Search

Objective: To examine the effects of navigation controls and field-of-view modes on cybersickness severity and gait dynamics after cessation of exposure to a virtual environment (VE). Background: The applications of virtual reality are increasing in various fields; however, whether changes in interaction techniques and visual contents could mitigate the potential gait disturbance following VE exposure remains unclear. Method: Thirty healthy adults wore a head-mounted display to complete six sessions of 12-min run-and-gun tasks using different navigation controls (gamepad, head, natural) and field-of-view modes (full, restricted). Forward and backward walking tasks were performed before and after VE exposure. The degrees of cybersickness and presence were evaluated using questionnaires, along with the in-session task performance. Spatiotemporal gait measures and their variabilities were calculated for each walking task. Results: The participants experienced less cybersickness with the head and natural controls than with the gamepad. Natural control, based on matching body movements, was associated with the highest degree of presence and best performance. VE navigation using the gamepad showed reduced cadences and increased stride times during postexposure forward-walking tasks. When the VE was presented via the restricted field-of-view mode, increased gait variabilities were observed from backward-walking tasks after VE exposure. Conclusion: Body movement-based navigation controls may alleviate cybersickness. We observed gait adaptation during both ambulation tasks, which was influenced by the navigation control method and field-of-view mode. Application: This study provides the first evidence for gait adaptation during balance-demanding tasks after VE exposure, which is valuable for designing guidelines for virtual reality interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pedestrians had delayed responses in shared spaces with multiple road objects. • Texting elicited greater neural activity in the frontopolar cortex than reading. • Walking while using smartphones or in complicated traffic raised perceived workload. • Texting and reading performance declined as traffic complexity increased. Distraction, primarily owing to the widespread use of cell phones and mobile devices while walking, is a contributing factor to pedestrian injuries. Pedestrians distracted by smartphones exhibit decreased situational awareness, influenced by the nature of concurrent tasks. However, little is known about the neural correlations between smartphone use and pedestrian responses to safety–critical events in a walking environment. This study recruited 30 young adults to investigate pedestrians' ability to selectively respond to road objects while using smartphones (texting and reading) while walking in an immersive virtual environment system. The level of traffic complexity for the road conditions was manipulated by varying the number of safety–critical road objects coexisting in the environment at any given time and the number of required responses to the number of objects. During each 7-min task condition, cerebral oxygenation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, smartphone task performance, response times to road objects, and perceived workload were also measured. The participants exhibited reduced texting speed and reading performance when responding sequentially to coexisting road objects. Compared with other road conditions, those requiring two responses to four objects resulted in an increased workload and longer object response times. Participants perceived a higher workload in conditions involving tasks with smartphones than those without smartphones. More importantly, increased concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin in the prefrontal cortex were observed when participants were concurrently performing smartphone and pedestrian tasks. Compared to smartphone reading, smartphone texting induced greater cerebral oxygenation in the bilateral frontopolar cortex. These results suggest that continuously texting while walking may demand additional cognitive resources for executive function. The findings of this study represent an initial step towards elucidating the cognitive mechanisms underlying attentional impairments experienced during smartphone distraction and working towards a viable solution to mitigate pedestrian risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that using a cell phone to talk or text while walking changes gait kinematics and encourages risky street-crossing behaviors. However, less is known about how the motor-cognitive interference imposed by smartphone tasks affects pedestrians’ situational awareness to environmental targets relevant to pedestrian safety. This study systematically investigated the influence of smartphone use on detection of and responses to a variety of roadside events in a semi-virtual walking environment. Twenty-four healthy participants completed six treadmill walking sessions while engaged in a concurrent picture-dragging, texting, or news-reading task. During distracted walking, they were required to simultaneously monitor the occurrence of road events for two different levels of event frequency. Performance measures for smartphone tasks and event responses, eye movements, and perceived workload and situational awareness were compared across different dual-task conditions. The results revealed that during dual-task walking, the reading app was associated with a significantly higher level of perceived workload, and impaired awareness of the surrounding environment to a greater extent compared with the texting or picture-dragging