are potential protective effects of healthy lifestyles on T2D, cancer, CRDs, and CVDs. However, the "Unhealthy but no substance use" demonstrated increased risk on T2D, protective effect on cancer and no significant effect on CRDs or CVDs. The relationship between combined lifestyle factors and NCD risk is complex and partly non-linear, showing diminishing benefits beyond certain thresholds, especially T2D and CRDs.

Background: Diet quality significantly influences metabolic health, obesity, and non-communicable disease risk. Functional foods and nutraceuticals, rich in bioactive compounds, may enhance health outcomes beyond basic nutrition, particularly when combined with Mediterranean-style dietary patterns. Objectives: This feasibility study evaluated the integration of functional foods and nutraceuticals into a Mediterranean-based dietary intervention in adults with metabolic risk factors, focusing on feasibility, tolerability, and preliminary clinical effects. Methods: Functional food prototypes, including Calabrian tomato, pomegranate, bergamot, blueberry, and hazelnut products, along with two nutraceutical formulations, were developed, characterized for bioactive content, and assessed for palatability, bioavailability, and safety. Adults aged ≥50 years participated in a 4-week intervention, consuming daily servings of functional foods and either a whey protein-based or essential amino acid-based nutraceutical. Compliance, acceptability, anthropometry, body composition, muscle strength, and biochemical markers were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: Functional foods and nutraceuticals were well-tolerated, with high adherence (>80%). Bioactive compounds were detectable in serum post-consumption, confirming bioavailability. Preliminary findings suggested that integrating functional foods and nutraceuticals into a Mediterranean-style dietary intervention is feasible, safe, and acceptable in older adults with metabolic risk factors. These results support the potential clinical benefit of combined dietary strategies and provide a rationale for a larger randomized controlled trial to evaluate efficacy on metabolic, musculoskeletal, and hepatic outcomes.

Background: Dietary patterns influence systemic inflammation, which is involved in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) quantifies the inflammatory potential of the diet and varies across populations due to cultural and regional eating habits. Limited data exist on the inflammatory potential of diets in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the inflammatory potential of the diet and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 256 adults aged 18-50 years residing in Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling via social media platforms. Data were collected between November 2024 and August 2025 using a validated Saudi food frequency questionnaire and sociodemographic survey. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated using 42 food parameters. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis) were applied to examine associations between E-DII and sociodemographic variables. Results: Significant differences in E-DII were observed by sex (p < 0.001). Males had higher E-DII scores than females, suggesting more pro-inflammatory diets. Participants with postgraduate education tended to have lower E-DII than participants with only a high school degree, reflecting more anti-inflammatory dietary patterns. However, this trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The mean E-DII was 4.8 ± 1.3, indicating a predominantly pro-inflammatory dietary pattern. No significant differences were found across age, education, income, BMI, marital status, employment, or smoking status. Conclusions: Sex was a key determinant of dietary inflammatory potential. Adults demonstrated overall pro-inflammatory dietary patterns in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions should target higher risk groups, such as males with a higher risk of non-communicable diseases, to promote anti-inflammatory dietary habits and reduce chronic disease risk in this population.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the assessment of the health and emotional well-being of children and adolescents from Wroclaw, including the frequency of diseases, health symptoms, overweight, and obesity. Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional study between 2019-2023, ultimately involving 1232 children aged 7-17 years. The data were collected in the form of interviews with caregivers. The study used a health questionnaire, anthropometric measurements and laboratory tests. Overweight and obesity were determined based on Polish body mass index (BMI) percentile tables in accordance with pediatric society guidelines. For the purposes of analysis, participants were divided into three age groups: 6-9, 10-12, and 13-17 years old. Results: The most common diagnosis was allergies, affecting about 36% of those surveyed. In total, 32.8% of children reported difficulties with concentration, memory, and learning. Emotionally, over one-third of children experienced anxiety or fear and outbursts of anger, 26% experienced inadequate sadness, and about 22% complained of chronic fatigue and excessive agitation. About 15% of participants reported symptoms of depression. Overweight and obesity were present in about 18% of children, with the frequency increasing with age. Moreover, it was shown that gender and age were the most important factors differentiating the risk of emotional symptoms, while body weight had no significant effect on any of the analyzed symptoms. Conclusions: The study revealed a significant prevalence of emotional disorders among children and adolescents, an increasing prevalence of allergies with age, and the growing problem of overweight and obesity. The results indicate the need for the implementation of systematic preventive measures and the early diagnosis of chronic diseases. An effective response to these challenges requires the development of an interdisciplinary healthcare model that integrates pediatric, psychologist, dietary, and social support.