Personality and patient adherence: correlates of the five-factor model in renal dialysis.

PubMed

Christensen, A J; Smith, T W

1995-06-01

The five-factor taxonomy of personality traits has received increasing attention in the literature regarding personality correlates of health outcomes and behaviors. We examined the association of the five NEO Five-Factor Inventory dimensions to medical regimen adherence in a sample of 72 renal dialysis patients. Results indicated that Conscientiousness (Dimension III) is a five-factor trait significantly associated with adherence to the medication regimen. No other NEO-FFI dimension was significantly associated with patient adherence.

Testing the Difference of Correlated Agreement Coefficients for Statistical Significance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gwet, Kilem L.

2016-01-01

This article addresses the problem of testing the difference between two correlated agreement coefficients for statistical significance. A number of authors have proposed methods for testing the difference between two correlated kappa coefficients, which require either the use of resampling methods or the use of advanced statistical modeling…

Are secular correlations between sunspots, geomagnetic activity, and global temperature significant?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Love, J.J.; Mursula, K.; Tsai, V.C.; Perkins, D.M.

2011-01-01

Recent studies have led to speculation that solar-terrestrial interaction, measured by sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, has played an important role in global temperature change over the past century or so. We treat this possibility as an hypothesis for testing. We examine the statistical significance of cross-correlations between sunspot number, geomagnetic activity, and global surface temperature for the years 1868-2008, solar cycles 11-23. The data contain substantial autocorrelation and nonstationarity, properties that are incompatible with standard measures of cross-correlational significance, but which can be largely removed by averaging over solar cycles and first-difference detrending. Treated data show an expected statistically- significant correlation between sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, Pearson p < 10-4, but correlations between global temperature and sunspot number (geomagnetic activity) are not significant, p = 0.9954, (p = 0.8171). In other words, straightforward analysis does not support widely-cited suggestions that these data record a prominent role for solar-terrestrial interaction in global climate change. With respect to the sunspot-number, geomagnetic-activity, and global-temperature data, three alternative hypotheses remain difficult to reject: (1) the role of solar-terrestrial interaction in recent climate change is contained wholly in long-term trends and not in any shorter-term secular variation, or, (2) an anthropogenic signal is hiding correlation between solar-terrestrial variables and global temperature, or, (3) the null hypothesis, recent climate change has not been influenced by solar-terrestrial interaction. ?? 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Are secular correlations between sunspots, geomagnetic activity, and global temperature significant?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Love, Jeffrey J.; Mursula, Kalevi; Tsai, Victor C.; Perkins, David M.

2011-11-01

Recent studies have led to speculation that solar-terrestrial interaction, measured by sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, has played an important role in global temperature change over the past century or so. We treat this possibility as an hypothesis for testing. We examine the statistical significance of cross-correlations between sunspot number, geomagnetic activity, and global surface temperature for the years 1868-2008, solar cycles 11-23. The data contain substantial autocorrelation and nonstationarity, properties that are incompatible with standard measures of cross-correlational significance, but which can be largely removed by averaging over solar cycles and first-difference detrending. Treated data show an expected statistically-significant correlation between sunspot number and geomagnetic activity, Pearson p < 10-4, but correlations between global temperature and sunspot number (geomagnetic activity) are not significant, p = 0.9954, (p = 0.8171). In other words, straightforward analysis does not support widely-cited suggestions that these data record a prominent role for solar-terrestrial interaction in global climate change. With respect to the sunspot-number, geomagnetic-activity, and global-temperature data, three alternative hypotheses remain difficult to reject: (1) the role of solar-terrestrial interaction in recent climate change is contained wholly in long-term trends and not in any shorter-term secular variation, or, (2) an anthropogenic signal is hiding correlation between solar-terrestrial variables and global temperature, or, (3) the null hypothesis, recent climate change has not been influenced by solar-terrestrial interaction.

Pharyngeal and cervical cancer incidences significantly correlate with personal UV doses among whites in the United States.

PubMed

Godar, Dianne E; Tang, Rong; Merrill, Stephen J

2014-09-01

Because we found UV-exposed oral tissue cells have reduced DNA repair and apoptotic cell death compared with skin tissue cells, we asked if a correlation existed between personal UV dose and the incidences of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the United States. We analyzed the International Agency for Research on Cancer's incidence data for oral and pharyngeal cancers by race (white and black) and sex using each state's average annual personal UV dose. We refer to our data as 'white' rather than 'Caucasian,' which is a specific subgroup of whites, and 'black' rather than African-American because blacks from other countries around the world reside in the U.S. Most oropharyngeal carcinomas harboured human papilloma virus (HPV), so we included cervical cancer as a control for direct UV activation. We found significant correlations between increasing UV dose and pharyngeal cancer in white males (p=0.000808) and females (p=0.0031) but not in blacks. Shockingly, we also found cervical cancer in whites to significantly correlate with increasing UV dose (p=0.0154). Thus, because pharyngeal and cervical cancer correlate significantly with increasing personal UV dose in only the white population, both direct (DNA damage) and indirect (soluble factors) effects may increase the risk of HPV-associated cancer. Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

The Eysenckian personality factors and their correlations with academic performance.

PubMed

Poropat, Arthur E

2011-03-01

BACKGROUND. The relationship between personality and academic performance has long been explored, and a recent meta-analysis established that measures of the five-factor model (FFM) dimension of Conscientiousness have similar validity to intelligence measures. Although currently dominant, the FFM is only one of the currently accepted models of personality, and has limited theoretical support. In contrast, the Eysenckian personality model was developed to assess a specific theoretical model and is still commonly used in educational settings and research. AIMS. This meta-analysis assessed the validity of the Eysenckian personality measures for predicting academic performance. SAMPLE. Statistics were obtained for correlations with Psychoticism, Extraversion, and Neuroticism (20-23 samples; N from 8,013 to 9,191), with smaller aggregates for the Lie scale (7 samples; N= 3,910). METHODS. The Hunter-Schmidt random effects method was used to estimate population correlations between the Eysenckian personality measures and academic performance. Moderating effects were tested using weighted least squares regression. RESULTS. Significant but modest validities were reported for each scale. Neuroticism and Extraversion had relationships with academic performance that were consistent with previous findings, while Psychoticism appears to be linked to academic performance because of its association with FFM Conscientiousness. Age and educational level moderated correlations with Neuroticism and Extraversion, and gender had no moderating effect. Correlations varied significantly based on the measurement instrument used. CONCLUSIONS. The Eysenckian scales do not add to the prediction of academic performance beyond that provided by FFM scales. Several measurement problems afflict the Eysenckian scales, including low to poor internal reliability and complex factor structures. In particular, the measurement and validity problems of Psychoticism mean its continued use in academic

A generalized view of the correlation factor in solid-state diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akbar, Sheikh A.

1994-03-01

The correlation factor is commonly used to determine the mechanism of diffusion in solids. Although originally thought to be associated only with tracer diffusion, the concept of the correlation factor has broadened considerably over the last couple of decades. In light of these developments, it is important to generalize the concept. This article attempts to present a simple picture of an integrated view of the correlation factor in a way accessible to a wider audience. Some areas where the generalized correlation factor plays important roles are also highlighted.

Systematic evaluation of environmental factors: persistent pollutants and nutrients correlated with serum lipid levels

PubMed Central

Patel, Chirag J; Cullen, Mark R; Ioannidis, John PA; Butte, Atul J

2012-01-01

Background Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Although genome-wide association studies are currently testing the genetic factors systematically, testing and reporting one or a few factors at a time can lead to fragmented literature for environmental chemical factors. We screened for correlation between environmental factors and lipid levels, utilizing four independent surveys with information on 188 environmental factors from the Centers of Disease Control, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, collected between 1999 and 2006. Methods We used linear regression to correlate each environmental chemical factor to triglycerides, LDL-C and HDL-C adjusting for age, age2, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status and body mass index. Final estimates were adjusted for waist circumference, diabetes status, blood pressure and survey. Multiple comparisons were controlled for by estimating the false discovery rate and significant findings were tentatively validated in an independent survey. Results We identified and validated 29, 9 and 17 environmental factors correlated with triglycerides, LDL-C and HDL-C levels, respectively. Findings include hydrocarbons and nicotine associated with lower HDL-C and vitamin E (γ-tocopherol) associated with unfavourable lipid levels. Higher triglycerides and lower HDL-C were correlated with higher levels of fat-soluble contaminants (e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls and dibenzofurans). Nutrients and vitamin markers (e.g. vitamins B, D and carotenes), were associated with favourable triglyceride and HDL-C levels. Conclusions Our systematic association study has enabled us to postulate about broad environmental correlation to lipid levels. Although subject to confounding and reverse causality bias, these findings merit evaluation in additional cohorts. PMID:22421054

Significance of measuring oxidative stress in lifestyle-related diseases from the viewpoint of correlation between d-ROMs and BAP in Japanese subjects.

PubMed

Fukui, Toshiki; Yamauchi, Kazuhiro; Maruyama, Mie; Yasuda, Tadashi; Kohno, Masakazu; Abe, Youichi

2011-09-01

In recent years, oxidative stress has been postulated to be an important factor in the pathogenesis and development of lifestyle-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the association between the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), as an index of products of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and biological antioxidant potential (BAP), as an index of antioxidant potential. We also investigated the associations between d-ROMs or BAP and the risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases or metabolic syndrome-associated factors to evaluate their usefulness in preventive medicine. There were 442 subjects who underwent health checkup examination in our facilities. In addition to standard medical checkup items, we analyzed d-ROMs, BAP, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level and visceral fat area (VFA) visualized on a computed tomography scan. The mean d-ROM value in females was significantly higher than that in males. There was a positive correlation between the d-ROM and VFA levels. On correlation analysis, there was a negative correlation between the d-ROM and creatinine levels. As factors that influence d-ROMs, the level of VFA was selected, suggesting the significance of oxidative stress measurement with d-ROMs. In addition, there was a positive correlation between d-ROMs and BAP values. Further research is required to resolve whether increased production of ROS or the antioxidant potential that can compensate for such an increase of ROS is more important in vivo.

Quantitative gene expression deregulation in mantle-cell lymphoma: correlation with clinical and biologic factors.

PubMed

Kienle, Dirk; Katzenberger, Tiemo; Ott, German; Saupe, Doreen; Benner, Axel; Kohlhammer, Holger; Barth, Thomas F E; Höller, Sylvia; Kalla, Jörg; Rosenwald, Andreas; Müller-Hermelink, Hans Konrad; Möller, Peter; Lichter, Peter; Döhner, Hartmut; Stilgenbauer, Stephan

2007-07-01

There is evidence for a direct role of quantitative gene expression deregulation in mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) pathogenesis. Our aim was to investigate gene expression associations with other pathogenic factors and the significance of gene expression in a multivariate survival analysis. Quantitative expression of 20 genes of potential relevance for MCL prognosis and pathogenesis were analyzed using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and correlated with clinical and genetic factors, tumor morphology, and Ki-67 index in 65 MCL samples. Genomic losses at the loci of TP53, RB1, and P16 were associated with reduced transcript levels of the respective genes, indicating a gene-dosage effect as the pathomechanism. Analysis of gene expression correlations between the candidate genes revealed a separation into two clusters, one dominated by proliferation activators, another by proliferation inhibitors and regulators of apoptosis. Whereas only weak associations were identified between gene expression and clinical parameters or blastoid morphology, several genes were correlated closely with the Ki-67 index, including the short CCND1 variant (positive correlation) and RB1, ATM, P27, and BMI (negative correlation). In multivariate survival analysis, expression levels of MYC, MDM2, EZH2, and CCND1 were the strongest prognostic factors independently of tumor proliferation and clinical factors. These results indicate a pathogenic contribution of several gene transcript levels to the biology and clinical course of MCL. Genes can be differentiated into factors contributing to proliferation deregulation, either by enhancement or loss of inhibition, and proliferation-independent factors potentially contributing to MCL pathogenesis by apoptosis impairment.

Sensorineural hearing loss in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media: Is there a significant correlation?

PubMed

Amali, Amin; Hosseinzadeh, Nima; Samadi, Shahram; Nasiri, Shirin; Zebardast, Jayran

2017-02-01

Hearing loss as a sequel of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is often conductive, but recent studies have found an additional sensorineural component in these patients, thus demonstrating inner ear damage. The aim of the study was to determine the association between CSOM and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and to assess the influence of patient's age, duration of disease, and presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion on the degree of SNHL. In a retrospective study, the medical records of 119 patients who underwent surgery was reviewed. Seventy patients met the inclusion criteria of unilateral otorrhea, normal contralateral ear on otoscopy, and age between 10-65 years with no history of head trauma or ear surgery or familial hearing loss. Bone conduction (BC) thresholds for affected and contralateral ear were measured at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 13 with independent-samples t-test, Pearson correlation test, and two-tailed analysis. A p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Significant higher BC thresholds were found in the affected ear than in the normal ear for each frequency (p < 0.001), which increased with increasing frequency (7.00 dB at the 500 Hz and 9.71 dB at the 4000 Hz). There was a significant correlation between age and degree of SNHL (r = 0.422, p < 0.001) but no significant correlation was in duration of the disease (r = 0.119, p > 0.05). There was no relationship between presence of cholesteatoma and ossicular erosion with SNHL (p > 0.05). These findings demonstrate that CSOM is associated with some degree of SNHL and cochlear damage, and higher frequencies are more affected. Aging can act as a precipitating factor in this pathological process.

Ligand-Independent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Overexpression Correlates with Poor Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

PubMed

Yun, Sumi; Kwak, Yoonjin; Nam, Soo Kyung; Seo, An Na; Oh, Heung-Kwon; Kim, Duck-Woo; Kang, Sung-Bum; Lee, Hye Seung

2018-01-17

Molecular treatments targeting epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) are important strategies for advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, clinicopathologic implications of EGFRs and EGFR ligand signaling have not been fully evaluated. We evaluated the expression of EGFR ligands and correlation with their receptors, clinicopathologic factors, and patients' survival with CRC. The expression of EGFR ligands, including heparin binding epidermal growth factor like growth factor (HBEGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), betacellulin, and epidermal growth factor (EGF), were evaluated in 331 consecutive CRC samples using mRNA in situ hybridization (ISH). We also evaluated the expression status of EGFR, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), HER3, and HER4 using immunohistochemistry and/or silver ISH. Unlike low incidences of TGF (38.1%), betacellulin (7.9%), and EGF (2.1%), HBEGF expression was noted in 62.2% of CRC samples. However, the expression of each EGFR ligand did not reveal significant correlations with survival. The combined analyses of EGFR ligands and EGFR expression indicated that the ligands‒/EGFR+ group showed a significant association with the worst disease-free survival (DFS, p=0.018) and overall survival (OS, p=0.005). It was also an independent, unfavorable prognostic factor for DFS (p=0.026) and OS (p=0.007). Additionally, HER4 nuclear expression, regardless of ligand expression, was an independent, favorable prognostic factor for DFS (p=0.034) and OS (p=0.049), by multivariate analysis. Ligand-independent EGFR overexpression was suggested to have a significant prognostic impact; thus, the expression status of EGFR ligands, in addition to EGFR, might be necessary for predicting patients' outcome in CRC.

On the significance of δ13C correlations in ancient sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Derry, Louis A.

2010-08-01

A graphical analysis of the correlations between δc and ɛTOC was introduced by Rothman et al. (2003) to obtain estimates of the carbon isotopic composition of inputs to the oceans and the organic carbon burial fraction. Applied to Cenozoic data, the method agrees with independent estimates, but with Neoproterozoic data the method yields results that cannot be accommodated with standard models of sedimentary carbon isotope mass balance. We explore the sensitivity of the graphical correlation method and find that the variance ratio between δc and δo is an important control on the correlation of δc and ɛ. If the variance ratio σc/ σo ≥ 1 highly correlated arrays very similar to those obtained from the data are produced from independent random variables. The Neoproterozoic data shows such variance patterns, and the regression parameters for the Neoproterozoic data are statistically indistinguishable from the randomized model at the 95% confidence interval. The projection of the data into δc- ɛ space cannot distinguish between signal and noise, such as post-depositional alteration, under these circumstances. There appears to be no need to invoke unusual carbon cycle dynamics to explain the Neoproterozoic δc- ɛ array. The Cenozoic data have σc/ σo < 1 and the δc vs. ɛ correlation is probably geologically significant, but the analyzed sample size is too small to yield statistically significant results.

Correlation between increasing tissue ischemia and circulating levels of angiogenic growth factors in peripheral artery disease.

PubMed

Jalkanen, Juho; Hautero, Olli; Maksimow, Mikael; Jalkanen, Sirpa; Hakovirta, Harri

2018-04-21

The aim of the present study was to assess the circulating levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and other suggested therapeutic growth factors with the degree of ischemia in patients with different clinical manifestations of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) according to the Rutherford grades. The study cohort consists of 226 consecutive patients admitted to a Department of Vascular Surgery for elective invasive procedures. PAD patients were grouped according to the Rutherford grades after a clinical assessment. Ankle-brachial pressure indices (ABI) and absolute toe pressure (TP) values were measured. Serum levels of circulating VEGF, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) were measured from serum and analysed against Rutherford grades and peripheral hemodynamic measurements. The levels of VEGF (P = 0.009) and HGF (P < 0.001) increased significantly as the ischaemic burden became more severe according to the Rutherford grades. PDGF behaved in opposite manner and declined along increasing Rutherford grades (P = 0.004). A significant, inverse correlations between Rutherford grades was detected as follows; VEGF (Pearson's correlation = 0.183, P = 0.004), HGF (Pearson's correlation = 0.253, P < 0.001), bFGF (Pearson's correlation = 0.169, P = 0.008) and PDGF (Pearson's correlation = 0.296, P < 0.001). In addition, VEGF had a clear direct negative correlation with ABI (Pearson's correlation -0.19, P = 0.009) and TP (Pearson's correlation -0.20, P = 0.005) measurements. Our present observations show that the circulating levels of VEGF and other suggested therapeutic growth factors are significantly increased along with increasing ischemia. These findings present a new perspective to anticipated positive effects of gene therapies utilizing VEGF, HGF, and bFGF, because the levels of these growth factors are endogenously high in end

Correlation between Self-Citation and Impact Factor in Iranian English Medical Journals in WoS and ISC: A Comparative Approach.

PubMed

Ghazi Mirsaeid, Seyed Javad; Motamedi, Nadia; Ramezan Ghorbani, Nahid

2015-09-01

In this study, the impact of self-citation (Journal and Author) on impact factor of Iranian English Medical journals in two international citation databases, Web of Science (WoS) and Islamic world science citation center (ISC), were compared by citation analysis. Twelve journals in WoS and 26 journals in ISC databases indexed between the years (2006-2009) were selected and compared. For comparison of self-citation rate in two databases, we used Wilcoxon and Mann-whitney tests. We used Pearson test for correlation of self-citation and IF in WoS, and the Spearman's correlation coefficient for the ISC database. Covariance analysis was used for comparison of two correlation tests. P. value was 0.05 in all of tests. There was no significant difference between self-citation rates in two databases (P>0.05). Findings also showed no significant difference between the correlation of Journal self-citation and impact factor in two databases (P=0.526) however, there was significant difference between the author's self-citation and impact factor in these databases (P<0.001). The impact of Author's self-citation in the Impact Factor of WoS was higher than the ISC.

Correlation between spontaneous apoptosis and the expression of angiogenic factors in advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Ikeguchi, M; Cai, J; Fukuda, K; Oka, S; Katano, K; Tsujitani, S; Maeta, M; Kaibara, N

2001-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate whether angiogenic factors influence the occurrence of spontaneous apoptosis in advanced gastric cancer. The apoptotic indices (AIs) of 97 tumors from 97 patients with advanced gastric cancer (pT3, pN0, pM0, Stage II) were analyzed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Intratumoral microvessel densities (IMVDs) of tumors stained with anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody were quantified under x 200 magnification using computer-assisted image analysis. The expressions of angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thymidine phosphorylase (dThdPase), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), and p53 were analyzed immunohistochemically and compared with IMVDs and AIs. The mean IMVD of the 97 tumors was 365/mm2 (range 147-990/mm2). The mean AI of tumors was 2.1% (range 0-11.3%). A significant inverse correlation between the AIs and the IMVDs was shown (p = -0.278, P = 0.0064). The mean IMVDs of tumors with high expressions of dThdPase, TGF-alpha, or p53 were significantly higher than those of tumors with low expressions of these factors. The mean AI of tumors with high expressions of dThdPase was significantly lower than that of tumors with low expressions of dThdPase (P = 0.023). However, no significant correlations were detected between AIs and the expression levels of VEGF, TGF-alpha, or p53. In gastric cancer, dThdPase may play an important role in tumor progression by increasing microvessels and by suppressing apoptosis of cancer cells.

FDG-PET/CT and diffusion-weighted imaging for resected lung cancer: correlation of maximum standardized uptake value and apparent diffusion coefficient value with prognostic factors.

PubMed

Usuda, Katsuo; Funasaki, Aika; Sekimura, Atsushi; Motono, Nozomu; Matoba, Munetaka; Doai, Mariko; Yamada, Sohsuke; Ueda, Yoshimichi; Uramoto, Hidetaka

2018-04-09

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is useful for detecting malignant tumors and the assessment of lymph nodes, as FDG-PET/CT is. But it is not clear how DWI influences the prognosis of lung cancer patients. The focus of this study is to evaluate the correlations between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of FDG-PET/CT and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI with known prognostic factors in resected lung cancer. A total of 227 patients with resected lung cancers were enrolled in this study. FEG-PET/CT and DWI were performed in each patient before surgery. There were 168 patients with adenocarcinoma, 44 patients with squamous cell carcinoma, and 15 patients with other cell types. SUVmax was a factor that was correlated to T factor, N factor, or cell differentiation. ADC of lung cancer was a factor that was not correlated to T factor, or N factor. There was a significantly weak inverse relationship between SUVmax and ADC (Correlation coefficient r = - 0.227). In analysis of survival, there were significant differences between the categories of sex, age, pT factor, pN factor, cell differentiation, cell type, and SUVmax. Univariate analysis revealed that SUVmax, pN factor, age, cell differentiation, cell type, sex, and pT factor were significant factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that SUVmax and pN factor were independent significant prognostic factors. SUVmax was a significant prognostic factor that is correlated to T factor, N factor, or cell differentiation, but ADC was not. SUVmax may be more useful for predicting the prognosis of lung cancer than ADC values.

The Quality of Life of Hemodialysis Patients Is Affected Not Only by Medical but also Psychosocial Factors: a Canonical Correlation Study.

PubMed

Kim, Kyungmin; Kang, Gun Woo; Woo, Jungmin

2018-04-02

The quality of life (QoL) of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is very poor, plausibly due to both psychosocial and medical factors. This study aimed to determine the relationship among psychosocial factors, medical factors, and QoL in patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis (HD). In total, 55 male and 47 female patients were evaluated (mean age, 57.1 ± 12.0 years). The QoL was evaluated using the Korean version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale-Abbreviated Version. The psychosocial factors were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Zarit Burden Interview. The medical factors were assessed using laboratory examinations. Correlation and canonical correlation analyses were performed to investigate the association patterns. The QoL was significantly correlated with the psychosocial factors, and to a lesser extent with the medical factors. The medical and psychosocial factors were also correlated. The canonical correlation analysis indicated a correlation between QoL and psychosocial factors (1st canonical correlation = 0.696, P < 0.001; 2nd canonical correlation = 0.421, P = 0.191), but not medical factors (1st canonical correlation = 0.478, P = 0.475; 2nd canonical correlation = 0.419, P = 0.751). The medical and psychosocial factors were also correlated (1st canonical correlation = 0.689, P < 0.001; 2nd canonical correlation = 0.603, P = 0.009). Psychosocial factors influence QoL in patients with ESRD, and should thus be carefully considered when caring for these patients in clinical practice. © 2018 The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences.

Exploring the Factors Contributing to Sibling Correlations in BMI: A Study Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

PubMed Central

Brown, Heather W.; Roberts, Jennifer

2012-01-01

Understanding the mechanisms contributing to correlated BMI outcomes in a social network such as siblings will help policy makers reduce the burden of disease associated with obesity. There are two potential mechanisms explaining correlated BMI outcomes in a biologically related social network: (i) time constant factors such as genetic heritability and habits formed during childhood and (ii) factors that change over time some of which are dependent on the frequency of interactions between the social network, for example, social norms shaped by the social network's shifting attitudes towards weight and behaviors related to weight, or environmental factors like opportunities for exercise. This study aims to distinguish between time constant factors from factors that are likely to change over time to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms explaining the correlation in sibling BMI. We exploit data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) over 1999–2007 estimating the correlation in BMI for adult siblings who currently live in separate households but grew-up in the same household and adolescent siblings currently living in the same household to isolate the influence of factors that change over time. The findings indicate that time constant factors explain some of the overall correlation in sibling BMI for both cohorts of siblings. Factors that change over time only significantly impact on the overall correlation in BMI for adolescent siblings suggesting if there is a social network influence on correlations in BMI this is facilitated by sharing the same household. PMID:22173572

Orthopositronium decay form factors and two-photon correlations

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

Adkins, Gregory S.; Droz, Daniel R.; Rastawicki, Dominik

2010-04-15

We give results for the orthopositronium decay form factors through one-loop order. We use the form factors to calculate momentum correlations of the final-state photons and , including one-loop corrections, for ensembles of initial orthopositronium atoms having arbitrary polarization.

Expression and significance of Tie-1 and Tie-2 receptors, and angiopoietins-1, 2 and 4 in colorectal adenocarcinoma: Immunohistochemical analysis and correlation with clinicopathological factors

PubMed Central

Nakayama, Toshiyuki; Hatachi, Go; Wen, Chun-Yang; Yoshizaki, Ayumi; Yamazumi, Kazuyuki; Niino, Daisuke; Sekine, Ichiro

2005-01-01

AIM: There is strong evidence that tyrosine kinases are involved in the regulation of tumor progression, cellular growth and differentiation. Recently, many kinds of tyrosine kinase receptors have been reported, among them Tie-1 and Tie-2 receptors constitute a major class. Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 is known as a ligand of Tie-2 tyrosine kinase receptor. The objective of this study was to establish a comprehensive Tie-1 and Tie-2 and Ang-1, 2 and 4 expression profile in human colorectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: We examined 96 cases of surgically resected human colorectal adenocarcinoma by immunohistochemistry and investigated the statistical correlation between the expressions of Ties and Angs and clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Among the 96 cases of adenocarcinoma, 87 (90.6%), 92 (95.8%), 83 (86.5%), 89 (92.7%), and 76 cases (79.2%) showed positive staining in the cytoplasm of carcinoma cells for the Tie-1 and Tie-2 and Ang-1, 2 and 4 proteins, respectively. Histologically, the expressions of Ties and Angs were variable. The expressions of Ties and Angs were correlated with several clinicopathological factors, but did not correlate with the presence of lymph node metastasis. Ties and Angs were highly expressed in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the Tie-Ang receptor-ligand complex is one of the factors involved in the cellular differentiation and progression of human colorectal adenocarcinoma. PMID:15742397

Bone mineral density and correlation factor analysis in normal Taiwanese children.

PubMed

Shu, San-Ging

2007-01-01

Our aim was to establish reference data and linear regression equations for lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in normal Taiwanese children. Several influencing factors of lumbar BMD were investigated. Two hundred fifty-seven healthy children were recruited from schools, 136 boys and 121 girls, aged 4-18 years were enrolled on a voluntary basis with written consent. Their height, weight, blood pressure, puberty stage, bone age and lumbar BMD (L2-4) by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were measured. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression tests. All measurements increased with age. Prior to age 8, there was no gender difference. Parameters such as height, weight, and bone age (BA) in girls surpassed boys between ages 8-13 without statistical significance (p> or =0.05). This was reversed subsequently after age 14 in height (p<0.05). BMD difference had the same trend but was not statistically significant either. The influencing power of puberty stage and bone age over BMD was almost equal to or higher than that of height and weight. All the other factors correlated with BMD to variable powers. Multiple linear regression equations for boys and girls were formulated. BMD reference data is provided and can be used to monitor childhood pathological conditions. However, BMD in those with abnormal bone age or pubertal development could need modifications to ensure accuracy.

Correlation between Self-Citation and Impact Factor in Iranian English Medical Journals in WoS and ISC: A Comparative Approach

PubMed Central

GHAZI MIRSAEID, Seyed Javad; MOTAMEDI, Nadia; RAMEZAN GHORBANI, Nahid

2015-01-01

Background: In this study, the impact of self-citation (Journal and Author) on impact factor of Iranian English Medical journals in two international citation databases, Web of Science (WoS) and Islamic world science citation center (ISC), were compared by citation analysis. Methods: Twelve journals in WoS and 26 journals in ISC databases indexed between the years (2006–2009) were selected and compared. For comparison of self-citation rate in two databases, we used Wilcoxon and Mann-whitney tests. We used Pearson test for correlation of self-citation and IF in WoS, and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient for the ISC database. Covariance analysis was used for comparison of two correlation tests. P. value was 0.05 in all of tests. Results: There was no significant difference between self-citation rates in two databases (P>0.05). Findings also showed no significant difference between the correlation of Journal self-citation and impact factor in two databases (P=0.526) however, there was significant difference between the author’s self-citation and impact factor in these databases (P<0.001). Conclusion: The impact of Author’s self-citation in the Impact Factor of WoS was higher than the ISC. PMID:26587498

Data-Driven Significance Estimation for Precise Spike Correlation

PubMed Central

Grün, Sonja

2009-01-01

The mechanisms underlying neuronal coding and, in particular, the role of temporal spike coordination are hotly debated. However, this debate is often confounded by an implicit discussion about the use of appropriate analysis methods. To avoid incorrect interpretation of data, the analysis of simultaneous spike trains for precise spike correlation needs to be properly adjusted to the features of the experimental spike trains. In particular, nonstationarity of the firing of individual neurons in time or across trials, a spike train structure deviating from Poisson, or a co-occurrence of such features in parallel spike trains are potent generators of false positives. Problems can be avoided by including these features in the null hypothesis of the significance test. In this context, the use of surrogate data becomes increasingly important, because the complexity of the data typically prevents analytical solutions. This review provides an overview of the potential obstacles in the correlation analysis of parallel spike data and possible routes to overcome them. The discussion is illustrated at every stage of the argument by referring to a specific analysis tool (the Unitary Events method). The conclusions, however, are of a general nature and hold for other analysis techniques. Thorough testing and calibration of analysis tools and the impact of potentially erroneous preprocessing stages are emphasized. PMID:19129298

The significance of organizational factors for the incidence of bullying.

PubMed

Agervold, Mogens

2009-06-01

It is frequently assumed that a poor psychosocial working environment will create conditions that encourage bullying. However, few studies have examined this assumption while comparing work environment ratings of bullied and non-bullied employees who work in the same organization and/or department. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational factors and the incidence of acts of bullying based on two different approaches: the first by comparing bullied with no-bullied, the second by comparing departments with widespread bullying with departments with little bullying. The study was a part of a general survey study of the work environment and employee well-being in 12 different local social security offices. A total of 898 persons participated in the study (a response rate of 88%). First, the results showed a clear relationship between bullying and fear of organizational change; secondly, weak, but significant, correlations between bullying and other organizational factors; thirdly, the subsequent analyses compared departments in which bullying were most widespread with the rest of the departments. The results supported the hypothesis that departments that suffer from much bullying also have a poorer psychosocial work environment, results that support the assumption that organizational factors such as changes in one's position, pressure of work, performance demands, autocratic management and role conflict and lack of role clarity, as well as a poor social climate can contribute to the emergence of higher incidences of bullying.

Obesity is a significant susceptibility factor for idiopathic AA amyloidosis.

PubMed

Blank, Norbert; Hegenbart, Ute; Dietrich, Sascha; Brune, Maik; Beimler, Jörg; Röcken, Christoph; Müller-Tidow, Carsten; Lorenz, Hanns-Martin; Schönland, Stefan O

2018-03-01

To investigate obesity as susceptibility factor in patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis. Clinical, biochemical and genetic data were obtained from 146 patients with AA amyloidosis. Control groups comprised 40 patients with long-standing inflammatory diseases without AA amyloidosis and 56 controls without any inflammatory disease. Patients with AA amyloidosis had either familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) or long-standing rheumatic diseases as underlying inflammatory disease (n = 111, median age 46 years). However, in a significant proportion of patients with AA amyloidosis no primary disease was identified (idiopathic AA; n = 37, median age 60 years). Patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis were more obese and older than patients with AA amyloidosis secondary to FMF or rheumatic diseases. Serum leptin levels correlated with the body mass index (BMI) in all types of AA amyloidosis. Elevated leptin levels of more than 30 µg/l were detected in 18% of FMF/rheumatic + AA amyloidosis and in 40% of patients with idiopathic AA amyloidosis (p = .018). Finally, the SAA1 polymorphism was confirmed as a susceptibility factor for AA amyloidosis irrespective of the type of the disease. Obesity, age and the SAA1 polymorphism are susceptibility factors for idiopathic AA amyloidosis. Recent advances in treatment of FMF and rheumatic disorders will decrease the incidence of AA amyloidosis due to these diseases. Idiopathic AA, however, might be an emerging problem in the ageing and increasingly obese population.

Correlations between environmental factors and wild bee behavior on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in northwestern China.

PubMed

Wang, Xiaojuan; Liu, Hongping; Li, Xiaoxia; Song, Yu; Chen, Li; Jin, Liang

2009-10-01

To discover the effect of environmental factors on pollinator visitation to flowering Medicago sativa, several field experiments were designed to examine the diurnal movement patterns of wild bee species in the Hexi Corridor of northwestern China. Our study results showed that Megachile abluta, M. spissula, and Xylocopa valga showed unimodal diurnal foraging behavior, whereas Andrena parvula and Anthophora melanognatha showed bimodal diurnal foraging behavior. Correlation analysis indicated that diurnal foraging activities of pollinators were significantly correlated with environmental factors. Correlations of foraging activities versus environmental factors for M. abluta, M. spissula, and X. valga best fit a linear model, whereas those of A. parvula and A. melanognatha best fit a parallel quadratic model. Results of this study indicated that solitary wild bees such as M. abluta, M. spissula, X. valga, A. parvula, and A. melanognatha are potential alfalfa pollinators in the Hexi Corridor. An understanding of the environmental factors that affect the behaviors of different wild bees foraging in alfalfa are basic to the utilization of solitary wild bees in a practical way for increased, or more consistent, pollination of alfalfa for seed production.

Inflammation factors in hepatoblastoma and their clinical significance as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

PubMed

Guo, Fei; Ru, Qin; Zhang, Junjie; He, Shen; Yu, Jiekai; Zheng, Shu; Wang, Jiaxiang

2017-09-01

The aims of this study were to identify inflammation factors in hepatoblastoma tissue that correlated with different clinical characteristics, and to explore the probability as predictive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. SELDI-TOF-MS was performed to screen protein peaks that were significantly highly expressed in tumor tissue compared with adjacent liver tissue. After removing proteins larger than 30kDa, the targeted peaks were separated by solid phase extraction and tricine-SDS-PAGE. Protein fragments produced by in-gel digestion were identified by LC-MS/MS. Immunohistochemical assays further confirmed these results. Overall survival curves were graphed by Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Three protein peaks (m/z 12,138, m/z 13,462, and m/z 15,120) that were significantly upregulated in the tumor tissue were identified as macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 7 (CXCL7), and interleukin 25 (IL-25). These factors were closely related to clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion and serum AFP level. High expression of each inflammatory marker indicated poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis suggested that MIF, CXCL7, and IL-25 were prognostic factors independent of patient sex, age and tumor histological type. MIF, CXCL7, and IL-25 might be considered as effective inflammation factors for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatoblastoma and as potential novel treatment targets through inhibition of inflammatory function. Prognosis study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Caregiver’s feeding styles questionnaire - new factors and correlates

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Study objectives were to conduct exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of Caregiver’s Feeding Styles Questionnaire (CFSQ) and evaluate correlations between factors and maternal feeding practices, attitudes, and perceptions. Mothers (N = 144) were 43% minority race/ethnicity, 24% full-time employed, 54% ...

Bootstrap Confidence Intervals for Ordinary Least Squares Factor Loadings and Correlations in Exploratory Factor Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Guangjian; Preacher, Kristopher J.; Luo, Shanhong

2010-01-01

This article is concerned with using the bootstrap to assign confidence intervals for rotated factor loadings and factor correlations in ordinary least squares exploratory factor analysis. Coverage performances of "SE"-based intervals, percentile intervals, bias-corrected percentile intervals, bias-corrected accelerated percentile…

Deep pain sensitivity is correlated with oral-health-related quality of life but not with prosthetic factors in complete denture wearers

PubMed Central

COSTA, Yuri Martins; PORPORATTI, André Luís; HILGENBERG-SYDNEY, Priscila Brenner; BONJARDIM, Leonardo Rigoldi; CONTI, Paulo César Rodrigues

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Low pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) is considered a risk factor for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and is influenced by psychological variables. Objectives To correlate deep pain sensitivity of masticatory muscles with prosthetic factors and Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in completely edentulous subjects. Material and Methods A total of 29 complete denture wearers were recruited. The variables were: a) Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT) of the masseter and temporalis; b) retention, stability, and tooth wear of dentures; c) Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO); d) Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) adapted to orofacial pain. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficient, the Spearman Rank correlation coefficient, the Point-Biserial correlation coefficient, and the Bonferroni correction (α=1%) were applied to the data. Results The mean age (standard deviation) of the participants was of 70.1 years (9.5) and 82% of them were females. There were no significant correlations with prosthetic factors, but significant negative correlations were found between the OHIP and the PPT of the anterior temporalis (r=-0.50, 95% CI-0.73 to 0.17, p=0.005). Discussion The deep pain sensitivity of masticatory muscles in complete dentures wearers is associated with OHRQoL, but not with prosthetic factors. PMID:26814457

Study on the clinical significance and related factors of thirst and xerostomia in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Fan, Wei-Feng; Zhang, Qi; Luo, Li-Hong; Niu, Jian-Ying; Gu, Yong

2013-01-01

To analyse the clinical significance and related factors of thirst and xerostomia and to find methods to alleviate thirst and xerostomia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Forty-two MHD patients were included for observational study and eleven patients were enrolled for crossover trial. Thirst was assessed by 100-mm visual analog scales (VAS) and dialysis thirst inventory (DTI). Meanwhile, xerostomia was assessed by VAS and xerostomia inventory (XI). Depression, kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL), salivary flow rates and inter dialytic weight gain (IDWG) were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlations between continuous variables. The results of crossover trial were investigated by two-sample T-tests. Strong positive correlations among DTI, VAS thirst score, XI and VAS xerostomia score were found (P=0.000). Daily IDWG was positively correlated with VAS thirst score (r=0.315, P=0.042) and DTI(r=0.391, P=0.010). UWS (unstimulated whole saliva) was negatively correlated with VAS xerostomia score (r=-0.308, P=0.048). Residual urine output was negatively correlated with DTI (r=-0.402, P=0.008), VAS xerostomia score (r=-0.461, P=0.002) and XI (r=-0.403, P=0.008). In the crossover trial, DTI, XI, IDWG2d, IDWG3d, VAS thirst and xerostomia score were significantly reduced by the use of chewing gum (P=0.000, 0.001, 0.009, 0.017, 0.038, 0.001). The VAS thirst score, DTI and IDWG3d were significantly reduced by receiveing straw (P=0.016, 0.003, 0.049). Thirst and xerostomia might affect the quality of life in MHD patients. Both chewing gum and straw could decrease thirst and IDWG. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Correlation of serum intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor with tumor grading and staging in breast cancer patients.

PubMed

Haghi, Alireza Rastgoo; Vahedi, Amir; Shekarchi, Ali Akbar; Kamran, Aziz

2017-01-01

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. There are several prognostic factors for this disease. The aim of this article is to explore the correlation of serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) with tumor, node, metastasis staging and grading of breast cancer. Serum samples of 51 patients with breast cancer were assessed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the level of VEGF and ICAM1 preoperatively. After the operation, histopathologic specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin were evaluated for tumor size, histopathologic subtype, grade, lymph node, vascular and lymphatic involvement. Then, the correlation of tumor stage and grade and serum level of markers was analyzed. There was no significant correlation between serum level of markers with vascular invasions, lymph node involvement, and menstruation. There was a weak correlation between tumor size and serum level of ICAM1 with Pearson score correlation, but there was no significant correlation with VEGF. There was no significant correlation between tumor grading and staging with the level of markers. There was a significant correlation between the level of VEGF and ICAM1 and histologic type of tumors in invasive through in situ tumors. Levels of VEGF and ICAM1 can be used as a predictor of tumor invasion and also for target therapy.

Assessment of postmenopausal women and significant risk factors for osteoporosis.

PubMed

Schnatz, Peter F; Marakovits, Kimberly A; O'Sullivan, David M

2010-09-01

The assessment of osteoporosis risk factors can help guide early intervention. The objective of this study was to analyze numerous potential risk factors to see which were associated with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Women aged 49 or greater presenting for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone scans were recruited from radiology sites in the Hartford, Connecticut, area between January 2007 and March 2009, inclusive. Information was collected regarding primary and secondary risk factors for osteoporosis development, as well as family history and history of pregnancy and breast-feeding. Survey results were subsequently correlated with each woman's dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan results. In a sample of 619 women, history of fracture (odds ratio [OR], 12.49), weight less than 127 pounds (OR, 3.50), and use of anticoagulants (OR, 5.40) increased the chance of developing osteoporosis. In contrast, multiparity (OR, 0.45) and history of breast-feeding (OR, 0.38) decreased the development of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. In women aged 49 to 54, breast-feeding was significantly protective, while low body mass index was most indicative of osteoporosis in women ages 55 to 64. Both previous fracture and low body mass index were associated with osteoporosis in women over age 64. The current results are consistent with other studies suggesting that previous fracture, low body weight, and use of anticoagulants increase the risk of osteoporosis. Our results also suggest that a history of pregnancy and breast-feeding protects against the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis, especially in women aged 49 to 54.

Mother-daughter correlation of central obesity and other noncommunicable disease risk factors: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

PubMed

Heidari, Zahra; Hosseinpanah, Farhad; Barzin, Maryam; Safarkhani, Maryam; Azizi, Fereidoun

2015-03-01

This study aimed to investigate the mother-daughter correlation for central obesity and other noncommunicable disease risk factors. The authors used metabolic and anthropometric data from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, enrolling 1041 mother-daughter pairs for the current study. Three age strata were defined: 3 to 9 years for childhood (146 mother-daughter pairs), 10 to 17 years for adolescence (395 mother-daughter pairs), and 18 to 25 years for early adulthood (500 mother-daughter pairs). Familial associations for central obesity and other noncommunicable disease risk factors were assessed. The prevalence of central obesity was 44.7% in mothers and 11.2% in daughters (6.2% in the 3-9, 19.2% in the 10-17, and 6.4% in the 18-25 years groups). Mothers with central obesity were more likely than nonobese mothers to have daughters with central obesity (10.5% and 1.7%, respectively; P = .0001). Central obesity indices among daughters were positively correlated with those of their mothers in all 3 age strata. Correlations for other noncommunicable disease risk factors were analyzed before and after adjusting the risk factor levels for mothers' and daughters' waist circumferences (WCs) within each group to determine whether risk factor correlations were, in part, a result of the central obesity correlations. After the non-communicable disease risk factor levels of participants were adjusted for their WCs, the mother-daughter correlations remained significant. The consistent association of central obesity between mothers and daughters may indicate the key role that could be played by the mother in the primary prevention of central obesity, particularly in high-risk families. © 2012 APJPH.

Factors influencing medication adherence in patients with gout: A descriptive correlational study.

PubMed

Chua, Xin Hui Jasmine; Lim, Siriwan; Lim, Fui Ping; Lim, Yee Nah Anita; He, Hong-Gu; Teng, Gim Gee

2018-01-01

To examine the factors influencing adherence to urate-lowering therapy in patients with gout in Singapore. Gout is the most common type of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Urate-lowering therapy is used to treat gout by reducing serum uric acid levels. However, adherence to urate-lowering therapy among patients remains poor. To date, there have been no available studies based on a conceptual framework that examined factors influencing medication adherence in patients with gout. Cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study. A convenience sample of outpatients (n = 108) was recruited between October 2014-January 2015 from a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Outcomes were measured by relevant valid and reliable instruments. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests including multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data. Although 44.4% of the participants were high adherers to urate-lowering therapy, the mean adherence level was moderate. Significant differences in medication adherence scores were found among the subgroups of gender, ethnicity, marital status, employment status and presence of comorbidity. Medication adherence was positively significantly correlated with age, number of comorbidities and beliefs about medicines. Linear regression showed that higher level of beliefs about medicines, presence of comorbidity and being married were factors positively influencing medication adherence. This study revealed moderate adherence to urate-lowering therapy in patients with gout in Singapore, indicating the need for strategies to improve adherence by considering its main influencing factors. Future research should be conducted to develop interventions targeted at modifying patients' beliefs about medicines in order to improve medication adherence. Findings from this study allow healthcare providers to quickly and easily identify patients who may have low adherence. Nurses should take the lead in educating patients on the mechanism of urate

The Manifest Association Structure of the Single-Factor Model: Insights from Partial Correlations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salgueiro, Maria de Fatima; Smith, Peter W. F.; McDonald, John W.

2008-01-01

The association structure between manifest variables arising from the single-factor model is investigated using partial correlations. The additional insights to the practitioner provided by partial correlations for detecting a single-factor model are discussed. The parameter space for the partial correlations is presented, as are the patterns of…

Modified friction factor correlation for CICC's based on a porous media analogy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewandowska, Monika; Bagnasco, Maurizio

2011-09-01

A modified correlation for the bundle friction factor in CICC's based on a porous media analogy is presented. The correlation is obtained by the analysis of the collected pressure drop data measured for 23 CICC's. The friction factors predicted by the proposed correlation are compared with those resulting from the pressure drop data for two CICC's measured recently using cryogenic helium in the SULTAN test facility at EPFL-CRPP.

Expression of transcription factor Pokemon in non-small cell lung cancer and its clinical significance.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhi-hong; Wang, Sheng-fa; Yu, Liang; Wang, Ju; Chang, Hao; Yan, Wei-li; Fu, Kai; Zhang, Jian

2008-03-05

Transcription factor Pokemon, a central regulation gene of the important tumor suppressor ARF gene, exerted its activity by acting upstream of many tumor-suppressing genes and proto-oncogenes. Its expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinical significance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Pokemon in NSCLC and to explore its correlation with the clinical pathological characteristics and its influence on patients' prognosis. Fifty-five cases of NSCLC were involved in this study. The expression of Pokemon in the tumor tissue, the corresponding tumor adjacent tissue and the surrounding tissue was detected via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, with the aim of investigating the correlation between the expression of Pokemon in tumor tissue of NSCLC and its clinical pathological characteristics. Moreover, a prognostic analysis was carried out based upon the immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of the expression of Pokemon gene in archival tumor specimens (5 years ago) of 62 cases of NSCLC. Statistical significance of the expression of Pokemon mRNA and protein was determined in the tumor tissue, the tumor adjacent tissue and the surrounding tissue (P<0.05). The expression of Pokemon was determined not to be associated with the patients' sex, age, smoking condition, tumor differentiation degree, histology and lymph node metastasis condition. However, its relationship with TNM staging was established (P<0.05). Furthermore, it was shown that the survival rate of patients with negative Pokemon expression was significantly higher than that of those with positive Pokemon expression (P=0.004), therefore, the expression of Pokemon is believed to be an independent factor affecting prognosis (P=0.034). Pokemon was over-expressed in NSCLC tissue and the expression of Pokemon might be of clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer prognostic evaluation.

Factors related to academic success among nursing students: a descriptive correlational research study.

PubMed

Beauvais, Audrey M; Stewart, Julie G; DeNisco, Susan; Beauvais, John E

2014-06-01

The current rise in employment is improving forecasts for the future supply of registered nurses; however sizeable shortages are still projected. With the intention of improving academic success in nursing students, related factors need to be better understood. The purpose of the correlational study was to describe the relationship between emotional intelligence, psychological empowerment, resilience, spiritual well-being, and academic success in undergraduate and graduate nursing students. A descriptive correlational design was utilized. The study was set in a private Catholic university. There were 124 participants. There were 59% undergraduate and 41% graduate students. Background data, in addition to the Spreitzer Psychological Empowerment Scale, the Wagnild and Young Resilience Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, was collected from students who met study criteria. In a combined sample, academic success was correlated with overall spiritual well-being, empowerment and resilience. Although academic success was not correlated with overall emotional intelligence, it was correlated with the emotional intelligence branch four (managing emotions) score. When undergraduate and graduate students were considered separately, only one correlation was found to be significantly related to academic success in the undergraduate sample, namely, emotional intelligence branch one (perceiving emotions). When examining the data from just graduate level nurses, significant relationships were found between total emotional intelligence with academic success, resilience with academic success, and psychological empowerment with academic success. The significant relationship between psychological empowerment, resilience, spiritual well-being and academic success in this study supports the statements in the literature that these concepts may play an important role in persistence through the challenges of nursing education

Ground-state factorization and correlations with broken symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomasello, B.; Rossini, D.; Hamma, A.; Amico, L.

2011-10-01

We show how the phenomenon of factorization in a quantum many-body system is of collective nature. To this aim we study the quantum discord Q in the one-dimensional XY model in a transverse field. We analyze the behavior of Q at both the critical point and at the non-critical factorizing field. The factorization is found to be governed by an exponential scaling law for Q. We also address the thermal effects fanning out from the anomalies occurring at zero temperature. Close to the quantum phase transition, Q exhibits a finite-temperature crossover with universal scaling behavior, while the factorization phenomenon results in a non-trivial pattern of correlations present at low temperature.

Analysis of the correlative factors for velopharyngeal closure of patients with cleft palate after primary repair.

PubMed

Chen, Qi; Li, Yang; Shi, Bing; Yin, Heng; Zheng, Guang-Ning; Zheng, Qian

2013-12-01

The objective of this study was to analyze the correlative factors for velopharyngeal closure of patients with cleft palate after primary repair. Ninety-five nonsyndromic patients with cleft palate were enrolled. Two surgical techniques were applied in the patients: simple palatoplasty and combined palatoplasty with pharyngoplasty. All patients were assessed 6 months after the operation. The postoperative velopharyngeal closure (VPC) rate was compared by χ(2) test and the correlative factors were analyzed with logistic regression model. The postoperative VPC rate of young patients was higher than that of old patients, the group with incomplete cleft palate was higher than the group with complete cleft palate, and combined palatoplasty with pharyngoplasty was higher than simple palatoplasty. Operative age, cleft type, and surgical technique were the contributing factors for postoperative VPC rate. Operative age, cleft type, and surgical technique were significant factors influencing postoperative VPC rate of patients with cleft palate. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Significance of Input Correlations in Striatal Function

PubMed Central

Yim, Man Yi; Aertsen, Ad; Kumar, Arvind

2011-01-01

The striatum is the main input station of the basal ganglia and is strongly associated with motor and cognitive functions. Anatomical evidence suggests that individual striatal neurons are unlikely to share their inputs from the cortex. Using a biologically realistic large-scale network model of striatum and cortico-striatal projections, we provide a functional interpretation of the special anatomical structure of these projections. Specifically, we show that weak pairwise correlation within the pool of inputs to individual striatal neurons enhances the saliency of signal representation in the striatum. By contrast, correlations among the input pools of different striatal neurons render the signal representation less distinct from background activity. We suggest that for the network architecture of the striatum, there is a preferred cortico-striatal input configuration for optimal signal representation. It is further enhanced by the low-rate asynchronous background activity in striatum, supported by the balance between feedforward and feedback inhibitions in the striatal network. Thus, an appropriate combination of rates and correlations in the striatal input sets the stage for action selection presumably implemented in the basal ganglia. PMID:22125480

Expression and clinical significance of connective tissue growth factor in thyroid carcinomas.

PubMed

Wang, Guimin; Zhang, Wei; Meng, Wei; Liu, Jia; Wang, Peisong; Lin, Shan; Xu, Liyan; Li, Enmin; Chen, Guang

2013-08-01

To examine expression of the connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) gene in human thyroid cancer and establish whether a correlation exists between the presence of CTGF protein and clinicopathological parameters of the disease. CTGF protein expression was investigated retrospectively by immunohistochemical analysis of CTGF protein levels in thyroid tumour tissue. Associations between immunohistochemical score and several clinicopathological parameters were examined. In total, 131 thyroid tissue specimens were included. High levels of CTGF protein were observed in papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue; benign thyroid tumour tissue scored negatively for CTGF protein. In papillary thyroid carcinoma, there was a significant relationship between high CTGF protein levels and Union for International Cancer Control disease stage III-IV, and presence of lymph node metastasis. In papillary thyroid carcinomas, CTGF protein levels were not significantly associated with sex or age. These findings suggest that the CTGF protein level is increased in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells compared with benign thyroid tumours. CTGF expression might play a role in the development of malignant tumours in the thyroid.

Significant Locus and Metabolic Genetic Correlations Revealed in Genome-Wide Association Study of Anorexia Nervosa.

PubMed

Duncan, Laramie; Yilmaz, Zeynep; Gaspar, Helena; Walters, Raymond; Goldstein, Jackie; Anttila, Verneri; Bulik-Sullivan, Brendan; Ripke, Stephan; Thornton, Laura; Hinney, Anke; Daly, Mark; Sullivan, Patrick F; Zeggini, Eleftheria; Breen, Gerome; Bulik, Cynthia M

2017-09-01

The authors conducted a genome-wide association study of anorexia nervosa and calculated genetic correlations with a series of psychiatric, educational, and metabolic phenotypes. Following uniform quality control and imputation procedures using the 1000 Genomes Project (phase 3) in 12 case-control cohorts comprising 3,495 anorexia nervosa cases and 10,982 controls, the authors performed standard association analysis followed by a meta-analysis across cohorts. Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to calculate genome-wide common variant heritability (single-nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]-based heritability [h 2 SNP ]), partitioned heritability, and genetic correlations (r g ) between anorexia nervosa and 159 other phenotypes. Results were obtained for 10,641,224 SNPs and insertion-deletion variants with minor allele frequencies >1% and imputation quality scores >0.6. The h 2 SNP of anorexia nervosa was 0.20 (SE=0.02), suggesting that a substantial fraction of the twin-based heritability arises from common genetic variation. The authors identified one genome-wide significant locus on chromosome 12 (rs4622308) in a region harboring a previously reported type 1 diabetes and autoimmune disorder locus. Significant positive genetic correlations were observed between anorexia nervosa and schizophrenia, neuroticism, educational attainment, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and significant negative genetic correlations were observed between anorexia nervosa and body mass index, insulin, glucose, and lipid phenotypes. Anorexia nervosa is a complex heritable phenotype for which this study has uncovered the first genome-wide significant locus. Anorexia nervosa also has large and significant genetic correlations with both psychiatric phenotypes and metabolic traits. The study results encourage a reconceptualization of this frequently lethal disorder as one with both psychiatric and metabolic etiology.

Significant factors in family difficulties for fathers and mothers who use support services for children with hikikomori.

PubMed

Funakoshi, Akiko; Miyamoto, Yuki

2015-04-01

Hikikomori is a new psychosociological phenomenon among youth, of almost complete withdrawal from social interaction, and it has received considerable attention in community mental health in Japan. The aims of the present study were to identify the influential factors of family difficulties of parents who use support services for children with hikikomori, and compare them between fathers and mothers. Data were collected from 110 parents (55 couples) of children with hikikomori with regard to family difficulties, quality of life, and depression variables via self-report questionnaires. To assess the influential factors of Family Difficulties for parents with children with hikikomori, hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was carried out for gender. While 94.5% of mothers received some kind of family support, only 61.9% of fathers received it. For both genders, the number of services that the fathers received was significantly correlated with marital cooperation, and the number of services that the mothers received was significantly correlated with support resource utilization. It is necessary for fathers to receive more support, and it is important for professionals to encourage parents to address their difficulties together. © 2014 The Authors. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences © 2014 Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Clinical significance of serum p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor in patients with acute leukemia.

PubMed

Abdel-Aziz, Mohamed Mohamed

2013-01-01

Pretreatment serum p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with acute leukemia to analysis their roles in characterization of different subtypes of the disease. Serum samples from thirty two patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and fourteen patients with acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) were analysed, along with 24 from healthy individuals used as a control group. The results demonstrated a significant increase of serum p53 and EGFR in patients with AML (p<0.0001) compared to the control group. Also, the results showed a significant increase of both markers in patients with ALL (p<0.05, p<0.0001 respectively). Sensitivities and specificities for these variables were 52% and 100% for p53, and 73.9%, 95.8% for EGFR. Serum p53 and EGFR could successfully differentiate between M4 and other AML subtypes, while these variables failed to discriminate among ALL subtypes. A positive significant correlation was noted between p53 and EGFR. Negative significant correlations were observed between these variables and both of hemoglobin (Hg) content and RBC count. Mutant p53 and EGFR are helpful serological markers for diagnosis of patients with AML or ALL and can aid in characterization of disease. Moreover, these markers may reflect carcinogenesis mechanisms.

Socio-economic factors of bacillary dysentery based on spatial correlation analysis in Guangxi Province, China.

PubMed

Nie, Chengjing; Li, Hairong; Yang, Linsheng; Zhong, Gemei; Zhang, Lan

2014-01-01

In the past decade, bacillary dysentery was still a big public health problem in China, especially in Guangxi Province, where thousands of severe diarrhea cases occur every year. Reported bacillary dysentery cases in Guangxi Province were obtained from local Centers for Diseases Prevention and Control. The 14 socio-economic indexes were selected as potential explanatory variables for the study. The spatial correlation analysis was used to explore the associations between the selected factors and bacillary dysentery incidence at county level, which was based on the software of ArcGIS10.2 and GeoDA 0.9.5i. The proportion of primary industry, the proportion of younger than 5-year-old children in total population, the number of hospitals per thousand persons and the rates of bacillary dysentery incidence show statistically significant positive correlation. But the proportion of secondary industry, per capital GDP, per capital government revenue, rural population proportion, popularization rate of tap water in rural area, access rate to the sanitation toilets in rural, number of beds in hospitals per thousand persons, medical and technical personnel per thousand persons and the rate of bacillary dysentery incidence show statistically significant negative correlation. The socio-economic factors can be divided into four aspects, including economic development, health development, medical development and human own condition. The four aspects were not isolated from each other, but interacted with each other.

Determination of Significant Composite Processing Factors by Designed Experiment (MSFC Center Director's Discretionary Fund)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Finckenor, J. L.

2003-01-01

To determie composite material properties' effects from porcessing variables, a 3 factorial designed experiment with two replicates was conducted. The factors were cure method (oven versus autoclave), layup (hand versus tape-laying machine), and thickness (8 versus 52 ply). Four material systems were tested: AS4/3501-6, IM7/8551-7, IM7/F655 bismaleimide (BMI), and shear tests on IM7/F584. Material properties were G(sub 12), v(sub 12), E(sub 1c) and E(sub 2c). Since the samples were necessarily nonstandard, strengths, though recorded, cannot be considered valid. Void content was also compared. Autoclave curing helped material properties for the low modulus fiber material but showed little benefit for higher stiffness fibers. The number of plies was very important for epoxy composites but not for the BMI. E(sub 1) was generally unaffected by any factor. Particularly high void content did correlate to reduced properties. Autoclave curing reduced void content over oven curiing but a moderate amount of voids, less than 1 percent void content, didnot correlate with material properties. Oven cures and hand layups can produce high-quality parts. Part thickness of epoxy composites is important, though cure optimization may improve performance. Significant variations can be caused by processing and it is important that test coupons always reflect the layup and processes of the final part.

B-cell subset alterations and correlated factors in HIV-1 infection.

PubMed

Pensieroso, Simone; Galli, Laura; Nozza, Silvia; Ruffin, Nicolas; Castagna, Antonella; Tambussi, Giuseppe; Hejdeman, Bo; Misciagna, Donatella; Riva, Agostino; Malnati, Mauro; Chiodi, Francesca; Scarlatti, Gabriella

2013-05-15

During HIV-1 infection, the development, phenotype, and functionality of B cells are impaired. Transitional B cells and aberrant B-cell populations arise in blood, whereas a declined percentage of resting memory B cells is detected. Our study aimed at pinpointing the demographic, immunological, and viral factors driving these pathological findings, and the role of antiretroviral therapy in reverting these alterations. B-cell phenotype and correlating factors were evaluated. Variations in B-cell subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry in HIV-1-infected individuals naive to therapy, elite controllers, and patients treated with antiretroviral drugs (virological control or failure). Multivariable analysis was performed to identify variables independently associated with the B-cell alterations. Significant differences were observed among patients' groups in relation to all B-cell subsets. Resting memory B cells were preserved in patients naive to therapy and elite controllers, but reduced in treated patients. Individuals naive to therapy and experiencing multidrug failure, as well as elite controllers, had significantly higher levels of activated memory B cells compared to healthy controls. In the multivariate analysis, plasma viral load and nadir CD4 T cells independently correlated with major B-cell alterations. Coinfection with hepatitis C but not hepatitis B virus also showed an impact on specific B-cell subsets. Successful protracted antiretroviral treatment led to normalization of all B-cell subsets with exception of resting memory B cells. Our results indicate that viremia and nadir CD4 T cells are important prognostic markers of B-cell perturbations and provide evidence that resting memory B-cell depletion during chronic infection is not reverted upon successful antiretroviral therapy.

Correlates of early pregnancy serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a Peruvian population.

PubMed

Yang, Na; Levey, Elizabeth; Gelaye, Bizu; Zhong, Qiu-Yue; Rondon, Marta B; Sanchez, Sixto E; Williams, Michelle A

2017-12-01

Knowledge about factors that influence serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations during early pregnancy is lacking. The aim of the study is to examine the correlates of early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. A total of 982 women attending prenatal care clinics in Lima, Peru, were recruited in early pregnancy. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the relation between BDNF concentrations and continuous covariates. Analysis of variance and generalized linear models were used to compare the unadjusted and adjusted BDNF concentrations according to categorical variables. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to determine the factors that influence early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. In bivariate analysis, early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations were positively associated with maternal age (r = 0.16, P < 0.001) and early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.17, P < 0.001), but inversely correlated with gestational age at sample collection (r = -0.21, P < 0.001) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (r = -0.07, P < 0.05). In the multivariable linear regression model, maternal age (β = 0.11, P = 0.001), early pregnancy BMI (β = 1.58, P < 0.001), gestational age at blood collection (β = -0.33, P < 0.001), and serum CRP concentrations (β = -0.57, P = 0.002) were significantly associated with early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations. Participants with moderate antepartum depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score ≥ 10) had lower serum BDNF concentrations compared with participants with no/mild antepartum depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score < 10). Maternal age, early pregnancy BMI, gestational age, and the presence of moderate antepartum depressive symptoms were statistically significantly associated with early pregnancy serum BDNF concentrations in low-income Peruvian women. Biological changes of CRP during pregnancy may affect serum

Correlation of causal factors that influence construction safety performance: A model.