apps. Pedestrians took longer to visually detect the roadside events in the reading and texting conditions than in the dragging condition. Differences in event response performances were mainly dependent on their salient features but were also affected by the type of smartphone task. Texting was found to make participants more reliant on their central vision to detect road events. Moreover, different gaze-scanning patterns were adopted by participants to better protect dual-task performance in response to the changes in road-event frequency. The findings of relationships between workload, dual-task performances, and allocation strategies for visual attention further our understanding of pedestrian behavior and safety. By knowing how attentional and motor demands involved in different smartphone tasks affect pedestrians’ awareness to critical roadside events, effective awareness campaigns might be devised to discourage smartphone use while walking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The increase in tablet usage allows people to perform computer work in non-traditional office environments. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of changes in tablet keyboard design on postures of the upper extremities and neck, discomfort, and usability under different usage positions during prolonged touch-typing. Methods: Eighteen healthy participants familiar with touch-screen devices were randomized into three usage positions (desk, lap, and bed) and completed six, 60-minute typing sessions using three virtual keyboard designs (standard, wide, split). Electrogoniometers continuously measured the postures of the wrists, elbow, and neck. Body discomfort and system usability were evaluated by questionnaires before and immediately after each typing session. Results: Separate linear mixed effects models on various postural measures and subjective ratings are conducted with usage position as the between-subject factors, keyboard design and typing duration as the with-in subject factors were conducted. Using the tablet in bed led to more extended wrists but a more natural elbow flexion than the desk position. The angled split virtual keyboard significantly reduced the extent of wrist ulnar deviation than the keyboard with either standard or wide design. However, little difference was observed across the usage position and keyboard design. When the postural data were compared between the middle and end of typing sessions, the wrists, elbow, and neck all exhibited a substantially increased range of joint movements (13% to 38%). The discomfort rating also increased significantly over time in every upper body region investigated. Additionally, the split keyboard design received a higher usability rating in the bed position, whereas participants had more satisfactory experience while using the wide keyboard in the traditional desk setting. Conclusions: Prolonged use of tablets in non-traditional office environments may result in awkward postures in the upper body that may expose users to greater risks of developing musculoskeletal symptoms. Adequate virtual keyboard designs show the potential to alleviate some postural effects and improve the user experience without changing the tablet form factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the correlation of function, quality of life (QOL), and parental impact on developmental delayed children. Methods: Sixty parents of children with developmental delays ( M: F = 36:24, mean age 4 years and 2 months) and 56 parents of age-sex matched typical development children were included. Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument and Child Health Questionnaire for children, World Health Organization-QOL, Impact on Family Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for parents were assessed. Results: Functional performance was correlated with physical component of QOL in children (correlation coefficients: 0.7-0.9; p < 0.01), age of children (0.3-0.4; p < 0.05) and parents (0.3; p < 0.05), maternal employment (0.3-0.4; p < 0.05), parental QOL (0.3-0.4; p < 0.01), family impact (−0.3 to −0.5; p < 0.01), and parental emotion (−0.3 to −0.4; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Children who exhibited higher levels of function had higher QOL, as did their parents, and less parental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to assess the potential for using artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict inspired minute ventilation $$ \left( {\dot{V}_{I} } \right) $$ during exercise activities. Six physiological/kinematic measurements obtained from a portable ambulatory monitoring system, along with individual's anthropometric and demographic characteristics, were employed as input variables to develop and optimize the ANN configuration with respect to reference values simultaneously measured using a pneumotachograph (PT). The generalization ability of the resulting two-hidden-layer ANN model was compared with a linear predictive model developed through partial least squares (PLS) regression, as well as other $$ \dot{V}_{I} $$ predictive models proposed in the literature. Using an independent dataset recorded from nine 80-min step tests, the results showed that the ANN-estimated $$ \dot{V}_{I} $$ was highly correlated ( R = 0.88) with $$ \dot{V}_{I} $$ measured by the PT, with a mean difference of approximately 0.9%. In contrast, the PLS and other regression-based models resulted in larger average errors ranging from 7 to 34%. In addition, the ANN model yielded estimates of cumulative total volume that were on average within 1% of reference PT measurements. Compared with established statistical methods, the