Targeting Diet Quality at the Workplace: Influence on Cardiometabolic Risk

The American Heart Association criteria for cardiovascular health include overall diet quality (DQ). The present study evaluated the effect of a workplace health promotion program targeting DQ and physical activity on features of cardiometabolic risk (CMR). Before and after the 3-month intervention, 2260 employees (1462 men and 798 women) completed a health and fitness evaluation including assessment of DQ using a validated food-based questionnaire. After the 3-month lifestyle modification program, DQ increased significantly in both sexes (p < 0.0001) as well as physical activity level (p < 0.0001). A reduction in waist circumference (p < 0.0001) and improved lipid levels were also observed. Significant associations were found between changes in DQ index and changes in CMR variables in both men (standardized regression coefficients ranged from −0.19 (95% confidence interval: −0.26 to −0.12) to −0.29 (95% confidence interval: −0.34 to −0.25)) and women (standardized regression coefficients ranged from −0.18 (95% confidence interval: −0.25 to −0.11) to −0.27 (95% confidence interval: −0.41 to −0.13)). Multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant contribution of changes in the DQ index to the variation in some CMR variables, independent from changes in physical activity level and cardiorespiratory fitness. This study provides evidence that targeting DQ at the workplace is relevant to improve cardiometabolic health.

Banks and Insurance Companies Preferences for Firm Specific Attributes: A Study of Indian Equity Market

The present study aimed to assess the significant firm-specific attributes as important determinants of Banks and Insurance companies (BIC) shareholding. Quarterly values of shareholding for selected shares were regressed upon quarterly values of firmspecific attributes. The significant firm-specific attributes were found to be the age of the company, debt-equity ratio, price to book ratio, net profits, and the issue of ADR/GDR by the company. The most important among these company attributes according to standardized regression coefficients were found to be an issue of ADR/GDR followed by net profits. When cross-section regression was applied for 31 sequential quarters, the regression equation was significant statistically in 32.25 percent, with an R average of 2 91.29 percent.

PENGARUH MOTIVASI DAN BEBAN KERJA TERHADAP KEPUASAN KERJA PEGAWAI PADA PT BPD KALTIM KALTARA CABANG UTAMA DI SAMARINDA

This research was conducted at one of the banks in the city of Samarinda. Based on the interview results, there are several employees who are dissatisfied with what they have received from the company, the company must continue to pay attention to the level of workload and provide continuous motivation to every employee without favoritism so that employees feel sufficient and satisfied for what they have received . This type of research is quantitative research. This research method uses multiple linear regression analysis methods. The results of data processing showed that the regression results were Y = 0.328 + 0.733 X1 + 0.163 X2, showing Motivation (X1) 0.733 and workload (X2) 0.163 and obtained a correlation coefficient of 0.794 or 79.4% and a coefficient of determination of 0.63 or 63%. The results of simultaneous hypothesis research (Test F) by obtaining Fcount 69.892 with Ftable of 3.108, thus proving a significant effect on employee job satisfaction. The results of partial hypothesis testing (T test) are known that motivation is the most influential variable on employee job satisfaction and with the acquisition of Tcount of 9.3362 with Ttable 1.989, thus proving a significant effect on employee job satisfaction. The most influential hypothesis research results are known that motivation is the most influential variable that is most influential on employee job satisfaction with the acquisition of standardized regression coefficients (Standardized coefficients) of 0.688 greater than the variable Workload of 0.205 then proves significant effect on employee job satisfaction. Suggestions for companies to be able to provide bonuses for employees who have shown good and satisfying performance and performance, but also can provide direction or guidance for employees who have not been given before or work with a high degree of difficulty.

