scholarly journals The influence of demographic factors on subjective cognitive concerns and beta-amyloid

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 645-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Aghjayan ◽  
Rachel F. Buckley ◽  
Patrizia Vannini ◽  
Dorene M. Rentz ◽  
Jonathan D. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Aging Brain ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Clinically Normal ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTBackground:Converging evidence suggests that subjective cognitive concerns (SCC) are associated with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prior to objective clinical impairment. However, the sensitivity of SCC reports in early AD may be biased by demographic factors. Here, we sought to investigate whether age, education, and sex influence the relationship between SCC and amyloid (Aβ) burden.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, we examined 252 clinically normal (CN) individuals (57.7% females) enrolled in the Harvard Aging Brain Study, ages 63–90 years (mean 73.7±6) with 6–20 years of education (mean 15.8±3). SCC was assessed as a composite score comprising three questionnaires. Cortical Aβ burden was assessed with Pittsburgh compound B positron emission tomography imaging. A series of linear regression models assessed the potential modifying role of demographic variables with respect to Aβ burden and SCC. A post-hoc mediation model was implemented to further understand the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC via their relationship with education.Results:Age (β = −0.84, p = 0.36) and sex (β = −0.55, p = 0.22) did not modify the relationship between SCC and Aβ burden. Fewer years of education was correlated with greater SCC (r = −0.12, p = 0.05), but the relationship between Aβ burden and SCC was stronger in those with more education (β = 1.16, p < 0.05). A partial mediation effect was found of Aβ burden on SCC via education (b = −0.12, 95% CI [−0.31, −0.02]).Conclusions:These findings suggest that the association between SCC and Aβ burden becomes stronger with greater educational attainment. Thus, SCC may be of particular importance in highly educated CN individuals harboring amyloid pathology.

scholarly journals Mediating effects of empowerment on the relationship between global function and recovery among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia: A cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen I Liu ◽  
Wen Ling Hsieh ◽  
Shih Kai Lee ◽  
Kuen-Tai Lee
Keyword(s):  
Patient Empowerment ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Function ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: Functional degradation among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia can negatively influence their recovery. Given the importance of patient empowerment during recovery, the current study aimed to examine the mediating effects of patient empowerment on the relationship between global function and recovery among such patients.Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia from northern and central Taiwan. Questionnaires with verified reliability and validity were provided and collected on site by trained nurses. The causal steps approach proposed by Baron and Kenny and the Sobel test were utilized to verify the mediation effect.Results: A total of 373 participants completed the survey. After controlling for factors associated with recovery, empowerment was determined to exert “full mediation” over the effects of global function on patient recovery, with the mediation effect reaching 85.9% and the Sobel test indicating significant mediation.Conclusions: Although improving the global function of community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia could likely encourage recovery, the present study suggested that offering empowerment-oriented care services may be more effective than global function improvement on recovery among these patients.

scholarly journals Mediation effect of obesity on the association between triglyceride-glucose index and hyperuricemia in Chinese hypertension adults.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Sun ◽  
Yongkang Su ◽  
Man Li ◽  
Shouyuan Ma ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Han Chinese ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tyg Index ◽  
Triglyceride Glucose Index ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background and Aims: The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index was regarded as a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR). It is confirmed that IR was significantly associated with hyperuricemia, and obesity was the risk factor for IR and hyperuricemia. However, the relationship between the TyG index and hyperuricemia and the potential role of obesity in Han Chinese hypertension are not entirely elucidated.Methods and Results： A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 4551 hypertension patients aged 40-75 years with clinical and biochemical data. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dl) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dl)/2]. Hyperuricemia was determined as serum uric acid ≥357μmol/L (6 mg/dl) for females and ≥417μmol/L (7 mg/dl) for males. The TyG index was higher in patients with hyperuricemia than in those without (8.99±0.61, 8.70±0.59, P<0.001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with the lowest (≤8.32), second (8.33-8.66), third (8.67-9.07) and the highest quartile (≥9.08) of the TyG index was 6.0%, 10.4%, 15.4%, 21.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the higher quartile of TyG index was associated with increased hyperuricemia risk whether in crude or adjusted models (P<0.05). Mediation analysis showed that all of our obesity indexes partially mediated the association between the TyG index and hyperuricemia to some extent.Conclusion：TyG index is significantly associated with hyperuricemia in hypertension patients among Han Chinese, obesity plays a partial mediation role in this relationship.

