Higher Mean Levels Research Articles

Lipoprotein (a) Level Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes in Comparison with Healthy Controls

Objective: Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic endocrine condition defined as high blood glucose concentration and produced by either insulin resistance or relative lack of insulin, Prediabetes is a metabolic disorder defined by high blood glucose levels that are below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to measure lipoprotein (a) levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and prediabetic individuals. Methods: A cross-sectional research was performed at Diabetes Unit at Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kurdistan region, Iraq. The study group consist of 235 participants, 85 type 2 diabetic patients, 60 prediabetic individuals and 90 individuals as control group. Results: Mean levels of Lipoprotein (a) were higher in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (60.43±13.19 mg/dl) and prediabetic individuals (42.53±11.65 mg/dl) in comparison with healthy control (27.3±11.16 mg/dl). Moreover, there was higher prevalent rate of abnormal high lipoprotein (a) among type 2 diabetic patients (69 ,81.1%) and prediabetic individuals (10, 16.7%). Conclusion: High mean level of lipoprotein (a) and high prevalence rate of abnormal high lipoprotein (a) were observed in type 2 diabetic patients and prediabetic individuals.

SOCIAL DIFFERENCES IN ALLOSTATIC LOAD TRAJECTORIES ACROSS ADULTHOOD

Abstract Chronic psychosocial stress has been indicated as a potentially important driver of U.S. health disparities. Allostatic load (AL) is an indicator of cumulative biological risk or “wear and tear” on the body resulting from repeated adaptations to life stressors. A population-level examination of AL may be particularly useful in understanding the intermediate physiological dysregulation that underlies social inequalities in health. No study has yet documented changes in allostatic load over a wide range of ages and intersecting sociodemographic groups. To address this gap, we pooled biomarker data from three U.S. longitudinal cohort studies (National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, Midlife Development in the U.S., and the Health and Retirement Survey) to create an integrated dataset covering individuals ages 24 to over 95 from several birth cohorts. We conducted growth curve models to examine associations of AL trajectories with cohort and multiple dimensions of social identity. We found more recently born cohorts were associated with higher mean levels in AL as compared to earlier-born cohorts. Net of cohort, education, and other covariates, Black men and women and Hispanic men had significantly higher AL than their White counterparts. These differences were present in early adulthood and persisted at all ages. Hispanic women experienced the largest increases in AL with age, surpassing nearly all other groups at older ages. These findings contribute new knowledge about the temporal dynamics and social patterning of AL as individuals age, particularly intersecting stress exposures as an underlying and enduring source of health inequity.

Are U-shaped relationships between risk factors and outcomes artifactual?

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the observed nadir in a U- or J-shaped relationship between a particular risk factor and a future health outcome is a function of the distribution of the risk factor in the sample being analyzed. Data from the ORIGIN trial were used to assess the relationship between three risk factors (weight, systolic blood pressure, and serum insulin) and the hazard of a major cardiovascular event comprising a nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. Three spline curves were generated for each risk factor. The first was based on all available data, the second for a subgroup with a higher mean risk factor level, and the third for a subgroup with a lower mean risk factor level. Nadir levels of the risk factor (i.e., risk factor levels predicting the lowest hazard) were then identified for each spline curve. When compared to the nadir values based on all available data, nadir values for all three risk factors were higher for the subgroups with higher mean levels and lower for those with lower mean levels. The distribution of a risk factor in the population is an important determinant of its nadir value. Populations with high or low values may have high and low nadirs, respectively. Identification of a nadir for a modifiable risk factor from epidemiologic relationships may therefore arise from this distribution bias and is therefore unrelated to therapeutic targets.

