Gender-based Comparison Research Articles

WORK-FAMILY ENRICHMENT AND SUBJECTIVE CAREER SUCCESS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MEN AND WOMEN

A sufficient number of studies place a greater emphasis on the Subject Career Success (SCS). The present research focuses on SCS concerning work-family (W/F) enrichment for both men and women. The relationship between work-family enrichment and employees' perceptions of their career success is examined in this study, and working on top/middle/lower management levels of the banking sector in Pakistan using a sample of 300 respondents. The target group for this study includes knowledge workers, both men and women (150 each), and those who hold various managerial positions (top, middle, and lower) at different places in the Pakistani banks of Lahore. A gender-based comparison was made. The enrichment in both directions—from work to family and from family to work was evaluated. The data obtained through the questionnaire was analysed by applying regression and correlational techniques. The results show that both dimensions of work-family enrichment increase significantly. Moreover, the subjective career success of the individuals and we also find that this relationship is more positively significant in the case of women. The results of this study suggest that organisations and human resource practitioners must be facilitated with supportive culture at the workplace to enhance work-family enrichment, which will resultantly increase the overall productivity of the employees and reinforce their career and family satisfaction. Employers should develop and implement family-friendly policies in their organisations to ensure work-life balance for men and women. This study can be further investigated by including any mediating or moderating variable and other demographic variables like spousal support and number of children/ siblings/ dependents. Antecedents of WFE can also be taken into account for further study. Keywords: subjective career success, work-home perspective, work-family enrichment, the work-family interface, comparative study.

Apologies and Compliment Responses: A Case of Pre-service EFL Teachers

Apology may be defined as “a compensatory action for an offense committed by the speaker which has affected the hearer” (Marquez-Reiter, 2000, p. 44), and a compliment is another speech act "which explicitly or implicitly attributes credit to someone other than the speaker... which is positively valued by the speaker and the hearer" (Holmes, 1986, p. 485). The focus of this paper is to find out which strategies are employed by Turkish pre-service EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers while apologizing and responding to compliments especially with equal-status interlocutors, and whether these strategies show differences between females and males. Written Discourse Completion Test (WDCT) was administered to 27 pre-service EFL teachers. The WDCT included six apology and seven compliment response scenarios. The data were analyzed mainly by using the framework of Blum-Kulka and Olshtain (1984) for apologies, and the coding scheme by Ruhi (2006) for compliment responses. Main findings of the study suggest that the participants frequently used the strategy of regret while apologizing, and they preferred to use appreciation strategy while responding to compliments. In addition, chi-square test was applied to see any significant differences between the strategies of females and males in apologizing and responding to compliments. This gender-based comparison resulted in no statistical difference except for only one of the apology scenarios. The overall results imply that investigating pragmatic knowledge of students majoring in ELT through their speech act realizations is vital and may be the first step for organizing appropriate interventions aiming at improving and expanding their pragmatic knowledge.

TCT-554 Gender-Based Comparison of Cardiovascular Outcomes and Readmission in Patients With Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Procedure: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Analysis

TCT-554 Gender-Based Comparison of Cardiovascular Outcomes and Readmission in Patients With Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Procedure: A Nationwide Readmissions Database Analysis

The impact of comorbidities on preventive care of patients with myocardial infarction: is there still a gender gap?

