Moderate Correlation Research Articles

Measurement of invivo lens shapes using IOLMaster 700 B-scan images: Comparison with phakometry.

This study compared invivo crystalline lens shape measurements using B-scan images from the IOLMaster 700 with phakometry. Twenty-four young adult participants underwent IOLMaster 700 and phakometry measurements under cycloplegia (1% cyclopentolate). The IOLMaster 700 generated B-scan images along six meridians in 30° increments, which were analysed using custom MATLAB software to determine lens surface radii of curvature. Phakometry measurements were obtained using Purkinje images reflected from the lens surfaces. The IOLMaster 700 image analysis method yielded a lower mean anterior lens surface spherical equivalent power (+6.20 D) than phakometry (+7.55 D); however, the two measurements were strongly correlated (R(21) = 0.97, p < 0.0001). The astigmatic power vectors (J0 and J45) for the anterior lens surface were significantly higher for the IOLMaster 700 measurements, with only J0 showing a significant moderate positive correlation (R(21) = 0.57, p = 0.005). For the posterior lens surface, the IOLMaster 700 measurements had a higher mean spherical power (+14.28 D) compared to phakometry (+13.70 D); however, a strong positive correlation (R(21) = 0.90, p < 0.0001) was observed. No significant correlations were noted for posterior lens surface astigmatic vectors (J0 and J45). The IOLMaster 700 estimates for the equivalent lens mean spherical power were slightly lower than those for phakometry, with a mean difference of -0.72 D, and both methods were positively correlated (R(21) = 0.94, p < 0.0001). The findings demonstrate that IOLMaster 700 B-scan image analysis technique provides similar estimates of lens surface powers to phakometry. These results highlight the potential of the IOLMaster 700 to provide measurements of lens shape, informing future research and clinical use.

Optimizing spatio-temporal correlation structures for modeling food security in Africa: a simulation-based investigation

This study investigates the impact of spatio- temporal correlation using four spatio-temporal models: Spatio-Temporal Poisson Linear Trend Model (SPLTM), Poisson Temporal Model (TMS), Spatio-Temporal Poisson Anova Model (SPAM), and Spatio-Temporal Poisson Separable Model (STSM) concerning food security and nutrition in Africa. Evaluating model goodness of fit using the Watanabe Akaike Information Criterion (WAIC) and assessing bias through root mean square error and mean absolute error values revealed a consistent monotonic pattern. SPLTM consistently demonstrates a propensity for overestimating food security, while TMS exhibits a diverse bias profile, shifting between overestimation and underestimation based on varying correlation settings. SPAM emerges as a beacon of reliability, showcasing minimal bias and WAIC across diverse scenarios, while STSM consistently underestimates food security, particularly in regions marked by low to moderate spatio-temporal correlation. SPAM consistently outperforms other models, making it a top choice for modeling food security and nutrition dynamics in Africa. This research highlights the impact of spatial and temporal correlations on food security and nutrition patterns and provides guidance for model selection and refinement. Researchers are encouraged to meticulously evaluate the biases and goodness of fit characteristics of models, ensuring their alignment with the specific attributes of their data and research goals. This knowledge empowers researchers to select models that offer reliability and consistency, enhancing the applicability of their findings.

The caregiver contribution to self-care of stroke inventory (CC-SCSI): evaluation of psychometric characteristics

BackgroundThe caregiver contribution to self-care plays an important role in improving the health outcomes of chronic patients, which needs urgent attention. However, it has been hindered by the lack of a tailored instrument that assesses the caregiver contribution to self-care of stroke.ObjectivesTo test the psychometric characteristics of the caregiver contribution to self-care of stroke Inventory (CC-SCSI) in health care practice.MethodsParticipants were recruited in Henan Province from March 2021 to October 2022, utilizing a multicenter stratified sampling approach. A 23-item self-report CC-SCSI with 3 separate scales measuring caregiver contribution to self-care maintenance of stroke, caregiver contribution to self-care monitoring of stroke and caregiver contribution to self-care management of stroke was tested for validity through discriminant validity, confirmatory factor analysis, concurrent validity and convergent validity. The reliability was tested by Cronbach’s α coefficient and test-retest reliability. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. A STROBE checklist was used.ResultsThe three scales of the CC-SCSI exhibited good discriminant validity. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure of the Caregiver Contribution to Stroke Self-Care Maintenance and Management scales and the one-factor structure of the Caregiver Contribution to Stroke Self-Care Monitoring scale. The moderate correlation between the CC-SCSI and the Self-Care of Stroke Inventory indicated acceptable concurrent validity. The moderate correlation between the CC-SCSI and the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care of Chronic Illness Inventory indicated acceptable convergent validity. Cronbach’s αs for the Caregiver Contribution to Self-Care Maintenance, Self-Care Monitoring, and Self-Care Management scales ranged from 0.876 to 0.974. Test-retest reliability showed average ICC values ranging from 0.828 to 0.903 (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe 23-item CC-SCSI presents good psychometric properties and could be used to explore the caregiver contribution to stroke self-care in health care practice and research.

