Significant Determining Factor Research Articles

Emergency department DNR order in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

ObjectivesTo explore the determinant factors and prognostic significance of emergency department do-not-resuscitate (ED-DNR) orders for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). MethodsConsecutive adult SICH patients treated in our ED from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016 were selected as the eligible cases from our hospital's stroke database. Patients' information was comprehensively reviewed from the database and medical and nursing charts. ED-DNR orders were defined as DNR orders written during ED stay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant determinants of ED-DNR orders. Thirty- and 90-day neurological outcomes were analyzed to test the prognosis impact of ED-DNR orders. ResultsAmong 835 enrolled patients, 112 (12.1%) had ED-DNR orders. Significant determinant factors of ED-DNR orders were age, ambulatory status before the event, brain computed tomography findings of midline shift, intraventricular extension, larger hematoma size, and ED arrival GCS ≤8. Patients with and without ED-DNR orders had a similar 30-day death rate if they had the same initial ICH score point. During 30 to 90days, patients with ED-DNR orders had a significantly increased mortality rate. However, the rate of improvement in neurological status between the two groups was not significantly different. ConclusionsOlder and sicker SICH patients had higher rate of ED-DNR orders. The mortality rates between patients with and without ED-DNR orders for each ICH score point were not significantly different. During the 30-to-90-day follow-up, the rates of neurological improvement in both groups were similar.

DIRT IS NOT DANGEROUS

A common side effect of levetiracetam is the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms such as mood changes including depression, anxiety, agitation, and sometimes psychosis. We performed a retrospective analysis to examine the effect of sleep pattern and chronotype on individual susceptibility to levetiracetam-induced mood changes. We reviewed records of 110 adults with epilepsy presenting to our clinic during a 3-month period, and categorized them into those currently on levetiracetam, and those no longer taking it because of mood-related adverse effects. Patients were administered Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Beck's Depression Inventory-II, and Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory in Epilepsy. Using various statistical methods, we analyzed the comparison of these 3 different scales amongst one another and between those subjects who tolerated levetiracetam and those who did not. Of 110 patients, 74 (67%) tolerated levetiracetam and 36 (33%) did not tolerate it because of mood changes with chronotype being a significant determining factor. Of those who tolerated the drug, 62% were intermediate chronotypes and 20.3% and 17.6% were morning and evening chronotypes, respectively. For those intolerant, 86.1% were morning chronotypes, 13.9% were intermediate chronotypes, and none were evening chronotypes (p < 0.001). Thirty-two percent of morning chronotypes, 100% of evening chronotypes, and 90.2% of intermediate chronotypes were tolerant of levetiracetam (p < 0.001). Chronotype significantly affected toleration of levetiracetam. Chronotype, but not depression, was a significant factor in determining tolerability of mood-altering side effects of levetiracetam, via statistically significant trend for an increasing ability to tolerate levetiracetam as chronotype would shift from morning to intermediate to evening. Additional research may help establish if this is related to possible underreporting of poor mood with evening chronotypes, and morning chronotypes having more stringent sleep schedules, genetic factors, or other reasons.

Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis and Rheological Properties of Synthesized Polypropylene Reactor Blends Using Homogeneous Binary Metallocene Catalyst

ABSTRACTA homogenous binary metallocene catalytic system comprising of isospecific rac-Me2Si(2-Me-4-Ph In)2ZrCl2(I) producing high molecular weight isotactic polypropylene and oscillating (2-Ph In)2ZrCl2(II) precursor producing low isotactic elastomer polypropylene at three varying molar ratios of two types of catalysts was used to synthesize polypropylene reactor blends. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and rheological properties along with molecular weight of synthesized polypropylene reactor blends were studied and correlations among these properties were established. It was found that molar ratio of catalysts is a significant factor in determination of molecular weight and its distribution. The produced polymers with unimodal molecular weight distribution showed intermediate modulus during dynamic mechanical thermal experiment, while the ones with bimodal molecular weight distribution exhibited a kind of phase separation at low temperature. Depending on strength of the developed structures, determined by the presence of interfacial connectors, the modulus could be adjusted. Origins of other types of relaxations and their differences for each type of the developed products were discussed in detail. From rheological results and particularly the relaxation curves, the characteristics of the chain structure of the synthesized reactor blends could be resolved. It was revealed that one of the synthesized polymers had long chain branches unlike the rest of the samples having linear chain structure.

