Assessment of insulin sensitivity from measurements in fasting state and during an oral glucose tolerance test in obese children.

PubMed

Atabek, Mehmet Emre; Pirgon, Ozgur

2007-02-01

Few previous studies have examined the validity of the fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio (FGIR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in pediatric populations. To compare simple indices of insulin resistance calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels with insulin sensitivity indices (area under the response curve [AUCinsulin], insulin sensitivity index [ISI-compositeL) determined by oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) in obese children. One hundred and forty-eight obese children and adolescents (86 girls and 62 boys, mean age: 10.86 +/- 3.08 years, mean body mass index (BMI): 27.7 +/- 4.2) participated in the study. OGTT was performed in all participants. After glucose and insulin measurements from OGTT, the children were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity indices obtained from the OGTT were compared between the groups. The total plasma glucose response and insulin secretion were evaluated from the AUC estimated by the trapezoid rule. Cut-off points, and sensitivity and specificity calculations were based on insulin resistance with receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis. The prevalence of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia was 37.1%, 24.3% and 54% in obese children, respectively. The groups consisted of 93 children without insulin resistance (54 girls and 39 boys; mean age: 10.5 +/- 3.3 years; mean BMI: 27.0 +/- 4.2) and 55 children with insulin resistance (32 girls and 23 boys; mean age: 11.4 +/- 2.5 years; mean BMI: 27.9 +/- 3.9). There were significant differences in mean FGIR (10.0 +/- 7.2 vs 5.6 +/- 2.8, p < 0.001), HOMA-IR (3.2 +/- 2.3 vs 4.9 +/- 2.3, p < 0.001) and QUICKI (0.33 +/- 0.03 vs 0.30 +/- 0.02, p < 0.001) between the groups. The cut-off points for diagnosis of insulin resistance were < 5.6 for FGIR (sensitivity 61.8, specificity 76.3), > 2.7 for HOMA-IR (sensitivity 80, specificity 59.1), and < 0.328 for QUICKI (sensitivity 80, specificity 60.2). Indices derived from fasting samples for diagnosis of insulin sensitivity are reliable criteria in obese children and adolescents. HOMA-IR and QUICKI appeared to have similar sensitivity and specificity and to have higher sensitivity than FGIR.

Insulin sensitivity index (ISI0, 120) potentially linked to carbon isotopes of breath CO2 for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes

PubMed Central

Ghosh, Chiranjit; Mukhopadhyay, Prabuddha; Ghosh, Shibendu; Pradhan, Manik

2015-01-01

New strategies for an accurate and early detection of insulin resistance are important to delay or prevent the acute onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Currently, insulin sensitivity index (ISI0,120) is considered to be a viable invasive method of whole-body insulin resistance for use in clinical settings in comparison with other invasive sensitivity indexes like homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). To investigate how these sensitivity indexes link the 13C/12C-carbon isotopes of exhaled breath CO2 to pre-diabetes (PD) and type 2 diabetes in response to glucose ingestion, we studied excretion dynamics of 13C/12C-isotopic fractionations of breath CO2. Here, we show that 13C/12C-isotope ratios of breath CO2 were well correlated with blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated-hemoglobin as well as with HOMA-IR and 1/QUICKI. Conversely, the strongest correlation was observed between 1/ISI0,120 and breath CO2 isotopes. Consequently, we determined several optimal diagnostic cut-off points of 1/ISI0,120 and 13CO2/12CO2-isotope ratios to distinctively track the evolution of PD prior to the onset of T2D. Our findings suggest that isotopic breath CO2 is a novel method for accurate estimation of ISI0,120 and thus may open new perspectives into the isotope-specific non-invasive evaluation of insulin resistance for large-scale real-time diabetes screening purposes. PMID:26148706

Circulating mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor is increased in newly diagnosed prediabetic and diabetic patients, and is associated with insulin resistance.

PubMed

Wu, Tong; Zhang, Fang; Yang, Qiu; Zhang, Yuwei; Liu, Qinhui; Jiang, Wei; Cao, Hongyi; Li, Daigang; Xie, Shugui; Tong, Nanwei; He, Jinhan

2017-04-29

Evidence has shown that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was involved in the progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and development of insulin resistance. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a novel secreted protein upregulated by ER stress. This study aimed to assess serum level of MANF in normal glucose tolerance (NGT) participants and newly diagnosed prediabetic and T2DM patients. A total of 257 participants with NGT, newly diagnosed prediabetes or T2DM were recruited from Yinchao and Hangtian communities of Chengdu, Sichuan, China. Serum MANF level was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean age for the 257 participants (147 females) was 62±8 years (range 44-78): 71 with NGT, 115 with newly diagnosed prediabetes and 71 with T2DM. Mean serum MANF level was significantly higher with newly diagnosed prediabetes and T2DM than NGT (2.89±1.09 and 3.03±1.73 vs 2.13±1.37 ng/mL, both p<0.001). MANF level was not correlated with insulin sensitivity indexes (homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], Matsuda Index and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI]) for NGT and T2DM participants but was correlated with such indexes for prediabetes patients. We concluded that serum MANF level was higher in patients with newly diagnosed prediabetes and T2DM than in NGT controls. MANF appears to be associated with Matsuda Index, QUICKI and HOMA-IR in prediabetes patients.

Dietary and lifestyle quality indices with/without physical activity and markers of insulin resistance in European adolescents: the HELENA study.

PubMed

Jiménez-Pavón, David; Sesé, Maria A; Huybrechts, Inge; Cuenca-García, Magdalena; Palacios, Gonzalo; Ruiz, Jonatan R; Breidenassel, Christina; Leclercq, Catherine; Beghin, Laurent; Plada, Maria; Manios, Yannis; Androutsos, Odysseas; Dallongeville, Jean; Kafatos, Anthony; Widhalm, Kurt; Molnar, Dénes; Moreno, Luis A

2013-11-01

Emerging data indicate that higher levels of insulin resistance (IR) are common among children and adolescents and are related to cardiometabolic risk; therefore, IR requires consideration early in life. In addition, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the role of dietary nutrients on IR. The Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study (HELENA-CSS) was conducted in European adolescents aged 12·5–17·5 years. A total of 637 participants with valid homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index data and who completed at least a 2 d 24 h dietary recall were included in the study (60% of the total HELENA-CSS sample). There were two dietary indices calculated, with the only difference between them being the inclusion or not of physical activity (PA). Markers of IR such as HOMA and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated. Pubertal status, BMI and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were measured as potential confounders. The dietary index including PA was inversely associated with HOMA and directly with the QUICKI in females, but not in males, after adjusting for pubertal status, centre, BMI and CRF. In conclusion, the present study indicates that considering PA as part of the dietary index is of relevance as the resulted index is inversely related to IR independently of potential confounders including CRF. Overall, these findings suggest that intervention studies aimed at preventing IR in young people should focus on increasing the quality of the diet and also on including an optimal PA level in healthy adolescents.

Anti-Mullerian hormone and insulin resistance in classic phenotype lean PCOS.

PubMed

Caglar, Gamze Sinem; Kahyaoglu, Inci; Pabuccu, Recai; Demirtas, Selda; Seker, Rabia

2013-10-01

This study is designed to explore the correlation between AMH levels and IR in normal weight PCOS women. This prospective study was conducted on 55 patients, who were admitted to obstetrics and gynecology department of a university clinic. Study group was consisted of 34 patients diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the Rotterdam Criteria, whereas control group was consisted of 21 healthy volunteers without any features of clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, who had regular menstrual cycles. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) were considered overweight and obese and excluded. Blood samples were obtained during days 2-3 after spontaneous menses or progesterone-induced withdrawal bleeding after overnight fasting for at least 12 h. The weight, height, hip and waist circumferences of the patients were measured. Fasting insulin and glucose (FPG) levels were used for calculating different insulin resistance indexes (Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)). No significant difference was found between PCOS and control groups regarding the mean age, BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), mean values of FPG, FPG/insulin ratio and HOMA B (p > 0.05). AMH values were significantly higher in PCOS cases when compared with controls (4.7 vs. 3.4 ng/mL) (p < 0.05).The mean values of HOMA-IR and QUICKI indexes were significantly higher among PCOS cases when compared with controls. E2 levels were significantly lower and Total-T were significantly higher in PCOS patients. When PCOS cases are categorized according to the existence of IR, no difference in Total-T and AMH levels between both groups. Although not statistically significant, a negative correlation of AMH with HOMA-IR and a positive correlation with QUICKI index were found. Among the hormone parameters, AMH was found to be positively correlated with Total-T (r = 0.332, p = 0.013). Although the relation between AMH and androgen production is supported by current evidence, the mechanism underlying the relation between AMH and insulin resistance is not clear yet.

Association of adiponectin/leptin ratio with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters in HIV-infected patients during antiretroviral therapy.

PubMed

Tiliscan, Catalin; Arama, Victoria; Mihailescu, Raluca; Munteanu, Daniela; Iacob, Diana Gabriela; Popescu, Cristina; Catana, Remulus; Negru, Anca; Lobodan, Alina; Arama, Stefan Sorin

2018-02-16

Adiponectin and leptin are adipose tissue hormones that regulate important lipid and glucose metabolic pathways. Our objective was to evaluate the interplay of these hormones described by the adiponectin/leptin ratio (ALR) in correlation to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism parameters in nondiabetic HIV-infected patients during antiretroviral therapy (ART). We enrolled consecutive nondiabetic patients with confirmed HIV infection, undergoing stable ART regimens for at least six months. Blood samples were collected and tested for immunological and virological parameters, adiponectin and leptin, fasting insulin, fasting plasma glucose, fasting triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol. ALR was computed for each patient. Resistance to insulin was assessed by calculating the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI). We enrolled 87 HIV-infected persons, with a mean age of 31.7 years (range: 18-65), including 47 men (mean age = 32.8 years) and 40 women (mean age = 30.5 years). The median value of ALR was 6.8 (interquartile range - IQR = 17.1). In male patients, ALR was inversely associated with the serum level of triglycerides (R = 0.285, p = 0.05), total cholesterol (R = 0.326, p = 0.02), and LDL cholesterol (R = 0.298, p = 0.04). Also for the male cohort, an increase in ALR seemed to improve insulin sensitivity (R = 0.323, p = 0.02) and serum HDL cholesterol (R = 0.597, p = 0.01). None of these correlations were observed in HIV-infected women. Adiponectin and leptin seem to play important but different gender-specific roles in the pathogenesis of lipid and glucose metabolism of HIV-infected patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy. ALR, adiponectin/leptin ratio; BMI, body mass index; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; QUICKI, Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index.

Ultrasonographic and laboratory markers of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Zueff, L F N; Martins, W P; Vieira, C S; Ferriani, R A

2012-03-01

To evaluate whether the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) alters multiple ultrasonographic and laboratory markers of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk in obese women without any other health condition that could interfere with combined oral contraceptive (COC) eligibility criteria. This was a case-control study evaluating 90 obese women (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2) and < 40 kg/m(2)) aged between 18 and 40 years without any other health condition that could interfere with COC eligibility criteria, of whom 45 had PCOS and 45 were age-matched controls. BMI, waist and hip circumference, arterial blood pressure, fasting insulin and glucose, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, free androgen index (FAI), carotid stiffness index, intima media thickness, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were assessed. In women with PCOS, we observed a higher frequency of NAFLD (73.3 vs. 46.7%, P < 0.01) and higher FAI (10.4 vs. 6.8%, P < 0.01). We also observed a trend towards increased insulin levels (10.06 ± 6.66 vs. 7.45 ± 5.88 µIU/mL, P = 0.05), decreased QUICKI (0.36 ± 0.06 vs. 0.39 ± 0.07, P = 0.05) and decreased FMD (7.00 ± 3.87 vs. 8.41 ± 3.79%, P = 0.08). No other significant difference was observed. NAFLD is frequent in obese women without any other health condition that could interfere with COC eligibility criteria, especially in those with PCOS. This should be considered when choosing the best contraceptive option. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Is Xanthine oxidase activity in polycystic ovary syndrome associated with inflammatory and cardiovascular risk factors?

PubMed

Isık, Hatice; Aynıoglu, Oner; Tımur, Hakan; Sahbaz, Ahmet; Harma, Muge; Can, Murat; Guven, Berrak; Alptekin, Husnu; Kokturk, Furuzan

2016-08-01

The aim of this study is to examine women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to determine the relationship between xanthine oxidase (XO) and oxidative stress, inflammatory status, and various clinical and biochemical parameters. In this cross-sectional study a total of 83 women including 45 PCOS patients and 38 healthy women were enrolled. We collected blood samples for XO and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hormone levels, cholesterol values, and inflammatory markers. Body mass index (BMI) , waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and blood pressure were assessed. Blood samples were taken for hormonal levels, cholesterol levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell and neutrophil counts, XO and SOD activities. The basal hormone levels, triglyceride (TG) levels, TG/HDL-C (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) ratios FPG, FPI and HOMA-IR levels were higher in PCOS patients compared to controls (p<0.05). Platelet and plateletcrit (PCT) values, CRP, and XO activity were significantly increased, however SOD activity was decreased in PCOS patients (p<0.001). XO activity was positively correlated with LH/FSH and TG/HDL ratios, CRP, PCT, FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR, and negatively correlated with QUICKI levels. In conclusion, XO is a useful marker to assess oxidative stress in PCOS patients. Positive correlations between XO and inflammatory markers and cardiovascular disease risk factors suggest that XO plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PCOS and its metabolic complications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Diagnosis of insulin resistance by indirect methods in obese school children].

PubMed

Angulo, Nerkis; de Szarvas, Sobeida Barbella; Mathison, Yaira; Hadad, Erika; González, Dora; Hernández, Ana; Guevara, Harold

2013-06-01

Obesity leads to a deterioration of glucose tolerance and the action of insulin. The purpose of this study was to determine insulin resistance (IR) by indirect methods, and its correlation with clinical, anthropometric and biochemical variables in obese normoglycemic school children. This was a descriptive-correlational study of 72 school prepubescent children, who attended the ambulatory "El Concejo" of the University of Carabobo (UC) and at the Gastroenterology and Pediatric Nutrition service of the city hospital "Enrique Tejera" (CHET), in Valencia, Venezuela, between January-April 2011. exogenous obesity. We assessed personal and family history, presence of Acanthosis Nigricans and nutritional and biochemical status. We found a higher percentage of IR, through the use of the QUICKI method (66.7%), followed by the HOMA (55.6%) and basal insulin (45.9%). The mean (chi) indexes of body mass and waist circumference were significantly greater (p < 0.05) in patients with IR, by HOMA and QUICKI techniques. The QUICKI method detected significant differences (p < 0.05) in the values of glycemia, basal insulin and postprandial insulin, among patients with diminished and normal insulin sensitivities. While HOMA, detected these differences (p < 0.05) in the values of glycemia and basal insulin. A statistically significant relationship was observed (p < 0.05), between the presence of Acanthosis Nigricans and IR, by the HOMA, QUICKI and basal insulin methods. In conclusion, the evaluated techniques, QUICKI, HOMA and basal insulin indexes, were most effective for detecting the IR.

Early decrease of insulin sensitivity in offspring of individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Mexican Diabetes Prevention Study.

PubMed

Pérez-Fuentes, Ricardo; Baez-Duarte, Blanca G; Zamora-Ginez, Irma; Ruiz-Vivanco, Guadalupe; Pulido-Pérez, Patricia; Nieva-Vázquez, Adriana; Gonzalez-Mejia, M Elba; Torres-Rasgado, Enrique

2014-04-01

Defects in insulin sensitivity (IS) and insulin secretion have been recognized as risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications. We undertook this study to establish the relationship between healthy type 2 diabetic offspring (OFD) from a Mexican population with IS. A total of 602 Mexican subjects, 359 first-degree offspring of T2D (OFD+) and 243 first-degree non-offspring of T2D (OFD-) were classified as young adults (age range, 18-44 years) and middle-aged adults (age range, 45-65 years). Groups were clinically and biochemically characterized. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was used to estimate IS and the homeostasis model assessment B (HOMA-B) was used to estimate B cell function. IS decreased significantly (p <0.05) in OFD+ middle-aged (QUICKI 0.330 ± 0.03) compared with OFD- (0. 370 ± 0.03). Middle-aged adults (OFD+) had the highest prevalence of increased fasting insulin levels (FIL) (13.6%) and decreased IS (22.9%) compared with OFD- groups (3.2%). A binary regression analysis showed the association of OFD+ with increased FIL (odds ratio [OR], 3.71; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.68-8.2; p = 0.001), and QUICKI (OR, 10.87; 95% CI, 2.36-44.69; p <0.01) adjusted by gender, age, and obesity. Our results suggest that decreased IS itself could be recognized as one of the earliest detectable abnormalities in middle-aged adults. Moreover, prevalence increases with age and is associated with type 2 diabetic offspring, regardless of obesity. Copyright © 2014 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and its relationship with components of polycystic ovary syndrome in Indian adolescent women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

PubMed

Ganie, Mohd Ashraf; Hassan, Saqib; Nisar, Sobia; Shamas, Nasir; Rashid, Aafia; Ahmed, Ishfaq; Douhat, Syed; Mudassar, Syed; Jan, Vicar M; Rashid, Fouzia

2014-11-01

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a risk marker for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), limited data are available on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and its relationship with components of PCOS especially in Indian women. The objective was to determine serum hs-CRP concentration in adolescent women with and without PCOS and to assess possible correlations of serum hs-CRP levels with components of PCOS in Indian women. One hundred and sixty women with PCOS and sixty non-PCOS women having normal menstrual cycles were included. Clinical assessment included anthropometry, Ferriman-Gallwey (FG) score and blood pressure (BP) measurement. Laboratory evaluation included estimation of T4, TSH, LH, FSH, total testosterone, prolactin, cortisol, 17OHP, hs-CRP, lipid profile, and insulin, and glucose after 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and glucose intolerance was calculated. FG score, LH, FSH, total Testosterone, HOMA-IR and QUICKI were significantly different among women with or without PCOS (p < 0.01). Although hs-CRP levels showed a higher trend in women having PCOS, there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). A significant and positive correlation was found between hs-CRP and body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.308, p < 0.01) among PCOS group. The results in Indian adolescent women suggest that hs-CRP levels may not per se be associated with PCOS, rather can be related to fat mass in this subset of subjects.

Limitations of insulin resistance assessment in polycystic ovary syndrome

PubMed Central

Lewandowski, Krzysztof C; Płusajska, Justyna; Horzelski, Wojciech; Bieniek, Ewa; Lewiński, Andrzej

2018-01-01

Background Though insulin resistance (IR) is common in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is no agreement as to what surrogate method of assessment of IR is most reliable. Subjects and methods In 478 women with PCOS, we compared methods based on fasting insulin and either fasting glucose (HOMA-IR and QUICKI) or triglycerides (McAuley Index) with IR indices derived from glucose and insulin during OGTT (Belfiore, Matsuda and Stumvoll indices). Results There was a strong correlation between IR indices derived from fasting values HOMA-IR/QUICKI, r = −0.999, HOMA-IR/McAuley index, r = −0.849 and between all OGTT-derived IR indices (e.g. r = −0.876, for IRI/Matsuda, r = −0.808, for IRI/Stumvoll, and r = 0.947, for Matsuda/Stumvoll index, P < 0.001 for all), contrasting with a significant (P < 0.001), but highly variable correlation between IR indices derived from fasting vs OGTT-derived variables, ranging from r = −0.881 (HOMA-IR/Matsuda), through r = 0.58, or r = −0.58 (IRI/HOMA-IR, IRI/QUICKI, respectively) to r = 0.41 (QUICKI/Stumvoll), and r = 0.386 for QUICKI/Matsuda indices. Detailed comparison between HOMA-IR and IRI revealed that concordance between HOMA and IRI was poor for HOMA-IR/IRI values above 75th and 90th percentile. For instance, only 53% (70/132) women with HOMA-IR >75th percentile had IRI value also above 75th percentile. There was a significant, but weak correlation of all IR indices with testosterone concentrations. Conclusions Significant number of women with PCOS can be classified as being either insulin sensitive or insulin resistant depending on the method applied, as correlation between various IR indices is highly variable. Clinical application of surrogate indices for assessment of IR in PCOS must be therefore viewed with an extreme caution. PMID:29436386

Prevalence and metabolic characteristics of adrenal androgen excess in hyperandrogenic women with different phenotypes.

PubMed

Carmina, E; Lobo, R A

2007-02-01

Serum DHEAS has been found to be elevated in some women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We wished to determine whether this prevalence is different in women with androgen excess who have different phenotypes and to correlate these findings with various cardiovascular and metabolic parameters. Two hundred and thirty-eight young hyperandrogenic women categorized into various diagnostic groups were evaluated for elevations in serum DHEAS, testosterone, glucose, insulin, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI), cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and C-reactive protein (CRP). Data were stratified based on elevations in DHEAS. Serum DHEAS was elevated in 39.5% for the entire group [36.7% in PCOS and 48.3% in idiopathic hyperandrogenism (IHA)]. In classic (C)-PCOS, the prevalence was 39.6% and in ovulatory (OV) PCOS it was 29.1%. These differences were not statistically significant. Women with elevated DHEAS had higher testosterone but lower insulin, higher QUICKI, lower total and LDL-cholesterol and higher HDL-cholesterol, p<0.01. Triglycerides and CRP were not different. This trend was greatest in women with C-PCOS. The prevalence of adrenal hyperandrogenism, as determined by elevations in DHEAS, appears to be statistically similar in IHA, C-PCOS and compared to OV-PCOS. Metabolic and cardiovascular parameters were noted to be more favorable in those women who have higher DHEAS levels.

Effects of short-term chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PubMed

Kim, Chan-Won; Kim, Bom-Taeck; Park, Kyung-Hee; Kim, Kwang-Min; Lee, Duck-Joo; Yang, Sung-Won; Joo, Nam-Seok

2011-11-01

Excessive body weight is inversely associated with insulin sensitivity in children and adults. Chromium supplementation produces modest improvement in insulin sensitivity in adults. The aim of this study was to examine the beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children simultaneously modifying lifestyle. Twenty-five overweight children aged 9-12 years were randomized to receive either 400 μg of chromium chloride or placebo in double-blind fashion, during a 6-week lifestyle modification regimen that included nutritional education and 3×90 min of aerobic physical activity weekly. Insulin sensitivity was demonstrated using homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Changes in body mass index (BMI; kg/m(2)), BMI Z-score, waist circumference, body composition and fasting plasma glucose were measured. Although no significant benefit of chromium supplementation over placebo was evident for BMI, BMI Z-score and fasting insulin level, children who received chromium chloride demonstrated more positive changes versus the placebo group in HOMA (-1.84±1.07 vs. 0.05±0.42, P=.05), QUICKI (0.02±0.01 vs. -0.002±0.01, P=.05), lean body mass (2.43±0.68 kg vs. 1.36±1.61 kg, P=.02) and percentage body fat (-3.32±1.29% vs. 0.65±1.05%, P=.04). The desirable effects of chromium supplementation on insulin sensitivity and body composition were more apparent in pre-pubertal children. These results suggest that short-term chromium supplementation can improve insulin sensitivity and body composition in overweight children. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessment of insulin sensitivity/resistance and their relations with leptin concentrations and anthropometric measures in a pregnant population with and without gestational diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Yilmaz, Ozgur; Kucuk, Mert; Ilgin, Aydin; Dagdelen, Muride

2010-01-01

Fifty-six pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 42 normal glucose tolerant (NGT) pregnant women between 26 and 36 gestational weeks were included in the study prospectively. The body fat percentage (BFP) was calculated using the Siri formula from skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements. Both groups were comparable for gestational age, height, weight, and body mass index (P>.05). Insulin resistance assessed by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method was significantly higher in GDM patients compared to their NGT weight-matched control group. In contrast, the insulin sensitivity calculated from quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI-IS) equation was significantly lower in GDM group. Calculated lean body mass was found to be similar in between both groups. Body fat percentage derived from SFT parameters was significantly higher in women with GDM. Women with GDM had significantly higher levels of serum insulin and leptin concentrations when compared with the NGT group. All SFT measurements were higher in GDM group when compared to those in NGT women. We did not find any correlation between leptin levels and insulin resistance; we found negative correlation between leptin levels and insulin sensitivity. Thus, we observed that leptin may contribute development of GDM by decreasing insulin sensitivity but not increasing insulin resistance. Also, we observed that the BFP estimated by the Siri formula from SFT measurements correlated significantly with HOMA-IR and QUICKI-IS and leptin concentrations in pregnant women. We suggest that by simply evaluating SFT, we may hold a view about BFP and leptin concentrations and insulin sensitivity in pregnant women.

Predicting gestational diabetes mellitus during the first trimester using anthropometric measurements and HOMA-IR.

PubMed

Alptekin, Hüsnü; Çizmecioğlu, Ahmet; Işık, Hatice; Cengiz, Türkan; Yildiz, Murat; Iyisoy, Mehmet Sinan

2016-05-01

To determine the predictability of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the first trimester using the degree of insulin resistance and anthropometric measurements and to assign the risk of developing GDM by weight gained during pregnancy (WGDP). A total of 250 singleton pregnancies at 7-12 gestational weeks were studied. Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores and WGDP were determined. The backward stepwise method was applied to estimate possible associations with GDM. Cutoff points were estimated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. GDM was found in 20 of 227 singleton pregnancies (8.8 %). The calculated HOMA-IR, QUICKI, BMI, WHR, WGDP, and parity were significantly associated with GDM. Logistic regression analyses showed that three covariates (HOMA-IR, BMI, WGDP) remained independently associated with GDM. It was calculated as OR 1.254 (95 % CI 1.006-1.563), AUC 0.809, sensitivity 90 %, specificity 61 % with cutoff = 2.08 for HOMA-IR; OR 1.157 (CI 1.045-1.281), AUC 0.723, sensitivity 80 %, specificity 58 % with cutoff = 25.95 for BMI; OR 1.221, (CI 1.085-1.374), AUC 0.654, sensitivity 80 %, specificity 46 % with cutoff = 4.7 for WGDP. Despite a HOMA-IR score of >3.1 in pregnant women, GDM was detected in only three of 29 patients (10.3 %) if WGDP was <4.7 kg at weeks 24-28. First trimester screening for GDM can be achieved based on maternal anthropometric measurements and HOMA-IR. In particular, if BMI is >25.95 kg/m(2) and the HOMA-IR score >2.08, controlling weight gain may protect against GDM.

Cocoa reduces blood pressure and insulin resistance and improves endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertensives.

PubMed

Grassi, Davide; Necozione, Stefano; Lippi, Cristina; Croce, Giuseppe; Valeri, Letizia; Pasqualetti, Paolo; Desideri, Giovambattista; Blumberg, Jeffrey B; Ferri, Claudio

2005-08-01

Consumption of flavanol-rich dark chocolate (DC) has been shown to decrease blood pressure (BP) and insulin resistance in healthy subjects, suggesting similar benefits in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Therefore, we tested the effect of DC on 24-hour ambulatory BP, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in patients with EH. After a 7-day chocolate-free run-in phase, 20 never-treated, grade I patients with EH (10 males; 43.7+/-7.8 years) were randomized to receive either 100 g per day DC (containing 88 mg flavanols) or 90 g per day flavanol-free white chocolate (WC) in an isocaloric manner for 15 days. After a second 7-day chocolate-free period, patients were crossed over to the other treatment. Noninvasive 24-hour ambulatory BP, FMD, OGTT, serum cholesterol, and markers of vascular inflammation were evaluated at the end of each treatment. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated from OGTT values. Ambulatory BP decreased after DC (24-hour systolic BP -11.9+/-7.7 mm Hg, P<0.0001; 24-hour diastolic BP -8.5+/-5.0 mm Hg, P<0.0001) but not WC. DC but not WC decreased HOMA-IR (P<0.0001), but it improved QUICKI, ISI, and FMD. DC also decreased serum LDL cholesterol (from 3.4+/-0.5 to 3.0+/-0.6 mmol/L; P<0.05). In summary, DC decreased BP and serum LDL cholesterol, improved FMD, and ameliorated insulin sensitivity in hypertensives. These results suggest that, while balancing total calorie intake, flavanols from cocoa products may provide some cardiovascular benefit if included as part of a healthy diet for patients with EH.

Association between Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients.

PubMed

Wanderley, Miriam da Silva; Pereira, Lara Cristina Ribeiro; Santos, Carla Borges; Cunha, Vinícius Santos da; Neves, Mariam Viviane Jovino

2018-04-01

 To analyze the association between the indirect methods of evaluating insulin resistance (IR) and blood pressure, anthropometric and biochemical parameters in a population of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients.  Cross-sectional study performed at the Hospital Universitário de Brasília (HUB, in the Portuguese acronym) involving PCOS patients diagnosed from January 2011 to January 2013. Four indirect methods, namely, fasting blood insulin level, fasting glucose/insulin ratio (G/I), homeostatic model-assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), were used to obtain the IR diagnosis. The data were analyzed using the test of proportions, the Chi-square test, and Fisher exact test, when indicated.  Out of the 83 patients assessed, aged 28.79 ± 5.85, IR was found in 51.81-66.2% of them using the G/I ratio and the QUICKI, respectively. The test of proportions did not show a significant difference between the methods analyzed. The proportion of IR diagnoses was statistically higher in obese women than in women with normal body mass index (BMI). We observed a statistically significant association between all the methods for diagnosing IR and BMI, waist circumference (WC) and lipid accumulation product (LAP). With regards to arterial hypertension (AH), we observed a significant association according to three methods, with the exception of the ratio G/I.  Insulin resistance prevalence varied according to the diagnostic method employed, with no statistical difference between them. The proportion of IR diagnoses was statistically higher in obese women than in women with normal BMI. We observed a significant association between IR and WC, BMI, LAP, as well as dyslipidemia and AH in a high proportion of patients. Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The impact of supervised weight loss and intentional weight regain on sex hormone binding globulin and testosterone in premenopausal women.

PubMed

Aubuchon, Mira; Liu, Ying; Petroski, Gregory F; Thomas, Tom R; Polotsky, Alex J

2016-08-01

What is the impact of intentional weight loss and regain on serum androgens in women? We conducted an ancillary analysis of prospectively collected samples from a randomized controlled trial. The trial involved supervised 10% weight loss (8.5 kg on average) with diet and exercise over 4-6 months followed by supervised intentional regain of 50% of the lost weight (4.6 kg on average) over 4-6 months. Participants were randomized prior to the partial weight regain component to either continuation or cessation of endurance exercise. Analytic sample included 30 obese premenopausal women (mean age of 40 ± 5.9 years, mean baseline body mass index (BMI) of 32.9 ± 4.2 kg/m(2)) with metabolic syndrome. We evaluated sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone (T), free androgen index (FAI), and high molecular weight adiponectin (HMWAdp). Insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) measured in the original trial were reanalyzed for the current analytic sample. Insulin, HOMA, and QUICKI improved with weight loss and were maintained despite weight regain. Log-transformed SHBG significantly increased from baseline to weight loss, and then significantly decreased with weight regain. LogFAI and logVAT decreased similarly and increased with weight loss followed by weight regain. No changes were found in logT and LogHMWAdp. There was no significant difference in any tested parameters by exercise between the groups. SHBG showed prominent sensitivity to body mass fluctuations, as reduction with controlled intentional weight regain showed an inverse relationship to VAT and occurred despite stable HMWAdp and sustained improvements with insulin resistance. FAI showed opposite changes to SHBG, while T did not change significantly with weight. Continued exercise during weight regain did not appear to impact these findings.

Methods for quantifying adipose tissue insulin resistance in overweight/obese humans.

PubMed

Ter Horst, K W; van Galen, K A; Gilijamse, P W; Hartstra, A V; de Groot, P F; van der Valk, F M; Ackermans, M T; Nieuwdorp, M; Romijn, J A; Serlie, M J

2017-08-01

Insulin resistance of adipose tissue is an important feature of obesity-related metabolic disease. However, assessment of lipolysis in humans requires labor-intensive and expensive methods, and there is limited validation of simplified measurement methods. We aimed to validate simplified methods for the quantification of adipose tissue insulin resistance against the assessment of insulin sensitivity of lipolysis suppression during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies. We assessed the insulin-mediated suppression of lipolysis by tracer-dilution of [1,1,2,3,3- 2 H 5 ]glycerol during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies in 125 overweight or obese adults (85 men, 40 women; age 50±11 years; body mass index 38±7 kg m -2 ). Seven indices of adipose tissue insulin resistance were validated against the reference measurement method. Low-dose insulin infusion resulted in suppression of the glycerol rate of appearance ranging from 4% (most resistant) to 85% (most sensitive), indicating a good range of adipose tissue insulin sensitivity in the study population. The reference method correlated with (1) insulin-mediated suppression of plasma glycerol concentrations (r=0.960, P<0.001), (2) suppression of plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (r=0.899, P<0.001), (3) the Adipose tissue Insulin Resistance (Adipo-IR) index (fasting plasma insulin-NEFA product; r=-0.526, P<0.001), (4) the fasting plasma insulin-glycerol product (r=-0.467, P<0.001), (5) the Adipose Tissue Insulin Resistance Index (fasting plasma insulin-basal lipolysis product; r=0.460, P<0.001), (6) the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)-NEFA index (r=0.621, P<0.001), and (7) the QUICKI-glycerol index (r=0.671, P<0.001). Bland-Altman plots showed no systematic errors for the suppression indices but proportional errors for all fasting indices. Receiver-operator characteristic curves confirmed that all indices were able to detect adipose tissue insulin resistance (area under the curve ⩾0.801, P<0.001). Adipose tissue insulin sensitivity (that is, the antilipolytic action of insulin) can be reliably quantified in overweight and obese humans by simplified index methods. The sensitivity and specificity of the Adipo-IR index and the fasting plasma insulin-glycerol product, combined with their simplicity and acceptable agreement, suggest that these may be most useful in clinical practice.

Effect of Selenium Supplementation on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy.

PubMed

Bahmani, Fereshteh; Kia, Mahsa; Soleimani, Alireza; Asemi, Zatollah; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad

2016-08-01

To our knowledge, data on the effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) are scarce. The current study was done to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control and lipid concentrations in patients with DN. This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in which 60 patients with DN were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either 200 μg of selenium supplements (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) daily for 12 weeks. Blood sampling was performed for the quantification of glycemic indicators and lipid profiles at the onset of the study and after 12 weeks of intervention. Selenium supplementation for 12 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (P = 0.01), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.02), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated B cell function (HOMA-B) (P = 0.009) and a significant rise in plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Taking selenium supplements had no significant effects on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and lipid profiles compared with the placebo. Overall, our study demonstrated that selenium supplementation for 12 weeks among patients with DN had beneficial effects on plasma GPx, serum insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B, while it did not affect FPG, QUICKI, and lipid profiles.

Risk factors of diabetes in North Indians with metabolic syndrome.

PubMed

Pratyush, Daliparthy D; Tiwari, Shalbha; Singh, Saurabh; Singh, Surya K

2016-01-01

Metabolic syndrome progresses to diabetes and determinants of this progression like hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia and genetic factors have been speculative. The present study was aimed at quantifying the insulin resistance and influence of family history of diabetes in subjects with metabolic syndrome developing prediabetes and diabetes. Consecutive subjects attending the endocrine clinic were evaluated for metabolic syndrome as per definition of International Diabetes Federation, 2005. The family history of diabetes in their first degree relatives was ascertained and Homeostasis model assessment of Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Homeostasis model assessment for beta cell function (HOMA-B) and Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated in 163 subjects enrolled. HOMA-IR was higher (p<0.05) but HOMA-B and QUICKI were lower (p<0.0001) in subjects with metabolic syndrome+prediabetes or diabetes compared to metabolic syndrome with normal glucose tolerance. HOMA-B was lower and prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes was higher in metabolic syndrome subjects with family history of diabetes than in those without such family history (p<0.05). subjects with metabolic syndrome having prediabetes and diabetes had more severe insulin resistance than those with metabolic syndrome only. Beta cell dysfunction was remarkable and prevalence of prediabetes was high in metabolic syndrome subjects with family history of diabetes. Both the severity of the insulin resistance and family history of diabetes are therefore proposed to be determinants of diminished Beta cell function leading to diabetes in metabolic syndrome. Copyright © 2016 Diabetes India. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of different exercise protocols on metabolic profiles and fatty acid metabolism in skeletal muscle in high-fat diet-fed rats.

PubMed

Shen, Youqing; Xu, Xiangfeng; Yue, Kai; Xu, Guodong

2015-05-01

To evaluate the efficacy of mild-intensity endurance, high-intensity interval, and concurrent exercise on preventing high-fat diet-induced obesity. Male rats were divided into five groups, control diet/sedentary group, high-fat diet/sedentary, high-fat diet/endurance exercise, high-fat diet/interval exercise (HI), and high-fat diet/concurrent exercise. All exercise groups were made to exercise for 10 weeks, with matched running distances. Body weight, fat content, blood metabolites, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and adipocyte and liver lipid droplet size were assessed, and the expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes was quantified. All exercise protocols reduced body weight, adiposity, serum triglycerides, and fasting glucose and also improved QUICKI to some extent. However, only HI prevented obesity and its associated pathologies completely. The expression of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 was elevated in all rats fed a high-fat diet whereas carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) expression was increased with exercise. Rev-erbα expression was elevated only in the HI group, which also had the highest level of CPT1 expression. The HI-induced increase in Rev-erbα and CPT1 expression was associated with the complete prevention of diet-induced obesity. Moreover, the increased caloric expenditure achieved with this protocol was preferential over other exercise regimens, and might be used to improve lipid metabolism. © 2015 The Obesity Society.

Variable reliability of surrogate measures of insulin sensitivity after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

PubMed

Bojsen-Møller, Kirstine N; Dirksen, Carsten; Svane, Maria S; Jørgensen, Nils B; Holst, Jens J; Richter, Erik A; Madsbad, Sten

2017-05-01

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) induces weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity when evaluated by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HEC). Surrogate indices of insulin sensitivity calculated from insulin and glucose concentrations at fasting or after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) are frequently used, but have not been validated after RYGB. Our aim was to evaluate whether surrogate indices reliably estimate changes in insulin sensitivity after RYGB. Four fasting surrogates (inverse-HOMA-IR, HOMA2-%S, QUICKI, revised-QUICKI) and three OGTT-derived surrogates (Matsuda, Gutt, OGIS) were compared with HEC-estimated peripheral insulin sensitivity ( R d or R d /I, depending on how the index was originally validated) and the tracer-determined hepatic insulin sensitivity index (HISI) in patients with preoperative type 2 diabetes ( n = 10) and normal glucose tolerance ( n = 10) 1 wk, 3 mo, and 1 yr postoperatively. Post-RYGB changes in inverse-HOMA-IR and HOMA2-%S did not correlate with changes in R d at any visit, but were comparable to changes in HISI at 1 wk. Changes in QUICKI and revised-QUICKI correlated with R d /I after surgery. Changes in the Matsuda and Gutt indices did not correlate with changes in R d /I and R d , respectively, whereas OGIS changes correlated with R d changes at 1 yr post-RYGB. In conclusion, surrogate measures of insulin sensitivity may not reflect results obtained with gold standard methodology after RYGB, underscoring the importance of critical reflection when surrogate endpoints are used. Fasting surrogate indices may be particularly affected by post-RYGB changes in insulin clearance, whereas the validity of OGTT-derived surrogates may be compromised by surgical rearrangements of the gut. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Cardiometabolic Syndrome in People With Spinal Cord Injury/Disease: Guideline-Derived and Nonguideline Risk Components in a Pooled Sample.

PubMed

Nash, Mark S; Tractenberg, Rochelle E; Mendez, Armando J; David, Maya; Ljungberg, Inger H; Tinsley, Emily A; Burns-Drecq, Patricia A; Betancourt, Luisa F; Groah, Suzanne L

2016-10-01

To assess cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS) risk definitions in spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D). Cross-sectional analysis of a pooled sample. Two SCI/D academic medical and rehabilitation centers. Baseline data from subjects in 7 clinical studies were pooled; not all variables were collected in all studies; therefore, participant numbers varied from 119 to 389. The pooled sample included men (79%) and women (21%) with SCI/D >1 year at spinal cord levels spanning C3-T2 (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] grades A-D). Not applicable. We computed the prevalence of CMS using the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guideline (CMS diagnosis as sum of risks ≥3 method) for the following risk components: overweight/obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. We compared this prevalence with the risk calculated from 2 routinely used nonguideline CMS risk assessments: (1) key cut scores identifying insulin resistance derived from the homeostatic model 2 (HOMA2) method or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and (2) a cardioendocrine risk ratio based on an inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP])-adjusted total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. After adjustment for multiple comparisons, injury level and AIS grade were unrelated to CMS or risk factors. Of the participants, 13% and 32.1% had CMS when using the sum of risks or HOMA2/QUICKI model, respectively. Overweight/obesity and (pre)hypertension were highly prevalent (83% and 62.1%, respectively), with risk for overweight/obesity being significantly associated with CMS diagnosis (sum of risks, χ(2)=10.105; adjusted P=.008). Insulin resistance was significantly associated with CMS when using the HOMA2/QUICKI model (χ(2)2=21.23, adjusted P<.001). Of the subjects, 76.4% were at moderate to high risk from elevated CRP, which was significantly associated with CMS determination (both methods; sum of risks, χ(2)2=10.198; adjusted P=.048 and HOMA2/QUICKI, χ(2)2=10.532; adjusted P=.04). As expected, guideline-derived CMS risk factors were prevalent in individuals with SCI/D. Overweight/obesity, hypertension, and elevated CRP were common in SCI/D and, because they may compound risks associated with CMS, should be considered population-specific risk determinants. Heightened surveillance for risk, and adoption of healthy living recommendations specifically directed toward weight reduction, hypertension management, and inflammation control, should be incorporated as a priority for disease prevention and management. Copyright © 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Association between suicidal behaviour and impaired glucose metabolism in depressive disorders.

PubMed

Koponen, Hannu; Kautiainen, Hannu; Leppänen, Esa; Mäntyselkä, Pekka; Vanhala, Mauno

2015-07-22

Disturbances in lipid metabolism have been linked to suicidal behaviour, but little is known about the association between suicide risk and abnormal glucose metabolism in depression. Hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia may increase the risk of depression and also the risk for suicide, we therefore studied associations between suicidal behaviour and disturbances in glucose metabolism in depressive patients who had been referred to depression nurse case managers. Patients aged 35 years and older (N = 448, mean age 51 years) who were experiencing a new depressive episode, who were referred to depression nurse case managers in 2008-2009 and who scored ≥10 on the Beck Depression Inventory were enrolled in this study. The study was conducted in municipalities within the Central Finland Hospital District (catchment area of 274 000 inhabitants) as part of the Finnish Depression and Metabolic Syndrome in Adults study. The patients' psychiatric diagnoses and suicidal behaviour were confirmed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Blood samples, for glucose and lipid determinations, were drawn from participants after 12 h of fasting, which was followed by a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) when blood was drawn at 0 and 2 h. Insulin resistance was measured by the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) method. Suicidal ideation (49 %) and previous suicide attempts (16 %) were common in patients with major depressive disorder or dysthymia. Patients with depression and suicidal behaviour had higher blood glucose concentrations at baseline and at 2 hours in the OGTT. Glucose levels associated positively with the prevalence of suicidal behaviour, and the linearity was significant at baseline (p for linearity: 0.012, adjusted for age and sex) and for 2-hour OGTT glucose (p for linearity: 0.004, adjusted for age and sex). QUICKI levels associated with suicidal behavior (p for linearity across tertiles of QUICKI: 0.026). Total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also higher in those patients with suicidal behaviour. Multivariate analysis revealed that blood glucose levels, BDI scores and antidepressive medications associated with suicidal behaviour. Insulin resistance and disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism may be more common in middle-aged depressive patients with suicidal behaviour.

Continuous glucose monitoring, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin - glucose parameters in adolescents with simple obesity.

PubMed

El Awwa, A; Soliman, A; Al-Ali, M; Yassin, M; De Sanctis, V

2012-09-01

In obese adolescents pancreatic beta-cells may not be able to cope with insulin resistance leading to hyperglycemia and type2 diabetes (T2DM To assess oral glucose tolerance, 72-h continuous blood glucose concentrations (CGM) and calculate homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in 13 adolescents with simple obesity (BMI SDS=4 ± 1.06). OGTT performed in 13 obese adolescents (13.47 ± 3 years) revealed 3 cases (23%) with impaired fasting glucose (IFG: fasting glucose >5.6 mmol/L), 4 cases (30%) with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT: 2h blood glucose >7.8 <11.1 mmol/L), and none with diabetes. Using the continuous glucose monitoring system ( CGMS), IFG was detected in 4 cases, the maximum serum blood glucose (BG : 2h or more after meal) was >7.8 and <11.1 mmol/L (IGT) in 9 children (69%) and >11.1 mmol/L (diabetes) in one case (7.6%). Five cases had a minimum BG recorded of <2.7 mmol/L (hypoglycemia). No glycemic abnormality was detected using HbA1C (5.7 ± 0.3%). 11/13 patients had HOMA values >2.6 and QUICKI values <0.35 denoting insulin resistance. Beta cell mass percent (B %) = 200 ± 94.8% and insulin sensitivity values (IS)=50.4 ± 45.5% denoted insulin resistance with hyper-insulinaemia and preserved beta cell mass. In obese adolescents, CGMS is superior to OGTT and HbA1C in detecting glycemic abnormalities, which appears to be secondary to insulin resistance.

Plasma serpinB1 is related to insulin sensitivity but not pancreatic β-Cell function in non-diabetic adults.

PubMed

Glicksman, Michael; Asthana, Asha; Abel, Brent S; Walter, Mary F; Skarulis, Monica C; Muniyappa, Ranganath

2017-03-01

Pancreatic β -cell dysfunction because of reduced β -cell mass and function is a primary determinant in the progression of diabetes. Increase in β -cell mass and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia is frequently associated with insulin-resistant states. Although the humoral factors mediating this compensatory response are unknown, serpinB1, a protease inhibitor, has recently been proposed to be one such factor. In this study, we examine the relationships between plasma serpinB1, insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic β -cell function in non-diabetic individuals. 117 subjects (women, n  = 50, men, n  = 67; age= 37.6 ± 10.8; BMI=31.1 ± 7.7 kg/m 2 ) underwent an insulin-modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) at the NIH Clinical Research Center. Acute insulin response (AIR) and insulin sensitivity index (SI) were obtained from the FSIVGTT with MINMOD analysis. The Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was calculated from fasting insulin and glucose values. Plasma serpinB1 levels were measured using an ELISA assay. Simple linear correlation analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between serpinB1 and measures of insulin sensitivity and β -cell function. Circulating serpinB1 levels were unrelated to age, sex, race, BMI, or percent body fat. SI but not AIR significantly correlated with circulating serpinB1 levels ( r  = 0.23, P  < 0.05). QUICKI tended to positively correlate with serpinB1 ( r  = 0.16, P  = 0.09). Circulating serpinB1 is directly associated with insulin sensitivity but not β -cell function in non-diabetic adults. Whether this modest association plays a role in insulin sensitivity in humans remains to be clarified. Published [2017]. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

The incidence of metabolic syndrome in obese Czech children: the importance of early detection of insulin resistance using homeostatic indexes HOMA-IR and QUICKI.

PubMed

Pastucha, D; Filipčíková, R; Horáková, D; Radová, L; Marinov, Z; Malinčíková, J; Kocvrlich, M; Horák, S; Bezdičková, M; Dobiáš, M

2013-01-01

Common alimentary obesity frequently occurs on a polygenic basis as a typical lifestyle disorder in the developed countries. It is associated with characteristic complex metabolic changes, which are the cornerstones for future metabolic syndrome development. The aims of our study were 1) to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome (based on the diagnostic criteria defined by the International Diabetes Federation for children and adolescents) in Czech obese children, 2) to evaluate the incidence of insulin resistance according to HOMA-IR and QUICKI homeostatic indexes in obese children with and without metabolic syndrome, and 3) to consider the diagnostic value of these indexes for the early detection of metabolic syndrome in obese children. We therefore performed anthropometric and laboratory examinations to determine the incidence of metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in the group of 274 children with obesity (128 boys and 146 girls) aged 9-17 years. Metabolic syndrome was found in 102 subjects (37 %). On the other hand, the presence of insulin resistance according to QUICKI <0.357 was identified in 86 % and according to HOMA-IR >3.16 in 53 % of obese subjects. This HOMA-IR limit was exceeded by 70 % children in the MS(+) group, but only by 43 % children in the MS(-) group (p<0.0001). However, a relatively high incidence of insulin resistance in obese children without metabolic syndrome raises a question whether the existing diagnostic criteria do not falsely exclude some cases of metabolic syndrome. On the basis of our results we suggest to pay a preventive attention also to obese children with insulin resistance even if they do not fulfill the actual diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome.

High dietary choline and betaine intake is associated with low insulin resistance in the Newfoundland population.

PubMed

Gao, Xiang; Wang, Yongbo; Sun, Guang

2017-01-01

Dietary betaine supplement could ameliorate insulin resistance (IR) in animals, but no data are available for choline. Reports on humans are rare. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary choline and betaine intake and IR in humans. We assessed 2394 adults from the CODING (Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland population: Environment and Genetics) study. Intake of dietary choline and betaine was evaluated from the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire. IR was estimated by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Partial correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations of dietary choline and betaine intake with IR adjusted for major confounding factors. Dietary choline and betaine intake was inversely correlated with levels of fasting glucose and insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β (r = -0.08 to -0.27 for choline and r = -0.06 to -0.16 for betaine; P < 0.05) and positively related to QUICKI (r = 0.16-0.25 for choline and r = 0.11-0.16 for betaine; P < 0.01) in both sexes after controlling for age, total calorie intake, and physical activity level. The significant associations disappeared in men after percent trunk fat was added as a confounding factor. Furthermore, individuals with the highest tertile of dietary choline and betaine intake had the lowest IR severity. Dietary choline and betaine intake, however, was the lowest in the high IR group, intermediate in the medium group, and the highest in the low IR group. This study demonstrated that higher intake of dietary choline and betaine is associated with lower IR in the general population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The impact of transsphenoidal surgery on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in acromegaly.

PubMed

Stelmachowska-Banaś, Maria; Zieliński, Grzegorz; Zdunowski, Piotr; Podgórski, Jan; Zgliczyński, Wocjiech

2011-01-01

Impaired glucose tolerance and overt diabetes mellitus are frequently associated with acro-megaly. The aim of this study was to find out whether these alterations could be reversed after transsphenoidal surgery. Two hundred and thirty-nine acromegalic patients were studied before and 6-12 months after transsphenoidal surgery. Diagnosis of active acromegaly was established on the basis of widely recognized criteria. In each patient, glucose and insulin concentrations were assessed during the 75 γ oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To estimate insulin resistance, we used homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). At the moment of diagnosis, diabetes mellitus was present in 25% of the acromegalic patients. After surgery, the pre-valence of diabetes mellitus normalized to the level present in the general Polish population. We found a statistically significant reduction after surgery in plasma glucose levels both fasting (89.45 ± 13.92 mg/dL vs. 99.12 ± 17.33 mg/dL, p < 0.001) and during OGTT. Similarly, a prominent reduction in insulin secretion was found after surgery compared to the moment of diagnosis (15.44 ± 8.80 mIU/mL vs. 23.40 ± 10.24 mIU/mL, p < 0.001). After transsphenoidal surgery, there was a significant reduction in HOMA-IR (3.08 vs. 6.76, p < 0.0001) and a significant increase in QUICKI (0.32 vs. 0.29, p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences after surgery in fasting glucose and insulin levels between patients with controlled and in-adequately controlled disease. We conclude that in acromegalic patients glucose homeostasis alterations and insulin sensitivity can be normalized after transsphenoidal surgery, even if strict biochemical cure criteria are not fulfilled.

Correlates of increased lean muscle mass in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Carmina, E; Guastella, E; Longo, R A; Rini, G B; Lobo, R A

2009-10-01

Muscle mass plays an important role in determining cardiovascular and metabolic risks in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In addition, whether lean mass influences carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in PCOS has not been assessed. Prospective investigation. Ninety-five women with PCOS were age- and weight-matched to 90 ovulatory controls. All women had dual X-ray absorptiometry for lean, fat and bone mass, and bone mass density (BMD). Serum testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, insulin, and glucose and carotid IMT were determined. Free androgen index (FAI) and insulin resistance (by QUICKI) were calculated. In PCOS, waist circumference and insulin were higher and QUICKI lower than in controls (P<0.01). Trunk fat mass, % trunk fat, and lean mass were higher in PCOS compared to controls (P<0.01), while total bone mass and BMD were similar. IMT was increased in PCOS (P<0.01) but only 15% of PCOS patients had abnormal (> or = 0.9 mm) values. Lean mass correlated with fat parameters, insulin, QUICKI, and FAI, but not with total testosterone; and after adjustments for insulin and QUICKI, lean mass still correlated with fat mass (P<0.01) but not FAI. Lean mass correlated with IMT (P<0.01), but this was dependent on insulin. However, excluding those patients with abnormal IMT values, IMT correlated with lean mass independently of insulin. Bone mass correlated with lean and fat mass, but not with insulin or androgen. PCOS patients with 'pathological' IMT values had higher % trunk fat, lean mass, and insulin, lower QUICKI, and higher testosterone and FAI compared with those with normal IMT. Lean mass is increased in PCOS, while bone mass is similar to that of matched controls. The major correlates of lean mass are fat mass and insulin but not androgen. Lean mass also correlated with IMT, and although influenced by insulin, small changes in IMT may partially reflect changes in muscle mass, while clearly abnormal values relate to more severe abnormalities of PCOS.

PEDIATRIC VISCERAL ADIPOSITY INDEX ADAPTATION CORRELATES WITH HOMA-IR, MATSUDA, AND TRANSAMINASES.

PubMed

Hernández, María José Garcés; Klünder, Miguel; Nieto, Nayely Garibay; Alvarenga, Juan Carlos López; Gil, Jenny Vilchis; Huerta, Samuel Flores; Siccha, Rosa Quispe; Hernandez, Joselin

2018-03-01

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a mathematical model associated with cardiometabolic risk in adults, but studies on children failed to support this association. Our group has proposed a pediatric VAI model using pediatric ranges, but it has not yet been evaluated and needs further adjustments. The objective of this study was to further adjust the proposed pediatric VAI by age, creating a new pediatric metabolic index (PMI), and assess the correlation of the PMI with insulin resistance indexes and hepatic enzymes. A cross-sectional design with data from 396 children (age 5 to 17 years) was analyzed with a generalized linear model to find the coefficients for triglycerides, high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, and waist circumference-body mass index quotient. The model was constructed according to sex and age and designated PMI. A cross-validation analysis was performed and a receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine cut-off points. Significant moderate correlation was found between PMI and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) ( r = 0.452; P = .003), Matsuda ( r = -0.366; P = .019), alanine aminotransferase ( r = 0.315, P = .045), and γ-glutamyltransferase ( r = 0.397; P = .010). A PMI score >1.7 was considered as risk. PMI correlates with HOMA-IR, Matsuda, and hepatic enzymes. It could be helpful for identifying children at risk for cardiometabolic diseases. ALT = alanine transaminase BMI = body mass index GGT = γ-glutamyltransferase HDL-C = high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol HOMA-IR = homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance hs-CRP = high sensitivity C-reactive protein ISI = insulin sensitivity index NAFLD = nonalcoholic fatty liver disease PMI = pediatric metabolic index QUICKI = quantitative insulin sensitivity check index ROC = receiver operating characteristic TG = triglyceride TNF-α = tumor necrosis factor-alpha VAI = visceral adiposity index VAT = visceral adipose tissue WC = waist circumference.

Effect of rosiglitazone on insulin resistance, growth factors, and reproductive disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Belli, Susana H; Graffigna, Mabel N; Oneto, Adriana; Otero, Patricia; Schurman, Leon; Levalle, Oscar A

2004-03-01

To evaluate the effects of rosiglitazone on insulin resistance, growth factors, and reproductive disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Prospective study. Women with PCOS attending as outpatients of the Endocrine Division, Hospital Durand, Buenos Aires. Twenty-four insulin-resistant women with PCOS. Hormonal evaluations and a standardized oral glucose tolerance test before and after a 3-month trial of 4 mg of rosiglitazone daily. Serum LH, FSH, T, IGF-1, IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, leptin, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, insulin, and glucose concentrations. The area under insulin curve (AUC-insulin), the HOMA index (insulin resistance), the QUICKI index (insulin sensitivity), and the beta-cell function were calculated. Body mass index (BMI) and the waist/hip ratio were evaluated. A significant decrease was observed in serum fasting insulin, AUC insulin, HOMA index, beta-cell function, IGF-1, LH, and waist/hip ratio. The QUICKI index and IGFBP-1 increased significantly. Serum sex hormone-binding globulin, androgens, leptin, IGFBP-3, and BMI remained unchanged. Twenty-two of 23 females had their menses restored, and three patients became pregnant. One patient was excluded because she became pregnant at the second month. Associated with the decrease in LH, rosiglitazone improved insulin-resistance parameters and normalized the menstrual cycle, which suggests that this drug could improve the endocrine-reproductive condition in insulin-resistant women with PCOS.

Impaired glucose homeostasis in non-diabetic Greek hypertensives with diabetes family history. Effect of the obesity status.

PubMed

Vyssoulis, Gregory P; Liakos, Charalampos I; Karpanou, Eva A; Triantafyllou, Athanasios I; Michaelides, Andreas P; Tzamou, Vanessa E; Markou, Maria I; Stefanadis, Christodoulos I

2013-01-01

Arterial hypertension (AH) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are established cardiovascular risk factors. Impaired glucose homeostasis (IGH; impaired fasting glucose or/and impaired glucose tolerance) or pre-diabetes, obesity, and DM family history identify individuals at risk for type 2 DM in whom preventive interventions are necessary. The aim of this study was to determine the glycemic profile in non-diabetic Greek adult hypertensive men and women according to DM family history and the obesity status. Diabetes family history, obesity markers (waist-to-hip ratio, WHR; body mass index, BMI), glycemic parameters (fasting and 2-hour post-load plasma glucose, if necessary; glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c; fasting insulin), insulin resistance indices (homeostasis model assessment, HOMA; quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, QUICKI; Bennett; McAuley), and IGH prevalence were determined in a large cohort of 11,540 Greek hypertensives referred to our institutions. Positive DM family history was associated with elevated fasting glucose (98.6 ± 13.1 vs 96.5 ± 12.3 mg/dL), HbA1c (5.58% ± 0.49% vs 5.50% ± 0.46%), fasting insulin (9.74 ± 4.20 vs 9.21 ± 3.63 μU/mL) and HOMA (2.43 ± 1.19 vs 2.24 ± 1.01) values, lower QUICKI (0.342 ± 0.025 vs 0.345 ± 0.023), Bennett (0.285 ± 0.081 vs 0.292 ± 0.078) and McAuley (6.73 ± 3.43 vs 6.95 ± 3.44) values, and higher IGH prevalence (45.3% vs 38.7%); P < .01 for all comparisons. The difference in the prevalence of IGH according to DM family history was significant (P < .01) in both genders and every WHR and BMI subgroup (except for women with BMI <20 kg/m(2)). Non-diabetic hypertensives with positive DM family history present with higher IGH prevalence and worse glycemic indices levels compared with those with negative family history, especially in the higher WHR/BMI subgroups. Copyright © 2013 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Insulin resistance and β-cell function influence postprandial blood glucose levels in Japanese patients with gestational diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Kusunoki, Yoshiki; Katsuno, Tomoyuki; Nakae, Rie; Watanabe, Kahori; Ochi, Fumihiro; Tokuda, Masaru; Akagami, Takafumi; Miuchi, Masayuki; Miyagawa, Jun-ichiro; Namba, Mitsuyoshi

2015-01-01

The aim of this study in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was to evaluate the relationship of insulin resistance and secretion to area-under-the-sensor glucose concentration-time curve from before to 120 min postmeal (CGM-AUC(0-120 min)) as determined with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Immunoreactive insulin and HbA1c were determined in 22 Japanese patients with GDM undergoing a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test. Patients underwent CGM within 3 weeks of receiving a diagnosis of GDM. HbA1c (NGSP) was 5.5 ± 0.4%, BMI was 24.8 ± 5.3 kg/m(2), mean sensor glucose by CGM was 94.2 ± 10.3 mg/dL, standard deviation was 17.5 ± 4.4 mg/dL, and CGM-AUC(0-120 min) was 204.2 ± 23.8 h mg/dL. The insulin resistance indices the homeostasis model assessment ratio (HOMA-R), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and the Matsuda Index were correlated with CGM-AUC(0-120 min). The disposition index (DI), which was used to evaluate insulin secretion, was negatively correlated with CGM-AUC(0-120 min). Not only insulin resistance but also beta cell dysfunction contributes to postprandial hyperglycemia in Japanese patients with GDM.

Should insulin resistance be screened in lean hirsute women?

PubMed

Arduc, Ayse; Sarıcam, Orkun; Dogan, Bercem Aycicek; Tuna, Mazhar Muslum; Tutuncu, Yasemin Ates; Isik, Serhat; Berker, Dilek; Sennaroglu, Engin; Guler, Serdar

2015-04-01

The role of insulin resistance (IR) is well-documented in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Controversies exist concerning the presence of IR in idiopathic hirsutism (IH) or if it is a manifestation of high body mass index (BMI). We aimed to investigate the presence/absence of IR in lean hirsute women. One-hundred fifty-one lean women with hirsutism [96 PCOS (group 1) and 55 IH (group 2)] and 58 age-and BMI-matched healthy controls (group 3) were recruited in the study (mean age 25.21 ± 6.1 versus 26.26 ± 4.6years; BMI 21.79 ± 1.7 versus 22.02 ± 2.2 kg/m(2), respectively). Significantly higher insulin and HOMA-IR, and significantly lower fasting glucose insulin ratio (FGIR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), reciprocal insulin, and Raynaud index were detected in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3 (p < 0.05). These IR indices were similar between groups 1 and 2. The number of patients with IR (HOMA-IR > 2, FGIR < 7.2, or QUICKI < 0.357) was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in group 3, but was similar between groups 1 and 2. A higher frequency of IR occurs in lean hirsute women regardless of they having PCOS or IH. IR may contribute to aetiopathogenesis of IH, or may cause some metabolic abnormalities in these patients.

Effect of high-dose pitavastatin on glucose homeostasis in patients at elevated risk of new-onset diabetes: insights from the CAPITAIN and PREVAIL-US studies.

PubMed

Chapman, M J; Orsoni, A; Robillard, P; Hounslow, N; Sponseller, C A; Giral, P

2014-05-01

Statin treatment may impair glucose homeostasis and increase the risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus, although this may depend on the statin, dose and patient population. We evaluated the effects of pitavastatin 4 mg/day on glucose homeostasis in patients with metabolic syndrome in the CAPITAIN trial. Findings were validated in a subset of patients enrolled in PREVAIL-US. Participants with a well defined metabolic syndrome phenotype were recruited to CAPITAIN to reduce the influence of confounding factors. Validation and comparison datasets were selected comprising phenotypically similar subsets of individuals enrolled in PREVAIL-US and treated with pitavastatin or pravastatin, respectively. Mean change from baseline in parameters of glucose homeostasis (fasting plasma glucose [FPG], glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], insulin, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index [QUICKI] and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) and plasma lipid profile were assessed at 6 months (CAPITAIN) and 3 months (PREVAIL-US) after initiating treatment. In CAPITAIN (n = 12), no significant differences from baseline in HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR and QUICKI were observed at day 180 in patients treated with pitavastatin. A small (4%) increase in FPG from baseline to day 180 (P < 0.05), was observed. In the validation dataset (n = 9), no significant differences from baseline in glycemic parameters were observed at day 84 (all comparisons P > 0.05). Similar results were observed for pravastatin in the comparison dataset (n = 14). Other than a small change in FPG in the CAPITAIN study, neutral effects of pitavastatin on glucose homeostasis were observed in two cohorts of patients with metabolic syndrome, independent of its efficacy in reducing levels of atherogenic lipoproteins. The small number of patients and relatively short follow-up period represent limitations of the study. Nevertheless, these data suggest that statin-induced diabetogenesis may not represent a class effect.

Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Chinese children with thalassaemia major.

PubMed

Liang, Yuzhen; Bajoria, Rekha; Jiang, Yan; Su, Hongwei; Pan, Hongfei; Xia, Ning; Chatterjee, Ratna; Lai, Yongrong

2017-06-01

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in patients with β-thalassaemia major (β-TM), which is high prevalent in southern China. This study aimed to determine the cause and prevalence of glycaemic disorders in Chinese children with β-TM. In this prospective study, fasting glucose and insulin (FINS) levels were assessed in 267 β-TM and 80 non-TM control children. Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were evaluated. Iron overload was assessed by serum ferritin (SF), total units of blood transfused and cardiac T2*. β-TM had higher FPG (P < 0.001), FINS (P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (P < 0.05), but lower QUICKI (P < 0.01) than those of controls. The impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was present in 30% of children, whereas 2% had diabetes. The prevalence of IFG in β-TM group was higher in children aged >10 years (OR 6.5; 95% CI 3.7-11.4; P < 0.001), SF of >2500 μg/l (OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.1-11.1; P < 0.01), serum ALT levels of >50 IU/l (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.7; P < 0.05) and cardiac T2* of <20 ms (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.7-6.6; P < 0. 01). The children on deferiprone (DFP) had a reduced incidence of glycaemic aberrations than those on other chelating agents (OR 0.4; 95% CI 0.23-0.8; P < 0.05). Our data suggest that IFG occurred in 30% of β TM children, perhaps due to insulin resistance secondary to iron overload. Deferiprone-containing chelating agent may have a protective effect. © 2017 The Authors. Tropical Medicine & International Health Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus in the first trimester: comparison of C-reactive protein, fasting plasma glucose, insulin and insulin sensitivity indices.

PubMed

Ozgu-Erdinc, A Seval; Yilmaz, Saynur; Yeral, M Ilkin; Seckin, K Doga; Erkaya, Salim; Danisman, A Nuri

2015-11-01

To develop a predictive index based on high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting plasma insulin (FPI) measurements for early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Healthy pregnant women who were screened for GDM during their first antenatal visit were included in this retrospective cohort study. FPG, FPI and serum hs-CRP concentrations were measured between weeks 11 and 14. A two-step glucose challenge test was carried out between gestational weeks 24 and 28. Fasting glucose/insulin ratio (FIGR), Homeostatic Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), HOMA-β indices and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) were used to estimate insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Of the 450 women who were eligible for the study, 49 (11.2%) were diagnosed with GDM at weeks 24-28. The median FPG and hs-CRP levels were higher in the GDM diagnosed women compared to the others. Comparison of accuracy measures resulted in the highest specificity (87.2%; 95% CI 83.5-90.1) and diagnostic odds ratio (3.9; 95% CI 2.1-7.6) for hs-CRP. FPG and hs-CRP in the first trimester are correlated with later development of GDM in the pregnancy. In our study, FPG provided a better sensitivity while hs-CRP exhibited a better specificity for prediction of GDM.

Endothelial function in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Implications of body mass index (BMI) and insulin resistance.

