scholarly journals Serum Sialic Acid in a Random Sample of the General Population

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1842-1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maritta Pönniö ◽  
Hannu Alho ◽  
Seppo T Nikkari ◽  
Ulf Olsson ◽  
Ulf Rydberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Disease Marker ◽  
Contraceptive Pills ◽  
Serum Sialic Acid ◽  
Strong Positive Association

Abstract Background: The serum sialic acid (SA) concentration has been reported to be a potentially useful but nonspecific disease marker. We wanted to study which factors influence SA concentration in a well-characterized healthy population. Methods: SA was determined in 97 women and 96 men with a colorimetric Warren method. Results: The mean ± SD concentrations of SA were 634 ± 109 (95% confidence interval, 612–656) and 630 ± 106 (95% confidence interval, 608–651) mg/L for women and men, respectively. The serum SA showed a significant positive association with body mass index and with systolic and diastolic blood pressure among both women and men. SA also correlated significantly with the use of contraceptive pills and age among women and with smoking among men. Conclusions: Our study suggests that SA does not increase with age in men but appears to increase with female menopause. The strong positive association with blood pressure may explain why SA predicts cardiovascular mortality.

scholarly journals Macronutrient intake and frailty: the Rotterdam Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 2919-2928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eline Verspoor ◽  
Trudy Voortman ◽  
Frank J. A. van Rooij ◽  
Fernando Rivadeneira ◽  
Oscar H. Franco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Frailty Index ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Animal Protein ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Macronutrient Intake ◽  
Rotterdam Study ◽  
Macronutrient Composition ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Longitudinal Association ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Purpose To investigate the longitudinal association between the macronutrient composition of the diet and frailty. Methods Data were obtained from 5205 Dutch middle-aged and older adults participating in the Rotterdam Study. Frailty was measured using a frailty index based on the accumulation of 38 health-related deficits, score between 0 and 100, and a higher score indicating more frailty. Frailty was assessed at baseline and 11 years later (range of 23 years). Macronutrient intake was assessed using food-frequency questionnaires. The association between macronutrients and frailty over time was evaluated using multivariable linear regression, adjusted for the frailty index at baseline, energy intake, and other relevant confounders. All analyses were performed in strata of BMI. Results Median frailty index score was 13.8 points (IQR 9.6; 19.1) at baseline and increased by a median of 2.3 points (IQR − 2.0; 7.6) after 11 years. Overall, we found no significant associations between intake of carbohydrates or fat and frailty over time. We did observe a significant positive association between an iso-energetic intake of 10 g protein and frailty over time (β 0.31 (95% CI 0.06; 0.55)) which was mainly driven by animal protein (β 0.31 (95% CI 0.07; 0.56)). It did not depend on whether it was substituted fat or carbohydrates. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a reduction in the intake of animal protein may improve the overall health status over time in a relatively healthy population. More research is needed on the optimal macronutrient composition of the diet and frailty in more vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals Altered Bioavailability of Nitric Oxide and L-Arginine Is a Key Determinant of Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Worlanyo Tashie ◽  
Linda Ahenkorah Fondjo ◽  
William K. B. A. Owiredu ◽  
Richard K. D. Ephraim ◽  
Listowell Asare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Endothelial Dysfunction ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Low Birth Weight Infants ◽  
Significant Positive Association

Background. Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence indicates that endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This study assessed the level of the components of the arginine-nitric oxide pathway to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in normotensive pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. Methods. This case-control study was conducted among pregnant women who visited Comboni Hospital from January 2017 to May 2018. A total of 180 pregnant women comprising 88 preeclamptic women (PE) and 92 healthy normotensive pregnant women (NP) were recruited. Sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data were obtained using validated questionnaires. Blood pressure and anthropometrics were measured, and blood samples were collected for the estimation of nitric oxide (NO∙), L-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and 3-nitrotyrosine using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results. The mean NO∙ ( p = 0.010 ) and L-arginine/ADMA ratio ( p < 0.0001 ) was significantly lower in PE compared to NP while mean L-arginine ( p = 0.034 ), ADMA ( p < 0.0001 ), and 3-nitrotyrosine ( p < 0.0001 ) were significantly higher in PE than NP. ADMA showed a significant positive association with systolic blood pressure ( β = 0.454 , p = 0.036 ) in severe PE. Women with PE had significant intrauterine growth restriction ( p < 0.0001 ) and low birth weight infants ( p < 0.0001 ) when compared to NP. Conclusion. Preeclampsia is associated with reduced NO∙ bioavailability, L-arginine/ADMA ratio, and elevated levels of ADMA and 3-nitrotyrosine. Measurements of the levels of these parameters can help in the early prediction of endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia. Exogenous therapeutic supplementation with L-arginine during pregnancy to increase the L-arginine/ADMA ratio should be considered to improve endothelial function in preeclampsia and pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia.

scholarly journals Does observability affect prosociality?

