Significant Positive Linear Correlation Research Articles

Influence Of Hardiness And Emotional Intelligence On Occupational Stress Among The Personnel In Muscat

The term "occupational stress" refers to a person's behavioral, physiological, and psychological responses when there appears to be disconnecting between their capacity to handle demands at work and those expectations themselves. Hardiness and emotional intelligence were selected as factors whose effects on work-related stress were assessed. The sample inculcated 101 working employees consisting of 38 males and 63 females in Muscat from various sectors. Data was collected through self-reported measures using an Emotional Intelligence Scale of 33 items, Dispositional Resilience (Hardiness) Scale of 45 items and Occupational stressors questionnaire of 55 items out of which only 25 were adopted in relevance to this research. The procured correlation between emotional intelligence and occupational stress indicated a significant positive linear correlation. The extracted correlation between hardiness and occupational stress indicated a significant positive linear correlation. A Multiple Linear Regression Model (MLRA) was used to identify significant predictors of occupational stress as a criterion and found hardiness to be a more significant predictor. The t-test was conducted to evaluate difference in scores pertinent to male and female highlighted females to have more emotional intelligence and hardiness while males were more prone to occupational stress. A comprehensive result was attained by examining the evidence demonstrating that gender, demographics, and workplace factors influence emotional intelligence, hardiness, and occupational stress in individuals. Consequently, the research hypothesis, objectives, and questions have been proved. The study also looked at the relationship between hardiness, emotional intelligence, and stress at work. A substantial positive linear link was discovered, suggesting that those with higher emotional intelligence.

Quantitative Analysis of Charging For the Provision of Household Waste Management From the Perspective of Water Consumption: Case Study in A Medium-Sized Municipality

Objective: This study aims to quantitatively assess the relationship between household solid waste generation and water consumption in a medium-sized municipality, as well as to analyze the financial self-sufficiency of the services. Theoretical Framework: Recent legal frameworks establish guidelines to ensure the sustainability of waste management services, which are still incipient in the country. Indirect charging, based on water consumption, is suggested as an effective measure, encouraging recovery and promoting equity among users. Method: The relationship between water consumption and household solid waste generation in the municipality was assessed, along with the calculation of the tariff for the waste management service, using the calculation methodology proposed by the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA)]. Results and Discussion: The study showed a generation of 3.5 kg of waste collected per cubic meter of water consumed in the municipality, and a significant positive linear correlation (95% confidence) between these two parameters. The tariff calculation determined a financial self-sufficiency of approximately 100%. Research Implications: It was found that revenue based on water consumption could cover the costs of waste management services, ensuring the economic and financial sustainability of the services for the municipality in question. Originality/Value: The case study supports the proposed indirect charging methodology, encouraging the adoption of the proposed model as a reference for medium-sized municipalities.

Cross-cultural adaptation: South African Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Knowledge Questionnaire

Background: Many serious adverse events associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can be mitigated by timely glucose control during pregnancy, achieved through education and lifestyle choices. The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt and test the preliminary internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the South African English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the GDM Knowledge Questionnaire (GDMKQ).Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted at a high-risk antenatal clinic in South Africa. Pregnant women ≥ 18 years with GDM were consecutively sampled. Semantic equivalence between the original and adapted versions was assessed. Face and content validity, internal consistency and test–retest reliability were evaluated.Results: The three SA-GDMKQ versions demonstrated good face and content validity. For internal consistency, Cronbach’s alpha values were 0.534 for the Afrikaans version, 0.434 for the English version and 0.621 for the isiXhosa version. Test–retest reliability found kappa (standard error [s.e.]) values ranged between −0.03 (0.18) and 0.89 (0.13) for the English version, between −0.07 (0.18) and 0.53 (0.13) for the Afrikaans version and between 0.28 (0.18) and 0.87 (0.17) for the isiXhosa version. All versions of the SA-GDMKQ had a statistically significant (p 0.001) positive linear correlation between the total scores.Conclusion: The English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa SA-GDMKQ versions were found to be feasible and easy to comprehend, although lower internal consistency and test–retest reliability were displayed. Further validation of the psychometric properties of the English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa versions of the SA-GDMKQ among larger sample groups is however warranted.Contribution: This study adds to the knowledge around developing and using culturally appropriate questionnaires and outcome measures in research and clinical practice.

