scholarly journals Association of Digit Ratio With Depression and Hopelessness in Females

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 100-104
Author(s):  
Shabnam Aliabadi ◽  
Zahra Zendehboodi

Introduction: Depression is regarded as the main cause of individual’s incapacity. One of the component of depression is hopelessness. This study was planned to examine if the digit ratio associates with depression and hopelessness status in the Iranian women. Methods: This cross-sectional study sample included 358 women aged between 20 to 32 years old. The palm side of both hands of individuals was photographed and then the length of index and ring fingers was measured by ImageJ. The Beck’s depression inventory II and Beck’s hopelessness scale (BHS) were used to measure the levels of depression and hopelessness respectively. ANOVA and Student’s t test was applied to compare the study groups in respect to the continuous data. Results: The results showed that the means of 2D:4D ratio of neither right nor left hands were significantly different between the depression study groups. The same insignificant results were derived with hopelessness status too. However, reanalyzing the data, while combination of depression and hopelessness was considered, showed a significantly lower digit ratio of the right hand in the women whit neither depression nor hopelessness (group 1) compared to the women with moderate/severe depression while holding a degree of hopelessness (group 2) (ratio mean for group 1: 0.978 ± 0.003 and for group 2: 0.992 ± 0.005; t = -2.417, P = 0.017). Conclusion: Our data suggested that the 2D:4D ratio of the right hand in the women associates with the severity of depression when accompanied by hopelessness.

2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 1129-1133
Author(s):  
Liliia V. Zhyvotovska ◽  
Dmytro I. Boiko ◽  
Nataliia V. Kadzhaia ◽  
Anastasia D. Shkodina ◽  
Iryna V. Demianenko ◽  
...  

The aim: The research aim was to study features of emotional-volitional sphere and its association in mens with different forms of Substance Addictions. Materials and methods: We examined 146 patients with alcohol and drug addictions using Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Zverkov-Eidmann`s questionnaire and Buss-Durkee questionnaire. Results: The study showed an increase in the overall level of alexithymia, a moderate level of aggressiveness and a sufficient level of volitional self-regulation without a significant difference between the groups. The indirect correlation of “persistence” with the “general level of alexithymia”, “difficulty identifying feelings” and “physical aggression” in group 1 and at the same time the indirect correlation between “self-control” and “verbal aggression” and “volitional self-regulation” with “difficulty describing feelings” can be explained by the opposite meaning of these concepts and phenomena themselves.However, it is interesting that the indicators “physical aggression” and “difficulty describing feelings” in group 2 were significantly lower, but at the same time correlated with “general level of alexithymia” and “irritability”, respectively. On other hand in group 1 the indicator “suspiciousness” is directly related to the “general level of alexithymia”, but its level is significantly lower in comparison with group 2. Conclusions: The phenomenon of alexithymia is not only recorded in the clinical picture of patients with various forms of addiction, but can also induce the development of manifestations of aggressiveness and hostility in them. Correction of alexithymia is necessary to understand the emotional state of these patients and choose the right approach to their treatment and rehabilitation.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Lidia Arce-Sánchez ◽  
Salvatore Giovanni Vitale ◽  
Claudia Montserrat Flores-Robles ◽  
Myrna Souraye Godines-Enriquez ◽  
Marco Noventa ◽  
...  

The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) using two different cut-off levels for TSH values (≥2.5 mIU/L versus ≥4.1 mIU/L). The secondary objective was to analyze the clinical-biochemical characteristics in women with and without SCH. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In total, 1496 Mexican women with infertility were included: Group 1, women with TSH levels ranging between 0.3 and 2.49 mIU/L, n = 886; Group 2, women with TSH between 2.5 and 4.09 mIU/L, n = 390; and Group 3, women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L n = 220. SCH prevalence was 40.7% (CI 95%: 38.3–43.3%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L, and 14.7% (CI 95%: 12.7–16.5%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L, (p = 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3. Thyroid autoimmunity, obesity and insulin resistance were higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). No other differences were observed between groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of SCH in our selected patients increased almost three times using a TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L compared with a TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L compared with TSH cut-off ≤ 2.5 mIU/L more often presented with obesity, thyroid autoimmunity and insulin resistance.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Jane Blatch-Jones ◽  
Wei Pek ◽  
Emma Kirkpatrick ◽  
Martin Ashton-Key