scholarly journals The Relationship between the Infertility Specialist and the Patient during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1649
Author(s):  
Diana Antonia Iordăchescu ◽  
Florinda Tinella Golu ◽  
Corina Ioana Paica ◽  
Adrian Gorbănescu ◽  
Anca Maria Panaitescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Human Reproduction ◽  
Patient Relationship ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Doctor Patient Relationship ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship

The doctor–patient relationship is fundamental in the treatment of infertility, due to the emotional implications of fertilization procedures. However, insufficient data are available specifically for this relationship. The general objective of the study is to establish the associations between the fundamental concepts that define the doctor–patient relationship: communication, empathy, trust, collaboration, compliance and satisfaction. A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2020 and followed the methods of a quantitative analysis, collecting the data using questionnaires. The research plan was specific to path analysis with the mediation effect, in which the hypotheses were tested. The research group consisted of 151 women diagnosed with infertility, voluntarily recruited through online support communities. Findings demonstrate that affective empathy mediates the relationship between communication and trust in the doctor. In conclusion, this study draws attention to the importance of basic concepts in the relationship of infertility specialists with infertile patients. Thus, it is necessary for health care providers in assisted human reproduction to participate in programs for the continuous training of empathic communication skills, given the sensitivity of this diagnosis.

scholarly journals Mediating effect of empowerment on the relationship between global function and personal recovery among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuen Tai Lee ◽  
Shih Kai Lee ◽  
Mei Jou Lu ◽  
Wen Ling Hsieh ◽  
Wen I. Liu
Keyword(s):  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Personal Recovery ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Global Function ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Functional degradation among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia can negatively influence their recovery. Given the importance of patient empowerment during recovery, this study examined the mediating effect of empowerment on the relationship between global function and personal recovery among community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited community-dwelling patients with schizophrenia from northern and central Taiwan. Questionnaires with verified reliability and validity were provided and collected on site by trained nurses. Global function, empowerment, and personal recovery were measured using the Global Assessment of Functioning (developed by the American Psychiatric Association), Empowerment Scale, and Questionnaire on the Process of Recovery, respectively. The causal steps approach proposed by Baron and Kenny and the Sobel test were utilized to verify the mediation effect. The causal steps approach tested the four following pathways (regression coefficients): global function on empowerment (Path a), global function and empowerment as predictors of personal recovery (Path b), global function on personal recovery (Path c), and global function and empowerment on personal recovery (Path c’). Results A total of 373 participants completed the survey. After controlling for factors associated with recovery, Paths a (β = .24, p < .001), b (β = .68, p < .001), and c (β = .19, p < .001) were found to be significant; however, Path c’ was not significant (β = .03, p = .452). Empowerment was determined to exert “full mediation” over the effects of global function on personal recovery, and the Sobel test indicating significant mediation (Z = 3.61, p < .001). Conclusions Empowerment fully mediates the association between global function and personal recovery. This study suggested that offering empowerment-oriented care services may be more effective than global function improvement in recovery among these patients.