Cadmium and selenium blood levels in association with congestive heart failure in diabetic and prediabetic patients: a cross-sectional study from the national health and nutrition examination survey

BackgroundEpidemiological research on the association between heavy metals and congestive heart failure (CHF) in individuals with abnormal glucose metabolism is scarce. The study addresses this research gap by examining the link between exposure to heavy metals and the odds of CHF in a population with dysregulated glucose metabolism.MethodThis cross-sectional study includes 7326 patients with diabetes and prediabetes from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018. The exposure variables are five environmental heavy metals—cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and manganese (Mn)—and the endpoint is CHF, determined via face-to-face interviews. Logistic regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine learning (BKMR) models were employed to investigate the association between exposure to mixtures of five heavy metals and the odds of having CHF in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes.ResultMultivariate logistic regression analysis Shows that only blood Cd exhibited a significant linear positive correlation with CHF odds (OR: 1.26, 95%CI 1.07–1.47, p = 0.005), there was a significant 14% decrease in the odds rate of CHF for each additional standard deviation of log10 Se (OR: 0.86,95%CI 0.76–0.96, P = 0.009). The WQS index for the metal mixture only marginally increased the odds of CHF by 1% (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.02, P = 0.032). BKMR analysis demonstrated a positive association between Cd levels and the odds of CHF, an inverse relationship with Se levels in patients with diabetes and prediabetes. However, no significant association was observed between the metal mixture and CHF.ConclusionThis cross-sectional study demonstrates that increased Cd levels are associated with a higher odds of CHF in patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes, whereas elevated blood Se levels significantly mitigate this odds.

Serum Vitamin D Level Correlates Significantly With Leptin and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Overweight Postmenopausal Women With Hypertension.

Association of serum vitamin D (vitD) with leptin (Lep) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is not precisely known in overweight hypertensive (OW-HT) postmenopausal (PMP) women. Hence, the present study was carried out to investigate the body mass index (BMI)-based correlation of serum vitD with Lep and TNF-α in OW-HT PMP women. Women subjects in their early PMP (n = 346, age: 51 - 60 years) categorized into three groups had main inclusion criteria of specified range of age, BMI and blood pressure (BP). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and other kit methods were employed to investigate the role of various variables in three subject groups (normal weight normotensive (NW-NT, n = 116, BMI (kg/m2): 22 - 24.9), normal weight hypertensive (NW-HT, n = 115, BMI: 22 - 24.9) and OW-HT (n = 115, BMI: 25 - 29.9) PMP women). A significant negative linear correlation of vitD with serum Lep and TNF-α, and a significant positive linear correlation of BMI with Lep and TNF-α in OW-HT PMP women were obtained. Significantly higher levels of serum Lep, TNF-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were found in OW-HT PMP women, as compared to NW-HT PMP women. The present study suggests that decreased serum vitD levels correlate with the Lep and TNF-α in OW-HT PMP women. However, further studies may help understand the impact of vitD in cardiovascular events and the influencing factors in OW-HT PMP women.

Diffusion time effects over the adult lifespan indicates persistent zone-specific microstructural alterations in the human prostate with aging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate microstructural changes in the aging adult prostate by comparing the effects of varying diffusion times using diffusion MRI, and to provide an age-related benchmark for future prostate cancer studies. The prostates of normal male volunteers (n = 70, 19-69 years) were scanned at 3 T with an oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE: 6 ms), pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE: 40 ms) and pulsed gradient stimulated echo (PGSTE: 100 ms), and anatomical T2-weighted image. Volume and mean diffusivity (MD) were measured in the peripheral (PZ) and transition zones (TZ), which were assessed versus age. PZ and TZ showed quadratic age trajectories for all diffusion scans, with MD decreasing from 19 years to a minimum ˜30-40 years followed by a greater increase at older ages. Short (OGSE) and medium (PGSE) diffusion time MD had similar age trajectories, whereas long diffusion time (PGSTE) MD was significantly lower, particularly in PZ (22%). MD difference (∆MD) of OGSE-PGSTE and PGSE-PGSTE showed significant positive linear correlations with age for both PZ (larger slope) and TZ, resulting in ˜3.3x (PZ) and 1.8x (TZ) greater ∆MD from 19 to 69 years. MD and ∆MD versus age relationships differed from volume, which conversely had greater proportional growth in TZ than PZ. The diffusion time effects suggest age-related microstructural changes consistent with development of persistently larger cell dimensions mainly in the prostate peripheral zone over the adult lifespan. This normative data can be used for comparison to prostate cancer factoring in age.