PubMed

Rodrigues, F; Coutinho, A; Cardoso, C

2015-01-01

The construction sector has presented positive development regarding the decrease in occupational accident rates in recent years. Regardless, the construction sector stands out systematically from other industries due to its high number of fatalities. The aim of this paper is to deeply understand the causality of construction accidents from the early design phase through a model. This study reviewed several research papers presenting various analytical models that correlate the contributing factors to occupational accidents in this sector. This study also analysed different construction projects and conducted a survey of design and site supervision teams. This paper proposes a model developed from the analysis of existing ones, which correlates the causal factors through all the construction phases. It was concluded that effective risk prevention can only be achieved by a global correlation of causal factors including not only production ones but also client requirements, financial climate, design team competence, project and risk management, financial capacity, health and safety policy and early planning. Accordingly, a model is proposed.

Child Psychological Maltreatment and Its Correlated Factors in Chinese Families.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenjing; Ma, Yating; Chen, Jingqi

2016-01-01

The present study aimed to explore the prevalence and frequency of child psychological maltreatment and its correlated factors in Chinese families. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted among 1,002 parents of primary school students in Yuncheng City, China. Data were collected using the self-report questionnaire anonymously. Results showed that 696 (69.5%) surveyed parents had different extents of psychological maltreatment toward their children in the past 3 months. The high prevalence of parental psychology maltreatment was significantly associated with high scores on parental over-reactivity and low scores on recognition of child psychology maltreatment. These findings indicate that it is urgent to develop cultural interventions to raise parents' awareness of preventing child psychological maltreatment and to help parents use nonviolent child rearing in China.

Correlation between reactive oxygen metabolites & atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Kotani, Kazuhiko; Tsuzaki, Kokoro; Taniguchi, Nobuyuki; Sakane, Naoki

2013-04-01

Oxidative stress plays important roles in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test has been used in the clinics. The present study was aimed to investigate the correlation of the oxidative stress status, as evaluated by the d-ROMs, with atherosclerotic risk factors in T2DM patients, in comparison to controls. The study included 200 subjects (100 patients with T2DM and 100 controls; 86 males/114 females; mean age 59.0 yr). Clinical variables including the body mass index, blood pressure (BP), glucose and lipid panels, in addition to the d-ROMs, were measured. Patients with T2DM showed significantly higher d-ROMs levels than controls (322 ± 60 vs. 345 ± 64 U. Carr., P<0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that systolic BP (β=0.26, P<0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C: β= -0.30, P<0.05) were independently and significantly correlated with the d-ROMs levels in patients with T2DM, although these correlations were not significant in the controls. The gender-based analysis showed that systolic BP (β = 0.44, P<0.05) and HDL-C (β = -0.36, P<0.05) were independently and significantly correlated with the d-ROMs levels in females with T2DM, while there was a marginally significant correlation between HDL-C and the d-ROMs levels (β = -0.36, P=0.06) in males with T2DM. The present findings may reinforce the importance of BP control in female patients with T2DM, as well as the management of HDL-C in male and female patients with T2DM, under the linkage between oxidative stress and atherosclerosis.

Correlation between reactive oxygen metabolites & atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

PubMed Central

Kotani, Kazuhiko; Tsuzaki, Kokoro; Taniguchi, Nobuyuki; Sakane, Naoki

2013-01-01

Background & objectives: Oxidative stress plays important roles in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) test has been used in the clinics. The present study was aimed to investigate the correlation of the oxidative stress status, as evaluated by the d-ROMs, with atherosclerotic risk factors in T2DM patients, in comparison to controls. Methods: The study included 200 subjects (100 patients with T2DM and 100 controls; 86 males/114 females; mean age 59.0 yr). Clinical variables including the body mass index, blood pressure (BP), glucose and lipid panels, in addition to the d-ROMs, were measured. Results: Patients with T2DM showed significantly higher d-ROMs levels than controls (322 ± 60 vs. 345 ± 64 U. Carr., P<0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that systolic BP (β=0.26, P<0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C: β= -0.30, P<0.05) were independently and significantly correlated with the d-ROMs levels in patients with T2DM, although these correlations were not significant in the controls. The gender-based analysis showed that systolic BP (β = 0.44, P<0.05) and HDL-C (β = -0.36, P<0.05) were independently and significantly correlated with the d-ROMs levels in females with T2DM, while there was a marginally significant correlation between HDL-C and the d-ROMs levels (β = -0.36, P=0.06) in males with T2DM. Interpretation & conclusions: The present findings may reinforce the importance of BP control in female patients with T2DM, as well as the management of HDL-C in male and female patients with T2DM, under the linkage between oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. PMID:23703342

The prevalence, risk factors and clinical correlates of obesity in Chinese patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Li, Qiongzhen; Du, Xiangdong; Zhang, Yingyang; Yin, Guangzhong; Zhang, Guangya; Walss-Bass, Consuelo; Quevedo, João; Soares, Jair C; Xia, Haishen; Li, Xiaosi; Zheng, Yingjun; Ning, Yuping; Zhang, Xiang Yang

2017-05-01

Obesity is a common comorbidity in schizophrenia. Few studies have addressed obesity in Chinese schizophrenia patients. The aims of this current study were to evaluate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical correlates of obesity in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. A total of 206 patients were recruited from a hospital in Beijing. Their clinical and anthropometric data together with plasma glucose and lipid parameters were collected. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was rated for all patients. Overall, 43 (20.9%) patients were obese and 67 (32.5%) were overweight. The obese patients had significantly higher glucose levels, triglyceride levels than non-obese patients. Females and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had increased risk for obesity. Correlation analysis showed that BMI was associated with sex, education levels, negative symptoms, total PANSS score, triglyceride levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Further stepwise regression analysis showed that sex, type 2 diabetes, education level, triglyceride and amount of smoking/day were significant predictors for obesity. Our study showed that the prevalence of obesity in Chinese patients with schizophrenia is higher than that in the general population. Some demographic and clinical variables are risk factors for obesity in schizophrenia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elevated serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors correlate with aberrant energy metabolism in liver cirrhosis.

PubMed

Shiraki, Makoto; Terakura, Yoichi; Iwasa, Junpei; Shimizu, Masahito; Miwa, Yoshiyuki; Murakami, Nobuo; Nagaki, Masahito; Moriwaki, Hisataka

2010-03-01

Protein-energy malnutrition is frequently observed in patients with liver cirrhosis and is associated with their poor prognosis. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is elevated in those patients and may contribute to the alterations of energy metabolism. Our aim was to characterize the aberrant energy metabolism in cirrhotic patients with regard to TNF-alpha. Twenty-four patients (mean age 65 +/- 6 y) with viral liver cirrhosis who did not have hepatocellular carcinoma or acute infections were studied. Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited after matching for age, gender, and body mass index with the patients and served as controls (59 +/- 8 y). Serum levels of TNF-alpha, soluble 55-kDa TNF receptor (sTNF-R55), soluble 75-kDa TNF receptor (sTNF-R75), and leptin were determined by immunoassay. Substrate oxidation rates of carbohydrate and fat were estimated by indirect calorimetry after overnight bedrest and fasting. In cirrhotic patients, serum levels of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R55, and sTNF-R75 were significantly higher than those in the controls and correlated with the increasing grade of disease severity as defined by Child-Pugh classification. Serum leptin concentration was not different between cirrhotics and controls but correlated with their body mass index. The decrease in substrate oxidation rate of carbohydrate and the increase in substrate oxidation rate of fat significantly correlated with serum TNF-alpha, sTNF-R55, and sTNF-R75 concentrations. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha might be associated with the aberrant energy metabolism in patients with liver cirrhosis. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Thermal form-factor approach to dynamical correlation functions of integrable lattice models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Göhmann, Frank; Karbach, Michael; Klümper, Andreas; Kozlowski, Karol K.; Suzuki, Junji

2017-11-01

We propose a method for calculating dynamical correlation functions at finite temperature in integrable lattice models of Yang-Baxter type. The method is based on an expansion of the correlation functions as a series over matrix elements of a time-dependent quantum transfer matrix rather than the Hamiltonian. In the infinite Trotter-number limit the matrix elements become time independent and turn into the thermal form factors studied previously in the context of static correlation functions. We make this explicit with the example of the XXZ model. We show how the form factors can be summed utilizing certain auxiliary functions solving finite sets of nonlinear integral equations. The case of the XX model is worked out in more detail leading to a novel form-factor series representation of the dynamical transverse two-point function.

A high-significance measurement of correlation between unresolved IRAS sources and optically-selected galaxy clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hincks, Adam D.; Hajian, Amir; Addison, Graeme E.

2013-05-01

We cross-correlate the 100 μm Improved Reprocessing of the IRAS Survey (IRIS) map and galaxy clusters at 0.1 < z < 0.3 in the maxBCG catalogue taken from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, measuring an angular cross-power spectrum over multipole moments 150 < l < 3000 at a total significance of over 40σ. The cross-spectrum, which arises from the spatial correlation between unresolved dusty galaxies that make up the cosmic infrared background (CIB) in the IRIS map and the galaxy clusters, is well-fit by a single power law with an index of -1.28±0.12, similar to the clustering of unresolved galaxies from cross-correlating far-infrared and submillimetre maps at longer wavelengths. Using a recent, phenomenological model for the spectral and clustering properties of the IRIS galaxies, we constrain the large-scale bias of the maxBCG clusters to be 2.6±1.4, consistent with existing analyses of the real-space cluster correlation function. The success of our method suggests that future CIB-optical cross-correlations using Planck and Herschel data will significantly improve our understanding of the clustering and redshift distribution of the faint CIB sources.

Clinical significance of serum complement factor 3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Nishimura, Takeshi; Itoh, Yoshihisa; Yamashita, Shigeo; Koide, Keiko; Harada, Noriaki; Yano, Yasuo; Ikeda, Nobuko; Azuma, Koichiro; Atsumi, Yoshihito

2017-05-01

Although serum complement factor 3 (C3) is an acute phase reactant mainly synthesized in the liver, several recent studies have shown high C3 gene expression in adipose tissue (AT). However, the relationship between C3 and AT levels has not been fully clarified in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. A total of 164 T2DM patients (109men and 55 women) participated in this cross-sectional study. A computed tomography scan was performed to measure visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT. The correlation between these factors and C3 levels was examined using Pearson's correlation analysis. A multivariate regression model was used to assess an independent determinant associated with C3 levels after adjusting the explanatory variables (i.e., all ATs [visceral, subcutaneous, and total], and clinical features [sex, age, body mass index, waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase levels, alanine aminotransferase levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, log(triglyceride levels), estimated glomerular filtration rate, and log(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels)]). Serum C3 levels were correlated with visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT among both men (r=0.505, p<0.001; r=0.545, p<0.001; r=0.617, p<0.001, respectively) and women (r=0.396, p=0.003; r=0.517, p<0.001; r=0.548, p<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate regression model, the association between total AT and C3 levels remained significantly positive (β=0.490, p<0.001). Serum C3 levels are associated with visceral, subcutaneous, and total AT in T2DM patients. Furthermore, C3 levels seem to be a marker for overall adiposity rather than regional adiposity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamical behavior of the correlation between meteorological factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Cheol-Hwan; Chang, Ki-Ho; Lee, Jun-Ho; Kim, Kyungsik

2017-12-01

We study the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of meteorological factors (temperature, humidity, and wind velocity) at a meteorological tower located on Bosung-gun of South Korea. We employ the detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA) method to extract the overall tendency of the hourly variation from data of meteorological factors. The relationships between meteorological factors are identified and quantified by using DCCA coefficients. From our results, we ascertain that the DCCA coefficient between temperature and humidity at time lag m = 24 has the smallest value at the height of 10 m of the measuring tower. Particularly, the DCCA coefficient between temperature and wind speed at time lag m = 24 has the largest value at a height of 10 m of the measuring tower

Correlation between polymerization shrinkage stress and C-factor depends upon cavity compliance.

PubMed

Wang, Zhengzhi; Chiang, Martin Y M

2016-03-01

The literature reports inconsistent results regarding using configuration factor (C-factor) as an indicator to reflect the generation of polymerization shrinkage stress (PS) from dental restorative composites due to the constraint of cavity configuration. The current study aimed at unraveling the complex effects of C-factor on PS based on analytical and experimental approaches together, such that the reported inconsistency can be explained and a significance of C-factor in clinic can be comprehensively provided. Analytical models based on linear elasticity were established to predict PS measured in instruments (testing systems) with different compliances, and complex effects of C-factor on PS were derived. The analyses were validated by experiments using a cantilever beam-based instrument and systematic variation of instrumental compliance. For a general trend, PS decreased with increasing C-factor when measured by instruments with high compliance. However, this trend gradually diminished and eventually reversed (PS became increased with increasing C-factor) by decreasing the system compliance. Our study indicates that the correlation between PS and C-factor are highly dependent on the compliance of testing instrument for PS measurement. This suggests that the current concept on the role of C-factor in the stress development and transmission to tooth structures, higher C-factor produces higher PS due to reduced flow capacity of more confined materials, can be misleading. Thus, the compliance of the prepared tooth (cavity) structure should also be considered in the effect of C-factor on PS. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Socio-Economic Factors of Bacillary Dysentery Based on Spatial Correlation Analysis in Guangxi Province, China

PubMed Central

Nie, Chengjing; Li, Hairong; Yang, Linsheng; Zhong, Gemei; Zhang, Lan

2014-01-01

Background In the past decade, bacillary dysentery was still a big public health problem in China, especially in Guangxi Province, where thousands of severe diarrhea cases occur every year. Methods Reported bacillary dysentery cases in Guangxi Province were obtained from local Centers for Diseases Prevention and Control. The 14 socio-economic indexes were selected as potential explanatory variables for the study. The spatial correlation analysis was used to explore the associations between the selected factors and bacillary dysentery incidence at county level, which was based on the software of ArcGIS10.2 and GeoDA 0.9.5i. Results The proportion of primary industry, the proportion of younger than 5-year-old children in total population, the number of hospitals per thousand persons and the rates of bacillary dysentery incidence show statistically significant positive correlation. But the proportion of secondary industry, per capital GDP, per capital government revenue, rural population proportion, popularization rate of tap water in rural area, access rate to the sanitation toilets in rural, number of beds in hospitals per thousand persons, medical and technical personnel per thousand persons and the rate of bacillary dysentery incidence show statistically significant negative correlation. The socio-economic factors can be divided into four aspects, including economic development, health development, medical development and human own condition. The four aspects were not isolated from each other, but interacted with each other. PMID:25036182

An Evil Backstage Manipulator: Psychological Factors Correlated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Crohn's Disease

PubMed Central

Liu, Song; Hong, Zhiwu; Li, Xiaoting; Yao, Min; Yan, Dongsheng; Ren, Huajian; Wu, Xiuwen; Wang, Gefei; Gu, Guosheng; Xia, Qiuyuan; Han, Gang; Li, Jieshou

2013-01-01

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is recommended as one of essential parameters to evaluate treatment effect and clinical outcome in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Recent studies reported that psychological factors might play a role in HRQoL in Western and American CD patients. Sufficient evidences in Chinese CD patients are still unavailable. This study is dedicated to investigate the correlation of various psychological factors with HRQoL in Chinese CD patients. We prospectively collected 40 active and 40 quiescent CD patients in China and found that psychological factors, especially neuroticism and anxiety, significantly correlate with and affect HRQoL in both active and quiescent CD groups. This is the first report revealing correlation between psychological factors and HRQoL in Chinese CD patients. Therefore, we assume that our results can contribute to a better understanding of etiology and tailoring of management in Chinese patients with Crohn's disease and are beneficial to our colleagues to compare the heterogeneous characteristics of Crohn's disease in different ethnic groups. PMID:24453858

Elevated plasma migration inhibitory factor in hypertension–hyperlipidemia patients correlates with impaired endothelial function

PubMed Central

Zhou, Boda; Ren, Chuan; Zu, Lingyun; Zheng, Lemin; Guo, Lijun; Gao, Wei

2016-01-01

Abstract Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been shown to be critical in the pathology of early artherosclerosis; this article aim to investigate the plasma levels of MIF in hypertension plus hyperlipidemia patients. A total of 39 hypertension plus hyperlipidemia patients without any previous treatment were enrolled (HTN-HLP). Twenty-five healthy subjects were enrolled as the healthy control group (HEALTHY). Plasma MIF was measured by ELISA; laboratory and clinical characteristics were analyzed. HUVECs were treated with pooled plasma from HTN-HLP and HEALTHY groups, and the protein levels of adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 were determined by ELISA. We found that plasma MIF was significantly elevated in the HTN-HLP group. Serum NO and eNOS levels were significantly lower; serum ET-1 (endothelin) levels were significantly higher in the HTN-HLP group. Furthermore, blood pressure, baPWV (brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity), and serum ET-1 level were significantly positively; serum NO and eNOS levels were negatively correlated with plasma MIF levels. Plasma from HTN-HLP significantly stimulated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 protein expression on the surface of HUVECs. Plasma MIF was elevated in HTN-HLP patients and correlates with impaired endothelial function. PMID:27787379

Intra-plaque production of platelet-activating factor correlates with neoangiogenesis in human carotid atherosclerotic lesions.

PubMed

Lupia, Enrico; Pucci, Angela; Peasso, Paolo; Merlo, Maurizio; Baron, Paolo; Zanini, Cristina; Del Sorbo, Lorenzo; Rizea-Savu, Simona; Silvestro, Luigi; Forni, Marco; Emanuelli, Giorgio; Camussi, Giovanni; Montrucchio, Giuseppe

2003-09-01

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a phospholipid mediator synthesized by activated inflammatory and endothelial cells. Recently PAF has been shown to contribute to neoangiogenesis in several experimental models. Here we evaluated the presence of PAF and its potential role in neovascularization within human atherosclerotic plaques. The amount of PAF extracted from 18 carotid plaques (266.65+/-40.07 pg/100 mg dry tissue; mean +/- SE) was significantly higher than that extracted from 18 normal arterial specimens (6 from carotid artery and 12 from aorta) (4.72+/-2.31 pg/100 mg dry tissue; mean +/- SE). The levels of PAF significantly correlated with the infiltration of CD68-positive monocytes and the extent of neovascularization, detected as von Willebrand Factor-positive cells. The amount of PAF also correlated with the area occupied by TNF-alpha-expressing cells. The absence of enhanced level of PAF in the circulation of atherosclerotic patients suggests a local production of this mediator within the plaque. The lipid extracts of atherosclerotic plaques containing high levels of PAF-bioactivity, but not those of control arteries, were angiogenic in a murine Matrigel model. WEB 2170, a specific PAF receptor antagonist, significantly prevented angiogenesis induced by the lipid extracts of atherosclerotic plaques. Our results indicate a local production of PAF within the atherosclerotic plaques and suggest that it may contribute to intra-plaque neoangiogenesis.

Generic expansion of the Jastrow correlation factor in polynomials satisfying symmetry and cusp conditions

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

Lüchow, Arne, E-mail: luechow@rwth-aachen.de; Jülich Aachen Research Alliance; Sturm, Alexander

2015-02-28

Jastrow correlation factors play an important role in quantum Monte Carlo calculations. Together with an orbital based antisymmetric function, they allow the construction of highly accurate correlation wave functions. In this paper, a generic expansion of the Jastrow correlation function in terms of polynomials that satisfy both the electron exchange symmetry constraint and the cusp conditions is presented. In particular, an expansion of the three-body electron-electron-nucleus contribution in terms of cuspless homogeneous symmetric polynomials is proposed. The polynomials can be expressed in fairly arbitrary scaling function allowing a generic implementation of the Jastrow factor. It is demonstrated with a fewmore » examples that the new Jastrow factor achieves 85%–90% of the total correlation energy in a variational quantum Monte Carlo calculation and more than 90% of the diffusion Monte Carlo correlation energy.« less

[Correlation Among Soil Organic Carbon, Soil Inorganic Carbon and the Environmental Factors in a Typical Oasis in the Southern Edge of the Tarim Basin].

PubMed

Gong, Lu; Zhu, Mei-ling; Liu, Zeng-yuan; Zhang, Xue-ni; Xie, Li-na

2016-04-15

We analyzed the differentiation among the environmental factors and soil organic/inorganic carbon contents of irrigated desert soil, brown desert soil, saline soil and aeolian sandy soil by classical statistics methods, and studied the correlation between soil carbon contents and the environmental factor by redundancy analysis (RDA) in a typical oasis of Yutian in the southern edge of the Tarim Basin. The results showed that the average contents of soil organic carbon and soil inorganic carbon were 2.51 g · kg⁻¹ and 25.63 g · kg⁻¹ respectively. The soil organic carbon content of the irrigated desert soil was significantly higher than those of brown desert soil, saline soil and aeolian sandy soil, while the inorganic carbon content of aeolian sandy soil was significantly higher than those of other soil types. The soil moisture and nutrient content were the highest in the irrigated desert soil and the lowest in the aeolian sandy sail. All soil types had high degree of salinization except the irrigated desert soil. The RDA results showed that the impacts of environmental factors on soil carbon contents ranked in order of importance were total nitrogen > available phosphorus > soil moisture > ground water depth > available potassium > pH > total salt. The soil carbon contents correlated extremely significantly with total nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil moisture and ground water depth (P < 0.01), and it correlated significantly with available potassium and pH (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between soil carbon contents and other environmental factors (P > 0.05).

Factors Significantly Associated With the Increased Prevalence of Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Northeast Chinese Middle-aged and Elderly Population: A Cross-sectional Study.

PubMed

Pan, Xi-Feng; Lai, Ya-Xin; Gu, Jian-Qiu; Wang, Hao-Yu; Liu, Ai-Hua; Shan, Zhong-Yan

2016-04-01

Carotid atherosclerosis is associated with many serious cardiovascular diseases; hence, it is necessary to identify factors related to its occurrence in order to develop preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study was conducted to identify risk factors associated with carotid atherosclerosis among the population residing in Northeast China.This epidemiological survey was conducted in a representative group of relatively healthy community residents. All participants answered questions about their medical histories and underwent physical examination, blood biochemical analysis, and ultrasonography examinations of their necks and abdomens. The prevalence rates of carotid atherosclerosis under different factors and conditions were then analyzed.The results of this study showed that age, gender, and diabetes significantly affected the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in this Northeast Chinese population. In addition, gender-based subgroup analysis revealed additional factors correlated with the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in men or women, although their correlations were not significant in the overall population. While high serum TC and LDL-C levels were risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in men, it showed no clear correlation with the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in women. In contrast, the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in female participants with high serum TG level, hypertension, obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were higher than that of the control population, a trend not observed in male participants.Older age, male sex, and diabetes were independently associated with increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis in Northeast China. These findings could lead to improved screening for carotid atherosclerosis for better disease management.

Systematic correlation of environmental exposure and physiological and self-reported behaviour factors with leukocyte telomere length.

PubMed

Patel, Chirag J; Manrai, Arjun K; Corona, Erik; Kohane, Isaac S

2017-02-01

It is hypothesized that environmental exposures and behaviour influence telomere length, an indicator of cellular ageing. We systematically associated 461 indicators of environmental exposures, physiology and self-reported behaviour with telomere length in data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999-2002. Further, we tested whether factors identified in the NHANES participants are also correlated with gene expression of telomere length modifying genes. We correlated 461 environmental exposures, behaviours and clinical variables with telomere length, using survey-weighted linear regression, adjusting for sex, age, age squared, race/ethnicity, poverty level, education and born outside the USA, and estimated the false discovery rate to adjust for multiple hypotheses. We conducted a secondary analysis to investigate the correlation between identified environmental variables and gene expression levels of telomere-associated genes in publicly available gene expression samples. After correlating 461 variables with telomere length, we found 22 variables significantly associated with telomere length after adjustment for multiple hypotheses. Of these varaibales, 14 were associated with longer telomeres, including biomarkers of polychlorinated biphenyls([PCBs; 0.1 to 0.2 standard deviation (SD) increase for 1 SD increase in PCB level, P  < 0.002] and a form of vitamin A, retinyl stearate. Eight variables associated with shorter telomeres, including biomarkers of cadmium, C-reactive protein and lack of physical activity. We could not conclude that PCBs are correlated with gene expression of telomere-associated genes. Both environmental exposures and chronic disease-related risk factors may play a role in telomere length. Our secondary analysis found no evidence of association between PCBs/smoking and gene expression of telomere-associated genes. All correlations between exposures, behaviours and clinical factors and changes in

Psychosocial factors and tooth wear with a significant component of attrition.

PubMed

da Silva, A M; Oakley, D A; Hemmings, K W; Newman, H N; Watkins, S

1997-06-01

Pathological tooth wear is often associated with bruxism, which appears in turn to be influenced by psychosocial factors. This study investigated putative relationships between psychosocial factors (total and average perceived stress, state and trait anxiety) and tooth wear, comparing 45 patients exhibiting tooth wear with a significant component of attrition to 45 controls. Groups were matched for gender and age. Subjects completed the Modified and Perceived Stress Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. A between-groups multivariate analysis of variance indicated that the two groups did not differ significantly on the combined psychosocial factors, F(4,85) = 1.16, P > 0.05. However, a univariate F-test showed that tooth-wear patients presented significantly more trait anxiety than controls, F(1,88) = 4.15, P < 0.05. Further research is indicated to clarify the importance of trait anxiety and other psychosocial factors in the progression of tooth wear with a significant component of attrition.

Significance of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase in patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Serban, M; Tanaseanu, Cristina; Kosaka, T; Vidulescu, Cristina; Stoian, Irina; Marta, Daciana S; Tanaseanu, S; Moldoveanu, Elena

2002-01-01

Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), being characterized by a continuous low-grade inflammation and endothelial activation state. Plasma platelet - activating factor - acetylhydrolases (PAF-AHs) are a subgroup of Ca(2+)-independent phospholipase A(2) family (also known as lipoprotein-associated phospholipases A(2)) that hydrolyze and inactivate the lipid mediator platelet-activating factor (PAF) and/or oxidized phospholipids. This enzyme is considered to play an important role in inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis. The present study aims to investigate the relations between the levels of PAF-AH activity and LDL-cholesterol / HDL-cholesterol (LDL-ch / HDL-ch) ratio in NIDDM patients as compared to controls. serum PAF-AH activity was measured in 50 patients with dyslipidemia, in 50 NIDDM patients and in 50 controls (normal lipid and glucose levels). Total cholesterol, LDL-ch, HDL-ch, triglyceride and blood glucose were determined in all subjects. All NIDDM patients display hiperlipidemia, with increased LDL-ch and triglyceride levels. There is a significant correlation between LDL-ch levels (especially LDL-ch / HDL-ch ratio) and PAF-AH activity in dyslipidemic and NIDDM patients. Diabetic and dyslipidemic patients have an increased plasma PAF-AH activity correlated with their LDL-ch levels and mainly with LDL-ch / HDL-ch ratio. Plasma PAF-AH high levels appear to be important as a risk marker for endothelial dysfunction in patients with NIDDM.

Prognostic Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Her-2 Protein in the Genesis of Cervical Carcinoma.

PubMed

Rahmani, Arshad H; Babiker, Ali Yousif; Alsahli, Mohammed A; Almatroodi, Saleh A; Husain, Nazik Elmalaika O S

2018-02-15

Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in the progression of tumours through the formation of new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a chief factor responsible for inducing and regulating angiogenesis. Additionally, the human epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptors also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tumours. This study aimed to examine the association between VEGF and Her-2 protein expression and its correlation with clinic-pathological characteristics; in particular, prognosis. A total of 65 cases of cervical carcinoma and 10 samples of inflammatory lesions were evaluated for VEGF and Her-2 protein expression. Expression of VEGF and Her-2 was detected in 63.07% and 43.07% in cervical carcinoma cases respectively whereas control cases did not show any expression. The difference in the expression pattern of both markers comparing cancer and control cases was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the expression pattern of VEGF protein was observed among the different grades and stages of tumours (p > 0.05). Comparing different grades of a tumour, expression of Her-2 was detected in 31.8% of well-differentiated tumours, 36.0 % in moderately differentiated tumours and 66.66 % in poorly differentiated cancers. The expression of Her-2 was increased in high-grade tumours, and the difference of expression level between tumour grades was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The expression level of Her-2 protein was not correlated with the stage of a tumour (p > 0.05). The present study supports earlier findings that over-expression / up-regulation of VEGF and Her - 2 is linked with poor prognosis and may play a vital role in the development and progression of cervical cancer.

Prognostic Significance of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Her-2 Protein in the Genesis of Cervical Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Rahmani, Arshad H.; Babiker, Ali Yousif; Alsahli, Mohammed A.; Almatroodi, Saleh A.; Husain, Nazik Elmalaika O. S.

2018-01-01

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis plays a pivotal role in the progression of tumours through the formation of new blood vessels. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a chief factor responsible for inducing and regulating angiogenesis. Additionally, the human epidermal growth factor receptor family of receptors also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of tumours. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between VEGF and Her-2 protein expression and its correlation with clinic-pathological characteristics; in particular, prognosis. METHODS: A total of 65 cases of cervical carcinoma and 10 samples of inflammatory lesions were evaluated for VEGF and Her-2 protein expression. RESULTS: Expression of VEGF and Her-2 was detected in 63.07% and 43.07% in cervical carcinoma cases respectively whereas control cases did not show any expression. The difference in the expression pattern of both markers comparing cancer and control cases was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the expression pattern of VEGF protein was observed among the different grades and stages of tumours (p > 0.05). Comparing different grades of a tumour, expression of Her-2 was detected in 31.8% of well-differentiated tumours, 36.0 % in moderately differentiated tumours and 66.66 % in poorly differentiated cancers. The expression of Her-2 was increased in high-grade tumours, and the difference of expression level between tumour grades was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The expression level of Her-2 protein was not correlated with the stage of a tumour (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study supports earlier findings that over-expression / up-regulation of VEGF and Her - 2 is linked with poor prognosis and may play a vital role in the development and progression of cervical cancer. PMID:29531585

Patellofemoral Instability in Children: Correlation Between Risk Factors, Injury Patterns, and Severity of Cartilage Damage.

PubMed

Kim, Hee Kyung; Shiraj, Sahar; Kang, Chang Ho; Anton, Christopher; Kim, Dong Hoon; Horn, Paul S

2016-06-01

The purpose of this study was to compare MRI findings between groups with and without patellofemoral instability and to correlate the MRI findings with the severity of patellar cartilage damage. Fifty-three children with patellofemoral instability and 53 age- and sex-matched children without patellofemoral instability (15.9 ± 2.4 years) were included. Knee MRI with T2-weighted mapping was performed. On MR images, femoral trochlear dysplasia, patellofemoral malalignment, medial retinaculum injury, and bone marrow edema were documented. The degree of patellar cartilage damage was evaluated on MR images by use of a morphologic grading scale (0-4) and on T2 maps with mean T2 values at the medial, central, and lateral facets. MRI findings were compared between the two groups. In cases of patellofemoral instability, MRI findings were correlated with the severity of cartilage damage at each region. Trochlear structure and alignment were significantly different between the two groups (Wilcoxon p < 0.0001). In patellofemoral instability, a high-riding patella was associated with central patellar cartilage damage with a higher morphologic grade and T2 value (Spearman p < 0.05). The severity of medial retinacular injury and presence of bone marrow edema at either the medial patella or the lateral femoral condyle were associated with a higher grade of medial patellar cartilage damage (Wilcoxon p < 0.05). None of the other findings correlated with the severity of patellar cartilage damage. Patients with patellofemoral instability have significantly different trochlear structure and alignment than those who do not, and these differences are known risk factors for patellofemoral instability. However, the only risk factors or injury patterns that directly correlated with the severity of patellar cartilage damage were patella alta, medial stabilizer injury, and bone marrow edema.

Differential Expression and Clinical Significance of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Isoforms in GBM Tumors.

PubMed

Roy, Laurent-Olivier; Poirier, Marie-Belle; Fortin, David

2018-04-08

Glioblastoma (GBM) represents the most common and aggressive malignant primary brain tumors in adults. Response to standard treatment is transitory and the survival of clinical trial cohorts are little more than 14 months. GBM are characterized by excessive proliferation, invasiveness, and radio-/chemoresistance features; which are strongly upregulated by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). We hypothesized that TGF-β gene expression could correlate with overall survival (OS) and serve as a prognostic biomarker. TGF-β₁ and -β₂ expression were analyzed by qPCR in 159 GBM tumor specimens. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses were used to correlate expression with OS and progression-free survival (PFS). In GBM, TGF-β₁ and -β₂ levels were 33- and 11-fold higher respectively than in non-tumoral samples. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses revealed that high to moderate expressions of TGF-β₁ significantly conferred a strikingly poorer OS and PFS in newly diagnosed patients. Interestingly, at relapse, neither isoforms had meaningful impact on clinical evolution. We demonstrate that TGF-β₁ is the dominant isoform in newly diagnosed GBM rather than the previously acknowledged TGF-β₂. We believe our study is the first to unveil a significant relationship between TGF-β₁ expression and OS or PFS in newly diagnosed GBM. TGF-β₁ could serve as a prognostic biomarker or target affecting treatment planning and patient follow-up.

Factors Affecting Depression During Pregnancy and the Correlation Between Social Support and Pregnancy Depression.

PubMed

Aktas, Songul; Yesilcicek Calik, Kiymet

2015-09-01

Women are seriously subjected to psychiatric diseases during pregnancy and depression is the most prevailing one among these diseases. There is a relation between the social support and depression in pregnancy whose predisposing factors are genetic, psychological, biological, environmental, and hormonal. This study aimed to determine the frequency of depression symptoms, and its risk factors. Also it studied the correlation between social support and pregnancy depression. This research is a descriptive cross-sectional study. It was conducted on 266 pregnant women selected by simple random method from all pregnant women admitted at the Maternity Hospital of Trabzon, Turkey from May 21 to June 13, 2008. The data were collected with a questionnaire form, the Beck depression inventory (BDI), and the multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). The mean BDI score of the pregnant women was 11.12 ± 6.65. According to the BDI, 46.2% of the pregnant women had no depression symptoms, 34.59% of them had mild, 13.91% had moderate, and 4.89% had severe level of depression symptoms. It was found that such factors as the educational level of the pregnant women and their husbands, having an undesired pregnancy, suffering from a chronic disease before pregnancy, presence of pregnancy-related problems, having a child with disability or having relatives whose children had disability, and smoking during pregnancy were the risk factors affecting the severity of the depression symptoms and these results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the mean MSPSS score was 67.89 ± 14.26 and it was found that the pregnant women got the highest social support from their husbands. It was found that there was a significant correlation between BDI and MSPSS total score and its subscale scores (P < 0.05). According to this study, one-fifth of pregnant women were found to experience depressive symptoms, which require treatment during pregnancy, and the factors

Correlation Between Hedgehog (Hh) Protein Family and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

PubMed

Halepoto, Dost Muhammad; Bashir, Shahid; Zeina, Rana; Al-Ayadhi, Laila Y

2015-12-01

To determine the correlation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), Indian Hedgehog (IHH), and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An observational, comparative study. Autism Research and Treatment Center, Al-Amodi Autism Research Chair, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 2011 to May 2012. Serum levels of SHH, IHH and BDNF were determined in recently diagnosed autistic patients and age-matched healthy children (n=25), using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was used for the assessment of autistic severity. Spearman correlation co-efficient 'r' was determined. The serum levels of IHH and SHH were significantly higher in autistic subjects than those of control subjects. There was significant correlation between age and IHH (r = 0.176, p = 0.03), BDNF and severe IHH (r = 0.1763, p = 0.003), and severe BDNF and severe SHH (r = 0.143, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant relationships among the serum levels of SHH, IHH and BDNF and the CARS score, age or gender. The findings support a correlation between SHH, IHH and BDNF in autistic children, suggesting their pathological role in autism.

Runaway youths and correlating factors, study in Thailand.

PubMed

Techakasem, Pisarn; Kolkijkovin, Varuna

2006-02-01

To study differences between runaways and non-runaways in a mental health clinic and to study differences between runaways in a mental health clinic and legal / shelter system. Psychiatric records of runaways and non-runaways from Vajira Hospital were collected from June 1994 to October 2003. 21 cases in each group were studied in various factors. 21 runaway cases who were in child and adolescent shelters were interviewed by the researchers. Neglect, sexual abuse, rejection, poverty and truancy were more common in the runaway group. The runaway group had more conduct disorder and substance abuse. Physical abuse, authoritarian and being in custody were more common in runaways in shelters. Various factors correlate with running away. These factors lie beneath long before runaway has taken place and understanding and managing them help in preventing and prompt treatment.

Whole-tumour diffusion kurtosis MR imaging histogram analysis of rectal adenocarcinoma: Correlation with clinical pathologic prognostic factors.

PubMed

Cui, Yanfen; Yang, Xiaotang; Du, Xiaosong; Zhuo, Zhizheng; Xin, Lei; Cheng, Xintao

2018-04-01

To investigate potential relationships between diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI)-derived parameters using whole-tumour volume histogram analysis and clinicopathological prognostic factors in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. 79 consecutive patients who underwent MRI examination with rectal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively evaluated. Parameters D, K and conventional ADC were measured using whole-tumour volume histogram analysis. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, receiver operating characteristic curves and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Almost all the percentile metrics of K were correlated positively with nodal involvement, higher histological grades, the presence of lymphangiovascular invasion (LVI) and circumferential margin (CRM) (p<0.05), with the exception of between K 10th , K 90th and histological grades. In contrast, significant negative correlations were observed between 25th, 50th percentiles and mean values of ADC and D, as well as ADC 10th , with tumour T stages (p< 0.05). Meanwhile, lower 75th and 90th percentiles of ADC and D values were also correlated inversely with nodal involvement (p< 0.05). K mean showed a relatively higher area under the curve (AUC) and higher specificity than other percentiles for differentiation of lesions with nodal involvement. DKI metrics with whole-tumour volume histogram analysis, especially K parameters, were associated with important prognostic factors of rectal cancer. • K correlated positively with some important prognostic factors of rectal cancer. • K mean showed higher AUC and specificity for differentiation of nodal involvement. • DKI metrics with whole-tumour volume histogram analysis depicted tumour heterogeneity.

[The clinical significance of the measurement of plasma transferrin as a growth factor. II. The changes in various endocrine status].

PubMed

Matsubara, M; Odagaki, E; Morioka, T; Nakagawa, K

1987-05-20

The clinical significance of the measurement of plasma transferrin (Tf) in patients with hypophysial disorders was reported in our previous papers. In the present study, we determined plasma Tf levels in 55 patients with various endocrine states and considered their clinical significance compared with plasma somatomedin-C (SM-C) levels. Plasma Tf levels decreased significantly in patients with anorexia nervosa (p less than 0.02), hyperthyroidism (p less than 0.05), primary hypothyroidism (p less than 0.05) and Cushing's syndrome (p less than 0.05), while they were elevated significantly in pregnancy (p less than 0.01) or females using estrogens (p less than 0.05). The former two declines were considered a reflection of the malnutritional state of the patients since a significant negative correlation was observed between plasma Tf levels and the percentile deficit from the ideal body weight in patients with anorexia nervosa (p less than 0.01), or between plasma Tf levels and elevated T3 levels which induce hypermetabolism in patients with hyperthyroidism (p less than 0.01). A significant correlation was observed between the SM-C and Tf levels in these subjects (including normal controls and patients with hypophysial disorders) as a whole (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001). These data indicate that plasma Tf is changeable according to the endocrinological and nutritional conditions with good correlation to the SM-C, and it is suggested that Tf also operates as a growth factor in vivo.

Higher HOMA-IR index and correlated factors of insulin resistance in patients with IgA nephropathy.

PubMed

Yang, Yue; Wei, Ri-Bao; Wang, Yuan-da; Zhang, Xue-Guang; Rong, Na; Tang, Li; Chen, Xiang-Mei

2012-11-01

To investigate the index of homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients, and to explore the possible correlated factors contributing to insulin resistance (IR) within these patients. There were 255 IgAN patients and 45 membranous nephropathy (MN) patients in our database. We identified 89 IgAN subjects and 21 MN subjects without diabetes and undergoing glucocorticoid therapy for at least 6 months. Data regarding physical examination, blood chemistry and renal pathology were collected from 89 IgAN subjects and 21 MN subjects. Then 62 IgAN patients and 19 MN patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage 1 - 2 were selected for the comparison of HOMA-IR index, 89 IgAN patients were selected for multiple regression analysis to test for correlated factors of HOMA-IR index with IgAN patients. Comparison between IgAN and MN show that HOMA-IR index was significantly higher in IgAN patients with CKD Stage 1 - 2. After logarithmic transformation with urine protein (UPr), Ln(UPr) (b = 0.186, p = 0.008), eGFR (b = -0.005, p = 0.014), > 50% of glomeruli with mesangial hypercellularity (b = 0.285, p = 0.027) and body mass index (BMI) (b = 0.039, p = 0.008) were correlated factors of HOMA-IR index in the multiple regression analysis. IgAN patients had higher HOMA-IR index compared with MN in the stages of CKD 1 - 2. For IgAN patients, more UPr, lower eGFR, > 50% of glomeruli with mesangial hypercellularity and higher BMI were correlated with IR.

Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Significance of Change in Standardized Left Ventricular Mass in a Community‐Based Cohort of African Americans

PubMed Central

Fox, Ervin R.; Musani, Solomon K.; Samdarshi, Tandaw E.; Taylor, Jared K.; Beard, Walter L.; Sarpong, Daniel F.; Xanthakis, Vanessa; McClendon, Eric E.; Liebson, Philip R.; Skelton, Thomas N.; Butler, Kenneth R.; Mosley, Thomas H.; Taylor, Herman; Vasan, Ramachandran S.

2015-01-01

Background Though left ventricular mass (LVM) predicts cardiovascular events (CVD) and mortality in African Americans, limited data exists on factors contributing to change in LVM and its prognostic significance. We hypothesized that baseline blood pressure (BP) and body mass index (BMI) and change in these variables over time are associated with longitudinal increases in LVM and that such increase is associated with greater incidence of CVD. Methods and Results We investigated the clinical correlates of change in standardized logarithmically transformed‐LVM indexed to height2.7 (log‐LVMI) and its association with incident CVD in 606 African Americans (mean age 58±6 years, 66% women) who attended serial examinations 8 years apart. Log‐LVMI and clinical covariates were standardized within sex to obtain z scores for both visits. Standardized log‐LVMI was modeled using linear regression (correlates of change in standardized log‐LVMI) and Cox proportional hazards regression (incidence of CVD [defined as coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and intermittent claudication]). Baseline clinical correlates (standardized log‐LVM, BMI, systolic BP) and change in systolic BP over time were significantly associated with 8‐year change in standardized log‐LVMI. In prospective analysis, change in standardized LVM was significantly (P=0.0011) associated with incident CVD (hazards ratio per unit standard deviation change log‐LVMI 1.51, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.93). Conclusions In our community‐based sample of African Americans, baseline BMI and BP, and change in BP on follow‐up were key determinants of increase in standardized log‐LVMI, which in turn carried an adverse prognosis, underscoring the need for greater control of BP and weight in this group. PMID:25655570

Increased and correlated expression of connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor beta 1 in surgically removed periodontal tissues with chronic periodontitis.

PubMed

Mize, T W; Sundararaj, K P; Leite, R S; Huang, Y

2015-06-01

Both gingival tissue destruction and regeneration are associated with chronic periodontitis, although the former overwhelms the latter. Studies have shown that transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a growth factor largely involved in tissue regeneration and remodeling, is upregulated in chronic periodontitis. However, the gingival expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF or CCN2), a TGF-β1-upregulated gene, in patients with periodontitis remains undetermined. Although both CTGF/CCN2 and TGF-b1 increase the production of extracellular matrix, they have many different biological functions. Therefore, it is important to delineate the impact of periodontitis on gingival CTGF/CCN2 expression. Periodontal tissue specimens were collected from seven individuals without periodontitis (group 1) and from 14 with periodontitis (group 2). The expression of CTGF and TGFβ1 mRNAs were quantified using real-time PCR. Analysis using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test showed that the levels of expression of both CTGF/CCN2 and TGFβ1 mRNAs were significantly increased in individuals with periodontitis compared with individuals without periodontitis. Furthermore, analysis using a nonparametric correlation (Spearman r) test showed a positive correlation between TGFβ1 and CTGF/CCN2 mRNAs. The gingival expression levels of CTGF/CCN2 and TGFβ1 mRNAs in individuals with periodontitis are upregulated and correlated. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The proportion of dyslipidemia in systemic lupus erythematosus patient and distribution of correlated factors.

PubMed

Wijaya, Linda K; Kasjmir, Yoga Iwanoff; Sukmana, Nanang; Subekti, Imam; Prihartono, Joedo

2005-01-01

To understand the proportion of dyslipidemia in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and the influencing factors of dyslipidemia. AN observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on new and longstanding SLE patients who had been diagnosed based on ARA criteria 1982 with 1997 revision. They had been hospitalized and treated at Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central General Hospital and the other private Hospitals in Jakarta, i.e. Kramat Hospital in July - November 2003. The sample was selected by non probability sampling method with consecutive sampling technique. Every participant underwent history taking, physical and laboratory examination. There were 77 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria. The proportion of dyslipidemia in this study was 75.3%. By confidence interval of 95%, the dyslipidemia in SLE patient was 65.3% - 84.6%. The distribution of lipid profile in sample population were 43% with total cholesterol > or = 200 mg/dL, 26% with HDL cholesterol level < 40 mg/dL, 26.4% with LDL cholesterol level > or = 130 mg/dl and 44.2% with triglycerides serum level > or = 150 mg/dL. The characteristics of influencing factors in dyslipidemia prevalence for sample population consisted of 24.7% with renal involvement, 53.2% with > or = 3 years illness periods, 26% had received > or = 30 mg/day prednisone, 94.8% had not received chloroquines, and 58.4% had illness activity of Mex-SLEDAI > or = 2. By bivariate analysis, we found that illness period < 3 years tends to affect dyslipidemia with OR value of 12.04 (CI 95%, 2.54-57.05, p = 0.001). After conducting multivariate analysis by backward methods, it appears that only one significant influencing factor of dyslipidemia prevalence in SLE patient i.e. Illness period od < 3 years with OR value 12.04 (CI 95% 2.54 - 57.05, p = 0.001). Illness period of 3 years is represent a significant correlative factor for dyslipedemia prevalence. Prednisone > or = 30 mg/dL is the

A method for the estimation of the significance of cross-correlations in unevenly sampled red-noise time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Max-Moerbeck, W.; Richards, J. L.; Hovatta, T.; Pavlidou, V.; Pearson, T. J.; Readhead, A. C. S.

2014-11-01

We present a practical implementation of a Monte Carlo method to estimate the significance of cross-correlations in unevenly sampled time series of data, whose statistical properties are modelled with a simple power-law power spectral density. This implementation builds on published methods; we introduce a number of improvements in the normalization of the cross-correlation function estimate and a bootstrap method for estimating the significance of the cross-correlations. A closely related matter is the estimation of a model for the light curves, which is critical for the significance estimates. We present a graphical and quantitative demonstration that uses simulations to show how common it is to get high cross-correlations for unrelated light curves with steep power spectral densities. This demonstration highlights the dangers of interpreting them as signs of a physical connection. We show that by using interpolation and the Hanning sampling window function we are able to reduce the effects of red-noise leakage and to recover steep simple power-law power spectral densities. We also introduce the use of a Neyman construction for the estimation of the errors in the power-law index of the power spectral density. This method provides a consistent way to estimate the significance of cross-correlations in unevenly sampled time series of data.

[Factors correlated with low-income diabetic patients' quality of life in Bogota].

PubMed

Muñoz, Diana I; Gómez, Olga L; Ballesteros, Luz Carime

2014-01-01

Identifying the factors correlated with health-related quality of life (QOL) amongst low-income diabetic patients attending two public hospitals in Bogotá. This was a cross-sectional study involving 153 type 2 diabetic patients. The variables studied were socio-demographic characteristics, social support, lifestyle and clinical measurements (HbA1c, BMI, and cholesterol). The SF-8 health survey (8-item short form) was used for assessing health-related QOL. Overall physical score was 41.4 (SE 8.5) and overall mental score 46.5 (SE 7.3); the scores never exceeded 50 points. The factors correlated with lower QOL regarding the physical domain were occupation, social support, physical activity and fat intake and age, occupation, social support, and smoking status regarding the mental domain. The patients surveyed here had a poor QOL. The factors correlated with health-related QOL included socio-demographic characteristics, social support and lifestyle. These findings should be taken into account when formulating public health policy to readdress the current healthcare model for controlling diabetes.

Correlation of cardiorespiratory fitness with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Miculis, Cristiane P; de Campos, Wagner; Gasparotto, Guilherme S; Silva, Michael P; Mascarenhas, Luis P; Boguszewski, Margaret C S

2012-01-01

The objective of this study was to correlate CRF with cardiovascular risk factors in T1DM children. Fifty children and adolescents aged between 9 and 17 years with no diabetes complications and a mean diabetes duration of 4.6 years were selected. Antropometric, sexual maturation and blood pressure data were evaluated. CRF level was assessed with a 20-m shuttle run test. Laboratory tests were performed to verify fasting lipids and glycated hemoglobin. Statistical analyses were made with Pearson partial correlation, t test, and one-way ANOVA, with p≤0.05. After adjustment for body adiposity and sexual maturity, inverse correlations among CRF and TC, TG, TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, non-HDL-C, and SBP were statistically significant. Variables differing by sex included weight Z score, BMI Z score, skinfold thickness, percentage of body fat, and DBP. Boys had higher CRF compared to girls. CRF and TC differed significantly by sexual maturation status. An inverse and significant relationship between CRF and most lipid profile's components and SBP in poor controlled T1DM children and adolescents was found, independently of body adiposity. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Climate Change Risk Perception in Taiwan: Correlation with Individual and Societal Factors

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

This study differentiates the risk perception and influencing factors of climate change along the dimensions of global severity and personal threat. Using the 2013 Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSGS) data (N = 2001) as a representative sample of adults from Taiwan, we investigated the influencing factors of the risk perceptions of climate change in these two dimensions (global severity and personal threat). Logistic regression models were used to examine the correlations of individual factors (gender, age, education, climate-related disaster experience and risk awareness, marital status, employment status, household income, and perceived social status) and societal factors (religion, organizational embeddedness, and political affiliations) with the above two dimensions. The results demonstrate that climate-related disaster experience has no significant impact on either the perception of global severity or the perception of personal impact. However, climate-related risk awareness (regarding typhoons, in particular) is positively associated with both dimensions of the perceived risks of climate change. With higher education, individuals are more concerned about global severity than personal threat. Regarding societal factors, the supporters of political parties have higher risk perceptions of climate change than people who have no party affiliation. Religious believers have higher risk perceptions of personal threat than non-religious people. This paper ends with a discussion about the effectiveness of efforts to enhance risk perception of climate change with regard to global severity and personal threat. PMID:29316685

Climate Change Risk Perception in Taiwan: Correlation with Individual and Societal Factors.

PubMed

Sun, Yingying; Han, Ziqiang

2018-01-08

This study differentiates the risk perception and influencing factors of climate change along the dimensions of global severity and personal threat. Using the 2013 Taiwan Social Change Survey (TSGS) data (N = 2001) as a representative sample of adults from Taiwan, we investigated the influencing factors of the risk perceptions of climate change in these two dimensions (global severity and personal threat). Logistic regression models were used to examine the correlations of individual factors (gender, age, education, climate-related disaster experience and risk awareness, marital status, employment status, household income, and perceived social status) and societal factors (religion, organizational embeddedness, and political affiliations) with the above two dimensions. The results demonstrate that climate-related disaster experience has no significant impact on either the perception of global severity or the perception of personal impact. However, climate-related risk awareness (regarding typhoons, in particular) is positively associated with both dimensions of the perceived risks of climate change. With higher education, individuals are more concerned about global severity than personal threat. Regarding societal factors, the supporters of political parties have higher risk perceptions of climate change than people who have no party affiliation. Religious believers have higher risk perceptions of personal threat than non-religious people. This paper ends with a discussion about the effectiveness of efforts to enhance risk perception of climate change with regard to global severity and personal threat.

Structural Analysis of Correlated Factors: Lessons from the Verbal-Performance Dichotomy of the Wechsler Scales.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Macmann, Gregg M.; Barnett, David W.

1994-01-01

Describes exploratory and confirmatory analyses of verbal-performance procedures to illustrate concepts and procedures for analysis of correlated factors. Argues that, based on convergent and discriminant validity criteria, factors should have higher correlations with variables that they purport to measure than with other variables. Discusses…

Nuclear factor-kappaB activation correlates with better prognosis and Akt activation in human gastric cancer.

PubMed

Lee, Byung Lan; Lee, Hye Seung; Jung, Jieun; Cho, Sung Jin; Chung, Hee-Yong; Kim, Woo Ho; Jin, Young-Woo; Kim, Chong Soon; Nam, Seon Young

2005-04-01

Because the biological significance of constitutive nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in human gastric cancer is unclear, we undertook this study to clarify the regulatory mechanism of NF-kappaB activation and its clinical significance. Immunohistochemistry for NF-kappaB/RelA was done on 290 human gastric carcinoma specimens placed on tissue array slides. The correlations between NF-kappaB activation and clinicopathologic features, prognosis, Akt activation, tumor suppressor gene expression, or Bcl-2 expression were analyzed. We also did luciferase reporter assay, Western blot analysis, and reverse transcription-PCR using the SNU-216 human gastric cancer cell line transduced with retroviral vectors containing constitutively active Akt or the NF-kappaB repressor mutant of IkappaBalpha. Nuclear expression of RelA was found in 18% of the gastric carcinomas and was higher in early-stage pathologic tumor-node-metastasis (P = 0.019). A negative correlation was observed between NF-kappaB activation and lymphatic invasion (P = 0.034) and a positive correlation between NF-kappaB activation and overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients (P = 0.0228). In addition, NF-kappaB activation was positively correlated with pAkt (P = 0.047), p16 (P = 0.004), adenomatous polyposis coli (P < 0.001), Smad4 (P = 0.002), and kangai 1 (P < 0.001) expression. An in vitro study showed that NF-kappaB activity in gastric cancer cells is controlled by and controls Akt. NF-kappaB activation was frequently observed in early-stage gastric carcinoma and was significantly correlated with better prognosis and Akt activation. These findings suggest that NF-kappaB activation is a valuable prognostic variable in gastric carcinoma.

Factors influencing first-time fathers' involvement in their wives' pregnancy and childbirth: A correlational study.

PubMed

Xue, Weilin Lynn; He, Hong-Gu; Chua, Ying Jie; Wang, Wenru; Shorey, Shefaly

2018-07-01

To examine factors influencing first-time fathers' involvement in their wives' pregnancy and childbirth in Singapore. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study was conducted in a public tertiary hospital in Singapore. A total of 182 first-time fathers whose wives were hospitalized at four obstetric wards were recruited from November 2015 to January 2016. Data were collected by three newly developed and validated instruments, namely Father's Involvement in Pregnancy and Childbirth, Father's Informational and Sources of Support, and Father's Attitude Towards Involvement in Pregnancy and Childbirth, as well as the 16-item Couple Satisfaction Index and Family of Origin Questionnaire. The participants were generally involved in their wives' pregnancy and childbirth, with 35.2% being highly involved. There was no significant difference in fathers' levels of involvement between or among any sociodemographic subgroups. Significant Spearman's correlations were found between fathers' levels of involvement and levels of informational support as well as fathers' attitudes towards involvement. However, the logistic regression showed the level of informational support was the only significant factor that influenced first-time fathers' high levels of involvement in their wives' pregnancy and childbirth. The study revealed the importance of providing sufficient informational support to first-time fathers so that they can be highly involved in their wife's pregnancy and childbirth. Future studies can develop technology-based intervention programmes to improve fathers' involvement in their wife's pregnancy and childbirth. Healthcare professionals should examine and improve the existing informational support for first-time fathers and ensure its relevance and convenient access. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Workplace stress, lifestyle and social factors as correlates of back pain: a representative study of the German working population.

PubMed

Schneider, Sven; Schmitt, Holger; Zoller, Silke; Schiltenwolf, Marcus

2005-05-01

To investigate the prevalence of back pain in the German working population and the relationship between back pain and workplace stresses, lifestyle and social factors. The first National Health Survey of the Federal Republic of Germany was carried out between October 1997 and March 1999. It comprised a representative epidemiological cross-sectional study of the working population, with a total sample of 3,488 persons between the ages of 18 and 69 years. The participants took part in a medical examination and answered a self-rating questionnaire. The relationship between subjective back pain and workplace stresses and social and lifestyle factors was investigated with bivariate tests and multiple logistical regression analyses. The 7-day prevalence for back pain in the German working population was found to be 34%, and the 1-year prevalence was 60%. The odds ratios were significantly higher in women, persons of lower socioeconomic status, married and depressed persons and non-athletes. Carrying heavy loads or maintaining a single working posture were the most significant work-related correlates of back pain, for members of both the female and male working population, while environmental stress and psychological stress correlated significantly with back pain in men only. This study reports the first representative epidemiological prevalence data for back pain, and its correlates and potential risk factors, for the German working population. To reduce the negative impact of back pain the most promising behavioural and conditional prevention measures in the workplace would be to reduce carrying stress and to vary working posture. In addition, a more active, athletic lifestyle, plus the avoidance of being overweight, should provide an additional protective or preventive effect.

Dependence of structure factor and correlation energy on the width of electron wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashokan, Vinod; Bala, Renu; Morawetz, Klaus; Pathak, Kare Narain

2018-02-01

The structure factor and correlation energy of a quantum wire of thickness b ≪ a B are studied in random phase approximation (RPA) and for the less investigated region r s < 1. Using the single-loop approximation, analytical expressions of the structure factor are obtained. The exact expressions for the exchange energy are also derived for a cylindrical and harmonic wire. The correlation energy in RPA is found to be represented by ɛ c ( b, r s ) = α( r s )/ b + β( r s ) ln( b) + η( r s ), for small b and high densities. For a pragmatic width of the wire, the correlation energy is in agreement with the quantum Monte Carlo simulation data.

[Correlation research on contents of podophyllotoxin and total lignans in Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and ecological factors].

PubMed

Li, Min; Zhong, Guo-yue; Wu, Ao-lin; Zhang, Shou-wen; Jiang, Wei; Liang, Jian

2015-05-01

To explore the correlation between the ecological factors and the contents of podophyllotoxin and total lignans in root and rhizome of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, podophyllotoxin in 87 samples (from 5 provinces) was determined by HPLC and total lignans by UV. A correlation and regression analysis was made by software SPSS 16.0 in combination with ecological factors (terrain, soil and climate). The content determination results showed a great difference between podophyllotoxin and total lignans, attaining 1.001%-6.230% and 5.350%-16.34%, respective. The correlation and regression analysis by SPSS showed a positive linear correlation between their contents, strong positive correlation between their contents, latitude and annual average rainfall within the sampling area, weak negative correlation with pH value and organic material in soil, weaker and stronger positive correlations with soil potassium, weak negative correlation with slope and annual average temperature and weaker positive correlation between the podophyllotoxin content and soil potassium.

48 CFR 815.304 - Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Evaluation factors and significant subfactors. 815.304 Section 815.304 Federal Acquisition Regulations System DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 815.304...

48 CFR 315.304 - Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Evaluation factors and significant subfactors. 315.304 Section 315.304 Federal Acquisition Regulations System HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 315.304...

48 CFR 15.304 - Evaluation factors and significant subfactors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Evaluation factors and significant subfactors. 15.304 Section 15.304 Federal Acquisition Regulations System FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION CONTRACTING METHODS AND CONTRACT TYPES CONTRACTING BY NEGOTIATION Source Selection 15.304...

[The epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles for thermal power plant workers].

PubMed

Wu, Hui; Yu, Shan-fa; Zhou, Wen-hui; Gu, Gui-zhen

2012-07-01

This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles among thermal power plant workers. A mass screening of daily hassles and correlated factors was conducted on 498 workers from a thermal power plant in Zhengzhou in July, 2008. The questionnaires included Daily Hassles Questionnaires, Work Roles Questionnaires, Job Content Questionnaires (Chinese version), Effort-Reward Imbalance (Chinese version), Work Locus of Control Scale and Type A Behavior Scale, with content covering demographic characters and occupational stress correlated factors among subjects. The daily hassles was divided into lower level and higher level according to scores, and the epidemiological characteristics and correlated factors of daily hassles were analyzed. A total of 446 qualified questionnaires were obtained, effective response rate was 89.6% (446/498). For respondents, the age was (36.96 ± 6.49) years old, working length of the current job was (12.05 ± 7.54) years, the daily hassles scores was (9.01 ± 2.50), and the prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was 34.1% (152/446). The multiple non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed 5-14 years' working length of current job (OR = 0.451, 95%CI: 0.225 - 0.904), average income > 3000 yuan(OR = 0.372, 95%CI: 0.202 - 0.684), reward (OR = 0.557, 95%CI: 0.325 - 0.954) and coping strategy (OR = 0.552, 95%CI: 0.330 - 0.925) were negatively correlated with daily hassles, and shift-work (OR = 1.887, 95%CI: 1.108 - 3.215), effort (OR = 2.053, 95%CI: 1.198 - 3.519), psychological demand (OR = 1.797, 95%CI: 1.049 - 3.078), negative affectivity (OR = 3.421, 95%CI: 2.065 - 5.668) were positively correlated with daily hassles. The prevalence rate of the higher level of daily hassles was considerable high for thermal power plant workers. Its negative correlated factors included 5 - 14 years' working length of the current job, average income > 3000 yuan, reward and coping

Canonical correlation analysis of infant's size at birth and maternal factors: a study in rural northwest Bangladesh.

