Degree of Agreement Between Infant Serum and Salivary Concentration of Leptin and Adiponectin and Its Association With Infants’ Feeding

2020 ◽  
pp. 109980042097336
Author(s):  
Ana M. Linares ◽  
Mary Kay Rayens ◽  
Jennifer S. Moylan ◽  
Craig S. Miller

Background: Leptin and adiponectin, two adipokines involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, have been linked to regulation of growth in early infancy, energy balance, and metabolic disorders in childhood. The aim of this study was to determine if concentrations of leptin and adiponectin could be measured reliably in infants’ saliva, to evaluate the degree of agreement with infant serum levels, and to explore their association with infant feeding status. Methods: A total of 34 infants were recruited after birth and followed for 20 weeks. After log-transformation of the values, a Bland-Altman graphical approach was used to summarize the direction of the difference between the serum and saliva values. Repeated measures mixed modeling was used to evaluate differences over time in these outcomes by feeding status. Results: Mean concentration of salivary leptin and adiponectin in infants was 3.7 ( SD = .8) ng/mL and 2.9 ( SD = 0.7) ng/mL, respectively. The degree of agreement between serum and saliva for log-transformed leptin and adiponectin values were relatively robust, albeit with a non-zero bias between the two methods, given that serum values were greater than corresponding saliva values for both adipokines in all infants. Each of the four repeated measures mixed models (one for each adipokine measure) had a significant main effect; however, the interaction between time and feeding status was not significant in any of the models. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that leptin and adiponectin can be measured in infant saliva, but in some cases leptin concentrations may be more difficult to detect.

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Arivudainambi Pitchaimuthu ◽  
Vibha Kanagokar ◽  
Srividya Grama Bhagavan ◽  
Jayashree S. Bhat

Background: The temporal envelope (ENV) plays a vital role in conveying inter-aural time difference (ITD) in many clinical populations. However, the presence of background noise and electronic features, such as compression, reduces the modulation depth of ENV to a different degree in both ears. The effect of ENV modulation depth differences between the ears on ITD thresholds is unknown; therefore, this was the aim of the current study’s investigation. Methods: Six normally hearing young adults (age range 20-30 years) participated in the current study. Six vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV) (/aka/, /aga/, /apa/, /aba/, /ata/, /ada/) tokens were used as the probe stimuli. ENV depth of VCV tokens was smeared by 0%, 29%, and 50%, which results in 100%, 71%, and 50% of the original modulation depth. ITD thresholds were estimated as a function of the difference in temporal ENV depth between the ears, wherein in one ear the modulation depth was retained at 100% and in the other ear, the modulation depth was changed to 100%, 71%, and 50%. Results: Repeated measures of ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of interaural modulation depth differences on the ITD threshold (F(2,10)= 9.04, p= 0.006). ITD thresholds increased with an increase in the inter-aural modulation depth difference. Conclusion: Inter-aural ENV depth is critical for ITD perception.


2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Walach ◽  
Stefan Schmidt ◽  
Yvonne-Michelle Bihr ◽  
Susanne Wiesch

We studied the effect of experimenter expectations and different instructions in a balanced placebo design. 157 subjects were randomized into a 2 × 4 factorial design. Two experimenters were led to expect placebos either to produce physiological effects or not (pro- vs. antiplacebo). All subjects except a control group received a caffeine placebo. They were either made to expect coffee, no coffee, or were in a double-blind condition. Dependent measures were blood pressure, heart rate, well-being, and a cognitive task. There was one main effect on the instruction factor (p = 0.03) with the group “told no caffeine” reporting significantly better well-being. There was one main effect on the experimenter factor with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” having higher systolic blood pressure (p = 0.008). There was one interaction with subjects instructed by experimenter “proplacebo” to receive coffee doing worse in the cognitive task than the rest. Subjects instructed by experimenter “antiplacebo” were significantly less likely to believe the experimental instruction, and that mostly if they had been instructed to receive coffee. Contrary to the literature we could not show an effect of instruction, but there was an effect of experimenters. It is likely, however, that these experimenter effects were not due to experimental manipulations, but to the difference in personalities.


