Results Of Multivariate Linear Regression Research Articles

Association of coronary dominance with the severity of coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study in Shaanxi Province, China

ObjectiveTo investigate whether coronary artery dominance is associated with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSingle-centre.ParticipantsBetween July 2015 and February 2017, 1654 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) were...

Multivariate linear regression model for source apportionment and health risk assessment of heavy metals from different environmental media

The study evaluated source apportionment of heavy metals in vegetable samples from the potential sources of fertilizer, water and soil samples collected along the Changjiang River delta in China. The results showed that 25.72% of vegetable samples (Brassica chinensis L.) containing Pb, and Cd, Cu, Hg and Zn at relatively serious levels were from soil. Combined with principle component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA), the results of the spatial distribution of heavy metals in different environmental media indicated that fertilizer, water and soil were the main sources of heavy metals in vegetables. The results of multivariate linear regression (MLR) using partition indexes (P) showed that fertilizer contributed to 38.5%, 40.56%, 46.01%, 53.34% and 65.25% of As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn contents in vegetables, respectively. In contrast, 44.58% of As, 32.57% of Hg and 32.83% of Pb in vegetables came from soil and 42.78% of Cd and 66.97% of Hg contents in vegetables came from the irrigation water. The results of PCA and CA verified that MLR using P was suitable for determining source apportionment in a vegetable. A health risk assessment was performed; As, Cd and Pb contributed to more than 75% of the total hazard quotient (THQ) values and total carcinogenic risk values (Risktotal) for adults and children through oral ingestion. More than 70% of the estimated THQ and Risktotal is contributed by water and fertilizer. Therefore, it is necessary to increase efforts in screening limits/levels of heavy metals in fertilizer and irrigation water and prioritize appropriate pollution management strategies.

Former-preterm lambs have persistent alveolar simplification at 2 and 5 months corrected postnatal age.

Preterm birth and mechanical ventilation (MV) frequently lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia, the histopathological hallmark of which is alveolar simplification. How developmental immaturity and ongoing injury, repair, and remodeling impact completion of alveolar formation later in life is not known, in part because of lack of suitable animal models. We report a new model, using former-preterm lambs, to test the hypothesis that they will have persistent alveolar simplification later in life. Moderately preterm lambs (~85% gestation) were supported by MV for ~6 days before being transitioned from all respiratory support to become former-preterm lambs. Results are compared with term control lambs that were not ventilated, and between males (M) and females (F). Alveolar simplification was quantified morphometrically and stereologically at 2 mo (4 M, 4 F) or 5 mo (4 M, 6 F) corrected postnatal age (cPNA) compared with unventilated, age-matched term control lambs (4 M, 4 F per control group). These postnatal ages in sheep are equivalent to human postnatal ages of 1-2 yr and ~6 yr, respectively. Multivariable linear regression results showed that former-preterm lambs at 2 or 5 mo cPNA had significantly thicker distal airspace walls ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.009, respectively), lower volume density of secondary septa ( P < 0.007 and P < 0.001, respectively), and lower radial alveolar count ( P < 0.003 and P < 0.020, respectively) compared with term control lambs. Sex-specific differences were not detected. We conclude that moderate preterm birth and MV for ~6 days impedes completion of alveolarization in former-preterm lambs. This new model provides the opportunity to identify underlying pathogenic mechanisms that may reveal treatment approaches.

Foods, Dietary Patterns and Occupational Class and Leukocyte Telomere Length in the Male Population.

