Kim Colyvas

Background: Weight, eating behaviours and mental health have a complex interrelationship that is not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between weight, eating behaviours and mental health over 12 months among socio-demographically diverse young adults (18–35 years) from the UK and Australia. Methods: Longitudinal analysis of data from the YOUTH cohort study was conducted. Three timepoints of data were used (baseline, 6 months, 12 months), collected between 2021–2023 using online surveys hosted via the Prolific platform. The dataset includes 507, 371 and 336 participants at the respective timepoints. Random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) were used to explore the relationships between eating behaviours (addictive, disordered and emotional eating) and mental health (stress, depression, anxiety, quality of life) with weight (kilograms) over the three timepoints. Results: Significant relationships were found between weight at baseline with Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ) global score at 6 months ( β = 0.028, p = 0.005, 95% CI = 0.009, 0.048); Positive-Negative Emotional Eating Scale (PNEES)—positive score at 6 months ( β = −0.217, p = 0.011, 95% CI = −0.386, −0.053); and EDEQ shape concern score at 6 months ( β = 0.040, p < 0.001, 95% CI = 0.019, 0.060) and 12 months ( β = 0.034, SE = 0.010, p = 0.001, 95% CI = 0.014, 0.056). The relationships between EDEQ shape concern at baseline and weight at 12 months ( β = 1.845, p = 0.005, 95% CI = −0.017, 2.927), and weight at baseline with quality of life at 12 months ( β = −0.393, p = 0.034, 95% CI = −0.737, 0.031) were significant based on p value only. No other results were statistically significant for the other explanatory variables with weight. Conclusion: Longitudinal relationships were identified for higher weight with higher disordered eating, less eating in response to positive emotions and lower quality of life in this young adult cohort. Future research should include more longitudinal analyses of these relationships. Findings also support the need for screening of disordered eating and mental ill-health in young adults within weight management services.

Exposure to systemic heat stress in male mammals adversely affects sperm production, fertility, and DNA integrity. To date, few studies have investigated this phenomenon in horses, particularly in industry-relevant environments. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between ambient climatic conditions and fertility within a population of commercially fertile stallions. Post-coital semen samples ( n = 804) were collected weekly from 46 Thoroughbred stallions during two successive breeding seasons (NSW, Australia; 22 weeks total). Semen samples were processed via single-layer colloidal centrifugation on-site to remove contaminants, seminal plasma and poor-quality sperm cells. The remaining sperm fraction was resuspended in Biggers, Whitten and Whittingham (BWW) medium for analyses, including sperm concentration, motility, and DNA damage. Fertility data (first cycle and per-cycle pregnancy rates) were collected from farms. Loggers were placed in the stables and paddocks of stallions to record ambient temperature and humidity, on 3-min cycles. Our results indicate that current management regimens, involving the stabling of stallions at night, with paddock access during the day, expose stallions to highest ambient climatic conditions. Polynomial distributed lag modelling identified 18 stallions whose fertility was adversely affected by heat stress, based on correlations between fertility and ambient climatic conditions ( p ≤ 0.05). Of these 18 candidate stallions, six (13% of the overall population) exhibited repeated positive relationships between ambient climatic conditions and sperm DNA damage, and repeated negative relationships between fertility and sperm DNA damage ( r ≥ 0.50; p ≤ 0.05). These results suggest that heat-induced subfertility was most likely mediated via oxidative damage to the sperm DNA, and that current management strategies should be assessed to prevent exposure of stallions to maximal climatic conditions.

