Organophosphate (OP) pesticides can transfer from mother to fetus via the placenta and amniotic fluid and may affect the development of infants. This study aims to evaluate the associations between maternal OP concentrations collected in the 1st–2nd trimester and the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and the infant developmental performance. The Screening Test of the Bayley Scales of Infants and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID–III screening test) was used to assess development performance at 2 and 6 months of age. Multiple regression analysis showed a negative correlation between cognitive performance at 2 months and maternal diethylthiophosphate (DETP) levels in the 1st–2nd trimester (β ± SE = −0.012 ± 0.004, p < 0.05). We also found that expressive communication and fine motor performance at 6 months were negatively associated with maternal diethyldithiophosphate (DEDTP) levels in the 3rd trimester (β ± SE = −0.047 ± 0.016, p < 0.05, and β ± SE = −0.044 ± 0.017, p < 0.05, respectively). These results suggest that maternal ethylated OP concentrations at different timing of exposure during pregnancy may influence different aspects of infant developmental performance.

Background: Stress and sedentary lifestyles negatively impact the physical fitness of overweight and obese female university students. Physical activity has been shown to promote psychological as well as physical wellness. However, the effects of Surya Namaskar (SN) yoga on stress and physical fitness remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to compare the physical fitness, anthropometric measures, and perceived stress between the SN yoga training program group and the control group. Methods: In a randomized controlled study, 44 overweight and obese female university students participated. For 8 weeks, the exercise group received training in SN yoga, whereas the control group was not permitted to participate in any form of exercise. At baseline and after 8 weeks of training, all participants completed the Thai Perceived Stress Scale-10 (T-PSS-10), and assessed the body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio, body fat percentage, maximum oxygen consumption (VO₂max), and muscle strength and flexibility. We used the dependent t-test or Wilcoxon sign rank test to examine the differences between the T-PSS-10 and physical fitness within each group. The statistical differences of all parameters between the two groups were compared using an independent t-test or a Mann–Whitney U test. A p-[ ] was considered statistically significant. Results: Compared to the baseline, the SN yoga group’s post-training period had a significant increase ([ ]) in forward back flexibility, hand grip strength, leg strength, and VO₂max, while a significant decrease ([ ]) in T-PSS-10 scores and BMI. In addition, we found a significant difference between the both groups in forward back flexibility and T-PSS-10 scores in the post-training period ([ ] and [ ], respectively). Conclusion: This study’s findings demonstrated that SN yoga is a useful exercise for enhancing overweight and obese female university students’ perceived stress scales and physical fitness.

Objectives: Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among older adults, often resulting in severe injuries and a loss of independence. Dual-task training, which integrates cognitive and motor exercises, has emerged as a promising intervention for fall prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a structured cognitive and motor dual-task training program on fall risk, balance, and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.Methods: Seventy-two participants aged 60 years or older were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (IG, n=36) or a control group (CG, n=36). The IG underwent 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks (totaling 24 sessions) that incorporated simultaneous cognitive and motor exercises, while the CG continued their usual total body stretching exercise. Assessments were conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8, and included gait speed (10-meter walk test), functional performance (Timed Up and Go test), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment).Results: Participants in the IG demonstrated significant improvements in functional performance (p<0.05) and enhanced cognitive function compared to the CG after both 4 weeks and 8 weeks of training. Functional performance and cognitive function significantly improved after 8 weeks of training (p<0.01). However, the intervention did not produce changes in gait speed or quality of life.Conclusions: Integrating cognitive and motor dual-task training into fall prevention programs may enhance functional stability and cognitive resilience in older adults. Future studies should investigate long-term adherence and determine the optimal training intensity.

Objective: To formulate an equation estimating months to independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants based on neonatal characteristics and gross motor development from 7 months to independent walking.Methods: Sixty infants born between 32 to 36 weeks were assessed using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for gross motor development. Neonatal characteristics were recorded at 7 months, and caregiver-reported independent walking onset. Pearson correlation analyzed age, AIMS scores, and neonatal factors. Multiple regression developed the prediction equation.Results: The equation for independent walking onset, which included gestational age (GA) at birth, total AIMS score at 10 months of age (10th AIMS), and birth head circumference (BHC), exhibited a strong correlation (r=0.707) and had a predictive power of 50.0%. The equation is as follows: age onset of independent walking (months)=33.157, -0.296 (GA), -0.132 (10th AIMS), -0.196 (BHC), with an estimation error of 0.631 months.Conclusion: Neonatal characteristics, such as GA, 10th AIMS, and BHC, are key determinants in estimating the onset of independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants.

Evidence of the effects of postnatal exposure to organophosphates (OPs) on children’s neurodevelopment remains limited but crucial. This cross-sectional study evaluated exposure to OPs and neurobehavioral performance in 172 preschool children. Urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, biomarkers for exposure to OPs, were measured. The neurobehavioral assessments included motor skills, memory, and cognitive function, measured using the Purdue pegboard test, digit span test, object memory test, and visual-motor integration. Multiple linear regression models were employed to explore the associations between urinary DAP metabolite levels and neurobehavioral performance, adjusting for potential confounders. Findings revealed that children of farming parents had higher urinary levels of dimethylphosphate (DMP) (Beta = 0.730, 95% CI = 0.138, 1.322, p value = 0.016) and diethylphosphate (DEP) (Beta = 0.668, 95% CI = 0.044, 1.291, p value = 0.036). Additionally, high fruit consumption correlated with increased urinary DEP levels (Beta = 0.398, 95% CI = 0.063, 0.733, p value = 0.020). Critically, elevated urinary DEP was associated with poorer fine motor coordination, affecting performance in the Purdue pegboard test for the dominant hand (Beta = −0.428, 95% CI = −0.661, −0.194, p value < 0.001), the preferred hand (Beta = −0.376, 95% CI = −0.603, −0.149, p value = 0.001), and both hands (Beta = −0.524, 95% CI = −0.773, −0.276, p value < 0.001). These findings highlight the role of parental occupation and diet in children’s OP exposure and suggest that OP exposure negatively impacts fine motor coordination. Targeted interventions, such as promoting organic diets, enhancing workplace safety, and ongoing biomonitoring, are vital to reduce neurodevelopmental risks for vulnerable populations.

Inadequate health literacy (HL) is a critical factor contributing to fall risk among older adults. However, evidence on how HL relates to home environment and fall prevention behaviors in Asian community settings remains limited. This study aimed to assess HL levels and examine their associations with sociodemographic characteristics, home environment, and fall prevention behaviors. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 177 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 79 years. Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, home environment, fall prevention behaviors, and HL using the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q47), which cover three subdomains: healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors, home environment, fall prevention behaviors, and HL. The HL score among older adults was 34.50 ± 7.50 (54.2% limited HL). A total HL score was positively associated with regular exercise (β = 2.73, 95% CI: 0.71, 4.74) and a sitting toilet (β = 6.38; 95% CI: 3.83, 8.92) and marginally associated with wearing properly fitting shoes (β = 2.54; 95% CI: 0.22, 4.86). Therefore, the health promotion aimed at improving HL in this population may benefit from concurrently promoting regular exercise, home safety modifications, and safe footwear practices.