Circulating levels of microRNA-122 and hepatic fat change in response to weight-loss interventions: CENTRAL Trial

Purpose Little is known about the relations between changes in circulating microRNA-122 (miR-122) and liver fat in response to weight-loss interventions. We aimed to investigate the association between miR-122 and changes of hepatic fat content during 18-month diet and physical activity interventions. Methods The CENTRAL trial is an 18-month randomized, controlled trial among adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia. Subjects were randomly assigned to a low-fat diet or a Mediterranean/low-carbohydrate diet. After six months of dietary intervention, each diet group was further randomized into added physical activity groups or no added physical activity groups for the following 12 months of intervention. The current study included 220 participants at baseline and 134 participants with repeated measurements on serum miR-122 and hepatic fat content over 18 months. Results Serum miR-122 significantly increased from baseline to 18 months, while no difference was observed across the four intervention groups. We found a significant association between miR-122 and hepatic fat content at baseline, as per unit increment in log-transformed miR-122 was associated with 3.79 higher hepatic fat content (P<0.001). Furthermore, we found that higher elevations in miR-122 were associated with less reductions in hepatic fat percentage during 18-month interventions (β=1.56, P=0.002). We also found a significant interaction between changes in miR-122 and baseline fasting plasma glucose with hepatic fat content changes in 18 months (P interaction=0.02). Conclusions Our data indicate that participants with higher elevation in serum miR-122 may benefit less in reduction of hepatic fat content in response to diet and physical activity interventions.

Qualitative Analysis of Risks Affecting the Delivery of Land Surveying Project Activities

Land surveying projects (LSPs) suffer from the effects of many risk factors on the time and accuracy of these projects. Using field surveys, the main objective of this study was identifying the major activities and risk factors associated with LSPs’ execution, as well as assessing and analyzing the effects of the risk factors on the LSPs’ time and accuracy. Furthermore, the study aimed to classify and determine the responsibility of each risk factor and evaluate the responsibilities. Four main activities were categorized and presented, including reconnaissance works, planning works, data collection works, and data adjustment works. Moreover, forty-three risk factors that control the main activities and affect the time and accuracy of LSPs were recognized. The probabilities of occurrences for the risk factors and impacts on the time and accuracy of LSPs were determined as well as their combined effects. Key risk factors that had high threats on LSPs and affect time and accuracy were highlighted as the most critical risk factors. Many correlations were determined among risk factors affecting LSPs’ activity groups and their various effects on time and accuracy. The responsibilities of the surveying crew (chief, surveyor, assistance, office engineer) for each risk factors were correspondingly defined. The results showed that “Data collection works” is considered the riskiest activity group in LSPs and most of the key risk factors belonged to this group. Around 25% of the LSPs face time overrun and do not meet the required specifications. On the other hand, the surveyor was found to be responsible for most of the risk factors and the office engineer was signified by the lowest responsibility, while the responsibilities for most risk factors were single responsibility and few were shared by only dual responsibility.

Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls

Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.

CONSTRAINTS FACED BY THE RESPONDENTS IN AVAILING THE BENEFITS OF DWCRA IN SRIKAKULAM DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Women and Children constitute 67.7 per cent of the country’s total population as per the census 2001. Women exclusively accounted for million constituting 48.3 percent of the country’s population. By virtue of these figures, they shall be considered as an important target group. Hence, it becomes an essentiality to empower women economically and socially for promoting national development. Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) was launched as sub scheme of IRDP. It was initially started as pilot project in 50 selected districts in all states during 1982- 1983. During, the IX plan almost all state governments started implementing DWCRA activities in rural areas. The objectives of this programme are to organize women into socio-economic activity groups with the dual purpose of providing self- employment opportunities and social strength to them. Besides, providing financial support for income generating activities, DWCRA also increases women’s access to basic services of health, education, children’s nutrition, safe drinking water, sanitation and environment. Though there are many achievements to its credit, still there is wider space to accommodate many innovative ideas elicited through the participation of women over the years for improving the programme periphery.

Evaluation of vitamin D profile in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

ABSTRACT Objective To observe the association between serum vitamin D level and disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods The observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital during 2017-2019. Patients suffered from JIA were recruited through purposive sampling which was stratified by the disease activity based on the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27 (JADAS27) criteria. Serum vitamin D was estimated alongside other laboratory parameters. The numerical and categorical variables were analysed with appropriate statistical tests. Results 40 subjects were studied where inactive disease was observed in nine subjects (22.5%), five subjects (12.5%) were found to be in low disease activity and moderate disease activity groups each, and twenty-one subjects (52.5%) had high disease activity. Considering the total sample size of the study, the mean (SD) JADAS27 score and serum vitamin D level were observed to be 12.02 (11.31) and 23.10 (5.93) respectively. A negative correlation was found between the JADAS27 score and serum vitamin D (r= -0.67). The corrected Chi-square test had revealed significant association between the status of serum vitamin-D and disease activity groups (=16.28; p < .001). Conclusions In JIA, higher grade of disease activity was found to be significantly associated with lower serum vitamin D.

