Variety Of Risk Factors Research Articles

Occurrence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Associated with Exotic Dogs in Commercial Breeding Mills in Jos Metropolis-Nigeria

In Nigeria, there has been an increasing trend towards establishing puppy mills for commercial breeding of exotic dogs. This study determined gastrointestinal parasites associated with exotic dogs of the existing puppy mills in Jos Metropolis Nigeria. A total of 150 dogs’ fresh feacal samples were collected from 25 different puppy mills and examined using formol ether and floatation concentration techniques. Data on risks factors variables of dogs’ age, number of dogs per kernel kennel type, nature of food and history of antiparasitic drugs usage were collected from the breeders using predesigned questionnaire. The result revealed an overall prevalence of 71.33% intestinal parasitic burden among the dogs. Chi square (χ2) analysis showed association (p< 0.05) between breeds of dogs and occurrence of parasites. The gastrointestinal parasites associated were most prevalent dogs in Neapolitan mastiff (86.36%) followed by Rottweiler (75.70%) and German Shepherd (57.14%) was the least infected Predominantly, a total of seven (7) species of intestinal parasites; Ancylostoma caninum (28.00%) Dipylidium caninum (23.33%), Toxocara canis (14.00%), Trichuris vulpis (11.33%), Taenia sp. (5.33%) Giardia sp. (7.33%) and Coccidia sp. (5.33%) were identified. Among different gastrointestinal parasitic infections, occurrence of Ancylostoma caninum (28.00%) was highest, followed by Dipylidium caninum (23.33%). Multiple parasitic infections among positive dogs sampled were observed, however, risk factors variables did not (p > 0.05) affect parasitic infection. Age based gastrointestinal parasitic infection peak (77.78%) was reported among 7 9 months old and decreased with ages of dogs The result showed no significant difference in prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among age groups of the dogs (χ2 = 2.616, d.f. = 5, P = 0.624). This trend implies that puppies of younger age groups had higher prevalence and tendency for infection with gastrointestinal parasites than their older counterparts.This study provides baseline data on the spectrum of intestinal parasitic infection of exotic dogs in commercial puppy mills in Jos-Nigeria. Therefore, the phenomenon could represent an important health threat and needs to be regulated, so that breeders adhere to hygiene practices and veterinary guidelines. This will serve as an approach to reduce the tendency of increasing intestinal parasitic burden of local dogs as well as eliminate emergent zoonotic intestinal parasites in the dogs.

From Resilience to Wellbeing at School among Romanian Students - Examining the Role of Social-Economic Status

Well-being in school is a dimension for overall life satisfaction and quality of life and more important for adolescents who are in a critical period of development and exposed to a variety of risk factors. This paper uses a quantitative approach and aims to analyze the relationship between resilience and well-being at school, focused on the role of socioeconomic status. The results show that students highly motivated and with good learning outcomes come from favored families. These students tend to be more resilient, have a positive orientation towards the future, a better well-being expressed by positive indicators than those students belonging to medium or low-income families. But socio-economically favored students are less satisfied with school than underprivileged students. Achievement motivation is an important predictor of well-being at school, both in middle and high schools. In high school students’ sample, well-being (positive indicators) significantly explains satisfaction with school. In middle school students’ sample, satisfaction with school is explained directly by resilience and, indirectly, through well-being expressed by negative indicators. Age-differentiated interventions that generate a supportive environment must be implemented for all: for students with low socio-economic status because they are less resilient and with lower overall well-being, but also for socio-economically favored students, because they are less satisfied with school.

