Interaction Effect Of Age Research Articles

Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency and Health Among a Cohort of Irish Primary School Children

ABSTRACTPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and markers of health among a cohort of Irish primary school children. Methods: Participants (N = 296, mean age: 7.99 ± 2.02 years) were senior infant (n = 149, mean age: 6.02 ± 0.39 years) and 4th class (n = 147, mean age: 9.97 ± 0.40 years) students from three primary schools in Cork, Ireland. FMS proficiency (TGMD-2) and markers of health (BMI percentile, waist circumference percentile, blood pressure percentiles, resting heart rate, cardiorespiratory fitness, objectively measured physical activity; PA) measurements were recorded. Correlation and hierarchical stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between FMS and markers of health. Results: A small, positive relationship was found between FMS (Gross Motor Quotient; GMQ) and cardiorespiratory fitness with small negative correlations between GMQ and 550 m time SDS among 6-year-olds (r(129) = −.286, p < .05) and 10-year-olds (r(132) = −.340, p < .05). A moderate, positive correlation was found between GMQ and light PA (r(71) = .400, p < .05). Small positive correlations were revealed between GMQ and moderate PA (r(71) = .259, p < .05) and between GMQ and total PA (r(71) = .355, p < .05). After adjusting for age, sex, the interaction effect of age and sex, and school attended, FMS explained 15.9% and 24.8% of the variance in 550 m time SDS among 6- and 10-year-olds, respectively, and 6% and 6.5% of the variance in light PA and moderate PA, respectively. After adjusting for age and sex, FMS explained 11.6% of the variance in total PA. Conclusion: A wide range of FMS is important for children’s cardiorespiratory fitness and PA.

Validity, Reliability and Normative Data of the Stroop Test Çapa Version.

The Stroop test Çapa version does not have normative data, despite its extensive use in clinical and research settings to assess executive functions. The aim of the present study was to test the validity and reliability of the Stroop test Çapa version and to establish stratified normative data in individuals aged between 18-83 years. The norm determination phase of the study included 541 healthy participants, stratified by age, education, and gender. The relative contributions of the demographic variables on the completion times of Stroop subtests were assessed with multiple linear regression analysis. The main effects of age, education and gender variables and of interactions between these on the completion times of subtests were investigated with 6x3x2 ANOVA design. In addition, the concurrent validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the test were examined. Multiple linear regression models that included age and education accounted for 23-42% of the completion time variances of all subtests. In the factorial ANOVA, main effects, as well as interaction effects of age and education were found on all subtests. For all Stroop subtests, the completion times were the shortest for the individuals in the 18-29 age group with the highest education level and longest for the individuals in the 70-83 age group with the lowest education level. The test demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and high test-retest reliability. Normative data of the Stroop Test Çapa Version were provided for the assessment of executive functions in young and middleaged adults and elderly population.

Examining Sentencing Patterns and Outcomes for White-Collar and Property Crime Offenders

ABSTRACTGuided by the focal concerns perspective, the authors examine effects associated with sentencing predictors on incarceration and sentence length decisions for offenders convicted of white-collar and different forms of property crime. Using seven years of data (2004–2010) obtained from the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing, the authors compare direct and interaction effects of legal and extralegal covariates for white-collar, property economic, and property noneconomic offenders to assess similarities and differences in sentencing outcomes across these crime types. Results indicate more variation exists between white-collar and property noneconomic offenders, particularly in terms of age, race, and gender interaction effects on sentence length decisions. Substantive and theoretical implications are discussed.

Persuasion and Semantic Network Structure: Testing Message Effects of Attribute Centrality on Decision Making under Uncertainty

ABSTRACTBringing together probabilistic persuasion theory and semantic network models, past research introduced the number and strength of direct connections in a semantic network as a theory-based criterion of argument quality. In two experiments, the present research provides evidence that this argument quality criterion also increases persuasion in decision-making contexts. Experiment 1 revealed that highly central attributes—embedded in advertising arguments advocating for choice of a focal product—were more persuasive, increased choice confidence, and were perceived as better arguments than attributes low in centrality. Experiment 2 nearly mirrored Experiment 1 by revealing main effects of attribute centrality on respondent choice behavior and perceived argument quality. In addition, an interaction effect of centrality and age on participant choice latencies was observed. In comparison to other age brackets, young adult participants had significantly lower choice latencies when choices were based on highly central attributes as opposed to lowly central attributes.