Identifying and overcoming the effect of mass transfer limitation on decreased yield in enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose at high solid concentrations

Cellulose conversion decreases significantly with increasing solid concentrations during enzymatic hydrolysis of insoluble lignocellulosic materials. Here, mass transfer limitation was identified as a significant determining factor of this decrease by studying the hydrolysis of delignified corncob residue in shake flask, the most used reaction vessel in bench scale. Two mass transfer efficiency-related factors, mixing speed and flask filling, were shown to correlate closely with cellulose conversion at solid loadings higher than 15% DM. The role of substrate characteristics in mass transfer performance was also significant, which was revealed by the saccharification of two corn stover substrates with different pretreatment methods at the same solid loading. Several approaches including premix, fed-batch operation, and particularly the use of horizontal rotating reactor were shown to be valid in facilitating cellulose conversion via improving mass transfer efficiency at solid concentrations higher than 15% DM.

The Effect of Neighborhood Density and GIS Layout on the Foreclosure Contagion Effect

Agent-based modeling and simulation has been used to examine the effects of foreclosures on property values and the overall health of the property market. Past agent-based simulations simplistically use an equally-spaced grid structure for the layout of the properties. This simple spacing does not reflect the actual size and dispersion of properties. Instead, we use GIS models of actual neighborhoods to study the impact of size and spacing within a real estate agent-based simulation to investigate the foreclosure contagion effect. The topologies of five neighborhoods in Virginia Beach, Virginia were uploaded into an agent-based simulation using publicly accessible GIS data. The results indicate that non-linear pricing changes occur within the neighborhoods. Moreover, the density of a neighborhood is a significant determining factor in explaining differential results.

Dukungan Informasional Orang Tua: Penentu Keberhasilan Prestasi Akademik Anak di Perdesaan

Academic achievement can be influenced by internal and external factors. External factors are including family, friend, and school environment that interact with children. This study aimed to analyze the social support received by children from the environment and also to analyze the role of the mother-child attachment to the academic achievement of elementary school children in rural areas. Participants were 100 primary school-age children who live in intact families in rural areas from the two selected primary schools in the study sites. The sampling technique was using proportional random sampling; based on the number and sex of the students in each selected schools. The study found that the better informational support of the parents, the better academic achievement of children. It is also found that the better mother-child attachment, the better academic achievement of primary school-age children in rural areas. However, regression test of the hyphothesis model, this study showed that only the informational support of the parent is the most significant determinant factor on the academic achievement of children in rural areas than the other variables.

Association of Psychosocial Work Hazards With Depression and Suboptimal Health in Executive Employees.

This study aims to investigate whether psychosocial work-related hazards, measured by workplace justice and employment insecurity, are associated with depression and suboptimal health status in Taiwan's executive-level employees. There were 365 executives who have received a series of cardiovascular health examinations, blood sampling, and self-reported questionnaires, which included the psychosocial work-related hazards and the CES-D scale. Suboptimal health status was defined as the presence of dyslipidemia or prediabetes. Executive-level employees perceived lower workplace justice and higher employment insecurity and had a significantly higher risk of depression (CES-D scores ≥16 or ≥23). However, workplace justice was identified as a significant determinant factor that was negative for dyslipidemia but protective for prediabetes. This study supports the fact that psychosocial work-related hazards can independently contribute to the risk of developing depression, prediabetes, and dyslipemia in executives.

