Asignificant Positive Correlation Research Articles

청소년의 스마트폰 의존과 학업태도 관계에서정서문제의 매개효과

This study investigated the relationship between adolescents’ dependence on smartphones, emotional problems, and academic attitudes. In addition, we aimed to explorethe mediating effect of emotional problems in the relationship between adolescents'dependence on smartphones and their academic attitudes (academic enthusiasm and academiclethargy). To achieve this purpose, the 4th year of the Korean Children and Youth PanelSurvey were used. The subjects of the study were 1,390 male and 1,200 female first-year highschool students. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program. The researchresults are as follows. First, there was a significant positive correlation between adolescents'dependence on smartphones and emotional problems, a significant negative correlationbetween dependence on smartphones and academic enthusiasm, and a significant positivecorrelation between dependence on smartphones and academic lethargy. There was asignificant negative correlation between emotional problems and academic enthusiasm, and asignificant positive correlation between emotional problems and academic lethargy. Second,dependence on smartphones was found to be effective when the mediating variable, emotionalproblems, was controlled, and academic attitude (academic enthusiasm, academic lethargy) wasfound to have a partial mediating effect when emotional problems were controlled. Adolescents' dependence on smartphones had a direct effect on their academic attitudes,adolescents' emotional problems had an indirect effect on their academic attitudes throughpartial mediation, and adolescents' emotional problems had a direct effect on their dependenceon smartphones. Therefore, this suggests the importance of research and development ofprograms that can control emotional problems in order to reduce adolescents' dependence onsmartphones and improve their academic attitudes.

Global scholarly output on orthodontic temporary anchorage devices (TADs): A silver jublee scientometric analysis.

This study aimed to analyze the global scholarly production of articles related to temporary anchorage devices (TADs) from 1998-2023 in peer-reviewed dental journals indexed in the Web of Science. Adatabase of TADs-related articles was created via aWeb of Sciences structured search. The bibliometric characteristics of the studies, including the number of citations, publication year, journal title, journal impact factor (IF), authorship, contributing institutions and countries, thematic field, and study design, were extracted. Keyword co-occurrence network analyses and the correlation between the number of citations and the article age, journal IF, and journal quartile of each article were performed. The top50 cited articles were published from 1999-2016, and the total number of citations ranged from 82-602, with 160.36 citations/paper on average. Most of the articles originated from Japan (n = 12), with the most remarkable contributions from Nihon and Okayama Universities, Japan (n = 5, each). The American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics had the most cited articles, with 196.57 citations/paper on average. Asignificant positive correlation occurred between the number of citations and publication age (rho = 0.392, P = 0.005). Our scientometric analysis reported the characteristics of TADs-related articles published over 25years. Most highly-cited articles were published between 2005 and 2008. The positive correlation between articles' publication date and the number of citations might impact the top50 within the next 5-10years.

COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession levels in stroke patients and family caregivers and their effects on caregiver burden.

The aim of this study is to describe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related dysfunctional anxiety and thinking in patients with stroke and caregivers who are family members and their effects on caregiver burden. This cross-sectional study included 79 stroke patients and their primary caregivers who were hospitalised in atertiary rehabilitation hospital. Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) and Obsession with COVID-19 Scale (OCS) were used to assess the levels of COVID-19-related dysfunctional anxiety and obsession of the patients and their caregivers. Caregiver burden was assessed via the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). In the patients with stroke, COVID-19-related anxiety and COVID-19-related obsession rates were 13.9% (n = 11) and 7.6% (n = 6), respectively, while 17.7% (n = 14) of caregiver family members had COVID-19-related anxiety and 11.4% (n = 9) had COVID-19-related obsession. The CAS score of caregivers showed asignificant positive correlation with the CAS and OCS scores of patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.423; p = 0.007, r = 0.300, respectively). The OCS score of caregivers showed asignificant positive correlation with the OCS scores of the patients (p = 0.000, r = 0.476). The mean ZBI score of caregiver family members was 31.9 ± 13.5. A significant positive correlation was observed between the caregiver's OCS and CAS scores and ZBI scores (p = 0.002, r = -0.349; p = 0.004, r = 0.323, respectively). In this study, a significant relationship between caregiver burden and COVID-19-related anxiety and obsession in the caregivers of stroke patients was identified. Therefore, caregivers of stroke patients should not be forgotten during pandemics and should receive physical and psychological support.

