Depression is often comorbid with alcohol use problems, and sex differences may further complicate this interplay.

We conducted a longitudinal study using a large European adolescent cohort assessed at ages 14 (baseline, BL), 16 (follow-up 1, FU1), 19 (follow-up 2, FU2), and 23 (follow-up 3, FU3). Depression and alcohol use were measured using standardized behavioral scales. Cross-lagged analysis, improved Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, and mediation analysis were conducted to infer the causal interplay.

2110 adolescents were included at baseline (49% male). Depression and alcohol consumption demonstrated a significant positive correlation (rBL = 0.094, pBL = 1.58E-05, 95% CI = [0.052, 0.137]), which gradually diminished over time and eventually became significantly negative. Depression and alcohol use problems remained strongly correlated across three timepoints (r > 0.074, p < 6.76E-03). Cross-lagged analysis suggested that depression predicted future alcohol use problems: βBL-FU1 = 0.058, p = 0.021, 95% CI = [0.009, 0.108]; βFU2-FU3 = 0.142, p = 8.34E-07, 95% CI = [0.113, 0.263]. MR analyses confirmed this causal interplay (rmean = 0.043, longitudinal ppermuation < 0.001). Interestingly, MR analyses also indicated that alcohol consumption might alleviate depression (rmean = −0.022, longitudinal ppermutation = 0.043), particularly in females at FU3, of which the anxiety status and the personality trait neuroticism largely mediated the effect. These findings were validated in an independent matched sample (N = 562) from Human Connectome Project.

Depression may predict future alcohol use problems, whereas moderate alcohol consumption might alleviate depressive symptoms, especially in females.

This study investigates the impact of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) status and treatment response on myocardial adaptation in preterm infants by comparing serial echocardiographic trajectories across three groups: high-risk infants with treatment success, high-risk infants with treatment failure, and low-risk infants not requiring treatment.

In this prospective cohort study, preterm infants born < 29 weeks’ gestation were stratified using the EL-Khuffash PDA Severity Score and subsequent response to medical therapy. Echocardiographic assessments were performed at three timepoints: day 2, 2 weeks, and 36 weeks corrected gestational age. A range of structural and functional parameters was analysed.

Of 184 included infants, 58 were high risk with treatment success, 52 were high risk with treatment failure, and 74 were low risk. High-risk infants with treatment failure had persistent myocardial and haemodynamic alterations, including higher left ventricular wall thickness and lower coeliac artery velocities at follow-up. Treatment success was associated with improvements in strain metrics, systemic perfusion, and structural indices. Low-risk infants demonstrated spontaneous PDA closure and overall stable haemodynamics. Distinct differences in the evolution of myocardial trajectories between groups were apparent between day 2 and week 2 echocardiograms.

Serial echocardiographic assessments highlight the dynamic impact of PDA treatment response on myocardial adaptation. Persistent ductal patency despite treatment is associated with sustained structural and functional changes. Early definitive ductal closure may promote haemodynamic stability and mitigate maladaptive remodelling in a subgroup of high-risk infants.

To determine whether gestational vitamin D status modulates the effect of pre-pregnancy obesity on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk while stratifying by maternal age.

Birth cohort.

A major maternity hospital in Kuwait.

Pregnant women in their second/third trimester of gestation were enrolled. Pre-pregnancy BMI (kg/m2) was categorised as under/normal weight (< 25·0), overweight (25·0 to < 30·0) and obesity (≥ 30·0). Gestational 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were categorised as deficiency (< 50 nmol/l) or insufficiency/sufficiency (≥ 50 nmol/l). GDM status was ascertained according to international guidelines. Adjusted OR (aOR) and 95 % CI were estimated using logistic regression.

Data from 957 pregnant women were analysed, with GDM affecting 166 (17·4 %) pregnancies. Pre-pregnancy obesity and gestational vitamin D deficiency were ascertained in 275 (28·7 %) and 533 (55·7 %) pregnant women, respectively. The association between pre-pregnancy obesity and GDM risk differed according to maternal age and gestational vitamin D status (Pinteraction[BMI × age × vitamin D] = 0·041). Among women aged < 35 years (n 710), pre-pregnancy obesity compared to under/normal weight was associated with increased GDM risk among women with gestational vitamin D deficiency (aOR: 2·72, 95 % CI: 1·18, 6·23) and vitamin D insufficiency/sufficiency (2·55, 1·15, 5·62). In contrast, among women aged ≥ 35 years (n 247), pre-pregnancy obesity compared to under/normal weight was associated with increased GDM risk among women with gestational vitamin D deficiency (6·92, 1·45, 33·04), but not among women with vitamin D insufficiency/sufficiency (1·13, 0·36, 3·56).

Gestational vitamin D status modulates the effect of pre-pregnancy obesity on GDM risk in an age-specific manner.

To evaluate car seat tolerance screening failure rate in infants with CHD, clinical factors associated with test failure, and the impact of a failed test.

Single-centre retrospective study of 193 infants with CHD discharged from a general cardiology service between November 2020 and November 2024. Characteristics were compared between patients who passed and failed car seat testing using Wilcoxon-Mann–Whitney tests for continuous variables, and chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables.

Car seat test failure rate was 6.2% (12 of 193 patients). Neither median birthweight (3.2 kg vs. 3.3 kg, p = 0.68) nor the rate of prematurity (13.8% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.68) differed significantly between passing and failing groups. There was no relationship between cardiac physiology and car seat test failure (p = 0.39). There were no differences in rates of seizure (p = 0.29), stroke (p = 1.00), gastroesophageal reflux disease (p = 0.84), vocal cord dysfunction (p = 1.00), or pulmonary hypertension (p = 1.00) between passing and failing groups. Infants who failed had significantly higher rates of DiGeorge Syndrome (25.0%) compared to those who passed (2.2%) (p = 0.006). Readmission within 30 days of discharge was not different between failing (16.7%) and passing (17.1%) groups (p = 1.00). A failed test delayed discharge by a median of 1.5 days [IQR: 1.0–2.5 days].

The car seat test failure rate of our CHD cohort is higher than the published failure rate for premature infants. There was no relationship between cardiac physiology and test failure. DiGeorge Syndrome was the only comorbidity associated with increased failure rate. Failed car seat tests delay hospital discharge.

This exploratory project aimed to develop online learning materials with interactive narratives for supporting persons living with dementia, with particular focus on initial diagnosis and helping children to understand changes which may occur.

Dementia is a range of neurological conditions that cause the ongoing decline in brain function, manifesting as loss of memory, language, and problem-solving abilities. Over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia, straining health and social care resources in their ability to provide information, care, and support for the family. There is a need for easily accessible, high-quality, and nationally scalable resources for dementia support for this growing population.

Twine was used to produce online digital storytelling media titled ‘Grandad Forgot My Name’, following the narrative of dementia care for family members. Design, theming, artwork, and story pathways reflected key aspects of dementia and dementia care to facilitate additional support for readers, and health and social care workers. Usage statistics were monitored and readers answered evaluative surveys with numerical scoring and descriptive free responses. Story pathways and information were continuously updated following survey responses.

Twine and interactive storytelling had potential to reach a wide audience at minimal cost, bridging the gaps between initial concerns, diagnosis, and appointment. However, there were issues with stakeholder adoptability and uptake when sharing materials which must be resolved in full-scaled outputs. Grandad Forgot My Name successfully demonstrated key design and logistical considerations when creating support resources of national impact, with cross-generational communication and reader-centric design optimising engagement.