Telomeres contain TTAGGG repetitive sequences and are located at the end of human chromosomes. Telomere dysfunction is associated with some age-related and chronic diseases, but its relationship with foods, dietary patterns, and occupational class in the young male population is not yet known. In this cross-sectional study, 300 healthy men, residents of Tehran, aged 25–40 years were enrolled from January to December 2016. We employed a cross-sectional study of 300 healthy people, residents of Tehran, aged 25-40 years. A food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain food intakes of all participants and converted into actual food intake (g/day). The principal components analysis was used to determine dietary patterns and other demographic characteristics. Leukocyte telomere length (TL) was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure number of telomere repeat copy number (T) to the relative number of 36B4 copies (S) (T/S ratio). T/S in office-workers, waste recyclers, and other workers were 1.22 ± 0.4, 1.08 ± 0.3, and 1.094 ± 0.34, respectively. The results of multivariate linear regression adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking were showed that whole grains (β = 0.02; p = .05), refined grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and dairy products were associated with an increase in log-T/S, but consumption of nuts and seeds (β = −0.00072; p = .06), meats (β = −0.00043; p = .9), produced meats (β = −0.00238; p = .03), oils and solid fats (β = −0.00146; p = .03) had a negative relationship with log-T/S in all studied occupational classes. A positive relationship was reported between the healthy (β = 0.017; p = .2) and traditional dietary pattern (β = 0.012; p = .4) with log-T/S, but western pattern identified negative relationship (β = −0.004; p = .7). Adherence to a healthy (with consumption whole grains, refined grains, dairy, and cereals) and then traditional pattern with increased consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, fish and dairy products are necessary to prevent TL destruction in all studied occupational classes.

Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of steroid-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies.

To determine prevalence, predictors, and outcomes of steroid-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies METHODS: We performed retrospective analysis of patients who were hospitalized on any of the four hematology services or bone marrow transplant service and who received systemic steroids during a 2-month period. Mean glucoses for days 1-4 and maximum glucose were calculated and the total daily steroid dose was converted to equivalent dose of dexamethasone. Hyperglycemia was defined as any glucose >9.917 mmol/l during days 1-4. We examined associations between variables using Spearman's correlations and multivariable linear regression RESULTS: 168 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 57.1 ± 14.4 years with 59% males and 90% Caucasians. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 39%. Eight patients received intravenous insulin. In patients without diabetes, steroid dose equivalent to >12 mg dexamethasone and longer acting steroids caused greater degree of hyperglycemia compared to a dose <12 mg. Maximum glucose was a predictor of hospital length of stay among patients without diabetes (but not those with diabetes), and with acute leukemia or stem cell transplant (but not other hematologic malignancies). There were no significant differences in in mortality or other outcomes between the groups with and without hyperglycemia CONCLUSIONS: Hyperglycemia is common in patients with hematologic malignancies, which require frequent corticosteroids. Higher steroid dose and long-acting steroids caused a greater degree of hyperglycemia. Maximum glucose was a predictor of length of stay but this was only significant for patients without diabetes, those with acute hematologic malignancy or stem cell transplant.

Awareness of Health Implications of Agrochemical Use: Effects on Maize Production in Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality, Ghana

This study assessed factors that affect awareness of health implications of agrochemical use and its effects on maize production in Ejura-Sekyedumase Municipality of Ashanti Region, Ghana. One hundred and fifty-four (154) maize farmers were randomly sampled from the municipality. The study used awareness indicators to estimate an index representing farmers’ awareness levels of health implications of agrochemical use. An ordered logit compliment with multivariate linear regression model was used to identify the drivers of farmers’ awareness level of health implications of agrochemical use. Also, a multivariate linear regression model was used to analyze the effects of health implications of agrochemical use on maize output. On average, the respondents have the moderate awareness level of health implications of agrochemical use (0.578). The awareness level was significantly explained by education, the number of children in school, ownership of TV/radio, experience in agrochemicals use, and farm size. The multivariate linear regression results showed that awareness levels of health implications of agrochemical use increase maize output. It is therefore recommended that interventions aimed at increasing farmers’ awareness levels of health implications of agrochemicals use should focus on educating farmers through interactive radio discussion and training sessions on the field and incorporate safety use of agrochemical in our educational curriculum.