Author(s):  
Elena V Esaulenko ◽  
Aleksey A Yakovlev ◽  
Genady A Volkov ◽  
Anastasia A Sukhoruk ◽  
Kirill G Surkov ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study compares the immunogenicity and safety of a 3-antigen (S/pre-S1/pre-S2) hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine (3AV), to a single antigen vaccine (1AV) in adults to support the registration of 3AV in Russia. Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, comparative study of 3-dose regimens of 3AV (10 μg) and 1AV (20 µg) in adults aged 18–45 years. We evaluated immunogenicity based on hepatitis B surface (HBs) antibody titers at days 1, 28, 90, 180, and 210, adverse and serious adverse events (SAEs) to study day 210. The primary outcome was based on the difference in rates of seroconversion at day 210 (lower bound 95% confidence interval [CI]: > − 4%). Secondary outcomes were seroprotection rates (SPR), defined as anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL and anti-HBs geometric mean concentration (GMC). Results Rate of seroconversion in 3AV (100%) was noninferior to 1AV (97.9%) at study day 210 (difference: 2.1%, 95% CI: −2.0, 6.3%]) but significantly higher at study day 28. SPR at study day 210 was >97% in both arms. Anti-HBs titers were significantly higher at study days 90 (P = .001) and 180 (P = .0001) with 3AV. Sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) had no impact on anti-HBs titers. The rates of local reactions related to vaccination were similar between vaccine arms (3AV vs 1AV) after the first (30% vs 18.8%, P = .15), second (20.0% vs 14.6%, P = .33), and third vaccination (14.9% vs 23.4%, P = .22). No SAEs were reported. Conclusions 3AV was noninferior to 1AV. 3AV induced high SPR, and there were no safety concerns. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04209400.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Junya Saeki ◽  
Soichiro Iwanuma ◽  
Suguru Torii

The structure of the first toe is independent of that of the other toes, while the functional difference remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the force generation characteristics between the plantar-flexion of the first and second–fifth metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs) by comparing the maximal voluntary plantar-flexion torques (MVC torque) at different MTPJs and ankle positions. The MVC torques of the first and second–fifth MTPJs were measured at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° dorsiflexed positions of the MTPJs, and at 20° plantar-flexed, neutral, and 20° dorsiflexed positions of the ankle. Two-way repeated measures analyses of variance with Holm’s multiple comparison test (MTPJ position × ankle position) were performed. When the MTPJ was dorsiflexed at 0°, 15°, and 30°, the MVC torque of the first MTPJ when the ankle was dorsiflexed at 20° was higher than that when the ankle was plantar-flexed at 20°. However, the ankle position had no significant effect on the MVC torque of the second–fifth MTPJ. Thus, the MVC torque of the first MTPJ was more affected by the ankle position than the second–fifth MTPJs.


2021 ◽  
pp. 073563312110107
Author(s):  
Cixiao Wang ◽  
Huixiao Le

In collaborative learning, the intuition “the more device, the merrier” is somehow widely acknowledged, but little research has investigated the relationship between device-student ratio and the learning outcome. This study aims to investigate not only the main effect of different device-student ratio, also to identify the moderators in the learning context including task complexity, external script availability and students’ familiarity to the collaboration settings. A three-round quasi-experiment was conducted in a primary school in mainland China, 130 fifth-grade students from four classes participated. Group worksheet including conceptual understanding and problem-solving tasks were used to collect participants’ inquiry performance. Repeated measures ANOVA was employed in data analysis. Findings indicate that 1:m device-student ratio could be beneficial, and external scripts, and prior collaboration experience could moderate such effect. The different effect of 1:m device-student ratio to 1:1 is only significant in the situation when students are faced with relatively simple task, and the effect size is larger when external script is present. When the task is more complicated, such effect of device-student ratio would only emerge after a period of collaboration. This finding challenged the intuition that one-to-one device-student ratio could be better. Related discussions and recommendations to teaching were made.


Author(s):  
Sean Wharton ◽  
Arne Astrup ◽  
Lars Endahl ◽  
Michael E. J. Lean ◽  
Altynai Satylganova ◽  
...  

AbstractIn the approval process for new weight management therapies, regulators typically require estimates of effect size. Usually, as with other drug evaluations, the placebo-adjusted treatment effect (i.e., the difference between weight losses with pharmacotherapy and placebo, when given as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention) is provided from data in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). At first glance, this may seem appropriate and straightforward. However, weight loss is not a simple direct drug effect, but is also mediated by other factors such as changes in diet and physical activity. Interpreting observed differences between treatment arms in weight management RCTs can be challenging; intercurrent events that occur after treatment initiation may affect the interpretation of results at the end of treatment. Utilizing estimands helps to address these uncertainties and improve transparency in clinical trial reporting by better matching the treatment-effect estimates to the scientific and/or clinical questions of interest. Estimands aim to provide an indication of trial outcomes that might be expected in the same patients under different conditions. This article reviews how intercurrent events during weight management trials can influence placebo-adjusted treatment effects, depending on how they are accounted for and how missing data are handled. The most appropriate method for statistical analysis is also discussed, including assessment of the last observation carried forward approach, and more recent methods, such as multiple imputation and mixed models for repeated measures. The use of each of these approaches, and that of estimands, is discussed in the context of the SCALE phase 3a and 3b RCTs evaluating the effect of liraglutide 3.0 mg for the treatment of obesity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 293-294
Author(s):  
Murat Baymishev ◽  
Sergey Eremin ◽  
Kirill Plemyashov ◽  
Khamidulla Baymishev ◽  
Igor Konopel’tsev ◽  
...  