Obesity and Race As Determinates of Plasma Von Willebrand and Factor VIII Levels

Introduction: Obesity has emerged as a significant public health problem in all ages in the United States. The age-adjusted prevalence of obesity and severe obesity were 42.2% and 9.2% respectively among adults aged 20 or older from 2017-2018. Overall, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults and youth had a higher prevalence of obesity compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups. Obesity prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic Asian men and women compared with other race and Hispanic-origin groups based on National Center for Health Sciences- Center for Disease Control. Factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are both coagulation factors that are acute phase reactants. Obesity has been associated with metabolic syndrome and resultant chronic inflammation. Obesity has previously been linked to increasing FVIII levels, however, studies have not been able to confirm a linkage between VWF and body mass index (BMI). Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a single-site retrospective review of the electronic health record of patients that had von Willebrand profiles [VWF:Antigen (Ag), VWF:Activity (Act), and/or FVIII activity] obtained within 24 hours of a hemoglobin level who had no bleeding disorder diagnosis. BMI was recorded when available in the electronic medical record at the time of laboratory testing and correlation between BMI and FVIII/vWF levels was assessed. Data was retrieved from January 1, 2012, through June 1, 2021. Results: We identified 4552 individuals who had VWF profile testing that had an associated hemoglobin level in a 24-hour period and did not carry a diagnosis of VWD. Among all subjects, a total of 2152 subjects were found to have BMI measurements, 1294 subjects <85th percentile, 379 subjects ≥85th - 95th percentile and 479 subjects ≥ 95th percentile. Demographics for the cohort with BMI measurements were White (N=1,673; mean BMI percentile 67.4±29.4), Black (N=377; mean BMI percentile 72±27.3), Asian (N=46, mean BMI percentile 48.0±33.9). There was a statistically significant difference in BMI by race (P<0.001). VWF antigen (P<0.005) and FVIII level (P<0.005) were significantly and positively correlated with increased BMI levels. Similarly, VWF activity/antigen ratio was negatively correlated (P<0.005) with increasing BMI. Further statistical modelling was performed, controlling for hemoglobin, BMI percentile, race, and age. BMI percentile remained a determinant for VWF antigen and FVIII levels. VWF antigen levels were statistically different in those with BMI <85th and ≥ 95th percentile (P<0.0001) and ≤85th-95th and ≥ 95th percentile (P<0.01). FVIII levels were significant between BMI ≤85th and ≥ 95th percentile (P<0.0001). We also examined the cohort for potential differences in VWF and FVIII levels based on race. Black race was found to be associated with higher VWF antigen levels among all races and found to be statistically significant when compared to White race (P<0.0001). Black race was also associated with a higher FVIII level versus White race (P<0.0001). Further statistical modeling was also done for race, controlling for BMI, hemoglobin, and age. VWF antigen levels were statistically significant among races (P<0.0001) with Black race having the highest mean level. Similarly, Race was a significant factor for VWF activity/antigen ratio (P<0.0001) with White race having the highest and Black race the lowest mean ratio. Race was also statistically significant (P<0.0001) for FVIII levels, with Black race having the highest levels and lowest levels in the all-other race category. Conclusions: BMI and race were independently found to be determinants of VWF:Ag and FVIII levels. As patients presenting for a bleeding disorder evaluation may be overweight or obese, the confounding effect of increased BMI should be considered during the diagnostic evaluation. We also observed racial differences in VWF antigen and FVIII levels. As this was antigen testing, it should not be affected by the known racial differences in sensitivity to ristocetin cofactor testing. Further studies to confirm these findings and the potential confounding effect of BMI are needed.

Performing real time neuropsychological testing during awake craniotomy: are dexmedetomidine or propofol the same? A preliminary report.

In awake surgery, the patient is sedated, but is also required to be sufficiently alert and collaborative during extensive neurocognitive testing. In the present preliminary report of a retrospective single-center study, a continuous series of 168 patients who underwent awake surgery for brain tumor located near eloquent areas, was investigated to observe the effect of dexmedetomidine (n = 58) compared with propofol (n = 110) on vigilance and collaboration required to perform extensive intra-operatory Real Time Neuropsychological Testing (RTNT). We assigned a score to each patient, by using a scale that combines vigilance and collaboration in a 5 levels score (the higher score denoting higher level). The median interquartile range was significantly lower (range 3-5) for the dexmedetomidine group compared to the propofol one (range 4-5, p = .044). Patients with intra-operative seizures (p = .014) and/or electrocorticographic slow/epileptiform activity (p = .042), and patients in the propofol group who showed increased heart rate (p = .032) were those who obtained the lower scores (lower vigilance and collaboration level). The study shows that the effect of dexmedetomidine or propofol -based conscious sedation on ability to perform Real Time Neuropsychological Testing during awake surgery for supratentorial tumor resection is different. Although both permit high mean levels of vigilance and collaboration, the patient who received dexmedetomidine was more likely to show lower vigilance and collaboration during RTNT.