Farm-level risk factors for bovine mastitis in Dutch automatic milking dairy herds

Automatic milking systems (AMS) are installed on a growing number of dairy farms worldwide. Management to support good udder health might be different on farms with an AMS compared with farms milking with a conventional milking system, as risk factors for mastitis on farms using an AMS may differ. The aim of this study was to identify farm level factors associated with mastitis on Dutch dairy farms using an AMS. In 2008, risk factor data were collected using a questionnaire combined with on-farm recordings of cow, stall, and AMS hygiene on 135 farms. These risk factor data were linked to 4 udder-health-associated dependent variables: average herd somatic cell count (HeSCCav), variance of the average herd somatic cell count (SCC) on test days (HeSCCvar), the average proportion of new high SCC cases (NHiSCC), and the farmer-reported annual incidence rate of clinical mastitis (IRCM). We employed regression models using multiple imputation to deal with missing values. Due to the high dimensionality of the risk factor data, we also performed nonlinear principal component analysis (NLPCA) and regressed the dependent variables on the principal components (PC). Good hygiene of cows and of AMS were found to be related to a lower HeSCCav and less NHiSCC. Effective postmilking teat disinfection was associated with a lower NHiSCC. A higher bulk tank milk SCC threshold for farmers' action was related to more NHiSCC. Larger farm size was related to lower HeSCCvar but higher NHiSCC. Negative attitude of farmers to animal health, higher frequency of checking AMS, and more time spent on viewing computer data were all positively related to higher IRCM. An NLPCA with 3 PC explained 16.3% of the variance in the risk factor variables. Only the first 2 PC were associated with mastitis. The first PC reflected older and larger farms with poor cow hygiene and AMS hygiene, and was related to higher HeSCCav and NHiSCC, whereas the second PC reflected newly built smaller farms with poor cow hygiene and low milk production, and was associated with higher HeSCCvar and NHiSCC, but lower IRCM. Our study suggests that many of the risk factors on conventional milking system farms are applicable to AMS farms, specifically concerning hygiene of the cows and the milking machine, but on large AMS farms, udder health may need more attention than on smaller AMS farms. Multiple imputation is instrumental to deal with missing values and NLPCA is a useful technique to process high dimensional data in our study.

Abstract P168: Vascular Stiffness in Young Men Subject to Presence of Chronic Decompensated Tonsillitis

The main role in atherosclerotic damage of the vascular wall is given now to the inflammatory process, the development of which is facilitated by a variety of risk factors (RF). Many of these factors begin to affect on the cardiovascular (CV) system in youth and even in childhood. Some authors refer to RF infectious-inflammatory diseases (IID), which were transferred earlier. The aim is to evaluate some parameters of vascular status in young people in the presence of such focal infection (FI) as chronic decompensated tonsillitis (CDT). Material and methods. Within the main group, 52 young patients aimed at performing surgery due to the presence of IID (age from 18 to 27 years) were examined. 76 persons of comparable sex, age and profile of the main RF without any IID were served as control. The control group was formed from the number of students according to the results of the annual preventive examination in the framework of the Federal Program "University of healthy lifestyle". Both groups were quite comparable in age, sex and profile of the main RF. In addition to the assessment RF-profile it was carried out the determination of indicators of the central pressure and vascular stiffness with the help of hardware-diagnostic complex BPLab ("Petr Telegin", Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia) with the use of programs set Vasotens Office. This program involves an in-depth contour analysis of the properties of pulse waves at the level of both the aorta and peripheral arteries. Statistical processing was carried out using the software "Statistica 10.0" (StatSoft Inc, USA). Results: It was found that in the main group compared with the control group, the pulse wave propagation velocity in the aorta PWVao equal to 10.61±0.25 versus 9.73±0.15 m/s (p=0.004), the augmentation index in the aorta AIxao was 3.88±0.31 versus -1.04±0.08%. In discussing two groups augmentation index in the brachial artery AIx made up of 32.15±2,70 against -48,89±1,52% (p=0.05), arterial augmentation index, AIx normalized to heart rate heart rate was equal to -35,23±vs -49,67 of 5.39±2.56%. In this case, the values of both peripheral and aortic SBP, DBP, Medium BP and Puls BP in patients with DHT were slightly lower than in persons of the control group. Conclusion: The data of the youth study of the dense-elastic vascular potential in different parts of the arterial bed showed a marked increase in vascular rigidity from both the peripheral arteries and the aorta in presence of CDT. In this case, aortic remodeling was more pronounced. It is useful to consider these findings in process of planning and implementing individualized prevention programmes among young people, taking into account the availability of FI.

