Gender Subgroups Research Articles

Better Life's Essential 8 contributes to slowing the biological aging process: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2007-2010 data.

To investigate the relationship between Life's Essential 8 (LE8) and Phenotypic Age Acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) in United States adults and to explore the impact of LE8 on phenotypic biological aging, thereby providing references for public health policies and health education. Utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2007 and 2010, this cross-sectional study analyzed 7,339 adults aged 20 and above. Comprehensive assessments of LE8, PhenoAgeAccel, and research covariates were achieved through the integration of Demographics Data, Dietary Data, Laboratory Data, and Questionnaire Data derived from NHANES. Weighted generalized linear regression models and restricted cubic spline plots were employed to analyze the linear and non-linear associations between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel, along with gender subgroup analysis and interaction effect testing. (1) Dividing the 2007-2010 NHANES cohort into quartiles based on LE8 unveiled significant disparities in age, gender, race, body mass index, education level, marital status, poverty-income ratio, smoking and drinking statuses, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, phenotypic age, PhenoAgeAccel, and various biological markers (p < 0.05). Mean cell volume demonstrated no intergroup differences (p > 0.05). (2) The generalized linear regression weighted models revealed a more pronounced negative correlation between higher quartiles of LE8 (Q2, Q3, and Q4) and PhenoAgeAccel compared to the lowest LE8 quartile in both crude and fully adjusted models (p < 0.05). This trend was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in the full adjustment model. Gender subgroup analysis within the fully adjusted models exhibited a significant negative relationship between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel in both male and female participants, with trend tests demonstrating significant results (p < 0.001 for males and p = 0.001 for females). (3) Restricted cubic spline (RCS) plots elucidated no significant non-linear trends between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel overall and in gender subgroups (p for non-linear > 0.05). (4) Interaction effect tests denoted no interaction effects between the studied stratified variables such as age, gender, race, education level, and marital status on the relationship between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel (p for interaction > 0.05). However, body mass index and diabetes manifested interaction effects (p for interaction < 0.05), suggesting that the influence of LE8 on PhenoAgeAccel might vary depending on an individual's BMI and diabetes status. This study, based on NHANES data from 2007-2010, has revealed a significant negative correlation between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle in slowing down the biological aging process. Despite the limitations posed by the study's design and geographical constraints, these findings provide a scientific basis for the development of public health policies focused on healthy lifestyle practices. Future research should further investigate the causal mechanisms underlying the relationship between LE8 and PhenoAgeAccel and consider cross-cultural comparisons to enhance our understanding of healthy aging.

Examining measurement invariance of different SWLS measurement models according to gender

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), a popular and widely used measurement tool in cross-cultural research, evaluates life satisfaction. Even though numerous studies have demonstrated factorial validity across a range of samples and cultures, the topic of factorial invariance across various subgroups is still up for debate. There are inconsistencies regarding the structure of the life satisfaction scale in descriptive and relational studies. This study aimed to combine these contentious models' (Model 1: single-factor model, Model 2: modified single-factor model and Model 3: twofactor model) measurement invariance with the findings of Multi Group Confirmatory Factor Analyses (MGCFA) carried out among various gender subgroups in Turkish culture with a sample of 690 participants. As a result of the research, all models met the model data goodness of fit according to the gender subgroup. But measurement-invariance decisions carried out according to different models differed.

Dietary fatty acids and gallstone risk: insights from NHANES and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Prior research suggests polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may prevent gallstones, but evidence on saturated fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) is limited. This study aims to explore the associations between fatty acids and gallstones using a large sample of American population and Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. The cross-sectional study involved 6,629 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2020. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were conducted after stratifying by gender subgroups. Two-sample MR analysis was used to explore the causal relationship between fatty acids and gallstones without confounding factors. In females, higher SFA intake was positively associated with gallstone risk, while higher intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFA was negatively associated. No significant associations were found in males. No nonlinear correlations were found in any group by RCS analysis. MR analysis indicated that SFA, n-3, and n-6 PUFA could reduce gallstone risk. The influence of dietary fatty acid composition on gallstone development differs by gender, providing insights into dietary prevention and treatment of gallstones.