Fecal indicators and antibiotic resistance genes exhibit diurnal trends in the Chattahoochee River: Implications for water quality monitoring.

Water bodies that serve as sources of drinking or recreational water are routinely monitored for fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) by state and local agencies. Exceedances of monitoring thresholds set by those agencies signal likely elevated human health risk from exposure, but FIB give little information about the potential source of contamination. To improve our understanding of how within-day variation could impact monitoring data interpretation, we conducted a study at two sites along the Chattahoochee River that varied in their recreational usage and adjacent land-use (natural versus urban), collecting samples every 30 min over one 24-h period. We assayed for three types of microbial indicators: FIB (total coliforms and Escherichia coli); human fecal-associated microbial source tracking (MST) markers (crAssphage and HF183/BacR287); and a suite of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs; blaCTX-M, blaCMY, MCR, KPC, VIM, NDM) and a gene associated with antibiotic resistance (intl1). Mean levels of FIB and clinically relevant ARGs (blaCMY and KPC) were similar across sites, while MST markers and intI1 occurred at higher mean levels at the natural site. The human-associated MST markers positively correlated with antibiotic resistant-associated genes at both sites, but no consistent associations were detected between culturable FIB and any molecular markers. For all microbial indicators, generalized additive mixed models were used to examine diurnal variability and whether this variability was associated with environmental factors (water temperature, turbidity, pH, and sunlight). We found that FIB peaked during morning and early afternoon hours and were not associated with environmental factors. With the exception of HF183/BacR287 at the urban site, molecular MST markers and intI1 exhibited diurnal variability, and water temperature, pH, and turbidity were significantly associated with this variability. For blaCMY and KPC, diurnal variability was present but was not correlated with environmental factors. These results suggest that differences in land use (natural or urban) both adjacent and upstream may impact overall levels of microbial contamination. Monitoring agencies should consider matching sample collection times with peak levels of target microbial indicators, which would be in the morning or early afternoon for the fecal associated indicators. Measuring multiple microbial indicators can lead to clearer interpretations of human health risk associated with exposure to contaminated water.

Fisheries Reference Points under Varying Stock Productivity and Discounting: European Anchovy as a Case Study

European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) is the main commercially exploited fish stock in the Black Sea region, providing a vital source of livelihood and revenue for local communities and national economies. In recent decades, the Black Sea anchovy stock has faced many human-induced threats, including overfishing, eutrophication, invasive species, and climate change while these threats have raised concerns about the status and long-term productivity of the stock. To ensure sustainable levels of exploitation under potential future changes in stock productivity, we here estimate and compare a suite of biological and economic reference points under different levels of stock productivity and discount rates using an age-structured bioeconomic model setup. Our model simulations showed that optimal fishing mortalities achieving maximum sustainable yield (FMSY) and maximum economic yield (FMEY) increase at higher stock productivity but are always lower than the historically high mean levels of exploitation. Furthermore, we illustrate that the stock biomass at maximum economic yield (BMEY) is larger than the stock biomass at maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) at all stock productivities and discount rates, except at low stock productivity under high levels of discounting (i.e., 10%, 20%). By illustrating the ecological and economic benefits of reducing exploitation rates, we expect that our estimated reference points can add value to the decision-making process for the management of the European anchovy fishery and ensure long-term sustainable management even under future climate-driven changes in stock productivity.

Establishment and validation of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantification of urinary estrogens in women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is not only a threat to the health of pregnant women, but also has profound effects on the health of offspring. Studies have shown that the imbalance of estrogen metabolism is associated with an increased risk of GDM. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was established and validated for simultaneous quantification of thirteen estrogens in the urine of GDM women, including estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and their hydroxylated and methylated metabolites. The method was achieved on a Waters CORTECS C18 column (2.1 mm × 150 mm, 1.6 µm) within 8.5 min. The linear range of thirteen estrogens in urine was 2–1000 pg·mL−1. Both intra- and inter-day precision for each analyte were less than 15%, with accuracies ranging from 8.3% to 7.3%. The extraction recoveries rate were between 86% and 111%, and stability verification results met the requirements for determination of biological samples. The results suggested that the concentrations of estrogens in all urine samples range from 0.08 to 134.06 (pg·mg−1 creatinine). The mean levels of E1, E2 and most estrogen metabolites in the urine of GDM women were higher than those in healthy pregnant women. Notably, the mean level of 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) in GDM women was 13.2-fold lower than that in healthy pregnant women. The types of estrogens with the highest mean levels in the urine of GDM and healthy pregnant women were obviously different, which are 2-methoxyestrone (2MeOE1) and E3, respectively. Our results demonstrated that this specific and sensitive method is suitable for quantifying estrogens in human urine and could provide support for further research on estrogen-related pathological mechanisms in GDM and other diseases.

