Histological Study of Age-Related Changes of Internal Thoracic Artery – A Cross-Sectional Study from Calicut, India

BACKGROUND Internal thoracic artery (ITA) is the ideal graft material for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It’s structural characteristics and resistance to atherosclerotic changes make it ideal for this. It is in this scenario that we attempted to study the histological characteristics and age-related changes. METHODS This cross-sectional study was done on stained slides of segments of ITAs obtained from 100 fresh cadavers during autopsy. Age range was between 20 – 80 years. The segments were collected at various rib levels constituting proximal, middle and distal segments. The wall parameters were measured and recorded. The specimens were grouped according to age into six groups with intervals of 10 years and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were conducted on the samples using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. RESULTS The mean thickness of tunica intima in the proximal segment of 100 specimens was 26.792 µm, tunica media was 171.437µm and the thickness increased significantly with age with (F = 33.038, P = 0.00), (F = 87.910, P = 0.00) respectively. In one specimen, the intimal thickening increased to 96.325 µm. The mean thickness of tunica intima in the middle segment was 19.665 µm, tunica media was 172.302 µm and it increased significantly with age with (F = 71.885, P = 0.00), (F = 85.481, P = 0.00) respectively. The mean thickness of tunica intima in the distal segment was 18.157 µm, tunica media was 146.278 µm and it increased significantly with age (F = 58.847, P = 0.00), (F = 66.137, P = 0.00) respectively. The intima media ratio (IMR) increased significantly with age. The IMR of proximal segment of 2 % specimens were found to be greater than 0.25 indicating atherosclerosis. The vessel wall parameters decreased from proximal to distal segments. CONCLUSIONS The vessel wall thickness and IMR was found to increase with age. The incidence of atherosclerosis was 2 % and in old age. It is clear that the ITA is the ideal graft for CABG in younger individuals. An understanding of these attributes of ITA will be helpful to the cardiothoracic surgeons. Moreover, the results of this study throw light on the vessel wall changes in the population of present times. Further clinical study is needed to assess the effect of other risk factors. KEY WORDS Internal Thoracic Artery, Tunica Intima, Tunica Media, Intima Media Ratio, Atherosclerosis

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Age-Related Value of Anti-Mullerian Hormone

Iraqi National Journal of Medicine ◽

10.37319/iqnjm.2.2.6 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 111-116

Author(s):

Doaa Noor ◽

Rasmiyah Al-Midhachi ◽

Ghufran jaafar ◽

Maysoon Sharief

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Negative Relationship ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Age Related ◽

Treatment Objective ◽

The Mean ◽

Child Hospital

Background: There is a correlation between anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and the age when it becomes undetectable during menopause. The AMH immunoassay has been widely estimated in clinical practice to assist in reproduction and infertility treatment. Objective: To investigate the normal level of serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in relation to women’s age in Basra. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out in Basra Maternity and Child Hospital from January 2018 to September 2019. Serum AMH levels were estimated for 975 women aged 15–50 years. They were classified into 7 age groups:15–20, 20–25, 25–30, 30–35, 35–40, 40–45 and 45–50 years. Serum AMH and FSH levels were determined by commercial enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: Negative relationship was noticed between AMH concentration and age. The mean AMH levels for the age groups 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were 4.9 ng/ml, 4.25ng/ml, 3.27 ng/ml, 2.43ng/ml, 2.17ng/ml, 1.95ng/ml and 0.9ng/ml respectively. Conclusions: This study recorded normal levels of AMH in women in Basra. These levels can be considered for the medical treatment of infertile women. Keywords: age, anti-mullerian hormone, FSH.