Evaluating Variations in Spinopelvic Parameters from Sitting to Standing: A Comparative Analysis Across Age, BMI, and Gender Subgroups

Evaluating Variations in Spinopelvic Parameters from Sitting to Standing: A Comparative Analysis Across Age, BMI, and Gender Subgroups

Clinical Value of IgG Antibody Test in Screening for Clonorchis sinensis Infection in High-Risk Population.

In areas where C. sinensis is endemic, early screening and diagnosis of C. sinensis infection is crucial to prevent complications and interrupt the chain of transmission. Testing for C. sinensis IgG antibodies is frequently employed as a screening method for detecting the disease. However, its effectiveness in populations with a high risk remains to be determined. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of IgG antibody testing for screening C. sinensis infection in high-risk populations. Between October 2020 and September 2023, 1,080 participants from Liuzhou Municipal Liutie Central Hospital patients were recruited. All participants underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgG antibodies and fecal examination for C. sinensis eggs using the Kato-Katz technique. The study examined the diagnostic concordance between two methods by using inter-rater agreement evaluation (Kappa). The diagnostic effectiveness of IgG antibodies was assessed comprehensively and across different gender and age categories, with the outcomes of the parasite egg test serving as the benchmark for diagnosis. Out of the 1,080 participants, 48.0% (518/1,080) tested positive for C. sinensis eggs, and 46.9% (506/1,080) tested positive for IgG antibodies. The Kappa value of the two methods' diagnostic concordance was 0.599. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of IgG antibody detection were 78.0%, 81.9%, 79.8%, 80.1%, and 80.0%, respectively, using C. sinensis eggs as the diagnostic criterion. Gender and age subgroup analyses revealed that diagnostic specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were higher in females than males (p = 0.003, 0.001, and 0.049, respectively). Sensitivity tended to decrease, while specificity tended to increase with age (p = 0.007 and 0.010, respectively). The technique for detecting Clonorchiasis IgG antibodies has a certain degree of accuracy in diagnosing C. sinensis, but its sensitivity is low, particularly in mild infections and in the elderly population. Diagnosis requires a combination of other assays or further optimization of the technique's performance.

Computed Tomography Findings of Patients Presenting With Headache: 4-Year Retrospective Two-Center Study in Central and Western Regions of Ghana.

Objectives: The radiographic assessment of the head is a crucial part of headache care. A computed tomography (CT) scan enables a more detailed analysis of the condition and more focused care. This study examined head CT scans to determine what kinds of anomalies were present in patients with headaches as their primary complaint. Methods: We evaluated 4 years' worth of CT scan data from head exams conducted at two diagnostic facilities in Ghana's western and central regions. We examined data on 477 patients with a headache as their primary complaint between January 2017 and December 2020. We employed chi-square and Fisher's exact tests (where applicable) to compare head CT diagnoses between age groups, gender, headache subtypes, and brain lesion subgroups. Results: There were 53.5% (n = 255) females and 46.5% (n = 222) males in the study. The average age of patients was 38.67 ± 17.23 years, with an annual rate of abnormal CT diagnoses ranging from 35.9% in 2017 to 45.4% in 2022. Abnormal head CT diagnoses are strongly correlated with age groups and patient gender (p = 0.011 and p = 0.009, respectively). Of the 202 patients, 15.3% and 24.3% were classified as intracranial lesions and extracranial lesions, respectively. Maxillary sinusitis affected nearly 60% of the patients, while tumors and hemorrhages affected 25.2% and 11.9%, respectively. Conclusions: A CT scan of the head is essential to detect abnormalities in nearly 50% of patients suffering from various degrees of headache. Sinusitis, brain tumors, and hemorrhage were common lesions detected. It is crucial to create local standard operating procedures to promote better utilization of this type of imaging service, particularly among patients who have been diagnosed with headaches.