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background The management of comorbidities is a significant component of preventive care to address the development of cardiovascular disease. Consistent care provided by a primary care physician (PCP) may be important in bridging any gender disparity in patients with comorbidities for the prevention of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Purpose To identify gaps in established care by a PCP between genders and to evaluate the impact of comorbidities in patients who have experienced AMI. Methods Data collected for 250 total patients for this retrospective study included gender, PCP documentation, and comorbidities (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), arrhythmia) among patients admitted for an AMI. Data on previous MI, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and stent were also collected. 27 patients were excluded due to incomplete documentation. Results Out of 223 included patients, 138 (61.9%) were males and 85 (38.1%) were females with 172 (77.1%) having care by a PCP. PCP services have been utilized by 100 (72.5%) males and 72 (84.7%) females, mean age = 64.39 years. Multiple comorbidities were identified in 191 (85.7%) out of 223 patients, including 156 (81.7%) who have used PCP services and number of comorbidities varied from 1 to 5. Of these patients, 74 (43.0%) had 1-2 comorbidities: males 51 vs 23 females, and 82 patients: 41 males vs 41 females had 3-5 comorbidities that impacted their treatment and preventive care. Among the most common comorbidities were hypertension - n=165 (74.0%) and hyperlipidemia - n=157 (70.4%). Other comorbidities included diabetes - n=82 (36.8%), CKD - n=42 (18.8%), and previous arrhythmia - n=35 (15.7%). Overall, the utilization of PCP services was between 83-93% in these patients with documented comorbidities. Gender-based comparison between patients who have utilized PCP services showed that more males were diagnosed with hypertension than females: 78 vs 59, p=0.033; more males with hyperlipidemia: 75 vs 55, p=0.051; no significant difference was noticed in case of diabetes: 36 males vs 38 females (p=0.457), in case of CKD: 22 males vs 17 females (p=0.138), previous MI - 21 males vs 22 females (p=0.381), or previous arrhythmia - 19 males vs 13 females (p=0.805). The findings regarding previous procedures among those who used PCP services showed that CABG was done for 16 males vs 8 females (p=1.0), coronary stent placement – 25 males vs 21 females (p= 0.196), and significantly more males have received antiplatelet therapy - 61 vs 36 females (p=0.031). Conclusion Identification of comorbidities was significantly associated with PCP care utilization in both genders, however more males have been diagnosed with hypertension and other comorbidities. The findings show that timely identification of comorbidities is highly dependent on PCP services and is related to preventive treatment in both genders of patients who experienced AMI.

Does Project Citizenship Behavior Leads Network Expansion? Gender-Based Comparison

Just as organizational citizenship behavior reaches conceptual saturation with numerous studies, theoretical studies are needed in conceptualizing Project Citizenship Behavior (PCB). Therefore, in the project-based business world, the number of which is increasing day by day, this concept will be better filled with various studies that establish theoretical connections with the PCB concept. The aim of the research is to make a theoretical contribution to the possible role of gender in the relationship between PCB and Network Capital (NC). In this direction, we first started by examining PCB on the basis of fundamental gender differences. Secondly, with a dialectical approach, the multiplicity of theoretical connections (i.e., increasing effect of social capital on citizenship behaviors) between PCB and interpersonal NC also raises the question of whether employees exhibit PCB for NC development. It is suggested that the more an individual exhibits PCB the more likely he develops his network. Thus, we hypothesized; “ displaying PCB can be a precursor for network capital of employees according to their gender.” After the extensive literature review we can theoretically say that exhibiting PCB may affect individuals NC creation capabilities. Although the relationship between PCB and gender is limited to a few studies in the literature, the lack of a study that conceptually examines the effect of PCB on individual NC is an element that increases the importance of the research. It is expected that this conceptual approach would contribute to the organizational behavior literature in understanding of the relationships between these concepts.

School Climate and Teachers' Performance: A Gender-Based Comparison of Secondary Schools

The primary objective of the study was to determine the relationship between organizational climate and teachers' performance at the secondary school level in Punjab. The nature of the study was descriptive. The population is comprised of teachers working in public sector secondary schools. The sample was drawn using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using two Likert scale questionnaires; namely, the School Climate Scale (SCS) and the Teachers' Performance Evaluation Scale (TPES) consisted of 34 and 43 items, respectively. Collected data were analyzed by applying Pearson correlation coefficient r and Simple regression. The study found a significant relationship between organizational climate and teachers’ performance. Moreover, female teachers’ performance was better than male teachers in an open climate as compared to a closed climate. It was recommended to provide an open climate to improve the performance of teachers and institutions.

