Optimal Waist Research Articles

Association between combined healthy lifestyles and infertility: a cross-sectional study in US reproductive-aged women

BackgroundInfertility is a widespread problem for couples worldwide, and lifestyle factors are the cornerstone of infertility prevention. This research seeks to explore the association between combined healthy lifestyles and infertility risk among women of reproductive age.MethodsThis study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2013–2018), concentrating on 2,154 women aged 18 to 44. A healthy lifestyle score was created based on healthy diet (top two-fifths of the Healthy Eating Index-2015 score), low-to-moderate alcohol drinking (1–14 g/day), optimal waist circumference (less than 80 cm), adequate physical activity (at least 150 min of moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time exercise per week), and current nonsmoking. Weighted logistic regression analysis was applied to assess the link between healthy lifestyle scores and the risk of infertility, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, women exhibiting 4 to 5 healthy lifestyle factors demonstrated a 59% decrease in the likelihood of infertility (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23–0.76) relative to those with 0 to 1 healthy lifestyle factors. Additionally, each increment in healthy lifestyle factors corresponded to a 21% decrease in infertility risk (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68–0.92). Analysis of subgroups indicated that the inverse association was more pronounced in females younger than 30. Additionally, optimal waist circumference is the foremost factor contributing to this inverse relationship.ConclusionAdhering to healthy lifestyles significantly lowers the likelihood of infertility among reproductive-aged women. Public health initiatives could consider enhancing access to healthy diets, physical activity, and resources to reduce alcohol consumption and smoking. Further research is required to clarify their relationship and the underlying mechanisms.

APOE4 and Chronic Health Risk Factors are Associated with Sex-Specific Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Biomarkers.

Two thirds of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are female. Genetic and chronic health risk factors for AD affect females more negatively compared to males. This exploratory multimodal neuroimaging study aimed to examine sex differences in cognitively unimpaired older adults on: (1) amyloid-β via 18F-AV-45 Florbetapir PET imaging, (2) neurodegeneration via T1 weighted MRI volumetrics, (3) cerebral blood flow via ASL-MRI. We identified AD risk factors including genetic (APOE genotype status) and health markers (fasting glucose, mean arterial pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, and android and gynoid body fat) associated with neuroimaging outcomes for which we observed sex differences. Participants were sedentary, amyloid-β positive older adults (N = 112, ages 65-87 years) without evidence of cognitive impairment (CDR = 0). Multivariate analysis of covariance models adjusted for intracranial volume, age, and years of education demonstrated lower volume (F (7, 102) = 2.67, p = 0.014) and higher blood flow F (6, 102) = 4.25, p =<0.001) among females compared to males in regions of interest connected to AD pathology and the estrogen receptor network. We did not observe sex differences in amyloid-β levels. Higher than optimal waist to hip ratio was most strongly associated with lower volume, while higher android fat percentage and APOE ε4 carrier status were most strongly associated with higher blood flow among female participants. Findings suggest genetic and chronic health risk factors are associated with sex-specific AD neuroimaging biomarkers. Underlying sex-specific biological pathways may explain these findings. Our results highlight the importance of considering sex differences in neuroimaging studies and when developing effective interventions for AD prevention and risk reduction.

Differences in metabolic syndrome severity and prevalence across nine waist circumference measurements collected from smartphone digital anthropometrics