Effectiveness of adding educational video in patients with atopic dermatitis to facilitate shared decision-making

Abstract Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) is becoming more popular in various medical specialties as a core component of patient-centered care. However, patients’ lack of sufficient disease knowledge remains a barrier to implementing SDM. Objectives: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of two educational approaches for atopic dermatitis (AD) patients, a pamphlet and pamphlet plus video, using assessments of knowledge level and satisfaction. Methods: From August 2021 to February 2023, patients with AD from the dermatology outpatient clinic at Tri-Service General Hospital were included. Educational pamphlets were provided before educational videos, and patients were asked to complete an identical five-question test postpamphlet and postpamphlet plus video, respectively. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patients’ satisfaction. The two test scores were compared, and the satisfaction levels were analyzed. Results: The mean postpamphlet plus video score (94.84 ± 10.20) was significantly higher than the mean postpamphlet score (77.42 ± 17.17, P &lt; 0.001) across 62 eligible samples. Gender and age subgroups showed similar trends. In addition, most patients preferred educational pamphlet plus videos (ranging from 37.5% to 75.0% in different subgroups) compared with educational pamphlets (ranging from 0.0% to 3.85%). The educational pamphlet plus video demonstrated high satisfaction in promoting disease knowledge and treatment options for AD. Conclusion: Adding educational video is an efficient approach toward reinforcement of patients’ knowledge of AD and further facilitates the implementation of SDM in dermatology practice.

Antioxidant insights: investigating the protective role of oxidative balance in inflammatory bowel disease.

Limited studies have investigated the relationship between systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between oxidative balance score (OBS) and IBD. We included 175,808 participants from the UK Biobank database from 2006 to 2010. OBS scores were calculated based on 22 lifestyle and dietary factors. Multiple variable Cox proportional regression models, as well as gender stratification and subgroup analysis, were utilized to investigate the relationship between OBS and IBD. There is a significant negative correlation between OBS and the occurrence of IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn's disease (CD). Additionally, OBS is significantly negatively correlated with intestinal obstruction in CD patients. Gender stratified analysis suggest a significant correlation between OBS and CD in female patients, particularly pronounced in those under 60 years old. Sensitivity analysis indicates a significant negative correlation between lifestyle-related OBS and diet-related OBS with the occurrence of CD in females, diet-related OBS is negatively correlated with CD in males. OBS showed a significant negative correlation with IBD, especially in female CD patients. This study underscores the importance of antioxidant diet and lifestyle, which may provide a greater advantage for female CD patients.

Association between different composite dietary antioxidant indexes and constipation in American male adults: a cross-sectional study.

Oxidative stress is acknowledged as a pivotal factor in the intricate pathophysiological processes and pathogenesis of constipation. Modifying dietary patterns can elevate in vivo antioxidant biomarker levels, consequently mitigating oxidative stress. The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) provides a dependable scoring mechanism for quantifying the potential antioxidant capacity of diets. The association between CDAI levels and the risk of constipation remains uncertain. To investigate the potential correlation between CDAI and constipation, aiming to improve constipation management through dietary guidance. A total of 11,165 adults aged ≥20 years, drawn from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. We evaluated the correlation between CDAI levels and the risk of constipation through three weighted logistic regression models. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was employed to assess nonlinear trends, and stratified analyses were conducted. After adjusting for all confounding variables, the findings revealed an association between CDAI and constipation [OR = 0.937; 95% CI (0.892, 0.984), p = 0.012]. Moreover, individuals in the highest quartile of CDAI demonstrated a 40.1% lower likelihood of experiencing constipation compared to those in the lowest quartile [OR = 0.599; 95% CI (0.382, 0.939), p = 0.027]. The RCS analysis indicated a linear relationship between CDAI and constipation (P-non-linear =0.1016). Subgroup analysis by gender revealed a negative correlation in the male population [OR = 0.871; 95% CI (0.801, 0.947), p = 0.002], with men in the highest CDAI quartile exhibiting a 59.8% lower likelihood of experiencing constipation compared to those in the lowest quartile [OR = 0.402; 95% CI (0.206, 0.787), p = 0.010]. Furthermore, alterations in selenium [OR = 0.997; 95% CI (0.995, 1.000), p = 0.039] per milligram were independently linked to constipation. In a gender subgroup analysis of a single antioxidant, changes per milligram of vitamin E [OR = 0.904; 95% CI (0.838 to 0.975), p = 0.011] among males were independently associated with constipation. The fully adjusted model showed a correlation between CDAI and constipation and a significant correlation in quartiles. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis by gender showed that CDAI was negatively associated with constipation in the male population. Moreover, the findings of this study imply that investigations into antioxidant diets should be contextualized within dietary patterns.