Relationship of intensive care scoring systems with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume values.

We evaluated the relationship between NLR, PLR, and MPV values and scoring systems frequently used in intensive care units in our study. In our retrospective study, patients aged 18 years and over who received treatment in the intensive care unit for at least 48 hours were included. Demographic data, such as age, gender, APACHE II, SOFA and GCS scores, expected mortality, and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were recorded. There was asignificant positive correlation between MPV values and APACHE, SOFA, and expected mortality rates, and asignificant negative correlation between GCS values. It was also found to be significant that as the P/L ratio increased, APACHE, SOFA scores, and expected mortality rates decreased and GCS increased. In 30-day and 1-year mortalities, MPV values and CRP/albumin ratios were higher, and calcium values were significantly lower. The N/L ratios were also significantly higher in 1-year mortality. In our study, asignificant correlation was found between APACHE, GCS, SOFA, expected death rates and MPV and P/L rates. In conclusion, we suggest that in addition to intensive care scoring systems, the N/L ratio, P/L ratio, MPV, and CRP/albumin ratios can be used in the prognosis of patients (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 18).

Trait emotional intelligence and resilience: gender differences among university students.

Previous studies have reported strong correlations of emotional intelligence (EI) with mental health and wellbeing; it is also apowerful predictor of social functioning and personal adaption. Resilience is the ability to adapt to significant life stressors and is also crucial for maintaining and restoring physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate EI and resilience in healthy university students, with afocus on gender differences in EI and resilience components. A total of 277datasets collected via online questionnaire were analyzed. The questionnaire comprised the Self-Report Emotional Ability Scale (SEAS) developed by Freudenthaler and Neubauer for assessing trait EI facets and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Regarding trait EI, females scored significantly higher in the total score for interpersonal emotional skills and in the subscale "Perception of the emotions of others" than males. Men showed significantly higher total scores in intrapersonal emotion-related abilities than women, and in the subscales "Regulation of one's own emotions" and "Control over the expression of one's own emotions." Concerning resilience, female students had significantly higher scores in the CD-RISC subscales "Personal competence and tenacity," "Control," and "Spiritual influence." The intrapersonal trait EI (SEAS) sum score showed asignificant positive correlation with the total scores of the CD-RISC (rs = 0.445, p < 0.001). There were also positive correlations between the interpersonal trait EI sum score and the CD-RISC total score (rs = 0.438, p < 0.001). The results indicate gender differences in specific facets of trait EI and resilience, and an interaction between the two psychological constructs was demonstrated regardless of gender. For prevention of mental disorders and to foster wellbeing, it might be helpful to focus on improvement of self-perception in girls and women, and on supporting emotional awareness towards other people's emotions in boys and men. Further studies in the field should address other populations.

An Analysis of Effects of Forensic Auditing in Detecting Fraud in State Owned Enterprises: A Case Study of ZESA

Purpose: In order to ensure effectiveness in State Owned Enterprises, (SOE) forensic auditing significantly plays a huge role in the detection and prevention of fraud. State owned Enterprises play a big role in any country as they provide commercial services or activities to the public. Their business involves transacting huge sums of money in their day to day operations. The state has significant control through full, majority, or significant minority ownership. There are fraudulent activities occurring in these enterprises as a result of poor controls in these organizations, hence forensic auditing plays the role. The purpose of the study was to examine how forensic auditing services aid in fraud detection in State Owned Enterprises. Methodology: Quantitative research methodology was adopted and questionnaires were used to collect data. Findings: The results indicated that forensic auditing has a significant positive correlation relationship in fraud detection in SOEs. Originality/Value: Forensic auditing although used by ZESA, is not being effectively implemented to detect and prevent fraud.