Background & AimsGiven the technological advances in 3D smartphone (SP) anthropometry, this technique presents a unique opportunity to improve metabolic syndrome (MetS) screening through optimal waist circumference (WC) landmarking procedures. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between individual MetS risk factors and nine independent WC sites collected using tape measurement or SP anthropometrics and to determine the differences in MetS severity and prevalence when using these different WC measurement locations. MethodsA total of 130 participants (F:74, M:56; age: 27.8±11.1) completed this cross-sectional evaluation. Using traditional tape measurement, WC was measured at the lowest rib (WCRib), iliac crest (WCIliac), and between the WCRib and WCIliac (WCMid). Additionally, WC measurements were automated using a SP application at six sites along the torso. MetS risk factors were used to calculate MetS severity (MetSindex) and prevalence. Associations were evaluated using multiple linear regression, the effect of each WC site on MetSindex was analyzed using mixed-models ANCOVA, and differences in MetS prevalence using WCIliac as the current standard were determined using sensitivity, specificity, and Chi-squared and odds ratios. ResultsThe reference SP-WC (SPRef) and WCRib demonstrated the largest associations (all p < 0.001) with HDL cholesterol (SPRef: -0.48; WCRib: -0.49), systolic (SPRef: 0.32; WCRib: 0.30) and diastolic blood pressure (SPRef: 0.34; WCRib: 0.32), and fasting blood glucose (SPRef: 0.38; WCRib: 0.37). SPRef and WCRib were the only WC without significantly different MetSindex; yet demonstrated lower MetSindex and sensitivity (SPRef: 77.8%; WCRib: 74.1%) relative to WCIliac, the conventional (or standard) WC measure. ConclusionsCompared to the current standard, SPRef and WCRib protocols are more highly associated with individual MetS risk factors and produce different MetSindex and diagnoses; highlighting the need for new MetS WC protocols. Given the surge in remote/mobile healthcare, SPRef may be an alternative to traditional methods in this context but requires further investigation before implementation.

Numerical optimization of quantum vacuum signals

The identification of prospective scenarios for observing quantum vacuum signals in high-intensity laser experiments requires both accurate theoretical predictions and the exploration of high-dimensional parameter spaces. Numerical simulations address the first requirement, while optimization provides an efficient solution for the second one. In the present work, we put forward Bayesian optimization as a new and powerful means to optimize photonic quantum vacuum signals. We demonstrate its great potential on the example of the well-studied case of two-beam collisions. Apart from providing an ideal benchmark case, this immediately gives new physics results. Namely, Bayesian optimization allows us to find the optimal waist sizes for beams with elliptic cross sections, and to identify the specific physical process leading to a discernible signal in a coherent harmonic focusing configuration scenario. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Anthropometric Measures, Cardiometabolic and Hepatic Indices, and Cut-off Points for Predicting Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Southwest Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study from the Enrolment Phase of the Hoveyzeh Cohort Study

Background: Cut-off points for anthropometric measures associated with diabetes may vary across different ethnic groups. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the optimal cut-off values for these measures and their relationship with cardiometabolic and hepatic indices to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in southwest Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Hoveyzeh, Iran, and included a total of 7,300 individuals (1,607 with T2DM and 5,693 healthy participants). Anthropometric, cardiometabolic, and hepatic indices were calculated. Results: The visceral adiposity index (VAI) showed the highest correlation with cardiometabolic indices, such as the cardiometabolic index and lipid accumulation product. The conicity index (CI) had the strongest correlation with hepatic indices, including the hepatic steatosis index and the Alcoholic Liver Disease/Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (ALD/NAFLD) index. The atherogenic index of plasma was the most significant predictor of T2DM in the Hoveyzeh population for both men (OR: 3.39; CI: 2.38 - 4.81) and women (OR: 5.68; CI: 4.20 - 7.68). The optimal cut-off values for several anthropometric measures were higher in men than in women: BMI (28.0 vs. 25.48), Waist/Height ratio (0.64 vs. 0.56), Weight-adjusted waist index (11.83 vs. 10.76), CI (1.35 vs. 1.29), body roundness index (8.43 vs. 7.33), relative fat mass (44.63 vs. 28.5), and lipid accumulation product (67.23 vs. 67.04). Conversely, the cut-off values for optimal waist circumference (99.45 vs. 98.35), Waist/Hip ratio (0.99 vs. 0.96), VAI (2.22 vs. 2.19), and abdominal volume index (20 vs. 19.6) were higher in women than in men. Conclusions: The atherogenic index of plasma is a highly predictive indicator of T2DM. Our results suggest that novel anthropometric and cardiometabolic indices could serve as accessible and cost-effective strategies for assessing health outcomes related to T2DM.