Could the Majority of the Greek and Cypriot Population Be Vitamin D Deficient?

OBJECTIVE: Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent in epidemic proportions in many developed countries. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of adequate 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in two Mediterranean countries, Greece and Cyprus. METHODS: Data such as 25(OH)D, the month of blood sample collection, and demographic information were blindly collected from 8780 Greek and 2594 Cypriot individuals over 5 years. Comorbidities were also recorded for 839 Greek subjects. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between these variables and 25(OH)D levels. RESULTS: In the samples studied, 72.7% of the Greek and 69.3% of the Cypriot population sample had inadequate levels of 25(OH)D. The mean level for the Greek subjects was 25.1 ng/mL and for Cypriots 25.8 ng/mL. For both samples, only month and gender were significantly associated with 25(OH)D levels, and the highest mean levels were recorded in September. For the recorded diseases, the lowest levels were recorded in sickle cell anaemia 13.6 ± 10.2 ng/mL, autoimmune diseases 13.0 ± 8.4 ng/mL, and cancer 22.6 ± 9.5 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is paradoxically high in both Mediterranean countries.

Exploring the associations between discrimination, coping, skin tone, and the psychosocial health of young adults of color

Although valuable strides have been made in linking racial and ethnic discrimination to health outcomes, scholars have primarily used between-person methodological approaches, which assess the implications of reporting high or low mean levels of discrimination. Alternatively, within-person approaches assess the implications of intraindividual variation, or acute changes, in an individual's exposure to discrimination. These approaches pose two fundamentally different questions about the association between discrimination and health, and empirical work that disaggregates these effects remains scarce. Scholars have also called for research exploring whether sociocultural factors-such as race-related coping and skin tone-contour these associations. To address gaps in extant literature, the current study examined 1) how an individual's average level of exposure to discrimination (between-person) and weekly fluctuations in these encounters (within-person) relate to psychosocial health and 2) whether race-related coping (confrontational and passive coping) and skin tone moderate these associations. Analyses were conducted using weekly diary data from African American and Latinx young adults (n = 140). Findings indicated that reporting higher mean levels of exposure to discrimination and encountering more discrimination than usual on a given week were both associated with poorer psychosocial health. Results also suggest that the efficacy of young adults' coping mechanisms may depend on their skin tone and the nature of the discriminatory events encountered.

Effects of behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value, and context stability on the formation of a higher-order nutrition habit: an intensive longitudinal diary study

BackgroundHabits drive many of our health behaviors in our daily lives. However, little is known about the relative contribution of different key factors for habit formation in real-world contexts. We examined the effects of behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value (operationalized as tastiness), and context stability on the formation of a higher-order nutrition habit.MethodsParticipants were recruited via mailing lists and posts on social media platforms. N = 199 participants (Mage = 37.10 years, SD = 13.00, 86.93% female) received an online intervention for building the higher-order habit of filling half of their plates with vegetables at dinner and completed one daily online survey for up to 56 days, including the assessment of habit strength, behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value, and context stability, providing a total of N = 6352 daily measurements. N = 189 participants (N = 4175 measurements) could be included in the primary analysis. Utilizing multilevel modeling, we analyzed the impact of behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value, and context stability, as well as their interaction effects, on habit strength on the next day.ResultsHabit strength significantly increased over time. This effect was strengthened in persons with high mean levels of behavioral performance. Furthermore, mean levels of behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value, and context stability were all positively related to mean levels of habit strength. There were no positive effects of daily intraindividual variations in the three examined factors on habit strength at the next day. There was an unexpected negative effect of daily behavioral performance on habit strength at the next day. We found little to no evidence for our expected and pre-registered interaction effects. In an additional exploratory analysis, there were positive effects of daily intraindividual variations in the three factors on habit strength at the same day.ConclusionsWe found that behavioral performance, intrinsic reward value, and context stability were all independent predictors of habit strength of a higher-order habit at the between-person level. However, we did not find the expected associations at the within-person level. Habit interventions should promote the consistent performance of the target behaviors in stable contexts.Trial registrationhttps://aspredicted.org/blind.php?x=vu2cg4. Registered 28.04.2020.