Characteristics and degradation of organic aerosols from cooking sources based on hourly observations of organic molecular markers in urban environments

Abstract. Molecular markers in organic aerosol (OA) provide specific source information on PM2.5, and the contribution of cooking organic aerosols to OA is significant, especially in urban environments. However, the low time resolution of offline measurements limits the effectiveness when interpreting the tracer data, the diurnal variation in cooking emissions and the oxidation process. In this study, we used online thermal desorption aerosol gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (TAG) to measure organic molecular markers in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) at an urban site in Changzhou, China. The concentrations of saturated fatty acids (sFAs), unsaturated fatty acids (uFAs) and oxidative decomposition products (ODPs) of unsaturated fatty acids were measured every 2 h to investigate the temporal variations and the oxidative decomposition characteristics of uFAs in urban environments. The average concentration of total fatty acids (TFAs, sum of sFAs and uFAs) was measured to be 105.70±230.28 ng m−3. The average concentration of TFAs in the polluted period (PM2.5≥35 µg m−3) was 147.06 ng m−3, which was 4.2 times higher than that in the clean period (PM2.5&lt;35 µg m−3) and higher than the enhancement of PM2.5 (2.2 times) and organic carbon (OC) (2.0 times) concentrations when comparing the polluted period to the clean period. The mean concentration of cooking aerosol in the polluted period (4.0 µg m−3) was about 5.3 times higher than that in the clean period (0.75 µg m−3), which was similar to the trend of fatty acids. Fatty acids showed a clear diurnal variation. Linoleic acid / stearic acid and oleic acid / stearic acid ratios were significantly higher at dinnertime and closer to the cooking source profile. By performing backward trajectory clustering analysis, under the influence of short-distance air masses from surrounding areas, the concentrations of TFAs and PM2.5 were relatively high, while under the influence of air masses from easterly coastal areas, the oxidation degree of uFAs emitted from local culinary sources was higher. The effective rate constants (kO) for the oxidative degradation of oleic acid were estimated to be 0.08–0.57 h−1, which were lower than kL (the estimated effective rate constants of linoleic acid, 0.16–0.80 h−1). Both kO and kL showed a significant positive correlation with O3, indicating that O3 was the main nighttime oxidant for uFAs in the city of Changzhou. Using fatty acids as tracers, cooking was estimated to contribute an average of 4.6 % to PM2.5 concentrations, increasing to 7.8 % at 20:00 UTC+8 h. Cooking was an important source of OC, contributing 8.1 %, higher than the contribution of PM2.5. This study investigates the variation in the concentrations and oxidative degradation of fatty acids and corresponding oxidation products in ambient air, which can be a guide for the refinement of aerosol source apportionment and provide scientific support for the development of cooking source control policies.

The association between Diastasis recti abdominis and pelvic floor dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and quality of life among postpartum women after Cesarean delivery

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study is to see if there's a predictive relationship between diastasis rectus abdominis and pelvic floor dysfunction, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and postpartum women's health-related quality of life. Method This cross-sectional, correlative study focused on 32 postpartum mothers aged 18 to 45 years old. Real Ultrasound Sonographic Imaging (RUSI) was used to determine DRA. The Pelvic Floor Disability Index was used to assess pelvic floor dysfunction (PFDI). The Active Straight Leg Raise Test (ASLR), the Long Dorsal Sacral Ligament Test (LDL), and the Posterior Pelvic Provocation Test (P4) were also investigated. The Short Form-12 (SF-12) Survey was used to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Results A negative correlation between DRA and postpartum period was recorded (ρ=0.0001). The following categories showed a significant positive correlation between DRA and Pelvic floor dysfunction: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory-6 (POPDI-6) corelated positively with DRA (ρ =0.01); Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory-8 (CRAD-8) (ρ =0.02); Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) (ρ =0.00). There was no correlation between DRA and sacroiliac joint dysfunction (ρ =0.8). Conclusion DRA was discovered to be a strong predictor of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as prolapse, colorectal-anal dysfunction, and urine distress. There was no evidence of a link between DRA and sacroiliac joint dysfunction or HRQoL.

EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP ILLUMINATED: A META-ANALYTICAL EXPLORATION OF ITS CORRELATION WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT (2011-2021)

In a decade-spanning meta-analysis, this study explores the intricate relationship between Empowering Leadership (EML) and Organizational Commitment (OC). Synthesizing 12 primary studies, our findings reveal a significant positive correlation (r = 0.35, p &lt; 0.05). Employing the random-effects model ensures methodological rigor, yielding minimal heterogeneity (I2 = 0.00%) and no discernible publication bias. The ensuing discussion underscores the transformative influence of empowering leadership on commitment, advocating for its strategic assimilation into organizational frameworks. Future recommendations endorse targeted leadership development initiatives, while this study sets the stage for ongoing scholarly dialogue.

Eddy-enhanced primary production sustains heterotrophic microbial activities in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic

Abstract. Mesoscale eddies modulate the ocean's physical, chemical, and biological properties. In cyclonic eddies (CEs), nutrient upwelling can stimulate primary production by phytoplankton. Yet, how this locally enhanced autotrophic production affects heterotrophy and consequently the metabolic balance between the synthesis and the consumption of dissolved organic matter (DOM) remains largely unknown. To fill this gap, we investigated the horizontal and vertical variability in auto- and heterotrophic microbial activity (biomass production and respiration) within a CE that formed off Mauritania and along the ∼ 900 km zonal corridor between Mauritania and the Cape Verde islands in the Eastern Tropical North Atlantic (ETNA). Our results show how the physical disturbances caused by the CE affected the biomass distribution of phyto- and bacterioplankton and their metabolic activities. The injection of nutrients into the sunlit surface resulted in enhanced autotrophic pico- and nanoplankton abundance and generally increased autotrophic activity as indicated by chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration, primary production (PP), and extracellular release rates. However, the detailed eddy survey also revealed an uneven distribution of these variables with, for example, the highest Chl a concentrations and PP rates occurring near and just beyond the CE's periphery. The heterotrophic bacterial activity was similarly variable. Optode-based community respiration (CR), bacterial respiration (BR) estimates, and bacterial biomass production (BP) largely followed the trends of PP and Chl a. Thus, a submesoscale spatial mosaic of heterotrophic bacterial abundance and activities occurred within the CE that was closely related to variability in autotrophic production. Consistent with this, we found a significant positive correlation between concentrations of semi-labile dissolved organic carbon (SL-DOC; here the sum of dissolved hydrolysable amino acids and dissolved combined carbohydrates) and BR estimates. Extracellular release of carbon as indicated by primary production of dissolved organic carbon (PPDOC) was variable with depth and laterally and not always sufficient to compensate the bacterial carbon demand (BCD: BR + BP), with PPDOC accounting for between 28 % and 110 % of the BCD. Bacterial growth efficiency (BGE: BP / BCD) ranged between 1.7 % and 18.2 %. We estimated the metabolic state to establish whether the CE was a source or a sink of organic carbon. We showed that the CE carried a strong autotrophic signal in the core (PP / CR &gt; 1). Our results suggest that submesoscale (0–10 km) processes lead to highly variable metabolic activities in both photoautotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. Overall, we revealed that the CEs not only trap and transport coastal nutrients and organic carbon to the open ocean but also stimulate phytoplankton growth, generating freshly produced organic matter during westward propagation. This drives heterotrophic processes and may contribute to the previously observed net heterotrophy in open Atlantic surface waters.

4DCT ventilation function image-based functional lung protection for esophageal cancer radiotherapy.

4DCT (four-dimensional computed tomography) can effectively obtain functional lung ventilation images for patients and integrate them into radiotherapy treatment planning. Studies have not been performed on esophageal cancer, and there is no clear consensus on the optimal functional lung threshold for functional lung. Functional lung images were generated for 11patients with esophageal cancer. The correlation between the dose-volume parameters of functional lung (FL) as defined by different thresholds and the change of PFT/PDFT (pulmonary [diffusion] function test) metrics before and after radiotherapy were evaluated. FL-sparing planning was generated for each patient to preserve the functional lung and compared to conventional anatomical CT (non-sparing) planning. There was asignificant positive correlation between the FL0.8 (defined Jacobian value ≤ 0.8), FL0.84, and FL0.9 dose-volume parameters and ΔFEV1/FVC (reduction before and after radiotherapy), and the FL0.8‑V30 correlation was the strongest (r = 0.819, P < 0.01). The FL-sparing planning had atarget area conformity index and homogeneity index comparable to the non-sparing planning (P > 0.05). For FL, the FL-sparing planning achieved lower FL-MLD (6.30 ± 2.14 Gy vs. 7.83 ± 2.70 Gy), V10 (17.13 ± 7.70% vs. 27.40 ± 9.48%), and V20 (6.96 ± 3.85% vs. 11.63 ± 7.19%) compared to the non-sparing planning (P < 0.05), while heart and spinal cord doses were not significantly different between the two planning groups. The 4DCT-based FL irradiation dose for esophageal cancer was significantly associated with adecrease in FEV1/FVC. The optimal FL defined as a Jacobian value ≤ 0.8 or about 21% of the whole lung volume may be a good choice. FL-sparing planning significantly reduced the FL dose without compromising target area coverage.