복합운동이 비만노인여성의 신체조성 및 심혈관계질환 위험인자에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combine exercise on body composition and Cardiovascular risk factors in obese elderly women. Twenty, obese elderly women composed of circulation exercise group(EX, n=10), the control group(CON, n=10). The variables of body composition and Cardiovascular risk factors were measured in all the subjects before the start and after the end of 12 week circulation exercise program(50~60%HRR, 3 times per week, 60 mins).BR The test data were analyzed by paired t-test and repeated measure ANOVA, and the alpha level of p.05 was set for all tests of significance.BR Body composition and Cardiovascular risk factors were measured pre and 12 weeks of post exercise training. Percentage of Body Fat, Total cholesterol, Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, AI, C-reactive protein was significantly decreased in EX group compared to CON group. Lean Body Mass were significantly increased in EX group compared to CON group.BR These results suggest that 12 weeks of combine exercise improves body composition and Cardiovascular risk factors. Thus, this combine exercise can be a useful therapy to improve body composition and Cardiovascular risk factors in obese elderly women.

Knockdown of Sal-like 4 expression by siRNA induces apoptosis in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as the third most common malignancies among men and women and is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It has been indicated that a variety of risk factors are involved in the pathogenesis of CRC. Spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) is known as a transcription factor that plays an important role in the proliferation of cancerous cells. In this study, using a specific sequence of small interfering RNA (siRNA) against the sequence of SALL4, its activity is investigated in the CRC cell line (sw742). The CRC cells (sw742) were cultured and then, using a specific anti-SALL4 siRNA, their toxic doses were determined. Then, the gene is transfected into the cell. Proliferation and expression of the SALL4 and Bcl-2 gene were measured using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Cell death was evaluated by propidium iodide staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. Our results indicated that the specific concentration of siRNA of the SALL4 gene was 62.5 nmole. Gene expression of SALL4 and Bcl-2 results showed that expression of Bcl-2 gene in the siRNA group was significantly reduced. In conclusion, our finding indicated that it could be used as a therapeutic and diagnostic biomarker in the treatment of patients with CRC.

Overall Quality of Care Predicts the Variability of Key Risk Factors for Complications in Type 2 Diabetes: An Observational, Longitudinal Retrospective Study

An association between variability in clinical parameters (HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol, and uric acid) and risk of complications in type 2 diabetes has been reported. In this analysis, we investigated to what extent such variability is associated with overall quality of care. The quality of care summary score (Q-score) represents a validated, overall quality of care indicator ranging between 0 and 40; the higher the score, the better the quality of care provided by the diabetes center. We identified patients with five or more measurements of clinical parameters after the assessment of the Q-score. Multiple linear regression analyses assessed the role of the Q-score in predicting the variability of the different parameters. Overall, 273,888 patients were analyzed. The variability of all the parameters systematically increased with decreasing Q-score values. At multivariate linear regression analysis, compared with a Q-score >25, a score <15 was associated with a significantly larger variation in HbA1c, blood pressure, uric acid, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol and a lower variation in HDL cholesterol. The analysis of standardized β coefficients show that the Q-score has a larger impact on the variability of HbA1c (0.34; P < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (0.21; P < 0.0001), total cholesterol (0.21; P < 0.0001), and LDL cholesterol (0.20; P < 0.0001). The variability of risk factors for diabetic complications is associated with quality of care. Quality of care improvement initiatives should be targeted to increase the achievement of the recommended target while reducing such variability.