PubMed

El-Kannishy, Ghada; Kamal, Shaheer; Mousa, Amany; Saleh, Omayma; Badrawy, Adel El; Farahaty, Reham El; Shokeir, Tarek

2010-01-01

Evidence regarding endothelial function in both obese and nonobese women with PCOS is contradictory. It is unknown whether obese women with PCOS carry an increased risk related to body mass index (BMI). To identify endothelial function and investigate its relationship to body mass index and insulin resistance in young women with PCOS. Twenty-two obese women with PCOS (BMI 35.2 ± 3.2) as well as fourteen lean women (BMI 22.8 ± 2.1)with PCOS were included in the study. Fasting serum insulin, blood glucose were estimated and HOMA and Quicki index were calculated. All patients were subjected to ultrasound recording of brachial artery diameter at rest and after reactive hyperemia (FMD) for assessment of endothelial function. Ten age matched healthy females with normal BMI were chosen as a control group. There were higher basal insulin levels with lower Quicki index and higher HOMA index in women with PCOS than normal group, but the differences were significant only between obese PCOS subgroup and control. On the other hand, FMD was significantly and equally decreased in both groups of women with PCOS, compared with control subjects (3.7 ± 3.2% in the nonobese subgroup and 3.5 ± 2.8% in the obese one vs. 10.6 ± 4.1% in control subjects, P, 0.001). FMD was not correlated with BMI nor insulin resistance indices. Endothelial dysfunction is already present in young women with PCOS. In this patient group, it cannot be attributed to insulin resistance or obesity. © 2010 Asian Oceanian Association for the Study of Obesity . Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Moderate amounts of fructose- or glucose-sweetened beverages do not differentially alter metabolic health in male and female adolescents123

PubMed Central

Heden, Timothy D; Liu, Ying; Park, Young-Min; Nyhoff, Lauryn M; Winn, Nathan C; Kanaley, Jill A

2014-01-01

Background: Adolescents consume more sugar-sweetened beverages than do individuals in any other age group, but it is unknown how the type of sugar-sweetened beverage affects metabolic health in this population. Objective: The objective was to compare the metabolic health effects of short-term (2-wk) consumption of high-fructose (HF) and high-glucose (HG)–sweetened beverages in adolescents (15–20 y of age). Design: In a counterbalanced, single-blind fashion, 40 male and female adolescents completed two 2-wk trials that included 1) an HF trial in which they consumed 710 mL of a sugar-sweetened beverage/d (equivalent to 50 g fructose/d and 15 g glucose/d) for 2 wk and 2) an HG trial in which they consumed 710 mL of a sugar-sweetened beverage/d (equivalent to 50 g glucose/d and 15 g fructose/d) for 2 wk in addition to their normal ad libitum diet. In addition, the participants maintained similar physical activity levels during each trial. The day after each trial, insulin sensitivity and resistance [assessed via Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index] and fasting and postprandial glucose, lactate, lipid, cholesterol, insulin, C-peptide, insulin secretion, and clearance responses to HF or HG mixed meals were assessed. Results: Body weight, QUICKI (whole-body insulin sensitivity), HOMA-IR (hepatic insulin resistance), and fasting lipids, cholesterol, glucose, lactate, and insulin secretion or clearance were not different between trials. Fasting HDL- and HDL3-cholesterol concentrations were ∼10–31% greater (P < 0.05) in female adolescents than in male adolescents. Postprandial triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL3-cholesterol, and glucose concentrations were not different between HF and HG trials. The lactate incremental area under the curve was ∼3.7-fold greater during the HF trial (P < 0.05), whereas insulin secretion was 19% greater during the HG trial (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Moderate amounts of HF- or HG-sweetened beverages for 2 wk did not have differential effects on fasting or postprandial cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose, or hepatic insulin clearance in weight-stable, physically active adolescents. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02058914. PMID:25030782

Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function in healthy cats: assessment with the use of the hyperglycemic glucose clamp.

PubMed

Slingerland, L I; Robben, J H; van Haeften, T W; Kooistra, H S; Rijnberk, A

2007-05-01

A hyperglycemic clamp (HGC) was developed for use in conscious cats. In 21 healthy, normal glucose tolerant cats glucose disposal rate (M), insulin sensitivity (ISI (HGC)), and beta-cell response (I) at arterial plasma glucose of 9 mmol.l (-1) were measured. The HGC was tolerated well and steady state glucose infusion was achieved. Compared to values reported for humans, M values for the cats were low, which appeared to relate to both a low ISI (HGC) and a low I. HGC measures correlated with fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations as well as with their HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) and QUICKI (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index) counterparts. Also, I and ISI (HGC) correlated with their counterparts derived from intravenous glucose tolerance tests. In conclusion, this is the first report of hyperglycemic glucose clamping in cats. The procedure (HGC) allows for measurements of glucose disposal, beta-cell response and insulin sensitivity. Compared to human data, both insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion appeared to be low in cats. This is compatible with the carnivorous nature of this species, for which insulin resistance would be advantageous during periods of restricted food availability.

Probiotic supplementation and the effects on weight loss, glycaemia and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Ahmadi, Shahnaz; Jamilian, Mehri; Karamali, Maryam; Tajabadi-Ebrahimi, Maryam; Jafari, Parvaneh; Taghizadeh, Mohsen; Memarzadeh, Mohammad Reza; Asemi, Zatollah

2017-12-01

The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of probiotic supplementation on weight loss, glycaemia and lipid profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 women with PCOS were randomized to receive probiotic capsule (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Consumption of probiotic supplements resulted in a significant reduction in weight (-0.5 ± 0.4 vs. +0.1 ± 1.0 kg, p = 0.004) and BMI (-0.2 ± 0.2 vs. +0.03 ± 0.4 kg/m 2 , p = 0.004) compared with the placebo. In addition, compared with the placebo, probiotic administration was associated with a significant decrease in fasting plasma glucose (-2.4 ± 8.4 vs. +2.1 ± 7.0 mg/dL, p = 0.02), serum insulin concentrations (-2.0 ± 5.8 vs. +1.6 ± 5.0 μIU/mL, p = 0.01), homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (-0.5 ± 1.4 vs. +0.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.01), homoeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (-7.5 ± 22.3 vs. +6.3 ± 21.7, p = 0.01), serum triglycerides (-13.3 ± 51.3 vs. +13.6 ± 37.1 mg/dL, p= 0.02) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.006 ± 0.01 vs. -0.005 ± 0.02, p = 0.01). When we adjusted the analysis for baseline values of biochemical parameters, age and baseline BMI, except for QUICKI (p = 0.08), other findings did not alter. We found that probiotic supplementation among PCOS women for 12 weeks had favourable effects on weight loss, markers of insulin resistance, triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations.

The association of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio with insulin resistance in White European and South Asian men and women.

PubMed

Mostafa, Samiul A; Davies, Melanie J; Morris, Danielle H; Yates, Tom; Srinivasan, Balasubramanian Thiagarajan; Webb, David; Brady, Emer; Khunti, Kamlesh

2012-01-01

There is recent interest surrounding the use of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance in clinical practice, as it may identify people at high risk of developing diabetes or its complications. However, it has been suggested using this lipid ratio may not be appropriate for measuring insulin resistance in African-Americans, particularly women. We investigated if this inconsistency extended to South Asian women in a UK multi-ethnic cohort of White Europeans and South Asians. Cross-sectional analysis was done of 729 participants from the ADDITION-Leicester study from 2005 to 2009. The association between tertiles of triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio to fasting insulin, homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA1-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and glucose: insulin ratio was examined with adjustment for confounding variables. Incremental tertiles of the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio demonstrated a significant positive association with levels of fasting insulin, HOMA1-IR, glucose: insulin ratio and a negative association with QUICKI in White European men (n = 255) and women (n = 250) and South Asian men (n = 124) (all p<0.05), but not South Asian women (n = 100). A significant interaction was demonstrated between sex and triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio tertiles in South Asians only (p<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio to detect insulin resistance, defined as the cohort HOMA1-IR ≥ 75(th) percentile (3.08), was 0.74 (0.67 to 0.81), 0.72 (0.65 to 0.79), 0.75 (0.66 to 0.85) and 0.67 (0.56 to 0.78) in White European men and women, South Asian men and women respectively. The optimal cut-points for detecting insulin resistance were 0.9-1.7 in mmol/l (2.0-3.8 in mg/dl) for the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio. In South Asian women the triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol ratio was not associated with insulin resistance; therefore there may be limitations in its use as a surrogate marker in this group.

[Features of metabolic syndrome in patients with depressive disorder].

PubMed

Zeman, M; Jirák, R; Zák, A; Jáchymová, M; Vecka, M; Tvrzická, E; Vávrová, L; Kodydková, J; Stanková, B

2009-01-01

Depressive disorder is a serious illness with a high incidence, proxime accessit after anxiety disorders among the psychiatric diseases. It is accompanied by an increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and by increased all-cause mortality. Recently published data have suggested that factors connected with the insulin resistance are at the background of this association. In this pilot study we have investigated parameters of lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis in consecutively admitted patients suffering from depressive disorder (DD) (group of 42 people), in 57 patients with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in a control group of 49 apparently healthy persons (CON). Depressive patients did not differ from the control group by age or body mass index (BMI) value, but they had statistically significantly higher concentrations of serum insulin, C-peptide, glucose, triglycerides (TG), conjugated dienes in LDL particles (CD-LDL), higher value of microalbuminuria and of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index. They simultaneously had significantly lower value of the insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) index. In comparison with the MetS group the depressive patients were characterized by significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI , serum TG, apolipoprotein B, uric acid, C-peptide and by higher concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I and HDL-cholesterol. On the contrary, we have not found statistically significant differences between the DD and MetS groups in the concentrations of serum insulin, glucose, HOMA and QUICKI indices, in CD-LDL and MAU. In this pilot study, we have found in patients with depressive disorder certain features of metabolic syndrome, especially insulin resistance and oxidative stress.

The promising effect of linagliptin and/or indole-3-carbinol on experimentally-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome.

PubMed

Kabel, Ahmed M; Al-Shehri, Aisha H; Al-Talhi, Rehab A; Abd Elmaaboud, Maaly A

2017-08-01

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common medical conditions that lead to female infertility worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of linagliptin and/or indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on PCOS in female rats. Fifty female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five equal groups: Control group; Letrozole-induced PCOS group; Letrozole + Linagliptin group; Letrozole + I3C group and Letrozole + Linagliptin + I3C group. Body weight, body mass index, Lee index and ovarian indices were determined. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), free testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting plasma insulin were measured. Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) was calculated. Tissue antioxidant status, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Nrf2/HO-1 content were assessed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of the ovaries were done. Linagliptin and/or I3C induced significant decrease in tissue TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-10, plasma free testosterone, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, estradiol, FBG and insulin levels associated with significant improvement of insulin resistance whereas tissue Nrf2/HO-1 content and antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased compared to PCOS group. In addition, final body weight, final body mass and Lee indices were significantly decreased compared to PCOS group. Also, there was significant improvement of the ovarian morphology compared to PCOS group. This improvement was significant with linagliptin/I3C combination compared to the use of each of these drugs alone. In conclusion, linagliptin/I3C combination might represent a beneficial therapeutic modality for amelioration of PCOS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leptin Receptor Gene Variant rs11804091 Is Associated with BMI and Insulin Resistance in Spanish Female Obese Children: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Rupérez, Azahara I.; Gil-Campos, Mercedes; Leis, Rosaura; Cañete, Ramón; Tojo, Rafael

2017-01-01

Leptin is an endocrine hormone that has a critical role in body weight homoeostasis and mediates its effects via the leptin receptor (LEPR). Common polymorphisms in the genes coding leptin receptors have been associated with metabolic abnormalities. We assessed the association of 28 LEPR polymorphisms with body mass index (BMI) and their relationship with obesity-related phenotypes, inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers. A multicentre case-control study was conducted in 522 children (286 with obesity and 236 with normal-BMI). All anthropometric, metabolic factors and biomarkers were higher in children with obesity except apolipoprotein (Apo)-AI, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and adiponectin, which were lower in the obesity group; and glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 that did not differ between groups. We identified the associations between rs11208659, rs11804091, rs10157275, rs9436303 and rs1627238, and BMI in the whole population, as well as the association of rs11804091, rs10157275, and rs1327118 with BMI in the female group, although only the rs11804091 remained associated after Bonferroni correction (p = 0.038). This single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) was also associated with insulin (p = 0.004), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.006), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (p = 0.005) and adiponectin (p = 0.046) after adjusting for age, Tanner stage and BMI. Our results show a sex-specific association between the rs11804091 and obesity suggesting an influence of this SNP on insulin resistance. PMID:28771179

Hypovitaminosis D in obese children and adolescents: relationship with adiposity, insulin sensitivity, ethnicity, and season.

PubMed

Alemzadeh, Ramin; Kichler, Jessica; Babar, Ghufran; Calhoun, Mariaelena

2008-02-01

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH] D) results in hyperparathyroidism and is among the endocrine derangements of adult obesity. There are differing recommendations on defining low 25(OH) D: hypovitaminosis D (serum 25[OH] D concentration <75 nmol/L) and vitamin D deficiency (serum 25[OH] D concentration <50 nmol/L). We sought to evaluate the prevalence of low levels of 25(OH) D by examining hypovitaminosis D (<75 nmol/L), vitamin D sufficiency (> or =75 nmol/L), vitamin D insufficiency (50-74.9 nmol/L), and vitamin D deficiency (<50 nmol/L) in pediatric obesity and the relationship to other calciotropic hormones and adiposity. Serum 25(OH) D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), ionized calcium, glucose, and insulin levels along with hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were determined in 127 subjects aged 13.0 +/- 3.0 years (49 Caucasian [C], 39 Hispanic [H], and 39 African American [AA]; 61.2% female; body mass index 36.4 +/- 8.1 kg/m(2)) during fall/winter (F/W) and spring/summer (S/S). Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance. Hypovitaminosis D was present in 74% of the cohort, but was more prevalent in the H (76.9%, P < .05) and AA (87.2%, P < .05) groups than in the C group (59.1%). Hypovitaminosis D corresponded to decreased vitamin D intake (P < .005) and was more prevalent in F/W than S/S (98.4% vs 49.2, P < .01). Vitamin D deficiency was identified in 32.3% of the entire cohort and was more prevalent in the H (43.6%, P < .0001) and AA (48.7%, P < .0001) groups than in the C group (10.2%) associated with decreased vitamin D intake (P < .0001). Vitamin D insufficiency was present in 41.7% of the cohort, with similar prevalence among C (48.9%), H (33.3%), and AA (38.5%). Vitamin D insufficiency corresponded to decreased vitamin D intake (P < .005), with similar prevalence in F/W and S/S (45.3% vs 38.1%), whereas vitamin D deficiency was not only accompanied by decreased vitamin D intake (P < .0001) but was more prevalent in F/W than S/S (53.1% vs 11.1%, P < .0001). Serum 25(OH) D and iPTH (r = -0.41, P < .0001) levels were negatively correlated without seasonal and ethnic/racial influences. Hypovitaminosis D and vitamin D-deficient groups had higher body mass index, fat mass (FM), and iPTH, but had lower QUICKI than vitamin D-sufficient group (P < .01). Whereas FM was negatively correlated with 25(OH) D (r = -0.40, P < .0001), it was positively correlated with iPTH (r = 0.46, P < .0001) without seasonal and racial/ethnic influences. Serum 25(OH) D was also positively correlated with QUICKI (r = 0.24, P < .01), but was inversely correlated with HbA(1c) (r = -0.23, P < .01). Hypovitaminosis D was identified in 74% of obese subjects, whereas vitamin D deficiency was observed in 32.3% of our cohort. Vitamin D status was influenced by vitamin D intake, season, ethnicity/race, and adiposity. Interrelationships between 25(OH) D, iPTH, and FM were not influenced by season and race/ethnicity. Furthermore, serum 25(OH) D was positively correlated with insulin sensitivity, which was FM mediated, but negatively correlated with HbA(1c), implying that obese children and adolescents with low vitamin D status may be at increased risk of developing impaired glucose metabolism independent of body adiposity. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the underlying mechanisms.

Selenium Supplementation Affects Insulin Resistance and Serum hs-CRP in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease.

PubMed

Farrokhian, A; Bahmani, F; Taghizadeh, M; Mirhashemi, S M; Aarabi, M H; Raygan, F; Aghadavod, E; Asemi, Z

2016-04-01

To our knowledge, this study is the first indicating the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress of patients with T2DM and CHD. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 patients with T2DM and CHD aged 40-85 years. Participants were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A received 200 μg selenium supplements (n=30) and group B received placebo per day (n=30) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after 8-week intervention to quantify metabolic profiles. After 8 weeks, compared with the placebo, selenium supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin levels (- 2.2±4.6 vs. + 3.6±8.4 μIU/ml, p=0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (- 0.7±1.3 vs. + 0.9±2.4, p=0.004), homeostatic model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-B) (- 7.5±17.2 vs. + 15.1±34.5, p=0.002) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.03 vs. - 0.01±0.03, p=0.02). In addition, patients who received selenium supplements had a significant reduction in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (- 1 372.3±2 318.8 vs. - 99.8±1 453.6 ng/ml, p=0.01) and a significant rise in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+ 301.3±400.6 vs. - 127.2±428.0 mmol/l, p<0.001) compared with the placebo. A 200 μg/day selenium supplementation among patients with T2DM and CHD resulted in a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, serum hs-CRP, and a significant increase in QUICKI score and TAC concentrations. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

The Effect of Cumin cyminum L. Plus Lime Administration on Weight Loss and Metabolic Status in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Taghizadeh, Mohsen; Memarzadeh, Mohammad Reza; Abedi, Fatemeh; Sharifi, Nasrin; Karamali, Fatemeh; Fakhrieh Kashan, Zohreh; Asemi, Zatollah

2016-08-01

Limited data are available regarding the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight subjects. The current study aimed to assess the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 subjects with overweight, aged 18 - 50 years old. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received high-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (75 mg each, n = 24), group B low-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (25 mg each, n = 24) and group C placebos (n = 24) twice daily for eight weeks. After eight weeks of intervention, compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo, taking high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime resulted in significant weight loss (in the high-dose group: -2.1 ± 1.7 vs. in the low-dose group: -1.2 ± 1.5 and in the placebo group: + 0.2 ± 1.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.001) and body mass index (-0.8 ± 0.6 vs. -0.5 ± 0.5 and +0.1 ± 0.5 kg/m 2 , respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, administration of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo, led to a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.001) and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+ 0.02 ± 0.02 vs. + 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.01 ± 0.01, respectively; P = 0.01). Moreover, a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (-14.1 ± 56.2 vs. +13.9 ± 36.8 and + 10.6 ± 25.1 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.03), total-cholesterol (-18.4 ± 28.6 vs. +8.6 ± 28.5 and -1.0 ± 24.8 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.004) and low density lipoproteins- (LDL)-cholesterol levels (-11.8 ± 20.7 vs. +6.5 ± 23.2 and -2.9 ± 20.4 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.01) was observed following the consumption of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo. Results of the current study indicated that taking high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime for eight weeks among subjects with overweight had beneficial effects on weight, BMI, FPG, QUICKI, triglycerides, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels.

The Effect of Cumin cyminum L. Plus Lime Administration on Weight Loss and Metabolic Status in Overweight Subjects: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Taghizadeh, Mohsen; Memarzadeh, Mohammad Reza; Abedi, Fatemeh; Sharifi, Nasrin; Karamali, Fatemeh; Fakhrieh Kashan, Zohreh; Asemi, Zatollah

2016-01-01

Background Limited data are available regarding the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight subjects. Objectives The current study aimed to assess the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight. Patients and Methods This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 subjects with overweight, aged 18 - 50 years old. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received high-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (75 mg each, n = 24), group B low-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (25 mg each, n = 24) and group C placebos (n = 24) twice daily for eight weeks. Results After eight weeks of intervention, compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo, taking high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime resulted in significant weight loss (in the high-dose group: -2.1 ± 1.7 vs. in the low-dose group: -1.2 ± 1.5 and in the placebo group: + 0.2 ± 1.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.001) and body mass index (-0.8 ± 0.6 vs. -0.5 ± 0.5 and +0.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2, respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, administration of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo, led to a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.001) and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+ 0.02 ± 0.02 vs. + 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.01 ± 0.01, respectively; P = 0.01). Moreover, a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (-14.1 ± 56.2 vs. +13.9 ± 36.8 and + 10.6 ± 25.1 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.03), total-cholesterol (-18.4 ± 28.6 vs. +8.6 ± 28.5 and -1.0 ± 24.8 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.004) and low density lipoproteins- (LDL)-cholesterol levels (-11.8 ± 20.7 vs. +6.5 ± 23.2 and -2.9 ± 20.4 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.01) was observed following the consumption of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo. Conclusions Results of the current study indicated that taking high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime for eight weeks among subjects with overweight had beneficial effects on weight, BMI, FPG, QUICKI, triglycerides, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. PMID:27781121

Glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Yilmaz, Murat; Bukan, Neslihan; Ersoy, Reyhan; Karakoç, Ayhan; Yetkin, Ilhan; Ayvaz, Göksun; Cakir, Nuri; Arslan, Metin

2005-09-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate insulin resistance (IR), glucose tolerance status and cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 120 family members [Mothers(PCOS) (n = 40), Fathers(PCOS) (n = 38), Sisters(PCOS) (n = 25) and Brothers(PCOS) (n = 17)] of 55 patients with PCOS and 75 unrelated healthy control subjects without a family history of diabetes or PCOS (four age- and weight-matched subgroups, i.e. Control(Mothers), Control(Fathers), Control(Sisters) and Control(Brothers)) were studied. IR was assessed by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA IR), log HOMA, insulin sensivity index (ISI), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and area under the curve for insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test (AUCI, AUCG) in with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects and controls. Serum adiponectin, resistin, homocysteine and lipid levels were measured. The prevalence of any degree of glucose intolerance was 40% in Mothers(PCOS) and 52% in Fathers(PCOS). In total, six (15%) glucose tolerance disorders were identified in the Control(Mothers) and Control(Fathers) in first degree relatives of control subjects. The first degree relatives of PCOS patients had significantly higher serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, Log HOMA and AUCI levels in all subgroups than the control subjects. The control subjects had significantly elevated QUCKI, ISI levels and serum adiponectin levels compared to the first degree relatives of PCOS subjects in all subgroups. The serum Hcy and resistin levels increased significantly in both Fathers(PCOS) and Mothers(PCOS) groups but not Brothers(PCOS) and Sister(PCOS). The results of the present study support the finding that the first degree relatives of PCOS patients carry an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as do PCOS patients.

Beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene association with overweight and asthma in children and adolescents and its relationship with physical fitness

PubMed Central

Leite, Neiva; Lazarotto, Leilane; Milano, Gerusa Eisfeld; Titski, Ana Claudia Kapp; Consentino, Cássio Leandro Mühe; de Mattos, Fernanda; de Andrade, Fabiana Antunes; Furtado-Alle, Lupe

2015-01-01

Objective: To investigate the association of Arg16Gly and Gln27Glu polymorphisms of β2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) with the occurrence of asthma and overweight and the gene's influence on anthropometric, clinic, biochemical and physical fitness variables in children and adolescents. Methods: Subjects were evaluated for allelic frequencies of the β2-adrenergic receptor gene, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score, waist circumference (WC), pubertal stage, resting heart rate (HRres), blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), glucose, insulin, high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), Homeostasis Metabolic Assessment (HOMA2-IR), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). The participants were divided in four groups: overweight asthmatic (n=39), overweight non-asthmatic (n=115), normal weight asthmatic (n=12), and normal weight non-asthmatic (n=40). Results: Regarding the Gln27Glu polymorphism, higher total cholesterol was observed in usual genotype individuals than in genetic variant carriers (p=0.04). No evidence was found that the evaluated polymorphisms are influencing the physical fitness. The Arg16 allele was found more frequently among the normal weight asthmatic group when compared to the normal weight non-asthmatic group (p=0.02), and the Glu27 allele was more frequently found in the overweight asthmatics group when compared to the normal weight non-asthmatic group (p=0.03). Conclusions: The association of Arg16 allele with the occurrence of asthma and of the Glu27 allele with overweight asthmatic adolescents evidenced the contribution of the β2-adrenergic receptor gene to the development of obesity and asthma. PMID:26409918

Epicardial adipose tissue, hepatic steatosis and obesity.

PubMed

Cikim, A Sertkaya; Topal, E; Harputluoglu, M; Keskin, L; Zengin, Z; Cikim, K; Ozdemir, R; Aladag, M; Yologlu, S

2007-06-01

Hepatic steatosis is a common companion of obesity. Moreover, the measurement of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been reported to be related with both obesity and insulin resistance. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between hepatic steatosis, EAT and insulin resistance in obese patients. Sixty-three obese subjects were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to body mass index (BMI) as follows: 20 patients with 30 < or = BMI < 35 kg/m2 (Group 1, mean age 39.3+/-12.9 yr), 25 patients with 35 < or = BMI < 40 kg/m2 (Group 2, mean age 41.7+/-9.3 yr), and 18 patients with BMI > or = 40 kg/m2 (Group 3, mean age 36.8+/-13.9 yr). EAT and grade of hepatic steatosis were assessed sonographically. Anthropometrical measurements were assessed with the foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis. Insulin resistance was assessed according to basal insulin, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) equations. Although EAT was similarly higher in both groups 2 and 3, these groups were found to be similar in terms of the grade of hepatic steatosis. Both EAT and the grade of hepatic steatosis were correlated with whole body fat mass, abdominal adiposity, insulin resistance, and triglyceridemia but waist circumference was the only factor affecting EAT thickness. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was the only metabolic parameter that was significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p=0.02). Hepatic steatosis should be assessed as a valuable predictor that reflects the increments of whole body fat mass as well as abdominal adiposity. However, in an attempt to demonstrate marginal differences between patients with similar obesity levels, epicardial adipose tissue appears to be a more sensitive marker compared to hepatic steatosis.

Fasting insulin sensitivity indices are not better than routine clinical variables at predicting insulin sensitivity among Black Africans: a clamp study in sub-Saharan Africans

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background We aimed to evaluate the predictive utility of common fasting insulin sensitivity indices, and non-laboratory surrogates [BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)] in sub-Saharan Africans without diabetes. Methods We measured fasting glucose and insulin, and glucose uptake during 80/mU/m2/min euglycemic clamp in 87 Cameroonians (51 men) aged (SD) 34.6 (11.4) years. We derived insulin sensitivity indices including HOMA-IR, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI) and glucose-to-insulin ratio (GIR). Indices and clinical predictors were compared to clamp using correlation tests, robust linear regressions and agreement of classification by sex-specific thirds. Results The mean insulin sensitivity was M = 10.5 ± 3.2 mg/kg/min. Classification across thirds of insulin sensitivity by clamp matched with non-laboratory surrogates in 30-48% of participants, and with fasting indices in 27-51%, with kappa statistics ranging from −0.10 to 0.26. Fasting indices correlated significantly with clamp (/r/=0.23-0.30), with GIR performing less well than fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (both p < 0.02). BMI, WC and WHtR were equal or superior to fasting indices (/r/=0.38-0.43). Combinations of fasting indices and clinical predictors explained 25-27% of variation in clamp values. Conclusion Fasting insulin sensitivity indices are modest predictors of insulin sensitivity measured by euglycemic clamp, and do not perform better than clinical surrogates in this population. PMID:25106496

Brain natriuretic peptide and insulin resistance in older adults.

PubMed

Kim, F; Biggs, M L; Kizer, J R; Brutsaert, E F; de Filippi, C; Newman, A B; Kronmal, R A; Tracy, R P; Gottdiener, J S; Djoussé, L; de Boer, I H; Psaty, B M; Siscovick, D S; Mukamal, K J

2017-02-01

Higher levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been associated with a decreased risk of diabetes in adults, but whether BNP is related to insulin resistance in older adults has not been established. N-terminal of the pro hormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) was measured among Cardiovascular Health Study participants at the 1989-1990, 1992-1993 and 1996-1997 examinations. We calculated measures of insulin resistance [homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), Gutt index, Matsuda index] from fasting and 2-h concentrations of glucose and insulin among 3318 individuals with at least one measure of NT-proBNP and free of heart failure, coronary heart disease and chronic kidney disease, and not taking diabetes medication. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the cross-sectional association of NT-proBNP with measures of insulin resistance. Instrumental variable analysis with an allele score derived from nine genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms) within or near the NPPA and NPPB loci was used to estimate an un-confounded association of NT-proBNP levels on insulin resistance. Lower NT-proBNP levels were associated with higher insulin resistance even after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference and other risk factors (P < 0.001 for all four indices). Although the genetic score was strongly related to measured NT-proBNP levels amongst European Americans (F statistic = 71.08), we observed no association of genetically determined NT-proBNP with insulin resistance (P = 0.38; P = 0.01 for comparison with the association of measured levels of NT-proBNP). In older adults, lower NT-proBNP is associated with higher insulin resistance, even after adjustment for traditional risk factors. Because related genetic variants were not associated with insulin resistance, the causal nature of this association will require future study. © 2016 Diabetes UK.

Reduction in insulin sensitivity and inadequate β-cell capacity to counteract the increase in insulin resistance in children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency during 12 months of growth hormone treatment.

PubMed

Ciresi, A; Amato, M C; Giordano, C

2015-03-01

To evaluate the performance of various indexes of insulin sensitivity and secretion and to identify the most useful indicator of deterioration of glucose metabolism in a cohort of children with growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) during GH treatment. In 73 GHD children (55 M, 18 F; mean age 10.5 years) at baseline and after 12 months of treatment, we evaluated a number of surrogate indexes of insulin secretion and sensitivity. In a subgroup of 11 children we also performed an euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp. After 12 months, a significant increase in fasting glucose (p < 0.001) and HbA1c levels (p < 0.001) was documented, despite all children remained with a normal glucose tolerance. With regard the insulin secretion, Homa-β did not show any significant change (p = 0.073), while oral disposition index (DIo) showed a significant decrease (p = 0.031). With regard the insulin sensitivity, Homa-IR significantly increased (p < 0.001) with a concomitant decrease in QUICKI (p < 0.001). ISI Matsuda showed a decrease, although not statistically significant (p = 0.069). In the subgroup of 11 children, the M value derived from clamp showed a significant decrease (p = 0.011) and a significant positive correlation was found between M value and ISI Matsuda both at baseline (ρ 0.950; p = 0.001) and after 12 months (ρ 0.980; p = 0.001) but not with Homa-IR and QUICKI. 12 months of GH treatment lead to a decrease in insulin sensitivity and impairment in insulin secretion relative to insulin sensitivity even without evident changes in glucose tolerance. DIo has proven to be the most useful indicator of deterioration of glucose metabolism even in cases in which the overt glucose abnormalities have not yet appeared.

Ovarian SAHA syndrome is associated with a more insulin-resistant profile and represents an independent risk factor for glucose abnormalities in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective controlled study.

PubMed

Dalamaga, Maria; Papadavid, Evangelia; Basios, Georgios; Vaggopoulos, Vassilios; Rigopoulos, Dimitrios; Kassanos, Dimitrios; Trakakis, Eftihios

2013-12-01

SAHA syndrome is characterized by the tetrad: seborrhea, acne, hirsutism, and androgenetic alopecia. No previous study has examined the prevalence of glucose abnormalities in ovarian SAHA and explored whether it may be an independent risk factor for glucose abnormalities. In a prospective controlled study, we investigated the spectrum of glucose abnormalities in ovarian SAHA and explored whether it is associated with a more insulin-resistant profile. In all, 316 patients with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (56 with SAHA) and 102 age-matched healthy women were examined and underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Serum glucose homeostasis parameters, hormones, and adipokines were determined. SAHA prevalence was 17.7% in patients with PCOS and predominance of the severe PCOS phenotype. Ovarian SAHA was independently associated with a more insulin-resistant profile (higher homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance score, lower quantitative insulin sensitivity check index [QUICKI] and MATSUDA indices, and relative hypoadiponectinemia), and represented an independent risk factor for glucose abnormalities regardless of anthropometric features, age, and PCOS phenotype. There was no performance of skin biopsies. The prompt recognition of SAHA syndrome in women with PCOS permits an earlier diagnosis and surveillance of metabolic abnormalities, especially in Mediterranean PCOS population exhibiting a lower prevalence of glucose abnormalities. Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Regular consumption of vitamin D-fortified yogurt drink (Doogh) improved endothelial biomarkers in subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as the underlying cause of diabetic angiopathy that eventually leads to cardiovascular disease, the major cause of death in diabetes. We recently demonstrated the ameliorating effect of regular vitamin D intake on the glycemic status of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, the effects of improvement of vitamin D status on glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects were investigated. Methods Subjects with T2D were randomly allocated to one of the two groups to receive either plain yogurt drink (PYD; containing 170 mg calcium and no vitamin D/250 mL, n1 = 50) or vitamin D3-fortified yogurt drink (FYD; containing 170 mg calcium and 500 IU/250 mL, n2 = 50) twice a day for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures, glycemic status, lipid profile, body fat mass (FM) and endothelial biomarkers including serum endothelin-1, E-selectin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were evaluated at the beginning and after the 12-week intervention period. Results The intervention resulted in a significant improvement in fasting glucose, the Quantitative Insulin Check Index (QUICKI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triacylglycerols, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 in FYD compared to PYD (P < 0.05, for all). Interestingly, difference in changes of endothelin-1, E-selectin and MMP-9 concentrations in FYD compared to PYD (-0.35 ± 0.63 versus -0.03 ± 0.55, P = 0.028; -3.8 ± 7.3 versus 0.95 ± 8.3, P = 0.003 and -2.3 ± 3.7 versus 0.44 ± 7.1 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.05 for all), even after controlling for changes of QUICKI, FM and waist circumference, remained significant for endothelin-1 and MMP-9 (P = 0.009 and P = 0.005, respectively) but disappeared for E-selectin (P = 0.092). On the contrary, after controlling for serum 25(OH)D, the differences disappeared for endothelin-1(P = 0.066) and MMP-9 (P = 0.277) but still remained significant for E-selectin (P = 0.011). Conclusions Ameliorated vitamin D status was accompanied by improved glycemic status, lipid profile and endothelial biomarkers in T2D subjects. Our findings suggest both direct and indirect ameliorating effects of vitamin D on the endothelial biomarkers. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01236846 PMID:22114787

[PREDICTORS OF MODERATE COGNITIVE DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE AND TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS].

PubMed

Trubnikova, O A; Tarasova, I V; Mamontova, A S; Kagan, E S; Maleva, O V; Barbarash, O L

2016-01-01

To study predictors of moderate cognitive disorders (MCD) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The study included 54 men with CPD andDM2 (mean age 56.8 ± 4.5 years). Standard medical examination was supplemented by the assessment of cognitive status, characteristics of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Factors allegedly influencing MCD development included the patients' age, education level, stenosis of carotid arteries, LV ejection fraction, arterial hypertension, insulin and HbAlc levels, HOMA and QUICKI indices, lipid metabolism, concentrations of total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fructosamine, triglycerides, severity of coronary lesions (Syntax scale), trait and state anxiety. Fructosamine level and HOMA index were the most important characteristics responsible for MCD in patients with CPD and DM2. The data obtained demonstrate the significance of fructosamine level and HOMA index in the development of MCD in patients with CPD and DM2.

Guava leaf extracts promote glucose metabolism in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats by improving insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Guo, Xiangyu; Yoshitomi, Hisae; Gao, Ming; Qin, Lingling; Duan, Ying; Sun, Wen; Xu, Tunhai; Xie, Peifeng; Zhou, Jingxin; Huang, Liansha; Liu, Tonghua

2013-03-01

Metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been associated with insulin-resistance; however, the effective therapies in improving insulin sensitivity are limited. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of Guava Leaf (GL) extracts on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats (SHRSP/ZF), a model of spontaneously metabolic syndrome. Male rats at 7 weeks of age were administered with vehicle water or treated by gavage with 2 g/kg GL extracts daily for six weeks, and their body weights, water and food consumption, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance were measured. Compared with the controls, treatment with GL extracts did not modulate the amounts of water and food consumption, but significantly reduced the body weights at six weeks post treatment. Treatment with GL extracts did not alter the levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin, but significantly reduced the levels of plasma glucose at 60 and 120 min post glucose challenge, also reduced the values of AUC and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) at 42 days post treatment. Furthermore, treatment with GL extracts promoted IRS-1, AKT, PI3Kp85 expression, then IRS-1, AMKP, and AKT308, but not AKT473, phosphorylation, accompanied by increasing the ratios of membrane to total Glut 4 expression and adiponectin receptor 1 transcription in the skeletal muscles. These data indicated that GL extracts improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscles of rats by modulating the insulin-related signaling.

Guava leaf extracts promote glucose metabolism in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats by improving insulin resistance in skeletal muscle

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been associated with insulin-resistance; however, the effective therapies in improving insulin sensitivity are limited. This study is aimed at investigating the effect of Guava Leaf (GL) extracts on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/Izm rats (SHRSP/ZF), a model of spontaneously metabolic syndrome. Methods Male rats at 7 weeks of age were administered with vehicle water or treated by gavage with 2 g/kg GL extracts daily for six weeks, and their body weights, water and food consumption, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance were measured. Results Compared with the controls, treatment with GL extracts did not modulate the amounts of water and food consumption, but significantly reduced the body weights at six weeks post treatment. Treatment with GL extracts did not alter the levels of fasting plasma glucose and insulin, but significantly reduced the levels of plasma glucose at 60 and 120 min post glucose challenge, also reduced the values of AUC and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) at 42 days post treatment. Furthermore, treatment with GL extracts promoted IRS-1, AKT, PI3Kp85 expression, then IRS-1, AMKP, and AKT308, but not AKT473, phosphorylation, accompanied by increasing the ratios of membrane to total Glut 4 expression and adiponectin receptor 1 transcription in the skeletal muscles. Conclusions These data indicated that GL extracts improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscles of rats by modulating the insulin-related signaling. PMID:23452929

Obese First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes with Elevated Triglyceride Levels Exhibit Increased β-Cell Function

PubMed Central

Torres-Rasgado, Enrique; Porchia, Leonardo M.; Ruiz-Vivanco, Guadalupe; Gonzalez-Mejia, M. Elba; Báez-Duarte, Blanca G.; Pulido-Pérez, Patricia; Rivera, Alicia; Romero, Jose R.

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized as a disease continuum that is marked by metabolic changes that are present for several years, sometimes well before frank diagnosis of T2DM. Genetic predisposition, ethnicity, geography, alterations in BMI, and lipid profile are considered important markers for the pathogenesis of T2DM through mechanisms that remain unresolved and controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between triglycerides (TGs) and β-cell function, insulin resistance (IR), and insulin sensitivity (IS) in obese first-degree relatives of patients with T2DM (FDR-T2DM) among subjects from central Mexico with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Methods: We studied 372 FDR-T2DM subjects (ages,18–65) and determined body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin, and TGs levels. Subjects were categorized based on glycemic control [NGT, prediabetes (PT2DM), or T2DM]. NGT subjects were further categorized by BMI [normal weight (Ob−) or obese (Ob+)] and TGs levels (TG−, <150 mg/dL, or TG+, ≥150 mg/dL). β-cell function, IR, and IS were determined by the homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA2-β), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR), and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) indices, respectively. Results: The obese subjects with elevated TGs levels had 21%–60% increased β-cell function when compared to all groups (P<0.05). In addition, this group had insulin levels, IS, and IR similar to PT2DM. Furthermore, only in obese subjects did TGs correlate with β-cell function (ρ=0.502, P<0.001). Conclusion: We characterized FDR-T2DM subjects from central Mexico with NGT and revealed a class of obese subjects with elevated TGs and β-cell function, which may precede PT2DM. PMID:25423015

Wheat bran with enriched gamma-aminobutyric acid attenuates glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia induced by a high-fat diet.

PubMed

Shang, Wenting; Si, Xu; Zhou, Zhongkai; Strappe, Padraig; Blanchard, Chris

2018-05-23

In this study, the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in wheat bran was increased to be six times higher through the action of endogenous glutamate decarboxylase compared with untreated bran. The process of GABA formation in wheat bran also led to an increased level of phenolic compounds with enhanced antioxidant capacity 2 times higher than the untreated status. The interventional effect of a diet containing GABA-enriched bran on hyperinsulinemia induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated in a rat model. The results showed that, when compared with animals fed with HFD-containing untreated bran (NB group), the consumption of HFD-containing GABA-enriched bran (GB group) demonstrated a greater improvement of insulin resistance/sensitivity as revealed by the changes in the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). The expression of hepatic genes, cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (Cyp7a1) and ubiquitin C (Ubc), which are involved in the adipogenesis-associated PPAR signalling pathway, was found to be significantly down-regulated in the GB group compared with the HFD group (P = 0.0055). Meanwhile, changes in the expression of a number of genes associated with lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis were also noted in the GB group versus the HFD group, but not in the NB group, indicating different regulatory patterns between the two brans in a high-fat diet. More importantly, the analysis of key genes related to glucose metabolism further revealed that the expression of insulin-induced gene 1/2 (Insig-1/2) was increased following GB intervention with a corresponding reduction in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pepck) and glucose-6-phosphatase, catalytic subunit (G6pc) expression, suggesting that glucose homeostasis is greatly improved through the intervention of GABA-enriched bran in the context of a high-fat diet.

Modification and Validation of the Triglyceride-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio as a Surrogate of Insulin Sensitivity in White Juveniles and Adults without Diabetes Mellitus: The Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE).

PubMed

Paulmichl, Katharina; Hatunic, Mensud; Højlund, Kurt; Jotic, Aleksandra; Krebs, Michael; Mitrakou, Asimina; Porcellati, Francesca; Tura, Andrea; Bergsten, Peter; Forslund, Anders; Manell, Hannes; Widhalm, Kurt; Weghuber, Daniel; Anderwald, Christian-Heinz

2016-09-01

The triglyceride-to-HDL cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio was introduced as a tool to estimate insulin resistance, because circulating lipid measurements are available in routine settings. Insulin, C-peptide, and free fatty acids are components of other insulin-sensitivity indices but their measurement is expensive. Easier and more affordable tools are of interest for both pediatric and adult patients. Study participants from the Relationship Between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease [43.9 (8.3) years, n = 1260] as well as the Beta-Cell Function in Juvenile Diabetes and Obesity study cohorts [15 (1.9) years, n = 29] underwent oral-glucose-tolerance tests and euglycemic clamp tests for estimation of whole-body insulin sensitivity and calculation of insulin sensitivity indices. To refine the TG/HDL ratio, mathematical modeling was applied including body mass index (BMI), fasting TG, and HDL cholesterol and compared to the clamp-derived M-value as an estimate of insulin sensitivity. Each modeling result was scored by identifying insulin resistance and correlation coefficient. The Single Point Insulin Sensitivity Estimator (SPISE) was compared to traditional insulin sensitivity indices using area under the ROC curve (aROC) analysis and χ(2) test. The novel formula for SPISE was computed as follows: SPISE = 600 × HDL-C(0.185)/(TG(0.2) × BMI(1.338)), with fasting HDL-C (mg/dL), fasting TG concentrations (mg/dL), and BMI (kg/m(2)). A cutoff value of 6.61 corresponds to an M-value smaller than 4.7 mg · kg(-1) · min(-1) (aROC, M:0.797). SPISE showed a significantly better aROC than the TG/HDL-C ratio. SPISE aROC was comparable to the Matsuda ISI (insulin sensitivity index) and equal to the QUICKI (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index) and HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) when calculated with M-values. The SPISE seems well suited to surrogate whole-body insulin sensitivity from inexpensive fasting single-point blood draw and BMI in white adolescents and adults. © 2016 American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

Selenium supplementation lowers insulin resistance and markers of cardio-metabolic risk in patients with congestive heart failure: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Raygan, Fariba; Behnejad, Milad; Ostadmohammadi, Vahidreza; Bahmani, Fereshteh; Mansournia, Mohammad A; Karamali, Fatemeh; Asemi, Zatollah

2018-07-01

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of Se supplementation on metabolic profiles in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). This randomised double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among fifty-three subjects with CHF, aged 45-85 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 200 µg/d of Se as Se yeast (n 26) or placebo (n 27) for 12 weeks. Metabolic profiles were assessed at baseline and at the end of trial. Compared with the placebo, Se supplementation led to significant reductions in serum insulin (-18·41 (sd 27·53) v. +13·73 (sd 23·63) pmol/l, P<0·001), homoeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (-1·01 (sd 1·61) v. +0·55 (sd 1·20), P<0·001) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0·007 (sd 0·03) v. -0·01 (sd 0·01), P=0·007). In addition, Se supplementation significantly decreased LDL-cholesterol (-0·23 (sd 0·29) v. -0·04 (sd 0·28) mmol/l, P=0·03) and total-:HDL-cholesterol ratio (-0·47 (sd 0·31) v. -0·06 (sd 0·42), P<0·001), and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels (+0·18 (sd 0·19) v. +0·02 (sd 0·13) mmol/l, P=0·001) compared with the placebo. In addition, taking Se supplements was associated with a significant reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-1880·8 (sd 3437·5) v. +415·3 (sd 2116·5) ng/ml, P=0·01), and a significant elevation in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+30·9 (sd 118·0) v. -187·9 (sd 412·7) mmol/l, P=0·004) and total glutathione levels (+33·7 (sd 130·4) v. -39·2 (sd 132·8) µmol/l, P=0·003) compared with the placebo. When we applied Bonferroni correction for multiple outcome testing, QUICKI (P=0·11), LDL-cholesterol (P=0·51), hs-CRP (P=0·17), TAC (P=0·06) and GSH (P=0·05) became non-significant, and other metabolic profiles did not alter. Overall, our study supported that Se supplementation for 12 weeks to patients with CHF had beneficial effects on insulin metabolism and few markers of cardio-metabolic risk.

Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM): A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Ostadrahimi, Alireza; Mohammad-Alizadeh, Sakineh; Mirgafourvand, Mozhgan; Yaghoubi, Sina; Shahrisa, Elham; Farshbaf-Khalili, Azizeh

2016-01-01

Context One of the most common complications of pregnancy is gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is increasing worldwide. Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown that higher intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may decrease the risk of various diseases such as diabetes. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of fish oil supplementation on the prevention and treatment of GDM. Evidence Acquisition This systematic review was performed by searching several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, Science Direct SID, Magiran and IranMedex since 1983. The researchers also searched for references in reviewed clinical trial articles in which fish oil supplementation was compared with placebo or no supplementation. Results Only two published and in-press articles are included in this review. Based on these studies, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched fish oil (800 mg/d) had no effect on prevention of GDM [0.97 (95% CI: 0.74, 1.27)]. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation containing 180 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg DHA had beneficial effects on insulin resistance in women with GDM (change from baseline: 1.5 ± 7.5 vs ‏3.5 ± 8.5 mIU/mL, P = 0.02) but did not influence fasting plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B), the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), or lipid profiles (P > 0.05). Conclusions There is not enough evidence to support or refute the routine use of fish oil supplements during pregnancy for the prevention or treatment of diabetes. It is suggested that further randomized controlled trials be conducted to evaluate the role of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy. PMID:28191333

Cardiometabolic Risks During Anabolic Hormone Supplementation in Older Men

PubMed Central

He, J.; Bhasin, S; Binder, E.F.; Yarasheski, K.E.; Castaneda-Sceppa, C.; Schroeder, E.T.; Roubenoff, R.; Chou, C-P.; Azen, S.P.; Sattler, F.R.

2012-01-01

There is little prospective information on the cardiometabolic risks of testosterone and growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy to youthful levels during aging. We conducted a double-masked, partially placebo controlled study in 112 men 65–90 years-old. Transdermal testosterone (5g-vs-10g/day) using a Leydig Cell Clamp and subcutaneous recombinant GH (rhGH) (0-vs-3-vs-5ug/kg/day) were administered for 16-weeks. Measurements included testosterone and IGF-1 levels, body composition by DEXA, and cardiometabolic risk factors (upper body fat, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, fasting triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and serum adiponectin) at baseline and after 16 weeks of treatment. Some cardiometabolic factors improved (total and trunk fat, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol) and others worsened (systolic blood pressure, insulin sensitivity index [QUICKI], adiponectin). Cardiometabolic risk composite scores (CRCS) improved (−0.69±1.55, p<0.001). In multivariate analyses, QUICKI, triglycerides, and HDL-cholesterol contributed 33%, 16%, and 14% of the variance in CRCS, respectively. Pathway analyses indicated that changes in fat and lean mass were related to individual cardiometabolic variables and CRCS in a complex manner. Changes in BMI, reflecting composite effects of changes in fat and lean mass, were more robustly associated with cardiometabolic risks than changes in fat mass or LBM individually. In conclusion, testosterone and rhGH administration was associated with diverse changes in individual cardiometabolic risk factors, but in aggregate appeared not to worsen cardiometabolic risk in healthy older men after 4-months. The long term effects of these and similar anabolic therapies on cardiovascular events should be investigated in populations with greater funtional limitations along with important health disabilities including upper body obesity and other cardiometabolic risks. PMID:23784898

Assessment of Insulin Resistance and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Lean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PubMed Central

Bailey, Amelia Purser; Pastore, Lisa M.

2011-01-01

Abstract Objective To analyze insulin resistance (IR) and determine the need for a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the identification of IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in lean nondiabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive women with PCOS who enrolled in a university-based clinical trial. Nondiabetic women with PCOS based on the Eunice Kennedy Shriven National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) definition, aged 18–43 years and weighing ≤113 kg, were evaluated. Glucose and insulin levels were assessed at times 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after a 75-g glucose load. Lean was defined as body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2. Multiple linear regression was performed. Results A cohort of 78 women was studied. The prevalence of IR was 0% among lean women vs. 21% among nonlean subjects based on fasting insulin I0 and 40%–68% based on two different homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) cutoff points (p < 0.005). All women with IR had a BMI ≥ 28. Controlling for age and race, BMI explained over 57% of the variation in insulin fasting (Io), glucose fasting/Io (Go/Io), the qualitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and HOMA and was a highly significant predictor of these outcomes (p < 0.0001). Only 1 of 31 (3%) of the lean PCOS women had IGT based on a 2-hour OGTT, and no lean subjects had IGT based on their fasting blood glucose. Conclusions Diabetes mellitus, IGT, and IR are far less common in young lean women with PCOS compared with obese women with PCOS. These data imply that it is unnecessary to routinely perform either IR testing or 2-hour OGTT in lean women with PCOS; however, greater subject accumulation is needed to determine if OGTT is necessary in lean women with PCOS. BMI is highly predictive of both insulin and glucose levels in women with PCOS. PMID:21194310

Clinical and Metabolic Response to Selenium Supplementation in Pregnant Women at Risk for Intrauterine Growth Restriction: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Mesdaghinia, Elaheh; Rahavi, Azam; Bahmani, Fereshteh; Sharifi, Nasrin; Asemi, Zatollah

2017-07-01

Data on the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic profiles in women at risk for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are scarce. This study was designed to assess the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical signs and metabolic status in pregnant women at risk for IUGR. This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 60 women at risk for IUGR according to abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveform. Participants were randomly assigned to intake either 100 μg selenium supplements as tablet (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 10 weeks between 17 and 27 weeks of gestation. After 10 weeks of selenium administration, a higher percentage of women in the selenium group had pulsatility index (PI) of <1.45) (P = 0.002) than of those in the placebo group. In addition, changes in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (P = 0.008), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P = 0.004) in the selenium group were significant compared with the placebo group. Additionally, selenium supplementation significantly decreased serum insulin (P = 0.02), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.02), and homeostatic model assessment for B-cell function (HOMA-B) (P = 0.02) and significantly increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (P = 0.04) and HDL-C levels (P = 0.02) compared with the placebo. We did not find any significant effect of selenium administration on malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and other lipid profiles. Overall, selenium supplementation in pregnant women at risk for IUGR resulted in improved PI, TAC, GSH, hs-CRP, and markers of insulin metabolism and HDL-C levels, but it did not affect MDA, NO, FPG, and other lipid profiles.Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir : IRCT201601045623N64.

Assessment of insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Stovall, Dale William; Bailey, Amelia Purser; Pastore, Lisa M

2011-01-01

To analyze insulin resistance (IR) and determine the need for a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for the identification of IR and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in lean nondiabetic women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This was a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive women with PCOS who enrolled in a university-based clinical trial. Nondiabetic women with PCOS based on the Eunice Kennedy Shriven National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) definition, aged 18-43 years and weighing ≤113 kg, were evaluated. Glucose and insulin levels were assessed at times 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after a 75-g glucose load. Lean was defined as body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m(2). Multiple linear regression was performed. A cohort of 78 women was studied. The prevalence of IR was 0% among lean women vs. 21% among nonlean subjects based on fasting insulin I(0) and 40%-68% based on two different homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) cutoff points (p < 0.005). All women with IR had a BMI ≥ 28. Controlling for age and race, BMI explained over 57% of the variation in insulin fasting (I(o)), glucose fasting/Io (G(o)/I(o)), the qualitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and HOMA and was a highly significant predictor of these outcomes (p < 0.0001). Only 1 of 31 (3%) of the lean PCOS women had IGT based on a 2-hour OGTT, and no lean subjects had IGT based on their fasting blood glucose. Diabetes mellitus, IGT, and IR are far less common in young lean women with PCOS compared with obese women with PCOS. These data imply that it is unnecessary to routinely perform either IR testing or 2-hour OGTT in lean women with PCOS; however, greater subject accumulation is needed to determine if OGTT is necessary in lean women with PCOS. BMI is highly predictive of both insulin and glucose levels in women with PCOS.

Senior Officer Course Manual. Military Justice and Civil Law.

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-01

power of attorney. Waiver of appellate review. Other O - Page check: sequential ; # of pages: 11-87 Index sheet. Copy of ROT served on accused; attach...statement. - Special power of attorney. __Waiver of appellate review. Other Page check: sequential ; # of pages: Index sheet. Copy of ROT served on accused...8217 questions. Appellate rights statement. Other Page check: sequential ; # of pages: Index sheet. Copy of ROT served on accused; attach receipt of ROT (or

The effects of synbiotic supplementation on insulin resistance/sensitivity, lipid profile and total antioxidant capacity in women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Nabhani, Zohoor; Hezaveh, Seyed Jamal Ghaemmaghami; Razmpoosh, Elham; Asghari-Jafarabadi, Mohammad; Gargari, Bahram Pourghassem

2018-04-01

The role of gut microbiota in the management of diabetes is shown. In this randomized clinical trial we assessed the effects of synbiotic supplementation on insulin, lipid profile and antioxidative status among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Ninety pregnant women with GDM were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either a daily synbiotic capsule - consisting of L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, L. gasseri (1.5-7.0 × 10 9-10  CFU/g) - with fructooligosaccharide (38.5 mg), or placebo for 6 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), high- and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DSP) were assessed before and after the intervention. No significant changes in FPG, insulin resistance/sensitivity, lipid profile and TAC indices were seen in synbiotic group compared to the placebo one (p > 0.05). Significant within group increases for HDL-C and TAC levels in synbiotic group were observed (p < 0.05). LDL-C showed significant increment in the placebo group compared to the baseline of the study (6.9 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Between group comparison showed significant decrease in SBP and DBP in synbiotic group compared to placebo (-2.5 vs. 8.6 mmHg, and -1.8 vs. 2.1 mmHg, p < 0.05). The results showed that, in women with GDM, synbiotic supplementation had no effect on FPG and insulin resistance/sensitivity indices. Lipid profile and TAC status may be affected by synbiotic supplementation. Synbiotic is effective in reducing of blood pressure in women with GDM. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Western-style diet induces insulin insensitivity and hyperactivity in adolescent male rats.

PubMed

Marwitz, Shannon E; Woodie, Lauren N; Blythe, Sarah N

2015-11-01

The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased rapidly over the past 30 years, as has the incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In 2012, it was found that overweight children have a twofold higher chance of developing ADHD than their normal weight counterparts. Previous work has documented learning and memory impairments linked to consumption of an energy-dense diet in rats, but the relationship between diet and ADHD-like behaviors has yet to be explored using animal models. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the role of diet in the etiology of attention and hyperactivity disorders using a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet or a Western-style diet (WSD) for ten weeks, and specific physiological and behavioral effects were examined. Tail blood samples were collected to measure fasting blood glucose and insulin levels in order to assess insulin insensitivity. Rats also performed several behavioral tasks, including the open field task, novel object recognition test, and attentional set-shifting task. Rats exposed to a WSD had significantly higher fasting insulin levels than controls, but both groups had similar glucose levels. The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) indicated the development of insulin resistance in WSD rats. Performance in the open field test indicated that WSD induced pronounced hyperactivity and impulsivity. Further, control diet animals were able to discriminate between old and novel objects, but the WSD animals were significantly impaired in object recognition. However, regardless of dietary condition, rats were able to perform the attentional set-shifting paradigm. While WSD impaired episodic memory and induced hyperactivity, attentional set-shifting capabilities are unaffected. With the increasing prevalence of both obesity and ADHD, understanding the potential links between the two conditions is of clinical relevance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Proposal and preliminary validation of a check-list for the assessment of occupational exposure to repetitive movements of the upper lims].

PubMed

Colombini, D; Occhipinti, E; Cairoli, S; Baracco, A

2000-01-01

Over the last few years the Authors developed and implemented, a specific check-list for a "rapid" assessment of occupational exposure to repetitive movements and exertion of the upper limbs, after verifying the lack of such a tool which also had to be coherent with the latest data in the specialized literature. The check-list model and the relevant application procedures are presented and discussed. The check-list was applied by trained factory technicians in 46 different working tasks where the OCRA method previously proposed by the Authors was also applied by independent observers. Since 46 pairs of observation data were available (OCRA index and check-list score) it was possible to verify, via parametric and nonparametric statistical tests, the level of association between the two variables and to find the best simple regression function (exponential in this case) of the OCRA index from the check-list score. By means of this function, which was highly significant (R2 = 0.98, p < 0.0000), the values of the check-list score which better corresponded to the critical values (for exposure assessment) of the OCRA index looked for. The following correspondance values between OCRA Index and check-list were then established with a view to classifying exposure levels. The check-list "critical" scores were established considering the need for obtaining, in borderline cases, a potential effect of overestimation of the exposure level. On the basis of practical application experience and the preliminary validation results, recommendations are made and the caution needed in the use of the check-list is suggested.

Blood pressure is reduced and insulin sensitivity increased in glucose-intolerant, hypertensive subjects after 15 days of consuming high-polyphenol dark chocolate.

PubMed

Grassi, Davide; Desideri, Giovambattista; Necozione, Stefano; Lippi, Cristina; Casale, Raffaele; Properzi, Giuliana; Blumberg, Jeffrey B; Ferri, Claudio

2008-09-01

Flavanols from chocolate appear to increase nitric oxide bioavailability, protect vascular endothelium, and decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. We sought to test the effect of flavanol-rich dark chocolate (FRDC) on endothelial function, insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, and blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). After a run-in phase, 19 hypertensives with IGT (11 males, 8 females; 44.8 +/- 8.0 y) were randomized to receive isocalorically either FRDC or flavanol-free white chocolate (FFWC) at 100 g/d for 15 d. After a wash-out period, patients were switched to the other treatment. Clinical and 24-h ambulatory BP was determined by sphygmometry and oscillometry, respectively, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), oral glucose tolerance test, serum cholesterol and C-reactive protein, and plasma homocysteine were evaluated after each treatment phase. FRDC but not FFWC ingestion decreased insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; P < 0.0001) and increased insulin sensitivity (quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, insulin sensitivity index (ISI), ISI(0); P < 0.05) and beta-cell function (corrected insulin response CIR(120); P = 0.035). Systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP decreased (P < 0.0001) after FRDC (SBP, -3.82 +/- 2.40 mm Hg; DBP, -3.92 +/- 1.98 mm Hg; 24-h SBP, -4.52 +/- 3.94 mm Hg; 24-h DBP, -4.17 +/- 3.29 mm Hg) but not after FFWC. Further, FRDC increased FMD (P < 0.0001) and decreased total cholesterol (-6.5%; P < 0.0001), and LDL cholesterol (-7.5%; P < 0.0001). Changes in insulin sensitivity (Delta ISI - Delta FMD: r = 0.510, P = 0.001; Delta QUICKI - Delta FMD: r = 0.502, P = 0.001) and beta-cell function (Delta CIR(120) - Delta FMD: r = 0.400, P = 0.012) were directly correlated with increases in FMD and inversely correlated with decreases in BP (Delta ISI - Delta 24-h SBP: r = -0.368, P = 0.022; Delta ISI - Delta 24-h DBP r = -0.384, P = 0.017). Thus, FRDC ameliorated insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function, decreased BP, and increased FMD in IGT hypertensive patients. These findings suggest flavanol-rich, low-energy cocoa food products may have a positive impact on CVD risk factors.

Durability, value, and reliability of selected electric powered wheelchairs.

PubMed

Fass, Megan V; Cooper, Rory A; Fitzgerald, Shirley G; Schmeler, Mark; Boninger, Michael L; Algood, S David; Ammer, William A; Rentschler, Andrew J; Duncan, John

2004-05-01

To compare the durability, value, and reliability of selected electric powered wheelchairs (EPWs), purchased in 1998. Engineering standards tests of quality and performance. A rehabilitation engineering center. Fifteen EPWs: 3 each of the Jazzy, Quickie, Lancer, Arrow, and Chairman models. Not applicable. Wheelchairs were evaluated for durability (lifespan), value (durability, cost), and reliability (rate of repairs) using 2-drum and curb-drop machines in accordance with the standards of the American National Standards Institute and Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. The 5 brands differed significantly (P

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone with or without rosiglitazone on hepatic fat content in HIV-1 infected individuals; a randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

Kotler, Donald P; He, Qing; Engelson, Ellen S; Albu, Jeanine B; Glesby, Marshall J

2016-01-01

Background Hepatic fat is related to insulin resistance (IR) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in HIV+ and uninfected individuals. Growth hormone (GH) reduces VAT but increases IR. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH) and rosiglitazone (Rosi) on hepatic fat in a substudy of a randomized controlled trial. Methods HIV+ subjects with abdominal obesity and IR (QUICKI ≤ 0.33) were randomized to rhGH 3 mg daily, Rosi 4 mg twice daily, the combination, or double placebo. Hepatic fat was measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), visceral fat by MRI, and IR by frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance tests at baseline and week 12. Results 31 subjects were studied at both time points. Significant correlations between hepatic fat and VAT (r = 0.41, p=0.02) and QUICKI (r = 0.39, p<0.05) were seen at baseline. Insulin resistance rose with rhGH but not Rosi. When rhGH treatment groups were combined, hepatic fat expressed as percent change decreased significantly (p<0.05) but did not change in Rosi (p=0.71). There were no correlations between changes in hepatic fat and VAT (p=0.4) or QUICKI (p=0.6). In a substudy of 21 subjects, a trend was noticed between changes in hepatic fat and serum IGF-1 (p=0.09). Conclusions Hepatic fat correlates significantly with both VAT and IR, but changes in hepatic fat do not correlate with changes in VAT and glucose metabolism. Hepatic fat content is reduced by rhGH but Rosi has no effect. These results suggest an independent effect of growth hormone or IGF-1 on hepatic fat. The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00130286). PMID:25536669

A Homemade Instrument for Collecting Soil Water From Porous Ceramic Cups

Treesearch

M. Dean Knighton; Dwight E. Streblow

1981-01-01

An efficient Ceramic-Cup Water Collection Instrument (CCWCI, "quickie") is described. Soil water collection from ceramic-cup samplers may require compositing by equal volume from distantly spaced samplers, or simultaneous water collection spaced samplers, or simultaneous water collection from closely spaced samplers without compositing. All collection must...

Evaluating the Impact of Various Parameters on the Gamma Index Values of 2D Diode Array in IMRT Verification

PubMed Central

Jabbari, Keyvan; Pashaei, Fakhereh; Ay, Mohammad R.; Amouheidari, Alireza; Tavakoli, Mohammad B.

2018-01-01

Background: MapCHECK2 is a two-dimensional diode arrays planar dosimetry verification system. Dosimetric results are evaluated with gamma index. This study aims to provide comprehensive information on the impact of various factors on the gamma index values of MapCHECK2, which is mostly used for IMRT dose verification. Methods: Seven fields were planned for 6 and 18 MV photons. The azimuthal angle is defined as any rotation of collimators or the MapCHECK2 around the central axis, which was varied from 5 to −5°. The gantry angle was changed from −8 to 8°. Isodose sampling resolution was studied in the range of 0.5 to 4 mm. The effects of additional buildup on gamma index in three cases were also assessed. Gamma test acceptance criteria were 3%/3 mm. Results: The change of azimuthal angle in 5° interval reduced gamma index value by about 9%. The results of putting buildups of various thicknesses on the MapCHECK2 surface showed that gamma index was generally improved in thicker buildup, especially for 18 MV. Changing the sampling resolution from 4 to 2 mm resulted in an increase in gamma index by about 3.7%. The deviation of the gantry in 8° intervals in either directions changed the gamma index only by about 1.6% for 6 MV and 2.1% for 18 MV. Conclusion: Among the studied parameters, the azimuthal angle is one of the most effective factors on gamma index value. The gantry angle deviation and sampling resolution are less effective on gamma index value reduction. PMID:29535922

Comparison between surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity/resistance and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp estimates in rats

PubMed Central

Muniyappa, Ranganath; Chen, Hui; Muzumdar, Radhika H.; Einstein, Francine H.; Yan, Xu; Yue, Lilly Q.; Barzilai, Nir

2009-01-01

Assessing insulin resistance in rodent models gives insight into mechanisms that cause type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. The hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp, the reference standard for measuring insulin sensitivity in humans and animals, is labor intensive and technically demanding. A number of simple surrogate indexes of insulin sensitivity/resistance have been developed and validated primarily for use in large human studies. These same surrogates are also frequently used in rodent studies. However, in general, these indexes have not been rigorously evaluated in animals. In a recent validation study in mice, we demonstrated that surrogates have a weaker correlation with glucose clamp estimates of insulin sensitivity/resistance than in humans. This may be due to increased technical difficulties in mice and/or intrinsic differences between human and rodent physiology. To help distinguish among these possibilities, in the present study, using data from rats substantially larger than mice, we compared the clamp glucose infusion rate (GIR) with surrogate indexes, including QUICKI, HOMA, 1/HOMA, log (HOMA), and 1/fasting insulin. All surrogates were modestly correlated with GIR (r = 0.34–0.40). Calibration analyses of surrogates adjusted for body weight demonstrated similar predictive accuracy for GIR among all surrogates. We conclude that linear correlations of surrogate indexes with clamp estimates and predictive accuracy of surrogate indexes in rats are similar to those in mice (but not as substantial as in humans). This additional rat study (taken with the previous mouse study) suggests that application of surrogate insulin sensitivity indexes developed for humans may not be appropriate for determining primary outcomes in rodent studies due to intrinsic differences in metabolic physiology. However, use of surrogates may be appropriate in rodents, where feasibility of clamps is an obstacle and measurement of insulin sensitivity is a secondary outcome. PMID:19706785

Metabolic response to selenium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Jamilian, Mehri; Razavi, Maryamalsadat; Fakhrie Kashan, Zohreh; Ghandi, Yasser; Bagherian, Tayebeh; Asemi, Zatollah

2015-06-01

We are aware of no study examining the effects of selenium supplementation on metabolic profiles of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid concentrations in women with PCOS. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 70 women diagnosed with PCOS and aged 18-40 years old. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to receive 200 μg per day selenium supplements (N = 35) or placebo (N = 35) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 8 weeks intervention to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations. After 8 weeks of intervention, subjects who received selenium supplements had significantly decreased serum insulin levels (-29·83 ± 47·29 vs +9·07 ± 77·12 pmol/l, P = 0·013), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-1·15 ± 1·81 vs +0·42 ± 3·09, P = 0·011), homeostatic model assessment-beta-cell function (HOMA-B) (-19·06 ± 30·95 vs +4·55 ± 47·99, P = 0·017) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0·03 ± 0·04 vs +0·0009 ± 0·05, P = 0·032) compared with placebo. In addition, supplementation with selenium resulted in a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (-0·14 ± 0·55 vs +0·11 ± 0·30 mmol/l, P = 0·025) and VLDL-C concentrations (-0·03 ± 0·11 vs +0·02 ± 0·06 mmol/l, P = 0·025) compared with placebo. In conclusion, 200 microgram per day selenium supplementation for 8 weeks among PCOS women had beneficial effects on insulin metabolism parameters, triglycerides and VLDL-C levels; however, it did not affect FPG and other lipid profiles. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The deleterious effects of physical inactivity on elements of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in Central Africans at high cardiovascular risk.

