Analysis Of Variance Model Research Articles

Food and nutrition literacy in Austria - results of a representative study

Abstract Background A healthy diet is a key factor in people’s long-term health. The nutritional health literacy and food literacy of the population play a crucial role in this. In 2021, comprehensive data on these competences were collected for the first time in Austria. Methods Almost 3,000 people were surveyed online. Nutrition health literacy was assessed with the newly developed Nutrition Health Literacy Scale (NHLS) and food literacy with the Self-Perceived Food Literacy Scale Short-Form (SPFL-SF). Scores and subscores were calculated. Associations between socio-demographic and socio-economic factors and the competences surveyed were assessed using t-tests, variance analysis, correlations, and multivariate regression models. Results In terms of nutritional health literacy, respondents score an average of 60 out of 100 points, with judging (51 points) and applying (60 points) nutritional information being the most difficult. In the area of food literacy, respondents score an average of 62 out of 100 points. The most challenging areas are ‘healthier choices’ (44 points), ‘healthy snacking’ (52 points) and ‘healthy eating in exceptional circumstances’ (54 points). In both areas, men and people with less formal education score lower. In the case of nutritional health literacy, people aged 65 and over have greater difficulties. Conversely, this group performs better in the area of food literacy. Differences by income can only be seen for nutritional health literacy, to the detriment of low-income groups. Conclusions Possible options for action include the provision of quality-assured and target-group-specific information, the implementation of appropriate tools to facilitate the assessment of foods, and measures to strengthen assessment skills, digital health literacy, food and nutrition skills. Key messages • The survey showed that there is potential for improvement in both nutritional health literacy and food literacy. • The biggest challenge is to evaluate and use nutritional information and to stick to a healthy diet without making exceptions.

Using word clouds to reveal patients' perceptions about their arthritis.

Patients' perceptions about their illness have the power to influence health outcomes. However, existing illness belief measures can be burdensome. Using word clouds to illustrate patients' experiences is potentially a novel solution, but research is lacking in this area. This study aimed to explore whether word clouds illustrate patients' perceptions about their illness and to determine commonalities and differences in experiences of rheumatic diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 323 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or gout in New Zealand. Participants reported two words describing their inflammatory arthritis experience and completed the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Word clouds were generated from participants' responses, and analysis of variance models were used to explore perceptions between groups. Eleven themes were identified, with each constituting a percentage of total word occurrence and weighting in word clouds. Symptom/sensation was the most prominent theme across all conditions (35%-61%), followed by affect/emotional experience (16%-25%). Theme prevalence varied across word clouds for each condition. Social impact was more prevalent for gout, and burden/intrusion was more prominent for ankylosing spondylitis. Functioning was less prevalent in the gout word cloud than in other conditions. There was moderate overlap between word cloud themes and illness perception domains. Word clouds uniquely identified themes related to burden/intrusion, functioning, opportunity, and social impact of illness. This study supports using word clouds as a low-burden method of examining the experiences of patients with inflammatory arthritis and could be tested with other patient groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Effect of weekly practice of Laghu Shankhaprakshalana Kriya (yogic bowel cleansing) on appetite in healthy adults: An exploratory study

ABSTRACT Introduction: Shankhaprakshalana (SP) kriya is one of the shatkarma (hatha yogic cleansing practices) used to cleanse the entire gastrointestinal tract with water. This technique involves the consumption of lukewarm saline water in conjunction with dynamic yoga asanas followed by a phase of deep relaxation. Past studies have reported the benefits of SP in managing digestive issues such as constipation, migraine-associated abdominal discomfort, and irritable bowel syndrome. However, there is a notable lack of literature investigating the impact of yoga-based cleansing practices on appetite status. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Laghu Shankhaprakshalana (LSP) kriya on the appetite status of healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Sixty-five healthy male participants naïve to yoga with a mean age of 26.92 ± 5.35 years were recruited and randomly divided into an LSP group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 33). The LSP group engaged in LSP practice once a week for 8 weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Appetite status was assessed using the Council of Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire before and after completing eight sessions of LSP. The data were analyzed using the mixed model analysis of variance followed by post hoc Bonferroni correction for a total of 60 participants (five participants withdrew from the study). Results: Following eight sessions of LSP practice, a significant increase in appetite levels was observed (p < 0.001). No significant change was found in the control group. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that LSP practice tends to enhance appetite levels in apparently healthy individuals. Further research is needed with a larger sample and physiological assessment of appetite.

