Dietary patterns and the risk of abnormal blood lipids among young adults: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimsThe extent to which dietary patterns influence the risk of abnormal blood lipids throughout young adulthood remains unclear. The aim was to investigate whether early young adulthood dietary patterns predict the risk of abnormal blood lipids during later young adulthood.Methods and resultsWe used data from a long running birth cohort study in Australia. Western dietary pattern rich in meats, processed foods and high-fat dairy products and prudent pattern rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and low-fat dairy products were derived using principal component analysis at the 21-year follow-up from dietary data obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. After 9-years, fasting blood samples of all participants were collected and their total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured. Abnormal blood lipids were based on clinical cut-offs for total, LDL and HDL cholesterols, and TG and relative distributions for total:HDL and TG:HDL cholesterols ratios. Log-binomial models were used to estimate risk of each outcome in relation to dietary patterns. Greater adherence to the Western pattern predicted increased risks of high LDL (RR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.06, 2.03) and TG (1.90; 1.25, 2.86), and high ratios of total:HDL (1.48; 1.00, 2.19) and TG:HDL (1.78; 1.18, 2.70) cholesterols in fully adjusted models. Conversely, a prudent pattern predicted reduced risks of low HDL (0.58; 0.42, 0.78) and high TG (0.66; 0.47, 0.92) and high total:HDL (0.71; 0.51, 0.98) and TG:HDL (0.61; 0.45, 0.84) cholesterols ratios.ConclusionThis is the first prospective study to show greater adherence to unhealthy Western diet predicted increased risks of abnormal blood lipids, whereas healthy prudent diet predicted lower such risks in young adults. Addressing diets in early course may improve cardiovascular health of young adults.     

Coping with cancer: A qualitative study of adolescent and young adult perspectives

ObjectivesCancer can have long-term biopsychological impacts for young people that persist for years. To promote adjustment, it is essential to understand how young people cope, yet this is relatively understudied.MethodsThis study explored the coping strategies using semi-structured interviews with 16 young people with cancer aged 15–24 years. Eligible participants were diagnosed within the previous 24 months and recruited through Australian Youth Cancer Services. Transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis.ResultsCoping strategies included: seeking support; controlling the focus; avoiding negatives and staying positive; meaning making and; changes with time. During treatment, seeking support, focussing on the present, distraction and avoidance were commonly applied. Following treatment, planning for the future, avoidance of re-traumatising situations and meaning making were used.ConclusionFindings support the concept of coping as a dynamic process where different strategies are used depending on the stressor, available resources and previous experiences.Practice ImplicationsComprehensive, developmentally appropriate psychosocial assessments, open communication, education and information provision, as well as appropriate referral for support are essential, particularly for young cancer survivors identified at risk.     

某高校大学生艾滋病主动检测意愿与影响因素

目的 了解青年学生艾滋病主动检测意愿的现状,提出促进青年学生主动检测意愿的建议,为进一步提高青年学生艾滋病检测意愿的策略和措施提供科学依据。方法 采用自编促进大学生HIV主动检测意愿调查问卷,用整群抽样方法抽取成都某高校778名在校大学进行问卷调查。结果 在被调查的778名大学生中,91.6%的学生有艾滋主动检测意愿,在不同年级(χ2=11.416,P=0.010)、认为自己感染艾滋病风险情况(χ2=18.615,P＜0.001)等因素上差异均有统计学意义。多因素 logistic 回归分析显示年级为大二或大三、认为自己艾滋病感染风险为非常低或比较低或一般(P均＜0.05)的青年学生更愿意进行艾滋病主动检测。结论 该高校大学生艾滋病主动检测意愿较高。应该结合该高校学生的特性,开展有针对性的艾滋病宣传教育活动,以此提高大学生HIV主动检测率。     

Prevalence of sport specialisation and association with injury history in youth football