Nation-wide survey of screening practices to detect carriers of multi-drug resistant organisms upon admission to Swiss healthcare institutions

As emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) requires a standardized preventive approach, we aimed to evaluate current MDRO admission screening practices in Swiss hospitals and to identify potential barriers impeding their implementation. In early 2018, all Swiss public and private healthcare institutions providing inpatient care were contacted with a 34-item questionnaire to investigate current MDRO admission screening policies. Among 139 respondents representing 180 institutions (response rate, 79%), 83% (149) of institutions implemented MDRO admission screening, while 28% of private and 9% of public institutions did not perform any screening. Targeted high-risk screening included carbapenemase producers, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at the institutional level for respectively 78% (115), 81% (118) and 98% (145) of screening institutions. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (44% of institutions), multi-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (41%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (37%) were systematically searched only by a minority of screening institutions. A large diversity of risk factors for targeted screening and some heterogeneity in body sites screened were also observed. Admission-screening practices were mostly impeded by a difficulty to identify high-risk patients (44%) and non-compliance of healthcare workers (35%). Heterogeneous practices and gaps in small and privately-owned institutions, as well as a mismatch between current epidemiologic MDRO trends and screening practices were noticed. These results highlight the need for uniform national MDRO screening standards.

Deferred and referred deliveries contribute to stillbirths in the Indian state of Bihar: results from a population-based survey of all births

BackgroundThe India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) aims for < 10 stillbirths per 1000 births by 2030. A population-based understanding of risk factors for stillbirths compared with live births that could assist with reduction of stillbirths is not readily available for the Indian population.MethodsDetailed interviews were conducted in a representative sample of all births between January and December 2016 from 182,486 households (96.2% participation) in 1657 clusters in the Indian state of Bihar. A stillbirth was defined as foetal death with gestation period of ≥ 7 months wherein the foetus did not show any sign of life. The association of stillbirth was investigated with a variety of risk factors among all births using a hierarchical logistic regression model approach.ResultsA total of 23,940 births including 338 stillbirths were identified giving the state stillbirth rate (SBR) of 15.4 (95% CI 13.2–17.9) per 1000 births, with no difference in SBR by sex. Antepartum and intrapartum SBR was 5.6 (95% CI 4.3–7.2) and 4.5 (95% CI 3.3–6.1) per 1000 births, respectively. Detailed interview was available for 20,152 (84.2% participation) births including 275 stillbirths (81.4% participation). In the final regression model, significantly higher odds of stillbirth were documented for deliveries with gestation period of ≤ 8 months (OR 11.36, 95% CI 8.13–15.88), for first born (OR 5.79, 95% CI 4.06–8.26), deferred deliveries wherein a woman was sent back home and asked to come later for delivery by a health provider (OR 5.51, 95% CI 2.81–10.78), and in those with forceful push/pull during the delivery by the health provider (OR 4.85, 95% CI 3.39–6.95). The other significant risk factors were maternal age ≥ 30 years (OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.52–6.74), pregnancies with multiple foetuses (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.49–5.33), breech presentation of the baby (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.75–4.18), and births in private facilities (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.19–2.56) and home (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.87–3.62). Varied risk factors were associated with antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths. Birth weight was available only for 40 (14.5%) stillborns. Among the facility deliveries, the women who were referred from one facility to another for delivery had significantly high odds of stillbirth (OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.03–5.43).ConclusionsWe found an increased risk of stillbirths in deferred and referred deliveries in addition to demographic and clinical risk factors for antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths, highlighting aspects of health care that need attention in addition to improving skills of health providers to reduce stillbirths. The INAP could utilise these findings to further strengthen its approach to meet the stillbirth reduction target by 2030.

Individual risk factors predictive of venous thromboembolism in patients with temporary lower limb immobilization due to injury: a systematic review