Effectiveness of the video-based education in the retention of addiction treatment

Background: In recent years, a range of innovative interventions for drug abuse treatment has been developed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of video-based education on prevention of relapse and to investigate the factors that play important roles.Methods: This is a before–after interventional design which was carried out on 40 addict clients who were admitted in the three addiction clinics in the city of Bojnourd, North East of Iran. All participants completed the questionnaire before watching the educational package digital video/versatile disc (DVD)1 and booklet1 as a pretest and one month after watching the DVD2 and reading booklet2 as a post test. The questionnaire contained 25 questions covering five factors, including family’s roles, items, treats, attitude toward behavior, friend’s roles, and self-efficacy. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)-16 software was applied for data analysisResults: The results showed that 73% of clients have remained without a history of drug intake during treatment. Family roles (U = 62.5, p = 0.011) and self-efficacy (U = 63.5, p = 0.013) were significant determinant factors for the effectiveness of the addiction treatment program. Conclusion: This study emphasized the effectiveness of the video-based education in retention of addiction treatment. It showed that the video-based education was an effective tool to increase family roles and self-efficacy in the clients.

TIMP-1 as well as Microvessel Invasion and High Nuclear Grade Is a Significant Determinant Factor for Extension of Tumor Diameter in Localized RCC.

Objectives. To clarify what kind of pathological factor is necessary for the extension of tumor diameter in localized RCC, we studied localized RCC patients. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 237 RCC patients in our institute who underwent nephrectomy. We performed immune histological analysis of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and MT-MMP-1 for all samples. Results. Among the clinicopathological factors, multivariate analysis revealed nuclear grade; TIMP-2 and MT-MMP-1 were independent prognostic factors of localized RCC (risk ratio 1.50, p = 0.037, risk ratio 1.12, p = 0.008, and risk ratio 1.84, p = 0.045, resp.). By the multiple logistic regression analysis among pT1a versus pT1b, TIMP-1 was an independent factor (risk ratio 3.30, p = 0.010) whereas all pT1 versus pT2a and all pT1 + pT2a versus pT2b high nuclear grade (risk ratio 5.15, p = 0.0015) and Micro vessel invasion (MVI, risk ratio 3.08, p = 0.002) were independent factors. For all pT1 + pT2a versus pT2b, nuclear grade (risk ratio 3.39, p = 0.020) and MVI (risk ratio 2.91, p = 0.018) were independent factors. Conclusion. Higher expression of TIMP-1 is necessary for advancement tumor diameter from pT1a to pT1b, and a process of tumor diameter extension beyond pT1 and pT2a category needs presence of MVI and high nuclear grade.

FDI and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation of India and Bangladesh

This study examines the effect of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Bangladesh and India. The study also identifies the motivating factors and problems of FDI inflows in Bangladesh and India. We employ bivariate regression, ordinary least squares (OLS), and Granger causality estimation to examine the effect of FDI on GDP growth in Bangladesh and India using data for the period 1974-2014. The bivariate regression results find that FDI is positively correlated with GDP growth and have positive effect on economic growth for both countries. The regression results indicate that FDI is positively correlated to the economic growth of Bangladesh but it has not yet been established as a significant determining factor for the economic growth. On the other hand, the result indicates that FDI is negatively correlated to the economic growth in India and it has not yet been established as a significant determining factor for the economic growth. It cannot be said that FDI has a positive or negative impact on economic growth both the countries. We conclude that the effect of FDI on economic growth is ambiguous for both India and Bangladesh.

Predictors of Late HIV Diagnosis among Adult People Living with HIV/AIDS Who Undertake an Initial CD4 T Cell Evaluation, Northern Ethiopia: A Case-Control Study.