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Ocular biometry characteristics in cataract surgery candidates: A cross-sectional study

Medical hypothesis discovery and innovation in ophthalmology ◽

10.51329/mehdiophthal1416 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 11-17

Author(s):

Alireza Jamali ◽

Taghi Naghdi ◽

Mohsen Hosseini Abardeh ◽

Mojgan Jamalzehi ◽

Maedeh Khalajzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Population ◽

Anterior Chamber Depth ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Ocular Biometry ◽

Age Related ◽

The Mean ◽

Age And Sex ◽

Age Related Changes

Background: This study was conducted to investigate ocular biometry parameters in cataract surgery candidates in northern Tehran, Iran using OA-2000 biometry device. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, values of ocular biometry parameters, including axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), mean corneal curvature (mean K), lens thickness (LT), corneal astigmatism (CA), and white-to-white (WTW) of 818 eyes with cataracts, were measured using the OA-2000 biometry device (Tomey, Nagoya, Japan). The participants were divided into six age subgroups, in 10-year intervals. Finally, the values of the biometry parameters were calculated, and the trend of changes was examined for both age and sex subgroups. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) of age of the participants was 63.82 ± 13.25 years. Mean ± SD of biometry parameters were as follows: AL, 23.36 ± 1.55 mm; ACD, 3.09 ± 0.40 mm; LT, 4.45 ± 0.55 mm; mean K, 44.51 ± 1.72 D; CA, 1.06 ± 0.94 D; and WTW, 11.81 ± 0.45 mm. Most of the parameters showed significant age-related changes in the total population. There was an increase in LT (P < 0.001) and mean K (P = 0.001), as well as a decrease in AL (P < 0.001) and ACD (P < 0.001) with age. Moreover, AL had a negative negligible correlation with LT (r = -0.24, P < 0.001) and mean K (r = -026, P < 0.001), as well as a weak positive correlation with ACD (r = 0.44, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study revealed that the mean values of most biometric parameters varied across age and sex subgroups. Moreover, most of the parameters showed significant age-related changes in the total population. Keywords: ocular biometry, cataract, axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, lens thickness, corneal astigmatism, white to white

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Comparison of Heffner Criteria and Light Criteria in Differentiating Exudative and Transudative Pleural Effusion

Nepal Medical College Journal ◽

10.3126/nmcj.v22i3.32638 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 141-145

Author(s):

Krishna Chandra Devkota ◽

S Hamal ◽

PP Panta

Keyword(s):

Pleural Effusion ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Pleural Space ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

The Common ◽

The Mean ◽

Exudative Pleural Effusion

Pleural effusion is present when there is >15ml of fluid is accumulated in the pleural space. It can be divided into two types; exudative and transudative pleural effusion. Tuberculosis and parapneumonic effusion are the common cause of exudative pleural effusion whereas heart failure accounts for most of the cases of transudative pleural effusion. This study was a hospital based cross sectional study performed at Nepal Medical College during the period of January 2016-December 2016. A total of 50 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Pleural effusion was confirmed by clinical examination and radiology. After confirmation of pleural effusion, pleural fluid was aspirated and was analysed for protein, LDH, cholesterol. The Heffner criteria was compared with Light criteria to classify exudative or transudative pleural effusion. Among 50 patients, 30 were male and 20 were female. The mean age of patient was 45.4±21.85 years. The sensitivity and specificity of using Light criteria to detect the two type of pleural effusion was 100% and 90.9%, whereas using Heffner criteria was 94.87%, 100% respectively(P<0.01). There are variety of causes for development of pleural effusion and no one criteria is definite to differentiate between exudative or transudative effusion. In this study Light criteria was more sensitive whereas Heffner criteria was more specific to classify exudative pleural effusion. Hence a combination of criteria might be useful in case where there is difficulty to identify the cause of pleural effusion.

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Effect of Medialization of the Trochlear Groove and Lateralization of the Tibial Tubercle on TT-TG Distance: A Cross-sectional Study of Dysplastic and Nondysplastic Knees

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/0363546520987819 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652098781

Author(s):

Mathias Paiva ◽

Lars Blønd ◽

Per Hölmich ◽

Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod

Keyword(s):

Trochlear Dysplasia ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Tibial Tubercle ◽