Low-dimensional criticality embedded in high-dimensional awake brain dynamics.

Whether cortical neurons operate in a strongly or weakly correlated dynamical regime determines fundamental information processing capabilities and has fueled decades of debate. We offer a resolution of this debate; we show that two important dynamical regimes, typically considered incompatible, can coexist in the same local cortical circuit by separating them into two different subspaces. In awake mouse motor cortex, we find a low-dimensional subspace with large fluctuations consistent with criticality-a dynamical regime with moderate correlations and multi-scale information capacity and transmission. Orthogonal to this critical subspace, we find a high-dimensional subspace containing a desynchronized dynamical regime, which may optimize input discrimination. The critical subspace is apparent only at long timescales, which explains discrepancies among some previous studies. Using a computational model, we show that the emergence of a low-dimensional critical subspace at large timescales agrees with established theory of critical dynamics. Our results suggest that the cortex leverages its high dimensionality to multiplex dynamical regimes across different subspaces.

Correlating Jaw Bone Growth and Nasal Morphology Among Adult Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Retrospective Cephalometric Study.

This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed adult patients with operated cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and normal control, and performed comprehensive craniofacial and nasal morphological analyses based on lateral cephalometric radiographs. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficient assessed intraclass correlation. Seven hundred fifty-seven operated patients with CL/P, and 165 noncleft normal controls were enrolled. Among the normal and CL/P groups, S-N-A angle registered positive correlations with nasal base prominence (S-N'-Sn, degrees). Upper facial height (N-ANS, mm) had positive correlations with nasal dorsum length (N'-Prn, mm) and nasal bone length (N-Na, mm). Although in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate, there were moderate negative correlations (r=-0.541, P<0.05) with soft tissue facial profile angle (FH-N'Pog', degree) and nasolabial angle (Cm-Sn-ULA, degree). Correlation exists between the morphology of jaw bones and external nose among patients with CL/P. Maxillary sagittal insufficiency is associated with concave nasal profile, and maxilla height is associated with nasal length.

Patients with chronic ankle instability exhibit increased sensorimotor cortex activation and correlation with poorer lateral balance control ability during single-leg stance: a FNIRS study.

Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) is a musculoskeletal condition that evolves from acute ankle sprains, and its underlying mechanisms have yet to reach a consensus. Mounting evidence suggests that neuroplastic changes in the brain following ankle injuries play a pivotal role in the development of CAI. Balance deficits are a significant risk factor associated with CAI, yet there is a scarcity of evidence regarding the sensorimotor cortical plasticity related to balance control in affected individuals. This study aims to evaluate the differences in cortical activity and balance abilities between patients with CAI and uninjured individuals during a single-leg stance, as well as the correlation between these factors, in order to elucidate the neurophysiological alterations in balance control among patients with CAI. The study enrolled 24 patients with CAI and 24 uninjured participants. During single-leg stance, cortical activity was measured using a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system, which included assessments of the pre-motor cortex (PMC), supplementary motor area (SMA), primary motor cortex (M1), and primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Concurrently, balance parameters were tested utilizing a three-dimensional force platform. Independent sample t-tests revealed that, compared with the uninjured individuals, the patients with CAI exhibited a significant increase in the changes of oxyhemoglobin concentration (ΔHbO) during single-leg stance within the left S1 at Channel 5 (t = 2.101, p = 0.041, Cohen's d = 0.607), left M1 at Channel 6 (t = 2.363, p = 0.022, Cohen's d = 0.682), right M1 at Channel 15 (t = 2.273, p = 0.029, Cohen's d = 0.656), and right PMC/SMA at Channel 11 (t = 2.467, p = 0.018, Cohen's d = 0.712). Additionally, the center of pressure root mean square (COP-RMS) in the mediolateral (ML) direction was significantly greater (t = 2.630, p = 0.012, Cohen's d = 0.759) in the patients with CAI. Furthermore, a moderate positive correlation was found between ML direction COP-RMS and ΔHbO2 in the M1 (r = 0.436; p = 0.033) and PMC/SMA (r = 0.488, p = 0.016), as well as between anteroposterior (AP) direction COP-RMS and ΔHbO in the M1 (r = 0.483, p = 0.017). Patients with CAI demonstrate increased cortical activation in the bilateral M1, ipsilateral PMC/SMA, and contralateral S1. This suggests that patients with CAI may require additional brain resources to maintain balance during single-leg stance, representing a compensatory mechanism to uphold task performance amidst diminished lateral balance ability in the ankle joint.