IntroductionEarly HIV testing and timely initiation of ART is critical for the improved quality of life of PLWHIV. Having identified a higher rates of Late HIV diagnosis, this study was aimed to determine Determinants of late diagnosis of HIV among adult HIV patients in Bahir Dar, Northern Ethiopia.MethodsA case control study was conducted between January 2010 to December 2011 at Bahir Dar Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital. The study subjects consisted of 267 cases and 267 controls. Cases were adult people living with HIV/AIDS whose initial CD4 T cell count was < 200/μl of blood. Controls were those with a CD4 T cell count of greater than 200/ μl. Trained staff nurses were involved in data collection using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Descriptive statistics and Binary logistic regression were performed.ResultsSubjects who hold a certificate and above (AOR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.13. 0.54), being initiated by friends, families and other socials to undertake HIV testing (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.29, 1.48), who reported a medium and high knowledge score about HIV/AIDS and who undertake HIV testing while visiting a clinic for ANC (AOR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.83) were less likely to be diagnosed late. Subjects who undertake HIV testing due to providers’ initiation (AOR = 1.70; 95%CI = 1.08, 2.68), who reported a medium internalized stigma (AOR = 4.94; 95% CI = 3.13, 7.80) and who reported a high internalized stigma score towards HIV/AIDS (AOR = 16.64; 95% CI = 8.29, 33.4) had a high odds of being diagnosed late compared to their counterparts.ConclusionInternalized stigma, low knowledge level about HIV/AIDS, not to have attended formal education and failure to undertake HIV testing by own initiation were significant determinant factors associated with Late HIV diagnosis. Education about HIV/AIDS, promotion of general education, and encouraging people to motivate their social mates to undertake HIV testing are highly recommended.

The Financing Choice of Listed and Non-Listed Firms in Jordan: Does More Visibility Make a Difference

It is common knowledge that growing firms constantly look for new capital. This is why, going public is one way forward. Firms that seek stock exchange listing realize a number of advantages. An initial public offering (IPO) creates greater public awareness of the firm’s products and services. In addition, such firms can improve their debt to equity ratio and as a result, reduce their cost of capital. In view of the benefits of listing, this paper examines the capital structure of listed and non-listed Jordanian non-financial firms. Based on the time period 2008-2011, and a total of 62 listed and 30 non-listed firms, the results indicate that the leverage ratio of listed Jordanian firms is significantly lower than their listed counterparts. Also, it is interesting to note that while the extent of the impact (negative) of profitability on leverage is more apparent in the case of the non-listed firms. The asset structure of assets is a significant determining factor of leverage in the case of non-listed firms only.

Cigarette smoking increases the risk of mortality from liver cancer: A clinical-based cohort and meta-analysis.

Although the influence of cigarette smoking on the incident risk of liver cancer has been determined, the association between smoking and liver cancer mortality remains uncertain. We searched Pubmed, EmBase, and Web of Science databases to obtain eligible studies. Hazard ratio (HR) value and 95% confidential intervals (CI) were pooled by using a random-effects model, and dose-response analyses were conducted to quantify associations between smoking and mortality from liver cancer. A total of 27 articles involving four million participants from seven countries by retrieval (published 1986-2014) were finally included. Pooled HR values for liver cancer mortality was 1.45 (95% CI: 1.33-1.59), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.11-1.34) and 1.16 (95% CI: 1.01-1.32) for current, former, and ever smokers, respectively, when compared with nonsmokers. The risk increased by 7.1% (95% CI: 1.4-13.2) for per additional 10 cigarettes per day and by 5.2% (95% CI: 0.02-11.2) for per additional 10 pack-years. In our population recruiting 597 patients with liver cancer, smoking status was further identified as a significant determinant factor of tumor size and serum level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, but not a significant prognostic factor. Cigarette smoking, especially current smoking, significantly increased mortality risk from liver cancer.

High preoperative bilirubin values protect against reperfusion injury after live donor liver transplantation.

Heme Oxygenase-1 and its product biliverdin/bilirubin have been demonstrated to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). We investigated whether increased preoperative bilirubin values of transplant recipients decrease IRI. Preoperative bilirubin levels of live donor liver recipients were correlated to postoperative liver transaminase as a marker of IRI. Additionally, two recipient groups with pretransplant bilirubin levels >24μmol/l (n=348) and ≤24μmol/l (n=118) were compared. Post-transplant liver function, complications, length of hospital stay, and patient and graft survival were assessed. Preoperative bilirubin levels were negatively correlated to the postoperative increase in transaminases suggesting a protective effect against IRI. The maximal rise of ALT after transplantation in high versus low bilirubin patients was 288 (-210-2457) U/l vs. 375 (-11-2102) U/l, P=0.006. Bilirubin remained a significant determining factor in a multivariate linear regression analysis. The MELD score and its individual components as a marker of severity of chronic liver disease were significantly higher in the high versus low bilirubin group (P<0.001). Despite this, overall complication rate (21.0% vs. 21.2%, P=0.88), hospital stay [13 (4-260) vs. 14 (6-313) days, P=0.93), and 1-year graft survival (90.8% vs. 89.0%, P=0.62) were similar in both groups. High bilirubin levels of liver recipients before live donor transplantation is associated with decreased postoperative IRI.