The systemic inflammation response index as a significant predictor of short-term adverse outcomes in acute decompensated heart failure patients: a cohort study from Southern China

ObjectiveThe deterioration of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is associated with abnormal activation of inflammatory pathways. This study aims to evaluate the impact and predictive value of a novel inflammatory marker, the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), on short-term adverse outcomes in ADHF patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 1,448 ADHF patients from Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital between 2019-2022. SIRI was calculated using the formula: (neutrophil count × monocyte count)/lymphocyte count. In the correlation analysis, the study outcome was the 30-day mortality in patients with ADHF. Cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to investigate the risk assessment and predictive value of the SIRI for 30-day mortality in ADHF patients. Finally, we also exploratively assessed the mediation effect of nutritional factors (albumin: Alb, total cholesterol: TC, and lymphocyte count) on the association between SIRI and 30-day mortality in ADHF patients.ResultsDuring the 30-day follow-up, 53 deaths were recorded. Mortality rates across SIRI tertiles were 0.62%, 2.07%, and 8.28%, respectively. There was a significant linear positive correlation between SIRI and 30-day mortality in ADHF patients (HR: 1.21; P for non-linearity = 0.113). Additionally, compared to ADHF patients with low SIRI, those with high SIRI had a 685% increased risk of 30-day mortality (HR: 7.85). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that SIRI significantly improved the predictive value for 30-day mortality in ADHF patients compared to neutrophil count, monocyte count, and lymphocyte count alone (AUC: neutrophil count 0.7633, monocyte count 0.6835, lymphocyte count 0.7356, SIRI 0.8237; all DeLong P<0.05). Mediation analyses indicated that, except for lymphocyte count, both Alb and TC had significant indirect effects on the SIRI-related 30-day mortality in ADHF patients; Specifically, Alb accounted for approximately 24.46% of the mediation effect, while TC accounted for approximately 13.35%.ConclusionThis cohort study based on a Southern Chinese population demonstrates a significant linear positive correlation between SIRI and 30-day mortality in ADHF patients, highlighting its substantial predictive value. Incorporating SIRI into the monitoring regimen of ADHF patients may be crucial for preventing further disease progression.

Early Stages of Bacterial Colonization Development After Xanthomonas campestris Seed Inoculation in Selected Brassica Species

This study investigates Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) incidence rates in cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi, focusing on the roots and stems over a 15-day period after sowing. Seeds were inoculated with Xcc, and infection levels were monitored using confocal microscopy combined with fluorescence in situ hybridization. Significant differences in incidence rates were observed across the 15 days using a scale from 0 to 5 (0–100% incidence). Kale exhibited the highest mean incidence rates in roots (3.64), while cabbage and kohlrabi showed greater variability (3.4–3.44). Stem infections were more severe, with kale showing the highest mean levels (4.16), followed by kohlrabi (4.0), and cabbage (3.68). In cabbage roots, incidence rates increased until day 11, after which a significant decline was noted, whereas stem Xcc incidence rates remained stable. Kale roots peaked on day 9, with significant fluctuations on days 13 and 15. Kohlrabi displayed moderate, stable root incidence rates over the 15-day period. In stems, kohlrabi showed a significant increase on day 11, followed by a drop on day 15. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive linear correlation between incidence rate and days of observation in kohlrabi roots. However, no significant trends were observed in stem infections across all species, where incidence rates were high and stable from day 7 onwards. Newly acquired data indicate that the incidence rate of Xcc development depends on the type of vegetable. However, the bacterial occurrence in the root parts does not always correspond with the intensity of Xcc colonization in the stem section of the plants. Even at lower levels of Xcc occurrence in the roots, damage to the vascular bundles can be fatal. These findings offer valuable insights into Xcc infection dynamics, contributing to improved disease management strategies for Brassica crops.