Association between Plantar Fasciitis and Hamstring Tightness among Runners

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a prevalent condition among athletes, especially runners, characterized by heel pain and potentially influenced by biomechanical factors such as hamstring tightness. However, the specific relationship between hamstring tightness and plantar fasciitis in athletes has not been extensively studied. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between hamstring tightness and plantar fasciitis among runners, to determine whether hamstring tightness contributes to the severity or incidence of plantar fasciitis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 30 athletes diagnosed with plantar fasciitis from sports clubs in Lahore. The study included both male (86.6%) and female (13.4%) runners aged 20 to 45 years. Hamstring tightness was assessed using the Active Knee Extension test. Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square tests in SPSS version 25, with a significance threshold set at p&lt;0.05. Results: The prevalence of hamstring tightness among the athletes was 30%. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between hamstring tightness and plantar fasciitis (p=0.068), with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of -0.48, suggesting a moderate negative correlation. Conclusion: The study concluded that while hamstring tightness is common among runners with plantar fasciitis, it does not significantly influence the occurrence or severity of the condition. Further research is recommended to explore other biomechanical factors that may impact plantar fasciitis in athletic populations.

Selection of Key Socio-Economic Factors for Establishing Relese Criteria Patients after Radioioidine Therapy

Purpose: To assess the association between socioeconomic factors and release criteria after iodine-131 radionuclide therapy in different countries. Material and methods: 15 countries and 104 socioeconomic characteristics were selected for the study. The association between characteristics and the residual activity level at which a patient may be released for different countries was established according to the value of Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r&gt;0.3). A linear regression model was constructed for the selected characteristics using Microsoft Excel analysis package. The model was used to calculate the acceptable activity level at which a patient may be released for Russia. Results: A fundamental difference between the model used for calculation of release criteria after radionuclide therapy with iodine-131 in Russia and the model recommended by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was shown: the use of the effective half-life in the second one. Replacing the physical halflife by the effective half life allows increasing the discharge criteria of patients after therapy with Na131I by 30 %. A moderate correlation was found between the value of acceptable activity at patient discharge after radioactive iodine therapy and the following socioeconomic characteristics: scientific activity (r=0.32), quality of higher education (r=0.36), Global Health Security Index (r=0.34), length of roads (r=0.36), population growth rate (r=0.36), average housing area (r=0.38), and average salary per year (r=–0.33). A linear regression was constructed using the factors listed above. The following recommended value of activity and effective dose rate at patient discharge from hospital was obtained: 0.6 GBq and 30 µSv/hour. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that the release criteria for radioactive iodine therapy used in the Russian Federation (0.4 GBq and 20 µSv/h) do not correspond to the standard of living achieved in Russia, which is reflected by the socio-economic factors considered in the paper. The proposed arguments raise the task of revising the currently used model with a consequent increase in the discharge criteria. It was observed that the release criteria in the world are independent of some factors that are directly related to population exposure. The need to develop a unified objective algorithm for establishing release criteria, which takes into account different socio-economic status of states and can be applied for different radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, including innovative ones, has been identified.

