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Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The collection of papers in this Special Issue serves to extend the literature and evidence base for physical literacy (PL) research within child and youth populations....
The collection of papers in this Special Issue serves to extend the literature and evidence base for physical literacy (PL) research within child and youth populations. Currently, child and youth populations are increasingly sedentary, resulting in them spending less time engaging in daily physical activity (PA). Physical literacy serves as an attractive concept to help reframe and address physical inactivity and poor health and wellbeing, utilising a different and integrated approach to physical activity, health and wellbeing promotion. The studies presented in this Special Issue respond to previous calls in PL research for further empirical evidence, clarity around PL assessment, the utility of physical literacy with diverse populations including indigenous children and those with disabilities, the application of PL within early years, parental engagement and the role of physical education in the promotion of PL. These studies shed new light on the frontiers of PL research within child and youth populations.
PubMed: 38929281
DOI: 10.3390/children11060702 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The human voice has the potential to serve as a valuable biomarker for the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of pediatric conditions. This scoping review... (Review)
Review
The human voice has the potential to serve as a valuable biomarker for the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of pediatric conditions. This scoping review synthesizes the current knowledge on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in analyzing pediatric voice as a biomarker for health. The included studies featured voice recordings from pediatric populations aged 0-17 years, utilized feature extraction methods, and analyzed pathological biomarkers using AI models. Data from 62 studies were extracted, encompassing study and participant characteristics, recording sources, feature extraction methods, and AI models. Data from 39 models across 35 studies were evaluated for accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The review showed a global representation of pediatric voice studies, with a focus on developmental, respiratory, speech, and language conditions. The most frequently studied conditions were autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, asphyxia, and asthma. Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients were the most utilized feature extraction method, while Support Vector Machines were the predominant AI model. The analysis of pediatric voice using AI demonstrates promise as a non-invasive, cost-effective biomarker for a broad spectrum of pediatric conditions. Further research is necessary to standardize the feature extraction methods and AI models utilized for the evaluation of pediatric voice as a biomarker for health. Standardization has significant potential to enhance the accuracy and applicability of these tools in clinical settings across a variety of conditions and voice recording types. Further development of this field has enormous potential for the creation of innovative diagnostic tools and interventions for pediatric populations globally.
PubMed: 38929263
DOI: 10.3390/children11060684 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of mortality among term newborns globally. Infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid are at risk of... (Review)
Review
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of mortality among term newborns globally. Infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid are at risk of developing meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) and HIE. Simultaneous occurrence of MAS and HIE is a perilous combination for newborns due to the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). Moreover, therapeutic hypothermia (TH), which is the current standard of care for the management of HIE, may increase pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and worsen PPHN. Infants with MAS and HIE require close cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic monitoring for PPHN. Therapeutic strategies, including oxygen supplementation, ventilation, use of surfactant, inhaled nitric oxide and other pulmonary vasodilators, and systemic vasopressors, play a critical role in the management of PPHN in MAS, HIE, and TH. While TH reduces death or disability in infants with HIE, infants with MAS and HIE undergoing TH need close hemodynamic monitoring for PPHN.
PubMed: 38929252
DOI: 10.3390/children11060673 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Developmental delay (DD) has a great impact on children at the developmental stage, and is often manifested by varying degrees of motor delays, intellectual...
Developmental delay (DD) has a great impact on children at the developmental stage, and is often manifested by varying degrees of motor delays, intellectual disabilities, and other defects [...].
PubMed: 38929248
DOI: 10.3390/children11060669 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Preterm birth accounts for about 10% of births worldwide. Studying risk factors for perinatal brain damage is essential, as findings suggest that almost 20% of...
Preterm birth accounts for about 10% of births worldwide. Studying risk factors for perinatal brain damage is essential, as findings suggest that almost 20% of disabilities are linked to risks in the early stages of development. This research aimed to study longitudinal changes in intelligence from 6 to 8 years of age in a sample of 39 preterm children with a history of risk of brain damage and a control group of 35 children born at term. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale (WISC-IV) was used to measure cognitive ability at six, seven, and eight years old. The results showed that the preterm group obtained significantly lower scores than the control group. The working memory indicator significantly affected the interaction between age and prematurity. We consider it crucial to expand the knowledge we have about the neurocognitive development of premature infants, both in specific cognitive domains and in age ranges, so that the information obtained can help predict the probability of presenting cognitive alterations from early stages. This, therefore, helps in implementing intervention strategies and programs based on scientific evidence, and their design is complemented by clinical experience and empirical and theoretical knowledge of the different professionals involved in infant cognitive intervention.
PubMed: 38929232
DOI: 10.3390/children11060652 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study investigates the family well-being among Saudi Arabian families with youth who have an intellectual disability. A sample of 148 family members, including...
This study investigates the family well-being among Saudi Arabian families with youth who have an intellectual disability. A sample of 148 family members, including parents and other relatives, was surveyed on emotional well-being, family interactions, and parenting. This study aimed to explore the unique challenges and dynamics within these families, providing insights into how an intellectual disability in a youth affects the family unit. The research highlights a gap in understanding the specific impacts of intellectual disability on family life in the Saudi context. Key findings include variations in family quality of life perceptions among different family members, with fathers showing distinct levels of satisfaction. This study contributes to the development of culturally sensitive support strategies and policies, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to enhance the well-being of these families in Saudi Arabia.
PubMed: 38929224
DOI: 10.3390/children11060644 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Chronic migraine is a disabling disorder without effective therapeutic medicine. AMPA receptors have been proven to be essential to pathological pain and headaches, but...