PubMed

Kabir, Alamgir; Merrill, Rebecca D; Shamim, Abu Ahmed; Klemn, Rolf D W; Labrique, Alain B; Christian, Parul; West, Keith P; Nasser, Mohammed

2014-01-01

This analysis was conducted to explore the association between 5 birth size measurements (weight, length and head, chest and mid-upper arm [MUAC] circumferences) as dependent variables and 10 maternal factors as independent variables using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). CCA considers simultaneously sets of dependent and independent variables and, thus, generates a substantially reduced type 1 error. Data were from women delivering a singleton live birth (n = 14,506) while participating in a double-masked, cluster-randomized, placebo-controlled maternal vitamin A or β-carotene supplementation trial in rural Bangladesh. The first canonical correlation was 0.42 (P<0.001), demonstrating a moderate positive correlation mainly between the 5 birth size measurements and 5 maternal factors (preterm delivery, early pregnancy MUAC, infant sex, age and parity). A significant interaction between infant sex and preterm delivery on birth size was also revealed from the score plot. Thirteen percent of birth size variability was explained by the composite score of the maternal factors (Redundancy, RY/X = 0.131). Given an ability to accommodate numerous relationships and reduce complexities of multiple comparisons, CCA identified the 5 maternal variables able to predict birth size in this rural Bangladesh setting. CCA may offer an efficient, practical and inclusive approach to assessing the association between two sets of variables, addressing the innate complexity of interactions.

Significant Correlation Between the Infant Gut Microbiome and Rotavirus Vaccine Response in Rural Ghana

PubMed Central

Harris, Vanessa C.; Armah, George; Fuentes, Susana; Korpela, Katri E.; Parashar, Umesh; Victor, John C.; Tate, Jacqueline; de Weerth, Carolina; Giaquinto, Carlo; Wiersinga, Willem Joost; Lewis, Kristen D. C.; de Vos, Willem M.

2017-01-01

Background. Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of diarrhea-related death in children worldwide and 95% of RV-associated deaths occur in Africa and Asia where RV vaccines (RVVs) have lower efficacy. We hypothesize that differences in intestinal microbiome composition correlate with the decreased RVV efficacy observed in poor settings. Methods. We conducted a nested, case-control study comparing prevaccination, fecal microbiome compositions between 6-week old, matched RVV responders and nonresponders in rural Ghana. These infants' microbiomes were then compared with 154 age-matched, healthy Dutch infants' microbiomes, assumed to be RVV responders. Fecal microbiome analysis was performed in all groups using the Human Intestinal Tract Chip. Results. We analyzed findings in 78 Ghanaian infants, including 39 RVV responder and nonresponder pairs. The overall microbiome composition was significantly different between RVV responders and nonresponders (FDR, 0.12), and Ghanaian responders were more similar to Dutch infants than nonresponders (P = .002). RVV response correlated with an increased abundance of Streptococcus bovis and a decreased abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum in comparisons between both Ghanaian RVV responders and nonresponders (FDR, 0.008 vs 0.003) and Dutch infants and Ghanaian nonresponders (FDR, 0.002 vs 0.009). Conclusions. The intestinal microbiome composition correlates significantly with RVV immunogenicity and may contribute to the diminished RVV immunogenicity observed in developing countries. PMID:27803175

Standardized uptake value and apparent diffusion coefficient of endometrial cancer evaluated with integrated whole-body PET/MR: Correlation with pathological prognostic factors.

PubMed

Shih, I-Lun; Yen, Ruoh-Fang; Chen, Chi-An; Chen, Bang-Bin; Wei, Shwu-Yuan; Chang, Wen-Chun; Sheu, Bor-Ching; Cheng, Wen-Fang; Tseng, Yao-Hui; Chen, Xin-Jia; Chen, Chi-Hau; Wei, Lin-Hung; Chiang, Ying-Cheng; Torng, Pao-Ling; Yen, Men-Luh; Shih, Tiffany Ting-Fang

2015-12-01

To evaluate the correlation between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax ) and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin ) of endometrial cancer derived from an integrated positron emission tomography / magnetic resonance (PET/MR) system and to determine their correlation with pathological prognostic factors. This prospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the hospital, and informed consent was obtained. Between April and December 2014, 47 consecutive patients with endometrial cancer were enrolled and underwent simultaneous PET/MR examinations before surgery. Thirty-six patients with measurable tumors on PET/MR were included for image analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between SUVmax and ADCmin of the tumors. The Mann-Whitney U-test was utilized to evaluate relationships between these two imaging biomarkers and pathological prognostic factors. The mean SUVmax and ADCmin were 14.7 ± 7.1 and 0.48 ± 0.13 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s, respectively. A significant inverse correlation was found between SUVmax and ADCmin (r = -0.53; P = 0.001). SUVmax was significantly higher in tumors with advanced stage, deep myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). ADCmin was lower in tumors with higher grade, advanced stage, and cervical invasion (P < 0.05). The ratio of SUVmax to ADCmin was higher in tumors with higher grade, advanced stage, deep myometrial invasion, cervical invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). SUVmax and ADCmin of endometrial cancer derived from integrated PET/MR are inversely correlated and are associated with pathological prognostic factors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Correlates of depression in type 2 diabetic elderly patients: a correlational study.

PubMed

Bai, Yu-Ling; Chiou, Chou-Ping; Chang, Yong-Yuan; Lam, Hing-Chung

2008-04-01

This aim of this study was to investigate depression and related factors in elderly patients (65 years) with type 2 diabetics. The study utilized a descriptive-correlational design. Convenience sampling was applied to enroll 156 subjects, aged >or= 65 years from diabetic outpatient clinics at three hospitals in Kaohsiung. This study applied the Personal Resource Questionnaire 2000 (PRQ 2000), Taiwan Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS), and a form for demographic data. (1) The mean index score for depression level was 26, indicating that study subjects had a low level of depression. The social support index score was 76. (2) Significant differences in TGDS scores existed for diabetes duration, diabetes complications, and treatment type. (3) Social support and regular exercise were significantly and negatively correlated with depression. (4) Social support and diabetes complications were significant correlates of depression and accounted for 25.9% of variance in depression. Analytical results may assist nurses in understanding depression and related factors for diabetic patients aged >or= 65. Therefore, this study could form a basis for caring older people with diabetes, and provide a reference for further research.

Correlation between dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion MRI relative cerebral blood volume and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in meningiomas.

PubMed

Ginat, Daniel T; Mangla, Rajiv; Yeaney, Gabrielle; Schaefer, Pamela W; Wang, Henry

2012-08-01

To determine whether there is a correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and cerebral blood flow (CBV) measurements in dynamic contrast-enhanced susceptibility perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to correlate the perfusion characteristics in high- versus low-grade meningiomas. A total of 48 (24 high-grade and 24 low-grade) meningiomas with available dynamic susceptibility-weighted MRI were retrospectively reviewed for maximum CBV and semiquantitative VEGF immunoreactivity. Correlation between normalized CBV and VEGF was made using the Spearman rank test and comparison between CBV in high- versus low-grade meningiomas was made using the Wilcoxon test. There was a significant (P = .01) correlation between normalized maximum CBV and VEGF scores with a Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.37. In addition, there was a significant (P < .01) difference in normalized maximum CBV ratios between high-grade meningiomas (mean 12.6; standard deviation 5.2) and low-grade meningiomas (mean 8.2; standard deviation 5.2). The data suggest that CBV accurately reflects VEGF expression and tumor grade in meningiomas. Perfusion-weighted MRI can potentially serve as a useful biomarker for meningiomas, pending prospective studies. Copyright © 2012 AUR. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation between serum inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10 and Henoch-Schonlein purpura with renal function impairment.

PubMed

Yuan, Liangdong; Wang, Quanyi; Zhang, Shiqi; Zhang, Ling

2018-04-01

The changes of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the serum of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) patients were analyzed to explore the correlation between the above inflammatory factors and progression of the disease. The present study used the double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method to detect the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10 and urine protein in 112 cases of patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), including 54 cases of HSP combined with renal function impairment (group HSPN), and 58 cases not combined with renal function impairment (NHSPN), as well as 50 healthy patients who were selected as the control group. The concentration of TNF-α, IL-8, and IL-10 in the serum of HSP patients were higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of IL-10, and IL-8 between the HSPN group and the NHSPN group (P>0.05), but the level of TNF-α in the serum of HSPN group was significantly higher than that of NHSPN group (P<0.05). TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 levels of the acute nephritis, chronic nephritis and nephrotic syndrome groups were all higher than the simple proteinuria group. In addition, the levels of the three factors of the acute nephritis group were all higher than those of the chronic nephritis and nephrotic syndrome groups (P<0.05). IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were positively correlated with the urinary protein levels. The results indicated that the levels of serum TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10 are correlated with HSPN, and serum TNF-α concentration can be used as an indicator of the severity of HSPN.

Cytokines in the sera of patients with pemphigus vulgaris: interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels are significantly increased as compared to healthy subjects and correlate with disease activity.

PubMed

D'Auria, L; Bonifati, C; Mussi, A; D'Agosto, G; De Simone, C; Giacalone, B; Ferraro, C; Ameglio, F

1997-12-01

Cytokine serum levels, when detectable, are currently measured in many disease states, both to evaluate a possible pathogenetic involvement of such molecules and for clinical purposes. No data are currently available on the cytokine levels in the sera of patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), a rare bullous disease of autoimmune origin. This study presents data concerning the levels of 13 different cytokines assayed in the sera of 25 patients affected with PV as compared with 20 healthy subjects using high sensitivity ELISA kits. Of the 13 molecules analyzed, no differences in the levels of most cytokines were observed between pemphigus and control sera, with the exception of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were found to be significantly higher in PV patients than in normal controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the levels of the two cytokines decreased after one month of corticosteroid therapy. A significant correlation was found between the serum levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-6 and the number of lesions for each patient (p < 0.001). The data presented support an involvement of at least IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the biological modifications associated with PV manifestations.

The significance of virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori

PubMed Central

SHIOTA, Seiji; SUZUKI, Rumiko; YAMAOKA, Yoshio

2013-01-01

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is linked to various gastroduodenal diseases; however, only a small fraction of these patients develop associated diseases. Despite the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Africa and South Asia, the incidence of gastric cancer in these areas is much lower than those in other countries. The incidence of gastric cancer tends to decrease from north to south in East Asia. Such geographic differences in the pathology can be explained, at least in part, by the presence of different types of H. pylori virulence factors in addition to the host and environmental factors. Virulence factors of H. pylori, such as cagA, vacA, dupA, iceA, oipA and babA, have been demonstrated to be predictors of severe clinical outcomes. Interestingly, meta-analysis showed that CagA seropositivity was associated with gastric cancer compared with gastritis even in East Asian countries where almost of the strains possessing cagA. Meta-analysis also confirmed the significance of vacA, dupA and iceA. However, there remains the possibility that additional important pathogenic genes can be existed because H. pylori consists of approximately 1 600 genes. Despite advances in our understanding of the development of H. pylori-related diseases, further work is required to clarify the roles of H. pylori virulence factors. PMID:23452293

Significant Correlation Between the Infant Gut Microbiome and Rotavirus Vaccine Response in Rural Ghana.

PubMed

Harris, Vanessa C; Armah, George; Fuentes, Susana; Korpela, Katri E; Parashar, Umesh; Victor, John C; Tate, Jacqueline; de Weerth, Carolina; Giaquinto, Carlo; Wiersinga, Willem Joost; Lewis, Kristen D C; de Vos, Willem M

2017-01-01

 Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of diarrhea-related death in children worldwide and 95% of RV-associated deaths occur in Africa and Asia where RV vaccines (RVVs) have lower efficacy. We hypothesize that differences in intestinal microbiome composition correlate with the decreased RVV efficacy observed in poor settings.  We conducted a nested, case-control study comparing prevaccination, fecal microbiome compositions between 6-week old, matched RVV responders and nonresponders in rural Ghana. These infants' microbiomes were then compared with 154 age-matched, healthy Dutch infants' microbiomes, assumed to be RVV responders. Fecal microbiome analysis was performed in all groups using the Human Intestinal Tract Chip.  We analyzed findings in 78 Ghanaian infants, including 39 RVV responder and nonresponder pairs. The overall microbiome composition was significantly different between RVV responders and nonresponders (FDR, 0.12), and Ghanaian responders were more similar to Dutch infants than nonresponders (P = .002). RVV response correlated with an increased abundance of Streptococcus bovis and a decreased abundance of the Bacteroidetes phylum in comparisons between both Ghanaian RVV responders and nonresponders (FDR, 0.008 vs 0.003) and Dutch infants and Ghanaian nonresponders (FDR, 0.002 vs 0.009).  The intestinal microbiome composition correlates significantly with RVV immunogenicity and may contribute to the diminished RVV immunogenicity observed in developing countries. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Clustering of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in Brazilian adolescents: prevalence and correlates.

PubMed

Cureau, Felipe Vogt; Duarte, Paola; dos Santos, Daniela Lopes; Reichert, Felipe Fossati

2014-07-01

Few studies have investigated the prevalence and correlates of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among Brazilian adolescents. We evaluated the clustering of risk factors and their associations with sociodemographic variables. We used a cross-sectional study carried out in 2011 comprising 1132 students aged 14-19 years from Santa Maria, Brazil. The cluster index was created as the sum of the risk factors. For the correlates analysis, a multinomial logistic regression was used. Furthermore, the observed/expected ratio was calculated. Prevalence of individual risk factors studied was as follows: 85.8% unhealthy diets, 53.5% physical inactivity, 31.3% elevated blood pressure, 23.9% overweight, 22.3% excessive drinking alcohol, and 8.6% smoking. Only 2.8% of the adolescents did not present any risk factor, while 21.7%, 40.9%, 23.1%, and 11.5% presented 1, 2, 3, and 4 or more risk factors, respectively. The most prevalent combination was between unhealthy diets and physical inactivity (observed/expected ratio =1.32; 95% CI: 1.16-1.49). Clustering of risk factors was directly associated with age and inversely associated with socioeconomic status. Clustering of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases is high in Brazilian adolescents. Preventive strategies are more likely to be successful if focusing on multiple risk factors, instead of a single one.

Clinical Significance of Tissue Factor and CD13 Double-Positive Microparticles in Sirs Patients with Trauma and Severe Sepsis.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Hisatake; Yamakawa, Kazuma; Ogura, Hiroshi; Koh, Taichin; Matsumoto, Naoya; Shimazu, Takeshi

2017-04-01

Activated immune cells such as monocytes are key factors in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following trauma and sepsis. Activated monocytes induce almost all tissue factor (TF) expression contributing to inflammation and coagulation. TF and CD13 double-positive microparticles (TF/CD13MPs) are predominantly released from these activated monocytes. This study aimed to evaluate TF/CD13MPs and assess their usefulness as a biomarker of pathogenesis in early SIRS following trauma and sepsis. This prospective study comprising 24 trauma patients, 25 severe sepsis patients, and 23 healthy controls was conducted from November 2012 to February 2015. Blood samples were collected from patients within 24 h after injury and diagnosis of severe sepsis and from healthy controls. Numbers of TF/CD13MPs were measured by flow cytometry immediately thereafter. Injury Severity Score (ISS) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated at patient enrollment. APACHE II and SOFA scores and International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) overt disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) diagnostic criteria algorithm were calculated at the time of enrollment of severe sepsis patients. Numbers of TF/CD13MPs were significantly increased in both trauma and severe sepsis patients versus controls and correlated significantly with ISS and APACHE II score in trauma patients and with APACHE II and ISTH DIC scores in severe sepsis patients. Increased numbers of TF/CD13MPs correlated significantly with severities in the acute phase in trauma and severe sepsis patients, suggesting that TF/CD13MPs are important in the pathogenesis of early SIRS following trauma and sepsis.

The Jackson Career Explorer: Correlates With Self-Monitoring and Social Desirability.

PubMed

Schermer, Julie Aitken

2018-01-01

The Jackson Career Explorer (JCE) is a short form and continuous version of the Jackson Vocational Interest Survey measuring 34 vocational interest dimensions which can be reduced to seven factors (six vocational interest factors and one work style factor). Both the scales and factors were examined for possible significant correlations with social desirability and self-monitoring. Volunteer participants ( N = 779) aged 14 to 92 years completed the JCE, a social desirability scale, and a self-monitoring scale. Social desirability did not correlate significantly with the JCE scales and factors. Self-monitoring was found to correlate significantly with only a few of the JCE dimensions, including the performing arts, dominant leadership, and law scales as well as the business factor. Interestingly, the accountability JCE work style scale, which assesses a preference to work in an environment requiring high levels of honesty, had a significant negative correlation with self-monitoring. These results add to the validity of the JCE and add information to the area of vocational interest assessment.

Factor Analysis and Counseling Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiss, David J.

1970-01-01

Topics discussed include factor analysis versus cluster analysis, analysis of Q correlation matrices, ipsativity and factor analysis, and tests for the significance of a correlation matrix prior to application of factor analytic techniques. Techniques for factor extraction discussed include principal components, canonical factor analysis, alpha…

The correlation between perceived social support, cortisol and brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in healthy women.

PubMed

Ma, Doy Yung; Chang, Wei Hung; Chi, Mei Hung; Tsai, Hsin Chun; Yang, Yen Kuang; Chen, Po See

2016-05-30

In this study, the role of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in stress resilience was investigated. With a focus on healthy subjects, we explored whether plasma BDNF levels are correlated with the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and subjectively perceived social support status. Moreover, we examined the possible interacting effect of DST status and perceived social support on BDNF levels. Seventy-two healthy volunteers, 44 females and 28 males, were recruited from the community and completed the perceived routine support subscale of Measurement of Support Function (PRS_MSF) questionnaire. Plasma BDNF levels and DST suppression rate with the low dose DST were measured. There was a significant positive correlation between BDNF and DST suppression rate in the female subjects. This was also true for the plasma BDNF levels and PRS_MSF in the female subjects. The positive correlation between BDNF and PRS_MSF was significant only in female subjects with low DST suppression rates. Plasma BDNF levels were associated with stress resilience in a sex-specific manner. Subjects' belief in social support might buffer the biological stress reactions. Differences in social perception and the biological stress response between men and women merits further investigation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Clinical significance of the correlation between PLCE 1 and PRKCA in esophageal inflammation and esophageal carcinoma

PubMed Central

Ma, Ming; Zhang, Shanshan; Zhang, Yongmeng; Yuan, Ming; Liu, Bing; Yang, Yiqiong; Cui, Wen; Ansong, Emmanuel; Dong, Huali; Macias, Virgilia; Yang, Wancai

2017-01-01

Esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus are linked to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, respectively. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study analyzed the expression levels of and correlation between PLCE1 and PRKCA in human esophagitis, carcinogen NMBA-induced rat esophagus, PLCE1 genetic deficient mouse esophageal epithelial tissues and human esophageal cancer cell line, integrated with Online oncology data sets. We found that the expression levels of both PLCE1 and PRKCA were significantly elevated in human esophagitis, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma and in NMBA-treated rat esophageal epithelia. However, PRKCA and cytokines were significantly downregulated in PLCE1-deficient mouse esophageal epithelia, and knockdown of PLCE1 in human esophageal cancer cells led to reduction of PRKCA and cytokines. Finally, high expression of both PLCE1 and PRKCA is significantly associated with poor outcomes of the patients with esophageal cancers. In conclusion, this study defined the initiation and progression of esophageal inflammation and malignant transformation, in which the positive correlation of PLCE1 and PRKCA exhibits critical clinical significance. PMID:28402280

High Phosphohistone H3 Expression Correlates with Adverse Clinical, Biological, and Pathological Factors in Neuroblastomas

PubMed Central

Ramani, Pramila; Taylor, Scott; Miller, Elizabeth; Sowa-Avugrah, Emile; May, Margaret T.

2015-01-01

Phosphohistone H3 (pHH3), a biomarker of the late G2- and M-phase of the cell cycle, provides a powerful indication of the proliferative state of many cancers. We investigated the prognostic significance of pHH3 by immunostaining 80 neuroblastomas and counting the average number of strongly stained nuclei and mitotic figures. The median and 75th percentile pHH3 proliferation indices (PIs) were 0.54% and 1.06% (range, 0.01% to 2.23%) respectively. pHH3 expression was significantly higher in neuroblastomas from patients with adverse clinical characteristics, all unfavorable pathological factors including high mitosis karyorrhexis index (MKI), and adverse biological factors including MYCN oncogene amplification. High pHH3-PIs, at 1% threshold, were significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in the univariable Cox regression analyses. In the multivariable models, high pHH3 counts were significantly associated with worse OS after adjustment for age but were not independent of either high MKI or MYCN amplification. In children less than 18 months of age, high MKIs and high PHH3-PIs were associated with significantly worse OS and EFS. In conclusion, high pHH3 expression correlates strongly with high MKI and MYCN amplification and indicates poor prognosis in neuroblastomas. PMID:25711230

Correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor with magnetic resonance imaging in chronic subdural hematomas.

PubMed

Li, Fubin; Hua, Cong; Feng, Yan; Yuan, Hongyan; Bie, Li

2017-06-15

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is an inflammatory angiogenic disease. It is believed that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in pathological CSDH angiogenesis. In this study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were used to assign 115 primary CSDH patients to four MRI types. The four MRI types are described as follows: type 1 (T1-weighted low, T2-weighted low), type 2 (T1-weighted high, T2-weighted low), type 3 (T1-weighted mixed, T2-weighted mixed), and type 4 (T1-weighted low/high, T2-weighted high). The four MRI types were then correlated with CSDH stage and patient hematoma fluid and serum VEGH concentrations that were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Neurological status was assessed by Markwalder scoring at admission and six-month follow-up. The mean VEGF concentration was significantly higher in CDSH hematoma fluid samples than in patient sera (p<0.01). In unilateral CSDH hematoma fluid samples, VEGF concentration was highest in type 1 (21,613.5±1473.3pg/ml), next highest in type 2 (18,071.8±1737.1pg/ml), lower in type 3, and lowest in type 4 patients (13,153.7±3854.4pg/ml, 7265.7±726.2pg/ml, respectively). High VEGF concentrations strongly correlated with MRI type (unilateral CSDH group r=0.838, bilateral CSDH group r=0.851, p<0.01). Moreover, higher hematoma fluid VEGF concentrations correlated with markedly higher recurrence in type 1 (3/19, 15.8%) vs. type 4 unilateral CSDH patients (1/27, 3.7%). The present study reports a significant correlation between CSDH hematoma fluid VEGF concentration and MRI results. Therefore, MRI results could be used to predict hematoma fluid VEGF concentrations in CSDH patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Significant elevation of the levels of B-cell activating factor (BAFF) in patients with sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Ando, Masaru; Goto, Akihiko; Takeno, Yukiko; Yamasue, Mari; Komiya, Kosaku; Umeki, Kenji; Nureki, Shin-Ichi; Miyazaki, Eishi; Kadota, Jun-Ichi

2018-06-23

B-cell activating factor (BAFF) plays an important role in the survival and differentiation of B-cells and production of antibodies. Recent studies show that the serum BAFF levels are elevated in patients with sarcoidosis; however, they have not studied the relationship of the finding with the clinical features of the disease. The purpose of the present study is to analyze the BAFF and to elucidate the relationship between BAFF levels and the disease activity or severity of sarcoidosis. Eighty-eight patients with sarcoidosis and 21 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study. The BAFF levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To assess the disease severity, we examined the number of affected organs, Schadding stages, respiratory function impairment (RFI), and the scoring system developed by Wasfi et al. The serum BAFF levels in sarcoidosis patients were significantly higher than those in healthy volunteers (median 1553.0 vs 984.6 pg/ml, p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between the serum BAFF level and disease activity markers. In addition, there were positive correlations between the BAFF levels and the disease severity score in both the serum (R = 0.367, p < 0.001) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) (R = 0.376, p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that the BAFF levels in both the serum and BALF were positively correlated with the disease activity markers and disease severity. BAFF may be useful as an indicator of both the disease activity and severity.

Quantitative study of the correlation between cerebellar retraction factors and hearing loss following microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

PubMed

Li, Ning; Zhao, Wei-Guo; Pu, Chun-Hua; Yang, Wen-Lei

2018-01-01

This prospective study quantitatively measured the cerebellar retraction factors, including retraction distance, depth and duration, and evaluated their potential relationship to the development of hearing loss after microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS). One hundred ten patients with primary HFS who underwent MVD in our department were included into this study. The cerebellar retraction factors were quantitatively measured on preoperative MR and timed during MVD. Associations of cerebellar retraction and other factors to postoperative hearing loss were analyzed. Eleven (10%) patients developed hearing loss after MVD. Compared with the group without hearing loss, the cerebellar retraction distance, depth and duration of the group with hearing loss were significantly greater (p < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that greater cerebellar retraction depth and longer retraction duration were significantly associated with a higher incidence of postoperative hearing impairment (p < 0.05). This study strongly suggested a correlation between the cerebellar retraction factors, especially retraction depth and duration, and possibility of hearing loss following MVD for HFS.

Is thermogenesis a significant causal factor in preventing the "globesity" epidemic?

PubMed

Hansen, Jens Carl; Gilman, Andrew P; Odland, Jon Øyvind

2010-08-01

During the last four decades the world has experienced an epidemic of overweight individuals in affluent as well as developing countries. The WHO has predicted a "globesity epidemic" with more than 1 billion adults being overweight and at least 300 million of these being clinically obese. Obesity among children and adolescents is of great significance. From a global population perspective, this epidemic in weight gain and its sequelae are the largest public health problems identified to date and have very significant adverse implications for population health, and have by now almost reached the proportion of a pandemic. While genetic changes have been discussed as a cause of the epidemic, there has been too little time since its start to enable enough genetic adaptation to take place for this to provide a valid explanation. Traditionally positive energy balance and sedentary life style have been regarded as the primary causal factors; however, these factors have so far failed to provide explanations for the entire problem. For these reasons it seems warranted to investigate other possible co-factors contributing to the "globesity epidemic" and to find efficient strategies to counteract further increases in the size and nature of the epidemic. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a potential preventive co-factor, thermogenesis. Special attention has been paid to the influence of ambient temperature as a grossly neglected factor in the debate. As most people today live and work at ambient temperatures close to their body temperature (the thermal neutral point), we hypothesise that this is an important causal co-factor in the "globesity" epidemic. The hypothesis: The null hypothesis that adaptive thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue in adult humans is not significant for weight loss is rejected. We propose the hypothesis that homoeothermic living conditions close to the thermogenic neutral level is an important causal co-factor in the "Globesity" Epidemic

Prognostic Significance of Selected Lifestyle Factors in Urinary Bladder Cancer

PubMed Central

Wakai, Kenji; Ohno, Yoshiyuki; Obata, Kohji; Aoki, Kunio

1993-01-01

To examine the prognostic significance of lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer, we conducted a follow‐up study of 258 incident bladder cancer patients, who were originally recruited in a case‐control study in metropolitan Nagoya. Information on individual survivals was obtained from the computer data‐file of the tumor registry of the Nagoya Bladder Cancer Research Group. Univariate analyses revealed significant associations of 5‐year survivorship with educational attainment, marital status, drinking habits and consumption of green tea in males, and age at first consultation, histological type and grade of tumor, stage and distant metastasis in both sexes. After adjustment for age, stage, histology (histological type and grade) and distant metastasis by means of a proportional hazards model, drinking of alcoholic beverages was significantly associated with the prognosis of bladder cancer in males. Its adjusted hazard ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.79), favoring patients who had taken alcoholic beverages. In detailed analysis, ex‐drinkers and all levels of current drinkers demonstrated hazard ratios smaller than unity, although no clear dose‐response relationship was detected. No prognostic significance was found for such lifestyle factors as smoking habit, uses of artificial sweeteners and hairdye, and consumption of coffee, black tea, matcha (powdered green tea) and cola. PMID:8294212

Prognostic significance of selected lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer.

PubMed

Wakai, K; Ohno, Y; Obata, K; Aoki, K

1993-12-01

To examine the prognostic significance of lifestyle factors in urinary bladder cancer, we conducted a follow-up study of 258 incident bladder cancer patients, who were originally recruited in a case-control study in metropolitan Nagoya. Information on individual survivals was obtained from the computer data-file of the tumor registry of the Nagoya Bladder Cancer Research Group. Univariate analyses revealed significant associations of 5-year survivorship with educational attainment, marital status, drinking habits and consumption of green tea in males, and age at first consultation, histological type and grade of tumor, stage and distant metastasis in both sexes. After adjustment for age, stage, histology (histological type and grade) and distant metastasis by means of a proportional hazards model, drinking of alcoholic beverages was significantly associated with the prognosis of bladder cancer in males. Its adjusted hazard ratio was 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.26-0.79), favoring patients who had taken alcoholic beverages. In detailed analysis, ex-drinkers and all levels of current drinkers demonstrated hazard ratios smaller than unity, although no clear dose-response relationship was detected. No prognostic significance was found for such lifestyle factors as smoking habit, uses of artificial sweeteners and hairdye, and consumption of coffee, black tea, matcha (powdered green tea) and cola.

The significance of virulence factors in Helicobacter pylori.

PubMed

Shiota, Seiji; Suzuki, Rumiko; Yamaoka, Yoshio

2013-07-01

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is linked to various gastroduodenal diseases; however, only a small fraction of these patients develop associated diseases. Despite the high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Africa and South Asia, the incidence of gastric cancer in these areas is much lower than those in other countries. The incidence of gastric cancer tends to decrease from north to south in East Asia. Such geographical differences in the pathology can be explained, at least in part, by the presence of different types of H. pylori virulence factors in addition to host and environmental factors. Virulence factors of H. pylori, such as CagA, VacA, DupA, IceA, OipA and BabA, have been demonstrated to be the predictors of severe clinical outcomes. Interestingly, a meta-analysis showed that CagA seropositivity was associated with gastric cancer compared with gastritis, even in East Asian countries where almost the strains possess cagA. Another meta-analysis also confirmed the significance of vacA, dupA and iceA. However, it is possible that additional important pathogenic genes may exist because H. pylori consists of approximately 1600 genes. Despite the advances in our understanding of the development of H. pylori infection-related diseases, further work is required to clarify the roles of H. pylori virulence factors. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Digestive Diseases © 2013 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd and Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.

Bone marrow vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count might be a significant predictor for the treatment outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

PubMed

Kim, Jung Sun; Gang, Ga Won; Lee, Se Ryun; Sung, Hwa Jung; Park, Young; Kim, Dae Sik; Choi, Chul Won; Kim, Byung Soo

2015-10-01

Developing a parameter to predict bone marrow invasion by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is an important unmet medical need for treatment decisions. This study aimed to confirm the validity of the hypothesis that bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level might be correlated with the risk of bone marrow involvement and the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Forty-nine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone regimen were enrolled. Vascular endothelial growth factor level was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The validity of bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level and bone marrow vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count for predicting treatment response and survival after initial rituximab, cyclophosphamide, daunorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone combined chemotherapy was assessed. Bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count was significantly associated with old age (≥ 65 years), poor performance score (≥ 2), high International prognosis index (≥ 3) and bone marrow invasion. The patients with high bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count (≥ 3.01) showed a significantly lower complete response rate than the others. On Kaplan-Meier survival curves, the patients with high bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor levels (≥ 655 pg/ml) or high bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count (≥ 3.01) demonstrated a significantly shorter overall survival and progression-free survival than the others. In the patients without bone marrow involvement, bone marrow plasma vascular endothelial growth factor level per platelet count had a significant relationship with overall survival and progression-free survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that the patients without

Correlation of transforming growth factor-β1 and tumour necrosis factor levels with left ventricular function in Chagas disease.

PubMed

Curvo, Eduardo Ov; Ferreira, Roberto R; Madeira, Fabiana S; Alves, Gabriel F; Chambela, Mayara C; Mendes, Veronica G; Sangenis, Luiz Henrique C; Waghabi, Mariana C; Saraiva, Roberto M

2018-02-19

Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have been implicated in Chagas disease pathophysiology and may correlate with left ventricular (LV) function. We determined whether TGF-β1 and TNF serum levels correlate with LV systolic and diastolic functions and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) serum levels in chronic Chagas disease. This cross-sectional study included 152 patients with Chagas disease (43% men; 57 ± 12 years old), classified as 53 patients with indeterminate form and 99 patients with cardiac form (stage A: 24, stage B: 25, stage C: 44, stage D: 6). TGF-β1, TNF, and BNP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Echocardiogram was used to determine left atrial and LV diameters, as well as LV ejection fraction and diastolic function. TGF-b1 serum levels were lower in stages B, C, and D, while TNF serum levels were higher in stages C and D of the cardiac form. TGF-β1 presented a weak correlation with LV diastolic function and LV ejection fraction. TNF presented a weak correlation with left atrial and LV diameters and LV ejection fraction. TNF is increased, while TGF-β1 is decreased in the cardiac form of chronic Chagas disease. TNF and TGF-β1 serum levels present a weak correlation with LV systolic and diastolic function in Chagas disease patients.

[Study on vaginal production of human defensins and the correlated pathogenetic factors of vulvovaginal candidiasis].

PubMed

Wang, Wen; DI, Wen; Liao, Qin-ping; Liu, Zhao-hui; Zhang, Ning; Zhang, Hui-ying; Zhang, Dai; Geng, Li; Fan, Shang-rong; Hu, Li-na

2008-07-01

To investigate the correlated pathogenetic factors and vaginal local immunity in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). A case control study was conducted to compare VVC group (60 cases) with normal group (60 cases). All of the women filled up the specific questionnaires. Routine examination, pH test and bacterial culture were done on the vaginal discharge. Cytokines of the vaginal lavage were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. (1) Outcomes of the questionnaires: there was no significant difference between the two groups in educational background, knowledge of gynecologic infection, history of gynecologic infection, hygienic habit, sex life, or use of medicine (P > 0.05). The incidence of chronic cervicitis in normal group (43%, 26/60) was higher than in VVC group (22%, 13/60; P < 0.05). (2) There was no difference in vaginal pH between the two groups (P > 0.05). (3) Detection rate of candida albicans by vaginal discharge routine examination was 72% (43/60). (4) The concentrations of interleukin (IL) 2, and IL-4 in vaginal lavage did not show significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), but the concentrations of human defensin 5, human beta-defensin (HBD) 1, and HBD2 in VVC group [(0.94 +/- 0.44) mg/L, (3.1 +/- 0.4) microg/L, (10 +/- 6) microg/L] were higher than normal group (P < 0.05). VVC is a common vulvovaginitis. There is no significant correlation between the incidence of VVC and educational background, knowledge of gynecologic infection, history of gynecologic infection, hygienic habit, sex life, or use of medicine in the child-bearing period. Human defensin may be closely correlated with the pathogenesis of VVC.

One-year neurodevelopmental outcome of very and late preterm infants: Risk factors and correlation with maternal stress.

PubMed

Coletti, Maria Franca; Caravale, Barbara; Gasparini, Corinna; Franco, Francesco; Campi, Francesca; Dotta, Andrea

2015-05-01

Although "late preterm" (LP) newborns (33-36 weeks of gestational age) represent more than 70% of all preterm labors, little is known about the relation between certain risk factors and developmental outcomes in LP compared to "very preterm" (≤32 weeks) children (VP). This study investigates: (1) LP and VP infants' development at 12 months of corrected age (CA) using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - 3rd Edition (BSID-III); (2) correlation between BSID-III performances and maternal stress (using Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, PSI-SF) among LP and VP at 12 months CA; and (3) the link between known neonatal and demographic risk factors and developmental outcomes of LP and VP infants. For both LP and VP infants the Mean Cognitive (LP: 102.69±7.68; VP: 103.63±10.68), Language (LP: 96.23±10.08; VP: 99.10±10.37) and Motor (LP: 91.11±10.33; VP: 93.85±10.17) composite scores were in the normal range, without significant differences between the groups. Correlations between PSI-SF and BSID-III showed that in the VP group (but not LP), Language score was negatively related to the PSI-SF 'Difficult Child' scale (r=-.34, p<.05). Regression models revealed that cognitive performance was significantly predicted by physical therapy in LP and by cesarean section in VP infants. For VP only maternal education and length of stay predicted Language score, whereas physical therapy predicted Motor score. Results of the study underline the importance of considering cognitive, language and motor developments separately when assessing a preterm child's development. Prediction models of developmental performance confirm the influence of some known neonatal risk factors and indicate the need for further research on the role of sociodemographic risk factors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation between apical protrusion in the Scheimflug imaging and Corneal Hysteresis and Corneal Resistance factor by Ocular Response Analyzer, among refractive non-keratoconic Egyptian patients.

PubMed

Refai, Tamer Adel

2015-10-01

Apical protrusion in the central 4-mm ring in the Scheimflug imaging (Pentacam), both for the anterior and posterior floats as well as Corneal Hysteresis and Corneal Resistance Factor by Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), generally are considered important predictors for post-Lasik ectasia. The aim of this work was to find out if there is a statistically significant correlation between these different predictors and their correlation with the central corneal thickness for refractive non-keratoconic Egyptian patients trying to achieve a better decision and avoiding ectasia. This case-control study involved 142 eyes (of 77 patients with various refractive errors) arriving at the refractive surgery unit in the Research Institute of Ophthalmology in Giza (Egypt) in 2014-2015 seeking excimer laser ablation. The flattest, steepest keratometry readings, central corneal thickness as well as the apical protrusion in the central 4-mm ring, both for the anterior and posterior floats, in microns were measured by Scheimflug imaging. The Corneal Hysteresis and Corneal Resistance Factor were measured by the ocular response analyzer. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS, using the Pearson correlation test. The spherical refractive error ranged from +7.00 to -13.00 diopters (-3.80 ± 2.89). The central pachymetry ranged from 494 to 634 μm (550.35 ± 32.13). For the central 4-mm ring, the apical protrusion ranged from 0 to +15 μ (6.93 ± 2.99) for the anterior float and from -3 to +20 μ (9.33 ± 4.55) for the posterior float. The Corneal Hysterisis (CH) ranged from 7 to 14.8 mmHg (10.18±1.44), while the Corneal Resistance Factor (CRF) ranged from 7.5 to 14.9 mmHg (10.58 ± 1.67). There was a strong positive correlation between the central corneal thickness and both Corneal Hysteresis (CH: r = 0.56, P ≤ 0.01) and Corneal Resistance Factor (r = 0.46, P ≤ 0.01). A significant correlation (P < 0.05, r = 0.15) existed between apical protrusion in the posterior float and the

Correlation analysis for the attack of bacillary dysentery and meteorological factors based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi and the medical-meteorological forecast model.

PubMed

Ma, Shi-Lei; Tang, Qiao-Ling; Liu, Hong-Wei; He, Juan; Gao, Si-Hua

2013-03-01

To explore the impact of meteorological factors on the outbreak of bacillary dysentery, so as to provide suggestions for disease prevention. Based on the Chinese medicine theory of Yunqi, the descriptive statistics, single-factor correlation analysis and back-propagation artificial neural net-work were conducted using data on five basic meteorological factors and data on incidence of bacillary dysentery in Beijing, China, for the period 1970-2004. The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed significant positive correlation relationship with the precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and temperature, respectively. The incidence of bacillary dysentery showed a negatively correlated relationship with the wind speed and the change trend of average wind speed. The results of medical-meteorological forecast model showed a relatively high accuracy rate. There is a close relationship between the meteorological factors and the incidence of bacillary dysentery, but the contributions of which to the onset of bacillary dysentery are different to each other.

Examining the correlates of the coldheartedness factor of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised.

PubMed

Berg, Joanna M; Hecht, Lisa K; Latzman, Robert D; Lilienfeld, Scott O

2015-12-01

Coldheartedness is a subscale of the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R) that does not load onto either of the PPI-R's two traditional higher order factors (Fearless Dominance [FD] and Self-Centered Impulsivity [SCI]). As a result, it has been omitted from analyses in many studies. However, owing to Coldheartedness's associations with lack of empathy, guilt, and deep-seated social emotions, this subscale may be highly relevant to the construct of psychopathy. In a sample of 1,158 undergraduates, we attempted to clarify Coldheartedness's correlates within the context of a nomological network of psychopathology and personality; in addition, we examined Coldheartedness's contributions to psychopathy above and beyond FD and SCI. Coldheartedness demonstrated negative correlations with the Big Five personality factors, mixed correlations with indices of impulsivity, and largely negative correlations with measures of depression and anxiety. Regressions suggested that Coldheartedness displays substantial overlap with both FD and SCI but also contains psychologically important unique variance. Although the nature of this variance requires clarification, further research and perhaps an expansion of the Coldheartedness subscale may move the field toward a clearer understanding of the construct assessed by this measure. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Spleen stiffness is positively correlated with HVPG and decreases significantly after TIPS implantation.

PubMed

Buechter, Matthias; Manka, Paul; Theysohn, Jens M; Reinboldt, Marcus; Canbay, Ali; Kahraman, Alisan

2018-01-01

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is indicated in patients with decompensated portal hypertension (PH). Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is considered gold standard for assessment of PH. Because HVPG measurement is invasive, non-invasive methods for evaluating severity of PH are warranted. We retrospectively correlated spleen stiffness as measured by FibroScan with HVPG in patients who underwent TIPS. Twenty-four patients with spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) one day before (D-1), one day after (D+1) and 28 days after TIPS (D+28) were included. SSM was positively correlated with pre-TIPS HVPG (HVPG <13mmHg, median SSM: 19.7±8.6kPa; HVPG 13-24mmHg, median SSM: 45.0±15.7kPa; HVPG >24mmHg, median SSM: 75.0±6.2kPa; p<0.05]; r 2 =0.72; p<0.001) and decreased significantly after TIPS implantation (D-1, median SSM: 67.1±17.3kPa; D+1, median SSM: 44.7±18.5kPa; D+28, median SSM: 35.6±17.0kPa; p<0.05), while liver stiffness measurement decrease was not statistically significant. Our study highlights the utility of SSM as non-invasive tool in patients with chronic liver disease in evaluating degree of PH potentially offering a confirmable additional parameter in surveillance of patients undergoing TIPS procedure. Copyright © 2017 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the correlation between insulin like factor 3, polycystic ovary syndrome, and ovarian maldescent.

PubMed

Seyam, Emaduldin; Hefzy, Enas

2018-06-01

The aim of this study was to investigate a proposed correlation between the incidentally discovered undescended ovaries and their confirmed diagnosis as a polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) for all cases included, and to evaluate the role of estimated insulin like factor 3 (INSL3) circulating level in the pathogenesis of both abnormal findings. The study group (A) comprised 35 women whose ovaries had been incidentally found to be undescended during the routine laparoscopy for infertility causes, and all had been diagnosed as PCOD. The control category included two subgroups; subgroup (B) included 35 women group, diagnosed as PCOD but with normally allocated ovaries in the true pelvis, and subgroup (C) included 35 healthy women with regular menses and no signs of hyperandrogenism. Correlations between the level of INSL3 and other PCOD relevant biochemical tests: [e.g. BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), LH, FSH, androstendione (A), total and free testosterone (T & Ft), DHEA-S, and SHBG] had been also investigated. INSL3 levels were significantly higher in PCOD groups (A) and (B) compared to the healthy fertile control subgroup (C) (80.5 ± 29.4, 65.11 ± 15.6, and 41.11 ± 10.2 pg/mL, respectively), and was highest in group (A). Moreover, we identified a strong correlation between INSL3 and androstenedione (r = 0.42, p = 0.0012), and free (r = 0.42, p = .0123) and total testosterone (r = 0.41, p = .004) in the PCOD (A) and (B) subgroup compared to the levels in subgroup (C). LH was significantly higher in all PCOD women in groups (A&B) (12. 3 ± 3.4, and 11.2 ± 1.4 mIU/L, respectively) compared to those in group (A) (5.7 ± 2.5 mIU/L), with a fair correlation with INSL3. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between INSL3 and FSH, DHEA-S, glucose, basal insulin concentration or HOMA-IR in all PCOD women. The strong positive correlation between INSL3, and high ovarian androgens levels in all PCOD women

Serum HDL-C levels, log (TG/HDL-C) values and serum total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios significantly correlate with radiological extent of disease in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

PubMed

Deniz, Omer; Tozkoparan, Ergun; Yaman, Halil; Cakir, Erdinc; Gumus, Seyfettin; Ozcan, Omer; Bozlar, Ugur; Bilgi, Cumhur; Bilgic, Hayati; Ekiz, Kudret

2006-03-01

In several studies, it was shown that there was a marked decrease in serum levels of HDL-C during infection and inflammation in general. In particular, a decrease in the level of serum HDL-C was also shown in pneumonia. Correlations between inflammatory markers such as acute phase proteins, cytokines and serum HDL-C levels were shown. However, there are no studies indicating a correlation between serum HDL-C levels and the radiological extent of the disease (RED) in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We hypothesized that there could be a relationship between serum HDL-C levels and RED in CAP. A case-controlled study, including 97 patients with CAP and 45 healthy subjects, was performed. Chest X-rays of CAP patients were scored for RED, and correlations were investigated between RED scores, serum lipid parameters, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum albumin levels. The mean serum HDL-C level was lower in CAP patients than in controls. A significant and negative correlation between RED scores (REDS) and serum HDL-C levels was detected (r = -0.64, P = 0.0001). There were also significant correlations between REDS and other lipid parameters. Significant correlations between ESR and serum HDL-C levels and between ESR and other serum lipid parameters were also found. It appears that serum HDL-C levels are generally lower in CAP cases than in healthy controls. Serum HDL-C levels and serum albumin levels might decrease and serum total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios and log (TG/HDL-C) values might increase proportionally with RED in CAP patients. These results might have some significance for individuals having long-standing and/or recurrent pneumonia and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Correlated factors in amphibian decline: Exotic species and habitat change in western Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Adams, Michael J.

1999-01-01

Amphibian declines may frequently be associated with multiple, correlated factors. In western North America, exotic species and hydrological changes are often correlated and are considered 2 of the greatest threats to freshwater systems. Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) introductions are frequently cited as a threat to lentic-breeding anurans native to western North America and are a suspected factor in the decline of red-legged frogs (Rana aurora) in California. Introduced fish and habitat change are cited less frequently but are equally viable hypotheses. I examined the relation among introduced species, habitat, and the distribution and abundance of red-legged frogs in western Washington. Red-legged frog occurrence in the Puget Lowlands was more closely associated with habitat structure and the presence of exotic fish than with the presence of bull-frogs. The spread of exotics is correlated with a shift toward greater permanence in wetland habitats regionally. Conservation of more ephemeral wetland habitats may have direct benefits for some native amphibians and may also reduce the threat of exotic fish and bullfrogs, both of which were associated with permanent wetlands. Research and conservation efforts for lowland anurans in the West should emphasize the complexities of multiple contributing factors to amphibian losses.

Correlation of transforming growth factor-β1 and tumour necrosis factor levels with left ventricular function in Chagas disease

PubMed Central

Curvo, Eduardo OV; Ferreira, Roberto R; Madeira, Fabiana S; Alves, Gabriel F; Chambela, Mayara C; Mendes, Veronica G; Sangenis, Luiz Henrique C; Waghabi, Mariana C; Saraiva, Roberto M

2018-01-01

BACKGROUND Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) have been implicated in Chagas disease pathophysiology and may correlate with left ventricular (LV) function. OBJECTIVES We determined whether TGF-β1 and TNF serum levels correlate with LV systolic and diastolic functions and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) serum levels in chronic Chagas disease. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 152 patients with Chagas disease (43% men; 57 ± 12 years old), classified as 53 patients with indeterminate form and 99 patients with cardiac form (stage A: 24, stage B: 25, stage C: 44, stage D: 6). TGF-β1, TNF, and BNP were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Echocardiogram was used to determine left atrial and LV diameters, as well as LV ejection fraction and diastolic function. FINDINGS TGF-b1 serum levels were lower in stages B, C, and D, while TNF serum levels were higher in stages C and D of the cardiac form. TGF-β1 presented a weak correlation with LV diastolic function and LV ejection fraction. TNF presented a weak correlation with left atrial and LV diameters and LV ejection fraction. CONCLUSIONS TNF is increased, while TGF-β1 is decreased in the cardiac form of chronic Chagas disease. TNF and TGF-β1 serum levels present a weak correlation with LV systolic and diastolic function in Chagas disease patients. PMID:29513876

Correlation of the flow patterns among the four pulmonary veins as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography: influence of significant mitral regurgitation.

PubMed

Hwang, J J; Lin, J M; Hsu, K L; Lai, L P; Tseng, Y Z; Lee, Y T; Lien, W P

1999-01-01

To evaluate the correlation of the flow patterns of the four pulmonary veins as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography and the influence of significant mitral regurgitation on this correlation. Eighty-eight patients with normal sinus rhythm and variable underlying cardiovascular diseases underwent transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic studies. Doppler flow of the four pulmonary veins could not be adequately interpreted in 19 patients (22%). The left atrial dimension of these patients was significantly larger than that of the patients with complete study of the flow in the four pulmonary veins (49 +/- 6 vs. 43 +/- 7 mm; p < 0.05). Of the 69 patients with complete evaluation of the four pulmonary veins, 48 patients without significant mitral regurgitation were analyzed as group A, and the remaining 21 patients as group B. The peak systolic and diastolic forward flow velocities of the four pulmonary veins were measured and the ratio of peak systolic (S) to diastolic (D) flow velocity was calculated. Group A had a significantly larger S/D ratio in all four pulmonary veins than group B (p < 0.05 in each pulmonary vein measurement). There was good correlation of the flow pattern represented as S/D ratio between left upper and lower pulmonary veins (r = 0.90) and between right upper and lower pulmonary veins (r = 0.89) in group A. The correlation of the flow pattern among the four pulmonary veins deteriorated in group B. Pulmonary veins on the same side share rather similar flow patterns in comparison with pulmonary veins on the opposite sides. The correlation of flow patterns among the four pulmonary veins is good in subjects without significant mitral regurgitation, but it worsens in patients with significant mitral regurgitation. Therefore, cautious interpretation of flow patterns of the four pulmonary veins in patients with significant regurgitation is indicated for grading the severity of mitral regurgitation.

Significant Differences Characterise the Correlation Coefficients between Biocide and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles in Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Oggioni, Marco R; Coelho, Joana Rosado; Furi, Leonardo; Knight, Daniel R; Viti, Carlo; Orefici, Graziella; Martinez, Jose-Luis; Freitas, Ana Teresa; Coque, Teresa M; Morrissey, Ian

2015-01-01

There is a growing concern by regulatory authorities for the selection of antibiotic resistance caused by the use of biocidal products. We aimed to complete the detailed information on large surveys by investigating the relationship between biocide and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of a large number of Staphylococcus aureus isolates using four biocides and antibiotics commonly used in clinical practice. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most clinically-relevant antibiotics was determined according to the standardized methodology for over 1600 clinical S. aureus isolates and compared to susceptibility profiles of benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, triclosan, and sodium hypochlorite. The relationship between antibiotic and biocide susceptibility profiles was evaluated using non-linear correlations. The main outcome evidenced was an absence of any strong or moderate statistically significant correlation when susceptibilities of either triclosan or sodium hypochlorite were compared for any of the tested antibiotics. On the other hand, correlation coefficients for MICs of benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine were calculated above 0.4 for susceptibility to quinolones, beta-lactams, and also macrolides. Our data do not support any selective pressure for association between biocides and antibiotics resistance and furthermore do not allow for a defined risk evaluation for some of the compounds. Importantly, our data clearly indicate that there does not involve any risk of selection for antibiotic resistance for the compounds triclosan and sodium hypochlorite. These data hence infer that biocide selection for antibiotic resistance has had so far a less significant impact than feared.

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its significance in pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma].

PubMed

Song, Weian; Li, Hui; Wang, Huasheng; Zhang, Weidong; Zhao, Xiaogang

2004-02-20

To study the relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients with pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma, and to research the possible role of VEGF in the malignant growth of pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma. The expression of VEGF and MVD were detected in 38 pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma and 20 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemical method. The positive rate of VEGF expression (73.68%,28/38) and MVD (63.81±19.26) in pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma tissues were both remarkably higher than those in normal lung tissues (0, 18.44±6.53)( P < 0.005,P < 0.001). The positive rate of VEGF expression was significantly related to the size of tumor ( P < 0.05), lymphatic metastasis ( P < 0.025) and TNM stage ( P < 0.05), and so did the MVD ( P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.05). MVD was remarkably higher in VEGF (+) carcinoma tissues than that in VEGF (-) carcinoma tissues ( P < 0.05). VEGF correlates with the clinicopathological characteristics of pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma. It may play an important role in the development of pulmonary bronchoalveolar carcinoma.

Prevalence of Obesity in Medical students and its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors: Emergency Alarm for Today?

PubMed

Purohit, G; Shah, T; Harsoda, J M

2015-01-01

Background It is predicted that the prevalence of overweight and obesity will rise significantly by 2015 in young population. Problem of overweight and obesity has been recognized as public health problem worldwide due to the fact that it increases the risk of chronic diseases such as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), stroke, diabetes, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis etc. Objective To assess the body mass index in medical students and its association with various cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, dietary habits, and family history of cardiovascular diseases. Method A university based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Department of Physiology, Smt. B.K. Shah Medical Institute and Research Center, Vadodara, Gujarat. Data was collected through convenient sampling technique by using selfadministered questionnaire followed by anthropometric measurement. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 138 first year medical students was assessed. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean blood pressure, pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured. Result Data was compiled in excel sheet, analyzed for percentage and proportion. Chi square and Pearson correlation test were also applied and alpha error was set at 5% level. In comparison to the students with normal BMI, students with BMI >25 kg/m2 (N=49) showed significantly high blood pressure indices. Dietary habits and family history of cardiovascular diseases were also noted. Highly significant association of high BMI was found with elevated blood pressure (X2=7.4042***, p<0.001) and presence of family history of cardiovascular diseases X2=9.8625***, p<0.001). BMI is negatively correlated with SpO2 (r= -0.0504, p<0.05) and pulse rate, while positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.2736) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.0275). Conclusion In conclusion, majority (more than 35%) of medical students were overweight, high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors

Serum levels of epidermal growth factor and HER-2 neu in non small-cell lung cancer: prognostic correlation.

PubMed

Abdel Salam, I; Gaballa, H E; Abdel Wahab, N

2009-01-01

Lung cancer is still a leading cause of cancer related mortality all over the world with the majority of cases are discovered at a late stage. Various panels of molecular prognostic markers are being studied to map the association of these markers with response and survival. The aim of this study is to study levels of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER-2 neu in both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), correlate their levels with clinical, pathological characters as well as prognosis. A total of 30 patients with pathologically proven NSCLC were enrolled in this study in addition to ten normal controls subjects and ten cases with benign pulmonary diseases as broncheicatsis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results revealed significantly increased levels of EGFR and HER-2 neu in both serum and bronco-alveolar lavage compared with controls. The levels were significantly higher in those with stages III, IV compared with I, II, and in those with higher grades of the tumor. There was no statistically significant correlation with performance status or survival. In conclusion, serum measurement of these markers is a promising noninvasive technique which needs correlation with other methods of determination, measurement at different chronological points during disease evolution to explore its full potential. Standardization of techniques for determination of EGFR and HER-2 neu over-expression must become a priority in future studies that should also include larger number of patients, conducted in a prospective manner together with comparisons of various methods and correlation of protein expression with gene copy numbers.

Correlation of adiposity indices with cardiovascular disease risk factors in healthy adults of Singapore: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Bi, Xinyan; Tey, Siew Ling; Leong, Claudia; Quek, Rina; Loo, Yi Ting; Henry, Christiani Jeyakumar

2016-01-01

Obesity has long been highlighted for its association with increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nonetheless, the best adiposity indices to evaluate the CVD risk factors remain contentious and few studies have been performed in Asian populations. In the present study, we compared the association strength of percent body fat (PBF) to indirect anthropometric measures of general adiposity (body mass index (BMI) and body adiposity index (BAI)) and central adiposity (waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) for the prediction of CVD risk factors in healthy men and women living in Singapore. A total of 125 individuals (63 men and 62 women) took part in this study. PBF was measured by using three different techniques, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), BOD POD, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Anthropometric measurements (WC, hip circumference (HC), height, and weight), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting serum insulin (FSI), and lipid profiles were determined according to standard protocols. Correlations of anthropometric measurements and PBF with CVD risk factors were compared. Irrespective of the measuring techniques, PBF showed strong positive correlations with FSI, HOMA-IR, TC/HDL, TG/HDL, and LDL/HDL in both genders. While PBF was highly correlated with FBG, SBP, and DBP in females, no significant relationships were observed in males. Amongst the five anthropometric measures of adiposity, BAI was the best predictor for CVD risk factors in female participants (r = 0.593 for HOMA-IR, r = 0.542 for TG/HDL, r = 0.474 for SBP, and r = 0.448 for DBP). For males, the combination of WC (r = 0.629 for HOMA-IR, and r = 0.446 for TG/HDL) and WHR (r = 0.352 for SBP, and r = 0.366 for DBP) had the best correlation with CVD risk factors. Measurement of PBF does not outperform the simple anthropometric measurements of obesity, i.e. BAI, WC, and WHR, in the prediction of CVD risk factors in

Calculation of the orientational linear and nonlinear correlation factors of polar liquids from the rotational Dean-Kawasaki equation.

PubMed

Déjardin, P M; Cornaton, Y; Ghesquière, P; Caliot, C; Brouzet, R

2018-01-28

A calculation of the Kirkwood and Piekara-Kielich correlation factors of polar liquids is presented using the forced rotational diffusion theory of Cugliandolo et al. [Phys. Rev. E 91, 032139 (2015)]. These correlation factors are obtained as a function of density and temperature. Our results compare reasonably well with the experimental temperature dependence of the linear dielectric constant of some simple polar liquids across a wide temperature range. A comparison of our results for the linear dielectric constant and the Kirkwood correlation factor with relevant numerical simulations of liquid water and methanol is given.

Follicular fluid placental growth factor is increased in polycystic ovarian syndrome: correlation with ovarian stimulation.

PubMed

Tal, Reshef; Seifer, David B; Grazi, Richard V; Malter, Henry E

2014-08-20

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by increased ovarian angiogenesis and vascularity. Accumulating evidence indicates that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is increased in PCOS and may play an important role in these vascular changes and the pathogenesis of this disease. Placental growth factor (PlGF), a VEGF family member, has not been previously characterized in PCOS women. We investigated levels and temporal expression patterns of PlGF and its soluble receptor sFlt-1 (soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of women with PCOS during controlled ovarian stimulation. This was a prospective cohort study of 14 PCOS women (Rotterdam criteria) and 14 matched controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. Serum was collected on day 3, day of hCG and day of oocyte retrieval. FF was collected on retrieval day. PlGF, sFlt-1 and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) protein concentrations were measured using ELISA. Since sFlt-1 binds free PlGF, preventing its signal transduction, we calculated PlGF bioavailability as PlGF/sFlt-1 ratio. Serum PlGF and sFlt-1 levels were constant throughout controlled ovarian stimulation, and no significant differences were observed in either factor in PCOS women compared with non-PCOS controls at all three measured time points. However, FF PlGF levels were increased 1.5-fold in PCOS women compared with controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, FF PlGF correlated positively with number of oocytes retrieved and the ovarian reserve marker anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and negatively with age. In addition, FF sFlt-1 levels were decreased 1.4-fold in PCOS women compared to controls (p = 0.04). PlGF bioavailability in FF was significantly greater (2-fold) in PCOS women compared with non-PCOS controls (p < 0.01). These data provide evidence that FF PlGF correlates with ovarian stimulation and that its bioavailability is increased in women with PCOS undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. This

Prognostic significance of epidermal growth factor receptor in surgically treated squamous cell lung cancer patients.

PubMed

Niemiec, Joanna; Kołodziejski, Leszek; Dyczek, Sonia; Gasińska, Anna

2004-01-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of signalling pathways activated during premalignant proliferative changes in the airway epithelium. However there is no agreement about prognostic significance of EGFR expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Facts mentioned above prompted us to study EGFR expression in the group of 78 surgically treated squamous cell lung cancer (SqCLC) patients. The EGFR expression was visualized in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections, using immunohistochemistry. Three methods of assessment of EGFR expression were applied: percentage of cells with membranous EGFR expression--EGFR labellig index (EGFR LI), percentage of fields with membranous EGFR staining (PS%) and staining intensity (absent, weak or strong) in the whole specimen (SI). Mean EGFR LI and PS% values were 30.4 +/- 3.5% and 51.6 +/- 3.9%, respectively. Patients with higher EGFR expression (EGFR LI, PS%, SI) were significantly younger than those with low EGFR expression. EGFR LI was higher in pT3 tumours than in pT1+pT2 tumours, moreover, EGFR expression (EGFR LI, PS%, SI) was significantly higher in G1+G2 tumours than in G3 tumours. There were significant correlations between parameters used for assessment of EGFR expression. PS% < or = 50 indicated shorter disease-specific survival than PS% > 50. However, patients with tumours with both very low and very high EGFR LI (13% > or = EGFR LI > 80%) showed significantly shorter survival than those with medium EGFR LI (13% < GFR LI < or = 80%). Additionally, pTNM and pN significantly influenced patients' survival. In multivariate analysis, EGFR LI and pTNM were independent prognostic parameters influencing disease-specific survival of patients.

Analysis of HIV Correlated Factors in Chinese and Vietnamese Female Sex Workers in Hekou, Yunnan Province, a Chinese Border Region

PubMed Central

Wang, Junjie; Ding, Guowei; Zhu, Zhibin; Zhou, Chunlian; Wang, Ning

2015-01-01

Objectives To assess the prevalence and correlated factors of HIV-1 among Chinese and Vietnamese female sex workers (FSW) in the border county of Hekou, Yunnan province, China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting information on demographics, sexual behavior, medical history, and drug use. Blood samples were obtained to test for HIV/STIs. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to examine associations between factors and HIV-1 infection. Results Of 345 FSWs who participated in this study, 112 (32.5%) were Chinese and 233 (67.5) were Vietnamese. Vietnamese FSWs were significantly more likely to be HIV-1 positive (7.7%) compared with Chinese FSWs (0.9%) (p = 0.009). In multivariate analysis, sexual debut at age≤16 (OR 3.8: 95% CI: 1.4, 10.6), last client’s payment <150 RMB ($22 USD) (OR: 5.2, 95% CI; 1.7, 16.6), and HSV-2 (OR: 12.3; 95% CI: 1.6, 94.8) were significant for HIV-1 infection. Conclusions Differences in HIV prevalence in Vietnamese and Chinese FSWs may be indicative of differential risk. It is important to characterize the nature of trans-border transmission in order to gain a better understanding of the potential impact on the international HIV epidemic. Understanding the correlated factors for HIV in Vietnamese and Chinese FSWs is important for designing interventions for this vulnerable population. PMID:26053040

Correlation of regional cardiovascular disease mortality in India with lifestyle and nutritional factors.