Lengthening of the growth season, not increased water availability, increased growth of Picea likiangensis var. rubescens plantations on eastern Tibetan Plateau due to climate change

Abstract. On the eastern Tibetan Plateau, the growth of trees is strongly affected by climate change. Previous researchers have found that climate warming changes thermal and hydraulic conditions, lengthening the growing season and promoting tree growth. Some studies have analyzed the effects of drought, precipitation, and temperature on tree growth. However, previous studies have mainly focused on natural forests, with few studies on the response of plantations to climate change. Therefore, we studied the relationship between dendrochronology (basal area increment, BAI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and climate factors to explore the response of Picea likiangensis var. rubescens plantations to climate change. The results showed that from 1990 to 2018, the temperature in the study area increased significantly; the rate of increase was 0.39∘ per decade. Among the climate factors, self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (scPDSI) had the most significant impact on BAI. From P_May (P_ represents the month of the previous year) to December, BAI was always negatively correlated with the scPDSI, with 9 months being significantly negatively correlated. BAI was significantly positively correlated with the minimum 2 m temperature (TMN) in P_July, P_September, July, and September. BAI was significantly positively correlated with the maximum 2 m temperature (TMX) in P_October, P_December, and July. BAI was significantly positively correlated with the mean 2 m temperature (TMP) in P_July, P_December, and July. There is a significant positive correlation between BAI and annual NDVI (NDVIa), which means that NDVI can be used to study the response of plantations to climate change. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the response of plantation growth in high-altitude areas to climate change, which is needed by forest managers.

EFFECT OF AGRO-MET CONDITIONS ON THE PROGRESSION OF BROWN LEAF SPOT DISEASE IN BASMATI-370 RICE

Basmati-370 rice variety was used for the present investigation that has a distinct flavor and aroma, along with fine quality and moderately resistant to brown leaf spots. The primary emphasis of the research had been on the impact of climatic variables on brown leaf spot disease progression. The infection was initially identified in the late vegetative stage of each cropping season, viz., 2019 and 2020, and reached its peak during the maturity phase. In Kharif, 2018 the maximum infection rate (r) was observed during43rdMSW, whereas, in 2019 maximum infection rate (r) was observed during 39th MSW. The relation betweenweather factors and disease severity during 2018 designated a significantly negative correlation of -0.928and -0.903 with maximum and minimum temperature, respectively. Relative humidity (morning) had asignificant positive correlation (0.640), but relative humidity (evening), rainfall, and sunlight hours exhibitednon-significant negative correlations of -0.505, -0.418, and -0.362, respectively. In 2019, a substantial negativeassociation was found between illness severity and meteorological conditions. A significantly negativecorrelation of -0.917 and -0.937 with maximum and minimum temperature respectively, was observed.During the kharif, 2019 until the end of agricultural seasons, correlation study of disease progression withrelative humidity (morning), relative humidity (evening), sunlight (hr), and rainfall revealed non-significantand negative correlations.

New inflammatory biomarkers (lymphocyte and monocyte percentage to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and lymphocyte to monocyte percentage ratio) and their association with some cardiometabolic diseases : Results from alarge Kurdish cohort study in Iran.