High-sensitivity drug biosensor based on taper and offset techniques for coreless optical fiber deposited with titanium dioxide nanoparticles

This paper designed and implemented a fiber optic biosensor to detect and measure the refractive index (RI) of different drug samples based on the offset and taper technique and enhance the sensitivity by nanoparticle material coating. This sensor was designed using a coreless fiber (CF), this optical fiber was tapered with different waist diameters, and the optimal waist diameter of 83.06 µm was achieved 291 nm/ refractive index unit (RIU), and the sensor was coated with different concentration of TiO2/PVA the optimal concentration 0.02% wt has a thickness 2.6 µm of TiO2/PVA nanoparticles and it was tested with different drug samples solution with refractive indices ranging from 1 to 1.393 and the highest sensitivity was achieved 361.11 nm/RIU. It was found that the taper and TiO2/PVA nanoparticles improved the sensitivity. This sensor can detect various refractive indices of chemicals and biochemical liquids. Advantages of the proposed sensor include high sensitivity, adaptability, enabling faster real-time measurements, ease of manufacturing and operation, compact size, lightweight design, and low cost.

Concordance between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

A multisociety consensus group proposed a new nomenclature for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Although patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are expected to be reclassified as patients with MASLD under the new nomenclature, the concordance between MASLD and NAFLD remains unclear. Moreover, waist circumference could be adjusted by ethnicity for diagnosing MASLD; however, there are limited data on the optimal waist circumference in the Japanese population. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3709 Japanese patients with NAFLD. The primary endpoint was the prevalence of MASLD in patients with NAFLD. The difference between the original waist circumference criteria (>94cm for men and >80cm for women) and the Japanese metabolic syndrome criteria (≥85cm for men and ≥90cm for women) for concordance between NAFLD and MASLD was also investigated. According to the original criteria, the prevalence of MASLD in patients with NAFLD was 96.7%. Similarly, according to the Japanese waist circumference criteria, 96.2% of patients with NAFLD could be reclassified as those with MASLD. The concordance rate was significantly higher in the original criteria than in the Japanese criteria (p=0.02). NAFLD could be considered MASLD using the original MASLD criteria in the Japanese population, and insights from NAFLD research could be applied to MASLD.

Optimizing geometrical parameters of coherent beam combining in the near and far-field distance

Determining the characteristics of the laser array to improve the performance of a laser system based on coherent beam combination (CBC) has continuously garnered interest. To this end, the parameters of the Gaussian beam waist, array shape, and distance between adjacent beams were studied and numerically investigated in this study. Consequently, the combined beam quality was compared for hexagonal, circular, and square arrays. The observing plane’s location was fixed at 10 km and varied from 0.25 to 10 km to investigate the effect of beam waist on combined beam quality in two modes (near and far field) using the power in the 5 cm bucket metric (PIB5cm). Furthermore, the average PIB5cm was investigated to determine all observing plane distances. The simulation results in two states of fixed and variable observing plane distances demonstrated that the hexagonal array has an advantage in attaining PIB5cm and higher combined beam quality. In addition, the quality of the combined beam degrades as the space between the beams increases. Moreover, the optimal beam waist and aperture diameter are independent of the array geometry and the vacancy between adjacent beams.

A cross-sectional study from NHANES found a positive association between obesity with bone mineral density among postmenopausal women

PurposeObesity has been demonstrated to improve bone mineral density (BMD), according to previous research. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of clarity regarding the optimal body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) for achieving the highest beneficial BMD in postmenopausal women. The objective of this study was to establish the correlation between obesity and BMD.MethodsThe relationship between BMI, WC, and BMD was examined by using multivariate logistic regression models, fitting smoothing curves and utilizing the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) survey conducted between 2007 and 2018. Furthermore, the analysis of saturation effects was employed to examine the association of nonlinear connections among BMI, WC, and BMD.ResultsThe research examined information from a combination of 564 participants. A significant correlation between BMD and BMI as well as WC was observed in our findings. The enduring correlation between BMI and WC with BMD was demonstrated across subgroup analyses categorized by age and race, except among other Hispanic and other race. Furthermore, the smoothing curve fitting indicated that there existed not just a linear correlation among BMI, WC, and BMD, but also a saturation threshold in the association of these three factors.ConclusionsBased on our study, we have found a strong and positive relationship between obesity and BMD. According to the results of this research, maintaining obesity at a moderate level in postmenopausal women would result in achieving an optimal equilibrium between obesity and BMD.