The Heckman Model of Dietary Diversity Score: The Case of Akaki Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme

The study aims to develop Heckman model of dietary diversity score: the case of Akaki Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme. Out of 700 farming households with systematically stratified random sampling technique, this causal type of study analyzed 246 household surveys based primary data (personal interview questionnaire) with inferential statistics (Heckman two stage). It shows that farming households are still insufficient of dietary diversity. At 0.05 probability level; sex, land size (ls), educational level (ed), off farm income (offarmi), irrigation experience (exep) and distance from home to water source (dhomeland) are significant determinant factors of dietary diversity. At 0.05 probability level; sex, off farm income (offarmi), irrigation experience (exep) and distance from home to water source (dhomeland) are statistically significant determinants and they reliably predict participation in small scale irrigation scheme, citrus paribus. Collective action among governments, NGOs and farming households on flood control and market linkage (perfect information on price of their product) should be taken to let farming households harvest two times per year and prosper.

HUBUNGAN SIMULTAN KEPEMILIKAN MANAJERIAL, RISIKO, KEBIJAKAN HUTANG, KEBIJAKAN DIVIDEN DAN KINERJA KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN TERBUKA DI INDONESIA:

Objectives of this research are to know simultaneous relationship between managerial ownership, risk, debt policy, and company financial performance; and to find empirical evidences that control mechanism through stock ownership, dividend, and debt can reduce agency problem so that reducing agency cost in public companies in Indonesia. Samples of this research are 149 publicly owned companies listed in Jakarta Stock Exchange (JSX) in 2000-2004 which determined by judgment sampling. Two-Stage Least Square (2-SLS) is used to analyze the samples. This research shows that managerial ownership has significant influence to debt policy and there is a negative causal relationship between managerial ownership and debt policy. There is a substitution relationship between managerial ownership and dividend policy meaning that there is a significant negative causal relationship between managerial ownership and dividend policy; and between dividend policy and managerial ownership. Furthermore, there is also a substitution relationship between debt policy and dividend policy meaning that there is a significant negative causal relationship between debt policy and dividend policy; and between dividend policy and debt policy. Risk is a significant determinant factor and has negative influence to managerial ownership, whilst managerial ownership also a significant determinant factor and has negative influence to risk. Company’s financial performance has a significant positive influence to debt policy, while debt policy has a significant positive influence to company’s financial performance.

Incertidumbre, rentabilidad e inversión en México

El objetivo es discriminar la disyuntiva entre la necesidad empresarial de invertir para crear valor y la cautela o postergación de las inversiones a causa de mayor incertidumbre. La teoría postula que la inversión depende positivamente de la rentabilidad y negativamente de la incertidumbre. En México, como en muchos países, después de la crisis de 2008, persiste más incertidumbre y menos rentabilidad y, contrario a lo esperado, la inversión mantiene su trayectoria ascendente. El contraste estadístico se realiza mediante vectores autorregresivos con datos trimestrales para México. Los resultados sugieren que, descontando la incertidumbre, solamente el efecto volumen impacta en más inversión, sin importar la tasa de ganancia. El indicador utilizado de rentabilidad puede reflejar los efectos de la alta concentración de mercados que ha sido un determinante significativo en las estimaciones de otros autores.No se halló evidencia de incentivos a invertir derivados de un aumento de la tasa de ganancia. Por lo que el efecto consumo o volumen sobre la inversión domina al impacto de la tasa de ganancia sobre la inversión. La falta de dinamismo del mercado interno no ha contribuido con la tendencia creciente de la inversión. Se concluye que una economía con baja propensión a innovar, y baja tasa de descuento, crean las condiciones para invertir buscando un mayor monto de ganancias y no, como predice la teoría, una mayor tasa de rentabilidad. Si bien las empresas exportadoras presentan una mayor propensión a innovar y a invertir, nuestros hallazgos sugieren que las exportaciones generan un efecto desplazamiento de la inversión en el largo plazo.

