scholarly journals Effects of hookah smoking on liver functions, lipid profile, and adult blood count

Biomedicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-767
Author(s):  
Muna Yaseen ◽  
Sami Alkubaisy ◽  
Marwan Mahmood Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Liver Lipid ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Liver Functions ◽  
Hookah Smoking ◽  
History Survey ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rule Out

Introduction and Aim: Smoking is the most common habit and the largest health risk among people who have an impact on the human body. The goal of our study was to examine the effects of hookah (Shisha) on the liver, lipid profile, and blood content in adult smokers to adult non-smokers.   Materials and Methods: A total of 50 men between the ages of 30 and 60 years took part in the study. These samples were divided into two groups: 30 smokers and 20 non-smokers. Every male is subjected to a complete medical history survey as well as frequent tests to rule out any underlying illnesses or diseases. Blood samples were taken in quantities of 10 mL to examine the blood.  Blood samples were placed on the red roof when blood samples were used with anticoagulant factor. The identification of biological parameters was done using enzyme methods and a Random kit.   Results: The results showed that Hb, PCV, WBC, ESR, platelets, and RBC were all elevated, whereas ALP and transaminase enzymes were not. Although not significantly, TC and TG increased the lipid profile findings. Our analysis yielded a wide range of outcomes. Various factors could be to blame for these disparities.   Conclusion: We describe how future research will focus on the relationship between organ functions and their working tests for smoking effects based on our findings. Age, sex, nutrition, and hereditary behavior must all be included in future studies.

scholarly journals Indices for Testing Neural Codes

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 2895-2936 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Victor ◽  
Sheila Nirenberg
Keyword(s):  
Neural Code ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Information Theoretic ◽  
Systems Neuroscience ◽  
Transmitted Information ◽  
Stimulus Response ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Rule Out

One of the most critical challenges in systems neuroscience is determining the neural code. A principled framework for addressing this can be found in information theory. With this approach, one can determine whether a proposed code can account for the stimulus-response relationship. Specifically, one can compare the transmitted information between the stimulus and the hypothesized neural code with the transmitted information between the stimulus and the behavioral response. If the former is smaller than the latter (i.e., if the code cannot account for the behavior), the code can be ruled out. The information-theoretic index most widely used in this context is Shannon's mutual information. The Shannon test, however, is not ideal for this purpose: while the codes it will rule out are truly nonviable, there will be some nonviable codes that it will fail to rule out. Here we describe a wide range of alternative indices that can be used for ruling codes out. The range includes a continuum from Shannon information to measures of the performance of a Bayesian decoder. We analyze the relationship of these indices to each other and their complementary strengths and weaknesses for addressing this problem.

scholarly journals Morbid exercise behaviour and eating disorders: A meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 206-224
Author(s):  
Manuel Alcaraz-Ibáñez ◽  
Adrian Paterna ◽  
Álvaro Sicilia ◽  
Mark D. Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Dietary Restraint ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Exercise Behaviour ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBackground and aimsThis study examined the relationship between self-reported symptoms of morbid exercise behaviour (MEB) and eating disorders (ED) using meta-analytic techniques.MethodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO and Scopus. Random effects models were used to compute pooled effect sizes estimates (r). The robustness of the summarized estimates was examined through sensitivity analyses by removing studies one at a time.ResultsSixty-six studies comprising 135 effect-sizes (N = 21,816) were included. The results revealed: (a) small-sized relationship in the case of bulimic symptoms (r = 0.19), (b) small- (r = 0.28) to medium-sized relationships (r = 0.41) in the case of body/eating concerns, and (c) medium-sized relationships in the case of overall ED symptoms (r = 0.35) and dietary restraint (r = 0.42). Larger effect sizes were observed in the case of overall ED symptoms in clinical, younger, and thinner populations, as well as when employing a continuously-scored instrument for assessing ED or the Compulsive Exercise Test for assessing MEB. Larger effect sizes were also found in female samples when the ED outcome was dietary restraint.ConclusionsThe identified gaps in the literature suggest that future research on the topic may benefit from: (a) considering a range of clinical (in terms of diagnosed ED) and non-clinical populations from diverse exercise modalities, (b) addressing a wide range of ED symptomatology, and (c) employing longitudinal designs that clarify the temporal direction of the relationship under consideration.