Essentials Thromboprophylaxis after lower limb injury is often based on complex risk stratification.Our systematic review identified variables predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) in this group.Age and injury type were commonly reported to increase the odds of VTE (odds ratio 1.5–3.48).We found limited evidence to support the use of other risk factors within prediction models. SummaryBackgroundPatients immobilized after lower limb injury are at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). There is international variation in the use of thromboprophylaxis for such patients. Risk‐based strategies have been adopted to aid decision making in many settings. The accuracy of these strategies is unclear.ObjectivesA systematic review was undertaken to identify all individual patient‐identifiable risk factors linked to any VTE outcome following lower limb immobilization.MethodsSeveral electronic databases were searched from inception to May 2017. Any studies that included a measurement of VTE as a patient outcome in adults requiring temporary immobilization (e.g. leg cast or brace in an ambulatory setting) for an isolated lower limb injury and reported risk factor variables were included. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to synthesize the evidence.ResultsOur database search returned 4771 citations, of which 15 studies reporting outcome data on 80 678 patients were eligible for analysis. Risk‐factor associations were reported through regression analyses, non‐parametric tests and descriptive statistics. All studies were assessed as at moderate or serious risk of bias using the ROBINS‐I risk of bias tool.Advancing age and injury type were the only individual risk factors demonstrating a reproducible association with increased symptomatic and/or asymptomatic VTE rates. Several risk factors currently used in scoring tools did not appear to be robustly evaluated for subsequent association with VTE within these studies.ConclusionsClinicians should be aware of the limited evidence to support individual risk factors in guiding thromboprophylaxis use for this patient cohort.

Gender-Specific Risk Factor Profiles for Patellofemoral Pain.

To determine the association between selected biomechanical variables and risk of patellofemoral pain (PFP) in males and females. Prospective cohort. US Service Academies. Four thousand five hundred forty-three cadets (1727 females and 2816 males). Three-dimensional biomechanics during a jump-landing task, lower-extremity strength, Q-angle, and navicular drop. Cadets were monitored for diagnosis of PFP during their enrollment in a service academy. Three-dimensional hip and knee kinematic data were determined at initial contact (IC) and at 50% of the stance phase of the jump-landing task. Logistic regression analyses were performed for each risk factor variable in males and females (P < 0.05). Less than 10 degrees of hip abduction at IC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, P = 0.03] and greater than 10 degrees of knee internal rotation at 50% of the stance phase (OR = 1.71, P = 0.02) increased the risk of PFP in females. Greater than 20 degrees of knee flexion at IC (OR = 0.47, P < 0.01) and between 0 and 5 degrees of hip external rotation at 50% of the stance phase (OR = 0.52, P = 0.04) decreased the risk of PFP in males. No other variables were associated with risk of developing PFP (P > 0.05). The results suggest males and females have differing kinematic risk factor profiles for the development of PFP. To most effectively reduce the risk of developing PFP, the risk factor variables specific to males (decreased knee flexion and increased hip external rotation) and females (decreased hip abduction and increased knee internal rotation) should be addressed in injury prevention programs.

M116 - SMOKING AND NEUROTICISM: USING MENDELIAN RANDOMIZATION TO INVESTIGATE CAUSALITY

Background Smoking is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for disability, disease and death. There is a well-documented association between smoking and neuroticism, with smokers reporting increased levels of neuroticism. However, much of this data comes from observational studies and we are unable to make any causal inference regarding this relationship. Methods Mendelian Randomization (MR) is a method of assessing causality using observational data through the use of genetic instrumental variables for modifiable risk factors. Recent GWAS have identified variants robustly associated with both smoking phenotypes and neuroticism. This enabled us to use a range of MR methods to attempt to unpick this relationship. We use publicly available summary statistics from these studies in addition to data from UK Biobank to investigate whether there appears to be a causal link between smoking and neuroticism. Results We found evidence of a modest genetic correlation between smoking initiation and neuroticism (rG=0.124, p=0.0078). However, we found no strong evidence of a causal relationship in either direction when using 2-sample MR or when looking at individual level data in UK Biobank. Within UK Biobank it was possible to stratify on smoking status, which meant that in addition to smoking initiation, we were able to look at the association between smoking heaviness and neuroticism. We found some evidence of a causal relationship from neuroticism to increased smoking heaviness (β=0.198, p=0.014). Discussion In conclusion, although much of the observed association between smoking and neuroticism appears to be non-causal, we found evidence of a modest genetic correlation, suggesting some shared genetic aetiology. We also found some evidence of a causal relationship from neuroticism to smoking heaviness, which would lend support to the self-medication hypothesis.