proposed ANN model demonstrates the potential to provide improved prediction of respiratory ventilation in workplace applications for which the use of traditional laboratory-based instruments is not feasible. Further research should be conducted to investigate the performance of ANNs for different types of physical activity in larger and more varied worker populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to quantify the electromyographic activities (EMG) of finger muscles during prolonged, low-forces, and repetitive typing with an ergonomically designed VDT workstation, as well as to analyze the occurrence and the possible mechanisms of muscular fatigue in touched typists. Thirty healthy female typists were recruited to type consecutively for 2 h. The surface EMG of extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) of both hands was recorded throughout the entire test. Electrical activity (EA) and median frequency (MDF) were calculated, and then regressed against the time courses to obtain the slopes of progress. Further analysis of the EMG parameters was done by the joint analysis of spectra and amplitudes (JASA). The results indicated that maximum voluntary electrical activation (MVE) decreased after 2-h typing, and did not recover to the initial values even after a 10-min break. Besides, there was a trend of decrement in frequency throughout the entire trail, and the MDF reduced by 25% in comparison with the initial values. With the JASA plot, 74% of the muscles manifested fatigue after 2-h typing activity. Furthermore, we observed that the EDC muscles were more susceptible to muscular fatigue than the FDS muscles. In conclusion, prolonged consecutive typing may induce muscular fatigue in the healthy typists even in an ergonomic typing environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a rare cause of encephalitis presenting as an acute and subacute onset of neuropsychiatric manifestations, particularly with memory deficits and confusion as core features, along with seizure occurrence, movement disorders, or autonomic dysfunctions. LE is caused by neuronal antibodies targeting the cellular surface, synaptic, and intracellular antigens, which alter the synaptic transmission, especially in the limbic area. Immunologic mechanisms involve antibodies, complements, or T-cell-mediated immune responses in different degree according to different autoantibodies. Sensitive cerebrospinal fluid markers of LE are unavailable, and radiographic findings may not reveal a typical mesiotemporal involvement at neurologic presentations; therefore, a high clinical index of suspicions is pivotal, and a neuronal antibody testing is necessary to make early diagnosis. Some patients have concomitant tumors, causing paraneoplastic LE; therefore, tumor survey and treatment are required in addition to immunotherapy. In this study, a review on the molecular and immunologic aspects of LE was conducted to gain awareness of its peculiarity, which we found quite different from our knowledge on traditional psychiatric illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: This study examined the associated factors (i.e., obstetric and maternal-newborn factors) related to cumulative incidence of urinary incontinence and changes in urinary incontinence during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, within-subject study included 501 women who completed the Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form during pre-pregnancy, early pregnancy, mid-pregnancy, and late pregnancy and at five time points during the first year postpartum. Data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, McNemar's and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests. Results: According to the multivariate analysis, the gestational week and number of previous vaginal deliveries increased the risk of cumulative incidence of urinary incontinence (CIUI) during pregnancy (both p < 0.05). Full-time employment, higher body mass index, vaginal delivery and UI during early pregnancy and mid-pregnancy increased the risk of CIUI during the first year postpartum (all p < 0.05). CIUI tended to increase throughout the entire pregnancy (p < 0.001) and decrease from 3 to 5 days to 6 months postpartum (p = 0.028). The prevalence rates of UI at all postpartum visits were lower than those during late pregnancy (p < 0.001–0.009) but higher than those during pre-pregnancy (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results identified the change patterns in UI and the risk factors associated with CIUI during the entire pregnancy (i.e., gestational age and number of previous vaginal deliveries) and the first year postpartum (i.e., full-time work, higher body mass index, vaginal delivery and UI during early and mid-pregnancy). Appropriate counseling should be provided to women preparing for pregnancy and during the prenatal and postpartum periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine changes in health-related quality of life throughout the course of pregnancy and among three pairs of consecutive periods (pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy, early to middle pregnancy and middle to late pregnancy), as well as to identify associated obstetric factors during the entire period of pregnancy. Background Only sparse data are available concerning the profiles of health-related quality of life throughout pregnancy. Design A within-subject comparison was undertaken. Methods In total, 358 women completed the Taiwanese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Questionnaire and a demographic-obstetric questionnaire at three stages of pregnancy at a medical centre. The participants