PubMed

Longo-Mbenza, Benjamin; Nkongo Mvindu, Huguette; Kasiam On'kin, Jean Bosco; Bikuku, Nkakudulu; Kianu Phanzu, Bernard; Nge Okwe, Augustin; Kabangu, Nelly

2011-01-01

We aimed to describe the physical activity and to investigate the association between classical hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and new inflammation, IDF-defined metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance CV risk factors. This was a cross-sectional study based on interviews and physical and biochemistry measurements among Central African patients. Waist circumference (WC), blood pressure, weight and height to calculate body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, CRP, ERS, uric acid, cholesterol (C), LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, elements of homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) including insulin, HOMA index, QUICKI, insulin sensitivity (%S), beta-cell function (%β) and insulin resistance (IR). Of the 60 patients included, 30 (50%) were physically inactive versus 30 (50%) active. In pooled analyses, in men and in women, there was significant and positive correlation between WC and seating/laying down position (WC=92.41+1.49 seating time in hours, R(2)=0.11; P<0.0001). The mean value of CRP and ERS were higher and those of all indices of HOMA were lower in inactive patients. The discriminant function for physical activity was Z (score=barycentre)=-7.36+1.013 HOMA index where -1.4 was the barycentre for active and +1.4 for inactive. HOMA index >2.42 was the optimal cut-off value to detect physically inactive patients: sensitivity=93.3%, specificity=100%, area under ROC=0.991±0.01 95%=0.975-1.0; P<0.0001. The association between low-grade inflammation markers, insulin resistance and physical inactivity favours the hypothesis that a low-grade inflammatory status and enhanced insulin, sensitivity may constitute a part of the CV benefits from physical activity. Crown Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnosis checking of statistical analysis in RCTs indexed in PubMed.

PubMed

Lee, Paul H; Tse, Andy C Y

2017-11-01

Statistical analysis is essential for reporting of the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), as well as evaluating their effectiveness. However, the validity of a statistical analysis also depends on whether the assumptions of that analysis are valid. To review all RCTs published in journals indexed in PubMed during December 2014 to provide a complete picture of how RCTs handle assumptions of statistical analysis. We reviewed all RCTs published in December 2014 that appeared in journals indexed in PubMed using the Cochrane highly sensitive search strategy. The 2014 impact factors of the journals were used as proxies for their quality. The type of statistical analysis used and whether the assumptions of the analysis were tested were reviewed. In total, 451 papers were included. Of the 278 papers that reported a crude analysis for the primary outcomes, 31 (27·2%) reported whether the outcome was normally distributed. Of the 172 papers that reported an adjusted analysis for the primary outcomes, diagnosis checking was rarely conducted, with only 20%, 8·6% and 7% checked for generalized linear model, Cox proportional hazard model and multilevel model, respectively. Study characteristics (study type, drug trial, funding sources, journal type and endorsement of CONSORT guidelines) were not associated with the reporting of diagnosis checking. The diagnosis of statistical analyses in RCTs published in PubMed-indexed journals was usually absent. Journals should provide guidelines about the reporting of a diagnosis of assumptions. © 2017 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

Cardiovascular fitness, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in severely obese prepubertal Italian children.

PubMed

Brufani, Claudia; Grossi, Armando; Fintini, Danilo; Fiori, Rossana; Ubertini, Graziamaria; Colabianchi, Diego; Ciampalini, Paolo; Tozzi, Alberto; Barbetti, Fabrizio; Cappa, Marco

2008-01-01

To evaluate if insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS) were associated with poor cardiovascular fitness in very obese prepubertal Italian subjects. Children referred to the Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit of Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital underwent an OGTT with glucose and insulin assays. QUICKI, ISI and HOMA-IR were calculated. Total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and percentage of body fat (DEXA) were determined. Cardiovascular fitness (maximal treadmill time) was evaluated using a treadmill protocol. The MS was defined as having 3 or more of following risk factors: obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, high blood pressure, low HDL-cholesterol, high triglycerides. Fifty-five very obese prepubertal Italian children were enrolled in the study. Unadjusted correlation revealed maximal treadmill time negatively related to fasting insulin (r = -0.53, p < 0.0001) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.57, p < 0.0001) and positively to QUICKI (r = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and ISI (r = 0.46, p = 0.0035). These relationships remained significant when in multivariate analysis age, gender, BMI SD and body composition were accounted for (all p < 0.01). The presence of the MS was independently associated with maximal treadmill time. Poorcardiovascular fitness, IR and MS were independently related, suggesting that the relationship between fitness and insulin action develops early in life. Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The triglyceride-glucose index, an insulin resistance marker in newborns?

PubMed

Gesteiro, Eva; Bastida, Sara; Barrios, Laura; Sánchez-Muniz, Francisco J

2018-04-01

The study aims to assess the utility of the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) as a marker of insulin resistance (IR) in neonates. TyG and the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) values were compared in 196 singleton, term normoweight and without distress newborns. A Decision Tree procedure (CHAID) was used to classify cases into groups or predict values of a dependent (Ln HOMA-IR) variable. Three nodes were drawn for TyG: ≤ 6.7, > 6.7-7.8 and > 7.8 (p < 0.0001; F = 20.52). The predictability of those TyG values vs HOMA-IR was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). It was neither affected by gender (p = 0.084), glucose challenge test (p = 0.138) classifications nor by the TyG node* glucose challenge test and TyG node*gender interactions (p = 0.456 and p = 0.209, respectively). Glucose, HOMA-IR, and the triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio increased progressively from node 1 to 3 for TyG while QUICKI decreased. In conclusion, TyG appears to be a suitable tool for identifying IR at birth, justifying the further insulin determination in those neonates. TyG ≥ 7.8 is recommended as cut-off point in neonates. The need for a follow-up study to confirm the TyG as early IR marker is desirable. • HOMA-IR and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) show a high correlation. • The TyG has been used as an insulin resistance marker in adults. • This is the first study where TyG has been assessed in neonates. • TyG appears to be a suitable and cheap tool for identifying insulin resistance at birth.

The favorable effects of garlic intake on metabolic profiles, hs-CRP, biomarkers of oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Aalami-Harandi, Rezvan; Karamali, Maryam; Asemi, Zatollah

2015-01-01

This study was performed to determine the favorable effects of garlic on metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 44 pregnant women, primigravida, aged 18-40 years old at 27 weeks' gestation with positive roll-over test. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either one garlic tablet (equal to 400 mg garlic and 1 mg allicin) (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) once daily for 9 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 9 weeks' intervention to measure metabolic profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Administration of garlic compared with the placebo resulted in decreased levels of serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-1425.90 versus 1360.50 ng/mL, p = 0.01) and increased plasma glutathione (GSH) (+98.10 versus. -49.87 µmol/l, p = 0.03). A trend toward a significant effect of garlic intake on reducing fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (p = 0.07), insulin (p = 0.09) and increasing quantitative insulin sensitivity check (QUICKI) (p = 0.05) was also observed. Consumption of garlic for 9 weeks among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia led to decreased hs-CRP and increased GSH, but did not affect lipid profiles, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and pregnancy outcomes.

[The influence of low-dose oral contraceptive pill on clinical and metabolic parameters in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome].

PubMed

Banaszewska, Beata; Spaczyński, Robert Z; Ozegowska, Katarzyna; Pawelczyk, Leszek

2011-06-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation and is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as insulin resistance and central adiposity. The aim of the study was to evaluation of influence of the oral contraceptive pill on the endocrinologic and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. Forty nine PCOS women (aged 23,9 +/- 3,5 [mean +/- SD]) without any other diseases were included into the study. Oral contraceptives (0,02 mg ethynylestradiol + 0,15 mg desogestrel) were administered for 6 months. Hormonal and biochemical analyses were performed with specific assays at the beginning and after 6 month-therapy BMI, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and QUICKI were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon test. All patients completed 6-month therapy and no severe side effects were reported during the study. A significant reduction in testosterone (T) concentrations was observed (p<0.005). We recorded a significant increase in lipid concentrations. The administration of oral contraceptives in our study group caused decrease in the testosterone level but negative effect on total cholesterol and triglycerides level was observed.

Robust check loss-based variable selection of high-dimensional single-index varying-coefficient model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Yunquan; Lin, Lu; Jian, Ling

2016-07-01

Single-index varying-coefficient model is an important mathematical modeling method to model nonlinear phenomena in science and engineering. In this paper, we develop a variable selection method for high-dimensional single-index varying-coefficient models using a shrinkage idea. The proposed procedure can simultaneously select significant nonparametric components and parametric components. Under defined regularity conditions, with appropriate selection of tuning parameters, the consistency of the variable selection procedure and the oracle property of the estimators are established. Moreover, due to the robustness of the check loss function to outliers in the finite samples, our proposed variable selection method is more robust than the ones based on the least squares criterion. Finally, the method is illustrated with numerical simulations.

The effect of daily fortified yogurt consumption on weight loss in adults with metabolic syndrome: A 10-week randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Mohammadi-Sartang, M; Bellissimo, N; Totosy de Zepetnek, J O; Brett, N R; Mazloomi, S M; Fararouie, M; Bedeltavana, A; Famouri, M; Mazloom, Z

2018-06-01

Obesity is a complex and multifaceted condition. Thus, functional foods need investigation as novel adjunct treatments for obesity. The objective was to determine the effects of daily consumption of a fortified yogurt (FY) on weight loss in overweight and obese patients with metabolic syndrome on a caloric-restricted diet. This was a randomized, double-blind, 10-week study. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups receiving either two servings (2 × 250 g)/day of FY with whey protein, calcium, vitamin D, prebiotic fibre and probiotic cultures (n = 44) or a low-fat plain yogurt (PY) (n = 43). All participants were put on a calorie-restricted diet throughout the 10-week study. Body composition and biochemical indices were assessed before and after the intervention. Body mass decreased by 4.3 ± 1.9 kg and 5.1 ± 3.0 kg in the PY and FY groups, respectively, following the 10-week intervention. Compared to PY, consumption of FY resulted in a significant reduction in body fat mass (FM) (p = 0.023), body fat percentage (p = 0.028), waist circumference (p = 0.002), homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.025), triglyceride concentration (p = 0.003), and a significant increase in total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration (p < 0.001), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.009) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (0.022). Participants consuming the FY lost less fat-free mass (FFM) compared to the PY group (Δ = -0.9 ± 3.5 kg vs. Δ = -2.0 ± 2.7 kg; p = 0.025). Consuming FY for 10-weeks improved body composition and metabolic parameters, while on a caloric-restricted diet. Further research is needed to elucidate whether FY can be used as a preventative strategy for metabolic syndrome in obese persons. www.irct.ir (IRCT2017050633836N1). Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The "Financial Counseling and Planning" Indexing Project: Establishing a Correlation between Indexing, Total Citations, and Library Holdings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelsey, Paul J.

2007-01-01

The researcher hypothesized that increasing the number of indexing services covering a journal would increase library holdings and total citations for the journal. A sample group of 40 Journal Citation Reports (JCR) journals in the "Business, Finance" category was identified and checked for the number of times indexed in Ulrich's…

78 FR 23872 - HIPAA Privacy Rule and the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-23

... any unintended adverse consequences for individuals seeking needed mental health services that may be... Check System (NICS) to help enforce these prohibitions.\\4\\ The NICS Index, a database administered by... to the NICS. Such an amendment might produce clarity regarding the Privacy Rule and help make it as...

Adjective Check List Correlates of Social Conflict Problems in College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heilbrun, Alfred B., Jr.

1970-01-01

Assesses ability of Adjective Check List (ACL) to distinguish between clients of a college mental health facility who admitted to social alienation as a primary or secondary problem and clients who denied the importance of this problem- Scores on scales measuring affiliation and heterosexuality and an affiliation minus succorance" index differed…

Limited Weight Loss or Simply No Weight Gain following Lifestyle-Only Intervention Tends to Redistribute Body Fat, to Decrease Lipid Concentrations, and to Improve Parameters of Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Children

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Objectives. To investigate whether lifestyle-only intervention in obese children who maintain or lose a modest amount of weight redistributes parameters of body composition and reverses metabolic abnormalities. Study Design. Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were assessed in 111 overweight or obese children (CA of 11.3 ± 2.8 years; 63 females and 48 males), during 8 months of lifestyle intervention. Patients maintained or lost weight (1–5%) (group A; n: 72) or gained weight (group B). Results. Group A patients presented with a decrease in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ( and , resp.), BMI (), z-score BMI (), waist circumference (), fat mass (), LDL-C (), Tg/HDL-C ratio (), fasting and postprandial insulin (), and HOMA (), while HDL-C () and QUICKI increased (). Conversely, group B patients had an increase in BMI (), waist circumference (), SBP (), and in QUICKI (), while fat mass (), fasting insulin (), and HOMA () decreased. Lean mass, DBP, lipid concentrations, fasting and postprandial glucose, postprandial insulin, and ultrasensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) remained stable. Conclusions. Obese children who maintain or lose a modest amount of weight following lifestyle-only intervention tend to redistribute their body fat, decrease blood pressure and lipid levels, and to improve parameters of insulin sensitivity. PMID:21603203

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin is associated with insulin resistance, but not adiponectin, during pregnancy.

PubMed

Srichomkwun, Panudda; Houngngam, Natnicha; Pasatrat, Sophitsachi; Tharavanij, Thipaporn; Wattanachanya, Lalita; Khovidhunkit, Weerapan

2016-07-01

In mice, undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) improves beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity through adiponectin. In humans, levels of total osteocalcin (OC) and ucOC were negatively correlated with insulin resistance (IR) indices in patients with type 2 diabetes. Whether ucOC plays a role in glucose homeostasis and whether its effect is mediated through adiponectin during pregnancy is unclear. Serum levels of total OC, ucOC, and adiponectin were measured in 130 pregnant women with varying degrees of IR [gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), n = 74 and non-GDM, n = 56]. In all participants, total OC and ucOC levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR and HOMA-%B, and negatively correlated with QUICKI. In contrast, adiponectin levels were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and positively correlated with QUICKI (P < 0.01, both). However, neither total OC nor ucOC was associated with adiponectin. Although none of these markers could help distinguish women with and without GDM, total OC and ucOC levels were significantly higher in non-GDM women who had 1 abnormal OGTT value than those who had all normal OGTT values. Total OC and ucOC levels were significantly correlated with insulin secretion and IR indices, but not adiponectin levels, in pregnant women. Changes in OC might be a sensitive response to increased IR during pregnancy, which was not mediated through adiponectin.

The Triglyceride to HDL Ratio and Its Relationship to Insulin Resistance in Pre- and Postpubertal Children: Observation from the Wausau SCHOOL Project

PubMed Central

Olson, Karen; Hendricks, Bryan; Murdock, David K.

2012-01-01

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and diabetes and raises the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio in adults, but is not well defined in children. Purpose. To investigate the TG/HDL ratios in children as an IR marker. Methods. Wausau SCHOOL Project assessed 99 prepubertal and 118 postpubertal children. The TG/HDL ratio was correlated with numerous risk factors. Results. TG/HDL ratio was significantly correlated with QUICKI, HOMA-IR, zBMI, waist-to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic BP, LDL size and LDL number. A group of 32 IR children (HOMA-IR > 1 SD from the mean, i.e., >2.45) had significantly higher TG/HDL (3.11 ± 1.77) compared to non-IR children (1.86 ± 0.75). A TG/HDL ratio of ≥2.0 identified 32 of the 40 children deemed IR by HOMA-IR (>2.45) with a sensitivity of 0.80 and a specificity of 0.66. Children with TG/HDL ratio ≥3 were heavier and had higher BP, glucose, HOMA-IR, LDL number, and lower HDL level, QUICKI, and LDL size, regardless of pubertal status. Conclusion. The TG/HDL ratio is strongly associated with IR in children, and with higher BMI, waist hip ratio, BP, and more athrogenic lipid profile. PMID:22811895

The Triglyceride to HDL Ratio and Its Relationship to Insulin Resistance in Pre- and Postpubertal Children: Observation from the Wausau SCHOOL Project.

PubMed

Olson, Karen; Hendricks, Bryan; Murdock, David K

2012-01-01

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and diabetes and raises the triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein (TG/HDL) ratio in adults, but is not well defined in children. Purpose. To investigate the TG/HDL ratios in children as an IR marker. Methods. Wausau SCHOOL Project assessed 99 prepubertal and 118 postpubertal children. The TG/HDL ratio was correlated with numerous risk factors. Results. TG/HDL ratio was significantly correlated with QUICKI, HOMA-IR, zBMI, waist-to hip ratio, systolic and diastolic BP, LDL size and LDL number. A group of 32 IR children (HOMA-IR > 1 SD from the mean, i.e., >2.45) had significantly higher TG/HDL (3.11 ± 1.77) compared to non-IR children (1.86 ± 0.75). A TG/HDL ratio of ≥2.0 identified 32 of the 40 children deemed IR by HOMA-IR (>2.45) with a sensitivity of 0.80 and a specificity of 0.66. Children with TG/HDL ratio ≥3 were heavier and had higher BP, glucose, HOMA-IR, LDL number, and lower HDL level, QUICKI, and LDL size, regardless of pubertal status. Conclusion. The TG/HDL ratio is strongly associated with IR in children, and with higher BMI, waist hip ratio, BP, and more athrogenic lipid profile.

Assessment of insulin sensitivity (S I) and glucose effectiveness (S G) from a standardized hyperglucidic breakfast test in type 2 diabetics exhibiting various levels of insulin resistance.

PubMed

Brun, Jean-Frédéric; Ghanassia, Edouard; Fédou, Christine; Bordenave, Sylvain; Raynaud de Mauverger, Eric; Mercier, Jacques

2013-04-01

We investigated the measurement of insulin sensitivity (S I) with a standardized hyperglucidic breakfast (SHB) compared to minimal model analysis of an intravenous glucose tolerance test (S I-IVGTT) in 17 patients clinically referred as type 2 diabetics, not yet treated by insulin, and representing a wide range of body mass index and S I. To classify the patients, ten meal-tolerance test-based calculations of S I (MTT-S I) were compared to S I-IVGTT, and their reference values and distribution were measured on a separate sample of 200 control SHBs and 209 control IVGTTs. Eight MTT-SI indices exhibit significant correlations with S I-IVGTT: Mari's OGIS index, BIGTT-SI|0-30-120, BIGTT-SI|0-60-120, 1/G b I m, Caumo's oral minimal model (OMM), Sluiter's index "A" = 10(4)/(I p·G p), Matsuda's composite index given by the formula ISIcomp = 10(4)/(I b G b I m G m)(0.5), S I = 1/I b G b I m G m with r (2) ranging between 0,53 and 0,28. S I-IVGTT and S I-MTT exhibited in the lower range a very different (non-normal) pattern of distribution and thus the cutoff value for defining insulin resistance varied among indices. With such cutoffs, S I-MTT < 6.3 min(-1)/(μU/ml) 10(-4) with Caumo's OMM was the best predictor of insulin resistance defined as S I-IVGTT < 2 min(-1)/(μU/ml) 10(-4). Other indices, including OGIS and BIGTT, resulted in more misclassifications of patients. HOMA-IR and QUICKI were poor predictors. The formula [Formula: see text] satisfactorily predicts IVGTT-derived glucose effectiveness in type 2 diabetics. Thus, SHB appears suitable for the measurement of S I and S G in type 2 diabetics, and the OMM seems to provide the most accurate SHB-derived index in this population.

Effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women: A randomised controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Jafari, Tina; Faghihimani, Elham; Feizi, Awat; Iraj, Bijan; Javanmard, Shaghayegh Haghjooy; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad; Fallah, Aziz A; Askari, Gholamreza

2016-02-01

Low levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) are common in type 2 diabetic patients and cause several complications particularly, in postmenopausal women due to their senile and physiological conditions. This study aimed to assess the effects of vitamin D-fortified low fat yogurt on glycemic status, anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover in diabetic postmenopausal women. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group clinical trial, 59 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes received fortified yogurt (FY; 2000 IU vitamin D in 100 g/day) or plain yogurt (PY) for 12 weeks. Glycemic markers, anthropometric indexes, inflammatory, and bone turnover markers were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. After intervention, in FY group (vs PY group), were observed: significant increase in serum 25(OH)D and decrease of PTH (stable values in PY); significant improvement in serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, QUICKI, and no changes in serum fasting glucose and HbA1c (significant worsening of all indexes in PY); significant improvement in WC, WHR, FM, and no change in weight and BMI (stable values in PY); significant increase of omentin (stable in PY) and decrease of sNTX (significant increase in PY). Final values of glycemic markers (except HbA1c), omentin, and bone turnover markers significantly improved in FY group compared to PY group. Regarding final values of serum 25(OH)D in FY group, subjects were classified in insufficient and sufficient categories. Glycemic status improved more significantly in the insufficient rather than sufficient category; whereas the other parameters had more amelioration in the sufficient category. Daily consumption of 2000 IU vitamin D-fortified yogurt for 12 weeks improved glycemic markers (except HbA1c), anthropometric indexes, inflammation, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. www.irct.ir (IRCT2013110515294N1). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

What do we know about who does and does not attend general health checks? Findings from a narrative scoping review

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background General and preventive health checks are a key feature of contemporary policies of anticipatory care. Ensuring high and equitable uptake of such general health checks is essential to ensuring health gain and preventing health inequalities. This literature review explores the socio-demographic, clinical and social cognitive characteristics of those who do and do not engage with general health checks or preventive health checks for cardiovascular disease. Methods An exploratory scoping study approach was employed. Databases searched included the British Nursing Index and Archive, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and the Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI). Titles and abstracts of 17463 papers were screened; 1171 papers were then independently assessed by two researchers. A review of full text was carried out by two of the authors resulting in 39 being included in the final review. Results Those least likely to attend health checks were men on low incomes, low socio-economic status, unemployed or less well educated. In general, attenders were older than non-attenders. An individual’s marital status was found to affect attendance rates with non-attenders more likely to be single. In general, white individuals were more likely to engage with services than individuals from other ethnic backgrounds. Non-attenders had a greater proportion of cardiovascular risk factors than attenders, and smokers were less likely to attend than non-smokers. The relationship between health beliefs and health behaviours appeared complex. Non-attenders were shown to value health less strongly, have low self-efficacy, feel less in control of their health and be less likely to believe in the efficacy of health checks. Conclusion Routine health check-ups appear to be taken up inequitably, with gender, age, socio-demographic status and ethnicity all associated with differential service use. Furthermore, non-attenders appeared to have greater clinical need or risk factors suggesting that differential uptake may lead to sub-optimal health gain and contribute to inequalities via the inverse care law. Appropriate service redesign and interventions to encourage increased uptake among these groups is required. PMID:22938046

Automatic oscillator frequency control system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, S. F. (Inventor)

1985-01-01

A frequency control system makes an initial correction of the frequency of its own timing circuit after comparison against a frequency of known accuracy and then sequentially checks and corrects the frequencies of several voltage controlled local oscillator circuits. The timing circuit initiates the machine cycles of a central processing unit which applies a frequency index to an input register in a modulo-sum frequency divider stage and enables a multiplexer to clock an accumulator register in the divider stage with a cyclical signal derived from the oscillator circuit being checked. Upon expiration of the interval, the processing unit compares the remainder held as the contents of the accumulator against a stored zero error constant and applies an appropriate correction word to a correction stage to shift the frequency of the oscillator being checked. A signal from the accumulator register may be used to drive a phase plane ROM and, with periodic shifts in the applied frequency index, to provide frequency shift keying of the resultant output signal. Interposition of a phase adder between the accumulator register and phase plane ROM permits phase shift keying of the output signal by periodic variation in the value of a phase index applied to one input of the phase adder.

A naturalistic examination of body checking and dietary restriction in women with anorexia nervosa.

PubMed

Lavender, Jason M; Wonderlich, Stephen A; Crosby, Ross D; Engel, Scott G; Mitchell, James E; Crow, Scott; Peterson, Carol B; Le Grange, Daniel

2013-08-01

Body checking has been conceptualized as a behavioral manifestation of the core overvaluation of eating, shape, and weight concerns underlying eating disorder psychopathology. Cognitive-behavioral theories suggest that body checking behaviors may function to maintain dietary restriction. The current study examined the association between body checking frequency and dietary restriction among women with anorexia nervosa (AN) in the natural environment. Women (N = 118) with full or partial AN completed baseline clinical interviews and a two-week ecological momentary assessment protocol, during which they reported on body checking behaviors (i.e., checking whether one's thighs touch; checking joints/bones for fat) and dietary restriction (i.e., 8 waking hours without eating; consuming less than 1200 calories per day). Average daily body checking frequency was positively associated with baseline eating disorder symptoms and body mass index. Daily body checking frequency was associated with both forms of dietary restriction on the same day, as well as the following day. Results support the theorized association between body checking and overvaluation of shape and weight, and suggest that targeting such behaviors in treatment may have utility in reducing dietary restriction. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Addressing the Heterogeneity of Subject Indexing in the ADS Databases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dubin, David S.

A drawback of the current document representation scheme in the ADS abstract service is its heterogeneous subject indexing. Several related but inconsistent indexing languages are represented in ADS. A method of reconciling some indexing inconsistencies is described. Using lexical similarity alone, one out of six ADS descriptors can be automatically mapped to some other descriptor. Analysis of postings data can direct administrators to those mergings it is most important to check for errors.

Preptin in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Mierzwicka, Agata; Kuliczkowska-Plaksej, Justyna; Kolačkov, Katarzyna; Bolanowski, Marek

2018-06-01

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, frequently develop metabolic complications, such as insulin resistance (IR), impaired carbohydrate metabolism, dyslipidemia, obesity. Among the new markers responsible for metabolic disorders, preptin seems to be of great significance. One hundred and thirty-four women aged 17-45 were enrolled. PCOS was diagnosed in 73 women on the basis of ESHRE-ASRM criteria. Non-PCOS group consisted of 61 women with regular menstruation matched for nutritional status. All women underwent anamnesis, physical examination, anthropometric measurements, the abdominal ultrasound examination, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum adropin levels were determined by ELISA. Biochemical and hormonal (testosterone, androstenedione, LH, FSH, estradiol) measurements were also performed. Insulin resistance indices (HOMA, QUICKI, Matsuda) and free androgen index (FAI) were calculated with the test results according to the standard formula. For all comparisons, statistical significance was defined by p ≤ .05. Serum preptin levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group. No significant correlations between preptin level and metabolic and hormonal markers were observed. The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that serum preptin level was an independent factor differentiating the two groups. Serum preptin levels were significantly higher in women with PCOS compared with controls. This peptide might be an independent predictor of PCOS in the future.

Basal metabolic rate is decreased in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and biochemical hyperandrogenemia and is associated with insulin resistance.

PubMed

Georgopoulos, Neoklis A; Saltamavros, Alexandros D; Vervita, Vasiliki; Karkoulias, Kyriakos; Adonakis, George; Decavalas, George; Kourounis, George; Markou, Kostas B; Kyriazopoulou, Venetsana

2009-07-01

To evaluate basal metabolic rate (BMR) in women with PCOS and to determine its association with insulin resistance (IR). Prospective assessment of BMR in women with PCOS. Outpatient clinic of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology. The study included 91 Greek women with PCOS and biochemical hyperandrogenemia, with mean age 24.03 +/- 0.55 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 26.67 +/- 0.69 kg/m(2), and 48 matched regularly menstruating women, with mean age 26.33 +/- 0.93 years and mean BMI 23.35 +/- 0.85 kg/m(2), as control subjects. Assessment of BMR by indirect calorimetry, IR by HOMA and QUICKI indices, fasting insulin, and fasting glucose/insulin ratio. Reduced BMR in PCOS with or without IR. Adjusted BMR was 1,868 +/- 41 kcal/day in the control group, 1,445.57 +/- 76 in all PCOS women, 1,590 +/- 130 in PCOS women without IR and 1,116 +/- 106 in PCOS women with IR. Adjusted BMR showed a statistically significant difference between women with PCOS and control subjects, with lowest values in the group of PCOS women with IR, even after adjusting all groups for age and BMI. Women with PCOS, particularly those with IR, present a significantly decreased BMR.

Reactive hypoglycemia in lean young women with PCOS and correlations with insulin sensitivity and with beta cell function.

PubMed

Altuntas, Yuksel; Bilir, Muammer; Ucak, Sema; Gundogdu, Sadi

2005-04-01

Reactive hypoglycemia (RH), which is a postprandial hypoglycemic state, occurs within 2-5 h after food intake. It is classified as idiopathic, alimentary, or diabetic reactive hypoglycemia. We studied the incidence of reactive hypoglycemia and looked for any correlations between it and the presence of insulin sensitivity and/or beta cell function in young lean polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. This study was designed as a cross-sectional study in 64 lean young women with PCOS (BMI < or = 25 kg/m2). Various indices of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function derived from the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results were used. We found the rate of RH to be 50% in lean young women with PCOS. DHEA-S and PRL levels were found to be lower in subjects with RH (P < 0.05 and P > 0.05, respectively). Beta cell function indices such as the insulinogenic index (at 120 min), CIR (at 120 min) and HOMA beta cell index were found to be insignificantly higher in the RH group than the nonreactive hypoglycemia (NRH) group. The 4 h glucose level, but not the 3 h glucose level, was significantly correlated with insulin resistance indices, such as fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, Quicky index, and FIRI in the RH group. Significantly decreased DHEA-S levels were an interesting finding. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to investigate RH in lean young women with PCOS. Our results indicate that more definite insulin resistance occurs in subjects with RH in the fourth hour of the OGTT than those with RH in the third hour. In addition, RH in the fourth hour together with a low DHEA-S level may be predictive of future diabetes in young women with PCOS even when they are not obese.

Evaluating the effect of insulin sensitizers metformin and pioglitazone alone and in combination on women with polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT

PubMed Central

Sohrevardi, Seyed Mojtaba; Nosouhi, Fahime; Hossein Khalilzade, Saeed; Kafaie, Parichehr; Karimi-Zarchi, Mojgan; Halvaei, Iman; Mohsenzadeh, Mehdi

2016-01-01

Background: Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may play a role in pathogenesis of PCOS. One of the common therapeutic methods is using insulin-sensitizing drugs such as metformin and thiazolidinediones. Objective: The purpose was to determine the effect of metformin and pioglitazone on clinical, hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: Eighty four women randomly received one of the following for 3 months: metformin (n=28) (500 mg three times a day), pioglitazone (30 mg daily) (n=28) and combination of both metformin and pioglitazone (n=28) (30 mg/day pioglitazone plus 500 mg metformin three times a day). Hormonal profile, fasting serum insulin, body weight, body mass index, menstrual status and waist to hip ratio were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Metformin and pioglitazone and combination therapy induced favorable changes in fasting serum insulin, HOMA-IR index, QUICKI, fasting glucose to insulin ratio in women with PCOS. Body weight, BMI, and waist to hip ratio increased significantly after treatment with pioglitazone but the data were similar after administration of metformin or combination therapy. Total testosterone level decreased significantly only after treatment with metformin. After 3 months in patients who received pioglitazone or combination therapy, menstrual cycles became regular in 71.4% and 73.9% respectively. While menstrual improvement happened only in 36.4% of the patients treated with metformin. Conclusion: These findings suggest that insulin-sensitizing drugs induce beneficial effect in insulin resistance and menstrual cyclicity but only metformin ameliorated hyperandrogenemia in women with PCOS. Treatment with combination of metformin and pioglitazone did not show more benefit than monotherapy with each drug alone. PMID:28331909

The relationship of periaortic fat thickness and cardiovascular risk factors in children with Turner syndrome.

PubMed

Akyürek, Nesibe; Atabek, Mehmet Emre; Eklioglu, Beray Selver; Alp, Hayrullah

2015-06-01

Children with Turner syndrome (TS) have a broad range of later health problems, including an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between periaortic fat thickness (PAFT) and metabolic and cardiovascular profiles in children with TS. Twenty-nine TS and 29 healthy children and adolescents were enrolled in the study. Anthropometric measurements, pubertal staging, and blood pressure measurements were performed. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were measured. Periaortic fat thickness was measured using an echocardiography method, which has not previously been applied in children with TS. No difference was found between TS and control subject (CS) in age, weight, waist/hip ratio, HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. However, in TS subjects, total cholesterol (p = 0.045) was greater than that in controls. It was determined that 13.7 % (N: 4) of TS subjects had dyslipidemia. Mean fasting glucose, fasting insulin, QUICK-I, HOMA, and FGIR index were similar in TS and in CS, whereas 17.2 % (N: 5) of TS subjects had insulin resistance (IR) and 13.7 % (N: 4) had impaired glucose tolerance. Six subjects (20.6 %) were diagnosed as hypertensive. Periaortic fat thickness was significantly higher in the TS group (p < 0.001) (0.1694 ± 0.025 mm in the TS group and 0.1416 ± 0.014 mm in the CS group) In children with TS, PAFT was positively correlated with fasting insulin, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure. Our results provide additional evidence for the presence of subclinical cardiovascular disease in TS. In addition to existing methods, we recommend the measurement of periaortic fat thickness in children with TS to reveal the presence of early atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of Controlled Vocabularies by Inter-Indexer Consistency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monreal, Concha Soler; Gil-Leiva, Isidoro

2011-01-01

Introduction: Several controlled vocabularies are used for indexing three journal articles to check if better or equal consistency rates are achieved with a list of descriptors than with a standard thesaurus and augmented thesaurus. Method: A terminology set for library and information Science was used to build a list of descriptors with…

Volatility in GARCH Models of Business Tendency Index

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahyuni, Dwi A. S.; Wage, Sutarman; Hartono, Ateng

2018-01-01

This paper aims to obtain a model of business tendency index by considering volatility factor. Volatility factor detected by ARCH (Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity). The ARCH checking was performed using the Lagrange multiplier test. The modeling is Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH) are able to overcome volatility problems by incorporating past residual elements and residual variants.

Impact characteristics for high-pressure large-flow water-based emulsion pilot operated check valve reverse opening

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lei; Huang, Chuanhui; Yu, Ping; Zhang, Lei

2017-10-01

To improve the dynamic characteristics and cavitation characteristics of large-flow pilot operated check valve, consider the pilot poppet as the research object, analyses working principle and design three different kinds of pilot poppets. The vibration characteristics and impact characteristics are analyzed. The simulation model is established through flow field simulation software. The cavitation characteristics of large-flow pilot operated check valve are studied and discussed. On this basis, high-pressure large-flow impact experimental system is used for impact experiment, and the cavitation index is discussed. Then optimal structure is obtained. Simulation results indicate that the increase of pilot poppet half cone angle can effectively reduce the cavitation area, reducing the generation of cavitation. Experimental results show that the pressure impact is not decreasing with increasing of pilot poppet half cone angle in process of unloading, but the unloading capacity, response speed and pilot poppet half cone angle are positively correlated. The impact characteristics of 60° pilot poppet, and its cavitation index is lesser, which indicates 60° pilot poppet is the optimal structure, with the theory results are basically identical.

Detecting and (not) dealing with plagiarism in an engineering paper: beyond CrossCheck-a case study.

PubMed

Zhang, Xin-xin; Huo, Zhao-lin; Zhang, Yue-hong

2014-06-01

In papers in areas such as engineering and the physical sciences, figures, tables and formulae are the basic elements to communicate the authors' core ideas, workings and results. As a computational text-matching tool, CrossCheck cannot work on these non-textual elements to detect plagiarism. Consequently, when comparing engineering or physical sciences papers, CrossCheck may return a low similarity index even when plagiarism has in fact taken place. A case of demonstrated plagiarism involving engineering papers with a low similarity index is discussed, and editor's experiences and suggestions are given on how to tackle this problem. The case shows a lack of understanding of plagiarism by some authors or editors, and illustrates the difficulty of getting some editors and publishers to take appropriate action. Consequently, authors, journal editors, and reviewers, as well as research institutions all are duty-bound not only to recognize the differences between ethical and unethical behavior in order to protect a healthy research environment, and also to maintain consistent ethical publishing standards.

Beyond Word Processing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haight, Larry

1989-01-01

Types of specialty software that can help in computer editing are discussed, including programs for file transformation, optical character recognition, facsimile transmission, spell-checking, style assistance, editing, indexing, and headline-writing. (MSE)

Performance Improvements of the Phoneme Recognition Algorithm.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

VECTOR NUNDIRt"tIVECTj Beginning vector ; of speech to be extracted INDEX * MOD(IVECT,4) ICheck for vector being ; last vector in block 63 ILE u ((JUICT...1fIER0) ; Read header block. CALL CHECK(IERO) IHEADER(57) : ICOfP ; Change a of freq. components ICHECK : (IHEADER(56) - ([LENGTH - 1)) * ILENGTH...ICONT .Al. ICHECK ) GO TO 55 ; Check to make sure correct ;amount of vectors have been created# INCR u INCR + 32 ;Jump over last set of components

[Association of cognitive impairments with carbohydrate and lipid metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery].

PubMed

Trubnikova, О А; Mamontova, A S; Tarasova, I V; Maleva, O V; Kuzmina, A A; Barbarash, O L

2015-01-01

AIM. To comparatively analyze neuropsychological parameters in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) depending on the presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to evaluate their relationship to carbohydrate and lipid metabolic parameters. Fifty-two male patients with type 2 DM (mean age 58.0 ± 5.7 years) and 46 male patients without this condition (mean age 57.1 ± 6.2 years) were examined. Besides standard clinical examination, neurophysiological testing and determinations of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c),) and insulin concentrations, QUICKI index, and blood lipid profile were made. The patients with DM differed from those without DM in the lower speeds of sensorimotor reactions during neurodynamic testing and in worse attention values. In the patients with type 2 DM, the worse neuropsychological status was associated with the higher plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, HbA(1c), total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides and with the lower levels of high-density lipoproteins. These relationships were not observed in the patients without DM. The patients with CAD concurrent with DM had a worse neurophysiological status than those without DM. Only the DM group demonstrated a relationship between cognitive impairments and carbohydrate metabolic markers. Carbohydrate and lipid metabolic disturbances may be assumed to make a negative contribution to the development of cognitive impairments in patients with CAD concurrent with type 2 DM.

No association of the G972S polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate-1 gene with polycystic ovary syndrome in lean PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia.

PubMed

Marioli, Dimitra J; Koika, Vasiliki; Adonakis, George L; Saltamavros, Alexandros D; Karela, Anastasia; Armeni, Anastasia K; Tsapanos, Vasilios S; Decavalas, George O; Georgopoulos, Neoklis A

2010-06-01

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and association of the G972S polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate-1 gene (IRS-1 G972S SNP) with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance-related traits in a distinct phenotypic group of lean PCOS women with biochemical hyperandrogenemia, excluding obesity, which is considered to be an aggravating parameter of insulin resistance. The study included 162 women with PCOS and 122 regularly menstruating, ovulatory women as controls. Physical measurements included weight, height, fat-free mass, fat mass, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate. Biochemical parameters included the serum testosterone, free testosterone, androstenedione, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol and glucose levels. Insulin resistance was assessed by determining fasting insulin levels, fasting glucose levels, the fasting glucose/insulin ratio, as well as the HOMA and QUICKI indexes. All DNA samples were genotyped by a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RLFP) assay. No association of the genotype frequencies of the G972S polymorphism in insulin receptor substrate-1 gene (IRS-1 G972S SNP) with PCOS phenotype and insulin resistance was detected. The G972S polymorphism of the IRS-1 gene should not be viewed as major contributor to the development of PCOS or as a causative variant for insulin resistance.

Method-independent, Computationally Frugal Convergence Testing for Sensitivity Analysis Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mai, Juliane; Tolson, Bryan

2017-04-01

The increasing complexity and runtime of environmental models lead to the current situation that the calibration of all model parameters or the estimation of all of their uncertainty is often computationally infeasible. Hence, techniques to determine the sensitivity of model parameters are used to identify most important parameters or model processes. All subsequent model calibrations or uncertainty estimation procedures focus then only on these subsets of parameters and are hence less computational demanding. While the examination of the convergence of calibration and uncertainty methods is state-of-the-art, the convergence of the sensitivity methods is usually not checked. If any, bootstrapping of the sensitivity results is used to determine the reliability of the estimated indexes. Bootstrapping, however, might as well become computationally expensive in case of large model outputs and a high number of bootstraps. We, therefore, present a Model Variable Augmentation (MVA) approach to check the convergence of sensitivity indexes without performing any additional model run. This technique is method- and model-independent. It can be applied either during the sensitivity analysis (SA) or afterwards. The latter case enables the checking of already processed sensitivity indexes. To demonstrate the method independency of the convergence testing method, we applied it to three widely used, global SA methods: the screening method known as Morris method or Elementary Effects (Morris 1991, Campolongo et al., 2000), the variance-based Sobol' method (Solbol' 1993, Saltelli et al. 2010) and a derivative-based method known as Parameter Importance index (Goehler et al. 2013). The new convergence testing method is first scrutinized using 12 analytical benchmark functions (Cuntz & Mai et al. 2015) where the true indexes of aforementioned three methods are known. This proof of principle shows that the method reliably determines the uncertainty of the SA results when different budgets are used for the SA. Subsequently, we focus on the model-independency by testing the frugal method using the hydrologic model mHM (www.ufz.de/mhm) with about 50 model parameters. The results show that the new frugal method is able to test the convergence and therefore the reliability of SA results in an efficient way. The appealing feature of this new technique is the necessity of no further model evaluation and therefore enables checking of already processed (and published) sensitivity results. This is one step towards reliable and transferable, published sensitivity results.

Profitability of simple technical trading rules of Chinese stock exchange indexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hong; Jiang, Zhi-Qiang; Li, Sai-Ping; Zhou, Wei-Xing

2015-12-01

Although technical trading rules have been widely used by practitioners in financial markets, their profitability still remains controversial. We here investigate the profitability of moving average (MA) and trading range break (TRB) rules by using the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index (SHCI) from May 21, 1992 through December 31, 2013 and Shenzhen Stock Exchange Component Index (SZCI) from April 3, 1991 through December 31, 2013. The t-test is adopted to check whether the mean returns which are conditioned on the trading signals are significantly different from unconditioned returns and whether the mean returns conditioned on the buy signals are significantly different from the mean returns conditioned on the sell signals. We find that TRB rules outperform MA rules and short-term variable moving average (VMA) rules outperform long-term VMA rules. By applying White's Reality Check test and accounting for the data snooping effects, we find that the best trading rule outperforms the buy-and-hold strategy when transaction costs are not taken into consideration. Once transaction costs are included, trading profits will be eliminated completely. Our analysis suggests that simple trading rules like MA and TRB cannot beat the standard buy-and-hold strategy for the Chinese stock exchange indexes.

Method-independent, Computationally Frugal Convergence Testing for Sensitivity Analysis Techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mai, J.; Tolson, B.

2017-12-01

The increasing complexity and runtime of environmental models lead to the current situation that the calibration of all model parameters or the estimation of all of their uncertainty is often computationally infeasible. Hence, techniques to determine the sensitivity of model parameters are used to identify most important parameters. All subsequent model calibrations or uncertainty estimation procedures focus then only on these subsets of parameters and are hence less computational demanding. While the examination of the convergence of calibration and uncertainty methods is state-of-the-art, the convergence of the sensitivity methods is usually not checked. If any, bootstrapping of the sensitivity results is used to determine the reliability of the estimated indexes. Bootstrapping, however, might as well become computationally expensive in case of large model outputs and a high number of bootstraps. We, therefore, present a Model Variable Augmentation (MVA) approach to check the convergence of sensitivity indexes without performing any additional model run. This technique is method- and model-independent. It can be applied either during the sensitivity analysis (SA) or afterwards. The latter case enables the checking of already processed sensitivity indexes. To demonstrate the method's independency of the convergence testing method, we applied it to two widely used, global SA methods: the screening method known as Morris method or Elementary Effects (Morris 1991) and the variance-based Sobol' method (Solbol' 1993). The new convergence testing method is first scrutinized using 12 analytical benchmark functions (Cuntz & Mai et al. 2015) where the true indexes of aforementioned three methods are known. This proof of principle shows that the method reliably determines the uncertainty of the SA results when different budgets are used for the SA. The results show that the new frugal method is able to test the convergence and therefore the reliability of SA results in an efficient way. The appealing feature of this new technique is the necessity of no further model evaluation and therefore enables checking of already processed sensitivity results. This is one step towards reliable and transferable, published sensitivity results.

Photonic entanglement-assisted quantum low-density parity-check encoders and decoders.

PubMed

Djordjevic, Ivan B

2010-05-01

I propose encoder and decoder architectures for entanglement-assisted (EA) quantum low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes suitable for all-optical implementation. I show that two basic gates needed for EA quantum error correction, namely, controlled-NOT (CNOT) and Hadamard gates can be implemented based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer. In addition, I show that EA quantum LDPC codes from balanced incomplete block designs of unitary index require only one entanglement qubit to be shared between source and destination.

Case Study Application of the Biodiversity Security Index to Ranking Feasibility Studies for Ecosystem Restoration Projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-04-01

determinations are more common for certain invertebrates , such as gastropods (snails), but the taxonomy is improving rapidly. The RSI approach to resource...arrow for invertebrate animals. Check the box for Mollusca. Then check to make sure your status and location criteria remain the same, search for the...mollusk list and store. Go back to invertebrate animals and select the down arrow for “Crustacea”. Then select crayfish, isopods, amphipods, and

An initial psychometric evaluation and exploratory cross-sectional study of the body checking questionnaire among Brazilian women.

PubMed

Campana, Angela Nogueira Neves Betanho; Swami, Viren; Onodera, Carolina Mie Kawagosi; da Silva, Dirceu; Tavares, Maria da Consolação Gomes Cunha Fernandes

2013-01-01

Body checking is considered an expression of an excessive preoccupation with appearance. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Body Checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Additionally, we wanted to examine the questionnaire's associations with body avoidance behaviour, body mass index, dietary habits, and the intensity, frequency, and length of physical exercise. Finally, we also examined the differences between the total BCQ score and the individual BCQ factor scores. Differences between active and sedentary persons and between non-dieters and those on weight-loss diets were also analyzed. For the psychometric study, 546 female public university students from four different courses were surveyed. Two minor samples of university students and eating disorders women were also recruited. In the second part of the study, 403 women were recruited from weight-loss programs, gyms, and a university. All participants were verbally invited to participate in the research and voluntarily took part. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the original model of the Brazilian BCQ that retained all 23 items. Satisfactory evidence of construct validity and internal consistency were also generated through analysis of factor loadings, t-values, Cronbach's alpha, and construct reliability tests. The results also showed associations among body checking and body avoidance, body satisfaction, social anxiety, body mass index, and the frequency and intensity of physical exercise. Significant differences were found between non-dieters and weight-loss dieters for all BCQ factors and the total BCQ score. For physically active and sedentary persons, a significant difference was only observed for idiosyncratic checking behaviour. In conclusion, the BCQ appears to be a valid and reliable scale for Brazilian research, and the associations and differences found in this study suggest that women at gyms and especially in weight-loss programs should be targeted for future body checking studies.

Cyberchondria: Parsing health anxiety from online behavior

PubMed Central

Doherty-Torstrick, E. R.; Walton, Kate E.; Fallon, Brian A.

2018-01-01

Objective Individuals with questions about their health often turn to the internet for information about their symptoms, but the degree to which health anxiety is related to online checking, and clinical variables, remains unclear. The clinical profiles of highly anxious internet checkers, and the relationship to checking behavior itself, have not previously been reported. In this paper, we test the hypothesis, derived from cognitive-behavioral models, that individuals with higher levels of illness anxiety would recall having experienced worsening anxiety after reassurance-seeking on the internet. Method Data from 731 volunteers who endorsed engaging in online symptom searching were collected using an online questionnaire. Severity of health anxiety was assessed with the Whiteley Index, functional impairment with the Sheehan Disability Scale, and distress recall during and after searching with a modified version of the Clinician's Global Impairment scale. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine variables contributing to distress during and after internet checking. Results Severity of illness anxiety on the Whiteley Index was the strongest predictor of increase in anxiety associated with, and consequent to, online symptom searching. Individuals with high illness anxiety recalled feeling worse after online symptom checking while those with low illness anxiety recalled relief. Longer duration online health-related use was associated with increased functional impairment, less education, and increased anxiety during and after checking. Conclusion Because individuals with moderate-high levels of illness anxiety recall experiencing more anxiety during and after searching, such searching may be detrimental to their health. If replicated in controlled experimental settings, this would suggest that individuals with illness anxiety should be advised to avoid using the internet for illness-related information. PMID:27044514

Cyberchondria: Parsing Health Anxiety From Online Behavior.

PubMed

Doherty-Torstrick, Emily R; Walton, Kate E; Fallon, Brian A

2016-01-01

Individuals with questions about their health often turn to the Internet for information about their symptoms, but the degree to which health anxiety is related to online checking, and clinical variables, remains unclear. The clinical profiles of highly anxious Internet checkers, and the relationship to checking behavior itself, have not previously been reported. In this article, we test the hypothesis, derived from cognitive-behavioral models, that individuals with higher levels of illness anxiety would recall having experienced worsening anxiety after reassurance-seeking on the Internet. Data from 731 volunteers who endorsed engaging in online symptom-searching were collected using an online questionnaire. Severity of health anxiety was assessed with the Whiteley Index, functional impairment with the Sheehan Disability Scale, and distress recall during and after searching with a modified version of the Clinician׳s Global Impairment scale. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine variables contributing to distress during and after Internet checking. Severity of illness anxiety on the Whiteley Index was the strongest predictor of increase in anxiety associated with, and consequent to, online symptom-searching. Individuals with high illness anxiety recalled feeling worse after online symptom-checking, whereas those with low illness anxiety recalled relief. Longer-duration online health-related use was associated with increased functional impairment, less education, and increased anxiety during and after checking. Because individuals with moderate-high levels of illness anxiety recall experiencing more anxiety during and after searching, such searching may be detrimental to their health. If replicated in controlled experimental settings, this would suggest that individuals with illness anxiety should be advised to avoid using the Internet for illness-related information. Copyright © 2016 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of recombinant human growth hormone with or without rosiglitazone on hepatic fat content in HIV-1-infected individuals: a randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Kotler, Donald P; He, Qing; Engelson, Ellen S; Albu, Jeanine B; Glesby, Marshall J

2016-01-01

Hepatic fat is related to insulin resistance (IR) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in HIV+ and uninfected individuals. Growth hormone (GH) reduces VAT but increases IR. We evaluated the effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH) and rosiglitazone (Rosi) on hepatic fat in a substudy of a randomized controlled trial. HIV+ subjects with abdominal obesity and IR (QUICKI≤0.33) were randomized to rhGH 3 mg daily, Rosi 4 mg twice daily, the combination or double placebo. Hepatic fat was measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, visceral fat by MRI and IR by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests at baseline and week 12. 31 subjects were studied at both time points. Significant correlations between hepatic fat and VAT (r=0.41; P=0.02) and QUICKI (r=0.39; P<0.05) were seen at baseline. IR rose with rhGH but not Rosi. When rhGH treatment groups were combined, hepatic fat expressed as percentage change decreased significantly (P<0.05) but did not change in Rosi (P=0.71). There were no correlations between changes in hepatic fat and VAT (P=0.4) or QUICKI (P=0.6). In a substudy of 21 subjects, a trend was noticed between changes in hepatic fat and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; P=0.09). Hepatic fat correlates significantly with both VAT and IR, but changes in hepatic fat do not correlate with changes in VAT and glucose metabolism. Hepatic fat content is reduced by rhGH but Rosi has no effect. These results suggest an independent effect of GH or IGF-1 on hepatic fat. The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00130286).

Design of wideband solar ultraviolet radiation intensity monitoring and control system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Linmao; Wu, Zhigang; Li, Yusheng; Yu, Guohe; Jin, Qi

2009-08-01

According to the principle of SCM (Single Chip Microcomputer) and computer communication technique, the system is composed of chips such as ATML89C51, ADL0809, integrated circuit and sensors for UV radiation, which is designed for monitoring and controlling the UV index. This system can automatically collect the UV index data, analyze and check the history database, research the law of UV radiation in the region.

Our Commitment to Reliable Health and Medical Information

MedlinePlus

... 000 visitors world-wide per day. HONcode Toolbar: search engine and checker of the certification status Automatically checks ... HONcode status when browsing health web sites. The search engine indexes only HONcode-certified sites. HONcodeHunt currently includes ...

40 CFR 51.360 - Waivers and compliance via diagnostic inspection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... sale. (4) Repairs shall be appropriate to the cause of the test failure, and a visual check shall be... current Consumer Price Index may be obtained from the Emission Planning and Strategies Division, U.S...

Landfill Site Selection by AHP Based Multi-criteria Decision Making Tool: A Case Study in Kolkata, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majumdar, Ankush; Hazra, Tumpa; Dutta, Amit

2017-09-01

This work presents a Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) tool to select a landfill site from three candidate sites proposed for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area that complies with accessibility, receptor, environment, public acceptability, geological and economic criteria. Analytical Hierarchy Process has been used to solve the MCDM problem. Suitability of the three sites (viz. Natagachi, Gangajoara and Kharamba) as landfills as proposed by KMC has been checked by Landfill Site Sensitivity Index (LSSI) as well as Economic Viability Index (EVI). Land area availability for disposing huge quantity of Municipal Solid Waste for the design period has been checked. Analysis of the studied sites show that they are moderately suitable for landfill facility construction as both LSSI and EVI scores lay between 300 and 750. The proposed approach represents an effective MCDM tool for siting sanitary landfill in growing metropolitan cities of developing countries like India.

Geomorphological and ecological effects of check dams in mountain torrents of Southern Italy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zema, Demetrio Antonio; Bombino, Giuseppe; Denisi, Pietro; Tamburino, Vincenzo; Marcello Zimbone, Santo

2017-04-01

It is known that installation of check dams noticeably influences torrent morphology and ecology. However, the effects of check dams on channel section and riparian vegetation of torrents are not yet completely understood. This paper provides a further contribution to a better comprehension of the actions played by check dams on hydrological and geomorphological processes in headwaters and their effects on riparian ecosystem. Field surveys on channel morphology, bed material and riparian vegetation were carried out close to five check dams in each of four mountain reaches of Calabria (Southern Italy). For each check dam three transects (one upstream, one downstream and one far from the check dam, located in the undisturbed zone and adopted as control) were identified; at each transect, a set of geomorphological and ecological indicators were surveyed as follows. Channel section morphology was assessed by the width/depth ratio (w/d); the median particle size (D50) and the finer sediment fraction (%fines) were chosen to characterize channel bed material; the specific discharge (q, the discharge per channel unit width) was assumed as measure of the flow regime. Vegetation cover and structure were evaluated by Global Canopy Cover (GCC) and Weighted Canopy Height (WCH) respectively (Bombino et al., 2008); the index of alpha-diversity (H-alpha, Hill, 1973) and the ratio between the number of alien species and the number of native species (NSA/NSN) were chosen as indicators of species richness/abundance and degree of vegetation integrity, respectively. Compared to the control transects, the values of w/d were higher upstream of check dams and lower downstream; conversely, q was lower upstream and higher in downstream sites. Upstream of the check dams D50 of bed material was lower and %fines was higher compared to the control transects; vice versa, the downstream transects showed higher D50 and lower %fines. The differences in the riparian vegetation among transects were found as the torrent ecological response to the strong contrasts surveyed in hydrological (q) and geomorphological (w/d, D50 and %fines) characteristics. Compared to control transects, vegetation was more extensive (higher GCC) and developed (higher WCH) in the upstream zones; the reverse pattern was noticed in the downstream transects (lower GCC and WCH). The indexes H-alpha and NSA/NSN were higher upstream of check dams: the presence of the check dams induced higher species richness and evenness, with alien species prevailing over native ones in the sedimentation wedge. Conversely, downstream of check dams H-alpha and NSA/NSN were lower: here, riparian vegetation lost some herbaceous species and assumed a terrestrial character. Overall, this study confirms on a quantitative approach that check dams have far reaching effects on geomorphology and ecology of mountain torrent channels; as a consequence, important and complex changes occur not only in the extent and development of riparian vegetation, but also in the species diversity and distribution. REFERENCES - Bombino G., Gurnell A.M., Tamburino V., Zema D.A., Zimbone S.M. 2008. Sediment size variation in torrents with check-dams: effects on riparian vegetation. Ecological Engineering 32(2), 166-177. - Hill MO. 1973. Diversity and evenness: a unifying notation and its consequences. Ecology 54: 427-431.

Characteristics and contributions of hyperandrogenism to insulin resistance and other metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Huang, Rong; Zheng, Jun; Li, Shengxian; Tao, Tao; Ma, Jing; Liu, Wei

2015-05-01

To investigate the different characteristics in Chinese Han women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and to analyze the significance of hyperandrogenism in insulin resistance and other metabolic profiles. A cross-sectional study. Medical university hospital. A total of 229 women with polycystic ovary syndrome aged 18-45 years. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome, diagnosed by Rotterdam criteria, were divided into four groups according to the quartile intervals of free androgen index levels. Comparisons between groups were performed using one-way analysis of variance. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance and independent variables. Within the four phenotypes, women with phenotype 1 (hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries) exhibited higher total testosterone, free androgen index, androstenedione, low-density lipoprotein, and lower quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (p < 0.05); women with phenotype 4 (oligo/anovulation and polycystic ovaries) showed lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, but higher high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). The levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance significantly increased, but high-density lipoprotein and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index decreased with the elevation of free androgen index intervals. After adjustment for lipid profiles, free androgen index was significantly associated with homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance in both lean and overweight/obese women (odds ratio 1.302, p = 0.039 in lean vs. odds ratio 1.132, p = 0.036 in overweight/obese). Phenotypes 1 and 4 represent groups with the most and least severe metabolic profiles, respectively. Hyperandrogenism, particularly with elevated free androgen index, is likely a key contributing factor for insulin resistance and for the aggravation of other metabolic profiles. © 2015 Nordic Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Pregnant Women: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Jamilian, Mehri; Bahmani, Fereshteh; Vahedpoor, Zahra; Salmani, Ali; Tajabadi-Ebrahimi, Maryam; Jafari, Parvaneh; Hashemi Dizaji, Shahrzad; Asemi, Zatollah

2016-10-01

Limited data is available on the effects of multispecies probiotic supplementation on metabolic status in pregnant women in the first half of pregnancy. The current study was carried out to determine the effects of multispecies probiotic capsule supplementation on metabolic status among pregnant women in the first half of pregnancy. A randomized clinical trial was conducted among 60 pregnant women aged 18-37 years. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: group A (n = 30) received multispecies probiotic supplements containing three probiotic bacteria spices Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum (2 × 109 CFU/g each) and group B (n = 30) received placebo from 9 weeks of gestation for a duration of 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks of intervention to determine metabolic profiles, inflammatory cytokines and biomarkers of oxidative stress. After 12 weeks of intervention, compared to the placebo group, the pregnant women who consumed probiotic capsule had significantly decreased serum insulin concentrations (-1.5 ± 4.8 vs. +1.3 ± 5.2 µIU/mL, P = 0.03), the homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.3 ± 0.9 vs. +0.3 ± 1.1, P = 0.04), the homeostasis model of assessment-estimated b cell function (HOMA-B) (-7.2 ± 23.1 vs. +5.3 ± 22.6, P = 0.03) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01 ± 0.05 vs. -0.01 ± 0.02, P = 0.03). In addition, changes in serum triglycerides levels (-14.7 ± 46.5 vs. +37.3 ± 74.2 mg/dL, P = 0.002), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-1.0 ± 2.6 vs. +1.7 ± 4.3 mg/L, P = 0.004), plasma nitric oxide (NO) (+6.8 ± 9.3 vs. -4.7 ± 7.4 µmol/L, P < 0.001), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+171.9 ± 187.6 vs. -51.9 ± 208.8 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations (+34.3 ± 71.6 vs. -36.9 ± 108.3 µmol/L, P = 0.004) in supplemented women were significantly different from those of the placebo group. However, after controlling for baseline levels, age and BMI at the study baseline, the changes in plasma GSH were not significantly different between the groups. Overall, probiotic supplementation for 12 weeks among pregnant women in the first half of pregnancy had beneficial effects on markers of insulin metabolism, triglycerides, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Lack of effect of supplementation with EPA or DHA on platelet-monocyte aggregates and vascular function in healthy men.

PubMed

Cottin, S C; Alsaleh, A; Sanders, T A B; Hall, W L

2016-08-01

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil are postulated to have favourable effects on platelet, endothelial and vascular function. We investigated whether EPA has differential effects on in vivo platelet aggregation and other markers of cardiovascular risk compared to DHA. Following a 2 wk run-in taking encapsulated refined olive oil, 48 healthy young men were randomly allocated using a parallel design to receive EPA-rich (3.1 g EPA/d) or DHA-rich (2.9 g DHA/d) triglyceride concentrates or refined olive oil (placebo), for a total supplementary lipid intake of 5 g/d. The specified primary outcome was change in platelet monocyte aggregates (PMA); secondary outcomes were capillary density, augmentation index, digital pulse volume measurements, 24 h ambulatory BP, plasma 8-isoprostanes-F2α. Changes in the proportions of DHA and EPA in erythrocytes and non-esterified fatty acid composition indicated compliance to the intervention. There was no significant treatment effect on PMA (P = 0.382); mean changes (%) (95% CI) were placebo -0.5 (-2.0, 1.04), EPA 0.4 (-0.8, 1.6), DHA 0.3 (-1.5, 2.0). R-QUICKI, an index of insulin sensitivity, was greater following EPA compared to placebo (P < 0.05). No other significant differences were noted. Neither EPA- nor DHA-rich fish oil supplementation influence platelet-monocyte aggregation or several markers of vascular function after 6 wk in healthy young males. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01735357. Copyright © 2016 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Obese with higher FNDC5/Irisin levels have a better metabolic profile, lower lipopolysaccharide levels and type 2 diabetes risk.

PubMed

Bonfante, Ivan Luiz Padilha; Chacon-Mikahil, Mara Patricia Traina; Brunelli, Diego Trevisan; Gáspari, Arthur Fernandes; Duft, Renata Garbellini; Oliveira, Alexandre Gabarra; Araujo, Tiago Gomes; Saad, Mario Jose Abdalla; Cavaglieri, Cláudia Regina

2017-12-01

Thus, the aim of this study was to compare if higher or smaller fibronectin type 3 domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/irisin levels are associated with inflammatory and metabolic markers, caloric/macronutrient intake, physical fitness and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk in obese middle-aged men, and also to correlate all variables analyzed with FNDC5/irisin. On the basis of a cluster study, middle-aged obese men (IMC: 31.01 ± 1.64 kg/m2) were divided into groups of higher and smaller levels of FNDC5/irisin. The levels of leptin, resistin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 and 10 (IL6, IL10), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance and sensibility, lipid profile, risk of T2DM development, body composition, rest energy expenditure, caloric/macronutrient intake and physical fitness were measured. The higher FNDC5/ irisin group presented improved insulin sensibility (homeostasis model assessment - sensibility (HOMA-S) (p = 0.01) and QUICKI index (p < 0.01)), insulin (p = 0.02) and triglyceride levels (p = 0.01), lower insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment - insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.01), triglycerides/glucose (TYG index) (p = 0.02), neck circumference (p = 0.02), risk of T2DM development (p = 0.02), tendency to decrease serum resistin (p = 0.08) and significant lower LPS levels (p = 0.02). Inverse correlations between FNDC5/irisin and body weight (r -0.46, p = 0.04), neck circumference (r -0.51, p = 0.02), free fat mass (r -0.49, p = 0.02), triglycerides (r -0.43, p = 0.05) and risk of developing T2DM (r -0.61, p = 0.04) were observed. These results suggest that higher FNDC5/irisin levels in obese middle-aged men are related to a better metabolic profile and lower risk of T2DM development and serum LPS, a potential inducer of insulin resistance.

Use of satellite remote sensing as a monitoring tool for land and water resources development activities in an Indian tropical site.

PubMed

Behera, M D; Gupta, A K; Barik, S K; Das, P; Panda, R M

2018-06-15

With the availability of satellite data from free data domain, remote sensing has increasingly become a fast-hand tool for monitoring of land and water resources development activities with minimal cost and time. Here, we verified construction of check dams and implementation of plantation activities in two districts of Tripura state using Landsat and Sentinel-2 images for the years 2008 and 2016-2017, respectively. We applied spectral reflectance curves and index-based proxies to quantify these activities for two time periods. A subset of the total check dams and plantation sites was chosen on the basis of site condition, nature of check dams, and planted species for identification on satellite images, and another subset was randomly chosen to validate identification procedure. The normalized difference water index (NDWI) derived from Landsat and Senitnel-2 were used to quantify water area evolved, qualify the water quality, and influence of associated tree shadows. Three types of check dams were observed, i.e., full, partial, and fully soil exposed on the basis of the presence of grass or scrub on the check dams. Based on the nature of check dam and site characteristics, we classified the water bodies under 11-categories using six interpretation keys (size, shape, water depth, quality, shadow of associated trees, catchment area). The check dams constructed on existing narrow gullies totally covered by branches or associated plants were not identified without field verification. Further, use of EVI enabled us to approve the plantation activities and adjudge the corresponding increase in vegetation vigor. The plantation activities were established based on the presence and absence of existing vegetation. Clearing on the plantation sites for plantation shows differential increase in EVI values during the initial years. The 403 plantation sites were categorized into 12 major groups on the basis of presence of dominant species and site conditions. The dominant species were Areca catechu, Musa paradisiaca, Ananas comosus, Bambusa sp., and mix plantation of A. catechu and M. paradisiaca. However, the highest maximum increase in average EVI was observed for the pine apple plantation sites (0.11), followed by Bambussa sp. (0.10). These sites were fully covered with plantation without any exposed soil. The present study successfully demonstrates a satellite-based survey supplemented with ground information evaluating the changes in vegetation profile due to plantation activities, locations of check dams, extent of water bodies, downstream irrigation, and catchment area of water bodies.