The role of self-efficacy as an attribute of principals’ leadership effectiveness in K-12 private and public institutions in Lebanon

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to explore the role of K-12 school principals’ self-efficacy as an attribute for their leadership effectiveness in Lebanon. The Norwegian principal self-efficacy scale (NPSES) instrument was translated into Arabic and used to collect quantitative data from participants. Internal consistency of factors within this study was checked (24 items; α = 0.73). By comparing private and public schools in Lebanon, all located in the governorate of Mount Lebanon, the researchers revealed the extent to which principals’ self-efficacy plays a role in their leadership. In addition, while no statistical difference was found between self-efficacy levels of private and public principals, females reported higher scores on the majority of the dimensions than their male counterparts in both types of schools. This study highlights the importance of the interaction effect of age and gender on self-efficacy levels. Moreover, it offers knowledge and practice to policy makers when recruiting principals or designing training programs. It also suggests the implementation of an in-house mentoring program to create school-school partnerships. Finally, this paper offers a platform for future researchers interested in principal self-efficacy in similar conflict-affected places with high economic depression. Limitations are further mentioned.

A Preliminary High-Definition Fiber Tracking Study of the Executive Control Network in Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury.

Blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) is common in veterans of the Iraq- and Afghanistan-era conflicts. However, the typical subtlety of neural alterations and absence of definitive biomarkers impede clinical detection on conventional imaging. This preliminary study examined the structure and functional correlates of executive control network (ECN) white matter in veterans to investigate the clinical utility of using high-definition fiber tracking (HDFT) to detect chronic bTBI. Demographically similar male veterans (N = 38) with and without bTBI (ages 24 to 50 years) completed standardized neuropsychological testing and magnetic resonance imaging. Quantitative HDFT metrics of subcortical-dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) tracts were derived. Moderate-to-large group effects were observed on HDFT metrics. Relative to comparisons, bTBI demonstrated elevated quantitative anisotropy (QA) and reduced right hemisphere volume of all examined tracts, and reduced fiber count and increased generalized fractional anisotropy in the right DLPFC-putamen tract and DLPFC-thalamus, respectively. The Group × Age interaction effect on DLPFC-caudate tract volume was large; age negatively related to volume in the bTBI group, but not comparison group. Groups performed similarly on the response inhibition measure. Performance (reaction time and commission errors) robustly correlated with HDFT tract metrics (QA and tract volume) in the comparison group, but not bTBI group. Results support anomalous density and integrity of ECN connectivity, particularly of the right DLPFC-putamen pathway, in bTBI. Results also support exacerbated aging in veterans with bTBI. Similar ECN function despite anomalous microstructure could reflect functional compensation in bTBI, although alternate interpretations are explored.

Development of a Tool to Assess Fundamental Movement Skills in Applied Settings

The main aim of this study was to evaluate a new combination of test items on its practical use as a tool for determining the fundamental movement skills performance in 6- to 10-year old primary school children. This combination of tests should cover the different aspects of fundamental movement skills (i.e. locomotion, balance and object control), measure performance levels within the broad spectrum of this age range in both boys and girls and be able to detect the existing performance differences between ages. For this purpose, 1121 primary school children (6-10 years) were assessed during their regular PE class using three test items of the Korper Koordinations Test fur Kinder (KTK-3), i.e. walking backwards (WB), moving sideways (MS), jumping sideways (JS), and an eye hand coordination test item (EHC). Univariate General Linear Model analyses were used to evaluate main and interaction effects of sex and age on the test outcomes. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to confirm the different constructs measured by the four test items. Moreover, in line with previous studies the raw scores were converted into movement quotients (i.e. MQKTK-3 and MQKTK-3+EHC) to classify the children’s performance level. Accordingly, percentage of agreement and Cohen’s kappa between both classifications was determined to gain insight in the influence of the addition of the EHC to the KTK-3. Significant effects for sex and age were found. Girls outperformed boys on WB and boys outperformed girls on EHC (P<0.05). On all test items children of a certain age group scored better than their 1-year younger peers, except at WB between 10- and the 8- and 9-year olds and at MS and JS between 10-year olds and 9-year olds. Moderate positive associations between the test items were found (P<0.05). An 80.8% agreement of classification of children was found based on the MQKTK-3 or the MQKTK-3+EHC (Cohen’s kappa 0.59 (P < 0.001)). Consequently, The KTK-3+EHC appears to adequately cover different aspects of the fundamental movement skills. It provides practitioners a tool that can objectively assess the broad performance spectrum within young children in applied settings, which better meets children’s individual developmental needs

Anomalous morphology in left hemisphere motor and premotor cortex of children who stutter.