Creativity as a mediator between personal accomplishment and task performance: A multigroup analysis based on gender during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not only a health crisis but also a social crisis that affects all people and all parts of society from various perspectives. Effective management of the emotional and psychosocial effects of the pandemic is a critical issue for individuals and societies. In this study, the mediating role of creativity on the relationship between personal accomplishment and task performance was examined during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a gender-based comparison analysis was performed to extend the analysis results. Survey-based research data were collected from 322 people working in different sectors. Partial least squares-based structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze research data. The results indicated that personal accomplishment had a significant positive effect on both creativity and task performance. Also, it was found that creativity had a mediating role in the relationship between personal accomplishment and task performance. Lastly, the gender-based multigroup analysis (MGA) revealed a significant difference between male and female participants with respect to the relationship between personal accomplishment and task performance, between creativity and task performance, between personal accomplishment and task performance through creativity.

Gender-based Comparison of Management Practices of Principals: A Study of the Colleges of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The main purpose of the present study was to compare the current management practices of boys and girls degree colleges of AJ and K. The study was descriptive in nature, and the cross-sectional survey was used for the collection of data. Seventy principals and 140 teachers of the Mirpur Division were the populations of this study, out of which 50principals (23 male and 27 female) and 100 teachers (46 male and54 female) were selected as a sample of the study using proportionate stratified random sample technique. A questionnaire on the five-point Likert Scale was developed to collect data from principals and teachers. The researcher visited the sample colleges and collected the data. The data was analyzed by using mean, standard deviation, and independent-sample t-test. It was found that that male principals and coordinators are better at the planning of different programs than females.Furthermore, female principals and coordinators are performing better in directing the staff as compared to male principals and coordinators.

Informal employment and poor self-perceived health in Latin America and the Caribbean: a gender-based comparison between countries and welfare states in a pooled analysis of 176,786 workers

BackgroundMore than half of the working population in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries is engaged in informal employment. The few previous studies indicate that this employment condition could have negative consequences for workers’ health. The aim of the present study was to estimate the association between self-perceived health and informality in LAC countries according to gender and welfare state type.MethodsThe cross-sectional study based on different working conditions and health national surveys was carried out in 13 LAC countries between 2012 and 2018. A sample of 176,786 workers was selected from these surveys. The association between health and informality was estimated using Poisson regression. Finally, a random effects meta-analysis was carried out by country. All results were stratified by sex and type of welfare state (statalist or familialist).ResultsInformal workers reported significantly worse health than formal workers, for both women (1.28 [95% CI 1.14-1.43]) and men (1.30 [1.12-1.50]). This difference was broader and more significant in countries with statalist welfare state regimes, among both women (1.40 [1.22-1.60]) and men (1.51 [1.30-1.74]), than in familialist regime countries (1.19 [1.03-1.38] and 1.24 [1.03-1.49], respectively).ConclusionsThis study provides strong evidence of the association between informal employment and worker health. Welfare states appear to have a modifying effect on this association. The transition from the informal to the formal labour market in LAC is essential to improving the health of the population.

Assessing the Effect of General Self-efficacy on Academic Achievement Using Path Analysis: A Preliminary Study

Although self-efficacy is a construct born originally out of and into the field of psychology, its importance and relevance extend de facto outside its original field of research to span multiple closely related disciplines including, but in no way limited to, applied linguistics and educational psychology mainly for its demonstrably strong association to a vast range of language-related educational phenomena. In the present study, we set out to examine, by means of the Spearman correlational test and through the construction of a direct effect model, the relationship between general self-efficacy beliefs and academic achievement. For this, we used responses of one hundred and thirty-eight (N = 138) EFL students of undergraduate and graduate levels from numerous universities across different regions in Morocco. Findings show a very moderate significant correlation between self-efficacy and academic achievement as measured by GPA. Further, a constructed direct-effect path model showed a significant positive impact of self-efficacy on academic achievement, substantiating further the existing link between the two constructs. In addition, a gender-based comparison in terms of self-efficacy using an independent sample t-test revealed that females reported higher self-efficacy beliefs than their male counterparts. Finally, we conclude with a summary of the study and some recommendations for future research.

Breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping of breakfast in medical students

Objectives: To find out the breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping breakfast in medical students of Karachi.Material and Methods: This is is a Descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in public sector medical institutes of Karachi from 1st January to 31st March 2019. 382 medical students were enrolled after taking informed consent. Data were collected from included students of this study, who had an age of 18 to 24 years, and all other students having a history of lactose intolerance, anorexia nervosa, and food allergies were excluded from the study. Breakfast outcome (practices and skip or omit of breakfast) data were collected by self-made structured questionnaire and anthropometric data (height, weight) were recorded. Body mass index was calculated as weight (Kg)/height (m)2. Collected data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for social sciences version 22.Results: The mean age and mean Body mass index of students were 20.83±1.54 and 15.53±3.5 respectively. The study outcomes on breakfast practices, among participants, showed 81.4% were taken breakfast, breakfast skippers were 18.6%, gender-based comparison between breakfast-skippers males (14.1%): females (85.9%) were respectively and shortage of time is the main factor (56.3%) associated with breakfast skipping in students. There is no significant (p>0.05) association between Gender-based comparison between factors associated with breakfast skipping.Conclusion: The breakfast skippers were 18.6%, and among the main factors associated with skipping of breakfast was a shortage of time (56.3%).

Career aspirations among specialty residents in France: a cross-sectional gender-based comparison

BackgroundMost studies evaluating career aspirations among gender are performed in Anglo-Saxon countries. Two recent French studies looked at the career choice of residents in obstetrics & gynecology. It seemed useful to us to broaden this questioning to other specialties, by proposing a study to all residents in the same Faculty. The objective of our study was to describe residents’ career aspirations and possible barriers according to gender.MethodsDeclarative cross-sectional survey, using questionnaires sent by email to the specialty residents of the Faculty of Medicine of Lille (France). An analysis by specialty group (i.e., medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, and anesthesia & resuscitation) and a comparison of the results according to gender were performed.ResultsOf the 1384 specialty residents currently in training, 462 answered the questionnaire (33.38%), among whom 289 women and 173 men (average age = 27.08 ± 0.091 years). Seventeen women (5.9%) were currently considering a university hospital career versus 37 men (21.4%) (p = 0.001).Gender analysis made it possible to identify obstacles to engaging in a university career: lacking a female model, more frequent doubting the ability to undertake this type of career among women (61.6%) than men (35.3%) (p < 0.001), and gender discrimination felt in the workplace for 51.6% of women (versus 7.5% of men, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed specificities related to each specialty.ConclusionsFew residents plan to embark upon a university hospital career, let alone female residents. There are considerations specific to each specialty and marked gender differences regarding career aspirations. Many features have been identified as obstacles to access to university hospital positions for women. It is important to develop strategies to remove these barriers and enable women to pursue such university careers.Trial registrationNot applicable (no intervention).

The Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes on Oxidative Stress Markers and Catalase Activity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HCV infections are usually associated with increased oxidative stress in the liver tissue. The intensity of oxidative stress may be a detrimental factor in liver injury and may determine the severity of the disease. The aim of the present case-control study was to determine the level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein oxidative modification (AOPP), and catalase activity in sera of patients infected with HCV, in relation to different HCV genotypes and viral load. Considering the HCV patients with chronic hepatitis C (52) and control subject (50) recruitment, the study was designed as a case–control-type. The HCV RNA isolation, viral load, and HCV genotyping were performed according to the standard protocols. A significant difference compared to control healthy subjects was reported for TBAR (p < 0.001), AOPP (p = 0.001), and catalase activity (p = 0.007). In a gender-based comparison, a significantly higher level of AOPP for females was reported (p < 0.001). As stratified by HCV genotype, the most common was HCV-1 (HCV-1a and HCV 1b), with the overall participation of more than 60%, followed by genotype 3, while the least represented was genotype 2. No significant difference was documented among genotypes in regard to oxidative stress markers, although somewhat higher TBARS level, but not significant, was registered in patients infected with genotype 1b. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of HCV genome copies and AOPP (r = 0.344; p = 0.012). A high level of HCV viral load was more likely to have a higher TBARS, but still without statistical significance (p = 0.072). In conclusion, the results obtained confirmed an imbalance between the ROS production and antioxidative defense system in HCV-infected patients. Since oxidative stress may have a profound influence on disease progression, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, our results may meet the aspirations of mandatory introduction of antioxidants as early HCV therapy to counteract ROS consequences.

