Association between atrial fibrillation and coronary slow flow

Abstract Background The relationship between arrhythmia and coronary slow flow (CSF) is unclear. We aimed to explore the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and CSF. Method In this cross-sectional study, we included 2,060 participants patients from PCI-registry (NCT 02498470) who underwent coronary angiography with clinical chest pain and without significant coronary stenosis. According to coronary blood flow rate measured by the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC) method, CSF was defined as TFC>27. AF was identified by ECG performed during hospitalization. We used logistic regression to assess the association between AF and CSF. Results Among 2,060 participants, 132 participants were diagnosed with AF. CSF rates were higher in AF group than in the control group (22.0% vs 13.9%, P=0.011). Logistic regression showed that AF was independently associated with CSF after adjustment for traditional risk factors (OR=2.06; 95%, 1.28–3.34; P=0.003). Conclusion Our study demonstrated that AF was association with increased risk of CSF. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding and explore the potential mechanism. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Download Full-text

Echocardiographic and Laboratory Findings in Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon: cross-sectional study and review

10.1101/2020.07.03.20145995 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mir Hosein Seyyed Mohammadzad ◽

Salar Gardeshkhah ◽

Kamal Khademvatani ◽

Amin Sedokani

Keyword(s):

Coronary Arteries ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Slow Flow ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Coronary Slow Flow ◽

Flow Group ◽

The Mean ◽

Coronary Slow Flow Phenomenon

AbstractBackground and aimsCoronary Slow flow is a phenomenon known as slow contrast flow that injected into the coronary arteries, without epicardial coronary arteries obstruction. The etiology of this disease is unknown. Endothelial dysfunction, known as a major cause of Coronary Slow flow syndrome (CSF).MethodsThis study was cross-sectional (descriptive-analytic), which was performed on patients admitted to Seyedoshohada Heart Center, during one year (2018-2019). Considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients were divided into two groups of normal coronary arteries (NECA, as the control group) and with the Coronary slow-flow (CSF).ResultsIn the present study, 124 patients were studied, 67.9% in the coronary slow flow group and 39.4% in the control group were men (p=0.001). In the coronary slow flow group, the mean age of patients was 52.18 ± 12.55 years and in the control group, the mean age was 51.77 ± 10.36 years (p=0.18). Mean BMI was significantly higher in the coronary slow flow group than the control group (p <0.05). The smoking, hypertension, and mean of Lymphocyte, Hb, Hct, Plt, MPV, RDW, BUN, FBS, TG, TC, LDL was significantly higher coronary slow flow group. Also, in echocardiography, the mean E wave, E/A ratio was significantly lower in the coronary slow flow group. The GLS was also significantly lower in the control group (p=0.01). LAD was the most common type of coronaries that involved with a slow flow.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that there was a significant increase in the rate of coronary slow flow in men, smokers, high BMI, and hypertensive patients. Also, platelet count, MPV, LDL, FBS, and some laboratory variables were high in patients with CSF. Mild diastolic dysfunction and low GLS were observed in this group of patients.

Download Full-text

Validation of the SavvyCheckTM Vaginal Yeast Test for Screening Pregnant Women for Vulvovaginal Candidosis: A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7030233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 233

Author(s):

Philipp Foessleitner ◽

Herbert Kiss ◽

Julia Deinsberger ◽

Julia Ott ◽

Lorenz Zierhut ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Gram Stain ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Point Of Care Test ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Vulvovaginal Candidosis

Pregnant women have an increased risk of vulvovaginal candidosis. Recurrent candidosis is under debate as a contributor to preterm birth, and vertical transmission may cause diaper dermatitis and oral thrush in the newborn. Apart from cultural methods, the gold standard for diagnosing candidosis is Gram staining, which is time-consuming and requires laboratory facilities. The objective of this prospective study was to validate a point-of-care vaginal yeast detection assay (SavvyCheckÔ Vaginal Yeast Test) and to evaluate it in asymptomatic pregnant women. We enrolled 200 participants, 100 of whom had vulvovaginal candidosis according to Gram stain (study group) and 100 were healthy pregnant controls (control group). Of these, 22 participants (11%) had invalid test results. The point-of-care test of the remaining 85 and 93 study participants in the study and control groups, respectively, showed a sensitivity of 94.1%, specificity of 98.9%, positive predictive value of 90.3%, and negative predictive value of 99.4% when compared with Gram stain. In conclusion, we found a high correlation between the SavvyCheckÔ Vaginal Yeast Test and Gram-stained smears during pregnancy. This suggests a potential role of this point-of-care test as a screening tool for asymptomatic pregnant women in early gestation.