Stuttering is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the smooth flow of speech production. Stuttering onset occurs during a dynamic period of development when children first start learning to formulate sentences. Although most children grow out of stuttering naturally, ∼1% of all children develop persistent stuttering that can lead to significant psychosocial consequences throughout one's life. To date, few studies have examined neural bases of stuttering in children who stutter, and even fewer have examined the basis for natural recovery versus persistence of stuttering. Here we report the first study to conduct surface-based analysis of the brain morphometric measures in children who stutter. We used FreeSurfer to extract cortical size and shape measures from structural MRI scans collected from the initial year of a longitudinal study involving 70 children (36 stuttering, 34 controls) in the 3-10-year range. The stuttering group was further divided into two groups: persistent and recovered, based on their later longitudinal visits that allowed determination of their eventual clinical outcome. A region of interest analysis that focused on the left hemisphere speech network and a whole-brain exploratory analysis were conducted to examine group differences and group × age interaction effects. We found that the persistent group could be differentiated from the control and recovered groups by reduced cortical thickness in left motor and lateral premotor cortical regions. The recovered group showed an age-related decrease in local gyrification in the left medial premotor cortex (supplementary motor area and and pre-supplementary motor area). These results provide strong evidence of a primary deficit in the left hemisphere speech network, specifically involving lateral premotor cortex and primary motor cortex, in persistent developmental stuttering. Results further point to a possible compensatory mechanism involving left medial premotor cortex in those who recover from childhood stuttering.

Sexual dimorphism in the ontogeny of second (2D) and fourth (4D) digit lengths, and digit ratio (2D:4D).

Sex differences are often reported in digit lengths and digit ratio (2D:4D). However, the ontogeny of these sex differences and their interrelationships are less well known. We considered sex differences in the lengths of the 2nd (2D) and 4th (4D) digit and 2D:4D in children aged 2 to 18 years (Sample I, n = 680) and adults aged 18 to 30 years (Sample II, n = 89,246). Digit length was determined by direct experimenter-measurement (Sample I) and direct self-measurement (Sample II). The data were tested with two-factor ANOVA's (sex and year-group). In both samples, there were significant main effects of sex and year-group, and a significant interaction effect on digit length. Digit length was positively related to age in both samples. Boys had longer digits than girls but only after 13 years. Men had longer digits than women and the dimorphism increased from 18 to 30 years. There were significant sex differences in 2D:4D (males < females), but no significant effect of age and no interaction effect of age and sex on 2D:4D in children or adults. Between 2 and 30 years, the lengths and the sexual dimorphisms of 2D and 4D are dependent on age. In contrast, 2D:4D is not age-dependent. We discuss our findings in the context of the ontogeny of digits and in the light of recent claims on the presence of static allometry in 2D and 4D lengths.

Abstract 469: APOL1 Genotypes and Risk of Heart Failure: an Additive Genetic Effect in the Elderly, but Not in the Young Adults in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective: Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1), the major protein component of HDL, is identified having an association with renal disease in African Americans (AA). We assessed the hypothesis that the genetic variations in APOL1 (G1 and G2 alleles) are associated with risk of heart failure (HF), and this effect is modified by age. Methods: Subjects aged 21-75, with an estimated GFR (eGFR) of 20 to 70 ml/min/1.73 m 2 at baseline recruitments (April 2003-Sept 2008), who were free of HF participating in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study and followed-up through March 2013 are analyzed (White: 1335, AA:1323). The associations of APOL1 risk genotype (assessed by either 1 of the G1 and G2, or 2 of their combinations, i.e., G1/G1, G1/G2 or G2/G2) with incident HF and mortality are examined using Cox’s regression models. Results: Within a mean 7-year (SD: 2.1) follow-up, AA had a significantly higher incidence of HF than White (2.62 vs. 1.67 per 100 person-year (PY), p=0.006) in those aged&lt;65, and 3.94 vs. 2.71 per 100 PY (p=0.026) in those aged≥65. Cox’s models, with adjusted age, sex, eGFR and HDL, indicate that compared to White, AA aged&lt;65 without or with 1 of either G1 or G2 had a significantly higher risk of HF [Hazard Ratio, HR: 2.15 (95%CI: 1.59-2.92, p&lt;.0001), followed by those with either 2 of G1/G1, G1/G2 or G2/G2 alleles (1.47, 0.88-2.48, p=0.15)]. However, a significant additive genetic effect of the number of risk alleles (i.e., 0,1,2) is observed in AA aged ≥65. The corresponding HRs (95%CI) are 1.73 (1.17-2.57, p=0.007) in those without or with either 1 of the G1 or G2, and 2.17 (1.20-3.94, p=0.011) in those with either 2 of the G1 and G2 combination. A significant interaction effect of age (≥65 vs. &lt;65) and the risk alleles (2 vs. 0/1) is observed (HR: 2.45, 95%CI: 1.14-5.28, p=0.02). Similar associations between APOL1 alleles and mortality from HF and all-cause are seen by the two age groups. Conclusion: African Americans with APOL1 risk alleles have significantly higher risk of HF and mortality than White. An additive genetic effect of the number of APOL1 risk alleles is shown among AA aged ≥65, but not in the younger adults. The modifying effect of age suggests that a possible 'different genetic-risk window' by ages warrants consideration in HF control and prevention.