were recruited between 2009-2010. A generalized estimating equation regression model was employed for the repeated measures. Results The scores for physical component summary decreased significantly throughout early, middle and late pregnancy. The scores for mental component summary increased. The scores for physical, mental component summary and the eight domains of health-related quality of life decreased significantly from pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, significant factors predicting physical component summary during pregnancy included stage of pregnancy and previous infertility. The factors predicting mental component summary included stage of pregnancy, parity and medical condition. Conclusions The results revealed the dynamic pattern of perceived health status by the Taiwanese pregnant women in their surrounding socio-cultural context and identified the stage of pregnancy and obstetric factors predicting health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: We examined obstetric and maternal-newborn factors and UI history for stress urinary incontinence (UI) and urge UI during pregnancy and the first year postpartum. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 1447 pregnant women who underwent prenatal examinations and completed an Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form before pregnancy, during early, mid- and late pregnancy, and at five visits during the first year postpartum. Data were analyzed using univariate/multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence rates of stress UI during late pregnancy (42.5%) and urge UI at 3–5 days postpartum (10.4%) were the highest throughout pregnancy and the first year postpartum. After adjusting for covariates, gestational age increased the risks of stress UI (p < 0.001) and urge UI (p = 0.003); stress UI during pre-pregnancy, number of previous vaginal deliveries and concurrent high body mass index (BMI) increased stress UI (all p < 0.05); urge UI during pre-pregnancy and full-time work increased urge UI (both p < 0.05) during pregnancy. During the postpartum period, vaginal delivery increased stress UI (p < 0.001) and urge UI (p = 0.041); stress UI during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy, women aged ≥ 30 years and vacuum extraction/forceps delivery increased stress UI (all p < 0.05). Urge UI during early, mid- and late pregnancy increased stress UI (all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Gestational age increased stress and urge UI, while previous vaginal deliveries and high BMI increased stress UI; full-time work increased urge UI during pregnancy. Vaginal delivery increased both UIs, and vacuum/forceps delivery and maternal age increased stress UI during postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase (MTR) are related to cognitive dysfunction and mental disability. These genes, along with folate and vitamin B12 levels, are regulators of one-carbon metabolism, which synthesizes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor for arsenic methylation. The aim of this study was to explore whether polymorphisms of MTHFR and MTR influence arsenic methylation capacity and plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels and if these influences cause developmental delay in preschool children. A total of 178 children with developmental delay and 88 without developmental delay were recruited from August 2010 to March 2014. A high-performance liquid chromatography–hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometer were used to determine urinary arsenic species. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 concentrations were measured by SimulTRAC-SNB radioassay. Polymorphisms of MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and MTR A2756G were examined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length variation. The results show that MTHFR C677T C/T and T/T genotypes had a lower risk of developmental delay than the C/C genotype (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–0.85). Subjects with the MTHFR C677T C/C genotype had significantly lower plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels than those with the MTHFR C677T C/T and T/T genotype. The MTHFR C677T C/C genotype combined with high total urinary arsenic and poor arsenic methylation capacity indices significantly increased the OR of developmental delay in a dose–response manner. This is the first study to show the combined effect of MTHFR C677T genotype and poor arsenic methylation capacity on developmental delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental delay has been associated with inefficient arsenic methylation capacity in preschool children. Folate and vitamin B12 are important nutrients that produce s-adenosylmethionine during single-carbon metabolism and provide methyl groups for arsenic methylation. The aim of the present study was to explore whether plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels influence arsenic methylation capacity and in turn are related to developmental delay in preschool children. A case–control study was conducted in 178 children with developmental delay and 88 normal children, who were recruited from Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Teaching Hospital from August 2010 to March 2014. Arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) in the urine was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured using a SimulTRAC-SNB radioassay. The results show that the combination of high plasma folate and high vitamin B12 levels were correlated with efficient arsenic methylation capacity (low MMAV %, low InAs %, and high DMAV %). High MMAV % significantly increased and high DMAV % and secondary methylation index decreased the odds ratio (OR) of developmental delay in a dose-dependent manner in both low plasma folate and low vitamin B12 (low/low) groups; the multivariate OR and 95% confidence interval were 5.01 (0.83–30.06), 0.21 (0.04–1.23), and 0.20 (0.03–1.20), respectively. This is the first study to show that the combination of high plasma folate and high vitamin B12 levels increases arsenic methylation capacity and indirectly decreases the OR of developmental delay in preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inefficient arsenic methylation capacity has been associated with developmental delay in preschool children. Selenium has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect experimental animals from chemically induced neurotoxicity. The present study was designed to explore whether plasma selenium levels affects arsenic methylation capacity related to developmental delay in preschool children. A case-control study was conducted from August 2010 to March 2014. All participants were recruited from the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Teaching Hospital. In total, 178 children with a developmental delay and 88 children without a delay were recruited. High-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry were used to determine urinary arsenic species, including arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV). Plasma selenium levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. As results, plasma selenium concentration was significantly inversely associated with the odds ratio (OR) of developmental delay. Plasma selenium concentration was positively associated with arsenic methylation capacity [percentage of inorganic arsenic and percentage of MMAV (MMAV%) decreased, and percentage of DMAV (DMAV%) increased]. High plasma selenium concentration and high DMA% significantly and additively interacted to decrease the OR of developmental delay; the OR and 95% confidence interval were 0.40 (0.18–0.90). This is the first study to show a combined dose-response effect of plasma selenium concentration and that efficient arsenic methylation capacity decreased the OR of developmental delay in preschool children. Highlights • Plasma selenium concentration was significantly inversely associated with the odds ratio of developmental delay. • Increases in plasma selenium concentration increased the arsenic methylation capacity. • High plasma selenium concentration and high DMA% significantly and additively interacted to decrease the OR of developmental delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inefficient arsenic methylation capacity has been associated with developmental delay in children. The present study was designed to explore whether polymorphisms and haplotypes of arsenic methyltransferase ( AS3MT ), glutathione-S-transferase omegas ( GSTOs ), and purine nucleoside phosphorylase ( PNP ) affect arsenic methylation capacity and developmental delay. A case-control study was conducted from August 2010 to March 2014. All participants were recruited from the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Teaching Hospital. In total, 179 children with developmental delay and 88 children without delay were recruited. Urinary arsenic species, including arsenite (As III ), arsenate (As V ), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA V ), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA V ) were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry. The polymorphisms of AS3MT , GSTO , and PNP were performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform with iPLEX Gold chemistry. Polymorphisms of AS3MT genes were found to affect susceptibility to developmental delay in children, but GSTO and PNP polymorphisms were not. Participants with AS3MT rs3740392 A/G + G/G genotype, compared with AS3MT rs3740392 A/A genotype, had a significantly lower secondary methylation index. This may result in an increased OR for developmental delay. Participants with the AS3MT high-risk haplotype had a significantly higher OR than those with AS3MT low-risk haplotypes [OR and 95% CI, 1.59 (1.08–2.34)]. This is the first study to show a joint dose-response effect of this AS3MT high-risk haplotype and inefficient arsenic methylation capacity on developmental delay. Our data provide evidence that AS3MT genes are related to developmental delay and may partially influence arsenic methylation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The relationship between concurrent or previous postnatal pain and depressive symptoms remains controversial. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has used validated measures and multiple scales to evaluate perineal pain, or examined its relationship with depressive symptoms during the postpartum period. Objectives We investigated the association between pain and previous postnatal pain with depression during the 6-month postpartum period, and the influence of previous postnatal depressive symptoms. Design A prospective cohort study design was used. Setting Maternity unit of a medical center. Participants This study included 432 participants; data regarding demographic characteristics, perineal pain, and any pain and depression during the 6-month postpartum period were collected. Methods Pain and depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Form-McGill Pain Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, respectively. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine factors associated with postpartum depression. Results After adjusting for covariates, women who had perineal pain at 4–6 weeks postpartum showed an increased risk for depression at 4–6 weeks (risk ratio [RR]: 1.9, 95% confidence limits [CL]: 1.2, 3.2) and 6 months (RR: 1.9, 95% CL: 1.1, 3.3) compared to those with no perineal pain. Perineal pain severity, 4–6 weeks postpartum, also predicted depressive symptoms at 6 months postpartum ( β = 0.63, p = 0.02). Any pain intensity score at 3–5 days postpartum predicted depression at 3 months ( β = 0.01, p = 0.04). Women with high depression scores at 3–5 days had a two- or three-fold higher risk for depression at 4–6 weeks and 3 and 6 months, respectively, compared to those with low depression scores (RR: 3.5, 95% CL: 2.2, 5.4; RR: 2.2, 95% CL: 1.3, 3.4; and RR: 2.8, 95% CL: 1.7, 4.8, respectively). Conclusions Our study provides robust evidence that perineal pain 4–6 weeks postpartum is associated with depressive symptoms 4–6 weeks and 6 months postpartum; pain at 3–5 days postpartum predicts depressive symptoms at 3 months postpartum; and previous postnatal depressive symptoms, particularly depressive symptoms 3–5 days postpartum, predict depressive symptoms during the 6-month postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleotide-binding domain-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes are associated with neuroinflammation and multiple NLRP3 genes regulate NLRP3 expression. Our study aimed to investigate the association of NLRP3 polymorphisms with developmental delay in preschool children. We also explored whether NLRP3 polymorphisms modified the effects of total urinary arsenic and blood cadmium and lead to developmental delays. A total of 178 children with developmental delays and 88 healthy children were analyzed for urinary arsenic concentrations and red blood cell lead and cadmium concentrations. We examined the genotypes of fifteen common single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NLRP3. We observed that levels of total urinary arsenic and blood lead were significantly associated with developmental delay. The NLRP3 rs10754555 CG versus CC/GG, NLRP3 rs12048215 AG versus AA/GG, and NLRP3 rs12137901 TC/TT versus CC genotype showed a lower odds of developmental delay, with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.38 (0.19–0.75), 0.52 (0.27–0.99), and 0.33 (0.12–0.90), respectively. Children with the NLRP3 rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels had a significant multiplicative interaction with developmental delay [OR (95% CI) = 9.74 (3.59–26.45)]. This study found evidence that suggested the joint effects of NLRP3 rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels on developmental delays. [Display omitted] • Increment blood lead levels significantly increased the odds of developmental delay. • NLRP3 rs10754555, rs12048215, and rs12137901 were associated with developmental delay. • NLRP3 rs10754555 interacted with blood lead levels on developmental delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleotide-binding domain-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes are associated with neuroinflammation and multiple NLRP3 genes regulate NLRP3 expression. Our study aimed to investigate the association of NLRP3 polymorphisms with developmental delay in preschool children. We also explored whether NLRP3 polymorphisms modified the effects of total urinary arsenic and blood cadmium and lead to developmental delays. A total of 178 children with developmental delays and 88 healthy children were analyzed for urinary arsenic concentrations and red blood cell lead and cadmium concentrations. We examined the genotypes of fifteen common single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NLRP3. We observed that levels of total urinary arsenic and blood lead were significantly associated with developmental delay. The NLRP3 rs10754555 CG versus CC/GG, NLRP3 rs12048215 AG versus AA/GG, and NLRP3 rs12137901 TC/TT versus CC genotype showed a lower odds of developmental delay, with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.38 (0.19–0.75), 0.52 (0.27–0.99), and 0.33 (0.12–0.90), respectively. Children with the NLRP3 rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels had a significant multiplicative interaction with developmental delay [OR (95% CI) = 9.74 (3.59–26.45)]. This study found evidence that suggested the joint effects of NLRP3 rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels on developmental delays. [Display omitted] • Increment blood lead levels significantly increased the odds of developmental delay. • NLRP3 rs10754555, rs12048215, and rs12137901 were associated with developmental delay. • NLRP3 rs10754555 interacted with blood lead levels on developmental delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Environmental exposure to lead or mercury can cause neurodevelopmental damage. Arsenic is another neurotoxicant that can affect intellectual function in children. This study was designed to explore the difference of arsenic methylation capacity indices between with and without developmental delay in preschool children. We also aimed to identify whether blood levels of lead or mercury modify the effect of arsenic methylation capacity indices. A cross sectional study was conducted from August 2010 to March 2012. All participants recruited from the Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Teaching Hospital. In all, 63 children with developmental delay and 35 children without developmental delay were recruited. Urinary arsenic species, including arsenite (AsIII), arsenate (AsV), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) were measured with a high-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry. Lead and mercury levels of red blood cells were measured by