Prevalance of Anti-HLA antibodies in parous female blood donors: A pilot study from tertiary care hospital of North India.

BACKGROUND:Various studies have implicated that plasma causing transfusion-related acute lung injury is from alloimmunized females. The frequency of sensitization to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) was found to correlate with their parity score. No literature on the prevalence of anti-HLA antibodies in Indian blood donors is available to date. Hence, this pilot study was done to know the frequency of HLA alloimmunization in Indian blood donors.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A total of 192 consenting voluntary blood donors from blood donation camps were enrolled in the study. Test group: Parous female donors (n = 96) and control group: Nulliparous female donors (n = 48) and male donors (n = 48). HLA alloimmunization was tested on the Luminex platform by screening assay to detect IgG antibodies to HLA Class I and II molecules of human origin. A mean fluoresence index of more than 2000 was considered as a positive reaction, considering the high sensitivity of Luminex assay.RESULTS:Sixty-three out of 192 donors (32.8%) tested positive for anti-HLA antibodies, out of which 23 donors were in the control group (23.9%), and 40 donors were in the test group (41.7%); P = 0.002. On gender-based comparison, 9 out of 48 male donors (18.7%), as compared to 54 out of 144 female donors (37.5%), tested positive for HLA antibodies (P = 0.02). Based on an increase in parity score, the frequency of HLA alloimmunization was found to be significantly correlated (P = 0.002). A decrease in the trend of HLA alloimmunization was observed as the duration from the last pregnancy increased. A higher frequency of HLA alloimmunization was observed in female donors with a history of transfusion and bad obstetric history.CONCLUSION:The present study substantiates that plasma from parous female donors has a higher chance of containing anti-HLA antibodies as compared to nulliparous female and male donors.

Association of peak expiratory flow rate with obese and overweight individuals

Background: The increasing number of overweight and obese individuals is a serious health problem worldwide. Growing evidence had clearly and consistently evidenced that obesity is an essential and direct predictor of respiratory function. Aim and objectives were to observe body mass index (BMI) based variations in respiratory parameter in overweight and obese individuals. Methods: The study was carried out on 320 (18-28 years) subjects in district Dehradun of Uttarakhand, India. Different anthropometric parameters and respiratory parameter was measured by proper procedures. Results: The anthropometric parameters weight and height were found statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) among all subjects. BMI based and gender-based comparison of respiratory parameter were found statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). The correlation of BMI with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was found statistically very highly significant. The correlation coefficient (r) between BMI with PEFR was found= -0.6, denotes partial negative correlation.Conclusions: Our study concluded that with increased BMI the PEFR decreases, which signifies that there is broncho construction due to various mechanisms like direct action of adipose tissue on the air ways via a decrease in luminal diameter of the air way and an increase in the probability of airway collapse.