Study on adherence to positive airway pressure treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea using real-world big data in a telemedicine management system.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a disorder that is characterized by obstructive apneas and hypopneas/respiratory effort-related arousals caused by upper airway collapse during sleep. Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) is the first-line treatment for moderate to severe OSA. However, the effectiveness of PAP therapies is contingent on treatment adherence. With the implementation of the wireless transmission for PAP treatment, it is possible to evaluate the objective adherence to PAP use. The purpose of this study is to assess the adherence to PAP therapy of Chinese OSA patients in a telemedicine management system which could fulfill automatic transmission of PAP treatment data. First, we use the telemedicine management system to extract PAP adherence information of OSA adult patients in one week, one month, three months, six months and 12months. Second, we describe the general profile of PAP therapy adherence. Third, the latent class growth modeling and growth mixture modeling was conducted using Mplus 8.0 to identify the trajectories of adherence over time. Of all the 662 patients involved in our study, PAP adherence declined over time. After one year, the proportion of days compliant was 53.7%, the proportion of good compliance was 45.2%, the daily usage (all days) was 3.9h/night, slightly lower than subjective adherence reported in the previous literatures. In addition, we identified three patterns of adherence over time: great users (39.9%; high mean value and level, negative slope, slow decline), good users (34.8%; moderate mean value and level, negative slope, rapid decline) and low users (25.3%; low mean value and level, negative slope, rapid decline). In brief, telemedicine management system provides a convenient platform for monitoring the treatment compliance of OSA patients powerfully and accurately. To improve the low PAP adherence in China, we should make good use of the PAP therapy telemedicine management platform to detect patients with poor adherence and provide timely intervention. Besides, our research provides a foundation for future studies to explore the determinants of observed trajectories of PAP adherence based on the telemedicine platforms.

Aging Anxiety in Older Adults

Abstract. Recently, aging anxiety was linked with existential fears. This study examines whether self-esteem and meaning in life, protective factors against mortality awareness, buffer the association between aging anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults. 318 community-dwelling participants (aged 65–90 years, M = 73.42, SD = 5.40) completed scales assessing aging anxiety, self-esteem, meaning in life, and depressive symptoms. High aging anxiety and low self-esteem/meaning in life were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Moreover, the link between aging anxiety and depressive symptoms was nullified among participants reporting high levels of self-esteem and meaning in life. We discuss the results from the perspective of terror management theory and suggest that, while aging anxiety may elicit existential concerns, these fears may be mitigated by self-esteem and meaning in life.

Effects of toxoplasmosis infection on the levels of IL-18 and anti-ds-DNA antibodies in SLE patients

The present study was set to demonstrate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection and its effects on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) through determining their serum levels of anti-dsDNA and IL-18 antibodies. For this purpose, the sera from 132 SLE and/or toxoplasmosis patients and 30 healthy women, were collected. The study sample was divided into four groups of SLE, toxoplasmosis, SLE coinfected with toxoplasmosis, and healthy control. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were examined for all the samples using ELISA kit. The results showed a high mean level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG among SLE patients coinfected with toxoplasmosis (104.8792±12.31585pg/ml) in comparison to that in toxoplasmosis patients (91.1705±12.57746pg/ml). However, the mean value of anti-dsDNA antibodies showed significant (P≤0.01) elevation in SLE patients and SLE patients coinfected with toxoplasmosis (71.2134±9.22131pg/ml and 72.3699±9.67917 pg/ml, respectively), compared to those infected with toxoplasmosis only and healthy control. Furthermore, the IL-18 mean value in the sera of the studied patients showed significant (P≤0.01) elevation (418.4000±43.18072pg/ml) in SLE patients with toxoplasmosis in comparison to SLE patients (354.4400±35.29257pg/ml). The present investigation suggests that the levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies seem to increase in patients with SLE.

Prognostic value of serum ammonia in critical patients with non-hepatic disease: A prospective, observational, multicenter study.