25 CFR 63.18 - Are the requirements for Bureau of Indian Affairs adjudication different from the requirements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment § 63.18 Are the... Check and Inquiries which includes a search of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII...

25 CFR 63.18 - Are the requirements for Bureau of Indian Affairs adjudication different from the requirements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment § 63.18 Are the... Check and Inquiries which includes a search of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII...

25 CFR 63.18 - Are the requirements for Bureau of Indian Affairs adjudication different from the requirements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment § 63.18 Are the... Check and Inquiries which includes a search of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII...

25 CFR 63.18 - Are the requirements for Bureau of Indian Affairs adjudication different from the requirements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment § 63.18 Are the... Check and Inquiries which includes a search of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII...

25 CFR 63.18 - Are the requirements for Bureau of Indian Affairs adjudication different from the requirements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION Minimum Standards of Character and Suitability for Employment § 63.18 Are the... Check and Inquiries which includes a search of the OPM Security/Suitability Investigations Index (SII...

ATLAS EventIndex general dataflow and monitoring infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández Casaní, Á.; Barberis, D.; Favareto, A.; García Montoro, C.; González de la Hoz, S.; Hřivnáč, J.; Prokoshin, F.; Salt, J.; Sánchez, J.; Többicke, R.; Yuan, R.; ATLAS Collaboration

2017-10-01

The ATLAS EventIndex has been running in production since mid-2015, reliably collecting information worldwide about all produced events and storing them in a central Hadoop infrastructure at CERN. A subset of this information is copied to an Oracle relational database for fast dataset discovery, event-picking, crosschecks with other ATLAS systems and checks for event duplication. The system design and its optimization is serving event picking from requests of a few events up to scales of tens of thousand of events, and in addition, data consistency checks are performed for large production campaigns. Detecting duplicate events with a scope of physics collections has recently arisen as an important use case. This paper describes the general architecture of the project and the data flow and operation issues, which are addressed by recent developments to improve the throughput of the overall system. In this direction, the data collection system is reducing the usage of the messaging infrastructure to overcome the performance shortcomings detected during production peaks; an object storage approach is instead used to convey the event index information, and messages to signal their location and status. Recent changes in the Producer/Consumer architecture are also presented in detail, as well as the monitoring infrastructure.

Religious moral beliefs as mental health protective factor of war veterans suffering from PTSD, depressiveness, anxiety, tobacco and alcohol abuse in comorbidity.

PubMed

Hasanović, Mevludin; Pajević, Izet

2010-06-01

Our aim was to investigate is there association between level of religious moral beliefs and severity of PTSD symptoms, depressiion symptoms, anxiety and severity of alcohol abuse we tested 152 war veterans on presence of PTSD, depression symptoms, anxiety, alcohol misuse and level of religious moral beliefs. We used Harvard trauma questionnaire (HTQ), Hopkins Check Scale SBCL 25, check list for alcohol misuse MAST. Subjects were assessed with regard to the level of belief in some basic ethical principles that arise from religious moral values. The score of religious moral belief index was used to correlate with severity of PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, anxiety and severity of alcohol misuse. Mean age of tested subjects was 40.8 (SD=6.6) years. The score of the moral belief index was negatively correlated to PTSD symptom severity and depressiveness (Pearson's r=-0.325, p<0.001; r=-0.247, p=0.005, respectively). Besides that the score of moral belief index negatively correlated with presented anxiety (Pearson's r=-0.199,p=0.026). Related to severity of tobacco and alcohol misuse we found negative association of these with the moral belief index (Pearson's r=-0.227, p=0.011; r=-0.371, p<0.001, respectively). A higher index of religious moral beliefs in war veterans enables better control distress, providing better mental health stability. It enables post traumatic conflicts typical for combatants' survivors to be more easily overcome. It also causes healthier reactions to external stimuli. A higher index of religious moral beliefs of war veterans provides a healthier and more efficient mechanism of tobacco and alcohol misuse control. In this way, it helps overcoming postwar psychosocial problems and socialization of the personality, leading to the improvement in mental health.

28 CFR 25.4 - Record source categories.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

....4 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEMS The National Instant Criminal Background Check System § 25.4 Record source categories. It is anticipated that... to the NICS Index. Information in the NCIC and III systems that will be searched during a background...

Integration of the Eventlndex with other ATLAS systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barberis, D.; Cárdenas Zárate, S. E.; Gallas, E. J.; Prokoshin, F.

2015-12-01

The ATLAS EventIndex System, developed for use in LHC Run 2, is designed to index every processed event in ATLAS, replacing the TAG System used in Run 1. Its storage infrastructure, based on Hadoop open-source software framework, necessitates revamping how information in this system relates to other ATLAS systems. It will store more indexes since the fundamental mechanisms for retrieving these indexes will be better integrated into all stages of data processing, allowing more events from later stages of processing to be indexed than was possible with the previous system. Connections with other systems (conditions database, monitoring) are fundamentally critical to assess dataset completeness, identify data duplication, and check data integrity, and also enhance access to information in EventIndex by user and system interfaces. This paper gives an overview of the ATLAS systems involved, the relevant metadata, and describe the technologies we are deploying to complete these connections.

Effects of high-intensity interval versus mild-intensity endurance training on metabolic phenotype and corticosterone response in rats fed a high-fat or control diet

PubMed Central

Shen, Youqing; Huang, Guoyuan; McCormick, Bryan P.; Song, Tao

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HI) to mild-intensity endurance training (ME), combined with a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) on metabolic phenotype and corticosterone levels in rats. Fifty-three rats were randomized to 6 groups according to diet and training regimen as follows: CD and sedentary (CS, n = 11), CD and ME (CME, n = 8), CD and HI (CHI, n = 8), HFD and sedentary (HS, n = 10), HFD and ME (HME, n = 8), and HFD and HI (HHI, n = 8). All exercise groups were trained for 10 weeks and had matched running distances. Dietary intake, body composition, blood metabolites, and corticosterone levels were measured. Histological lipid droplets were observed in the livers. The HFD led to hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and higher body fat (all, P < 0.01, η2 > 0.06), as well as higher corticosterone levels (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.09) compared with the CD groups. Exercise training improved fat weight, glucose, and lipid profiles, and reduced corticosterone levels (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.123). Furthermore, body and fat weight, serum glucose and triglycerides, lipid content in the liver, and corticosterone levels (P < 0.05) were lower with HI training compared to ME training. Reductions in HFD-induced body weight gain, blood glucose and lipid profiles, and corticosterone levels, as well as improvements in QUICKI were better with HHI compared to HME. Correlation analyses revealed that corticosterone levels were significantly associated with phenotype variables (P < 0.01). Corticosterone level was inversely correlated with QUICKI (r = −0.38, P < 0.01). Altogether, these results indicate that HFD may elicit an exacerbated basal serum corticosterone level and thus producing a metabolic imbalance. Compared with ME training, HI training contributes to greater improvements in metabolic and corticosterone responses, leading to a greater reduction in susceptibility to HFD-induced disorders. PMID:28727846

Effects of high-intensity interval versus mild-intensity endurance training on metabolic phenotype and corticosterone response in rats fed a high-fat or control diet.

PubMed

Shen, Youqing; Huang, Guoyuan; McCormick, Bryan P; Song, Tao; Xu, Xiangfeng

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HI) to mild-intensity endurance training (ME), combined with a high-fat diet (HFD) or control diet (CD) on metabolic phenotype and corticosterone levels in rats. Fifty-three rats were randomized to 6 groups according to diet and training regimen as follows: CD and sedentary (CS, n = 11), CD and ME (CME, n = 8), CD and HI (CHI, n = 8), HFD and sedentary (HS, n = 10), HFD and ME (HME, n = 8), and HFD and HI (HHI, n = 8). All exercise groups were trained for 10 weeks and had matched running distances. Dietary intake, body composition, blood metabolites, and corticosterone levels were measured. Histological lipid droplets were observed in the livers. The HFD led to hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and higher body fat (all, P < 0.01, η2 > 0.06), as well as higher corticosterone levels (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.09) compared with the CD groups. Exercise training improved fat weight, glucose, and lipid profiles, and reduced corticosterone levels (P < 0.01, η2 = 0.123). Furthermore, body and fat weight, serum glucose and triglycerides, lipid content in the liver, and corticosterone levels (P < 0.05) were lower with HI training compared to ME training. Reductions in HFD-induced body weight gain, blood glucose and lipid profiles, and corticosterone levels, as well as improvements in QUICKI were better with HHI compared to HME. Correlation analyses revealed that corticosterone levels were significantly associated with phenotype variables (P < 0.01). Corticosterone level was inversely correlated with QUICKI (r = -0.38, P < 0.01). Altogether, these results indicate that HFD may elicit an exacerbated basal serum corticosterone level and thus producing a metabolic imbalance. Compared with ME training, HI training contributes to greater improvements in metabolic and corticosterone responses, leading to a greater reduction in susceptibility to HFD-induced disorders.

Screening with HbA1c identifies only one in two individuals with diagnosis of prediabetes at oral glucose tolerance test: findings in a real-world Caucasian population.

PubMed

Chilelli, Nino Cristiano; Cosma, Chiara; Ragazzi, Eugenio; Burlina, Silvia; Zaninotto, Martina; Plebani, Mario; Lapolla, Annunziata

2014-10-01

Discordance between HbA1c and OGTT in screening pre-diabetes may occur because of lack of laboratory standardization, distinct underlying pathophysiological processes or different ethnicity. We evaluated HbA1c efficacy for screening OGTT-defined IFG and IGT conditions in a large Caucasian population using the newly revised IFCC protocol. A total of 501 consecutive subjects were screened for pre-diabetic conditions with OGTT with 75 g of glucose. Testing for HbA1c, lipid profile and fasting insulin levels was also performed. For detecting differences between continuous variables, ANOVA followed by Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test was used. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were also performed for assessing HbA1c screening efficacy. ROC curve analysis showed that optimal HbA1c cut-off for detecting IFG was 5.6 % (sensitivity of 78 % and specificity of 63 %), while for IGT, the optimal cut-off was 5.9 % (sensitivity of 46 % and specificity of 84 %), with AUCs < 0.8. Screening with HbA1c identified 53.4 % of the 193 patients with IFG and/or IGT diagnosed at OGTT. As regards surrogate markers of insulin resistance, we observed a trend towards higher values of HOMA-IR and lower QUICKI values in subjects with IFG than in those with IGT. Patients with pre-diabetes at both tests had similar values of HOMA and QUICKI, compared with those with altered OGTT only. IFCC-aligned HbA1c assay proved scarcely effective in detecting IFG and/or IGT in a large Caucasian population, identifying only half of the patients with abnormal OGTT. Moreover, adding HbA1c screening to OGTT may be of little benefit in identifying subjects with a worse metabolic profile.

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Berkeley Lab Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory A-Z Index Directory Submit Web People Navigation Berkeley Lab Search Submit Web People Close About the Lab Leadership/Organization Calendar News Center our response, please check the specific website or page in question for the name of the appropriate

Subclinical metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity in prepubertal Mexican schoolchildren.

PubMed

Romero, Juana B; Briones, Evangelina; Palacios, Gerardo C; Castelán, Kathia

2010-06-01

Childhood obesity has increased to epidemic levels and is considered a public health problem due to its association with a number of metabolic abnormalities, which are being detected at earlier stages of life. The objective was to evaluate the association between the presence of subclinical metabolic abnormalities (SMA) and obesity in a sample of pre-pubertal Mexican schoolchildren. Children of both sexes and 6 to 13 years old were questioned for signs of puberty, underwent anthropometric measurement and had their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. Two groups were formed: those with obesity (case group) and those with normal weight paired by age and chosen randomly (control group). Fasting insulin, glucose and cholesterol were measured. 92 children were included, 46 in each group, mean age 9.9 and 9.5 years old, respectively (p = 0.97). A higher frequency of hyperinsulinism was found in the case group: Fasting insulin > 15 mU/ml, 75% vs. 21% (case group vs. control group, respectively); fasting glucose to insulin ratio < 6, 72% vs. 24%; HOMA IR > 2.7, 83% vs. 14%; and decrease in QUICKI (< 0.3), 80% vs. 19% (p = 0.000). Hypercholesterolemia was 25% vs. 15% (p = 0.22), impaired fasting glucose 28% vs. 8% (p = 0.01), and family history of diabetes mellitus (DM) 35% vs. 9% (OR = 5.6; 95% CI = 1.5-22.2; p = 0.002). In this sample of Mexican schoolchildren, obesity was associated to a higher frequency of SMA, such as hyperinsulinism and impaired fasting glucose, and to a family history of DM.

Lean mass and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Comerford, Kevin B; Almario, Rogelio U; Kim, Kyoungmi; Karakas, Sidika E

2012-09-01

Insulin resistance is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Muscle is the major tissue utilizing glucose while excess adipose tissue relates to insulin resistance. Thus, body composition is likely to be an important regulator of insulin sensitivity. Thirty-nine PCOS patients (age: 29.9±1.0 years; BMI: 33.8±1.2 kg/m(2)) participated in a cross sectional study. Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Insulin resistance and secretion were assessed using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FS-IVGTT). In contrast with the conventional expectations, lean mass correlated directly (P<.05) with the insulin resistance measure HOMA (r=0.440); and inversely with the insulin sensitivity index QUICKI (r=-0.522) independent of fat mass. In 11 pairs of subjects matched for fat mass (35.6±2.2 and 35.6±2.4 kg) but with discordant lean mass (52.8±1.8 vs 44.4±1.6 kg), those with higher lean mass had a higher glucose response during OGTT (AUC(Glucose); P=.034). In contrast, 17 pairs matched for lean mass (48.7±1.7 and 48.9±1.6 kg) but discordant for fat mass (43.3±2.6 vs 30.3±8.9 kg) showed no differences in insulin resistance parameters. These novel findings indicate that lean mass relates directly to insulin resistance in PCOS. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Health check documentation of psychosocial factors using the WAI.

PubMed

Uronen, L; Heimonen, J; Puukka, P; Martimo, K-P; Hartiala, J; Salanterä, S

2017-03-01

Health checks in occupational health (OH) care should prevent deterioration of work ability and promote well-being at work. Documentation of health checks should reflect and support continuity of prevention and practice. To analyse how OH nurses (OHNs) undertaking health checks document psychosocial factors at work and use the Work Ability Index (WAI). Analysis of two consecutive OHN health check records and WAI scores with statistical analyses and annotations of 13 psychosocial factors based on a publicly available standard on psychosocial risk management: British Standards Institution specification PAS 1010, part of European Council Directive 89/391/EEC, with a special focus on work-related stress and workplace violence. We analysed health check records for 196 employees. The most frequently documented psychosocial risk factors were home-work interface, work environment and equipment, job content, workload and work pace and work schedule. The correlations between the number of documented risk and non-risk factors and WAI scores were significant: OHNs documented more risk factors in employees with lower WAI scores. However, documented psychosocial risk factors were not followed up, and the OHNs' most common response to detected psychosocial risks was an appointment with a physician. The number of psychosocial risk factors documented by OHNs correlated with subjects' WAI scores. However, the documentation was not systematic and the interventions were not always relevant. OHNs need a structure to document psychosocial factors and more guidance in how to use the documentation as a tool in their decision making in health checks. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

A peak position comparison method for high-speed quantitative Laue microdiffraction data processing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kou, Jiawei; Chen, Kai; Tamura, Nobumichi

Indexing Laue patterns of a synchrotron microdiffraction scan can take as much as ten times longer than collecting the data, impeding efficient structural analysis using this technique. Here in this paper, a novel strategy is developed. By comparing the peak positions of adjacent Laue patterns and checking the intensity sequence, grain and phase boundaries are identified, requiring only a limited number of indexing steps for each individual grain. Using this protocol, the Laue patterns can be indexed on the fly as they are taken. The validation of this method is demonstrated by analyzing the microstructure of a laser 3D printedmore » multi-phase/multi-grain Ni-based superalloy.« less

A peak position comparison method for high-speed quantitative Laue microdiffraction data processing

DOE PAGES

Kou, Jiawei; Chen, Kai; Tamura, Nobumichi

2018-09-12

Indexing Laue patterns of a synchrotron microdiffraction scan can take as much as ten times longer than collecting the data, impeding efficient structural analysis using this technique. Here in this paper, a novel strategy is developed. By comparing the peak positions of adjacent Laue patterns and checking the intensity sequence, grain and phase boundaries are identified, requiring only a limited number of indexing steps for each individual grain. Using this protocol, the Laue patterns can be indexed on the fly as they are taken. The validation of this method is demonstrated by analyzing the microstructure of a laser 3D printedmore » multi-phase/multi-grain Ni-based superalloy.« less

Does training practice nurses to carry out physical health checks for people with severe mental illness increase the level of screening for cardiovascular risk?

PubMed

Hardy, Sheila; Hinks, Philippa; Gray, Richard

2014-05-01

Compared to the general population, people with severe mental illness (SMI) have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Authors of clinical guidelines advise annual screening for CVD risk factors with appropriate lifestyle counselling. There are seven recommended elements of this health check: blood pressure, body mass index (or waist circumference), blood glucose, serum cholesterol, diet advice, exercise recommendations and smoking cessation guidance. To establish whether training practice nurses increases the proportion of patients with SMI who are screened for CVD risk factors and given lifestyle advice in primary care. A before-and-after audit of 400 patients on the SMI registers in five primary care centres in Northampton, England. Following the training, the proportion of patients with SMI who received all elements of the health check significantly increased (pre-training: n = 33, 8%, 95% CI = 6-11; post-training: n = 60, 15%, 95% CI = 12-19; RR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.22-2.72, p = .01). Training practice nurses about CVD prevention in people with SMI may be effective in increasing the proportion of patients in this group who receive a comprehensive health check.

Detection of IMRT delivery errors based on a simple constancy check of transit dose by using an EPID

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baek, Tae Seong; Chung, Eun Ji; Son, Jaeman; Yoon, Myonggeun

2015-11-01

Beam delivery errors during intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were detected based on a simple constancy check of the transit dose by using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID). Twenty-one IMRT plans were selected from various treatment sites, and the transit doses during treatment were measured by using an EPID. Transit doses were measured 11 times for each course of treatment, and the constancy check was based on gamma index (3%/3 mm) comparisons between a reference dose map (the first measured transit dose) and test dose maps (the following ten measured dose maps). In a simulation using an anthropomorphic phantom, the average passing rate of the tested transit dose was 100% for three representative treatment sites (head & neck, chest, and pelvis), indicating that IMRT was highly constant for normal beam delivery. The average passing rate of the transit dose for 1224 IMRT fields from 21 actual patients was 97.6% ± 2.5%, with the lower rate possibly being due to inaccuracies of patient positioning or anatomic changes. An EPIDbased simple constancy check may provide information about IMRT beam delivery errors during treatment.

28 CFR 25.5 - Validation and data integrity of records in the system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... INFORMATION SYSTEMS The National Instant Criminal Background Check System § 25.5 Validation and data integrity... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Validation and data integrity of records... verify that the information provided to the NICS Index remains valid and correct. (b) Each data source...

MPST Software: grl_pef_check

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Call, Jared A.; Kwok, John H.; Fisher, Forest W.

2013-01-01

This innovation is a tool used to verify and validate spacecraft sequences at the predicted events file (PEF) level for the GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory, see http://www.nasa. gov/mission_pages/grail/main/index. html) mission as part of the Multi-Mission Planning and Sequencing Team (MPST) operations process to reduce the possibility for errors. This tool is used to catch any sequence related errors or issues immediately after the seqgen modeling to streamline downstream processes. This script verifies and validates the seqgen modeling for the GRAIL MPST process. A PEF is provided as input, and dozens of checks are performed on it to verify and validate the command products including command content, command ordering, flight-rule violations, modeling boundary consistency, resource limits, and ground commanding consistency. By performing as many checks as early in the process as possible, grl_pef_check streamlines the MPST task of generating GRAIL command and modeled products on an aggressive schedule. By enumerating each check being performed, and clearly stating the criteria and assumptions made at each step, grl_pef_check can be used as a manual checklist as well as an automated tool. This helper script was written with a focus on enabling the user with the information they need in order to evaluate a sequence quickly and efficiently, while still keeping them informed and active in the overall sequencing process. grl_pef_check verifies and validates the modeling and sequence content prior to investing any more effort into the build. There are dozens of various items in the modeling run that need to be checked, which is a time-consuming and errorprone task. Currently, no software exists that provides this functionality. Compared to a manual process, this script reduces human error and saves considerable man-hours by automating and streamlining the mission planning and sequencing task for the GRAIL mission.

Prevalence of orthodontic treatment need in permanent dentition of Iranian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

PubMed

Eslamipour, Faezeh; Afshari, Zohreh; Najimi, Arash

2018-01-01

Malocclusion is a common oral health problem and can affect the psychosocial well-being in the long term. Therefore, in the recent decades, demand for orthodontic treatment to correct malocclusion has greatly increased worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess existing evidence on the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need in Iran. National and international databases were searched for articles on the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need using index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and dental aesthetic index (DAI). The required data were completed by hand-searching. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the quality of articles was checked by a professional checklist. Data extraction and meta-analysis were performed. A random effects model was employed, and publication bias was checked. From a total of 443 articles that reported orthodontic treatment need in Iran, 24 articles were included in the meta-analysis process. Meta-analysis was performed on components of IOTN and DAI. The pooled prevalence of orthodontic treatment need based on Dental Health Component and Aesthetic Component of IOTN and DAI was 23.8% (19.5%-28.7%), 4.8% (3.3%-7%), and 16.1% (12.3%-20.8%). The results were found to be heterogeneous ( P < 0.05). The results of this study revealed that orthodontic treatment need was not high in the Iranian population. Considering the differing prevalence of orthodontic treatment need based on normative index and self-perceived index, it is essential to improve the people's awareness of malocclusion and its side effects on their oral and general health.

Validation of different measures of insulin sensitivity of glucose metabolism in dairy cows using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp test as the gold standard.

PubMed

De Koster, J; Hostens, M; Hermans, K; Van den Broeck, W; Opsomer, G

2016-10-01

The aim of the present research was to compare different measures of insulin sensitivity in dairy cows at the end of the dry period. To do so, 10 clinically healthy dairy cows with a varying body condition score were selected. By performing hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (HEC) tests, we previously demonstrated a negative association between the insulin sensitivity and insulin responsiveness of glucose metabolism and the body condition score of these animals. In the same animals, other measures of insulin sensitivity were determined and the correlation with the HEC test, which is considered as the gold standard, was calculated. Measures derived from the intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) are based on the disappearance of glucose after an intravenous glucose bolus. Glucose concentrations during the IVGTT were used to calculate the area under the curve of glucose and the clearance rate of glucose. In addition, glucose and insulin data from the IVGTT were fitted in the minimal model to derive the insulin sensitivity parameter, Si. Based on blood samples taken before the start of the IVGTT, basal concentrations of glucose, insulin, NEFA, and β-hydroxybutyrate were determined and used to calculate surrogate indices for insulin sensitivity, such as the homeostasis model of insulin resistance, the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index and the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index including β-hydroxybutyrate. Correlation analysis revealed no association between the results obtained by the HEC test and any of the surrogate indices for insulin sensitivity. For the measures derived from the IVGTT, the area under the curve for the first 60 min of the test and the Si derived from the minimal model demonstrated good correlation with the gold standard. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multifractal in Volatility of Family Business Stocks Listed on Casablanca STOCK Exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lahmiri, Salim

In this paper, we check for existence of multifractal in volatility of Moroccan family business stock returns and in volatility of Casablanca market index returns based on multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) technique. Empirical results show strong evidence of multifractal characteristics in volatility series of both family business stocks and market index. In addition, it is found that small variations in volatility of family business stocks are persistent, whilst small variations in volatility of market index are anti-persistent. However, large variations in family business volatility and market index volatility are both anti-persistent. Furthermore, multifractal spectral analysis based results show strong evidence that volatility in Moroccan family business companies exhibits more multifractality than volatility in the main stock market. These results may provide insightful information for risk managers concerned with family business stocks.

Books average previous decade of economic misery.

PubMed

Bentley, R Alexander; Acerbi, Alberto; Ormerod, Paul; Lampos, Vasileios

2014-01-01

For the 20(th) century since the Depression, we find a strong correlation between a 'literary misery index' derived from English language books and a moving average of the previous decade of the annual U.S. economic misery index, which is the sum of inflation and unemployment rates. We find a peak in the goodness of fit at 11 years for the moving average. The fit between the two misery indices holds when using different techniques to measure the literary misery index, and this fit is significantly better than other possible correlations with different emotion indices. To check the robustness of the results, we also analysed books written in German language and obtained very similar correlations with the German economic misery index. The results suggest that millions of books published every year average the authors' shared economic experiences over the past decade.

SU-E-J-53: A Phantom Design to Assist Patient Position Verification System in Daily Image-Guided RT and Comprehensive QA Measurements

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Syh, J; Wu, H

2015-06-15

Purpose This study is to implement a homemade novel device with surface locking couch index to check daily radiograph (DR) function of adaPTInsight™, stereoscopic image guided system (SIGS), for proton therapy. The comprehensive daily QA checks of proton pencil beam output, field size, flatness and symmetry of spots and energy layers will be followed by using MatriXX dosimetry device. Methods The iBa MatriXX device was used to perform daily dosimetry which is also used to perform SIGS checks. A set of markers were attached to surface of MatriXX device in alignment of DRR of reconstructed CT images and daily DR.more » The novel device allows MatriXX to be fit into the cradle which was locked by couch index bars on couch surface. This will keep the MatriXX at same XY plane daily with exact coordinates. Couch height Z will be adjusted according to imaging to check isocenter-laser coincidence accuracy. Results adaPTInsight™ provides robotic couch to move in 6-degree coordinate system to align the dosimetry device to be within 1.0 mm / 1.0°. The daily constancy was tightened to be ± 0.5 mm / 0.3° compared to 1.0 mm / 1.0° before. For gantry at 0° and couch all 0° angles (@ Rt ARM 0 setting), offsets measured of the couch systems were ≤ 0.5° in roll, yaw and pitch dimensions. Conclusion Simplicity of novel device made daily image guided QA consistent with accuracy. The offset of the MatriXX isocenter-laser coincident was reproducible. Such easy task not only speeds up the setup, but it increases confidence level in detailed daily comprehensive measurements. The total SIGS alignment time has been shortened with less setup error. This device will enhance our experiences for the future QA when cone beam CT imaging modality becomes available at proton therapy center.« less

Looking for something new? Check out background results of potential new cultivars for California

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This report compiles basic background information on the scion and rootstock varieties most recently released or scheduled for release by the CCPP. Cultivars are organized by type and in the same order as the CCPP budwood order form, and then by Variety index (VI) number with the earliest ones on th...

nalyses of rhizoctonia screening nursery results over 15 selected years from 1980 to 2015

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The USDA-ARS has had a research program at Fort Collins focused on breeding for resistance to Rhizoctonia crown and root rot (Rcrr) since the late 1950s. By 1980, current resistant and susceptible checks were in use. All individual roots from each plot were lifted and rated on a disease index (DI)...

RAMAS: The RITL Automated Management System. Master Control and Periodicals Control Subsystems. Stockholm Papers in Library and Information Science.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ya-chun, Lian

An automated minicomputer-based library management system is being developed at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology Library (RITL). RAMAS (the RITL Automated Management System) currently deals with periodical check-in, claiming, index-handling, and binding control. A RAMAS bibliographic record can be accessed from eight different points…

The role of healthcare system in dental check-ups in 27 European countries: multilevel analysis.

PubMed

Kino, Shiho; Bernabé, Eduardo; Sabbah, Wael

2017-06-01

To examine whether public expenditure on health and Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI) are associated with dental check-ups in European countries. Individual data were from Eurobarometer 72.3, 2009 a cross-national survey of 27 European countries. Eligible participants were those aged 18 years and older in 27 European countries. Dental check-ups reflected dental visits for oral examination and getting advice on oral health in the last 12 months. Individual factors included age, gender, marital status, urbanisation, education, subjective social status, and difficulty in paying bills. Public expenditure on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) and EHCI were used as contextual factors. A set of multilevel logistic regression models was used to examine the relationship between dental check-ups and each of healthcare expenditure and EHCI adjusting for demographic factors, GDP per capita and socioeconomic indicators. Total number included in the analysis was 23,842. Participants in countries with greater healthcare expenditure and higher score of EHCI were significantly 1.17 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.32) and 1.30 times (95% CI: 1.04, 1.64) more likely to report dental check-ups within the past 12 months after accounting for demographic characteristics, GDP per capita, and all socioeconomic indicators. The findings suggest that greater governmental support for the healthcare and better characteristics of healthcare system are positively associated with routine dental attendance. © 2017 American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

Development of An Assessment Test for An Anesthetic Machine.

PubMed

Tiviraj, Supinya; Yokubol, Bencharatana; Amornyotin, Somchai

2016-05-01

The study is aimed to develop and assess the quality of an evaluation form used to evaluate the nurse anesthetic trainees' skills in undertaking a pre-use check of an anesthetic machine. An evaluation form comprising 25 items was developed, informed by the guidelines published by national anesthesiologist societies and refined to reflect the anesthetic machine used in our institution. The item-checking included the cylinder supplies and medical gas pipelines, vaporizer back bar, ventilator anesthetic breathing system, scavenging system and emergency back-up equipment. The authors sought the opinions of five experienced anesthetic trainers to judge the validity of the content. The authors measured its inter-rater reliability when used by two achievement scores evaluating the performance of 36 nurse anesthetic trainees undertaking 15-minute anesthetic machine checks and test-retest the reliability correlation scores between the two performances in the seven days interval. The five experienced anesthesiologists agreed that the evaluation form accurately reflected the objectives of anesthetic machine checking, equating to an index of congruency of 1.00. The inter-rater reliability of the independent assessors scoring was 0.977 (p = 0.01) and the test-retest reliability was 0.883 (p = 0.01). An evaluation form proved to be a reliable and effective tool for assessing the anesthetic nurse trainees' checking of an anesthetic machine before the use. This evaluation form was brief clear and practical to use, and should help to improve anesthetic nurse education and the patient safety.

Comparison between several insulin sensitivity indices and metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese postmenopausal women: a MONET study.

PubMed

Malita, F M; Messier, V; Lavoie, J-M; Bastard, J-P; Rabasa-Lhoret, R; Karelis, A D

2010-03-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship of several insulin sensitivity indices with cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese postmenopausal women. This was a cross-sectional study involving 137 overweight and obese postmenopausal women (age: 57.7+/-4.8 yrs; body mass index: 32.4+/-4.6 kg/m(2); body fat: 38.6+/-9.2 kg). Insulin sensitivity was determined by the euglycaemic-hyperinsulinemic (EH) clamp technique as well as by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) derived indices (Stumvoll, Matsuda and SI(is)) and fasting surrogate indices (HOMA, QUICKI). Cardiometabolic risk factors included: body composition and visceral fat that were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography, respectively. Peak oxygen consumption, lower body muscle strength (using weight training equipment), physical activity energy expenditure (doubly labeled water), plasma lipids and C-reactive protein were also measured. Correlations of insulin sensitivity indices with metabolic risk factors showed some similarities, however, a wide range of variations were also observed. Furthermore, our results showed that visceral fat was the primary predictor for surrogate and OGTT indices, explaining 15-28% of the variance and the triglycerides/HDL-C ratio was the primary predictor for the EH clamp indices, explaining 15-17% of the variance. The present study indicates that the different methods of measuring and/or expressing insulin sensitivity display variations for associations with cardiometabolic risk factors. Therefore, interpretations of relationships between insulin sensitivity indices and cardiometabolic risk factors should take into account the method used to estimate and express insulin sensitivity. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leptin, adiponectin, leptin to adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in depressive women.

PubMed

Zeman, Miroslav; Jirak, Roman; Jachymova, Marie; Vecka, Marek; Tvrzicka, Eva; Zak, Ales

2009-01-01

Depressive disorder (DD) is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It was suggested, that metabolic syndrome (MetS), cluster of metabolic and hormonal changes, such as insulin resistence (IR), abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and elevated fasting glycaemia, could stand behind the connection. Recent findings have shown, that adipocytokines leptin and adiponectin might play a role in both depression and MetS. The aim of this pilot study was to observe the plasma concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, leptin-to-adiponectin ratio and indices of IR in women with depressive disorder. The plasma leptin, adiponectin, parameters of lipid and glucose homeostasis and indices of IR were investigated in a group of 38 women with DD. The results were compared with those of 38 healthy women of the control group, matched for age. Depressive women differed significantly from the controls in higher concentrations of plasma leptin (p <0.05), insulin (p <0.01), C-peptide (p <0.01), value of HOMA-IR (p <0.01), and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (p <0.05).The QUICKI index of insulin sensitivity was lower (p <0.01). HAM-D score of DD cases correlated negatively with adiponectin (r = - 0.3505; p < 0.05), independently of HOMA-IR. We have not found in DD group any differences between the drug free patients and those treated either with escitaloprame alone or in the combination with mirtazapine. The results of the pilot study presented support the hypothesis that at least part of DD cases has increased leptin serum levels and certain features of MetS. It could be the factor connecting depression with an increased risk of either DM2 or CVD.

Omega-3 fatty acid therapy dose-dependently and significantly decreased triglycerides and improved flow-mediated dilation, however, did not significantly improve insulin sensitivity in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

PubMed

Oh, Pyung Chun; Koh, Kwang Kon; Sakuma, Ichiro; Lim, Soo; Lee, Yonghee; Lee, Seungik; Lee, Kyounghoon; Han, Seung Hwan; Shin, Eak Kyun

2014-10-20

Experimental studies demonstrate that higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) improves insulin sensitivity, however, we reported that n-3 FA 2g therapy, most commonly used dosage did not significantly improve insulin sensitivity despite reducing triglycerides by 21% in patients. Therefore, we investigated the effects of different dosages of n-3 FA in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. Age, sex, and body mass index were matched among groups. All patients were recommended to maintain a low fat diet. Forty-four patients (about 18 had metabolic syndrome/type 2 diabetes mellitus) in each group were given placebo, n-3 FA 1 (O1), 2 (O2), or 4 g (O4), respectively daily for 2 months. n-3 FA therapy dose-dependently and significantly decreased triglycerides and triglycerides/HDL cholesterol and improved flow-mediated dilation, compared with placebo (by ANOVA). However, each n-3 FA therapy did not significantly decrease high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, compared with placebo. O1 significantly increased insulin levels and decreased insulin sensitivity (determined by QUICKI) and O2 significantly decreased plasma adiponectin levels relative to baseline measurements. Of note, when compared with placebo, each n-3 FA therapy did not significantly change insulin, glucose, adiponectin, glycated hemoglobin levels and insulin sensitivity (by ANOVA). We observed similar results in a subgroup of patients with the metabolic syndrome. n-3 FA therapy dose-dependently and significantly decreased triglycerides and improved flow-mediated dilation. Nonetheless, n-3 FA therapy did not significantly improve acute-phase reactants and insulin sensitivity in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, regardless of dosages. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Metformin versus chromium picolinate in clomiphene citrate-resistant patients with PCOs: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

PubMed

Amooee, Sedigheh; Parsanezhad, Mohammad Ebrahim; Ravanbod Shirazi, Maryam; Alborzi, Saeed; Samsami, Alamtaj

2013-08-01

Chromium picolinate could be effective in clomiphen citrate resistant PCOS patients. To compare the effects of chromium picolinate vs. metformin in clomiphen citrate resistant PCOS patients. The present randomized clinical trial was performed on 92 women with clomiphen citrate-resistant PCOS at the clinics which were affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either chromium picolinate (200µg daily) or metformin (1500mg daily) for 3 months. Anthropometric and hormonal profile were measured and compared both before and after the treatment. Ovulation and pregnancy rate was measured in the two study groups, as well. Chromium picolinate significantly decreased fasting blood sugar (FBS) after 3 months of treatment (p=0.042). In the same way, the serum levels of fasting insulin had significantly decreased leading to an increase in insulin sensitivity as measured by QUICKI index (p=0.014). In comparison to the patients who received chromium picolinate, those who received metformin had significantly lower levels of testosterone (p=0.001) and free testosterone (p=0.001) after 3 months of treatment. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the two study groups regarding ovulation (p=0.417) and pregnancy rates (p=0.500). Chromium picolinate decreased FBS and insulin levels and, thus, increased insulin sensitivity in clomiphene citrate-resistance PCOS women. These effects were comparable with metformin; however, metformin treatment was associated with decreased hyperandrogenism. Overall, chromium picolinate was better tolerated compared to metformin; nonetheless, the two study groups were not significantly different regarding ovulation and pregnancy rates. Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT201203139281N1.

Ultrasound use during cardiopulmonary resuscitation is associated with delays in chest compressions.

PubMed

Huis In 't Veld, Maite A; Allison, Michael G; Bostick, David S; Fisher, Kiondra R; Goloubeva, Olga G; Witting, Michael D; Winters, Michael E

2017-10-01

High-quality chest compressions are a critical component of the resuscitation of patients in cardiopulmonary arrest. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is used frequently during emergency department (ED) resuscitations, but there has been limited research assessing its benefits and harms during the delivery of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). We hypothesized that use of POCUS during cardiac arrest resuscitation adversely affects high-quality CPR by lengthening the duration of pulse checks beyond the current cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines recommendation of 10s. We conducted a prospective cohort study of adults in cardiac arrest treated in an urban ED between August 2015 and September 2016. Resuscitations were recorded using video equipment in designated resuscitation rooms, and the use of POCUS was documented and timed. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate the effect of POCUS on pulse check duration. Twenty-three patients were enrolled in our study. The mean duration of pulse checks with POCUS was 21.0s (95% CI, 18-24) compared with 13.0s (95% CI, 12-15) for those without POCUS. POCUS increased the duration of pulse checks and CPR interruption by 8.4s (95% CI, 6.7-10.0 [p<0.0001]). Age, body mass index (BMI), and procedures did not significantly affect the duration of pulse checks. The use of POCUS during cardiac arrest resuscitation was associated with significantly increased duration of pulse checks, nearly doubling the 10-s maximum duration recommended in current guidelines. It is important for acute care providers to pay close attention to the duration of interruptions in the delivery of chest compressions when using POCUS during cardiac arrest resuscitation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Managed aquifer recharge by a check dam to improve the quality of fluoride-rich groundwater: a case study from southern India.

PubMed

Gowrisankar, G; Jagadeshan, G; Elango, L

2017-04-01

In many regions around the globe, including India, degradation in the quality of groundwater is of great concern. The objective of this investigation is to determine the effect of recharge from a check dam on quality of groundwater in a region of Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu State, India. For this study, water samples from 15 wells were periodically obtained and analysed for major ions and fluoride concentrations. The amount of major ions present in groundwater was compared with the drinking water guideline values of the Bureau of Indian Standards. With respect to the sodium and fluoride concentrations, 38% of groundwater samples collected was not suitable for direct use as drinking water. Suitability of water for agricultural use was determined considering the electrical conductivity, sodium adsorption ratio, sodium percentage, permeability index, Wilcox and United States Salinity Laboratory diagrams. The influence of freshwater recharge from the dam is evident as the groundwater in wells nearer to the check dam was suitable for both irrigation and domestic purposes. However, the groundwater away from the dam had a high ionic composition. This study demonstrated that in other fluoride-affected areas, the concentration can be reduced by dilution with the construction of check dams as a measure of managed aquifer recharge.

Prevalence of orthodontic treatment need in permanent dentition of Iranian population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

PubMed Central

Eslamipour, Faezeh; Afshari, Zohreh; Najimi, Arash

2018-01-01

Background: Malocclusion is a common oral health problem and can affect the psychosocial well-being in the long term. Therefore, in the recent decades, demand for orthodontic treatment to correct malocclusion has greatly increased worldwide. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess existing evidence on the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need in Iran. Materials and Methods: National and international databases were searched for articles on the prevalence of orthodontic treatment need using index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) and dental aesthetic index (DAI). The required data were completed by hand-searching. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the quality of articles was checked by a professional checklist. Data extraction and meta-analysis were performed. A random effects model was employed, and publication bias was checked. Results: From a total of 443 articles that reported orthodontic treatment need in Iran, 24 articles were included in the meta-analysis process. Meta-analysis was performed on components of IOTN and DAI. The pooled prevalence of orthodontic treatment need based on Dental Health Component and Aesthetic Component of IOTN and DAI was 23.8% (19.5%–28.7%), 4.8% (3.3%–7%), and 16.1% (12.3%-20.8%). The results were found to be heterogeneous (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that orthodontic treatment need was not high in the Iranian population. Considering the differing prevalence of orthodontic treatment need based on normative index and self-perceived index, it is essential to improve the people's awareness of malocclusion and its side effects on their oral and general health. PMID:29497441

Patient experience of NHS health checks: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis

PubMed Central

Usher-Smith, Juliet A; Harte, Emma; MacLure, Calum; Martin, Adam; Saunders, Catherine L; Meads, Catherine; Walter, Fiona M; Griffin, Simon J; Mant, Jonathan

2017-01-01

Objective To review the experiences of patients attending NHS Health Checks in England. Design A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies with a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Data sources An electronic literature search of Medline, Embase, Health Management Information Consortium, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Health, PsycInfo, Web of Science, OpenGrey, the Cochrane Library, National Health Service (NHS) Evidence, Google Scholar, Google, Clinical Trials.gov and the ISRCTN registry to 09/11/16 with no language restriction and manual screening of reference lists of all included papers. Inclusion criteria Primary research reporting experiences of patients who have attended NHS Health Checks. Results 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, 9 reporting quantitative data and 15 qualitative data. There were consistently high levels of reported satisfaction in surveys, with over 80% feeling that they had benefited from an NHS Health Check. Data from qualitative studies showed that the NHS Health Check had been perceived to act as a wake-up call for many who reported having gone on to make substantial lifestyle changes which they attributed to the NHS Health Check. However, some had been left with a feeling of unmet expectations, were confused about or unable to remember their risk scores, found the lifestyle advice too simplistic and non-personalised or were confused about follow-up. Conclusions While participants were generally very supportive of the NHS Health Check programme and examples of behaviour change were reported, there are a number of areas where improvements could be made. These include greater clarity around the aims of the programme within the promotional material, more proactive support for lifestyle change and greater appreciation of the challenges of communicating risk and the limitations of relying on the risk score alone as a trigger for facilitating behaviour change. PMID:28801437

Patient experience of NHS health checks: a systematic review and qualitative synthesis.

PubMed

Usher-Smith, Juliet A; Harte, Emma; MacLure, Calum; Martin, Adam; Saunders, Catherine L; Meads, Catherine; Walter, Fiona M; Griffin, Simon J; Mant, Jonathan

2017-08-11

To review the experiences of patients attending NHS Health Checks in England. A systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies with a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. An electronic literature search of Medline, Embase, Health Management Information Consortium, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Health, PsycInfo, Web of Science, OpenGrey, the Cochrane Library, National Health Service (NHS) Evidence, Google Scholar, Google, Clinical Trials.gov and the ISRCTN registry to 09/11/16 with no language restriction and manual screening of reference lists of all included papers. Primary research reporting experiences of patients who have attended NHS Health Checks. 20 studies met the inclusion criteria, 9 reporting quantitative data and 15 qualitative data. There were consistently high levels of reported satisfaction in surveys, with over 80% feeling that they had benefited from an NHS Health Check. Data from qualitative studies showed that the NHS Health Check had been perceived to act as a wake-up call for many who reported having gone on to make substantial lifestyle changes which they attributed to the NHS Health Check. However, some had been left with a feeling of unmet expectations, were confused about or unable to remember their risk scores, found the lifestyle advice too simplistic and non-personalised or were confused about follow-up. While participants were generally very supportive of the NHS Health Check programme and examples of behaviour change were reported, there are a number of areas where improvements could be made. These include greater clarity around the aims of the programme within the promotional material, more proactive support for lifestyle change and greater appreciation of the challenges of communicating risk and the limitations of relying on the risk score alone as a trigger for facilitating behaviour change. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

The Classification and Evaluation of Computer-Aided Software Engineering Tools

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

International Business Machines Corporation Customizer is a Registered Trademark of Index Technology Corporation Data Analyst is a Registered Trademark of...years, a rapid series of new approaches have been adopted including: information engineering, entity- relationship modeling, automatic code generation...support true information sharing among tools and automated consistency checking. Moreover, the repository must record and manage the relationships and

Augmentation of Teaching Tools: Outsourcing the HSD Computing for SPSS Application

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Jianjun

2010-01-01

The widely-used Tukey's HSD index is not produced in the current version of SPSS (i.e., PASW Statistics, version 18), and a computer program named "HSD Calculator" has been chosen to amend this problem. In comparison to hand calculation, this program application does not require table checking, which eliminates potential concern on the size of a…

An index to quantify street cleanliness: the case of Granada (Spain).

PubMed

Sevilla, Aitana; Rodríguez, Miguel Luis; García-Maraver, Angela; Zamorano, Montserrat

2013-05-01

Urban surfaces receive waste deposits from natural and human sources, which create a negative visual impact and are identified as potentially significant contributors to water and air pollution. Local councils are usually responsible for the sweep of roads and footpaths to keep the environment clean and free of litter. Quality controls are useful in order to check whether the services are being executed according to the quantity, quality and performance standards that are provided. In this sense, several factors might affect the efficiency of the management of cleaning and waste collection services; however, only a few contributions are available in the literature on the various aspects associated with the level of street cleanliness. In this paper, the suitability of a Cleanliness Index has been checked, for the case of Granada (South of Spain), in order to contribute to the proper management of public expenditure, improving the quality and cost of an essential service for any municipality. Results have concluded that the city exhibits a good level of cleanliness, although the standard of cleaning varied from one area of the city to another. The Cleaning Index fits well to the general situation of the different districts of Granada and thus, it could be considered a useful tool for measuring the level of cleanliness of the streets of the city and for evaluating the organization of the cleaning service, such that an outsourced company would not be responsible for controlling all the cleaning services. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quality assurance methodology for Varian RapidArc treatment plans

PubMed Central

Cirino, Eileen T.; Xiong, Li; Mower, Herbert W.

2010-01-01

With the commercial introduction of the Varian RapidArc, a new modality for treatment planning and delivery, the need has arisen for consistent and efficient techniques for performing patient‐specific quality assurance (QA) tests. In this paper we present our methodology for a RapidArc treatment plan QA procedure. For our measurements we used a 2D diode array (MapCHECK) embedded at 5 cm water equivalent depth in MapPHAN 5 phantom and an Exradin A16 ion chamber placed in six different positions in a cylindrical homogeneous phantom (QUASAR). We also checked the MUs for the RapidArc plans by using independent software (RadCalc). The agreement between Eclipse calculations and MapCHECK/MapPHAN 5 measurements was evaluated using both absolute distance‐to‐agreement (DTA) and gamma index with 10% dose threshold (TH), 3% dose difference (DD), and 3 mm DTA. The average agreement was 94.4% for the DTA approach and 96.3% for the gamma index approach. In high‐dose areas, the discrepancy between calculations and ion chamber measurements using the QUASAR phantom was within 4.5% for prostate cases. For the RadCalc calculations, we used the average SSD along the arc; however, for some patients the agreement for the MUs obtained with RadCalc versus Eclipse was inadequate (discrepancy>5%). In these cases, the plan was divided into partial arc plans so that RadCalc could perform a better estimation of the MUs. The discrepancy was further reduced to within ~4% using this approach. Regardless of the variation in prescribed dose and location of the treated areas, we obtained very good results for all patients studied in this paper. PACS number: 87.55.Qr

The Study of CIQ Inspection Rate's Setting Problem Based on Gray-fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hui, Liu; Ding, Liu Wen

Inspection is not only one of the most significant duties, but the important prerequisite for going through Customs. Setting the inspection rate scientifically can not only solve the contradiction between the "check on" and "service" for CIQ (CHINA ENTRY-EXIT INSPECTION AND UARANTINE)site inspection personnel, but can highlight the key of inspection and enhance the ratio of discovering, achieving the optimum allocation of CIQ's limited human and material resources. In this article, from the characteristics of inspection risk evaluation themselves, considering the setting problem of check rate at from the angle of data mining, construct an index system rationally and objectively. On the basis of Fuzzy theory, evaluate the risk of the inward and outward goods with the grey-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method, and establish the inspection rate scientifically.

Management of Complex Extremity Injuries: Tourniquets, Compartment Syndrome Detection, Fasciotomy, and Amputation Care

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-01-01

result in rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia , or both. In these cases, myoglobin from the damaged tissue can be released with the potential of causing renal...laboratory, “crankcase” or dark urine should lead to a high index of suspicion. Potassium can also be released, causing hyperkalemia and the potential of...cardiac arrhythmias. Treatment of rhabdomyolysis and of hyperkalemia is similar: Check for tourniquets and remove if possible. Restore

Use by bats of old-growth redwood hollows on the north coast of California

Treesearch

Steven T. Gellman; William J. Zielinski

1996-01-01

Use by bats of basal hollows in old-growth redwoods was indexed using the weight of guano collected on water-permeable screens (guano traps) installed inside the trees. Twenty-six trees were systematically selected from a stand that flanks both sides of an interstate highway in Del Norte Co., California. Traps were checked for guano once a month for 18 months. The...

Verification of a national water data base using a geographic information system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harrison, H.E.

1994-01-01

The National Water Data Exchange (NAWDEX) was developed to assist users of water-resource data in the identification, location, and acquisition of data. The Master Water Data Index (MWDI) of NAWDEX currently indexes the data collected by 423 organizations from nearly 500,000 sites throughout the United Stales. The utilization of new computer technologies permit the distribution of the MWDI to the public on compact disc. In addition, geographic information systems (GIS) are now available that can store and analyze these data in a spatial format. These recent innovations could increase access and add new capabilities to the MWDI. Before either of these technologies could be employed, however, a quality-assurance check of the MWDI needed to be performed. The MWDI resides on a mainframe computer in a tabular format. It was copied onto a workstation and converted to a GIS format. The GIS was used to identify errors in the MWDI and produce reports that summarized these errors. The summary reports were sent to the responsible contributing agencies along with instructions for submitting their corrections to the NAWDEX Program Office. The MWDI administrator received reports that summarized all of the errors identified. Of the 494,997 sites checked, 93,440 sites had at least one error (18.9 percent error rate).

Technical evaluation of the novel preanalytical module on instrumentation laboratory ACL TOP: advancing automation in hemostasis testing.

PubMed

Lippi, Giuseppe; Ippolito, Luigi; Favaloro, Emmanuel J

2013-10-01

Automation in hemostasis testing is entering an exciting and unprecedented phase. This study was planned to assess the performance of the new preanalytical module on the hemostasis testing system Instrumentation Laboratory ACL TOP. The evaluation included interference studies to define reliable thresholds for rejecting samples with significant concentrations of interfering substances; within-run imprecision studies of plasma indices on four different interference degrees for each index; comparison studies with reference measures of hemolysis index, bilirubin, and triglycerides on clinical chemistry analyzers; and calculation of turnaround time with and without automatic performance of preanalytical check. The upper limits for sample rejection according to our interference studies were 3.6 g/L for hemoglobin, 13.6 mg/dL for bilirubin, and 1454 mg/dL for triglycerides. We found optimal precision for all indices (0.6% to 3.1% at clinically relevant thresholds) and highly significant correlations with reference measures on clinical chemistry analyzers (from 0.985 to 0.998). The limited increase of turnaround time (i.e., +3% and +5% with or without cap-piercing), coupled with no adjunctive costs over performance of normal coagulation assays, contribute to make the automatic check of plasma indices on ACL TOP a reliable and practical approach for improving testing quality and safeguarding patient safety.

Levels of interleukin-1β in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with coronary heart disease and its relationship to periodontal status

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lenggogeny, Putri; Masulili, Sri Lelyati C.; Tadjoedin, Fatimah M.; Radi, Basuni

2017-02-01

Periodontitis is a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Both diseases are an inflammatory diseases and have the same potential pathogenic mechanisms. Interleukin-1β as a pro-inflammatory main cytokine, can be found in this both diseases. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) derived from the serum of gingival sulcus, affected by inflammatory mechanism and the amount of this fluid will increase in that situation. Objective: To analyze the relationship of interleukin-1β levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of CHD and non-CHD patients with periodontal status. Methods: Oral clinical examination (plaque index, bleeding on probing, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss) for 35 subjects with CHD and 35 non CHD were checked, laboratory test to measure the levels of Interleukin-1β was checked with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: There was no significant differences between interleukin-1β levels in CHD and non-CHD patients (p>0.05); there was no significant difference between the level of Interleukin-1β with periodontal status in CHD and control (non CHD) patients (p>0.05). Conclusions: levels of Interleukin-1β in CHD patients do not have a relationships with plaque index, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss, but has a relationships with bleeding on probing.

Impact of geographic accessibility on utilization of the annual health check-ups by income level in Japan: A multilevel analysis.

PubMed

Fujita, Misuzu; Sato, Yasunori; Nagashima, Kengo; Takahashi, Sho; Hata, Akira

2017-01-01

Although both geographic accessibility and socioeconomic status have been indicated as being important factors for the utilization of health care services, their combined effect has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to reveal whether an income-dependent difference in the impact of geographic accessibility on the utilization of government-led annual health check-ups exists. Existing data collected and provided by Chiba City Hall were employed and analyzed as a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were 166,966 beneficiaries of National Health Insurance in Chiba City, Japan, aged 40 to 74 years. Of all subjects, 54,748 (32.8%) had an annual health check-up in fiscal year 2012. As an optimal index of geographic accessibility has not been established, five measures were calculated: travel time to the nearest health care facility, density of health care facilities (number facilities within a 30-min walking distance from the district of residence), and three indices based on the two-step floating catchment area method. Three-level logistic regression modeling with random intercepts for household and district of residence was performed. Of the five measures, density of health care facilities was the most compatible according to Akaike's information criterion. Both low density and low income were associated with decreased utilization of the health check-ups. Furthermore, a linear relationship was observed between the density of facilities and utilization of the health check-ups in all income groups and its slope was significantly steeper among subjects with an equivalent income of 0.00 yen than among those with equivalent income of 1.01-2.00 million yen (p = 0.028) or 2.01 million yen or more (p = 0.040). This result indicated that subjects with lower incomes were more susceptible to the effects of geographic accessibility than were those with higher incomes. Thus, better geographic accessibility could increase the health check-up utilization and also decrease the income-related disparity of utilization.

SU-F-T-300: Impact of Electron Density Modeling of ArcCHECK Cylindricaldiode Array On 3DVH Patient Specific QA Software Tool Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patwe, P; Mhatre, V; Dandekar, P

Purpose: 3DVH software is a patient specific quality assurance tool which estimates the 3D dose to the patient specific geometry with the help of Planned Dose Perturbation algorithm. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of HU value of ArcCHECK phantom entered in Eclipse TPS on 3D dose & DVH QA analysis. Methods: Manufacturer of ArcCHECK phantom provides CT data set of phantom & recommends considering it as a homogeneous phantom with electron density (1.19 gm/cc or 282 HU) close to PMMA. We performed this study on Eclipse TPS (V13, VMS) & trueBEAM STx VMS Linac &more » ArcCHECK phantom (SNC). Plans were generated for 6MV photon beam, 20cm×20cm field size at isocentre & SPD (Source to phantom distance) of 86.7 cm to deliver 100cGy at isocentre. 3DVH software requires patients DICOM data generated by TPS & plan delivered on ArcCHECK phantom. Plans were generated in TPS by assigning different HU values to phantom. We analyzed gamma index & the dose profile for all plans along vertical down direction of beam’s central axis for Entry, Exit & Isocentre dose. Results: The global gamma passing rate (2% & 2mm) for manufacturer recommended HU value 282 was 96.3%. Detector entry, Isocentre & detector exit Doses were 1.9048 (1.9270), 1.00(1.0199) & 0.5078(0.527) Gy for TPS (Measured) respectively.The global gamma passing rate for electron density 1.1302 gm/cc was 98.6%. Detector entry, Isocentre & detector exit Doses were 1.8714 (1.8873), 1.00(0.9988) & 0.5211(0.516) Gy for TPS (Measured) respectively. Conclusion: Electron density value assigned by manufacturer does not hold true for every user. Proper modeling of electron density of ArcCHECK in TPS is essential to avoid systematic error in dose calculation of patient specific QA.« less

Optical parameters and dispersion behavior of potassium magnesium chloride sulfate single crystals doped with Co+2 ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abu El-Fadl, A.; Abd-Elsalam, A. M.

2018-05-01

Single crystals of potassium magnesium chloride sulfate (KMCS) doped with cobalt ions were grown by slow cooling method. Powder XRD study confirmed the monoclinic structure of the grown crystals. The functional group vibrations were checked through FTIR spectroscopy measurements. In optical studies, the absorbance behavior of the crystals and their optical energy gap were established by Tauc plot. The refractive index, the extinction coefficient and other optical constants were calculated for the grown crystals. The normal dispersion of the refractive index was analyzed according to single oscillator Sellmeier's model. The Urbach's rule was applied to analyze the localized states density in the forbidden gap.

The generalized Morse wavelet method to determine refractive index dispersion of dielectric films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kocahan, Özlem; Özcan, Seçkin; Coşkun, Emre; Özder, Serhat

2017-04-01

The continuous wavelet transform (CWT) method is a useful tool for the determination of refractive index dispersion of dielectric films. Mother wavelet selection is an important factor for the accuracy of the results when using CWT. In this study, generalized Morse wavelet (GMW) was proposed as the mother wavelet because of having two degrees of freedom. The simulation studies, based on error calculations and Cauchy Coefficient comparisons, were presented and also the noisy signal was tested by CWT method with GMW. The experimental validity of this method was checked by D263 T schott glass having 100 μm thickness and the results were compared to those from the catalog value.

A comparison of two methods of heart rate variability assessment at high altitude.

PubMed

Boos, Christopher John; Bakker-Dyos, Josh; Watchorn, Jim; Woods, David Richard; O'Hara, John Paul; Macconnachie, Lee; Mellor, Adrian

2017-11-01

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful index of autonomic function and has been linked to the development of high altitude (HA) related illness. However, its assessment at HA has been undermined by the relative expense and limited portability of traditional HRV devices which have mandated at least a minute heart rate recording. In this study, the portable ithlete ™ HRV system, which uses a 55 s recording, was compared with a reference method of HRV which utilizes a 5 min electrocardiograph recording (CheckMyHeart ™ ). The root mean squares of successive R-R intervals (RMSSD) for each device was converted to a validated HRV score (lnRMSSD × 20) for comparison. Twelve healthy volunteers were assessed for HRV using the two devices across seven time points at HA over 10 days. There was no significant change in the HRV values with either the ithlete (P = 0·3) or the CheckMyHeart ™ (P = 0·19) device over the seven altitudes. There was also a strong overall correlation between the ithlete ™ and CheckMyHeart ™ device (r = 0·86; 95% confidence interval: 0·79-0·91). The HRV was consistently, though non-significantly higher with ithlete ™ than with the CheckMyHeart ™ device [mean difference (bias) 1·8 l; 95% CI -12·3 to 8·5]. In summary, the ithlete ™ and CheckMyHeart ™ system provide relatively similar results with good overall agreement at HA. © 2016 Crown Copyright. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging © 2016 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine This article is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.

Weak-field H3O+ ion cyclotron resonance alters water refractive index.

PubMed

D'Emilia, E; Ledda, M; Foletti, A; Lisi, A; Giuliani, L; Grimaldi, S; Liboff, A R

2017-01-01

Heretofore only observed in living systems, we report that weak-field ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) also occurs in inanimate matter. Weak magnetic field (50 nT) hydronium ICR at the field combination (7.84 Hz, 7.5 µT) markedly changes water structure, as evidenced by finding an altered index of refraction exactly at this combined field. This observation utilizes a novel technique which measures the scattering of a He-Ne laser beam as the sample is exposed to a ramped magnetic field frequency. In addition to the hydronium resonance, we find evidence of ICR coupling to a more massive structure, possibly a tetrahedral combination of three waters and a single hydronium ion. To check our observations, we extended this technique to D 2 O, successfully predicting the specific ICR charge-to-mass ratio for D 3 O + that alters the index of refraction.

Books Average Previous Decade of Economic Misery

PubMed Central

Bentley, R. Alexander; Acerbi, Alberto; Ormerod, Paul; Lampos, Vasileios

2014-01-01

For the 20th century since the Depression, we find a strong correlation between a ‘literary misery index’ derived from English language books and a moving average of the previous decade of the annual U.S. economic misery index, which is the sum of inflation and unemployment rates. We find a peak in the goodness of fit at 11 years for the moving average. The fit between the two misery indices holds when using different techniques to measure the literary misery index, and this fit is significantly better than other possible correlations with different emotion indices. To check the robustness of the results, we also analysed books written in German language and obtained very similar correlations with the German economic misery index. The results suggest that millions of books published every year average the authors' shared economic experiences over the past decade. PMID:24416159

NASA's online machine aided indexing system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Silvester, June P.; Genuardi, Michael T.; Klingbiel, Paul H.

1993-01-01

This report describes the NASA Lexical Dictionary, a machine aided indexing system used online at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Center for Aerospace Information (CASI). This system is comprised of a text processor that is based on the computational, non-syntactic analysis of input text, and an extensive 'knowledge base' that serves to recognize and translate text-extracted concepts. The structure and function of the various NLD system components are described in detail. Methods used for the development of the knowledge base are discussed. Particular attention is given to a statistically-based text analysis program that provides the knowledge base developer with a list of concept-specific phrases extracted from large textual corpora. Production and quality benefits resulting from the integration of machine aided indexing at CASI are discussed along with a number of secondary applications of NLD-derived systems including on-line spell checking and machine aided lexicography.

SU-F-T-236: Comparison of Two IMRT/VMAT QA Systems Using Gamma Index Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dogan, N; Denissova, S

2016-06-15

Purpose: The goal of this study is to assess differences in the Gamma index pass rates when using two commercial QA systems and provide optimum Gamma index parameters for pre-treatment patient specific QA. Methods: Twenty-two VMAT cases that consisted of prostate, lung, head and neck, spine, brain and pancreas, were included in this study. The verification plans have been calculated using AcurosXB(V11) algorithm for different dose grids (1.5mm, 2.5mm, 3mm). The measurements were performed on TrueBeam(Varian) accelerator using both EPID(S1000) portal imager and ArcCheck(SunNuclearCorp) devices. Gamma index criteria variation of 3%/3mm, 2%/3mm, 2%/2mm and threshold (TH) doses of 5% tomore » 50% were used in analysis. Results: The differences in Gamma pass rates between two devices are not statistically significant for 3%/3mm, yielding pass rate higher than 95%. Increase of lower dose TH showed reduced pass rates for both devices. ArcCheck’s more pronounced effect can be attributed to higher contribution of lower dose region spread. As expected, tightening criteria to 2%/2mm (TH: 10%) decreased Gamma pass rates below 95%. Higher EPID (92%) pass rates compared to ArcCheck (86%) probably due to better spatial resolution. Portal Dosimetry results showed lower Gamma pass rates for composite plans compared to individual field pass rates. This may be due to the expansion in the analyzed region which includes pixels not included in the separate field analysis. Decreasing dose grid size from 2.5mm to 1.5mm did not show statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in Gamma pass rates for both QA devices. Conclusion: Overall, both system measurements agree well with calculated dose when using gamma index criteria of 3%/3mm for a variety of VMAT cases. Variability between two systems increases using different dose GRID, TH and tighter gamma criteria and must be carefully assessed prior to clinical use.« less

Hawthorne effect with transient behavioral and biochemical changes in a randomized controlled sleep extension trial of chronically short-sleeping obese adults: implications for the design and interpretation of clinical studies.

PubMed

Cizza, Giovanni; Piaggi, Paolo; Rother, Kristina I; Csako, Gyorgy

2014-01-01

To evaluate the effects of study participation per se at the beginning of a sleep extension trial between screening, randomization, and the run-in visit. Subjects were screened, returned for randomization (Comparison vs. Intervention) after 81 days (median), and attended run-in visit 121 days later. Outpatient. Obese (N = 125; M/F, 30/95; Blacks/Whites/Other, N = 73/44/8), mean weight 107.6±19.7 kg, <6.5 h sleep/night. Non-pharmacological sleep extension. Sleep duration (diaries and actigraphy watch), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), daily sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), fasting glucose, insulin and lipids. Prior to any intervention, marked improvements occurred between screening and randomization. Sleep duration increased (diaries: 357.4 ±51.2 vs. 388.1±48.6 min/night; mean±SD; P<0.001 screening vs. randomization; actigraphy: 344.3 ±41.9 vs. 358.6±48.2 min/night; P<0.001) sleep quality improved (9.1±3.2 vs. 8.2±3.0 PSQI score; P<0.001), sleepiness tended to improve (8.9±4.6 vs. 8.3±4.5 ESS score; P = 0.06), insulin resistance decreased (0.327±0.038 vs. 0.351±0.045; Quicki index; P<0.001), and lipids improved, except for HDL-C. Abnormal fasting glucose (25% vs. 11%; P = 0.007), and metabolic syndrome (42% vs. 29%; P = 0.007) both decreased. In absence of intervention, the earlier metabolic improvements disappeared at the run-in visit. Relatively small sample size. Improvements in biochemical and behavioral parameters between screening and randomization changed the "true" study baseline, thereby potentially affecting outcome. While regression to the mean and placebo effect were considered, these findings are most consistent with the "Hawthorne effect", according to which behavior measured in the setting of an experimental study changes in response to the attention received from study investigators. This is the first time that biochemical changes were documented with respect to the Hawthorne effect. The findings have implications for the design and conduct of clinical research. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00261898.

Temperature and composition dependence of the refractive indices of the 2-chloroethanol + 2-methoxyethanol binary mixtures.

PubMed

Cocchi, Marina; Manfredini, Matteo; Marchetti, Andrea; Pigani, Laura; Seeber, Renato; Tassi, Lorenzo; Ulrici, Alessandro; Vignali, Moris; Zanardi, Chiara; Zannini, Paolo

2002-03-01

Measurements of the refractive index n for the binary mixtures 2-chloroethanol + 2-methoxyethanol in the 0 < or = t/degree C < or = 70 temperature range have been carried out with the purpose of checking the capability of empirical models to express physical quantity as a function of temperature and volume fraction, both separately and together, i.e., in a two independent variables expression. Furthermore, the experimental data have been used to calculate excess properties such as the excess refractive index, the excess molar refraction, and the excess Kirkwood parameter delta g over the whole composition range. The quantities obtained have been discussed and interpreted in terms of the type and nature of the specific intermolecular interactions between the components.

[Mediate evaluation of replicating a Training Program in Nonverbal Communication in Gerontology].

PubMed

Schimidt, Teresa Cristina Gioia; Duarte, Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira; Silva, Maria Julia Paes da

2015-04-01

Replicating the training program in non-verbal communication based on the theoretical framework of interpersonal communication; non-verbal coding, valuing the aging aspects in the perspective of active aging, checking its current relevance through the content assimilation index after 90 days (mediate) of its application. A descriptive and exploratory field study was conducted in three hospitals under direct administration of the state of São Paulo that caters exclusively to Unified Health System (SUS) patients. The training lasted 12 hours divided in three meetings, applied to 102 health professionals. Revealed very satisfactory and satisfactory mediate content assimilation index in 82.9%. The program replication proved to be relevant and updated the setting of hospital services, while remaining efficient for healthcare professionals.