Challenges Faced by Junior High School Students in the Study of Araling Panlipunan and its Impactto their Academic Performance: A Foundation for Intervention Initiatives

Education is the foundation upon which people can build better lives, achieve their dreams and aspirations in life and contribute to society. The Philippine government has recognized the importance of education by enshrining the right to education. Thus, the Department of Education has implemented many integrated schools in far-flung areas so that students can have access to education and offer junior high school classes for Grades 7,8,9, and 10. The study explored the challenges faced by the junior high school students along with their study of Araling Panlipunan subject and how it can help impact their academic performance, a foundation for intervention initiatives. This study used the descriptive methodologyto obtain sysMtematic information from a phenomenon, situation, and population. One hundred (100) participants answered the survey questionnaire. Using the statistical treatment, the result revealed that the computed r was 0.69 having a moderate correlation between two variables, namely; the challenges faced by junior high school students in Araling Panlipunan and their academic performance. It was further tested using the z- test. It resulted to a computed value of 6.87 which is greater than the tabular value of 2.284 thereby rejecting the hypothesis. It was proven that there is a significant relationship between the two variables. With the study′s findings, an intervention plan was proposed to help the Junior High School Students overcome the challenges they faced in the study of Araling Panlipunan and attain their full potential. This will be the basis for the administrators and teachers in formulating intervention initiatives.

Cross-linguistic effects of form overlap in aural recognition of Spanish–English cognates

Abstract This study investigated the effect of cross-linguistic overlap in L1 and L2 auditory recognition of Spanish–English cognates. The study examined the correlation between objective and subjective measures of overlap and analyzed how these measures predict patterns in auditory recognition. 62 Spanish-speaking learners of English and 63 English-speaking learners of Spanish completed two auditory lexical decision tasks in Spanish and English and a rating task, where they rated the perceived phonological similarity of cognates. The results revealed moderate correlations between subjective and objective measures of overlap. While orthographic overlap had no effect, increased phonological overlap facilitated recognition in L1 and L2 Spanish and English and had larger effects in L2 recognition. Perceived similarity was the best predictor among the measures of overlap. The findings support models suggesting that cross-linguistic co-activation is facilitated by increased form similarity and studies reporting modality dependent effects of cross-linguistic form overlap in lexical recognition.

An Evaluation of the Reliability of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence and Its Relationship With Actual Water Competence.

In its recent development, the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence (PSPWC) showed good face and construct validity. However, additional reliability and validity research is needed, including test-retest reliability and a demonstration of the relationship between PSPWEC test scores and actual water competence. Toward that aim, we administered the PSPWC to 124 children, aged 5-8years. We repeated this test administration after one week for a subset of 55 children to determine its test-retest reliability, and the remaining 69 children also performed the fully aligned Actual Aquatic Skills Test (AAST) in an indoor swimming pool to provide data for our investigation of the relationship between PSPWC scores and actual water competence. We found good test-retest reliability, both at the global level (ICC = 0.81, n = 55) and at the level of individual skills (Weighted kappa coefficients from 0.58 to 0.90), with no significant differences between these two test scores. We also found a moderate positive relationship between PSPWC and AAST total scores (r = .64, n = 69), with no significant difference between total scores of actual and perceived water competencies. Children overestimated their competence in three specific skills: the back star, swimming on the front, and diving in deep water. While these results underline specific situations in which children's higher self-perceptions of their water competence are a risk factor for their water safety, these data confirm that the PSPWC is reliable for measuring children's perceived competencies in aquatic education and drowning prevention, and there is further support for its validity through a moderate correlation with actual water competencies.

Item analysis: the impact of distractor efficiency on the difficulty index and discrimination power of multiple-choice items