Mice deficient in AKAP13 (BRX) develop compulsive-like behavior and increased body weight

ObjectiveHormonal contributions to the sex-dependent development of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obesity have been described, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. A-kinase anchoring protein 13 (AKAP13) significantly augments ligand-dependent activation of estrogen receptors alpha and beta. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are implicated in the development and exacerbation of OCD and obesity and have strong AKAP13 expression. The AKAP13 localization pattern observed in these key brain regions together with its effects on sex steroid action suggest a potential role for AKAP13 in compulsive-like behaviors. Here we tested the role of AKAP13 in compulsive-like behavior and body weight using an Akap13 haploinsufficient murine model. Materials and methodsTargeted deletion of the Akap13 gene generated haploinsufficient (Akap13+/−) mice in a C57BL6/J genetic background. Established behavioral assays were conducted, video recorded, and scored blindly to assess compulsive-like behavior based on genotype and gender. Tests included: marble-burying, grooming, open- field and elevated plus-maze. Brain and body weights were also obtained. Mean levels of test outcomes were compared using multi-way ANOVA to test for genotype, sex, genotype*sex, and genotype*sex*age interaction effects with Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons, to further explain any significant interactions. ResultsThe marble-burying and grooming assays revealed significant sex-dependent increases in perseverative, compulsive-like behaviors in female Akap13 haploinsufficient mice compared to female wild type (WT) mice by demonstrating increased marble-burying activity (p = .0025) and a trend towards increased grooming behavior (p = .06). Male Akap13 haploinsufficient mice exhibited no behavioral changes (p > 0.05). Elevated plus-maze and open-field test results showed no overt anxiety-like behavior in Akap13 haploinsufficient mice irrespective of sex (p > 0.05, both). No differences in brain weight were found in Akap13 haploinsufficient mice compared to WT mice (p > 0.05). However, female Akap13 haploinsufficient mice weighed more than female WT mice in the 4 to <7 months age range (p = .0051). Male Akap13 haploinsufficient mice showed no differences in weight compared to male WT mice (p = >0.05) at any age range examined. ConclusionAkap13 haploinsufficiency led to sex-dependent, compulsive-like behavioral changes in a murine model. Interestingly, Akap13 haploinsufficiency also led to a sex-dependent increase in body weight. These results revealed a requirement for AKAP13 in murine behavior, particularly in female mice, and is the first report of AKAP13 involvement in murine behavior. Future studies may examine the involvement of AKAP13 in the pathophysiology of OCD in female humans and may contribute to a better understanding of the role of AKAP13 and sex hormones in the development and exacerbation of OCD.

Circulating Spexin Levels Negatively Correlate With Age, BMI, Fasting Glucose, and Triglycerides in Healthy Adult Women.