Volumetric Analysis of Orbital Volume Discrepancy as a Marker of Change in Globe Position After Three-Point Fixation of Zygomatic Complex Fractures

BackgroundMany researchers have proposed incorporating orbital volume (OV) discrepancies between the affected and unaffected orbits into routine diagnostic processes as an indicator for early surgical repair of zygomatic complex fractures (ZMCFxs) to avoid postoperative ocular complications. PurposeThe study aimed to determine the correlation between the preoperative OV discrepancy and postoperative globe position. Study Design, Setting, SampleA retrospective cohort study was performed on patients with unilateral ZMCFxs associated with orbital floor fractures, treated at Al-Zahraa Hospital, Al-Azhar University, from January 2020 to July 2023. Patients with comminuted ZMCFxs, medial or superior orbital wall fractures, or corrective surgeries were excluded. Predicator VariableThe predictor variable was the preoperative OV discrepancy between the affected and unaffected orbits. Outcome VariablesThe outcome variables were the three-month postoperative globe position, which was classified as normal, enophthalmos, or exophthalmos, and the orbital repair quality, that was categorized as well-corrected, under-corrected, or over-corrected. CovariatesThey included age, sex, ethnicity, side, etiology, type of orbital floor fractures, timing, and indication for surgery. Statistical AnalysisChi-square, Pearson's correlation, and linear regression analyses were used; the statistical significance was set at P < .05. ResultsThe study included 111 patients, with an average age of 30.3± 6.6 years and male predominance. The preoperative OV discrepancy between both orbits was 5.1± 1cc3, associated with enophthalmos in the patients. Postoperatively, the OV discrepancy became 0.9± 0.7 cc3, but the globe position was heterogenic. Thirty-seven patients (33.3%) had normal globe position. Sixty-three (56.8%) subjects had enophthalmos. Eleven (9.9%) individuals had exophthalmos. The preoperative OV discrepancy and postoperative globe position had a significant weak positive linear correlation. For every one-cubic-centimeter change in OV, the globe moved 0.1mm (P< .05). The majority of the patients had under-corrected orbits, followed by over-corrected and well-corrected orbits. Every category of globe position was recorded with every category of orbital repair, and the findings showed no correlation between globe position and orbital repair quality (P= .08). ConclusionPreoperative OV discrepancies between both orbits should not be employed as the sole predictor of globe position because a one-cubic-centimeter change in OV affects globe position by only 0.1mm.

Characteristics and development of steepland gullies in the dry valleys of Southwest China.

In semi-arid and arid areas, gully erosion is one of the most destructive forms of erosion and causes serious land degradation and resource destruction. Steepland gullies are widely distributed in the dry valleys of southwest China, and their formation is one of the main causes of soil erosion and the destruction of sloping farmland in the region. Previous research on the development of steepland gullies is limited, and further study is needed. In this study, 11 steepland gullies at various stages of development located in Guobu Village, Xide County, Liangshan, Sichuan Province, were selected for investigation using a digital elevation model (DEM) derived from unmanned aerial vehicle data as the primary data source. These data had a spatial resolution of 0.1 m. Fundamental parameters such as the gully length, width, depth, area, and volume were extracted from the remote sensing data. Other characteristic parameters, including the coefficient of main and tributary gullies, vertical gradient, gully elongation, and gully openness, were also investigated. The results indicate a significant linear positive correlation between the gully's degree of openness and elongation as the gully's length, width, and depth increase. Furthermore, the vertical gradient and coefficient of main and tributary gullies exhibit power-law relationships with these gully dimensions. The development of steepland gullies was divided into infancy, youth, maturity, and old age based on the use of the gully length as an ergodic indicator in space-for-time substitution. The morphological characteristics of these different stages were quantitatively analyzed, and a proposed mechanism for how the evolution of the gullies proceeds was developed. An empirical model of volume-length erosion was established to investigate the development process of steepland gullies in the dry valleys. It has been observed that the development law of steepland gullies is essentially consistent with the very active stage of typical gully formation, suggesting that steepland gully may represent the initial stage of gully development. The results show that these steepland gullies have their origin in high-intensity rainfall events that are accompanied by the formation of steps and drop water. The effects of gravity erosion and hydraulic erosion then cause the gullies to expand rapidly, forming gullies with a large head and a small tail before they gradually stabilize. The results of this study will help with the understanding of the formation and evolution of steepland gullies and will be of practical significance for the prevention of gully erosion and the protection of sloping farmland in the dry valley region of southwest China.