Association between Activity and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Data-Mining Analysis

Reduction in activity links to the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to regulate an activity. We aimed to investigate the association between reduction in activity and BDNF in patients with NAFLD using data-mining analysis. We enrolled 48 NAFLD patients. Patients were classified into reduced (n = 21) or normal activity groups (n = 27) based on the activity score of the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire-NAFLD/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Circulating BDNF levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Factors associated with reduced activity were analyzed using decision-tree and random forest analyses. A reduction in activity was seen in 43.8% of patients. Hemoglobin A1c and BDNF were identified as negative independent factors for reduced activity (hemoglobin A1c, OR 0.012, p = 0.012; BDNF, OR 0.041, p = 0.039). Decision-tree analysis showed that “BDNF levels ≥ 19.1 ng/mL” was the most important classifier for reduced activity. In random forest analysis, serum BDNF level was the highest-ranked variable for distinguishing between the reduced and normal activity groups (158 valuable importance). Reduced activity was commonly seen in patients with NAFLD. Data-mining analyses revealed that BNDF was the most important independent factor corresponding with the reduction in activity. BDNF may be an important target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Determinants Associated with Participation in Physical Activity Among Patients with Prostate Cancer

Purpose Physical activity (PA) has been evaluated for reducing side effects of cancer treatment and improving quality of life. Understanding the factors that affect participation in PA is essential to improve strategies for health promotion. We evaluated the determinants of PA among prostate cancer patients. Methods Ninety patients were divided into 'inactive or minimally active' or 'health enhancing physical activity' groups, based on their PA levels measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). IPAQ score was used as the dependent variable. Clinical characteristics, including demographics, difficulties in urination or defecation, socioeconomic status, physical status and functions were used as the independent variables. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results Univariate logistic regression analyses identified that urination and defecation difficulties were associated with lower PA. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that urinary difficulties were associated with lower PA. Conclusion Knowledge of the factors that influence PA will allow physicians to identify patients who are expected to have less PA and intervene early. Urinary difficulties had a statistically significant association with lower PA, representing a barrier to PA. Early intervention is needed to overcome urinary difficulties considering the importance of PA in achieving optimal health outcomes.

Menelisik Pencegahan Pernikahan Usia Anak di kota Surakarta

This study aims to understand and explain efforts to prevent child marriage in Surakarta city in the study of population sociology. The areas sampled were five “Kampong KB” (Family Planning Villages) spread over five subdistricts in the city of Surakarta. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 informants and structured interviews with 48 informants, consisting of Family Planning Instructors (PKB), Regional Family Planning Assistants (PPKBD), parents, teenagers and government officials. Data analysis was carried out in three stages, namely data reduction or the selection process, simplification, abstraction and transformation of raw data, then data presentation. Conclusions and verification are carried out continuously during the study. The results showed that in the effort to prevent the practice of child marriage in Surakarta city, there were several strategies implemented by various parties, namely Family Planning Instructors (PKB), Regional Family Planning Assistants (PPKBD) and government officials, so as to form a patterns of social interaction and evolutionary processes, also known as symbolic interactionism. The strategies that are carried out include taking a cultural approach, synergy of Activity Groups, enthusiasm for achievement, building interventions, commitment and consistency in running programs, maximizing the use of social media and orderly administration. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memahami dan menjelaskan upaya pencegahan pernikahan usia anak di Kota Surakarta dalam kajian ilmu sosiologi kependudukan. Wilayah yang dijadikan sampel adalah lima Kampung KB (Kampung Keluarga Berencana) yang tersebar di lima Kecamatan di Kota Surakarta. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dengan 16 informan dan wawancara terstruktur dengan 48 informan, yang terdiri dari Penyuluh Keluarga Berencana (PKB), Pembantu Pembina Keluarga Berencana Daerah (PPKBD), orangtua, remaja dan aparatur pemerintah. Analisis data dilakukan melalui tiga tahapan, yakni reduksi data atau proses pemilihan, penyederhanaan, abstraksi dan transformasi data mentah, kemudian penyajian data. Penarikan kesimpulan serta verifikasi data dilakukan terus menerus selama penelitian berlangsung. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dalam upaya pencegahan pernikahan usia anak di Kota Surakarta terdapat beberapa strategi yang dilakukan oleh berbagai pihak, yakni Penyuluh Keluarga Berencana (PKB), Pembantu Pembina Keluarga Berencana Daerah (PPKBD) dan aparatur pemerintah, sehingga terbentuk suatu pola interaksi sosial dan proses evolusioner atau yang dikenal dengan interaksionisme simbolik. Adapun strategi yang dilakukan diantaranya, melakukan pendekatan budaya, sinergisitas Kelompok Kegiatan (PokTan), semangat berprestasi, membangun intervensi, komitmen dan konsistensi menjalankan program, memaksimalkan penggunaan media sosial dan tertib administrasi.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Health Workers in Germany—A Retrospective Study on Progression Risk and Use of Preventive Therapy

Despite the decline in tuberculosis incidence (TB) in Germany, health workers (HW) are at greater risk of becoming infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. To date, little is known about the risk of progression of latent tuberculosis infections (LTBI) and the use of Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT) among HW. Routine data from the German Statutory Institution for Accident Insurance and Prevention for Health and Welfare Services (BGW) were analysed and a retrospective survey was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to 1711 HW who had received recognition of an LTBI as an occupational disease between the years 2009 and 2018. The response rate was 42.3% after correcting for those with no actual address (20.4%). We included 575 HW in the data analysis of the retrospective survey. The cumulative incidence of progression, the incidence density and the associated 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Three progressive cases were identified in the analysis of the routine data. In the survey cohort, three HW developed TB during the observation period of 5.4 years on average (standard deviation: 2.8 years; interquartile range: 5.0 years). The cumulative TB incidence was 0.52% in the survey group (95% CI: 0.14% to 1.65%). The incidence density was 0.97 cases per 1000 person years (95% CI: 0.25 to 3.10). One-third of the respondents underwent TPT. Significant differences were observed between age and activity groups in the use of TPT, but not between the genders, year of diagnosis or the reason for performing the screening. The data indicate that the risk of progression of an LTBI is low for HW. However, one-third of the HW had undergone TPT. Information about the expected progression risk is important so that it can be weighed against the risk of side effects of TPT.