Ultraviolet (UV-C) Light Systems for the Inactivation of Feline Calicivirus and Tulane Virus in Model Fluid Foods.

Conventional UV-C (254nm) inactivation technologies have limitations and potential operator-safety risk. To overcome these disadvantages, novel UV-C light-emitting diodes (LED) are developed and investigated for their performance. This study aimed to determine the inactivation of human norovirus (HuNoV) surrogates, Tulane virus (TV), and feline calicivirus (FCV-F9), by UV-C (254nm) in comparison to UV-C LED (279nm) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and coconut water (CW). Five-hundred microliters of FCV-F9 (~ 5 log plaque forming units (PFU)/mL) or TV (~ 6 log PFU/mL) were added to 4.5mL PBS or CW in continuously stirred glass beakers and exposed to 254nm UV-C for 0 up to 15min (maximum dosage of 33.89mJ/cm2) or 279nm UV-C LED for 0 up to 2.5min (maximum dosage of 7.03mJ/cm2). Recovered viruses were assayed in duplicate from each treatment replicated thrice. Mixed model analysis of variance was used for data analysis. Significantly lower D10 values were obtained in PBS and CW (p ≤ 0.05) for both tested viruses using UV-C LED (279nm) where FCV-F9 showed D10 values of 7.08 ± 1.75mJ/cm2 and 3.75 ± 0.11mJ/cm2, while using UV-C (254nm) showed D10 values of 13.81 ± 0.40mJ/cm2 and 6.43 ± 0.44mJ/cm2 in PBS and CW, respectively. Similarly, lower D10 values were obtained for TV of 3.91 ± 1.03mJ/cm2 and 4.26 ± 1.02mJ/cm2 with 279 nmUV-C LED and were 18.76 ± 3.16mJ/cm2 and 10.21 ± 1.48mJ/cm2 with 254nm UV-C in PBS and CW, respectively. Viral resistance to these treatments was fluid-matrix dependent. These findings indicate that use of 279nm UV-C LED is more effective in inactivating HuNoV surrogates than conventional 254nm UV-C in the tested fluids.

No Sex-based Differences in Self-reported Empathy between Patients with Schizophrenia and Control Subjects.

Schizophrenia, one of the most disabling disorders worldwide, is characterized by impaired empathy, which appears to be more common in women. This study aimed to compare empathy levels between control subjects and patients with schizophrenia by sex. We compared sixty-two patients with schizophrenia and 166 control subjects. All participants completed the Empathy Quotient (EQ) questionnaire. A multivariate analysis of variance model was performed with the EQ as the outcome criterion, and group and sex as fixed factors to test for interaction effects. Overall, patients obtained lower scores in the cognitive, emotional reactivity and social skills domains of empathy (p < 0.001). No differences between men and women were found and no interaction effect was identified between sex and group (schizophrenia vs. control) (p > 0.05). This study adds to the evidence on differences in social cognition between people with and without a mental illness such as schizophrenia. It also identifies the absence of sex differences between men and women, observed in both the group of patients and control subjects, which warrants further exploration.

