This paper offers an in-depth exploration of the intricate relationship between environmental factors and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a special emphasis on seasonality. It reviews existing research, providing a comprehensive summary of findings and highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of several environmental factors influencing the etiology of ASD. The discussion encompasses various elements, including birth months, maternal health, dietary choices, and vitamin D deficiency, delving into the intricate interplay of seasonality with environmental influences such as viral infections and solar radiation. The present study raises essential questions regarding the timing of environmental influences and the factors contributing to the rising prevalence of ASD. Ultimately, it underscores the need for future epidemiological research to incorporate more extensive investigations of environmental risk factors and employ advanced statistical analyses. This comprehensive overview contributes to a deeper understanding of how environmental factors, particularly seasonality, may be linked to the occurrence of ASD and its increasing prevalence, recognizing the multifaceted and diverse nature of these interactions.

Cooperative learning, a pedagogical approach emphasizing structured collaboration and mutual responsibility, has been associated with academic and social benefits, yet its influence on adolescents’ prosocial and antisocial behaviors remains underexplored. This study examined the relationships between cooperative learning, affective experiences, and social behavior in adolescent students. A total of 261 adolescent students (M = 13.06 years, SD = 0.86) from Greece participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected via questionnaires assessing perceptions of cooperative learning, enjoyment, vitality, and prosocial/antisocial behaviors toward teammates and opponents. Factor analyses confirmed the validity of the Greek versions of the instruments. Path analysis revealed that contextual elements of cooperative learning explained a significant proportion of variance in enjoyment and vitality, which in turn predicted prosocial behavior toward both teammates and opponents. Specifically, enjoyment and vitality were positively associated with prosocial orientations, whereas vitality negatively predicted antisocial behavior toward teammates. Unexpectedly, group reflection and heterogeneity emerged as negative predictors of enjoyment and vitality, while interaction showed marginal positive effects. Indirect effects indicated that cooperative learning dimensions influenced social behavior primarily through enjoyment and vitality. These findings suggest that positive affective states mediate the impact of cooperative learning on students’ social conduct in PE. Implications for practice highlight the importance of carefully designing cooperative structures to enhance enjoyment and vitality while fostering prosocial interactions during adolescence.

Mediterranean diet (MD) is regarded as one of the healthier dietary patterns which is recommended for athletes. This study aims to investigate the adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) and associated beliefs in a large, diverse sample of competitive adolescent athletes from various sports, including both lean and non-lean sports. Additionally, the study examines factors important regarding intention to AMD within the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). In the study took part 711 adolescents (357 male, aged = 14.93 ± 1.38, and 354 female, aged = 14.85 ± 1.35) athletes. The level of AMD was not a significant different between lean (mean = 4.98, SD = ±3.90) and non-lean (mean = 4.77, SD = ±3.68) sport. According to the sport type the 35% of lean sport athletes demonstrated low AMD, 34.1% moderate adherence and 30.9% a high degree. The non lean athletes demonstrated low AMD in 36.3%, moderate adherence 33% and high degree in 30.7%. The results of the mediation analysis indicated a significant mediation effect of intention in the relationship between TPB variables and MD. Based on the results of the study the type of sport does not play a role in the AMD, which, as in the general population, is low. Also validate the TPB and underscore the significance of targeting individuals’ intentions to promote positive dietary behaviors.

Background: Skeletal muscle impairment is common in older adults with end-stage knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) and contributes to disability and functional decline. Τhe relative contributions of muscle mass, muscle strength, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress to sarcopenia phenotypes in this population remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the associations between muscle-related parameters, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and sarcopenia phenotypes in older adults with end-stage OA. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 88 older adults scheduled for primary total knee (n = 56) or total hip arthroplasty (n = 32). Body composition, muscle strength, physical performance, and biochemical markers were assessed using standardized procedures. Systemic inflammation was evaluated using C-reactive protein (CRP) and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), whereas oxidative stress was assessed by urinary F₂-isoprostanes. Sarcopenia status was categorized according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria. Results: Overall, 29.5% of participants were classified as having probable/confirmed sarcopenia phenotypes, with similar prevalence in knee and hip OA. Sarcopenic participants exhibited significantly lower appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), reduced handgrip strength, slower gait speed, poorer physical performance and higher body fat percentage than those without sarcopenia. Muscle strength demonstrated stronger associations with physical performance than muscle mass and remained an independent predictor of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score after adjustment for age, gender and muscle mass. Higher urinary F₂-isoprostane concentrations were independently associated with lower ASMM after adjustment for demographic characteristics and inflammatory biomarkers, whereas CRP and NLR were not independently associated with muscle-related outcomes in the fully adjusted models. Conclusions: Nearly one-third (29.5%) of older adults with end-stage knee and hip OA were classified as having probable or confirmed sarcopenia according to the EWGSOP2 criteria. Oxidative stress was independently associated with skeletal muscle mass, whereas CRP and NLR were not independently associated with muscle-related outcomes. These findings highlight the relevance of muscle strength and oxidative stress in older adults with end-stage OA and warrant further longitudinal investigation.