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the etiopathogenesis of reproductive dysfunction in highly productive cows. Studies were conducted on cows of black-motley breed, aged 3–5 lactations, with a live weight of 480–520 kg. Cows were divided into two groups. The first group included 20 cows effective inseminated after the first insemination. The second group included 17 cows that did not fertilize after the first insemination. Blood samples (n = 253) were taken from 4–7; 14–17; 24–34; 35–50; 88–95; 195–210 days of pregnancy; during the beginning of dry period (DP); 1–4 days before calving and on the first day after calving. The content of total serum lipids in pregnant animals was 15.8% higher compared to unfertilized animals. In non-pregnant cows, a decrease in free cholesterol (by 28.65%), especially in its ether-bound fraction (14.91%), indicates a lower synthetic function of the liver, which is confirmed by the low serum levels of vitamins A and E (a difference of 11.3 and 23.65%). The DP was characterized by a significant increase in the products of lipid peroxidation - malondialdehyde by 12–17%, diene and triene conjugates - by 10–15 and 8–15%, respectively, and 1–4 days before calving in cows, which subsequently had a pathological calving, in particular - retention of placenta (5 cows), were characterized by an increased content in the blood plasma of lipid peroxidation products. Thus, the difference in the number of dienes, trienes, and malondialdehyde products was 14.0, 12.0, and 23.5%, compared with animals without obstetric pathology. On the first day after calving, this difference increased even more. Cows with retention of placenta had a significantly higher level of lipid peroxidation products and were characterized by a predominance of oxidized products over the antiradical thiol disulfide and ascorbate systems restored in the antioxidant balance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Wan

Abstract Background Randomized pre-post designs, with outcomes measured at baseline and after treatment, have been commonly used to compare the clinical effectiveness of two competing treatments. There are vast, but often conflicting, amount of information in current literature about the best analytic methods for pre-post designs. It is challenging for applied researchers to make an informed choice. Methods We discuss six methods commonly used in literature: one way analysis of variance (“ANOVA”), analysis of covariance main effect and interaction models on the post-treatment score (“ANCOVAI” and “ANCOVAII”), ANOVA on the change score between the baseline and post-treatment scores (“ANOVA-Change”), repeated measures (“RM”) and constrained repeated measures (“cRM”) models on the baseline and post-treatment scores as joint outcomes. We review a number of study endpoints in randomized pre-post designs and identify the mean difference in the post-treatment score as the common treatment effect that all six methods target. We delineate the underlying differences and connections between these competing methods in homogeneous and heterogeneous study populations. Results ANCOVA and cRM outperform other alternative methods because their treatment effect estimators have the smallest variances. cRM has comparable performance to ANCOVAI in the homogeneous scenario and to ANCOVAII in the heterogeneous scenario. In spite of that, ANCOVA has several advantages over cRM: i) the baseline score is adjusted as covariate because it is not an outcome by definition; ii) it is very convenient to incorporate other baseline variables and easy to handle complex heteroscedasticity patterns in a linear regression framework. Conclusions ANCOVA is a simple and the most efficient approach for analyzing pre-post randomized designs.


Author(s):  
D V K Irugu ◽  
A Singh ◽  
H Yadav ◽  
H Verma ◽  
R Kumar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate serum otolin-1 levels in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and to compare these levels with healthy individuals. Method This was a case-control study. After obtaining institutional ethical committee clearance, the serum level of otolin-1 was calculated in adult individuals (18–75 years old) who were divided into group 1 (patients presenting with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) and group 2 (healthy patients without benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as the control group). Data analysis was carried out to compare the serum levels in the cases and controls. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results A total of 70 age-matched individuals (cases, n = 40; controls, n = 30) were included in the study. The mean serum level of otolin-1 was 636.8 pg/ml (range, 259–981 pg/ml) in the group of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and 236.2 pg/ml (range, 189–370 pg/ml) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0000). Conclusion The serum levels of otolin-1 in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are significantly higher compared with individuals without benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.


Author(s):  
Lora I. Dimitrova ◽  
Eline M. Vissia ◽  
Hanneke Geugies ◽  
Hedwig Hofstetter ◽  
Sima Chalavi ◽  
...  

AbstractIt is unknown how self-relevance is dependent on emotional salience. Emotional salience encompasses an individual's degree of attraction or aversion to emotionally-valenced information. The current study investigated the interconnection between self and salience through the evaluation of emotional valence and self-relevance. 56 native Dutch participants completed a questionnaire assessing valence, intensity, and self-relevance of 552 Dutch nouns and verbs. One-way repeated-measures ANCOVA investigated the relationship between valence and self, age and gender. Repeated-measures ANCOVA also tested the relationship between valence and self with intensity ratings and effects of gender and age. Results showed a significant main effect of valence for self-relevant words. Intensity analyses showed a main effect of valence but not of self-relevance. There were no significant effects of gender and age. The most important finding presents that self-relevance is dependent on valence. These findings concerning the relationship between self and salience opens avenues to study an individual's self-definition.


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