PubMed

Gupta, Rajeev; Misra, Anoop; Pais, Prem; Rastogi, Priyanka; Gupta, V P

2006-04-14

There is a wide disparity in prevalence and cardiovascular disease mortality in different Indian states. To determine significance of various nutritional factors and other lifestyle variables in explaining this difference in cardiovascular disease mortality we performed an analysis. Mortality data were obtained from the Registrar General of India. In 1998 the annual death rate for India was 840/100,000 population. Cardiovascular diseases contribute to 27% of these deaths and its crude mortality rate was 227/100,000. Major differences in cardiovascular disease mortality rates in different Indian states were reported varying from 75-100 in sub-Himalayan states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim to a high of 360-430 in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Goa. Lifestyle data were obtained from national surveys conducted by the government of India. The second National Family Health Survey (26 states, 92,447 households, 301,984 adults) conducted in 1998-1999 reported on various demographic and lifestyle variables and India Nutrition Profile Study reported dietary intake of 177,841 adults (18 states, 75,229 men, 102,612 women). Cardiovascular disease mortality rates were correlated with smoking, literacy levels, prevalence of stunted growth at 3-years (as marker of fetal undernutrition), adult mean body mass index, prevalence of overweight and obesity, dietary consumption of calories, cereals and pulses, green leafy vegetables, roots, tubers and other vegetables, milk and milk products, fats and oils, and sugar and jaggery. As a major confounder in different states is poverty, all the partial correlation coefficients were adjusted for illiteracy, fertility rate and infant mortality rate. There was a significant positive correlation of cardiovascular disease mortality with prevalence of obesity (R=0.37) and dietary consumption of fats (R=0.67), milk and its products (R=0.27) and sugars (R=0.51) and negative correlation with green leafy vegetable intake

Forecasted trends in vaccination coverage and correlations with socioeconomic factors: a global time-series analysis over 30 years.

PubMed

de Figueiredo, Alexandre; Johnston, Iain G; Smith, David M D; Agarwal, Sumeet; Larson, Heidi J; Jones, Nick S

2016-10-01

Incomplete immunisation coverage causes preventable illness and death in both developing and developed countries. Identification of factors that might modulate coverage could inform effective immunisation programmes and policies. We constructed a performance indicator that could quantitatively approximate measures of the susceptibility of immunisation programmes to coverage losses, with an aim to identify correlations between trends in vaccine coverage and socioeconomic factors. We undertook a data-driven time-series analysis to examine trends in coverage of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccination across 190 countries over the past 30 years. We grouped countries into six world regions according to WHO classifications. We used Gaussian process regression to forecast future coverage rates and provide a vaccine performance index: a summary measure of the strength of immunisation coverage in a country. Overall vaccine coverage increased in all six world regions between 1980 and 2010, with variation in volatility and trends. Our vaccine performance index identified that 53 countries had more than a 50% chance of missing the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) target of 90% worldwide coverage with three doses of DTP (DTP3) by 2015. These countries were mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, but Austria and Ukraine also featured. Factors associated with DTP3 immunisation coverage varied by world region: personal income (Spearman's ρ=0·66, p=0·0011) and government health spending (0·66, p<0·0001) were informative of immunisation coverage in the Eastern Mediterranean between 1980 and 2010, whereas primary school completion was informative of coverage in Africa (0·56, p<0·0001) over the same period. The proportion of births attended by skilled health staff correlated significantly with immunisation coverage across many world regions. Our vaccine performance index highlighted countries at risk of failing to achieve the GVAP target of 90% coverage by

Risk Factors for Clinically Significant Intimate Partner Violence among Active-Duty Members

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith Slep, Amy M.; Foran, Heather M.; Heyman, Richard E.; Snarr, Jeffery D.

2011-01-01

Hypothesized risk factors for men's and women's clinically significant intimate partner violence (CS-IPV) from four ecological levels (i.e., individual, family, workplace, community) were tested in a representative sample of active-duty U.S. Air Force members (N = 42,744). When considered together, we expected only individual and family factors to…

Quadratic correlation filters for optical correlators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahalanobis, Abhijit; Muise, Robert R.; Vijaya Kumar, Bhagavatula V. K.

2003-08-01

Linear correlation filters have been implemented in optical correlators and successfully used for a variety of applications. The output of an optical correlator is usually sensed using a square law device (such as a CCD array) which forces the output to be the squared magnitude of the desired correlation. It is however not a traditional practice to factor the effect of the square-law detector in the design of the linear correlation filters. In fact, the input-output relationship of an optical correlator is more accurately modeled as a quadratic operation than a linear operation. Quadratic correlation filters (QCFs) operate directly on the image data without the need for feature extraction or segmentation. In this sense, the QCFs retain the main advantages of conventional linear correlation filters while offering significant improvements in other respects. Not only is more processing required to detect peaks in the outputs of multiple linear filters, but choosing a winner among them is an error prone task. In contrast, all channels in a QCF work together to optimize the same performance metric and produce a combined output that leads to considerable simplification of the post-processing. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to the design of quadratic correlation based on the Fukunaga Koontz transform. Although quadratic filters are known to be optimum when the data is Gaussian, it is expected that they will perform as well as or better than linear filters in general. Preliminary performance results are provided that show that quadratic correlation filters perform better than their linear counterparts.

Social Cognition in Psychosis: Multidimensional Structure, Clinical Correlates, and Relationship With Functional Outcome

PubMed Central

Mancuso, Francesco; Horan, William P.; Kern, Robert S.; Green, Michael F.

2010-01-01

Social cognitive impairments are common, detectable across a wide range of tasks, and appear to play a key role in explaining poor outcome in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. However, little is known about the underlying factor structure of social cognition in people with psychotic disorders due to a lack of exploratory factor analyses using a relatively comprehensive social cognitive assessment battery. In a sample of 85 outpatients with psychosis, we examined the factor structure and clinical/functional correlates of eight indexes derived from five social cognition tasks that span the domains of emotional processing, social perception, attributional style, and Theory of Mind. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors with relatively low inter-correlations that explained a total of 54% of the variance: (1) Hostile attributional style, (2) Lower-level social cue detection, and (3) Higher-level inferential and regulatory processes. None of the factors showed significant correlations with negative symptoms. Factor 1 significantly correlated with clinical symptoms (positive, depression-anxiety, agitation) but not functional outcome, whereas Factors 2 and 3 significantly correlated with functional outcome (functional capacity and real-world social and work functioning) but not clinical symptoms. Furthermore, Factor 2 accounted for unique incremental variance in functional capacity, above and beyond non-social neurocognition (measured with MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery) and negative symptoms. Results suggest that multiple separable dimensions of social cognition can be identified in psychosis, and these factors show distinct patterns of correlation with clinical features and functional outcome. PMID:21112743

RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF PRECHOROIDAL CLEFT IN NEOVASCULAR AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Min; Kang, Se Woong; Son, Dae Yong; Bae, Kunho

2017-11-01

To investigate the risk factors associated with prechoroidal cleft occurrence after treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and to elucidate its clinical significance. Two hundred thirty-four subjects who were treated for neovascular age-related macular degeneration were assessed to identify prechoroidal cleft on optical coherence tomography. Clinical variables were compared between patients manifesting a cleft (cleft group) and patients who did not (control group). Prechoroidal cleft was detected in 29 of 234 patients (8.1%). Although the baseline visual acuity was not different between the 2 groups, logMAR visual acuity at final visit was 0.89 ± 0.74 (with approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/160) in the cleft group and 0.65 ± 0.69 (with approximate Snellen equivalent of 20/100) in controls (P < 0.05). Within cleft group, the early-onset (<6 months) subgroup had even worse visual outcomes than the late-onset subgroup (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the incidence of prechoroidal cleft was positively correlated with having received intravitreal gas injection to displace a submacular hemorrhage and a diagnosis of retinal angiomatous proliferation and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration (P < 0.05). Diagnosis of retinal angiomatous proliferation and typical neovascular age-related macular degeneration, and a submacular hemorrhage treated by pneumatic displacement were the independent risk factors for development of prechoroidal cleft. Eyes with a cleft, especially clefts that develop early, generally had worse prognoses than eyes without clefts.

Protein content of human apatite and brushite kidney stones: significant correlation with morphologic measures.

PubMed

Pramanik, Rocky; Asplin, John R; Jackson, Molly E; Williams, James C

2008-10-01

Apatite and brushite kidney stones share calcium and phosphate as their main inorganic components. We tested the hypothesis that these stone types differ in the amount of proteins present in the stones. Intact stones were intensively analyzed by microcomputed tomography (micro CT) for both morphology (including the volume of voids, i.e., space devoid of X-ray dense material) and mineral type. To extract all proteins present in kidney stones in soluble form we developed a three-step extraction procedure using the ground stone powder. Apatite stones had significantly higher levels of total protein content and void volume compared to brushite stones. The void volume was highly correlated with the total protein contents in all stones (r2 = 0.61, P < 0.0001), and brushite stones contained significantly fewer void regions and proteins than did apatite stones (3.2 +/- 4.5% voids for brushite vs. 10.8 +/- 11.2% for apatite, P < 0.005; 4.1 +/- 1.6% protein for brushite vs. 6.0 +/- 2.4% for apatite, P < 0.03). Morphological observations other than void volume did not correlate with protein content of stones, and neither did the presence or absence of minor mineral components. Our results show that protein content of brushite and apatite stones is higher than that was previously thought, and also suggest that micro CT-visible void regions are related to the presence of protein.

Residential Greenness and Birth Outcomes: Evaluating the Influence of Spatially Correlated Built-Environment Factors

PubMed Central

Davies, Hugh W.; Frank, Lawrence; Van Loon, Josh; Gehring, Ulrike; Tamburic, Lillian; Brauer, Michael

2014-01-01

Background: Half the world’s population lives in urban areas. It is therefore important to identify characteristics of the built environment that are beneficial to human health. Urban greenness has been associated with improvements in a diverse range of health conditions, including birth outcomes; however, few studies have attempted to distinguish potential effects of greenness from those of other spatially correlated exposures related to the built environment. Objectives: We aimed to investigate associations between residential greenness and birth outcomes and evaluate the influence of spatially correlated built environment factors on these associations. Methods: We examined associations between residential greenness [measured using satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 100 m of study participants’ homes] and birth outcomes in a cohort of 64,705 singleton births (from 1999–2002) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We also evaluated associations after adjusting for spatially correlated built environmental factors that may influence birth outcomes, including exposure to air pollution and noise, neighborhood walkability, and distance to the nearest park. Results: An interquartile increase in greenness (0.1 in residential NDVI) was associated with higher term birth weight (20.6 g; 95% CI: 16.5, 24.7) and decreases in the likelihood of small for gestational age, very preterm (< 30 weeks), and moderately preterm (30–36 weeks) birth. Associations were robust to adjustment for air pollution and noise exposures, neighborhood walkability, and park proximity. Conclusions: Increased residential greenness was associated with beneficial birth outcomes in this population-based cohort. These associations did not change after adjusting for other spatially correlated built environment factors, suggesting that alternative pathways (e.g., psychosocial and psychological mechanisms) may underlie associations between residential greenness and

Significance Testing in Confirmatory Factor Analytic Models.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khattab, Ali-Maher; Hocevar, Dennis

Traditionally, confirmatory factor analytic models are tested against a null model of total independence. Using randomly generated factors in a matrix of 46 aptitude tests, this approach is shown to be unlikely to reject even random factors. An alternative null model, based on a single general factor, is suggested. In addition, an index of model…

Systematic Assessment of the Correlations of Household Income With Infectious, Biochemical, Physiological, and Environmental Factors in the United States, 1999–2006

PubMed Central

Patel, Chirag J.; Ioannidis, John P. A.; Cullen, Mark R.; Rehkopf, David H.

2015-01-01

A fuller understanding of the social epidemiology of disease requires an extended description of the relationships between social factors and health indicators in a systematic manner. In the present study, we investigated the correlations between income and 330 indicators of physiological, biochemical, and environmental health in participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999–2006). We combined data from 3 survey waves (n = 249–23,649 for various indicators) to search for linear and nonlinear (quadratic) correlates of income, and we validated significant (P < 0.00015) correlations in an independent testing data set (n = 255–7,855). We validated 66 out of 330 factors, including infectious (e.g., hepatitis A), biochemical (e.g., carotenoids, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), physiological (e.g., upper leg length), and environmental (e.g., lead, cotinine) measures. We found only a modest amount of association modification by age, race/ethnicity, and gender, and there was no association modification for blacks. The present study is descriptive, not causal. We have shown in our systematic investigation the crucial place income has in relation to health risk factors. Future research can use these correlations to better inform theory and studies of pathways to disease, as well as utilize these findings to understand when confounding by income is most likely to introduce bias. PMID:25589242

Performance of prioritized activities is not correlated with functional factors after grip reconstruction in tetraplegia.

PubMed

Wangdell, Johanna; Fridén, Jan

2011-06-01

To investigate the correlation between perceived performance in prioritized activities and physical conditions related to grip reconstruction. Retrospective clinical outcome study. Forty-seven individuals with tetraplegia were included in the study. Each participant underwent tendon transfer surgery in the hand between November 2002 and April 2009 and had a complete 1-year follow-up. Functional characteristics and performance data were collected from our database and medical records. Patients' perceived performances in prioritized activities were recorded using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measurement. Preoperative data included age at surgery, time since injury, severity of injury, sensibility and hand dominance. At 1-year follow-up, grip strength, key pinch strength, finger pulp-to-palm distance, distance between thumb and index finger and wrist flexion were measured. Correlation rank coefficient was used to test the possible relationship between physical data and activity performance. There were improvements in both functional factors and in rated performance of prioritized activities after surgery. There was no correlation between performance change and any of the physical functions, the factors known before surgery, or the functional outcome factors. No correlation exists between a single functional outcome parameter and the patients' perceived performance of their prioritized goals in reconstructive hand surgery in tetraplegia.

Correlation between educational status and cardiovascular risk factors in an overweight and obese Turkish female population.

PubMed

Tanyolaç, Sinan; Sertkaya Cikim, Ayşe; Doğan Azezli, Adil; Orhan, Yusuf

2008-10-01

The prevalence of obesity is rapidly increasing in Turkey as well as all over the world. Educational inequalities play an important role in the development of obesity. In this study, our aim is to evaluate how educational status affects obesity and cardiovascular risk factors in the overweight and obese Turkish female population. In this study, 3080 overweight (n=633) and obese (n=2447) Turkish women who applied to Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Obesity Outpatient Clinic were evaluated retrospectively. Educational status was classified according to the subjects' latest term of education. Subjects were evaluated in terms of anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The association of educational level with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Educational levels after adjusted continuous variables (age and body mass index) showed significant correlation with waist circumference, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose. Low educated class (LEC) had a 1.93 (95% CI--1.56-2.39, p=0.001) fold increased risk than high educated subjects for cardiovascular risk factors. Metabolic syndrome prevalence was more prevalent and significant risk increase was observed in LEC (OR=2.02, 95% CI--.53-2.67, p=0.001). Low educational status is a contributing factor for development of obesity and increased risk for obesity related disorders in the Turkish overweight and obese female population. Population based information and educational policies might prevent obesity related disorders and decrease cardiovascular mortality.

Probing transcription factor diffusion dynamics in the living mammalian embryo with photoactivatable fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

PubMed

Kaur, Gurpreet; Costa, Mauro W; Nefzger, Christian M; Silva, Juan; Fierro-González, Juan Carlos; Polo, Jose M; Bell, Toby D M; Plachta, Nicolas

2013-01-01

Transcription factors use diffusion to search the DNA, yet the mechanisms controlling transcription factor diffusion during mammalian development remain poorly understood. Here we combine photoactivation and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy to study transcription factor diffusion in developing mouse embryos. We show that the pluripotency-associated transcription factor Oct4 displays both fast and Brownian and slower subdiffusive behaviours that are controlled by DNA interactions. Following cell lineage specification, the slower DNA-interacting diffusion fraction distinguishes pluripotent from extraembryonic cell nuclei. Similar to Oct4, Sox2 shows slower diffusion in pluripotent cells while Cdx2 displays opposite dynamics, suggesting that slow diffusion may represent a general feature of transcription factors in lineages where they are essential. Slow Oct4 subdiffusive behaviours are conserved in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells), and lost during differentiation. We also show that Oct4 diffusion depends on its interaction with ERG-associated protein with SET domain. Photoactivation and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy provides a new intravital approach to study transcription factor diffusion in complex in vivo systems.

Correlation between Novel Potential Indoor Risk Factors and Frequency of Doctor's Visit for Respiratory Problem in Taiwan's Tropical Environment.

PubMed

Wang, Yu-Hao; Su, Hsing-Hao; Hsu, Lan; Wang, Chung-Yang; Wu, Pi-Hsiung

2018-01-01

With a global rising trend in prevalence of allergic diseases, more attention has been paid to investigation of environmental risk factors. Many risk factors have so far been identified. However, novel risk factors specific to Taiwanese environment and lifestyle were still relatively unknown. To investigate the potential effects of a number of little-known indoor risk factors on the frequency of doctor's visit for respiratory problems in context of Taiwanese environment and lifestyle. A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed on a 861 participants around Kaohsiung area, Taiwan. Survey investigation was employed to assess the household environment and the frequency of doctor's visit for respiratory problems. Participants who performed "daily cleaning" was shown to have a significantly (p=0.007) higher mean number of doctor's visits in comparison to those who did not. Similar observation was made for participants who periodically took out beddings (p=0.042). Age had a significant positive correlation (linear regression β 0.089) with frequency of respiratory problems. The habit of daily cleaning was implicated as a potential indoor risk factor due to the unique nature of Taiwanese cleaning habit and close contact with cleaning supplies, which could serve as chemical irritants. Bedding takeout was predicted to be an indicator of chronic allergies rather than an actual risk factor. However, both were controversial in their role as potential indoor risk factor, and required further examination.

Statistical Significance of Periodicity and Log-Periodicity with Heavy-Tailed Correlated Noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Wei-Xing; Sornette, Didier

We estimate the probability that random noise, of several plausible standard distributions, creates a false alarm that a periodicity (or log-periodicity) is found in a time series. The solution of this problem is already known for independent Gaussian distributed noise. We investigate more general situations with non-Gaussian correlated noises and present synthetic tests on the detectability and statistical significance of periodic components. A periodic component of a time series is usually detected by some sort of Fourier analysis. Here, we use the Lomb periodogram analysis, which is suitable and outperforms Fourier transforms for unevenly sampled time series. We examine the false-alarm probability of the largest spectral peak of the Lomb periodogram in the presence of power-law distributed noises, of short-range and of long-range fractional-Gaussian noises. Increasing heavy-tailness (respectively correlations describing persistence) tends to decrease (respectively increase) the false-alarm probability of finding a large spurious Lomb peak. Increasing anti-persistence tends to decrease the false-alarm probability. We also study the interplay between heavy-tailness and long-range correlations. In order to fully determine if a Lomb peak signals a genuine rather than a spurious periodicity, one should in principle characterize the Lomb peak height, its width and its relations to other peaks in the complete spectrum. As a step towards this full characterization, we construct the joint-distribution of the frequency position (relative to other peaks) and of the height of the highest peak of the power spectrum. We also provide the distributions of the ratio of the highest Lomb peak to the second highest one. Using the insight obtained by the present statistical study, we re-examine previously reported claims of ``log-periodicity'' and find that the credibility for log-periodicity in 2D-freely decaying turbulence is weakened while it is strengthened for fracture, for the

Correlates of Parental Differential Treatment: Parental and Contextual Factors during Middle Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atzaba-Poria, Naama; Pike, Alison

2008-01-01

The current study examined whether parental and contextual risk factors contribute to mothers' and fathers' differential treatment (MDT/FDT) when accounting for sibling dyad characteristics. Also explored was whether family type (single mothers vs. 2 parents) moderated the links between the parental and contextual correlates and MDT. One hundred…

Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) serum level in women with schizophrenia and depression, correlation with clinical and metabolic parameters.

PubMed

Skibinska, Maria; Kapelski, Pawel; Pawlak, Joanna; Rajewska-Rager, Aleksandra; Dmitrzak-Weglarz, Monika; Szczepankiewicz, Aleksandra; Czerski, Piotr; Twarowska-Hauser, Joanna

2017-10-01

Neurotrophic factors have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) promotes development, differentiation, and protection of dopaminergic, serotonergic, GABAergic and noradrenergic neurons as well as glial cells in different brain regions. This study examined serum levels of GDNF in schizophrenia and depression and its correlation with metabolic parameters during 8 weeks of treatment. Serum GDNF level, fasting serum glucose and lipid profile were measured at baseline and week 8 in 133 women: 55 with schizophrenia, 30 with a first episode depression and 48 healthy controls. The severity of the symptoms was evaluated using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). There was statistically significant higher GDNF level in schizophrenia at baseline when compared with week 8. Correlations of GDNF with PANSS in schizophrenia and cholesterol level in depression have also been detected. To our knowledge, this is the first study which correlates GDNF levels with metabolic parameters. Our results show no differences in GDNF serum level between schizophrenia, a first depressive episode, and healthy controls. GDNF serum level did not correlate with metabolic parameters except for total cholesterol in depression. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Graphical Modelling Approach to the Dissection of Highly Correlated Transcription Factor Binding Site Profiles

PubMed Central

Stojnic, Robert; Fu, Audrey Qiuyan; Adryan, Boris

2012-01-01

Inferring the combinatorial regulatory code of transcription factors (TFs) from genome-wide TF binding profiles is challenging. A major reason is that TF binding profiles significantly overlap and are therefore highly correlated. Clustered occurrence of multiple TFs at genomic sites may arise from chromatin accessibility and local cooperation between TFs, or binding sites may simply appear clustered if the profiles are generated from diverse cell populations. Overlaps in TF binding profiles may also result from measurements taken at closely related time intervals. It is thus of great interest to distinguish TFs that directly regulate gene expression from those that are indirectly associated with gene expression. Graphical models, in particular Bayesian networks, provide a powerful mathematical framework to infer different types of dependencies. However, existing methods do not perform well when the features (here: TF binding profiles) are highly correlated, when their association with the biological outcome is weak, and when the sample size is small. Here, we develop a novel computational method, the Neighbourhood Consistent PC (NCPC) algorithms, which deal with these scenarios much more effectively than existing methods do. We further present a novel graphical representation, the Direct Dependence Graph (DDGraph), to better display the complex interactions among variables. NCPC and DDGraph can also be applied to other problems involving highly correlated biological features. Both methods are implemented in the R package ddgraph, available as part of Bioconductor (http://bioconductor.org/packages/2.11/bioc/html/ddgraph.html). Applied to real data, our method identified TFs that specify different classes of cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in Drosophila mesoderm differentiation. Our analysis also found depletion of the early transcription factor Twist binding at the CRMs regulating expression in visceral and somatic muscle cells at later stages, which suggests a CRM

[Retrospective analysis of correlative factors between digestive system injury and anticoagulant or antiplatelet-agents].

PubMed

Cui, Ning; Luo, Hesheng

2014-05-27

To explore the correlative factors and clinical characteristics of digestive system injury during the treatment of anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents. A total of 1 443 hospitalized patients on anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents from January 2010 to December 2013 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were analyzed retrospectively. Their length of hospital stay was from 5 to 27 days. Most of them were elderly males (n = 880, 61.0%) with an average age of (62 ± 6) years. 1 138 patients (78.9%) were farmers, workers or someone without a specific occupation. During the treatment of anticoagulant/antiplatelet-agents, statistical difference existed (P = 0.01) between positively and negatively previous digestive disease groups for actively newly occurring digestive system injury (16.0% (41/256) vs 15.9% (189/1 187)). After the dosing of anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents, 57 (66.3%, 57/86) patients were complicated by hemorrhage of digestive tract, taking 62.9% (61/97) of all positive result patients for Helicobacter pylori test. Comparing preventive PPI group with no PPI group, there was no marked statistical differences (P = 2.67) for digestive system complication (including hemorrhage of digestive tract) while receiving anticoagulant and (or) antiplatelet-agents (13.9% (74/533) vs 17.1% (156/910)). During anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet-agent therapy, 185 patients (12.8%) were complicated by peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer with bleeding, 40 patients (2.8%) had erosive gastritis and 5 (0.3%) developed acute gastric mucosal lesions. And 42 of 76 patients complicated by hemorrhage of digestive tract underwent endoscopic hemostasis while 2 patients were operated. Ninety-seven patients (6.7%) died, including 61 (62.9%, 61/97) from hemorrhage of digestive tract. The remainder became cured, improved and discharged. Moreover, no significant statistical differences existed (P = 2.29) among three combination group (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin), two

Clinically significant association of elevated expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 expression with higher glucose uptake and progression of upper urinary tract cancer.

PubMed

Nukui, Akinori; Narimatsu, Takahiro; Kambara, Tsunehito; Abe, Hideyuki; Sakamoto, Setsu; Yoshida, Ken-Ichiro; Kamai, Takao

2018-05-02

There is growing evidence that the transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is the major participant in regulating antioxidants and pathways for detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as having a vital role in tumor proliferation, invasion, and chemoresistance. It was also recently reported that Nrf2 supports cell proliferation by promoting metabolic activity. Thus, Nrf2 is involved in progression of cancer. Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a biologically aggressive tumor with high rates of recurrence and progression, resulting in a poor prognosis. However, the role of Nrf2 in UTUC is largely unknown. In order to study the role of Nrf2 in UTUC from the metabolic perspective, we retrospectively assessed Nrf2 expression in the surgical specimen and the preoperative maximum standard glucose uptake (SUVmax) on [ 18 F]fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography ( 18 F-FDG-PET) of 107 patients with UTUC who underwent radical nephroureterectomy. Increased expression of Nrf2 in the primary lesion was correlated with less differentiated histology, local invasion, and lymph node metastasis, and was also an independent indicator of shorter overall survival according to multivariate analysis. Furthermore, increased expression of Nrf2 was associated with higher preoperative SUVmax by the primary tumor on 18 F-FDG-PET, while Nrf2 expression and SUVmax were also significantly correlated in the metastatic lymph nodes. Among the 18 patients with lymph node metastasis at nephroureterectomy who underwent retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and received adjuvant chemotherapy, the patients with higher Nrf2 expression in the primary tumor had worse recurrence-free survival. These results suggest that constitutive activation of Nrf2 might be linked with tumor aerobic glycolysis and progression of UTUC, indicating that Nrf2 signaling in the tumor microenvironment promotes progression of UTUC.

Serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) during CF pulmonary exacerbation: trends and biomarker correlations.

PubMed

Gifford, A H; Nymon, A B; Ashare, A

2014-04-01

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by low circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone produced by the liver that governs anabolism and influences immune cell function. Because treatment of CF pulmonary exacerbation (CFPE) often improves body weight and lung function, we questioned whether serum IGF-1 trends were emblematic of these responses. Initially, we compared serum levels between healthy adults with CF and controls of similar age. We then measured serum IGF-1 throughout the CFPE cycle. We also investigated correlations among IGF-1 and other serum biomarkers during CFPE. Anthopometric, spirometric, and demographic data were collected. Serum IGF-1 concentrations were measured by ELISA. CF subjects in their usual state of health had lower serum IGF-1 levels than controls. Serum IGF-1 concentrations fell significantly from baseline at the beginning of CFPE. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics was associated with significant improvement in serum IGF-1 levels, body mass index (BMI), and percent-predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1 %). At early and late CFPE, serum IGF-1 was directly correlated with FEV1 %, serum iron, hemoglobin concentration, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) and indirectly correlated with alpha-1-antitrypsin. This study not only supports the paradigm that CF is characterized by IGF-1 deficiency but also that trends in lung function, nutritional status, and serum IGF-1 are related. Improvements in all three parameters after antibiotics for CFPE likely highlight the connection between lung function and nutritional status in CF. Close correlations among IGF-1 and iron-related hematologic parameters suggest that IGF-1 may participate in CF iron homeostasis, another process that is known to be influenced by CFPE. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Psychometrics of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire Adapted for Family Caregiver/Significant Other.

PubMed

Tucker, Rebecca; Quinn, Jill R; Chen, Ding-Geng; Chen, Leway

2016-12-01

The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) was adapted to be administered to the family caregiver/significant other (FC/SO) of hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF). The objective was to examine the psychometrics of the adapted scale (KCCQ-SO). Factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and correlations were used. A 5-factor solution was found that explained 67.9% of the variance. The internal consistency of the KCCQ-SO factors were all greater than .70. Patient and FC/SO perceived health status scores were significantly related. Because the scores were found to have high internal consistency and correlated with patient scores on the KCCQ, there is evidence that the FC/SOs' reports may be used in circumstances when the patient is unable or unwilling to answer questions.

Television Time among Brazilian Adolescents: Correlated Factors are Different between Boys and Girls

PubMed Central

Tremblay, Mark Stephen; Gonçalves, Eliane Cristina de Andrade; Silva, Roberto Jerônimo dos Santos

2014-01-01

Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of excess television time and verify correlated factors in adolescent males and females. Methods. This cross-sectional study included 2,105 adolescents aged from 13 to 18 years from the city of Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. Television time was self-reported, corresponding to the time spent watching television in a typical week. Several correlates were examined including age, skin color, socioeconomic status, parent education, physical activity level, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking status, alcohol use, and sports team participation. Results. The prevalence excess television time (≥2 hours/day) in girls and boys was 70.9% and 66.2%, respectively. Girls with low socioeconomic status or inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables were more likely to have excess television time. Among boys, those >16 years of age or with black skin color were more likely to have excess television time. Conclusions. Excess television time was observed in more than two-thirds of adolescents, being more evident in girls. Correlated factors differed according to sex. Efforts to reduce television time among Brazilian adolescents, and replace with more active pursuits, may yield desirable public health benefits. PMID:24723826

Correlations between risk factors and functional evolution in patients with spastic quadriplegia

PubMed Central

Rogoveanu, OC; Tuțescu, NC; Kamal, D; Alexandru, DO; Kamal, C; Streba, L; Trăistaru, MR

2016-01-01

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of developing neuro-motor disability in children, in many cases, the triggering cause remaining unknown. Quadriplegia is the most severe spastic cerebral palsy, characterized by severe mental retardation and bi-pyramidal syndrome. The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate the importance of knowing the risk factors and the psychosomatic ones, determining to what extent they influence the functional evolution in patients diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia. 23 children diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia were included in the study, being aged between 1 year and half and 12 years. Patients were assessed at baseline (T1), at one year (T2) and after two years at the end of the study (T3). Patients received a comprehensive rehabilitation program for the motor and sensory deficits throughout the study. Initially, a comprehensive evaluation (etiopathogenic, clinical and functional) that started from a thorough medical history of children (the older ones), was conducted but chose parents to identify the risk factors, and a complete physical exam. At each assessment, joint and muscle balance was conducted. To assess functionality, the gross motor function classification systems (GMFCS) and manual ability (MACS) were used. Many risk factors that were classified according to the timeline in prenatal factors, perinatal and postnatal, were identified from a thorough history. A direct correlation was noticed between the decrease of coarse functionality and manual ability, both initially and in dynamic and low APGAR scores, low gestational age, low birth weight and a higher body mass index of the mother. A direct link was observed between the gross motor function and the manual ability. A significant improvement in the MACS score was noticed in patients with a better GMFCS score. PMID:27453749

Correlations between risk factors and functional evolution in patients with spastic quadriplegia.

PubMed

Rogoveanu, O C; Tuțescu, N C; Kamal, D; Alexandru, D O; Kamal, C; Streba, L; Trăistaru, M R

2016-01-01

Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of developing neuro-motor disability in children, in many cases, the triggering cause remaining unknown. Quadriplegia is the most severe spastic cerebral palsy, characterized by severe mental retardation and bi-pyramidal syndrome. The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate the importance of knowing the risk factors and the psychosomatic ones, determining to what extent they influence the functional evolution in patients diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia. 23 children diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia were included in the study, being aged between 1 year and half and 12 years. Patients were assessed at baseline (T1), at one year (T2) and after two years at the end of the study (T3). Patients received a comprehensive rehabilitation program for the motor and sensory deficits throughout the study. Initially, a comprehensive evaluation (etiopathogenic, clinical and functional) that started from a thorough medical history of children (the older ones), was conducted but chose parents to identify the risk factors, and a complete physical exam. At each assessment, joint and muscle balance was conducted. To assess functionality, the gross motor function classification systems (GMFCS) and manual ability (MACS) were used. Many risk factors that were classified according to the timeline in prenatal factors, perinatal and postnatal, were identified from a thorough history. A direct correlation was noticed between the decrease of coarse functionality and manual ability, both initially and in dynamic and low APGAR scores, low gestational age, low birth weight and a higher body mass index of the mother. A direct link was observed between the gross motor function and the manual ability. A significant improvement in the MACS score was noticed in patients with a better GMFCS score.

Factors Associated with Significant Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women with a History of Complications.

PubMed

Chen, Jing; Cai, Yiyun; Liu, Yue; Qian, Jieyan; Ling, Qing; Zhang, Wei; Luo, Jianfeng; Chen, Yan; Shi, Shenxun

2016-10-25

The occurrence of complications during the gestation period is higher among pregnant women with a history of complications than among pregnant women without previous complications. High-risk pregnancy can cause negative emotional symptoms such as anxiety and depression in pregnant women. Current research on anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women is sparse. To examine the incidence of anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women with a history of previous complications or high risk pregnancy and related risk factors. Women with a history of previous complications in pregnancy or current 'high risk' pregnancy (e.g. test tube fertilization, etc.) were classified as 'high risk'. 197 of these 'high risk' women who were in their second trimester (16 to 20 weeks) underwent a monthly comprehensive assessment using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) in the last 4 months of the gestation period. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used for assessment and risk factor investigation 3 to 7 days, 42 days, and 3 months after childbirth. The mean (sd) HAD anxiety score among 'high-risk'women at the time of enrollment was 3.69 (2.76) and depression score was 3.42 (2.53). Significant anxiety symptoms and depression symptoms were found in 14 cases (7.18 %) and 10 cases (5.13%), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed a correlation between anxiety symptoms and history of miscarriage (OR: 8.162, 95%CI: 1.213 to 54.914)and testing positive for hepatitis (OR: 8.912, 95%CI: 1.052 to 75.498). Depressive symptoms were correlated with glucose positive urine (OR: 30.529, 95%CI: 1.312 to 710.610) and history of hemorrhaging (OR: 7.122, 95%CI: 1.015 to 49.984). General factors associated with anxiety and depression symptoms include patients' health status in the recent 3 months, concerns about fetal health, quality of marital relationship, and relationship with in-laws. Anxiety and depression symptoms are commonly seen in pregnant women with a

Imbalance between vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin correlates with the prognosis of operable non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Hu, Y; Hu, M-m; Shi, G-L; Han, Y; Li, B-L

2014-09-01

Angiogenesis is regulated by a balance of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin respectively represents a frequent component of inducers and inhibitors in the process of angiogenesis. The ratio of VEGF/endostatin may reflect the balance of angiogenic switch. This study aimed to determine whether an imbalance between VEGF/endostatin exists in operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and to assess the correlation, if any, between the imbalance and the prognosis. Preoperative serum levels of VEGF and endostatin were simultaneously determined by quantitiative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the ratio of them was calculated among 98 NSCLC patients and 51 healthy controls. The relationship between these factors and clinicopathological features, including prognosis, was examined. The ratio of VEGF/endostatin levels was significantly higher in operable NSCLC patients [median, 10.4; interquartile range (IQR), 5.9-19.8] than in normal controls [median, 5.1; IQR, 3.3-9.7] (P = 0.002). While the ratio in patients who were still alive for more than 60 months was 8.3 (IQR, 4.3-17.9), the ratio in those who died was 12.9 (IQR, 8.0-22.1) (p = 0.017). In subgroup analysis of patients with pathological stage N0, there was a statistically significant increase of the survival time in the group with a lower ratio than in the group with a higher ratio (p = 0.032). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the VEGF/endostatin ratio was an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.018). There was an imbalance between VEGF and endostatin in serum of operable NSCLC patients. The imbalance correlated with the prognosis of operable NSCLC. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Mobility and Balance and Their Correlation with Physiological Factors in Elderly with Different Foot Postures

PubMed Central

Mohd Said, Aisyah; Bukry, Saiful Adli

2015-01-01

This study determines (1) the correlation between mobility and balance performances with physiological factors and (2) the relationship between foot postures with anthropometric characteristics and lower limb characteristics among elderly with neutral, pronated, and supinated foot. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in community-dwelling elderly (age: 69.86 ± 5.62 years). Participants were grouped into neutral (n = 16), pronated (n = 14), and supinated (n = 14) foot based on the foot posture index classification. Anthropometric data (height, weight, and BMI), lower limb strength (5-STS) and endurance (30 s chair rise test), mobility (TUG), and balance (FSST) were determined. Data were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Body weight was negatively and moderately correlated (r s = −0.552, P < 0.05) with mobility in supinated foot; moderate-to-high positive linear rank correlation was found between lower limb strength and mobility (r s = 0.551 to 0.804, P < 0.05) for pronated and neutral foot. Lower limb endurance was negatively and linearly correlated with mobility in pronated (r s = −0.699) and neutral (r s = −0.573) foot. No correlation was observed in balance performance with physiological factors in any of the foot postures. We can conclude that muscle function may be the most important feature to make movement possible in older persons regardless of the type of foot postures. PMID:26583104

Correlations of condition factor and gonadosomatic, hepatosomatic and lipo-somatic relations of Leptodactylus macrosternum (ANURA: Leptodactylidae) in the Brazilian Semi-arid.

PubMed

Chaves, Marcio F; Tenório, Fernanda C M A; Santos, Igor L V L; J C L, Clovis; Texeira, Valeria W; Moura, Geraldo J B; Texeira, Álvaro A C

2017-01-01

The objective of this study was to assess variations of the condition factor (K1) in relation to the gonadosomatic- RGS and energy reserves (hepatosomatic - RWL and liposomatic - RFB relations) of Leptodactylus macrosternum and their relationship to climate variation in the Northeast of Brazil, Caatinga area, state of Paraiba. The animals were captured fortnightly through active collecting, between January and December 2013. Significant differences were observed in the monthly variations of K1, RGS and RFB indices in male and female L. macrosternum over the months of collection. In males, K1 showed no significant relationship with the other variables. In females, RGS values only show notable correlations with RWF and K1 values. K1 values showed significant correlations with all other weight and length ratios. Climate change in the HFOB region showed significant relationships with the variation of the indexes evaluated, with the exception of RWF. The variation of K1, RGS, RWL and RFB values over the months of collection as well as their relation with the local climatic variation, showed a brief reproductive activity for the species.

Factors that determine self-reported immunosuppressant adherence in kidney transplant recipients: a correlational study.

PubMed

Weng, Li-Chueh; Yang, Ya-Chen; Huang, Hsiu-Li; Chiang, Yang-Jen; Tsai, Yu-Hsia

2017-01-01

To determine the factors related to immunosuppressant therapy adherence in kidney transplant recipients in Taiwan. Adherence to immunosuppressant treatment is critical after kidney transplantation. Thus, the factors associated with self-reported medication adherence in kidney transplant recipients warrant investigation. The study used a cross-sectional and correlation design. A convenience sample of 145 kidney transplant recipients was included. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data during 2012-2013. Multivariate linear regression was used to examine the factors related to immunosuppressant therapy adherence. Over half of the participants were female (54·5%), mean age was 45·5 years, and mean year after transplant was 7·4. The mean score for medication adherence was 29·73 (possible score range 7-35). The results of the multivariate linear regression analysis showed that gender (male), low income with a high school or college education, years after transplantation and concerns about medication taking were negatively associated with adherence. Medication self-efficacy was positively associated with adherence. Therapy-related factors, partnerships with healthcare professionals and having private healthcare insurance did not significantly relate to immunosuppressant therapy adherence. Kidney transplant recipients demonstrated a high level of adherence. Strategies to enhance patients' self-efficacy and alleviate concerns about medication may promote medication adherence. Male patients, those with a lower income and those with a higher education level, should be a focus of efforts to maintain adherence to the medication regimen. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of different correlation metrics and preprocessing factors on small-world brain functional networks: a resting-state functional MRI study.

PubMed

Liang, Xia; Wang, Jinhui; Yan, Chaogan; Shu, Ni; Xu, Ke; Gong, Gaolang; He, Yong

2012-01-01

Graph theoretical analysis of brain networks based on resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. These analyses often involve the selection of correlation metrics and specific preprocessing steps. However, the influence of these factors on the topological properties of functional brain networks has not been systematically examined. Here, we investigated the influences of correlation metric choice (Pearson's correlation versus partial correlation), global signal presence (regressed or not) and frequency band selection [slow-5 (0.01-0.027 Hz) versus slow-4 (0.027-0.073 Hz)] on the topological properties of both binary and weighted brain networks derived from them, and we employed test-retest (TRT) analyses for further guidance on how to choose the "best" network modeling strategy from the reliability perspective. Our results show significant differences in global network metrics associated with both correlation metrics and global signals. Analysis of nodal degree revealed differing hub distributions for brain networks derived from Pearson's correlation versus partial correlation. TRT analysis revealed that the reliability of both global and local topological properties are modulated by correlation metrics and the global signal, with the highest reliability observed for Pearson's-correlation-based brain networks without global signal removal (WOGR-PEAR). The nodal reliability exhibited a spatially heterogeneous distribution wherein regions in association and limbic/paralimbic cortices showed moderate TRT reliability in Pearson's-correlation-based brain networks. Moreover, we found that there were significant frequency-related differences in topological properties of WOGR-PEAR networks, and brain networks derived in the 0.027-0.073 Hz band exhibited greater reliability than those in the 0.01-0.027 Hz band. Taken together, our results provide direct evidence regarding the influences of correlation metrics and specific

Effects of Different Correlation Metrics and Preprocessing Factors on Small-World Brain Functional Networks: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study

PubMed Central

Liang, Xia; Wang, Jinhui; Yan, Chaogan; Shu, Ni; Xu, Ke; Gong, Gaolang; He, Yong

2012-01-01

Graph theoretical analysis of brain networks based on resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. These analyses often involve the selection of correlation metrics and specific preprocessing steps. However, the influence of these factors on the topological properties of functional brain networks has not been systematically examined. Here, we investigated the influences of correlation metric choice (Pearson's correlation versus partial correlation), global signal presence (regressed or not) and frequency band selection [slow-5 (0.01–0.027 Hz) versus slow-4 (0.027–0.073 Hz)] on the topological properties of both binary and weighted brain networks derived from them, and we employed test-retest (TRT) analyses for further guidance on how to choose the “best” network modeling strategy from the reliability perspective. Our results show significant differences in global network metrics associated with both correlation metrics and global signals. Analysis of nodal degree revealed differing hub distributions for brain networks derived from Pearson's correlation versus partial correlation. TRT analysis revealed that the reliability of both global and local topological properties are modulated by correlation metrics and the global signal, with the highest reliability observed for Pearson's-correlation-based brain networks without global signal removal (WOGR-PEAR). The nodal reliability exhibited a spatially heterogeneous distribution wherein regions in association and limbic/paralimbic cortices showed moderate TRT reliability in Pearson's-correlation-based brain networks. Moreover, we found that there were significant frequency-related differences in topological properties of WOGR-PEAR networks, and brain networks derived in the 0.027–0.073 Hz band exhibited greater reliability than those in the 0.01–0.027 Hz band. Taken together, our results provide direct evidence regarding the influences of correlation metrics

Influencing factors of NT-proBNP level inheart failure patients with different cardiacfunctions and correlation with prognosis.

PubMed

Xu, Liang; Chen, Yanchun; Ji, Yanni; Yang, Song

2018-06-01

Factors influencing N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level in heart failure patients with different cardiac functions were identified to explore the correlations with prognosis. Eighty heart failure patients with different cardiac functions treated in Yixing People's Hospital from January 2016 to June 2017 were selected, and divided into two groups (group with cardiac function in class II and below and group with cardiac function in class III and above), according to the cardiac function classification established by New York Heart Association (NYHA). Blood biochemical test and outcome analysis were conducted to measure serum NT-proBNP and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in patients with different cardiac functions, and correlations between levels of NT-proBNP and MMP-9 and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) level were analyzed in patients with different cardiac functions at the same time. In addition, risk factors for heart failure in patients with different cardiac functions were analyzed. Compared with the group with cardiac function in class III and above, the group with cardiac function in class II and below had significantly lower serum NT-proBNP and MMP-9 levels (p<0.05). For echocardiogram indexes, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) in the group with cardiac function in class II and below were obviously lower than those in the group with cardiac function in class III and above (p<0.05), while LVEF was higher in group with cardiac function in class II and below than that in group with cardiac function in class III and above (p<0.05). NT-proBNP and MMP-9 levels were negatively correlated with LVEF level [r=-0.8517 and -0.8517, respectively, p<0.001 (<0.05)]. Cardiac function in class III and above, increased NT-proBNP, increased MMP-9 and decreased LVEF were relevant risk factors and independent risk factors for heart failure in patients with different cardiac

Factor structure and clinical correlates of the 61-item Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS).

PubMed

Calamia, Matthew; Hill, Benjamin D; Musso, Mandi W; Pella, Russell D; Gouvier, Wm Drew

2018-02-09

The objective of this study was to assess the factor structure and clinical correlates of a 61-item version of the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS), a self-report retrospective measure of childhood problems, experiences, and behavior used in ADHD assessment. Given the currently mostly widely used form of the WURS was derived via a criterion-keyed approach, the study aimed to use latent variable modeling of the 61-item WURS to potentially identify more and more homogeneous set of items reflecting current conceptualizations of ADHD symptoms. Exploratory structural equation modeling was used to generate factor scores which were then correlated with neuropsychological measures of intelligence and executive attention as well as a broad measure of personality and emotional functioning. Support for a modified five-factor model was found: ADHD, disruptive mood and behavior, negative affectivity, social confidence, and academic problems. The ADHD factor differed somewhat from the traditional 25-item WURS short form largely through weaker associations with several measures of personality and psychopathology. This study identified a factor more aligned with DSM-5 conceptualization of ADHD as well as measures of other types of childhood characteristics and symptoms which may prove useful for both research and clinical practice.

Immunohistochemical correlation of epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 with histopathologic grading of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

PubMed

Khiavi, Monir Moradzadeh; Vosoughhosseini, Sepideh; Saravani, Shirin; Halimi, Monireh

2012-01-01

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland malignancy with highly variable biologic potential that correlates with the histopathologic grade of the tumor. Therefore, identification of the histopathologic grade of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma is very important in the treatment and determination of the final prognosis. The present study was performed to survey immunohistochemically Epidermal Growth Factor ReceptorEGFR and c-erbB-2 expression in different grades of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This retrospective study included 46 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Based on histopathologic parameters, samples were classified into three grades. Then new sections were made and stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) method for EGFR and c-erbB-2. Finally, EGFR and c-erbB-2 expression and their correlation with histopathologic grading were statistically analyzed by ANOVA. Nineteen samples of normal salivary gland tissue were also chosen as control group. The means of EGFR and c-erbB-2 were 71%, 71%, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was found between EGFR expression and histopathologic grading of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary glands (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between histopathologic grading of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma and c-erbB-2 expression (P = 0.60). There is a parallelism between an increase in EGFR expression and increase in the histopathologic grading of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Therefore, the biologic behavior of salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be determined by EGFR expression and it is a useful technique for determination of tumor grades and probably their prognosis.

A MAD Explanation for the Correlation between Bulk Lorentz Factor and Minimum Variability Timescale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd-Ronning, Nicole; Lei, Wei-hua; Xie, Wei

2018-04-01

We offer an explanation for the anti-correlation between the minimum variability timescale (MTS) in the prompt emission light curve of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and the estimated bulk Lorentz factor of these GRBs, in the context of a magnetically arrested disk (MAD) model. In particular, we show that previously derived limits on the maximum available energy per baryon in a Blandford-Znajek jet leads to a relationship between the characteristic MAD timescale in GRBs and the maximum bulk Lorentz factor: tMAD∝Γ-6, somewhat steeper than (although within the error bars of) the fitted relationship found in the GRB data. Similarly, the MAD model also naturally accounts for the observed anti-correlation between MTS and gamma-ray luminosity L in the GRB data, and we estimate the accretion rates of the GRB disk (given these luminosities) in the context of this model. Both of these correlations (MTS - Γ and MTS - L) are also observed in the AGN data, and we discuss the implications of our results in the context of both GRB and blazar systems.

Breast Cancer: Diffusion Kurtosis MR Imaging-Diagnostic Accuracy and Correlation with Clinical-Pathologic Factors.

PubMed

Sun, Kun; Chen, Xiaosong; Chai, Weimin; Fei, Xiaochun; Fu, Caixia; Yan, Xu; Zhan, Ying; Chen, Kemin; Shen, Kunwei; Yan, Fuhua

2015-10-01

To assess diagnostic accuracy with diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) in patients with breast lesions and to evaluate the potential association between DKI-derived parameters and breast cancer clinical-pathologic factors. Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. Data from 97 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 45.7 years ± 13.1; range, 19-70 years) with 98 lesions (57 malignant and 41 benign) who were treated between January 2014 and April 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. DKI (with b values of 0-2800 sec/mm(2)) and conventional diffusion-weighted imaging data were acquired. Kurtosis and diffusion coefficients from DKI and apparent diffusion coefficients from diffusion-weighted imaging were measured by two radiologists. Student t test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Jonckheere-Terpstra test, receiver operating characteristic curves, and Spearman correlation were used for statistical analysis. Kurtosis coefficients were significantly higher in the malignant lesions than in the benign lesions (1.05 ± 0.22 vs 0.65 ± 0.11, respectively; P < .0001). Diffusivity and apparent diffusion coefficients in the malignant lesions were significantly lower than those in the benign lesions (1.13 ± 0.27 vs 1.97 ± 0.33 and 1.02 ± 0.18 vs 1.48 ± 0.33, respectively; P < .0001). Significantly higher specificity for differentiation of malignant from benign lesions was shown with the use of kurtosis and diffusivity coefficients than with the use of apparent diffusion coefficients (83% [34 of 41] and 83% [34 of 41] vs 76% [31 of 41], respectively; P < .0001) with equal sensitivity (95% [54 of 57]). In patients with invasive breast cancer, kurtosis was positively correlated with tumor histologic grade (r = 0.75) and expression of the Ki-67 protein (r = 0.55). Diffusivity was negatively correlated with tumor histologic grades (r = -0.44) and Ki-67 expression (r = -0.46). DKI showed higher specificity than did conventional diffusion

Identification of significant factors in fatal-injury highway crashes using genetic algorithm and neural network.

PubMed

Li, Yunjie; Ma, Dongfang; Zhu, Mengtao; Zeng, Ziqiang; Wang, Yinhai

2018-02-01

Identification of the significant factors of traffic crashes has been a primary concern of the transportation safety research community for many years. A fatal-injury crash is a comprehensive result influenced by multiple variables involved at the moment of the crash scenario, the main idea of this paper is to explore the process of significant factors identification from a multi-objective optimization (MOP) standpoint. It proposes a data-driven model which combines the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-II) with the Neural Network (NN) architecture to efficiently search for optimal solutions. This paper also defines the index of Factor Significance (F s ) for quantitative evaluation of the significance of each factor. Based on a set of three year data of crash records collected from three main interstate highways in the Washington State, the proposed method reveals that the top five significant factors for a better Fatal-injury crash identification are 1) Driver Conduct, 2) Vehicle Action, 3) Roadway Surface Condition, 4) Driver Restraint and 5) Driver Age. The most sensitive factors from a spatiotemporal perspective are the Hour of Day, Most Severe Sobriety, and Roadway Characteristics. The method and results in this paper provide new insights into the injury pattern of highway crashes and may be used to improve the understanding of, prevention of, and other enforcement efforts related to injury crashes in the future. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Residential greenness and birth outcomes: evaluating the influence of spatially correlated built-environment factors.

PubMed

Hystad, Perry; Davies, Hugh W; Frank, Lawrence; Van Loon, Josh; Gehring, Ulrike; Tamburic, Lillian; Brauer, Michael

2014-10-01

Half the world's population lives in urban areas. It is therefore important to identify characteristics of the built environment that are beneficial to human health. Urban greenness has been associated with improvements in a diverse range of health conditions, including birth outcomes; however, few studies have attempted to distinguish potential effects of greenness from those of other spatially correlated exposures related to the built environment. We aimed to investigate associations between residential greenness and birth outcomes and evaluate the influence of spatially correlated built environment factors on these associations. We examined associations between residential greenness [measured using satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 100 m of study participants' homes] and birth outcomes in a cohort of 64,705 singleton births (from 1999-2002) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. We also evaluated associations after adjusting for spatially correlated built environmental factors that may influence birth outcomes, including exposure to air pollution and noise, neighborhood walkability, and distance to the nearest park. An interquartile increase in greenness (0.1 in residential NDVI) was associated with higher term birth weight (20.6 g; 95% CI: 16.5, 24.7) and decreases in the likelihood of small for gestational age, very preterm (< 30 weeks), and moderately preterm (30-36 weeks) birth. Associations were robust to adjustment for air pollution and noise exposures, neighborhood walkability, and park proximity. Increased residential greenness was associated with beneficial birth outcomes in this population-based cohort. These associations did not change after adjusting for other spatially correlated built environment factors, suggesting that alternative pathways (e.g., psychosocial and psychological mechanisms) may underlie associations between residential greenness and birth outcomes.

Correlation of serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 and Klotho protein levels with bone mineral density in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Zheng, Shubei; Chen, Yan; Zheng, Yu; Zhou, Zhihong; Li, Zhanyuan

2018-04-17

The correlation of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and Klotho protein levels with bone mineral density (BMD) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients was analyzed. Between January 2015 and November 2015, 125 MHD patients in our hospital were enrolled. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to examine the BMD in the femoral neck and lumbar spine of MHD patients. The patients were divided into three groups: a normal bone mass group, an osteopenia group, and an osteoporosis group. An ELISA was performed to measure serum FGF-23, Klotho protein, and 1,25(OH) 2 VitD 3 levels. Other parameters, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and parathyroid hormone, were also measured. Of the 125 MHD patients, 82.40% of patients had femoral neck osteopenia, and 56.00% of patients had lumbar spinal osteopenia. The serum FGF-23 level was highest in the osteoporosis group. However, there was no significant difference in serum FGF-23 levels among the three groups, depending on femoral neck and lumbar spinal BMD (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation analysis also pointed to a lack of correlation between serum FGF-23 levels and BMD. Among the three groups, there were significant differences in serum Klotho protein levels and femoral neck BMD (P < 0.05). Serum Klotho protein levels in the osteoporosis group were clearly lower than those in the normal bone mass group and osteopenia group (P < 0.05). Similarly, serum Klotho protein levels were significantly lower in those with lumbar spinal osteopenia as compared with those in the normal group. There was a positive correlation between serum Klotho protein levels and BMD and T values for the femoral neck and lumbar spine. The results of a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the serum Klotho protein level was one of the main factors affecting BMD in MHD patients. The serum level of FGF-23 was not correlated with a change in BMD of MHD patients, whereas the serum Klotho protein level was associated with

Demographic and clinical factors correlating with high levels of psychological distress in HIV-positive women living in Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

Benoit, Anita C; Light, Lucia; Burchell, Ann N; Gardner, Sandra; Rourke, Sean B; Wobeser, Wendy; Loutfy, Mona R

2014-01-01

The concept of psychological distress includes a range of emotional states with symptoms of depression and anxiety and has yet to be reported in HIV-positive women living in Ontario, Canada, who are known to live with contributing factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity, and correlates of psychological distress among women accessing HIV care participating in the Ontario HIV Treatment Network Cohort Study using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The K10 is a 10-item, five-level response scale. K10 values range from 10 to 50 with values less than or equal to 19 categorized as not clinically significant, scores between 20 and 24 as moderate levels, 25-29 as high, and 30-50 as very high psychological distress. Correlates of psychological distress were assessed using the Pearson's chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Moderate, high, and very high levels of psychological distress were experienced by 16.9, 10.4, and 15.1% of the 337 women in our cohort, respectively, with 57.6% reporting none. Psychological distress levels greater than 19, correlated with being unemployed (vs. employed/student/retired; AOR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.83), living in a household without their child/children (AOR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.33-4.52), CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm(3) (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 0.89-4.80), and to a lesser degree an education of some college or less (vs. completed college or higher; AOR=1.71, 95% CI: 0.99-2.95). Age and ethnicity, a priori variables of interest, did not correlate with psychological distress. Findings suggest that socioeconomic factors which shape the demography of women living with HIV in Ontario, low CD4 counts, and losing the opportunity to care for their child/children has a significant relationship with psychological distress. Approaches to manage psychological distress should address and make considerations for the lived experiences of women since they can act as potential barriers to

[Expression and clinical significance of 5hmC in bladder urothelial carcinoma].

PubMed

Li, Jie; Xu, Yuqiao; Zhang, Zhiwen; Zhang, Ming; Zhang, Zhekai; Zhang, Feng; Li, Qing

2016-02-01

To investigate the expression of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) in bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) and its clinical significance. The expression of 5hmC in 21 cases of UC tissues and pericarcinous urinary tract epithelium was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Then the expression of 5hmC in the surgical resection of UC tissues in 92 cases was also surveyed. Non parametric U Mann-Whitney test was used to analyze the correlation between 5hmC expression and clinical data. Single factor survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier test. The expression of 5hmC in normal urinary tract epithelium and UC tissues was significantly different, but there was no significant difference in the expression of 5hmC between low and high grades of UC tissues as well as between different TNM grades. Kaplan-Meier single factor survival analysis showed that there was no significant correlation between the 5hmC expression level and the survival rate or the recurrence-free survival of UC patients. The expression level of 5hmC in UC tissues is significantly lower than that in pericarcinous urinary tract epithelium. There is no correlation between the 5hmC expression and the progression, prognosis and recurrence of UC.

Expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor and tumor necrosis factor-α is correlated in bladder tumor and is related to tumor angiogenesis.

PubMed

Feng, Chen-Chen; Wang, Pao-Hsun; Ding, Qiang; Guan, Ming; Zhang, Yuan-Fang; Jiang, Hao-Wen; Wen, Hui; Wu, Zhong

2013-02-01

Angiogenesis is a pivotal process on which solid tumor growth is substantially dependent. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is the most potent natural anti-angiogenic factor, which has seldom been studied in bladder tumor, and whose functioning pathway remains unclear. We have thus investigated PEDF expression in relation to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and microvessel density (MVD) with immunohistochemistry. Antibodies of PEDF and TNF-α were examined by Western blotting before immunohistochemistry. Sixty-four urothelial tumor sections and 23 normal controls were stained and expression of PEDF, TNF-α, and MVD were studied. Decreased PEDF expression and increased TNF-α expression was noticed in tumorous tissue compared with healthy urothelium. Lower PEDF expression was related to higher tumor grade but stage. Increased TNF-α expression was noticed in recurrent, larger tumors as well as in tumors with progression in grade and stage. Expression of PEDF and TNF-α was correlated in bladder tumor. PEDF or TNF-α was correlated with MVD negatively or positively, respectively, in cancerous tissue and tumorous grouping without correlation in papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential. Expressional change of PEDF and TNF-α is in relation to angiogenesis of bladder tumor, especially in bladder cancer development. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Role of lymphatic vessel density in colorectal cancer: prognostic significance and clinicopathologic correlations.

PubMed

Pappas, A; Lagoudianakis, E; Seretis, C; Koronakis, N; Keramidaris, D; Grapatsas, K; Filis, K; Manouras, A; Salemis, N

2015-06-01

Over the past decades the identification of several molecules that are expressed specifically in the lymphatic endothelial cells has resulted in marked advances in the field of lymphangiogenesis. We aimed to measure LVD in colorectal cancer patients and to compare it with microvascular density (MVD) - a marker of angiogenesis - and patients' clinicopathological parameters and survival, as the measurement of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) has been documented in various tumor types, including colorectal cancer. Fifty one patients who had undergone surgical resection for stage I-III colorectal cancer entered this study. LVD and MVD were determined immunohistochemically with the use of D2-40 and CD34 antibody respectively. The evaluation of LVD was performed by both visual and computer-aided image analysis. The majority of lymphatic vessels were located in the peritumoral areas rather than within the tumor. The results obtained from the image analyzer correlated significantly with the data obtained using visual counting with light microscopy. Both visual and image analysis LVD failed to correlate with patients' age and gender and tumor location, stage, grade, MVD count and survival. The biologic role of the lymphatic vasculature in tumor progression remains controversial. The present study failed to associate LVD with outcome markers and prognosis and further studies would be required to verify our results. © Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica.

Nuclear Cataract Shows Significant Familial Aggregation in an Older Population after Adjustment for Possible Shared Environmental Factors

PubMed Central

Congdon, Nathan; Broman, Karl W.; Lai, Hong; Munoz, Beatriz; Bowie, Heidi; Gilber, Donna; Wojciechowski, Robert; Alston, Christine; West, Sheila K.

2011-01-01

Purpose To quantify the association between siblings in age-related nuclear cataract, after adjusting for known environmental and personal risk factors. Methods All participants (probands) in the Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) project and their locally resident siblings underwent digital slit lamp photography and were administered a questionnaire to assess risk factors for cataract including: age, gender, lifetime sun exposure, smoking and diabetes history, and use of alcohol and medications such as estrogens and steroids. In addition, blood pressure, body mass index, and serum antioxidants were measured in all participants. Lens photographs were graded by trained observers masked to the subjects' identity, using the Wilmer Cataract Grading System. The odds ratio for siblings for affectedness with nuclear cataract and the sibling correlation of nuclear cataract grade, after adjusting for covariates, were estimated with generalized estimating equations. Results Among 307 probands (mean age, 77.6 ± 4.5 years) and 434 full siblings (mean age, 72.4 ± 7.4 years), the average sibship size was 2.7 per family. After adjustment for covariates, the probability of development of nuclear cataract was significantly increased (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30–3.30) among individuals with a sibling with nuclear cataract (nuclear grade ≥ 3.0). The final fitted model indicated a magnitude of heritability for nuclear cataract of 35.6% (95% CI: 21.0%–50.3%) after adjustment for the covariates. Conclusions Findings in this study are consistent with a genetic effect for age-related nuclear cataract, a common and clinically significant form of lens opacity. PMID:15223793

Beyond Correlates: A Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Adolescent Dating Violence Perpetration

PubMed Central

Vagi, Kevin J.; Rothman, Emily; Latzman, Natasha E.; Tharp, Andra Teten; Hall, Diane M.; Breiding, Matthew J.

