scholarly journals Directional asymmetry in handedness and hand efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1848-1856
Author(s):  
P.M. Idenya ◽  
P. Gichangi ◽  
J. Ogeng’o

Several studies analyse anthropometric dimensions of the hands, but few look at how they influence hand performance or hand efficiency. In this analytic cross-sectional study conducted amongst 162 preclinical medical students, directional asymmetry was evaluated in relation to hand preference and hand efficiency in order to determine whether it can be used as an indicator for outcomes of hand dominance. Directional asymmetry (DA) was established by calculating differences in the mean hand measurements and the mean hand volumes. Hand preference was assessed using the modified Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, and handedness categories determined by applying the Geschwind Score. Hand dominance was categorized from the laterality score obtained from differences between left and right hands. Differences in hand dimensions were evaluated in relation to hand preference and hand efficiency. An apparent similarity in the morphology of the hands was suggested by the highly positive statistically significant result in the paired samples correlation test across all the parameters (p < 0.001). A positive association (not statistically significant) was noted between the handedness categories and the demonstrated directional asymmetry. No gender disparity was found in the relationship between DA and Hand efficiency by grip strength testing. The EHI-GS hand preference category positively indicated the preferred hand but did not on its own designate hand dominance or hand proficiency. Notwithstanding the gender, EHI-GS handedness neither predicted DA nor hand efficiency. Similarly, neither EHI-GS hand preference nor hand efficiency by grip strength testing could predict DA in males and females alike. Key words: Hand performance, Hand proficiency, Hand dominance, Grip strength testing, Laterality

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 156
Author(s):  
PamelaMandela Idenya ◽  
Peter Gichangi ◽  
AOgeng'o Julius

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Kumela Lelisa ◽  
Behablom Meharenet

Background. African animal trypanosomosis is a major veterinary problem over a large area of the tsetse belt region of Africa. Anaemia is a cardinal sign of trypanosome infections. The mechanism of anaemia due to trypanosomosis is complex and multifactorial in origin. Packed cell volume (PCV) usually gives an indication of the anaemia and disease status of a trypanosome-infected animal. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to January 2018 in West Gojjam zone, Northwest Ethiopia, to determine the trypanosome infections rate and the possible correlation between parasitic infection and anaemia using the dark ground buffy coat technique, Giemsa-stained thin blood smear, and PCV reading on a haematocrit reader. Results. The overall trypanosomosis prevalence was 7.81%, 95% CI = 7.45–8.17. Trypanosoma congolense (4.25%) and T. vivax (3.56%) were the trypanosomes species identified in the studied area. PCV for all sampled cattle was analysed to estimate the degree of anaemia. From the total examined animals (N = 730), 356 (48.77%) were anaemic and 374 (51.23%) were nonanaemic. The mean PCV of parasitemic cattle was significantly lower (21.09%, 95% CI = 20.13–22.05) than that of aparasitemic ones (25.96%, 95% CI = 25.68–26.24). There was a positive association between trypanosome infection and anaemia. Although both trypanosome species are significantly associated with a decreased herd mean PCV (<24), the mean PCV of cattle infected with T. congolense (19.45%) was lower than that of infected with T. vivax (23.04%). The herd mean PCV was not significantly associated to locations, age, and sex of the studied animals. Conclusions. The study confirms that the prevalence of trypanosomes infections and herd mean PCV has a significant association. The mean herd PCV can be a useful cheap tool to screen for possible trypanosome infection. However, there were cattle positive for trypanosomes having mean PCV within the reference interval and negative animals with anaemia. Furthermore, PCV reading should be confirmed by other diagnostic techniques to accurately conclude that trypanosomosis is the only cause of anaemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 1628-1632
Author(s):  
Helena Proni Fonseca Saú ◽  
Ana Carolina Basso Schmitt ◽  
Maria Regina Alves Cardoso ◽  
José Mendes Aldrighi

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Hot flashes have a negative impact on the quality of life of women during the menopausal transition and thereafter. The progressive reduction in gonadal estrogen levels associated with aging promotes an accumulation of abdominal fat, dyslipidemia, and arterial hypertension, all of which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of hot flashes and evaluate their relationship with MetS in women ≥ 40 years of age. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving women aged between 40 and 65 years. We used the Kupperman index to quantify the climacteric symptoms and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for the diagnosis of MetS. RESULTS: 1,435 women were initially selected, and we obtained information from 647. The mean age at menopause was 45.99 years (SD 6.61 years) and the prevalence of hot flashes and MetS were 55.83% (95% CI: 52.35-59.25%) and 46.29% (95% CI: 44.75-52.53%), respectively. We identified a positive association between MetS and hot flashes (OR 1.16; 95% CI: 1.01-1.33). CONCLUSIONS: In women ≥ 40 years of age, hot flashes are highly prevalent and appear to be associated with MetS.