ContextSpexin is a newly identified neuropeptide that is involved in satiety control, glucose, and lipids metabolism. It has also been related to human diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. However, whether spexin changes with age or not is still unclear.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between circulating spexin levels and age and to study their interaction effects on body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, and -lipids.Design and ParticipantsThis is a cross-sectional study, including 68 healthy adult women whose ages are in a wide range (minimum: 23; median: 38.5; maximum: 64).Outcome MeasuresThe serum spexin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, urea, and creatinine were measured by routine biochemical test. Shapiro-Wilk’s test, Spearman and Pearson correlation analyses, χ2 test, and two-way analysis of variance were used to interpret the data.ResultsSerum spexin levels are significantly correlated with age (Spearman r = −0.277, P = 0.022), BMI (Spearman r = −0.445, P < 0.001), fasting glucose (Spearman r = −0.302, P = 0.014), and TG (Spearman r = −0.324, P = 0.008). Spexin levels independently predict the risk of high BMI and high fasting glucose. No interaction effects of spexin and age on BMI and fasting glucose were found.ConclusionsCirculating spexin levels decrease with age, suggesting a possible role of this peptide in aging-related functions and disorders. Further investigations are needed to expand the clinical significance of this finding.

Individual, Travel, and Bus Stop Characteristics Influencing Travelers’ Safety Perceptions

Ensuring safety during door-to-door public transport trips is a fundamental challenge to service providers, as safety influences individuals’ mobility. Using reported safety perceptions of travelers waiting at six bus stops with different characteristics in Stockholm, this study investigates factors that have an impact on determining travelers’ perceived safety and crime perceptions. This is done by assessing the importance of real-time information provision and the environmental characteristics of bus stops during the day and at night for different types of crime, after controlling for travelers’ individual and trip characteristics, and their previous experiences of victimization. Interaction effects of age, gender, and travel frequency are also tested. The results suggest that bus shelter characteristics, natural surveillance, and trustworthy real-time information are the most important factors influencing safety and crime perceptions. Additionally, safety perceptions are strongly influenced by previous experiences of victimization. The effect of perceived feelings about crime and safety are found to be nuanced by age and gender. Unlike some common beliefs, travelers: (1) feel less worried about becoming a victim of crime at bus stops associated with high crime rates; (2) prefer opaque shelters at night; and (3) have higher safety perceptions when the stop is located in an area of mixed land use. The impact of a bus stop’s number of passers-by is found to be insignificant. No direct or indirect effects can be attributed to frequency of travel by bus, indicating that familiar places and routine behavior have no effect on declared crime and safety perceptions.

Hypercapnia‐induced Shear‐mediated Dilation in the Internal Carotid Arteries Is Blunted in Healthy Older Adults

Shear‐mediated dilation (an index of vascular function) in peripheral conduit arteries is blunted with aging. However, the effects of aging on shear‐mediated dilation in carotid arteries are unknown. We hypothesized that hypercapnia‐induced shear‐mediated dilation in the common and internal carotid arteries (CCA and ICA, respectively) would be attenuated in healthy older adults relative to young adults. Hypercapnia‐induced shear‐mediated dilation in the CCA and ICA was assessed in ten young (5F/5M, 23±1 years) and ten older (6F/4M, 68±1 years) adults. Shear‐mediated dilation was induced by two levels of hypercapnia (Low and High; +5 and +10 mmHg from individual baseline end‐tidal CO2, respectively). Doppler measurements of the CCA and ICA at low and high levels of hypercapnia were performed in a randomized order. Each trial consisted of a two‐minute baseline and three minutes of hypercapnia. Percent change in diameter (shear‐mediated dilation) and shear rate (SR) were calculated as the percent rise in the peak value from the baseline value. Hypercapnia induced an increase in SR with increasing end‐tidal CO2 in both the CCA and ICA (main effect of hypercapnia; both P&lt;0.05), while no differences were observed in the percent change in SR between young and older adults (Interaction and main effect of age, CCA; P=0.39 and P=0.74, ICA; P=0.31 and P=0.81, respectively). Shear‐mediated dilation in the CCA was increased from low to high levels of hypercapnia in both young and older adults (main effect of hypercapnia; both P&lt;0.01) with no differences between age group (Low vs. High, Young; 2.8±0.6 vs. 4.5±0.8%, Older; 2.0±0.3 vs. 3.7±0.6%). In contrast, shear‐mediated dilation in the ICA was enhanced from low to high levels of hypercapnia in young (4.6±0.8 to 7.9±1.2%, P=0.01), but not older adults (3.6±0.4 to 4.5±0.5%, P&gt;0.05). Consequently, shear‐mediated dilation in the ICA at the high level of hypercapnia was lower in older adults compared to the young adults (P=0.02). Lastly, shear‐mediated dilation was correlated to the percent change in SR in the young ICA (r=0.59, P&lt;0.01) and older ICA (r=0.49, P=0.03); however, these relationships were not present in the young CCA (P=0.95) and older CCA (P=0.30). Our data indicate that although two levels of hypercapnia induced a similar increase in SR between young and older adults, shear‐mediated dilation of the ICA to the higher level of hypercapnia was attenuated in older adults, but not in the CCA. Age‐related differences in shear‐mediated dilation were not evident during the lower level of hypercapnia trials for either carotid artery. Additionally, vasodilation in the ICA is more strongly related to the increase in SR than the CCA in both young and older adults. Together, these data may provide insight into the age‐related changes in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in healthy adults.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Unraveling age, puberty and testosterone effects on subcortical brain development across adolescence