The incidence of metabolic heart diseases has increased significantly in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran. The present study aimed to investigate the association between monocyte percentage to high-density cholesterol ratio (MHR), lymphocyte percentage to high-density cholesterol ratio (LHR), and lymphocyte to monocyte percentage ratio (LMR) and cardiometabolic diseases in aKurdish population in the west of Iran. This study recruited 9803 individuals, 4728 (48.2%) were male and 5084 (51.8%) were female from Ravansar, Iran. All biomarkers were analyzed by the standard methods. The prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases was higher in overweight/obese participants and increased with age. MHR and LHR increased significantly in cardiometabolic individuals compared with healthy controls. Individuals in the fourth quartiles of LHR and MHR had higher odds ratio (ORs) for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and diabetes mellitus (DM) than the first quartiles. The LMR had astatistical association with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ORs and FLI. Besides, all these associations were stronger for females, and increased physical activity decreased inflammatory biomarkers. The present study showed MHR and LHR had significant associations with ORs of MetS and DM. Also, MHR and LHR had asignificant positive correlation with cardiometabolic risk factors. The LMR only had astatistical association with NAFLD and fatty liver index (FLI). Besides, the strong correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and cardiometabolic risk factors in females might be relevant to higher fat accumulation and metabolic inflammation background, and lower physical activity.

Hunger Hormones in Adolescents with Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: An Exploratory Study

Background: Hunger hormones, including ghrelin and leptin, are associated with appetitive behaviors in various psychiatric disorders. Biochemical and hormonal status in disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) in adolescents is largely unexplored. Objectives: The study aimed to assess levels of leptin and ghrelin and find their association with lipid profiles in adolescents with DMDD. Methods: Twenty adolescents with a DSM 5 diagnosis of DMDD with age and gender-matched 19 healthy controls were recruited, followed by clinical assessment. They were assessed for leptin, ghrelin, and lipid profiles, respectively. Results: Adolescents with DMDD were comparable in age, education, family income, domicile status, psychiatric illness in the family, and body mass index (BMI) with matched controls. There was no difference in mean lipid profile and ghrelin in both groups. However, the DMDD group had a statistically significant higher mean level of leptin as compared to the control group (t=1.84, p &lt; 0.05). As measured by the Modified Overt Aggression Scale in DMDD, aggression showed a significant positive correlation with lipid profile measures. Conclusion: Adolescents with DMDD have elevated serum leptin levels. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.

Correlation between Very Low-Density Lipoprotein and Trygliseride with Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) have an increased prevalence of dyslipidemia, which contributes to ahigher risk of dyslipidemia- related complications in T2DM such as cardiovascular disease and stroke. This study aimed todetermine the correlation between TG and VLDL-C towards HbA1c levels in a person with T2DM. A retrospective study of 74outpatients with T2DM at Sanglah General Hospital, Denpasar, who examined serum HbA1c and lipid profiles were tracedfor serum TG. From the obtained TG profile, a secondary calculation of VLDL was carried out using the Friedewald equation(TG/5). A correlation test was used to determine the relationship between TG and VLDL-C towards HbA1c levels. Serum TG(212.95±147.46 mg/dL) and VLDL (36.69±23.54 mg/dL) were found to be higher in the group with poor glycemic control(HbA1c &gt; 7 mg/dL) compared to serum TG (111.00±39.56 mg/dL) and VLDL (21.05±6.13 mg/dL) in the group with goodglycemic control (HbA1c ≤ 7 mg/dL) (p &lt; 0.05). A positive correlation between serum TG (r=0.512; p &lt; 0.001) and VLDL(r=0.18; p &lt;0.001) towards HbA1c levels in T2DM patient was found. Insulin resistance increases the production of VLDL andApoC-III in the liver and increased chylomicron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, causing prolonged postprandiallipemia and disruption of VLDL and TG clearance, thereby resulting in increased TG and VLDL in circulation. There is asignificant positive correlation between serum TG and VLDL towards HbA1c levels in a patient with T2DM.