Author(s):  
Chenyang Wang ◽  
Zhiping Zhen ◽  
Nan Zhao ◽  
Chenlin Zhao

The prevalence of obesity among preschool children has risen dramatically due to the influx of Western fast food in China. In this study, we aimed to provide clear evidence on the associations between fast-food restaurants and childhood obesity. We collected and combined three unique cross-sectional datasets: physical fitness data, geographic information, and the financial data of each kindergarten. The two-stage least squares were used for empirical analyses. The final data including 75,730 children were from 785 kindergartens in 82 cities and 23 provinces in China in 2018. The mean age of participants was 4.94 ± 0.87; 34,249 (45.2%) females and 41,481 (54.8%) males. The number of fast-food restaurants within 1, 2, and 3 km radii had a significant and positive correlation with obesity, and this correlation decreased as the radius increased. Furthermore, the distance to the nearest fast-food restaurant had a significant and negative correlation with obesity. Western fast-food restaurants contributed more to obesity than the broader definition of fast-food restaurants. There was marked heterogeneity between urban and rural areas. Our findings documented that fast-food restaurants had a significant and positive association with childhood obesity, thus the restriction of fast-food restaurants surrounding kindergartens might be considered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 756-769
Author(s):  
Li-Ling Liao ◽  
I-Ju Lai ◽  
Li-Chun Chang

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the nutrition literacy status of Taiwanese college students and to assess the relationship between nutrition literacy and healthy-eating behaviours.Design:Cross-sectional design with convenience sampling.Setting:Six universities in northern, central and southern Taiwan; both national and private universities were included in each region.Method:A maximum of 220 students was recruited from each university with no more than 45 students from one department. Data were collected using a self-rated nutrition literacy scale and questions about frequency of practising healthy-eating behaviours and demographic information.Results:The mean score for self-rated nutrition literacy was 2.8 (out of 4), and the mean score for healthy-eating behaviours was 3.07 (out of 5). Results of hierarchical regression showed that nutrition literacy explained 17.2% of the total variance of healthy-eating behaviours of college students, controlling for confounding variables.Conclusion:The findings of this study showed that nutrition literacy among college students was not optimal, and there was a positive association between higher levels of nutrition literacy and healthier dietary behaviours. Therefore, identifying methods to increase nutrition literacy among college students is essential to promote healthy-eating behaviours.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
Jasim N Al-Asadi

Background: Handgrip is a predictor of physical fitness, hand functions, and nutritional status. It is affected by many factors including age, sex, body mass index, and hand dimensions.Aims and Objectives: To assess the handgrip strength among medical students and to examine its correlation with body mass index and hand dimensions.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 256 students of both sexes selected from College of Medicine, Basrah University, Iraq using non-probability purposive sampling method. Their anthropometric parameters including height, weight, and hand dimensions were assessed using routine techniques. The handgrip was measured by using a handheld dynamometer. Hand preference was determined by asking which hand was used to write.Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.1 ± 1.9 years. The mean of handgrip strength was 34.1 ± 11.9 Kg. Males had significantly (P <0.001) greater handgrip strength than females. Statistically significant correlation was detected between body mass index, hand dimensions and handgrip strength. The right-handed students scored significantly higher grip strength with their preferred hand. While among left-handed students, no significant difference in handgrip strength was noticed between left and right hands. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender, hand span, height, and body mass index were independent determinants of handgrip strength. They accounted for 70.6% of the variation in handgrip strength.Conclusion: A significant effect of body mass index and hand span on handgrip strength among medical students was observed.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.9(1) 2018 21-26


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adilson Marques ◽  
Miguel Peralta ◽  
Priscila Marconcin ◽  
Duarte Henriques-Neto ◽  
Élvio Rúbio Gouveia ◽  
...  

This study aimed to systematically review the association between telomere length (TL) and muscular fitness. In October 2020, an articles search was applied to PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Eligibility criteria included: cross-sectional, prospective, and experimental study design; outcomes included TL; results expressed the relationship between muscular fitness and TL; studies published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Nine studies were included in the review. Results from the four prospective studies are mixed. In one study, the changes in TL were associated with grip strength. Another study concluded that longer mid-life TL was associated with increased grip strength later in life. However, in the other two studies, the association between TL and sarcopenia was not strong. Nevertheless, longer TL was associated with a slower decline in grip strength in older people. From the four cross-sectional studies, three indicated that TL was associated with muscular fitness. On the other hand, in a study with powerlifters, TL remained within the range of values found in subjects with no history of regular strength training, supporting the notion that muscular fitness was not associated with TL. The cross-sectional and prospective studies showed that the relationship between TL and muscular fitness is not conclusive. It seems that there is a positive association between TL and muscular fitness in middle-aged and older adults. However, among younger adults, this relationship was not observed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuntaro Fukushima ◽  
Tomoo Takahashi ◽  
Kazuki Tsukamoto ◽  
Misaki Matsumura ◽  
Ryo Takigawa ◽  
...  

AbstractEye-tracking to evaluate gaze patterns has developed as an assessment tool for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Gazefinder is one of Eye-tracking devices and few studies have investigated whether it can measure the gaze data of infants under 12 months of age. We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study from April 2019 to March 2020 in a periodic health checkup in Ohchi County, Shimane, Japan. Participants included infants between 4 and 11 months of age who were not suspected the presence of developmental problems. Ninety-three participants’ datapoints were analyzed. The mean age was 6.5 months and mean developmental quotient was 88%. The mean fixation time percentage of all sequences was 81.0% (standard deviation; 4.4), and there was no significant difference in each age group. Infants in all groups showed a significantly higher predilection for eyes than for mouths. There was a positive association of age with human gaze and a negative association with geometric gaze. Moreover, we confirmed that joint attention skills were enhanced in accordance with their growth process. The eye-tracking data were almost corresponding to previous studies’ data of infant with typical development and Gazefinder could be applied to infants starting at 4 months of age.


2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Lise Doyen ◽  
Thierry Dufour ◽  
Xavier Caroff ◽  
Améziane Cherfouh ◽  
Michèle Carlier

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e0143476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann M. Hepping ◽  
Joris J. W. Ploegmakers ◽  
Jan H. B. Geertzen ◽  
Sjoerd K. Bulstra ◽  
Martin Stevens

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