ObjectivesTo assess the value of pilot and feasibility studies to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. To explore the methodological components of pilot/feasibility studies and how they inform full RCTs.Study designCross-sectional study.SettingBoth groups included NIHR HTA programme funded studies in the period 1 January 2010–31 December 2014 (decision date). Group 1: stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies published in the HTA Journal or accepted for publication. Group 2: all funded RCT applications funded by the HTA programme, including reference to an internal and/or external pilot/feasibility study. The methodological components were assessed using an adapted framework from a previous study.Main outcome measuresThe proportion of stand-alone pilot and feasibility studies which recommended proceeding to full trial and what study elements were assessed. The proportion of ‘HTA funded’ trials which used internal and external pilot and feasibility studies to inform the design of the trial.ResultsGroup 1 identified 15 stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies. Study elements most commonly assessed weretesting recruitment(100% in both groups),feasibility(83%, 100%) andsuggestions for further study/investigation(83%, 100%). Group 2 identified 161 ‘HTA funded’ applications: 59 cited an external pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(50%, 73%) andfeasibility(42%, 73%) were the most commonly reported study elements: 92 reported an internal pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(93%, 100%) andfeasibility(44%, 92%) were the most common study elements reported.Conclusions‘HTA funded’ research which includes pilot and feasibility studies assesses a variety of study elements. Pilot and feasibility studies serve an important role when determining the most appropriate trial design. However, how they are reported and in what context requires caution when interpreting the findings and delivering a definitive trial.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (Number 1) ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
Samsunnahar ◽  
Q S Akhter ◽  
N Akhter ◽  
K Sultana ◽  
Md. Atiquzzaman ◽  
...  

This study was done to assess the hypercoagulability and the risk of thromboembolism in women taking oral contraceptive pill for prolonged period of time. This cross sectional study was done in the department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from Jan 2012 to Dec 2012. Ninety female subjects with the age range from 25-45 years, were taken as a study population. Among them, 60 women taking oral contraceptives for prolonged period of time ( > 1 years) were included for the study group and age matched 30 women of OCP nonusers were taken as a control. Study subjects were divided into two groups according to their duration of oral pill use: group BI ( 1 to 5 years users) were 30 women and group B2 ( >5 to 10 years users) were 30 women. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were estimated in all groups. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired Student's ? t' test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient test. In this study, the mean (*SD) PT levels in group B1 & B2 were shortened than that of group A which were statistically highly significant (P < 0.001). Within the study groups, PT levels were positively correlated (r=+0.027) with the group B1 and negatively correlated (r= -0.163) with the group B2. But both the relationships were statistically non significant. The mean (+SD) AM' level in group B1 was shortened than that of group A but the result was not statistically significant. The mean (*SD) AM' level in group B2 was shortened than that of group A but the result was statistically highly significant (P<0.001). Within the study groups, APPT levels were negatively correlated with the group B1 (r= -0.268) and also group B2 (r= -0.122). But both the relationships were statistically non significant. My present study revealed that prolonged duration of OCP use ( at least for 5 years) increases the risk of hypercoagulable state and thromboembolism in women.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 98-101
Author(s):  
Akshaye Kumar ◽  
Priyanka Sharma ◽  
Arjun Malhotra

INTRODUCTION: Research has proven that music plays an important role in alleviating fear and anxiety among patients.AIM: To assess the effect of audio analgesia in pre-teen children aged 8-12 years undergoing dental restorations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Data was collected using a pre-tested and pre-validated proforma filled by the child prior to start of the treatment by circling the number corresponding to the expected pain during the procedure [Ranged 0 (No pain) -10 (Maximum pain)]. Children who reported their expected pain above 5, were enrolled in group 1 (The ones receiving audio analgesia) while the remaining were assigned group 2 (controls). Children in group 1 were asked to put on their favourite song using noise cancellation headphones and the procedure was commenced. After completion of the treatment, the VAS scale was re-introduced and the children were asked to re-circle the actual pain experienced during the procedure. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 using the chi-squared test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A significant value was obtained when p was≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Of the total 80 children enrolled in the present study, there were an equal number of males and females (40 each). It was observed that 70.3% of children in group 1 had an increased pain tolerance as compared to only 37.2% of children in the control group(p=0.01). Pearson’s Correlation revealed a positive and linear association (r: +0.721) and a significant relationship (p = 0.03) between both groups. CONCLUSION: Audio analgesia has been proven to a promising alternative to distract the patient from the anxiety faced in the dental setting and is recommended for nervous and anxious patients.