Associations of Combined Healthy Lifestyle Factors with Risks of Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer, and Mortality Among Adults with Prediabetes: Four Prospective Cohort Studies in China, the United Kingdom, and the United States

Lifestyle modification is an effective measure for diabetes prevention in people with prediabetes, but its associations with the long-term risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and mortality remain largely uncertain. We aimed to investigate the associations of combined healthy lifestyle factors with these health outcomes among participants with prediabetes. The study included 121 254 people with prediabetes from four prospective cohorts: the Dongfeng-Tongji (DFTJ) cohort and Kailuan study, both from China; the UK Biobank; and the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; for mortality analysis only). We documented a total of 18 333 incident diabetes, 10 829 incident CVD, 6926 incident cancer, and 9877 deaths during follow-up. Combined healthy lifestyle scores (scored from 0 to 5) were constructed based on never smoking or quitting smoking for ≥ 10 years, low-to-moderate alcohol drinking, optimal physical activity, healthy diet, and optimal waist circumference. First, Cox proportional-hazards regression models were used to quantify the associations of combined lifestyle score with health outcomes in each cohort; then, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled via a random-effects model of meta-analysis. Compared with participants with the least healthy lifestyle (a score of 0–1), participants with the healthiest lifestyle (a score of 4–5) had significantly reduced risks of all outcomes. The HRs (95% confidence interval (CI)) were 0.57 (0.48–0.69) for diabetes, 0.67 (0.62–0.73) for CVD, 0.80 (0.73–0.88) for cancer, and 0.54 (0.42–0.70) for mortality. Significant associations were consistently found across subgroups of baseline demographic characteristics and metabolic health status. In conclusion, our pooled analyses of four cohorts from three countries reveal that greater adherence to a healthy lifestyle is associated with considerably lower risks of diabetes and its major complications among adults with prediabetes. These findings provide informative and compelling evidence for establishing clinical guidelines and public health policies.

Broadband 2D n × n Vortex Arrays Generated from an Efficient Petal‐Like Raman Laser with an Astigmatic Mode Convertor

Broadband vortex arrays distributed in 2D n × n vortices are extremely needed for multiple microparticle manipulation, high‐capacity optical communication, and quantum information. Vortex arrays are usually generated with spatial light modulators, metamaterials; it is a big challenge to improve beam quality and output power. Herein, crisscross 2D n × n vortex arrays are converted from petal‐like Raman lasers with an astigmatic mode convertor. Efficient petal‐like lasers in the form of the Laguerre–Gaussian mode with zero radial index and l azimuthal index (LG0,l ) are irradiated in a Raman microchip laser (RML) by adjusting optimal beam waist and locating the position of focus spot of the annular pump beam. High‐beam‐quality LG0,9 petal‐like Raman laser oscillating at broadband wavelength (bandwidth: 16.2 nm) is generated with power of 773 mW and an efficiency of 10.6%. The conversion efficiency from petal‐like laser to crisscross vortex array is as high as 90%. The vortex array with 5 × 5 vortices operating around 1078 nm is generated with a power of 693 mW and an optical efficiency of 9.5%. Taking advantages of the broad emission spectrum of ytterbium‐doped laser materials and stimulated Raman scattering effect, RMLs are potential sources for generating flexible vortex arrays with desired 2D n × n vortices oscillating in Raman wavelengths.

Metabolic syndrome, associated factors and optimal waist circumference cut points: findings from a cross-sectional community-based study in the elderly population in Asmara, Eritrea

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), associated factors, and optimal waist circumference (WC) cut points in a subset of the elderly population...