Association between obesity and sleep disorder in the elderly: evidence from NHANES 2005-2018.

The available data exhibit inconsistent findings regarding the association between obesity and sleep problems among older adults. The objective of this study was to assess the potential association between obesity and sleep disorders in the older population. The data utilised in this cross-sectional investigation was obtained from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2005 and 2018. The study employed a multivariate logistic regression model and conducted subgroup analysis to evaluate the association between obesity and sleep disturbance. The investigation consisted of 2,570 older people who provided complete information, out of which 324 individuals satisfied the criteria for sleep disturbance. The findings from the multivariable adjusted logistic regression model indicate that individuals in the overweight and normal weight groups exhibited decreased odds of experiencing sleep disorder, as evidenced by the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 0.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.61) and 0.33 (95% CI = 0.22-0.47), respectively. These results were statistically significant (p < 0.001) when compared to individuals in the obese group. The investigation of age and gender subgroups demonstrated similar associations between various BMI categories and sleep disorders in the older population. In summary, there exists a correlation between obesity and sleep disorders in the senior population. A significant association was observed between BMI and the likelihood of experiencing sleep disorders, indicating a dose-response relationship. Individuals with a higher BMI demonstrated a heightened likelihood of experiencing sleep disorders compared to those with a lower BMI.

Short-term impact of exposure to ambient air volatile organic compounds on daily clinic visits for urticaria in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Air volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cause allergic reaction mainly via the respiratory tract or skin. This study aimed to investigate the association between daily visits by patients with urticaria and short-term changes in exposure to ambient air VOCs. The dependent variable was information from patients with urticaria at a medical center in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 2014/01/01 to 2018/07/31. The multivariable model included one-day average 75th percentile values of air VOCs and meteorologic data retrieved from Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Network database, and was analyzed using a case-crossover study design and conditional logistic regression. Total daily clinic visits for urticaria were significantly positively associated with higher levels of 4 VOCs (ethylbenzene, toluene, m-/p-xylene, and o-xylene (adjusted odds ratio (AOR: 1.03-1.28)) on the visit days, and 10 VOC levels on the fourth lag day (benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, m-/p-xylene, o-xylene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, n-hexane, methylcyclohexane, cyclohexane, and ethylene (AOR: 1.02-3.02)). Analyses of age and gender subgroups revealed that men showed resistance on the visit day, and women, older, and younger patients were more vulnerable. Men were influenced by higher benzene levels (AOR = 1.24) on the fourth lag day. Higher values of more than 6 VOCs on the fourth lag day significantly affected women, younger and older patients (AOR: 1.04-6.5). The most notable VOCs were methylcyclohexane (women AOR = 3.28, younger AOR = 3.82) and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (women AOR = 2.77, older AOR = 6.5) on the fourth lag day, which had the lowest concentrations but highest influence. The concentration of certain air VOCs significantly affected daily visits for urticaria.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Adult Patients with Anemia: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a well-defined marker of immunity, is raised in many conditions which are characterized by abnormal inflammatory and immunological responses. Anemia of chronic disease, the most prevalent type in hospitalized patients, is a dominant clinical picture in protracted stimulation of immunity. This study aimed to assess the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in adult participants with anemia and to compare of the ratio with non-anemic participants. Methods: In a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Clinical Physiology of Karnali Academy of Health Sciences, Teaching Hospital, Jumla, Karnali Province, Nepal, in the months of August, 2023, data on clinico-demographic variables were retrieved from the laboratory information system of hospital records of February–March, 2023. From the hematological parameters retrieved, the status of anemia and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were calculated. Results: After scrutiny of the laboratory records of 1421 adult patients, with 69.7% (N=990) female, the prevalence of anemia was 12.4% (N=176) and the median neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 2.21 (IQR: 1.41–3.75). The median neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly greater in the anemic participants among the overall (p&lt;0.001) participants and across the subgroups of gender (p&lt;0.001) and age (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly greater in the adult anemic than in the non-anemic participants. To this end, further studies assessing the association of this ratio with the various clinical aspects of anemia, such as subtypes, severity, course, prognosis and treatment responses are needed.