Metacognitive Skills and Academic Performance among Medical Students-An Analytical Cross Sectional Survey

Objective: The study objectives were to identify the metacognitive skills in medical students and to find its association with their academic performance. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from May to Sep 2022. Methodology: MBBS students from second, third and fourth year who had passed their last professional examination were included by convenience sampling. Sample size was calculated using WHO table and keeping 95% confidence level, d=0.05 and p= 0.20. Self-reported questionnaire Metacognitive Awareness Inventory was used to collect online data from 197 students. Hesitant students and incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Data analyzed through SPSS version 26. Mean and standard deviation for descriptive, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were applied to find differences of mean among different groups (p&lt;0.05 statistically significant). Results: Among 115 males and 82 females, almost 92(46.70%) were from second year, 33(16.75%) from third year, and 72(36.54%) were from fourth year. Mean score and standard deviation of knowledge and regulation of cognition was 10±4.3 and 20.4±8.6 respectively. No significant difference of metacognition scores for two domains was found among both genders (p value 0.730, 0.509 respectively), four categories of percentage scores (p-value 0.290, 0.724respectively) and all years (p-value 0.077, 0.280 respectively). A significant strong positive linear correlation between knowledge and regulation was found (r=797; p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Metacognitive skills in medical students were moderately developed in using strategies of both knowledge and regulation of cognition. No association was found between metacognitive skills and their academic performance.

Evaluating Interleukin-2 and Its Receptors As Indicators of Acute Renal Graft Rejection.

Introduction Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine that exerts its actions via binding to a variety of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R), thereby stimulating T-cell response. Acute renal graft rejection (AR) is known to be mediated by CD8+ T-cells, through the IL-2 pathway. The aim of this study was to determine whether IL-2 and IL-2R could work as prognostic biomarkers of AR. Methods IL-2, IL-2R and Cystatin-C levels were measured in the serum of 50 patients who underwent a kidney transplant, once pre-operatively and at four different time points post-operatively (second, sixth, 14thday and third month). Of the total number of patients, ultimately 10 (20%) had an episode of AR. Results No statistically significant difference in IL-2 levels was found between those who experienced AR and those who did not, at any of the studied time points. On the other hand, measurement of IL-2R levels on the sixthand 14thday post-operatively showed that people with AR had a statistically significant increase in its value compared to patients who did not have an AR episode (p=0.027 and p=0.019, respectively). In addition, comparing the values ​​of IL-2R with that of Cystatin-C in different time periods, it was found that there is a significant positive linear correlation on the second and sixth postoperative day between the values ​​of the associated parameters (r=0.280, p=0.049 and r=0.372, p=0.008 respectively). Conclusion The measurement of IL-2R from the sixthto 14thpostoperative day could be used as a reliable prognostic biomarker of AR, however additional studies and standardised diagnostic thresholds are required before the routine clinical application is feasible.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Correlates of Uncontrolled Hypertension in Patients on Treatment for Hypertension in a Family Practice in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract Context: Hypertension causes cardiovascular morbidities globally, particularly in Africa. Hypertension is a disease that is difficult to manage, and there are reports of suboptimal control in hypertensive patients despite clinic attendance. This study sought to characterize the profile of outpatients with uncontrolled hypertension while on treatment. Materials and Methods: There was a purposive consecutive sampling of 78 registered hypertensive patients diagnosed at least six months before recruitment and having clinic blood pressures at ≥ 140/90 mmHg in at least two previous consecutive clinic visits in an outpatient clinic. Their sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, which incorporated the Hillbone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Scale. Results: There were 52 (66.7%) females and 26 (33.3%) males. The mean age was 54.3 years ± 11.48. The mean blood Pressure (BP) at initial contact was 143.92/89 mmHg. About 40.3% of participants were obese. Most 71.4% of the patients were adherent to prescribed medications. There were no significant socio-demographic factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension after multiple linear regression analysis. There was a significant positive linear correlation between poorer medication adherence and higher diastolic blood pressure r = 2.57, P = 0.024. Conclusion: Physicians ought to recognize the pattern of uncontrolled blood pressure in patients despite treatment and institute an appropriate intervention.