Illness Representations of HIV Positive Patients Are Associated with Virologic Success

PubMed Central

Leone, Daniela; Borghi, Lidia; Lamiani, Giulia; Barlascini, Luca; Bini, Teresa; d’Arminio Monforte, Antonella; Vegni, Elena

2016-01-01

Introduction: It is important for HIV positive patients to be engaged in their care and be adherent to treatment in order to reduce disease progression and mortality. Studies found that illness representations influence adherence through the mediating role of coping behaviors. However, no study has ever tested if patient engagement to the visits mediate the relationship between illness perceptions and adherence. This study aimed to explore illness representations of HIV positive patients and test the hypothesis that illness representations predict adherence through the mediating role of a component of behavioral engagement. Methods: HIV-positive patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for at least one year and presenting to a check-up visit were eligible to participate in the study. Patients completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised. Behavioral engagement was measured based on the patients’ clinical attendance to the check-up visits; adherence to HAART was measured by viral load. Undetectable viral load or HIV-RNA < 40 copies/ml were considered indexes of virologic success. Results: A total of 161 patients participated in the study. Most of them coherently attributed the experienced symptoms to HIV/HAART; perceived their condition as chronic, stable, coherent, judged the therapy as effective, and attributed their disease to the HIV virus and to their behavior or bad luck. The majority of patients (80.1%) regularly attended check-up visits and 88.5% of them reached virologic success. The mediation model did not show good fit indexes. However, a significant direct effect of two independent variables on virologic success was found. Specifically, the perception that the disease does not have serious consequences on patient’s life and the prevalence of negative emotions toward HIV were associated with virologic success. On the contrary, the patient’s perception that the disease has serious consequences on his/her life and the prevalence of positive emotions were associated with virologic failure. This model showed good fit indexes (CFI = 1; TLI = 1; RMSEA = 0.00; and WRMSR = 0.309). Discussion: Results do not support the mediating role of behavioral engagement in the relationship between illness representations and adherence. As perception of serious consequences coupled with positive emotions are directly associated with virologic failure, clinicians should take them into account to promote treatment adherence. PMID:28066307

The ATLAS Eventlndex: data flow and inclusion of other metadata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barberis, D.; Cárdenas Zárate, S. E.; Favareto, A.; Fernandez Casani, A.; Gallas, E. J.; Garcia Montoro, C.; Gonzalez de la Hoz, S.; Hrivnac, J.; Malon, D.; Prokoshin, F.; Salt, J.; Sanchez, J.; Toebbicke, R.; Yuan, R.; ATLAS Collaboration

2016-10-01

The ATLAS EventIndex is the catalogue of the event-related metadata for the information collected from the ATLAS detector. The basic unit of this information is the event record, containing the event identification parameters, pointers to the files containing this event as well as trigger decision information. The main use case for the EventIndex is event picking, as well as data consistency checks for large production campaigns. The EventIndex employs the Hadoop platform for data storage and handling, as well as a messaging system for the collection of information. The information for the EventIndex is collected both at Tier-0, when the data are first produced, and from the Grid, when various types of derived data are produced. The EventIndex uses various types of auxiliary information from other ATLAS sources for data collection and processing: trigger tables from the condition metadata database (COMA), dataset information from the data catalogue AMI and the Rucio data management system and information on production jobs from the ATLAS production system. The ATLAS production system is also used for the collection of event information from the Grid jobs. EventIndex developments started in 2012 and in the middle of 2015 the system was commissioned and started collecting event metadata, as a part of ATLAS Distributed Computing operations.

Hexagonal Pixels and Indexing Scheme for Binary Images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Gordon G.

2004-01-01

A scheme for resampling binaryimage data from a rectangular grid to a regular hexagonal grid and an associated tree-structured pixel-indexing scheme keyed to the level of resolution have been devised. This scheme could be utilized in conjunction with appropriate image-data-processing algorithms to enable automated retrieval and/or recognition of images. For some purposes, this scheme is superior to a prior scheme that relies on rectangular pixels: one example of such a purpose is recognition of fingerprints, which can be approximated more closely by use of line segments along hexagonal axes than by line segments along rectangular axes. This scheme could also be combined with algorithms for query-image-based retrieval of images via the Internet. A binary image on a rectangular grid is generated by raster scanning or by sampling on a stationary grid of rectangular pixels. In either case, each pixel (each cell in the rectangular grid) is denoted as either bright or dark, depending on whether the light level in the pixel is above or below a prescribed threshold. The binary data on such an image are stored in a matrix form that lends itself readily to searches of line segments aligned with either or both of the perpendicular coordinate axes. The first step in resampling onto a regular hexagonal grid is to make the resolution of the hexagonal grid fine enough to capture all the binaryimage detail from the rectangular grid. In practice, this amounts to choosing a hexagonal-cell width equal to or less than a third of the rectangular- cell width. Once the data have been resampled onto the hexagonal grid, the image can readily be checked for line segments aligned with the hexagonal coordinate axes, which typically lie at angles of 30deg, 90deg, and 150deg with respect to say, the horizontal rectangular coordinate axis. Optionally, one can then rotate the rectangular image by 90deg, then again sample onto the hexagonal grid and check for line segments at angles of 0deg, 60deg, and 120deg to the original horizontal coordinate axis. The net result is that one has checked for line segments at angular intervals of 30deg. For even finer angular resolution, one could, for example, then rotate the rectangular-grid image +/-45deg before sampling to perform checking for line segments at angular intervals of 15deg.

Growth analysis and yield of two varieties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) as influenced by different weed control methods.

PubMed

Olayinka, Bolaji U; Etejere, Emmanuel O

Field trials were carried out to evaluate the effects of seven weed management strategies on the growth and yield of two groundnut varieties (Samnut 10 and MK 373) for two successive seasons (2010-2011). The experimental layout was a split plot complete randomized block design with three replications. The two groundnut varieties showed identical pattern of results for leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and crop growth rate as well as yield. All the weed control treatments significantly enhanced the growth and yield compared with the weedy check. The weed free check had the highest growth but the highest yield was recorded from rice straw mulch at 0.1 m depth + one hand weeding at 6 weeks after sowing (WAS) due to increase in number of matured pods per plant, seed weight per plant and 100-seed weight. The results showed that rice straw mulch at 0.1 m depth + one hand weeding at 6 WAS was better agronomical practice for enhancing growth and yield of groundnut. This enhancement could be as a result of its positive influence on physiological parameters such as leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate and crop growth rate. Its use is also ecofriendly as it limits the need for synthetic herbicide.

Clinical Trial of the Potassium Channel Activator Diazoxide for Major Depressive Disorder Halted Due to Intolerability.

PubMed

Kadriu, Bashkim; Yuan, Shiwen; Farmer, Cristan; Nugent, Allison C; Lener, Marc S; Niciu, Mark J; Park, Minkyung; Yazdian, Aaron; Ballard, Elizabeth D; Henn, Fritz A; Henter, Ioline D; Park, Lawrence T; Zarate, Carlos A

2018-06-01

Some glutamatergic modulators have demonstrated rapid and relatively sustained antidepressant properties in patients with major depressive disorder. Because the potassium channel activator diazoxide increases glutamate uptake via potassium channel activation, we hypothesized that it might exert antidepressant effects by increasing the removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft, thereby reducing excessive glutamate transmission. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, single-site inpatient clinical study was conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health to assess the efficacy and safety of a 3-week course of diazoxide (200-400 mg daily, twice a day) versus a 3-week course of placebo in 6 participants with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder. The primary clinical outcome measure was change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score from baseline to posttreatment. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, as well as concomitant imaging measures (electroencephalography, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography), were used as potential surrogate markers of target (KATP channel) engagement. The study was halted due to severe adverse effects. Given the small sample size, statistical evaluation of the effect of diazoxide on Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores or the imaging measures was not pursued. Visual inspection of the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index test revealed no evidence of target engagement. Although the results are negative, they are an important addition to the literature in this rapidly changing field.

Physico-chemical properties and sensory profile of durum wheat Dittaino PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) bread and quality of re-milled semolina used for its production.

PubMed

Giannone, Virgilio; Giarnetti, Mariagrazia; Spina, Alfio; Todaro, Aldo; Pecorino, Biagio; Summo, Carmine; Caponio, Francesco; Paradiso, Vito Michele; Pasqualone, Antonella

2018-02-15

To help future quality checks, we characterized the physico-chemical and sensory properties of Dittaino bread, a sourdough-based durum wheat bread recently awarded with Protected Designation of Origin mark, along with the quality features of re-milled semolina used for its production. Semolina was checked for Falling Number (533-644s), protein content (12.0-12.3g/100gd.m.), gluten content (9.7-10.5g/100gd.m.), yellow index (18.0-21.0), water absorption (59.3-62.3g/100g), farinograph dough stability (171-327s), softening index (46-66B.U.), alveograph W (193×10 -4 -223×10 -4 J) and P/L (2.2-2.7). Accordingly, bread crumb was yellow, moderately hard (16.4-27.1N) and chewy (88.2-109.2N×mm), with low specific volume (2.28-3.03mL/g). Bread aroma profile showed ethanol and acetic acid, followed by hexanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-methylbutanal, hexanal, benzaldehyde, and furfural. The sensory features were dominated by a thick brown crust, with marked toasted odor, coupled to yellow and consistent crumb, with coarse grain and well-perceivable sour taste and odor. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Triglycerides/High density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio as a cardiometabolic risk marker in children and adolescents from Mérida city, Venezuela.

PubMed

Aguirre, Miguel; Briceño, Yajaira; Gómez-Pérez, Roald; Zerpa, Yajaira; Camacho, Nolis; Paoli, Mariela

2018-02-01

To determine the behavior of the triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL) as a cardiometabolic risk marker in children and adolescents from Mérida, Venezuela. A total of 1292 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years who attended educational institutions in the Libertador Municipality were enrolled into this study. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure values were recorded. Fasting blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels were measured. The TG/HDL ratio, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI indexes were calculated. Subjects were categorized as with and without cardiometabolic risk based on the presence or absence of 2or more risk factors. Cut-off points for the TG/HDL ratio were determined by constructing ROC curves. Significantly higher mean TG/HDL ratios were found in pubertal (2.2 ± 1.7) as compared to prepubertal subjects (1.8 ± 1.5; P=.001), with no sex differences. Two or more risk factors were found in 14.7% (n=192) of the participants, in whom TG/HDL ratios were significantly higher as compared to those with no risk (3.5±2.9 versus 1.6±0.8 in prepubertal and 4.1 ± 3.5 versus 1.8 ± 0.9 in pubertal subjects; P=.0001). According to cardiometabolic risk, cut-off points for the TG/HDL ratio of 1.8 and 2.5 were found for prepubertal and pubertal children respectively. These cut-off points showed risks (odds ratio) higher than 2.5 for conditions such as metabolic syndrome, elevated non-HDL-C, abdominal obesity, and elevated HOMA-IR. In this sample of children and adolescents, an elevated TG/HDLc ratio was found to be a good marker for predicting cardiometabolic risk. Copyright © 2017 SEEN y SED. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Effects of Two Training Modalities on Body Fat and Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal Women.

PubMed

Henríquez, Sandra; Monsalves-Alvarez, Matías; Jimenez, Teresa; Barrera, Gladys; Hirsch, Sandra; de la Maza, María Pia; Leiva, Laura; Rodriguez, Juan Manuel; Silva, Claudio; Bunout, Daniel

2017-11-01

Henríquez, S, Monsalves-Alvarez, M, Jimenez, T, Barrera, G, Hirsch, S, de la Maza, MP, Leiva, L, Rodriguez, JM, Silva, C, and Bunout, D. Effects of two training modalities on body fat and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res 31(11): 2955-2964, 2017-Our objective was to compare the effects of a low-load circuit resistance training protocol and usual aerobic training in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women with at least 1 feature of the metabolic syndrome were randomly allocated to a low-load circuit resistance training protocol or traditional aerobic training in a braked cycle ergometer. The intervention consisted in supervised sessions lasting 40 minutes, 3 times per week, during 6 months. At baseline and at the end of the intervention, fasting serum lipid levels, serum interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, 8 isoprostanes, and insulin resistance (assessed through QUICKI and HOMA-IR) were measured. Body fat was measured by double-beam X-ray absorptiometry and by computed tomography densitometric quantification at lumbar 3 vertebral level. Twenty-one women aged 58 (54-59) years were allocated to aerobic training and 21 women aged 55 (52-61) years were allocated to the low-load circuit resistance training protocol. Eighteen and 16 women in each group completed the 6 months training period. Women in both groups experienced significant reductions in blood pressure, total body, subcutaneous, and intraabdominal body fat. Reductions in total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were also observed. No changes in insulin resistance indexes, 8 isoprostanes, C-reactive protein, or interleukin 6 were observed in either group. No significant differences between treatment groups were observed in any of the measured parameters. We conclude that low-load circuit resistance training and aerobic training resulted in the same reductions in body fat and serum lipid levels.

Resistin, visfatin, leptin and omentin are differently related to hormonal and metabolic parameters in growth hormone-deficient children.

PubMed

Ciresi, A; Pizzolanti, G; Leotta, M; Guarnotta, V; Teresi, G; Giordano, C

2016-09-01

The effect of growth hormone (GH) on adipose tissue and the role of adipokines in modulating metabolism are documented, but with discordant data. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of GH treatment on a series of selected adipokines known to have a metabolic role and poorly investigated in this setting. This is a prospective study. Thirty-one prepubertal children (25 M, 6 F; aged 8.5 ± 1.6 years) with isolated GH deficiency treated with GH for at least 12 months and 30 matched controls were evaluated. Auxological and metabolic parameters, insulin sensitivity indexes, leptin, soluble leptin receptor, adiponectin, visfatin, resistin, omentin, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein and retinol-binding protein-4 were evaluated before and after 12 months of treatment. At baseline, no significant difference in metabolic parameters was found between GHD children and controls, except for higher LDL cholesterol (p = 0.004) in the first group. At multivariate analysis, LDL cholesterol was independently associated with resistin (B 0.531; p = 0.002), while IGF-I was the only variable independently associated with visfatin (B 0.688; p < 0.001). After 12 months, a significant increase in fasting insulin (p = 0.008), Homa-IR (p = 0.007) and visfatin (p < 0.001) was found, with a concomitant decrease in LDL cholesterol (p = 0.015), QUICKI (p = 0.001), ISI Matsuda (p = 0.006), leptin (p = 0.015) and omentin (p = 0.003)]. At multivariate analysis, BMI was the only variable independently associated with leptin (B 0.485; p = 0.040). GH treatment modifies adipokine secretion and the perturbation of some adipokine levels could contribute to the clinical and metabolic changes observed during the follow-up.

The basic data for residents aged 16 years or older who received a comprehensive health check examinations in 2011-2012 as a part of the Fukushima Health Management Survey after the great East Japan earthquake.

PubMed

Kawasaki, Yukihiko; Hosoya, Mitsuaki; Yasumura, Seiji; Ohira, Tetsuya; Satoh, Hiroaki; Suzuki, Hitoshi; Sakai, Akira; Ohtsuru, Akira; Takahashi, Atsushi; Ozasa, Kotaro; Kobashi, Gen; Kamiya, Kenji; Yamashita, Shunichi; Abe, Masafumi

2014-01-01

To assist in the long-term health management of residents and evaluate health impacts after the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in Fukushima Prefecture, the Fukushima prefectural government decided to conduct the Fukushima Health Management Survey. This report describes the results for residents aged 16 years or older who received the health check examinations and evaluates the data obtained from 2011 and 2012. The target group consisted of residents aged 16 years or older who had lived in the evacuation zone. The health check examinations were performed on receipt of an application for a health check examination from any of the residents. The examinations, including measurements of height, weight, abdominal circumference/body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, biochemical laboratory findings, and peripheral blood findings, were performed as required. 1) A total of 56,399 (30.9%) and 47,009 (25.4%) residents aged 16 years or older received health checks in 2011 and 2012, respectively. 2) In both years, a number of male and female residents in the 16-39 year age group were found to suffer obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, or liver dysfunction, and the prevalence of obesity and hyperlipidemia among residents increased with age. Furthermore, the proportion of residents with hypertension, glucose metabolic abnormalities or renal dysfunction was higher in those aged 40 years or older. 3) The frequencies of obesity, hypertension and hyperlipidemia among residents in 2012 were lower than those in 2011. However, the prevalence of liver dysfunction, hyperuricemia, glucose metabolic abnormalities and renal dysfunction among residents was higher in 2012 than in 2011. These results suggested the number of residents who had lived in the evacuation zone with obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, liver dysfunction, hypertension, glucose metabolic abnormalities, or renal dysfunction increased with age in all age groups. Therefore, we think that it is necessary to continue with health check examinations for these residents in order to ameliorate lifestyle-related disease.

Impact of geographic accessibility on utilization of the annual health check-ups by income level in Japan: A multilevel analysis

PubMed Central

Fujita, Misuzu; Hata, Akira

2017-01-01

Although both geographic accessibility and socioeconomic status have been indicated as being important factors for the utilization of health care services, their combined effect has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to reveal whether an income-dependent difference in the impact of geographic accessibility on the utilization of government-led annual health check-ups exists. Existing data collected and provided by Chiba City Hall were employed and analyzed as a retrospective cohort study. The subjects were 166,966 beneficiaries of National Health Insurance in Chiba City, Japan, aged 40 to 74 years. Of all subjects, 54,748 (32.8%) had an annual health check-up in fiscal year 2012. As an optimal index of geographic accessibility has not been established, five measures were calculated: travel time to the nearest health care facility, density of health care facilities (number facilities within a 30-min walking distance from the district of residence), and three indices based on the two-step floating catchment area method. Three-level logistic regression modeling with random intercepts for household and district of residence was performed. Of the five measures, density of health care facilities was the most compatible according to Akaike’s information criterion. Both low density and low income were associated with decreased utilization of the health check-ups. Furthermore, a linear relationship was observed between the density of facilities and utilization of the health check-ups in all income groups and its slope was significantly steeper among subjects with an equivalent income of 0.00 yen than among those with equivalent income of 1.01–2.00 million yen (p = 0.028) or 2.01 million yen or more (p = 0.040). This result indicated that subjects with lower incomes were more susceptible to the effects of geographic accessibility than were those with higher incomes. Thus, better geographic accessibility could increase the health check-up utilization and also decrease the income-related disparity of utilization. PMID:28486522

Hematocrit levels as cardiovascular risk among taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand

PubMed Central

ISHIMARU, Tomohiro; ARPHORN, Sara; JIRAPONGSUWAN, Ann

2016-01-01

In Thailand, taxi drivers employed in the informal sector often experience hazardous working conditions. Previous studies revealed that elevated Hematocrit (HCT) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study assessed factors associated with HCT in taxi drivers to predict their occupational CVD risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 298 male taxi drivers who joined a health check-up campaign in Bangkok, Thailand. HCT and body mass index were retrieved from participant health check-up files. Self-administered questionnaires assessed demographics, driving mileage, working hours, and lifestyle. Statistical associations were analyzed using stepwise linear regression. Our results showed that obesity (p=0.007), daily alcohol drinking (p=0.003), and current or past smoking (p=0.016) were associated with higher HCT levels. While working hours were not directly associated with HCT levels in the current study, the effect on overworking is statistically arguable because most participants worked substantially longer hours. Our findings suggest that taxi drivers’ CVD risk may be increased by their unhealthy work styles. Initiatives to improve general working conditions for taxi drivers should take into account health promotion and CVD prevention. The policy of providing periodic health check-ups is important to make workers in the informal sector aware of their health status. PMID:27151439

Hematocrit levels as cardiovascular risk among taxi drivers in Bangkok, Thailand.

PubMed

Ishimaru, Tomohiro; Arphorn, Sara; Jirapongsuwan, Ann

2016-10-08

In Thailand, taxi drivers employed in the informal sector often experience hazardous working conditions. Previous studies revealed that elevated Hematocrit (HCT) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. This study assessed factors associated with HCT in taxi drivers to predict their occupational CVD risk factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 298 male taxi drivers who joined a health check-up campaign in Bangkok, Thailand. HCT and body mass index were retrieved from participant health check-up files. Self-administered questionnaires assessed demographics, driving mileage, working hours, and lifestyle. Statistical associations were analyzed using stepwise linear regression. Our results showed that obesity (p=0.007), daily alcohol drinking (p=0.003), and current or past smoking (p=0.016) were associated with higher HCT levels. While working hours were not directly associated with HCT levels in the current study, the effect on overworking is statistically arguable because most participants worked substantially longer hours. Our findings suggest that taxi drivers' CVD risk may be increased by their unhealthy work styles. Initiatives to improve general working conditions for taxi drivers should take into account health promotion and CVD prevention. The policy of providing periodic health check-ups is important to make workers in the informal sector aware of their health status.

Literature searching for clinical and cost-effectiveness studies used in health technology assessment reports carried out for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence appraisal system.

PubMed

Royle, P; Waugh, N

2003-01-01

To contribute to making searching for Technology Assessment Reports (TARs) more cost-effective by suggesting an optimum literature retrieval strategy. A sample of 20 recent TARs. All sources used to search for clinical and cost-effectiveness studies were recorded. In addition, all studies that were included in the clinical and cost-effectiveness sections of the TARs were identified, and their characteristics recorded, including author, journal, year, study design, study size and quality score. Each was also classified by publication type, and then checked to see whether it was indexed in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and then either the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CCTR) for clinical effectiveness studies or the NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED) for the cost-effectiveness studies. Any study not found in at least one of these databases was checked to see whether it was indexed in the Science Citation Index (SCI) and BIOSIS, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Online if a cancer review. Any studies still not found were checked to see whether they were in a number of additional databases. The median number of sources searched per TAR was 20, and the range was from 13 to 33 sources. Six sources (CCTR, DARE, EMBASE, MEDLINE, NHS EED and sponsor/industry submissions to National Institute for Clinical Excellence) were used in all reviews. After searching the MEDLINE, EMBASE and NHS EED databases, 87.3% of the clinical effectiveness studies and 94.8% of the cost-effectiveness studies were found, rising to 98.2% when SCI, BIOSIS and ASCO Online and 97.9% when SCI and ASCO Online, respectively, were added. The median number of sources searched for the 14 TARs that included an economic model was 9.0 per TAR. A sensitive search filter for identifying non-randomised controlled trials (RCT), constructed for MEDLINE and using the search terms from the bibliographic records in the included studies, retrieved only 85% of the known sample. Therefore, it is recommended that when searching for non-RCT studies a search is done for the intervention alone, and records are then scanned manually for those that look relevant. Searching additional databases beyond the Cochrane Library (which includes CCTR, NHS EED and the HTA database), MEDLINE, EMBASE and SCI, plus BIOSIS limited to meeting abstracts only, was seldom found to be effective in retrieving additional studies for inclusion in the clinical and cost-effectiveness sections of TARs (apart from reviews of cancer therapies, where a search of the ASCO database is recommended). A more selective approach to database searching would suffice in most cases and would save resources, thereby making the TAR process more efficient. However, searching non-database sources (including submissions from manufacturers, recent meeting abstracts, contact with experts and checking reference lists) does appear to be a productive way of identifying further studies.

The awakening of the attention: Evidence for a link between the monitoring of mind wandering and prospective goals.

PubMed

Seli, Paul; Smilek, Daniel; Ralph, Brandon C W; Schacter, Daniel L

2018-03-01

Across 2 independent samples, we examined the relation between individual differences in rates of self-caught mind wandering and individual differences in temporal monitoring of an unrelated response goal. Rates of self-caught mind wandering were assessed during a commonly used sustained-attention task, and temporal goal monitoring was indexed during a well-established prospective-memory task. The results from both samples showed a positive relation between rates of self-caught mind wandering during the sustained-attention task and rates of checking a clock to monitor the amount of time remaining before a response was required in the prospective-memory task. This relation held even when controlling for overall propensity to mind-wander (indexed by intermittent thought probes) and levels of motivation (indexed by subjective reports). These results suggest the possibility that there is a common monitoring system that monitors the contents of consciousness and the progress of ongoing goals and tasks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Analysis of beam propagation characteristics in gain-guided, index antiguided fibers with the beam propagation method.

PubMed

Ai, Fei; Qian, Jianqiang; Shi, Junfeng; Zhang, Machi

2017-10-10

The transmission properties of beams in gain fibers are studied with the complex refractive index beam propagation method (CRI-BPM). The method is checked by comparison with an analytic method. The behavior of a gain-guided, index antiguided (GG-IAG) fiber with different gain coefficients is studied. The simulation results show that the signal can transfer in the fiber with almost no loss when the gain coefficient reaches the threshold of the fundamental mode, and the shape of output spot will have no major changes when the gain coefficient is over the thresholds of high-order modes, even when the mode competition is not obvious. The CRI-BPM can predict the changes in light power and light mode at the same time, and will be very useful in the designing of fiber amplifiers and lasers with complex structures. More factors will be considered in this method to provide reference for practical application in our further research.

A FURTHER CONTRIBUTION TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPSONINS

PubMed Central

Simon, Charles E.

1907-01-01

1. The determination of Wright's index of the opsonic content of the blood and other fluids of the body is open to serious and in part unavoidable errors and should be abandoned in its present form. 2. Conclusions based upon the determination of the opsonic content of the blood, according to Wright's method, are accordingly not uniformly reliable. 3. The percentage index is a valuable check on Wright's bacillary index, but likewise does not furnish an adequate idea of the opsonic content of the blood, unless carried out with progressive dilutions to the point of opsonic extinction. 4. The opsonins of normal blood serum are not specific. 5. The specificity of the opsonins in "immune" sera has not been satisfactorily established, but appears probable. 6. An opsonic immunity, in the sense of a continued high opsonic content of the blood does not exist. 7. In the blood and exudates of infected individuals substances may be present which exercise an inhibitory effect upon phagocytosis. PMID:19867106

The ATLAS EventIndex: architecture, design choices, deployment and first operation experience

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barberis, D.; Cárdenas Zárate, S. E.; Cranshaw, J.; Favareto, A.; Fernández Casaní, Á.; Gallas, E. J.; Glasman, C.; González de la Hoz, S.; Hřivnáč, J.; Malon, D.; Prokoshin, F.; Salt Cairols, J.; Sánchez, J.; Többicke, R.; Yuan, R.

2015-12-01

The EventIndex is the complete catalogue of all ATLAS events, keeping the references to all files that contain a given event in any processing stage. It replaces the TAG database, which had been in use during LHC Run 1. For each event it contains its identifiers, the trigger pattern and the GUIDs of the files containing it. Major use cases are event picking, feeding the Event Service used on some production sites, and technical checks of the completion and consistency of processing campaigns. The system design is highly modular so that its components (data collection system, storage system based on Hadoop, query web service and interfaces to other ATLAS systems) could be developed separately and in parallel during LSI. The EventIndex is in operation for the start of LHC Run 2. This paper describes the high-level system architecture, the technical design choices and the deployment process and issues. The performance of the data collection and storage systems, as well as the query services, are also reported.

Concepts for Sensor Data Fusion to Detect Vegetation Stress and Implications on Ecosystem Health Following Hurricane Katrina

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

Description NDVI Narrow-band Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (can check all possible two-band combinations, and determine best band combinations...were calculated for each site. The band indices were: • NDVI (Hyperion bands 45 & 33) (Figure 2) • NDWI (Hyperion bands 51 & 109) • PRI (Hyperion...between categories for these groups. NDVI and NDWI were very close to achiev- ing a significant result, and were still particularly good at separating two

Research on Centralized Voltage and Effective Inequality Identification Based on Circuit Analysis Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yi; Wang, Feifeng; Lu, Yufeng; Huang, Huimin; Xia, Xiaofei

2017-09-01

This paper is based on affine function equation of the grid and OPF problem, discusses the equivalent of some inequality constraints variables optimizing. Further, we propose the model of injection current and set up the constraint sensitivity index of affine characteristics. The index can be used to identify the central point voltage and effective inequality of the system automatically. And then we can know how to compensate reactive power of the corresponding generator node and control the voltage to ensure the quality of the system voltage. When checking the effective inequalities we introduce cross-solving method of power flow. This provide a different idea for solving the power flow. The paper uses the results of the IEEE5 node examples to illustrate the validity and practicality of the proposed method.

A correct enthalpy relationship as thermal comfort index for livestock.

PubMed

Rodrigues, Valéria Cristina; da Silva, Iran José Oliveira; Vieira, Frederico Márcio Corrêa; Nascimento, Sheila Tavares

2011-05-01

Researchers working with thermal comfort have been using enthalpy to measure thermal energy inside rural facilities, establishing indicator values for many situations of thermal comfort and heat stress. This variable turned out to be helpful in analyzing thermal exchange in livestock systems. The animals are exposed to an environment which is decisive for the thermoregulatory process, and, consequently, the reactions reflect states of thermal comfort or heat stress, the last being responsable for problems of sanity, behavior and productivity. There are researchers using enthalpy as a qualitative indicator of thermal environment of livestock such as poultry, cattle and hogs in tropical regions. This preliminary work intends to check different enthalpy equations using information from classical thermodynamics, and proposes a direct equation as thermal comfort index for livestock systems.

[Quality of and Attendance at Healthy Child Clinics in Germany].

PubMed

Weithase, Alexandra; Vogel, Mandy; Kiep, Henriette; Schwarz, Sarah; Meißner, Laura; Herrmann, Janine; Rieger, Kristin; Koch, Christiane; Schuster, Volker; Kiess, Wieland

2017-04-01

Background  For several years the German healthy child clinics program has been a highly appreciated preventive measure and is subject to constant development. However, attendance depends on the families' sociodemographic situation. Findings are documented in a medical checkup booklet (the so-called Gelbes Heft). Currently, there is no procedure to use the data collected for epidemiological purposes nor to evaluate the pediatric prevention measures in Germany. Methods  Between 2011 and 2016, we recruited 3480 study participants for our population-based cohort study LIFE Child in Leipzig. 90.6 % submitted their check-up booklets which were subsequently scanned, the data was digitalized and transmitted to a computerized form. Furthermore, data on social status (so-called Winkler-Index) were collected for each family using a structured questionnaire. The study population consisted of the families' oldest child for whom both data sets were available. Results  The transmission of data from the check-up booklets was time-consuming and cost-intensive due to large datasets, uncoded diagnoses as well as the necessity of trained employees for transferring often illegible handwriting. Early diagnostic tests for children enjoy a high level of acceptance among all social classes. With increasing age, attendance rate decreases gradually. Only 83 % of the population with a lower social status attend the U9 test. The documentation of diagnoses in the check-up booklets was implausible because the frequency fluctuated heavily between the different check-up time points. With only less than 2 %, the documentation of psychosocial difficulties in a child was particularly surprising Conclusion  It is not possible to draw conclusions regarding the prevalence of target diseases from the frequency of documented findings in the check-up booklets. In order to make the data both comparable and evaluable, documentation must be digitalized in the future. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

The Austrian UV monitoring network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumthaler, Mario; Klotz, Barbara; Schwarzmann, Michael; Schreder, Josef

2017-02-01

The Austrian UV Monitoring network is operational since 1998 providing a large data set of erythemally weighted UV irradiance recorded with broadband UV biometer at 12 stations distributed all over Austria. In order to obtain high quality data all biometer are recalibrated once a year, the detectors are checked regularly for humidity and quality control is done routinely. The collected data are processed and then published on the website http://www.uv-index.at where the UV-Index of all measurement sites is presented in near real time together with a map of the distribution of the UV-Index over Austria. These UV-Index data together with measurements of global radiation and ozone levels from OMI are used to study long term trends for the stations of the monitoring network. Neither for all weather conditions nor for clear sky conditions is a statistically significant trend found for the UV-Index (with one exception) and for ozone. Furthermore, the radiation amplification factor (RAF) is determined experimentally from the power law correlation between UV-Index and ozone level for the site Innsbruck (577 m above sea level, 47.26°N, 11.38°E) for 19°solar elevation. A value of 0.91 ± 0.05 is found for the RAF for clear sky days with low ground albedo and a value of 1.03 ± 0.08 for days with high ground albedo (snow cover).

Fatty Liver Index and Lipid Accumulation Product Can Predict Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects without Fatty Liver Disease

PubMed Central

Cheng, Yuan-Lung; Wang, Yuan-Jen; Lan, Keng-Hsin; Huo, Teh-Ia; Hsieh, Wei-Yao; Hou, Ming-Chih; Lee, Fa-Yauh; Wu, Jaw-Ching; Lee, Shou-Dong

2017-01-01

Background. Fatty liver index (FLI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) are indexes originally designed to assess the risk of fatty liver and cardiovascular disease, respectively. Both indexes have been proven to be reliable markers of subsequent metabolic syndrome; however, their ability to predict metabolic syndrome in subjects without fatty liver disease has not been clarified. Methods. We enrolled consecutive subjects who received health check-up services at Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2002 to 2009. Fatty liver disease was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography. The ability of the FLI and LAP to predict metabolic syndrome was assessed by analyzing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve. Results. Male sex was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome, and the LAP and FLI were better than other variables to predict metabolic syndrome among the 29,797 subjects. Both indexes were also better than other variables to detect metabolic syndrome in subjects without fatty liver disease (AUROC: 0.871 and 0.879, resp.), and the predictive power was greater among women. Conclusion. Metabolic syndrome increases the cardiovascular disease risk. The FLI and LAP could be used to recognize the syndrome in both subjects with and without fatty liver disease who require lifestyle modifications and counseling. PMID:28194177

Improvement of non-key traits in radiata pine breeding programme when long-term economic importance is uncertain.

PubMed

Li, Yongjun; Dungey, Heidi; Yanchuk, Alvin; Apiolaza, Luis A

2017-01-01

Diameter at breast height (DBH), wood density (DEN) and predicted modulus of elasticity (PME) are considered as 'key traits' (KT) in the improvement in radiata pine breeding programmes in New Zealand. Any other traits which are also of interest to radiata pine breeders and forest growers are called 'non-key traits' (NKTs). External resin bleeding (ERB), internal checking (IC), number of heartwood rings (NHR) are three such non-key traits which affect wood quality of radiata pine timber. Economic importance of the KTs and NKTs is hard to define in radiata pine breeding programmes due to long rotation period. Desired-gain index (DGIs) and robust selection were proposed to incorporate NKTs into radiata pine breeding programme in order to deal with the uncertainty of economic importance. Four desired-gain indices A-D were proposed in this study. The desired-gain index A (DGI-A) emphasized growth and led to small decrease in ERB and small increase in IC and NHR. The expected genetic gains of all traits in the desired-gain index B (DGI-B) were in the favourable directions (positive genetic gains in the key traits and negative genetic gains in the non-key traits). The desired-gain index C (DGI-C) placed emphasis on wood density, leading to favourable genetic gain in the NKTs but reduced genetic gains for DBH and PME. The desired-gain index D (DGI-D) exerted a bit more emphasis on the non-key traits, leading large favourable reduction in the non-key traits and lower increase in the key traits compared with the other DGIs. When selecting both the key traits and the non-key traits, the average EBVs of six traits were all in the same directions as the expected genetic gains except for DBH in the DGI-D. When the key traits were measured and selected, internal checking always had a negative (favourable) genetic gain but ERB and NHR had unfavourable genetic gain in the most of time. After removing some individuals with high sensitivity to the change of economic weights, robust desired-gain selection made genetic gains of all the key and non-key traits to move a little bit toward unfavourable directions in the four indices. It is concluded that desired-gain index combined with robust selection concept is an efficient way for selecting the key and non-key traits in radiata pine breeding programmes.

The Standard Deviation of Differential Index as an innovation diagnostic tool based on kinematic parameters for objective assessment of a upper limb motion pathology.

PubMed

Jurkojć, Jacek; Wodarski, Piotr; Michnik, Robert A; Bieniek, Andrzej; Gzik, Marek; Granek, Arkadiusz

2017-01-01

Indexing methods are very popular in terms of determining the degree of disability associated with motor dysfunctions. Currently, indexing methods dedicated to the upper limbs are not very popular, probably due to difficulties in their interpretation. This work presents the calculation algorithm of new SDDI index and the attempt is made to determine the level of physical dysfunction along with description of its kind, based on the interpretation of the calculation results of SDDI and PULMI indices. 23 healthy people (10 women and 13 men), which constituted a reference group, and a group of 3 people with mobility impairments participated in the tests. In order to examine possibilities of the utilization of the SDDI index the participants had to repetitively perform two selected rehabilitation movements of upper extremities. During the tests the kinematic value was registered using inertial motion analysis system MVN BIOMECH. The results of the test were collected in waveforms of 9 anatomical angles in 4 joints of upper extremities. Then, SDDI and PULMI indices were calculated for each person with mobility impairments. Next, the analysis was performed to check which abnormalities in upper extremity motion can influence the value of both indexes and interpretation of those indexes was shown. Joint analysis of the both indices provides information on whether the patient has correctly performed the set sequence of movement and enables the determination of possible irregularities in the performance of movement given.

SU-F-T-294: The Analysis of Gamma Criteria for Delta4 Dosimetry Using Statistical Process Control

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, S; Ahn, S; Kim, J

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity of gamma criteria for patient-specific volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) quality assurance of the Delta{sup 4} dosimetry program using the statistical process control(SPC) methodology. Methods: The authors selected 20 patient-specific VMAT QA cases which were undertaken MapCHECK and ArcCHECK with gamma pass rate better than 97%. The QAs data were collected Delta4 Phantom+ and Elekta Agility six megavolts without using an angle incrementer. The gamma index(GI) were calculated in 2D planes with normalizing deviation to local dose(local gamma). The sensitivity of the GI methodology using criterion of 3%/3mm, 3%/2mm and 2%/3mm was analyzed with using processmore » acceptability indices. We used local confidence(LC) level, the upper control limit(UCL) and lower control limit(LCL) of I-MR chart for process capability index(Cp) and a process acceptability index (Cpk). Results: The lower local confidence levels of 3%/3mm, 3%/2mm and 2%/3mm were 92.0%, 83.6% and 78.8% respectively. All of the calculated Cp and Cpk values that used LC level were under 1.0 in this study. The calculated LCLs of I-MR charts were 89.5%, 79.0% and 70.5% respectively. These values were higher than 1.0 which means good quality of QA. For the generally used lower limit of 90%, we acquired over 1.3 of Cp value for the gamma index of 3%/3mm and lower than 1.0 in the rest of GI. Conclusion: We applied SPC methodology to evaluate the sensitivity of gamma criteria and could see the lower control limits of VMAT QA for the Delta 4 dosimetry and could see that Delta 4 phantom+ dosimetry more affected by the position error and the I-MR chart derived values are more suitable for establishing lower limits. Acknowledgement: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (No. 2015R1D1A1A01060463)« less

[Errors in laboratory daily practice].

PubMed

Larrose, C; Le Carrer, D

2007-01-01

Legislation set by GBEA (Guide de bonne exécution des analyses) requires that, before performing analysis, the laboratory directors have to check both the nature of the samples and the patients identity. The data processing of requisition forms, which identifies key errors, was established in 2000 and in 2002 by the specialized biochemistry laboratory, also with the contribution of the reception centre for biological samples. The laboratories follow a strict criteria of defining acceptability as a starting point for the reception to then check requisition forms and biological samples. All errors are logged into the laboratory database and analysis report are sent to the care unit specifying the problems and the consequences they have on the analysis. The data is then assessed by the laboratory directors to produce monthly or annual statistical reports. This indicates the number of errors, which are then indexed to patient files to reveal the specific problem areas, therefore allowing the laboratory directors to teach the nurses and enable corrective action.

Check-up and cardiovascular risk progression: is there a room for innovation?

PubMed Central

Conceição, Raquel Dilguerian de Oliveira; Laurinavicius, Antonio Gabriele; Kashiwagi, Nea Miwa; de Carvalho, José Antonio Maluf; Oliva, Carlos Alberto Garcia; Santos, Raul Dias

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of traditional check-up appointment on the progression of the cardiovascular risk throughout time. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 11,126 medical records of asymptomatic executives who were evaluated between January, 2005 and October, 2008. Variables included participants’ demographics characteristics, smoking habit, history of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dyslipidemia, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, c-reactive protein, waist circumference, hepatic steatosis, Framingham score, metabolic syndrome, level of physical activity, stress, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. Results: A total of 3,150 patients was included in the final analysis. A worsening was observed in all risk factors, excepting in smoking habit, incidence of myocardial infarction or stroke and in the number of individuals classified as medium or high risk for cardiovascular events. In addition, a decrease in stress level and alcohol consumption was also seen. Conclusion: The adoption of consistent health policies by companies is imperative in order to reduce the risk factors and the future costs associated with illness and absenteeism. PMID:26154540

Data pre-processing: Stratospheric aerosol perturbing effect on the remote sensing of vegetation: Correction method for the composite NDVI after the Pinatubo eruption

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vermote, E.; Elsaleous, N.; Kaufman, Y. J.; Dutton, E.

1994-01-01

An operational stratospheric correction scheme used after the Mount Pinatubo (Phillipines) eruption (Jun. 1991) is presented. The stratospheric aerosol distribution is assumed to be only variable with latitude. Each 9 days the latitudinal distribution of the optical thickness is computed by inverting radiances observed in the NOAA AVHRR channel 1 (0.63 micrometers) and channel 2 (0.83 micrometers) over the Pacific Ocean. This radiance data set is used to check the validity of model used for inversion by checking consistency of the optical thickness deduced from each channel as well as optical thickness deduced from different scattering angles. Using the optical thickness profile previously computed and radiative transfer code assuming Lambertian boundary condition, each pixel of channel 1 and 2 are corrected prior to computation of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). Comparison between corrected, non corrected, and years prior to Pinatubo eruption (1989 to 1990) NDVI composite, shows the necessity and the accuracy of the operational correction scheme.

Automatic Detection of Mitosis and Nuclei From Cytogenetic Images by CellProfiler Software for Mitotic Index Estimation.

PubMed

González, Jorge Ernesto; Radl, Analía; Romero, Ivonne; Barquinero, Joan Francesc; García, Omar; Di Giorgio, Marina

2016-12-01

Mitotic Index (MI) estimation expressed as percentage of mitosis plays an important role as quality control endpoint. To this end, MI is applied to check the lot of media and reagents to be used throughout the assay and also to check cellular viability after blood sample shipping, indicating satisfactory/unsatisfactory conditions for the progression of cell culture. The objective of this paper was to apply the CellProfiler open-source software for automatic detection of mitotic and nuclei figures from digitized images of cultured human lymphocytes for MI assessment, and to compare its performance to that performed through semi-automatic and visual detection. Lymphocytes were irradiated and cultured for mitosis detection. Sets of images from cultures were analyzed visually and findings were compared with those using CellProfiler software. The CellProfiler pipeline includes the detection of nuclei and mitosis with 80% sensitivity and more than 99% specificity. We conclude that CellProfiler is a reliable tool for counting mitosis and nuclei from cytogenetic images, saves considerable time compared to manual operation and reduces the variability derived from the scoring criteria of different scorers. The CellProfiler automated pipeline achieves good agreement with visual counting workflow, i.e. it allows fully automated mitotic and nuclei scoring in cytogenetic images yielding reliable information with minimal user intervention. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Interrelationship and path coefficient analysis of yield components in F4 progenies of tef (Eragrostis tef).

PubMed

Debebe, Abel; Singh, Harijat; Tefera, Hailu

2014-01-01

This experiment was conducted at Debre Zeit and Akaki during 2004-2005 cropping season on F2-derived F4 bulk families of three crosses, viz, DZ-01-974 x DZ-01-2786, DZ-01-974 x DZ-Cr-37 and Alba x Kaye Murri. To estimate the correlations and path coefficients between yield and yield components, 63 F4 families were taken randomly from each of the three crosses. The 189 F4 families, five parents and two checks were space planted following in 14 x 14 simple lattice design. Study of associations among traits indicated that yield was positively associated with shoot biomass, harvest index, lodging index and panicle kernel weight at phenotypic level at Debre Zeit. At Akaki, yield had significant positive correlation with shoot biomass, harvest index, plant height, panicle length and panicle weight. At genotypic level, grain yield per plot exhibited positive association with harvest index, shoot biomass, lodging index and panicle kernel weight at Debre Zeit. By contrast, days to heading, days to maturity, plant height and panicle length showed negative association with yield. At Akaki, kernel yield per plot was positively correlated at genotypic level with all the traits considered where lodging index had the highest correlation followed by shoot biomass, panicle kernel weight and harvest index. Path coefficient analysis at both phenotypic and genotypic levels for both the locations suggested those shoot biomass and harvest indexes are the two important yield determining traits. These two traits might be useful in indirect selection for yield improvement in the material generated from the three crosses under consideration.

Detecting Initiation or Risk for Initiation of Substance Use before High School during Pediatric Well-Child Check-Ups

PubMed Central

Ridenour, Ty A.; Willis, David; Bogen, Debra L.; Novak, Scott; Scherer, Jennifer; Reynolds, Maureen D.; Zhai, Zu Wei; Tarter, Ralph E.

2015-01-01

Background Youth substance use (SU) is prevalent and costly, affecting mental and physical health. American Academy of Pediatrics and Affordable Care Act call for SU screening and prevention. The Youth Risk Index© (YRI) was tested as a screening tool for having initiated and propensity to initiate SU before high school (which forecasts SU disorder). YRI was hypothesized to have good to excellent psychometrics, feasibility and stakeholder acceptability for use during well-child check-ups. Design A high-risk longitudinal design with two cross-sectional replication samples, ages 9–13 was used. Analyses included receiver operating characteristics and regression analyses. Participants A one-year longitudinal sample (N=640) was used for YRI derivation. Replication samples were a cross-sectional sample (N=345) and well-child check-up patients (N=105) for testing feasibility, validity and acceptability as a screening tool. Results YRI has excellent test-retest reliability and good sensitivity and specificity for concurrent and one-year-later SU (odds ratio=7.44 CI=4.3–13.0) and conduct problems (odds ratios=7.33 CI=3.9–13.7). Results were replicated in both cross-sectional samples. Well-child patients, parents and pediatric staff rated YRI screening as important, acceptable, and a needed service. Conclusions Identifying at-risk youth prior to age 13 could reap years of opportunity to intervene before onset of SU disorder. Most results pertained to YRI’s association with concurrent or recent past risky behaviors; further replication ought to specify its predictive validity, especially adolescent-onset risky behaviors. YRI well identifies youth at risk for SU and conduct problems prior to high school, is feasible and valid for screening during well-child check-ups, and is acceptable to stakeholders. PMID:25765481

SU-F-T-467: A Cross-Checking Approach for Dosimetric Verification of Beam- Matched Elekta Linear Accelerators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zheng, Y; Yuan, J; Geis, P

2016-06-15

Purpose: To verify the similarity of the dosimetric characteristics between two Elekta linear accelerators (linacs) in order to treat patients interchangeably on these two machines without re-planning. Methods: To investigate the viability of matching the 6 MV flattened beam on an existing linac (Elekta Synergy with Agility head) with a recently installed new linca (Elekta Versa HD), percent depth doses (PDD), flatness and symmetry output factors were compared for both machines. To validate the beam matching among machines, we carried out two approaches to cross-check the dosimetrical equivalence: 1) the prior treatment plans were re-computed based on the newly builtmore » Versa HD treatment planning system (TPS) model without changing the beam control points; 2) The same plans were delivered on both machines and the radiation dose measurements on a MapCheck2 were compared with TPS calculations. Three VMAT plans (Head and neck, lung, and prostate) were used in the study. Results: The difference between the PDDs for 10×10 cm{sup 2} field at all depths was less than 0.8%. The difference of flatness and symmetry for 30×30 cm{sup 2} field was less than 0.8%, and the measured output factors varies by less than 1% for each field size ranging from 2×2 cm2 to 40×40 cm{sup 2}. For the same plans, the maximum difference of the two calculated dose distributions is 2% of prescription. For the QA measurements, the gamma index passing rates were above 99% for 3%/3mm criteria with 10% threshold for all three clinical plans. Conclusion: A beam modality matching between two Elekta linacs is demonstrated with a cross-checking approach.« less

Nonlinear multi-analysis of agent-based financial market dynamics by epidemic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yunfan; Wang, Jun; Niu, Hongli

2015-10-01

Based on the epidemic dynamical system, we construct a new agent-based financial time series model. In order to check and testify its rationality, we compare the statistical properties of the time series model with the real stock market indices, Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index and Shenzhen Stock Exchange Component Index. For analyzing the statistical properties, we combine the multi-parameter analysis with the tail distribution analysis, the modified rescaled range analysis, and the multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis. For a better perspective, the three-dimensional diagrams are used to present the analysis results. The empirical research in this paper indicates that the long-range dependence property and the multifractal phenomenon exist in the real returns and the proposed model. Therefore, the new agent-based financial model can recurrence some important features of real stock markets.

Comparison of five cluster validity indices performance in brain [18 F]FET-PET image segmentation using k-means.

PubMed

Abualhaj, Bedor; Weng, Guoyang; Ong, Melissa; Attarwala, Ali Asgar; Molina, Flavia; Büsing, Karen; Glatting, Gerhard

2017-01-01

Dynamic [ 18 F]fluoro-ethyl-L-tyrosine positron emission tomography ([ 18 F]FET-PET) is used to identify tumor lesions for radiotherapy treatment planning, to differentiate glioma recurrence from radiation necrosis and to classify gliomas grading. To segment different regions in the brain k-means cluster analysis can be used. The main disadvantage of k-means is that the number of clusters must be pre-defined. In this study, we therefore compared different cluster validity indices for automated and reproducible determination of the optimal number of clusters based on the dynamic PET data. The k-means algorithm was applied to dynamic [ 18 F]FET-PET images of 8 patients. Akaike information criterion (AIC), WB, I, modified Dunn's and Silhouette indices were compared on their ability to determine the optimal number of clusters based on requirements for an adequate cluster validity index. To check the reproducibility of k-means, the coefficients of variation CVs of the objective function values OFVs (sum of squared Euclidean distances within each cluster) were calculated using 100 random centroid initialization replications RCI 100 for 2 to 50 clusters. k-means was performed independently on three neighboring slices containing tumor for each patient to investigate the stability of the optimal number of clusters within them. To check the independence of the validity indices on the number of voxels, cluster analysis was applied after duplication of a slice selected from each patient. CVs of index values were calculated at the optimal number of clusters using RCI 100 to investigate the reproducibility of the validity indices. To check if the indices have a single extremum, visual inspection was performed on the replication with minimum OFV from RCI 100 . The maximum CV of OFVs was 2.7 × 10 -2 from all patients. The optimal number of clusters given by modified Dunn's and Silhouette indices was 2 or 3 leading to a very poor segmentation. WB and I indices suggested in median 5, [range 4-6] and 4, [range 3-6] clusters, respectively. For WB, I, modified Dunn's and Silhouette validity indices the suggested optimal number of clusters was not affected by the number of the voxels. The maximum coefficient of variation of WB, I, modified Dunn's, and Silhouette validity indices were 3 × 10 -2 , 1, 2 × 10 -1 and 3 × 10 -3 , respectively. WB-index showed a single global maximum, whereas the other indices showed also local extrema. From the investigated cluster validity indices, the WB-index is best suited for automated determination of the optimal number of clusters for [ 18 F]FET-PET brain images for the investigated image reconstruction algorithm and the used scanner: it yields meaningful results allowing better differentiation of tissues with higher number of clusters, it is simple, reproducible and has an unique global minimum. © 2016 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Effect of metformin compared with hypocaloric diet on serum C-reactive protein level and insulin resistance in obese and overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Esfahanian, Fatemeh; Zamani, Mohammad Mahdi; Heshmat, Ramin; Moini nia, Fatemeh

2013-04-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of Metformin compared with a hypocaloric diet on C-reactive protein (CRP) level and markers of insulin resistance in obese and overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Forty women with body mass index ≥ 27 and PCOS were randomly allocated to receive either Metformin or hypocaloric diet and were assessed before and after a treatment period of 12 weeks. High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and markers of insulin resistance (IR), homeostasis model assessment-IR, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index and fasting glucose to insulin ratio were evaluated in each patient. A total of 10 subjects did not complete the trial (three patients in the Metformin group and seven patients in the diet group) and a total of 30 subjects completed the trial (17 subjects in the Metformin group and 13 subjects in the diet group). Serum concentration of hs-CRP significantly decreased in both the Metformin (5.29 ± 2.50 vs 3.81 ± 1.99, P = 0.008) and diet groups (6.08 ± 2.14 vs 4.27 ± 1.60, P = 0.004). There were no significant differences in mean hs-CRP decrement between the two groups. Decrease in hs-CRP levels was significantly correlated with waist circumference in the diet group (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). The effect of a hypocaloric diet with 5-10% weight reduction on markers of insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment-IR, fasting glucose to insulin ratio, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index) was better than Metformin therapy (P = 0.001). Although weight reduction has equal efficacy with Metformin in decreasing serum hs-CRP levels, it was significantly more effective in improving insulin resistance in obese and overweight PCOS women. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2012 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Protection coordination of the Kennedy Space Center electric distribution network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1976-01-01

A computer technique is described for visualizing the coordination and protection of any existing system of devices and settings by plotting the tripping characteristics of the involved devices on a common basis. The program determines the optimum settings of a given set of protective devices and configuration in the sense of the best expected coordinated operation of these devices. Subroutines are given for simulating time versus current characteristics of the different relays, circuit breakers, and fuses in the system; coordination index computation; protection checks; plotting; and coordination optimation.

KSC-2013-1054

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a Boeing technician checks out the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

The critical evaluation of stellar data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Underhill, A. B.; Mead, J. M.; Nagy, T. A.

1977-01-01

The paper discusses the importance of evaluating a catalog of stellar data, whether it is an old catalog being made available in machine-readable form, or a new catalog written expressly in machine-readable form, and discusses some principles to be followed in the evaluation of such data. A procedure to be followed when checking out an astronomical catalog on magnetic tape is described. A cross index system which relates the different identification numbers of a star or other astronomical object as they appear in different catalogs in machine-readable form is described.

Self-evaluated automatic classifier as a decision-support tool for sleep/wake staging.

PubMed

Charbonnier, S; Zoubek, L; Lesecq, S; Chapotot, F

2011-06-01

An automatic sleep/wake stages classifier that deals with the presence of artifacts and that provides a confidence index with each decision is proposed. The decision system is composed of two stages: the first stage checks the 20s epoch of polysomnographic signals (EEG, EOG and EMG) for the presence of artifacts and selects the artifact-free signals. The second stage classifies the epoch using one classifier selected out of four, using feature inputs extracted from the artifact-free signals only. A confidence index is associated with each decision made, depending on the classifier used and on the class assigned, so that the user's confidence in the automatic decision is increased. The two-stage system was tested on a large database of 46 night recordings. It reached 85.5% of overall accuracy with improved ability to discern NREM I stage from REM sleep. It was shown that only 7% of the database was classified with a low confidence index, and thus should be re-evaluated by a physiologist expert, which makes the system an efficient decision-support tool. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Expression of TASK-1 in brainstem and the occurrence of central sleep apnea in rats.

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Zhang, Cheng; Li, Nan; Su, Li; Wang, Guangfa

2008-03-20

Recent studies revealed that unstable ventilation control is one of mechanisms underlying the occurrence of sleep apnea. Thus, we investigated whether TASK-1, an acid-sensitive potassium channel, plays a role in the occurrence of sleep apnea. First, the expression of TASK-1 transcriptions on brainstem was checked by in situ hybridization. Then, the correlation between the central apneic episodes and protein contents of TASK-1 measured by western blot was analyzed from 27 male rats. Results showed that TASK-1 mRNAs were widely distributed on the putative central chemoreceptors such as locus coeruleus, nucleus tractus solitarius and medullary raphe, etc. Both the total spontaneous apnea index (TSAI) and spontaneous apnea index in NREM sleep (NSAI) were positively correlated with TASK-1 protein contents (r=0.547 and 0.601, respectively, p<0.01). However, the post-sigh sleep apnea index (PAI) had no relationship with TASK-1 protein. Thus, we concluded that TASK-1 channels may function as central chemoreceptors that play a role in spontaneous sleep apneas in rats.

Face recognition from unconstrained three-dimensional face images using multitask sparse representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bentaieb, Samia; Ouamri, Abdelaziz; Nait-Ali, Amine; Keche, Mokhtar

2018-01-01

We propose and evaluate a three-dimensional (3D) face recognition approach that applies the speeded up robust feature (SURF) algorithm to the depth representation of shape index map, under real-world conditions, using only a single gallery sample for each subject. First, the 3D scans are preprocessed, then SURF is applied on the shape index map to find interest points and their descriptors. Each 3D face scan is represented by keypoints descriptors, and a large dictionary is built from all the gallery descriptors. At the recognition step, descriptors of a probe face scan are sparsely represented by the dictionary. A multitask sparse representation classification is used to determine the identity of each probe face. The feasibility of the approach that uses the SURF algorithm on the shape index map for face identification/authentication is checked through an experimental investigation conducted on Bosphorus, University of Milano Bicocca, and CASIA 3D datasets. It achieves an overall rank one recognition rate of 97.75%, 80.85%, and 95.12%, respectively, on these datasets.

The NAFLD Index: A Simple and Accurate Screening Tool for the Prediction of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PubMed

Ichino, Naohiro; Osakabe, Keisuke; Sugimoto, Keiko; Suzuki, Koji; Yamada, Hiroya; Takai, Hiroji; Sugiyama, Hiroko; Yukitake, Jun; Inoue, Takashi; Ohashi, Koji; Hata, Tadayoshi; Hamajima, Nobuyuki; Nishikawa, Toru; Hashimoto, Senju; Kawabe, Naoto; Yoshioka, Kentaro

2015-01-01

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common debilitating condition in many industrialized countries that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to derive a simple and accurate screening tool for the prediction of NAFLD in the Japanese population. A total of 945 participants, 279 men and 666 women living in Hokkaido, Japan, were enrolled among residents who attended a health check-up program from 2010 to 2014. Participants with an alcohol consumption > 20 g/day and/or a chronic liver disease, such as chronic hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C or autoimmune hepatitis, were excluded from this study. Clinical and laboratory data were examined to identify predictive markers of NAFLD. A new predictive index for NAFLD, the NAFLD index, was constructed for men and for women. The NAFLD index for men = -15.5693+0.3264 [BMI] +0.0134 [triglycerides (mg/dl)], and for women = -31.4686+0.3683 [BMI] +2.5699 [albumin (g/dl)] +4.6740[ALT/AST] -0.0379 [HDL cholesterol (mg/dl)]. The AUROC of the NAFLD index for men and for women was 0.87(95% CI 0.88-1.60) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.66-1.02), respectively. The cut-off point of -5.28 for men predicted NAFLD with an accuracy of 82.8%. For women, the cut-off point of -7.65 predicted NAFLD with an accuracy of 87.7%. A new index for the non-invasive prediction of NAFLD, the NAFLD index, was constructed using available clinical and laboratory data. This index is a simple screening tool to predict the presence of NAFLD.

Views of commissioners, managers and healthcare professionals on the NHS Health Check programme: a systematic review.

PubMed

Mills, Katie; Harte, Emma; Martin, Adam; MacLure, Calum; Griffin, Simon J; Mant, Jonathan; Meads, Catherine; Saunders, Catherine L; Walter, Fiona M; Usher-Smith, Juliet A

2017-11-15

To synthesise data concerning the views of commissioners, managers and healthcare professionals towards the National Health Service (NHS) Health Check programme in general and the challenges faced when implementing it in practice. A systematic review of surveys and interview studies with a descriptive analysis of quantitative data and thematic synthesis of qualitative data. An electronic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Health Management Information Consortium, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Global Health, PsycInfo, Web of Science, OpenGrey, the Cochrane Library, NHS Evidence, Google Scholar, Google, ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number registry from 1 January 1996 to 9 November 2016 with no language restriction and manual screening of reference lists of all included papers. Primary research reporting views of commissioners, managers or healthcare professionals on the NHS Health Check programme and its implementation in practice. Of 18 524 citations, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria. There was evidence from both quantitative and qualitative studies that some commissioners and general practice (GP) healthcare professionals were enthusiastic about the programme, whereas others raised concerns around inequality of uptake, the evidence base and cost-effectiveness. In contrast, those working in pharmacies were all positive about programme benefits, citing opportunities for their business and staff. The main challenges to implementation were: difficulties with information technology and computer software, resistance to the programme from some GPs, the impact on workload and staffing, funding and training needs. Inadequate privacy was also a challenge in pharmacy and community settings, along with difficulty recruiting people eligible for Health Checks and poor public access to some venues. The success of the NHS Health Check Programme relies on engagement by those responsible for its commissioning, management and delivery. Recognising and addressing the challenges identified in this review, in particular the concerns of GPs, are important for the future of the programme. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Prevalence and factors associated with parental concerns about development detected by the Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks in a birth cohort

PubMed Central

Woolfenden, Susan; Eapen, Valsamma; Jalaludin, Bin; Hayen, Andrew; Kemp, Lynn; Dissanyake, Cheryl; Hendry, Alexandra; Axelsson, Emma; Overs, Bronwyn; Eastwood, John; Črnčec, Rudi; McKenzie, Anne; Beasley, Deborah; Murphy, Elisabeth; Williams, Katrina

2016-01-01

Objectives Early identification of developmental vulnerability is vital. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of moderate or high developmental risk on the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks; identify associated risk factors; and examine documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. Design, participants A prospective birth cohort of 2025 children with 50% of those approached agreeing to participate. Demographic data were obtained via questionnaires and linked electronic medical records. Telephone interviews were conducted with parents to collect PEDS data. Primary and secondary outcomes Multiple logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS. A Cumulative Risk Index examined the impact of multiple risk factors on developmental risk and documentation of the PEDS at the well-child checks. Results Of the original cohort, 792 (39%) had 6-month, 649 (32%) had 12-month and 565 (28%) had 18-month PEDS data. Parental concerns indicating moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS were 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 6 months, 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 12 months and 33% (95% CI 29 to 37) at 18 months. Factors associated with moderate or high developmental risk were perinatal risk (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); maternal Middle Eastern or Asian nationality (OR 6 months: 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4)), (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); and household disadvantage (OR 6 months: 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.2). As the number of risk factors increased the odds increased for high or moderate developmental risk and no documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. Conclusions Children with multiple risk factors are more likely to have parental concerns indicating developmental vulnerability using the PEDS and for these concerns to not be documented. PMID:27609853

SU-E-T-117: Analysis of the ArcCHECK Dosimetry Gamma Failure Using the 3DVH System

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cho, S; Choi, W; Lee, H

2015-06-15

Purpose: To evaluate gamma analysis failure for the VMAT patient specific QA using ArcCHECK cylindrical phantom. The 3DVH system(Sun Nuclear, FL) was used to analyze the dose difference statistic between measured dose and treatment planning system calculated dose. Methods: Four case of gamma analysis failure were selected retrospectively. Our institution gamma analysis indexes were absolute dose, 3%/3mm and 90%pass rate in the ArcCHECK dosimetry. The collapsed cone convolution superposition (CCCS) dose calculation algorithm for VMAT was used. Dose delivery was performed with Elekta Agility. The A1SL(standard imaging, WI) and cavity plug were used for point dose measurement. Delivery QA plansmore » and images were used for 3DVH Reference data instead of patient plan and image. The measured data of ‘.txt’ file was used for comparison at diodes to acquire a global dose level. The,.acml’ file was used for AC-PDP and to calculated point dose. Results: The global dose of 3DVH was calculated as 1.10 Gy, 1.13, 1.01 and 0.2 Gy respectively. The global dose of 0.2 Gy case was induced by distance discrepancy. The TPS calculated point dose of was 2.33 Gy to 2.77 Gy and 3DVH calculated dose was 2.33 Gy to 2.68 Gy. The maximum dose differences were −2.83% and −3.1% for TPS vs. measured dose and TPS vs. 3DVH calculated respectively in the same case. The difference between measured and 3DVH was 0.1% in that case. The 3DVH gamma pass rate was 98% to 99.7%. Conclusion: We found the TPS calculation error by 3DVH calculation using ArcCHECK measured dose. It seemed that our CCCS algorithm RTP system over estimated at the central region and underestimated scattering at the peripheral diode detector point. The relative gamma analysis and point dose measurement would be recommended for VMAT DQA in the gamma failure case of ArcCHECK dosimetry.« less

The Heterogeneity of the Cigarette Price Effect on Body Mass Index

PubMed Central

Courtemanche, Charles J.

2012-01-01

Previous studies estimate the average effect of cigarette price on body mass index (BMI), with recent research showing that their different methodologies all point to a negative effect after several years. This literature, however, ignores the possibility that the effect could vary throughout the BMI distribution or across socioeconomic and demographic groups due to differences in underlying obesity risks or preferences for health. We evaluate heterogeneity in the long-run impact of cigarette price on BMI by performing quantile regressions and stratifying the sample by race, education, age, and sex. Cigarette price has a highly heterogeneous negative effect that is more than three times as strong at high BMI levels – where weight loss is most beneficial for health – than at low levels. The effects are also strongest for blacks, college graduates, middle-aged adults, and women. We also assess the implications for disparities, conduct robustness checks, and evaluate potential mechanisms. PMID:22842751

[The effectiveness of therapeutic touch on pain, depression and sleep in patients with chronic pain: clinical trial].

PubMed

Marta, Ilda Estefani Ribeiro; Baldan, Sueli Santiago; Berton, Ani Fabiana; Pavam, Michele; da Silva, Maria Júlia Paes

2010-12-01

This research aimed to check the effectiveness of Therapeutic Touch on decreased pain intensity, depression self-assessment scores and improved sleep quality. A clinical before-after trial is presented. The study was carried out at a Basic Health Unit in Fernandópolis, SP-Brazil, involving 30 elderly patients with chronic non-oncologic pain who received 8 sessions of Therapeutic Touch in accordance with the Krieger-Kunz method. The Visual Analogue Scale for pain was applied before and after each session, and Beck Depression Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index before the first and after the last session. Data analysis showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in pain intensity, depression self-assessment scores and the sleep quality index. It is concluded that the Therapeutic Touch was effective to decrease pain intensity and depressive attitudes and symptoms, as well as to improve sleep quality.

Characterization of the amino acid contribution to the folding degree of proteins.

PubMed

Estrada, Ernesto

2004-03-01

The folding degree index (Estrada, Bioinformatics 2002;18:697-704) is extended to account for the contribution of amino acids to folding. First, the mathematical formalism for extending the folding degree index is presented. Then, the amino acid contributions to folding degree of several proteins are used to analyze its relation to secondary structure. The possibilities of using these contributions in helping or checking the assignation of secondary structure to amino acids are also introduced. The influence of external factors to the amino acids contribution to folding degree is studied through the temperature effect on ribonuclease A. Finally, the analysis of 3D protein similarity through the use of amino acid contributions to folding degree is studied by selecting a series of lysozymes. These results are compared to that obtained by sequence alignment (2D similarity) and 3D superposition of the structures, showing the uniqueness of the current approach. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Thermoluminescent dosimetry in rotary-dual technique of the total skin electron irradiation.