Low-field MRI lung opacity severity associated with decreased DLCO in post-acute Covid-19 patients

ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical significance of low-field MRI lung opacity severity. MethodsRetrospective cross-sectional analysis of post-acute Covid-19 patients imaged with low-field MRI from 9/2020 through 9/2022, and within 1 month of pulmonary function tests (PFTs), 6-min walk test (6mWT), and symptom inventory (SI), and/or within 3 months of St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was performed.Univariate and correlative analyses were performed with Wilcoxon, Chi-square, and Spearman tests. The association between disease and demographic factors and MR opacity severity, PFTs, 6mWT, SI, and SGRQ, and association between MR opacity severity with functional and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), was evaluated with mixed model analysis of variance, covariance and generalized estimating equations. Two-sided 5 % significance level was used, with Bonferroni multiple comparison correction. Results81 MRI exams in 62 post-acute Covid-19 patients (median age 57, IQR 41–64; 25 women) were included. Exams were a median of 8 months from initial illness. Univariate analysis showed lung opacity severity was associated with decreased %DLCO (ρ = −0.55, P = .0125), and lung opacity severity quartile was associated with decreased %DLCO, predicted TLC, FVC, and increased FEV1/FVC.Multivariable analysis adjusting for sex, initial disease severity, and interval from Covid-19 diagnosis showed MR lung opacity severity was associated with decreased %DLCO (P < .001). Lung opacity severity was not associated with PROs. ConclusionLow-field MRI lung opacity severity correlated with decreased %DLCO in post-acute Covid-19 patients, but was not associated with PROs.

Degree of Food Processing Is Associated with Glycemic Control in African American Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Findings from the TX STRIDE Clinical Trial

BackgroundType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disproportionately affects African American (AA) populations. Despite the importance of diet in diabetes management, the association of diet quality and/or the degree of food processing with glycemic control in AA adults with T2DM remains unclear. ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine associations between diet quality scores and the degree of processing in the diet with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level in AA adults with T2DM. DesignThis cross-sectional study used baseline data from participants in Texas Strength Through Resilience in Diabetes Education, an ongoing clinical trial. Participants/settingParticipants involved in this analysis (N = 273) were AA adults with T2DM recruited through local churches in Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas from August 2020 through April 2023. Main outcome measuresParticipants provided 2 24-hour dietary recalls (1 weekend and 1 weekday) and a blood sample to measure HbA1c level. Healthy Eating Index 2015, Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010, and Alternate Mediterranean Diet scores were calculated. The NOVA method was used to calculate the percentage of grams and calories that came from ultra-processed foods and unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Statistical analyses performedLinear regression and analysis of variance models tested associations between the diet quality scores and degree of food processing with HbA1c level, adjusting for demographic covariates. Models were stratified by insulin use after finding a significant interaction with ultraprocessed foods and unprocessed or minimally processed foods. ResultsRegression analyses revealed that the percentage of grams in the total diet from ultraprocessed foods was positively associated with HbA1c level (βadj = .015; Padj = .032), whereas unprocessed or minimally processed foods were inversely associated with HbA1c level (βadj = –.014; Padj = .043). There was no significant association between any diet quality score and HbA1c level. ConclusionsIn AA adults with T2DM, only the degree of food processing was associated with HbA1c level. Future research should explore whether a causal relationship exists between food processing and HbA1c level and investigate mechanisms by which ultraprocessed foods may affect glycemic control.

Effect of a Novel Ergonomic Sheath on Dental Device-Related Muscle Work, Fatigue and Comfort-A Pilot Clinical Study.

Background: Dental instrumentation with hand-held devices is associated with discomfort, fatigue and musculoskeletal diseases or repetitive stress injuries. The goal of this in vivo study was to determine the effect of an ergonomic handle sheath on muscle work, comfort and fatigue associated with (a) piezoelectric scaling by hygienists with and without musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and (b) dental cavity preparation by healthy dentists using a dental micromotor. Materials and Methods: Two groups of ten hygienists each tested the piezoelectric scaler. Hygienists in Group 1 had no MSDs, while those in Group 2 had been diagnosed with MSDs. Additionally, ten dentists with no MSDs used a dental micromotor to prepare four standardized cavities. Time-based work in four muscles, comfort and fatigue were recorded in the presence and absence of an add-on soft, insulating handle sheath. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures analysis of variance model with Tukey's post-hoc test. Results: Comfort, fatigue and muscle work were significantly better for both devices when the sheath was used. While hygienists with MSDs used more muscle work to complete the set scaling task, and the sheath-related reduction in work was somewhat greater, these MSD-related differences did not quite reach significance. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study show that the ergonomic performance of an ultrasonic scaler and a dental micromotor may be improved by the use of an ergonomic handle sheath.