Oral mucositis severity in patient with head and neck cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy

Oral mucositis is an inflammatory process and ulcerative of the oral mucosa due to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The incidence and severity of oral mucositis might be influenced by a variety of risk factors, related to the host and treatment of the cancer. This aim of the case report is to evaluate risk factors that affect the severity of oral mucositis in two patients with nasopharyngeal cancer undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The first case, oral mucositis grade III and oral candidiasis to a 54-year old woman undergoing 16 times radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer stage IV. The second case, oral mucositis grade I and oral candidiasis were found in a 55-year old man suffering from nasopharyngeal cancer stage IV who has been treated 10 times with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Both patients had a similar age range and cancer stage. The differences of severity oral mucositis in both cases were suspected due to the host factors-related that are gender and nutritional status. In addition, intra-oral condition (poor oral hygiene, xerostomia), smoking habits and patient compliance may also affect the severity of oral mucositis in the second case. Treatment factors such as the type, dose and duration of chemotherapy t, might also affect the severity in both cases. Both patients were given chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2%, nystatin oral suspension, vitamin B12, and folic acid for treating oral mucositis. In conclusion, the understanding of risk factors oral mucositis is deemed necessary to control the severity and to provide an appropriate management to improve the quality of patients’ life.

Factors associated with disease progression in dogs with presumed preclinical degenerative mitral valve disease attending primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom.

BackgroundFactors associated with disease progression in dogs with preclinical (stage B) degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) have not been evaluated previously in primary care veterinary practice.ObjectivesTo evaluate whether plasma cardiac biomarkers, clinical signs, and physical examination findings are associated with clinical progression (reaching the composite endpoint of initiation of treatment with a potent diuretic or cardiac death) in dogs presumed to have stage B DMVD.AnimalsSix‐hundred and eighty‐four dogs diagnosed with DMVD recruited from 73 primary care practices in the United Kingdom. Dogs were not receiving potent diuretics at recruitment.MethodsProspective cohort study design. Primary care veterinarians recorded the presence or absence of clinical signs and physical examination findings. Baseline plasma N‐terminal pro B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and cardiac troponin I were measured. Cox regression models measured associations between risk factor variables and clinical progression. Flexible parametric models generated predicted probabilities of reaching the composite endpoint for dogs with different combinations of prognostic risk factor variables.ResultsPlasma NT‐proBNP, heart rate, heart murmur intensity, presence of a cough, being a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and being prescribed pimobendan were associated with clinical progression to initiation of treatment with a potent diuretic or cardiac‐related death.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDogs with stage B DMVD identified as having a high risk of disease progression might benefit from more frequent monitoring or further diagnostic evaluation. The prognostic factors identified could facilitate risk stratification of dogs presenting with preclinical DMVD.

The Determinants of Firm Profitability and Risk on Performance of Real Estate Company

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between profits and risks of Frasers Centerpoint Limited. This study was carried out using the secondary data which was obtained from the annual reports of five companies in consecutive years from 2013 until 2017. Return on asset (ROA) has been as the dependent variable to study its relationship with the independent variables of firm specific risk such as Liquidity ratio, credit ratio, operational ratio, Index Score and macroeconomic factor such as, inflation rate, exchange rate and other risk factor variables. The enter method was used to obtain the correlation and regression result to observe the significance level of the risk with the profits.

Factors associated with suspected nonmelanoma skin cancers, dysplastic nevus, and cutaneous melanoma among first-time SpotMe screening program participants during 2009-2010

There have been no studies of the American Academy of Dermatology's SpotMe skin cancer screening program to collectively analyze and determine the factors associated with suspected basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), dysplastic nevus (DN), and cutaneous melanoma (CM) diagnoses. Describe the demographics, risk factors, and access to care profiles associated with suspected diagnoses of BCC, SCC, DN, and CM among first-time SpotMe screenees during 2009-2010. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the SpotMe skin cancer screenings conducted in 2009 and 2010. We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis for each diagnosis, incorporating standard demographic, access to care, and risk factor variables in the models. Men, those without a regular dermatologist, persons reporting recently changing moles, and those with a personal history of melanoma were at increased risk for each of the suspected diagnoses analyzed. Uninsured persons were at increased risk for suspected malignancies (BCC, SCC, and CM). Lack of histologic confirmation for diagnoses and cross-sectional design. Among first-time SpotMe participants, suspected diagnoses of BCC, SCC, DN, and CM shared several associated factors, which may be considered when planning outreach and screening for populations at risk for skin cancer.