Author(s):  
Larissa Chaves Cardoso FERNANDES ◽  
Patrícia Moreira RABELLO ◽  
Bianca Marques SANTIAGO ◽  
Marcus Vitor Diniz de CARVALHO ◽  
Manoel Raimundo de SENA JÚNIOR ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objetive To determine the percentage of correctness of the Orbital Index (OI) for estimation of sex, ancestry and age in Brazilian skulls. Methods Cross-sectional study of 183 human dry skulls from the southeastern Brazil. A total of 100 skeletons were males and 83 females; of which 36 were aged up to 39 years, 60 aged between 40 and 59 years, and 87 aged 60 years or older. As for ancestry, 103 were from white, 51 mixed race, and 29 black individuals. The OI was calculate by the formula = height/width x 100. The data were submitted to Student’s t test, F (ANOVA), Tukey and Kruskal Wallis tests as well as to discriminant analysis, with a 5% significance level. Results The sample was characterized as mesoseme, with a mean age of 56.62 (±19.97) years. No significant difference was observed (p=0.511) between the OI in females (right: 86.43 ± 6.58 and left: 86.70 ± 5.93) and males (right: 85.78 ± 6.69 and left: 86.37 ± 6.20). There were no significant differences between age, ancestry and the variables analyzed (p>0.05). The right and left orbital widths were significantly dimorphic between sexes (p<0.001). The percentage of correctness of the method for estimation of sex, age and ancestry was found to be 65.6%, 43.7%, and 43.6%, respectively. Conclusions The OI is not an appropriate method for estimation of sex, ancestry and estimation of age in this Brazilian sample. The methodology should be expanded to other population groups so that it can be improved.


MedAlliance ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78

Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is associated with poorly controlled asthma and frequent exacerbations. Objective: To assess the prevalence of SAD in asthmatics using spirometry, body plethysmography, and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Materials and methods: The observational cross-sectional study of 61 patients with asthma was performed. Conclusion available SAD was made on the basis of identifying one of the criteria or their combination: 1) slow vital capacity (SVC) - forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% according spirometry; 2) "air trapping" according body plethysmography; 3) presence of pathological frequency dependence of the resistance (R) at 5 and 20 Hz (R5-R20 > 0,07 kPa•sec/l) according IOS. Results: The analysis was performed for the entire group as well as for patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and FEV1/SVC < 0,7 (group 1) and patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and normal FEV1/SVC (group 2). SAD was most often diagnosed using IOS and the selected criterion R5-R20>0,07 kPa •sec/l since 75% of patients had this deviation in the entire group, 65% of patients in group 1 and 55% of patients in group 2 whereas only in 48% and 24% of cases in the entire group according body plethysmography and spirometry, respectively. Conclusion: SAD is definitely observed in patients with asthma. IOS is a more effective method of diagnosing SAD compared to spirometry and body plethysmography and can serve as a supplement functional method, especially in cases of normal parameters of spirometry and body plethysmography in asthmatics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Rubi Kataki ◽  
Pranamee Barua ◽  
Debosmita Roy ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Rabha

The novel coronavirus are found to affect the ACE2 receptors in the epithelial cells of the lining of the respiratory tract. Since live virus have been found in the saliva of infected patients, and ACE2 receptors are present in epithelial lining of salivary glands and tongue, there are chances that the virus might affect the oral cavity and hence might have oral manifestation. The aim of the study was to determine and evaluate the presence of oral symptoms in the patients infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19). In this cross sectional descriptive study, a set of questionnaires was MATERIALS AND METHODS: formulated and the patients who have come to covid screening centers in Kamrup Metro region were interviewed for both oral symptoms and general symptoms. A total of 467 patients were evaluated. The samples were divided according to covid positive or negative. Group 1: Covid positive (+ve); Group 2: Covid negative (- ve). Out of which Group 1 had 287 patients whereas Group 2 had 180 patients. Upon statist RESULTS: ical analysis, signicant differences were found with respect to fever, cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, arthralgia, and asthenia where covid positive patients found to have a high prevalence of these symptoms. On evaluation of the of the oral symptoms in both covid positive and negative patients signicant differences were found viz., burning sensation, swollen gums , changes in taste sensation, pain in the TMJ and bleeding gums with covid positive patients having more predilection of having all these symptoms. On evaluation of the gender predilection between positive patients with symptoms, positive patients without symptoms and negative patients with symptoms , there found to be no signicant difference. oral CONCLUSION symptoms of burning sensation, changes in taste sensation , bleeding gums and pain in the TMJ are found to be more prevalent with patients having corona virus infection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 242 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Sallon ◽  
Yahav Dory ◽  
Yazeed Barghouthy ◽  
Tsewang Tamdin ◽  
Rigzin Sangmo ◽  
...  