2013-01-01

Dating violence is a serious public health problem. In recent years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other entities have made funding available to community based agencies for dating violence prevention. Practitioners who are tasked with developing dating violence prevention strategies should pay particular attention to risk and protective factors for dating violence perpetration that have been established in longitudinal studies. This has been challenging to date because the scientific literature on the etiology of dating violence is somewhat limited, and because there have been no comprehensive reviews of the literature that clearly distinguish correlates of dating violence perpetration from risk or protective factors that have been established through longitudinal research. This is problematic because prevention programs may then target factors that are merely correlated with dating violence perpetration, and have no causal influence, which could potentially limit the effectiveness of the programs. In this article, we review the literature on risk and protective factors for adolescent dating violence perpetration and highlight those factors for which temporal precedence has been established by one or more studies. This review is intended as a guide for researchers and practitioners as they formulate prevention programs. We reviewed articles published between 2000–2010 that reported on adolescent dating violence perpetration using samples from the United States or Canada. In total, 53 risk factors and six protective factors were identified from 20 studies. Next steps for etiological research in adolescent dating violence are discussed, as well as future directions for prevention program developers. PMID:23385616

No significant correlation between the intensity of static stretching and subject's perception of pain.

PubMed

Lim, Wootaek; Park, Hyunju

2017-10-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine whether the intensity of static stretching measured quantitatively is related to subjects' perception of pain. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-eight participants were recruited. Static stretching was performed once for 30 seconds while maintaining the knee at 0° flexion and was continued to the point where pain was recognized. The intensity of stretching exerted by the practitioner was quantitatively measured by using a handheld dynamometer (HHD). A subject's pain scaled on one's perception was measured by using the visual analog scale (VAS). [Results] No significant correlation was found between the intensity of stretching and the VAS score representing the subject's pain scaled on one's perception. In this study, the most frequent VAS score was 7, and the mean VAS score was 5.57 ± 1.77. The stretching intensity measured by using a HHD ranged from 28.4 to 133.0 N (mean, 72.04 ± 22.37 N). [Conclusion] This study showed that the intensity of stretching quantitatively measured by using HHD did not correlate with the degree of pain reported by the subjects. Therefore, subjective responses cannot guarantee a consistent application of intensity.

Factors controlling degree of correlation between ISEE 1 and ISEE 3 interplanetary magnetic field measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crooker, N. U.; Siscoe, G. L.; Russell, C. T.; Smith, E. J.

1982-01-01

Correlation variability between ISEE 1 and 3 IMF measurements is investigated, and factors governing the variability are discussed. About 200 two-hour periods when correlation was good, and 200 when correlation was poor, are examined, and both IMF variance and spacecraft separation distance in the plane perpendicular to the earth-sun line exert substantial control. The scale size of magnetic features is larger when variance is high, and abrupt changes in the correlation coefficient from poor to good or good to poor in adjacent two-hour intervals appear to be governed by the sense of change of IMF variance and vice versa. During periods of low variance, good correlations are most likely to occur when the distance between ISEE 1 and 3 perpendicular to the IMF is less than 20 earth radii.

Identifying significant genetic regulatory networks in the prostate cancer from microarray data based on transcription factor analysis and conditional independency.

PubMed

Yeh, Hsiang-Yuan; Cheng, Shih-Wu; Lin, Yu-Chun; Yeh, Cheng-Yu; Lin, Shih-Fang; Soo, Von-Wun

2009-12-21

Prostate cancer is a world wide leading cancer and it is characterized by its aggressive metastasis. According to the clinical heterogeneity, prostate cancer displays different stages and grades related to the aggressive metastasis disease. Although numerous studies used microarray analysis and traditional clustering method to identify the individual genes during the disease processes, the important gene regulations remain unclear. We present a computational method for inferring genetic regulatory networks from micorarray data automatically with transcription factor analysis and conditional independence testing to explore the potential significant gene regulatory networks that are correlated with cancer, tumor grade and stage in the prostate cancer. To deal with missing values in microarray data, we used a K-nearest-neighbors (KNN) algorithm to determine the precise expression values. We applied web services technology to wrap the bioinformatics toolkits and databases to automatically extract the promoter regions of DNA sequences and predicted the transcription factors that regulate the gene expressions. We adopt the microarray datasets consists of 62 primary tumors, 41 normal prostate tissues from Stanford Microarray Database (SMD) as a target dataset to evaluate our method. The predicted results showed that the possible biomarker genes related to cancer and denoted the androgen functions and processes may be in the development of the prostate cancer and promote the cell death in cell cycle. Our predicted results showed that sub-networks of genes SREBF1, STAT6 and PBX1 are strongly related to a high extent while ETS transcription factors ELK1, JUN and EGR2 are related to a low extent. Gene SLC22A3 may explain clinically the differentiation associated with the high grade cancer compared with low grade cancer. Enhancer of Zeste Homolg 2 (EZH2) regulated by RUNX1 and STAT3 is correlated to the pathological stage. We provide a computational framework to reconstruct

Identifying significant genetic regulatory networks in the prostate cancer from microarray data based on transcription factor analysis and conditional independency

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Background Prostate cancer is a world wide leading cancer and it is characterized by its aggressive metastasis. According to the clinical heterogeneity, prostate cancer displays different stages and grades related to the aggressive metastasis disease. Although numerous studies used microarray analysis and traditional clustering method to identify the individual genes during the disease processes, the important gene regulations remain unclear. We present a computational method for inferring genetic regulatory networks from micorarray data automatically with transcription factor analysis and conditional independence testing to explore the potential significant gene regulatory networks that are correlated with cancer, tumor grade and stage in the prostate cancer. Results To deal with missing values in microarray data, we used a K-nearest-neighbors (KNN) algorithm to determine the precise expression values. We applied web services technology to wrap the bioinformatics toolkits and databases to automatically extract the promoter regions of DNA sequences and predicted the transcription factors that regulate the gene expressions. We adopt the microarray datasets consists of 62 primary tumors, 41 normal prostate tissues from Stanford Microarray Database (SMD) as a target dataset to evaluate our method. The predicted results showed that the possible biomarker genes related to cancer and denoted the androgen functions and processes may be in the development of the prostate cancer and promote the cell death in cell cycle. Our predicted results showed that sub-networks of genes SREBF1, STAT6 and PBX1 are strongly related to a high extent while ETS transcription factors ELK1, JUN and EGR2 are related to a low extent. Gene SLC22A3 may explain clinically the differentiation associated with the high grade cancer compared with low grade cancer. Enhancer of Zeste Homolg 2 (EZH2) regulated by RUNX1 and STAT3 is correlated to the pathological stage. Conclusions We provide a

Auto-correlation of journal impact factor for consensus research reporting statements: a cohort study.

PubMed

Shanahan, Daniel R

2016-01-01

Background. The Journal Citation Reports journal impact factors (JIFs) are widely used to rank and evaluate journals, standing as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field. However, numerous criticisms have been made of use of a JIF to evaluate importance. This problem is exacerbated when the use of JIFs is extended to evaluate not only the journals, but the papers therein. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the relationship between the number of citations and journal IF for identical articles published simultaneously in multiple journals. Methods. Eligible articles were consensus research reporting statements listed on the EQUATOR Network website that were published simultaneously in three or more journals. The correlation between the citation count for each article and the median journal JIF over the published period, and between the citation count and number of article accesses was calculated for each reporting statement. Results. Nine research reporting statements were included in this analysis, representing 85 articles published across 58 journals in biomedicine. The number of citations was strongly correlated to the JIF for six of the nine reporting guidelines, with moderate correlation shown for the remaining three guidelines (median r = 0.66, 95% CI [0.45-0.90]). There was also a strong positive correlation between the number of citations and the number of article accesses (median r = 0.71, 95% CI [0.5-0.8]), although the number of data points for this analysis were limited. When adjusted for the individual reporting guidelines, each logarithm unit of JIF predicted a median increase of 0.8 logarithm units of citation counts (95% CI [-0.4-5.2]), and each logarithm unit of article accesses predicted a median increase of 0.1 logarithm units of citation counts (95% CI [-0.9-1.4]). This model explained 26% of the variance in citations (median adjusted r (2) = 0.26, range 0.18-1.0). Conclusion. The impact factor of the

Correlation between 18F-FDG Positron-Emission Tomography 18F-FDG Uptake Levels at Diagnosis and Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Factors in Patients with Breast Cancer

PubMed Central

Uğurluer, Gamze; Yavuz, Sinan; Çalıkuşu, Züleyha; Seyrek, Ertuğrul; Kibar, Mustafa; Serin, Meltem; Ersöz, Canan; Demircan, Orhan

2016-01-01

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the correlation between pretreatment-staging 18F-FDG total body positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) levels and histopathologic and immunohistochemical predictive and prognostic factors in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods One hundred thirty-nine women with breast cancer who were treated between 2009 and 2015 at our hospital and who had pretreatment-staging PET/CT were included in the study. SUVmax levels and histopathologic and immunohistochemical results were compared. Results The median age was 48 years (range, 29–79 years). The mean tumor diameter was 33.4 mm (range, 7–120 mm). The histology was invasive ductal carcinoma in 80.6% of the patients. In the univariate analysis, SUVmax levels were significantly higher in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma; in patients with a maximum tumor diameter more than 2 cm; patients who were estrogen, progesterone, and combined hormone receptor-negative, triple-negative patients, and in tumors with higher grades (p<0.05). In HER2-positive patients, SUVmax levels were higher even if it was not statistically significant. There was no correlation between lymph node metastases and pathologic stage. In multivariate analysis, tumor diameter was an independent factor. Conclusion SUVmax levels are correlated with known histopathologic and immunohistochemical prognostic factors. PET/CT could be useful in preoperative evaluation of patients with breast cancer to predict biologic characteristics of tumors and prognosis. PMID:28331746

[Correlation analysis of bone marrow edema degree and serum inflammatory factors change with knee joint pain symptoms in patients with bone contusion around the knee joint].

PubMed

Li, Songiun; An, Rongze; Wang, Zhaojie; Kuang, Lipeng; Tan, Weiyuan; Fang, Cunxun

2014-05-01

To explore the correlation between the degree of bone marrow edema (BME) and the content change of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and the knee pain symptoms in patients with bone contusion around the knee joint. Thirty patients (30 knees) of bone contusion around the knee joint were chosen as the trial group between October 2009 and April 2012. According to visual analogue scale (VAS), 30 patients were divided into mild group (10 cases), moderate group (10 cases), and severe group (10 cases); according to MRI morphological changes, the patients were divided into type I group (12 cases), type II group (11 cases), and type III group (7 cases). Ten patients (10 knees) with soft tissue injury of the knee were chosen as control group. No significant difference was found (P > 0.05) in gender, age, causes, side, and admission time after injury between 2 groups. The serum contents of MMP-3 and TNF-alpha were detected and statistically analysed between different degrees of pain groups and between different degrees of BME groups. Correlation was analysed between BME and inflammatory factor changes and VAS score. The MMP-3 and TNF-alpha contents in trial group [(29.580 +/- 6.870) (microg/L and (23.750 +/- 7.096) ng/L] were significantly higher than those in control group [(8.219 +/- 1.355) microg/L and (6.485 +/- 1.168) ng/L] (t = 9.686, P = 0.000; t = 7.596, P =0.000). The MMP-3 and TNF-alpha contents in patients with different degrees of pain and BME were significantly higher than those in patients of control group (P < 0.05), and significant difference was found between patients with different degrees of pain (P < 0.05), but no significant difference between patients with different degrees of BME (P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that TNF-alpha content was significantly correlated with VAS score (P = 0.000). Knee pain symptoms are not related to the degree of BME in patients with bone contusion around the

Cognitive correlates of performance in advanced mathematics.

PubMed

Wei, Wei; Yuan, Hongbo; Chen, Chuansheng; Zhou, Xinlin

2012-03-01

Much research has been devoted to understanding cognitive correlates of elementary mathematics performance, but little such research has been done for advanced mathematics (e.g., modern algebra, statistics, and mathematical logic). To promote mathematical knowledge among college students, it is necessary to understand what factors (including cognitive factors) are important for acquiring advanced mathematics. We recruited 80 undergraduates from four universities in Beijing. The current study investigated the associations between students' performance on a test of advanced mathematics and a battery of 17 cognitive tasks on basic numerical processing, complex numerical processing, spatial abilities, language abilities, and general cognitive processing. The results showed that spatial abilities were significantly correlated with performance in advanced mathematics after controlling for other factors. In addition, certain language abilities (i.e., comprehension of words and sentences) also made unique contributions. In contrast, basic numerical processing and computation were generally not correlated with performance in advanced mathematics. Results suggest that spatial abilities and language comprehension, but not basic numerical processing, may play an important role in advanced mathematics. These results are discussed in terms of their theoretical significance and practical implications. ©2011 The British Psychological Society.

Correlative factors for the location of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in infants and children.

PubMed

Xu, Ying; Feng, Rui-Ling; Jiang, Lan; Ren, Hong-Bo; Li, Qi

2018-02-01

This study aims to analyze factors related to the location of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in infants and children, and provide help in the assessment of the disease, surgical risk and prognosis. The clinical data of 1,060 pediatric patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies diagnosed from January 2015 to December 2015 were retrospectively studied, the association of the location of the foreign bodies with age, gender, granulation formation, chest computed tomography and 3D reconstruction results, preoperative complications, operation time, and hospital stay was analyzed. The location of foreign bodies was not correlated with age, gender, operation time and length of hospital stay, but was correlated to granulation formation, chest computed tomography and 3D reconstruction results, and preoperative complications. The location of foreign bodies was correlated to granulation formation, the location of foreign bodies displayed by chest computed tomography, and preoperative complications.

Detection of significant cm to sub-mm band radio and  γ-ray correlated variability in Fermi bright blazars

DOE PAGES

Fuhrmann, L.; Larsson, S.; Chiang, J.; ...

2014-05-12

The exact location of the γ-ray emitting region in blazars is still controversial. In order to attack this problem we present first results of a cross-correlation analysis between radio (11 cm to 0.8 mm wavelength, F-GAMMA programme) and γ-ray (0.1–300 GeV) ~3.5 yr light curves of 54 Fermi-bright blazars. We perform a source stacking analysis and estimate significances and chance correlations using mixed source correlations. These results reveal: (i) the first highly significant multiband radio and γ-ray correlations (radio lagging γ rays) when averaging over the whole sample, (ii) average time delays (source frame: 76 ± 23 to 7 ±more » 9 d), systematically decreasing from cm to mm/sub-mm bands with a frequency dependence τr, γ(ν) ∝ ν -1, in good agreement with jet opacity dominated by synchrotron self-absorption, (iii) a bulk γ-ray production region typically located within/upstream of the 3 mm core region (τ3mm, γ = 12 ± 8 d), (iv) mean distances between the region of γ-ray peak emission and the radio ‘τ = 1 photosphere’ decreasing from 9.8 ± 3.0 pc (11 cm) to 0.9 ± 1.1 pc (2 mm) and 1.4 ± 0.8 pc (0.8 mm), (v) 3 mm/γ-ray correlations in nine individual sources at a significance level where one is expected by chance (probability: 4 × 10 -6), (vi) opacity and ‘time lag core shift’ estimates for quasar 3C 454.3 providing a lower limit for the distance of the bulk γ-ray production region from the supermassive black hole (SMBH) of ~0.8–1.6 pc, i.e. at the outer edge of the broad-line region (BLR) or beyond. A 3 mm τ = 1 surface at ~2–3 pc from the jet base (i.e. well outside the ‘canonical BLR’) finally suggests that BLR material extends to several parsec distances from the SMBH.« less

Suicide during Perinatal Period: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Correlates

PubMed Central

Orsolini, Laura; Valchera, Alessandro; Vecchiotti, Roberta; Tomasetti, Carmine; Iasevoli, Felice; Fornaro, Michele; De Berardis, Domenico; Perna, Giampaolo; Pompili, Maurizio; Bellantuono, Cesario

2016-01-01

Perinatal period may pose a great challenge for the clinical management and treatment of psychiatric disorders in women. In fact, several mental illnesses can arise during pregnancy and/or following childbirth. Suicide has been considered a relatively rare event during the perinatal period. However, in some mental disorders (i.e., postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, etc.) have been reported a higher risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or suicide. Therefore, a complete screening of mothers’ mental health should also take into account thoughts of suicide and thoughts about harming infants as well. Clinicians should carefully monitor and early identify related clinical manifestations, potential risk factors, and alarm symptoms related to suicide. The present paper aims at providing a focused review about epidemiological data, risk factors, and an overview about the main clinical correlates associated with the suicidal behavior during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Practical recommendations have been provided as well. PMID:27570512

Suicide during Perinatal Period: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Correlates.

PubMed

Orsolini, Laura; Valchera, Alessandro; Vecchiotti, Roberta; Tomasetti, Carmine; Iasevoli, Felice; Fornaro, Michele; De Berardis, Domenico; Perna, Giampaolo; Pompili, Maurizio; Bellantuono, Cesario

2016-01-01

Perinatal period may pose a great challenge for the clinical management and treatment of psychiatric disorders in women. In fact, several mental illnesses can arise during pregnancy and/or following childbirth. Suicide has been considered a relatively rare event during the perinatal period. However, in some mental disorders (i.e., postpartum depression, bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, etc.) have been reported a higher risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, or suicide. Therefore, a complete screening of mothers' mental health should also take into account thoughts of suicide and thoughts about harming infants as well. Clinicians should carefully monitor and early identify related clinical manifestations, potential risk factors, and alarm symptoms related to suicide. The present paper aims at providing a focused review about epidemiological data, risk factors, and an overview about the main clinical correlates associated with the suicidal behavior during the pregnancy and postpartum period. Practical recommendations have been provided as well.

Dynamical Behaviors between the PM10 and the meteorological factor using the detrended cross-correlation analysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyungsik; Lee, Dong-In

2013-04-01

There is considerable interest in cross-correlations in collective modes of real data from atmospheric geophysics, seismology, finance, physiology, genomics, and nanodevices. If two systems interact mutually, that interaction gives rise to collective modes. This phenomenon is able to be analyzed using the cross-correlation of traditional methods, random matrix theory, and the detrended cross-correlation analysis method. The detrended cross-correlation analysis method was used in the past to analyze several models such as autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average processes, stock prices and their trading volumes, and taxi accidents. Particulate matter is composed of the organic and inorganic mixtures such as the natural sea salt, soil particle, vehicles exhaust, construction dust, and soot. The PM10 is known as the particle with the aerodynamic diameter (less than 10 microns) that is able to enter the human respiratory system. The PM10 concentration has an effect on the climate change by causing an unbalance of the global radiative equilibrium through the direct effect that blocks the stoma of plants and cuts off the solar radiation, different from the indirect effect that changes the optical property of clouds, cloudiness, and lifetime of clouds. Various factors contribute to the degree of the PM10 concentration. Notable among these are the land-use types, surface vegetation coverage, as well as meteorological factors. In this study, we analyze and simulate cross-correlations in time scales between the PM10 concentration and the meteorological factor (among temperature, wind speed and humidity) using the detrended cross-correlation analysis method through the removal of specific trends at eight cities in the Korean peninsula. We divide time series data into Asian dust events and non-Asian dust events to analyze the change of meteorological factors on the fluctuation of PM10 the concentration during Asian dust events. In particular, our result is

Factor structure and correlates of the acceptance of cosmetic surgery scale among South Korean university students.

PubMed

Swami, Viren; Hwang, Choon-Sup; Jung, Jaehee

2012-02-01

Research on the acceptance of cosmetic surgery has focused on relatively affluent Western samples, to the exclusion of non-Western samples and any potential cross-cultural differences. While rates of cosmetic surgery in South Korea have risen sharply in the past decade, mirroring rates in other East Asian nations, little is known about attitudes toward cosmetic surgery in the Korean population. To examine the factor structure and correlates of a Korean adaptation of the previously-published Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS). South Korean university students (N = 267) completed the ACSS, as well as included Korean translations of measures for actual vs. ideal body weight discrepancy, body appreciation, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and demographics. The Korean ACSS reduced to a two-factor solution, mirroring results among other non-Western samples, although a one-factor solution was deemed more plausible. Compared to men, women had significantly higher total scores, suggesting that they were more accepting of cosmetic surgery. A multiple regression showed that, after controlling for the effects of participant sex, the only significant predictor of acceptance of cosmetic surgery was general body appreciation, suggesting that some may view cosmetic surgery as a means of enhancing their body image. The results reveal important global information for plastic surgeons-not only on the treatment of non-Western patients but on the South Korean market, in which the cosmetic surgery industry remains unregulated. Given the popularity and acceptance of cosmetic surgery in South Korea, there is an urgent need for regulatory intervention to ensure patient safety and satisfaction.

Correlation between Serum Calcineurin Activity and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients and Its Clinical Significance.

PubMed

Cao, Jia-Li; Yang, Yu-Qing; Nabeel, Dookhun Muhammad; Sun, Ya-Li; Zou, Hua-Yi-Yang; Kong, Xiang-Qing; Lu, Xin-Zheng

The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between calcineurin (CaN) and hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH) and to evaluate its potential clinical significance. The study involved 160 patients diagnosed with hypertension and 42 controls. Based on the exclusion criteria, 42 were not eligible for this study. The remaining 118 hypertensive patients were categorized into 2 subgroups based on left ventricular mass index and relative ventricular wall thickness: a normal model subgroup with hypertension (HNM) and an HLVH subgroup. Serum CaN levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while serum CaN activity was determined by malachite green colorimetric assay. Among the HNM and HLVH subgroups, a positive correlation was demonstrated between serum CaN activity, but not serum CaN level, and HLVH. Moreover, the HLVH subgroup displayed a remarkable increase in the levels of brain natriuretic peptide, cystatin C, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio, and left atrium diameter compared to the HNM subgroup and controls. There was a positive correlation between serum CaN activity and LVH in hypertensive patients. Activated CaN could play an important role in the pathophysiologic mechanism of HLVH. Serum CaN activity could be a clinically useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for LVH. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Clinical significance of nailfold capillaroscopy in systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with endothelial cell activation markers and disease activity.

PubMed

Kuryliszyn-Moskal, A; Ciolkiewicz, M; Klimiuk, P A; Sierakowski, S

2009-01-01

To evaluate whether nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) changes are associated with the main serum endothelial cell activation markers and the disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), and soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 80 SLE patients and 33 healthy controls. Nailfold capillary abnormalities were seen in 74 out of 80 (92.5%) SLE patients. A normal capillaroscopic pattern or mild changes were found in 33 (41.25%) and moderate/severe abnormalities in 47 (58.75%) of all SLE patients. In SLE patients a capillaroscopic score >1 was more frequently associated with the presence of internal organ involvement (p < 0.001) as well as with immunosuppressive therapy (p < 0.01). Significant differences were found in VEGF (p < 0.001), ET-1 (p < 0.001), sE-selectin (p < 0.01), and sTM (p < 0.001) serum concentrations between SLE patients with a capillaroscopic score > 1 and controls. SLE patients with severe/moderate capillaroscopic abnormalities showed significantly higher VEGF serum levels than patients with mild changes (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation between the severity of capillaroscopic changes and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (p < 0.005) as well as between capillaroscopic score and VEGF serum levels (p < 0.001). Our findings confirm the usefulness of NC as a non-invasive technique for the evaluation of microvascular involvement in SLE patients. A relationship between changes in NC, endothelial cell activation markers and clinical features of SLE suggest an important role for microvascular abnormalities in clinical manifestation of the disease.

Personality Correlates of Midlife Cardiometabolic Risk: The Explanatory Role of Higher-Order Factors of the Five Factor Model

PubMed Central

Dermody, Sarah S.; Wright, Aidan G.C.; Cheong, JeeWon; Miller, Karissa G.; Muldoon, Matthew F.; Flory, Janine D.; Gianaros, Peter J.; Marsland, Anna L.; Manuck, Stephen B.

2015-01-01

Objective Varying associations are reported between Five Factor Model (FFM) personality traits and cardiovascular diseaabolic risk within a hierarchical model of personality that posits higherse risk. Here, we further examine dispositional correlates of cardiomet -order traits of Stability (shared variance of Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, inverse Neuroticism) and Plasticity (Extraversion, Openness), and test hypothesized mediation via biological and behavioral factors. Method In an observational study of 856 community volunteers aged 30–54 years (46% male, 86% Caucasian), latent variable FFM traits (using multiple-informant reports) and aggregated cardiometabolic risk (indicators: insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, adiposity) were estimated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The cardiometabolic factor was regressed on each personality factor or higher-order trait. Cross-sectional indirect effects via systemic inflammation, cardiac autonomic control, and physical activity were tested. Results CFA models confirmed the Stability “meta-trait,” but not Plasticity. Lower Stability was associated with heightened cardiometabolic risk. This association was accounted for by inflammation, autonomic function, and physical activity. Among FFM traits, only Openness was associated with risk over and above Stability and, unlike Stablity, this relationship was unexplained by the intervening variables. Conclusions A Stability meta-trait covaries with midlife cardiometabolic risk, and this association is accounted for by three candidate biological and behavioral factors. PMID:26249259

Hyperirisinemia is independently associated with subclinical hypothyroidism: correlations with cardiometabolic biomarkers and risk factors.

PubMed

Stratigou, Theodora; Dalamaga, Maria; Antonakos, Georgios; Marinou, Ioanna; Vogiatzakis, Evaggelos; Christodoulatos, Gerasimos Socrates; Karampela, Irene; Papavassiliou, Athanasios G

2018-02-17

Irisin, a newly discovered adipo-myokine, is implicated in the modulation of the adipose phenotype, increasing energy expenditure and ameliorating systemic metabolism. Our aim was to investigate circulating irisin in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and study its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors. In a large case-control study, serum irisin, insulin resistance and lipid parameters, classic adipokines, inflammatory and hepatic biomarkers, and cardiovascular risk factors were determined in 120 consecutive patients with SH and 120 healthy controls matched on age, gender, and date of blood draw. Sixteen patients with SH received L-T4 treatment and, after 6 months, serum irisin and other biomarkers were assessed. SH cases exhibited significantly higher circulating irisin than controls (p < 0.001). In all participants, irisin was positively associated with TSH, anti-TG, HOMA-IR, C-peptide, lipid and inflammatory biomarkers, leptin, and cardiovascular risk factors, including Framigham score and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A-I. Irisin was negatively correlated with adiponectin, HDL-C, and thyroid hormones. Serum irisin was independently associated with SH, above and beyond body mass index and cardiometabolic factors (p = 0.02). TSH was an independent predictor of circulating irisin (p = 0.003). L-T4 therapy did not reverse considerably the hyperirisinemic status in treated SH patients (p = 0.09). Irisin may represent an adipo-myokine counterbalancing a potential, gradual deterioration of lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in SH as well as reflecting a protective compensatory mechanism against oxidative muscle and thyroid cell stress. More mechanistic and prospective studies shedding light on the pathogenetic role of irisin in SH are needed to confirm and extend these data.

Determination of significant factors controlling compatibility of asphalt with synthetic polymers : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-06-01

The primary objective of this work is to evaluate several significant factors controlling compatibility between asphalt and synthetic polymers. Employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calor...

Correlations of recognition memory performance with expression and methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in rats.

PubMed

Muñoz, Pablo C; Aspé, Mauricio A; Contreras, Luis S; Palacios, Adrián G

2010-01-01

Object recognition memory allows discrimination between novel and familiar objects. This kind of memory consists of two components: recollection, which depends on the hippocampus, and familiarity, which depends on the perirhinal cortex (Pcx). The importance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) for recognition memory has already been recognized. Recent evidence suggests that DNA methylation regulates the expression of BDNF and memory. Behavioral and molecular approaches were used to understand the potential contribution of DNA methylation to recognition memory. To that end, rats were tested for their ability to distinguish novel from familiar objects by using a spontaneous object recognition task. Furthermore, the level of DNA methylation was estimated after trials with a methyl-sensitive PCR. We found a significant correlation between performance on the novel object task and the expression of BDNF, negatively in hippocampal slices and positively in perirhinal cortical slices. By contrast, methylation of DNA in CpG island 1 in the promoter of exon 1 in BDNF only correlated in hippocampal slices, but not in the Pxc cortical slices from trained animals. These results suggest that DNA methylation may be involved in the regulation of the BDNF gene during recognition memory, at least in the hippocampus.

Do Pre-Service Elementary School Teachers Still Have Mathematics Anxiety? Some Factors and Correlates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Çatlioglu, Hakan; Gürbüz, Ramazan; Birgin, Osman

2014-01-01

This study aims to provide new evidence from Turkish pre-service elementary school (PES) teachers and to identify some correlations and factors associated with mathematics anxiety (MA). 480 Turkish PES teachers participated in this study. Data was collected using a "Personal Information Form," "Mathematics Anxiety Scale," and…

[The expression and significance of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand and osteoprotegerin in periapical cyst and periapical granuloma].

PubMed

Zhang, Meihua; Yu, Yunzhi; Miao, Yu

2012-08-01

To investigate the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in periapical cyst and periapical granuloma by comparison with the expression in the normal periodontal tissue as control, and to identify their functional mechanism in the bone destruction of periapical cyst and granuloma. 20 periapical cyst tissues (cyst group), 20 periapical granuloma tissues (granuloma group), and 20 normal periodontal tissues (control group) were collected respectively. Immunohistochemical technology was performed to detect the expression of RANKL and OPG in above three groups. In cyst group, granuloma group and control group, the expression of RANKL were 75.00 +/- 7.54, 68.40 +/- 6.74 and 29.40 +/- 2.46, respectively. The expression of OPG were 38.10 +/- 7.09, 47.65 +/- 13.85 and 58.60 +/- 5.88, respectively. The differences among the three groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). RANKL and OPG in cysts group were negatively correlated (r=-0.56, P=0.01) and were not correlated with granuloma and control group (P>0.05). RANKL and OPG play roles in the bone absorption of periapical disease. In periapical disease, abnormal expression of RANKL and OPG are detected, RANKL significantly increase, OPG decrease, bone absorption accelerate and osteolytic lesion are observed. In periapical cyst, the bone absorption is more active compared with periapical granuloma.

CorSig: a general framework for estimating statistical significance of correlation and its application to gene co-expression analysis.

PubMed

Wang, Hong-Qiang; Tsai, Chung-Jui

2013-01-01

With the rapid increase of omics data, correlation analysis has become an indispensable tool for inferring meaningful associations from a large number of observations. Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and its variants are widely used for such purposes. However, it remains challenging to test whether an observed association is reliable both statistically and biologically. We present here a new method, CorSig, for statistical inference of correlation significance. CorSig is based on a biology-informed null hypothesis, i.e., testing whether the true PCC (ρ) between two variables is statistically larger than a user-specified PCC cutoff (τ), as opposed to the simple null hypothesis of ρ = 0 in existing methods, i.e., testing whether an association can be declared without a threshold. CorSig incorporates Fisher's Z transformation of the observed PCC (r), which facilitates use of standard techniques for p-value computation and multiple testing corrections. We compared CorSig against two methods: one uses a minimum PCC cutoff while the other (Zhu's procedure) controls correlation strength and statistical significance in two discrete steps. CorSig consistently outperformed these methods in various simulation data scenarios by balancing between false positives and false negatives. When tested on real-world Populus microarray data, CorSig effectively identified co-expressed genes in the flavonoid pathway, and discriminated between closely related gene family members for their differential association with flavonoid and lignin pathways. The p-values obtained by CorSig can be used as a stand-alone parameter for stratification of co-expressed genes according to their correlation strength in lieu of an arbitrary cutoff. CorSig requires one single tunable parameter, and can be readily extended to other correlation measures. Thus, CorSig should be useful for a wide range of applications, particularly for network analysis of high-dimensional genomic data. A web server for

Survivin as a Novel Biomarker in the Pathogenesis of Acne Vulgaris and Its Correlation to Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I

PubMed Central

Assaf, Hanan A.; Abdel-Maged, Wafaa M.; Elsadek, Bakheet E. M.; Adly, Mohamed A.; Ali, Soher A.

2016-01-01

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, has an important role in cell cycle regulation. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a polypeptide hormone with wide range of biologic effects including stimulation of lipogenesis in sebaceous glands. Their overexpression in some fibrotic disorders suggests a possible implication of both IGF-I and survivin in the pathogenesis of acne and/or acne scars. The current study aimed to assess and correlate serum levels of IGF-I and survivin in patients with active acne vulgaris and postinflammatory acne scars and to evaluate their lesional expressions in comparison to healthy controls. Serum IGF-I and survivin were estimated using commercially available ELISA kits and their tissues expressions were investigated using Western blotting. Our findings suggest that IGF-I and survivin could play potential roles in the pathogenesis of active acne vulgaris and more importantly in postinflammatory acne scars with significant positive correlation coefficient between serum levels of IGF-I and survivin which support IGF-I-/PI3K-/AKT-mediated downregulation of nuclear expression of FoxO transcription factors resulting in enhanced survivin expression. PMID:27803511

Survivin as a Novel Biomarker in the Pathogenesis of Acne Vulgaris and Its Correlation to Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I.

PubMed

Assaf, Hanan A; Abdel-Maged, Wafaa M; Elsadek, Bakheet E M; Hassan, Mohammed H; Adly, Mohamed A; Ali, Soher A

2016-01-01

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, has an important role in cell cycle regulation. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a polypeptide hormone with wide range of biologic effects including stimulation of lipogenesis in sebaceous glands. Their overexpression in some fibrotic disorders suggests a possible implication of both IGF-I and survivin in the pathogenesis of acne and/or acne scars. The current study aimed to assess and correlate serum levels of IGF-I and survivin in patients with active acne vulgaris and postinflammatory acne scars and to evaluate their lesional expressions in comparison to healthy controls. Serum IGF-I and survivin were estimated using commercially available ELISA kits and their tissues expressions were investigated using Western blotting. Our findings suggest that IGF-I and survivin could play potential roles in the pathogenesis of active acne vulgaris and more importantly in postinflammatory acne scars with significant positive correlation coefficient between serum levels of IGF-I and survivin which support IGF-I-/PI3K-/AKT-mediated downregulation of nuclear expression of FoxO transcription factors resulting in enhanced survivin expression.

Clinical and biological significance of hepatoma-derived growth factor in Ewing's sarcoma.

PubMed

Yang, Yang; Li, Hui; Zhang, Fenfen; Shi, Huijuan; Zhen, Tiantian; Dai, Sujuan; Kang, Lili; Liang, Yingjie; Wang, Jin; Han, Anjia

2013-11-01

We sought to investigate the clinicopathological significance and biological function of hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) in Ewing's sarcoma. Our results showed that HDGF expression is up-regulated in Ewing's sarcoma. Nuclear HDGF expression is significantly associated with tumour volume (p < 0.001), metastases at diagnosis (p < 0.001), low overall survival rate (p < 0.001) and low disease-free survival rate (p < 0.001). HDGF knock-down results in significant reduction of Ewing's sarcoma cell growth, proliferation and enhances tumourigenesis, both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, HDGF knock-down causes cell cycle arrest and enhanced sensitization to serum starvation-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, recombinant HDGF promotes proliferation and colony formation of Ewing's sarcoma cells. Ninety-eight candidate HDGF downstream genes were identified in Ewing's sarcoma cells using cDNA microarray analysis. In addition, we found that HDGF knock-down inhibited FLI1 expression in Ewing's sarcoma cells at the mRNA and protein levels. Our findings suggest that HDGF exhibits oncogenic properties and may be a novel prognostic factor in Ewing's sarcoma. Targeting HDGF might be a potential therapeutic strategy for Ewing's sarcoma. Copyright © 2013 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk factors of significant pain syndrome 90 days after minor thoracic injury: trajectory analysis.

PubMed

Daoust, Raoul; Emond, Marcel; Bergeron, Eric; LeSage, Natalie; Camden, Stéphanie; Guimont, Chantal; Vanier, Laurent; Chauny, Jean-Marc

2013-11-01

The objective was to identify the risk factors of clinically significant pain at 90 days in patients with minor thoracic injury (MTI) discharged from the emergency department (ED). A prospective, multicenter, cohort study was conducted in four Canadian EDs from November 2006 to November 2010. All consecutive patients aged 16 years or older with MTI were eligible at discharge from EDs. They underwent standardized clinical and radiologic evaluations at 1 and 2 weeks, followed by standardized telephone interviews at 30 and 90 days. A pain trajectory model characterized groups of patients with different pain evolutions and ascertained specific risk factors in each group through multivariate analysis. In this cohort of 1,132 patients, 734 were eligible for study inclusion. The authors identified a pain trajectory that characterized 18.2% of the study population experiencing clinically significant pain (>3 of 10) at 90 days after a MTI. Multivariate modeling found two or more rib fractures, smoking, and initial oxygen saturation below 95% to be predictors of this group of patients. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first prospective study of trajectory modeling to detect risk factors associated with significant pain at 90 days after MTI. These factors may help in planning specific treatment strategies and should be validated in another prospective cohort. © 2013 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

Social cognition in schizophrenia: factor structure, clinical and functional correlates.

PubMed

Buck, Benjamin E; Healey, Kristin M; Gagen, Emily C; Roberts, David L; Penn, David L

2016-08-01

Social cognition is consistently impaired in people with schizophrenia, separable from general neurocognition, predictive of real-world functioning and amenable to psychosocial treatment. Few studies have empirically examined its underlying factor structure. This study (1) examines the factor structure of social cognition in both a sample of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and non-clinical controls and (2) explores relationships of factors to neurocognition, symptoms and functioning. A factor analysis was conducted on social cognition measures in a sample of 65 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and 50 control participants. The resulting factors were examined for their relationships to symptoms and functioning. Results suggested a two-factor structure in the schizophrenia sample (social cognition skill and hostile attributional style) and a three-factor structure in the non-clinical sample (hostile attributional style, higher-level inferential processing and lower-level cue detection). In the schizophrenia sample, the social cognition skill factor was significantly related to negative symptoms and social functioning, whereas hostile attributional style predicted positive and general psychopathology symptoms. The factor structure of social cognition in schizophrenia separates hostile attributional style and social cognition skill, and each show differential relationships to relevant clinical variables in schizophrenia.

"Poor man's risk factor": correlation between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and socio-economic class in patients of acute coronary syndrome.

PubMed

Sethi, Rishi; Puri, Aniket; Makhija, Aman; Singhal, A; Ahuja, A; Mukerjee, S; Dwivedi, S K; Narain, V S; Saran, R K; Puri, V K

2008-01-01

Inflammation has been proposed as one of the factors responsible for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs CRP) at present is the strongest marker of inflammation. We did a study to assess the correlation of hs-CRP with socio-economic status (SES) in patients of CAD presenting as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Baseline hs-CRP of 490 patients of ACS was estimated by turbidimetric immunoassay. Patients were stratified by levels of hs-CRP into low (<1 mg/L); intermediate (1-3 mg/L) or high (>3 mg/L) groups and in tertiles of 0-0.39 mg/L, 0.4-1.1 mg/L and >1.1 mg/L, respectively. Classification of patient into upper (21.4%), middle (45.37 percent) and lower (33.3%) SES was based on Kuppuswami Index which includes education, income and profession. Presence or absence of traditional risk factors for CAD diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking was recorded in each patient. Mean levels of hs-CRP in lower, middle and upper SES were 2.3 +/- 2.1 mg/L, 0.8 +/- 1.7 mg/L and 1.2 +/- 1.5 mg/L, respectively. hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in low SES compared with both upper SES (p = 0.033) and middle SES (p = 0.001). Prevalence of more than one traditional CAD risk factors was seen in 13.5%, 37.5% and 67.67 percent; in patient of lower, middle and upper SES. It was observed that multiple risk factors had a linear correlation with increasing SES. Of the four traditional risk factors of CAD, smoking was the only factor which was significantly higher in lower SES (73%) as compared to middle (51.67 percent;) and upper (39.4%) SES. We found that 62.3%, 20.8% and 26.5% patients of low, middle and upper SES had hs-CRP values in the highest tertile. Median value of the Framingham risk score in low, middle and upper SES as 11, 14 and 18, respectively. We observed that at each category of Framingham risk, low SES had higher hs-CRP. We conclude from our study that patient of lower SES have significantly higher levels of

Analysis of stationary and dynamic factors affecting highway accident occurrence: A dynamic correlated grouped random parameters binary logit approach.

PubMed

Fountas, Grigorios; Sarwar, Md Tawfiq; Anastasopoulos, Panagiotis Ch; Blatt, Alan; Majka, Kevin

2018-04-01

Traditional accident analysis typically explores non-time-varying (stationary) factors that affect accident occurrence on roadway segments. However, the impact of time-varying (dynamic) factors is not thoroughly investigated. This paper seeks to simultaneously identify pre-crash stationary and dynamic factors of accident occurrence, while accounting for unobserved heterogeneity. Using highly disaggregate information for the potential dynamic factors, and aggregate data for the traditional stationary elements, a dynamic binary random parameters (mixed) logit framework is employed. With this approach, the dynamic nature of weather-related, and driving- and pavement-condition information is jointly investigated with traditional roadway geometric and traffic characteristics. To additionally account for the combined effect of the dynamic and stationary factors on the accident occurrence, the developed random parameters logit framework allows for possible correlations among the random parameters. The analysis is based on crash and non-crash observations between 2011 and 2013, drawn from urban and rural highway segments in the state of Washington. The findings show that the proposed methodological framework can account for both stationary and dynamic factors affecting accident occurrence probabilities, for panel effects, for unobserved heterogeneity through the use of random parameters, and for possible correlation among the latter. The comparative evaluation among the correlated grouped random parameters, the uncorrelated random parameters logit models, and their fixed parameters logit counterpart, demonstrate the potential of the random parameters modeling, in general, and the benefits of the correlated grouped random parameters approach, specifically, in terms of statistical fit and explanatory power. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The correlation of leptin/leptin receptor gene polymorphism and insulin-like growth factor-1 and their impact on childhood growth hormone deficiency.

PubMed

He, J-S; Lian, C-W; Zhou, H-W; Lin, X-F; Yang, H-C; Ye, X-L; Zhu, S-B

2016-09-01

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is the most common cause for childhood dwarfism. Currently, the significance of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in diagnosis of GHD is still debatable. Due to the possible correlation between leptin (LEP) and GHD pathogenesis, this study investigated the gene polymorphism of LEP and its receptor (LEPR) genes, along with serum IGF-1 and LEP levels in GHD patients. This study attempted to illustrate the correlation between gene polymorphism and GHD pathogenesis. A case-control study was performed using 180 GHD children in addition to 160 healthy controls. PCR-DNA sequencing method was employed for genotyping various polymorphism loci of LEP and LEPR genes in both GHD and healthy individuals. Serum IGF-1 and LEP levels were also determined. Results revealed a statistically significant difference between the levels of IGF-1 and LEP in the serum samples collected from patients in the GHD and the control groups. Both IGF-1 and LEP levels were found to be correlated with polymorphism at rs7799039 loci of LEP gene, in which GG and GA genotypes carriers had higher serum IGF-1 levels when compared to AA genotype carriers. GHD pathogenesis is well correlated with the LEP and IGF-1 levels in the both of which were mediated by the gene polymorphism at rs7799039 loci of LEP gene.

Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Stimulates Angiogenic Factor Expression and Correlates With Differentiation and Lymph Node Status in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PubMed Central

Ren, Yi; Law, Simon; Huang, Xin; Lee, Ping Yin; Bacher, Michael; Srivastava, Gopesh; Wong, John

2005-01-01

Objective: The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC); 2) to see if a relationship exists between MIF expression, clinicopathologic features, and long-term prognosis; and 3) to ascertain the possible biologic function of MIF in angiogenesis. Summary Background Data: MIF has been linked to fundamental processes such as those controlling cell proliferation, cell survival, angiogenesis, and tumor progression. Its role in ESCC, and the correlation of MIF expression and tumor pathologic features in patients, has not been elucidated. Methods: The expression of MIF in tumor and nontumor tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Concentrations of MIF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in patients’ sera and in the supernatant of tumor cells culture were examined by ELISA. Correlations with clinicopathologic factors were made. Results: In 72 patients with ESCC, intracellular MIF was overexpressed in esophagectomy specimens. The expression of MIF correlated with both tumor differentiation and lymph node status. The median survival in the low-MIF expression group (<50% positively stained cancer cells on immunohistochemistry) and high expression group (≥50% positively stained cancer cells) was 28.3 months and 15.8 months, respectively (P = 0.03). The 3-year survival rates for the 2 groups were 37.7% and 12.1%, respectively. MIF expression was related to microvessel density; increased MIF serum levels also correlated with higher serum levels of VEGF. In addition, in vitro MIF stimulation of esophageal cancer cell lines induced a dose-dependent increase in VEGF and IL-8 secretion. Conclusions: These results demonstrate, for the first time, that human esophageal carcinomas express and secrete large amounts of MIF. Through its effects on VEGF and IL-8, MIF may serve as an autocrine factor in angiogenesis and thus play an

Prognostic significance of nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 expression in non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent surgical resection.

PubMed

Cho, Hyun Jin; Yun, Hwan-Jung; Yang, Hee Chul; Kim, Soo Jin; Kang, Shin Kwang; Che, Chengri; Lee, Sang Do; Kang, Min-Woong

2018-06-01

Nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5) is known to be correlated with migration or invasion of tumor cells based on previous in vitro studies. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between NFAT5 expression and clinical prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who underwent surgical resection. A total of 92 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical resection were enrolled. The tissue microarray core was obtained from surgically resected tumor specimens. NFAT5 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Relationships of NFAT5 expression with disease recurrence, overall survival, and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed. The mean age of 92 patients was 63.7 y. The median follow-up duration was 63.3 mo. Fifty-one (55%) patients exhibited positive expression of NFAT5. Disease recurrence in the NFAT5-positive group was significantly (P = 0.022) higher than that in the NFAT5-negative group. NFAT5-positive expression (odds ratio: 2.632, 95% confidence interval: 1.071-6.465, P = 0.035) and pathologic N stage (N1-2 versus N0; odds ratio: 3.174, 95% confidence interval: 1.241-8.123, P = 0.016) were independent and significant risk factors for disease recurrence. DFS of the NFAT5-positive group was significantly worse than that of the NFAT5-negative group (89.7 versus 48.7 mo, P = 0.011). A multivariate analysis identified NFAT5 expression (P < 0.029) as a significant independent risk factor for DFS of patients with postoperative pathologic T and N stages (P < 0.001 and P = 0.017, respectively). NFAT5 expression is a useful prognostic biomarker for NSCLC patients who underwent surgical resection. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation and Comparison of Various Anthropometric Measurements of Body Fat Distribution and Sagittal Abdominal Diameter as a Screening Tool for Cardio Metabolic Risk Factors and Ischaemic Heart Disease in Elderly Population.

PubMed

Sharda, Meenaxi; Jain, Pankaj; Gupta, Atul; Nagar, Deepti; Soni, Anil

2015-01-01

Primary objective of this study was to assess utility of sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) as a cardio vascular risk predictor and compare various anthropometric measurement of body fat distribution in elderly patients. Four hundred patients were enrolled in study. Elderly patients more than 60 year of age attending medical OPD, geriatric OPD and suitable indoor patients who were willing to participate in the study were included. SAD was significantly higher in patient with ischaemic heart disease (group 1) than patient without ischaemic heart disease (Group 2) (P < 0.001 for male and female). SAD was better than WC to ascertain individual cardio metabolic risk factors in male, especially FBS (Pearson correlation .33 vs. .29), total cholesterol (Pearson correlation .24 vs. .20) as well as LDL cholesterol (Pearson correlation .13 vs. .05), while in female WC and SAD showed equal correlation with individual cardio metabolic risk factors. In patient with metabolic syndrome IHD group showed considerably higher mean SAD values. SAD also showed very good correlation with individual cardio metabolic risk factors especially in elderly male, while in female both SAD and.WC were almost equivalent.

Testing the significance of a correlation with nonnormal data: comparison of Pearson, Spearman, transformation, and resampling approaches.

PubMed

Bishara, Anthony J; Hittner, James B

2012-09-01

It is well known that when data are nonnormally distributed, a test of the significance of Pearson's r may inflate Type I error rates and reduce power. Statistics textbooks and the simulation literature provide several alternatives to Pearson's correlation. However, the relative performance of these alternatives has been unclear. Two simulation studies were conducted to compare 12 methods, including Pearson, Spearman's rank-order, transformation, and resampling approaches. With most sample sizes (n ≥ 20), Type I and Type II error rates were minimized by transforming the data to a normal shape prior to assessing the Pearson correlation. Among transformation approaches, a general purpose rank-based inverse normal transformation (i.e., transformation to rankit scores) was most beneficial. However, when samples were both small (n ≤ 10) and extremely nonnormal, the permutation test often outperformed other alternatives, including various bootstrap tests.

Paternal postnatal depression in Japan: an investigation of correlated factors including relationship with a partner.

PubMed

Nishimura, Akiko; Fujita, Yuichi; Katsuta, Mayumi; Ishihara, Aya; Ohashi, Kazutomo

2015-05-31

A negative effect of paternal depression on child development has been revealed in several previous studies. The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence and relevant factors associated with paternal postnatal depression at four months postpartum, including age, part-time work or unemployment, experience of visiting a medical institution due to a mental health problem, economic anxiety, unexpected pregnancy, pregnancy with infertility treatment, first child, partner's depression, and lower marital relationship satisfaction. We distributed 2032 self-report questionnaires to couples (one mother and one father) with a 4-month old infant between January and April 2013. Data from 807 couples (39.7 %) were analyzed. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In order to clarify the factors related with paternal depression, a logistic regression analysis was conducted. One hundred and ten fathers (13.6 %) and 83 mothers (10.3 %) were depressed. According to the logistic regression analysis, paternal depression was positively associated with partner's depression (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.91, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.05-3.47), and negatively with marital relationship satisfaction (AOR 0.83, 95 % CI 0.77-0.89). History of infertility treatment (AOR 2.37, 95 % CI 1.32-4.24), experience of visiting a medical institution due to a mental health problem (AOR 4.56, 95 % CI 2.06-10.08), and economic anxiety (AOR 2.15, 95 % CI 1.34-3.45) were also correlated with paternal depression. This study showed that the prevalence of paternal depression at four months after childbirth was 13.6 % in Japan. The presence of partner's depression and low marital relationship satisfaction were significantly correlated with paternal postpartum depression, suggesting that health professionals need to pay attention to the mental status of both fathers and mothers, and to their relationship.

Correlation factors for atomic diffusion in nondilute multicomponent alloys with arbitrary vacancy concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tahir-Kheli, R. A.

1983-09-01

Vacancy-assisted tracer diffusion in a multicomponent kinetic alloy consisting of xλ N atoms with hopping rate Jλ (where λ≡A, B, C, etc.) and υN vacancies (where υ=1-λxλ) distributed randomly over a regular d-dimensional (where d>=2) hypercubic, or close-packed, lattice of N sites is analyzed through a self-consistent renormalization of a recent theory of Tahir-Kheli and Elliott combined with a generalization of concepts introduced by Manning. The result for the tracer-diffusion correlation factor is the following: ftr=H''(tr)[H''(tr)+2J0], where J0 is the tracer-hopping rate, H''(tr) is a generalized effective vacancy escape frequency, H''(tr)=[M(1-υ)[J0υftr+Jeff], where Jeff is an effective hopping rate of the background atoms averaged with a weighting factor proportional to xλ and fλ, i.e., Jeff=λ(Jλxλfλ)λ(xλfλ) and M=-(1+<θ>)<θ>. For a single-component alloy, with particle concentration x, Jλ=J, and vacancy concentration υ=1-x our theory provides an excellent overall description of the correlation factor as long as JJ0>~z-2. Indeed, even for J-->0, the calculated results agree with the Monte Carlo estimates, except in the immediate vicinity of the percolation threshold, υp, which is located self-consistently to an accuracy of the order 1z.

Social cognition in schizophrenia: Factor structure, clinical and functional correlates

PubMed Central

Buck, Benjamin E.; Healey, Kristin M.; Gagen, Emily C.; Roberts, David L.; Penn, David L.

2016-01-01

Background Social cognition is consistently impaired in people with schizophrenia, separable from general neurocognition, predictive of real-world functioning, and amenable to psychosocial treatment. Few studies have empirically examined its underlying factor structure. Aims The present study (1) examines the factor structure of social cognition in both a sample of individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and non-clinical controls, and (2) explores relationships of factors to neurocognition, symptoms and functioning. Method A factor analysis was conducted on social cognition measures in a sample of sixty-five individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, and fifty control participants. The resulting factors were examined for their relationships to symptoms and functioning. Results Results suggested a two-factor structure in the schizophrenia sample (social cognition skill and hostile attributional style) and a three-factor structure in the non-clinical sample (hostile attributional style, higher-level inferential processing, and lower-level cue detection). In the schizophrenia sample, the social cognition skill factor was significantly related to negative symptoms and social functioning, while hostile attributional style predicted positive and general psychopathology symptoms. Conclusions The factor structure of social cognition in schizophrenia separates hostile attributional style and social cognition skill, and each show differential relationships to relevant clinical variables in schizophrenia. PMID:26747063

Drought trends based on the VCI and its correlation with climate factors in the agricultural areas of China from 1982 to 2010.

PubMed

Qian, Xiaojin; Liang, Liang; Shen, Qiu; Sun, Qin; Zhang, Lianpeng; Liu, Zhixiao; Zhao, Shuhe; Qin, Zhihao

2016-11-01

Drought is a type of natural disaster that has the most significant impacts on agriculture. Regional drought monitoring based on remote sensing has become popular due to the development of remote sensing technology. In this study, vegetation condition index (VCI) data recorded from 1982 to 2010 in agricultural areas of China were obtained from advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) data, and the temporal and spatial variations in each drought were analyzed. The relationships between drought and climate factors were also analyzed. The results showed that from 1982 to 2010, the agricultural areas that experienced frequent and severe droughts were mainly concentrated in the northwestern areas and Huang-Huai Plain. Moreover, the VCI increased in the majority of agricultural areas, indicating that the drought frequency decreased over time, and the decreasing trend in the southern region was more notable than that in the northern region. A correlation analysis showed that temperature and wind velocity were the main factors that influenced drought in the agricultural areas of China. From a regional perspective, excluding precipitation, the climate factors had various effects on drought in different regions. However, the correlation between the VCI and precipitation was low, possibly due to the widespread use of artificial irrigation technology, which reduces the reliance of agricultural areas on precipitation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor in systemic lupus erythematosus - correlations with disease activity and nailfold capillaroscopy changes.

PubMed

Bărbulescu, Andreea Lili; Vreju, Ananu Florentin; Bugă, Ana Maria; Sandu, Raluca Elena; Criveanu, Cristina; Tudoraşcu, Diana Rodica; Gheonea, Ioana Andreea; Ciurea, Paulina Lucia

2015-01-01

Our study aimed to quantify serum VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and its inter-relation with the severity of microvascular damage, assessed by nailfold capillaroscopy (NC), and to establish the possible relationship with disease activity score. We included 18 patients, diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 17 gender and age-matched control subjects. For determining serum VEGF, we used a Human VEGF Assay kit-IBL. NC was performed, according to the standard method, using a video-capillaroscope Videocap 3.0, DS Medica, by the same examiner, blinded to clinical and laboratory data. Serum VEGF registered a mean value of 68.99±71.06 pg/mL for SLE patients and 31.84±11.74 pg/mL for controls, differences statistically significant; depending on disease activity, we found a mean value of 60.11±57.74 pg/mL, for patients with moderate disease activity vs. 30.96±11.51 pg/mL for the ones with a low activity (p=0.014). We found a moderately positive correlation, statistically significant (p=0.015), between serum level of VEGF and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Performing NC, we found changes in 88.88% of the patients; the most frequent were increased tortuosity, dilated capillaries, an increased length and a prominent subpapillary plexus. The presence of nailfold capillaroscopy changes and serum level of VEGF, correlated moderately, positive. Since serum levels of VEGF are higher in SLE patients, compared to controls, significantly different according to disease activity degree, and directly inter-related to abnormal NC patterns and a more active disease, we can include these accessible parameters in the routine evaluation, in order to better quantify the systemic damage, individualize the treatment, improve the outcome and life quality for these patients.

[Anemia status and correlation factors in rural regions of Hebei province].

PubMed

Wang, Yue-jin; Li, Jian-guo; Xu, Wei-ling; Wang, Xiao-bo; Liu, Yan-li; Jiang, Hong

2008-05-01

To investigate anemia status and correlation infection factors in rural regions of Hebei province and to find out evidence for preventing and controlling anemia. A random-sampling survey was conducted among 3367 houses in Hebei rural areas. The investigation involved economic levels, ages, education levels and occupations of 11,627 questionnaire. The hemoprotein and serum iron were measured. Unconditional logistic regression was performed. The anemia prevalence rate was shown up to 8.4% in rural regions of Hebei province, and in men and women was 5.5% and 11.0%, respectively;mainly in infant (< 2 years old, 27.2%) child bearing age women, the anemia prevalence rate was 11.0%-16.0%. The analysis showed that the main risk factors of anemia were sex and serum iron. The anemia prevalence is highest in infant and child bearing age women;supplying of iron should be an important measure for preventing and controlling anemia.

Finite-T correlations and free exchange-correlation energy of quasi-one-dimensional electron gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garg, Vinayak; Sharma, Akariti; Moudgil, R. K.

2018-02-01

We have studied the effect of temperature on static density-density correlations and plasmon excitation spectrum of quasi-one-dimensional electron gas (Q1DEG) using the random phase approximation (RPA). Numerical results for static structure factor, pair-correlation function, static density susceptibility, free exchange-correlation energy and plasmon dispersion are presented over a wide range of temperature and electron density. As an interesting result, we find that the short-range correlations exhibit a non-monotonic dependence on temperature T, initially growing stronger (i.e. the pair-correlation function at small inter-electron spacing assuming relatively smaller values) with increasing T and then weakening above a critical T. The cross-over temperature is found to increase with increasing coupling among electrons. Also, the q = 2kF peak in the static density susceptibility χ(q,ω = 0,T) at T = 0 K smears out with rising T. The free exchange-correlation energy and plasmon dispersion show a significant variation with T, and the trend is qualitatively the same as in higher dimensions.

Ecological Factors Affecting Access to General Education Content and Contexts for Students with Significant Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruppar, Andrea L.; Allcock, Heather; Gonsier-Gerdin, Jean

2017-01-01

In this review, we applied Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to examine factors that support or restrict access to the general curriculum for students with significant disabilities. We organize the literature in relationship to factors within the micro-, meso-, macro-, exo-, and chronosystems that influence decisions about access to the…

Thermal form factor approach to the ground-state correlation functions of the XXZ chain in the antiferromagnetic massive regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugave, Maxime; Göhmann, Frank; Kozlowski, Karol K.; Suzuki, Junji

2016-09-01

We use the form factors of the quantum transfer matrix in the zero-temperature limit in order to study the two-point ground-state correlation functions of the XXZ chain in the antiferromagnetic massive regime. We obtain novel form factor series representations of the correlation functions which differ from those derived either from the q-vertex-operator approach or from the algebraic Bethe Ansatz approach to the usual transfer matrix. We advocate that our novel representations are numerically more efficient and allow for a straightforward calculation of the large-distance asymptotic behaviour of the two-point functions. Keeping control over the temperature corrections to the two-point functions we see that these are of order {T}∞ in the whole antiferromagnetic massive regime. The isotropic limit of our result yields a novel form factor series representation for the two-point correlation functions of the XXX chain at zero magnetic field. Dedicated to the memory of Petr Petrovich Kulish.

Cross-correlating Cosmic IR and X-ray Background Fluctuations: Evidence of Significant Black Hole Populations Among the CIB Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cappelluti, N.; Kashlinsky, A.; Arendt, R. G.; Comastri, A.; Fazio, G. G.; Finoguenov, A.; Hasinger, G.; Mather, J. C.; Miyaji, T; Moseley, S. H.

2013-01-01

In order to understand the nature of the sources producing the recently uncovered cosmic infrared background (CIB) fluctuations, we study cross-correlations between the fluctuations in the source-subtracted CIB from Spitzer/IRAC data and the unresolved cosmic X-ray background from deep Chandra observations. Our study uses data from the EGS/AEGIS field, where both data sets cover an approx = 8' x 45' region of the sky. Our measurement is the cross-power spectrum between the IR and X-ray data. The cross-power signal between the IRAC maps at 3.6 micron and 4.5 micron and the Chandra [0.5-2] keV data has been detected, at angular scales approx >20'', with an overall significance of approx = 3.8 sigma and approx. = 5.6 sigma, respectively. At the same time we find no evidence of significant cross-correlations at the harder Chandra bands. The cross-correlation signal is produced by individual IR sources with 3.6 micron and 4.5 micron magnitudes m(sub AB) approx. > 25-26 and [0.5-2] keV X-ray fluxes << 7 × 10(exp -177 erg sq. cm/ s. We determine that at least 15%-25% of the large scale power of the CIB fluctuations is correlated with the spatial power spectrum of the X-ray fluctuations. If this correlation is attributed to emission from accretion processes at both IR and X-ray wavelengths, this implies a much higher fraction of accreting black holes than among the known populations. We discuss the various possible origins for the cross-power signal and show that neither local foregrounds nor the known remaining normal galaxies and active galactic nuclei can reproduce the measurements. These observational results are an important new constraint on theoretical modeling of the near-IR CIB fluctuations. local foregrounds, nor the known remaining normal galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) can reproduce the measurements. These observational results are an important new constraint on theoretical modeling of the near-IR CIB fluctuations

Correlation between HIV-1 genotype and clinical progression in HIV/AIDS patients in Surabaya, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rachman, B. E.; Khairunisa, S. Q.; Witaningrum, A. M.; Yunifiar, M. Q.; Nasronudin

2018-03-01

Several factors such as host and viral factors can affect the progression of HIV/AIDS. This study aims to identify the correlation viral factors, especially the HIV-1 subtype with HIV/AIDS progression. Inpatient HIV/AIDS during the period March to September 2017 and willing to participate are included in the study. Historical data of disease and treatment was taken by medical record. Blood samples were amplified, sequenced and undergone phylogenetic analysis. Linear regression analysis was used to estimate beta coefficient (β) and 95%CI of HIV/AIDS progression (measured by the CD4 change rate, ΔCD4 cell count/time span in months).This study has 17 samples. The HIV-1 subtype was dominated by CRF01_AE (81.8%) followed by subtype B (18.2%). There was significant correlation between subtype HIV-1 (p = 0.04) and body mass index (p = 0.038) with HIV/AIDS clinical stage. Many factors were assumed to be correlated with increased rate of CD4, but we only subtype HIV-1 had a significant correlation (p = 0.024) with it. From multivariate analysis, we also found that subtype HIV-1 had a significant correlation (β = 0.788, 95%CI: 17.5-38.6, p = 0.004).

Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor correlates with prognosis in oral and mesopharyngeal carcinoma.

PubMed

Tsuzuki, H; Fujieda, S; Sunaga, H; Noda, I; Saito, H

1998-02-15

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptors (G-CSFRs) have been observed on the surface of not only hematopoietic cells but also several cancer cells. The stimulation of G-CSF has been demonstrated to induce proliferation and activation of G-CSFR-positive cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of G-CSFR on the surface of tumor cells and G-CSF production in oral and mesopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by an immunohistochemical approach. Of 58 oral and mesopharyngeal SCCs, 31 cases (53.4%) and 36 cases (62.1%) were positive for G-CSFR and G-CSF, respectively. There was no association between G-CSFR expression and G-CSF staining. In the group positive for G-CSFR expression, relapse was significantly more likely after primary treatment (P = 0.0069), whereas there was no association between G-CSFR expression and age, sex, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage. Also, the G-CSFR-positive groups had a significantly lower disease-free and overall survival rate than the G-CSFR-negative groups (P = 0.0172 and 0.0188, respectively). However, none of the clinical markers correlated significantly with G-CSF staining, nor did the status of G-CSF production influence the overall survival. The results imply that assessment of G-CSFR may prove valuable in selecting patients with oral and mesopharyngeal SCC for aggressive therapy.

Detecting PM2.5's Correlations between Neighboring Cities Using a Time-Lagged Cross-Correlation Coefficient.

PubMed

Wang, Fang; Wang, Lin; Chen, Yuming

2017-08-31

In order to investigate the time-dependent cross-correlations of fine particulate (PM2.5) series among neighboring cities in Northern China, in this paper, we propose a new cross-correlation coefficient, the time-lagged q-L dependent height crosscorrelation coefficient (denoted by p q (τ, L)), which incorporates the time-lag factor and the fluctuation amplitude information into the analogous height cross-correlation analysis coefficient. Numerical tests are performed to illustrate that the newly proposed coefficient ρ q (τ, L) can be used to detect cross-correlations between two series with time lags and to identify different range of fluctuations at which two series possess cross-correlations. Applying the new coefficient to analyze the time-dependent cross-correlations of PM2.5 series between Beijing and the three neighboring cities of Tianjin, Zhangjiakou, and Baoding, we find that time lags between the PM2.5 series with larger fluctuations are longer than those between PM2.5 series withsmaller fluctuations. Our analysis also shows that cross-correlations between the PM2.5 series of two neighboring cities are significant and the time lags between two PM2.5 series of neighboring cities are significantly non-zero. These findings providenew scientific support on the view that air pollution in neighboring cities can affect one another not simultaneously but with a time lag.

Factors affecting quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan: A cross-sectional, correlational study.

PubMed

Chen, Hsiu-Fang; Tsai, Yun-Fang; Hsi, Mo-Song; Chen, Jui-Chen

2016-05-01

The purpose of this study was to assess eight factors considered important for quality of life in persons with epilepsy in order to determine which of these components affect quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan. A cross-sectional, correlational study using structured questionnaires assessed 260 patients with epilepsy purposively sampled from a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) questionnaire. Data also included personal and health-related characteristics, knowledge of epilepsy, efficacy in the self-management of epilepsy, and social support. Scores for the QOLIE-31 were correlated with the following factors: (1) demographic characteristics of age, gender, and income; (2) sleep quality; (3) symptoms of anxiety and depression; (4) epilepsy-specific variables: seizure frequency; types, number, and frequency of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); and adverse events of AEDs; and (5) social support. Stepwise regression analysis showed that seven factors were predictive for quality of life: anxiety, depression, adverse events of AEDs, social support, seizure frequency of at least once in three months, household income of NT$ 40,001-100,000, and male gender. These factors accounted for 58.2% of the variance of quality of life. Our study assessed multiple factors in an examination of relationships and predictive factors for quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan. Knowledge of these contributing factors can assist health-care providers when evaluating patients with epilepsy to help target interventions for improving quality of life. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quantum theory for the dynamic structure factor in correlated two-component systems in nonequilibrium: Application to x-ray scattering.

PubMed

Vorberger, J; Chapman, D A

2018-01-01

We present a quantum theory for the dynamic structure factors in nonequilibrium, correlated, two-component systems such as plasmas or warm dense matter. The polarization function, which is needed as the input for the calculation of the structure factors, is calculated in nonequilibrium based on a perturbation expansion in the interaction strength. To make our theory applicable for x-ray scattering, a generalized Chihara decomposition for the total electron structure factor in nonequilibrium is derived. Examples are given and the influence of correlations and exchange on the structure and the x-ray-scattering spectrum are discussed for a model nonequilibrium distribution, as often encountered during laser heating of materials, as well as for two-temperature systems.

Quantum theory for the dynamic structure factor in correlated two-component systems in nonequilibrium: Application to x-ray scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vorberger, J.; Chapman, D. A.

2018-01-01

We present a quantum theory for the dynamic structure factors in nonequilibrium, correlated, two-component systems such as plasmas or warm dense matter. The polarization function, which is needed as the input for the calculation of the structure factors, is calculated in nonequilibrium based on a perturbation expansion in the interaction strength. To make our theory applicable for x-ray scattering, a generalized Chihara decomposition for the total electron structure factor in nonequilibrium is derived. Examples are given and the influence of correlations and exchange on the structure and the x-ray-scattering spectrum are discussed for a model nonequilibrium distribution, as often encountered during laser heating of materials, as well as for two-temperature systems.

Prognostic significance of ligands belonging to tumour necrosis factor superfamily in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

PubMed

Bolkun, L; Lemancewicz, D; Jablonska, E; Szumowska, A; Bolkun-Skornicka, U; Moniuszko, M; Dzieciol, J; Kloczko, J

2015-03-01

Altered activities of ligands belonging to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, namely B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) were demonstrated in several haematological diseases including acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). BAFF, APRIL and TRAIL provide crucial survival signals to immature, naive and activated B cells. These ligands are capable of activating a broad spectrum of intracellular signalling cascades that can either induce apoptosis or protect from programmed cell death. BAFF and APRIL, which can directly activate the NF-κB pathway, have been identified as crucial survival factors for ALL cells. Here, we have analyzed serum BAFF, APRIL and TRAIL concentrations in 48 patients with newly diagnosed ALL and 44 healthy volunteers. The levels of APRIL and BAFF were significantly higher in ALL patients as compared to healthy volunteers. In contrast, concentrations of TRAIL were significantly lower in ALL patients. Moreover, following induction, the levels of APRIL, but not BAFF or TRAIL, were significantly lower in a group of patients with complete remission (CR) as compared to non-respondent (NR) ALL patients. Furthermore, we demonstrated statistically significant differences in concentrations of APRIL between CR MRD-negative and CR, MRD-positive ALL patients. Notably detection of higher concentrations of APRIL was associated with shorter leukaemia-free survival and overall survival. Altogether, our data indicate that APRIL can play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALL and the measurement of APRIL levels can improve prognostication in ALL patients. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Significant factors associated with fatal outcome in emergency open surgery for perforated peptic ulcer.

PubMed

Testini, Mario; Portincasa, Piero; Piccinni, Giuseppe; Lissidini, Germana; Pellegrini, Fabio; Greco, Luigi

2003-10-01

To evaluate the main factors associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery for perforated peptic ulcer referred to an academic department of general surgery in a large southern Italian city. One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients (M:F ratio=110:39, mean age 52 yrs, range 16-95) with peptic ulcer disease were investigated for clinical history (including age, sex, previous history of peptic ulcer, associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, ulcer site, operation type, shock on admission, postoperative general complications, and intra-abdominal and/or wound infections), serum analyses and radiological findings. The overall mortality rate was 4.0%. Among all factors, an age above 65 years, one or more associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, shock on admission, postoperative abdominal complications and/or wound infections, were significantly associated (chi2) with increased mortality in patients undergoing surgery (0.0001Factors such as concomitant diseases, shock on admission, delayed surgery, and postoperative abdominal and wound infections are significantly associated with fatal outcomes and need careful evaluation within the general workup of patients admitted for perforated peptic ulcer.

Correlation between preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma and tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand gene expression in different types of leukaemia patients.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenhui; Chi, Kaikai; Zhang, Yin; Ma, Baogen; Shi, Jie; Chen, Yuqing; Lei, Pingchong; Li, Yulong; Sun, Kai

2013-01-01

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) down-regulation by preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma (PRAME) is a general phenomenon in different types of solid tumours, but research on the correlation between PRAME and TRAIL gene expression in leukaemia patients is rare. PRAME and TRAIL expression was detected in bone marrow samples from 80 newly diagnosed acute leukaemia (AL) patients and 40 chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients using TaqMan-based real-time quantitative PCR methods, and a linear correlation analysis was performed on their levels of expression. A total of 15 normal bone marrow samples from individuals with non-malignant haematological diseases served as normal controls. PRAME expression was higher in both AL and CML patients compared to controls (both p < 0.001). CML patients in both blast crisis (BC) and the accelerated phase (AP) had significantly higher PRAME levels than CML patients in the chronic phase (CP) (p = 0.006 and 0.0461, respectively). TRAIL expression was higher in both the acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) group and the acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) group than in the controls (p = 0.039 and 0.047, respectively). In contrast, CML patients had lower TRAIL levels than controls (p = 0.043), and TRAIL expression in CML patients in the advanced phases (BC and AP) was significantly lower than in CML-CP patients (p = 0.006). In CML patients, there was a significant inverse correlation (Spearman's R = -0.6669, p < 0.0001) between PRAME and TRAIL gene expression, while a greater significant inverse correlation was found in patients in the advanced phases (BC and AP) (R = -0.6764). In addition, no correlation was observed in AML and ALL patients. The simultaneous detection of PRAME and TRAIL gene expression may be helpful to monitor condition changes in leukaemia patients and evaluate therapeutic effects in clinical practice, particularly in CML patients. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Solute–solute correlations responsible for the prepeak in structure factors of undercooled Al-rich liquids: A molecular dynamics study

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Feng; Sun, Yang; Ye, Zhuo; ...

2015-05-06

In this study, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations on a typical Al-based alloy Al 90Sm 10. The short-range and medium-range correlations of the system are reliably produced by ab initio calculations, whereas the long-range correlations are obtained with the assistance of a semi-empirical potential well-fitted to ab initio data. Our calculations show that a prepeak in the structure factor of this system emerges well above the melting temperature, and the intensity of the prepeak increases with increasing undercooling of the liquid. These results are in agreement with x-ray diffraction experiments. The interplay between the short-range order of the systemmore » originating from the large affinity between Al and Sm atoms, and the intrinsic repulsion between Sm atoms gives rise to a stronger correlation in the second peak than the first peak in the Sm–Sm partial pair correlation function (PPCF), which in turn produces the prepeak in the structure factor.« less

Gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms and dietary behaviors are significant correlates of short sleep duration in the general population: the Nagahama Study.

PubMed

Murase, Kimihiko; Tabara, Yasuharu; Takahashi, Yoshimitsu; Muro, Shigeo; Yamada, Ryo; Setoh, Kazuya; Kawaguchi, Takahisa; Kadotani, Hiroshi; Kosugi, Shinji; Sekine, Akihiro; Nakayama, Takeo; Mishima, Michiaki; Chiba, Tsutomu; Chin, Kazuo; Matsuda, Fumihiko

2014-11-01

To examine relationships among gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, dietary behaviors, and sleep duration in the general population. Cross-sectional. Community-based. There were 9,643 participants selected from the general population (54 ± 13 y). None. Sleep duration, sleep habits, and unfavorable dietary behaviors of each participant were assessed with a structured questionnaire. Participants were categorized into five groups according to their sleep duration: less than 5 h, 5 to less than 6 h, 6 to less than 7 h, 7 to less than 8 h, and 8 or more h per day. GERD was evaluated using the Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of GERD (FSSG) and participants having an FSSG score of 8 or more or those under treatment of GERD were defined as having GERD. Trend analysis showed that both the FSSG score and the number of unfavorable dietary habits increased with decreasing sleep duration. Further, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that both the presence of GERD (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07-1.32) and the number of unfavorable dietary behaviors (odds ratio = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.13-1.26) were independent and potent factors to identify participants with short sleep duration even after controlling for other confounding factors. The current study showed that both GERD symptoms and unfavorable dietary behaviors were significant correlates of short sleep duration independently of each other in a large sample from the general population.

Weather is not significantly correlated with destination-specific transport-related physical activity among adults: A large-scale temporally matched analysis.

PubMed

Durand, Casey P; Zhang, Kai; Salvo, Deborah

2017-08-01

Weather is an element of the natural environment that could have a significant effect on physical activity. Existing research, however, indicates only modest correlations between measures of weather and physical activity. This prior work has been limited by a failure to use time-matched weather and physical activity data, or has not adequately examined the different domains of physical activity (transport, leisure, occupational, etc.). Our objective was to identify the correlation between weather variables and destination-specific transport-related physical activity in adults. Data were sourced from the California Household Travel Survey, collected in 2012-3. Weather variables included: relative humidity, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation. Transport-related physical activity (walking) was sourced from participant-recorded travel diaries. Three-part hurdle models were used to analyze the data. Results indicate statistically or substantively insignificant correlations between the weather variables and transport-related physical activity for all destination types. These results provide the strongest evidence to date that transport-related physical activity may occur relatively independently of weather conditions. The knowledge that weather conditions do not seem to be a significant barrier to this domain of activity may potentially expand the universe of geographic locations that are amenable to environmental and programmatic interventions to increase transport-related walking. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[A correlational study among perceived stress, anger expression, and depression in cancer patients].

PubMed

Lee, Pyong Sook; Sohn, Jung Nam; Lee, Yong Mi; Park, Eun Young; Park, Ji Sun

2005-02-01

This study was to identify the relationship between perceived stress, anger expression, and level of depression in cancer patients. A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Data was collected by questionnaires from 185 in- and out-patients who were diagnosed with cancer at 3 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center using Spielberger et al.'s Anger Expression Scale, Cohen, Kamarch & Mermelstein's Perceived Stress, and Derogatise's SCL-90. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with SAS/PC. The perceived stress in cancer patients indicated a significant positive correlation to anger-in(r=.288, p=.000), anger-out(r=.232, p=.001), and depression(r=.68, p=.000), but no significant correlation to anger-control. The anger-in of cancer patients showed a significant positive relationship to anger-out(r=.53, p=.000), and depression(r=.383, p=.000), but no significant correlation to anger-control. Anger-out showed a significantly negative correlation to anger-control(r=-.248, p=.001) and a positive correlation to depression(r=.240, p=.001). The most significant predictor which influenced depression in cancer patients was perceived stress, followed by anger-in and hobby, and these factors explained their depression with a variance of 54%. These results suggested that cancer patients with a high degree of perceived stress are likely to be high in anger-out and anger-in. Perceived stress and anger-in are major factors which affect depression in cancer patients.

Personality traits and childhood trauma as correlates of metabolic risk factors: the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA).

PubMed

van Reedt Dortland, Arianne K B; Giltay, Erik J; van Veen, Tineke; Zitman, Frans G; Penninx, Brenda W J H

2012-01-10

Personality and childhood trauma may affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, evidence for an association with metabolic risk factors for CVD is limited and ambiguous. Moreover, despite their interrelatedness, personality and childhood trauma were not yet studied simultaneously. Therefore, we aimed to explore whether personality and childhood trauma are correlates of metabolic risk factors. Among 2755 participants of the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA), we investigated through linear regression models whether Big Five personality traits (i.e., extraversion, openness, agreeableness, neuroticism and conscientiousness) and childhood trauma type (i.e., emotional neglect, and psychological, physical and sexual abuse) were correlates of metabolic risk factors (i.e., lipids, waist circumference (WC), glucose and blood pressure). Basic covariates (i.e., age, sex and income level), lifestyle, severity of depressive symptoms and years of education were taken into account. Openness was the most robust favorable correlate, and sexual abuse was the most robust unfavorable correlate of lipids and WC, and of overall metabolic risk (β=-.070; p<.001 and β=.035; p=.04, respectively). People with a low openness trait and those who experienced childhood sexual abuse are at higher risk of dyslipidemia and abdominal obesity. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) expression correlates positively with active angiogenesis and negatively with basic fibroblast growth factor expression in epithelial ovarian cancer.

PubMed

Szubert, Sebastian; Szpurek, Dariusz; Moszynski, Rafal; Nowicki, Michal; Frankowski, Andrzej; Sajdak, Stefan; Michalak, Slawomir

2014-03-01

The primary aim of this paper was to evaluate the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) and its relationship with proangiogenic factors and microvessel density (MVD) in ovarian cancer. The study group included 58 epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs), 35 benign ovarian tumors, and 21 normal ovaries. The expression of EMMPRIN, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was assessed by ELISA of tissue homogenates. Antibodies against CD105, CD31, and CD34 were used to immunohistochemically assess MVD. We have found significantly higher EMMPRIN expression in EOC than in benign ovarian tumors and normal ovaries. Similarly, the VEGF expression was higher in EOC than in benign ovarian tumors and normal ovaries. By contrast, bFGF expression was lower in EOC than in benign ovarian tumors and ovary samples. EMMPRIN expression in EOC was directly correlated with VEGF expression and CD105-MVD, but inversely correlated with bFGF expression. Grade 2/3 ovarian cancers had increased expression of EMMPRIN and VEGF, increased CD105-MVD, and lowered expression of bFGF compared to grade 1 ovarian cancers. Moreover, EMMPRIN expression was higher in advanced (FIGO III and IV) ovarian cancer. The upregulation of EMMPRIN and VEGF expression is correlated with increased CD105-MVD and silenced bFGF, which suggests early and/or reactivated angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. Aggressive EOC is characterized by the following: high expression of EMMPRIN and VEGF, high CD105-MVD, and low expression of bFGF.

Hypocalcaemia After Total Knee Arthroplasty and its Clinical Significance.

PubMed

Gai, Pengzhou; Sun, Hongliang; Sui, Laijian; Wang, Guangda

2016-03-01

Transient hypocalcaemia is a frequent complication after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In this study, we investigated the factors associated with the development of hypocalcaemia after TKA in order to explore its clinical significance and treatment. A retrospective analysis of the change of serum calcium levels for 40 patients after TKA was performed. We investigated the patients prospectively for age, gender, and amount of bleeding at operation. At 24 hours following the operation, serum calcium of the patients was evaluated and a t-test was performed to analyze the categorical variables. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the risk of hypocalcaemia in univariate analysis. After TKA, the serum calcium level was significantly lower than that before the operation (p<0.01); the incidence of postoperative hypocalcaemia was 77.5%, the decline was positively correlated with intraoperative blood loss (Pearson's r=0.405, p=0.01). Hypocalcaemia occurs frequently after TKA, however, clinical symptoms associated with hypocalcaemia are rare. The calcium ion is an important electrolyte, neurotransmitter and blood coagulation factor. It is suggested that we should routinely monitor calcium ion levels during the perioperative period and deal with hypocalcaemia in a timely fashion. Copyright© 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

Correlation among body height, intelligence, and brain gray matter volume in healthy children.

PubMed

Taki, Yasuyuki; Hashizume, Hiroshi; Sassa, Yuko; Takeuchi, Hikaru; Asano, Michiko; Asano, Kohei; Kotozaki, Yuka; Nouchi, Rui; Wu, Kai; Fukuda, Hiroshi; Kawashima, Ryuta

2012-01-16

A significant positive correlation between height and intelligence has been demonstrated in children. Additionally, intelligence has been associated with the volume of gray matter in the brains of children. Based on these correlations, we analyzed the correlation among height, full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) and gray matter volume applying voxel-based morphometry using data from the brain magnetic resonance images of 160 healthy children aged 5-18 years of age. As a result, body height was significantly positively correlated with brain gray matter volume. Additionally, the regional gray matter volume of several regions such as the bilateral prefrontal cortices, temporoparietal region, and cerebellum was significantly positively correlated with body height and that the gray matter volume of several of these regions was also significantly positively correlated with full-scale intelligence quotient (IQ) scores after adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Our results demonstrate that gray and white matter volume may mediate the correlation between body height and intelligence in healthy children. Additionally, the correlations among gray and white matter volume, height, and intelligence may be at least partially explained by the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 and growth hormones. Given the importance of the effect of environmental factors, especially nutrition, on height, IQ, and gray matter volume, the present results stress the importance of nutrition during childhood for the healthy maturation of body and brain. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Significance of primary factors influencing students' performance at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.

PubMed

Al-Amri, Mohammad; Al-Madi, Ebtissam; Sadig, Walid Mahmoud; Ahmedani, Muhammad Shoaib; Salameh, Ziad

2012-08-01

To determine the effect of different enabling factors such as curriculum, role of faculty, academic advising and availability of learning resources and supportive services on the performance of students pursuing their Bachelor's degree in dentistry. Data was collected from the male and female students of the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, during the academic year 2008-2009. All undergraduate students (576) constituted the total sample size of the study. The respondents were requested to fill a questionnaire form, which was specially designed in accordance with requirements of the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). The questionnaire comprised 45 questions addressing all aspects of the relevant factors. The five-point Likert scale was used to evaluate the feedback. All the responses (239) were thoroughly examined and only the completely filled forms (169) were subjected to regression analyses, taking student's CGPA as a dependent factor and a depiction of their performance. The t-tests were also worked out to evaluate variations in the responses of male and female students to each sub-factor. The study showed a significant impact of faculty and learning resources and support services on a student's achievement (alpha = 0.05). Surprisingly, academic advising and the dental curriculum had non-significant effect at 95% level of confidence. However, the critical analyses acknowledged that the non-significant impact was due to poor performance of the two factors. The role of faculty and learning resources as well as of support services had significant effect on students' performance. However, there is an immense need to improve the level of academic advising and revise the curriculum to have a significant impact of these factors on the student's achievements.

Identification of sequence motifs significantly associated with antisense activity.

PubMed

McQuisten, Kyle A; Peek, Andrew S

2007-06-07

Silencing Complex (RISC) in RNAi. The independence of motif position and antisense activity also allows us to bypass consideration of this feature in the modelling process, promoting model efficiency and reducing the chance of overfitting when predicting antisense activity. The increase in SVR correlation with significant features compared to nearest-neighbour features indicates that thermodynamics alone is likely not the only factor in determining antisense efficiency.

Examination of fungi in domestic interiors by using factor analysis: Correlations and associations with home factors. [Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, Aureobasidium, Aspergillus; Penicillium

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

Su, H.J.; Rotnitzky, A.; Spengler, J.D.

1992-01-01

Factor analysis was utilized to investigate correlations among airborne microorganisms collected with Andersen samplers from homes in Topeka, Kans., during the winter of 1987 to 1988. The factors derived were used to relate microbial concentrations with categorical, questionnaire-derived descriptions of housing conditions. This approach successfully identified groups of common aboveground decay fungi including Cladosporium, Alternaria, Epicoccum, and Aureobasidium spp. The common soil fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. were also separated as a group. These previously known ecological groupings were confirmed with air sampling data by a quantitative evaluation technique. The above ground decay fungi sampled indoors in winter were presentmore » at relatively high concentrations in homes with gas stoves for cooking, suggesting a possible association between these fungi and increased humidity from the combustion process. Elevated concentrations of the soil fungi were significantly associated with the dirt floor, crawl-space type of basement. Elevated concentrations of water-requiring fungi, such as Fusarium spp., were shown to be associated with water collection in domestic interiors. Also, elevated mean concentrations for the group of fungi including Cladosporium, Epicoccum, Aureobasidium, and yeast spp. were found to be associated with symptoms reported on a health questionnaire. This finding was consistent with the authors previous study of associations between respiratory health and airborne microorganisms by univariate logistic regression analysis.« less

[Correlations between anthropometric parameters and cardio-vascular risk factors related to lifestyle in a rural population].

PubMed

Graur, Lidia Iuliana; Niţă, Otilia; Popescu, Dana Stefana; Mihalache, Laura; Datcu, Georgeta

2011-01-01

Prevention and reduction of cardio-vascular mortality are in relationship with understanding and being able to modify risk factors, among which overweight and obesity become the most significant. The aim of this paper is to define cardio-metabolic risk factors which are specific to the studied population, and also to find elements of lifestyle that lead to overweight. We targeted smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, physical exercise, income and educational level. We studied a sample of 172 subjects, representative for the population of Deleni, a rural community in Iaşi County; among these subjects, 67 were men, 105 were women, with an average age of 54. For each a chart was filled, containing demographic data, socio-economic status, personal and family medical history. We measured anthropometric parameters: weight (W), height (H), waist circumference (WC) and we calculated body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). We performed interviews to fill in a food frequency questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. In the lot studied, 44.2% are overweight and 18.6% are obese, the majority of these being women. Regarding WC, among normal weight, 52.4% have large WC (> or = 94cm for men and > or = 80cm for women). Obesity markers positively correlate with increase in age and decrease in income (p=0.024), with low educational level, regular consumption of coffee (p=0.093), and negatively correlate with excessive alcohol consumption (p=0.049) and smoking (p=0.003). As expected, there is an inverse relationship between increased physical exercise and BMI (p=0.015) and a direct relationship between increased stress level and WC. Anthropometric parameters are sensible markers in evaluating the influence of lifestyle on cardio-metabolic risk.

Effects of measurement errors on psychometric measurements in ergonomics studies: Implications for correlations, ANOVA, linear regression, factor analysis, and linear discriminant analysis.

PubMed

Liu, Yan; Salvendy, Gavriel

2009-05-01

This paper aims to demonstrate the effects of measurement errors on psychometric measurements in ergonomics studies. A variety of sources can cause random measurement errors in ergonomics studies and these errors can distort virtually every statistic computed and lead investigators to erroneous conclusions. The effects of measurement errors on five most widely used statistical analysis tools have been discussed and illustrated: correlation; ANOVA; linear regression; factor analysis; linear discriminant analysis. It has been shown that measurement errors can greatly attenuate correlations between variables, reduce statistical power of ANOVA, distort (overestimate, underestimate or even change the sign of) regression coefficients, underrate the explanation contributions of the most important factors in factor analysis and depreciate the significance of discriminant function and discrimination abilities of individual variables in discrimination analysis. The discussions will be restricted to subjective scales and survey methods and their reliability estimates. Other methods applied in ergonomics research, such as physical and electrophysiological measurements and chemical and biomedical analysis methods, also have issues of measurement errors, but they are beyond the scope of this paper. As there has been increasing interest in the development and testing of theories in ergonomics research, it has become very important for ergonomics researchers to understand the effects of measurement errors on their experiment results, which the authors believe is very critical to research progress in theory development and cumulative knowledge in the ergonomics field.

Correlated Uncertainties in Radiation Shielding Effectiveness

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Werneth, Charles M.; Maung, Khin Maung; Blattnig, Steve R.; Clowdsley, Martha S.; Townsend, Lawrence W.

2013-01-01

The space radiation environment is composed of energetic particles which can deliver harmful doses of radiation that may lead to acute radiation sickness, cancer, and even death for insufficiently shielded crew members. Spacecraft shielding must provide structural integrity and minimize the risk associated with radiation exposure. The risk of radiation exposure induced death (REID) is a measure of the risk of dying from cancer induced by radiation exposure. Uncertainties in the risk projection model, quality factor, and spectral fluence are folded into the calculation of the REID by sampling from probability distribution functions. Consequently, determining optimal shielding materials that reduce the REID in a statistically significant manner has been found to be difficult. In this work, the difference of the REID distributions for different materials is used to study the effect of composition on shielding effectiveness. It is shown that the use of correlated uncertainties allows for the determination of statistically significant differences between materials despite the large uncertainties in the quality factor. This is in contrast to previous methods where uncertainties have been generally treated as uncorrelated. It is concluded that the use of correlated quality factor uncertainties greatly reduces the uncertainty in the assessment of shielding effectiveness for the mitigation of radiation exposure.

The impact of organizational factors on the urinary incontinence care quality in long-term care hospitals: a longitudinal correlational study.

PubMed

Yoon, Ju Young; Lee, Ji Yun; Bowers, Barbara J; Zimmerman, David R

2012-12-01

With the rapid increase in the number of long-term care hospitals in Korea, care quality has become an important issue. Urinary incontinence is an important condition affecting many residents' quality of life. Thus, it is important that urinary incontinence be amenable to improving conditions with appropriate interventions, since a change in urinary incontinence status can reflect care quality in long-term care facilities if patient level factors are adjusted. We aim to examine the impact of organizational factors on urinary incontinence care quality defined as the improvement of urinary incontinence status or maintenance of continent status post-admission to Korean long-term care hospitals. DESIGN AND DATA: This is a longitudinal correlation study. Data came from two sources: monthly patient assessment reports using the Patient Assessment Instrument and the hospital information system from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services. The final analysis includes 5271 elderly adults without indwelling urinary catheter or urostomy who were admitted to 534 Korean long-term care hospitals in April 2008. Multi-level logistic analysis was used to explore the organizational factors that influence urinary incontinence care quality controlling for patient level factors. With respect to the organizational factors, the findings showed that location and RN/total nursing staff ratio variables were statistically significant, controlling for risk factors at the patient level. The odds of urinary incontinence improvement from admission in urban long-term care hospitals were 1.28 times higher than rural long-term care hospitals. In addition, when a long-term care hospital increased one standard deviation (0.19) in the RN ratio, the odds of urinary incontinence status improvement or maintenance of continence status from admission increased about 1.8 times. The most significant finding was that a higher RN to patient ratio and urban location were associated with better

Significance of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist/interleukin-1 beta ratio as a prognostic factor in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Mikuniya, T; Nagai, S; Takeuchi, M; Mio, T; Hoshino, Y; Miki, H; Shigematsu, M; Hamada, K; Izumi, T

2000-01-01

Various factors such as serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) activity, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid lymphocyte percent, CD4/CD8 ratio, and shadows on chest radiograph have been identified as indexes of disease activity in patients with sarcoidosis. However, it remains to be confirmed whether these factors can predict clinical outcomes. To examine whether the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)/IL-1 beta ratio can predict the clinical course, we prospectively followed the clinical courses of 30 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis 4 years after measurement of immunoreactive amounts of IL-1ra or IL-1 beta in the culture supernatants obtained from BAL fluid macrophages. Immunoreactive amounts of IL-1ra or IL-1 beta were measured using ELISA. Changes in pulmonary function, sACE activity, and shadows on chest radiographs during observation periods were evaluated as markers of changes in disease activity. We found that the patients whose shadows on chest radiographs showed improvement had a higher molar IL-1ra/IL-1 beta ratio than the patients whose shadows persistently remained 4 years after BAL examination (p < 0.05). The molar ratio was found to be positively correlated with improvement of percent vital capacity (p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with the ratio of sACE activity at the time of the last observation to sACE activity at the time of BAL (sACE(LAST)/sACE(BAL), p < 0.01). The sACE(LAST)/sACE(BAL) ratio was significantly lower in patients whose shadows on chest radiographs decreased than in those whose shadows remained unchanged (p < 0.005). The IL-1ra/IL-1 beta ratio in the BAL fluid macrophage culture supernatants in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis could be a useful marker in predicting the persistence of granulomatous lesions (chronicity). Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Correlation of Spatio-Temporal Contaminant Distribution, Land Use, and Hydrogeological Factors in the Karst Aquifers of Northern Puerto Rico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torres Torres, N. I.; Padilla, I. Y.

2015-12-01

Karst aquifers are characterized by caves, springs, and sinkholes, and typified by interconnected fissures, fractures and conduits. These characteristics make these aquifers highly productive, and vulnerable to contamination. Previous studies in the northern karst aquifers of Puerto Rico have shown significant distribution of contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, phthalates and other contaminants of emerging concern, beyond demarked sources of contamination. This study develops spatial-temporal distributions of phthalate contaminants in the karst system of northern Puerto Rico and assesses statistical correlations between hydrogeologic factors and groundwater contamination with phthalates. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and technologies, and statistical models are applied to attain these objectives. Results show that there is an extensive contamination with phthalates that varies with time. Contamination is present in the confined and shallow aquifers. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most detected contaminant (20.6% of the sites). Diethyl phthalate and and dibutyl phthalate are also detected in 6.7% and 8.24% of the sites, respectively. Phthalates detected as mixtures components are significantly detected in areas of high urban and industrial development. They are also detected in areas within 5 miles of superfund sites and landfills. The results indicate that phthalate contamination is highly related to land use. Statistical models show that the hydraulic conductivity of the aquifers, sinkholes density, and time are significantly related to the presence of phthalates in groundwater. The extensive spatio-temporal contamination suggests that contaminants can persist in the environment for long periods of time, and that land use and hydrogeological factors are important factors contributing to the presence of emerging contaminants in karst systems.

Medical, demographic and psychological correlates of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) morbidity in breast, colorectal and melanoma cancer survivors with probable clinically significant FCR seeking psychological treatment through the ConquerFear study.

PubMed

Smith, Allan 'Ben'; Sharpe, Louise; Thewes, Belinda; Turner, Jane; Gilchrist, Jemma; Fardell, Joanna E; Girgis, Afaf; Tesson, Stephanie; Descallar, Joseph; Bell, Melanie L; Beith, Jane; Butow, Phyllis

2018-06-07

Despite the prevalence of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), understanding of factors underlying clinically significant FCR is limited. This study examined factors associated with greater FCR morbidity, according to a cognitive processing model, in cancer survivors who screened positively for clinically significant FCR seeking psychological treatment through the ConquerFear trial. Participants had completed treatment for breast, colorectal or melanoma cancer 2 months to 5 years previously and scored ≥ 13/36 on the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory-Short Form (FCRI-SF). Hierarchical regression analyses examined associations between demographic, medical and psychological variables, namely metacognitions (MCQ-30), post-traumatic stress symptoms (IES-R) and FCR (FCRI total score). Two hundred and ten (95%) of the 222 cancer survivors who consented to the ConquerFear trial completed the baseline questionnaire. Participants were predominantly (89%) breast cancer survivors. The final regression model accounted for 68% of the variance in FCR (demographic and medical variables 13%, metacognitions 26%, post-traumatic stress symptoms 28%). Negative metacognitive beliefs about worry and intrusive post-traumatic stress symptoms were significant individual correlates of FCR, but negative beliefs about worry did not significantly moderate the impact of intrusions on FCR morbidity. Results provide partial support for the cognitive processing model of FCR. Psychological factors were found to play an important role in FCR morbidity after controlling for demographic/medical factors. More intrusive thoughts and negative beliefs about worry were strong independent predictors of FCR morbidity. Cancer survivors with clinically significant FCR may benefit from assessment for intrusive thoughts and metacognitions and delivery of trauma- and/or metacognitive-based interventions accordingly.

[Correlation factors of 127 times pre-crisis state in patients with myasthenia gravis].

PubMed

Ou, C Y; Ran, H; Qiu, L; Huang, Z D; Lin, Z Z; Deng, J; Liu, W B

2017-10-10

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of the Pre-Crisis State and analyze the correlated risk factors of Pre-Crisis State of myasthenia crisis. Methods: We included 93 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) who experienced 127 times Pre-Crisis State between October 2007 and July 2016. Those patients were hospitalized in the MG specialize center, Department of Neurological Science, first Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The information of the general situation, the clinical manifestations and the blood gas analysis in those patients were collected using our innovated clinical research form. Statistic methods were applied including descriptive analysis, univariate logistic analysis, multivariate correlation logistic analysis, etc. Results: (1)The typical features of MG Pre-Crisis State included: dyspnea (127 times, 100% not requiring intubation or non-invasive ventilation), bulbar-muscle weakness (121 times, 95.28%), the increased blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO(2)) (94 times, 85.45%), expectoration weakness (99 times, 77.95%), sleep disorders (107 times, 84.25%) and the infection (99 times, 77.95%). The occurrence of dyspnea in combination with bulbar-muscle weakness ( P =0.002) or the increased blood PCO(2) ( P =0.042) often indicated the tendency of crisis. (2) The MG symptoms which were proportion to the occurrence of crisis includes: bulbar-muscle weakness ( P =0.028), fever ( P =0.028), malnutrition ( P =0.066), complications ( P =0.071), excess oropharyngeal secretions ( P =0.005) and the increased blood PCO(2) ( P =0.007). The perioperative period of thymectomy would not increase the risk of crisis. Conclusions: Dyspnea indicates the occurrence of the Pre-Crisis State of MG. In order to significantly reduce the morbidity of myasthenia crisis, the bulbar-muscle weakness, the increased blood PCO(2), expectoration weakness, sleep disorders, infection & fever and excess oropharyngeal secretions should be treated timely.

Significant factors associated with fatal outcome in emergency open surgery for perforated peptic ulcer

PubMed Central

Testini, Mario; Portincasa, Piero; Piccinni, Giuseppe; Lissidini, Germana; Pellegrini, Fabio; Greco, Luigi

2003-01-01

AIM: To evaluate the main factors associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery for perforated peptic ulcer referred to an academic department of general surgery in a large southern Italian city. METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine consecutive patients (M:F ratio = 110:39, mean age 52 yrs, range 16-95) with peptic ulcer disease were investigated for clinical history (including age, sex, previous history of peptic ulcer, associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, ulcer site, operation type, shock on admission, postoperative general complications, and intra-abdominal and/or wound infections), serum analyses and radiological findings. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 4.0%. Among all factors, an age above 65 years, one or more associated diseases, delayed abdominal surgery, shock on admission, postoperative abdominal complications and/or wound infections, were significantly associated (χ2) with increased mortality in patients undergoing surgery (0.0001 < P < 0.03). CONCLUSION: Factors such as concomitant diseases, shock on admission, delayed surgery, and postoperative abdominal and wound infections are significantly associated with fatal outcomes and need careful evaluation within the general workup of patients admitted for perforated peptic ulcer. PMID:14562406

Perceptual structure of adductor spasmodic dysphonia and its acoustic correlates.

PubMed

Cannito, Michael P; Doiuchi, Maki; Murry, Thomas; Woodson, Gayle E

2012-11-01

To examine the perceptual structure of voice attributes in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) before and after botulinum toxin treatment and identify acoustic correlates of underlying perceptual factors. Reliability of perceptual judgments is considered in detail. Pre- and posttreatment trial with comparison to healthy controls, using single-blind randomized listener judgments of voice qualities, as well as retrospective comparison with acoustic measurements. Oral readings were recorded from 42 ADSD speakers before and after treatment as well as from their age- and sex-matched controls. Experienced judges listened to speech samples and rated attributes of overall voice quality, breathiness, roughness, and brokenness, using computer-implemented visual analog scaling. Data were adjusted for regression to the mean and submitted to principal components factor analysis. Acoustic waveforms, extracted from the reading samples, were analyzed and measurements correlated with perceptual factor scores. Four reliable perceptual variables of ADSD voice were effectively reduced to two underlying factors that corresponded to hyperadduction, most strongly associated with roughness, and hypoadduction, most strongly associated with breathiness. After treatment, the hyperadduction factor improved, whereas the hypoadduction factor worsened. Statistically significant (P<0.01) correlations were observed between perceived roughness and four acoustic measures, whereas breathiness correlated with aperiodicity and cepstral peak prominence (CPPs). This study supported a two-factor model of ADSD, suggesting perceptual characterization by both hyperadduction and hypoadduction before and after treatment. Responses of the factors to treatment were consistent with previous research. Correlations among perceptual and acoustic variables suggested that multiple acoustic features contributed to the overall impression of roughness. Although CPPs appears to be a partial correlate of perceived

Image scale measurement with correlation filters in a volume holographic optical correlator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Tianxiang; Cao, Liangcai; He, Qingsheng; Jin, Guofan

2013-08-01

A search engine containing various target images or different part of a large scene area is of great use for many applications, including object detection, biometric recognition, and image registration. The input image captured in realtime is compared with all the template images in the search engine. A volume holographic correlator is one type of these search engines. It performs thousands of comparisons among the images at a super high speed, with the correlation task accomplishing mainly in optics. However, the inputted target image always contains scale variation to the filtering template images. At the time, the correlation values cannot properly reflect the similarity of the images. It is essential to estimate and eliminate the scale variation of the inputted target image. There are three domains for performing the scale measurement, as spatial, spectral and time domains. Most methods dealing with the scale factor are based on the spatial or the spectral domains. In this paper, a method with the time domain is proposed to measure the scale factor of the input image. It is called a time-sequential scaled method. The method utilizes the relationship between the scale variation and the correlation value of two images. It sends a few artificially scaled input images to compare with the template images. The correlation value increases and decreases with the increasing of the scale factor at the intervals of 0.8~1 and 1~1.2, respectively. The original scale of the input image can be measured by estimating the largest correlation value through correlating the artificially scaled input image with the template images. The measurement range for the scale can be 0.8~4.8. Scale factor beyond 1.2 is measured by scaling the input image at the factor of 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4, correlating the artificially scaled input image with the template images, and estimating the new corresponding scale factor inside 0.8~1.2.

Correlation Among Six Biologic Factors (p53, p21{sup WAF1}, MIB-1, EGFR, HER2, and Bcl-2) and Clinical Outcomes After Curative Chemoradiation Therapy in Squamous Cell Cervical Cancer

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

Yamashita, Hideomi; Murakami, Naoya; Asari, Takao

Purpose: The expressions of six cell-cycle-associated proteins were analyzed in cervical squamous cell carcinomas in correlation in a search for prognostic correlations in tumors treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (cCRT). Methods and Materials: The expressions of p53, p21/waf1/cip1, molecular immunology borstel-1 (MIB-1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2), and Bcl-2 were studied using an immunohistochemical method in 57 cases of cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with cCRT. Patients received cCRT between 1998 and 2005. The mean patient age was 61 years (range, 27-82 years). The number of patients with Stage II, III, andmore » IVA disease was 18, 29, and 10, respectively. Results: The number of patients with tumors positive for p53, p21/waf1/cip1, MIB-1, EGFR, HER2, and Bcl-2 was 26, 24, 49, 26, 13, and 11, respectively; no significant correlation was noted. The 5-year overall survival rates of HER2-positive and -negative patients was 76% vs. 44%, which was of borderline significance (p = 0.0675). No significant correlation was noted between overall survival and expressions of p53, p21/waf1/cip1, MIB-1, EGFR, and Bcl-2. No correlation was observed between local control and expression of any of the proteins. Conclusion: Expression of HER2 protein had a weak impact of borderline significance on overall survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix treated with cCRT. However, no clinical associations could be established for p53, p21/waf1/cip1, MIB-1, EGFR, and Bcl-2 protein expressions.« less

Lack of dental insurance is correlated with edentulism.

PubMed

Simon, Lisa; Nalliah, Romesh P; Seymour, Brittany

2015-01-01

The correlation between insurance status and edentulism has not previously been reported in a population with known access to a dentist, and little is known about patient demographics in corporate dental settings. This study investigated patient demographics of a former dental franchise in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and examined a correlation between dental insurance and edentulism in this group. The correlation of edentulism with age, gender, and dental risk factors (diabetes, temporomandibular disorder, trouble with previous dental work, or oral sores and ulcers) was also examined. This was a retrospective case study. Age, gender, and presence of dental risk factors were recorded from the patient medical history intake form. Dentate status was recorded from patient odontograms. Dental insurance status was obtained from billing records. Data was aggregated and deidentified. Descriptive and bivariate statistics and logistic regression models were used to identify associations (p-value ≤ 0.05 significance). Of 1,123 records meeting inclusion criteria, 52.54 percent of patients had dental insurance, 26.27 percent had at least one dental risk factor, and 18.17 percent were edentulous. Age and insurance status were significantly correlated with edentulism. Correcting for age, individuals without insurance were 1.56 times as likely to be edentulous. This case study provides insight into patient demographics that might seek care in a corporate setting and suggests that access to a dentist alone may not be adequate in preserving the adult dentition; dental insurance may also be important to health. As the corporate dental practice model continues to grow, these topics deserve further study.

Factors That Attenuate the Correlation Coefficient and Its Analogs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dolenz, Beverly

The correlation coefficient is an integral part of many other statistical techniques (analysis of variance, t-tests, etc.), since all analytic methods are actually correlational (G. V. Glass and K. D. Hopkins, 1984). The correlation coefficient is a statistical summary that represents the degree and direction of relationship between two variables.…

The influence of anxiety and personality factors on comfort and reachability space: a correlational study.

PubMed

Iachini, Tina; Ruggiero, Gennaro; Ruotolo, Francesco; Schiano di Cola, Armando; Senese, Vincenzo Paolo

2015-09-01

Although the effects of several personality factors on interpersonal space (i.e. social space within personal comfort area) are well documented, it is not clear whether they also extend to peripersonal space (i.e. reaching space). Indeed, no study has directly compared these spaces in relation to personality and anxiety factors even though such a comparison would help to clarify to what extent they share similar mechanisms and characteristics. The aim of the present paper was to investigate whether personality dimensions and anxiety levels are associated with reaching and comfort distances. Seventy university students (35 females) were administered the Big Five Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; afterwards, they had to provide reachability- and comfort-distance judgments towards human confederates while standing still (passive) or walking towards them (active). The correlation analyses showed that both spaces were positively related to anxiety and negatively correlated with the Dynamism in the active condition. Moreover, in the passive condition higher Emotional Stability was related to shorter comfort distance, while higher cognitive Openness was associated with shorter reachability distance. The implications of these results are discussed.

Time-dependent analysis of incidence, risk factors and clinical significance of pneumothorax after percutaneous lung biopsy.

PubMed

Lim, Woo Hyeon; Park, Chang Min; Yoon, Soon Ho; Lim, Hyun-Ju; Hwang, Eui Jin; Lee, Jong Hyuk; Goo, Jin Mo

2018-03-01

To evaluate the time-dependent incidence, risk factors and clinical significance of percutaneous lung biopsy (PLB)-related pneumothorax. From January 2012-November 2015, 3,251 patients underwent 3,354 cone-beam CT-guided PLBs for lung lesions. Cox, logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to identify time-dependent risk factors of PLB-related pneumothorax, risk factors of drainage catheter insertion and those of prolonged catheter placement, respectively. Pneumothorax occurred in 915/3,354 PLBs (27.3 %), with 230/915 (25.1 %) occurring during follow-ups. Risk factors for earlier occurrence of PLB-related pneumothorax include emphysema (HR=1.624), smaller target (HR=0.922), deeper location (HR=1.175) and longer puncture time (HR=1.036), while haemoptysis (HR=0.503) showed a protective effect against earlier development of pneumothorax. Seventy-five cases (8.2 %) underwent chest catheter placement. Mean duration of catheter placement was 3.2±2.0 days. Emphysema (odds ratio [OR]=2.400) and longer puncture time (OR=1.053) were assessed as significant risk factors for catheter insertion, and older age (parameter estimate=1.014) was a predictive factor for prolonged catheter placement. PLB-related pneumothorax occurred in 27.3 %, of which 25.1 % developed during follow-ups. Smaller target size, emphysema, deeply-located lesions were significant risk factors of PLB-related pneumothorax. Emphysema and older age were related to drainage catheter insertion and prolonged catheter placement, respectively. • One-fourth of percutaneous lung biopsy (PLB)-related pneumothorax occurs during follow-up. • Smaller, deeply-located target and emphysema lead to early occurrence of pneumothorax. • Emphysema is related to drainage catheter insertion for PLB-related pneumothorax. • Older age may lead to prolonged catheter placement for PLB-related pneumothorax. • Tailored management can be possible with time-dependent information of PLB-related pneumothorax.

Thyroid Gland Involvement in Carcinoma Larynx and Hypopharynx-Predictive Factors and Prognostic Significance.

PubMed

Iype, Elizabeth Mathew; Jagad, Vijay; Nochikattil, Santhosh Kumar; Varghese, Bipin T; Sebastian, Paul

2016-02-01

Intraoperative management of thyroid gland in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer is controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of thyroid gland invasion in patients undergoing surgery for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinoma, to assess predictive factors and to assess the prognosis in patients with and without thyroid gland invasion. One hundred and thirty-three patients who underwent surgery for carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx from 2006 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Surgical specimens were examined to determine the incidence of thyroid gland invasion and predictive factors were analysed. The recurrence rate and the survival in patients with and without thyroid gland invasion were also analysed. Out of the 133 patients with carcinoma larynx and hypopharynx who underwent surgery, histological thyroid gland invasion was observed in 28/133 (21%) patients. Significant relationship was found between histological thyroid gland invasion and preoperative evidence of thyroid cartilage erosion by CT scan and also when gross thyroid gland involvement observed during surgery. There is significant association between thyroid gland invasion when there is upper oesophageal or subglottic involvement. After analysing the retrospective data from our study, we would like to suggest that thyroid gland need not be removed routinely in all laryngectomies, unless there is advanced disease with thyroid cartilage erosion and gross thyroid gland involvement or disease with significant subglottic or oesophageal involvement.

Monitoring of peri-distal gastrectomy carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level in gastric juice and its significance

PubMed Central

Xu, A-Man; Huang, Lei; Han, Wen-Xiu; Wei, Zhi-Jian

2014-01-01

Gastric carcinoma is one of the most common and deadly malignancies nowadays, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in gastric juice has been rarely studied. To compare peri-distal gastrectomy (DG) gastric juice and serum CA 19-9 and reveal its significance, we selected 67 patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma who underwent DG, and collected their perioperative gastric juice whose CA 19-9 was detected, with serum CA 19-9 monitored as a comparison. We found that: gastric juice CA 19-9 pre-gastrectomy was significantly correlated with tumor TNM classification, regarding tumor size, level of gastric wall invaded, differentiated grade and number of metastatic lymph nodes as influencing factors, while serum CA 19-9 revealed little information; gastric juice CA 19-9 was significantly correlated with radical degree, and regarded number of resected lymph nodes and classification of cutting edge as impact factors; thirteen patients whose gastric juice CA 19-9 rose post-DG showed features indicating poor prognosis; the difference of gastric juice CA 19-9 between pre- and post-gastrectomy was correlated with tumor TNM classification and radical degree, and regarded tumor size, number of resected metastatic and normal lymph nodes, sum of distances from tumor to cutting edges and classification of cutting edge as influential factors. We conclude that peri-DG gastric juice CA 19-9 reveals much information about tumor and radical gastrectomy, and may indicate prognosis; while serum CA 19-9 has limited significance. PMID:24482710

The factors that have correlation with student behavior to dispose liquid waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusmawaningtyas, Rieneke; Darmajanti, Linda; Soesilo, Tri Edhi Budhi

2017-03-01

Students majoring in chemistry could produce toxic liquid waste in their laboratory practices. They are not allowed to dispose of hazardous laboratory liquid into the environment. The formulation of problem in this study is that not all students have good behavior to dispose liquid waste properly according to their type and chemical properties while it is expected that all students have good behavior to dispose liquid waste with the type and chemical properties in container vessel, even though all students are expected to have behavior to dispose waste in the container vessel with the support of the predisposing factors, enabling factors, and driving factors. The aim of this study is to analyze the type and chemical properties of liquid waste and the relationship between three factors forming behavior with student behavior. The relationship between three factors forming behavior with student behavior was analyzed by correlative analysis. Type and chemical properties known through observation and qualitative analysis. The results of this research is found that enabling factors and driving behavior have a weak relation with student behavior. Nevertheless, predisposing factors has no relation with student behavior. The result of analysis of waste laboratory are known that laboratory liquid waste contains Cu, Fe, and methylene blue which potentially pollute the environment. The findings show that although generally the laboratory use chemicals in small quantities, but the total quantity of laboratory liquid waste produced from all laboratories in some regions must be considered. Moreover, the impact of the big quantity of liquid waste to environment must be taken into account. Thus, it is recommended that students should raise awareness of the risks associated with laboratory liquid waste and, we should provide proper management for a laboratory and policy makers.

Exponentially increasing incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe correlate with low personal annual UV doses and suggests 2 major risk factors.

PubMed

Merrill, Stephen J; Ashrafi, Samira; Subramanian, Madhan; Godar, Dianne E

2015-01-01

For several decades the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) steadily increased in fair-skinned, indoor-working people around the world. Scientists think poor tanning ability resulting in sunburns initiate CMM, but they do not understand why the incidence continues to increase despite the increased use of sunscreens and formulations offering more protection. This paradox, along with lower incidences of CMM in outdoor workers, although they have significantly higher annual UV doses than indoor workers have, perplexes scientists. We found a temporal exponential increase in the CMM incidence indicating second-order reaction kinetics revealing the existence of 2 major risk factors. From epidemiology studies, we know one major risk factor for getting CMM is poor tanning ability and we now propose the other major risk factor may be the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) because clinicians find β HPVs in over half the biopsies. Moreover, we uncovered yet another paradox; the increasing CMM incidences significantly correlate with decreasing personal annual UV dose, a proxy for low vitamin D3 levels. We also discovered the incidence of CMM significantly increased with decreasing personal annual UV dose from 1960, when it was almost insignificant, to 2000. UV and other DNA-damaging agents can activate viruses, and UV-induced cytokines can hide HPV from immune surveillance, which may explain why CMM also occurs in anatomical locations where the sun does not shine. Thus, we propose the 2 major risk factors for getting CMM are intermittent UV exposures that result in low cutaneous levels of vitamin D3 and possibly viral infection.

Exponentially increasing incidences of cutaneous malignant melanoma in Europe correlate with low personal annual UV doses and suggests 2 major risk factors

PubMed Central

Merrill, Stephen J; Ashrafi, Samira; Subramanian, Madhan; Godar, Dianne E

2015-01-01

For several decades the incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) steadily increased in fair-skinned, indoor-working people around the world. Scientists think poor tanning ability resulting in sunburns initiate CMM, but they do not understand why the incidence continues to increase despite the increased use of sunscreens and formulations offering more protection. This paradox, along with lower incidences of CMM in outdoor workers, although they have significantly higher annual UV doses than indoor workers have, perplexes scientists. We found a temporal exponential increase in the CMM incidence indicating second-order reaction kinetics revealing the existence of 2 major risk factors. From epidemiology studies, we know one major risk factor for getting CMM is poor tanning ability and we now propose the other major risk factor may be the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) because clinicians find β HPVs in over half the biopsies. Moreover, we uncovered yet another paradox; the increasing CMM incidences significantly correlate with decreasing personal annual UV dose, a proxy for low vitamin D3 levels. We also discovered the incidence of CMM significantly increased with decreasing personal annual UV dose from 1960, when it was almost insignificant, to 2000. UV and other DNA-damaging agents can activate viruses, and UV-induced cytokines can hide HPV from immune surveillance, which may explain why CMM also occurs in anatomical locations where the sun does not shine. Thus, we propose the 2 major risk factors for getting CMM are intermittent UV exposures that result in low cutaneous levels of vitamin D3 and possibly viral infection. PMID:26413188

Influenza-like illness in a Vietnamese province: epidemiology in correlation with weather factors and determinants from the surveillance system.

PubMed

Minh An, Dao Thi; Ngoc, Nguyen Thi Bich; Nilsson, Maria

2014-01-01

Seasonal influenza affects from 5 to 15% of the world's population annually and causes an estimated 250,000-500,000 deaths worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 'sentinel surveillance' for influenza-like illness (ILI) because it is simple and calls for standardized methods at a relatively low cost that can be implemented throughout the world. In Vietnam, ILI is a key priority for public health also because of its annually recurring temporal pattern. Two major factors, on which the spread of influenza depends, are the strain of the virus and its rate of mutation, since flu strains constantly mutate as they compete with host immune systems. In the context of global climate change, the role of climatic factors has been discussed, as they may significantly contribute to the cause of large outbreaks of ILI. 1) To describe the epidemiology of ILI in Ha Nam province, Vietnam; 2) to seek scientific evidence on the association of ILI occurrence with weather factors in Ha Nam province; and 3) to analyze factors from the Ha Nam ILI surveillance system that contribute to explaining the correlation between the ILI and the weather factors. A data set of 89,270 monthly reported ILI cases from 2008 to 2012 in Ha Nam was used to describe ILI epidemiological characteristics. Spearman correlation analyses between ILI cases and weather factors were conducted to identify which preceding period of months and weather patterns influenced the occurrence of ILI cases. Ten in-depth interviews with health workers in charge of recording and reporting ILI cases at different levels of the ILI surveillance system were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of factors contributing to explaining the relation between the ILI and the weather factors. The results indicated that the ILI occurred annually in all districts of the Ha Nam province in the five studied years. An epidemic occurred in 2009 with the number of cases three times higher than the average threshold. There was a

Prognostic significance of epithelial/stromal caveolin-1 expression in prostatic hyperplasia, high grade prostatic intraepithelial hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma and its correlation with microvessel density.

PubMed

Mohammed, Dareen A; Helal, Duaa S

2017-03-01

Caveolin-1 may play a role in cancer development and progression. The aim was to record the expression and localization of caveolin-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and prostatic carcinoma (PCa). Microvessel density was evaluated with CD34 immunostain. Correlations with known prognostic factors of PCa were recorded. Immunohistochemical expression of caveolin-1 and the MVD was evaluated in 65 cases; BPH (25), HGPIN (20) and PCa (20). Stromal caveolin-1expression was significantly higher in BPH than HGPIN and PCca. There was significant inverse relation between stromal caveolin-1 expression and extension to lymph node and seminal vesicle in carcinoma cases. Epithelial caveolin-1 was significantly higher in carcinomas than in BPH and HGPIN. Epithelial expression in carcinoma was significantly associated with preoperative PSA, Gleason score and lymph node extension. MVD was significantly higher in PCa than in BPH and HGPIN. There were significant relations between MVD and preoperative PSA, Gleason score, lymph node and seminal vesicle extension. Stromal caveolin-1 was associated with low MVD while epithelial caveolin-1 with high MVD. Caveolin-1 plays an important role in prostatic carcinogenesis and metastasis. Stromal expression of caveolin-1 in PCa is lowered in relation to BPH and HGPIN. In PCa; stromal caveolin-1 was associated with good prognostic parameters. Epithelial caveolin-1 is significantly increased in PCa than BPH and HGPIN. It is associated with clinically aggressive disease. Caveolin-1 may play a role in angiogenesis. Copyright © 2017 National Cancer Institute, Cairo University. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Significant correlation of P-wave parameters with left atrial volume index and left ventricular diastolic function.

PubMed

Tsai, Wei-Chung; Lee, Kun-Tai; Wu, Ming-Tsang; Chu, Chih-Sheng; Lin, Tsung-Hsien; Hsu, Po-Chao; Su, Ho-Ming; Voon, Wen-Chol; Lai, Wen-Ter; Sheu, Sheng-Hsiung

2013-07-01

The 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is a commonly used tool to access left atrial enlargement, which is a marker of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The aim of this study was to evaluate any association of the P-wave measurements in ECG with left atrial volume (LAV) index and LVDD. This study enrolled 270 patients. In this study, 4 ECG P-wave parameters corrected by heart rate, that is, corrected P-wave maximum duration (PWdurMaxC), corrected P-wave dispersion (PWdisperC), corrected P-wave area (PWareaC) and corrected mean P-wave duration (meanPWdurC), were measured. LAV and left ventricular diastolic parameters were measured from echocardiography. LVDD was defined as a pseudonormal or restrictive mitral inflow pattern. The 4 P-wave parameters were significantly correlated with the LAV index after adjusting for age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, body mass index and diastolic blood pressure in multivariate analysis. The standardized β coefficients of PWdurMaxC, PWdisperC, meanPWdurC and PWareaC were 0.338, 0.298, 0.215 and 0.296, respectively. The 4 P-wave parameters were also significantly correlated with LVDD after multivariate logistic regression analysis. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of PWdurMaxC, PWdisperC, meanPWdurC and PWareaC were 1.03 (1.01-1.04), 1.02 (1.04-1.04), 1.04 (1.02-1.07) and 1.01 (1.00-1.02), respectively. This study demonstrated that PWdurMaxC, PWdisperC, meanPWdurC and PWareaC were important determinants of the LAV index and LVDD. Therefore, screening patients by means of the 12-lead ECG may be helpful in identifying a high-risk group of increased LAV index and LVDD.

A Review and Conceptual Model of Factors Correlated with Postmortem Root Band Formation.

PubMed

Donfack, Joseph; Castillo, Hilda S

2018-03-12

It is generally accepted within the forensic trace evidence community that a postmortem root band (PMRB) can appear in the root of hairs attached to remains during decomposition. Presently, the specific sequences of events and/or exact molecular signals that lead to the formation of a PMRB are not well understood. The published literature addressing the abiotic and biotic factors that correlate with the formation of PMRBs is reviewed and a conceptual model for the formation of PMRBs is proposed. © 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Significant Correlation between TLR2 Agonist Activity and TNF-α Induction in J774.A1 Macrophage Cells by Different Medicinal Mushroom Products.

PubMed

Coy, Catherine; Standish, Leanna J; Bender, Geoff; Lu, Hailing

2015-01-01

In the US market, there is a variety of mushroom preparations available, even within the same species of mushroom. Nonetheless, little is known about whether species or the various extraction methods affect biological activity and potency of the immune modulatory activity of mushroom extracts. After discovering that protein-bound polysaccharide-K, a hot water extract from Trametes versicolor, was a potent Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 agonist that stimulates both innate and adaptive immunity, this study was initiated to evaluate whether other medicinal mushroom products also have TLR2 agonist activity and immune-enhancing potential as measured by the induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in J774.A1 murine macrophage cells. Furthermore, the products were divided by extraction method and species to determine whether these factors affect their immunomodulatory activity. The results showed that the majority (75%) of mushroom products tested had TLR2 agonist activity and that there was a significant correlation between TLR2 agonist activity and TNF-α induction potential in the mushroom products analyzed. In addition, the data demonstrated that hot water mushroom extracts are more potent than ground mushroom products in activating TLR2 and inducing TNF-α. These data provide evidence that extraction methods may affect the biological activity of mushroom products; thus, further studies are warranted to investigate the structural differences between various mushroom products.

Prognostic significance of muc4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma.