Оптимизация изготовления одномодовых растянутых оптических волокон для когерентной микрооптики

Micro- and nanofibers are the universal elements of the optical schemes for solving wide variety of experimental tasks. One usually uses the commercial optical fiber tapering in the burner’s flame to produce such nanofibers. Such tapers are actively used for production of highly sensitive sensors, experiments with the cold atoms and coupling to optical microresonators. The theoretical model of geometrical shape altering during the fiber tapering and heating was adapted in this publication for use in the algorithm with universal adjustment of the tapering modes to get a fiber with the desired set of parameters. One of the innovations was the implementation of the computer vision to control the tapering process. As a result, the nanofibers with the optimal waist diameter of about 700 nm for the radiation wavelength of 1.55 micron were obtained. The optimized methodic of tapering allows the production of the nanofibers with the transmittance of up to 80%. The produced nanofibers were successfully used for coupling to the crystalline whispering gallery mode microresonator. As a result, the optical combs with the spectrum range up to 200 nm were obtained in IR range.

Optimizing the production of single-mode optical microfibers for coherent microoptics

Micro- and nanofibers are the universal elements of the optical schemes for solving wide variety of experimental tasks. One usually uses the commercial optical fiber tapering in the burner?s flame to produce such nanofibers. Such tapers are actively used for production of highly sensitive sensors, experiments with the cold atoms and coupling to optical microresonators. The theoretical model of geometrical shape altering during the fiber tapering and heating was adapted in this publication for use in the algorithm with universal adjustment of the tapering modes to get a fiber with the desired set of parameters. One of the innovations was the implementation of the computer vision to control the tapering process. As a result, the nanofibers with the optimal waist diameter of about 700 nm for the radiation wavelength of 1.55 micron were obtained. The optimized methodic of tapering allows the production of the nanofibers with the transmittance of up to 80%. The produced nanofibers were successfully used for coupling to the crystalline whispering gallery mode microresonator. As a result, the optical combs with the spectrum range up to 200 nm were obtained in IR range.. Keywords: Nanofiber, whispering gallery mode microresonator, optical comb, fiber tapering.

Optimal waist circumference cutoff values to predict cardiometabolic alterations in a Venezuela national representative sample. The EVESCAM study

Optimal waist circumference cutoff values to predict cardiometabolic alterations in a Venezuela national representative sample. The EVESCAM study

Optimal waist circumference cut-off points and prediabetic state as predictors of metabolic syndrome prevalence among Saudi adults in Jeddah city

Optimal waist circumference cut-off points and prediabetic state as predictors of metabolic syndrome prevalence among Saudi adults in Jeddah city

Optimal waist circumference cut-off points and prediabetic state as predictors of metabolic syndrome prevalence among Saudi adults in Jeddah city

With increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome and absence of local waist circumference cut-off point, it is important to determine the local cut-off point of waist circumference to predict metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among Saudi adults who attend primary health care centers (PHC) in Jeddah city in 2017, and to determine the appropriate waist circumference cut-off value for identifying a person at risk for the metabolic syndrome. A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted. Results shows; mean age of participants was 30.94±9.70 and waist circumference was 96.87±17.40 in males and 86.51±15.30 in females. The prevalence (CI: 95%) of pre-diabetes was 16.3% (12.9%; 20.1%), while the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was {(95% CI = 10.6%) (7.80%; 13.8%)}. Abdominal obesity was the most frequent component of MetS, detected in 60.6%, and followed by high blood pressure in 25.0%. In males, a waist circumference≥93.5 cm is likely to indicate MetS with 100% sensitivity and 47.2% specificity; whereas, in females, optimal waist circumference cut-off was determined as ≥83.5 cm, showing 92.3% sensitivity and 46.4% specificity. In multivariate logistic regression, extended waist circumference was the strongest predictor of MetS {OR (95%CI) =3.75 (1.30; 10.81); p=0.014}, followed by the presence pre-diabetes {OR (95%CI) =2.31 (1.06; 5.04); p=0.035}. Further, high educational level was a significant predictor for MetS {OR (95%CI) = 0.34 (0.12; 0.99); p=0.047}; while age and marital status were not significant predictors.

