Salivary Cortisol Concentration in Fattening Heifers Kept in an Enriched Environment at Different Stocking Densities

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of environmental enrichment and different stocking densities on the level of stress in the fattening cattle by measuring salivary cortisol concentration. A total of 320 saliva samples obtained from heifers during the final four-month fattening period was analyzed by a colorimetric competitive enzyme immunoassay. The heifers were housed at 3.3 and 4.5 m2/animal in standard production conditions that were additionally enriched with a mechanical grooming brush and salt blocks in experimental groups. The study results have demonstrated that a cortisol concentration at the end of fattening was significantly higher, as compared with the initial levels in all heifer groups, without significant intergroup differences. There was no significant correlation between the usage of a grooming brush and cortisol concentration, whereas a significant negative correlation was detected between the salt block usage and cortisol concentration, suggesting a beneficial effect of this simple, commercially available and relatively inexpensive environmental enrichment.

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Social Anxiety in Relation to Self-Esteem among University Students in Jordan

International Education Studies ◽

10.5539/ies.v13n2p96 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 96

Author(s):

Odeh Suleiman Murad

Keyword(s):

Social Anxiety ◽

University Students ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Personal Traits ◽

Study Results ◽

High Level ◽

The Relationship ◽

Academic Year

People with social anxiety demonstrate different behavioral aspects such as nervousness, apprehension, fear, and concern that negatively affect their personal traits and self-esteem. The current study is designed to identify the relationship between social anxiety and self-esteem among university students. To achieve this purpose, the descriptive correlation approach was utilized. Social anxiety and self-esteem scales were applied to a sample of 334 university students in Jordan. The study results revealed a low level of social anxiety and a high level of self-esteem among participants. In addition, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of social anxiety and self-esteem among participants. The study recommended holding workshops and seminars for fresh students at the beginning of each academic year, to alleviate their feeling of stress and social anxiety and to raise the level of their self-esteem.

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A Controlled Pre-Post Analysis Investigating The Effect of Mindfulness On Perceived Stress and Cortisol Levels and Exam Performance in Medical Students

10.21203/rs.3.rs-806427/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jasmine Heath Hearn ◽

Claire J Stocker

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Stress Management ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Group Work ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Exam Performance ◽

Important Relationship ◽

Cortisol Levels

Abstract Background. Medical students demonstrate higher levels of psychological distress compared with the general population and other student groups. Mindfulness interventions show promise in stress reduction for this group, and in the reduction of cortisol, an established clinical marker of the body’s stress response. This study investigated the relationship of mindfulness to perceived stress, salivary cortisol and assessment performance in undergraduate medical students in response to stressful and non-stressful events. Methods. A controlled pre-post analysis design with within-groups comparisons. 67 medical students completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and provided perceived stress ratings and saliva samples, from which cortisol was extracted, during group work (control/baseline) and immediately prior to end of year 2 examinations (experimental). Academic performance data was extracted for comparison with measures. Results. Salivary cortisol and perceived stress were significantly increased prior to examinations. The change in cortisol levels from baseline (non-stressful, group work conditions) to experimental (stressful, pre-exam conditions) showed a significant negative correlation with exam performance. FFMQ score showed a significant positive correlation with exam performance and a significant negative correlation with salivary cortisol concentration. Conclusions. This study suggests that there exists an important relationship between mindfulness and biomarkers of stress, which may manifest into improved assessment outcomes potentially through healthier, more adaptive coping and stress management strategies. A novel strength of the present study is the identification of individual facets of mindfulness associated with stress and exam performance (acting with awareness and non-judging) suggesting that these may be important targets for improving medical students’ stress management and exam performance.

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Thrombin generation in paediatric patients with congenital heart disease

Hämostaseologie ◽

10.1055/s-0037-1617119 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 28 (S 01) ◽

pp. S61-S66 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Cvirn ◽

A. Rosenkranz ◽

B. Leschnik ◽

W. Raith ◽

W. Muntean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Congenital Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Congenital Heart ◽

Thrombin Generation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Peak Height ◽