Detection of Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in Children with Chronic Haemolytic Anaemia in Benha University Hospitals

Background: Due to the tropism of human parvovirus B19 to erythroid progenitor cells, infection in patients with an underlying hemolytic disorder such as thalassemia, hereditary spherocytosis, sickle cell disease and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency leads to suppression of erythrocyte formation, referred to as transient aplasia crisis (TAC), which may be life-threatening. Objectives: Detection of parvovirus B19 DNA and its IgG antibodies in the serum of children with chronic hemolytic anemia and in apparently healthy children in Benha University Hospitals. Methodology: The study was conducted on 80 children. Forty of them with chronic hemolytic anemia, they were subdivided into 2 groups, Group (1a) included 20 patients without history of aplastic crisis, Group (Ib) included 20 patients with a history of aplastic crisis and 40 age and sex-matched apparently healthy children representing control (Group II). All patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Parvovirus B19 IgG was measured using anti-parvovirus B19 ELISA kits (SUNRED), and parvovirus B19 DNA was detected by using nestedpolymerase chain reaction. Results: The seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 IgG was significantly higher (P value =0.016) in Group Ia (50%) (10 out of 20) and Group Ib (45%) (9 out of 20) than the control group (Group II) (17.5%) (7 out of 40). There was a significant positive correlation between anti-parvovirus B19 IgG and age of all patients, frequency of blood transfusion. The prevalence of parvovirus B19 DNA was 10% (2 out of 20) in group Ia and 30% (6 out of 20) in group Ib and no viral DNA was detected in the controls (P value=0.001). Although 42.3% (11 out of 26) of children with β thalassemia major had a detectable level of antiparvovirus B19 virus IgG antibodies, only (23.1%) (6 out of 26) of them had B19 DNA. Anti-parvovirus B19 IgG antibodies were detected in 4 children out of 5 children of sickle cell anemia (80%) but the the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 DNA was 20% among them. Conclusion: Measures to keep away from iatrogenic and nosocomial infection transmission should be implemented including screening of donated blood for parvovirus B19 especially blood given to patients with blood disorders. Recommendation: Data from this study support the need for introduction of an approved vaccine that mainly protects children with chronic hemolytic anemia against that infection.

Value of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in IdentifyingDifferent Forms of Endolymphatic Hydrops: A Cross-Sectional Study

AbstractBackground: Meniere’s disease is idiopathic Endolym-phatic Hydrops. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential is aneurophysiological assessment technique that is used determinethe function of the otolith organs of the inner ear. Usingvestibular evoked myogenic potential tests may identify thedifferent forms of the Endolymphatic Hydrops.Aim of Study: The aim of this study is to explore the roleof vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) in diagnosis of the different kinds of Meniere’s disease (MD).Patients and Methods: Three groups of patients that wereselected according to the diagnosis, definitive MD (DMD),cochlear MD (CMD) and recurrent vestibulopathy (RV) group.Basic audiological evaluation was carried out. It includedPure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, acoustic immittancetesting and electrocochleography. Otolith function assessmentwas carried out in the form of:Cervical VEMP (c-VEMP) and ocular VEMP (o-VEMP).Vestibular assessment was carried out: The test protocolincluded spontaneous nystagmus, gaze test, oculomotor tests,positioning test (Dixhallpike), positional nystagmus, andcaloric testing. The three groups were compared for all demo-graphic variables as well as clinic-pathologic variables, andtests results.Results: The overall sample was 40 cases; 13 with DMD,10 with CMD and 17 with RV. The mean age is variablebetween groups (p-value <0.001) with the highest in the DMDgroup (38.3±7.4 years) and the lowest in the CMD group (25.2±4.6 years). The male to female ratio is variable betweengroups of the study (p-value=0.03) with the highest ratio 9:4in the DMD group. There was a significant difference betweengroups (p < 0.001) regarding dizziness. Asymmetric responseof c-VEMP was seen in nine (9/13) (69.2%) of DMD cases, (14/17) (82.4%) of RV cases and only in three (3/10) (30%)of CMD cases, (p-value <0.001). Low amplitude of o-VEMPwas seen in (11/13) (84.6%) of DMD cases, (9/10) (90%) ofCMD cases, (15/17) (88.2%) of RV cases, and only in two (25%) of normal cases, (p-value=0.002). A significant differ-ence was found between definitive and cochlear Meniere's as regards o-VEMP inter-aural amplitude difference (IAD) (p-value=0.032) only. There was a significant positive strongcorrelation between age and EchoG sp/ap ratio left ear, o-VEMP IAD and o-VEMP left ear n1. In addition, there is asignificant positive weak correlation between duration andEchoG sp/ap ratio left ear and c-VEMP left ear n1.Conclusion: Asymmetric response of c-VEMP can beused as a diagnostic tool to differentiate different kinds ofMD: DMD, RV and CMD.