The Heckman Model of Dietary Diversity Score: The Case of Akaki Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme

The study aims to develop Heckman model of dietary diversity score: the case of Akaki Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme. Out of 700 farming households with systematically stratified random sampling technique, this causal type of study analyzed 246 household surveys based primary data (personal interview questionnaire) with inferential statistics (Heckman two stage). It shows that farming households are still insufficient of dietary diversity. At 0.05 probability level; sex, land size (ls), educational level (ed), off farm income (offarmi), irrigation experience (exep) and distance from home to water source (dhomeland) are significant determinant factors of dietary diversity. At 0.05 probability level; sex, off farm income (offarmi), irrigation experience (exep) and distance from home to water source (dhomeland) are statistically significant determinants and they reliably predict participation in small scale irrigation scheme, citrus paribus. Collective action among governments, NGOs and farming households on flood control and market linkage (perfect information on price of their product) should be taken to let farming households harvest two times per year and prosper.

Predictive factors of cardiac rupture in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Cardiac rupture (CR) is a potentially fatal mechanical complication of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of CR in Chinese STEMI patients. A total of 9798 consecutive STEMI patients from four centers in China were retrospectively analyzed, among which 178 patients had CR. STEMI patients without CR were chosen as a control group. Clinical characteristics were compared between STEMI patients with CR and those without CR. The incidence of CR in STEMI patients was 1.82%, and the 30-d mortality was up to 61.2%. CR patients were significantly older, more female, and associated with a longer time from onset of pain to hospital admission than their non-CR counterparts (P<0.001). More patients with anterior myocardial infarction (82.1%) were found in the CR group, and CR patients had significantly higher heart rates than the control group ((91±19) bpm vs. (71±16) bpm; P<0.001). In multiple-adjusted models, the independent risk factors of CR were advanced age, female gender, anaemia, increased heart rate, anterior myocardial infarction, increased white blood cell (WBC) count, delayed admission, and renal dysfunction. The level of hemoglobin remained a significant determinant factor of CR (OR (95% CI): 0.82 (0.75-0.89); P<0.001) after adjusting for various potential confounding factors. Counts of WBC also remained a significant determinant of the CR (OR (95% CI): 1.08 (1.04-1.12); P<0.001). A number of variables were independently related to CR. This study indicated, for the first time, that both hemoglobin and WBC levels were independently correlated with occurrence of CR.

ABO blood group in relation to plasma lipids and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

Background and aimsProprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a newly-identified member that plays an essential role in cholesterol homeostasis and holds decent promise for hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease (CAD) treatment. However, the determining factors of PCSK9 are not well-characterized. It is well established that ABO blood group is associated with cholesterol metabolism. Therefore, the relationship between ABO blood groups and plasma PCSK9 level was examined. Methods and resultsA group of 507 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or interventional coronary angiography were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The baseline clinical characteristics were collected, and the plasma PCSK9 levels were determined using ELISA. As a result, subjects of non-O type had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non high density lipoprotein cholesterol (NHDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apo B), and PCSK9 compared with that of O type (p < 0.05, all). PCSK9 levels were significantly and positively related to TC, LDL, NHDL-C, and apo B (r = 0.253, p < 0.001; r = 0.262, p < 0.001; r = 0.215, p < 0.001; r = 0.187, p < 0.001; respectively). Multivariable regression analysis revealed that ABO group was significantly and independently associated with PCSK9 level (β = 7.91, p = 0.009). Additionally, mediation analysis indicated that ≈8%–19% of the effect of ABO blood group on PCSK9 levels was mediated by TC, LDL-C or NHDL-C levels. ConclusionsThese data firstly suggested that the ABO blood group might be a significant determinant factor for plasma PCSK9 level. It is also possible that the observed association between PCSK9 and ABO blood group might be in part involved in their CAD susceptibility.