Effect of targeted temperature management on systemic inflammatory responses after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: A prospective cohort study.

Interleukin (IL)-6 is a major inflammatory cytokine that predicts mortality after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Targeted temperature management (TTM) is associated with improved all-cause mortality in patients with OHCA. However, the effect of TTM on IL-6 production remains unclear. This study investigated whether TTM has additional anti-inflammatory effects after OHCA. This prospective cohort study included a total of 141 hospitalized patients with OHCA who were treated between January 2015 and June 2023. The study was conducted in the intensive care unit of China Medical University Hospital, Taichung. Postcardiac arrest care included TTM or the control approach (no TTM). The primary outcomes included the 90-day mortality rate and neurologic outcomes after OHCA. Differences between the TTM and control groups were examined using Student t test, chi-square test, and Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis. Multivariate analysis of variance model was used to examine interaction effects. Plasma IL-6 and IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor complex levels were measured at 6 and 24 hours after resuscitation. IL-6 and IL-6/soluble IL-6 receptor complex production was lower in the TTM group than in the control group (-50.0% vs +136.7%, P < .001; +26.3% vs +102.40%, P < .001, respectively). In addition, the 90-day mortality rate and poor neurologic outcomes were lower in the TTM group than in the control group (36.8% vs 63.0%, relative risk 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.24-0.64, P < .001; 65.5% vs 81.5%, relative risk 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.66-0.98, P = .04). TTM improves both the mortality rate and neurologic outcomes in patients resuscitated from OHCA, possibly by reducing IL-6-induced proinflammatory responses.

Urinary proteomic signature of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism by spironolactone: evidence from the HOMAGE trial

ObjectiveHeart failure (HF) is characterised by collagen deposition. Urinary proteomic profiling (UPP) followed by peptide sequencing identifies parental proteins, for over 70% derived from collagens. This study aimed to refine...

417 Impact of virtual fence technology on yearling steer behavior and performance

Abstract Virtual fencing (VF) has the capacity to transform the landscape of livestock management within extensive rangeland systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Vence (Merck &amp; Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ) VF technology on yearling steer behavior and performance. Steers were allocated into one of two grazing systems [continuous grazing (CG) or rotational grazing (RG) managed using VF] across three different stocking rates (light, moderate, and heavy, 0.32, 0.40, and 0.72 animal unit months, respectively) for three grazing seasons. Based on initial body weight, steers were randomly blocked into six pastures (346 ± 39, 273 ± 34, and 319 ± 29 kg, respectively) at the South Dakota State University Cottonwood Field Station (n = 127, 135, and 127, in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively). Steers assigned to the CG treatment had free access to the entire pasture for the duration of the grazing season. Steers assigned to the RG treatment were rotated among virtual ‘paddocks’ for the duration of the grazing season. The days spent grazing in each paddock for the RG treatment were determined based on bi-weekly clip plots for biomass estimation. The VF collars were used to track steer location at 5-min intervals; only steers assigned to the RG treatment were managed with VF boundaries and exposed to auditory and electrical cues from the collars. Raw data was downloaded from Vence Herd Manager through an automatic programming interface and cleaned by removing messages that failed to transmit correctly or were outside the bounds of study site pastures. Animal behavior metrics of daily distance traveled (DDT), daily grazing time, daily resting time, and daily walking time were calculated for each individual animal and averaged by pasture using Program R. Steer weights were collected using SmartScales (C-Lock Inc, Rapid City, SD). Average daily gain (ADG) was calculated using a linear model to develop a regression equation for each individual animal using weight as the dependent variable and day of trial as the independent variable. The slope of the regression line was used to estimate ADG. Individual DDT, behavior, and performance metrics were analyzed using a mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the impact of grazing treatment and stocking rate (fixed effects) with year as the random effect. Treatment did not influence (P &amp;gt; 0.05) grazing, walking, or resting behavior. Similarly, no differences were detected in DDT between treatment groups or across different stocking rates. Furthermore, there were no differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in ADG across treatment groups. Implementation of VF had no impact on animal behavior or performance, justifying its use in grazing settings; however, financial and cattle finishing aspects still need to be evaluated to determine its overall benefits and costs.