The Impact of Health Literacy on Diabetes Control

Abstract Introdution People with diabetes have a significant impact on treatment outcomes through their daily decisions. Therefore, health literacy (HL) is crucial for effectively managing the disease and maintaining overall health. This study aimed to explore the relationships between different dimensions of health literacy, self-care behaviors, and Diabetes Control (HbA1c). Methods HLwas assessed using the Health Literacy Questionnaire. 706 individuals with diabetes participated in the study, the majority of whom were male (60.2%), had more than 9 years of schooling (84.7%), and over half were employed (52.4%). To examine the relationship between dimensions of HLand HbA1c, multiple linear regression analysis was conducted. Results The study revealed a significant association between higher levels of HLand lower HbA1c levels. There is a statistically significant positive linear correlation between adherence to general nutrition and HLdimensions. In terms of physical activity, a positive correlation was also found with HLdimensions, and blood glucose monitoring showed a positive correlation with health literacy. Greater adherence to nutrition was linked to a decrease in HbA1c levels, while higher adherence to self-monitoring and medication was associated with an increase in HbA1c levels Conclusions This study emphasizes the importance of HLin managing diabetes. It underscores the impact of HLin diabetes compensation. The results reveal that higher levels of feeling understood and supported by healthcare professionals, having sufficient information to manage health, actively managing health, and appraising health information among people with diabetes lead to better adherence to blood glucose self-monitoring. Based on these findings, a crucial aspect of effectively managing diabetes will involve empowering individuals with the necessary skills for self-management of their condition, overall health, and treatment regimen. Key messages • The present research reinforces the importance of health literacy for diabetes compensation and self care activies. • One critical success factor in dealing with diabetes will be investing of health literacy of people with diabetes and health care providers responsiveness.

The associations of insulin resistance, obesity, and lifestyle with the risk of developing hyperuricaemia in adolescents

BackgroundHyperuricaemia is common among obese children and adolescents, and is closely related to insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between youth insulin resistance and hyperuricaemia, as well as their relationships with lifestyle factors in youths, to provide early guidance on the risk factors for hyperuricaemia in adolescents.MethodsThis study included 233 adolescents aged 10 to 20 years. Insulin resistance was evaluated via the homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) method. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the associations of HOMA-IR with hyperuricaemia status and serum uric acid (UA) levels. The participants were subsequently divided into two groups, the noninsulin resistant group (HOMA-IR ≤ 3.2) and the insulin resistant group (HOMA-IR > 3.2), to further explore the factors that may affect the serum UA level. Finally, the predictive ability of different indicators of hyperuricaemia was evaluated via the ROC curve.ResultsBinary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant increase in the risk of developing hyperuricaemia for individuals with elevated HOMA-IR (p < 0.001) and insulin resistance (p < 0.01). Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive linear correlation between HOMA-IR and serum UA levels (r = 0.4652, p < 0.001). Among insulin-resistant adolescents, UA levels were positively correlated with weight ratings, frequency of staying up late, and sugary beverages intake. Notably, individuals who engaged in 1–3 h of weekly exercise had the lowest UA levels. The area under the ROC curve for HOMA-IR was 0.847 (cut-off value = 2.165, p < 0.001), and the optimal prediction model included HOMA-IR, BMI z-score, and other lifestyle factors (AUC: 0.870, p < 0.001)).ConclusionHOMA-IR was identified as an independent risk factor for the development of hyperuricaemia and could be used as a sensitive indicator for the prediction its development in adolescents. In insulin-resistant adolescents with hyperuricaemia, maintaining normal weight, engaging in physical exercise for 1–3 h per week, avoiding staying up late and limiting sugary beverages intake are recommended to reduce the prevalence of hyperuricaemia among adolescents.