Download Full-text

Perceived Sensitivity to Pain and Responsiveness to Non-noxious Sensation in Substance Use Disorder

Pain Medicine ◽

10.1093/pm/pnz292 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 1902-1912

Author(s):

Naama Assayag ◽

Yoram Bonneh ◽

Shula Parush ◽

Haim Mell ◽

Ricky Kaplan Neeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Substance Use Disorder ◽

Pain Sensitivity ◽

Pain Perception ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Model Parameters ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sensory Responsiveness

Abstract Objective This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to characterize individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in self-perception of pain sensitivity, experimental auditory aversiveness, and non-noxious sensory responsiveness, as well as examine the associations with SUD. Methods Therapeutic community (TC) individuals with SUD (N = 63, male 88.9%) and healthy controls (N = 60, male 86.7%) completed the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Sensory Responsiveness Questionnaire–Intensity Scale (SRQ-IS), followed by a psychophysical auditory battery, the Battery of Averseness to Sounds (BAS)–Revised. Results The SUD group scored higher on the PSQ (P < 0.0001), BAS-R aversiveness (P < 0.0001), BAS-R-unpleasantness (P < 0.0001), and on the aftersensation of auditory aversiveness (P < 0.0001) and unpleasantness (P < 0.000). Fifty-four percent of the SUD group vs 11.7% of the control group were identified as having sensory modulation dysfunction (SMD; P < 0.0001). Logistic regression modeling revealed that the SRQ-IS-Aversive score had a stronger relationship, indicating a 12.6-times odds ratio for SUD (P = 0.0002). Finally, a risk score calculated from a linear combination of the logistic regression model parameters is presented based on the PSQ and SRQ. Conclusions This is the first study to explore sensory and aversive domains using experimental and self-reporting in situ, revealing pain perception alteration that co-occurs with high prevalence of SMD, specifically of the over-responsive type. Findings may be significant in clinical practice for treating pain, and for expanding therapeutic modalities as part of broader rehabilitation in TC and beyond, to better meet personalized therapy.

Download Full-text

Sex Differences in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Obesity Among College Students

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 181-181

Author(s):

Aseel El Zein ◽

Karla Shelnutt ◽

Sarah Colby ◽

Geoffrey Greene ◽

Wenjun Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

High Food ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Food And Agriculture ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.

Download Full-text

Cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants: a cross-sectional study

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2019-0273 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 241-246

Author(s):

Ana Cristina Resende Camargos ◽

Pedro Henrique Scheidt Figueiredo ◽

Sueli Ferreira da Fonseca ◽

Mariana Aguiar de Matos ◽

Katherine Simone Caires Oliveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Control Group ◽

Cortisol Secretion ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Cortisol Levels

AbstractBackgroundThe salivary circadian diurnal cortisol plays an important role in growth and development. Inappropriate levels may induce changes associated with an increased risk of obesity later in life. It is unknown if there are differences in cortisol secretion pattern between overweight/obese infants when compared with theirs peers in infancy. Thus, this study aimed to compare the salivary cortisol secretion pattern in overweight/obese and normal-weight infants.MethodsThirty-three (overweight/obese = 17 and normal weight = 16) infants between 6 and 24 months of age had saliva samples collected upon awakening (T1), 30 min after waking (T2), at 12:00 am or before the baby’s meal (T3), and prior to bedtime (T4). Highly sensitive enzyme immunoassays were used for cortisol analyses.ResultsSalivary cortisol levels were similar between the groups: T1 (p = 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −5.65, 1.37), T2 (p = 0.24; 95% CI: −8.23, 2.17), T3 (p = 0.95; 95% CI: −3.16, 2.96), and T4 (p = 0.81; 95% CI: −1.39, 1.08); and no differences were observed between area under the curve (AUC) (p = 0.80; 95% CI: −4.58–13.66). The cortisol level reduced in T4 (95% CI: 1.35–2.96) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.15–8.49) and T2 in the overweight/obese group (p < 0.001; 95% CI: 6.02–11.04). In the normal-weight group, the cortisol reduced in T3 (95% CI: 2.86–8.18) compared to T1 (95% CI: 5.64–12.28) and decreased until T4 (p = 0.001; 95% CI: 1.25–3.37).ConclusionsThe overweight/obese infant group presented a different pattern of cortisol secretion, although cortisol levels did not differ between the control group.