BackgroundDistractor efficiency (DE) of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) responses is a component of the psychometric analysis used by the examiners to evaluate the distractors’ credibility and functionality. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the DE on the difficulty and discrimination indices.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2023. It utilizes the final exam of the Principles of Diseases Course with 45 s-year students. The exam consisted of 60 type A MCQs. Item analysis (IA) was generated to evaluate KR20, difficulty index (DIF), discrimination index (DIS), and distractor efficiency (DE). DIF was calculated as the percentage of examinees who scored the item correctly. DIS is an item’s ability to discriminate between higher and lower 27% of examinees. For DE, any distractor selected by less than 5% is considered nonfunctional, and items were classified according to the non-functional distractors. The correlation and significance of variance between DIF, DI, and DE were evaluated.ResultsThe total number of examinees was 45. The KR-20 of the exam was 0.91. The mean (M), and standard deviation (SD) of the DIF of the exam was 37.5(19.1), and the majority (69.5%) were of acceptable difficulty. The M (SD) of the DIS was 0.46 (0.22), which is excellent. Most items were excellent in discrimination (69.5%), only two were not discriminating (13.6%), and the rest were of acceptable power (16.9%). Items with excellent and good efficiency represent 37.3% each, while only 3.4% were of poor efficiency. The correlation between DE and DIF (p = 0.000, r= -0.548) indicates that items with efficient distractors (low number of NFD) are associated with those having a low difficulty index (difficult items) and vice versa. The correlation between DE and DIS is significantly negative (P = 0.0476, r=-0.259). In such a correlation, items with efficient distractors are associated with low-discriminating items.ConclusionsThere is a significant moderate negative correlation between DE and DIF (P = 0.00, r = -0.548) and a significant weak negative correlation between DE and DIS (P = 0.0476, r = -0.259). DIF has a non-significant negative correlation with DIS (P = 0.7124, r = -0.0492). DE impacts both DIF and DIS. Items with efficient distractors (low number of NFD) are associated with those having a low difficulty index (difficult items) and discriminating items. Improving the quality of DE will decrease the number of NFDs and result in items with acceptable levels of difficulty index and discrimination power.

Spectral features related to the auditory perception of twang-like voices

Background To the best of our knowledge, studies on the relationship between spectral energy distribution and the degree of perceived twang-like voices are still sparse. Through an auditory-perceptual test we aimed to explore the spectral features that may relate with the auditory-perception of twang-like voices. Methods Ten judges who were blind to the test’s tasks and stimuli rated the amount of twang perceived on seventy-six audio samples. The stimuli consisted of twenty voices recorded from eight CCM singers who sustained the vowel [a:] in different pitches, with and without a twang-like voice. Also, forty filtered and sixteen synthesized-manipulated stimuli were included. Results and conclusions Based on the intra-rater reliability scores, four judges were identified as suitable to be included in the analyses. Results showed that the frequency of F1 and F2 correlated strongly with the auditory-perception of twang-like voices (0.90 and 0.74, respectively), whereas F3 showed a moderate negative correlation (–0.52). The frequency difference between F1 and F3 showed a strong negative correlation (–0.82). The mean energy between 1–2 kHz and 2–3 kHz correlated moderately (0.51 and 0.42, respectively). The frequency of F4 and F5, and the energy above 3 kHz showed weak correlations. Since the spectral changes under 2 kHz have been associated with the jaw, lips, and tongue adjustments (i.e. vowel articulation) and a higher vertical laryngeal position might affect the frequency of all formants (including F1 and F2), our results suggest that vowel articulation and the laryngeal height may be relevant when performing twang-like voices.

Effects of Age and Biological Age-Determining Factors on Telomere Length in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background and Objectives: Telomere length (TL) undergoes attrition over time, indicating the process of aging, and is linked to a higher risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM-2). This molecular epidemiological study investigated the correlation between leukocyte TL variations and determinants of molecular aging in 121 Pakistani DM-2 patients. Materials and Methods: The ratio of telomere repeats to the SCG copy number was calculated to estimate the TL in each sample through qPCR assays. Results: In this study, smaller mean TLs were observed in 48.8% of males (6.35 ± 0.82 kb), 3.3% of underweight patients (5.77 ± 1.14 kb), 61.2% of patients on regular medication (6.50 ± 0.79 kb), 9.1% with very high stress levels (5.94 ± 0.99 kb), 31.4% of smokers (5.83 ± 0.73 kb), 40.5% of patients with low physical activity (6.47 ± 0.69 kb), 47.9% of hypertensive patients (5.93 ± 0.64 kb), 10.7% of patients with DM-2 for more than 15 years, and 3.3% of patients with a delayed onset of DM-2 (6.00 ± 0.93 kb). Conclusion: This research indicated a significant negative correlation (R2 = 0.143) between TL and the age of DM-2 patients. This study demonstrated that the correlation of telomere length with age in DM-2 patients was also influenced by various age-determining factors, including hypertension and smoking habits, with significant strong (R2 = 0.526) and moderate (R2 = 0.299) correlations, respectively; sex, obesity, the stress level and age at the onset of diabetes with significant weak correlations (R2 = 0.043, 0.041, 0.037, and 0.065, respectively), and no significant correlations of medication routine, rate of physical activity, and the durations of DM-2 with age-adjusted telomere length. These results challenge TL as the sole marker of aging, thus highlighting the need for further research to understand underlying factors and mitigate the effect of aging or premature aging on diabetic patients.