The nature of incoming graduate social work students' attitudes toward sexual minorities

ABSTRACTCompetent social work practice with sexual minorities requires educators to identify factors that can be addressed in the graduate social work curriculum to foster affirming attitudes among students. This study explored the attitudes incoming master of social work (MSW) students hold toward sexual minorities, utilizing a scale that addresses contemporary subtle biases toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, rather than overt, fear- and morality-based objections measured in previous studies. We explored the role of race/ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, religiosity, political ideology, perceived biological causation of sexual orientation, and LGB social contacts on students' attitudes toward sexual minorities. Multivariable linear regression results suggest that being African American/Black (versus White), older, and heterosexual (versus sexual minority), and greater religiosity (importance of religion and frequency of service attendance) and conservative political ideology, predicted less affirming attitudes, while greater endorsement for genetic causation of sexual orientation and exposure to LGB friends and immediate family members each predicted more affirming attitudes among our sample.

Floors and Toilets: Association of Floors and Sanitation Practices with Fecal Contamination in Peruvian Amazon Peri-Urban Households.

Over two billion people worldwide lack access to an improved sanitation facility that adequately retains or treats feces. This results in the potential for fecal material containing enteric pathogens to contaminate the environment, including household floors. This study aimed to assess how floor type and sanitation practices impacted the concentration of fecal contamination on household floors. We sampled 189 floor surfaces within 63 households in a peri-urban community in Iquitos, Peru. All samples were analyzed for colony forming units (CFUs) of E.coli, and households were evaluated for their water, sanitation, and hygiene characteristics. Results of multivariate linear regression indicated that households with improved sanitation and cement floors in the kitchen area had reduced fecal contamination to those with unimproved sanitation and dirt floors (Beta: -1.18 log10 E.coli CFU/900 cm(2); 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.77, -0.60). Households that did not versus did share their sanitation facility also had less contaminated kitchen floors (Beta: -0.65 log10 E.coli CFU/900 cm(2); 95% CI: -1.15, -0.16). These findings suggest that the sanitation facilities of a home may impact the microbial load found on floors, contributing to the potential for household floors to serve as an indirect route of fecal pathogen transmission to children.

Consumer financial education and financial capability

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore potential effects of financial education on the financial capability of American consumers. Data from the 2012 National Financial Capability Study were used to test the hypothesis that financial education is positively associated with financial capability. Four financial literacy and behaviour variables were used to form a financial capability index. Multivariate linear regression results showed that, after controlling for demographic and financial variables, respondents who ever received financial education had higher scores in all financial capability indicators (objective financial literacy, subjective financial literacy, desirable financial behaviour, perceived financial capability and the financial capability index). In addition, high school, college and workplace financial education variables showed positive associations with these financial capability indicators. Additional state comparison analyses provided evidence suggesting high school financial education may have direct impacts and spillover effects on consumer financial capability.

Effect of Massage Therapy on Duration of Labour: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Massage is an old technique that is widely used in childbirth and can decrease the childbirth pain by reducing the adrenaline and noradrenaline and increasing the endorphins and oxytocin and reduce the childbirth duration by increasing the uterine contractions. Therefore. This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of massage therapy on the duration of labour. The present study was performed as randomized controlled clinical trial method on 100 pregnant women referred to maternity ward in Fatemieh Hospital, Shahroud. Subjects with inclusion criteria and who were interested to participate in the study were placed in one of the test or control groups based on pre-specified sequence. Questionnaires were completed in several stages. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and multivariate linear regression in SPSS-21software. In data analysis, p < 0.05 was considered significant. The results of multivariate linear regression showed that the duration of the first and second stage labour in the massage receiving group is significantly decreased compared to the test group (p= 0.004 and p= 0.02, respectively). In addition, the Apgar scores at minutes 1 and 5 in test group is significantly increased compared to control group (p <0.0001). The findings of this study showed that massage therapy during labour will lead to shortening of the first and second stage labour duration and improve Apgar scores at the first and fifth minutes. By shortening the duration of labour, pregnant women tend to have more normal vaginal delivery.