PubMed

Piotrowski, T; Fundowicz, D; Pawlaczyk, M; Malicki, J

2003-01-01

The aim of the study was to discuss the results of thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) in rotary-dual technique of the total skin electron irradiation (TSEI RD), to confirm beam calibration and monitor unit calculations and to provide data for making clinical decisions. Between May 2001 and April 2002, in 3 cases of mycosis fungoides, 736 dosimetric checks were performed in 34 points at the skin. CaF2:MnTLD-400 cubes (1/8"x1/8"x0.015") were used for in vivo dosimetry. Doses were computed and analyzed for all locations. Percent of described dose and SD for the following localizations from 34 points were: anterior abdomen (reference point) 100+/-6%, upper back 100+/-8%, right calf 98+/-10%, left foot (mid dorsum) 97+/-8%, posterior neck 93+/-6%, right hand (mid dorsum) 78+/-10%, hand fingers 57+/-10%, top of right shoulder 56+/-14%, left groin 35+/-20%, perineum 22+/-17%. The correlations between patient's height and measured doses were sufficient for the following localizations: scalp (top rear), occiput, elbows, hand fingers and hands (mid dorsum). The correlations between obesity index and measured doses were sufficient for the following localizations: shoulders and lateral neck, groins, and perineum. Dosimetric checks at the reference point confirm that our beam calibration technique and monitor unit calculation are accurate. TLD shows that for some parts of the skin such as shoulder, hands and perineum boost fields were required. The correlations with obesity index and height for several sites suggest that boost fields must be customized for each patient.

Soft drink prices, sales, body mass index and diabetes: Evidence from a panel of low-, middle- and high-income countries.

PubMed

Goryakin, Yevgeniy; Monsivais, Pablo; Suhrcke, Marc

2017-12-01

We take advantage of four different cross-country datasets containing data on 78 countries for the period 1999-2014, in order to assess the relationship of carbonated soft drinks' sales, as well as their prices, with body mass index (BMI), overweight, obesity and diabetes. Using an ecological study design and multivariate regression longitudinal estimation approaches, we find that carbonated soft drink sales were significantly positively related to BMI, overweight and obesity - but only in the low and lower-middle income countries. This finding was robust to a number of sensitivity and falsification checks. In this sub-sample, an increase in per capita soft drink sales by 1 litre per year was related to an increase of BMI by about 0.009 kg/m 2 (p < 0.1).. This is a small effect, implying that halving annual consumption per capita in this group of countries would result in a drop of BMI by only about 0.03 kg/m 2 . Although soft drink prices were negatively related to weight-related outcomes in the sample of higher middle income and high income countries, this finding was not robust to falsification checks. The results thus suggest that sales restrictions to steer consumers away from soft drinks could indeed have a beneficial health effects in poorer countries, although the effect magnitude appears to be very small. However, given potential limitations of using ecological research design, results from individual level studies would be required to further ascertain the role of soft drink sales and prices in obesity and diabetes.

Condition of periodontium in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

PubMed

Andjelić, Jasminka; Matijević, Snežana

2014-10-01

Orthodontic patients should be familiar with techniques of maintaining oral hygiene as well as with proper methods of checking maintenance of oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to determine a correlation between condition of periodontium and techniques of maintaining oral hygiene in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. The research population included 100 patients, aged 15-25, treated by the orthodontist from 2005 to 2010. The maintenance of oral hygiene and the condition of periodontium was assessed using the following indices: plaque index, gingival index, bleeding index and oral hygiene index. The study was carried out using data obtained from the especially designed questionnaire as well as by objective examination of periodontal condition in accordance with the World Health Organization methodology, using adequate indicators and indices. The results of the study show a significant correlation between condition of periodontium and oral hygiene in those with fixed orthodontic appliances. The use ofinterdental brushes and mouthwash liquid, as well as teeth brushing, were among the most significant predictors of healthy teeth and mouth. Teeth and mouth hygiene determined by frequency of teeth brushing, using of interdental brushes and mouthwash liquid are the basic preconditions for preservation and promotion of tooth and mouth health in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Equivariant Verlinde Algebra from Superconformal Index and Argyres-Seiberg Duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gukov, Sergei; Pei, Du; Yan, Wenbin; Ye, Ke

2018-02-01

In this paper, we show the equivalence between two seemingly distinct 2d TQFTs: one comes from the "Coulomb branch index" of the class S theory {T[Σ,G]} on {L(k,1) × S^1}, the other is the {^L G} "equivariant Verlinde formula", or equivalently partition function of {^L G_C} complex Chern-Simons theory on {Σ× S^1}. We first derive this equivalence using the M-theory geometry and show that the gauge groups appearing on the two sides are naturally G and its Langlands dual {^L G}. When G is not simply-connected, we provide a recipe of computing the index of {T[Σ,G]} as summation over the indices of T[Σ,\\tilde{G}] with non-trivial background 't Hooft fluxes, where \\tilde{G} is the universal cover of G. Then we check explicitly this relation between the Coulomb index and the equivariant Verlinde formula for {G=SU(2)} or SO(3). In the end, as an application of this newly found relation, we consider the more general case where G is SU( N) or PSU( N) and show that equivariant Verlinde algebra can be derived using field theory via (generalized) Argyres-Seiberg duality. We also attach a Mathematica notebook that can be used to compute the SU(3) equivariant Verlinde coefficients.

Patient-reported outcome assessment and objective evaluation of chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

PubMed

Komen, Manon M C; van den Hurk, Corina J G; Nortier, Johan W R; van der Ploeg, T; Smorenburg, Carolien H; van der Hoeven, Jacobus J M

2018-04-01

Alopecia is one of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Evaluating and comparing the efficacy of potential therapies to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) has been complicated by the lack of a standardized measurement for hair loss. In this study we investigated the correlation between patient-reported outcome assessments and quantitative measurement with the hair check to assess CIA in clinical practice. Scalp cooling efficacy was evaluated by patients by World Health Organisation (WHO) of CIA, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and wig use. The Hair Check was used to determine the amount of hair (in mm 2 ) per unit of scalp skin area (in cm 2 ) (Hair Mass Index, HMI). CIA was also evaluated by doctors, nurses and hairdressers. Baseline HMI was not predictive for hair loss. HMI declined throughout all chemotherapy cycles, which was not reflected by patient-reported measures. HMI correlated with patient-reported hair quantity before the start of the therapy, but not with WHO and/or VAS during therapy. Patient's opinion correlated moderately with the opinion of doctors and nurses (ρ = 0.50-0.56 respectively), but strongly with hair dressers (ρ = 0.70). The Hair check is suitable to quantify the amount of hair loss and could complement research on refining outcome of scalp cooling, but the patient's opinion should be considered as the best method to assess hair loss in clinical practice. Trialregister.nl NTR number 3082. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reliability considerations for the total strain range version of strainrange partitioning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wirsching, P. H.; Wu, Y. T.

1984-01-01

A proposed total strainrange version of strainrange partitioning (SRP) to enhance the manner in which SRP is applied to life prediction is considered with emphasis on how advanced reliability technology can be applied to perform risk analysis and to derive safety check expressions. Uncertainties existing in the design factors associated with life prediction of a component which experiences the combined effects of creep and fatigue can be identified. Examples illustrate how reliability analyses of such a component can be performed when all design factors in the SRP model are random variables reflecting these uncertainties. The Rackwitz-Fiessler and Wu algorithms are used and estimates of the safety index and the probablity of failure are demonstrated for a SRP problem. Methods of analysis of creep-fatigue data with emphasis on procedures for producing synoptic statistics are presented. An attempt to demonstrate the importance of the contribution of the uncertainties associated with small sample sizes (fatique data) to risk estimates is discussed. The procedure for deriving a safety check expression for possible use in a design criteria document is presented.

Factor analysis in optimization of formulation of high content uniformity tablets containing low dose active substance.

PubMed

Lukášová, Ivana; Muselík, Jan; Franc, Aleš; Goněc, Roman; Mika, Filip; Vetchý, David

2017-11-15

Warfarin is intensively discussed drug with narrow therapeutic range. There have been cases of bleeding attributed to varying content or altered quality of the active substance. Factor analysis is useful for finding suitable technological parameters leading to high content uniformity of tablets containing low amount of active substance. The composition of tabletting blend and technological procedure were set with respect to factor analysis of previously published results. The correctness of set parameters was checked by manufacturing and evaluation of tablets containing 1-10mg of warfarin sodium. The robustness of suggested technology was checked by using "worst case scenario" and statistical evaluation of European Pharmacopoeia (EP) content uniformity limits with respect to Bergum division and process capability index (Cpk). To evaluate the quality of active substance and tablets, dissolution method was developed (water; EP apparatus II; 25rpm), allowing for statistical comparison of dissolution profiles. Obtained results prove the suitability of factor analysis to optimize the composition with respect to batches manufactured previously and thus the use of metaanalysis under industrial conditions is feasible. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Predictive Value of Triglyceride Glucose Index for the Risk of Incident Diabetes: A 4-Year Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

PubMed

Lee, Da Young; Lee, Eun Seo; Kim, Ji Hyun; Park, Se Eun; Park, Cheol-Young; Oh, Ki-Won; Park, Sung-Woo; Rhee, Eun-Jung; Lee, Won-Young

The Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG index) is considered a surrogate marker of insulin resistance. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the TyG index has a predictive role in identifying individuals with a high risk of incident diabetes and to compare it with other indicators of metabolic health. A total 2900 non-diabetic adults who attended five consecutive annual health check-ups at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital was divided into four subgroups using three methods: (1) baseline TyG index; (2) obesity status (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and cutoff value of TyG index; (3) obesity status and metabolic health, defined as having fewer than two of the five components of high blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and highest decile of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance. The development of diabetes was assessed annually using self-questionnaire, fasting glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. We compared the risk of incident diabetes using multivariate Cox analysis. During 11623 person-years there were 101 case of incident diabetes. Subjects with high TyG index had a high risk of diabetes. For TyG index quartiles, hazard ratios (HRs) of quartiles 3 and 4 were 4.06 (p = 0.033) and 5.65 (p = 0.006) respectively. When the subjects were divided by obesity status and cutoff value of TyG index of 8.8, the subgroups with TyG index ≥ 8.8 regardless of obesity had a significantly high risk for diabetes (HR 2.40 [p = 0.024] and 2.25 [p = 0.048]). For obesity status and metabolic health, the two metabolically unhealthy subgroups regardless of obesity had a significantly high risk for diabetes (HRs 2.54 [p = 0.024] and 2.73 [p = 0.021]). In conclusion, the TyG index measured at a single time point may be an indicator of the risk for incident diabetes. The predictive value of the TyG index was comparable to that of metabolic health.

Effects of supplementation with omega-3 on insulin sensitivity and non-esterified free fatty acid (NEFA) in type 2 diabetic patients.

PubMed

Farsi, Payam Farahbakhsh; Djazayery, Abolghassem; Eshraghian, Mohammad Reza; Koohdani, Fariba; Saboor-Yaraghi, Ali Akbar; Derakhshanian, Hoda; Zarei, Mahnaz; Javanbakht, Mohammad Hassan; Djalali, Mahmoud

2014-06-01

The aim of this study was to determine the role of omega-3 supplementation on NEFA concentration, insulin sensitivity and resistance, and glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic patients. Forty-four type 2 diabetic patients were randomly recruited into two groups. Group A received 4 g/day omega-3 soft gels, and group B received a placebo for 10 wks. Blood samples were collected after 12-h fast. Physical activity records, three-day food records, and anthropometric measurements were obtained from all participants at the beginning and end of the study. Omega-3 supplementation caused a significant reduction in NEFA in the intervention group compared with the placebo group (P = 0.009). Additionally, the administration of omega-3 resulted in significantly greater changes (Diff) for the intervention group in various parameters, such as insulin and Quicki indices compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in type 2 diabetic patients improved insulin sensitivity, probably due to the decrease in NEFA concentrations.

An index-based algorithm for fast on-line query processing of latent semantic analysis

PubMed Central

Li, Pohan; Wang, Wei

2017-01-01

Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) is widely used for finding the documents whose semantic is similar to the query of keywords. Although LSA yield promising similar results, the existing LSA algorithms involve lots of unnecessary operations in similarity computation and candidate check during on-line query processing, which is expensive in terms of time cost and cannot efficiently response the query request especially when the dataset becomes large. In this paper, we study the efficiency problem of on-line query processing for LSA towards efficiently searching the similar documents to a given query. We rewrite the similarity equation of LSA combined with an intermediate value called partial similarity that is stored in a designed index called partial index. For reducing the searching space, we give an approximate form of similarity equation, and then develop an efficient algorithm for building partial index, which skips the partial similarities lower than a given threshold θ. Based on partial index, we develop an efficient algorithm called ILSA for supporting fast on-line query processing. The given query is transformed into a pseudo document vector, and the similarities between query and candidate documents are computed by accumulating the partial similarities obtained from the index nodes corresponds to non-zero entries in the pseudo document vector. Compared to the LSA algorithm, ILSA reduces the time cost of on-line query processing by pruning the candidate documents that are not promising and skipping the operations that make little contribution to similarity scores. Extensive experiments through comparison with LSA have been done, which demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed algorithm. PMID:28520747

Using data sources beyond PubMed has a modest impact on the results of systematic reviews of therapeutic interventions.

PubMed

Halladay, Christopher W; Trikalinos, Thomas A; Schmid, Ian T; Schmid, Christopher H; Dahabreh, Issa J

2015-09-01

Searching multiple sources when conducting systematic reviews is considered good practice. We aimed to investigate the impact of using sources beyond PubMed in systematic reviews of therapeutic interventions. We randomly selected 50 Cochrane reviews that searched the PubMed (or MEDLINE) and EMBASE databases and included a meta-analysis of ≥10 studies. We checked whether each eligible record in each review (n = 2,700) was retrievable in PubMed and EMBASE. For the first-listed meta-analysis of ≥10 studies in each review, we examined whether excluding studies not found in PubMed affected results. A median of one record per review was indexed in EMBASE but not in PubMed; a median of four records per review was not indexed in PubMed or EMBASE. Meta-analyses included a median of 13.5 studies; a median of zero studies per meta-analysis was indexed in EMBASE but not in PubMed; a median of one study per meta-analysis was not indexed in PubMed or EMBASE. Meta-analysis using only PubMed-indexed vs. all available studies led to a different conclusion in a single case (on the basis of conventional criteria for statistical significance). In meta-regression analyses, effects in PubMed- vs. non-PubMed-indexed studies were statistically significantly different in a single data set. For systematic reviews of the effects of therapeutic interventions, gains from searching sources beyond PubMed, and from searching EMBASE in particular are modest. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An index-based algorithm for fast on-line query processing of latent semantic analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Mingxi; Li, Pohan; Wang, Wei

2017-01-01

Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) is widely used for finding the documents whose semantic is similar to the query of keywords. Although LSA yield promising similar results, the existing LSA algorithms involve lots of unnecessary operations in similarity computation and candidate check during on-line query processing, which is expensive in terms of time cost and cannot efficiently response the query request especially when the dataset becomes large. In this paper, we study the efficiency problem of on-line query processing for LSA towards efficiently searching the similar documents to a given query. We rewrite the similarity equation of LSA combined with an intermediate value called partial similarity that is stored in a designed index called partial index. For reducing the searching space, we give an approximate form of similarity equation, and then develop an efficient algorithm for building partial index, which skips the partial similarities lower than a given threshold θ. Based on partial index, we develop an efficient algorithm called ILSA for supporting fast on-line query processing. The given query is transformed into a pseudo document vector, and the similarities between query and candidate documents are computed by accumulating the partial similarities obtained from the index nodes corresponds to non-zero entries in the pseudo document vector. Compared to the LSA algorithm, ILSA reduces the time cost of on-line query processing by pruning the candidate documents that are not promising and skipping the operations that make little contribution to similarity scores. Extensive experiments through comparison with LSA have been done, which demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.

KSC-2011-2205

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media check out the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS). AMS is a particle physics detector, designed to operate as an external experiment on the International Space Station. It will use the unique environment of space to study the universe and its origin by searching for dark matter. AMS-2 will fly to the station aboard space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

KSC-2011-2206

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, media check out the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS). AMS is a particle physics detector, designed to operate as an external experiment on the International Space Station. It will use the unique environment of space to study the universe and its origin by searching for dark matter. AMS-2 will fly to the station aboard space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

Lattice study of planar equivalence: The quark condensate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Armoni, Adi; Lucini, Biagio; Patella, Agostino

2008-08-15

We study quenched SU(N) gauge theories with fermions in the two-index symmetric, antisymmetric and the adjoint representations. Our main motivation is to check whether at large number of colors those theories become nonperturbatively equivalent. We prove the equivalence assuming that the charge-conjugation symmetry is not broken in pure Yang-Mills theory. We then carry out a quenched lattice simulation of the quark condensate in the symmetric, antisymmetric and the adjoint representations for SU(2), SU(3), SU(4), SU(6), and SU(8). We show that the data support the equivalence and discuss the size of subleading corrections.

Cosmic-Ray Lithium Production at the Nova Eruptions Followed by a Type Ia Supernova

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawanaka, Norita; Yanagita, Shohei

2018-01-01

Recent measurements of cosmic-ray (CR) light nuclei by AMS-02 have shown that there is an unexpected component of CR lithium whose spectral index is harder than that expected from the secondary production scenario. We propose the nearby type Ia supernova following a nova eruption as the origin of lithium nuclei in the CRs. By fitting the data of CR protons, helium, and lithium fluxes provided by AMS-02 with our theoretical model we show that this scenario is consistent with the observations. The observational tests that can check our hypothesis are briefly discussed.

KSC-2013-1053

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, is being checked out prior to being encapsulated in the nose faring. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2013-1055

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, a t Boeing technician checks out the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2013-1059

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, has been checked out and awaits the arrival of the TDRS-K. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2012-6551

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-12-19

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - Inside the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, is being checked out prior to being encapsulated in the nose faring. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Datamining in der OGLE-Datenbank - erste Versuche, erste Erfolge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huemmerich, Stefan

2012-01-01

Three eclipsing binaries are presented, which were identified by investigation on OGLE-II I-band photmetry: OGLE-II CAR_SC3_64191 / 2MASS J11093656-6051588 (Type: EA,P=3.170361d); OGLE-II BUL_SC10_268243 (Type: EB, P=0.606285d); OGLE-II BUL_SC34_94176 / 2MASS J17575092-2911317 (Type: E/GS, P=16.427655d). Amplitude and period were derived by use of Period04. All objects were checked against the Strasbourg CDS Vizir service and the International Variable Star Index for pre-existence in variability catalogues.

Generation of Optical Millimeter Wave Using Two Cascaded Polarization Modulators Based on Frequency Octupling Without Filtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yang; Ma, Jianxin; Zhang, Ruijiao; Xin, Xiangjun; Zhang, Junyi

2015-11-01

An approach to generate an optical millimeter wave is introduced with frequency octupling using two cascaded polarization modulators followed by polarizers, respectively. By adjusting the modulation indexes of polarization modulators, only the ±4th-order sidebands are generated with a pure spectrum. Since no filter is needed, the proposed technique can be used to generate a frequency-tunable millimeter wave with a large frequency-tunable range. To prove the feasibility of the proposed approach, a simulation is conducted to generate an 80-GHz millimeter wave, and then its transmission performance is checked.

Dualities and Curved Space Partition Functions of Supersymmetric Theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Prarit

In this dissertation we discuss some conjectured dualities in supersymmetric field theories and provide non-trivial checks for these conjectures. A quick review of supersymmetry and related topics is provided in chapter 1. In chapter 2, we develop a method to identify the so called BPS states in the Hilbert space of a supersymmetric field theory (that preserves at least two real supercharges) on a generic curved space. As an application we obtain the superconformal index (SCI) of 4d theories. The large N SCI of quiver gauge theories has been previously noticed to factorize over the set of extremal BPS mesonic operators. In chapter 3, we reformulate this factorization in terms of the zigzag paths in the dimer model associated to the quiver and extend the factorization theorem of the index to include theories obtained from D-branes probing orbifold singularities. In chapter 4, we consider the dualities in two classes of 3 dimensional theories. The first class consist of dualities of certain necklace type Chern-Simons (CS) quiver gauge theories. A non trivial check of these dualities is provided by matching their squashed sphere partition functions. The second class consists of theories whose duals are described by a collection of free fields. In such cases, due to mixing between the superconformal R-symmetry and accidental symmetries, the matching of electric and magnetic partition functions is not straightforward. We provide a prescription to rectify this mismatch. In chapter 5, we consider some the N = 1 4d theories with orthogonal and symplectic gauge groups, arising from N = 1 preserving reduction of 6d theories on a Riemann surface. This construction allows us to dual descriptions of 4d theories. Some of the dual frames have no known Lagrangian description. We check the dualities by computing the anomaly coefficients and the superconformal indices. We also give a prescription to write the index of the theory obtained by reduction of 6d theories on a three punctured sphere with Z2 and Z3 twist lines and verify that it exhibits the conjectured symmetry enhancement from G2 x U Sp(6) to E 7. In chapter 6, we continue our study of 4d theories obtained from reduction of 6d theories. We introduce a new type of object that we call the 'Fan' and show how to construct new N = 1 superconformal theories using the Fan. In chapter 7, we demonstrate the existence of an infinite number of theories that are either dual to or exhibit a cascade of RG flows down to the SU(N) SQCD with four flavors and a quartic superpotential.

Field-level sublethal effects of approved bee hive chemicals on Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L).

PubMed

Berry, Jennifer A; Hood, W Michael; Pietravalle, Stéphane; Delaplane, Keith S

2013-01-01

In a study replicated across two states and two years, we tested the sublethal effects on honey bees of the miticides Apistan (tau fluvalinate) and Check Mite+ (coumaphos) and the wood preservative copper naphthenate applied at label rates in field conditions. A continuous covariate, a colony Varroa mite index, helped us disambiguate the effects of the chemicals on bees while adjusting for a presumed benefit of controlling mites. Mite levels in colonies treated with Apistan or Check Mite+ were not different from levels in non-treated controls. Experimental chemicals significantly decreased 3-day brood survivorship and increased construction of queen supercedure cells compared to non-treated controls. Bees exposed to Check Mite+ as immatures had higher legacy mortality as adults relative to non-treated controls, whereas bees exposed to Apistan had improved legacy mortality relative to non-treated controls. Relative to non-treated controls, Check Mite+ increased adult emergence weight. Although there was a treatment effect on a test of associative learning, it was not possible to statistically separate the treatment means, but bees treated with Apistan performed comparatively well. And finally, there were no detected effects of bee hive chemical on colony bee population, amount of brood, amount of honey, foraging rate, time required for marked released bees to return to their nest, percentage of released bees that return to the nest, and colony Nosema spore loads. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine sublethal effects of bee hive chemicals applied at label rates under field conditions while disambiguating the results from mite control benefits realized from the chemicals. Given the poor performance of the miticides at reducing mites and their inconsistent effects on the host, these results defend the use of bee health management practices that minimize use of exotic hive chemicals.

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee consumption on elevated levels of serum liver enzymes in male Japanese health check-up examinees: an exploratory cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Kokaze, Akatsuki; Yoshida, Masao; Ishikawa, Mamoru; Matsunaga, Naomi; Karita, Kanae; Ochiai, Hirotaka; Shirasawa, Takako; Nanri, Hinako; Mitsui, Kiyomi; Hoshimo, Hiromi; Takashima, Yutaka

2016-06-04

Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and abnormal glucose tolerance. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modifies the effects of coffee consumption on abnormally elevated levels of serum liver enzymes in male Japanese health check-up examinees. A total of 421 male subjects (mean age ± SD, 54.1 ± 7.7 years) were selected from among individuals visiting the hospital for regular medical check-ups. After Mt5178 C/A genotyping, a cross-sectional study assessing the joint effects of Mt5178 C/A polymorphism and coffee consumption on elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was then conducted. For men with Mt5178C, after adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, habitual smoking, green tea consumption, antihypertensive treatment, and antidiabetic treatment, elevated levels of serum AST, as defined as ≥30 U/L; those of serum ALT, as defined as ≥25 U/L; or those of serum GGT, as defined as ≥60 or >51 U/L, may depend on coffee consumption (P for trend = 0.013, P for trend <0.001, P for trend = 0.002, and P for trend <0.001, respectively). On the other hand, no significant joint effects of Mt5178A genotype and coffee consumption on elevated levels of serum liver enzymes were observed. The present results suggest that Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modifies the effects of coffee consumption on abnormally elevated levels of serum liver enzymes in male Japanese health check-up examinees.

Field-Level Sublethal Effects of Approved Bee Hive Chemicals on Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L)

PubMed Central

Berry, Jennifer A.; Hood, W. Michael; Pietravalle, Stéphane; Delaplane, Keith S.

2013-01-01

In a study replicated across two states and two years, we tested the sublethal effects on honey bees of the miticides Apistan (tau fluvalinate) and Check Mite+ (coumaphos) and the wood preservative copper naphthenate applied at label rates in field conditions. A continuous covariate, a colony Varroa mite index, helped us disambiguate the effects of the chemicals on bees while adjusting for a presumed benefit of controlling mites. Mite levels in colonies treated with Apistan or Check Mite+ were not different from levels in non-treated controls. Experimental chemicals significantly decreased 3-day brood survivorship and increased construction of queen supercedure cells compared to non-treated controls. Bees exposed to Check Mite+ as immatures had higher legacy mortality as adults relative to non-treated controls, whereas bees exposed to Apistan had improved legacy mortality relative to non-treated controls. Relative to non-treated controls, Check Mite+ increased adult emergence weight. Although there was a treatment effect on a test of associative learning, it was not possible to statistically separate the treatment means, but bees treated with Apistan performed comparatively well. And finally, there were no detected effects of bee hive chemical on colony bee population, amount of brood, amount of honey, foraging rate, time required for marked released bees to return to their nest, percentage of released bees that return to the nest, and colony Nosema spore loads. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine sublethal effects of bee hive chemicals applied at label rates under field conditions while disambiguating the results from mite control benefits realized from the chemicals. Given the poor performance of the miticides at reducing mites and their inconsistent effects on the host, these results defend the use of bee health management practices that minimize use of exotic hive chemicals. PMID:24204638

Body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, and inflammatory markers in premenopausal women after a 10-year follow-up: a MONET study.

PubMed

Razmjou, Sahar; Abdulnour, Joseph; Bastard, Jean-Philippe; Fellahi, Soraya; Doucet, Éric; Brochu, Martin; Lavoie, Jean-Marc; Rabasa-Lhoret, Rémi; Prud'homme, Denis

2018-01-01

Menopausal transition and postmenopause are usually associated with changes in body composition and a decrease in physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE). This study investigated body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, PAEE, and inflammatory markers in premenopausal women after a 10-year follow-up. In all, 102 premenopausal women participated in the 5-year observational longitudinal Montreal Ottawa New Emerging Team (MONET) study. This present substudy included 48 participants (age: 60.0 ± 1.7 years; body mass index: 23.2 ± 2.2 kg/m) 6.0 ± 0.3 years after completion of the initial MONET study. Measures included body composition, waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose and insulin levels, insulin sensitivity (QUICKI model), plasma lipid levels, PAEE, and inflammatory markers. Compared with baseline measures of the MONET study, analyses revealed no significant increase in body weight, although there were significant increases in WC, fat mass (FM), % FM, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, haptoglobin, apolipoprotein B, ferritin, adiponectin, and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 (all P < 0.001) after the 10-year follow-up. However, significant decreases were observed for fat-free mass, PAEE, fasting glucose levels, interleukin-8 levels, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors 1 and 2 (sTNFR-1 and sTNFR-2) levels (all P < 0.05). To determine the effect of postmenopausal years, data were restructured based on final menstrual period (FMP), and one-way analyses of variance were performed.Waist circumference, % FM, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, ferritin, adiponectin, and soluble cluster of differentiation 14 were higher in early and late postmenopausal periods in these women. sTNFR-1 and sTNFR-2 levels were higher at the FMP and early postmenopausal years as compared with the late postmenopausal periods. Finally, interleukin-8 levels were lower in years after FMP. The number of years elapsed since the FMP can affect body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, and inflammatory markers in healthy premenopausal women going through menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods.

The impact and safety of preoperative oral or intravenous carbohydrate administration versus fasting in colorectal surgery--a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Kaska, Milan; Grosmanová, Tat'ána; Havel, Eduard; Hyspler, Radomír; Petrová, Zbynka; Brtko, Miroslav; Bares, Pavel; Bares, David; Schusterová, Bronislava; Pyszková, Lucie; Tosnerová, Vlasta; Sluka, Martin

2010-01-01

Increasing evidence suggests that preoperative fasting, as was the clinical practice for many decades, might be associated with untoward consequences and that a standardized preoperative intake of nutrients might be advantageous; this is a component of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concept. Thus, in a randomized controlled trial we compared preoperative fasting with preoperative preparation with either oral or intravenous intake of carbohydrates, minerals and water. Biochemical, psychosomatic, echocardiographic and muscle-power parameters were assessed in surgical patients with colorectal diseases during the short-term perioperative period. We also assessed the safety of peroral intake shortly before surgery. A total of 221 elective colorectal surgery patients in this bicentric, randomized, prospective and blinded clinical trial were divided into three groups: A - patients fasting from midnight (control group); B - patients supported preoperatively by glucose, magnesium and potassium administered intravenously; C - patients supported preoperatively by oral consumption of a specifically composed solution (potion). The general perioperative clinical status of patients in groups C and B was significantly better than those in group A. Psychosomatic conditions postoperatively were found to be best in group C (P < 0.029). The rise in the index of insulin resistance (QUICKI) from the preoperative to the postoperative state was significant in group A (P < 0.05). The systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle improved postoperatively in group C vs. group A (P < 0.04), and the ejection fraction was also significantly higher postoperatively in group C vs. group A (P < 0.03). The gastric residual volume was 5 ml and the pH of stomach juice was 3.5-5 in all groups without statistically significant difference. No difference was found in the length of hospital stay or the rate of complications. Preoperative fasting does not confer any benefit or advantage for surgical patients. In contrast, consumption of an appropriate potion composed of water, minerals and carbohydrates offers some protection against surgical trauma in terms of metabolic status, cardiac function and psychosomatic status. Peroral intake shortly before surgery did not increase gastric residual volume and was not associated with any risk.

Chronic ingestion of flavan-3-ols and isoflavones improves insulin sensitivity and lipoprotein status and attenuates estimated 10-year CVD risk in medicated postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes: a 1-year, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

PubMed

Curtis, Peter J; Sampson, Mike; Potter, John; Dhatariya, Ketan; Kroon, Paul A; Cassidy, Aedín

2012-02-01

To assess the effect of dietary flavonoids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes on established statin and hypoglycemic therapy. Despite being medicated, patients with type 2 diabetes have elevated CVD risk, particularly postmenopausal women. Although dietary flavonoids have been shown to reduce CVD risk factors in healthy participants, no long-term trials have examined the additional benefits of flavonoids to CVD risk in medicated postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. We conducted a parallel-design, placebo-controlled trial with type 2 diabetic patients randomized to consume 27 g/day (split dose) flavonoid-enriched chocolate (containing 850 mg flavan-3-ols [90 mg epicatechin] and 100 mg isoflavones [aglycone equivalents)]/day) or matched placebo for 1 year. Ninety-three patients completed the trial, and adherence was high (flavonoid 91.3%; placebo 91.6%). Compared with the placebo group, the combined flavonoid intervention resulted in a significant reduction in estimated peripheral insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] -0.3 ± 0.2; P = 0.004) and improvement in insulin sensitivity (quantitative insulin sensitivity index [QUICKI] 0.003 ± 0.00; P = 0.04) as a result of a significant decrease in insulin levels (-0.8 ± 0.5 mU/L; P = 0.02). Significant reductions in total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (-0.2 ± 0.1; P = 0.01) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (-0.1 ± 0.1 mmol/L; P = 0.04) were also observed. Estimated 10-year total coronary heart disease risk (derived from UK Prospective Diabetes Study algorithm) was attenuated after flavonoid intervention (flavonoid +0.1 ± 0.3 vs. placebo 1.1 ± 0.3; P = 0.02). No effect on blood pressure, HbA(1c), or glucose was observed. One-year intervention with flavan-3-ols and isoflavones improved biomarkers of CVD risk, highlighting the additional benefit of flavonoids to standard drug therapy in managing CVD risk in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic patients.

Chronic Ingestion of Flavan-3-ols and Isoflavones Improves Insulin Sensitivity and Lipoprotein Status and Attenuates Estimated 10-Year CVD Risk in Medicated Postmenopausal Women With Type 2 Diabetes

PubMed Central

Curtis, Peter J.; Sampson, Mike; Potter, John; Dhatariya, Ketan; Kroon, Paul A.; Cassidy, Aedín

2012-01-01

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of dietary flavonoids on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes on established statin and hypoglycemic therapy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Despite being medicated, patients with type 2 diabetes have elevated CVD risk, particularly postmenopausal women. Although dietary flavonoids have been shown to reduce CVD risk factors in healthy participants, no long-term trials have examined the additional benefits of flavonoids to CVD risk in medicated postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. We conducted a parallel-design, placebo-controlled trial with type 2 diabetic patients randomized to consume 27 g/day (split dose) flavonoid-enriched chocolate (containing 850 mg flavan-3-ols [90 mg epicatechin] and 100 mg isoflavones [aglycone equivalents)]/day) or matched placebo for 1 year. RESULTS Ninety-three patients completed the trial, and adherence was high (flavonoid 91.3%; placebo 91.6%). Compared with the placebo group, the combined flavonoid intervention resulted in a significant reduction in estimated peripheral insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] −0.3 ± 0.2; P = 0.004) and improvement in insulin sensitivity (quantitative insulin sensitivity index [QUICKI] 0.003 ± 0.00; P = 0.04) as a result of a significant decrease in insulin levels (−0.8 ± 0.5 mU/L; P = 0.02). Significant reductions in total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (−0.2 ± 0.1; P = 0.01) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (−0.1 ± 0.1 mmol/L; P = 0.04) were also observed. Estimated 10-year total coronary heart disease risk (derived from UK Prospective Diabetes Study algorithm) was attenuated after flavonoid intervention (flavonoid +0.1 ± 0.3 vs. placebo 1.1 ± 0.3; P = 0.02). No effect on blood pressure, HbA1c, or glucose was observed. CONCLUSIONS One-year intervention with flavan-3-ols and isoflavones improved biomarkers of CVD risk, highlighting the additional benefit of flavonoids to standard drug therapy in managing CVD risk in postmenopausal type 2 diabetic patients. PMID:22250063

Using knowledge for indexing health web resources in a quality-controlled gateway.

PubMed

Joubert, Michel; Darmoni, Stefan J; Avillach, Paul; Dahamna, Badisse; Fieschi, Marius

2008-01-01

The aim of this study is to provide to indexers MeSH terms to be considered as major ones in a list of terms automatically extracted from a document. We propose a method combining symbolic knowledge - the UMLS Metathesaurus and Semantic Network - and statistical knowledge drawn from co-occurrences of terms in the CISMeF database (a French-language quality-controlled health gateway) using data mining measures. The method was tested on CISMeF corpus of 293 resources. There was a proportion of 0.37+/-0.26 major terms in the processed records. The method produced lists of terms with a proportion of terms initially pointed out as major of 0.54+/-0.31. The method we propose reduces the number of terms, which seem not useful for content description of resources, such as "check tags", but retains the most descriptive ones. Discarding these terms is accounted for by: 1) the removal by using semantic knowledge of associations of concepts bearing no real medical significance, 2) the removal by using statistical knowledge of nonstatistically significant associations of terms. This method can assist effectively indexers in their daily work and will be soon applied in the CISMeF system.

Augmentation index (AI) in a dose–response relationship with smoking habits in males

PubMed Central

Tsuru, Tomoko; Adachi, Hisashi; Enomoto, Mika; Fukami, Ako; Kumagai, Eita; Nakamura, Sachiko; Nohara, Yume; Kono, Shoko; Nakao, Erika; Sakaue, Akiko; Morikawa, Nagisa; Fukumoto, Yoshihiro

2016-01-01

Abstract We investigated the relationship between augmentation index (AI) and smoking habits in community-dwelling Japanese. This cross-sectional study enrolled 1926 subjects (769 males and 1157 females) aged 40 to 95 years who underwent a health check-up in a Japanese cohort of the Seven Countries Study, in Tanushimaru, a typical farming town in Kyushu Island in 2009. The subjects’ medical history, alcohol intake, smoking habit, and current medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were ascertained by questionnaire. Radial arterial pressure wave analysis was used to obtain AI. We analyzed the data stratified by gender. Age-adjusted means of AI in males showed a clear dose–response relationship in 4 categories of smoking habits (P = 0.010). There was no significant relationship between AI and smoking habits in females (P = 0.127). The significant dose–response relationship (P = 0.036) in males between AI and 4 categories of smoking habits still remained even after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, hypertensive medication, and alcohol intake. The present study demonstrated that AI values were significantly associated with smoking habits in a dose-dependent manner in Japanese males. PMID:28002323

Augmentation index (AI) in a dose-response relationship with smoking habits in males: The Tanushimaru study.

PubMed

Tsuru, Tomoko; Adachi, Hisashi; Enomoto, Mika; Fukami, Ako; Kumagai, Eita; Nakamura, Sachiko; Nohara, Yume; Kono, Shoko; Nakao, Erika; Sakaue, Akiko; Morikawa, Nagisa; Fukumoto, Yoshihiro

2016-12-01

We investigated the relationship between augmentation index (AI) and smoking habits in community-dwelling Japanese.This cross-sectional study enrolled 1926 subjects (769 males and 1157 females) aged 40 to 95 years who underwent a health check-up in a Japanese cohort of the Seven Countries Study, in Tanushimaru, a typical farming town in Kyushu Island in 2009. The subjects' medical history, alcohol intake, smoking habit, and current medications for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes were ascertained by questionnaire. Radial arterial pressure wave analysis was used to obtain AI. We analyzed the data stratified by gender.Age-adjusted means of AI in males showed a clear dose-response relationship in 4 categories of smoking habits (P = 0.010). There was no significant relationship between AI and smoking habits in females (P = 0.127). The significant dose-response relationship (P = 0.036) in males between AI and 4 categories of smoking habits still remained even after adjustment for age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, glucose, hypertensive medication, and alcohol intake.The present study demonstrated that AI values were significantly associated with smoking habits in a dose-dependent manner in Japanese males.

Searching regional rainfall homogeneity using atmospheric fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabriele, Salvatore; Chiaravalloti, Francesco

2013-03-01

The correct identification of homogeneous areas in regional rainfall frequency analysis is fundamental to ensure the best selection of the probability distribution and the regional model which produce low bias and low root mean square error of quantiles estimation. In an attempt at rainfall spatial homogeneity, the paper explores a new approach that is based on meteo-climatic information. The results are verified ex-post using standard homogeneity tests applied to the annual maximum daily rainfall series. The first step of the proposed procedure selects two different types of homogeneous large regions: convective macro-regions, which contain high values of the Convective Available Potential Energy index, normally associated with convective rainfall events, and stratiform macro-regions, which are characterized by low values of the Q vector Divergence index, associated with dynamic instability and stratiform precipitation. These macro-regions are identified using Hot Spot Analysis to emphasize clusters of extreme values of the indexes. In the second step, inside each identified macro-region, homogeneous sub-regions are found using kriging interpolation on the mean direction of the Vertically Integrated Moisture Flux. To check the proposed procedure, two detailed examples of homogeneous sub-regions are examined.

The visceral adiposity index is associated with insulin sensitivity and IGF-I levels in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

PubMed

Ciresi, Alessandro; Radellini, Stefano; Guarnotta, Valentina; Giordano, Carla

2017-06-01

The visceral adiposity index, based on anthropometric and metabolic parameters, has been shown to be related to adipose tissue function and insulin sensitivity. We aimed to evaluate the performance of the visceral adiposity index in adult patients with growth hormone deficiency. We enrolled 52 patients(mean age 51 ± 13 years) with newly diagnosed growth hormone deficiency and 50 matched healthy subjects as controls at baseline. At baseline and after 12 and 24 months of treatment we evaluated anthropometric measures, lipid profile, glucose and insulin during an oral glucose tolerance test, hemoglobin A1c, homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, insulin sensitivity index Matsuda, insulin-like growth factor-I and visceral adiposity index. At baseline growth hormone deficiency patients showed higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001) and visceral adiposity index (p = 0.003) with lower insulin sensitivity index (p = 0.007) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.001) than controls. During growth hormone treatment we observed a significant increase in insulin-like growth factor-I (p < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001) with a trend toward increase in insulin sensitivity index (p = 0.055) and a significant decrease in total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and visceral adiposity index (p < 0.001), while no significant changes were observed in other clinical and metabolic parameters. The visceral adiposity index was the only parameter that significantly correlated with growth hormone peak at diagnosis (p < 0.001) and with insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin sensitivity index both at diagnosis (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001) and after 12 (p = 0.026 and p = 0.001) and 24 months (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001) of treatment. The visceral adiposity index, which has shown to be associated with both insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin sensitivity, proved to be the most reliable index of metabolic perturbation, among the most common indexes of adiposity assessment and a marker of benefit during treatment in adult growth hormone deficiency patients.

The relationship between insulin resistance and periodontitis is not affected by Mediterranean diet in a Spanish population.

PubMed

Pulido-Moran, M; Bullon, P; Morillo, J M; Battino, M; Quiles, J L; Ramirez-Tortosa, MCarmen

2017-05-01

To examine the insulin resistance measured by surrogate indices in subjects with and without periodontitis and to find out any correlation among dietary intake with insulin resistance. Fifty-five patients were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Insulin resistance measured by the homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index moreover glycaemia, creatinine, uric acid, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins and triglycerides among others. True periodontal disease was elucidated through the examination of probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, recession of the gingival margin and gingival bleeding. The statistical analyses used were the student's T-test for independent variables, Kolmogorov-Smirnov if variations were homogeneous; if not, the Mann-Whitney U Test was applied instead. Correlations between variables were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. True periodontal disease was confirmed through the greater values of probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, gingival margin and gingival bleeding in the periodontitis group in comparison with non-periodontitis group. Insulin resistance was evidenced by the greater values of HOMA-IR as well as by the lower quantitative insulin sensitivity check index values in the periodontitis group. Fasting insulin, glucose, uric acid, creatinine, low density lipoproteins, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein levels were significant higher in periodontitis group. Pearson's correlations did not show any association among diet data and insulin resistance parameters in periodontitis patients. A putative systemic relationship between insulin resistance and periodontitis exists but it does not seem conceivable any effect of diet over such relationship. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Application of the Children's Impact of Event Scale (Chinese Version) on a rapid assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder among children from the Wenchuan earthquake area].

PubMed

Zhao, Gao-feng; Zhang, Qiang; Pang, Yan; Ren, Zheng-jia; Peng, Dan; Jiang, Guo-guo; Liu, Shan-ming; Chen, Ying; Geng, Ting; Zhang, Shu-sen; Yang, Yan-chun; Deng, Hong

2009-11-01

To explore the reliability and validity of the Children's Impact of Event Scale (Chinese version, CRIES-13) and to determine the value and the optimal cutoff point of the score of CRIES-13 in screening posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), so as to provide evidence for PTSD prevention and identify children at risk in Wenchuan earthquake areas. A total of 253 children experienced the Wenchuan earthquake were tested through Stratified random cluster sampling. The authors examined CRIES-13's internal consistency, discriminative validity and predictive value of the cut-off. PTSD was assessed with the DSM-IV criteria. Area under the curve while sensitivity, specificity and Youden index were computed based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Optimal cutoff point was determined by the maximum of Youden index. 20.9% of the subjects were found to have met the DSM-IV criteria for PTSD 7 months after the Wenchuan earthquake accident. The Cronbach's coefficient of CRIES-13 was 0.903 and the mean inter-item correlation coefficients ranged from 0.283 to 0.689, the correlation coefficient of the three factors with the total scale scores ranged from 0.836 to 0.868 while the correlation coefficient among the three factors ranged from 0.568 to 0.718, PTSD cases indicated much higher scores than non-PTSD cases, the Youden index reached maximum value when the total score approached 18 in CRIES-13 with sensitivity and specificity as 81.1% and 76.5% respectively. Consistency check showed that there were no significant differences between the results of CRIES-13 score >/= 32 and clinical diagnosis (Kappa = 0.529) from the screening program. CRIES-13 appeared to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing the posttraumatic stress symptoms among children after the earthquake accident in the Wenchuan area. The CRIES-13 seemed to be a useful self-rating diagnostic instrument for survivors with PTSD symptoms as a clinical concern by using a 18 cut-off in total score. Consistency check showed that there was no significant difference between the screening result of CRIES-13 score >/= 32 and clinical diagnosis.

SU-E-T-321: Dosimetric Evaluation of Non-Coplanar Arcs in VMAT Planning for SBRT Lung Cases: A Planning Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, S; Gardner, S; Doemer, A

Purpose: Investigate use of standardized non-coplanar arcs to improve plan quality in lung Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy(SBRT) VMAT planning. Methods: VMAT planning was performed for 9 patients previously treated with SBRT for peripheral lung tumors (tumor size:12.7cc to 32.5cc). For each patient, 7 VMAT plans (couch rotation values:0,5,10,15,20,25,and 30 deg) were generated; the coplanar plans were pushed to meet the RTOG0915 constraints and each non-coplanar plans utilized the same optimization constraints. The following plan dose metrics were used (taken from RTOG 0915): D-2cm: the maximum dose at 2 cm from the PTV, conformality index (CI), gradient index (GI), lung volumemore » receiving 5 Gy (V5) and lung volume receiving 20 Gy (V20). The couch collision clearance was checked for each plan through a dry run using the couch position from the patient’s treatment. Results: Of the 9 cases, one coplanar plan failed to meet two protocol guidelines (both gradient index and D-2cm parameter), and an additional plan failed the D-2cm parameter. When introducing at least 5 degree couch rotation, all plans met the protocol guidelines. The largest feasible couch angle available was 15 to 20 degrees due to gantry collision issues. Non-coplanar plans resulted in the average (standard deviation) reduction of the following metrics: GI by 7.3% (3.7%); lung V20 by 11.1% (3.2%); D-2cm by 12.7% (3.9%). The CI was unchanged (−0.3%±0.6%), and lung V5 increased (3.8%±8.2%). Conclusion: The use of couch rotations as little as 5 degrees allows for plan quality that will meet RTOG0915 constraints while reducing D-2cm, GI, and lung V20. Using default couch rotations while planning SBRT cases will allow for more efficient planning with the stated goal of meeting RTOG0915 criteria for all clinical cases. Gantry clearance checks in the treatment room may be necessary to ensure safe treatments for larger couch rotation values.« less

The Effects of Check-In, Check-Up, Check-Out for Students with Moderate Intellectual Disability during On- and Off-Site Vocational Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boden, Lauren J.; Jolivette, Kristine; Alberto, Paul A.

2018-01-01

Check-in/check-out is a secondary-tier intervention within the positive behavior interventions and supports framework. Check-in/check-out pairs the use of an adult mentor with a daily progress report to help students meet individualized behavioral goals. This study adds to the research base by examining the effects of check-in, check-up, check-out…

Analysis of the penumbra enlargement in lung versus the quality index of photon beams: a methodology to check the dose calculation algorithm.

PubMed

Tsiakalos, Miltiadis F; Theodorou, Kiki; Kappas, Constantin; Zefkili, Sofia; Rosenwold, Jean-Claude

2004-04-01

It is well known that considerable underdosage can occur at the edges of a tumor inside the lung because of the degradation of penumbra due to lack of lateral electronic equilibrium. Although present even at smaller energies, this phenomenon is more pronounced for higher energies. Apart from Monte Carlo calculation, most of the existing Treatment Planning Systems (TPSs) cannot deal at all, or with acceptable accuracy, with this effect. A methodology has been developed for assessing the dose calculation algorithms in the lung region where lateral electronic disequilibrium exists, based on the Quality Index (QI) of the incident beam. A phantom, consisting of layers of polystyrene and lung material, has been irradiated using photon beams of 4, 6, 15, and 20 MV. The cross-plane profiles of each beam for 5x5, 10x10, and 25x10 fields have been measured at the middle of the phantom with the use of films. The penumbra (20%-80%) and fringe (50%-90%) enlargement was measured and the ratio of the widths for the lung to that of polystyrene was defined as the Correction Factor (CF). Monte Carlo calculations in the two phantoms have also been performed for energies of 6, 15, and 20 MV. Five commercial TPS's algorithms were tested for their ability to predict the penumbra and fringe enlargement. A linear relationship has been found between the QI of the beams and the CF of the penumbra and fringe enlargement for all the examined fields. Monte Carlo calculations agree very well (less than 1% difference) with the film measurements. The CF values range between 1.1 for 4 MV (QI 0.620) and 2.28 for 20 MV (QI 0.794). Three of the tested TPS's algorithms could not predict any enlargement at all for all energies and all fields and two of them could predict the penumbra enlargement to some extent. The proposed methodology can help any user or developer to check the accuracy of its algorithm for lung cases, based on a simple phantom geometry and the QI of the incident beam. This check is very important especially when higher energies are used, as the inaccuracies in existing algorithms can lead to an incorrect choice of energy for lung treatment and consequently to a failure in tumor control.

Spatial and Social Media Data Analytics of Housing Prices in Shenzhen, China.

PubMed

Wu, Chao; Ye, Xinyue; Ren, Fu; Wan, You; Ning, Pengfei; Du, Qingyun

2016-01-01

Housing is among the most pressing issues in urban China and has received considerable scholarly attention. Researchers have primarily concentrated on identifying the factors that influence residential property prices and how such mechanisms function. However, few studies have examined the potential factors that influence housing prices from a big data perspective. In this article, we use a big data perspective to determine the willingness of buyers to pay for various factors. The opinions and geographical preferences of individuals for places can be represented by visit frequencies given different motivations. Check-in data from the social media platform Sina Visitor System is used in this article. Here, we use kernel density estimation (KDE) to analyse the spatial patterns of check-in spots (or places of interest, POIs) and employ the Getis-Ord [Formula: see text] method to identify the hot spots for different types of POIs in Shenzhen, China. New indexes are then proposed based on the hot-spot results as measured by check-in data to analyse the effects of these locations on housing prices. This modelling is performed using the hedonic price method (HPM) and the geographically weighted regression (GWR) method. The results show that the degree of clustering of POIs has a significant influence on housing values. Meanwhile, the GWR method has a better interpretive capacity than does the HPM because of the former method's ability to capture spatial heterogeneity. This article integrates big social media data to expand the scope (new study content) and depth (study scale) of housing price research to an unprecedented degree.

Spatial and Social Media Data Analytics of Housing Prices in Shenzhen, China

PubMed Central

Ye, Xinyue; Ren, Fu; Wan, You; Ning, Pengfei; Du, Qingyun

2016-01-01

Housing is among the most pressing issues in urban China and has received considerable scholarly attention. Researchers have primarily concentrated on identifying the factors that influence residential property prices and how such mechanisms function. However, few studies have examined the potential factors that influence housing prices from a big data perspective. In this article, we use a big data perspective to determine the willingness of buyers to pay for various factors. The opinions and geographical preferences of individuals for places can be represented by visit frequencies given different motivations. Check-in data from the social media platform Sina Visitor System is used in this article. Here, we use kernel density estimation (KDE) to analyse the spatial patterns of check-in spots (or places of interest, POIs) and employ the Getis-Ord Gi* method to identify the hot spots for different types of POIs in Shenzhen, China. New indexes are then proposed based on the hot-spot results as measured by check-in data to analyse the effects of these locations on housing prices. This modelling is performed using the hedonic price method (HPM) and the geographically weighted regression (GWR) method. The results show that the degree of clustering of POIs has a significant influence on housing values. Meanwhile, the GWR method has a better interpretive capacity than does the HPM because of the former method’s ability to capture spatial heterogeneity. This article integrates big social media data to expand the scope (new study content) and depth (study scale) of housing price research to an unprecedented degree. PMID:27783645

[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish working population].

PubMed

Sánchez-Chaparro, Miguel A; Román-García, Javier; Calvo-Bonacho, Eva; Gómez-Larios, Tomás; Fernández-Meseguer, Ana; Sáinz-Gutiérrez, Juan C; Cabrera-Sierra, Martha; García-García, Angel; Rueda-Vicente, Juan; Gálvez-Moraleda, Adolfo; González-Quintela, Arturo

2006-05-01

The routine medical check-up provides a good opportunity for screening workers early for cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish working population. The study included 216 914 working people (mean age 36.4 years, range 16-74 years, 73.1% male) undergoing routine medical check-up, which involved a structured questionnaire, physical examination, and standard serum biochemical analysis. Cardiovascular disease had been diagnosed previously in 0.7% of workers, hypertension in 6.2%, diabetes in 1.2%, and dyslipidemia in 8.9%. Routine check-up showed that 49.3% (51.3% of males and 43.8% of females) were smokers, 22.1% (27.0% of males and 8.8% of females) had high blood pressure (< or =140/90 mm Hg), 15.5% (18.3% of males and 13.3% of females) were obese (body mass index > or =30), 6.2% (7.8% of males and 1.9% of females) were hyperglycemic (blood glucose >110 mg/dL), and 64.2% had dyslipidemia (total cholesterol > or =200 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol > or =160 mg/dL, triglycerides > or =200 mg/dL, or HDL cholesterol < 40 mg/dL in males or < 50 mg/dL in females). When compared with workers in the service sector and after adjustment for potential confounders, workers in manufacturing, and particularly those in construction, had higher prevalences of both high blood pressure and smoking. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the Spanish working population is high, particularly in males and in certain types of employment.

Cross-section Trichometry: A Clinical Tool for Assessing the Progression and Treatment Response of Alopecia

PubMed Central

Wikramanayake, Tongyu Cao; Mauro, Lucia M; Tabas, Irene A; Chen, Anne L; Llanes, Isabel C; Jimenez, Joaquin J

2012-01-01

Background: To properly assess the progression and treatment response of alopecia, one must measure the changes in hair mass, which is influenced by both the density and diameter of hair. Unfortunately, a convenient device for hair mass evaluation had not been available to dermatologists until the recent introduction of the cross-section trichometer, which directly measures the cross-sectional area of an isolated bundle of hair. Objective: We sought to evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of the HairCheck® device, a commercial product derived from the original cross-section trichometer. Materials and Methods: Bundles of surgical silk and human hair were used to evaluate the ability of the HairCheck® device to detect and measure small changes in the number and diameter of strands, and bundle weight. Results: Strong correlations were observed between the bundle's cross-sectional area, displayed as the numeric Hair Mass Index (HMI), the number of strands, the silk/hair diameter, and the bundle dry weight. Conclusion: HMI strongly correlated with the number and diameter of silk/hair, and the weight of the bundle, suggesting that it can serve as a valid indicator of hair mass. We have given the name cross-section trichometry (CST) to the methodology of obtaining the HMI using the HairCheck® system. CST is a simple modality for the quantification of hair mass, and may be used as a convenient and useful tool to clinically assess changes in hair mass caused by thinning, shedding, breakage, or growth in males and females with progressive alopecia or those receiving alopecia treatment. PMID:23766610

Prevalence and factors associated with parental concerns about development detected by the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks in a birth cohort.

PubMed

Woolfenden, Susan; Eapen, Valsamma; Jalaludin, Bin; Hayen, Andrew; Kemp, Lynn; Dissanyake, Cheryl; Hendry, Alexandra; Axelsson, Emma; Overs, Bronwyn; Eastwood, John; Črnčec, Rudi; McKenzie, Anne; Beasley, Deborah; Murphy, Elisabeth; Williams, Katrina

2016-09-08

Early identification of developmental vulnerability is vital. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of moderate or high developmental risk on the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) at 6-month, 12-month and 18-month well-child checks; identify associated risk factors; and examine documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. A prospective birth cohort of 2025 children with 50% of those approached agreeing to participate. Demographic data were obtained via questionnaires and linked electronic medical records. Telephone interviews were conducted with parents to collect PEDS data. Multiple logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS. A Cumulative Risk Index examined the impact of multiple risk factors on developmental risk and documentation of the PEDS at the well-child checks. Of the original cohort, 792 (39%) had 6-month, 649 (32%) had 12-month and 565 (28%) had 18-month PEDS data. Parental concerns indicating moderate or high developmental risk on the PEDS were 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 6 months, 27% (95% CI 24 to 30) at 12 months and 33% (95% CI 29 to 37) at 18 months. Factors associated with moderate or high developmental risk were perinatal risk (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); maternal Middle Eastern or Asian nationality (OR 6 months: 1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.4)), (OR 12 months: 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.7)); and household disadvantage (OR 6 months: 1.5 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.2). As the number of risk factors increased the odds increased for high or moderate developmental risk and no documentation of the PEDS at well-child checks. Children with multiple risk factors are more likely to have parental concerns indicating developmental vulnerability using the PEDS and for these concerns to not be documented. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

31 CFR 240.3 - Electronic checks and substitute checks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Electronic checks and substitute... OF CHECKS DRAWN ON THE UNITED STATES TREASURY General Provisions § 240.3 Electronic checks and substitute checks. (a) Legal equivalence of electronic checks. An electronic check for which a presenting...

31 CFR 240.3 - Electronic checks and substitute checks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Electronic checks and substitute... OF CHECKS DRAWN ON THE UNITED STATES TREASURY General Provisions § 240.3 Electronic checks and substitute checks. (a) Legal equivalence of electronic checks. An electronic check for which a presenting...

31 CFR 240.3 - Electronic checks and substitute checks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Electronic checks and substitute... OF CHECKS DRAWN ON THE UNITED STATES TREASURY General Provisions § 240.3 Electronic checks and substitute checks. (a) Legal equivalence of electronic checks. An electronic check for which a presenting...

[Relevance and validity of a new French composite index to measure poverty on a geographical level].

PubMed

Challier, B; Viel, J F

2001-02-01

A number of disease conditions are influenced by deprivation. Geographical measurement of deprivation can provide an independent contribution to individual measures by accounting for the social context. Such a geographical approach, based on deprivation indices, is classical in Great Britain but scarcely used in France. The objective of this work was to build and validate an index readily usable in French municipalities and cantons. Socioeconomic data (unemployment, occupations, housing specifications, income, etc.) were derived from the 1990 census of municipalities and cantons in the Doubs departement. A new index was built by principal components analysis on the municipality data. The validity of the new index was checked and tested for correlations with British deprivation indices. Principal components analysis on municipality data identified four components (explaining 76% of the variance). Only the first component (CP1 explaining 42% of the variance) was retained. Content validity (wide choice of potential deprivation items, correlation between items and CP1: 0.52 to 0.96) and construct validity (CP1 socially relevant; Cronbach's alpha=0.91; correlation between CP1 and three out of four British indices ranging from 0.73 to 0.88) were sufficient. Analysis on canton data supported that on municipality data. The validation of the new index being satisfactory, the user will have to make a choice. The new index, CP1, is closer to the local background and was derived from data from a French departement. It is therefore better adapted to more descriptive approaches such as health care planning. To examine the relationship between deprivation and health with a more etiological approach, the British indices (anteriority, international comparisons) would be more appropriate, but CP1, once validated in various health problem situations, should be most useful for French studies.

Prediction of ground water quality index to assess suitability for drinking purposes using fuzzy rule-based approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorai, A. K.; Hasni, S. A.; Iqbal, Jawed

2016-11-01

Groundwater is the most important natural resource for drinking water to many people around the world, especially in rural areas where the supply of treated water is not available. Drinking water resources cannot be optimally used and sustained unless the quality of water is properly assessed. To this end, an attempt has been made to develop a suitable methodology for the assessment of drinking water quality on the basis of 11 physico-chemical parameters. The present study aims to select the fuzzy aggregation approach for estimation of the water quality index of a sample to check the suitability for drinking purposes. Based on expert's opinion and author's judgement, 11 water quality (pollutant) variables (Alkalinity, Dissolved Solids (DS), Hardness, pH, Ca, Mg, Fe, Fluoride, As, Sulphate, Nitrates) are selected for the quality assessment. The output results of proposed methodology are compared with the output obtained from widely used deterministic method (weighted arithmetic mean aggregation) for the suitability of the developed methodology.

Profitability of simple stationary technical trading rules with high-frequency data of Chinese Index Futures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jing-Chao; Zhou, Yu; Wang, Xi

2018-02-01

Technical trading rules have been widely used by practitioners in financial markets for a long time. The profitability remains controversial and few consider the stationarity of technical indicators used in trading rules. We convert MA, KDJ and Bollinger bands into stationary processes and investigate the profitability of these trading rules by using 3 high-frequency data(15s,30s and 60s) of CSI300 Stock Index Futures from January 4th 2012 to December 31st 2016. Several performance and risk measures are adopted to assess the practical value of all trading rules directly while ADF-test is used to verify the stationarity and SPA test to check whether trading rules perform well due to intrinsic superiority or pure luck. The results show that there are several significant combinations of parameters for each indicator when transaction costs are not taken into consideration. Once transaction costs are included, trading profits will be eliminated completely. We also propose a method to reduce the risk of technical trading rules.

Predatory Publishing Is a Threat to Non-Mainstream Science

PubMed Central

Nurmashev, Bekaidar

2017-01-01

This article highlights the issue of wasteful publishing practices that primarily affect non-mainstream science countries and rapidly growing academic disciplines. Numerous start-up open access publishers with soft or nonexistent quality checks and huge commercial interests have created a global crisis in the publishing market. Their publishing practices have been thoroughly examined, leading to the blacklisting of many journals by Jeffrey Beall. However, it appears that some subscription journals are also falling short of adhering to the international recommendations of global editorial associations. Unethical editing agencies that promote their services in non-mainstream science countries create more problems for inexperienced authors. It is suggested to regularly monitor the quality of already indexed journals and upgrade criteria of covering new sources by the Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science), Scopus, and specialist bibliographic databases. Regional awareness campaigns to inform stakeholders of science communication about the importance of ethical writing, transparency of editing services, and permanent archiving can be also helpful for eradicating unethical publishing practices. PMID:28378542

Association among bad breath, body mass index, and alcohol intake.

PubMed

Rosenberg, M; Knaan, T; Cohen, D

2007-10-01

Bad breath is a common condition, difficult to assess in the general population. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that a self-administered questionnaire can help identify factors associated with greater risk of oral malodor. Persons (n = 88) undergoing routine medical check-ups completed a questionnaire including 38 questions on general and oral health, dietary habits, and their own oral malodor levels. Oral malodor assessments included odor judge scores, volatile sulfide levels (via a Halimeter, Interscan Corp.), and salivary beta-galactosidase. Among the questionnaire results, 9 responses were significantly associated with odor judge scores (p < 0.05, unpaired t test), including questions on alcohol intake and body mass index (BMI). Predictions of odor judge scores based on these 9 questions (linear multiple regression analysis) yielded R = 0.601; when introduced together with Halimeter and beta-galactosidase scores, the correlation rose to R = 0.843. The results suggest that alcohol intake and BMI may be factors that help predict oral malodor.

Predatory Publishing Is a Threat to Non-Mainstream Science.

PubMed

Gasparyan, Armen Yuri; Nurmashev, Bekaidar; Udovik, Elena E; Koroleva, Anna M; Kitas, George D

2017-05-01

This article highlights the issue of wasteful publishing practices that primarily affect non-mainstream science countries and rapidly growing academic disciplines. Numerous start-up open access publishers with soft or nonexistent quality checks and huge commercial interests have created a global crisis in the publishing market. Their publishing practices have been thoroughly examined, leading to the blacklisting of many journals by Jeffrey Beall. However, it appears that some subscription journals are also falling short of adhering to the international recommendations of global editorial associations. Unethical editing agencies that promote their services in non-mainstream science countries create more problems for inexperienced authors. It is suggested to regularly monitor the quality of already indexed journals and upgrade criteria of covering new sources by the Emerging Sources Citation Index (Web of Science), Scopus, and specialist bibliographic databases. Regional awareness campaigns to inform stakeholders of science communication about the importance of ethical writing, transparency of editing services, and permanent archiving can be also helpful for eradicating unethical publishing practices. © 2017 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

A Preliminary Study on the Possibility of Using Ultrasound in Driver Assistance Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Hiroshi; Honda, Hirohiko

This paper presents a preliminary study on the possibility of using ultrasound in driver assistance systems. Subjects' lap time in a driving video game was measured as an index of their performance of driving operations under acoustic conditions with and without an ultrasound signal at 23kHz, 70dB. The results show that the performance characteristics of the subjects changed when the ultrasound signal was presented. Ultrasound signal tends to concentrate on handling the vehicle and decreasing an attention to check the over speed driving, as a second task. We prove the possibility to apply ultrasound signal to control operator's attention and behavior.

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Allison Caron, a QinetiQ mechanical engineer, checks out part of the Biotube experiment which will be launched to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2010-4918

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-29

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers check the hoist connections on External Fuel Tank-122 as it is lifted toward a test cell. ET-122, the Space Shuttle Program's last external fuel tank was delivered to Kennedy's Turn Basin from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans aboard the Pegasus Barge. After testing, ET-122 eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station targeted to launch February, 2011. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2010-4923

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-29

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, External Fuel Tank-122 is being lowered toward a test stand where it will be checked out before launch. ET-122, the Space Shuttle Program's last external fuel tank was delivered to Kennedy's Turn Basin from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans aboard the Pegasus Barge. After testing, ET-122 eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station targeted to launch February, 2011. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2010-4925

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-29

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, External Fuel Tank-122 is being lowered onto a test stand where it will be checked out before launch. ET-122, the Space Shuttle Program's last external fuel tank was delivered to Kennedy's Turn Basin from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans aboard the Pegasus Barge. After testing ET-122 eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station targeted to launch February, 2011. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2010-4922

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-29

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, External Fuel Tank-122 is being lowered toward a test stand where it will be checked out before launch. ET-122, the Space Shuttle Program's last external fuel tank was delivered to Kennedy's Turn Basin from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans aboard the Pegasus Barge. After testing, ET-122 eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station targeted to launch February, 2011. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2010-4917

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-09-29

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers check the hoist connections on External Fuel Tank-122 as it is lifted toward a test cell. ET-122, the Space Shuttle Program's last external fuel tank was delivered to Kennedy's Turn Basin from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans aboard the Pegasus Barge. After testing, ET-122 eventually will be attached to space shuttle Endeavour for the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station targeted to launch February, 2011. For more information visit: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Dimitri Gerondidakis

KSC-2013-1058

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the payload faring for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, has been checked out and awaits the arrival of the TDRS-K. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

KSC-2013-1057

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-11

TITUSVILLE, Fla. - In the Astrotech payload processing facility in Titusville, Fla. near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the payload faring for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-K, has been checked out and awaits the arrival of the TDRS-K. Launch of the TDRS-K on the Atlas V rocket is planned for January 29, 2013. The TDRS-K spacecraft is part of the next-generation series in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System, a constellation of space-based communication satellites providing tracking, telemetry, command and high-bandwidth data return services. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/tdrs/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Distal Tracheal Resection and Reconstruction: State of the Art and Lessons Learned.

PubMed

Mathisen, Douglas

2018-05-01

Tracheal disease is an infrequent problem requiring surgery. A high index of suspicion is necessary to correctly diagnose the problems. Primary concerns are safe control and assessment of the airway, familiarity with the principles of airway surgery, preserving tracheal blood supply, and avoiding anastomotic tension. A precise reproducible anastomotic technique must be mastered. Operation requires close cooperation with a knowledgeable anesthesia team. The surgeon must understand how to achieve the least tension on the anastomosis to avoid. It is advisable to examine the airway before discharge to check for normal healing and airway patency. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Relationship Between Focused Attention Meditation Practice Habits, Psychological Symptoms, and Quality of Life.