Psychometric Evaluation of an Adapted Short-Form Spirituality Scale in a Sample of Predominantly White Adults in an Inpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.

Spirituality is an important aspect of treatment and recovery for substance use disorders (SUDs), but ambiguities in measurement can make it difficult to incorporate as part of routine care. We evaluated the psychometric properties of an adapted short-form version of the Spirituality Scale (the Spirituality Scale-Short-Form; SS-SF) for use in SUD treatment settings. Participants were adult patients (N = 1,388; Mage = 41.23 years, SDage = 11.55; 68% male; 86% White) who entered a large, clinically mixed inpatient SUD treatment program. Factor analysis supported the two-dimensional structure, with factors representing Self-Discovery and Transcendent Connection. Tests of measurement invariance demonstrated that the scale was invariant across age and gender subgroups. The SS-SF exhibited convergent and concurrent validity via associations with participation in spiritual activities, hopefulness, life satisfaction, 12-step participation, and depressive symptoms. Finally, scores on the SS-SF were significantly higher at discharge compared to admission, demonstrating short-term sensitivity to change. These findings support use of the SS-SF as a concise, psychometrically sound measure of spirituality in the context of substance use treatment.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) with corticosteroids: “Evaluation of Response”

Objective: to evaluate the response of corticosteroids in newly persistent ITP patients. Methodology: Descriptive Case series conducted from 30th October 20202 to 29th April 2021 at Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Centre Rawalpindi. A total of 74 individuals with ITP who were both males and females of various ages. Prednisolone was administered orally to patients in maximal dose of 1mg/kg. The initial reaction of platelets count was assessed on day 5 and subsequently every two weeks until the full response was attained. An informed consent was obtained. Results: Age was 32.0±19.1 years on average. Twenty-four (32.4%) of the patients were over the age of 40 while the majority (n=50, 67.6%) of the patients were under the age of 40 years. There were 1:1.1 patients that were male and female with 36 (48.6%) men and 38(51.4%) women. Twenty (27.0%) individuals had persistent ITP compared to 54 (73.0%) patients who had just been diagnosed. 34 (45.9%) patients had an initial response whereas 43 patients (58.1%) showed a full response. The average initial response time was 5.47±2.39 days and 11.79±6.73 days for full response. The frequency of first didn’t differ statistically significantly by patient age, gender or other subgroups. Conclusion: Regardless of age, gender, or ITP type, steroids were associated with an initial and complete response in a significant majority of patients with immune thrombocytopenia. Keeping in view with their affordability accessibility favors the use of steroids as first line in these patients.

Association between the Triglyceride Glucose Index and All-Cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury

Introduction: The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a reliable alternative biomarker of insulin resistance, but the association between the TyG index and acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients remains unclear. Methods: The data for the study were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) database. Cox regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were performed to analyze the association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality. Besides, Cox regression was carried out in subgroups of age, gender, BMI, diabetes history, and dialysis status. Results: A total of 7,508 critically ill participants with AKI from the MIMIC-IV database were included in this study, with 3,688 (49.12%) participants failed to survive. In Cox regression, after confounder adjustment, patients with a higher TyG index had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.845, 95% CI = 1.49–2.285, p < 0.001). In RCS, after confounder adjustment, the risk of death was positively correlated with the increased value of the TyG index when TyG index surpassed 10.014. This relationship was validated in age, gender, BMI, diabetes subgroups but not in the dialysis subgroup. Interestingly, RCS analysis demonstrated that, in patients undertaking dialysis, there is a “U”-shaped curve for the value of TyG index and risk of all-cause mortality. When TyG index is less than 10.460, the risk of all-cause mortality would decrease with the increased value of TyG index, while when TyG index is higher than 11.180, the risk of all-cause mortality would increase firmly with the increased value of TyG index. Conclusion: Overall, a higher TyG index is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in critically ill AKI. Interestingly, the relationship in the dialysis subgroup follows a “U”-shaped curve, indicating the importance of proper clinical blood glucose and lipid management in this particular population.