Non-hepatic hyperammonemia can damage the central nervous system (CNS), and possible prognostic factors are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic and risk factors for patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). This prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted between November and December 2019 at 11 ICUs in the Chinese Heilongjiang province. Changes in blood ammonia level during and after ICU admission were continuously monitored and expressed as the high level (H-), mean level (M-), and initial level (I-) of ammonia. The risk factors of poor prognosis were investigated by conducting univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to compare the predictive ability of Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE-II) score, lactic acid, total bilirubin (TBil), and M-ammonia. A total of 1060 patients were included in this study, of which 707 (67%) had a favorable prognosis and 353 (33%) had a poor prognosis. As shown by univariate models, a poor prognosis was associated with elevated serum levels of lactic acid, TBil, and ammonia (P < 0.05) and pathologic scores from three assessments: APACHE-II, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). Multivariate analysis revealed that circulating mean ammonia levels in ICU patients were independently associated with a poor prognosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.80, P = 0.02). However, the APACHE-II score (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.714, sensitivity: 0.86, specificity: 0.68, P < 0.001) remained the most predictive factor for patient prognosis by ROC analysis. Elevated serum levels of ammonia in the blood were independently prognostic for ICU patients without liver disease.

Evaluation of Serum IL-17A Levels in Diabetes with Chronic Periodontitis Patients

IL-17A cytokine is a most studied member of the IL-17 cytokine family and its increased production is associated with autoimmune disease and chronic inflammation including periodontitis. This study was aimed to evaluate the serum IL-17A levels in chronic periodontitis patients with or without diabetes. The study was carried out in 168 subjects and consisted of 6 groups wherein group 1 consisted of 28 Type 1 diabetes patients with periodontitis, group 2 consisted of 28 Type 1 diabetes patients without periodontitis, group 3 consists of 28 Type 2 diabetes patients with periodontitis, group 4 consists of 28 Type 2 diabetes patients without periodontitis, group 5 consists of 28 Non-diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis, group 6 consists of 28 Non-diabetic patients without periodontitis (control group). The Sample of 3 ml venous blood was collected from cubital fossa of each subject and analyzed by using ELISA kit. Overall comparison of IL-17A level in between the groups showed that, there was a significant difference (p value &lt; 0.001) among the groups with highest mean level (5.02±0.45) for group-3 (T2DM+CP) followed by group-5 (only CP) and lowest (1.21±0.49) in group-6 (healthy). The serum IL-17A is significantly high in chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes with chronic periodontitis.

Irisin Level in Salah Adin’s Insulin Resistance Syndrome Patients in View of Global Controversy

Background: Metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity) is now an international health problem that impacts about 20 per cent to 25 per cent of the total population and can be worsened in the developing world, particularly in the Middle East, which is roughly two out of every five Iraqis. The metabolic syndrome has a direct link to many life-threatening diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, early onset of some cancers, such as colorectal cancer, Chronic liver illnesses, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and others. Methodology: A case-control study on a total of ninety volunteers (46 males and 44 females), comprising sixty metabolic syndrome patients (25 males and 35 females), defined in terms of international diabetic federation criteria, and thirty controls, is to be conducted at Salah Alden general hospital. Adults men and women aged (24-to 65) years who attended Salah Alden's main hospital outpatient clinics in Tikrit\Iraq, from October 2021 to March 2022 were included in the research. The levels (Irisin, and Insulin) in all research groups and controls are evaluated using an Enzyme-Linked Immune-sorbent Assay. Results: Irisin level was significantly higher among controls with a mean of (6.84ng/ml), compared to metabolic syndrome patient mean (5.71 ng/ml), and significantly negatively correlated to triglycerides level, and non-significantly negatively correlated with (systolic blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, and waist circumference) and non-significantly positively correlated to high-density lipoprotein level. Irisin levels were significantly different among treatment-based groups with the highest mean level among the treatment-free group (6.8450ng/ml±1.96052), followed by the antihypertensives taking group (5.3340ng/ml±2.99273), and the lowest mean level was recorded among diabetics (4.8916ng/ml±2.81952). Conclusion: With the exception of HDL, a high level of Asprosin and a low level of Irisin are strongly linked to metabolic syndrome and its components. Irisin levels differ amongst metabolic syndrome patients with various therapy groups. Keywords: Irisin, metabolic syndrome, Insulin Resistance.

Heavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk of Soils and Vegetables Grown Near a Gold Mine Area: A Case Study of Barberton, South Africa

Pollution from mining operations has a direct impact on agricultural production and can lead to potential health risks because of the accumulation of heavy metals in vegetables. Vegetables and soil samples collected from Thaba Nchu farm located near a gold mining site were analysed to determine the concentration of heavy metals. Soil and vegetable samples were digested using the wet method and heavy metals were analysed using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique. The soil-to-plant Transfer Factors (TF) and Health Risk Index (HRI) were calculated. The highest mean levels of Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Cu were detected in spinach while the highest mean level of Zn was found in onion. Iron levels in lettuce, spinach, beetroot, onion, and carrot ranged from 2203 to 3404 mg/kg which was above the permissible limits (450 mg/kg) recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization–World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). The concentration of Pb (0.4 mg/kg) and Cr (13.8 mg/kg) in spinach exceeded the permissible level recommended by FAO/WHO of 0.3 mg/kg and 1.3 mg/kg, respectively. The metal transfer factors in vegetables were in the order: Cd&gt;Pb&gt;Cu&gt;Fe&gt;Ni&gt;Co&gt;Zn&gt;Cr&gt;Mn. The daily intake and HRI of Mn and Fe in vegetables were above safe levels. There was no obvious heavy metal contamination in the soil and irrigation water. These results suggest that the consumption of vegetables grown on the study site could pose danger to human health. High heavy metal content in crops was attributed to the accumulation of Fe and Mn, which are the major ores extracted from the mining activities in the study area. Given the potential health risks, regular monitoring of heavy metal contamination in the soils and crops is recommended.

Serum androgens and prolactin levels in patients with keratoconus

ABSTRACT Clinical relevance There is growing evidence for the involvement of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of keratoconus. Background This study aimed to evaluate serum androgen and prolactin levels in patients suffering from keratoconus. Methods One hundred and two subjects were enrolled in the keratoconus (76 patients) and control (26 subjects) groups in a cross-sectional survey. Topographic evaluation of the cornea was undertaken for all enrolled participants. Serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS), prolactin (PRL), luteinising hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in all subjects. Results There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between the study groups. Significantly higher mean serum levels of DHEAS (3.71 ± 2.23 vs. 2.53 ± 1.77 µg/mL; P = 0.009) and T (6.18 ± 3.80 vs. 1.57 ± 1.76 ng/mL; P < 0.001) were observed in men with keratoconus compared to controls. In females, there were also higher mean levels of DHEAS (2.40 ± 1.57 vs. 2.18 ± 0.72 µg/mL; P = 0.355) and T (0.78 ± 0.96 vs. 0.32 ± 0.13 ng/mL; P < 0.001) in patients with keratoconus but only T level reached the statistically significant level of difference. Also, the mean serum PRL level was significantly higher in women with keratoconus compared to control (13.33 ± 17.85 vs. 4.63 ± 3.10 ng/mL; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between serum FSH and LH levels between study groups. Conclusion In patients with keratoconus, serum PRL in females and serum androgen levels in both genders are elevated.

Examining the Psycho-Emotional and Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Remarried Widowed Christians

This study examined the Psycho-emotional and Socio-economic Wellbeing of Remarried Widowed Christians in Ankpa Town, Kogi state, Nigeria. The study employed the descriptive research design. The particular descriptive design used was survey. The population for the study was 100 remarried widowed Christians located in the 75 local church denominations in Ankpa town. Since this population was not large, it was not sampled. The instrument for the study was the Psycho-emotional and Socio-economic Wellbeing Questionnaire (PEASE-WQ) designed by the researcher. The psychometric properties of the instrument were established before it was administered on the respondents. The data collected were analyzed using statistical mean, standard deviation and t-Test. The results of the findings were that both the males and the female christians that were bereaved and later remarried claimed to have overcome the psychological, emotional, social and economic challenges that they faced during bereavements. However, the female respondents had higher mean levels than their male counterparts on each of the four variables measured. But, the test of significance that was run on each of the four variables showed that the mean differences were not statistically significant. Based on these findings, it was recommended that widowed Christians that are not too advanced in age should remarry and if possible, they should marry one another and that such marriages should be in accordance to Christian tradition.