The Impact of Context on Employee Perceptions of Acceptable Non-Work Related Computing

2012 ◽  
pp. 125-139
Author(s):  
Troy J. Strader ◽  
J. Royce Fichtner ◽  
Suzanne R. Clayton ◽  
Lou Ann Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Ethical Perceptions ◽  
Monetary Cost ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Employees have access to a wide range of computer-related resources at work, and often these resources are used for non-work related personal activities. In this study, the authors address the relationship between employee’s utilitarian ethical orientation, the factors that create the context that influences their ethical perceptions, and their overall perceptions regarding the level of acceptability for 14 different non-work related computing activities. The authors find that time and monetary cost associated with an activity has a negative relationship to perceived acceptability. Results indicate that contextual variables, such as an employee’s supervisory or non-supervisory role, opportunity, computer self-efficacy, and whether or not an organization has computer use policies, training, and monitoring, influence individual ethical perceptions. Implications and conclusions are discussed for organizations and future research.

scholarly journals Job insecurity: Mediator or moderator of the relationship between type of contract and various outcomes?

2005 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nele De Cuyper ◽  
Hans De Witte
Keyword(s):  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Temporary Workers ◽  
Organisational Commitment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Moderating Role ◽  
Positive Work

Research on the consequences of job insecurity among temporary workers has been largely exploratory. This study investigates whether job insecurity either mediates or moderates the relationship between type of contract (temporary versus permanent) and its outcomes. It extends previous research by including a wide range of outcomes (job satisfaction, engagement, organisational commitment, trust, general health, irritation, turnover intention, performance, and positive work life interference), most of which have not yet been considered in this context. Results (N = 656) point to the moderating role of job insecurity, however only for outcomes reflecting immediate reactions. Implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals CoPs facing rationalization: the politics of community reproduction

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stine Skaufel Kilskar ◽  
Jonas A. Ingvaldsen ◽  
Nina Valle
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
World View ◽  
Lean Production ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between the contemporary forms of manufacturing rationalization and the reproduction of communities of practice (CoPs) centred on tasks and craft. Building on critical literature highlighting the tensions between CoPs and rationalization, this paper aims to develop a nuanced account of how CoPs are reproduced in the context of rationalization. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study of a CoP involved in the production of automotive components was conducted. Following a change in ownership, the company was instructed to rationalize production according to the principles of lean production. Data were collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Findings The CoP of the case study reinterpreted, resisted and redefined the lean production practices according to the established norms and values. In collusion with local management, workers protected the integrity of the community by engaging in hypocritical reporting. While lower-level managers buffered the rationalization pressures, workers would “get the work done” without further interference. Research limitations/implications The critical research approach may be applied to a wide range of cases in which informal or professional work organization collides with change programmes driven by management. Future research is encouraged to investigate more closely how CoPs gain access to formal and informal power by enrolling lower-level managers in their joint enterprise and world view. Practical implications Managers should be aware that attempts to rationalize community-based work forms may lead to dysfunctional patterns of organizational decoupling. Originality/value This study is one of the first to empirically examine the relationship between CoPs and manufacturing rationalization.

Childlessness and Health Among Older Adults: Variation Across Five Outcomes and 20 Countries

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nekehia T Quashie ◽  
Bruno Arpino ◽  
Radoslaw Antczak ◽  
Christine A Mair
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Aging Policy ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Family ◽  
National Economic ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives No previous study to the best of our knowledge has examined the association between childlessness and health using a wide range of countries and health outcomes. This study improves previous literature by examining the relationship between “childlessness” (1 = childless for any reason, 0 = parent of biological, step, or adopted child) and health across 20 countries and five health outcomes. Methods Drawing on cross-sectional harmonized data from the family of Health and Retirement Surveys across the United States (HRS, Wave 11), Europe (SHARE, Waves 4 and 5), Mexico (MHAS, Wave 3), and China (CHARLS, Wave 2), we use logistic regression models to estimate the association between childlessness and poor health (poor self-rated health, 1 or more ADL limitations, 1 or more IADL limitations, 1 or more chronic conditions, and depression) in a sample of adults aged 50 and older across 20 countries (N = 109,648). Results Our results point to an absence of associations between childlessness and health, and suggest that childlessness may be associated with better (e.g., Mexico, Hungary) or worse health (e.g., Austria, Estonia, Netherlands, Poland) in certain contexts and for certain measures. Discussion We discuss these findings in light of the meaning of childlessness, as well as cross-national economic, social, and cultural contexts to provide suggestions for aging policy and future research.