Seasonal and circadian variation of non-volatile metabolites in Lippia alba leaves.

The present study describes the seasonal and circadian variations of the major compounds from Lippia alba leaves. SPSS was used to identify, quantify, and associate the variations in the secondary metabolites of this species through HPLC/DAD analysis of the leaves hydroethanolic extracts of six selected L. alba specimens. For the circadian study, the samples were collected at four different daily hours in each year's season. For the seasonal study, the samples were collected monthly from the same individuals for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). These samples were analyzed and quantified using a validated HPLC method for flavonoids, iridoids, and phenyl ethanoid glycoside. Mussaenoside, acteoside, and tricin-7-O-diglucuronide showed a moderate positive correlation between their biosynthesis and the precipitation index, while epi-loganin had a moderate negative correlation. Acteoside showed a moderate positive correlation between the minimum registered temperature and its production. Compared with previous studies, a drastic reduction (about 95%) in the production of tricin-7-O-diglucuronide compared with previous study and this difference could be attributed to the plant's aging. Thus, the data demonstrated that lower temperatures and high rainfall could favor the production of the major L. alba active compounds (acteoside and tricin-7-O-diglucuronide) and that older plants harm their production.

BASDAI versus ASDAS in evaluating axial involvement in patients with psoriatic arthritis: a pooled analysis of two phase 3 studies

Abstract Objective In the absence of axial psoriatic arthritis (axPsA)-specific tools, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) are used to assess axial symptoms in patients with PsA. Here, we assessed the performance of BASDAI and ASDAS in patients with PsA. Methods Patients with active PsA in DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03162796 and NCT03158285, respectively) with or without axPsA but with available baseline BASDAI information were analyzed; those with investigator-identified axial symptoms and imaging-confirmed sacroiliitis comprised the axPsA cohort. Correlations between BASDAI/ASDAS and clinical variables were assessed with Pearson’s coefficient (r). Longitudinal effects of enthesitis (Leeds Enthesitis Index [LEI]), swollen joint count (SJC), and presence versuss absence of axPsA on BASDAI/ASDAS (normalized 0–10 scale) were analyzed with mixed models for repeated measures. Results At baseline in the axPsA (n = 312) and non-axPsA (n = 124) cohorts, BASDAI scores showed no or weak correlation with SJC (0.18–0.20), tender joint count (0.12–0.29), LEI (–0.04–0.24), and physician global assessment (0.35–0.43); moderate correlation with fatigue (both –0.56); and strong correlation with patient global assessment of disease activity (0.62–0.69) and patient-reported pain (0.66–0.70). Similar correlations were observed for ASDAS. Axial involvement versuss noninvolvement was associated with higher BASDAI/ASDAS scores (all β ≥ 0.5), without differences between instruments; longitudinal associations between SJC (β  ≤ 0.06)/LEI (β  ≤ 0.19) and BASDAI/ASDAS were clinically unimportant. Conclusion BASDAI and ASDAS performed similarly in patients with active PsA and axial involvement, independent of peripheral disease involvement, supporting their performance in assessing axial disease activity. Clinical Trial Registration Trials are registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03162796 and NCT03158285).

An important contributing factor in dry eye disease: somatization.

Somatization is an important mental process that may causes medically unexplained and treatment-resistant somatic symptoms. The aim of the study is assess the presence of somatization in patients with dry eye disease (DED). Eighty-eight patients with no objective DED finding and ongoing DED treatment were included in this prospective and observational study. Patients with subjective symptoms formed the symptom group and patients without subjective symptoms formed the control group. All patients were scored with the Turkish version of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90R) somatization subscale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ). Mean OSDI score was significantly higher in the symptom group than in the control group. The mean HAM-D and HAM-A outcomes did not differ between the groups. The mean SCL-90R somatization subscale, TAS, and PCS scores were significantly higher in the symptom group than in the control group. In the SIQ, somatic attributional style score was significantly higher in the symptom group than in the control group. The SCL-90R somatization subscale, PCS, and somatic attributional style scores had positive and mild-moderate correlation with OSDI scores in the symptom group. The TAS score had positive and moderate correlation with OSDI scores in all sample analyses. Somatization should be considered in patients with DED with chronic ocular surface symptoms. Presence of subjective symptoms resistant to treatment may be an indicator of somatization.