PubMed

Bilican, F Isil

2016-12-01

This study examined the relationship between focused attention meditation practice habits, psychological symptoms, and quality of life. The participants were 30 adults from New York, NY, practicing Ananda Marga spirituality. They were administered the Symptom Check List-90-R and the Quality of Life Index. The findings pointed out while Ananda Marga meditation practice habits were not associated with improvements in psychological symptoms, longer years in meditation practice was associated with improvements in overall, social and psychological/spiritual quality of life. Longer periods of meditation practice per session were related to lower levels of overall quality of life and economic quality of life.

30 CFR 57.11058 - Check-in, check-out system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Check-in, check-out system. 57.11058 Section 57... Escapeways Escapeways-Underground Only § 57.11058 Check-in, check-out system. Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons...

30 CFR 57.11058 - Check-in, check-out system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Check-in, check-out system. 57.11058 Section 57... Escapeways Escapeways-Underground Only § 57.11058 Check-in, check-out system. Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons...

30 CFR 57.11058 - Check-in, check-out system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Check-in, check-out system. 57.11058 Section 57... Escapeways Escapeways-Underground Only § 57.11058 Check-in, check-out system. Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons...

30 CFR 57.11058 - Check-in, check-out system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Check-in, check-out system. 57.11058 Section 57... Escapeways Escapeways-Underground Only § 57.11058 Check-in, check-out system. Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons...

30 CFR 57.11058 - Check-in, check-out system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Check-in, check-out system. 57.11058 Section 57... Escapeways Escapeways-Underground Only § 57.11058 Check-in, check-out system. Each operator of an underground mine shall establish a check-in and check-out system which shall provide an accurate record of persons...

Parametric estimates for the receiver operating characteristic curve generalization for non-monotone relationships.

PubMed

Martínez-Camblor, Pablo; Pardo-Fernández, Juan C

2017-01-01

Diagnostic procedures are based on establishing certain conditions and then checking if those conditions are satisfied by a given individual. When the diagnostic procedure is based on a continuous marker, this is equivalent to fix a region or classification subset and then check if the observed value of the marker belongs to that region. Receiver operating characteristic curve is a valuable and popular tool to study and compare the diagnostic ability of a given marker. Besides, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is frequently used as an index of the global discrimination ability. This paper revises and widens the scope of the receiver operating characteristic curve definition by setting the classification subsets in which the final decision is based in the spotlight of the analysis. We revise the definition of the receiver operating characteristic curve in terms of particular classes of classification subsets and then focus on a receiver operating characteristic curve generalization for situations in which both low and high values of the marker are associated with more probability of having the studied characteristic. Parametric and non-parametric estimators of the receiver operating characteristic curve generalization are investigated. Monte Carlo studies and real data examples illustrate their practical performance.

Effects of coffee, smoking, and alcohol on liver function tests: a comprehensive cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Liver function tests (LFTs) can be affected by many factors and the proposed effects of coffee on LFT require a comprehensive evaluation. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether drinking coffee, smoking, or drinking alcohol have independent effects on LFTs in Korean health-check examinees. Methods We used the responses of 500 health-check examinees, who had participated in a self-administered questionnaire survey about coffee, alcohol drinking, and smoking habits. Results Coffee consumption was closely related to male gender, high body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking, and smoking. On univariable and multivariable analyses, drinking coffee lowered serum levels of total protein, albumin, and aspartate aminotransferases (AST). On multivariable analyses, smoking raised serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level and decreased serum protein and albumin levels, while alcohol drinking raised GGT level after adjustment for age, gender, regular medication, BMI, coffee and alcohol drinking amounts, and smoking. Conclusions Coffee consumption, smoking, and alcohol drinking affect the individual components of LFT in different ways, and the above 3 habits each have an impact on LFTs. Therefore, their effects on LFTs should be carefully interpreted, and further study on the mechanism of the effects is warranted. PMID:23075166

[Use of multiple regression models in observational studies (1970-2013) and requirements of the STROBE guidelines in Spanish scientific journals].

PubMed

Real, J; Cleries, R; Forné, C; Roso-Llorach, A; Martínez-Sánchez, J M

In medicine and biomedical research, statistical techniques like logistic, linear, Cox and Poisson regression are widely known. The main objective is to describe the evolution of multivariate techniques used in observational studies indexed in PubMed (1970-2013), and to check the requirements of the STROBE guidelines in the author guidelines in Spanish journals indexed in PubMed. A targeted PubMed search was performed to identify papers that used logistic linear Cox and Poisson models. Furthermore, a review was also made of the author guidelines of journals published in Spain and indexed in PubMed and Web of Science. Only 6.1% of the indexed manuscripts included a term related to multivariate analysis, increasing from 0.14% in 1980 to 12.3% in 2013. In 2013, 6.7, 2.5, 3.5, and 0.31% of the manuscripts contained terms related to logistic, linear, Cox and Poisson regression, respectively. On the other hand, 12.8% of journals author guidelines explicitly recommend to follow the STROBE guidelines, and 35.9% recommend the CONSORT guideline. A low percentage of Spanish scientific journals indexed in PubMed include the STROBE statement requirement in the author guidelines. Multivariate regression models in published observational studies such as logistic regression, linear, Cox and Poisson are increasingly used both at international level, as well as in journals published in Spanish. Copyright © 2015 Sociedad Española de Médicos de Atención Primaria (SEMERGEN). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Insulin secretion and insulin resistance in Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance.

PubMed

Yang, Sae Jeong; Kim, Tae Nyun; Baik, Sei Hyun; Kim, Tae Sun; Lee, Kwan Woo; Nam, Moonsuk; Park, Yong Soo; Woo, Jeong-Teak; Kim, Young Seol; Kim, Sung-Hoon

2013-05-01

The aim was to compare the insulin sensitivity and secretion index of pregnant Korean women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT; only one abnormal value according to the Carpenter and Coustan criteria), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,163 pregnant women with positive (1-hour plasma glucose ≥ 7.2 mmol/L) in a 50-g oral glucose challenge test (OGCT). The 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to stratify the participants into three groups: NGT (n = 588), GIGT (n = 294), and GDM (n = 281). The GDM group had higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and lower insulin sensitivity index (ISOGTT), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, homeostasis model assessment for estimation of index β-cell secretion (HOMA-B), first and second phase insulin secretion, and insulin secretion-sensitivity index (ISSI) than the NGT group (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Moreover, the GIGT group had lower ISOGTT, HOMA-B, first and second phase insulin secretion, and ISSI than the NGT group (p < 0.001 for all). Among the GIGT subjects, the 1-hour plasma glucose abnormal levels group showed significantly greater weight gain during pregnancy and higher values in the 50-g OGCT than the other two groups. Moreover, the 1-hour and 2-hour abnormal levels groups had poorer insulin secretion status than the 3-hour abnormal levels group. Korean women with GDM show impairments of both insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. In addition, GIGT is associated with both β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance.

Relationship between obesity, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the elderly agricultural and fishing population of Taiwan.

PubMed

Shen, Hsi-Che; Zhao, Zi-Hao; Hu, Yi-Chun; Chen, Yu-Fen; Tung, Tao-Hsin

2014-01-01

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the elderly agricultural and fishing population of Taipei, Taiwan. The study participants comprised 6,511 (3,971 male and 2,540 female) healthy elderly subjects voluntarily attending a teaching hospital for a physical check-up in 2010. Blood samples and real-time ultrasound-proven fatty liver sonography results were collected. The prevalence of NAFLD in this elderly population was 27.2%, including mild NAFLD (16.0%), moderate NAFLD (10.3%), and severe NAFLD (0.9%). The prevalence of moderate or severe NAFLD for metabolic syndrome proved to be substantially greater (P<0.0001, χ(2) test) for one or two metabolic factors. Using multinomial logistic regression analysis, age, sex, metabolic syndrome, and higher body mass index had a statistically significant association with mild NAFLD. Age, sex, metabolic syndrome, higher body mass index, and higher alanine aminotransferase were significantly related to moderate NAFLD. In addition, higher body mass index, higher uric acid, and higher alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly related to severe NAFLD. The sensitivity and specificity of body mass index and waist circumference as markers of NAFLD were estimated to be 81% and 84%, respectively, and 77% and 69%, respectively. The prevalence of mild or moderate NAFLD was related to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Higher body mass index was also related to severe NAFLD but not to metabolic syndrome. Targeting this population for control of obesity and improved metabolic function is important.

MRO Sequence Checking Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fisher, Forest; Gladden, Roy; Khanampornpan, Teerapat

2008-01-01

The MRO Sequence Checking Tool program, mro_check, automates significant portions of the MRO (Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter) sequence checking procedure. Though MRO has similar checks to the ODY s (Mars Odyssey) Mega Check tool, the checks needed for MRO are unique to the MRO spacecraft. The MRO sequence checking tool automates the majority of the sequence validation procedure and check lists that are used to validate the sequences generated by MRO MPST (mission planning and sequencing team). The tool performs more than 50 different checks on the sequence. The automation varies from summarizing data about the sequence needed for visual verification of the sequence, to performing automated checks on the sequence and providing a report for each step. To allow for the addition of new checks as needed, this tool is built in a modular fashion.

30 CFR 77.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... pilot check wires. 77.902-2 Section 77.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only after it has been determined that the system...

30 CFR 77.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... pilot check wires. 77.902-2 Section 77.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only after it has been determined that the system...

Interface Circuits for Self-Checking Microprocessors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rennels, D. A.; Chandramouli, R.

1986-01-01

Fault-tolerant-microcomputer concept based on enhancing "simple" computer with redundancy and self-checking logic circuits detect hardware faults. Interface and checking logic and redundant processors confer on 16-bit microcomputer ability to check itself for hardware faults. Checking circuitry also checks itself. Concept of self-checking complementary pairs (SCCP's) employed throughout ICL unit.

30 CFR 77.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... pilot check wires. 77.902-2 Section 77.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only after it has been determined that the system...

30 CFR 77.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... pilot check wires. 77.902-2 Section 77.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only after it has been determined that the system...

30 CFR 77.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... pilot check wires. 77.902-2 Section 77.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only after it has been determined that the system...

31 CFR 245.8 - Receipt or recovery of original check.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Receipt or recovery of original check... CHECKS § 245.8 Receipt or recovery of original check. (a) If the original check is received or recovered... of instructions with respect to the negotiability of such check. (b) If the original check is...

30 CFR 75.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. 75.902-2 Section 75.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if...

30 CFR 75.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires. 75.902-2 Section 75.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if...

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice

PubMed Central

Ruiz-Luna, Ana C; Salazar, Stephanie; Aspajo, Norma J; Rubio, Julio; Gasco, Manuel; Gonzales, Gustavo F

2005-01-01

Background Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca, grows exclusively in the Peruvian Andes over 4000 m altitude. It has been used traditionally to increase fertility. Previous scientific studies have demonstrated that Maca increases spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm count. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Maca on several fertility parameters of female mice at reproductive age. Methods Adult female Balb/C mice were divided at random into three main groups: i) Reproductive indexes group, ii) Implantation sites group and iii) Assessment of uterine weight in ovariectomized mice. Animals received an aqueous extract of lyophilized Yellow Maca (1 g/Kg BW) or vehicle orally as treatment. In the fertility indexes study, animals received the treatment before, during and after gestation. The fertility index, gestation index, post-natal viability index, weaning viability index and sex ratio were calculated. Sexual maturation was evaluated in the female pups by the vaginal opening (VO) day. In the implantation study, females were checked for implantation sites at gestation day 7 and the embryos were counted. In ovariectomized mice, the uterine weight was recorded at the end of treatment. Results Implantation sites were similar in mice treated with Maca and in controls. All reproductive indexes were similar in both groups of treatment. The number of pups per dam at birth and at postnatal day 4 was significantly higher in the group treated with Maca. VO day occurred earlier as litter size was smaller. Maca did not affect VO day. In ovariectomized mice, the treatment with Maca increased significantly the uterine weights in comparison to their respective control group. Conclusion Administration of aqueous extract of Yellow Maca to adult female mice increases the litter size. Moreover, this treatment increases the uterine weight in ovariectomized animals. Our study confirms for the first time some of the traditional uses of Maca to enhance female fertility. PMID:15869705

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice.

PubMed

Ruiz-Luna, Ana C; Salazar, Stephanie; Aspajo, Norma J; Rubio, Julio; Gasco, Manuel; Gonzales, Gustavo F

2005-05-03

Lepidium meyenii, known as Maca, grows exclusively in the Peruvian Andes over 4000 m altitude. It has been used traditionally to increase fertility. Previous scientific studies have demonstrated that Maca increases spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm count. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of Maca on several fertility parameters of female mice at reproductive age. Adult female Balb/C mice were divided at random into three main groups: i) Reproductive indexes group, ii) Implantation sites group and iii) Assessment of uterine weight in ovariectomized mice. Animals received an aqueous extract of lyophilized Yellow Maca (1 g/Kg BW) or vehicle orally as treatment. In the fertility indexes study, animals received the treatment before, during and after gestation. The fertility index, gestation index, post-natal viability index, weaning viability index and sex ratio were calculated. Sexual maturation was evaluated in the female pups by the vaginal opening (VO) day. In the implantation study, females were checked for implantation sites at gestation day 7 and the embryos were counted. In ovariectomized mice, the uterine weight was recorded at the end of treatment. Implantation sites were similar in mice treated with Maca and in controls. All reproductive indexes were similar in both groups of treatment. The number of pups per dam at birth and at postnatal day 4 was significantly higher in the group treated with Maca. VO day occurred earlier as litter size was smaller. Maca did not affect VO day. In ovariectomized mice, the treatment with Maca increased significantly the uterine weights in comparison to their respective control group. Administration of aqueous extract of Yellow Maca to adult female mice increases the litter size. Moreover, this treatment increases the uterine weight in ovariectomized animals. Our study confirms for the first time some of the traditional uses of Maca to enhance female fertility.

The relationship of centralization, organizational culture and performance indexes in teaching hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

PubMed

Nasirpour, Amir Ashkan; Gohari, Mahmoud Reza; Moradi, Saied

2010-01-01

One of the main problems in the efficiency and efficacy of an organization is its structural issue. Organizational culture is also considered as an effective factor in the performance of many organizations. The main goal of the present study was to determine the relationship of Centralization and organizational culture and performance indexes in Teaching Hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This correlation study was performed in the year 2007. The population studied consisted of 4408 personnel from 13 hospitals among whom 441 subjects were selected and studied via a class sampling method. Data was compiled using a check list concerning the evaluation status of Centralization and another form concerning performance indexes as well as Robbin's organizational culture questionnaire. Data were obtained from the subjects by self answering and analyzed by using descriptive statistical indexes, T- test and Fisher's exact tests. Among the organizational culture indexes of the hospitals studied, control and organizational identity was better as compared to others (mean=3.32 and 3.30). Concerning the extent of Centralization in the hospitals studied, 53.85 % and 46.15 % were reported to have upper and lower organizational Centralization, respectively. Mean ratio of surgical operations to inpatients was 40%, the mean rate of admissions per active bed was 60.83, mean bed occupancy coefficient was 70.79%, average length of stay was 6.96 days, and mean net death rate was 1.41%. No significant correlation was seen between Centralization degree, organizational culture and performance indexes in teaching hospitals Tehran university of medical sciences. (with 95% confidence interval). Due to the fact that first grade Teaching hospitals use board certified members, expert personnel, and advanced equipments and because of the limitation of patients choice and, the extent of Centralization and many organizational culture components have no significant correlation with performance indexes of these hospitals. Further research regarding structure is suggested in the future.

Assignment of adverse event indexing terms in randomized clinical trials involving spinal manipulative therapy: an audit of records in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.

PubMed

Gorrell, Lindsay M; Engel, Roger M; Lystad, Reidar P; Brown, Benjamin T

2017-03-14

Reporting of adverse events in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is encouraged by the authors of The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement. With robust methodological design and adequate reporting, RCTs have the potential to provide useful evidence on the incidence of adverse events associated with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). During a previous investigation, it became apparent that comprehensive search strategies combining text words with indexing terms was not sufficiently sensitive for retrieving records that were known to contain reports on adverse events. The aim of this analysis was to compare the proportion of articles containing data on adverse events associated with SMT that were indexed in MEDLINE and/or EMBASE and the proportion of those that included adverse event-related words in their title or abstract. A sample of 140 RCT articles previously identified as containing data on adverse events associated with SMT was used. Articles were checked to determine if: (1) they had been indexed with relevant terms describing adverse events in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases; and (2) they mentioned adverse events (or any related terms) in the title or abstract. Of the 140 papers, 91% were MEDLINE records, 85% were EMBASE records, 81% were found in both MEDLINE and EMBASE records, and 4% were not in either database. Only 19% mentioned adverse event-related text words in the title or abstract. There was no significant difference between MEDLINE and EMBASE records in the proportion of available papers (p = 0.078). Of the 113 papers that were found in both MEDLINE and EMBASE records, only 3% had adverse event-related indexing terms assigned to them in both databases, while 81% were not assigned an adverse event-related indexing term in either database. While there was effective indexing of RCTs involving SMT in the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases, there was a failure of allocation of adverse event indexing terms in both databases. We recommend the development of standardized definitions and reporting tools for adverse events associated with SMT. Adequate reporting of adverse events associated with SMT will facilitate accurate indexing of these types of manuscripts in the databases.

Double checking: a second look

PubMed Central

Chreim, Samia; Forster, Alan

2015-01-01

Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives Double checking is a standard practice in many areas of health care, notwithstanding the lack of evidence supporting its efficacy. We ask in this study: ‘How do front line practitioners conceptualize double checking? What are the weaknesses of double checking? What alternate views of double checking could render it a more robust process?’ Method This is part of a larger qualitative study based on 85 semi‐structured interviews of health care practitioners in general internal medicine and obstetrics and neonatology; thematic analysis of the transcribed interviews was undertaken. Inductive and deductive themes are reported. Results Weaknesses in the double checking process include inconsistent conceptualization of double checking, double (or more) checking as a costly and time‐consuming procedure, double checking trusted as an accepted and stand‐alone process, and double checking as preventing reporting of near misses. Alternate views of double checking that would render it a more robust process include recognizing that double checking requires training and a dedicated environment, Introducing automated double checking, and expanding double checking beyond error detection. These results are linked with the concepts of collective efficiency thoroughness trade off (ETTO), an in‐family approach, and resilience. Conclusion(s) Double checking deserves more questioning, as there are limitations to the process. Practitioners could view double checking through alternate lenses, and thus help strengthen this ubiquitous practice that is rarely challenged. PMID:26568537

Relative Wave Energy based Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System model for the Estimation of Depth of Anaesthesia.

PubMed

Benzy, V K; Jasmin, E A; Koshy, Rachel Cherian; Amal, Frank; Indiradevi, K P

2018-01-01

The advancement in medical research and intelligent modeling techniques has lead to the developments in anaesthesia management. The present study is targeted to estimate the depth of anaesthesia using cognitive signal processing and intelligent modeling techniques. The neurophysiological signal that reflects cognitive state of anaesthetic drugs is the electroencephalogram signal. The information available on electroencephalogram signals during anaesthesia are drawn by extracting relative wave energy features from the anaesthetic electroencephalogram signals. Discrete wavelet transform is used to decomposes the electroencephalogram signals into four levels and then relative wave energy is computed from approximate and detail coefficients of sub-band signals. Relative wave energy is extracted to find out the degree of importance of different electroencephalogram frequency bands associated with different anaesthetic phases awake, induction, maintenance and recovery. The Kruskal-Wallis statistical test is applied on the relative wave energy features to check the discriminating capability of relative wave energy features as awake, light anaesthesia, moderate anaesthesia and deep anaesthesia. A novel depth of anaesthesia index is generated by implementing a Adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system based fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm which uses relative wave energy features as inputs. Finally, the generated depth of anaesthesia index is compared with a commercially available depth of anaesthesia monitor Bispectral index.

Top single nucleotide polymorphisms affecting carbohydrate metabolism in metabolic syndrome: from the LIPGENE study.

PubMed

Delgado-Lista, Javier; Perez-Martinez, Pablo; Solivera, Juan; Garcia-Rios, Antonio; Perez-Caballero, A I; Lovegrove, Julie A; Drevon, Christian A; Defoort, Catherine; Blaak, Ellen E; Dembinska-Kieć, Aldona; Risérus, Ulf; Herruzo-Gomez, Ezequiel; Camargo, Antonio; Ordovas, Jose M; Roche, Helen; Lopez-Miranda, José

2014-02-01

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a high-prevalence condition characterized by altered energy metabolism, insulin resistance, and elevated cardiovascular risk. Although many individual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been linked to certain MetS features, there are few studies analyzing the influence of SNPs on carbohydrate metabolism in MetS. A total of 904 SNPs (tag SNPs and functional SNPs) were tested for influence on 8 fasting and dynamic markers of carbohydrate metabolism, by performance of an intravenous glucose tolerance test in 450 participants in the LIPGENE study. From 382 initial gene-phenotype associations between SNPs and any phenotypic variables, 61 (16% of the preselected variables) remained significant after bootstrapping. Top SNPs affecting glucose metabolism variables were as follows: fasting glucose, rs26125 (PPARGC1B); fasting insulin, rs4759277 (LRP1); C-peptide, rs4759277 (LRP1); homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance, rs4759277 (LRP1); quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, rs184003 (AGER); sensitivity index, rs7301876 (ABCC9), acute insulin response to glucose, rs290481 (TCF7L2); and disposition index, rs12691 (CEBPA). We describe here the top SNPs linked to phenotypic features in carbohydrate metabolism among approximately 1000 candidate gene variations in fasting and postprandial samples of 450 patients with MetS from the LIPGENE study.

Working environment conditions in rural areas according to psychosocial indices.

PubMed

Thelin, A G

1998-01-01

The aim of this work was to study psychosocial working environment factors among farmers and other people living in rural areas. The study was carried out as a cross-section investigation. All persons visiting local occupational health service centres for a health check up have been asked to answer an inquiry which was based on the Karasek-Theorell questionnaire on job strain. Five extra items on worry about the future were added. The questionnaire was completed by over 3,800 persons. Three of four indices showed significant difference with respect to sex. Women experienced less stimulance at work, authority over work and had a greater fear of the future. Farmers had a significantly higher index for psychological demands, stimulance at work as well as authority over work than other occupational groups. The index for authority over work was very high in comparison with presented results for different occupations in other studies. With respect to worry about the future, the farmers had a significantly higher index than nearly all the other occupational groups. The low risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among farmers reported in other studies can probably be related to good psychosocial working environment as measured by the indices in this study as well as other known life style factors.

Flexible Ureterorenoscopy for Treatment of Kidney Stones: Establishment as Primary Standard Therapy in a Tertiary Stone Center.

PubMed

Ising, Stephan; Labenski, Heike; Baltes, Stefan; Khaffaf, Aso; Thomas, Christian; Wiesner, Christoph

2015-01-01

To analyze the primary stone free rate (pSFR) of flexible ureterorenoscopy (fURS) in the treatment of renal stones and to identify clinical predictors for the primary freedom from renal stones. Two hundred and seventy five patients, who underwent fURS for kidney stones were analyzed. Index stone size was 6 mm. The stone was located in the lower calyx in 48%. Ureteral access sheath was used in 97%. Operation time was 35 min and primary stone clearance was 83%. pSFR increased from 74% in 2012 to 83% in 2013 and 90% in 2014 (p = 0.001). Preoperative stenting, index stone size, cumulative stone size, lithotripsy, ureteral access sheath and operation time were significantly correlated with the pSFR by univariate analysis. Multivariate regression analysis showed index stone size, cumulative stone size, ureteral access sheath and operation time as independent parameters for pSFR. fURS for kidney stones is safe with a high pSFR. Clinical parameters for pSFR are stone size, use of ureteral access sheath and operation time. In future, the effective use of fURS for the removal of kidney stones needs to be checked by prospective randomized trials. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Attitude towards Oral Health at Various Colleges of the University of Zagreb: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Ivica, Anja; Galić, Nada

2014-06-01

The aim of this study was to compare the oral status of three various groups of students: students of the School of Dental Medicine, students of technical sciences and students of humanities. Research included 58 students of the University of Zagreb. They answered 3 questions: how often they brush their teeth, how often they visit their dentist and how important dental health is to them. After a standard dental check-up we calculated the DMFT index. They were given an indicator for plaque Mira-2-Ton® (Hager Werken, Duisburg, Germany) and we calculated the plaque index. For statistical analysis the ANOVA test was used. Students of the School of Dental Medicine had a lower plaque index than other students and this was statistically significant (p=0.0018; f=7.14). They also had a lower DMFT index, but it was not statistically significant (p=0.1004; f=2.4). 83% of students said that they brushed their teeth 2-3 times a day. Only 17% of all students brush their teeth more than 3 times a day and they are all students of the School of Dental Medicine (21% of them). Perception of oral health is on a high level, but perception of oral disease is not. The social approval of the answer was also an important factor. Students of the School of Dental Medicine are an illustrative example of improving our habits due to education.

Attitude towards Oral Health at Various Colleges of the University of Zagreb: A Pilot Study

PubMed Central

Ivica, Anja; Galić, Nada

2014-01-01

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the oral status of three various groups of students: students of the School of Dental Medicine, students of technical sciences and students of humanities. Material and methods Research included 58 students of the University of Zagreb. They answered 3 questions: how often they brush their teeth, how often they visit their dentist and how important dental health is to them. After a standard dental check-up we calculated the DMFT index. They were given an indicator for plaque Mira-2-Ton® (Hager Werken, Duisburg, Germany) and we calculated the plaque index. For statistical analysis the ANOVA test was used. Results Students of the School of Dental Medicine had a lower plaque index than other students and this was statistically significant (p=0.0018; f=7.14). They also had a lower DMFT index, but it was not statistically significant (p=0.1004; f=2.4). 83% of students said that they brushed their teeth 2-3 times a day. Only 17% of all students brush their teeth more than 3 times a day and they are all students of the School of Dental Medicine (21% of them). Perception of oral health is on a high level, but perception of oral disease is not. The social approval of the answer was also an important factor. Conclusion Students of the School of Dental Medicine are an illustrative example of improving our habits due to education. PMID:27688358

[Radiological study on the n-HA/PA66 cage used in the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion].

PubMed

Sang, Pei-ming; Zhang, Ming; Chen, Bin-hui; Cai, Chang; Gu, Shi-rong; Zhou, Min

2014-08-01

To explore the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage on recovering and maintaining lumbar curvature, lumbar heights and fusion rate when used in the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. From February to July 2012, 50 patients with degenerative lumbar disease(lumbar disc herniation in 32 cases and lumbar spondylolisthesis in 18 cases) were treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the n-HA/PA66 cage, and their preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 2, 4, 6 and 8 months after operation, during which the CR and CT film of lumbar vertebra were checked to get relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index,index of lumbar spinal curvature,angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis. The data were analyzed respectively with pair t-test, analysis of variance or LSD-t-test. All the patients were followed up, and the duraion ranged from 8 to 13 months, with a mean of 11.32 months. There were significant differences in relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index, index of lumbar spinal curvature, angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis after surgery, but there were no significant differences in different periods after operation. The fusion time of lumbar ranged from 4 to 8 months. The n-HA/PA66 cage can recover and maintain lumbar normal stability with higher rate of fusion and less complications.

PCPA protects against monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial remodeling in rats: potential roles of connective tissue growth factor.

PubMed

Bai, Yang; Li, Zhong-Xia; Zhao, Yue-Tong; Liu, Mo; Wang, Yun; Lian, Guo-Chao; Zhao, Qi; Wang, Huai-Liang

2017-12-19

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and determine whether 4-chloro-DL-phenylalanine (PCPA) could inhibit pulmonary arterial remodeling associated with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and downstream signal pathway. MCT was administered to forty Sprague Dawley rats to establish the PAH model. PCPA was administered at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg once daily for 3 weeks via intraperitoneal injection. On day 22, the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), right ventricle hypertrophy index (RVI) and pulmonary artery morphology were assessed and the serotonin receptor-1B (SR-1B), CTGF, p-ERK/ERK were measured by western blot or immunohistochemistry. The concentration of serotonin in plasma was checked by ELISA. Apoptosis and apoptosis-related indexes were detected by TUNEL and western blot. In the MCT-induced PAH models, the PAP, RVI, pulmonary vascular remodeling, SR-1B index, CTGF index, anti-apoptotic factors bcl-xl and bcl-2, serotonin concentration in plasma were all increased and the pro-apoptotic factor caspase-3 was reduced. PCPA significantly ameliorated pulmonary arterial remodeling induced by MCT, and this action was associated with accelerated apoptosis and down-regulation of CTGF, SR-1B and p-ERK/ERK. The present study suggests that PCPA protects against the pathogenesis of PAH by suppressing remodeling and inducing apoptosis, which are likely associated with CTGF and downstream ERK signaling pathway in rats.

The EMPOWER study: randomized, prospective, double-blind, multicenter trial of vagal blockade to induce weight loss in morbid obesity.

PubMed

Sarr, Michael G; Billington, Charles J; Brancatisano, Roy; Brancatisano, Anthony; Toouli, James; Kow, Lilian; Nguyen, Ninh T; Blackstone, Robin; Maher, James W; Shikora, Scott; Reeds, Dominic N; Eagon, J Christopher; Wolfe, Bruce M; O'Rourke, Robert W; Fujioka, Ken; Takata, Mark; Swain, James M; Morton, John M; Ikramuddin, Sayeed; Schweitzer, Michael; Chand, Bipan; Rosenthal, Raul

2012-11-01

Intermittent, reversible intraabdominal vagal blockade (VBLOC® Therapy) demonstrated clinically important weight loss in feasibility trials. EMPOWER, a randomized, double-blind, prospective, controlled trial was conducted in USA and Australia. Five hundred three subjects were enrolled at 15 centers. After informed consent, 294 subjects were implanted with the vagal blocking system and randomized to the treated (n = 192) or control (n = 102) group. Main outcome measures were percent excess weight loss (percent EWL) at 12 months and serious adverse events. Subjects controlled duration of therapy using an external power source; therapy involved a programmed algorithm of electrical energy delivered to the subdiaphragmatic vagal nerves to inhibit afferent/efferent vagal transmission. Devices in both groups performed regular, low-energy safety checks. Data are mean ± SEM. Study subjects consisted of 90 % females, body mass index of 41 ± 1 kg/m(2), and age of 46 ± 1 years. Device-related complications occurred in 3 % of subjects. There was no mortality. 12-month percent EWL was 17 ± 2 % for the treated and 16 ± 2 % for the control group. Weight loss was related linearly to hours of device use; treated and controls with ≥ 12 h/day use achieved 30 ± 4 and 22 ± 8 % EWL, respectively. VBLOC® therapy to treat morbid obesity was safe, but weight loss was not greater in treated compared to controls; clinically important weight loss, however, was related to hours of device use. Post-study analysis suggested that the system electrical safety checks (low charge delivered via the system for electrical impedance, safety, and diagnostic checks) may have contributed to weight loss in the control group.

Diaphragm users should follow 13 tips for best effectiveness.

PubMed

Reese, M; Hatcher, R A

1984-11-01

The following 13 tips should be presented by family planning practitioners to diaphragm users: 1) the client must be able to feel her cervix; 2) the diaphragm should be checked for tears or holes before each use; 3) it should always be used with contraceptive jelly or cream; 4) petroleum products should not be used with the diaphragm; 5) the device should be inserted in plentyof time before intercourse; 6) it should be used at every intercourse; 7) to insert the diaphragm, use 1 hand to hold the cup down and the dome up, fold the diaphragm in half, push it toward the back of the vagina, and tuck the front rim behind the pubic bone; 8) check placement of the diaphragm by ensuring that the soft rubber dome covers the cervix and the front rim is firmly behind the pubic bone; 9) be aware that the diaphragm is probably not in the correct position if it causes discomfort; 10) do not douche with the diaphragm in place; 11) leave the device in place for a least 6 hours after intercourse; 12) remove the diaphragm by hooking the index finger behind the front rim and pulling down and out, being careful not to puncture the diaphragm; and 13) wash the diaphragm with mild soap and water and store it in a platic container away from heat. If patients gain or lose more than 10 pounds, have a pregnancy or pelvic surgery, suspect that their diaphragm is too large or too small, or are experiencing discomfort or pain, they should have the fit checked. Finally, since several cases of toxic shock syndrome have occured in diaphragm users, patients should avoid leaving the diaphragm in place more than 24 hours and avoid its use during menstruation.

Comprehensive clinical commissioning and validation of the RayStation treatment planning system for proton therapy with active scanning and passive treatment techniques.

PubMed

Bäumer, C; Geismar, D; Koska, B; Kramer, P H; Lambert, J; Lemke, M; Plaude, S; Pschichholz, L; Qamhiyeh, S; Schiemann, A; Timmermann, B; Vermeren, X

2017-11-01

To commission the treatment planning system (TPS) RayStation for proton therapy including beam models for spot scanning and for uniform scanning. Tests consist of procedures from ESTRO booklet number 7, the German DIN for constancy checks of TPSs, and extra tests checking the dose perturbation function. The dose distributions within patients were verified in silico by a comparison of 65 clinical treatment plans with the TPS XiO. Dose-volume parameters, dose differences, and three-dimensional gamma-indices serve as measures of similarity. The monthly constancy checks of Raystation have been automatized with a script. The basic functionality of the software complies with ESTRO booklet number 7. For a few features minor enhancements are suggested. The dose distribution in RayStation agrees with the calculation in XiO. This is supported by a gamma-index (3mm/3%) pass rate of >98.9% (median over 59 plans) for the volume within the 20% isodose line and a difference of <0.3% of V 95 of the PTV (median over 59 plans). If spot scanning is used together with a range shifter, the dose level calculated by RayStation can be off by a few percent. RayStation can be used for the creation of clinical proton treatment plans. Compared to XiO RayStation has an improved modelling of the lateral dose fall-off in passively delivered fields. For spot scanning fields with range shifter blocks an empirical adjustment of monitor units is required. The computation of perturbed doses also allows the evaluation of the robustness of a treatment plan. Copyright © 2017 Associazione Italiana di Fisica Medica. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Longitudinal Associations between Triglycerides and Metabolic Syndrome Components in a Beijing Adult Population, 2007-2012.

PubMed

Tao, Li-Xin; Yang, Kun; Liu, Xiang-Tong; Cao, Kai; Zhu, Hui-Ping; Luo, Yan-Xia; Guo, Jin; Wu, Li-Juan; Li, Xia; Guo, Xiu-Hua

2016-01-01

Longitudinal associations between triglycerides (TG) and other metabolic syndrome (MetS) components have rarely been reported. The purpose was to investigate the longitudinal association between TG and other MetS components with time. The longitudinal study was established in 2007 on individuals who attended health check-ups at Beijing Tongren Hospital and Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital. Data used in this study was based on 7489 participants who had at least three health check-ups over a period of 5-year follow up. Joint model was used to explore longitudinal associations between TG and other MetS components after adjusted for age. There were positive correlations between TG and other MetS components except for high density lipoprotein (HDL), and the correlations increased with time. A negative correlation was displayed between TG and HDL, and the correlation also increased with time. Among all five pairs of TG and other MetS components, the marginal correlation between TG and body mass index (BMI) was the largest for both men and women. The marginal correlation between TG and fasting plasma glucose was the smallest for men, while the marginal correlation between TG and diastolic blood pressure was the smallest for women. The longitudinal association between TG and other MetS components increased with time. Among five pairs of TG and other MetS components, the longitudinal correlation between TG and BMI was the largest. It is important to closely monitor subjects with high levels of TG and BMI in health check-up population especially for women, because these two components are closely associated with development of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic diseases.

30 CFR 75.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... pilot check wires. 75.902-2 Section 75.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if... ground continuity is broken. ...

30 CFR 75.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... pilot check wires. 75.902-2 Section 75.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if... ground continuity is broken. ...

30 CFR 75.902-2 - Approved ground check systems not employing pilot check wires.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... pilot check wires. 75.902-2 Section 75.902-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... employing pilot check wires. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if... ground continuity is broken. ...

Modelling spoilage of fresh turbot and evaluation of a time-temperature integrator (TTI) label under fluctuating temperature.

PubMed

Nuin, Maider; Alfaro, Begoña; Cruz, Ziortza; Argarate, Nerea; George, Susie; Le Marc, Yvan; Olley, June; Pin, Carmen

2008-10-31

Kinetic models were developed to predict the microbial spoilage and the sensory quality of fresh fish and to evaluate the efficiency of a commercial time-temperature integrator (TTI) label, Fresh Check(R), to monitor shelf life. Farmed turbot (Psetta maxima) samples were packaged in PVC film and stored at 0, 5, 10 and 15 degrees C. Microbial growth and sensory attributes were monitored at regular time intervals. The response of the Fresh Check device was measured at the same temperatures during the storage period. The sensory perception was quantified according to a global sensory indicator obtained by principal component analysis as well as to the Quality Index Method, QIM, as described by Rahman and Olley [Rahman, H.A., Olley, J., 1984. Assessment of sensory techniques for quality assessment of Australian fish. CSIRO Tasmanian Regional Laboratory. Occasional paper n. 8. Available from the Australian Maritime College library. Newnham. Tasmania]. Both methods were found equally valid to monitor the loss of sensory quality. The maximum specific growth rate of spoilage bacteria, the rate of change of the sensory indicators and the rate of change of the colour measurements of the TTI label were modelled as a function of temperature. The temperature had a similar effect on the bacteria, sensory and Fresh Check kinetics. At the time of sensory rejection, the bacterial load was ca. 10(5)-10(6) cfu/g. The end of shelf life indicated by the Fresh Check label was close to the sensory rejection time. The performance of the models was validated under fluctuating temperature conditions by comparing the predicted and measured values for all microbial, sensory and TTI responses. The models have been implemented in a Visual Basic add-in for Excel called "Fish Shelf Life Prediction (FSLP)". This program predicts sensory acceptability and growth of spoilage bacteria in fish and the response of the TTI at constant and fluctuating temperature conditions. The program is freely available at http://www.azti.es/muestracontenido.asp?idcontenido=980&content=15&nodo1=30&nodo2=0.

Health on the Web: Randomised Controlled Trial of Online Screening and Brief Alcohol Intervention Delivered in a Workplace Setting

PubMed Central

Khadjesari, Zarnie; Freemantle, Nick; Linke, Stuart; Hunter, Rachael; Murray, Elizabeth

2014-01-01

Background Alcohol misuse in England costs around £7.3 billion (US$12.2 billion) annually from lost productivity and absenteeism. Delivering brief alcohol interventions to employees as part of a health check may be acceptable, particularly with online delivery which can provide privacy for this stigmatised behaviour. Research to support this approach is limited and methodologically weak. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of online screening and personalised feedback on alcohol consumption, delivered in a workplace as part of a health check. Methods and Findings This two-group online individually randomised controlled trial recruited employees from a UK-based private sector organisation (approx. 100,000 employees). 3,375 employees completed the online health check in the three week recruitment period. Of these, 1,330 (39%) scored five or more on the AUDIT-C (indicating alcohol misuse) and were randomised to receive personalised feedback on their alcohol intake, alongside feedback on other health behaviours (n = 659), or to receive feedback on all health behaviours except alcohol intake (n = 671). Participants were mostly male (75%), with a median age of 48 years and half were in managerial positions (55%). Median Body Mass Index was 26, 12% were smokers, median time undertaking moderate/vigorous physical activity a week was 173 minutes and median fruit and vegetable consumption was three portions a day. Eighty percent (n = 1,066) of participants completed follow-up questionnaires at three months. An intention to treat analysis found no difference between experimental groups for past week drinking (primary outcome) (5.6% increase associated with the intervention (95% CI −4.7% to 16.9%; p = .30)), AUDIT (measure of alcohol-related harm) and health utility (EQ-5D). Conclusions There was no evidence to support the use of personalised feedback within an online health check for reducing alcohol consumption among employees in this organisation. Further research is needed on how to engage a larger proportion of employees in screening. Trial Registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register ISRCTN50658915 PMID:25409454

10 CFR 73.59 - Relief from fingerprinting, identification and criminal history records checks and other elements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... history records checks and other elements of background checks for designated categories of individuals..., identification and criminal history records checks and other elements of background checks for designated categories of individuals. Fingerprinting, and the identification and criminal history records checks...

10 CFR 73.59 - Relief from fingerprinting, identification and criminal history records checks and other elements...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... history records checks and other elements of background checks for designated categories of individuals..., identification and criminal history records checks and other elements of background checks for designated categories of individuals. Fingerprinting, and the identification and criminal history records checks...

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, John Carver, a project manager with Jacobs Technology checks the Advanced Plant Experiment, or APEX, experiment as it is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KSC-2011-2204

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-03-10

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Professor Sam Ting, Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-2 (AMS) principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, checks out the particle physics detector. AMS is designed to operate as an external experiment on the International Space Station. It will use the unique environment of space to study the universe and its origin by searching for dark matter. AMS-2 will fly to the station aboard space shuttle Endeavour's STS-134 mission targeted to launch April 19 at 7:48 p.m. EDT. For more information visit, www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts134/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

SpaceX-3 KSC Payloads: Biotube, Bric, Apex2-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-07

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Donald Houzer, a QinetiQ North America mechanical technician checks out the Advanced Plant Experiment, or APEX, experiment as it is being prepared for launch to the International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for launch on March 16 atop a Falcon 9 rocket, Dragon will be marking its fourth trip to the space station. The SpaceX-3 mission is the third of 12 flights contracted by NASA to resupply the orbiting laboratory. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/index.html Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Study of memory effects in international market indices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mariani, M. C.; Florescu, I.; Beccar Varela, M. P.; Ncheuguim, E.

2010-04-01

Long term memory effects in stock market indices that represent internationally diversified stocks are analyzed in this paper and the results are compared with the S&P 500 index. The Hurst exponent and the Detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) technique are the tools used for this analysis. The financial time-series data of these indices are tested with the Normalized Truncated Levy Flight to check whether the evolution of these indices is explained by the TLF. Some features that seem to be specific for international indices are discovered and briefly discussed. In particular, a potential investor seems to be faced with new investment opportunities in emerging markets during and especially after a crisis.

Different geomagnetic indices as an indicator for geo-effective solar storms and human physiological state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dimitrova, Svetla

2008-02-01

A group of 86 healthy volunteers were examined on each working day during periods of high solar activity. Data about systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate and subjective psycho-physiological complaints were gathered. MANOVA was employed to check the significance of the influence of three factors on the physiological parameters. The factors were as follows: (1) geomagnetic activity estimated by daily amplitude of H-component of the local geomagnetic field, Ap- and Dst-index; (2) gender; and (3) the presence of medication. Average values of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and subjective complaints of the group were found to increase significantly with geomagnetic activity increment.

38 CFR 3.1003 - Returned and canceled checks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Returned and canceled... canceled checks. Where the payee of a check for benefits has died prior to negotiating the check, the check shall be returned to the issuing office and canceled. (a) The amount represented by the returned check...

14 CFR 121.411 - Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and... § 121.411 Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator). Link to an amendment... airman (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted, to conduct flight checks or instruction in...

The development and validation of a test of science critical thinking for fifth graders.

PubMed

Mapeala, Ruslan; Siew, Nyet Moi

2015-01-01

The paper described the development and validation of the Test of Science Critical Thinking (TSCT) to measure the three critical thinking skill constructs: comparing and contrasting, sequencing, and identifying cause and effect. The initial TSCT consisted of 55 multiple choice test items, each of which required participants to select a correct response and a correct choice of critical thinking used for their response. Data were obtained from a purposive sampling of 30 fifth graders in a pilot study carried out in a primary school in Sabah, Malaysia. Students underwent the sessions of teaching and learning activities for 9 weeks using the Thinking Maps-aided Problem-Based Learning Module before they answered the TSCT test. Analyses were conducted to check on difficulty index (p) and discrimination index (d), internal consistency reliability, content validity, and face validity. Analysis of the test-retest reliability data was conducted separately for a group of fifth graders with similar ability. Findings of the pilot study showed that out of initial 55 administered items, only 30 items with relatively good difficulty index (p) ranged from 0.40 to 0.60 and with good discrimination index (d) ranged within 0.20-1.00 were selected. The Kuder-Richardson reliability value was found to be appropriate and relatively high with 0.70, 0.73 and 0.92 for identifying cause and effect, sequencing, and comparing and contrasting respectively. The content validity index obtained from three expert judgments equalled or exceeded 0.95. In addition, test-retest reliability showed good, statistically significant correlations ([Formula: see text]). From the above results, the selected 30-item TSCT was found to have sufficient reliability and validity and would therefore represent a useful tool for measuring critical thinking ability among fifth graders in primary science.

Insulin secretion and insulin resistance in Korean women with gestational diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance

PubMed Central

Yang, Sae Jeong; Kim, Tae Nyun; Baik, Sei Hyun; Kim, Tae Sun; Lee, Kwan Woo; Nam, Moonsuk; Park, Yong Soo; Woo, Jeong-Teak; Kim, Young Seol

2013-01-01

Background/Aims The aim was to compare the insulin sensitivity and secretion index of pregnant Korean women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT; only one abnormal value according to the Carpenter and Coustan criteria), and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,163 pregnant women with positive (1-hour plasma glucose ≥ 7.2 mmol/L) in a 50-g oral glucose challenge test (OGCT). The 100-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to stratify the participants into three groups: NGT (n = 588), GIGT (n = 294), and GDM (n = 281). Results The GDM group had higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and lower insulin sensitivity index (ISOGTT), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, homeostasis model assessment for estimation of index β-cell secretion (HOMA-B), first and second phase insulin secretion, and insulin secretion-sensitivity index (ISSI) than the NGT group (p ≤ 0.001 for all). Moreover, the GIGT group had lower ISOGTT, HOMA-B, first and second phase insulin secretion, and ISSI than the NGT group (p < 0.001 for all). Among the GIGT subjects, the 1-hour plasma glucose abnormal levels group showed significantly greater weight gain during pregnancy and higher values in the 50-g OGCT than the other two groups. Moreover, the 1-hour and 2-hour abnormal levels groups had poorer insulin secretion status than the 3-hour abnormal levels group. Conclusions Korean women with GDM show impairments of both insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. In addition, GIGT is associated with both β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. PMID:23682224

Characteristics and Changes in Health Status and Life Function among Female Elderly Participants of Group Exercise.

PubMed

Tsujimoto, Hiromi; Yamada, Kazuko; Morioka, Ikuharu

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of female elderly participants of a group exercise organized by the participants themselves and the changes in their physical, mental, and social health, and life function. Findings of this study will be used for promoting effective preventive care. The subjects whose characteristics were analyzed were 394 participants and 757 nonparticipants of the group exercise. Those whose changes in health were analyzed were 52 participants and 114 nonparticipants. Locomotion Check and self-rated health score were used as indices of physical health. World Health Organization-Five well-being (S-WHO-5-J) index and self-rated life satisfaction level were used as indices of mental health. Satisfaction level of social activities was one of indices of social health. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence was used as an index of life function. The health-examination data analyzed were Body Mass Index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and HbA1c level. In the participant group, the proportions of those who lived alone, who were affluent, and who had no job were higher than those in the nonparticipant group. The indices of physical, mental and social health and life function were higher in the participant group. There was no significant difference in the 5-year trend of health-examination data between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the yearly change in the indices of physical health and life function. The S-WHO-5-J index, self-rated life satisfaction level, and satisfaction level of social activities were maintained or improved in the participant group. The results suggest the possible usefulness of the group exercise for maintaining the mental and social health of elderly women.

The use of self checks and voting in software error detection - An empirical study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leveson, Nancy G.; Cha, Stephen S.; Knight, John C.; Shimeall, Timothy J.

1990-01-01

The results of an empirical study of software error detection using self checks and N-version voting are presented. Working independently, each of 24 programmers first prepared a set of self checks using just the requirements specification of an aerospace application, and then each added self checks to an existing implementation of that specification. The modified programs were executed to measure the error-detection performance of the checks and to compare this with error detection using simple voting among multiple versions. The analysis of the checks revealed that there are great differences in the ability of individual programmers to design effective checks. It was found that some checks that might have been effective failed to detect an error because they were badly placed, and there were numerous instances of checks signaling nonexistent errors. In general, specification-based checks alone were not as effective as specification-based checks combined with code-based checks. Self checks made it possible to identify faults that had not been detected previously by voting 28 versions of the program over a million randomly generated inputs. This appeared to result from the fact that the self checks could examine the internal state of the executing program, whereas voting examines only final results of computations. If internal states had to be identical in N-version voting systems, then there would be no reason to write multiple versions.

14 CFR 121.411 - Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and... § 121.411 Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator). (a) For the purposes of this section and § 121.413: (1) A check airman (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted...

14 CFR 121.411 - Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and... § 121.411 Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator). (a) For the purposes of this section and § 121.413: (1) A check airman (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted...

14 CFR 121.411 - Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and... § 121.411 Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator). (a) For the purposes of this section and § 121.413: (1) A check airman (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted...

14 CFR 121.411 - Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and... § 121.411 Qualifications: Check airmen (airplane) and check airmen (simulator). (a) For the purposes of this section and § 121.413: (1) A check airman (airplane) is a person who is qualified, and permitted...

[Factors Associated with Stress Check Attendance: Possible Effect of Timing of Annual Health Examination].

PubMed

Ishimaru, Tomohiro; Hattori, Michihiro; Nagata, Masako; Kuwahara, Keisuke; Watanabe, Seiji; Mori, Koji

2018-01-01

The stress check program has been part of annual employees' health screening since 2015. Employees are recommended, but not obliged, to undergo the stress check offered. This study was designed to examine the factors associated with stress check attendance. A total of 31,156 Japanese employees who underwent an annual health examination and a stress check service at an Occupational Health Service Center in 2016 participated in this study. Data from the annual health examination and stress check service included stress check attendance, date of attendance (if implemented), gender, age, workplace industry, number of employees at the workplace, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The mean rate of stress check attendance was 90.8%. A higher rate of stress check attendance was associated with a lower duration from the annual health examination, age ≥30 years, construction and transport industry, and 50-999 employees at the workplace. A lower rate of stress check attendance was associated with medical and welfare industry and ≥1,000 employees at the workplace. These findings provide insights into developing strategies for improving the rate of stress check attendance. In particular, stress check attendance may improve if the stress check service and annual health examination are conducted simultaneously.

Construct validity and reliability of the Single Checking Administration of Medications Scale.

PubMed

O'Connell, Beverly; Hawkins, Mary; Ockerby, Cherene

2013-06-01

Research indicates that single checking of medications is as safe as double checking; however, many nurses are averse to independently checking medications. To assist with the introduction and use of single checking, a measure of nurses' attitudes, the thirteen-item Single Checking Administration of Medications Scale (SCAMS) was developed. We examined the psychometric properties of the SCAMS. Secondary analyses were conducted on data collected from 503 nurses across a large Australian health-care service. Analyses using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported by structural equation modelling resulted in a valid twelve-item SCAMS containing two reliable subscales, the nine-item Attitudes towards single checking and three-item Advantages of single checking subscales. The SCAMS is recommended as a valid and reliable measure for monitoring nurses' attitudes to single checking prior to introducing single checking medications and after its implementation. © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

A spatio-temporal index for aerial full waveform laser scanning data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laefer, Debra F.; Vo, Anh-Vu; Bertolotto, Michela

2018-04-01

Aerial laser scanning is increasingly available in the full waveform version of the raw signal, which can provide greater insight into and control over the data and, thus, richer information about the scanned scenes. However, when compared to conventional discrete point storage, preserving raw waveforms leads to vastly larger and more complex data volumes. To begin addressing these challenges, this paper introduces a novel bi-level approach for storing and indexing full waveform (FWF) laser scanning data in a relational database environment, while considering both the spatial and the temporal dimensions of that data. In the storage scheme's upper level, the full waveform datasets are partitioned into spatial and temporal coherent groups that are indexed by a two-dimensional R∗-tree. To further accelerate intra-block data retrieval, at the lower level a three-dimensional local octree is created for each pulse block. The local octrees are implemented in-memory and can be efficiently written to a database for reuse. The indexing solution enables scalable and efficient three-dimensional (3D) spatial and spatio-temporal queries on the actual pulse data - functionalities not available in other systems. The proposed FWF laser scanning data solution is capable of managing multiple FWF datasets derived from large flight missions. The flight structure is embedded into the data storage model and can be used for querying predicates. Such functionality is important to FWF data exploration since aircraft locations and orientations are frequently required for FWF data analyses. Empirical tests on real datasets of up to 1 billion pulses from Dublin, Ireland prove the almost perfect scalability of the system. The use of the local 3D octree in the indexing structure accelerated pulse clipping by 1.2-3.5 times for non-axis-aligned (NAA) polyhedron shaped clipping windows, while axis-aligned (AA) polyhedron clipping was better served using only the top indexing layer. The distinct behaviours of the hybrid indexing for AA and NAA clipping windows are attributable to the different proportion of the local-index-related overheads with respect to the total querying costs. When temporal constraints were added, generally the number of costly spatial checks were reduced, thereby shortening the querying times.

Adiponectin levels are reduced, independent of polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene, after supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid among healthy adults.

PubMed

Nelson, Tracy L; Stevens, James R; Hickey, Matthew S

2007-09-01

Our first aim was to determine whether an isocaloric intervention using alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in the form of flaxseed oil would alter adiponectin levels among overweight, otherwise healthy, males and females, and our second aim was to test for any potential modification of this intervention by 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (276 and 45) in the adiponectin gene. Subjects included healthy adult males and females (approximately 81% female; average age, 38 years) with increased waist circumference (mean, 99 cm) and body mass index (mean, 30 kg/m(2)) who were free of chronic disease, not taking medications, and sedentary. Subjects met weekly with a registered dietician for 8 weeks. The control subjects (n = 27) were instructed not to alter their habitual diet and the ALA group (n = 30) was instructed to follow an enriched ALA diet by using flaxseed oil capsules (increasing ALA to 5% of total energy intake) and to lower their dietary fat consumption by a commensurate amount. Diets were analyzed using the Food Intake and Analysis System (v. 3.0, University of Texas School of Public Health, 1998). Fasting blood samples were obtained before and after the 8-week intervention. We found significant decreases (P = .02) in adiponectin (10.12 microg/mL pre, 9.23 microg/mL post) in the ALA group as compared with the control group (7.93 microg/mL pre, 8.10 microg/mL post) after the intervention. We also saw a decline in adiponectin in all genotype groups with the greatest decline among those carrying the rare T allele of single nucleotide polymorphism 276. There were no significant changes in fasting insulin, glucose, or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index values as a result of this intervention. In conclusion, this study suggests that supplementing with ALA for 8 weeks may lower adiponectin levels among healthy individuals, and this effect appears to be independent of polymorphisms in the adiponectin gene. Although the change in adiponectin in response to the omega-3 fatty acids was not accompanied by any change in glucose, insulin, or quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, long-term implications of such a decrease should be considered in future studies.

Check-In Check-Out + Social Skills: Enhancing the Effects of Check-In Check-Out for Students With Social Skill Deficits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ross, Scott W.; Sabey, Christian V.

2015-01-01

Check-In Check-Out is a Tier 2 intervention designed to reduce problem behavior and increase prosocial behavior. Although the intervention has demonstrated effects in several studies, few research efforts have considered how the intervention can be modified to support students with social skill deficits. Through a multiple baseline design across…

30 CFR 75.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 75.803-2 Section 75.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... Underground High-Voltage Distribution § 75.803-2 Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if it...

30 CFR 77.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 77.803-2 Section 77.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only if it is determined that the system...

30 CFR 77.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 77.803-2 Section 77.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only if it is determined that the system...

30 CFR 75.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 75.803-2 Section 75.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... Underground High-Voltage Distribution § 75.803-2 Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if it...

30 CFR 77.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 77.803-2 Section 77.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only if it is determined that the system...

30 CFR 75.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 75.803-2 Section 75.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... Underground High-Voltage Distribution § 75.803-2 Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if it...

30 CFR 75.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 75.803-2 Section 75.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... Underground High-Voltage Distribution § 75.803-2 Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if it...

30 CFR 75.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 75.803-2 Section 75.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... Underground High-Voltage Distribution § 75.803-2 Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires will be approved only if it...

30 CFR 77.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 77.803-2 Section 77.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only if it is determined that the system...

30 CFR 77.803-2 - Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... wires; approval by the Secretary. 77.803-2 Section 77.803-2 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH... check systems not employing pilot check wires; approval by the Secretary. Ground check systems not employing pilot check wires shall be approved by the Secretary only if it is determined that the system...

Building validation tools for knowledge-based systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stachowitz, R. A.; Chang, C. L.; Stock, T. S.; Combs, J. B.

1987-01-01

The Expert Systems Validation Associate (EVA), a validation system under development at the Lockheed Artificial Intelligence Center for more than a year, provides a wide range of validation tools to check the correctness, consistency and completeness of a knowledge-based system. A declarative meta-language (higher-order language), is used to create a generic version of EVA to validate applications written in arbitrary expert system shells. The architecture and functionality of EVA are presented. The functionality includes Structure Check, Logic Check, Extended Structure Check (using semantic information), Extended Logic Check, Semantic Check, Omission Check, Rule Refinement, Control Check, Test Case Generation, Error Localization, and Behavior Verification.

Exercise dependence among customers from a Parisian sport shop.

PubMed

Lejoyeux, Michel; Guillot, Cecilia; Chalvin, Florence; Petit, Aymeric; Lequen, Valerie

2012-03-01

We assessed exercise dependence (ED), alcohol and nicotine use disorders, eating disorders, hypochondria and compulsive buying and in a population of customers of a Parisian sport shop. Five hundred consecutive customers of a sport shop were invited to participate. Diagnostic of exercise dependence was made with the Exercise Addiction Inventory and a specific questionnaire checking all diagnostic criteria. The DSM-IV-TR criteria for bulimia, alcohol and nicotine use disorders were checked and all subjects answered the CAGE and Fagerström questionnaires. Hypochondria was assessed with the DSM-IV-TR criteria and the Whiteley Index of Health Anxiety. For all parameters, customers with (ED+) and without (ED-) exercise dependence were compared. The prevalence of exercise dependence was 29.6%. Subjects from the ED+ group were younger than in the ED-group (27.1 vs 29.8 years) and there were more women. They were more dependent on alcohol, had higher scores at the CAGE questionnaire. ED+ subjects more often presented hypochondria (23 vs 15%), bulimia and binge eating and they more often made gifts to themselves and to others. Exercise dependence appears as a frequent and almost always unrecognized form of behavioral dependence in non clinical population frequenting sport shops. It is frequently associated to chemical dependence and eating disorders.

The efficacy of a diabetic educational program and predictors of compliance of patients with noninsulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Mokabel, Fatma M.; Aboulazm, Shadia F.; Hassan, Hanan E.; Al-Qahtani, Mona F.; Alrashedi, Seham F.; Zainuddin, Fatma A.

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND: The concept of detection and management of diabetes mellitus at primary health-care centers is justified and widely practised in Saudi Arabia. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of diabetic educational programs for noninsulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus patients, and to determine the predictors of compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal experimental research design was adopted for this study and conducted at the diabetic outpatient clinic of King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A convenient sample of 150 adult patients diagnosed as type 2 diabetes was included in this study. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in the body mass index (BMI) of patients, an improvement in regular self-checks of blood sugar, dietary regimen, foot care, and exercise and lifestyle behavior following the educational program. It was observed that patients' knowledge of diabetes had improved after exposure to the educational program in the three-time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus exhibited significant change in both BMI, sugar accumulation, and adherence to medication after attending the educational program, and there was evidence of improved knowledge of regular self-checks of blood sugar, dietary regimen, foot care, exercise, and lifestyle behavior. PMID:28932161

Liver fat contents, abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance in non-diabetic prevalent hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Chen, Hung-Yuan; Lin, Chien-Chu; Chiu, Yen-Ling; Hsu, Shih-Ping; Pai, Mei-Fen; Yang, Ju-Yeh; Wu, Hon-Yen; Peng, Yu-Sen

2014-01-01

The liver fat contents and abdominal adiposity correlate well with insulin resistance (IR) in the general population. However, the relationship between liver fat content, abdominal adiposity and IR in non-diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the associations among these factors. This is a cross-sectional, observational study. All patients received abdominal ultrasound for liver fat content. Abdominal adiposity was quantified with the conicity index (Ci) and waist circumference (WC). We checked the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) for IR. A total of 112 patients (60 women) were analyzed. Subjects with higher liver fat contents and WC had higher IR indices. But Ci did not correlate with IR indices. In both the multi-variable linear regression model and the logistic regression model, only higher liver fat content predicted a severe IR status. Liver fat contents have a remarkable correlation with IR; however, abdominal adiposity, measured either by Ci or WC, dose not independently correlate with IR in non-diabetic prevalent HD patients. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Integrated risk assessment and screening analysis of drinking water safety of a conventional water supply system.

PubMed

Sun, F; Chen, J; Tong, Q; Zeng, S

2007-01-01

Management of drinking water safety is changing towards an integrated risk assessment and risk management approach that includes all processes in a water supply system from catchment to consumers. However, given the large number of water supply systems in China and the cost of implementing such a risk assessment procedure, there is a necessity to first conduct a strategic screening analysis at a national level. An integrated methodology of risk assessment and screening analysis is thus proposed to evaluate drinking water safety of a conventional water supply system. The violation probability, indicating drinking water safety, is estimated at different locations of a water supply system in terms of permanganate index, ammonia nitrogen, turbidity, residual chlorine and trihalomethanes. Critical parameters with respect to drinking water safety are then identified, based on which an index system is developed to prioritize conventional water supply systems in implementing a detailed risk assessment procedure. The evaluation results are represented as graphic check matrices for the concerned hazards in drinking water, from which the vulnerability of a conventional water supply system is characterized.

UV index experimental values during the years 2000 and 2001 from the Spanish broadband UV-B radiometric network.

PubMed

Martínez-Lozano, José A; Marín, María J; Tena, Fernando; Utrillas, María P; Sánchez-Muniosguren, Luis; González-Frías, Carlos; Cuevas, Emilio; Redondas, Alberto; Lorente, Jerónimo; de Cabo, Xavier; Cachorro, Victoria; Vergaz, Ricardo; de Frutos, Angel; Díaz, Juan P; Expósito, Francisco J; de la Morena, Benito; Vilaplana, José M

2002-08-01

An analysis is made of experimental ultraviolet erythemal solar radiation data measured during the years 2000 and 2001 by the Spanish UV-B radiation evaluation and prediction network. This network consists of 16 Robertson-Berger type pyranometers for evaluating solar erythemal radiation and five Brewer spectroradiometers for evaluating the stratospheric ozone. On the basis of these data the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) was evaluated for the measuring stations that are located either in coastal regions or in the more densely populated regions inland on the Iberian Peninsula. It has been checked that in most cases the maximum irradiance values corresponded to solar noon, although there were exceptions that could be explained by cloudiness. The maximum experimental values of the UVI were around 9 during the summer, though frequently passing this value at the inland measurement stations. The annual accumulated dose of irradiation on a horizontal plane has also been studied, as well as the evolution through the year in units of energy, standard erythemal doses and minimum erythemal doses, according to different phototypes.

A novel approach of ensuring layout regularity correct by construction in advanced technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Shafquat Jahan; Vaderiya, Yagnesh; Gupta, Radhika; Parthasarathy, Chittoor; Marin, Jean-Claude; Robert, Frederic

2017-03-01

In advanced technology nodes, layout regularity has become a mandatory prerequisite to create robust designs less sensitive to variations in manufacturing process in order to improve yield and minimizing electrical variability. In this paper we describe a method for designing regular full custom layouts based on design and process co-optimization. The method includes various design rule checks that can be used on-the-fly during leaf-cell layout development. We extract a Layout Regularity Index (LRI) from the layouts based on the jogs, alignments and pitches used in the design for any given metal layer. Regularity Index of a layout is the direct indicator of manufacturing yield and is used to compare the relative health of different layout blocks in terms of process friendliness. The method has been deployed for 28nm and 40nm technology nodes for Memory IP and is being extended to other IPs (IO, standard-cell). We have quantified the gain of layout regularity with the deployed method on printability and electrical characteristics by process-variation (PV) band simulation analysis and have achieved up-to 5nm reduction in PV band.

Relationship between overweight-obesity and periodontal disease in Mexico.

PubMed

Zermeño-Ibarra, Jorge A; Delgado-Pastrana, Soledad; Patiño-Marín, Nuria; Loyola-Rodríguez, Juan P

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine the association between overweight-obesity and periodontal disease in subjects who attended the clinic of Periodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, San Luis de Potosi, México. This was cross-sectional study involving 88 subjects--60 without overweight-obesity and 28 with overweight-obesity. The following clinical parameters were evaluated: dental bacterial plaque, index of calculus, gingivitis, probing depth and periodontal disease index (PDI). When comparing the group of subjects with overweight-obesity to the control, there were statistically significant differences in the variables calculus (p = 0.0015), gingivitis (p = 0.0050) and periodontal disease (p = 0.0154). Regarding the logistic regression analysis, the dependent variable was subjects with and without overweight-obesity and the independent variables were sex, age and periodontal disease. We found statistically significant differences (p = 0.0162) with OR = 3.16 in periodontal disease. Periodontal disease showed statistically significant differences in the group of subjects with overweight-obesity. The oral health of subjects with overweight-obesity should be supervised and checked in order to prevent oral alterations.

Photon migration through a turbid slab described by a model based on diffusion approximation. II. Comparison with Monte Carlo results.

PubMed

Martelli, F; Contini, D; Taddeucci, A; Zaccanti, G

1997-07-01

In our companion paper we presented a model to describe photon migration through a diffusing slab. The model, developed for a homogeneous slab, is based on the diffusion approximation and is able to take into account reflection at the boundaries resulting from the refractive index mismatch. In this paper the predictions of the model are compared with solutions of the radiative transfer equation obtained by Monte Carlo simulations in order to determine the applicability limits of the approximated theory in different physical conditions. A fitting procedure, carried out with the optical properties as fitting parameters, is used to check the application of the model to the inverse problem. The results show that significant errors can be made if the effect of the refractive index mismatch is not properly taken into account. Errors are more important when measurements of transmittance are used. The effects of using a receiver with a limited angular field of view and the angular distribution of the radiation that emerges from the slab have also been investigated.

[The risk of manual handling loads in the hotel sector].

PubMed

Muraca, G; Martino, L Barbaro; Abbate, A; De Pasquale, D; Barbuzza, O; Brecciaroli, R

2007-01-01

The aim of our study is to evaluate the manual handling risk and the incidence of muscle-skeletal pathologies in the hotel compartment. Our study is conducted on 264 workers of the hotel compartment. The sample is divided on the base of the working turn in the following groups: porter (both to the plans and in the kitchen); waiters to the plans; services (gardeners and workers). The duties have been valued according to the method NIOSH. The presence of muscle-skeletal pathologies has been verified on the base to the accused symptomology, and on the presence of clinical objectivity and to the reports of checks. The data has been compared to a control group. The application of the NIOSH method has showed for each working profile an elevated synthetic index, > 3, and for porter the index is 5. The clinical data has shown an elevated incidence of pathologies of the spine, especially lumbar spine, with a high prevalence in the group of male porters. In conclusion we believe that the manual handling represents a particularly remarkable risk for the workers in the hotel compartment.