A Pilot Study of a Finger Kinematic Parameter-Based Tool for Evaluating Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

This is a cross-sectional study. To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel finger Kinematic Parameter-Based Tool in the grip and release (G&R) test for assessing degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM). The development and progression of DCM symptoms are gradual and obscure. Although previous studies have objectively evaluated hand movements specific to myelopathy using the G&R test, virtual reality, or wearable sensors, these methods have limitations, such as limited discrimination or inconvenience for simple screening. Consequently, there is a need to develop effective screening methods. Totally, 297 asymptomatic volunteers and 258 DCM patients were enrolled. This system comprises a wearable acceleration/gyro sensor. The acceleration/gyro sensor was placed on the little finger of the participants to perform 40 cycles of full-range G&R as quickly as possible. The collected data were then transformed into kinematic parameters using sensor-based software and R studio software (version: RStudio 2022.07.2+576, Boston, USA). Gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) subgroups (classified as BMI<18.5-below normal weight; 18.5≤BMI<25-normal weight group; BMI≥25-overweight group) were matched as predictor variables, and 201 pairs were matched. Nonparametric analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test was used for diagnosing the differences between the two groups, and Kruskal-Wallis's test followed by the Mann-Whitney U test was used for analyzing the differences among three different age groups (<40, 41-60, and >60 yr group). The cut-off value of 10s G&R cycles and a combined parameter were determined using receiver operating characteristics curve analysis, area under the curve, and Youden index. The authors found that little finger kinematic parameters were significantly lower in DCM patients than in asymptomatic participants. The optimal diagnostic indicator appeared to be the average of the top 10 linear accelerations with an area under the curve of 0.923. The Finger Kinematic Test System is an objective, practical, and quantitative utility that appears to have the capacity to diagnose and evaluate the severity of DCM. 3.

Understanding commitment to agroforestry a crosssectional study among a sample of Nigerian farmers

Agroforestry is strategic in reconciling food production with forest biodiversity conservation. The methodical investigation of the beneficial and ecological imperativeness that informs smallholder farmers’ commitment to agroforestry is called for. This work is therefore an attempt to examine the relative importance of farmers' attitudes towards forest loss and perceived benefits of agroforestry in farmers' commitment to agroforestry among a group of farmers in Oyo State, southwestern Nigeria. The study is a cross-sectional survey that featured the interview administration of 400 structured questionnaires among crop farmers that were selected through clustered purposive sampling. Respondent’s agreement with sets of relevant statements was elicited and used in the assessment of variables. Independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the significance of the difference in respondents’ commitment to agroforestry across sub-groups of gender and age/education respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the relationship between variables. Results indicate that 57.8% exhibited a 'high' commitment to agroforestry. Gender, age and education had main effects on commitment (p &lt; 0.05). There is no significant relationship between attitude towards forest loss and commitment to agroforestry (r = 0.038, p &gt; 0.05) but not perceived benefits (r = 0.426, p &lt; 0.05). Being male, middle-aged and poorly educated are significantly more predisposing to exhibiting lower commitment to agroforestry. There is hardly an ecological or forest restoration motivation for agroforestry in the study area. Ecologically smart agriculture or the restorative importance of agroforestry appears to be poorly entrenched among farmers in the study area.