Global Test ◽

Paediatric Patients ◽

Age Range

SummaryThrombin generation was studied in paediatric patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) undergoing cardiac surgery using the calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) in terms of the lag time until the onset of thrombin formation, time to thrombin peak maximum (TTP), endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), and thrombin peak height. The suitability to determine the coagulation status of these patients was investigated. Patients, material, methods: CAT data of 40 patients with CHD (age range from newborn to 18 years) were compared to data using standard coagulation parameters such as prothrombin (FII), antithrombin (AT), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F 1.2), thrombin-antithrombin (TAT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and prothrombin time (PT). Results: A significant positive correlation was seen between ETP and FII (p < 0.01; r = 0.369), as well as between peak height and F II (p < 0.01; r = 0.483). A significant negative correlation was seen between ETP and TFPI values (p < 0.05; r = –0.225) while no significant correlation was seen between peak height and TFPI. A significant negative correlation was seen between F 1.2 generation and ETP (p < 0.05; r = –0.254) and between F 1.2 generation and peak height (p < 0.05; r = –0.236). No correlation was seen between AT and ETP or peak. Conclusions: CAT is a good global test reflecting procoagulatory and inhibitory factors of the haemostatic system in paediatric patients with CHD.

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Platelet Function in Surgical Stress

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1660146 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 54 (04) ◽

pp. 849-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

O Naesh ◽

J T Friis ◽

I Hindberg ◽

K Winther

Keyword(s):

Stress Response ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Surgical Stress ◽

Plasma Concentrations ◽

Serum Cortisol ◽

Cortisol Concentration ◽

Pulmonary Dysfunction ◽

Arterial Po2 ◽

Elective Cholecystectomy ◽

Serum Cortisol Concentration

SummaryTen patients for elective cholecystectomy were studied pre-, per- and postoperatively. All had neurolept anesthesia. Plasma concentrations of β-TG, TXB2 and 5-HT and intraplatelet 5-HT were measured. Aggregation to ADP was recorded.Serum cortisol concentration was used as index of the stress response, showing peroperative increase and postoperative decrease. Closely related to this we observed a significant increase in P-β-TG and P-TXB2 with postoperative normalization in 6 patients without complications. P-5-HT had a peak peropera-tively and remained elevated postoperatively. A negative correlation between P--5-HT and decreasing intraplatelet 5-HT postoperatively was observed.High postoperative levels of P--5-HT seem to be related to low arterial Po2 and pulmonary dysfunction. In 3 patients with complications a second increase in P-β-TG, P-TXB2 and partly in P--5-HT was found. Platelets were temporarily refractory to ADP immediately following surgery and showed increased aggregabil-ity postoperatively. We conclude that platelets are activated in surgical stress.

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Negative Correlation Between Serum Levels of Homocysteine and Apolipoprotein M

Current Molecular Medicine ◽

10.2174/1566524019666190308115624 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 120-126

Author(s):

J. Wei ◽

Y. Yu ◽

Y. Feng ◽

J. Zhang ◽

Q. Jiang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Hepg2 Cells ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Apolipoprotein M ◽

Protein Mass ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase

Background: Homocysteine (Hcy) has been suggested as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is a constituent of the HDL particles. The goal of this study was to examine the serum levels of homocysteine and apoM and to determine whether homocysteine influences apoM synthesis. Methods: Serum levels of apoM and Hcy in 17 hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) patients and 19 controls were measured and their correlations were analyzed. Different concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and LY294002, a specific phosphoinositide 3- kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, were used to treat HepG2 cells. The mRNA levels were determined by RT-PCR and the apoM protein mass was measured by western blot. Results: We found that decreased serum apoM levels corresponded with serum HDL levels in HHcy patients, while the serum apoM levels showed a statistically significant negative correlation with the serum Hcy levels. Moreover, apoM mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased after the administration of Hcy in HepG2 cells, and this effect could be abolished by addition of LY294002. Conclusions: resent study demonstrates that Hcy downregulates the expression of apoM by mechanisms involving the PI3K signal pathway.