PubMed

Lee, Hyeon Kook; Cho, Min-Sun; Kim, Tae Hun

2012-10-27

Mucins are high molecular glycoproteins and play protective and lubricating roles in various epithelial tissues. Deregulated expression of mucins is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. MUC4 expression has been identified as a poor prognostic factor in pancreatobiliary carcinomas. To date, the relation between MUC4 expression and prognosis in gallbladder carcinoma remains to be determined. Authors examined MUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma and investigated its impact on prognosis. The expression profiles of MUC4, MUC1, MUC2 mucins in gallbladder carcinoma tissues from 63 patients were investigated using immunohistochemical staining. For gallbladder carcinoma, positive staining of MUC4, MUC1, and MUC2 was 55.6%, 81.0%, 28.6%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the expression of MUC4 and the expression of MUC1 or MUC2 (p = 0.004, p = 0.009, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.05), T-stage (p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor survival. Expression of MUC1 and MUC2 was not correlated to survival. The backward stepwise multivariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001) were significant independent risk factors. In combined assessment of MUC4 and MUC2 expression, MUC4 positive and MUC2 negative group showed a significantly worse outcome than MUC4 negative groups(MUC4-/MUC2+ and MUC4-/MUC2-) and MUC4/MUC2 co-expression group(MUC4+/MUC2+) (p < 0.05). MUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma is an independent poor prognostic factor. Therefore, MUC4 expression may be a useful marker to predict the outcome of patients with surgically resected gallbladder carcinoma. MUC2 expression may have prognostic value when combined with MUC4 expression.

Prognostic significance of muc4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Mucins are high molecular glycoproteins and play protective and lubricating roles in various epithelial tissues. Deregulated expression of mucins is involved in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. MUC4 expression has been identified as a poor prognostic factor in pancreatobiliary carcinomas. To date, the relation between MUC4 expression and prognosis in gallbladder carcinoma remains to be determined. Authors examined MUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma and investigated its impact on prognosis. Methods The expression profiles of MUC4, MUC1, MUC2 mucins in gallbladder carcinoma tissues from 63 patients were investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Results For gallbladder carcinoma, positive staining of MUC4, MUC1, and MUC2 was 55.6%, 81.0%, 28.6%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the expression of MUC4 and the expression of MUC1 or MUC2 (p = 0.004, p = 0.009, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.05), T-stage (p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with poor survival. Expression of MUC1 and MUC2 was not correlated to survival. The backward stepwise multivariate analysis showed that MUC4 expression (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001) were significant independent risk factors. In combined assessment of MUC4 and MUC2 expression, MUC4 positive and MUC2 negative group showed a significantly worse outcome than MUC4 negative groups(MUC4-/MUC2+ and MUC4-/MUC2-) and MUC4/MUC2 co-expression group(MUC4+/MUC2+) (p < 0.05). Conclusions MUC4 expression in gallbladder carcinoma is an independent poor prognostic factor. Therefore, MUC4 expression may be a useful marker to predict the outcome of patients with surgically resected gallbladder carcinoma. MUC2 expression may have prognostic value when combined with MUC4 expression. PMID:23101681

Environmental Factors Correlated with the Metabolite Profile of Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot Noir Berry Skins along a European Latitudinal Gradient.

PubMed

Del-Castillo-Alonso, María Ángeles; Castagna, Antonella; Csepregi, Kristóf; Hideg, Éva; Jakab, Gabor; Jansen, Marcel A K; Jug, Tjaša; Llorens, Laura; Mátai, Anikó; Martínez-Lüscher, Johann; Monforte, Laura; Neugart, Susanne; Olejnickova, Julie; Ranieri, Annamaria; Schödl-Hummel, Katharina; Schreiner, Monika; Soriano, Gonzalo; Teszlák, Péter; Tittmann, Susanne; Urban, Otmar; Verdaguer, Dolors; Zipoli, Gaetano; Martínez-Abaigar, Javier; Núñez-Olivera, Encarnación

2016-11-23

Mature berries of Pinot Noir grapevines were sampled across a latitudinal gradient in Europe, from southern Spain to central Germany. Our aim was to study the influence of latitude-dependent environmental factors on the metabolite composition (mainly phenolic compounds) of berry skins. Solar radiation variables were positively correlated with flavonols and flavanonols and, to a lesser extent, with stilbenes and cinnamic acids. The daily means of global and erythematic UV solar radiation over long periods (bud break-veraison, bud break-harvest, and veraison-harvest), and the doses and daily means in shorter development periods (5-10 days before veraison and harvest) were the variables best correlated with the phenolic profile. The ratio between trihydroxylated and monohydroxylated flavonols, which was positively correlated with antioxidant capacity, was the berry skin variable best correlated with those radiation variables. Total flavanols and total anthocyanins did not show any correlation with radiation variables. Air temperature, degree days, rainfall, and aridity indices showed fewer correlations with metabolite contents than radiation. Moreover, the latter correlations were restricted to the period veraison-harvest, where radiation, temperature, and water availability variables were correlated, making it difficult to separate the possible individual effects of each type of variable. The data show that managing environmental factors, in particular global and UV radiation, through cultural practices during specific development periods, can be useful to promote the synthesis of valuable nutraceuticals and metabolites that influence wine quality.

[Coagulation factor VII levels in uremic patients and theirs influence factors].

PubMed

Fang, Jun; Xia, Ling-Hui; Wei, Wen-Ning; Song, Shan-Jun

2004-12-01

This study was aimed to investigate coagulation factor VII level in uremic patients with chronic renal failure and to explore theirs influence factors. The plasma levels of coagulation factor VII were detected in 30 uremic patients with chronic renal failure before and after hemodialysis for 1 month, the factor VII activity (FVII:C) was determined by one-stage coagulation method, while activated factor VII (FVIIa) was measured by one-stage coagulation method using recombinant soluble tissue factor, and factor VII antigen was detected by ELISA. The results showed that: (1) The FVIIa, FVII:C and FVIIAg levels in chronic uremic patients before hemodialysis were 4.00 +/- 0.86 microg/L, (148.5 +/- 40.4)% and (99.8 +/- 21.1)% respectively, which were significantly increased, as compared with healthy controls [2.77 +/- 1.02 microg/L, (113.1 +/- 33.0)% and (73.7 +/- 18.3)% respectively, P < 0.05]. (2) After hemodialysis the FVIIa, FVII:C and FVIIAg levels in uremic patients significantly enhanced to 5.56 +/- 1.45 microg/L, (200.8 +/- 68.7)% and (124.1 +/- 19.3)% respectively (P < 0.05). (3) The abnormal increase of coagulation factor VII was positively correlated with levels of blood uria nitrogen and serum creatinine before hemodialysis but not after hemodialysis. It is concluded that the enhanced levels of coagulation factor VII in chronic uremic patients suggested abnormal activated state, herperactivity and elevated production of factor VII which correlated with renal functional injury. The abnormality of factor VII in uremia may be aggravated by hemodialysis. Coagulation factor (FVII) may be a risk factor for cardiovascular events in uremic patients who especially had been accepted long-term hemodialysis.

Quantification of anti-nutritional factors and their correlations with protein and oil in soybeans.

PubMed

Bueno, Rafael D; Borges, Leandro L; God, Pedro I V Good; Piovesan, Newton D; Teixeira, Arlindo I; Cruz, Cosme Damião; Barros, Everaldo G DE

2018-01-01

Soybeans contain about 30% carbohydrate, mainly consisting of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and oligosaccharides. NSP are not hydrolyzed in the gastrointestinal tract of monogastric animals. These NSP negatively affect the development of these animals, especially the soluble fraction. This work aimed to establish a method to quantify NSP in soybeans, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and to estimate correlations between NSP, oligosaccharides, protein and oil. Sucrose, raffinose + stachyose, soluble and insoluble NSP contents were determined by HPLC. Oil and protein contents were determined by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The soluble PNAs content showed no significant correlation with protein, oil, sucrose and raffinose + stachyose contents, but oligosaccharides showed a negative correlation with protein content. These findings open up the possibility of developing cultivars with low soluble NSP content, aiming to develop feed for monogastric animals.

Increased expression of c-Ski as a co-repressor in transforming growth factor-beta signaling correlates with progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Fukuchi, Minoru; Nakajima, Masanobu; Fukai, Yasuyuki; Miyazaki, Tatsuya; Masuda, Norihiro; Sohda, Makoto; Manda, Ryokuhei; Tsukada, Katsuhiko; Kato, Hiroyuki; Kuwano, Hiroyuki

2004-03-01

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulates cell growth inhibition, and inactivation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway contributes to tumor development. In our previous study, altered expression of TGF-beta, TGF-beta-specific receptors and Smad4 was shown to correlate with tumor progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These components, however, were maintained normally in some patients with esophageal SCC. In our study, the mechanism by which aggressive esophageal SCC maintains these components was investigated, with particular emphasis on the participation of c-Ski and SnoN as transcriptional co-repressors in TGF-beta signaling. Immunohistochemistry for c-Ski and SnoN was carried out on surgical specimens obtained from 80 patients with esophageal SCC. The expression of c-Ski and SnoN was also studied in 6 established cell lines derived from esophageal SCC and compared to an immortalized human esophageal cell line by Western blotting. High levels of expression of c-Ski, detected immunohistologically, were found to correlate with depth of invasion (p = 0.0080) and pathologic stage (p = 0.0447). There was, however, no significant correlation between expression of SnoN and clinicopathologic characteristics. A significant correlation between c-Ski and TGF-beta expression was observed. Moreover, in patients with TGF-beta negative expression, the survival rates of patients with c-Ski positive expression were significantly lower than those of patients with c-Ski negative expression (p = 0.0486). c-Ski was expressed at a high level in 5 of 6 cell lines derived from esophageal SCC compared to immortalized esophageal keratinocytes. Furthermore, the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, p21 that was up-regulated by TGF-beta signaling was expressed at a low level in the 5 cell lines. The expression of c-Ski protein as a transcriptional co-repressor in TGF-beta signaling seems to be correlated with tumor progression of esophageal SCC. Copyright 2003

Homonegative Attitudes and their Correlates Among Vietnamese College Students.

PubMed

Thanh Nguyen, Toan; Kimura, Kenichi; Morinaga, Yasuko

2016-06-01

This study investigated sex differences in homonegativity and their correlates among 197 Vietnamese college students (males = 49, females = 148, M = 20.9 years, SD = 2.9) in Ho Chi Minh City. The survey included Vietnamese-language versions of four scales measuring attitudes toward homosexuality (ATHS), traditional masculinity ideology, knowledge of homosexuality, and contact experiences with homosexuals. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a 3-factor structure for the ATHS: Homonegativity, Tolerance, and Positive Images. Male respondents reported significantly higher scores on homonegativity. Traditional masculinity ideology was positively related to females' homonegativity, but negatively correlated with tolerant attitudes of both males and females. Knowledge about homosexuality was negatively correlated with homonegativity. Media contact with homosexuals was negatively correlated with males' homonegativity, but positively correlated with both females and males' tolerant attitudes. Results suggest that future research develop a new scale to measure Vietnamese's homonegativity and that media contact as well as ample and accurate knowledge about homosexuality can alter homonegativity. © The Author(s) 2016.

Personality correlates of the Five-Factor Model for a sample of business owners/managers: associations with scores on Self-Monitoring, Type A Behavior, Locus of Control, and Subjective Well-being.

PubMed

Morrison, K A

1997-02-01

Bivariate relationships were examined between scores on the Five-Factor Model of personality and four personality dimensions including Self-monitoring, Locus of Control, Type A Behavior, and Subjective Well-being. Data were collected from 307 franchise business owner/managers from four different industries. Scores for Self-monitoring were positively related to those on Extraversion; Self-monitoring was the only personality measure significantly correlated with scores on Openness to Experience. Scores for Type A Behavior, measured by the Jenkins Activity Survey, were negatively correlated with Agreeableness and positively correlated with those for Extraversion. Somewhat surprisingly, the score for Type A Behavior had a relatively low correlation with the score for Conscientiousness. Scores for Subjective Well-being and Locus of Control were most strongly correlated with the positive pole of Neuroticism (Emotional Stability), Conscientiousness, and Extraversion. Possible explanations for the observed relationships are discussed.

STRONTIUM-90 LIQUID CONCENTRATION SOLUBILITY CORRELATION IN THE HANFORD TANK WASTE OPERATIONS SIMULATOR

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

HOHL, T.; PLACE, D.; WITTMAN, R.

2004-08-05

A new correlation was developed to estimate the concentration of strontium-90 in a waste solution based on total organic carbon. This correlation replaces the strontium-90 wash factors, and when applied in the Hanford Tank Waste Operations Simulator, significantly reduced the estimated quantity of strontium-90 in the delivered low-activity waste feed. This is thought to be a more realistic estimate of strontium-90 than using the wash-factor method.

Psychosocial factors and pre-abortion psychological health: The significance of stigma.

PubMed

Steinberg, Julia R; Tschann, Jeanne M; Furgerson, Dorothy; Harper, Cynthia C

2016-02-01

Most research in mental health and abortion has examined factors associated with post-abortion psychological health. However, research that follows women from before to after their abortion consistently finds that depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms are highest just before an abortion compared to any time afterwards. This finding suggests that studies investigating psychosocial factors related to pre-abortion mental health are warranted. The current study uses data from 353 women seeking abortions at three community reproductive health clinics to examine predictors of pre-abortion psychological health. Drawing from three perspectives in the abortion and mental health literature, common risks, stress and coping, and sociocultural context, we conducted multivariable analyses to examine the contribution of important factors on depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms just before an abortion, including sociodemographics, abortion characteristics, childhood adversities, recent adversities with an intimate partner, relationship context, future pregnancy desires, and perceived abortion stigma. Childhood and partner adversities, including reproductive coercion, were associated with negative mental health symptoms, as was perceived abortion stigma. Before perceived abortion stigma was entered into the model, 18.6%, 20.7%, and 16.8% of the variance in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms respectively, was explained. Perceived abortion stigma explained an additional 13.2%, 9.7%, and 10.7% of the variance in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms pre-abortion. This study, one of the first to focus on pre-abortion mental health as an outcome, suggests that addressing stigma among women seeking abortions may significantly lower their psychological distress. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Psychosocial factors and pre-abortion psychological health: The significance of stigma

PubMed Central

Steinberg, Julia R.; Tschann, Jeanne M.; Furgerson, Dorothy; Harper, Cynthia C.

2016-01-01

Rationale Most research in mental health and abortion has examined factors associated with post-abortion psychological health. However, research that follows women from before to after their abortion consistently finds that depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms are highest just before an abortion compared to any time afterwards. Objective This finding suggests that studies investigating psychosocial factors related to pre-abortion mental health are warranted. Methods The current study uses data from 353 women seeking abortions at three community reproductive health clinics to examine predictors of pre-abortion psychological health. Drawing from three perspectives in the abortion and mental health literature, common risks, stress and coping, and sociocultural context, we conducted multivariable analyses to examine the contribution of important factors on depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms just before an abortion, including sociodemographics, abortion characteristics, childhood adversities, recent adversities with an intimate partner, relationship context, future pregnancy desires, and perceived abortion stigma. Results Childhood and partner adversities, including reproductive coercion, were associated with negative mental health symptoms, as was perceived abortion stigma. Before perceived abortion stigma was entered into the model, 18.6 %, 20.7 %, and 16.8% of the variance in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms respectively, was explained. Perceived abortion stigma explained an additional 13.2 %, 9.7 %, and 10.7 % of the variance in depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms pre-abortion. Conclusion This study, one of the first to focus on pre-abortion mental health as an outcome, suggests that addressing stigma among women seeking abortions may significantly lower their psychological distress. PMID:26735332

Risk factors correlated with plantar pressure in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Qiu, Xuan; Tian, De-Hu; Han, Chang-Ling; Chen, Wei; Wang, Zhan-Jian; Mu, Zhen-Yun; Li, Xu; Liu, Kuan-Zhi

2013-12-01

Plantar pressure is a key factor for predicting ulceration in the foot of a diabetes patient. We recruited a group of 100 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and an age-, sex-, weight-, and height-matched group of 100 Chinese subjects without diabetes. We obtained plantar pressure data using a Footscan(®) gait system (RsScan International, Olen, Belgium) when the subjects with and without diabetes walked barefoot across a sensor platform. We recorded the maximum force, maximum pressure, impulse, pressure-time integral, and loading rate from 10 regions of the foot. We collected the data of 11 history-based variables, 10 anthropometric variables, and three metabolic variables regarding the clinical characteristics of the diabetes patients. Weight was identified as a determining factor for high plantar pressure. Height, the Neuropathy Symptom Score (NSS), and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were correlated positively with plantar pressure measurements, respectively. The sex, history of ulcer and callus, intima-media membrane of the lower limb blood vessels, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) could also explain a portion of the variability of the plantar pressure measurements. However, the correlations were low or weak. High plantar pressure in diabetes patients could be predicted, in part, based on weight, height, NSS, ABI, sex, history of ulcer and callus, intima-media membrane of the lower limb blood vessels, and FBG. Therefore, interventions should be taken specifically before high plantar pressure emerges.

Holographic thermalization with initial long range correlation

DOE PAGES

Lin, Shu

2016-01-19

Here, we studied the evolution of the Wightman correlator in a thermalizing state modeled by AdS 3-Vaidya background. A prescription was given for calculating the Wightman correlator in coordinate space without using any approximation. For equal-time correlator , we obtained an enhancement factor v 2 due to long range correlation present in the initial state. This was missed by previous studies based on geodesic approximation. Moreover, we found that the long range correlation in initial state does not lead to significant modification to thermalization time as compared to known results with generic initial state. We also studied the spatially integratedmore » Wightman correlator and showed evidence on the distinction between long distance and small momentum physics for an out-of-equilibrium state. We also calculated the radiation spectrum of particles weakly coupled to O and found that lower frequency mode approaches thermal spectrum faster than high frequency mode.« less

Separable projection integrals for higher-order correlators of the cosmic microwave sky: Acceleration by factors exceeding 100

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briggs, J. P.; Pennycook, S. J.; Fergusson, J. R.; Jäykkä, J.; Shellard, E. P. S.

2016-04-01

We present a case study describing efforts to optimise and modernise "Modal", the simulation and analysis pipeline used by the Planck satellite experiment for constraining general non-Gaussian models of the early universe via the bispectrum (or three-point correlator) of the cosmic microwave background radiation. We focus on one particular element of the code: the projection of bispectra from the end of inflation to the spherical shell at decoupling, which defines the CMB we observe today. This code involves a three-dimensional inner product between two functions, one of which requires an integral, on a non-rectangular domain containing a sparse grid. We show that by employing separable methods this calculation can be reduced to a one-dimensional summation plus two integrations, reducing the overall dimensionality from four to three. The introduction of separable functions also solves the issue of the non-rectangular sparse grid. This separable method can become unstable in certain scenarios and so the slower non-separable integral must be calculated instead. We present a discussion of the optimisation of both approaches. We demonstrate significant speed-ups of ≈100×, arising from a combination of algorithmic improvements and architecture-aware optimisations targeted at improving thread and vectorisation behaviour. The resulting MPI/OpenMP hybrid code is capable of executing on clusters containing processors and/or coprocessors, with strong-scaling efficiency of 98.6% on up to 16 nodes. We find that a single coprocessor outperforms two processor sockets by a factor of 1.3× and that running the same code across a combination of both microarchitectures improves performance-per-node by a factor of 3.38×. By making bispectrum calculations competitive with those for the power spectrum (or two-point correlator) we are now able to consider joint analysis for cosmological science exploitation of new data.

Recent mathematical developments in 2D correlation spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noda, I.

2000-03-01

Recent mathematical developments in the field of 2D correlation spectroscopy, especially those related to the statistical theory, are reported. The notion of correlation phase angle is introduced. The significance of correlation phase angle between dynamic fluctuations of signals measured at two different spectral variables may be linked to more commonly known statistical concepts, such as coherence and correlation coefficient. This treatment provides the direct mathematical connection between the synchronous 2D correlation spectrum with a continuous form of the variance-covariance matrix. Moreover, it gives the background for the formal definition of the disrelation spectrum, which may be used as a heuristic substitution for the asynchronous 2D spectrum. The 2D correlation intensity may be separated into two independent factors representing the normalized extent of signal fluctuation coherence (i.e., correlation coefficient) and the magnitude of spectral intensity changes (i.e., variance). Such separation offers a convenient way to artificially enhance the discriminating power of 2D correlation spectra.

Significant Impacts of Increasing Aridity on the Arid Soil Microbiome.

PubMed

Neilson, Julia W; Califf, Katy; Cardona, Cesar; Copeland, Audrey; van Treuren, Will; Josephson, Karen L; Knight, Rob; Gilbert, Jack A; Quade, Jay; Caporaso, J Gregory; Maier, Raina M

2017-01-01

Global deserts occupy one-third of the Earth's surface and contribute significantly to organic carbon storage, a process at risk in dryland ecosystems that are highly vulnerable to climate-driven ecosystem degradation. The forces controlling desert ecosystem degradation rates are poorly understood, particularly with respect to the relevance of the arid-soil microbiome. Here we document correlations between increasing aridity and soil bacterial and archaeal microbiome composition along arid to hyperarid transects traversing the Atacama Desert, Chile. A meta-analysis reveals that Atacama soil microbiomes exhibit a gradient in composition, are distinct from a broad cross-section of nondesert soils, and yet are similar to three deserts from different continents. Community richness and diversity were significantly positively correlated with soil relative humidity (SoilRH). Phylogenetic composition was strongly correlated with SoilRH, temperature, and electrical conductivity. The strongest and most significant correlations between SoilRH and phylum relative abundance were observed for Acidobacteria , Proteobacteria , Planctomycetes , Verrucomicrobia , and Euryarchaeota (Spearman's rank correlation [ r s ] = >0.81; false-discovery rate [ q ] = ≤0.005), characterized by 10- to 300-fold decreases in the relative abundance of each taxon. In addition, network analysis revealed a deterioration in the density of significant associations between taxa along the arid to hyperarid gradient, a pattern that may compromise the resilience of hyperarid communities because they lack properties associated with communities that are more integrated. In summary, results suggest that arid-soil microbiome stability is sensitive to aridity as demonstrated by decreased community connectivity associated with the transition from the arid class to the hyperarid class and the significant correlations observed between soilRH and both diversity and the relative abundances of key microbial phyla

Understanding intimate partner violence and its correlates

PubMed Central

Ramadugu, Shashikumar; Jayaram, Prasad V.; Srivastava, Kalpana; Chatterjee, Kaushik; Madhusudan, T.

2015-01-01

Objectives: This study assessed intimate partner violence (IPV) and alcohol use in an urban population in Pune, India. The prevalence of IPV and alcohol use was assessed along with the correlation of IPV with alcohol and other variables. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional, questionnaire-based. The materials used were the hurt insult threaten scream (HITS) scale, the alcohol use disorders identification test, and a brief psychosocial questionnaire. Systematic random sampling was done on the target population. Regression analysis of various factors in relation to HITS score was done. Results: Sample size (n) was 318 individuals. Prevalence of IPV was found to be 16% and the victims were mostly women. Prevalence of alcohol use was 44%, of which 8.9% were harmful users. No female subjects consumed alcohol, but 94% were aware of their husband's alcohol consumption. No significant correlation was found between IPV and education (P = 0.220) or income of women (P = 0.250). Alcohol consumption by males was a significant risk factor for women experiencing IPV (σ = +0.524; P< 0.001). Regression analysis also revealed that increasing marital age (P = 0.019) and financial support from in-laws (P = 0.040) were significantly protective. Conclusion: IPV prevalence was less than the national average for India, but the majority of victims was women. The most common type of IPV was verbal. Alcohol use prevalence was higher than the national average, but harmful use was lower. Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for IPV. Education and income of women were not significantly protective against IPV but increased age at marriage and support from in-laws were. PMID:27212823

[Role and clinical significance of coagulation and inflammatory factors in moderate and severe ovarian endometriosis].

PubMed

Lin, Q; Ding, S J; Zhu, T H; Li, T T; Huang, X F; Zhang, X M

2018-03-25

Objective: To determine the levels of coagulation and inflammatory factors in women with moderate and severe ovarian endometriosis so as to investigate the possible role of coagulation and inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. Methods: From June 2015 and June 2017, clinical data of 366 patients with pathologically diagnosed moderate and severe ovarian endometriosis (case group) and 244 patients with pathologically diagnosed benign ovarian cysts (control group) in Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of coagulation indicators, inflammatory factors and serum tumor markers were measured. Then, the values of these indicators in diagnosis of endometriosis were analyzed. Results: (1) The levels of plasma prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) in patients with ovarian endometriosis [median: 12.8 s (range: 12.4-13.2 s) and 15.5 s (range: 15.1-15.9 s), respectively] were significantly shorter than those with benign ovarian cysts [median: 13.0 s (range: 12.5-13.4 s) and 15.7 s (range: 15.3-16.1 s), respectively; all P <0.01]. The levels of plasma fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer [D-D; median: 3.1 g/L (range: 2.8-3.5 g/L) and 0.9 mg/L (range: 0.6-2.1 mg/L) , respectively] in patients with ovarian endometriosis were significantly higher than those with benign ovarian cysts [median: 2.8 g/L (range: 2.6-3.2 g/L) and 0.6 mg/L (range: 0.4-1.2 mg/L), respectively; P =0.000]. Moreover, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio [PLR; median: 2.3 (range: 1.8-3.1) and 144 (range: 113-179), respectively] in patients with ovarian endometriosis were significantly higher than those with benign ovarian cysts [median: 2.1 (range: 1.6-2.8) and 128 (range: 104-165), respectively; P <0.01]. Furthermore, in patients with ovarian endometriosis, the levels of PT were significantly shorter in stage Ⅳ endometriosis than that in stage Ⅲ endometriosis ( P <0

Clinical significance of hyperglycaemia in acute coronary syndrome patients.

PubMed

Cherneva, Zheyna Vlaeva; Denchev, Stefan Veselinov; Gospodinova, Mariana Vasileva; Milcheva, Nora Petrova; Petrova, Mariana Genova; Cherneva, Radostina Vlaeva

2011-12-01

The clinical significance of moment measurements (admission and fasting glycaemia), persistent (hyperglycaemic index, HGI; time average glucose, TAG; mean glucose; maximum glucose) or chronic hyperglycaemia (HbA1c), estimated average glucose, eAG) is still elusive in clinical practice. To identify the clinical significance of hyperglycaemia in ACS. The study included 226 consecutive patients with ACS. Indicators for hyperglycaemia were defined, calculated and a correlation analysis with standard parameters-EF, maximum CPK, maximum CPK-MB and troponin was performed. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Indicators for persistent and chronic hyperglycaemia correlated neither to ejection fraction, nor to the enzymes for myocardial necrosis (P > 0.05). In contrast, acute hyperglycaemia correlated negatively with ventricular systolic dysfunction (P = 0.001/0.007) and positively with maximum CPK, MB and troponin (P = 0.0001/0.008). TAG was an independent predictor for 6-month re-hospitalization (P = 0.027) because of cardiac complications. Glycaemia at admission and fasting glucose could be used as metabolic surrogate markers for ventricular systolic dysfunction and TAG as an independent surrogate marker for six-month re-hospitalization. None of the indicators for hyperglycaemia could be used as independent prognostic factors for survival. Hyperglycaemia rather reflects an underlying impairment in glucose metabolism.

The Significance of Adolescents' Relationships with Significant Others and School Failure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Domagala-Zysk, Ewa

2006-01-01

This article demonstrates the importance of social support from students' significant others (parents, peers and teachers) in the process of doing well at school. The main focus of the research project was to find correlations between the quality of adolescents' relationships with significant others and their school success or school failure, as…

Significance of blood group and social factors in carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population in India.

PubMed

Kai, Lee Jun; Raju, Kalyani; Malligere Lingaiah, Harendra Kumar; Mariyappa, Narayanaswamy

2013-01-01

To assess the significance of social factors as risk factors for carcinoma cervix and to determine the significance of blood group to prevalence of carcinoma cervix in a semi-urban population of Kolar, Karnataka, India. One hundred cases of carcinoma cervix were included in the study, along with 200 females of the same ages considered as controls. Case details were collected from the hospital record section regarding social factors and blood groups and the data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. Blood group B showed the highest number of cases (55 cases) followed by blood group O (29 cases) in carcinoma cervix which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Age of marriage between 11 to 20 years showed highest number of carcinoma cervix cases (77 cases) and this also was statistically significant (p<0.001). Patients with rural background were 75 (p=0.112, odds ratio: 1.54), parity of more than or equal to two constituted 96 cases (p=0.006, odds ratio: 4.07) and Hindu patients were 95 in number (p=0.220, odds ratio: 1.89). Blood group B and age of marriage between 11 and 20 years were significantly associated with carcinoma cervix in our population. Region of residence, parity and religion presented with a altered risk for carcinoma cervix.

Phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll-a are significant factors controlling ciliate communities in summer in the northern Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.

PubMed

Wang, Yibo; Zhang, Wenjing; Lin, Yuanshao; Cao, Wenqing; Zheng, Lianming; Yang, Jun

2014-01-01

Ciliates (protozoa) are ubiquitous components of plankton community and play important roles in aquatic ecosystems in regards of their abundance, biomass, diversity and energy turnover. Based on the stratified samples collected from the northern Beibu Gulf in August 2011, species composition, abundance, biomass, diversity and spatial pattern of planktonic ciliates were studied. Furthermore the main environmental factors controlling ciliate communities were determined. A total of 101 species belonging to 44 genera and 7 orders (i.e., Oligotrichida, Haptorida, Euplotida, Sessilida, Pleurostomatida, Scuticociliatida and Tintinnida) were identified. The variation of ciliate communities was significant at horizontal level, but that was not at vertical level. Based on cluster analysis, ciliate communities were divided into three main groups. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that Group A, existing in the waters with higher concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen, was dominated by Tintinnidium primitivum. Group B in the waters with lower temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration, was dominated by Leegaardiella ovalis. Group C, existing in the waters with higher temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration, was dominated by large Strombidium spp. and Mesodinium rubrum. Combining multiple analytic methods, our results strongly supported that phosphorus, nitrogen and chlorophyll-a were the most significant factors affecting the ciliate communities in the northern Beibu Gulf in summer. Concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen primarily influenced ciliate biomass, implying a potential impact of eutrophication on ciliate growth. The correlation with chlorophyll-a concentration, on one hand indicate the response of ciliates to the food availability, and on the other hand, the ciliates containing chloroplasts or endosymbionts may contribute greatly to the chlorophyll-a.

The correlation between birth weight and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1), and three-dimensional fetal volume.

PubMed

Kimyon Comert, Gunsu; Esin, Sertac; Caglar, Gamze Sinem; Yirci, Bulent; Ozdemir, Sedat; Demirtas, Selda; Kandemir, Omer

2018-01-24

This study aimed to determine the relationship between birth weight, and maternal serum insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and kisspeptin-1 (KISS-1) levels, and first-trimester fetal volume (FV) based on three-dimensional ultrasonography. The study included 142 pregnant women at gestational week 11°-13 6 . All fetuses were imaged ultrasonographically by the same physician. Maternal blood samples were collected at the time of ultrasonographic evaluation and analyzed for IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Maternal and neonatal weights were recorded at birth. Birth weight ≤10th and the >90th percentiles was defined as small and large for gestational age (SGA and LGA), respectively. Median crown-rump length (CRL), FV, and maternal serum IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels were 58.2 mm (35.3-79.2 mm), 16.3 cm 3 (3.8-34.4 cm 3 ), 68.1 ng mL -1 (3.8-377.9 mL -1 ), and 99.7 ng L -1 (42.1-965.3 ng L -1 ), respectively. First-trimester IGFBP-1 levels were significantly lower in the mothers with LGA neonates (p < .05). There was a significant positive correlation between CRL and FV, and between the IGFBP-1 and KISS-1 levels. IGFBP-1 levels and maternal weight at delivery were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight. There was no correlation between CRL or FV and maternal IGFBP-1 or KISS1 levels (p > .05). The maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester was a significant independent factor for SGA and LGA neonates (Odds ratio (OR): 0.011, 95%CI: 1.005-1.018, p < .001; and OR: 1.297, 95%CI: 1.074-1.566, p = .007, respectively). There was no significant relationship between SGA or LGA, and CRL, FV, or the KISS-1 level. As compared to the maternal KISS-1 level, the maternal IGFBP-1 level during the first trimester might be a better biomarker of fetal growth. Additional larger scale studies are needed to further delineate the utility of IGFBP-1 as a marker of abnormal birth

Correlation of CRP, fasting serum triglycerides and obesity as cardiovascular risk factors.

PubMed

Firdous, Samar

2014-05-01

To determine the correlation of C-reactive protein (CRP) with fasting triglycerides (TG) among pre-obese and obese patients without established diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). A comparative cross-sectional study. Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2010. Patients with BMI > 23 kg/m2 aged between 18 - 65 years were inducted and above variables were studied. Patients with signs of fluid retention, collagen vascular disease, CAD, patients on corticosteroids, immunomodulators or lipid lowering medications and febrile patients were not recruited. Body mass index was also determined. Independent sample t-test was applied to see the mean difference of age, CRP level and triglycerides level in relation to gender. Chi-square test was used to see the association between qualitative variables. ANOVA was applied to see CRP and fasting serum TG level in relation to BMI categories. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression was applied to see the dependency of CRP and triglycerides with BMI. P-value ² 0.05 was taken as significant. Raised CRP was major finding among all groups of BMI. Most of obese and pre-obese patients were young and middle aged and belonged to pre-obese group followed by class-1 and class-2 obesity. CRP level increased with body mass index. No such trend was observed for triglycerides. There was an intermediate positive correlation between CRP and BMI and triglycerides and BMI showed a weak negative correlation. If BMI increases by 1 unit on the average, CRP rises by 0.239 times and this unit rise was significant. Whereas 1 unit rise increase in triglycerides on the average cause CRP to decrease -0.006 times but this value was insignificant. Raised CRP and high fasting TG were major findings in all age groups especially among young and middle aged people. Obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and raised CRP are interrelated suggesting that obesity is not only linked to hypertriglyceridemia but vascular inflammation among pre-obese and obese

Neighbourhood environment correlates of physical activity: a study of eight Czech regional towns.

PubMed

Sigmundová, Dagmar; El Ansari, Walid; Sigmund, Erik

2011-02-01

An adequate amount of physical activity (PA) is a key factor that is associated with good health. This study assessed socio-environmental factors associated with meeting the health recommendations for PA (achieving 10,000 steps per day). In total, 1,653 respondents randomly selected from across eight regional towns (each >90,000 inhabitants) in the Czech Republic participated in the study. The ANEWS questionnaire assessed the environment in neighbourhoods, and participants' weekly PA was objectively monitored (Yamax Digiwalker SW-700 pedometer). About 24% of participants were sufficiently active, 27% were highly active; 28% participants were overweight and 5% were obese. Although BMI was significantly inversely associated with the daily step counts achieved only in females, for both genders, BMI was generally not significantly associated with the criterion of achieving 10,000 steps per day during the week. Increased BMI in both genders was accompanied with a decline in participation in organized PA and with increasing age. As regards to the demographic/lifestyle factors, for females, more participation in organized PA was significantly positively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In contrast, older age and higher BMI (for females) and smoking (for males) were significantly negatively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In terms of the environmental aspects, pleasant environments were significantly positively correlated to daily step counts for both genders. Additionally, for males, better residencies (more family homes rather than apartment blocks) in the neighbourhood were significantly positively correlated with their daily step counts. For females, less accessibility of shops and non-sport facilities (depending on walking distance in minutes) were significantly negatively correlated to the achieved daily step counts. Individuals who lived in pleasant neighbourhoods, with better access to shops and who participated in organized PA (≥ 2

Neighbourhood Environment Correlates of Physical Activity: A Study of Eight Czech Regional Towns

PubMed Central

Sigmundová, Dagmar; El Ansari, Walid; Sigmund, Erik

2011-01-01

An adequate amount of physical activity (PA) is a key factor that is associated with good health. This study assessed socio-environmental factors associated with meeting the health recommendations for PA (achieving 10,000 steps per day). In total, 1,653 respondents randomly selected from across eight regional towns (each >90,000 inhabitants) in the Czech Republic participated in the study. The ANEWS questionnaire assessed the environment in neighbourhoods, and participants’ weekly PA was objectively monitored (Yamax Digiwalker SW-700 pedometer). About 24% of participants were sufficiently active, 27% were highly active; 28% participants were overweight and 5% were obese. Although BMI was significantly inversely associated with the daily step counts achieved only in females, for both genders, BMI was generally not significantly associated with the criterion of achieving 10,000 steps per day during the week. Increased BMI in both genders was accompanied with a decline in participation in organized PA and with increasing age. As regards to the demographic/lifestyle factors, for females, more participation in organized PA was significantly positively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In contrast, older age and higher BMI (for females) and smoking (for males) were significantly negatively correlated with the achieved daily step counts. In terms of the environmental aspects, pleasant environments were significantly positively correlated to daily step counts for both genders. Additionally, for males, better residencies (more family homes rather than apartment blocks) in the neighbourhood were significantly positively correlated with their daily step counts. For females, less accessibility of shops and non-sport facilities (depending on walking distance in minutes) were significantly negatively correlated to the achieved daily step counts. Individuals who lived in pleasant neighbourhoods, with better access to shops and who participated in organized PA (�

Brief Report: HIV/HBV Coinfection is a Significant Risk Factor for Liver Fibrosis in Tanzanian HIV-Infected Adults.

PubMed

Hawkins, Claudia; Christian, Beatrice; Fabian, Emanuel; Macha, Irene; Gawile, Cecilia; Mpangala, Shida; Ulenga, Nzovu; Thio, Chloe L; Ammerman, Lauren R; Mugusi, Ferdinand; Fawzi, Wafaie; Green, Richard; Murphy, Robert

2017-11-01

In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden of liver disease associated with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV is unknown. We characterized liver disease using aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and FIB-4 in patients with HIV, HBV, and HIV/HBV coinfection in Tanzania. Using a cross-sectional design, we compared the prevalence of liver fibrosis in treatment-naive HIV monoinfected, HBV monoinfected, and HIV/HBV-coinfected adults enrolled at Management and Development for Health (MDH)-supported HIV treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Risk factors associated with significant fibrosis (APRI >0.5 and FIB-4 >1.45) were examined. Two hundred sixty-seven HIV-infected, 165 HBV-infected, and 63 HIV/HBV-coinfected patients were analyzed [44% men, median age 37 (interquartile range 14), body mass index 23 (7)]. APRI and FIB-4 were strongly correlated (r = 0.78, P < 0.001, R = 0.61). Overall median APRI scores were low {HIV/HBV [0.36 (interquartile range 0.4)], HIV [0.23 (0.17)], HBV [0.29 (0.15)] (P < 0.01)}. In multivariate analyses, HIV/HBV coinfection was associated with APRI >0.5 [HIV/HBV vs. HIV: odds ratio (OR) 3.78 (95% confidence interval: 1.91 to 7.50)], [HIV/HBV vs. HBV: OR 2.61 (1.26 to 5.44)]. HIV RNA per 1 log10 copies/mL increase [OR 1.53 (95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 2.26)] and HBV DNA per 1 log10 copies/mL increase [OR 1.36 (1.15, 1.62)] were independently associated with APRI >0.5 in HIV-infected and HBV-infected patients, respectively. HIV/HBV coinfection is an important risk factor for significant fibrosis. Higher levels of circulating HIV and HBV virus may play a direct role in liver fibrogenesis. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive monitoring of liver disease in HIV/HBV coinfection is warranted.

Clinical correlation to differences in ranibizumab and aflibercept vascular endothelial growth factor suppression times.

PubMed

Fauser, Sascha; Muether, Philipp S

2016-11-01

To determine clinical correlations to intraocular vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) suppression times (VSTs) on the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) with ranibizumab (Lucentis) or aflibercept (Eylea). Seven of 89 treatment-naïve nAMD eyes showed persistent choroidal neovascular membrane (CNV) activity throughout a spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-driven pro re nata (PRN) regimen of intravitreal ranibizumab injections over 28±4 months. The treatment was switched to PRN aflibercept injections and patients were followed for another 15±2 months. A total of 160 aqueous humour specimens were collected before the intravitreal injections, and their VEGF-A concentrations were assayed by Luminex multiplex bead analysis (Luminex, Austin, Texas, USA). Intraocular VEGF-A concentrations were correlated to CNV activity shown by SD-OCT. The mean duration of suppression of VEGF-A concentrations in aqueous humour below the lower limit of quantification of our assay was 34±5 (26-69) days for ranibizumab and 67±14 (49-89) days for aflibercept (p<0.001). The percentual reduction of central retinal volume (CRV) 6 weeks after injection was higher for aflibercept compared with ranibizumab (p=0.009). The time point of clinical re-activity occurred about 50% earlier than the respective VST for each ranibizumab and aflibercept. The VST under aflibercept treatment exceeded that under ranibizumab treatment by a factor of 2. This difference correlated with differential clinical CRV reduction 6 weeks after the respective injection. For both medications, clinical activity was found at a time point as early as 50% of the individual VST. NCT01213667, post-results. 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/.

Angiodrastic Chemokines in Colorectal Cancer: Clinicopathological Correlations.

PubMed

Emmanouil, George; Ayiomamitis, George; Zizi-Sermpetzoglou, Adamantia; Tzardi, Maria; Moursellas, Andrew; Voumvouraki, Argyro; Kouroumalis, Elias

2018-01-01

To study the expression of angiodrastic chemokines in colorectal tumors and correlate findings with clinicopathological parameters and survival. The proangiogenic factor VEGF, the angiogenic chemokines CXCL8 and CXCL6, and the angiostatic chemokine CXCL4 were measured by ELISA in tumor and normal tissue of 35 stage II and III patients and correlated with the histopathology markers Ki67, p53, p21, bcl2, EGFR, and MLH1 and 5-year survival. The Wilcoxon and chi-square tests were used for statistical comparisons. There was a significant increase of CXCL6 ( p = 0.005) and VEGF ( p = 0.003) in cancerous tissue compared to normal. Patients with lower levels of CXCL8 and CXCL4 lived significantly longer. Patients with loss of EGFR expression had higher levels of CXCL8 while p21 loss was associated with higher levels of CXCL6. Chemokine levels were not correlated with TNM or Dukes classification. Strong expression of p53 was accompanied by decreased survival. (1) The angiogenic factors CXCL6 and VEGF are increased in colorectal cancer tissue with no association with the clinical stage of the disease or survival. (2) However, increased levels of tissue CXCL8 and CXCL4 are associated with poor survival. (3) Strong expression of p53 is found in patients with poor survival.

Assessment of the correlation between the atherogenic index of plasma and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents: might it be superior to the TG/HDL-C ratio?

PubMed

Nogay, Nalan Hakime

2017-08-28

Most of the studies investigating the correlation between the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and cardiometabolic risk factors have been conducted with adults, while only a limited number of related studies that involved children and adolescents has been conducted. The purpose of this study is to assess the correlation between the AIP and other cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents. This study was conducted with 310 girls and 90 boys who were between the ages of 6 and 18 years. After a 10-h fasting period, the biochemical values of the participants were measured in the morning. The anthropometric measurements of the participants were also taken. The AIP was calculated as Log10 (triglycerides/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol; TG/HDL-C). In adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18, the mean AIP of the group with TG ≥130 mg/dL was significantly higher than that of the groups with TG of 90-129 mg/dL and <90 mg/dL. There was a strong correlation between TG and AIP for both boys and girls among the children and adolescents, while there was a strong correlation between the TG/HDL-C ratio and TG only in the boys who were within the 6-11-year-old age group. An increase in AIP is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents other than those seen in adults. Based on the TG/HDL-C ratio, the AIP may be superior as a complementary index in the assessment of cardiometabolic risks in children and adolescents.

Four- and five-factor models of the WAIS-IV in a clinical sample: Variations in indicator configuration and factor correlational structure.

PubMed

Staffaroni, Adam M; Eng, Megan E; Moses, James A; Zeiner, Harriet Katz; Wickham, Robert E

2018-05-01

A growing body of research supports the validity of 5-factor models for interpreting the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV). The majority of these studies have utilized the WAIS-IV normative or clinical sample, the latter of which differs in its diagnostic composition from the referrals seen at outpatient neuropsychology clinics. To address this concern, 2 related studies were conducted on a sample of 322 American military Veterans who were referred for outpatient neuropsychological assessment. In Study 1, 4 hierarchical models with varying indicator configurations were evaluated: 3 extant 5-factor models from the literature and the traditional 4-factor model. In Study 2, we evaluated 3 variations in correlation structure in the models from Study 1: indirect hierarchical (i.e., higher-order g), bifactor (direct hierarchical), and oblique models. The results from Study 1 suggested that both 4- and 5-factor models showed acceptable fit. The results from Study 2 showed that bifactor and oblique models offer improved fit over the typically specified indirect hierarchical model, and the oblique models outperformed the orthogonal bifactor models. An exploratory analysis found improved fit when bifactor models were specified with oblique rather than orthogonal latent factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase in neuroblastoma: Correlation to stage and prognostic factors.

PubMed

Georgantzi, Kleopatra; Sköldenberg, Erik G; Stridsberg, Mats; Kogner, Per; Jakobson, Åke; Janson, Eva Tiensuu; Christofferson, Rolf H B

2018-05-08

Chromogranin A (CgA) and neuron specific enolase (NSE) are important markers in adult neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Neuroblastoma (NB) has certain neuroendocrine properties. The aim of this study was to correlate blood concentrations of CgA, chromogranin B (CgB), and NSE to prognostic factors and outcome in children with NB. Blood samples from 92 patients with NB, 12 patients with benign ganglioneuroma (GN), 21 patients with non-NB solid tumors, 10 patients with acute leukemias, and 69 healthy children, were analyzed. CgA concentrations were higher in neonates vs. children older than one month in the control group (p < 0.0001), and in neonates with NB vs. the control group (p < 0.01). CgA and NSE concentrations were higher in patients with stages 3 and 4 disease (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05), in patients having tumors with amplification of MYCN (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001), or chromosome 1 p deletion (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05). NSE correlated to the tumor size at diagnosis (p < 0.001) and to tumor related death (p < 0.01) in NB. CgA and NSE concentrations were elevated in patients with NB and especially in those with advanced disease. Both CgA and NSE correlated to genetic markers, while only NSE correlated to primary tumor size and outcome in NB. We found that CgA and NSE are clinically valuable tumor markers in NB and they merit prospective clinical evaluations as such.

Anthropometric differences among natives of Abuja living in urban and rural communities: correlations with other cardiovascular risk factors.

PubMed

Adediran, Olufemi Sola; Adebayo, Philip Babatunde; Akintunde, Adeseye Abiodun

2013-03-27

There is an increase of obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors worldwide, but especially in developing countries where multifaceted transitions are occurring. There is need for more evidence for the cardio-metabolic effect of changing lifestyles and urbanization in Nigeria. This study aimed at defining rural-urban differences in anthropometric parameters in two Nigerian communities of the same ancestral origin and to determine the cardiovascular risk correlates of these anthropometric measurements. This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study using stratified cluster sampling method. We studied 335 and 332 urban and rural dwellers respectively. A complete cardiovascular profile as well as anthropometric measurements was compared between the two populations. All anthropometric indices considered in this study (weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, abdominal height; biceps, triceps, sub-scapular, abdominal, superior iliac skinfold thicknesses) were significantly higher in urban than in the rural population (p = <0.001). Overweight, obesity and hypertension were significantly prevalent among the urban population (p = <0.001) while there was no significant difference in the prevalence of dyslipidaemia (p = 0.096) and diabetes (p = 0.083) between the two cohorts. Females tend to have a higher chance of obesity than males although there was no gender difference in waist circumference and central skin fold thickness in the rural population. Age was the significant predictor of systolic blood pressure among the rural (R(2) = 0.157, β = 0.258, p = 0.016) and urban female population (R(2) = 0.201, β = 0.351, p = <0.001) while Abdominal height (R(2) = 0.16, β = 0.281, p = 0.001) and waist circumference (R(2) = 0.064 β = 0.064, p = .003) were predictors of systolic blood pressure in urban and rural men respectively. Anthropometric indices were significantly higher among the urban than the rural populations. Cardiovascular risks were

The correlations between alteration of p16 gene and clinicopathological factors and prognosis in squamous cell carcinomas of the buccal mucosa.

PubMed

Dong, Yuying; Wang, Jie; Dong, Fusheng; Wang, Xu; Zhang, Yinghuai

2012-07-01

To evaluate relationships between the alteration of p16 gene and the clinical status and prognosis of the patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa. Thirty buccal cancers were included in the analysis. Deletion analysis was performed by PCR. Point mutation analysis was used by PCR-SSCP and direct sequencing. Methylation-specific PCR methods were adopted for the evaluation of p16 methylation. The correlation between alteration of p16 gene and clinicopathological factors buccal cancer was evaluated by Fisher's exact test. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to investigate the relationship between p16 alteration and survival time. The frequency of p16 alteration was 63.3% in buccal carcinomas. P16 deletion was associated significantly with tumor size (P = 0.01). P16 point mutation was associated significantly with differentiation (P = 0.006). P16 methylation was associated significantly with nodes metastasis (P = 0.027). The overall survival rate of 30 buccal carcinomas was 53.3%. The Log-rank test (P = 0.021) and univariate Cox regression analysis (P = 0.030) revealed that p16 methylation was significantly associated with the overall survival rate. Multivariate analysis showed that p16 deletion, p16 mutation, and p16 methylation were not statistically significant. The alterations of p16 gene may play a major role in malignancy and development and metastases of buccal carcinoma and may be an excellent marker of aggressive clinical behavior. P16 methylation has a prognostic value in buccal carcinoma but not an independent prognosis factor. P16 point mutation and p16 deletion have not prognostic significance in buccal carcinoma. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Factoring local sequence composition in motif significance analysis.

PubMed

Ng, Patrick; Keich, Uri

2008-01-01

We recently introduced a biologically realistic and reliable significance analysis of the output of a popular class of motif finders. In this paper we further improve our significance analysis by incorporating local base composition information. Relying on realistic biological data simulation, as well as on FDR analysis applied to real data, we show that our method is significantly better than the increasingly popular practice of using the normal approximation to estimate the significance of a finder's output. Finally we turn to leveraging our reliable significance analysis to improve the actual motif finding task. Specifically, endowing a variant of the Gibbs Sampler with our improved significance analysis we demonstrate that de novo finders can perform better than has been perceived. Significantly, our new variant outperforms all the finders reviewed in a recently published comprehensive analysis of the Harbison genome-wide binding location data. Interestingly, many of these finders incorporate additional information such as nucleosome positioning and the significance of binding data.

Subtypes and factors of schizophrenia in an acutely ill Nigerian sample.

PubMed

Ohaeri, Jude U; Otote, David I

2003-01-01

The objectives of the study were to assess the factors that would emerge from combining the ratings based on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms and ICD-10 diagnostic criteria for research, and examine the stability of these factors at the third month of treatment; to highlight the correlates of these factors, and to compare the factors yielded with those of previous reports. Principal component analysis with varimax rotation was performed on the ratings of 65 males and 37 females, aged 33.7 +/- 8.4 years (SD), with a duration of illness of 7.3 +/- 6.6 years. Five conceptually meaningful factors emerged, accounting for 61% of the variance. The first 2 factors (diminished expression or psychomotor poverty, and social dysfunction or disordered relating) are negative syndromes, followed by disorganization, catatonic and excitement syndromes. These factors did not endure at the third month. The disorganization syndrome was significantly correlated with duration of illness, while age was inversely correlated with the catatonic syndrome; however, the score on a measure of soft signs of neurological dysfunction was not significantly correlated with the negative syndromes. In spite of hallucinations and delusions not loading significantly on any factor, the individual factors were highly similar to those of previous studies. But the instability of the negative syndromes, coupled with the results of previous Nigerian short-term outcome studies, casts doubt on the validity of the concept of deficit schizophrenia in this and other treated noninstitutionalized schizophrenics in Nigeria. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

Explicitly-correlated Gaussian geminals in electronic structure calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szalewicz, Krzysztof; Jeziorski, Bogumił

2010-11-01

Explicitly correlated functions have been used since 1929, but initially only for two-electron systems. In 1960, Boys and Singer showed that if the correlating factor is of Gaussian form, many-electron integrals can be computed for general molecules. The capability of explicitly correlated Gaussian (ECG) functions to accurately describe many-electron atoms and molecules was demonstrated only in the early 1980s when Monkhorst, Zabolitzky and the present authors cast the many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) and coupled cluster (CC) equations as a system of integro-differential equations and developed techniques of solving these equations with two-electron ECG functions (Gaussian-type geminals, GTG). This work brought a new accuracy standard to MBPT/CC calculations. In 1985, Kutzelnigg suggested that the linear r 12 correlating factor can also be employed if n-electron integrals, n > 2, are factorised with the resolution of identity. Later, this factor was replaced by more general functions f (r 12), most often by ? , usually represented as linear combinations of Gaussian functions which makes the resulting approach (called F12) a special case of the original GTG expansion. The current state-of-art is that, for few-electron molecules, ECGs provide more accurate results than any other basis available, but for larger systems the F12 approach is the method of choice, giving significant improvements over orbital calculations.

The Clinical Significance of Separate Measurements of Carotid Arterial Wall to Assess the Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Kim, Ji-Hoon; Youn, Ho-Joong; Kim, Gee-Hee; Moon, Keon-Woong; Yoo, Ki-Dong; Kim, Chul-Min

2016-03-01

Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is associated with several risk factors for atherosclerosis and has been consistently linked to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The clinical significance of separate measurements of CIMT, which is the sum of the intima (IT) and media thickness (MT), to use as an assessment of risk for atherosclerosis has not yet been fully established. Among 3377 patients who underwent B-mode ultrasound of carotid arteries and coronary angiography in the Medical Department of St. Mary's Hospital from September 2003 to March 2009, 1146 subjects (M:F = 616:530; mean age, 57.7 ± 12.1 years) who were diagnosed with normal coronary arteries were enrolled in this study. IT, MT, and CIMT of the enrolled patients were manually measured using high-frequency ultrasonography (15 MHz linear array transducer). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age (β = 0.063, p < 0.0001), body mass index (BMI) (β = 0.028, p = 0.018), and hypertension (HTN) (β = 0.046, p = 0.0002) were associated with MT (R(2) = 0.256) and the IT/MT ratio (R(2) = 0.209). Age (β = 0.065, p < 0.0001), BMI (β = 0.025, p = 0.038), hemoglobin A1c (β = 0.045, p = 0.045), and HTN (β = 0.043, p = 0.0006) correlated with mean CIMT (R(2) = 0.230). Age (β = -0.071, p < 0.0001) and BMI (β = -0.046, p = 0.002) were associated with the IT/MT ratio (R(2) = 0.219) on the left side. Age (β = 0.093, p < 0.0001) was related to MT (R(2) = 0.265) and mean CIMT (R(2) = 0.243) on the left side. We noted different atherosclerotic risk factors were related to measurements of the arterial wall in different ways. Therefore, separate measurements of CIMT might be a useful method to assess the risk for atherosclerosis.

The Relationship Between Monthdisease Incidence Rate and Climatic Factor of Classical Swine Fever

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Hongbin; Xu, Danning; Xiao, Jianhua; Zhang, Ru; Dong, Jing

The Swine Fever is a kind of acute, highly infective epidemic disease of animals; it is name as Classical Swine Fever (CSF) by World animal Health organization. Meteorological factors such as temperature, air pressure and rainfall affect the epidemic of CSF significantly through intermediary agent and CSF viral directly. However there is significant difference among different region for mode of effects. Accordingly, the analyze must adopt different methods. The dependability between incidence rate each month of CSF and meteorological factors from 1999 to 2004 was analyzed in this paper. The function of meteorological factors on CSF was explored and internal law was expected to be discovered. The correlation between the incidence rate of Swine Fever and meteorological factors, thus the foundation analysis of the early warning and the decision-making was made, the result indicated that the incidence rate of CSF has negative correlation with temperature, rainfall, cloudage; relative humidity has positive correlation with disease; for air pressure, except average air pressure of one month, other air pressure factors have positive correlation with disease; for wind speed, except Difference among moths of wind speed and average temperature of one month. have positive correlation with disease, other wind speed factors has negative correlation with disease.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer and Clinical Significance of Hemoglobin

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

Rades, Dirk; Kuhn, Hildegard; Schultze, Juergen

2008-03-15

Purpose: To investigate potential prognostic factors, including hemoglobin levels before and during radiotherapy, for associations with survival and local control in patients with unirradiated locally recurrent rectal cancer. Patients and Methods: Ten potential prognostic factors were investigated in 94 patients receiving radiotherapy for recurrent rectal cancer: age ({<=}68 vs. {>=}69 years), gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0-1 vs. 2-3), American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage ({<=}II vs. III vs. IV), grading (G1-2 vs. G3), surgery, administration of chemotherapy, radiation dose (equivalent dose in 2-Gy fractions: {<=}50 vs. >50 Gy), and hemoglobin levels before (<12 vs. {>=}12 g/dL)more » and during (majority of levels: <12 vs. {>=}12 g/dL) radiotherapy. Multivariate analyses were performed, including hemoglobin levels, either before or during radiotherapy (not both) because these are confounding variables. Results: Improved survival was associated with better performance status (p < 0.001), lower AJCC stage (p = 0.023), surgery (p = 0.011), chemotherapy (p = 0.003), and hemoglobin levels {>=}12 g/dL both before (p = 0.031) and during (p < 0.001) radiotherapy. On multivariate analyses, performance status, AJCC stage, and hemoglobin levels during radiotherapy maintained significance. Improved local control was associated with better performance status (p = 0.040), lower AJCC stage (p = 0.010), lower grading (p = 0.012), surgery (p < 0.001), chemotherapy (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin levels {>=}12 g/dL before (p < 0.001) and during (p < 0.001) radiotherapy. On multivariate analyses, chemotherapy, grading, and hemoglobin levels before and during radiotherapy remained significant. Subgroup analyses of the patients having surgery demonstrated the extent of resection to be significantly associated with local control (p = 0.011) but not with survival (p = 0.45). Conclusion: Predictors for outcome in patients who received

Gene expression correlates of postinfective fatigue syndrome after infectious mononucleosis.

PubMed

Cameron, Barbara; Galbraith, Sally; Zhang, Yun; Davenport, Tracey; Vollmer-Conna, Ute; Wakefield, Denis; Hickie, Ian; Dunsmuir, William; Whistler, Toni; Vernon, Suzanne; Reeves, William C; Lloyd, Andrew R

2007-07-01

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) commonly triggers a protracted postinfective fatigue syndrome (PIFS) of unknown pathogenesis. Seven subjects with PIFS with 6 or more months of disabling symptoms and 8 matched control subjects who had recovered promptly from documented IM were studied. The expression of 30,000 genes was examined in the peripheral blood by microarray analysis in 65 longitudinally collected samples. Gene expression patterns associated with PIFS were sought by correlation with symptom factor scores. Differential expression of 733 genes was identified when samples collected early during the illness and at the late (recovered) time point were compared. Of these genes, 234 were found to be significantly correlated with the reported severity of the fatigue symptom factor, and 180 were found to be correlated with the musculoskeletal pain symptom factor. Validation by analysis of the longitudinal expression pattern revealed 35 genes for which changes in expression were consistent with the illness course. These genes included several that are involved in signal transduction pathways, metal ion binding, and ion channel activity. Gene expression correlates of the cardinal symptoms of PIFS after IM have been identified. Further studies of these gene products may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of PIFS.

64Cu-DOTATATE for Noninvasive Assessment of Atherosclerosis in Large Arteries and Its Correlation with Risk Factors: Head-to-Head Comparison with 68Ga-DOTATOC in 60 Patients.

PubMed

Malmberg, Catarina; Ripa, Rasmus S; Johnbeck, Camilla B; Knigge, Ulrich; Langer, Seppo W; Mortensen, Jann; Oturai, Peter; Loft, Annika; Hag, Anne Mette; Kjær, Andreas

2015-12-01

The somatostatin receptor subtype 2 is expressed on macrophages, an abundant cell type in the atherosclerotic plaque. Visualization of somatostatin receptor subtype 2, for oncologic purposes, is frequently made using the DOTA-derived somatostatin analogs DOTATOC or DOTATATE for PET. We aimed to compare the uptake of the PET tracers (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (64)Cu-DOTATATE in large arteries, in the assessment of atherosclerosis by noninvasive imaging technique, combining PET and CT. Further, the correlation of uptake and cardiovascular risk factors was investigated. Sixty consecutive patients with neuroendocrine tumors underwent both (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (64)Cu-DOTATATE PET/CT scans, in random order. For each scan, the maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) were calculated in 5 arterial segments. In addition, the blood-pool-corrected target-to-background ratio was calculated. Uptake of the tracers was correlated with cardiovascular risk factors collected from medical records. We found detectable uptake of both tracers in all arterial segments studied. Uptake of (64)Cu-DOTATATE was significantly higher than (68)Ga-DOTATOC in the vascular regions both when calculated as maximum and mean uptake. There was a significant association between Framingham risk score and the overall maximum uptake of (64)Cu-DOTATATE using SUV (r = 0.4; P = 0.004) as well as target-to-background ratio (r = 0.3; P = 0.04), whereas no association was found with (68)Ga-DOTATOC. The association of risk factors and maximum SUV of (64)Cu-DOTATATE was found driven by body mass index, smoking, diabetes, and coronary calcium score (P < 0.001, P = 0.01, P = 0.005, and P = 0.03, respectively). In a series of oncologic patients, vascular uptake of (68)Ga-DOTATOC and (64)Cu-DOTATATE was found, with highest uptake of the latter. Uptake of (64)Cu-DOTATATE, but not of (68)Ga-DOTATOC, was correlated with cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting a potential role for (64)Cu-DOTATATE in the assessment of

Technical Report: Correlation Between the Repair of Cartilage and Subchondral Bone in an Osteochondral Defect Using Bilayered, Biodegradable Hydrogel Composites.