Firm Specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of Liquidity Risk in United States Oil and Gas Industry

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between profits and risks of five companies which are Chevron,ConocoPhillips,Valero Energy Corporation, Occidental Petroluem Corpotion,ExxonMobil Corporation.This study was carried out using the secondary data which was obtained from the annual reports of five companies in consecutive years from 2013 until 2017. Current Ratio has been as the dependent variable to study its relationship with the independent variables such as Return on Equity (ROE), unemployment rate, exchange rate and other risk factor variables. The enter method was used to obtain the correlation and regression result to observe the significance level of the risk with the profits.

Oil and Gas Firm-Specific and Macroeconomics Determinants of Liquidity Risk (Chevron Corporation)

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between profits and risks of Chevron Corporation.This study was carried out using the secondary data which was obtained from the annual reports of Chevron Corporation in consecutive years from 2013 until 2017. Current Ratio has been as the dependent variable to study its relationship with the independent variables such as Return on Equity (ROE), unemployment rate, exchange rate and other risk factor variables. The enter method was used to obtain the correlation and regression result to observe the significance level of the risk with the profits.

Risk factors of postoperative valgus malalignment in mobile-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the risk factors of postoperative valgus malalignment after mobile-bearing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). We retrospectively evaluated radiographic and surgical characteristics in 122 consecutive Oxford phase 3 UKAs. According to postoperative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), 24 knees were sorted into group valgus with HKAA > 180° and 98 knees were sorted into group non-valgus with HKAA ≤ 180°. Logistic regression was performed to analyze risk factors including age, gender, BMI, side, preoperative limb alignment HKAA, preoperative LDFA, MPTA, FTFA, thickness of polyethylene bearing insert, tibial prothesis size, femoral prothesis size, medial tibial cut thickness, thickness of distal femoral mill, prothesis angle of coronal, and sagittal plane. The mean mechanical preoperative HKAA of 174.39°±4.23° was corrected to 178.18°±3.49° postoperatively (t = - 13.45, p = 0.000). The mean of postoperative HKAA in valgus group and non-valgus group was 183.45 ± 2.21° and 176.88 ± 2.35°, respectively (t = 12.44, p = 0.000). After statistical analysis with univariate analysis, eight risk factor variables among 16 independent variables were identified as potential predictors with p value ≤ 0.1. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for these eight potential predictors revealed that tibial cut (p = 0.046), LDFA (p = 0.003), MPTA (p = 0.011), and FTFA (p = 0.008) were significant risk factors predicting postoperative valgus malalignment after mobile-bearing UKA. Preoperative smaller LDFA, FTFA, larger MPTA and less medial tibial cut thickness were significantly associated with postoperative valgus malalignment in mobile-bearing UKA.

The Role of Irisin in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive memory dysfunction, oxidative stress, and presence of senile plaques formed by amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. AD is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. AD has a variety of risk factors, including environmental factors, metabolic dysfunction, and genetic background. Recent research has highlighted the relationship between AD and systemic metabolic changes such as glucose and lipid imbalance and insulin resistance. Irisin, a myokine closely linked to exercise, has been associated with glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and fat browning. Recent studies have suggested that irisin is involved in the process in central nervous system (CNS) such as neurogenesis and has reported the effects of irisin on AD as one of the neurodegenerative disease. Here, we review the roles of irisin with respect to AD and suggest that irisin highlight therapeutic important roles in AD. Thus, we propose that irisin could be a potential future target for ameliorating AD pathology and preventing AD onset.