The onset of adolescence in humans is marked by hormonal changes that give rise to secondary sexual characteristics, noted as puberty. It has, however, proven challenging to unravel to what extent pubertal changes may have organizing effects on the brain beyond chronological age, as reported in animal studies. The present longitudinal study aimed to characterize the unique effects of age and puberty on subcortical brain volumes and included three waves of data collection at two-year intervals and 680 T1-weighted MRI scans of 271 participants (54% females) aged between 8 and 29 years old. Generalized additive mixed model procedures were used to assess the effects of age, self-report pubertal status and testosterone level on basal ganglia, thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and cerebellum gray matter volumes. We observed age-related increases in putamen and pallidum volumes, and decreases in accumbens and thalamus volumes, all show larger volumes in boys than girls. Only the cerebellum showed an interaction effect of age by sex, such that males showed prolonged increases in cerebellar volume than females. Next, we showed that changes in self-report puberty status better described developmental change than chronological age for most structures in males, and for caudate, pallidum and hippocampal volumes in females. Furthermore, changes in testosterone level were related to development of pallidum, accumbens, hippocampus and amygdala volumes in males and caudate and hippocampal volumes in females. The modeling approach of the present study allowed us to characterize the complex interactions between chronological age and pubertal maturational changes, and the findings indicate puberty unique changes in brain structure that are sex specific.

Radiologic Relation of the Colon to the Trajectory of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Access in Prone Versus Flank-free Modified Supine Position: A Prospective Study of Intra and Interindividual Influencing Factors

To compare the distance between the colon and the trajectory of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) access both in prone and flank-free modified supine (FFMS) positions as measured on computed tomography and to study the effect of age, gender, BMI, side, and previous renal surgery as influencing factors. In this prospective study, we included 367 patients scheduled for PCNL. All patients underwent low dose abdominal computed tomography both in prone and FFMS positions. Patients <18 years and those with previous colonic surgery or renal congenital anomalies were excluded. The perpendicular distance between the imaginary line of the renal access and the colon was measured. Findings were correlated to different influencing factors. Two hundred nineteen patients were males, and 148 were females. BMI of <30 were reported in 158 patients whereas BMI >30 in 209 patients. Data analysis showed that the mean perpendicular distance between colon and the renal access in FFMS and prone positions were 35.92 ± 0.22 mm and 17.78 ± 0.09 mm, respectively. In prone position only obesity, age, and overall interaction effect were the significant factors on the studied distance. In FFMS position, in addition to the effect of the prior factors, previous renal surgery also significantly reduces this distance. The distance between the colon and assumed PCNL trajectory at a puncture on the posterior axillary line was influenced mainly by patient position. In FFMS position the colon appears to be farther than in prone position. BMI and age significantly influence this distance to a lesser extent.

Neighbourhood walkability and incidence of hypertension: Findings from the study of 429,334 UK Biobank participants.