Optimal waist circumference cutoff values to predict cardiometabolic alterations in a Venezuela national representative sample. The EVESCAM study.

Objective:Waist circumference (WC) value reflects abdominal adiposity, but the amount abdominal fat that is associated to cardiometabolic risk factors varies among ethnicities. Determination of metabolic abnormalities has not undergone a WC adaptation process in Venezuela. The aim of the study was (1) to determine the optimal WC cutoff value associated with ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations and (2) incorporating this new WC cutoff, to determine the prevalence of abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors related in Venezuela.Methods:The study was national population-based, cross-sectional, and randomized sample, from 2014 to 2017. To assess performance of WC for identifying cardiometabolic alterations, receiver operating characteristics curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratios were calculated.Results:Three thousand three hundred eighty-seven adults were evaluated with mean age of 41.2 ± 15.8 years. Using the best tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity, WC cutoffs of 90 cm in men (sensitivity = 72.4% and specificity = 66.1%) and 86 cm in women (sensitivity = 76.2% and specificity = 61.4%) were optimal for aggregation of ≥2 cardiometabolic alterations. AUC was 0.75 in men and 0.73 in women using these new cutoffs. Prevalence of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome was 59.6% (95 CI; 57.5-61.7) and 47.6% (95 CI; 45.2-50.0), respectively. Cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with being men, higher age, adiposity, and living in northern or western regions.Conclusion:The optimal WC values associated with cardiometabolic alterations were 90 cm in men and 86 cm in women. More than half of the Venezuelan population had abdominal obesity incorporating this new WC cutoff.

High Sensitivity Fiber-Optic Strain Sensor Based on Modified Microfiber-Assisted Open-Cavity Mach-Zehnder Interferometer

In this paper, a modified microfiber-assisted open- cavity (MMA-OC) structure is proposed by introducing two pieces of multimode fiber and a novel sub-millimeter in-line Mach-Zehnder interferometer is theoretically and experimentally completed. The cavity-length dependence of MMA-OC on axial strain sensing is characterized and the comprehensive strain tests are conducted under an optimal waist diameter. The experimental results show that the selective intensity-/wavelength- modulated strain response can be achieved by varying the cavity length. For a shorter cavity length, MMA-OC presents more than 20-dB intensity variation and near-zero wavelength drift. But an apparent and flat red-shift of fringes occurs in the structure with >1000-μm cavity length. Moreover, due to inverse feature of temperature response, the calculated cross-sensitivity is merely 0.106 μϵ/°C. And the detection resolution up to ~0.2 μϵ is gained when the cavity length is equal to 503 μm, with the measurement error of ±0.021 μϵ. Our sensor with the merits of compactness, low-cost and ease of fabrication is very promising for high-precision engineering monitoring and sensing.

Direct Laser-Driven Electron Acceleration and Energy Gain in Helical Beams

A detailed study of direct laser-driven electron acceleration in paraxial Laguerre–Gaussian modes corresponding to helical beams LG0m with azimuthal modes m = {1,2,3,4,5} is presented. Due to the difference between the ponderomotive force of the fundamental Gaussian beam LG00 and helical beams LG0m, we found that the optimal beam waist leading to the most energetic electrons at full width at half maximum is more than twice smaller for the latter and corresponds to a few wavelengths Δw0 = {6,11,19}λ0 for laser powers of P0 = {0.1, 1,10} PW. We also found that, for azimuthal modes m ≥ 3, the optimal waist should be smaller than Δw0 &lt; 19λ0. Using these optimal values, we have observed that the average kinetic energy gain of electrons is about an order of magnitude larger in helical beams compared to the fundamental Gaussian beam. This average energy gain increases with the azimuthal index m leading to collimated electrons of a few 100 MeV energy in the direction of the laser propagation.