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Daytime nap and nighttime breastfeeding are associated with toddlers’ nighttime sleep

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81970-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Machiko Nakagawa ◽

Hidenobu Ohta ◽

Rinshu Shimabukuro ◽

Yoko Asaka ◽

Takayo Nakazawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Duration ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Sleep Diary ◽

Daytime Nap ◽

Nighttime Sleep

AbstractThe purpose of the present study is to examine the association between toddlers' sleep arrangements and their nighttime sleep duration and other sleep variables. For this investigation, we performed a study in which child activity and sleep levels were recorded using actigraphy. The parents of 1.5-year-old toddlers (n = 106) were asked to attach an actigraphy unit to their child’s waist with an adjustable elastic belt and complete a sleep diary for 7 consecutive days. Questionnaires were used to assess the sleep arrangements of the toddlers. There was a significant negative correlation between nap duration and nighttime sleep duration, suggesting that longer nap sleep induces shorter nighttime sleep duration. Among the sleep arrangements, such as nighttime breastfeeding or co-sleeping, only nighttime breastfeeding predicted shorter nighttime sleep duration. Our findings indicate that shorter naps induce a longer nighttime sleep in 1.5-year-old toddlers while nighttime breastfeeding decreases their nighttime sleep duration.

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Correlates of SARS-CoV-2 Variants on Deaths, Case Incidence and Case Fatality Ratio among the Continents for the Period of 1 December 2020 to 15 March 2021

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12071061 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (7) ◽

pp. 1061

Author(s):

Wajdy J. Al-Awaida ◽

Baker Jawabrah Al Hourani ◽

Samer Swedan ◽

Refat Nimer ◽

Foad Alzoughool ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Vaccine Development ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Reference Sequence ◽

Genome Sequences ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Case Fatality Ratio ◽

Epidemiological Surveys

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has quickly developed into a worldwide pandemic. Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome may affect various aspects of the disease including fatality ratio. In this study, 553,518 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences isolated from patients from continents for the period 1 December 2020 to 15 March 2021 were comprehensively analyzed and a total of 82 mutations were identified concerning the reference sequence. In addition, associations between the mutations and the case fatality ratio (CFR), cases per million and deaths per million, were examined. The mutations having the highest frequencies among different continents were Spike_D614G and NSP12_P323L. Among the identified mutations, NSP2_T153M, NSP14_I42V and Spike_L18F mutations showed a positive correlation to CFR. While the NSP13_Y541C, NSP3_T73I and NSP3_Q180H mutations demonstrated a negative correlation to CFR. The Spike_D614G and NSP12_P323L mutations showed a positive correlation to deaths per million. The NSP3_T1198K, NS8_L84S and NSP12_A97V mutations showed a significant negative correlation to deaths per million. The NSP12_P323L and Spike_D614G mutations showed a positive correlation to the number of cases per million. In contrast, NS8_L84S and NSP12_A97V mutations showed a negative correlation to the number of cases per million. In addition, among the identified clades, none showed a significant correlation to CFR. The G, GR, GV, S clades showed a significant positive correlation to deaths per million. The GR and S clades showed a positive correlation to number of cases per million. The clades having the highest frequencies among continents were G, followed by GH and GR. These findings should be taken into consideration during epidemiological surveys of the virus and vaccine development.

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387 The moderating effect of emotion regulation strategies in the relationship between insomnia severity and bedtime procrastination

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsab072.386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. A153-A154

Author(s):

Huisu Jeon ◽

Sonhye Jeoung ◽

Goeun Kim ◽

Hyeyoung An ◽

Hyojin Nam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Emotional Regulation ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Moderating Effect ◽

Active Regulation ◽

Support Seeking ◽

Regulation Strategies ◽

Bedtime Procrastination ◽

The Relationship ◽

Insomnia Severity

Abstract Introduction Bedtime Procrastination (BP) is defined as the behavior of going to bed later than intended, despite the absence of external factors. Bedtime procrastination is also prevalent among insomnia patients, and is associated with various sleep problems. Recent studies suggest emotional regulation as a mechanism of the procrastination behavior that is the conceptual foundation of bedtime procrastination. Emotional regulation difficulties are also associated with insomnia, but there is still a lack of research on the relationship between insomnia, emotional regulation strategies and bedtime procrastination. Thus, the study assumed that severity of insomnia would affect bedtime procrastination, and examined the moderating effect of the emotional regulation strategies in this relationship. Methods This study was conducted in 376 adults (mean age 23.73 ±2.14 years, 84.6% females). Participants were asked to answer Bedtime procrastination scale (BPS), an emotional regulation strategy checklist, and the Insomnia severity scale (ISI). Results As a result, a significant positive correlation was found between insomnia severity and bedtime procrastination (r=.286, p<.01), and avoidant/distractive regulation style (r=.101, p<.05). active regulation style (r=-.172, p<.01) and support seeking regulation style (r=-.102, p<.01) showed a significant negative correlation with the severity of insomnia. Bedtime procrastination behavior showed significant negative correlation only with active regulation style (r=-.151, p<.01). Support seeking regulation style moderated the relationship between insomnia and bedtime procrastination behavior (B=.0165, 95%, CI=.0014, .0316). The interaction effect between insomnia and support seeking regulation style was also significant (∆R^2=.0112, p<.05), indicating that the effect of insomnia on bedtime procrastination depends on the level of use of the support seeking regulation style. Conclusion These findings suggest that the level of support seeking regulation style is meaningful in terms of how insomnia affects bedtime procrastination. Support (if any) This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF-2018S1A5A8026807)