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1875) ◽  
pp. 20180116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Bradley ◽  
Claire Lawrence ◽  
Eamonn Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Social Dilemmas ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Theoretical Parameter ◽  
Moderator Analysis

The observation of behaviour is a key theoretical parameter underlying a number of models of prosociality. However, the empirical findings showing the effect of observability on prosociality are mixed. In this meta-analysis, we explore the boundary conditions that may account for this variability, by exploring key theoretical and methodological moderators of this link. We identified 117 papers yielding 134 study level effects (total n = 788 164) and found a small but statistically significant, positive association between observability and prosociality ( r = 0.141, 95% confidence interval = 0.106, 0.175). Moderator analysis showed that observability produced stronger effects on prosociality: (i) in the presence of passive observers (i.e. people whose role was to only observe participants) versus perceptions of being watched, (ii) when participants’ decisions were consequential (versus non-consequential), (iii) when the studies were performed in the laboratory (as opposed to in the field/online), (iv) when the studies used repeated measures (instead of single games), and (v) when the studies involved social dilemmas (instead of bargaining games). These effects show the conditions under which observability effects on prosociality will be maximally observed. We describe the theoretical and practical significance of these results.

Assessing Attitudes of Nursing Pedagogy: An Instrument Based on the Midrange Theory of Empowered Holistic Nursing Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. E89-E97
Author(s):  
Katie Love
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Education ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Instrument Development ◽  
Interval Analysis ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Holistic Nursing ◽  
The Core ◽  
Nursing Pedagogy ◽  
Teaching Learning

Background and Purpose:The Empowered Holistic Nursing Education (EHNE) midrange theory provides a structure for a pedagogy for nursing, bringing the core values of nursing into the classroom. There are five principles of EHNE: Self-Care, Interconnectedness, Prior Knowledge, Contextual Teaching-Learning, and Meet Them Where They Are.Methods:The Thurstone method was used in the development of this scale, resulting in two subscales representing unique phenomena, each with 11 relational items that represent the spectrum of attitudes for the phenomenon.Results:With a CVI score of 0.92 (n= 23) for subscale 1 and 0.89 (n= 23) for subscale 2, the scale was found to have high inter-rater reliability with an agreement of K = 0.814 (99% confidence interval). Analysis revealed a significant, positive association between the two subscales (r= .96 and sig/2 tailed = .003).Conclusions:This instrument development study as a whole allows for further testing of the midrange theory and advancement to implementation and intervention research.

scholarly journals Vascular Overload Index Predicts Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in a Neurologically Healthy Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-63
Author(s):  
Ki-Woong Nam ◽  
Hyung-Min Kwon ◽  
Jin-Ho Park ◽  
Hyuktae Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Arterial Stiffness ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Small Vessel ◽  
White Matter Hyperintensity ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Healthy Population

Background: Arterial stiffness has been suggested as one of the major pathological mechanisms of cerebral small vessel diseases (cSVDs). In this study, we confirmed this hypothesis by evaluating the association between vascular overload index (VOI), which is a physiologically good indicator of arterial stiffness, and cSVD.Methods: We evaluated participants who visited Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center for health check-ups between 2006 and 2013. VOI was calculated by the following formula: VOI (mmHg)=1.33×systolic blood pressure -0.33×diastolic blood pressure-133.3. cSVDs were measured including white matter hyperintensity (WMH), lacunes, and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). We quantitatively measured the WMH volume and rated the presence and number of lacunes and CMBs qualitatively.Results: A total of 3,231 participants were evaluated (mean age 57±9 years, male sex 53.9%). In multivariable linear regression analysis, VOI was significantly associated with WMH volume after adjusting confounders (β=0.004, 95% confidence interval=0.002–0.006). VOI also showed a close association with lacunes in multivariable logistic regression analysis (adjusted odds ratio=1.01, 95% confidence interval=1.00–1.02). There was no statistical association with CMBs. In subgroup analysis according to the presence of hypertension, VOI was closely associated with WMH volume/lacunes only in patients without hypertension. In patients with hypertension, these statistical associations disappeared.Conclusion: A high VOI was associated with cSVD in a neurologically healthy population, especially in patients without hypertension. This marker of arterial stiffness could be convenient and useful predictor of cSVD.