A rigorous approach to self-checking programming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hua, Kien A.; Abraham, Jacob A.

1986-01-01

Self-checking programming is shown to be an effective concurrent error detection technique. The reliability of a self-checking program however relies on the quality of its assertion statements. A self-checking program written without formal guidelines could provide a poor coverage of the errors. A constructive technique for self-checking programming is presented. A Structured Program Design Language (SPDL) suitable for self-checking software development is defined. A set of formal rules, was also developed, that allows the transfromation of SPDL designs into self-checking designs to be done in a systematic manner.

Item hierarchy-based analysis of the Rivermead Mobility Index resulted in improved interpretation and enabled faster scoring in patients undergoing rehabilitation after stroke.

PubMed

Roorda, Leo D; Green, John R; Houwink, Annemieke; Bagley, Pam J; Smith, Jane; Molenaar, Ivo W; Geurts, Alexander C

2012-06-01

To enable improved interpretation of the total score and faster scoring of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) by studying item ordering or hierarchy and formulating start-and-stop rules in patients after stroke. Cohort study. Rehabilitation center in the Netherlands; stroke rehabilitation units and the community in the United Kingdom. Item hierarchy of the RMI was studied in an initial group of patients (n=620; mean age ± SD, 69.2±12.5y; 297 [48%] men; 304 [49%] left hemisphere lesion, and 269 [43%] right hemisphere lesion), and the adequacy of the item hierarchy-based start-and-stop rules was checked in a second group of patients (n=237; mean age ± SD, 60.0±11.3y; 139 [59%] men; 103 [44%] left hemisphere lesion, and 93 [39%] right hemisphere lesion) undergoing rehabilitation after stroke. Not applicable. Mokken scale analysis was used to investigate the fit of the double monotonicity model, indicating hierarchical item ordering. The percentages of patients with a difference between the RMI total score and the scores based on the start-and-stop rules were calculated to check the adequacy of these rules. The RMI had good fit of the double monotonicity model (coefficient H(T)=.87). The interpretation of the total score improved. Item hierarchy-based start-and-stop rules were formulated. The percentages of patients with a difference between the RMI total score and the score based on the recommended start-and-stop rules were 3% and 5%, respectively. Ten of the original 15 items had to be scored after applying the start-and-stop rules. Item hierarchy was established, enabling improved interpretation and faster scoring of the RMI. Copyright © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Psychological Assessment via the Internet: A Reliability and Validity Study of Online (vs Paper-and-Pencil) Versions of the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the Symptoms Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R)

PubMed Central

Jordán, Carlos M; Díaz, Marta I; Comeche, María I; Ortega, José

2007-01-01

Background Internet psychology services are rapidly increasing and that implies online assessment. To guarantee the results of these new online evaluation procedures, it is necessary to have reliable and valid assessment tools. Objective In this work we analyzed the online versions of two popular psychopathology screening questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the Symptoms Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). Methods A total of 185 psychology students were recruited from two universities in Madrid, Spain. All of them had Internet access at home. A test-retest situation and factorial analysis were used to generate reliability and validity data. Both paper-and-pencil questionnaires (test) and their online versions (retest) were completed by 100 participants (median gap = 17 days). Results Results suggest that both online questionnaires were fairly equivalent to their paper-and-pencil versions, with higher reliability values for the SCL-90-R. Factorial analysis tended to reproduce the structure shown in former investigations of both questionnaires, replicating the four-factor structure of the GHQ-28 but failing to do so with the nine-factor structure of the SCL-90-R. Instead, a large unrotated factor appeared. Conclusions Further research should be carried out to confirm these data, but our work supports the online use of both assessment tools. The psychometric properties of the online version of GHQ-28 is similar to the paper-and-pencil and we can recommend its utilization in a Web environment. In contrast, SCL-90-R can only be recommended as a global index for psychological distress, using the Global Severity Index (GSI), not necessarily its subscales; and it should be considered that the online scores were lower than the ones with the paper-and-pencil version. PMID:17478411

Psychological assessment via the internet: a reliability and validity study of online (vs paper-and-pencil) versions of the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the Symptoms Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).

PubMed

Vallejo, Miguel A; Jordán, Carlos M; Díaz, Marta I; Comeche, María I; Ortega, José

2007-01-31

Internet psychology services are rapidly increasing and that implies online assessment. To guarantee the results of these new online evaluation procedures, it is necessary to have reliable and valid assessment tools. In this work we analyzed the online versions of two popular psychopathology screening questionnaires: the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the Symptoms Check-List-90-Revised (SCL-90-R). A total of 185 psychology students were recruited from two universities in Madrid, Spain. All of them had Internet access at home. A test-retest situation and factorial analysis were used to generate reliability and validity data. Both paper-and-pencil questionnaires (test) and their online versions (retest) were completed by 100 participants (median gap = 17 days). Results suggest that both online questionnaires were fairly equivalent to their paper-and-pencil versions, with higher reliability values for the SCL-90-R. Factorial analysis tended to reproduce the structure shown in former investigations of both questionnaires, replicating the four-factor structure of the GHQ-28 but failing to do so with the nine-factor structure of the SCL-90-R. Instead, a large unrotated factor appeared. Further research should be carried out to confirm these data, but our work supports the online use of both assessment tools. The psychometric properties of the online version of GHQ-28 is similar to the paper-and-pencil and we can recommend its utilization in a Web environment. In contrast, SCL-90-R can only be recommended as a global index for psychological distress, using the Global Severity Index (GSI), not necessarily its subscales; and it should be considered that the online scores were lower than the ones with the paper-and-pencil version.

Current Use of Underage Alcohol Compliance Checks by Enforcement Agencies in the U.S.

PubMed Central

Erickson, Darin J.; Lenk, Kathleen M.; Sanem, Julia R.; Nelson, Toben F.; Jones-Webb, Rhonda; Toomey, Traci L.

2014-01-01

Background Compliance checks conducted by law enforcement agents can significantly reduce the likelihood of illegal alcohol sales to underage individuals, but these checks need to be conducted using optimal methods to maintain effectiveness. Materials and Methods We conducted a national survey of local and state enforcement agencies in 2010–2011 to assess: (1) how many agencies are currently conducting underage alcohol compliance checks, (2) how many agencies that conduct compliance checks use optimal methods—including checking all establishments in the jurisdiction, conducting checks at least 3–4 times per year, conducting follow-up checks within 3 months, and penalizing the licensee (not only the server/clerk) for failing a compliance check, and (3) characteristics of the agencies that conduct compliance checks. Results Just over one third of local law enforcement agencies and over two thirds of state agencies reported conducting compliance checks. However, only a small percentage of the agencies (4–6%) reported using all of the optimal methods to maximize effectiveness of these compliance checks. Local law enforcement agencies with an alcohol-related division, those with at least one full-time officer assigned to work on alcohol, and those in larger communities were significantly more likely to conduct compliance checks. State agencies with more full-time agents and those located in states where the state agency or both state and local enforcement agencies have primary responsibility (vs. only the local law agency) for enforcing alcohol retail laws were also more likely to conduct compliance checks; however, these agency characteristics did not remain statistically significant in the multivariate analyses. Conclusions Continued effort is needed to increase the number of local and state agencies conducting compliance checks using optimal methods to reduce youth access to alcohol. PMID:24716443

Current use of underage alcohol compliance checks by enforcement agencies in the United States.

PubMed

Erickson, Darin J; Lenk, Kathleen M; Sanem, Julia R; Nelson, Toben F; Jones-Webb, Rhonda; Toomey, Traci L

2014-06-01

Compliance checks conducted by law enforcement agents can significantly reduce the likelihood of illegal alcohol sales to underage individuals, but these checks need to be conducted using optimal methods to maintain effectiveness. We conducted a national survey of local and state enforcement agencies from 2010 to 2011 to assess: (i) how many agencies are currently conducting underage alcohol compliance checks, (ii) how many agencies that conduct compliance checks use optimal methods-including checking all establishments in the jurisdiction, conducting checks at least 3 to 4 times per year, conducting follow-up checks within 3 months, and penalizing the licensee (not only the server/clerk) for failing a compliance check, and (iii) characteristics of the agencies that conduct compliance checks. Just over one-third of local law enforcement agencies and over two-thirds of state agencies reported conducting compliance checks. However, only a small percentage of the agencies (4 to 6%) reported using all of the optimal methods to maximize effectiveness of these compliance checks. Local law enforcement agencies with an alcohol-related division, those with at least 1 full-time officer assigned to work on alcohol, and those in larger communities were significantly more likely to conduct compliance checks. State agencies with more full-time agents and those located in states where the state agency or both state and local enforcement agencies have primary responsibility (vs. only the local law agency) for enforcing alcohol retail laws were also more likely to conduct compliance checks; however, these agency characteristics did not remain statistically significant in the multivariate analyses. Continued effort is needed to increase the number of local and state agencies conducting compliance checks using optimal methods to reduce youth access to alcohol. Copyright © 2014 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

The possibility to increase the rated output as a result of index tests performed in Iron Gates II- Romania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Novac, D.; Pantelimon, D.; Popescu, E.

2010-08-01

The Index Tests have been used for many years to obtain the optimized cam corellation between wicket gates and runner blades for double regulated turbines (Kaplan, bulb). The cam is based on homologous model tests and is verified by site measurements, as model tests generally do not reproduce the exact intake configuration. Index Tests have also a considerable importance for checking of the relative efficiency curve of all type of turbines and can demonstrate if the prototype efficiency curve at plant condition has the shape expected from the test of the homologues model. During the Index Tests measurements the influence of all losses at multiple points of turbine operation can be proved. This publication deals with an overview on the Index Tests made after modernization of large bulb units in Iron Gates II - Romania. These field tests, together with the comparative, fully homologous tests for the new hydraulic shape of the runner blades have confirmed the smooth operational behavior and the guaranteed performance. Over the whole "guaranteed operating range" for H = 8m, the characteristic of the Kaplan curve (enveloping curve to the proppeler curves), agreed very well to the predicted efficiency curve from the hydraulic prototype hill chart. The new cam correlation have been determined for different head and realised in the governor, normally based on model tests. The guaranteed, maximum turbine output for H = 7,8m is specified with 32, 5 MW. The maximum measured turbine output during the Index Tests on cam operation was 35,704 MW at the net head of 7,836 m. This coresponds to 35,458 MW for the specified head H= 7, 8 m. All these important improvements ensure a significant increase of annual energy production without any change of the civil construction and without increasing the runner diameter. Also the possibility to increase the turbine rated output is evident.

32 CFR Attachment A to Subpart B... - Standard A-National Agency Check With Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC)

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... documentation, if not completed in any previous investigation; a check of Bureau of Vital Statistics records when any discrepancy is found to exist. (5) Local Agency Checks: As a minimum, all investigations will...

32 CFR Attachment A to Subpart B... - Standard A-National Agency Check With Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC)

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... documentation, if not completed in any previous investigation; a check of Bureau of Vital Statistics records when any discrepancy is found to exist. (5) Local Agency Checks: As a minimum, all investigations will...

32 CFR Attachment A to Subpart B... - Standard A-National Agency Check With Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC)

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... documentation, if not completed in any previous investigation; a check of Bureau of Vital Statistics records when any discrepancy is found to exist. (5) Local Agency Checks: As a minimum, all investigations will...

32 CFR Attachment A to Subpart B... - Standard A-National Agency Check With Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC)

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... documentation, if not completed in any previous investigation; a check of Bureau of Vital Statistics records when any discrepancy is found to exist. (5) Local Agency Checks: As a minimum, all investigations will...

32 CFR Attachment A to Subpart B... - Standard A-National Agency Check With Local Agency Checks and Credit Check (NACLC)

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... documentation, if not completed in any previous investigation; a check of Bureau of Vital Statistics records when any discrepancy is found to exist. (5) Local Agency Checks: As a minimum, all investigations will...

Do alcohol compliance checks decrease underage sales at neighboring establishments?

PubMed

Erickson, Darin J; Smolenski, Derek J; Toomey, Traci L; Carlin, Bradley P; Wagenaar, Alexander C

2013-11-01

Underage alcohol compliance checks conducted by law enforcement agencies can reduce the likelihood of illegal alcohol sales at checked alcohol establishments, and theory suggests that an alcohol establishment that is checked may warn nearby establishments that compliance checks are being conducted in the area. In this study, we examined whether the effects of compliance checks diffuse to neighboring establishments. We used data from the Complying with the Minimum Drinking Age trial, which included more than 2,000 compliance checks conducted at more than 900 alcohol establishments. The primary outcome was the sale of alcohol to a pseudo-underage buyer without the need for age identification. A multilevel logistic regression was used to model the effect of a compliance check at each establishment as well as the effect of compliance checks at neighboring establishments within 500 m (stratified into four equal-radius concentric rings), after buyer, license, establishment, and community-level variables were controlled for. We observed a decrease in the likelihood of establishments selling alcohol to underage youth after they had been checked by law enforcement, but these effects quickly decayed over time. Establishments that had a close neighbor (within 125 m) checked in the past 90 days were also less likely to sell alcohol to young-appearing buyers. The spatial effect of compliance checks on other establishments decayed rapidly with increasing distance. Results confirm the hypothesis that the effects of police compliance checks do spill over to neighboring establishments. These findings have implications for the development of an optimal schedule of police compliance checks.

14 CFR 91.1089 - Qualifications: Check pilots (aircraft) and check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Qualifications: Check pilots (aircraft) and check pilots (simulator). 91.1089 Section 91.1089 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION... RULES Fractional Ownership Operations Program Management § 91.1089 Qualifications: Check pilots...

14 CFR 91.1089 - Qualifications: Check pilots (aircraft) and check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Qualifications: Check pilots (aircraft) and check pilots (simulator). 91.1089 Section 91.1089 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION... RULES Fractional Ownership Operations Program Management § 91.1089 Qualifications: Check pilots...

Refractive index and temperature sensing in anisotropic silver nanostructures with stable photo-physical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, Subrata; Kumbhakar, Pathik

2018-01-01

In this report, we have demonstrated the refractive index and temperature-sensing abilities of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-protected silver nanostructures of triangular, connected and plate-like shapes. Interestingly, these nanostructures even after 2 and ½ years of syntheses showed plasmonic-sensing ability of temperature in the temperature range of 283-333 K. Also, refractive index (R.I.) sensing has been demonstrated in the aged samples and obtained the highest R.I. sensitivity of 306 nm/RIU in one of the sample. The synthesized samples have been kept in dark (inside desiccators) intentionally for the extended period of 2 and ½ years after synthesis and monitored intermittently their UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) emission characteristics to check the functionally of the aged silver nanostructures. It has been found the samples remain well dispersed in different solvents and can forbid agglomeration even in 0.25 M NaCl solution. We have also demonstrated here fabrication of a flexible and transparent thin film of the synthesized samples in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and investigated its low power continuous-wave (CW) nonlinear optical properties using spatial self-phase modulation (SSPM) technique. The nonlinear refractive index ( n 2) value of the film has been determined to be 5.6 × 10- 6 cm2/W at the He-Ne laser wavelength of 632.8 nm. In this report we have demonstrated temperature and R.I. sensing and also it has been demonstrated that the synthesized samples remain functional even after 2 and ½ years of synthesis. Also, samples may find potential applications in nonlinear optical phase modulation devices.

Retinopathy diabetic screening by non-mydriatic retinography: concordance between primary care physicians, nurses and ophthalmologists.

PubMed

Rodríguez Villa, Susana; Suárez Muñiz, María Teresa; De Dios Del Valle, Ricardo; Alonso Álvarez, Crisanto

To compare the evaluation of retinographies by a teleophthalmology nurse and primary care physicians (PCP) with an ophthalmologist referral hospital (gold standard). Cross-sectional study on a random sample of 337 patients on the teleophthalmology programme from January 2010 to January 2015. We analyzed the diagnostic evaluation (whether or not it presented findings of RD) and the therapeutic assessment (whether or not referral to the opthalmology department was needed) which were conducted independently on the sample retinographies by the PCP, a nurse and an ophthalmologist (gold standard). Reliability and concordance between the gold standard and the PCP and the nurse were checked and the statistical analyses were supported using SPSSv.23.00 software and diagnostic test reliability calculators (EPIDAT 4.1). In the diagnosis of RD, the nurse presented: sensitivity (S): 0.96; specificity (Sp): 0.89; PPV: 0.58; NPV: 0.99; Kappa index: 0.67 and PCP: S: 0.98; Sp: 0.99; PPV: 0.96; NPV: 0.99; Kappa index: 0.96. In the referral to ophthalmology assessed by the nurse: S: 0.83; Sp: 0.83; PPV: 0.51; NPV: 0.96; Kappa Index: 0.53 and PCP: S: 0.62; Sp: 0.76; PPV: 0.36; NPV: 0.90; Kappa index: 0.29. A nursing teleophthalmology programme could perform population screening for RD with the same quality as PCP. This would increase coverage, in addition to providing better use of resources by avoiding intermediate patient appointments through PCP and increased health savings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Child Care: State Requirements for Background Checks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fagnoni, Cynthia

Background checks involve gathering information from state and federal databases to determine if child care providers have a history of child abuse or other criminal convictions that would make them unacceptable for working with children. Background checks include state criminal history checks, state child abuse registry checks, and Federal Bureau…

The impact of gender on the assessment of body checking behavior.

PubMed

Alfano, Lauren; Hildebrandt, Tom; Bannon, Katie; Walker, Catherine; Walton, Kate E

2011-01-01

Body checking includes any behavior aimed at global or specific evaluations of appearance characteristics. Men and women are believed to express these behaviors differently, possibly reflecting different socialization. However, there has been no empirical test of the impact of gender on body checking. A total of 1024 male and female college students completed two measures of body checking, the Body Checking Questionnaire and the Male Body Checking Questionnaire. Using multiple group confirmatory factor analysis, differential item functioning (DIF) was explored in a composite of these measures. Two global latent factors were identified (female and male body checking severity), and there were expected gender differences in these factors even after controlling for DIF. Ten items were found to be unbiased by gender and provide a suitable brief measure of body checking for mixed gender research. Practical applications for body checking assessment and theoretical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multicentre validation of IMRT pre-treatment verification: comparison of in-house and external audit.

PubMed

Jornet, Núria; Carrasco, Pablo; Beltrán, Mercè; Calvo, Juan Francisco; Escudé, Lluís; Hernández, Victor; Quera, Jaume; Sáez, Jordi

2014-09-01

We performed a multicentre intercomparison of IMRT optimisation and dose planning and IMRT pre-treatment verification methods and results. The aims were to check consistency between dose plans and to validate whether in-house pre-treatment verification results agreed with those of an external audit. Participating centres used two mock cases (prostate and head and neck) for the intercomparison and audit. Compliance to dosimetric goals and total number of MU per plan were collected. A simple quality index to compare the different plans was proposed. We compared gamma index pass rates using the centre's equipment and methodology to those of an external audit. While for the prostate case, all centres fulfilled the dosimetric goals and plan quality was homogeneous, that was not the case for the head and neck case. The number of MU did not correlate with the plan quality index. Pre-treatment verifications results of the external audit did not agree with those of the in-house measurements for two centres: being within tolerance for in-house measurements and unacceptable for the audit or the other way round. Although all plans fulfilled dosimetric constraints, plan quality is highly dependent on the planner expertise. External audits are an excellent tool to detect errors in IMRT implementation and cannot be replaced by intercomparison using results obtained by centres. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clustering analysis of line indices for LAMOST spectra with AstroStat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Shu-Xin; Sun, Wei-Min; Yan, Qi

2018-06-01

The application of data mining in astronomical surveys, such as the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) survey, provides an effective approach to automatically analyze a large amount of complex survey data. Unsupervised clustering could help astronomers find the associations and outliers in a big data set. In this paper, we employ the k-means method to perform clustering for the line index of LAMOST spectra with the powerful software AstroStat. Implementing the line index approach for analyzing astronomical spectra is an effective way to extract spectral features for low resolution spectra, which can represent the main spectral characteristics of stars. A total of 144 340 line indices for A type stars is analyzed through calculating their intra and inter distances between pairs of stars. For intra distance, we use the definition of Mahalanobis distance to explore the degree of clustering for each class, while for outlier detection, we define a local outlier factor for each spectrum. AstroStat furnishes a set of visualization tools for illustrating the analysis results. Checking the spectra detected as outliers, we find that most of them are problematic data and only a few correspond to rare astronomical objects. We show two examples of these outliers, a spectrum with abnormal continuumand a spectrum with emission lines. Our work demonstrates that line index clustering is a good method for examining data quality and identifying rare objects.

31 CFR 248.6 - Recovery of original check.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Recovery of original check. 248.6... § 248.6 Recovery of original check. (a) If the claimant recovers an original check after he has... or agency concerned regarding the negotiability of such original check. (b) In the event the...

42 CFR 433.40 - Treatment of uncashed or cancelled (voided) Medicaid checks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...) Medicaid checks. 433.40 Section 433.40 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT...) Medicaid checks. (a) Purpose. This section provides the rules to ensure that States refund the Federal...— Cancelled (voided) check means a Medicaid check issued by a State or fiscal agent which prior to its being...

Monte-Carlo simulation of OCT structural images of human skin using experimental B-scans and voxel based approach to optical properties distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frolov, S. V.; Potlov, A. Yu.; Petrov, D. A.; Proskurin, S. G.

2017-03-01

A method of optical coherence tomography (OCT) structural images reconstruction using Monte Carlo simulations is described. Biological object is considered as a set of 3D elements that allow simulation of media, structure of which cannot be described analytically. Each voxel is characterized by its refractive index and anisotropy parameter, scattering and absorption coefficients. B-scans of the inner structure are used to reconstruct a simulated image instead of analytical representation of the boundary geometry. Henye-Greenstein scattering function, Beer-Lambert-Bouguer law and Fresnel equations are used for photon transport description. Efficiency of the described technique is checked by the comparison of the simulated and experimentally acquired A-scans.

Design and analysis of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor to check the quality of food from adulteration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Manish; Raghuwanshi, Sanjeev Kumar

2018-02-01

In recent years, food safety issues caused by contamination of chemical substances or microbial species have raised a major area of concern to mankind. The conventional chromatography-based methods for detection of chemical are based on human-observation and slow for real-time monitoring. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors offers the capability of detection of very low concentrations of adulterated chemical and biological agents for real-time by monitoring. Thus, adulterant agent in food gives change in refractive index of pure food result in corresponding phase change. These changes can be detected at the output and can be related to the concentration of the chemical species present at the point.

2018 Congress Poster Abstracts

PubMed

2018-02-21

Each abstract has been indexed according to the first author. Abstracts appear as they were submitted and have not undergone editing or the Oncology Nursing Forum’s review process. Only abstracts that will be presented appear here. Poster numbers are subject to change. For updated poster numbers, visit congress.ons.org or check the Congress guide. Data published in abstracts presented at the ONS 43rd Annual Congress are embargoed until the conclusion of the presentation. Coverage and/or distribution of an abstract, poster, or any of its supplemental material to or by the news media, any commercial entity, or individuals, including the authors of said abstract, is strictly prohibited until the embargo is lifted. Promotion of general topics and speakers is encouraged within these guidelines.

Planning the data transition of a VLDB: a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finken, Shirley J.

1997-02-01

This paper describes the technical and programmatic plans for moving and checking certain data from the IDentification Automated Services (IDAS) system to the new Interstate Identification Index/Federal Bureau of Investigation (III/FBI) Segment database--one of the three components of the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) being developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Transitioning IDAS to III/FBI includes putting the data into an entirely new target database structure (i.e. from IBM VSAM files to ORACLE7 RDBMS tables). Only four IDAS files were transitioned (CCN, CCR, CCA, and CRS), but their total estimated size is at 500 Gb of data. Transitioning of this Very Large Database is planned as two processes.

Controlling the light shift of the CPT resonance by modulation technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsygankov, E. A.; Petropavlovsky, S. V.; Vaskovskaya, M. I.; Zibrov, S. A.; Velichansky, V. L.; Yakovlev, V. P.

2017-12-01

Motivated by recent developments in atomic frequency standards employing the effect of coherent population trapping (CPT), we propose a theoretical framework for the frequency modulation spectroscopy of the CPT resonances. Under realistic assumptions we provide simple yet non-trivial analytical formulae for the major spectroscopic signals such as the CPT resonance line and the in-phase/quadrature responses. We discuss the influence of the light shift and, in particular, derive a simple expression for the displacement of the resonance as a function of modulation index. The performance of the model is checked against numerical simulations, the agreement is good to perfect. The obtained results can be used in more general models accounting for light absorption in the thick optical medium.

Effect of amino acid dopants on the spectral, optical, mechanical and thermal properties of potassium acid phthalate crystals for possible optoelectronic and frequency doubling applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash, J. Thomas Joseph; Gnanaraj, J. Martin Sam; Dhavud, S. Shek; Ekadevasena, S.

2015-09-01

Undoped and amino acid (L-Arginine and L-Valine) doped KAP crystals were grown by slow evaporation solution growth technique. The changes in the structural, spectral, optical, mechanical and thermal properties were observed. The sharp prominent peaks in the indexed powder XRD pattern confirms the crystalline nature of the sample. Optical studies reveal that the crystal is transparent in the entire visible light region. Thermal stability was checked by TG/DTA analysis. The mechanical stability was evaluated from Vicker's microhardness test. The SHG efficiency for the title materials was tested with different particle sizes by the Kurtz and Perry powder method, which established the existence of phase matching.

31 CFR 235.1 - Scope of regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE ISSUANCE OF SETTLEMENT CHECKS FOR FORGED CHECKS DRAWN... checks for checks drawn on designated depositaries of the United States by accountable officers of the...

What is a good health check? An interview study of health check providers' views and practices.

PubMed

Stol, Yrrah H; Asscher, Eva C A; Schermer, Maartje H N

2017-10-02

Health checks identify (risk factors for) disease in people without symptoms. They may be offered by the government through population screenings and by other providers to individual users as 'personal health checks'. Health check providers' perspective of 'good' health checks may further the debate on the ethical evaluation and possible regulation of these personal health checks. In 2015, we interviewed twenty Dutch health check providers on criteria for 'good' health checks, and the role these criteria play in their practices. Providers unanimously formulate a number of minimal criteria: Checks must focus on (risk factors for) treatable/preventable disease; Tests must be reliable and clinically valid; Participation must be informed and voluntary; Checks should provide more benefits than harms; Governmental screenings should be cost-effective. Aspirational criteria mentioned were: Follow-up care should be provided; Providers should be skilled and experienced professionals that put the benefit of (potential) users first; Providers should take time and attention. Some criteria were contested: People should be free to test on any (risk factor for) disease; Health checks should only be performed in people at high risk for disease that are likely to implement health advice; Follow up care of privately funded tests should not drain on collective resources. Providers do not always fulfil their own criteria. Their reasons reveal conflicts between criteria, conflicts between criteria and other ethical values, and point to components in the (Dutch) organisation of health care that hinder an ethical provision of health checks. Moreover, providers consider informed consent a criterion that is hard to establish in practice. According to providers, personal health checks should meet the same criteria as population screenings, with the exception of cost-effectiveness. Providers do not always fulfil their own criteria. Results indicate that in thinking about the ethics of health checks potential conflicts between criteria and underlying values should be explicated, guidance in weighing of criteria should be provided and the larger context should be taken into account: other actors than providers need to take up responsibility, and ideally benefits and harms of health checks should be weighed against other measures targeting (risk factors for) disease.

14 CFR 135.337 - Qualifications: Check airmen (aircraft) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... who is qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... to conduct flight checks, but only in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or both, for a... the 12-month preceding the performance of any check airman duty in a flight simulator; or (2...

14 CFR 135.337 - Qualifications: Check airmen (aircraft) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... who is qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... to conduct flight checks, but only in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or both, for a... the 12-month preceding the performance of any check airman duty in a flight simulator; or (2...

14 CFR 135.337 - Qualifications: Check airmen (aircraft) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... who is qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... to conduct flight checks, but only in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or both, for a... the 12-month preceding the performance of any check airman duty in a flight simulator; or (2...

14 CFR 135.337 - Qualifications: Check airmen (aircraft) and check airmen (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... who is qualified to conduct flight checks in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... to conduct flight checks, but only in a flight simulator, in a flight training device, or both, for a... the 12-month preceding the performance of any check airman duty in a flight simulator; or (2...

Quality monitored distributed voting system

DOEpatents

Skogmo, David

1997-01-01

A quality monitoring system can detect certain system faults and fraud attempts in a distributed voting system. The system uses decoy voters to cast predetermined check ballots. Absent check ballots can indicate system faults. Altered check ballots can indicate attempts at counterfeiting votes. The system can also cast check ballots at predetermined times to provide another check on the distributed voting system.

76 FR 65781 - Request for Applications for the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-24

... Date(s) (required for FBI check); Date of Birth (required for FBI check); City and State of Birth (required for FBI Check); Current Address; Telephone and Fax Numbers; and e-mail address, if any... things, pre-appointment and annual tax checks, and an FBI criminal and subversive name check, fingerprint...

31 CFR 240.16 - Checks issued to minor payees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Checks issued to minor payees. 240.16... ON THE UNITED STATES TREASURY Indorsement of Checks § 240.16 Checks issued to minor payees. (a) Checks in payment of principal and/or interest on U.S. securities that are issued to minors may be...

31 CFR 240.16 - Checks issued to minor payees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Checks issued to minor payees. 240.16... ON THE UNITED STATES TREASURY Indorsement of Checks § 240.16 Checks issued to minor payees. (a) Checks in payment of principal and/or interest on U.S. securities that are issued to minors may be...

Pre-Alignment Checks. Automotive Mechanics. Steering & Suspension. Instructor's Guide [and] Student Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spignesi, B.

This instructional package, one in a series of individualized instructional units on automotive steering and suspension, consists of a student guide and an instructor guide dealing with prealignment checks. Covered in the module are the following steps in a prealignment check: checking the ride height of a vehicle, checking the ball joints and the…

Hepatic steatosis in young lean insulin resistant women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PubMed

Markou, Athina; Androulakis, Ioannis I; Mourmouris, Christos; Tsikkini, Ageliki; Samara, Christianna; Sougioultzis, Stavros; Piaditis, George; Kaltsas, Gregory

2010-03-01

To investigate the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in young lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance (IR). Case control study. Women with PCOS and healthy controls in a metabolic day ward. Seventeen young lean women with PCOS and 17 matched controls were studied prospectively. Fasting blood and a glucose tolerance test. Ovarian and liver ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) of the liver (women with PCOS only). Anthropometric variables, biochemical and hormonal parameters, and several IR indices were determined. Hepatic lipid content was assessed with ultrasonography and CT of the liver. Women with PCOS had higher androgen levels, and the IR indices, glucose and insulin area under the curve, QUICKI, MATSUDA, and HOMA, compared to controls. In addition to IR, women with PCOS had normal aminotransferase levels, and higher, although within the normal range, alkaline phosphatase levels compared with controls. Women with PCOS had no evidence of NAFLD by either ultrasonography or CT of the liver. Young lean women with PCOS and IR do not have evidence of NAFLD. Because of the presence of IR, follow-up is required to determine whether they are at risk of developing NAFLD. Copyright 2010 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Eight Weeks of Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja) Supplementation Improves Glycemic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Cheng, Shi-Hui; Ismail, Amin; Anthony, Joseph; Ng, Ooi Chuan; Hamid, Azizah Abdul; Barakatun-Nisak, Mohd Yusof

2015-01-01

Objectives. Optimizing glycemic control is crucial to prevent type 2 diabetes related complications. Cosmos caudatus is reported to have promising effect in improving plasma blood glucose in an animal model. However, its impact on human remains ambiguous. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of C. caudatus on glycemic status in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods. In this randomized controlled trial with two-arm parallel-group design, a total of 101 subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to diabetic-ulam or diabetic controls for eight weeks. Subjects in diabetic-ulam group consumed 15 g of C. caudatus daily for eight weeks while diabetic controls abstained from taking C. caudatus. Both groups received the standard lifestyle advice. Results. After 8 weeks of supplementation, C. caudatus significantly reduced serum insulin (-1.16 versus +3.91), reduced HOMA-IR (-1.09 versus +1.34), and increased QUICKI (+0.05 versus -0.03) in diabetic-ulam group compared with the diabetic controls. HbA1C level was improved although it is not statistically significant (-0.76% versus -0.37%). C. caudatus was safe to consume. Conclusions. C. caudatus supplementation significantly improves insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

12 CFR Appendix C to Part 229 - Model Availability Policy Disclosures, Clauses, and Notices; Model Substitute Check Policy...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... processing regions)]. If you make the deposit in person to one of our employees, funds from the following... in different states or check processing regions)]. If you make the deposit in person to one of our...] Substitute Checks and Your Rights What Is a Substitute Check? To make check processing faster, federal law...

40 CFR 86.319-79 - Analyzer checks and calibrations; frequency and overview.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... during testing, perform the following: (1) Leak check the pressure side of the system (see § 86.328). If the option described in § 86.328(b)(2) is used, a pressure leak check is not required. (2) Calibrate... need be checked only every 90 days. (d) At least once every 90 days during testing check the water...

78 FR 60378 - Request for Applications for the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-01

... letter with the following information: Name; Other Name(s) Used and Date(s) (required for FBI check); Date of Birth (required for FBI check); City and State of Birth (required for FBI Check); Current..., among other things, pre-appointment and annual tax checks, and an FBI criminal and subversive name check...

Quality monitored distributed voting system

DOEpatents

Skogmo, D.

1997-03-18

A quality monitoring system can detect certain system faults and fraud attempts in a distributed voting system. The system uses decoy voters to cast predetermined check ballots. Absent check ballots can indicate system faults. Altered check ballots can indicate attempts at counterfeiting votes. The system can also cast check ballots at predetermined times to provide another check on the distributed voting system. 6 figs.

45 CFR 2540.205 - What procedures must I follow in conducting a National Service Criminal History Check for a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... National Service Criminal History Check for a covered position? 2540.205 Section 2540.205 Public Welfare... What procedures must I follow in conducting a National Service Criminal History Check for a covered... criminal history check, and for the appropriate sharing of the results of the checks within the program...

12 CFR Appendix A to Part 229 - Routing Number Guide to Next-Day Availability Checks and Local Checks

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Routing Number Guide to Next-Day Availability Checks and Local Checks A Appendix A to Part 229 Banks and Banking FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM (CONTINUED) BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND COLLECTION OF CHECKS...

Goldmann tonometer calibration: a national survey.

PubMed

Kumar, N; Hillier, R J

2009-02-01

Recent studies suggest that Goldmann tonometers can rapidly develop calibration errors (CEs) in clinical use and routine checks are necessary to ensure accuracy. To determine current practice regarding CE checks in the United Kingdom and assess the views of senior nursing staff in charge of running ophthalmology outpatient clinics as to whom they feel to be responsible for CE checks. Every ophthalmology unit with training recognition in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales was contacted. Senior nurses responded to a structured telephone questionnaire regarding local tonometer calibration practice and their views regarding who is responsible for CE checks. A total of 155 eye units were identified and contacted. The response rate was 100%. CEs were checked for daily in 8 units (5.2%), weekly in 20 units (12.9%), fortnightly in 1 unit (0.6%), monthly in 12 units (7.7%), trimonthly in 5 units (3.2%), biannually in 27 units (17.4%), and annually in 21 units (13.5%). CEs were either never checked or checked in a very random manner (no identifiable pattern) in 61 units (39.4%). Sixty-three (40.6%) of the respondents felt CE checks were a departmental responsibility, 48 (31.0%) felt it to be the doctor's responsibility, and 44 (28.4%) felt CE checks should be performed by the nursing staff. Our national survey suggests that very few units check their tonometers for CEs at intervals which ensure their accuracy. Our previous survey of doctors suggests that they believe nurses should check for CE, whereas the nursing staff believe CE checks are not their responsibility. This lack of communication between health-care professionals may lead to inaccurate tonometers being used in clinical practice. We suggest that every eye unit should have a protocol, which clearly identifies individuals responsible for checking for CEs at least on a monthly basis.

Body checking and eating cognitions in Brazilian outpatients with eating disorders and non psychiatric controls.

PubMed

Kachani, Adriana Trejger; Barroso, Lucia Pereira; Brasiliano, Silvia; Cordás, Táki Athanássios; Hochgraf, Patrícia Brunfentrinker

2015-12-01

Compare inadequate eating behaviors and their relationship to body checking in three groups: patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and a control group (C). Eighty three outpatients with eating disorders (ED) and 40 controls completed eating attitudes and body checking questionnaires. The overall relationship between the eating attitude and body checking was statistically significant in all three groups. The worse the eating attitude, the greater the body checking behavior. However, when we look at each group individually, the relationship was only statistically significant in the AN group (r=.354, p=0.020). The lower the desired weight and the worse the eating attitude, the more people check themselves, although in the presence of an ED the relationship between body checking and food restrictions is greater. In patients displaying the AN subgroup, body checking is also related to continued dietary control. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

14 CFR 91.1093 - Initial and transition training and checking: Check pilots (aircraft), check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... accomplished in full or in part in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device, as appropriate. (g) The initial and transition flight training for a check pilot (simulator) must include the...

14 CFR 91.1093 - Initial and transition training and checking: Check pilots (aircraft), check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... accomplished in full or in part in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device, as appropriate. (g) The initial and transition flight training for a check pilot (simulator) must include the...

14 CFR 91.1093 - Initial and transition training and checking: Check pilots (aircraft), check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... accomplished in full or in part in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device, as appropriate. (g) The initial and transition flight training for a check pilot (simulator) must include the...

14 CFR 91.1093 - Initial and transition training and checking: Check pilots (aircraft), check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... accomplished in full or in part in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device, as appropriate. (g) The initial and transition flight training for a check pilot (simulator) must include the...

14 CFR 91.1093 - Initial and transition training and checking: Check pilots (aircraft), check pilots (simulator).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... observation check may be accomplished in part or in full in an aircraft, in a flight simulator, or in a flight... accomplished in full or in part in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device, as appropriate. (g) The initial and transition flight training for a check pilot (simulator) must include the...

Method of Error Floor Mitigation in Low-Density Parity-Check Codes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamkins, Jon (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A digital communication decoding method for low-density parity-check coded messages. The decoding method decodes the low-density parity-check coded messages within a bipartite graph having check nodes and variable nodes. Messages from check nodes are partially hard limited, so that every message which would otherwise have a magnitude at or above a certain level is re-assigned to a maximum magnitude.

An audit of level two and level three checks of anaesthesia delivery systems performed at three hospitals in South Australia.

PubMed

Sweeney, N; Owen, H; Fronsko, R; Hurlow, E

2012-11-01

Anaesthetists may subject patients to unnecessary risk by not checking anaesthetic equipment thoroughly before use. Numerous adverse events have been associated with failure to check equipment. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and anaesthetic delivery system manufactures have made recommendations on how anaesthetic equipment should be maintained and checked before use and for the training required for staff who use such equipment. These recommendations are made to minimise the risk to patients undergoing anaesthesia. This prospective audit investigated the adherence of anaesthetic practitioners to a selection of those recommendations. Covert observations of anaesthetic practitioners were made while they were checking their designated anaesthetic machine, either at the beginning of a day's list or between cases. Structured interviews with staff who check the anaesthetic machine were carried out to determine the training they had received. The results indicated poor compliance with recommendations: significantly, the backup oxygen cylinders' pressure/contents were not checked in 45% of observations; the emergency ventilation device was not checked in 67% of observations; the breathing circuit was not tested between patients in 79% of observations; no documentation of the checks performed was done in any cases; and no assessment or accreditation of the staff who performed these checks was performed. It was concluded that the poor compliance was a system failing and that patient safety might be increased with training and accrediting staff responsible for checking equipment, documenting the checks performed, and the formulation and use of a checklist.

Determination of MLC model parameters for Monaco using commercial diode arrays.

PubMed

Kinsella, Paul; Shields, Laura; McCavana, Patrick; McClean, Brendan; Langan, Brian

2016-07-08

Multileaf collimators (MLCs) need to be characterized accurately in treatment planning systems to facilitate accurate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT). The aim of this study was to examine the use of MapCHECK 2 and ArcCHECK diode arrays for optimizing MLC parameters in Monaco X-ray voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) dose calculation algorithm. A series of radiation test beams designed to evaluate MLC model parameters were delivered to MapCHECK 2, ArcCHECK, and EBT3 Gafchromic film for comparison. Initial comparison of the calculated and ArcCHECK-measured dose distributions revealed it was unclear how to change the MLC parameters to gain agreement. This ambiguity arose due to an insufficient sampling of the test field dose distributions and unexpected discrepancies in the open parts of some test fields. Consequently, the XVMC MLC parameters were optimized based on MapCHECK 2 measurements. Gafchromic EBT3 film was used to verify the accuracy of MapCHECK 2 measured dose distributions. It was found that adjustment of the MLC parameters from their default values resulted in improved global gamma analysis pass rates for MapCHECK 2 measurements versus calculated dose. The lowest pass rate of any MLC-modulated test beam improved from 68.5% to 93.5% with 3% and 2 mm gamma criteria. Given the close agreement of the optimized model to both MapCHECK 2 and film, the optimized model was used as a benchmark to highlight the relatively large discrepancies in some of the test field dose distributions found with ArcCHECK. Comparison between the optimized model-calculated dose and ArcCHECK-measured dose resulted in global gamma pass rates which ranged from 70.0%-97.9% for gamma criteria of 3% and 2 mm. The simple square fields yielded high pass rates. The lower gamma pass rates were attributed to the ArcCHECK overestimating the dose in-field for the rectangular test fields whose long axis was parallel to the long axis of the ArcCHECK. Considering ArcCHECK measurement issues and the lower gamma pass rates for the MLC-modulated test beams, it was concluded that MapCHECK 2 was a more suitable detector than ArcCHECK for the optimization process. © 2016 The Authors

28 CFR 105.27 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 105.27 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS... national fingerprint-based criminal history checks of prospective and current private security officers and... history checks of prospective and current private security officers. (b) FBI fees for national check. The...

28 CFR 105.27 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 105.27 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS... national fingerprint-based criminal history checks of prospective and current private security officers and... history checks of prospective and current private security officers. (b) FBI fees for national check. The...

28 CFR 105.27 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 105.27 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS... national fingerprint-based criminal history checks of prospective and current private security officers and... history checks of prospective and current private security officers. (b) FBI fees for national check. The...

28 CFR 105.27 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 105.27 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS... national fingerprint-based criminal history checks of prospective and current private security officers and... history checks of prospective and current private security officers. (b) FBI fees for national check. The...

Check-Up Checklist: Things to Do Before Your Next Check-Up

MedlinePlus

... Halloween Prom Tips Spring Break Valentine Tips Winter Holiday Tips 12 Ways Holiday Song Healthy Living Check-Ups are Important Check- ... Test Wash Hands Stay Warm Have a Healthy Holiday Don’t Drink and Drive Widgets Healthy People ...

28 CFR 105.27 - Miscellaneous provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 105.27 Judicial Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS... national fingerprint-based criminal history checks of prospective and current private security officers and... history checks of prospective and current private security officers. (b) FBI fees for national check. The...

36 CFR 504.12 - Items to be checked.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Section 504.12 Parks, Forests, and Public Property SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS § 504.12 Items to be checked. Umbrellas, canes (not needed to... to be checked in buildings where checking facilities are provided. ...

12 CFR Appendix D to Part 229 - Indorsement, Reconverting Bank Identification, and Truncating Bank Identification Standards

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... the leading edge of the check to 1.5 inches from the trailing edge of the check. 31 31 The leading edge is definded as the right side of the check looking at it from the front. The trailing edge is... on the back of the check between 1.88 and 2.74 inches from the leading edge of the check. The...

Reliability based design of the primary structure of oil tankers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Casella, G.; Dogliani, M.; Guedes Soares, C.

1996-12-31

The present paper describes the reliability analysis carried out for two oil tanker-ships having comparable dimensions but different design. The scope of the analysis was to derive indications on the value of the reliability index obtained for existing, typical and well designed oil tankers, as well as to apply the tentative rule checking formulation developed within the CEC-funded SHIPREL Project. The checking formula was adopted to redesign the midships section of one of the considered ships, upgrading her in order to meet the target failure probability considered in the rule development process. The resulting structure, in view of an upgradingmore » of the steel grade in the central part of the deck, lead to a convenient reliability level. The results of the analysis clearly showed that a large scatter exists presently in the design safety levels of ships, even when the Classification Societies` unified requirements are satisfied. A reliability based approach for the calibration of the rules for the global strength of ships is therefore proposed, in order to assist designers and Classification Societies in the process of producing ships which are more optimized, with respect to ensured safety levels. Based on the work reported in the paper, the feasibility and usefulness of a reliability based approach in the development of ship longitudinal strength requirements has been demonstrated.« less

Longevity-associated mitochondrial DNA 5178 C/A polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee consumption on erythrocytic parameters in Japanese men: an exploratory cross-sectional analysis.

PubMed

Kokaze, Akatsuki; Ishikawa, Mamoru; Matsunaga, Naomi; Karita, Kanae; Yoshida, Masao; Ohtsu, Tadahiro; Ochiai, Hirotaka; Shirasawa, Takako; Nanri, Hinako; Saga, Nobuyuki; Ohtsu, Iichiro; Hoshino, Hiromi; Takashima, Yutaka

2014-12-20

Mitochondrial DNA 5178 cytosine/adenine (Mt5178 C/A) polymorphism reportedly modulates the effects of coffee consumption on the risk of hypertension, dyslipidemia and abnormal glucose tolerance. The objective of this analysis was to investigate whether Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modifies the effects of coffee consumption on erythrocytic parameters in male Japanese health check-up examinees. A total of 436 men (mean age ± standard deviation, 54.1 ± 7.8 years) were selected from among individuals visiting the hospital for regular medical check-ups. After Mt5178 C/A genotyping, an exploratory cross-sectional analysis assessing the joint effects of Mt5178 C/A polymorphism and coffee consumption on red blood cell counts, hematocrit and hemoglobin was conducted. For Mt5178C genotypic men, after adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, habitual smoking and green tea consumption, coffee consumption significantly decreased red blood cell counts (P for trend = 0.022) and hemoglobin (P for trend = 0.035). The risk of anemia, defined as hemoglobin of <14 g/dL, after the aforementioned adjustment, appeared to depend on coffee consumption (P for trend = 0.078), and the adjusted odds ratio for anemia was significantly higher in men who consumed ≥4 cups of coffee per day than in those who consumed <1 cup per day (odds ratio = 3.771, 95% confidence interval: 1.088 to 13.06, P = 0.036). For Mt5178A genotypic men, coffee consumption possibly reduced the risk of anemia (P for trend = 0.049). However, after the aforementioned adjustment, the statistical significance disappeared (P for trend = 0.137). This exploratory cross-sectional analysis suggests that Mt5178 C/A polymorphism modulates the effects of coffee consumption on erythrocytic parameters and the risk of anemia in male Japanese health check-up examinees.

Applicability of refractometry for fast routine checking of hospital preparations.

PubMed

Hendrickx, Stijn; Verón, Aurora Monteagudo; Van Schepdael, Ann; Adams, Erwin

2016-04-30

Quality control of hospital pharmacy formulations is of the utmost importance to ensure constant quality and to avoid potential mistakes before administration to the patient. In this study we investigated the applicability of refractometry as a fast, inexpensive and easy-to-use quality control measurement. Refractive indices (RI) of a multitude of different hospital formulations with varying concentrations of active compound were measured. The samples consisted of a number of binary aqueous solutions (one compound in water), complex aqueous solutions (multiple compounds in water or in a constant matrix), two suspensions and one emulsion. For all these formulations, linear regression analysis was performed, quality control limits determined and accuracy and repeatability were checked. Subsequently, actual hospital pharmacy samples were analyzed to check whether they were within the specified limits. For both binary and complex aqueous formulations, repeatability was good and a linear correlation for all samples could be observed on condition that the concentration of the active compound was sufficiently high. The refractometer was not sensitive enough for solutions of folic acid and levothyroxine, which had too low a concentration of active compound. Due to lack of homogeneity and light scattering, emulsions and suspensions do not seem suitable for quality control by refractometry. A mathematical equation was generated to predict the refractive index of an aqueous solution containing clonidine HCl as active compound. Values calculated from the equation were compared with measured values and deviations of all samples were found to be lower than 1.3%. In order to use refractometry in a hospital pharmacy for quality control of multicomponent samples, additional intermediate measurements would be required, to overcome the fact that refractometry is not compound specific. In conclusion, we found that refractometry could potentially be useful for daily, fast quality measurements of relatively concentrated binary and more complex aqueous solutions in the hospital pharmacy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment of check-dam groundwater recharge with water-balance calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djuma, Hakan; Bruggeman, Adriana; Camera, Corrado; Eliades, Marinos

2017-04-01

Studies on the enhancement of groundwater recharge by check-dams in arid and semi-arid environments mainly focus on deriving water infiltration rates from the check-dam ponding areas. This is usually achieved by applying simple water balance models, more advanced models (e.g., two dimensional groundwater models) and field tests (e.g., infiltrometer test or soil pit tests). Recharge behind the check-dam can be affected by the built-up of sediment as a result of erosion in the upstream watershed area. This natural process can increase the uncertainty in the estimates of the recharged water volume, especially for water balance calculations. Few water balance field studies of individual check-dams have been presented in the literature and none of them presented associated uncertainties of their estimates. The objectives of this study are i) to assess the effect of a check-dam on groundwater recharge from an ephemeral river; and ii) to assess annual sedimentation at the check-dam during a 4-year period. The study was conducted on a check-dam in the semi-arid island of Cyprus. Field campaigns were carried out to measure water flow, water depth and check-dam topography in order to establish check-dam water height, volume, evaporation, outflow and recharge relations. Topographic surveys were repeated at the end of consecutive hydrological years to estimate the sediment built up in the reservoir area of the check dam. Also, sediment samples were collected from the check-dam reservoir area for bulk-density analyses. To quantify the groundwater recharge, a water balance model was applied at two locations: at the check-dam and corresponding reservoir area, and at a 4-km stretch of the river bed without check-dam. Results showed that a check-dam with a storage capacity of 25,000 m3 was able to recharge to the aquifer, in four years, a total of 12 million m3 out of the 42 million m3 of measured (or modelled) streamflow. Recharge from the analyzed 4-km long river section without check-dam was estimated to be 1 million m3. Upper and lower limits of prediction intervals were computed to assess the uncertainties of the results. The model was rerun with these values and resulted in recharge values of 0.4 m3 as lower and 38 million m3 as upper limit. The sediment survey in the check-dam reservoir area showed that the reservoir area was filled with 2,000 to 3,000 tons of sediment after one rainfall season. This amount of sediment corresponds to 0.2 to 2 t h-1 y-1 sediment yield at the watershed level and reduces the check-dam storage capacity by approximately 10%. Results indicate that check-dams are valuable structures for increasing groundwater resources, but special attention should be given to soil erosion occurring in the upstream area and the resulting sediment built-up in the check-dam reservoir area. This study has received funding from the EU FP7 RECARE Project (GA 603498)

40 CFR 51.363 - Quality assurance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... test, the evaporative system tests, and emission control component checks (as applicable); (vi...) A check of the Constant Volume Sampler flow calibration; (5) A check for the optimization of the... selection, and power absorption; (9) A check of the system's ability to accurately detect background...

Concurrent error detecting codes for arithmetic processors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lim, R. S.

1979-01-01

A method of concurrent error detection for arithmetic processors is described. Low-cost residue codes with check-length l and checkbase m = 2 to the l power - 1 are described for checking arithmetic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division complement, shift, and rotate. Of the three number representations, the signed-magnitude representation is preferred for residue checking. Two methods of residue generation are described: the standard method of using modulo m adders and the method of using a self-testing residue tree. A simple single-bit parity-check code is described for checking the logical operations of XOR, OR, and AND, and also the arithmetic operations of complement, shift, and rotate. For checking complement, shift, and rotate, the single-bit parity-check code is simpler to implement than the residue codes.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gopan, O; Yang, F; Ford, E

Purpose: The physics plan check verifies various aspects of a treatment plan after dosimetrists have finished creating the plan. Some errors in the plan which are caught by the physics check could be caught earlier in the departmental workflow. The purpose of this project was to evaluate a plan checking script that can be run within the treatment planning system (TPS) by the dosimetrists prior to plan approval and export to the record and verify system. Methods: A script was created in the Pinnacle TPS to automatically check 15 aspects of a plan for clinical practice conformity. The script outputsmore » a list of checks which the plan has passed and a list of checks which the plan has failed so that appropriate adjustments can be made. For this study, the script was run on a total of 108 plans: IMRT (46/108), VMAT (35/108) and SBRT (27/108). Results: Of the plans checked by the script, 77/108 (71%) failed at least one of the fifteen checks. IMRT plans resulted in more failed checks (91%) than VMAT (51%) or SBRT (63%), due to the high failure rate of an IMRT-specific check, which checks that no IMRT segment < 5 MU. The dose grid size and couch removal checks caught errors in 10% and 14% of all plans – errors that ultimately may have resulted in harm to the patient. Conclusion: Approximately three-fourths of the plans being examined contain errors that could be caught by dosimetrists running an automated script embedded in the TPS. The results of this study will improve the departmental workflow by cutting down on the number of plans that, due to these types of errors, necessitate re-planning and re-approval of plans, increase dosimetrist and physician workload and, in urgent cases, inconvenience patients by causing treatment delays.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barbee, D; McCarthy, A; Galavis, P

Purpose: Errors found during initial physics plan checks frequently require replanning and reprinting, resulting decreased departmental efficiency. Additionally, errors may be missed during physics checks, resulting in potential treatment errors or interruption. This work presents a process control created using the Eclipse Scripting API (ESAPI) enabling dosimetrists and physicists to detect potential errors in the Eclipse treatment planning system prior to performing any plan approvals or printing. Methods: Potential failure modes for five categories were generated based on available ESAPI (v11) patient object properties: Images, Contours, Plans, Beams, and Dose. An Eclipse script plugin (PlanCheck) was written in C# tomore » check errors most frequently observed clinically in each of the categories. The PlanCheck algorithms were devised to check technical aspects of plans, such as deliverability (e.g. minimum EDW MUs), in addition to ensuring that policy and procedures relating to planning were being followed. The effect on clinical workflow efficiency was measured by tracking the plan document error rate and plan revision/retirement rates in the Aria database over monthly intervals. Results: The number of potential failure modes the PlanCheck script is currently capable of checking for in the following categories: Images (6), Contours (7), Plans (8), Beams (17), and Dose (4). Prior to implementation of the PlanCheck plugin, the observed error rates in errored plan documents and revised/retired plans in the Aria database was 20% and 22%, respectively. Error rates were seen to decrease gradually over time as adoption of the script improved. Conclusion: A process control created using the Eclipse scripting API enabled plan checks to occur within the planning system, resulting in reduction in error rates and improved efficiency. Future work includes: initiating full FMEA for planning workflow, extending categories to include additional checks outside of ESAPI via Aria database queries, and eventual automated plan checks.« less

The dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist quinpirole increases checking-like behaviour in an operant observing response task with uncertain reinforcement: A novel possible model of OCD?

PubMed Central

Eagle, Dawn M.; Noschang, Cristie; d’Angelo, Laure-Sophie Camilla; Noble, Christie A.; Day, Jacob O.; Dongelmans, Marie Louise; Theobald, David E.; Mar, Adam C.; Urcelay, Gonzalo P.; Morein-Zamir, Sharon; Robbins, Trevor W.

2014-01-01

Excessive checking is a common, debilitating symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In an established rodent model of OCD checking behaviour, quinpirole (dopamine D2/3-receptor agonist) increased checking in open-field tests, indicating dopaminergic modulation of checking-like behaviours. We designed a novel operant paradigm for rats (observing response task (ORT)) to further examine cognitive processes underpinning checking behaviour and clarify how and why checking develops. We investigated i) how quinpirole increases checking, ii) dependence of these effects on D2/3 receptor function (following treatment with D2/3 receptor antagonist sulpiride) and iii) effects of reward uncertainty. In the ORT, rats pressed an ‘observing’ lever for information about the location of an ‘active’ lever that provided food reinforcement. High- and low-checkers (defined from baseline observing) received quinpirole (0.5 mg/kg, 10 treatments) or vehicle. Parametric task manipulations assessed observing/checking under increasing task demands relating to reinforcement uncertainty (variable response requirement and active-lever location switching). Treatment with sulpiride further probed the pharmacological basis of long-term behavioural changes. Quinpirole selectively increased checking, both functional observing lever presses (OLPs) and non-functional extra OLPs (EOLPs). The increase in OLPs and EOLPs was long-lasting, without further quinpirole administration. Quinpirole did not affect the immediate ability to use information from checking. Vehicle and quinpirole-treated rats (VEH and QNP respectively) were selectively sensitive to different forms of uncertainty. Sulpiride reduced non-functional EOLPs in QNP rats but had no effect on functional OLPs. These data have implications for treatment of compulsive checking in OCD, particularly for serotonin-reuptake-inhibitor treatment-refractory cases, where supplementation with dopamine receptor antagonists may be beneficial. PMID:24406720

[Decision process of Notification Value by the Dose Index Registry system in X-ray computed tomography].

PubMed

Shinozaki, Masafumi; Muramatsu, Yoshihisa; Sasaki, Toru

2014-01-01

A new technical standard for X-ray computed tomography (CT) has been published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) that allows the Alert Value and Notification Value for cumulative dose to be configurable by CT systems operators in conjunction with the XR-25 (Dose check) standard. In this study, a decision method of the Notification Values for reducing the radiation dose was examined using the dose index registry (DIR) system, during 122 continuous days from August 1, 2012 to November 30, 2012. CT images were obtained using the Discovery CT 750HD (GE Healthcare) and the dose index was calculated using the DoseWatch DIR system. The CT dose index-volume (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) were output from the DIR system in comma-separated value (CSV) file format for each examination protocol. All data were shown as a schematic boxplot using statistical processing software. The CTDIvol of a routine chest examination showed the following values (maximum: 23.84 mGy; minimum: 2.55 mGy; median: 7.60 mGy; 75% tile: 10.01 mGy; 25% tile: 6.54 mGy). DLP showed the following values (maximum: 944.56 mGy·cm; minimum: 97.25 mGy·cm; median: 307.35 mGy·cm; 75% tile: 406.87 mGy·cm; 25% tile: 255.75 mGy·cm). These results indicate that the 75% tile of CTDIvol and DLP as an initial value proved to be safe and efficient for CT examination and operation. We have thus established one way of determining the Notification Value from the output of the DIR system. Transfer back to the protocol of the CT and automated processing each numeric value in the DIR system is desired.

Correction of body-mass index using body-shape perception and socioeconomic status in adolescent self-report surveys.

PubMed

Legleye, Stéphane; Beck, François; Spilka, Stanislas; Chau, Nearkasen

2014-01-01

To propose a simple correction of body-mass index (BMI) based on self-reported weight and height (reported BMI) using gender, body shape perception and socioeconomic status in an adolescent population. 341 boys and girls aged 17-18 years were randomly selected from a representative sample of 2165 French adolescents living in Paris surveyed in 2010. After an anonymous self-administered pen-and-paper questionnaire asking for height, weight, body shape perception (feeling too thin, about the right weight or too fat) and socioeconomic status, subjects were measured and weighed. BMI categories were computed according to Cole's cut-offs. Reported BMIs were corrected using linear regressions and ROC analyses and checked with cross-validation and multiple imputations to handle missing values. Agreement between actual and corrected BMI values was estimated with Kappa indexes and Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). On average, BMIs were underreported, especially among girls. Kappa indexes between actual and reported BMI were low, especially for girls: 0.56 95%CI = [0.42-0.70] for boys and 0.45 95%CI = [0.30-0.60] for girls. The regression of reported BMI by gender and body shape perception gave the most balanced results for both genders: the Kappa and ICC obtained were 0.63 95%CI = [0.50-0.76] and 0.67, 95%CI = [0.58-0.74] for boys; 0.65 95%CI = [0.52-0.78] and 0.74, 95%CI = [0.66-0.81] for girls. The regression of reported BMI by gender and socioeconomic status led to similar corrections while the ROC analyses were inaccurate. Using body shape perception, or socioeconomic status and gender is a promising way of correcting BMI in self-administered questionnaires, especially for girls.

Scale-dependent Normalized Amplitude and Weak Spectral Anisotropy of Magnetic Field Fluctuations in the Solar Wind Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xin; Tu, Chuanyi; Marsch, Eckart; He, Jiansen; Wang, Linghua

2016-01-01

Turbulence in the solar wind was recently reported to be anisotropic, with the average power spectral index close to -2 when sampling parallel to the local mean magnetic field B0 and close to -5/3 when sampling perpendicular to the local B0. This result was widely considered to be observational evidence for the critical balance theory (CBT), which is derived by making the assumption that the turbulence strength is close to one. However, this basic assumption has not yet been checked carefully with observational data. Here we present for the first time the scale-dependent magnetic-field fluctuation amplitude, which is normalized by the local B0 and evaluated for both parallel and perpendicular sampling directions, using two 30-day intervals of Ulysses data. From our results, the turbulence strength is evaluated as much less than one at small scales in the parallel direction. An even stricter criterion is imposed when selecting the wavelet coefficients for a given sampling direction, so that the time stationarity of the local B0 is better ensured during the local sampling interval. The spectral index for the parallel direction is then found to be -1.75, whereas the spectral index in the perpendicular direction remains close to -1.65. These two new results, namely that the value of the turbulence strength is much less than one in the parallel direction and that the angle dependence of the spectral index is weak, cannot be explained by existing turbulence theories, like CBT, and thus will require new theoretical considerations and promote further observations of solar-wind turbulence.

Lasting effect of an oral hygiene care program for patients with stroke during in-hospital rehabilitation: a randomized single-center clinical trial.

PubMed

Kim, Eun-Kyong; Park, Eun Young; Sa Gong, Jung-Whan; Jang, Sung-Ho; Choi, Youn-Hee; Lee, Hee-Kyung

2017-11-01

Because the oral hygiene is poorly prioritized in the immediate post-stroke period, we implemented an oral hygiene care program (OHCP) for stroke in-patients and evaluated its persistence after discharge. In all, 62 patients with stroke who were admitted to the rehabilitation ward were randomly assigned to two groups: 33 patients to the intervention group and 29 to the control group. The OHCP, including tooth brushing education and professional tooth cleaning, was administered to the intervention group twice a week six times during in-hospital rehabilitation. Oral health status was examined both at baseline and three months after discharge from the hospital. Oral hygiene status was examined at three- to four-day intervals five times during the hospitalization period. After OHCP, oral hygiene status including the plaque index, calculus index, and O'Leary plaque index improved significantly in the intervention group, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the intervention group, after administration of the OHCP for the fourth time, the O'Leary index improved significantly, and remained high when checked three months after discharge (p < 0.001). An OHCP conducted during in-hospital rehabilitation was effective in improving oral health and plaque control performance among patients with stroke, with effects still seen three months after discharge from the hospital. Implications for Rehabilitation Initial oral hygiene status and plaque control performance were poor in stroke patients who were in rehabilitation center. An oral hygiene care program during in-hospital rehabilitation was effective in improving oral hygiene status and plaque control performance among stroke patients at three months after discharge. Repeated tooth brushing education and professional tooth cleaning were necessary to improve plaque control performance of stroke patients.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ford, Eric C., E-mail: eford@uw.edu; Terezakis, Stephanie; Souranis, Annette

Purpose: To quantify the error-detection effectiveness of commonly used quality control (QC) measures. Methods: We analyzed incidents from 2007-2010 logged into a voluntary in-house, electronic incident learning systems at 2 academic radiation oncology clinics. None of the incidents resulted in patient harm. Each incident was graded for potential severity using the French Nuclear Safety Authority scoring scale; high potential severity incidents (score >3) were considered, along with a subset of 30 randomly chosen low severity incidents. Each report was evaluated to identify which of 15 common QC checks could have detected it. The effectiveness was calculated, defined as the percentagemore » of incidents that each QC measure could detect, both for individual QC checks and for combinations of checks. Results: In total, 4407 incidents were reported, 292 of which had high-potential severity. High- and low-severity incidents were detectable by 4.0 {+-} 2.3 (mean {+-} SD) and 2.6 {+-} 1.4 QC checks, respectively (P<.001). All individual checks were less than 50% sensitive with the exception of pretreatment plan review by a physicist (63%). An effectiveness of 97% was achieved with 7 checks used in combination and was not further improved with more checks. The combination of checks with the highest effectiveness includes physics plan review, physician plan review, Electronic Portal Imaging Device-based in vivo portal dosimetry, radiation therapist timeout, weekly physics chart check, the use of checklists, port films, and source-to-skin distance checks. Some commonly used QC checks such as pretreatment intensity modulated radiation therapy QA do not substantially add to the ability to detect errors in these data. Conclusions: The effectiveness of QC measures in radiation oncology depends sensitively on which checks are used and in which combinations. A small percentage of errors cannot be detected by any of the standard formal QC checks currently in broad use, suggesting that further improvements are needed. These data require confirmation with a broader incident-reporting database.« less

Utilisation of preventative health check-ups in the UK: findings from individual-level repeated cross-sectional data from 1992 to 2008

PubMed Central

Labeit, Alexander; Peinemann, Frank; Baker, Richard

2013-01-01

Objectives To analyse and compare the determinants of screening uptake for different National Health Service (NHS) health check-ups in the UK. Design Individual-level analysis of repeated cross-sectional surveys with balanced panel data. Setting The UK. Participants Individuals taking part in the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), 1992–2008. Outcome measure Uptake of NHS health check-ups for cervical cancer screening, breast cancer screening, blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, dental screening and eyesight tests. Methods Dynamic panel data models (random effects panel probit with initial conditions). Results Having had a health check-up 1 year before, and previously in accordance with the recommended schedule, was associated with higher uptake of health check-ups. Individuals who visited a general practitioner (GP) had a significantly higher uptake in 5 of the 6 health check-ups. Uptake was highest in the recommended age group for breast and cervical cancer screening. For all health check-ups, age had a non-linear relationship. Lower self-rated health status was associated with increased uptake of blood pressure checks and cholesterol tests; smoking was associated with decreased uptake of 4 health check-ups. The effects of socioeconomic variables differed for the different health check-ups. Ethnicity did not have a significant influence on any health check-up. Permanent household income had an influence only on eyesight tests and dental screening. Conclusions Common determinants for having health check-ups are age, screening history and a GP visit. Policy interventions to increase uptake should consider the central role of the GP in promoting screening examinations and in preserving a high level of uptake. Possible economic barriers to access for prevention exist for dental screening and eyesight tests, and could be a target for policy intervention. Trial registration This observational study was not registered. PMID:24366576

77 FR 38714 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request for the TE/GE Compliance Check Questionnaires

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-28

... TE/GE Compliance Check Questionnaires AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury. ACTION..., the IRS is soliciting comments concerning the TE/GE Compliance Check Questionnaires. DATES: Written... [email protected] . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: TE/GE Compliance Check Questionnaires. OMB...