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Evaluation of serum adropin and irisin levels and its association with anthropometric obesity indices and biochemical parameters in Type 2 diabetic patients

Nutrition and Healthy Aging ◽

10.3233/nha-200110 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Foad Alzoughool ◽

Huda Al Hourani ◽

Manar Atoum ◽

Sajedah Bateineh ◽

Hanan Alsheikh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

Glycosylated Hemoglobin ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Obesity Indices ◽

Group Serum

BACKGROUND/AIM: The newly described proteins adropin and irisin are a highly conserved polypeptide that plays essential roles in metabolic and energy homeostasis, insulin resistance, and fat browning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the circulating levels of serum adropin and irisin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and also to elucidate possible relationships between serum adropin and irisin levels with anthropometric obesity indices and biochemical parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Single-center prospective observational study included 90 T2DM patients referred to the diabetes outpatient clinic. Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, serum lipids, creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen were evaluated. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated, serum adropin and irisin were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed a significant positive correlation between adropin and irisin in females but not in males (r = 0.311; P = 0.042). In males’ group, serum adropin levels showed significant negative correlation with serum glucose (–0.423, P = < 0.05), HbA1C (–0.364, P = < 0.05), and GFR (–0.355, P = < 0.05). In contrast, creatinine was showed a significant positive correlation with adropin in males (0.381, P = < 0.05). In females’ group, adropin showed a significant negative correlation with weight (–0.371, P = < 0.05), BMI (–0.349, P = < 0.05), WC (–0.402, P = < 0.01), and WHtR (–0.398, P = < 0.01). Contrary, in males’ group, serum irisin levels showed significant positive correlation with weight (0.338, P = < 0.05), BMI (0.332, P = < 0.05), WC (0.409, P = < 0.01), and WHtR (0.432, P = < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that, in T2DM patients, circulating serum adrpoin correlated negatively with anthropometric obesity indices of obesity in females, while serum irisin was positively correlated with anthropometric obesity indices of obesity in males.

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Hepatic steatosis in Cushing's syndrome: a radiological assessment using computed tomography

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje.0.1490543 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 149 (6) ◽

pp. 543-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 91

Author(s):

AG Rockall ◽

SA Sohaib ◽

D Evans ◽

G Kaltsas ◽

AM Isidori ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Hepatic Steatosis ◽

Cushing’S Syndrome ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

Cushing's Syndrome ◽

Abdominal Fat ◽

Visceral Fat Area

OBJECTIVE: Hepatic steatosis may occur in association with insulin resistance and obesity, two features commonly seen in Cushing's syndrome (CS). The aim of this report is to assess the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients with active CS using computed tomography (CT) and to identify any associations between hepatic steatosis, endocrine and biochemical variables and body fat distribution. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: We identified 50 patients with active CS in whom appropriate CT was available to allow measurement of liver and spleen attenuation. In 26 patients, abdominal fat measurements were also available. Serum markers of CS and liver function tests were recorded. RESULTS: Ten of 50 patients had a liver-to-spleen CT attenuation ratio (L/S) of less than 1, indicating hepatic steatosis. There was a significant negative correlation between both liver attenuation and L/S ratio with total abdominal fat area, visceral fat area, the percentage of visceral fat and the visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio; the strongest negative correlation was found between visceral fat area and L/S ratio (r=-0.638, P<0.001, n=26). L/S ratio positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase levels (r=+0.423, P=0.044, n=23) but with no other serum marker of CS activity or liver enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated hepatic steatosis on CT in 20% of patients with active CS. The presence of hepatic steatosis was significantly correlated with total abdominal fat area and visceral fat area.

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