Utility of cardiac implantable electronic device algorithm for detecting severe sleep-disordered breathing in cardiomyopathy.

Half of patients with heart failure are estimated to have sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). However, many are undiagnosed as they do not report typical symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) sleep-disordered breathing algorithm in a cohort of multi-racial Asian patients for detection of SDB against polysomnography (PSG). In this prospective pilot study, participants who fulfill the American College of Cardiology (ACC) indication for ICD were recruited. The ICD algorithm uses transthoracic impedance sensing to calculate respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Twenty-four patients were enrolled between August 2020 and December 2021. All patients underwent PSG exams and were followed up for up to 12 months. Eighteen participants completed the PSG study as of August 23, 2022. Severe SDB (defined as PSG-AHI ≥30 episodes/h) was diagnosed in 66.7% of the patients. No significant direct linear correlation was found between the PSG-AHI measurements and the RDI measurements (adjusted r 2 = .224, r = .473, p = .027). Applying a binary threshold cut-off RDI value of 32 episodes/h for the detection of severe SDB yielded a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 16.7%. Transthoracic impedance sensing with an advanced inbuilt algorithm may be helpful as a screening test in detecting severe SDB in patients with heart failure and cardiomyopathy, potentially by applying a binary threshold cut-off value. This is the first study known to validate the algorithm in an exclusively multi-ethnic Asian population with heart failure.

Exposure of cumulative atherogenic index of plasma and the development of prediabetes in middle-aged and elderly individuals: evidence from the CHARLS cohort study

BackgroundThe impact of dynamic changes in the degree of atherosclerosis on the development of prediabetes remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between cumulative atherogenic index of plasma (CumAIP) exposure during follow-up and the development of prediabetes in middle-aged and elderly individuals.MethodsA total of 2,939 prediabetic participants from the first wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. The outcomes for these patients, including progression to diabetes and regression to normal fasting glucose (NFG), were determined using data from the third wave. CumAIP was calculated as the ratio of the average AIP values measured during the first and third waves to the total exposure duration. The association between CumAIP and the development of prediabetes was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 3 years, 15.21% of prediabetic patients progressed to diabetes, and 22.12% regressed to NFG. Among the groups categorized by CumAIP quartiles, the proportion of prediabetes progressing to diabetes gradually increased (Q1: 10.61%, Q2: 13.62%, Q3: 15.65%, Q4: 20.95%), while the proportion regressing to NFG gradually decreased (Q1: 23.54%, Q2: 23.71%, Q3: 22.18%, Q4: 19.05%). Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression showed a significant positive linear correlation between high CumAIP exposure and prediabetes progression, and a significant negative linear correlation with prediabetes regression. Furthermore, in a stratified analysis, it was found that compared to married individuals, those who were unmarried (including separated, divorced, widowed, or never married) had a relatively higher risk of CumAIP-related diabetes.ConclusionCumAIP is closely associated with the development of prediabetes. High CumAIP exposure not only increases the risk of prediabetes progression but also hinders its regression within a certain range. These findings suggest that monitoring and maintaining appropriate AIP levels may help prevent the deterioration of blood glucose levels.

Radioprotection Performance Evaluation of 3D-Printed and Conventional Heat-Cured Dental Resins for Radiotherapy Prostheses.