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of sport specialisation in youth football, and to investigate the associations of sport specialisation and volume of sport participation with injury history.DesignCross-sectional questionnaire.SettingNew Zealand youth football teams.Participants414 youth football players aged 10–15 years.Main outcome measuresThe level of specialisation, average weekly sport participation and free-play volume were recorded. 12-month injury history was captured and grouped by injury type. Associations between level of specialisation and demographic variables were analysed using chi square tests. Logistic regression was used to investigate associations between injury history, level of specialisation, and volume of participation.ResultsParticipants were classified as high (43%), moderate (38%), or low (19%) specialised (n = 399 complete). High specialisation was more likely in boys, older participants, and those from large schools. Highly specialised participants were more likely to report a history of gradual onset injury than those who were low specialised (n = 340 with complete injury data). Odds of reporting a gradual onset injury also increased with greater weekly and annual sport participation volume.ConclusionsThere is a high prevalence of sport specialisation in youth football, and it is associated with increased incidence of gradual onset injury.     

Vasovagal reactions after COVID-19 vaccination in Japan

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine administration started in February 2021 in Japan. As of December 2021, approximately 75% of the population aged ≥12 years had received two doses of vaccine. We conducted a study to investigate vasovagal reactions (VVR) after COVID-19 vaccination using data on adverse events following immunization. The crude reporting rate of VVR (cases/1,000,000 doses) after vaccination was 9.6 in all age groups combined, and was more frequent in the younger age groups: 28.6 and 37.2 in individuals aged 10–19 years and 20–29 years, respectively. In individuals aged 10–29 years, the rate was similar in males and females (33.0 and 34.2, respectively, p = 0.53); but was higher after dose 1 than after dose 2 (57.4 and 8.8, respectively, p < 0.001). Based on these results, caution needs to be exercised when vaccinating adolescents and young adults, especially with dose 1 of COVID-19 vaccines.     

心理应激性心肌缺血与中青年女性冠心病的研究

中青年女性发生冠心病的预后不如男性好，这种现象不能用已经证实的传统的心血管疾病危险因素完全解释。心理应激作为新的危险因素，被广泛证实可诱发可逆的心肌缺血，称之为心理应激性心肌缺血。在缺血性心脏病患者中，心理应激性心肌缺血发生率高且可加重预后转归。与男性患者相比，中青年女性更容易发生心理应激性心肌缺血。最新的研究数据表明微循环障碍可能在中青年女性心理应激性心肌缺血的发生中扮演重要角色。这篇文章首次综述心理应激性心肌缺血与中青年女性冠心病的研究进展。     

How to detect young athletes at risk of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction?

Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a prevalent condition in elite athletes caused by transient airway narrowing during or after exercise. Young athletes nowadays start early to perform high level exercise, highlighting the need to screen for EIB in a younger population. The purpose of this review is to evaluate current evidence of pre-tests with high probability to predict a positive provocation test in young and adolescent athletes, aged 12–24 years and thus indicate whether a young athlete is at risk of having EIB. Up to now, there is no validated screening test available to increase the pre-test probability of a provocation test of EIB in young and adolescent athletes. We would recommend that a clinical guideline committee might consider the development of a flow chart to screen for EIB in adolescent athletes. It could be composed of a symptom-based questionnaire focusing on wheezing during exercise, atopic state, reversibility test (to exclude EIB with asthma) and completed with markers in blood/serum. However, more research is necessary.     

Oncology healthcare professionals’ knowledge,attitudes, and practices regarding young carers

ObjectiveIncreasing numbers of youths are facing a relative’s cancer. In this context, some are required to provide significant support and are called young carers (YCs). However, little is known about how these youth are viewed and supported by health professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of oncology healthcare professionals regarding YCs.MethodsThirty-one oncology professionals working in France (adult and pediatric departments and homecare services) participated in semi-structured interviews.ResultsThe results indicated that almost all professionals had already met a YC and could identify several situations in their professional context. Their knowledge of YCs appeared to influence their attitudes and practices. They perceived this situation in a rather superficial way when their discourse and ideas were explored in-depth. They mentioned some ideas for improving support for YCs, but also many barriers.ConclusionThe results highlight a moderate level of awareness. Thus, it is necessary to enhance providers’ awareness and knowledge of YCs.Practice implicationsAwareness campaigns and training programs need to be developed for oncology healthcare professionals to help them better identify, understand, and support YCs and their families. This type of action would positively impact patient care.