inductively coupled mass spectrometry. All participants underwent developmental assessments to confirm developmental delays, including evaluations of gross motor, fine motor, speech-language, cognition, social, and emotional domains. Urinary total arsenic and MMAV percentage were significantly positively associated and DMAV percentage was negatively associated with the risk of developmental delay in a dose-dependent manner after adjustment for blood lead or mercury levels and other risk factors. A multivariate regression analysis indicated that blood lead level and arsenic methylation capacity each independently contributed to the risk of developmental delay. This is the first study to show that arsenic methylation capacity is associated with developmental delay, even without obvious environmental arsenic exposure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims The study aims to evaluate the quality of life ( QOL) and health of children with unclassified developmental delays and the impacts this had on the family. Methods In total, 60 parents of pre-school children with unclassified developmental delays and 56 parents of age and gender-matched children with typical development were recruited. We administered the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory ( PedsQL)- Generic Core Scale and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument to parents to evaluate the QOL and health status of their children. Parents were evaluated by World Health Organization- Quality of Life- Brief Version, PedsQL- Family Impact Module, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and PedsQL- Health satisfaction to assess the impacts of this situation on the family. Variables related to QOL and functions of children with unclassified developmental delays were analysed by stepwise regression analysis. Results Comparing children with typical development, children with unclassified developmental delays had a significantly lower QOL (including both psychosocial and physical components) and health status. Their parents had a significantly lower QOL, family function and health satisfaction, and higher psychological distress than parents of children with typical development. Gross-motor delay impacts on QOL of these children (regression coefficient: −9.59, P < 0.05), global functioning is related to cognition delay (regression coefficient: −20.22, P < 0.01) and physical health of their parents (regression coefficient: 0.87, P < 0.01). Conclusions Children with unclassified developmental delays had lower QOL and health status, and their condition had greater impacts on the family than children with typical development. Gross motor and cognition development related to the QOL and global functioning in these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of blood lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations with developmental delays and to explore the association of these concentrations with the health status of children. This study recruited 89 children with developmental delays and 89 age- and sex-matched children with typical development. Their health status was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) Inventory for health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument for function. Family function was also evaluated. Blood lead, mercury, and cadmium concentrations were measured using inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The children with developmental delays had a considerably poorer HRQOL, lower functional performance and family function, and a higher blood lead concentration than those with typical development. The blood lead concentration had a significantly positive association with developmental delays [odds ratio (OR) = 1.54, p < 0.01] in a dose-response manner, and it negatively correlated with PedsQL scores (regression coefficient: −0. 47 to −0.53, p < 0.05) in all the children studied. The higher blood cadmium concentration showed a significantly positive association with developmental delays (OR = 2.24, for >1.0 μg/L vs. <0.6 μg/L, p < 0.05). The blood mercury concentration was not associated with developmental delays and health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case-control study identified the association between the arsenic methylation capacity and developmental delays and explored the association of this capacity with the health status of children. We recruited 120 children with developmental delays and 120 age- and sex-matched children without developmental delays. The health status of the children was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI). The arsenic methylation capacity was determined by the percentages of inorganic arsenic (InAs%), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV%), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV%) through liquid chromatography and hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Developmental delays were significantly positively associated with the total urinary arsenic concentration, InAs%, and MMAV%, and was significantly negatively associated with DMAV% in a dose-dependent manner. MMAV% was negatively associated with the health-related quality of life (HRQOL; −1.19 to −1.46, P < 0.01) and functional performance (−0.82 to −1.14, P < 0.01), whereas DMAV% was positively associated with HRQOL (0.33-0.35, P < 0.05) and functional performance (0.21-0.39, P < 0.01-0.05) in all children and in those with developmental delays. The arsenic methylation capacity is dose-dependently associated with developmental delays and with the health status of children, particularly those with developmental delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]