423 Comparative post-weaning performance characteristics of four breeds of rabbit in hot humid climate of Nigeria

Abstract Rabbits are one of the most popular livestock breeds raised for their meat, fur, and companionship. Rabbit meat is fast gaining prominence as a healthier meat compared with beef, mutton, pork and chevon, which are mostly consumed in Nigeria. This study investigated breed differences in mortality, survival rates and post-weaning growth rate of rabbits reared under inimical environmental conditions. The animals were fed commercially compounded feed with 18% crude protein and 2300Kcal metabolizable energy with intermittent feeding of Panicum sp and Tridax sp. The study area, located at latitude 6.5867° N and longitude 3.9700° E, had an average daily temperature of 35°C and relative humidity of 64%, which negatively impacted the adaptation, survival rates and growth performance of the rabbits. A total of 48 weaner rabbits 8 wk of age, comprising 12 each (9 does and 3 bucks) of Checkered, Chestnut, Dutch and Hyla breeds were reared for 10 wk post-weaning. Mortality was recorded across the breeds and the body weights (BW) of the rabbits were also recorded on a weekly basis for the entire 10-wk period. The study evaluated survival rates across breeds and sex and BW gain. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Minitab software for Chi Squared test of independence for counts and descriptive statistics and general linear model analysis of variance for bodyweight gain. The statistical model describing the analysis was Yijk = µ + αi + (α:β)ij + eijk where αi is the ith fixed effect of breed and βj is the jth fixed effect of sex. The model accounted for 67.03% variation in total weight gain. Further mean separation was done using the Tukey’s multiple comparison procedure. Mortality rates across breeds on the average was 56.25%, with Checkered, Chestnut, Dutch and Hyla respectively recording 66.67%, 41.67%, 50.00% and 66.67% mortality, respectively. Mortality rate across sexes was 63.89% for does and 33.33% for bucks; however, mortality rates were independent (P &amp;gt; 0.05) of both breed and sex with a Chi-Squared value of 2.285 and 3.41, respectively, despite the numerical differences in mortality rates across breeds and sexes. Average total BW gain during the study period across the breeds and within breeds is as presented in Table 1. The nesting of sex within breed revealed that the only significant (P &amp;gt; 0.05) difference was noticed between the Hyla buck and Chestnut doe, while other means were not statistically different (P &amp;gt; 0.05). The Chestnut breed with the least BW gain adapted well in the environment with greatest survival rate, while the Hyla breed had the greatest BW gain and least survival rate throughout the study. This study indicated a negative relationship between survival rates and BW gain, that lighter breeds of rabbit tend to have greater survival rates than the heavier breeds.

Effects of Community Assets on Major Health Conditions in England: A Data Analytic Approach.

The broader determinants of health including a wide range of community assets are extremely important in relation to public health outcomes. Multiple health conditions, multimorbidity, is a growing problem in many populations worldwide. This paper quantified the effect of community assets on major health conditions for the population of England over six years, at a fine spatial scale using a data analytic approach. Community assets, which included indices of the health system, green space, pollution, poverty, urban environment, safety, and sport and leisure facilities, were quantified in relation to major health conditions. The health conditions examined included high blood pressure, obesity, dementia, diabetes, mental health, cardiovascular conditions, musculoskeletal conditions, respiratory conditions, kidney and liver disease, and cancer. Cluster analysis and dendrograms were calculated for the community assets and major health conditions. For each health condition, a statistical model with all community assets was fitted, and model selection was performed. The number of significant community assets for each health condition was recorded. The unique variance, explained by each significant community asset per health condition, was quantified using hierarchical variance partitioning within an analysis of variance model. The resulting data indicate major health conditions are often clustered, as are community assets. The results suggest that diversity and richness of community assets are key to major health condition outcomes. Primary care service waiting times and distance to public parks were significant predictors of all health conditions examined. Primary care waiting times explained the vast majority of the variances across health conditions, with the exception of obesity, which was better explained by absolute poverty. The implications of the combined findings of the health condition clusters and explanatory power of community assets are discussed. The vast majority of determinants of health could be accounted for by healthcare system performance and distance to public green space, with important covariate socioeconomic factors. Emphases on community approaches, significant relationships, and asset strengths and deficits are needed alongside targeted interventions. Whilst the performance of the public health system remains of key importance, community assets and local infrastructure remain paramount to the broader determinants of health.