Chronic migraine is a disabling disorder without effective therapeutic medicine. AMPA receptors have been proven to be essential to pathological pain and headaches, but the related regulatory mechanisms in chronic migraine have not yet been explored. In this study, we found that the level of surface GluA2 was reduced in chronic migraine rats. Tat-GluR23Y (a GluA2 endocytosis inhibitor) reduced calcium inward flow and weakened synaptic structures, thus alleviating migraine-like pain sensitization. In addition, the inhibition of GluA2 endocytosis reduced the calcium influx and alleviated mitochondrial calcium overload and ROS generation in primary neurons. Furthermore, our results showed that ROS can induce allodynia and GluA2 endocytosis in rats, thus promoting migraine-like pain sensitization. In our previous study, the dopamine D2 receptor was identified as a potential target in the treatment of chronic migraine, and here we found that dopamine D2 receptor activation suppressed chronic-migraine-related pain sensitization through blocking the GluA2/ROS positive feedback loop in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, ligustrazine, a core component of , was shown to target the dopamine D2 receptor, thereby alleviating ROS production and abnormal nociception in CM rats. This study provides valuable insight into the treatment of chronic migraine.
PubMed: 38929165
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060725 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024The WHO Dementia Global Action Plan states that rehabilitation services for dementia are required to promote health, reduce disability, and maintain quality of life for... (Review)
Review
The WHO Dementia Global Action Plan states that rehabilitation services for dementia are required to promote health, reduce disability, and maintain quality of life for those living with dementia. Current services, however, are scarce, particularly for people with young-onset dementia (YOD). This article, written by an international group of multidisciplinary dementia specialists, offers a three-part overview to promote the development of rehabilitation services for YOD. Firstly, we provide a synthesis of knowledge on current evidence-based rehabilitative therapies for early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD), behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Secondly, we discuss the characteristics of rehabilitation services for YOD, providing examples across three continents for how these services can be embedded in existing settings and the different roles of the rehabilitation multidisciplinary team. Lastly, we conclude by highlighting the potential of telehealth in making rehabilitation services more accessible for people with YOD. Overall, with this paper, we aim to encourage clinical leads to begin introducing at least some rehabilitation into their services, leveraging existing resources and finding support in the collective expertise of the broader multidisciplinary dementia professional community.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Age of Onset; Developing Countries; Developed Countries; Telemedicine
PubMed: 38929036
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060790 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a...
BACKGROUND
Projects for workplace health promotion (WHP) for back pain traditionally focus exclusively on work-related but not on leisure-time stress on the spine. We developed a comprehensive WHP project on the back health of hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work and compared its effects on sedentary and physically active hospital workers.
METHODS
Study assessments were carried out before and six months after participation in the WHP intervention. The primary outcome parameter was back pain (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI). Anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), work ability (Work Ability Index), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), and quality of life (Short Form-36) were assessed via questionnaires as secondary outcome parameters. Physical performance was measured via the 30 seconds Sit-to-Stand test (30secSTS).
RESULTS
Sixty-eight healthcare workers with non-specific back pain were included in the evaluation study of the WHP project "Back Health 24/7/365". After six months, back pain, physical performance, and self-perceived physical functioning (SF-36 Physical Functioning subscale) improved significantly in both groups. Not a single parameter showed an interaction effect with the group allocation.
CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive WHP-intervention showed significant positive effects on hospital workers regardless of the physical characteristics of their work.
Topics: Humans; Health Promotion; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Back Pain; Occupational Health; Personnel, Hospital; Workplace; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 38929018
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060772 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2024Community design features, such as sidewalks and street crossings, present significant challenges for individuals with disabilities, hindering their physical performance...
BACKGROUND
Community design features, such as sidewalks and street crossings, present significant challenges for individuals with disabilities, hindering their physical performance and social integration. However, limited research has been conducted on the application of Universal Design (UD) to address these challenges, particularly concerning specific demographic groups and population cohorts. Understanding the influence of environmental features on physical performance is crucial for developing inclusive solutions like UD, which can enhance usability and social integration across diverse populations.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating the complex relationships between environmental barriers, health conditions, and routine activity performance. An index was developed to evaluate users' UD performance based on functional capacity, providing scientifically rigorous and objectively measured evidence of UD effectiveness in creating inclusive built environments.
METHOD
Using data from the Problematic Activities Survey (PAS) conducted in the U.S., Canada, and Australia and targeting individuals with and without functional limitations, multinomial logit models were employed to estimate the probabilities of encountering performance problems. This analysis led to the development of the Problematic Performance Value (PPV) score.
RESULTS
The results demonstrated significant disparities in PPVs across various health conditions, particularly concerning curb ramps. Individuals facing mobility issues in their legs/feet, arms/hands, or back/neck encounter more pronounced challenges, especially when curb ramps lack proper design elements. Similarly, individuals with vision impairments face heightened difficulties with traffic signals, particularly due to issues with audible signal systems. These findings underscore the importance of addressing micro-level environmental challenges to accommodate individuals with varying functional capacities effectively.
CONCLUSIONS
By providing insights into the most problematic daily activities encountered by diverse populations, the PPV score serves as a valuable indicator for guiding environmental design improvements and promoting equitable space usage. This can be used to guide improved UD solutions and decide areas of concentration by providing generalized information on specific environmental features that contribute to user performance.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Middle Aged; Female; Aged; Australia; Disabled Persons; Young Adult; Canada; Adolescent; United States; Physical Functional Performance; Built Environment; Environment Design; Health Status
PubMed: 38929010
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060764