Association of creatine kinase with cognition, neuroimaging, and Alzheimer’s pathology

AbstractBackgroundCreatine kinase (CK) and its related metabolites are known to imply cardiovascular system disease, whereas the cardiovascular metabolic state is associated with the state of cognitive well‐being of the brain. However, the extent to which CK levels is related with cognitive impairment has not been revealed.MethodThe Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database were used for this study. We first investigated the intergroup difference of participants demographic, cognitive status, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) diagnosis, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD pathology biomarkers. Next, we conducted to use liner regression model to examine the association of CK with CSF AD pathology biomarkers, cognition, and brain structure. Last, mediation analyses were utilized to explore whether the association between CK and cognition were mediated by CSF AD pathology biomarkers.ResultA total of 1,607 participants (mean age were 73.82±7.23 and 55.76% were male) from the ADNI database were involved in this cross‐sectional study. We found a significant difference through age, gender, AD diagnosis, and cognitive status subgroups in intergroup difference analysis (P&lt;0.05). Meanwhile, significant association of lower level of CK with decreased level of β‐amyloid1‐42 (Aβ; β = 0.069, P = 0.040) and increased level of phosphorylated tau (P‐tau; β = ‐0.084, P = 0.007), and total‐tau (T‐tau; β = ‐0.071, P = 0.021), respectively. Liner regression analysis also indicated that the lower level of CK was associated with worse cognition (Mini‐Mental State Examination: β = 0.059, P = 0.021; Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale: β = ‐0.065, P = 0.012), however not to brain structure. Moreover, mediation analysis identified CSF AD pathology biomarkers mediated the association between level of CK and cognition.ConclusionOur findings offered detailed proof to advise that the lower level of CK was significantly associated with poor cognition and it might be mediated by CSF AD pathology biomarkers. For future research, it is necessary to identify the precise reason and process by which changed levels of CK impact cognition.

Eliminating Health Disparities in Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure, and Dyslipidemia: A Path Toward Achieving Pharmacoequity.

Pharmacoequity refers to the goal of ensuring that all patients have access to high-quality medications, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. The goal of this article is to review current evidence on disparities in access to cardiovascular drug therapies across sociodemographic subgroups, with a focus on heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia. Considerable and consistent disparities to life-prolonging heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia medications exist in clinical trial representation, access to specialist care, prescription of guideline-based therapy, drug affordability, and pharmacy accessibility across racial, ethnic, gender, and other sociodemographic subgroups. Researchers, health systems, and policy makers can take steps to improve pharmacoequity by diversifying clinical trial enrollment, increasing access to inpatient and outpatient cardiology care, nudging clinicians to increase prescription of guideline-directed medical therapy, and pursuing system-level reforms to improve drug access and affordability.

The Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale-5: further psychometric evaluation using a United Kingdom-based sample

The 5-item Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCB-5) is an abridged version of the 15-item GCBS. It was developed as a global measure of the tendency to engage in non-event-based, conspiracy-related ideation. The GCB-5 is appealing to researchers because of its brevity, which facilitates the measurement of belief in conspiracies alongside multiple constructs and/or in situations where resources are limited (time, etc.). Noting that several studies failed to find an adequate unidimensional fit in the parent GCBS measures across different contexts, the present study further assessed the psychometric properties of the GCB-5. This was necessary since the GCB-5 was validated using North American samples. Thus, to ensure that the GCB-5 was satisfactory for use with samples in the United Kingdom (UK), GCBS/GCB-5 items were administered to a large, representative UK-based sample (N = 1,331), alongside a range of validated conspiracy scales. Confirmatory factor analysis found that a one-factor GCB-5 model produced a good model fit. This specified that the GCB-5 was underpinned by a single dimension. Furthermore, the performance of the GCB-5 was equivalent to the longer GCBS. Both instruments produced similar mean item scores and standard deviations and were comparably positively correlated with concurrent measures. Although the GCB-5 internal reliability was lower than the GCBS, it was good. The GCB-5 also demonstrated configural, metric, and scalar invariance (among gender and age subgroups). This indicated that the GCB-5 was interpreted similarly by men and women and different age groups. Overall, results supported the assertion that the GCB-5 is a psychometrically satisfactory global measure of non-event-based, conspiratorial ideation.