Frequency-specific static and dynamic neural activity indices in children with different attention deficit hyperactivity disorder subtypes: a resting-state fMRI study.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Numerous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies in ADHD have been performed using traditional low-frequency bands (0.01-0.08 Hz). However, the neural activity patterns of frequency subbands in ADHD still require further investigation. The purpose of this study is to explore the frequency-dependent characteristics and neural activity patterns of ADHD subtypes. We selected the ADHD combined type (ADHD-C, N = 25), ADHD inattentive type (ADHD-I, N = 26) and typically developing (TD, N = 28) children from the ADHD-200 Consortium. Based on the slow-5 band (0.01-0.027 Hz) and slow-4 band (0.027-0.073 Hz), we generated static and dynamic fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) maps for each participant. A flexible-factorial analysis of variance model was performed on static and temporal dynamic rs-fMRI measurements within two subbands. Results revealed that the orbital-frontal gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus and angular gyrus were found to have obvious frequency band and group interaction effects. The intrinsic neural activity differences among three groups were more prominent in the slow-5 frequency band compared to the slow-4 band. In addition, the indices of significant interaction regions showed correlations with the progression of the disease and the features in slow-5 showed an advantageous diagnostic performance compared with those in slow-4. The results suggested the intrinsic neural activities of ADHD subtypes were frequency-dependent. The frequency-specific analysis of static and dynamic brain activity may provide a deeper understanding of neurophysiological dysfunction patterns in ADHD subtypes and provide supplementary information for assessing ADHD subtypes.

The influence of COVID-19 pandemic on body mass and cardiopulmonary endurance of Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal follow-up study.

With the spread and spread of COVID-19 around the world, youth's learning, lifestyle and health have been greatly affected. Based on the current research, there is no adequate analysis of the development of young people's physique and heart and lung health during COVID-19, and there is a lack of relevant targeted research. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of BMI and Maximum Oxygen Absorption (VO2max) in 12-14 year old teenagers before and after COVID-19. The BMI, 1,000/800 m running time and associated data related to 29,813 individuals between 2019 and 2022 were collected by cluster sampling, and the changes of BMI Z and VO2max before and after the outbreak were analyzed. Moreover, the relationship between BMI and cardiovascular endurance was analyzed by means of multi-linear stepwise regression. The covariance analysis models indicated that compared with 2019, adolescent weight, BMI, and 1,000/800 m running time showed varying degrees of growth in 2020, while lung capacity decreased. All indicators achieved rapid rebound in 2021 and 2022 (p < 0.01); the one-way analysis of variance models indicated that The BMI Z score and VO2max of adolescents showed growth and decline in 2020, respectively, and achieved rapid recovery and development in 2021 and 2022 (p < 0.01). The results of the multiple linear stepwise regression analysis indicate that, after the years of BMI Z and novel coronavirus infection were included (△R2 = 0.179), adolescents' overweight and obesity were positively correlated with the maximum oxygen uptake (B = 0.643, 95%CI = 0.634 ~ 0.652); There is a negative correlation between weight loss and maximum oxygen uptake (B = -0.510, 95%CI = -0.537~-0.484); The year of novel coronavirus infection was positively correlated with the maximum oxygen uptake of adolescents (B = 0.116, 95%CI = 0.107~0.125). This study shows that the impact of COVID-19 on BMI and heart and lung health in adolescents is significant. Young people of all ages and sexes showed similar developmental trends.