Download Full-text

Effect of Flavor Enhancement on the Appreciation of Food in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa044_019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 320-320

Author(s):

Kenza Drareni ◽

Moustafa Bensafi ◽

Helene Lusson ◽

Damien Vansteene ◽

Agnès Giboreau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact

Abstract Objectives Given the influence of sensory signals on food intake regulation and the subsequent nutritional status, it is important to reduce the impact of commonly observed smell and taste alterations on the pleasure of eating during chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the effect of various types of flavor enhancement on the appreciation of an appetizer by a group of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods Five eggplant appetizers with no seasoning (REF) or enhanced with either salt, lemon, garlic or cumin were developed. In this cross-sectional study, 36 healthy female subjects (age 58 ± 7 y) (control group) and 84 breast cancer patients (age 56 ± 11 y) treated with chemotherapy were recruited. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on patients' self-reported smell and taste abilities classified the patients in two groups: the ‘unaltered, (high sensory abilities) n = 49’ and the ‘altered, (poor sensory abilities), n = 35’ group. Participants tasted and assessed the appreciation of the reference appetizer on a visual analog scale and performed a randomized comparative liking task, by rating the appreciation for each flavor-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (one-sample t-test). Results There was no significant difference in the appreciation of the REF appetizer between the three groups (P > 0.05). In the comparative liking task, the control group rated similarly the appreciation between the flavor-enhanced and the REF appetizers except for the cumin-enhanced appetizer, which was appreciated significantly more than the REF (P < 0.001). Patients in both ‘altered’ and ‘unaltered’ groups appreciated similarly the cumin appetizer (P > 0.05), more the salt and garlic-enhanced appetizers (P ≤ 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively) and significantly less the lemon-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (P = 0.029), confirming a tendency for patients to reject acid-flavored foods. Conclusions The salt and garlic enhancements were appreciated by the patients independent of the stage of chemotherapy or the severity of smell and taste alterations. Flavor enhancement seems a good strategy to maintain the pleasure of eating in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is still needed on the appreciation and intake of a complete meal (starter, main course, dessert). Funding Sources APICIL and ELIOR groups.

Download Full-text

Access to sanitation and risk of developing urinary tract infections among women from low socio-economic settings

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20192829 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. 2939

Author(s):

Rama Kawade ◽

Anjali Radkar ◽

Abhilash Thadathil ◽

Deepa Thakur

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Women ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Restricted Use ◽

Tract Infections

Background: Poor sanitation facilities are root cause of many health problems of people residing in slums. The present study estimates the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI) and identifies factors associated with an increased risk of UTI among women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 616 women aged between 18 to 60 years residing in 33 slums across four cities in Maharashtra, India. Data related to individual characteristics of women, housing condition, access to sanitation facilities, behaviors adopted by the women that could lead to UTI and an episode of symptomatic UTI in the previous one month were recorded through structured questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out risk factors for UTI among women.Results: The prevalence of UTI was found to be 19.6%. The prevalence was higher among young women aged upto 30 years (23.2%). In absence of individual toilet, women had adopted certain behaviors such as urine holding (21.3%), modify dinner to avoid toilet use at night (26.6%) and avoid intake of liquids (10.7%) to reduce frequency of visits to toilet. All these behaviors were significantly associated with UTI. Multiple logistic regression indicated that UTI was strongly and independently associated with age (OR=1.64, 95%CI: 1.08, 2.47), no access to bathroom (OR=2.21, 95%CI: 1.08, 4.49) and avoid intake of liquids (OR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.75) (p<0.05).Conclusions:Behavior modifications by women to adjust with restricted use of place of urination may affect their health and increase the likelihood of developing UTI. Younger women are more at risk of developing UTI.