Spatio-temporal variability of precipitation over the Western Balkan countries and its links with the atmospheric circulation patterns

Temporal and spatial variability of annual and seasonal precipitation from 71 stations located in Western Balkan (WB) countries (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro) and their correlations with nine atmospheric circulation patterns was examined for the period 1950-2016. Annual precipitation increased significantly throughout the WB (from 2% to 8% per decade) on 20% of stations located mainly in the mountainous western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. Winter was characterized by non?significant precipitation changes in most of the studied area, with only a few stations characterized by significant precipitation increase (up to 12% per decade) in the mountainous area of WB, and a few stations characterized by significant decrease (up to -6% per decade) in the Pannonian plain. Significant precipitation increase was noticed on 15% of the stations in spring, while it was noticed on 17% of the stations in autumn. Summer precipitation decreased significantly (up to -5% per decade) on a limited area of northern Serbia (6% of the stations), while the majority of stations showed non?significant increase. The strongest influences on annual precipitation in WB region are of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and Mediterranean Oscillation (MO), leading to the precipitation decrease during their positive phases. Winter precipitation is significantly negatively correlated with AO, East Atlantic/Western Russia oscillation (EA/WR), and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and has a significant positive correlation with Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO) on the majority of stations. MO has the strongest influence on summer precipitation in WB region leading to precipitation decrease, while AO has the dominant influence on precipitation in the region during autumn.

Biomarkers of Lipid Status and Metabolism in Retinal Hypertensive Disorder

Background. Hypertension (HTN) is a preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hypertensive retinopathy (HR), its ocular complication, is characterized by progressive metabolic disorders and structural damage of the retina. Lipids play an essential role in retina homeostasis, so an alteration of lipid metabolism specific for HTN may be of great significance in the development of hypertensive retinal injury. The study aimed to investigate the association between HR, traditional lipid biomarkers changes, and the atherogenic index, as well as to highlight a possible role of lipid metabolism markers in HR diagnosis and prognosis. Methods. A total of 90 hypertensive patients from the Republic of Moldova, admitted to the Ovisus Medical Center, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, for a vision check and firstly diagnosed with HR were recruited in our study. The enrolment period is between February 2018 and December 2019. They were divided into three groups based on fundoscopy, using Keith-Wagner-Barker grading system of HR—GI: 36 patients; GII: 35 patients; GIII: 19 patients. The level of serum lipids: triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-Chol, and HDL-Chol was determined, followed by the calculation of the atherogenic index of plasma. Results are displayed as the median and interquartile range (IQR). Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk normality tests were used, followed by Levene’s homogeneity of variance test. The groups were compared using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated (SPSS 23.0): p Results. It was attested a statistically significant increase of serum total cholesterol levels between the groups as the HR advanced (p = 0.017). In paired group comparisons, the total cholesterol level in GII significantly enhanced compared to GI 5.63 (IQR 0.69) mM/L vs. 5.49 (IQR 0.51) mM/L, p = 0.05 and in GIII compared to GI 5.76 (IQR 0.82) μM/L vs. 5.49 (IQR 0.51) mM/L, p = 0.04, showing a significant weak positive correlation with the degree of HR (r = 0.292**, p = 0.005). A resembled tendency to increase was highlighted also in serum TAG levels between groups (p = 0.061), with a significant weak and positive correlation with the degree of HR (r = 0.249*, p = 0.018). The results for HDL-Chol, LDL-Chol and atherogenic index were insignificant. Conclusion. The study revealed statistically conclusive changes associated with the HR degree of the TAG and total cholesterol levels and the absence of changes in plasma lipoprotein content—LDL-Chol and HDL-Chol. Extended research is mandatory to conclude the role of lipid metabolism in the advancement of HR and to ascertain the potential diagnostic importance of the presented lipid status changes.