[Characterization of asthma phenotypes in children of the tropics].

Determine the main asthma phenotypes in a population of asthmatic children in Cartagena, Colombia. 107 children (7 to 17 years old) with a previous diagnosis of asthma were recruited. Biomarkers of T2 inflammation were evaluated by measuring FeNO, eosinophil count in peripheral blood by hemocytometry, and determination of specific IgE to mite allergens by ELISA. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Cartagena (SGR, Grant BPIN2020000100405). The average age of patients was 10,9 years. 19,6% of the children did not show elevation of any of the T2 inflammation biomarkers evaluated (FeNO<20ppb, eos<300/ul, negative specific IgE), so they were considered patients with non-allergic asthma (non-T2). 71,9% of all patients were sensitized to at least one allergen, this phenotype was considered allergic asthma. 30,8% of the patients presented the three elevated biomarkers (FeNO>20ppb + eos >300/ul + positive specific IgE), this phenotype was classified as high T2 allergic asthma. A moderate correlation (Spearman rho=0,44, p<0,0001) was found between FeNO values and eosinophil counts. In this study, the following phenotypes were found: allergic asthma, high T2 asthma, and non-allergic asthma. Most patients presented a type 2 inflammatory phenotype with allergic sensitization. In addition to the measurement of specific IgE, the use of FeNO and eosinophil count in peripheral blood help to accurately determine those patients with high T2 asthma phenotypes.

Association between heart rate variability and cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is associated with cardiovascular risk, which is partly due to autonomic dysfunction and decreased cardiorespiratory fitness. This study examines the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in T2DM patients to understand their interconnected impacts on autonomic and aerobic functions. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 77 T2DM patients underwent HRV and VO2max assessments using standard protocols. HRV metrics were analysed in conjunction with VO2max, measured through direct breath-by-breath analysis. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationships between HRV indices and VO2max. Results: VO2max showed strong positive correlations with RMSSD (r = 0.89, p &lt; .001), HF (r = 0.54, p &lt; .001), and pNN50% (r = 0.52, p &lt; .001), indicating higher parasympathetic activity with improved cardiorespiratory fitness. Negative correlations with LF (r = -0.60, p &lt; .001) and the LF/HF ratio (r = -0.39, p &lt; .001) suggested that better fitness levels lead to sympathetic withdrawal and a more favourable autonomic balance. Moderate positive correlations with SDNN (r = 0.46, p &lt; .001) and TP (r = 0.58, p &lt; .001) further suggested that overall autonomic modulation is enhanced with increased cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusion: This study substantiates a significant correlation between HRV and VO2max in individuals with T2DM, highlighting the intricate relationship between autonomic function and aerobic capacity. These findings suggest that enhancing cardiorespiratory fitness may improve autonomic balance, offering potential avenues for mitigating cardiovascular risk in the T2DM population.

Voice aspects in children with precocious puberty

PurposeIn this prospective study, we aimed to investigate the difference in voice acoustic parameters between girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) and those who developed normally during prepuberty. Materials and methodsOur study recruited 54 girls diagnosed with ICPP and randomly sampled 51 healthy prepubertal girls as the control. Tanner stages, circulating hormone levels and bone ages of the girls with ICPP and the age and body mass index (BMI) of all participants were recorded. Acoustic analyses were performed using PRAAT computer-based voice analysis software and the mean pitch (F0), jitter, shimmer, noise-to harmonic-ratio (NHR) and harmonic-to-noise ratio (HNR) values were compared in the patient and control groups. ResultsThe two groups did not significantly differ in age or BMI. In the evaluation of the F0 and jitter values, we were found to be lower in the control group than in the patient group. However, we did not find a statistical significance. The mean shimmer values of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group. In addition, a statistically significant difference was noted for the mean HNR and NHR values (P < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was found between shimmer and hormone levels in the patient group. ConclusionsVoice acoustic parameters one of the defining features of girls with ICPP. Voice changes in acoustic parameters could reflect hormonal changes during puberty. Clinicians should suspect ICPP when there is a change in the voice.