Ethnic Albanian family businesses and COVID-19 pandemic: a gender-based comparison

PurposeThis qualitative research aims to analyze the effects of the global crisis known as COVID-19 in family businesses in North Macedonia and defines the strategies that Albanian entrepreneurs have used to overcome the pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe purpose of this study is to conduct a gender comparison between the behaviors of ten men entrepreneurs with ten women entrepreneurs in the city of Skopje. The data we collected by the interview method. The interviews were conducted by phone from June 1 to June 15.FindingsThe results of this research show that women entrepreneurs have overcome the crisis through defensive strategy compared to men entrepreneurs who have used more offensive approach. Due to the pandemic, the majority of women entrepreneurs have lost incomes, labor and clients. Men entrepreneurs have maintained their employees with the minimum salaries, but they have suffered the same loss in the aspect of revenues and clients. Findings show that in the category of women-owned enterprises lower financial results have shown those who operate in the textile industry and beauty salons. In companies with men entrepreneurship, the biggest loss is estimated in the luxury jewelry industry and restaurants, while pharmacies, supermarkets and detergent manufacturing companies proved to be profitable. Even companies that have shown high financial performance have encountered considerable problems in supplying raw materials due to the pandemic. This research will help SMEs in our country with useful suggestions to make the right decisions for the mentioned issue.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations in this study that should be considered a guide for future research. First, this research includes only Albanian entrepreneurs located in the city of Skopje. The investigation will be complete if we add a more significant number of Albanian entrepreneurs from more cities in North Macedonia. Second, considering that this paper's topic is new, we did not have enough literature to compare or enrich the study. Third, due to the current situation caused by the virus, we have faced difficulties in convincing entrepreneurs over the phone to respond in our questionnaires.Originality/valueThis paper addresses a new topic comparing Albanian entrepreneurs' behaviors based on their gender in overcoming the pandemic in Skopje, North Macedonia.

A gender-based comparison of coracoid and glenoid anatomy: CT analysis and discussion of potential impact on the Latarjet procedure

The success of the modified Latarjet procedure depends on proper sizing of the coracoid graft. There is no information available regarding the morphometric relationship between the glenoid cavity and the coracoid process for the South African population. This study aims at measuring the relationship between the glenoid and coracoid morphometries and investigates their gender-related differences. Glenohumeral computerized tomography scans of 100 consecutive patients were considered for this study. Morphometric measurements were performed after aligning the coracoid and glenoid in their optimum orientation. These measurements were performed by 2 independent observers. The ratio between glenoid and coracoid measurements was calculated and statistically compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to analyze interobserver reliability. All the statistical tests were performed in SPSS v.26, and power calculations in G∗Power v.3.1. An average intraclass correlation coefficient value of 0.79 suggested that the interobserver reliability was good. Except for coracoid length, statistically significant (P < .05) gender differences were observed for all the other morphometries. The coracoid width (16.5 ± 1.4 mm vs. 14.7 ± 1.4 mm) and height (13.6 ± 1.6 mm vs. 10.5 ± 1.5 mm) differed between genders by 1.8 and 3.1 mm, respectively. The glenoid anteroposterior (AP) (25.3 ± 2.9 mm vs. 23.2 ± 2.4 mm) and superioinferior (36.9 ± 1.9 mm vs. 33.7 ± 2.6 mm) measurements differed by 2.1 and 3.3 mm, respectively, between the males and the females. The ratio between the AP width of the glenoid and the coracoid height was also found to be significantly different (P < .05) between the gender groups. These morphometric ratios for the coracoid width (0.66 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.64 ± 0.08 mm) and the coracoid height (0.55 ± 0.09 mm vs. 0.46 ± 0.07 mm) differed between genders by 0.02 and 0.09, respectively. Measurements taken from computerized tomography scans showed significant differences between genders in absolute measurements and in the ratio of the coracoid height to the glenoid AP distance. This could have implications on the ability of the Latarjet procedure to compensate for bone loss in female patients.