Mercury an important therapeutic substance in Tibetan Medicine undergoes complex “detoxification” prior to inclusion in multi-ingredient formulas. In an initial cross-sectional study, patients taking Tibetan Medicine for various conditions were evaluated for mercury toxicity. Two groups were identified: Group 1, patients taking “ Tsothel” the most important detoxified mercury preparation and Group 2, patients taking other mercury preparations or mercury free Tibetan Medicine. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry of Tibetan Medicine showed mercury consumption 130 µg/kg/day (Group 1) and 30 µg/kg/day (Group 2) ( P ≤ 0.001), levels above EPA (RfDs) suggested threshold (0.3 µg/kg /day) for oral chronic exposure. Mean duration of Tibetan Medicine treatment was 9 ± 17 months (range 3–116) (Group 1) and 5 ± 1.96 months (range 1–114) (Group 2) (NS) with cumulative days of mercury containing Tibetan Medicine, 764 days ± 1214 (range 135–7330) vs. 103 days ± 111 (range 0–426), respectively ( P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of treatment groups with healthy referents (Group 3) not taking Tibetan Medicine showed no significant differences in prevalence of 23 non-specific symptoms of mercury toxicity, abnormal neurological, cardiovascular and dental findings and no correlation with mercury exposure variables; consumption, cumulative treatment days, blood/ urine Hg. Liver and renal function tests in treatment groups were not significantly increased compared to referents, with mean urine Beta2 Microglobulin within the normal range and not significantly associated with Hg exposure variables after correcting for confounding variables. Neurocognitive testing showed no significant intergroup differences for Wechsler Memory Scale, Grooved Pegboard, Visual Retention, but Group1 scores were better for Mini-Mental, Brief Word Learning, Verbal Fluency after correcting for confounding variables. These results suggest mercury containing Tibetan Medicine does not have appreciable adverse effects and may exert a possible beneficial effect on neurocognitive function. Since evidence of mercury as a toxic heavy metal, however, is well known, further analysis of literature on mercury use in other Asian traditional systems is highly suggested prior to further studies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astha Sethi ◽  
Anoop Misra ◽  
Ravindra Mohan Pandey ◽  
Kalpana Luthra ◽  
J. Rama Devi ◽  
...  

Background:High prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemias in people belonging to poor socio-economic strata in urban slums of northern India has been recorded recently. To assess whether this population has high levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we investigated subjects belonging to poor socio-economic strata in urban slums and compared them to healthy control subjects from non-slum urban areas of New Delhi.Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:Subjects from a previously carried out cross-sectional study, Delhi Urban Slum Project (DUSP) were divided into two groups: Group-1 (n= 56) included subjects dwelling in slum area, having at least one risk factor (hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia), while group-2 (n= 60) consisted of subjects without any risk factor dwelling in the slum area. A third group (n= 29) of non-obese subjects without any risk factor living in non-slum urban area was included for comparison. Measurements included; body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (W-HR), four skinfolds, percentage body fat, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum lipids, and serum levels of sICAM-1.Results:Though statistically not significant, mean level of sICAM-1 was higher in group-1 (718.5 ± 232.8 ng/ml) as compared to the other groups. Of note, 35% of subjects in group-1 (p< 0.05 as compared to other two groups), and 25.3% of all subjects had levels of sICAM-1 in uppermost quartile (>850 ng/ml). Partial correlation coefficients (R) of sICAM-1 levels with various parameters adjusted for age were statistically significant for BMI (R= 0.27,p< 0.05) in group-1; W-HR (R= 0.26,p< 0.05) and BMI (R= 0.19,p< 0.05) for group-2; and FPG (R= 0.17,p< 0.05) for all the subjects considered together. For females, the levels of sICAM-1 were significantly higher in the following: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2(p= 0.04) and FPG >7 mmol/l (p< 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis suggests that an increment in BMI by one kg/m2would correspond to an increase in the levels of sICAM-1 by 8.5 units controlling for the influence of age and W-HR in the pooled data of all subjects.Conclusions:High percentage of subjects had levels of sICAM-1 in the upper quartile in the study, particularly those dwelling in the slum area and having coronary risk factor (s). The levels of sICAM-1 strongly correlated to the anthropometric and metabolic parameters, particularly in females. These observations are of potential importance for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in this population, though further studies are needed to predict those prone to the complications of atherosclerosis, based on sICAM-1 levels, as has been observed in other ethnic groups.


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