FEATURES OF THE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM OF VIRAL HEPATITIS C IN UKRAINE

Introduction/objective. The significant part of young people in the structure of hepatitis C virus (HC/HCV infection) incidence, a lot of latent cases of this infection, and the lack of specific prevention may complicate the epidemic situation regarding this infection in Ukraine in the coming years. The authors developed a mathematical model of the HC epidemiological process to determine the most significant factors in this infection transmission in the country. Materials and methods. The study is based on correlation-regression analysis of the relationship between a dependent (or responding) and explanatory (factorial or predictors) variables. In total, the analysis involved 3 dependent variables y1, y2, y3, corresponding to the annual number of acute and chronic HC cases and the number of HC virus seropositive individuals, and 17 predictors x1 – x17, including patients who received etiotropic treatment; patients with mental and behavioral disorders due to narcotics use, including opioids; patients with sexually transmitted infections; the number of visits to dentists; the number of patients who had dentures placed; the number of surgical operations, blood transfusions, endoscopic examinations, laboratory blood tests, hemodialysis, etc. The number of observations (n) of dependent and explanatory variables was equal to 25, which corresponds to the number of administrative-territorial units in Ukraine (24 regions and Kyiv). The quality of regression models was evaluated using multiple correlation coefficients (R), determination coefficients (R2), and regression coefficients (b0, b1, b2). Statistical significance of R2 was determined by F-statistics, regression coefficients – by standard errors (m), t-test, p-value, and the range of 95% confidence intervals (CI). To compare the degree of influence of factor variables over dependent variables in the two-factor regression model, standardized regression coefficients were calculated. The reliability of regression models was evaluated by the statistics of Durbin–Watson (DW), Breusch–Godfrey (BG), and White (W) tests. The relative risk (RR) of HC infection was retrospectively determined in individuals from behavioral and medical risk groups. Results. In mathematical model of the epidemic process of acute HC, statistical significance was demonstrated for only one variable effect – annual number of dentist visits. The obtained regression equation was as follows: y1 = 0.000021 x5 – 11.353, where y1 = annual number of patients with acute HC; х5 = annual number of dentist visits. Statistical characteristics of the model: R = 0.892, R2 = 0.796; F-test: 89.9 for 1 and 23 degrees of freedom, statistical significance for F: 0.0000000021; regression coefficients: b1= 0.000021 (m = ±0.0000023; t = 9.48, tcrit = 1.71; p = 0.0000000021; 95% CІ [0.000017; 0.000026]), b0 = -11.353 (m = ±3.982; t = 2.85, tcrit = 1.71; p = 0.009; 95% CІ [-19.59; -3.116]). When developing a model of the epidemic process of acute HC taking into account the annual number of seropositive individuals, statistical significance was demonstrated only for two variables: annual number of the sexually transmitted infections and annual number of laboratory blood tests. The analytical relationship of variables in this model had the following mathematical expression: y3 = 4.563 x4 + 0.0058 x15 – 36552.721, where y3 = number of HCV-seropositive individuals; x4 = number of sexually transmitted diseases, x15 = number of laboratory blood tests. Statistical characteristics of the model: R = 0.92, R2 = 0.842; F-test: 58.62 for 2 and 22 degrees of freedom, statistical significance for F: 0.00000000153; regression coefficients: b0= -36552.721 (m = ±10649.1; t = 3.43, tcrit = 1.71; p = 0.0024; 95% CІ [-58637.63; -14467.81]), b1 = 0.0058; m = ±0.00082; t = 7.1, tcrit = 1.71; р = 0.0000004; 95% CІ [0.0041; 0.0075]; b2 = 4.563; m = ±1.526; t = 2.99, tcrit = 1.71; р = 0.0067; 95% CІ [1.4; 7.73]. The Durbin–Watson and Breusch–Godfrey tests did not reveal autocorrelation of residues for both regression models: DWU < DWр < 4 – DWU; BG < χ2. White's test shows no heteroscedasticity for both models: W < χ2. The test results indicate the reliability of both regression models. Conclusions. According to our data, at least 84% of HC virus infection cases in Ukraine occur through sexual contact and during laboratory blood sampling, and the role of the latter route of transmission in the HC virus spread was even more significant (standardized regression coefficients are 0.3 and 0.7, respectively). Almost 80% of acute HC cases are associated with dental interventions. Etiotropic treatment of patients with HC at the current level of treatment coverage can reduce the incidence of complications and the risk of death, but it is ineffective as a measure of influence on the first stage of the epidemiological process (source of infection). Drug users have little effect on the intensity of the HC epidemiological process in Ukraine as a whole, despite the fact that the relative risk of HC among this population is quite significant (RR = 6.5; 95% CI [6.39; 6.63]).

A Tutorial on Testing the Equality of Standardized Regression Coefficients in Structural Equation Models using Wald Tests with lavaan

Comparing the effects of two or more explanatory variables on a dependent variable in structural equation models, with either manifest or latent variables, may be hampered by the arbitrary metrics which are common in social sciences and psychology. A possible way to compare the effects is the comparison of standardized regression coefficients by means of the Wald test. In this tutorial, we show how a typical textbook display of the Wald test can be used to derive a calculation for standardized regression coefficients. Moreover, we demonstrate how this can be implemented in R using the lavaan package. Additionally, we provide a convenience function that allows doing a Wald test by only setting up equality constraints. We also discuss theoretical aspects and implications when hypotheses about the equality of standardized regression parameters in structural equation models are tested.

Tryptophan catabolites as metabolic markers of vitamin B-6 status evaluated in cohorts of healthy adults and cardiovascular patients

ABSTRACT Background Vitamin B-6 status is routinely measured as pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) in plasma. Low concentrations of PLP are associated with rheumatic, cardiovascular, and neoplastic diseases. We have previously shown that vitamin B-6 status affects the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism. Objective This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the use of Kyns as potential markers of functional vitamin B-6 status across 2 large cohorts. Methods We measured circulating concentrations of the first 6 metabolites in the Trp catabolic pathway by LC–MS-MS in the community-based Hordaland Health Study (HUSK; n = 7017) and cardiovascular patient–based Western Norway Coronary Angiography Cohort (WECAC; n = 4161). Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of plasma PLP with Kyns were estimated using linear and nonlinear regression–based methods. Results 3′-Hydroxykynurenine (HK), a substrate, and all 4 products formed directly by the PLP-dependent enzymes kynurenine transaminase and kynureninase contributed to the explanation of circulating PLP in multivariable-adjusted regression models. The construct HK:(kynurenic acid + xanthurenic acid + 3′-hydroxyanthranilic acid + anthranilic acid), termed HK ratio (HKr), was related to plasma PLP with standardized regression coefficients (95% CIs) of −0.47 (−0.49, −0.45) and −0.46 (−0.49, −0.43) in HUSK and WECAC, respectively. Across strata of cohort and sex, HKr was 1.3- to 2.7-fold more sensitive, but also 1.7- to 2.9-fold more specific to changes in PLP than a previously proposed marker, HK:xanthurenic acid. Notably, the association was strongest at PLP concentrations &lt; ∼20 nmol/L, a recognized threshold for vitamin B-6 deficiency. Finally, PLP and HKr demonstrated highly sex-specific and corroborating associations with age. Conclusions The results demonstrate that by combining 5 metabolites in the Kyn pathway into a simple index, HKr, a sensitive and specific indicator of intracellular vitamin B-6 status is obtained. The data also underscore the merit of evaluating alterations in Kyn metabolism when investigating vitamin B-6 and health.