With an estimated one billion hypertension cases worldwide, the role of the built environment in its prevention and control is still uncertain. The present study aims to examine the associations between neighbourhood walkability and hypertension in a large and diverse population-based cohort. We examined the association between neighbourhood walkability and blood pressure outcomes for N = 429,334 participants drawn from the UK Biobank and aged 38-73 years. Neighbourhood walkability was objectively modelled from detailed building footprint-level data within multi-scale functional neighbourhoods (1.0-, 1.5- and 2.0-kilometer street catchments of geocoded dwelling). A series of linear and modified Poisson regression models were employed to examine the association between walkability and outcomes of diastolic blood pressure (DBP in mmHg), systolic blood pressure (SBP in mmHg) and prevalent hypertension adjusting for socio-demographic, lifestyle and related physical environmental covariates. We also examined the relationship between walkability and change in blood pressure for a sub-sample of participants with follow-up data and tested for interaction effects of age, sex, employment status, neighbourhood SES, residential density and green exposure. Neighbourhood walkability within one-kilometer street catchment was beneficially associated with all the three blood pressure outcomes, independent of all other factors. Each interquartile increment in walkability was associated with the lower blood pressure outcomes of DBP (β = -0.358, 95% CI: -0.42, -0.29 mmHg), SBP (β = -0.833, 95% CI: -0.95, -0.72 mmHg) as well as reduced hypertension risk (RR = 0.970, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.98). The results remained consistent across spatial and temporal scales and were sensitive to sub-groups, with pronounced protective effects among female participants, those aged between 50 and 60 years, in employment, residing in deprived, high density and greener areas. This large population-based cohort found evidence of protective association between neighbourhood walkability and blood pressure outcomes. Given the enduring public health impact of community design on individual behaviour and lifestyle, of particular interest, are the targetted upstream-level interventions in city design aimed at optimizing walkability. Further long term studies are required to assess its sustained effects upon hypertension prevention and control.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and age-related arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to examine the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with arterial stiffness in women with systemic lupus erythematosus; (ii) to assess the potential interaction of cardiorespiratory fitness with age on arterial stiffness in this population. A total of 49 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (mean age 41.3 [standard deviation 13.8] years) and clinical stability during the previous 6 months were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed through pulse wave velocity (Mobil-O-Graph® 24 hours pulse wave velocity monitor). Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated with the Siconolfi step test and the 6-minute walk test. Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely associated with pulse wave velocity in crude analyses (P < .05), although this relationship was attenuated when age and other cardiovascular risk factors were controlled. There was a cardiorespiratory fitness × age interaction effect on pulse wave velocity, regardless of the test used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness (P < .001 for the Siconolfi step test; P = .005 for the 6-minute walk test), indicating that higher cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a lower increase in pulse wave velocity per each year increase in age. The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness might attenuate the age-related arterial stiffening in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and might thus contribute to the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population. As the cross-sectional design precludes establishing causal relationships, future clinical trials should confirm or contrast these findings.

Distribution and mobility of exogenous copper as influenced by aging and components interactions in three Chinese soils.

Copper contamination of soils is a global environmental problem. Soil components (organic matter, clay minerals, and microorganisms) and retention time can govern the adsorption, fixation, and distribution of copper. This study evaluated the interaction effects of soil components and aging on the distribution of exogenous copper. Three typical Chinese soils (Ultisol, Alfisol, and Histosol) were collected from Hunan, Henan, and Heilongjiang Provinces. Soils were incubated with rice straw (RS) and engineered bacteria (Pseudomonas putida X4/pIME) in the presence of exogenous copper for 12months. Sequential extraction was employed to obtain the distribution of Cu species in soils, and the mobility factors of Cu were calculated. The relationships between soil properties and Cu fractions were analyzed with stepwise multiple linear regression. The results show that organic carbon plays a more important role in shaping the distribution of relatively mobile Cu, and iron oxides can be more critical in stabilizing Cu species in soils. Our results suggest that organic matter is the most important factor influencing copper partitioning in Ultisols, while iron oxides are more significant in Alfisols. The mobility of exogenous Cu in soils depends largely on organic carbon, amorphous Fe, and aging. The introduction of both rice straw and rice straw + engineered bacteria enhanced the stabilization of Cu in all the three soils during aging process. The introduction of bacteria could reduce copper mobility, which was indicated by the lowest mobility factors of Cu for the treatment with bacteria in Black, Red, and Cinnamon soils at the first 4, 8, and 8months, respectively. Different measures should be taken into account regarding the content of organic matter and iron oxides depending on soil types for the risk assessment and remediation of Cu-contaminated soils.

Regimen Difficulty and Medication Non-Adherence and the Interaction Effects of Gender and Age

ABSTRACTMedication non-adherence is a global health issue. Numerous factors predict it. This study is aimed to identify the association between regimen difficulty and medication non-adherence among patients with chronic conditions and testing the interaction effects of gender and age on the same. It was a cross-sectional study conducted among 479 outpatients from India. Convenience sampling method was used. Multiple regression analyses were performed to find the predictors of non-adherence and to test interaction effects. Regimen difficulty predicted medication non-adherence. The patient's gender and age have interaction effects on the relationship between regimen difficulty and medication non-adherence.