Change in Femoral Cartilage Cross-Sectional Area After Aerobic and Resistance Exercise.

We compared the immediate response and recovery of femoral cartilage morphology following aerobic or resistance exercise to a control condition. Fifteen healthy young males (23.9 years; 170.1 cm; 69.7 kg) visited the laboratory three separate days and randomly performed one of the 30-min exercise aerobic exercises (treadmill running), resistance exercises (leg presses, back squats, and knee extensions), or seated rest as the control, each followed by the 50-min recovery. Ultrasonographic images of the femoral cartilage cross-sectional area (CSA) were obtained before and after exercise and every 5 min thereafter. To test exercise effects over time, a mixed model analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer post-hoc tests were performed (p<0.05). The femoral cartilage CSA was different (condition×time: F34,742=4.30, p<0.0001) and the femoral cartilage CSA was decreased after the aerobic (-5.8%, p<0.0001) and the resistance (-3.4%, p=0.04) exercises compared to the pre-exercise levels. Deformed femoral cartilage CSA took 35 and 10 min to return to the pre-exercise levels after aerobic and resistance exercises (p+>+0.09), respectively. Thirty minutes of moderate exertion performing aerobic or resistance exercises immediately reduced the femoral cartilage CSA. A rest period ranging from 10 to 35 min was required for cartilage recovery after weight-bearing exercises.

Preclinical evaluation of mucogingival defect treatment using piscine membranes: An in vivo assessment of wound healing.

Periodontitis is a bacteria-induced chronic inflammatory disease characterized by degradation of the supporting tissue and bone in the oral cavity. Treatment modalities seek to facilitate periodontal rehabilitation while simultaneously preventing further gingival tissue recession and potentially bone atrophy. The aim of this study was to compare two differently sourced membranes, a resorbable piscine collagen membrane and a porcine-derived collagen membrane, in the repair of soft tissue defects utilizing a preclinical canine model. This in vivo component consisted of 10 beagles which were subjected to bilateral maxillary canine mucogingival flap defects, as well as bilateral soft tissue defects (or pouches) with no periodontal ligament damage in the mandibular canines. Defects received either a piscine-derived dermal membrane, (Kerecis® Oral, Ísafjörður, Iceland) or porcine-derived dermal membrane (Geistlich Mucograft®, Wolhusen, Switzerland) in a randomized fashion (to avoid site bias) and were allowed to heal for 30, 60, or 90 days. Statistical evaluation of tissue thickness was performed using general linear mixed model analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) post hoc analyses with fixed factors of time and membrane. Semi-quantitative analysis employed for inflammation assessment was evaluated using a chi-squared test along with a heteroscedastic t-test and values were reported as mean and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. In both the mucogingival flap defects and soft tissue gingival pouches, no appreciable qualitative differences were observed in tissue healing between the membranes. Furthermore, no statistical differences were observed in the thickness measurements between piscine- and porcine-derived membranes in the mucogingival flap defects (1.05 mm [±0.17] and 1.29 mm [±0.17], respectively [p = .06]) or soft tissue pouches (1.36 mm [±0.14] and 1.47 mm [±0.14], respectively [p = .27]), collapsed over time. Independent of membrane source (i.e., piscine or porcine), similar inflammatory responses were observed in both the maxilla and mandible at the three time points (p = .88 and p = .79, respectively). Histologic and histomorphometric evaluation results indicated that both membranes yielded equivalent tissue responses, remodeling dynamics and healing patterns for the mucogingival flap as well as the soft tissue gingival pouch defect models.