Control Group ◽

Trochlear Groove ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Mean

Background: Tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is often used as a measure of lateralization of the TT and is important for surgical planning. Purpose: To investigate if increased TT-TG distance measured on axial magnetic resonance images is due to lateralization of the TT or medialization of the TG. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 knees (28 normal [NK], 28 with trochlear dysplasia [TD], and 28 with patellar dislocation without TD [PD]) were examined. The medial border of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was chosen as the central anatomic landmark. The distance from the TT to PCL (TT-PCL) was measured to examine the lateralization of the TT. The distance from the TG to the PCL (TG-PCL) was measured to examine the medialization of the TG. Between-group differences were investigated by use of 1-way analysis of variance. Results: The mean values for TT-TG distance were 8.7 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 12.1 ± 6.0 mm for PD, and 16.7 ± 4.3 mm in the TD group ( P < .01). The mean values for TT-PCL distance were 18.5 ± 3.6 mm for NK, 18.5 ± 4.5 mm for PD, and 21.2 ± 4.2 mm in the TD group ( P = .03). The mean values for TG-PCL distance were 9.6 ± 3.0 mm for NK, 7.1 ± 3.4 mm for PD, and 5.1 ± 3.3 mm in the dysplastic group ( P < .01). Conclusion: The present results indicate that increased TT-TG distance is due to medialization of the TG and not lateralization of the TT. Knees with TD had increased TT-TG distance compared with the knees of the control group and the knees with PD. The TT-PCL distance did not differ significantly between groups, whereas the TG-PCL distance declined with increased TT-TG.

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A cross-sectional study to identify the determinants of non-communicable diseases among fishermen in Southern India

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10376-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Akhila Doddamani ◽

A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽

Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽

Asha Kamath ◽

Muralidhar M. Kulkarni

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Substance Use ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Modifiable Risk Factors ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Dietary Practice ◽

The Mean

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.

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A cross sectional study: The association between sleeping quality and stress among second and third medical students at the University of Jordan

The International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine ◽

10.1177/00912174211011287 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 009121742110112

Author(s):

AA Toubasi ◽

BR Khraisat ◽

RB AbuAnzeh ◽

HM Kalbouneh

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Medical Students ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Regular Exercise ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

University Of Jordan ◽

The University

Objective Medicine is considered one if not the most stressful educational field. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of stress and poor sleeping quality among medical students and the association between them. Method This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Jordan on second- and third-year medical students. The questionnaire consisted of: 1) Demographics; 2) The assessment tools which were Pittsburgh Quality of Sleep Index (PSQI) and Kessler Psychological Distress Status (K10). Binary logistic regression, chi-square and linear regression were used to investigate the association between PSQI, K10, and their determinants. Results The mean for PSQI score was 6.76 ± 3.32. PSQI scores interpretation revealed that 61.7% of the 282 participants of this study were poor sleepers. Logistic regression results showed that only the category of not napping at all from the napping hours variable was significantly associated with sleeping quality. Furthermore, the mean of K10 scores was 24.5 ± 8.5. K10 scores revealed that 66.3% of the participants were stressed. Logistic regression results showed that gender and regular exercise were significantly associated with psychological distress. Additionally, chi-square test, logistic regression and linear regression showed that PSQI was significantly associated with K10 (P <0.01). Conclusions Stress and poor sleeping quality in medical students at the University of Jordan were highly prevalent and strongly associated. What determined PSQI was daytime napping, and for K10 were regular exercise and gender. Further investigations into stress and sleep quality in the Arabian region are needed.

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Ultra-processed food consumption in Barbados: evidence from a nationally representative, cross-sectional study

Journal of Nutritional Science ◽

10.1017/jns.2021.21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Rachel M. Harris ◽

Angela M. C. Rose ◽

Suzanne Soares-Wynter ◽

Nigel Unwin

Keyword(s):

Communicable Disease ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Group 4 ◽

The Mean ◽

Nationally Representative

Abstract Our objective was to describe, for the first time in an English-speaking Caribbean country, the contribution of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) to nutrients linked to non-communicable disease. Using a cross-sectional study design, dietary data were collected from two non-consecutive 24-h dietary recalls. Recorded food items were then classified according to their degree of processing by the NOVA system. The present study took place in Barbados (2012–13). A representative population-based sample of 364 adult Barbadians (161 males and 203 females) aged 25–64 years participated in the study. UPFs represented 40⋅5 % (838 kcal/d; 95 % CI 791, 885) of mean energy intake. Sugar-sweetened beverages made the largest contribution to energy within the UPF category. Younger persons (25–44 years) consumed a significantly higher proportion of calories from UPF (NOVA group 4) compared with older persons (45–64 years). The mean energy shares of UPF ranged from 22⋅0 to 58⋅9 % for those in the lowest tertile to highest tertile. Within each tertile, the energy contribution was significantly higher in the younger age group (25–44 years) compared with the older (45–64 years). One-quarter of persons consume ≥50 % of their daily calories from UPF, this being significantly higher in younger persons. The ultra-processed diet fraction contained about six times the mean of free sugars and about 0⋅8 times the dietary fibre of the non-ultra-processed fraction (NOVA groups 1–3). Targeted interventions to decrease the consumption of UPF especially in younger persons is thus of high priority to improve the diet quality of Barbadians.