Direct Nitrous Oxide Emissions Related to Fertilizer-Nitrogen, Precipitation, and Soil Clay Fraction: Empirical Models

AbstractDirect nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions (DNEs) from croplands are required in national inventories of greenhouse gases. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines provide an approach using direct emission factors (EFds) to estimate DNEs, which are constants for large regions. The goal of this paper is to establish empirical models to account for the temporal and spatial variations of EFds, which, apart from the nitrogen addition rate, also vary with a range of environmental factors, so as to enhance the accuracy of regional/national DNE estimates. Therefore, the seasonal/annual DNEs (n = 71) from upland croplands, which are the differences in N2O emissions between fields with and without fertilizer-nitrogen addition, were used to statistically relate DNEs to regulating factors including the fertilizer-nitrogen addition rate (FN), and environmental (climate and soil) factors. The multivariate stepwise linear regression results showed positive combined effects of Fn and clay fracti...

The LGBQ Social Climate Matters: Policies, Protests, and Placards and Psychological Well-Being Among LGBQ Emerging Adults

Sexual minority youth, including emerging adults, are at risk for negative health outcomes. Minority stress theory posits that heterosexism can contribute to these outcomes among sexual minorities. Researchers have tested this theory with respect to interpersonal heterosexism; however, little attention has been given to macro-level and environmental forms of heterosexism, especially among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) youth. In this study, we examine the role of objective social climate (LGB state-level policies) and experiential distal and proximal environmental microaggressions on the psychological well-being of LGBQ emerging adults. Furthermore, we examine the role of LGBQ identity salience as a moderating factor on the macro/environmental-heterosexism and well-being relationship. Multivariable linear regression results suggest that living in a state without same-sex marriage laws is associated with greater self-esteem, whereas both distal and proximal environmental microaggressions are risk factors for anxiety and perceived stress. Furthermore, identity salience can ameliorate the effects of distal microaggressions and intensify the effects of proximal microaggressions and same-sex marriage legislation. Implications for practice with sexual minority youth are discussed.

INTERSECTING SELF-REPORTED MOBILITY AND GAIT SPEED TO CREATEA MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MEASURE OF AMBULATION: THE "AMBULATION SPEED-ENDURANCE" (ASE) TYPOLOGY.

Assessing mobility through readily available and affordable protocols may help advance public health by providing early detection and implementing intervention therapies aimed at mitigating the progression from physiological vitality to disability at older ages. Until now, little attention has been given to how self-reported mobility (SRM) and gait speed can be combined in a categorization scheme. The specific aim of this report is to introduce the Ambulation Speed-Endurance (ASE) Typology to the literature-a classification system that intersects SRM and gait speed to create a multi-dimensional measure of ambulation. Cross-sectional. Community-dwelling older adults in the United States. Evidence is provided from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) that community-dwelling older adults (n=5,403) may be found in each of the ASE Typologies. The discussion is complimented by investigating the cross-sectional predictors of a "Discrepancy Score" (measure of gap between speed and endurance) amongst those with gait speeds < 0.99 m/sec (n=4,521). Multivariable linear regression results indicate level of severity in speed-endurance discrepancy is higher amongst: non-Latino-Blacks (β=0.48); Latinos (β=0.42); older ages; and lower educated. Models also show that severity in speed-endurance discrepancy is lower amongst: females (β=-0.38); those with higher body mass index; with more chronic health conditions; and poorer self-rated health. Research should continue to investigate how to optimize SRM.