Background: Suicide is a significant global health concern. In the context of increased demand for mental health services and workforce shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic mental health (eMH) tools represent a promising means of augmenting mental health care generally and for suicide prevention specifically. A significant research gap exists however with respect to the use and uptake of eMH tools, especially electronic mental health tools for suicide prevention (eMH-SP). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the use of eMH tools by Australian mental health professionals, both in general and with respect to suicide prevention specifically, examining changes in use since COVID-19. Further, it explored factors associated with frequent use of eMH-SP, including sociodemographic and professional characteristics. Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted across 15 local health districts (LHDs) in New South Wales, Australia, from May 2022 to July 2023. The sample was drawn from over 10,000 mental health professionals working in government services statewide. The survey explored the use of electronic mental health tools for general mental health issues (eMH-gen) and eMH-SP, explored the changes in the use of both since COVID-19, and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with the current use of eMH-SP. Results: Among 469 participants, increased use since COVID-19 was reported by over half (247/469, 52.7%) for eMH-gen, and by approximately one-third (141/386, 36.6%) for eMH-SP. The proportion reporting frequent use increased significantly from before to after COVID-19 for both eMH-gen (243/469, 51.8% to 283/469, 60.3%; P<.001) and eMH-SP (152/386, 39.4% to 170/385, 44.2%; P=.01). Since COVID-19, the most frequently used types of eMH tools for eMH-gen and eMH-SP, respectively, were information sites (231/469, 49.3% and 130/385, 33.8%), phone/online counseling (173/469, 36.9% and 130/385, 33.8%), and apps (145/469, 30.9% and 107/385, 27.8%). Professionals more likely to use eMH-SP frequently were females (odds ratio [OR] 3.32, 95% CI 1.88-5.87; P<.001) compared with males; peer workers (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.0-4.71; P<.001) compared with nurses; those located in regional/rural LHDs (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04-2.61; P=.03) compared with metropolitan LHDs; and those practicing in emergency health care settings (OR 8.31, 95% CI 2.17-31.75; P=.03) compared with inpatient settings. Conclusions: The study’s findings highlight the increasing adoption of eMH tools and delivery of remote care by mental health professionals and provide valuable new insights into sociodemographic factors associated with the use of eMH for suicide prevention specifically. Continued research on the role eMH is playing is essential for guiding policy, optimizing resources, and enhancing mental health care and suicide prevention efforts.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet #Preprint #PeerReviewMe: Warning: This is a unreviewed preprint. Readers are warned that the document has not been peer-reviewed by expert/patient reviewers or an academic editor, may contain misleading claims, and is likely to undergo changes before final publication, if accepted, or may have been rejected/withdrawn. Readers with interest and expertise are encouraged to sign up as peer-reviewer, if the paper is within an open peer-review period. Please cite this preprint only for review purposes or for grant applications and CVs (if you are the author). Background: Data on individual level food and nutrient intakes is fundamental to informing development of nutrition policy and programs. However, in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), proxy measures of individual intake (e.g. household consumption and expenditure surveys, food balance sheets) are often used, with limited implementation of new technology-assisted applications such as image-based food records. The Voice-Image Solution for Individual Dietary Assessment (VISIDA) is a new system designed specifically for use in LLMICs. Objective: To determine the relative validity, test-retest reliability and acceptability of the VISIDA system in a sample of Cambodian women and children (aged ≤5 years). Methods: Mothers and one of their children were recruited from three locations (rural, semi-rural and urban) in Siem Reap province in Cambodia. Over a ~4-week period, dietary intake data was collected for each participant using two methods over three recording periods. In the first week, intake was recorded using the VISIDA image-voice smartphone app for three non-consecutive days, followed by three 24-hour recalls collected in weeks 2-3, and the VISIDA app used again to collect a 3-day record in week 4. Following completion of the third intake recording period, the participating mother completed a feedback survey. Differences between the estimated nutrient intakes for the three recordings periods for mothers and children were examined using a linear mixed model approach. Results: 210 participants comprised of 119 mothers and 91 children were included in the analysis. Estimated mean nutrient intakes reported in both VISIDA recording periods were mostly lower compared to intakes reported using the 24-hour recall. Compared to 24-hour recalls, statistically significant differences were found for the VISIDA recording periods for 16 nutrients (out of 20 nutrients) for mothers and six nutrients (out of the 19 nutrients) for children. Nutrient intakes estimated from both VISIDA recording periods were not statistically significantly different for mothers and children. The majority of mothers reported the VISIDA smartphone app was ‘easy to use’ (63.0%) or ‘very easy to use’ (21.3%) for collecting dietary intake data. Conclusions: The VISIDA system produced lower estimates of nutrient intakes when compared to 24-hour recalls in a sample of mothers and children in Siem Reap province, Cambodia. However, estimated nutrient intakes for the two VISIDA recording periods were similar. Participating mothers reported high acceptability towards using the VISIDA smartphone app to collect intake data for themselves and their participating child.