scholarly journals Interaction Between Dietary Acid Load and IL6 -572 G/C Polymorphism on Blood Pressure Among Postmenopausal Women in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1264-1264
Author(s):  
Sook Yee Lim ◽  
Yoke Mun Chan ◽  
Ramachandran Vasudevan ◽  
Mohd Shariff Zalilah ◽  
Yit Siew Chin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Gene Interaction ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Dietary Intakes ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Dietary Acid Load ◽  
Dietary Acid ◽  
Acid Load

Abstract Objectives We examined whether IL6 single nucleotide genetic polymorphism modified the association between dietary acid load (DAL) and blood pressure among postmenopausal women in Malaysia. Methods A total of 211 community-dwelling postmenopausal women were recruited. Dietary intakes of participants were assessed using a validated interview-administered semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire while DAL was estimated using potential renal acid load (PRAL). Agena® MassARRAY genotyping analysis was used to identify the IL6 genotype and blood pressure was measured using a Digital Automatic BP monitor (OMRON HEM-907, Japan). Interaction between DAL and IL6 -572 G/C polymorphism was assessed using linear regression test. Results There was a significant interaction between DAL and IL6 -572 G/C polymorphism on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (Pinteraction = 0.041). A significant positive association between DAL and SBP with stronger relationship in CG and GG genotype carriers compare to CC carriers were observed. On the other hand, there was no significant diet-gene interaction effect on diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions Our findings suggest that the association between DAL and SBP might be influenced by IL6 -572 G/C polymorphism among postmenopausal women. Further work on how IL6 -572 G/C polymorphism influences the association with DAL on hypertension are warranted. Funding Sources Supported by Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, and Putra Grant UPM.

Association between Serum Sialic Acid Levels and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junling He ◽  
Weilin Mao ◽  
Juanwen Zhang ◽  
Xi Jin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Sialic Acid ◽  
Fatty Liver ◽  
Fatty Liver Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Serum Sialic Acid

Background: To assess the association between serum sialic acid (SA) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 3,898 Chinese who took their annual health examination. Serum SA levels and other clinical and laboratory parameters were measured. Results: A total of 18.11% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD. NAFLD subjects with/without metabolic syndrome (MS) had significantly higher serum SA levels than those without NAFLD. Serum SA levels were significantly and positively correlated with components of MS (body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose) in the NAFLD group. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that SA levels were significantly associated with the risk factor for NAFLD. Serum SA levels were negatively correlated with the FIB-4 score, and lower serum SA levels were independent factors predicting advanced fibrosis in subjects with NAFLD. Conclusions: Our results showed a significant association between serum SA levels and NAFLD.

scholarly journals Support for Economic Inequality and Tax Evasion

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8025
Author(s):  
William E. Shafer ◽  
Zhihong Wang ◽  
Tien-Shih Hsieh
Keyword(s):  
Tax Evasion ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Business And Society ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
Corporate Managers ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
Strong Positive Association ◽  
Primary Focus ◽  
The Relationship

The primary focus of this paper is on the relationship between taxpayers’ ideological support for economic inequality and the likelihood they will commit tax evasion. We also propose that Machiavellianism will mediate the relationship between support for inequality and tax evasion. The results, based on a survey of experienced taxpayers, partially support our expectations. Ideological support for economic inequality had a significant positive association with Machiavellianism, which in turn had a strong positive association with tax evasion intentions. Machiavellianism fully mediated the relationship between support for inequality and tax evasion. This is the first study to investigate the potential influence of support for economic inequality on taxpayers’ evasion decisions. In light of the findings, we suggest that support for the persistence of economic inequality and related ideological beliefs may pose fundamental threats to governments’ ability to sustain just and fair socioeconomic systems. We also argue that such ideologies are likely to be associated with the ethical decisions of corporate managers, business owners and professionals across a variety of decision contexts, but their influence has largely been ignored in the business and society and sustainability literature.

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