3D printing is increasingly used in dentistry, with biocompatible resins playing a key role. This study compared the radioprotective properties of a commonly used 3D-printed resin (Formlabs surgical guide resin) with traditional heat-cured resin and examined the relationship between material thickness and radiation attenuation. The specimens consisted of 3D-printed and heat-cured resin specimens, each measuring 45 × 45 mm2, with five different thicknesses (6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm), totaling 100 samples. Both types of resin specimens underwent testing with 150 MU external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and 400 cGy brachytherapy. Radiation experiments indicated that under EBRT conditions, there were no significant differences in radiation attenuation between the 3D-printed and heat-cured resins across all thickness groups. In brachytherapy, the attenuation of the 3D-printed resin was significantly lower than the heat-cured resin in the 6 mm and 8 mm groups. Specifically, attenuation rates were 48.0 ± 0.7 (3D-printed) vs. 45.2 ± 1.9 (heat-cured) in the 6 mm group, and 39.6 ± 1.3 vs. 37.5 ± 1.1 in the 8 mm group. Both resins showed significant positive linear correlations between thickness and attenuation (p < 0.001) within 6-14 mm. Thus, 3D-printed resin shows promising radioprotective properties and is a viable alternative to traditional heat-cured resin.

STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE OF INTEGRATION OF GEOGEBRA IN LEARNING MATHEMATICS IN LOWER SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN UGANDA

The use of technology in the pedagogical process is growing at a phenomenal rate and has revolutionized the way students learn. As a result, there is a need for integrating technology into students’ mathematical activities. GeoGebra is a technology software that supports teaching and learning mathematics, especially geometry, algebra, and statistics. This study investigated the students’ knowledge of the integration of GeoGebra in learning mathematics in lower secondary schools in Wakiso District, Uganda. The study utilized quasi-experimental and cross-sectional designs with 42 senior two students in the experimental and 43 in the control group. Data were collected using pre-tests, post-tests, and questionnaires to identify the students’ difficult geometric concepts when learning mathematics, establish the impact of GeoGebra-based training on the students’ learning, and examine the relationship between students’ perceived ease of use of GeoGebra and its integration in learning mathematics. Independent samples t-test, Pearson's linear correlation, and descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, percentages, and frequencies were employed to analyze the data. The study revealed that reflection on the Cartesian plane was the most abstract geometric concept to learn. The results further revealed a statistically significant mean difference between pre-test and post-test scores in favour of the experimental group after the intervention. Furthermore, a moderately significant positive linear correlation existed between students’ perceived ease of use of GeoGebra and its integration in learning reflection on the Cartesian plane. Therefore, the study recommends urgently training students to incorporate this interactive educational software into their mathematics learning.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/soc/0871/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Unveiling the potential of a novel portable air quality platform for assessment of fine and coarse particulate matter: in-field testing, calibration, and machine learning insights.

Although low-cost air quality sensors facilitate the implementation of denser air quality monitoring networks, enabling a more realistic assessment of individual exposure to airborne pollutants, their sensitivity to multifaceted field conditions is often overlooked in laboratory testing. This gap was addressed by introducing an in-field calibration and validation of three PAQMON 1.0 mobile sensing low-cost platforms developed at the Mining and Metallurgy Institute in Bor, Republic of Serbia. A configuration tailored for monitoring PM2.5 and PM10 mass concentrations along with meteorological parameters was employed for outdoor measurement campaigns in Bor, spanning heating (HS) and non-heating (NHS) seasons. A statistically significant positive linear correlation between raw PM2.5 and PM10 measurements during both campaigns (R > 0.90, p ≤ 0.001) was observed. Measurements obtained from the uncalibrated NOVA SDS011 sensors integrated into the PAQMON 1.0 platforms exhibited a substantial and statistically significant correlation with the GRIMM EDM180 monitor (R > 0.60, p ≤ 0.001). The calibration models based on linear and Random Forest (RF) regression were compared. RF models provided more accurate descriptions of air quality, with average adjR2 values for air quality variables in the range of 0.70 to 0.80 and average NRMSE values between 0.35 and 0.77. RF-calibrated PAQMON 1.0 platforms displayed divergent levels of accuracy across different pollutant concentration ranges, achieving a data quality objective of 50% during both measurement campaigns. For PM2.5, uncertainty ( ) was below 50% for concentrations between 9.06 and 34.99μg/m3 in HS and 5.75 and 17.58μg/m3 in NHS, while for PM10, it stayed below 50% from 19.11 to 51.13μg/m3 in HS and 11.72 to 38.86μg/m3 in NHS.