Understanding the side effects of glucocorticoid therapy: shining a light on a drug everyone thinks they know

2012 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1761-1764 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Dixon ◽  
Nick Bansback
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Decision Process ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Value Judgements ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Higher Doses

Glucocorticoids are one of the most frequently prescribed therapies in rheumatology, a reflection of their effectiveness as a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. Glucocorticoids are also, however, associated with a wide range of adverse events, particularly at higher doses. To make appropriate decisions, doctors and patients need to weigh these benefits against the potential harms. This article describes the many uncertainties which make informed prescribing difficult. We lack knowledge, for example, on the magnitude of risk, the relationship to dose and duration, and what happens to risk on stopping therapy. Beyond safety, we describe how patients may lack understanding of the nature of the benefits and harms, and how to incorporate value judgements which are crucial to the decision making process. We conclude by exploring how future research might fill these knowledge gaps to enable a better informed decision process.

scholarly journals Ethnographic research as an evolving method for supporting healthcare improvement skills: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia B. Black ◽  
Sandra van Os ◽  
Samantha Machen ◽  
Naomi J. Fulop
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Feedback Loop ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ethnographic Research ◽  
Healthcare Improvement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Methodological Concern ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background The relationship between ethnography and healthcare improvement has been the subject of methodological concern. We conducted a scoping review of ethnographic literature on healthcare improvement topics, with two aims: (1) to describe current ethnographic methods and practices in healthcare improvement research and (2) to consider how these may affect habit and skill formation in the service of healthcare improvement. Methods We used a scoping review methodology drawing on Arksey and O’Malley’s methods and more recent guidance. We systematically searched electronic databases including Medline, PsychINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL for papers published between April 2013 – April 2018, with an update in September 2019. Information about study aims, methodology and recommendations for improvement were extracted. We used a theoretical framework outlining the habits and skills required for healthcare improvement to consider how ethnographic research may foster improvement skills. Results We included 283 studies covering a wide range of healthcare topics and methods. Ethnography was commonly used for healthcare improvement research about vulnerable populations, e.g. elderly, psychiatry. Focussed ethnography was a prominent method, using a rapid feedback loop into improvement through focus and insider status. Ethnographic approaches such as the use of theory and focus on every day practices can foster improvement skills and habits such as creativity, learning and systems thinking. Conclusions We have identified that a variety of ethnographic approaches can be relevant to improvement. The skills and habits we identified may help ethnographers reflect on their approaches in planning healthcare improvement studies and guide peer-review in this field. An important area of future research will be to understand how ethnographic findings are received by decision-makers.

The Impact of Context on Employee Perceptions of Acceptable Non-Work Related Computing

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy J. Strader ◽  
J. Royce Fichtner ◽  
Suzanne R. Clayton ◽  
Lou Ann Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Ethical Orientation ◽  
Ethical Perceptions ◽  
Monetary Cost ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Employees have access to a wide range of computer-related resources at work, and often these resources are used for non-work related personal activities. In this study, the authors address the relationship between employee’s utilitarian ethical orientation, the factors that create the context that influences their ethical perceptions, and their overall perceptions regarding the level of acceptability for 14 different non-work related computing activities. The authors find that time and monetary cost associated with an activity has a negative relationship to perceived acceptability. Results indicate that contextual variables, such as an employee’s supervisory or non-supervisory role, opportunity, computer self-efficacy, and whether or not an organization has computer use policies, training, and monitoring, influence individual ethical perceptions. Implications and conclusions are discussed for organizations and future research.

scholarly journals Feline Leishmaniosis in Northwestern Italy: Current Status and Zoonotic Implications

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy ◽  
Stefania Zanet ◽  
Marco Poggi ◽  
Khalaf F. Alsharif ◽  
Ahmad Agil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Hematological Parameters ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Feline Leishmaniosis ◽  
The Impact

Leishmaniasis remains one of the major neglected tropical diseases. The epidemiological profile of the disease comprises a wide range of hosts, including dogs and cats. Despite several studies about feline Leishmaniosis, the role of cats in disease epidemiology and its clinical impact is still debated. The present study raises awareness about the impact of leishmaniasis in cats from an endemic region in of Northwestern Italy (Liguria). A total number of 250 serum and 282 blood samples were collected from cats, then assessed for Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) serologically using western blot (WB) and molecularly using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We also tested the association of Leishmania infection with some infectious agents like haemotropic Mycoplasma, Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) together with the hematobiochemical status of the examined animals. Interestingly, all tested animals were asymptomatic and out of 250 examined serum samples, 33 (13.20%) samples (confidence interval (CI) 95% 9.56–17.96%) were positive at WB for L. infantum, whereas of the 282 blood samples, 80 (28.36%) returned a positive PCR (CI 95% 23.43–33.89%). Furthermore, there was a statistical association between PCR positivity for L. infantum and some hematological parameters besides FIV infection as well as a direct significant correlation between Mycoplasma infection and WB positivity. Taken together, the present findings report high prevalence of L. infantum among cats, which reinforces the significance of such positive asymptomatic animals and confirms the very low humoral response in this species. In addition, the laboratory values provide evidence that infection by the parasite is linked to alteration of some hematological parameters and is correlated to some infectious agents. These data are of interest and suggest future research for accurate diagnosis of such zoonosis.

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