Download Full-text

Relationship between pediatric liquid medicines (PLMs) and dental caries in chronically ill children

Padjadjaran Journal of Dentistry ◽

10.24198/pjd.vol31no3.25071 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 167

Author(s):

Ankita Goyal ◽

Vatchala Rani ◽

Bhadravathi Cheluvaiah Manjunath ◽

Kanupriya Rathore

Keyword(s):

Dental Caries ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Chronically Ill ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Chronically Ill Children

Introduction: Purpose of this research is to assess the relationship between long-term pediatric liquid medicines (PLMs) consumption and dental caries in 2–12-years-old chronically ill children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in a public pediatric hospital in India for a period of 6 months. A total of 455 children aged 2–12 years old with various chronic diseases who were receiving PLMs for more than 6 months were selected as the subjects in this study and compared with 531 children of similar age group and diseases who received other forms of medication. Dental caries was measured by DMFT/dmft and data collected were analyzed with SPSS (17th version) using statistical tests such as t-test and one-way ANOVA. Univariable logistic regression was used where the significance was fixed at a a p value of less than 0.001. Results: Children on PLMs had an increased risk of dental caries than those on other forms of medications (OR: 3.142, 95% CI: 2.37–4.15, p < 0.001). The prevalence of dental caries was higher (77.8%) in children consuming PLMs when compared to other forms of medication (52.7%). The mean DMFT and dmft scores were significantly higher in the study group when compared to the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Long-term consumption of pediatric liquid medicines containing sucrose as a risk factor for dental caries among chronically ill children. sugar free options has to be used during prescription to prevent medication-triggered caries.Keywords: Paediatric liquid medicine, medication-triggered caries, sugar-free medication

Download Full-text

Resting heart rate variability in regular yoga practitioners - A cross-sectional study

Annals of Medical Physiology ◽

10.23921/amp.2020v4i2.100521 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 12-17

Author(s):

Selvakumar Subash ◽

Manikandan Sathiyaseelan ◽

Dayanalakshmi Ramachandran

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Yoga Group ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Resting Heart Rate Variability ◽

Yoga Practitioners

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a useful and powerful non-invasive tool for quantitative assessment of cardiac autonomic function. Recent studies have shown that low heart rate variability is an indication of increased risk for cardiac diseases and sudden cardiac death. Yoga has been associated with improved cardio-respiratory performance. Thirty male regular yoga practitioners doing yoga for more than 3 years, age between 25-45 years (yoga group) and 30 male non-yoga practitioners, age-matched (control group) were included. A computerized Niviqure ECG system with HRV software was used for heart rate variability recording. Our results show that frequency-domain parameters like LF power, LF n.u, and LF/HF ratio were significantly lower in yoga group compared to control group. Time-domain parameters like mean RR, NN50, pNN50 were significantly higher in yoga group compared to control group. We conclude that the yoga increases heart rate variability by optimizing the autonomic functions, which is a good indicator of cardiac autonomic activity during rest.

Download Full-text

Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

Journal of Diabetes Research ◽

10.1155/2020/7201379 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sailimai Man ◽

Yuan Ma ◽

Cheng Jin ◽

Jun Lv ◽

Mingkun Tong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Subgroup Analysis ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Increased Risk ◽

H Pylori

Background. Studies suggest an association between H. pylori infection and extragastrointestinal disease. Limited studies provided conflicting results on the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes. The present study was aimed at examining the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes in a large health checkup population in China. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted; participants who attended health checkups at Beijing MJ Health Screening Center during 2017-2018 were included. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by 13C-urea breath test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between H. pylori infection and diabetes. Results. The mean age of 13,397 participants was 43.8±12 years. The prevalence of H. pylori infection and diabetes was 28.2% and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes was higher among H. pylori-positive participants compared with their counterparts (8.9% vs 7.8%, p=0.05). After adjustment of age, sex, family history of diabetes, smoking, education, stroke, coronary heart disease, BMI, SBP, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C, multivariate logistic regression analysis found no association between H. pylori infection and diabetes (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.88-1.18). Additionally, subgroup analysis indicated that H. pylori infection was significantly associated with increased risk of diabetes in the female group (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.08-1.09). Conclusions. No significant association was found between H. pylori infection and diabetes. However, the subgroup analysis suggested that H. pylori infection was possibly associated with increased risk of diabetes among females. Future cohort studies are needed to verify this association in females and to address possible implication in the prevention of diabetes.

Download Full-text