BACKGROUND Suicide is a significant global health concern. In the context of increased demand for mental health services and workforce shortages, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, electronic mental health (eMH) tools represent a promising means of augmenting mental health care generally and for suicide prevention specifically. A significant research gap exists however with respect to the use and uptake of eMH tools, especially electronic mental health tools for suicide prevention (eMH-SP). OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the use of eMH tools by Australian mental health professionals, both in general and with respect to suicide prevention specifically, examining changes in use since COVID-19. Further, it explored factors associated with frequent use of eMH-SP, including sociodemographic and professional characteristics. METHODS A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted across 15 local health districts (LHDs) in New South Wales, Australia, from May 2022 to July 2023. The sample was drawn from over 10,000 mental health professionals working in government services statewide. The survey explored the use of electronic mental health tools for general mental health issues (eMH-gen) and eMH-SP, explored the changes in the use of both since COVID-19, and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with the current use of eMH-SP. RESULTS Among 469 participants, increased use since COVID-19 was reported by over half (247/469, 52.7%) for eMH-gen, and by approximately one-third (141/386, 36.6%) for eMH-SP. The proportion reporting frequent use increased significantly from before to after COVID-19 for both eMH-gen (243/469, 51.8% to 283/469, 60.3%; P<.001) and eMH-SP (152/386, 39.4% to 170/385, 44.2%; P=.01). Since COVID-19, the most frequently used types of eMH tools for eMH-gen and eMH-SP, respectively, were information sites (231/469, 49.3% and 130/385, 33.8%), phone/online counseling (173/469, 36.9% and 130/385, 33.8%), and apps (145/469, 30.9% and 107/385, 27.8%). Professionals more likely to use eMH-SP frequently were females (odds ratio [OR] 3.32, 95% CI 1.88-5.87; P<.001) compared with males; peer workers (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.0-4.71; P<.001) compared with nurses; those located in regional/rural LHDs (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.04-2.61; P=.03) compared with metropolitan LHDs; and those practicing in emergency health care settings (OR 8.31, 95% CI 2.17-31.75; P=.03) compared with inpatient settings. CONCLUSIONS The study’s findings highlight the increasing adoption of eMH tools and delivery of remote care by mental health professionals and provide valuable new insights into sociodemographic factors associated with the use of eMH for suicide prevention specifically. Continued research on the role eMH is playing is essential for guiding policy, optimizing resources, and enhancing mental health care and suicide prevention efforts.

Coparenting competence (CC) is a concept that describes the sense of collective efficacy that parents experience in raising children. An advantage of CC is that it bridges a gap between family systems thinking and efficacy theory, where extant research and theory have focused on the self-efficacy of one or both parents. This study aimed to develop a self-reported measure of CC. Methodology: Participants (n = 302), including cohabiting mothers (n = 240) and fathers (n = 62), completed an online survey (112 items) comprising demographic questions, the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS), the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and 36 items designed to explore perceptions of CC. Results: Factor analyses on 36-CC items identified 10 items that reliably formed a brief Coparenting Competence Scale (CCS; Alpha = 0.89). Analysis of convergent and divergent validity demonstrated that the CCS measures a unique construct that is linked to parenting self-efficacy, measured by PSOC (r = 0.47), and coparenting quality, assessed by the CRS (r = 0.63). There was a significant association between CCS and SDQ across age groups and an association stronger than that found for the CRS and SDQ in the current cohort. Conclusions and Implications: The study found support for the reliability and validity of the CCS. Coparenting competence, assessed by the CCS, was found to be distinct from factors previously used to represent coparenting quality in multivariate scales. The strength of associations between the CCS and SDQ suggests this new measure may have an important role in coparenting research.

: In brief: Sperm cryopreservation has been recognised as a tool for preventing loss of genetic diversity in amphibians; however, the combined effect of penetrative and non-penetrative cryoprotectants in cryodiluents is poorly understood. We demonstrate a clear benefit of using low concentrations of non-penetrative cryoprotectants when cryopreserving sperm of Australian tree frogs. Sperm cryopreservation protocols have been developed for an increasing number of amphibian species since the recognition of a global amphibian decline. Yet, the development of these protocols has neglected to elucidate the combined effect of the penetrative(PCP) and non-penetrative cryoprotectant (NPCP) on the recovery of live, motile sperm. The two-factor hypothesis of cryoinjury recognises a trade-off between cooling cells slowly enough to allow osmotic dehydration and therefore avoid intracellular ice formation, but fast enough to minimise effects from increasing extracellular osmolality as the frozen fraction of the media increases during freezing. We tested the effect of two concentrations of a PCP (10 and 15% v/v dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO)) and two concentrations of an NPCP (1 and 10% w/v sucrose) in various combinations on the sperm of six pelodryadid frogs. In all species, 15% v/v Me2SO with 1% w/v sucrose provided superior post-thaw recovery with high proportions of forward progressive motility, live cells and intact acrosomes (typically >50% for each). Theoretically, it has been suggested that increased NPCP concentration should improve cell survival by increasing the rate and extent of cell dehydration. We suggest, however, that the elevated osmolality in the unfrozen water fraction when 10% sucrose is used may be causing damage to cells via excessive cell shrinkage and solute effects as proposed in the two-factor hypothesis of cryoinjury. We showed this response in sperm across a range of frog species, providing compelling evidence for this hypothesis. We suggest protocol development using the PCP/NPCP ratios demonstrated in our study will be broadly applicable to many amphibian species.