Plasma Carotenoid Levels in Relation to Tobacco Smoking and Demographic Factors

2003 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lagiou ◽  
Benetou ◽  
Tebelis ◽  
Papas ◽  
Naska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Plasma Levels ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Greek Epic ◽  
Carotene Beta

Antioxidant compounds have been reported to play a beneficial role in the etiology of several chronic diseases. To examine the effects of tobacco smoking and demographic factors on the plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and jointly, lutein-zeaxanthin, we have conducted a cross-sectional study in the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC). A random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30–82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27953 volunteers, provided fasting blood samples and completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed using linear regression models with the studied vitamin plasma levels as dependent variables, and tobacco smoking and demographic factors as independent variables. Older persons had significantly lower alpha-carotene levels and significantly higher lutein-zeaxanthin levels, whereas females in comparison to males had significantly higher levels of alpha-carotene and perhaps beta-carotene. Tobacco smoking tended to reduce levels of all carotenoids studied and the reduction was statistically significant with respect to beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene, whereas it was of borderline significance with respect to beta-carotene.

scholarly journals The Relationship between the Anteroposterior Diameter of the Patellar Tendon, Pain and Functionality in Volleyball Players – An Observational Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (01) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Alfonso Calvo Gonell ◽  
Loreto Macia Soler ◽  
Joaquin Moncho
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
Sports Injuries ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Biomechanical Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inferior Pole ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Volleyball Players ◽  
The Relationship

Objective To determine whether the anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the patellar tendon in volleyball players is associated with a greater sensation of pain and decreased functionality. Material and Methods A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study conducted on volleyball players. The scores on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella (VISA-P) scale were registered, together with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the AP diameter of the patellar tendon, at 5 and at 10 mm distal to the inferior pole of the patella. The demographic, anthropometric and playing characteristics were registered and multiple linear regression models were constructed in order to analyze the relationship between the study variables. Results The final sample comprised 112 players. The AP diameter was greater in men and showed a positive significant association with the score on the VAS scale and a negative significant association with the VISA-P for both tendons after adjusting for the remaining variables. Conclusions The measurement of the AP diameter of the patellar tendon may be useful for the prevention of sports injuries in volleyball players as a greater tendon diameter is significantly associated with increased perceived pain and decreased functionality. Future studies should include a biomechanical analysis of jump and reception techniques.

scholarly journals The Relationship of 25(OH)D3 with Diabetes Mellitus and the Mediation Effect of Lipid Profile in Chinese Rural Population of Henan Province

Medicina ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Mimi Zhang ◽  
Fei Yu ◽  
Yuan Xue ◽  
Lulu Song ◽  
Mengsi Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Serum Lipids ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Low Hdl ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Background and Objectives: Studies suggest that vitamin D is involved in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and influences serum lipids levels, while lipid disorders are also closely related to T2DM. This study attempts to explore the complex relationship of serum 25(OH)D3, serum lipids, and T2DM among Chinese population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 2326 subjects. The chi-square (χ2) test was applied to compare the prevalence of T2DM or dyslipidemia between two serum 25(OH)D3 levels. Linear regression was applied to analyze the correlation between serum lipids and 25(OH)D3 contents. Univariate and logistic analysis were used to explore the relationship between two lipid levels and T2DM. Mediation analysis was used to explore whether serum lipids mediate the relationship between two serum 25(OH)D3 levels and T2DM. Results: Compared to subjects with 25(OH)D3 ≥ 30 ng/mL, subjects with 25(OH)D3 < 30 ng/mL were higher in the prevalence of T2DM. The occurrences of high TG and low HDL-C were significantly higher in vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency than those in vitamin D sufficiency. Serum 25(OH)D3 content showed a reverse correlation with TC, TG, and LDL-C, but positive correlation with HDL-C. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals, 95%CI) of T2DM by comparing TG ≥ 2.26 mmol/L vs. TG < 2.26 mmol/L and HDL-C < 1.04 mmol/L vs. HDL-C ≥ 1.04 mmol/L in all participants were 2.48 (1.94–3.18) and 1.37 (1.07–1.75), respectively. Serum TG or HDL-C level partially mediated the relationship between two 25(OH)D3 level and T2DM. Conclusions: Serum 25(OH)D3 < 30 ng/mL seems to be associated with T2DM or dyslipidemia (high TG and low HDL-C) in our study, but there is still no proof of a cause–effect relationship. Moreover, serum TG or HDL-C level partially mediated the relationship between 25(OH)D3 levels and T2DM.

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