PubMed

Lu, Steven; Lam, Johnny; Trachtenberg, Jordan E; Lee, Esther J; Seyednejad, Hajar; van den Beucken, Jeroen J J P; Tabata, Yasuhiko; Kasper, F Kurtis; Scott, David W; Wong, Mark E; Jansen, John A; Mikos, Antonios G

2015-12-01

The present work investigated correlations between cartilage and subchondral bone repair, facilitated by a growth factor-delivering scaffold, in a rabbit osteochondral defect model. Histological scoring indices and microcomputed tomography morphological parameters were used to evaluate cartilage and bone repair, respectively, at 6 and 12 weeks. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations between specific cartilage indices and subchondral bone parameters that varied with location in the defect (cortical vs. trabecular region), time point (6 vs. 12 weeks), and experimental group (insulin-like growth factor-1 only, bone morphogenetic protein-2 only, or both growth factors). In particular, significant correlations consistently existed between cartilage surface regularity and bone quantity parameters. Overall, correlation analysis between cartilage and bone repair provided a fuller understanding of osteochondral repair and can help drive informed studies for future osteochondral regeneration strategies.

Longitudinal Study of Bad Dreams in Preschool-Aged Children: Prevalence, Demographic Correlates, Risk and Protective Factors

PubMed Central

Simard, Valérie; Nielsen, Tore A.; Tremblay, Richard E.; Boivin, Michel; Montplaisir, Jacques Y.

2008-01-01

Study objectives: To (1) clarify the epidemiology of bad dreams in children and investigate risk and protective factors related to (2) the child's sleep, (3) parental sleep-enabling practices, and (4) the child's temperament. Design: Longitudinal with 6 time points from 5 months to 6 years. Setting: Subjects' homes. Participants: Representative sample of 987 children in the Province of Quebec. Interventions: None. Measurements and Results: Longitudinal logistic regression analysis models with primary endpoints of presence or absence of parent-rated bad dreams at 29 months, 41 months, 50 months, 5 years, and 6 years and predictor variables of demographic characteristics, parent ratings of child's sleep characteristics, parental sleep-enabling practices (e.g., cosleeping), and child's psychological characteristics at 5 and 17 months (anxiousness, temperament). Mothers' ratings indicated lower than expected prevalence of frequent bad dreams (1.3% to 3.9%). Demographic correlates of bad dreams were high family income, absence of siblings at 29 months, and a non-immigrant mother. The best predictor at 41 and 50 months was the presence of bad dreams the preceding year, whereas at 5 and 6 years, it was their earlier presence at 29 months. Early protective factors were parental practices favoring emotional nurturance after night awakenings (29 and 41 months); early risk factors were sleep-onset emotional nurturance (29 months), difficult temperament (5 months), and anxiousness (17 months). Conclusions: Bad dreams in preschoolers are less prevalent than thought but, when present, are trait-like in nature and associated with personality characteristics measured as early as 5 months. A stress-diathesis model may best account for the observed pattern of predictive factors. Citation: Simard V; Nielsen TA; Tremblay RE; Boivin M; Montplaisir JY. Longitudinal study of bad dreams in preschool-aged children: prevalence, demographic correlates, risk and protective factors. SLEEP 2008

Significance of blood pressure variability in patients with sepsis.

PubMed

Pandey, Nishant Raj; Bian, Yu-Yao; Shou, Song-Tao

2014-01-01

This study was undertaken to observe the characteristics of blood pressure variability (BPV) and sepsis and to investigate changes in blood pressure and its value on the severity of illness in patients with sepsis. Blood parameters, APACHE II score, and 24-hour ambulatory BP were analyzed in 89 patients with sepsis. In patients with APACHE II score>19, the values of systolic blood pressure (SBPV), diasystolic blood pressure (DBPV), non-dipper percentage, cortisol (COR), lactate (LAC), platelet count (PLT) and glucose (GLU) were significantly higher than in those with APACHE II score ≤19 (P<0.05), whereas the values of procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell (WBC), creatinine (Cr), PaO2, C-reactive protein (CRP), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed that APACHE II scores correlated significantly with SBPV and DBPV (P<0.01, r=0.732 and P<0.01, r=0.762). SBPV and DBPV were correlated with COR (P=0.018 and r=0.318; P=0.008 and r=0.353 respectively). However, SBPV and DBPV were not correlated with TNF-α, IL-10, and PCT (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis of SBPV, DBPV, APACHE II score, and LAC was used to predict prognosis in terms of survival and non-survival rates. Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) showed that DBPV was a better predictor of survival rate with an AUC value of 0.890. However, AUC of SBPV, APACHE II score, and LAC was 0.746, 0.831 and 0.915, respectively. The values of SBPV, DBPV and non-dipper percentage are higher in patients with sepsis. DBPV and SBPV can be used to predict the survival rate of patients with sepsis.

Sarcopenia is an independent risk factor for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and significant fibrosis.

PubMed

Koo, Bo Kyung; Kim, Donghee; Joo, Sae Kyung; Kim, Jung Ho; Chang, Mee Soo; Kim, Byeong Gwan; Lee, Kook Lae; Kim, Won

2017-01-01

We explored whether sarcopenia is associated with the histological severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and significant fibrosis. In a biopsy-proven NAFLD cohort, the appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured. Sarcopenia was defined as a ASM/body weight (ASM%) value beyond two standard deviations below the mean for healthy young adults. Among the entire set of 309 subjects, the prevalence of sarcopenia in subjects without NAFLD, with non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), and with NASH were 8.7%, 17.9%, and 35.0%, respectively (p<0.001). ASM% was inversely correlated with the severity of fibrosis (p<0.001), and the prevalence of significant fibrosis (⩾F2) was higher in subjects with sarcopenia than in those without (45.7% vs. 24.7%; p<0.001). A crude analysis revealed that sarcopenia was associated with NAFLD (odds ratio [OR], 3.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-9.25), which became insignificant after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), diabetes, and hypertension. Among NAFLD subjects, subjects with sarcopenia were more likely to have NASH than those without sarcopenia through a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking status (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.21-4.30), and this finding was obtained even after adjustment for insulin resistance (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.08-4.93). Sarcopenia was also associated with significant fibrosis independent of BMI and insulin resistance (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.01-4.16). In this large biopsy-proven NAFLD cohort, sarcopenia was significantly associated with NASH and significant fibrosis. Low muscle mass was found to be associated with histological severity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and sarcopenia was significantly associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and significant fibrosis, independent of obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Clinical trial number: NCT 02206841. Copyright © 2016 European

Factors influencing parenting efficacy of Asian immigrant, first-time mothers: A cross-sectional, correlational survey.

PubMed

Roh, Eun Ha; Ahn, Jeong-Ah; Park, Somi; Song, Ju-Eun

2017-12-01

In this study, we determined the factors influencing parenting efficacy of Asian immigrant, first-time mothers. The research design was a cross-sectional, correlational study. The study included 125 first-time mothers who immigrated and married Korean men, and were living in Korea. Data were collected using translated questionnaires, and analyzed for descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The major finding was that the parenting efficacy of immigrant women was influenced by childcare support from their husbands, maternal identity, and original nationality. The findings suggest that customized programs be developed and used to enhance parenting efficacy for Asian immigrant, first-time mothers. In developing such programs, the advantages of maternal identity, social support from the husband, and women's cultural context should be considered. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

General Factor of Personality Questionnaire (GFPQ): only one factor to understand personality?

PubMed

Amigó, Salvador; Caselles, Antonio; Micó, Joan C

2010-05-01

This study proposes a psychometric approach to assess the General Factor of Personality (GFP) to explain the whole personality. This approach defends the existence of one basic factor that represents the overall personality. The General Factor of Personality Questionnaire (GFPQ) is presented to measure the basic, combined trait of the complete personality. The questionnaire includes 20 items and is constituted by two scales with 10 items each one: the Extraversion Scale (ES) and the Introversion Scale (IS). The GFPQ shows adequate internal consistency and construct validity, while the relationships with the personality factors of other models and with psychopathology are as expected. It correlates positively and significantly with Extraversion (E) and Psychoticism (P), and negatively with Neuroticism (N) of Eysenck's EPQ (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire); it correlates positively and significantly with the Sensation Seeking Scaled (SSS) of Zuckerman, and is inside the expected direction with Sensitivity to Reward (SR) and Sensitivity to Punishment (SP) of the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire (SPSRQ), which represent the approach and avoidance trends of behavior, respectively. It not only relates negatively with the personality disorders of the anxiety spectrum, but also with the emotional disorders in relation to anxiety and depression, and it relates positively with the antisocial personality disorder.

Prognostic significance of NFIA and NFIB in esophageal squamous carcinoma and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Yang, Bo; Zhou, Zhi-Hang; Chen, Li; Cui, Xiang; Hou, Jun-Yan; Fan, Kai-Jie; Han, Si-Hao; Li, Peng; Yi, Shao-Qiong; Liu, Yang

2018-05-01

The nuclear factor I (NFI) family members, especially NFIA and NFIB, play essential roles in cancers. The roles of NFIA and NFIB in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EJA) remain poorly known. This study aimed to determine the expression of NFIA and NFIB in ESCC and EJA and elucidate their prognostic significance. The expression of NFIA and NFIB was examined in 163 ESCC samples and 26 EJA samples by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that high NFIA expression correlated significantly with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage in patients with ESCC. High NFIB expression only correlated with poor differentiation in patients with ESCC. Survival analysis showed that NFIA but not NFIB associated with short overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with ESCC. On the other hand, high NFIB expression correlated with lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and short OS and DFS in patients with EJA. Finally, multivariate analysis demonstrated that high NFIA expression was an independent prognostic factor for ESCC. Taken together, these results demonstrated that NFIA and NFIB could serve as prognostic indicators for ESCC and EJA, respectively. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Correlations between brain structure and symptom dimensions of psychosis in schizophrenia, schizoaffective, and psychotic bipolar I disorders.

PubMed

Padmanabhan, Jaya L; Tandon, Neeraj; Haller, Chiara S; Mathew, Ian T; Eack, Shaun M; Clementz, Brett A; Pearlson, Godfrey D; Sweeney, John A; Tamminga, Carol A; Keshavan, Matcheri S

2015-01-01

Structural alterations may correlate with symptom severity in psychotic disorders, but the existing literature on this issue is heterogeneous. In addition, it is not known how cortical thickness and cortical surface area correlate with symptom dimensions of psychosis. Subjects included 455 individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective, or bipolar I disorders. Data were obtained as part of the Bipolar Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes study. Diagnosis was made through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Positive and negative symptom subscales were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Structural brain measurements were extracted from T1-weight structural MRIs using FreeSurfer v5.1 and were correlated with symptom subscales using partial correlations. Exploratory factor analysis was also used to identify factors among those regions correlating with symptom subscales. The positive symptom subscale correlated inversely with gray matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness in frontal and temporal regions, whereas the negative symptom subscale correlated inversely with right frontal cortical surface area. Among regions correlating with the positive subscale, factor analysis identified four factors, including a temporal cortical thickness factor and frontal GMV factor. Among regions correlating with the negative subscale, factor analysis identified a frontal GMV-cortical surface area factor. There was no significant diagnosis by structure interactions with symptom severity. Structural measures correlate with positive and negative symptom severity in psychotic disorders. Cortical thickness demonstrated more associations with psychopathology than cortical surface area. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Preoperative radiological factors correlated to long-term recurrence of hallux valgus following distal chevron osteotomy.

PubMed

Pentikainen, Ilkka; Ojala, Risto; Ohtonen, Pasi; Piippo, Jouni; Leppilahti, Juhana

2014-12-01

The purpose of this article was to analyze the long-term radiologic results after distal chevron osteotomy for hallux valgus treatment and to determine the preoperative radiographic factors correlating with radiological recurrence of the deformity. The study included 100 consecutive patients who received distal chevron osteotomy for hallux valgus. The osteotomy included fixation with an absorbable pin in 50 cases, and no fixation in the other 50. For 6 weeks postoperatively, half of each group used a soft cast and half had a traditional elastic bandage. Weight-bearing radiographs were evaluated at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and a mean of 7.9 (range, 5.8-9.4) years postoperatively. At the final follow-up, radiological recurrence of hallux valgus deformity (HVA > 15 degrees) was observed in 56 feet (73%). Eleven feet (14%) had mild recurrence (HVA < 20 degrees), 44 (57%) moderate (20 degrees ≥ HVA < 40 degrees), and 1 (1%) severe (HVA ≥ 40 degrees). All recurrences were painless, and thus no revision surgery was required. Long-term hallux valgus recurrence was significantly affected by preoperative congruence, DMAA, sesamoid position, HVA, and I/II IMA. Radiological recurrence of hallux valgus deformity of 15 degrees or more was very common at long-term follow-up after distal chevron osteotomy. Preoperative congruence, DMAA, sesamoid position (LaPorta), HVA, and I/II IMA significantly affected recurrence. Level III, comparative case series. © The Author(s) 2014.

Factors controlling reservoir quality in tertiary sandstones and their significance to geopressured geothermal production

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

Loucks, R.G.; Richmann, D.L.; Milliken, K.L.

1981-01-01

Variable intensity of diagenesis is the factor primarily responsible for contrasting regional reservoir quality of Tertiary sandstones from the upper and lower Texas coast. Detailed comparison of Frio sandstone from the Chocolate Bayou/Danbury Dome area, Brazoria County, and Vicksburg sandstones from the McAllen Ranch Field area, Hidalgo County, reveals that extent of diagenetic modification is most strongly influenced by (1) detrital mineralogy and (2) regional geothermal gradients. The regional reservoir quality of Frio sandstones from Brazoria County is far better than that characterizing Vicksburg sandstones from Hidalgo County, especially at depths suitable for geopressured geothermal energy production. However, in predictingmore » reservoir quality on a site-specific basis, locally variable factors such as relative proportions for porosity types, pore geometry as related to permeability, and local depositional environment must also be considered. Even in an area of regionally favorable reservoir quality, such local factors can significantly affect reservoir quality and, hence, the geothermal production potential of a specific sandstone unit.« less

[Correlation research of photosynthetic characteristics and medicinal materials production with 4 Uncariae Cum Uncis].

PubMed

Luo, Min; Song, Zhi-Qin; Yang, Ping-Fei; Liu, Hai; Yang, Zai-Gang; Wu, Ming-Kai

2017-01-01

Using four Uncariae Cum Uncis materials including Uncaria sinensis (HGT), U. hirsutea (MGT), Jianhe U. rhynchophylla (JHGT) and U. rhynchophylla(GT) as the research objects, the correlations between medicinal materials' yield and photosynthetic ecophysiology-factors in the plant exuberant growth period were studied. Results showed that the Uncaria plants net photosynthetic rate (Pn) changed by unimodal curve. There was not "midday depression" phenomenon. There was a different relationship among the photosynthetic ecophysiology-factors and between photosynthetic ecophysiology-factors and medicinal materials' yield. Pn,Tl,Gs had a significant correlation with medicinal materials' yield（M）and were the most important factors of growth. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Factors correlated with violent video game use by adolescent boys and girls.

PubMed

Olson, Cheryl K; Kutner, Lawrence A; Warner, Dorothy E; Almerigi, Jason B; Baer, Lee; Nicholi, Armand M; Beresin, Eugene V

2007-07-01

To compare the video and computer game play patterns of young adolescent boys and girls, including factors correlated with playing violent games. Data collected in November/December, 2004 from children in grades 7 and 8 at two demographically diverse schools in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, using a detailed written self-reported survey. Of 1254 participants (53% female, 47% male), only 80 reported playing no electronic games in the previous 6 months. Of 1126 children who listed frequently played game titles, almost half (48.8%) played at least one violent (mature-rated) game regularly (67.9% of boys and 29.2% of girls). One third of boys and 10.7% of girls play games nearly every day; only 1 in 20 plays often or always with a parent. Playing M-rated games is positively correlated (p < .001) with being male, frequent game play, playing with strangers over the Internet, having a game system and computer in one's bedroom, and using games to manage anger. Most young adolescent boys and many girls routinely play M-rated games. Implications for identifying atypical and potentially harmful patterns of electronic game use are discussed, as well as the need for greater media literacy among parents.

[Geographic patterns and ecological factors correlates of snake species richness in China].

PubMed

Cai, Bo; Huang, Yong; Chen, Yue-Ying; Hu, Jun-Hua; Guo, Xian-Guang; Wang, Yue-Zhao

2012-08-01

Understanding large-scale geographic patterns of species richness as well its underlying mechanisms are among the most significant objectives of macroecology and biogeography. The ecological hypothesis is one of the most accepted explanations of this mechanism. Here, we studied the geographic patterns of snakes and investigated the relationships between species richness and ecological factors in China at a spatial resolution of 100 km×100 km. We obtained the eigenvector-based spatial filters by Principal Coordinates Neighbor Matrices, and then analyzed ecological factors by multiple regression analysis. The results indicated several things: (1) species richness of snakes showed multi-peak patterns along both the latitudinal and longitudinal gradient. The areas of highest richness of snake are tropics and subtropical areas of Oriental realm in China while the areas of lowest richness are Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the grasslands and deserts in northern China, Yangtze-Huai Plain, Two-lake Plain, and the Poyang-lake Plain; (2) results of multiple regression analysis explained a total of 56.5% variance in snake richness. Among ecological factors used to explore the species richness patterns, we found the best factors were the normalized difference vegetation index, precipitation in the coldest quarter and temperature annual range ; (3) our results indicated that the model based on the significant variables that (P<0.05) uses a combination of precipitation of coldest quarter, normalized difference vegetation index and temperature annual range is the most parsimonious model for explaining the mechanism of snake richness in China. This finding demonstrates that different ecological factors work together to affect the geographic distribution of snakes in China. Studying the mechanisms that underlie these geographic patterns are complex, so we must carefully consider the choice of impact-factors and the influence of human activities.

Significant CD4, CD8, and CD19 Lymphopenia in Peripheral Blood of Sarcoidosis Patients Correlates with Severe Disease Manifestations

PubMed Central

Sweiss, Nadera J.; Salloum, Rafah; Ghandi, Seema; Alegre, Maria-Luisa; Sawaqed, Ray; Badaracco, Maria; Pursell, Kenneth; Pitrak, David; Baughman, Robert P.; Moller, David R.; Garcia, Joe G. N.; Niewold, Timothy B.

2010-01-01

Background Sarcoidosis is a poorly understood chronic inflammatory condition. Infiltration of affected organs by lymphocytes is characteristic of sarcoidosis, however previous reports suggest that circulating lymphocyte counts are low in some patients with the disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood in a cohort of sarcoidosis patients to determine the prevalence, severity, and clinical features associated with lymphopenia in major lymphocyte subsets. Methodology/Principal Findings Lymphocyte subsets in 28 sarcoid patients were analyzed using flow cytometry to determine the percentage of CD4, CD8, and CD19 positive cells. Greater than 50% of patients had abnormally low CD4, CD8, or CD19 counts (p<4×10−10). Lymphopenia was profound in some cases, and five of the patients had absolute CD4 counts below 200. CD4, CD8, and CD19 lymphocyte subset counts were significantly correlated (Spearman's rho 0.57, p = 0.0017), and 10 patients had low counts in all three subsets. Patients with severe organ system involvement including neurologic, cardiac, ocular, and advanced pulmonary disease had lower lymphocyte subset counts as a group than those patients with less severe manifestations (CD4 p = 0.0043, CD8 p = 0.026, CD19 p = 0.033). No significant relationships were observed between various medical therapies and lymphocyte counts, and lymphopenia was present in patients who were not receiving any medical therapy. Conclusions/Significance Significant lymphopenia involving CD4, CD8, and CD19 positive cells was common in sarcoidosis patients and correlated with disease severity. Our findings suggest that lymphopenia relates more to disease pathology than medical treatment. PMID:20140091

Vascular endothelial growth factor and soft tissue sarcomas: tumor expression correlates with grade.

PubMed

Chao, C; Al-Saleem, T; Brooks, J J; Rogatko, A; Kraybill, W G; Eisenberg, B

2001-04-01

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial-specific mitogen overexpressed in various epithelial malignancies is thought to be a potent regulator of angiogenesis. We hypothesized that some soft tissue sarcomas, due to their high propensity for hematogenous metastases (1) would overexpress VEGF, (2) that the degree of expression may represent a significant biologic predictor for disease-specific survival, and (3) that recurrent tumor would express as high or higher VEGF compared with the primary tumor. Selected paraffin-embedded tissue of surgical specimens from 79 patients with soft tissue sarcomas, treated between 1989 and 1995 were stained with a rabbit polyclonal anti-VEGF antibody at a concentration of 2 microg/ml. Slides were assessed for VEGF expression as high or low by two investigators blinded to the clinicopathologic data. Twelve patients had VEGF expression of their primary tumors, and their recurrent tumors were compared. The Fishers' exact test assessed for differences in VEGF expression; survival analyses were performed according to the methods of Kaplan and Meier. Seventy-eight percent (29 of 37) of patients who died of disease had high VEGF expression. However, VEGF expression was not an independent predictor of either overall or disease-free survival. Tumor grade correlated with VEGF expression significantly. For the low-grade tumors, 7 of 13 expressed low VEGF, whereas for high-grade tumors, 53 of 66 expressed high VEGF (P = .016). Seven of the 12 paired tumor samples expressed identical VEGF immunostaining. The majority of high-grade soft tissue sarcomas in this study have high intensity VEGF expression. This finding may provide useful information on individual soft tissue sarcomas and offer the basis for therapeutic and biologic targeting in high-risk patients using anti-angiogenesis strategies. However, in our analysis, after accounting for tumor grade, VEGF does not seem to be an independent predictor of clinical outcome.

Cortical, but Not Posterior Subcapsular, Cataract Shows Significant Familial Aggregation in an Older Population after Adjustment for Possible Shared Environmental Factors

PubMed Central

Congdon, Nathan; Broman, Karl W.; Lai, Hong; Munoz, Beatriz; Bowie, Heidi; Gilbert, Donna; Wojciechowski, Robert; West, Sheila K.

2011-01-01

Purpose To quantify the risk for age-related cortical cataract and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) associated with having an affected sibling after adjusting for known environmental and personal risk factors. Design Sibling cohort study. Participants Participants in the ongoing Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) study (n = 321; mean age, 78.1±4.2 years) and their locally resident siblings (n = 453; mean age, 72.6±7.4 years) were recruited at the time of Rounds 3 and 4 of the SEE study. Intervention/Testing Methods Retroillumination photographs of the lens were graded for the presence of cortical cataract and PSC with the Wilmer grading system. The residual correlation between siblings' cataract grades was estimated after adjustment for a number of factors (age; gender; race; lifetime exposure to ultraviolet-B light; cigarette, alcohol, estrogen, and steroid use; serum antioxidants; history of diabetes; blood pressure; and body mass index) suspected to be associated with the presence of cataract. Results The average sibship size was 2.7 per family. Multivariate analysis revealed the magnitude of heritability (h2) for cortical cataract to be 24% (95% CI, 6%–42%), whereas that for PSC was not statistically significant (h2 4%; 95% CI, 0%–11%) after adjustment for the covariates. The model revealed that increasing age, female gender, a history of diabetes, and black race increased the odds of cortical cataract, whereas higher levels of provitamin A were protective. A history of diabetes and steroid use increased the odds for PSC. Conclusions This study is consistent with a significant genetic effect for age-related cortical cataract but not PSC. PMID:15629823

Studying the Stoichiometry of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Intact Cells using Correlative Microscopy.

PubMed

Peckys, Diana B; de Jonge, Niels

2015-09-11

This protocol describes the labeling of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on COS7 fibroblast cells, and subsequent correlative fluorescence microscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) of whole cells in hydrated state. Fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) were coupled to EGFR via a two-step labeling protocol, providing an efficient and specific protein labeling, while avoiding label-induced clustering of the receptor. Fluorescence microscopy provided overview images of the cellular locations of the EGFR. The scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) detector was used to detect the QD labels with nanoscale resolution. The resulting correlative images provide data of the cellular EGFR distribution, and the stoichiometry at the single molecular level in the natural context of the hydrated intact cell. ESEM-STEM images revealed the receptor to be present as monomer, as homodimer, and in small clusters. Labeling with two different QDs, i.e., one emitting at 655 nm and at 800 revealed similar characteristic results.

Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Interval between Blood Donations Using Log-Normal Hazard Model with Gamma Correlated Frailties.

PubMed

Tavakol, Najmeh; Kheiri, Soleiman; Sedehi, Morteza

2016-01-01

Time to donating blood plays a major role in a regular donor to becoming continues one. The aim of this study was to determine the effective factors on the interval between the blood donations. In a longitudinal study in 2008, 864 samples of first-time donors in Shahrekord Blood Transfusion Center,  capital city of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran were selected by a systematic sampling and were followed up for five years. Among these samples, a subset of 424 donors who had at least two successful blood donations were chosen for this study and the time intervals between their donations were measured as response variable. Sex, body weight, age, marital status, education, stay and job were recorded as independent variables. Data analysis was performed based on log-normal hazard model with gamma correlated frailty. In this model, the frailties are sum of two independent components assumed a gamma distribution. The analysis was done via Bayesian approach using Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm by OpenBUGS. Convergence was checked via Gelman-Rubin criteria using BOA program in R. Age, job and education were significant on chance to donate blood (P<0.05). The chances of blood donation for the higher-aged donors, clericals, workers, free job, students and educated donors were higher and in return, time intervals between their blood donations were shorter. Due to the significance effect of some variables in the log-normal correlated frailty model, it is necessary to plan educational and cultural program to encourage the people with longer inter-donation intervals to donate more frequently.

Exploratory factor analysis of signalment and conformational measurements in Thoroughbred horses with and without recurrent laryngeal neuropathy.

PubMed

McGivney, C L; Gough, K F; McGivney, B A; Farries, G; Hill, E W; Katz, L M

2018-06-23

Conflicting results have been reported for risk factors for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) based on resting endoscopic evaluation and comparison of single conformation traits, with many traits correlated to one another. To simplify identification of signalment and conformation traits (i.e. variables) associated with RLN cases and controls diagnosed with exercising overground endoscopy (OGE) using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Prospective cohort. Pearson's rank correlation was used to establish significance and association between variables collected from n = 188 Thoroughbreds from one stable by observers blinded to OGE results. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 9 variables for cases and controls; common elements between variables developed a factor, with variables grouped into 3 factors for cases and controls, respectively. Correlation (loading) between each variable and factor was calculated to rank relationships between variables and cases/controls, with factors retrospectively named based on their underlying correlations with variables. Numerous inter-correlations were present between variables. Most strongly correlated in cases were wither height with body weight (r = 0.70) and ventral neck length (r = 0.68) and in controls body weight with rostral neck circumference (r = 0.58). Wither height (r = 0.61) significantly loaded the top-ranked factor for cases ('height RLN '), explaining 25% of conformational variance. Ventral neck length (r = 0.69) and age (r = 0.57) significantly loaded the second-ranked factor for cases ('neck length RLN '), explaining 16% of conformational variance. Rostral neck circumference (r = 0.86) and body weight (r = 0.6) significantly loaded the top-ranked factor for controls ('body size CON '), explaining 19% of the variance. Wither height (r = 0.84) significantly loaded the second-ranked factor for controls ('height CON '), explaining 13% of the variance. Horses had not reached skeletal maturity. Exploratory

Could parenchymal enhancement on contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) represent a new breast cancer risk factor? Correlation with known radiology risk factors.

PubMed

Savaridas, S L; Taylor, D B; Gunawardana, D; Phillips, M

2017-12-01

To compare background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) on contrast-enhanced (CE) spectral mammography (CESM) with CE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and evaluate how these relate to hormonal status, mammographic breast density (MBD) and MRI fibroglandular tissue volume (FGTV). Between June 2012 to October 2015, participants in a cancer staging study underwent full-field digital mammography (FFDM), CEMRI, and CESM. Two readers independently rated FGTV, MBD, and BPE using the Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) criteria. Inter-reader reliability was estimated using weighted kappa (k) and correlations between BPE, MBD, and FGTV calculated using Spearman's correlation coefficient. Associations with hormonal status were evaluated using multilevel ordinal regression analysis. Of the 96 eligible participants, 66 women (35-77 years) underwent CESM and CEMRI. Reasons for exclusion were declined or withdrawn consent (n=18), inadequate renal function (n=2), claustrophobia (n=2), previous reaction to contrast medium (n=2), mild reaction to contrast medium following CESM (n=2), lack of vascular access (n=1), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n=1), CESM equipment failure (n=1), and unclear in one case. Inter-reader agreement was substantial (k=0.67) for CESM BPE, slight (k=0.19) for CEMRI BPE, moderate (k=0.57) for MRI FGTV and fair (k=0.35) for MBD. CESM BPE showed significant correlation with MBD (rho=0.36, p<0.0001), FGTV (rho=0.52, p<0.0001), and MRI BPE (rho=0.49, p<0.0001). BPE was significantly reduced in the post-menopausal group for CEMRI and CESM (p<0.05). CESM BPE did not significantly fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. CESM BPE is correlated with MBD, FGTV, and CEMRI BPE, has better inter-reader reliability than CEMRI, and is not influenced by the menstrual cycle. Grading the degree of BPE on CESM could be a useful addition to breast cancer risk assessment tools. Copyright © 2017 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights

Prognostic significance of DNA index by flowcytometry in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

PubMed

Parikh, P M; Ashokkumar, M S; Pai, S K; Redkar, A; Chopra, H K; Barbhaya, S A; Gopal, R; Mittra, I; Advani, S H

1995-07-01

DNA index (DI) is considered an important prognostic factor in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We undertook this study to correlate DI with other presenting features and response to therapy. Of the 30 patients of ALL treated at our hospital and entered in this study, 15 were put on the aggressive MCP (multi center protocol) 841 protocol and equal number on the Alternate protocol. Eighteen achieved complete remission (13/15 on the former protocol and 5/15 on the later). DI was less than 0.8 in 8 (27%) patients, between 0.8 and 1.2 in 18 (60%) and more than 1.2 in 4 patients (13%). These figures are different from those reported in Caucasians. On multivariate regression analysis, the DI significantly correlated with percentage of blasts in peripheral blood (P = 0.0035). There was no correlation with outcome or response to treatment.

Research on the Relationships between Chinese Journal Impact Factors and External Web Link Counts and Web Impact Factors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

An, Lu; Qiu, Junping

2004-01-01

Journal impact factors (JIFs) as determined by the Institute for Scientific and Technological Information of China (ISTIC) of forty-two Chinese engineering journals were compared with external Web link counts, obtained from Lycos, and Web Impact Factors (WIFs) of corresponding journal Web sites to determine if any significant correlation existed…

Clinical Significance of Quantitative HBsAg Titres and its Correlation With HBV DNA Levels in the Natural History of Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

PubMed

Karra, Vijay K; Chowdhury, Soumya J; Ruttala, Rajesh; Polipalli, Sunil K; Kar, Premashis

2016-09-01

Quantification of serum hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg) is an important test that marks active infection with hepatitis B and helps in the prediction of the clinical outcome and management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Correlation with HBV DNA quantitative levels may help in developing strategies for antiviral treatment. This study is aimed to evaluate HBsAg titres in various phase of HBV infection in HBsAg positive patients, and its correlation with HBV DNA viral load levels. 976 HBV related patients were analysed in this retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients were categorised on the basis of the phase of HBV infection: immune tolerant phase (IT, n  = 123), immune clearance phase (IC, n  = 192), low-replicative phase (LR, n  = 476), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENH, n  = 185). HBsAg titres were quantified and correlated with HBV-DNA levels and clinical parameters. Median HBsAg titres were different between each phases of HBV infection ( P  < 0.001): (4.62 log10 IU/ml), IC (3.88 log10 IU/ml), LR (2.76 log10 IU/ml) and ENH (2.94 log10 IU/ml). HBsAg and HBV DNA levels showed significant correlation in the whole group ( r  = 0.694, P  < 0.001), and this was also observed in different phases of HBV infection. Strong correlation in IT phase ( r  = 0.603, P  < 0.001) and IC phase ( r  = 0.523, P  < 0.001), moderate in LR phase ( r  = 0.362, P  < 0.001) and weak in ENH ( r  = 0.110, P  = 0.04). No correlation was observed between serum HBsAg levels and biochemical parameters. The study demonstrated significant difference in the median baseline values of serum HBsAg titres in different phases of HBV infection and provides additional information in understanding the natural history of HBV-infection.

Hypermethylation of testis derived transcript gene promoter significantly correlates with worse outcomes in glioblastoma patients.

PubMed

Wang, Li-jia; Bai, Yu; Bao, Zhao-shi; Chen, Yan; Yan, Zhuo-hong; Zhang, Wei; Zhang, Quan-geng

2013-01-01

Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal cancer of the central nervous system. Global genomic hypomethylation and some CpG island hypermethylation are common hallmarks of these malignancies, but the effects of these methylation abnormalities on glioblastomas are still largely unclear. Methylation of the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter is currently an only confirmed molecular predictor of better outcome in temozolomide treatment. To better understand the relationship between CpG island methylation status and patient outcome, this study launched DNA methylation profiles for thirty-three primary glioblastomas (pGBMs) and nine secondary glioblastomas (sGBMs) with the expectation to identify valuable prognostic and therapeutic targets. We evaluated the methylation status of testis derived transcript (TES) gene promoter by microarray analysis of glioblastomas and the prognostic value for TES methylation in the clinical outcome of pGBM patients. Significance analysis of microarrays was used for genes significantly differently methylated between 33 pGBM and nine sGBM. Survival curves were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method, and differences between curves were assessed using the log-rank test. Then, we treated glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251) with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidines (5-aza-dC) and detected cell biological behaviors. Microarray data analysis identified TES promoter was hypermethylated in pGBMs compared with sGBMs (P < 0.05). Survival curves from the Kaplan-Meier method analysis revealed that the patients with TES hypermethylation had a short overall survival (P < 0.05). This abnormality is also confirmed in glioblastoma cell lines (U87 and U251). Treating these cells with 5-aza-dC released TES protein expression resulted in significant inhibition of cell growth (P = 0.013). Hypermethylation of TES gene promoter highly correlated with worse outcome in pGBM patients. TES might represent a valuable prognostic marker for glioblastoma.

Bootstrapped Deattenuated Correlation: Nonnormal Distributions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Padilla, Miguel A.; Veprinsky, Anna

2014-01-01

Correlation attenuation due to measurement error and a corresponding correction, the deattenuated correlation, have been known for over a century. Nevertheless, the deattenuated correlation remains underutilized. A few studies in recent years have investigated factors affecting the deattenuated correlation, and a couple of them provide alternative…

Timing of first sex before marriage and its correlates: evidence from India.

PubMed

Santhya, K G; Acharya, Rajib; Jejeebhoy, Shireen J; Ram, Usha

2011-03-01

While several studies have documented the extent of pre-marital sexual experience among young people in India, little work has been done to explore the factors that are correlated with the timing of pre-marital sexual initiation. This paper examines age at initiation of pre-marital sex, circumstances in which first sex was experienced, nature of first sexual experience and correlates of age at initiation of pre-marital sex. Life table estimates suggest that pre-marital sexual initiation occurred in adolescence for 1 in 20 young women and 1 in 10 young men. For the majority of these young people, their first sex was with an opposite-sex romantic partner. First sex, moreover, was unprotected for the majority and forced for sizeable proportion of young women. A number of individual, family-, peer- and community-level factors were correlated with age at first pre-marital sex. Moreover, considerable gender differences were apparent in the correlates of age at first pre-marital sex, with peer- and parent-level factors found more often to be significant for young women than men.

Biological significance of long non-coding RNA FTX expression in human colorectal cancer

PubMed Central

Guo, Xiao-Bo; Hua, Zhu; Li, Chen; Peng, Li-Pan; Wang, Jing-Shen; Wang, Bo; Zhi, Qiao-Ming

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FTX and analyze its prognostic and biological significance in colorectal cancer (CRC). A quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to detect the expression of long non-coding RNA FTX in 35 pairs of colorectal cancer and corresponding noncancerous tissues. The expression of long non-coding RNA FTX was detected in 187 colorectal cancer tissues and its correlations with clinicopathological factors of patients were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the prognostic significance of Long Non-coding RNA FTX expression. The effects of long non-coding RNA FTX expression on malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer cells and its possible biological significances were further determined. Long non-coding RNA FTX was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues, and low long non-coding RNA FTX expression was significantly correlated with differentiation grade, lymph vascular invasion, and clinical stage. Patients with high long non-coding RNA FTX showed poorer overall survival than those with low long non-coding RNA FTX. Multivariate analyses indicated that status of long non-coding RNA FTX was an independent prognostic factor for patients. Functional analyses showed that upregulation of long non-coding RNA FTX significantly promoted growth, migration, invasion, and increased colony formation in colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, long non-coding RNA FTX may be a potential biomarker for predicting the survival of colorectal cancer patients and might be a molecular target for treatment of human colorectal cancer. PMID:26629053

Biological significance of long non-coding RNA FTX expression in human colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Guo, Xiao-Bo; Hua, Zhu; Li, Chen; Peng, Li-Pan; Wang, Jing-Shen; Wang, Bo; Zhi, Qiao-Ming

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FTX and analyze its prognostic and biological significance in colorectal cancer (CRC). A quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to detect the expression of long non-coding RNA FTX in 35 pairs of colorectal cancer and corresponding noncancerous tissues. The expression of long non-coding RNA FTX was detected in 187 colorectal cancer tissues and its correlations with clinicopathological factors of patients were examined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the prognostic significance of Long Non-coding RNA FTX expression. The effects of long non-coding RNA FTX expression on malignant phenotypes of colorectal cancer cells and its possible biological significances were further determined. Long non-coding RNA FTX was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues, and low long non-coding RNA FTX expression was significantly correlated with differentiation grade, lymph vascular invasion, and clinical stage. Patients with high long non-coding RNA FTX showed poorer overall survival than those with low long non-coding RNA FTX. Multivariate analyses indicated that status of long non-coding RNA FTX was an independent prognostic factor for patients. Functional analyses showed that upregulation of long non-coding RNA FTX significantly promoted growth, migration, invasion, and increased colony formation in colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, long non-coding RNA FTX may be a potential biomarker for predicting the survival of colorectal cancer patients and might be a molecular target for treatment of human colorectal cancer.

[Clinical significance and distribution of BRCA genes mutation in sporadic high grade serous ovarian cancer].

PubMed

Liu, W L; Wang, Z Z; Zhao, J Z; Hou, Y Y; Wu, X X; Li, W; Dong, B; Tong, T T; Guo, Y J

2017-01-25

Objective: To investigate the mutations of BRCA genes in sporadic high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and study its clinical significance. Methods: Sixty-eight patients between January 2015 and January 2016 from the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected who were based on pathological diagnosis of ovarian cancer and had no reported family history, and all patients firstly hospitalized were untreated in other hospitals before. (1) The BRCA genes were detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) method. (2) The serum tumor markers included carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA(125), CA(199), and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were detected by the chemiluminescence methods, and their correlation was analyzed by Pearson linear correlation. Descriptive statistics and comparisons were performed using two-tailed t -tests, Pearson's chi square test, Fisher's exact tests or logistic regression analysis as appropriate to research the clinicopathologic features associated with BRCA mutations, including age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, platinum-based chemotherapy sensitivity, distant metastases, serum tumor markers (STM) . Results: (1) Fifteen cases (22%, 15/68) BRCA mutations were identified (BRCA1: 11 cases; BRCA2: 4 cases), and four novel mutations were observed. (2) The levels of CEA, CA(199), and HE4 were lower in BRCA mutations compared to that in control group, while no significant differences were found ( P >0.05), but the level of CA(125) was much higher in BRCA mutation group than that in controls ( t =-3.536, P =0.003). Further linear regression analysis found that there was a significant linear correlation between CA(125) and HE4 group ( r =0.494, P <0.01), and the same correlation as CEA and CA(199) group ( r =0.897, P <0.01). (3) Single factor analysis showed that no significant differences were observed in onset age, FIGO stage, distant metastasis, and STM between BRCA(+) and BRCA(-) group

Septic acute kidney injury patients in emergency department: The risk factors and its correlation to serum lactate.

PubMed

Hsu, Yin-Chou; Hsu, Chih-Wei

2018-05-15

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in septic patients, imposing a heavy burden of illness in terms of morbidity and mortality. Serum lactate is a widely used marker predicting the severity of sepsis. A paucity of research has investigated septic AKI in emergency departments (EDs) and its correlation with initial serum lactate level. This study aimed at identifying risk factors for septic AKI and clarifying the link between initial serum lactate level and septic AKI in ED patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a single tertiary referral medical center. The medical records of all adult ED patients with measurement of serum lactate and creatinine between January 2012 and December 2016 were reviewed. A total of 696 septic patients were stratified into AKI and non-AKI groups according to Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria for further statistical analysis. Ninety-nine septic patients (14.2%) had AKI, with AKIN-I, AKIN-II, and AKIN-III in 71.7%, 11.1%, and 17.2% of patients, respectively. Compared with the non-AKI group, the AKI group had a significantly higher mortality rate (71.7% vs. 21.3%, p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for septic AKI included liver disease (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16-3.52), diabetes mellitus (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.11-2.69), chronic kidney disease (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.06-2.66), and initial serum lactate (AOR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02-1.14). Patients with septic AKI had an overwhelmingly higher mortality rate. The comorbidities of liver disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease were correlated with septic AKI and in combination with an elevated initial serum lactate level had predictive regarding AKI and further mortality in ED septic patients. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factor VII deficiency: a novel missense variant and genotype-phenotype correlation in patients from Southern Italy.

PubMed

Tiscia, Giovanni; Favuzzi, Giovanni; Chinni, Elena; Colaizzo, Donatella; Fischetti, Lucia; Intrieri, Mariano; Margaglione, Maurizio; Grandone, Elvira

2017-01-01

This study aimed at attempting to correlate genotype and phenotype in factor VII deficiency. Here, we present molecular and clinical findings of 10 patients with factor VII deficiency. From 2013 to 2016, 10 subjects were referred to our center because of a prolonged prothrombin time identified during routine or presurgery examinations or after a laboratory assessment of a bleeding episode. Mutation characterization was performed using the bioinformatics applications PROMO, SIFT, and Polyphen-2. Structural changes in the factor VII protein were analyzed using the SPDB viewer tool. Of the 10 variants we identified, 1 was responsible for a novel missense change (c.1199G>C, p.Cys400Ser); in 2 cases we identified the c.-54G>A and c.509G>A (p.Arg170His) polymorphic variants in the 5'-upstream region of the factor VII gene and exon 6, respectively. To our knowledge, neither of these polymorphic variants has been described previously in factor VII-deficient patients. In silico predictions showed differences in binding sites for transcription factors caused by the c.-54G>A variant and a probable damaging effect of the p.Cys400Ser missense change on factor VII active conformation, leading to breaking of the Cys400-Cys428 disulfide bridge. Our findings further suggest that, independently of factor VII levels and of variants potentially affecting factor VII levels, environmental factors, e.g., trauma, could heavily influence the clinical phenotype of factor VII-deficient patients.

The difficulty with correlations: Energy expenditure and brain mass in bats.

PubMed

McNab, Brian K; Köhler, Meike

2017-10-01

Brain mass has been suggested to determine a mammal's energy expenditure. This potential dependence is examined in 48 species of bats. A correlation between characters may be direct or derived from shared correlations with intervening factors without a direct interaction. Basal rate of metabolism in these bats increases with brain mass: large brains are more expensive than small brains, and both brain mass and basal rate increase with body mass. Basal rate and brain mass also correlate with food habits in bats. Mass-independent basal rate weakly correlates with mass-independent brain mass, the correlation only accounting for 12% of the variation in basal rate, which disappears when the combined effects of body mass and food habits are deleted. The correlation between basal rate and brain mass seen in this and other studies usually accounts for <10% of the variation in basal rate and often <4%, even when statistically significant, a minimalist explanation for the level the basal rate. This correlation probably reflects the intermediacy of secondary factors, as occurred with food habits in bats. Most biological correlations are complicated and must be examined in detail before assurance can be given as to their bases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Factors Affecting Organizational Commitment in Navy Corpsmen.

PubMed

Booth-Kewley, Stephanie; Dell'Acqua, Renée G; Thomsen, Cynthia J

2017-07-01

Organizational commitment is a psychological state that has a strong impact on the likelihood that employees will remain with an organization. Among military personnel, organizational commitment is predictive of a number of important outcomes, including reenlistment intentions, job performance, morale, and perceived readiness. Because of the unique challenges and experiences associated with military service, it may be that organizational commitment is even more critical in the military than in civilian populations. Despite the essential role that they play in protecting the health of other service members, little is known about the factors that influence Navy Corpsmen's organizational commitment. This study investigated demographic and psychosocial factors that may be associated with organizational commitment among Corpsmen. Surveys of organizational commitment and possible demographic and psychosocial correlates of organizational commitment were completed by 1,597 male, active duty Navy Corpsmen attending Field Medical Training Battalion-West, Camp Pendleton, California. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to determine significant predictors of organizational commitment. Of the 12 demographic and psychosocial factors examined, 6 factors emerged as significant predictors of organizational commitment in the final model: preservice motivation to be a Corpsman, positive perceptions of Corpsman training, confidence regarding promotions, occupational self-efficacy, social support for a Corpsman career, and lower depression. Importantly, a number of the factors that emerged as significant correlates of organizational commitment in this study are potentially modifiable. These factors include confidence regarding promotions, positive perceptions of Corpsman training, and occupational self-efficacy. It is recommended that military leaders and policy-makers take concrete steps to address these factors, thereby strengthening

Significance, definition, classification and risk factors of chronic kidney disease in South Africa.

PubMed

Meyers, A M

2015-03-01

Renal dysfunction or chronic kidney disease (CKD) is found in 10% of the global population and is classified into five stages according to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). No matter where a patient lives, estimation of the GFR is mandatory for decision-making and obtained by the simple measurement of a serum creatinine level. The objective of diagnosing CKD lies in its future prevention, early detection and proper treatment, which will prevent or delay functional deterioration. Primary hypertension (PH) occurs in 25% of South Africa (SA)s black population and is the putative cause of stage 5 CKD in 40 - 60% of these patients. Moreover, in this group, stage 5 CKD occurs at a relatively young age (35 - 45 years) compared with other population groups in whom stage 5 CKD resulting from PH usually occurs between 60 and 70 years of age. In the cohort study, PH has been found in 12 - 16% of black school learners (mean age 17 years) compared with 1.8 - 2% of other ethnic groups (mixed race, Asian, white). End-stage renal failure (ESRF) is the fifth most common cause of death in SA, excluding post-traumatic cases. In addition, undiagnosed or poorly controlled PH is a potent risk factor for other cardiovascular disease (CVD), e.g. congestive cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, stroke. Significant protein is also associated with CVD and protein >1 g/d is a significant risk factor for ESRF.

Does corneal hysteresis correlate with endothelial cell density?

PubMed

Akova-Budak, Berna; Kıvanç, Sertaç Argun

2015-05-21

Our aim was to determine if there is a correlation between corneal biomechanical properties, endothelial cell count, and corneal pachymetry in healthy corneas. Ninety-two eyes of all subjects underwent complete ocular examination, including intraocular pressure measurement by Goldmann applanation tonometer, objective refraction, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy. Topographic measurements and corneal pachymetry were performed using a Scheimpflug-based (Pentacam, Oculus, Germany) corneal topographer. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured with an Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Buffalo, NY). Endothelial cell count measurement was done using a specular microscope (CellChek, Konan, USA). Right eye values of the subjects were taken for the study. The mean CH was 11.5±1.7 mmHg and the mean CRF was 11.2±1.4 mmHg. Mean intraocular pressure was 15.3±2.3 mmHg. The mean endothelial cell count was 2754±205 cells/mm2. No correlation was found between biomechanical properties of cornea and endothelial cell count. There was a significant positive correlation between CH, CRF, and corneal thickness (p<0.001; r=0.79). The corneal biomechanical properties significantly correlated with corneal thickness. We found no correlation between CH and CRF with the endothelial cell density in normal subjects.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Creative Personality of Elementary School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Park, Jongman; Kim, Minkee; Jang, Shinho

2017-01-01

This quantitative research examined factors that affect elementary students' creativity and how those factors correlate. Aiming to identify significant factors that affect creativity and to clarify the relationship between these factors by path analysis, this research was designed to be a stepping stone for creativity enhancement studies. Data…

Insulin growth factor-1 correlates with higher bone mineral density and lower inflammation status in obese adult subjects.

PubMed

Fornari, Rachele; Marocco, Chiara; Francomano, Davide; Fittipaldi, Simona; Lubrano, Carla; Bimonte, Viviana M; Donini, Lorenzo M; Nicolai, Emanuele; Aversa, Antonio; Lenzi, Andrea; Greco, Emanuela A; Migliaccio, Silvia

2018-06-01

Obesity is a severe public health problem worldwide, leading to an insulin-resistant state in liver, adipose, and muscle tissue, representing a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. We have shown that abdominal obesity is associated with homeostasis derangement, linked to several hormonal and paracrine factors. Data regarding potential link between GH/IGF1 axis, bone mineral density, and inflammation in obesity are lacking. Thus, aim of this study was to evaluate correlation among IGF-1, BMD, and inflammation in obese individuals. The study included 426 obese subjects, mean age 44.8 ± 14 years; BMI 34.9 ± 6.1. Exclusion criteria were chronic medical conditions, use of medications affecting bone metabolism, hormonal and nutritional status, recent weight loss, and prior bariatric surgery. Patients underwent measurements of BMD and body composition by DEXA and were evaluated for hormonal, metabolic profile, and inflammatory markers. In this population, IGF-1 was inversely correlated with abdominal FM% (p < 0.001, r 2  = 0.12) and directly correlated with osteocalcin (OSCA) (p < 0.002, r 2  = 0.14). A negative correlation was demonstrated between IGF-1 levels and nonspecific inflammatory index, such as fibrinogen (p < 0.01, r 2  = 0.04) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p < 0.0001, r 2  = 0.03). IGF-1 was directly correlated with higher BMD, at both lumbar (p < 0.02, r 2  = 0.03) and femoral site (p < 0.04, r 2  = 0.03). In conclusion, our results show that higher levels of serum IGF-1 in obese patients correlate with lower inflammatory pattern and better skeletal health, as demonstrated by higher BMD and osteocalcin levels. These results lead to speculate the existence of a bone-adipose-muscle interplay modulating energy homeostasis, glucose, bone metabolism, and chronic inflammation in individuals affected by abdominal obesity.

The Physical Significance of the Synthetic Running Correlation Coefficient and Its Applications in Oceanic and Atmospheric Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jinping; Cao, Yong; Wang, Xin

2018-06-01

In order to study the temporal variations of correlations between two time series, a running correlation coefficient (RCC) could be used. An RCC is calculated for a given time window, and the window is then moved sequentially through time. The current calculation method for RCCs is based on the general definition of the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, calculated with the data within the time window, which we call the local running correlation coefficient (LRCC). The LRCC is calculated via the two anomalies corresponding to the two local means, meanwhile, the local means also vary. It is cleared up that the LRCC reflects only the correlation between the two anomalies within the time window but fails to exhibit the contributions of the two varying means. To address this problem, two unchanged means obtained from all available data are adopted to calculate an RCC, which is called the synthetic running correlation coefficient (SRCC). When the anomaly variations are dominant, the two RCCs are similar. However, when the variations of the means are dominant, the difference between the two RCCs becomes obvious. The SRCC reflects the correlations of both the anomaly variations and the variations of the means. Therefore, the SRCCs from different time points are intercomparable. A criterion for the superiority of the RCC algorithm is that the average value of the RCC should be close to the global correlation coefficient calculated using all data. The SRCC always meets this criterion, while the LRCC sometimes fails. Therefore, the SRCC is better than the LRCC for running correlations. We suggest using the SRCC to calculate the RCCs.

Correlation between PAI-1, leptin and ferritin with HOMA in HIV/AIDS patients.

PubMed

Dragović, Gordana; Sumarac-Dumanovic, Mirjana; Khawla, Al Musalhi; Soldatović, Ivan; Andjić, Mladen; Jevtović, Djordje; Nair, Devaki

2018-06-22

Data about correlation of interleukins (IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IFN γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), adipocytokines (leptin, adiponectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), resistin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), ferritin, C reactive protein (CRP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) in HIV/AIDS patients are still limited. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlations of serum levels of PAI-1, leptin and ferritin with HOMA in HIV/AIDS patients treated with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). This cross-sectional study included 64 HIV/AIDS patients, all Caucasians, receiving cART at the HIV/AIDS Centre, Belgrade, Serbia. PAI-1, leptin, ferritin and insulin levels were measured using the Metabolic Syndrome Array I (Randox Laboratories Ltd., London, UK), while adiponectin and resistin levels were measured using Metabolic Syndrome Array II (Randox Laboratories Ltd., London, UK), interleukins (IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IFN γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10), MCP-1, TNF-α as well as VEGF was measured using Cytokine Array I (Randox Laboratories Ltd., London, UK). Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA). Multicollinearity of independent variables in multivariate model was analyzed using Variance Inflation Factor. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between HOMA and waist circumference, body mass index, patients' age, number of cART combinations and triglycerides (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.050, p = 0.044, p = 0.002, respectively). HOMA negatively correlated with levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) (Rho = -0.282; p = 0.025). PAI-1 (Rho = 0.334; p = 0.007) and leptin (Rho = 0.492; p = 0.001) together with ferritin (Rho = 0.396, p = 0.001) positively and significantly correlated with HOMA. Levels of IL-1 α, IL-1 β, IFN �

Prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia in Hong Kong Chinese geriatric patients with hip fracture and its correlation with different factors.

PubMed

Ho, A Wh; Lee, M Ml; Chan, E Wc; Ng, H My; Lee, C W; Ng, W S; Wong, S H

2016-02-01

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are age-related declines in the quantity of muscle and bone, respectively. Both contribute in disability, fall, and hip fracture in the elderly. This study reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese geriatric patients with hip fracture, and the correlation between relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and other factors. This case series was conducted in Kowloon West Cluster Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Centre in Hong Kong. Data of all geriatric patients with primary hip fracture admitted to the above Centre from June to December 2014 were studied. Isometric grip strength, the maximal handgrip strength, was measured using a JAMAR hand dynamometer. Body composition including appendicular and whole-body lean body mass was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pearson's correlation was used to examine the correlation between relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and other factors. A total of 239 patients with a mean age of 82 years were included in the study. Stratifying patients as male or female, the mean (± standard deviation) hand grip strength was 20.6 ± 7.3 kg and 13.6 ± 4.5 kg, the mean relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was 5.72 ± 0.83 kg/m(2) and 4.87 ± 0.83 kg/m(2), and the mean hip bone mineral density was 0.696 ± 0.13 g/cm(2) and 0.622 ± 0.12 g/cm(2), respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia based on relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index and hand grip strength according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia definition was 73.6% in males and 67.7% in females. According to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia definition, the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia was 20.8% in males and 12.4% in females. Relative appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was positively correlated with hand grip strength, body weight, hip bone mineral density, body mass index, and total fat mass in males; and hand grip strength, body weight, body height, body mass index, and total fat

Genetic and Environmental Basis in Phenotype Correlation Between Physical Function and Cognition in Aging Chinese Twins.

PubMed

Xu, Chunsheng; Zhang, Dongfeng; Tian, Xiaocao; Wu, Yili; Pang, Zengchang; Li, Shuxia; Tan, Qihua

2017-02-01

Although the correlation between cognition and physical function has been well studied in the general population, the genetic and environmental nature of the correlation has been rarely investigated. We conducted a classical twin analysis on cognitive and physical function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), handgrip strength, five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost in 379 complete twin pairs. Bivariate twin models were fitted to estimate the genetic and environmental correlation between physical and cognitive function. Bivariate analysis showed mildly positively genetic correlations between cognition and FEV1, r G = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.62], as well as FVC, r G = 0.35 [95% CI: 0.06, 1.00]. We found that FTSST and cognition presented very high common environmental correlation, r C = -1.00 [95% CI: -1.00, -0.57], and low but significant unique environmental correlation, r E = -0.11 [95% CI: -0.22, -0.01], all in the negative direction. Meanwhile, near visual acuity and cognition also showed unique environmental correlation, r E = 0.16 [95% CI: 0.03, 0.27]. We found no significantly genetic correlation for cognition with handgrip strength, FTSST, near visual acuity, and number of teeth lost. Cognitive function was genetically related to pulmonary function. The FTSST and cognition shared almost the same common environmental factors but only part of the unique environmental factors, both with negative correlation. In contrast, near visual acuity and cognition may positively share part of the unique environmental factors.

Potentially harmful microalgal distribution in an area of the NW Adriatic coastline: Sampling procedure and correlations with environmental factors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Penna, Antonella; Ingarao, Cristina; Ercolessi, Manuela; Rocchi, Marco; Penna, Nunzio

2006-10-01

In this study, the trend of potentially Harmful Algal (HA) taxa (genera and species), was analysed along a coastal area of the NW Adriatic Sea on a monthly scale. The study included the use of a phytoplankton net for sample collection. The investigation was carried out in four sampling stations characterised by different ecological features. The composition of potentially HA phytoplankton taxa and their succession were related to the environmental factors. The potentially HA group abundance accounted for 8% of all the phytoplankton taxa considered. Multivariate analyses of environmental factors suggested that potentially HA taxa are sensitive to phosphate content: potential DSP-YTX (Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning-Yessotoxin) producers were positively correlated with P content ( p = 0.023), while potential ASP (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) producers were negatively correlated with P content ( p = 0.006). Phosphorus could be considered to be the limiting factor for phytoplankton taxa density in the NW Adriatic Sea. There was a highly positive correlation between the occurrences of potentially HA taxa and low values of salinity ( p = 0.001 for potential producers of ASP, p = 0.029 for potential DSP-YTX producers). The counting of potential HA dinoflagellates in net samples represented a more accurate estimation of potential HA abundances in the water column making it possible to concentrate a greater number of potential HA dinoflagellate cells by net sampling along the entire water column rather than by sampling only at the surface as in routine monitoring procedures.

[Immunoenzymatic assays of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and epidermal growth factor receptor in breast cancer: correlation with clinical and biological parameters].

PubMed

Métayé, T; Bareille Saint-Gaudens, A; Millet, C; Ingrand, P; Daban, A; Bégon, F

1996-01-01

Two new immunoenzymatic assays for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) (Oncogene Science) in human breast cancer were validated. Correlations between these assays and some clinical and biological parameters were also studied. The repeatability and reproducibility of standard curves for the two methods gave a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 4% and about 10% respectively. The accuracy of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGF-R assays was examined by using dilution and recovery tests throughout the standard curves. The linear relations between theoretical and measured values, for these tests, had slopes close to 1 and an intercept near 0. The median value for EGF-R, measured on solubilized membranes of 290 primary tumors, was 0.12 fmol/micrograms protein, the mean value was 0.37 (range 0 to 35.7). For c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, the median value, measured using the same population, was 2.75 human neu unit/micrograms protein, the mean value was 7.85 (range 1 to 125). There was an inverse relationship between EGF-R values and those for the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor and pS2 protein as well as menopausal status. C-erbB-2 oncoprotein concentrations were positively correlated with ER, pS2 protein and cathepsin D. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between EGF-R levels and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein levels. In conclusion, immunoenzymatic assays of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein are easy to use, sensitive and reliable. The accurate standardisation of immunoenzymatic assays could contribute to the clinical use of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein as prognostic factors in breast cancer.

Significant positive correlation between sunshine and lactase nonpersistence in Europe may implicate both in similarly altering risks for some diseases.

PubMed

Szilagyi, Andrew; Leighton, Henry; Burstein, Barry; Shrier, Ian

2011-01-01

Decreasing latitude and increasing frequency of population lactase nonpersistence have been reported to diminish risks for several diseases, but the reason for overlap has not been explained. We evaluate, relationships between calculated national annual ultraviolet light B (UVB) exposure, latitude, and national lactose digestion frequencies. Annual UVB exposure and latitude were based on weighted averages from several cities in different countries. Lactase distribution status was based on published data that have been used previously to derive relations with diseases. We compare univariate regression analyses (r(2)(adj), slope) of percentage of lactase nonpersistence with UVB or latitude. We determine, differences between European and non-European sources by multiregression analysis of independent variables. Correlation between UVB and latitude is high (r(2) = 0.89), and between percentage of lactase nonpersistence and either latitude or UVB the correlation is moderately strong with r(2) = 0.51 and 0.46, respectively, with P ≤ 0.01 for both. A more detailed analysis shows that correlations between percentage of lactase nonpersistence and UVB are only significant in Europe, r(2) = 0.59, P < 0.001, whereas outside Europe: r(2) = 0.06, P = 0.16. These relationships raise hypothetical explanations to account for the observed overlap in similar risk modification by the 2 variables.

Energy Transformation Topic: Correlation between Pre-Classroom Reading Activity and Students’ Curiosity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muttaqiin, A.; Sopandi, W.

2017-09-01

This research aimed to analyze the correlation between pre-classroom reading activity and students’ curiosity to science. 31 participants were selected randomly from one of the junior high schools in Cimahi. Spearman’s correlation was chosen since the data from two variables were not normally distributed. The result shows that there was a weak correlation between reading before learning and students’ curiosity in the classroom and it was not significant. Several factors influence this result, one of them was students’ reluctant in daily reading to science content.

Correlations between major risk factors and closely related Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates grouped by three current genotyping procedures: a population-based study in northeast Mexico.

PubMed

Peñuelas-Urquides, Katia; Martínez-Rodríguez, Herminia Guadalupe; Enciso-Moreno, José Antonio; Molina-Salinas, Gloria María; Silva-Ramírez, Beatriz; Padilla-Rivas, Gerardo Raymundo; Vera-Cabrera, Lucio; Torres-de-la-Cruz, Víctor Manuel; Martínez-Martínez, Yazmin Berenice; Ortega-García, Jorge Luis; Garza-Treviño, Elsa Nancy; Enciso-Moreno, Leonor; Saucedo-Cárdenas, Odila; Becerril-Montes, Pola; Said-Fernández, Salvador

2014-09-01

The characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) patients related to a chain of recent TB transmissions were investigated. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates (120) were genotyped using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-IS6110 (R), spacer oligotyping (S) and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (M) methods. The MTB isolates were clustered and the clusters were grouped according to the similarities of their genotypes. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between the groups of MTB isolates with similar genotypes and those patient characteristics indicating a risk for a pulmonary TB (PTB) chain transmission were ana- lysed. The isolates showing similar genotypes were distributed as follows: SMR (5%), SM (12.5%), SR (1.67%), MR (0%), S (46.67%), M (5%) and R (0%). The remaining 35 cases were orphans. SMR exhibited a significant correlation (p < 0.05) with visits to clinics, municipalities and comorbidities (primarily diabetes mellitus). S correlated with drug consumption and M with comorbidities. SMR is needed to identify a social network in metropolitan areas for PTB transmission and S and M are able to detect risk factors as secondary components of a transmission chain of TB.