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Cross-sectional study of the association between age-related macular degeneration and arthritis in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2008

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035805 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. e035805

Author(s):

Zhuoting Zhu ◽

Huan Liao ◽

Sen Liu ◽

Jian Zhang ◽

Yifan Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Macular Degeneration ◽

National Health ◽

Logistic Models ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽

Nutrition Examination Survey ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

Age Related

ObjectiveTo explore the association between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and arthritis in a representative sample of the US population.DesignPopulation-based, cross-sectional study.SettingThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2008.ParticipantsA total of 4813 participants aged 40 years and older with available information on AMD and arthritis in the 2005–2008 NHANES.MethodsThe status and types of arthritis were obtained from questionnaires. Non-mydriatic fundus photographs were collected. The types of AMD were assessed using the modified Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading Classification Scheme. The association between arthritis and AMD was evaluated using logistic regression models.ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, participants with any or early AMD had significantly lower odds of having any type of arthritis (any AMD: OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.36–0.86; early AMD: OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.34–0.88) or osteoarthritis (OA) (any AMD: OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.26–0.71; early AMD: OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.25–0.76) compared with those without AMD. When considering AMD as the outcome, significant negative associations were also found between any arthritis or OA and any (any arthritis: OR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.94; OA: OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.82) or early AMD (any arthritis: OR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.40–0.93; OA: OR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.31–0.86) in the multivariable logistic models. There was no significant association between different types of arthritis and late AMD.ConclusionsPeople with arthritis, especially those with OA, were less likely to have AMD compared with those without arthritis and vice versa. Further studies are needed to confirm this potential protective effect of arthritis and/or arthritis treatment on AMD and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

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Factors associated with physical, psychological and social frailty among community-dwelling older persons in Europe: a cross-sectional study of Urban Health Centres Europe (UHCE)

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02364-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lizhen Ye ◽

Liset E. M. Elstgeest ◽

Xuxi Zhang ◽

Tamara Alhambra-Borrás ◽

Siok Swan Tan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Urban Health ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Household Composition ◽

European Countries ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Related Condition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Age Related

Abstract Background Frailty is an age-related condition resulting in a state of increased vulnerability regarding functioning across multiple systems. It is a multidimensional concept referring to physical, psychological and social domains. The purpose of this study is to identify factors (demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors and health indicators) associated with overall frailty and physical, psychological and social frailty in community-dwelling older people from five European countries. Methods This cross-sectional study used baseline data from 2289 participants of the Urban Health Center European project in five European countries. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess associations of the factors with overall frailty and the three frailty domains. Results The mean age was 79.7 (SD = 5.7). Participants who were older, were female, had secondary or equivalent education, lived alone, not at risk of alcohol use, were less physically active, had multi-morbidity, were malnourished or with a higher level of medication risk, had higher odds of overall frailty (all P < 0.05). Age was not associated with psychological and social frailty; sex was not associated with social frailty; smoking and migration background was not associated with overall frailty or any of its domains. There existed an interaction effect between sex and household composition regarding social frailty (P < 0.0003). Conclusions The present study contributed new insights into the risk factors for frailty and its three domains (physical, psychological and social frailty). Nurses, physicians, public health professionals and policymakers should be aware of the risk factors of each type of frailty. Furthermore, examine these risk factors more comprehensively and consider overall frailty as well as its three domains in order to further contribute to decision-making more precisely on the prevention and management of frailty. Trial registration The intervention of the UHCE project was registered in the ISRCTN registry as ISRCTN52788952. The date of registration is 13/03/2017.

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