Telomere length in young patients with acute myocardial infarction without conventional risk factors: A pilot study from a South Asian population

BackgroundThere is need to identify novel markers that lead to an early occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) in young South Asian population. This population has different risk profile as compared with others. Telomere length is known to be a marker of aging, and shorter telomeres have been reported in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We aimed to identify the association of telomere length in young nonsmokers and non-diabetic MI patients. MethodsIn a case–control study of 154 subjects (n = 77 cases (ages 18–45 years, non-diabetic, non-smoker patients with MI) and n = 77, age and sex matched healthy controls), DNA extraction from peripheral blood leukocytes was carried out and the relative telomere length was estimated by quantitative PCR. The results were adjusted with various demographic parameters like age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The correlation studies were carried out between telomere length, sex and type of MI. ResultsThe relative telomere length was significantly shorter in young MI patients (31–45 years) compared with matched healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Interestingly, in a gender-based comparison, the female patients had shorter telomere length (p < 0.01). ConclusionIn this pilot study, we found that the telomere length was shorter among young, non-diabetic, non-smoker MI patients as compared with similar young controls without MI in a South Asian cohort. Thus, telomere length may be a potential screening tool for young patients who don't have conventional risk factors. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Correlation Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Levels Among Hypertensive Patients: A Gender-Based Comparison.

ObjectiveBlood pressure (BP) has been found to rise among populations due to the high body mass index (BMI). Overweight and persons who have high BP are prone to develop heart diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between BMI and BP among hypertensive patients in both males and females aged 18 years and above.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was carried out among patients with a self-reported history of hypertension and anti-hypertensive medication. After taking ethical approval, a total of 337 patients aged 18 or above were selected by using convenience sampling. The duration of the study was six months. A detailed history was taken from each patient about hypertension associated symptoms with the help of a self-designed questionnaire. The BMI of the patients was assessed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used to analyze the collected data. Spearman correlation was used, and p-value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsIn a total of 337 patients, the mean age of the patients was 45.87±13.38 years. In which 176 (52.2%) were males and 161 (47.8%) were females. Their mean BMI level was 26.83±5.83 kg/m2, and the mean systolic blood pressure level was 141.78±13.00 mm Hg whereas the diastolic blood pressure was 85.21±10.03 mm Hg. The results also showed that among males the BMI had a significant negative correlation with both systolic blood pressure level (ρ = -0.212, p = 0.011) and diastolic blood pressure level (ρ = -0.208, p = 0.013), while in females the correlation was insignificant.ConclusionOur study results concluded that the BMI of the patients had a significant weak negative correlation with both systolic blood pressure level and diastolic blood pressure level in males; however, no significant correlation was found in females.

An Objective and Reliable Method for Identifying Sarcopenia in Lumbar Spine Surgery Patients: Using Morphometric Measurements on Computed Tomography Imaging.

Study DesignA retrospective observational study.PurposeEstablish a quantifiable and reproducible measure of sarcopenia in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery based on morphometric measurements from readily available preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging.Overview of LiteratureSarcopenia—the loss of skeletal muscle mass—has been linked with poor outcomes in several surgical disciplines; however, a reliable and quantifiable measure of sarcopenia for future assessment of outcomes in spinal surgery patients has not been established.MethodsA cohort of 90 lumbar spine fusion patients were compared with 295 young, healthy patients obtained from a trauma da¬tabase. Cross-sectional vertebral body (VB) area, as well as the areas of the psoas and paravertebral muscles at mid-point of pedicles at L3 and L4 for both cohorts, was measured using axial CT imaging. Total muscle area-to-VB area ratio was calculated along with intraclass correlation coefficients for interobserver and intraobserver reliability. Finally, T-scores were calculated to help identify those patients with considerably diminished muscle-to-VB area ratios.ResultsBoth muscle mass and VB areas were considerably larger in males compared with those in females, and the ratio of these two measures was not enough to account for large differences. Thus, a gender-based comparison was made between spine patients and healthy control patients to establish T-scores that would help identify those patients with sarcopenia. The ratio for paravertebral muscle area-to-VB area at the L4 level was the only measure with good interobserver reliability, whereas the other three of the four ratios were moderate. All measurements had excellent correlations for intraobserver reliability.ConclusionsWe postulate that a patient with a T-score <−1 for total paravertebral muscle area-to-VB area ratio at the L4 level is the most reliable method of all our measurements that can be used to diagnose a patient undergoing lumbar spine surgery with sarcopenia.