Effects of external verbal cueing on countermovement rebound jump performance

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of three external verbal cues on countermovement rebound jump (CMRJ) performance. Twenty-five recreational athletes completed nine jumps with distinct height, velocity and combined cue focus. A general linear model analysis of variance was used to evaluate systematic bias between conditions (p < 0.05). The height and velocity cues significantly altered jump height and contact times in both jumps during the CMRJ, respectively (p ≤ 0.002). The combined cue significantly reduced contact time while increasing leg stiffness compared to the height cue (p ≤ 0.038). It also increased jump height compared to the velocity cue (p ≤ 0.005) in both jumps, resulting in the highest explosive power and reactive strength values among all conditions. Furthermore, the combined cue enhanced the positive ankle contribution compared to the height cue (p = 0.020) and increased positive hip and negative knee joint work compared to the velocity cue (p ≤ 0.040) in the second jump of the CMRJ. These findings advise practitioners to use the height cue to maximise jump height, the velocity cue to minimise contact times and the combined cue to maximise explosive power and reactive strength.

Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment and Metabolic Syndrome Among Transgender Veterans.

Gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) is a common therapy for transgender individuals to reduce gender dysphoria and improve quality of life. Clarifying the long-term effects of GAHT remains a priority in transgender health research. To explore whether sex hormones (estradiol and testosterone) are associated with the development of metabolic syndrome in transgender veterans compared with cisgender veterans. This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision diagnosis codes for gender dysphoria from the Veterans Health Administration national database to identify transfeminine and transmasculine veterans receiving documented feminizing (estradiol) or masculinizing (testosterone) treatment from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2019, and for whom the GAHT initiation date and metabolic syndrome component-related data were available. Transgender veterans were matched to cisgender referents. Gender-affirming hormone treatment. Metabolic syndrome z-scores were calculated based on body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose. Changes in mean z-scores were compared among the transgender and cisgender groups before and after the index date (corresponding to GAHT initiation) using a repeated-measures analysis of variance model. The cohort included 1290 participants: 645 transgender (494 [38.3%] transfeminine, 151 [11.7%] transmasculine) and 645 cisgender (280 [21.7%] female, 365 [28.3%] male). Mean (SD) age at the index date was 41.3 (13.2) years. Metabolic syndrome z-scores changed significantly over time and differed significantly across groups. Overall, transmasculine veterans had the greatest percentage increase in mean (SEM) z-scores after vs before the index date (298.0% [57.0%]; P < .001), followed by cisgender females (108.3% [27.5%]; P < .001), cisgender males (49.3% [27.5%]; P = .02), and transfeminine persons (3.0% [10.7%]; P = .77). In this cohort study, in both cisgender and transgender veterans, estradiol was associated with reduced metabolic syndrome risk, whereas testosterone was associated with increased risk. However, transmasculine individuals had the greatest risk and transfeminine individuals had the lowest risk of metabolic syndrome associated with these hormones. This is relevant for the management of metabolic syndrome risk factors in cisgender and transgender individuals and to potentially predict the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, systolic hypertension, insulin resistance, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Modelación de crecimiento de frutos de tangor murcott e incidencia de factores medioambientales sobre los parámetros estimados

Fruit production forecasts are a tool to plan the harvest and improve market strategies. To carry it out, it is essential to have information about the behavior of fruit development over time. The objective of this work was to find the mathematical-statistical model that best describes the growth pattern of tangor murcott fruit (Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis 'Murcott') and analyze how it is affected by environmental conditions. For this, in nine orchards, located in four locations in the province of Corrientes, Argentina, the equatorial diameter of 2,053 fruit from 82 days after full flowering to harvest were periodically registered during five seasons. The nonlinear models were compared: Logistic, Gompertz, Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Weibull, Morgan Mercer Flodin (MMF), Richards, and their respective re-parameterizations. The magnitudes of nonlinearity measures, coefficient of determination and estimates of residual deviation were considered as the main goodness-of-fit criteria. The selected model-parameterization combination was the fifth parameterization of the Logistic model with random effects on its three parameters. An Analysis of Variance model on the estimates of these parameters for each fruit showed that orchard and season factors were an important source of variability, mainly in those related to the initial size of the fruit and their growth rate. These results will allow the construction of growth tables, which in addition to making yield predictions, can be used to estimate fruit size distribution at harvest and improve the cultural practice of manual fruit thinning.