Exploring Factors Related to Oral Feeding Progression in Premature Infants

To identify infant and maternal characteristics associated with the pace of progression from the first oral feeding to complete oral feeding. One hundred forty-two stable premature infants who were fully or partially gavage feeding immediately after birth (29 to 34 weeks gestational age at birth). Exploratory secondary analysis. Data are from an ongoing randomized clinical trial of a developmental maternally administered intervention (Hospital to Home Transition-Optimizing Premature Infant's Environment) for mother-infant dyads at high social-environmental risk. Oral feeding progression (transition time from the first attempt to complete oral feeding). The convenience sample of preterm infants consisted of 48.6% male infants; the mean gestational age at birth was 32.4 weeks and mean birth weight 1787 g; and African American mothers (47.9%; n = 80) and Latina mothers (52.1%; n = 83). Multivariable linear regression results showed that, on average, the number of days for infants of Latina mothers to achieve complete oral feeding was 2.43 days more than for infants of African American mothers. In addition, lower birth weight and lower postmenstrual age at first oral feeding were associated with longer feeding progression. Higher infant morbidity was correlated with longer feeding progression. Infants with Latina mothers, lower birth weight, lower postmenstrual age at first oral feeding, and higher morbidity scores had a longer transition from first to complete oral feeding. Identification of infants at risk for delayed transition from first to complete oral feeding may allow for the development and testing of appropriate interventions that support the transition from gavage to complete oral feeding.

STUDY ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VENTRICULAR RATE CONTROL AND CARDIOPULMONARY EXERCISE FUNCTION & QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS

ObjectivesIt is controversial regarding the goal for controlling ventricular rate among permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. RACE II tests showed that both the level 1 composite end point and the...

The impact of patient knowledge of patient-centered medication label content on quality of life among older adults

BackgroundPrescription drugs have made great contributions to health and quality of life (QOL). However, inappropriate use of drugs may result in just the opposite effect. Older adults often take multiple medications simultaneously and thus are more vulnerable to inappropriate drug use. Knowledge of important aspects of medication use might reduce the risk of inappropriate utilization and improve QOL. ObjectiveTo determine the extent of patient knowledge concerning patient-centered contents of medication labels (PCCMLs) and whether level of patient knowledge is associated with health outcomes. MethodsA survey was administered to members of 6 senior centers in Memphis, TN, USA. Surveys from older adults (65 or older) who were taking at least 1 medication were included in the current analyses (N=287). QOL was measured using the Euroqual EQ-5D and the Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS). Older adults reported their knowledge of PCCML on a set of 4 Likert-type scale items concerning the PCCMLs. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and linear regression. ResultsStudy participants scored on average 16.20 (standard deviation [SD]=3.41) for knowledge of PCCML. Patient knowledge of PCCML was associated with age (rs=−0.1469, P=.0127), race/ethnicity (F=4.40, P=.0131), education (rs=0.1984, P=.0007), and household income (rs=0.1539, P=.0159). Study participants had an average EQ-5D score of 0.82 (SD=0.16) and EQ-VAS score of 77.80 (SD=15.07). Multivariate linear regression results showed that 1 unit increase in patient knowledge resulted in 0.62 unit increase (P=.017) in EQ-VAS QOL scores after adjusting for the impact of other variables. However, patient knowledge of PCCML did not significantly predict EQ-5D QOL scores (β^=0.002, P=.4633) when all other variables were controlled. ConclusionPatient knowledge of medication use was associated with QOL among older adults. New standardized labels should be designed to improve patient knowledge of PCCML information. Furthermore, providers of medication therapy management should ensure that older adults have a complete knowledge of the PCCML information.

Efficacy of BIO K+ CL1285® in the reduction of antibiotic-associated diarrhea – a placebo controlled double-blind randomized, multi-center study

IntroductionAntibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) is a frequently encountered adverse event following antibiotic administration. Evidence suggests that probiotics may be beneficial in preventing and decreasing the severity of AAD.Material and methodsAdult patients who were prescribed antibiotics for 3-14 days were enrolled from eight Canadian centers. Study treatment was randomized at a 1 : 1 ratio of BIO-K+CL1285® or placebo and was administered within 24 h of initiation to 5 days after termination of antibiotherapy. Patients were followed for 21 days after last dose of study treatment. The primary outcome was severity and incidence of AAD. Severity was measured by the total number of days with diarrhea and incidence was defined as the number of patients with at least one day with diarrhea over the total number of patients enrolled in the study.Results216 patients were randomized to BIO-K+ and 221 to placebo. The mean (SD) number of days with diarrhea was 1.19. (3.20) days for the placebo and 0.67 (2.05) days for BIO-K+CL1285® (p = 0.040). Adjusted multivariate linear regression results showed that the duration of diarrhea for BIO-K+CL1285 ® vs. placebo was reduced by 51.5% (b[SE] = 0.515 [0.256], p = 0.045). The incidence of diarrhea was 21.8% for the BIO-K+ and 29.4% for the placebo group (OR = 0.667, p = 0.067). Multivariate logistic regression, showed that the adjusted odds ratio of AAD in patients receiving BIO-K+ vs. placebo was 0.627 (p = 0.037). Study treatment was well tolerated.ConclusionsBIO-K+ is effective for preventing and reducing the severity of AAD in patients receiving antibiotic therapy in a hospital setting.

A New Multi-Method Combination Forecasting Model for ESDD Predicting

Equal Salt Deposit Density (ESDD) is a main factor to classify contamination severity and draw pollution distribution map. The precise ESDD forecasting plays an important role in the safety, economy and reliability of power system. To cope with the problems existing in the ESDD predicting by multivariate linear regression (MLR), back propagation (BP) neural network and least squares support vector machines (LSSVM), a nonlinear combination forecasting model based on wavelet neural network (WNN) for ESDD is proposed. The model is a WNN with three layers, whose input layer has three neurons and output layer has one neuron, namely, regarding the ESDD forecasting results of MLR, BP and LSSVM as the inputs of the model and the observed value as the output. In the interest of better reflection of the influence of each single forecasting model on ESDD and increase of the accuracy of ESDD prediction, Morlet wavelet is used to con-struct WNN, error backpropagation algorithm is adopted to train the network and genetic algorithm is used to determine the initials of the parameters. Simulation results show that the accuracy of the proposed combina-tion ESDD forecasting model is higher than that of any single model and that of traditional linear combina-tion forecasting (LCF) model. The model provides a new feasible way to increase the accuracy of pollution distribution map of power network.

Impact of cognitive performance on the functional capacity of an elderly population in Natal, Brazil

Functional incapacity and cognitive impairment are conditions related to the process of human aging. Cognitive impairment is considered an important predicitve factor for functional impairment in elderly populations. This cross-sectional study analyzes the association between cognitive performance and functional capacity in an elderly population sample in Natal, Brazil. A total of 213 elderly persons were assessed by the BOAS Multidimensional Questionnaire (Brazil Old Age Schedule) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). The results of multivariate analysis and linear regression showed that age and schooling level are factors associated with cognitive performance in the elderly of this study. The final explicative model, elaborated by logistic regression, found that cognitive performance was the only predicitve variable of functional incapacity for the activities of daily living even when adjusted for sociodemographic variables.

Patterns of Conflict Interaction in Mother–Toddler Dyads: Differences Between Depressed and Non-depressed Mothers

We examined the differences in conflict interaction between depressed mothers and their toddler and non-depressed dyads and whether these differences mediated the association of maternal depression with compromised child socioemotional development. Mother/ child interaction was videotaped during a teaching task and during a free play task as part of a home visit when the target child was between 16 and 18 months old. Each turn of every conflict was coded for behavior and affect of each member of the dyad. Interaction data were summarized to calculate the number of conflict turns, the rate of conflict, and the proportion of mother-initiated versus child-initiated conflicts per dyad. Sequential analysis was used to estimate the probability of specific maternal responses to specific child behaviors. Bivariate comparisons indicated that depressed dyads experienced higher rates of conflict, especially during the teaching task, and that depressed mothers were more likely to respond destructively to child oppositional behavior. Results of multivariate linear regression indicated that the higher probability of destructive response mediated the association of maternal depression with lower quality of mother-child attachment. These findings have implications for the development of interventions to support mothers in dealing with the conflicts that are so common during the second year of a child's life.