Specific Impact Research Articles

RNA-Seq transcriptomic landscape profiling of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor

BackgroundSodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) are antihyperglycemic medications that reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improve chronic kidney disease prognosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. The specific impact of SGLT2i treatment on hypertensive individuals, however, remains to be established. This underscores the need for systematic efforts to profile the molecular landscape associated with SGLT2i administration. MethodsWe conducted a detailed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq)-based exploration of transcriptomic changes in response to empagliflozin in eight different tissues (i.e., atrium, aorta, ventricle, white adipose, brown adipose, kidney, lung, and brain) from a male rat model of spontaneously hypertension. Corresponding computational analyses (i.e., clustering, differentially-expressed genes [DEG], and functional association) were performed to analyze these data. Blood pressure measurements, tissue staining studies and RT-qPCR were performed to validate our in silico findings. ResultsWe discovered that empagliflozin exerted potent transcriptomic effects on various tissues, most notably the kidney, white adipose, and lung in spontaneously hypertension rats (SHR). The functional enrichment of DEGs indicated that empagliflozin may regulate blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid homeostasis in SHR. Consistent with our RNA-Seq findings, immunohistochemistry and qPCR analyses revealed decreased renal expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 10 (MAPK10) and decreased pulmonary expression of the proinflammatory factors Legumain and cathepsin S (CTSS) at 1 month of empagliflozin administration. Notably, immunofluorescence experiments showed increased expression of the AMP-activated protein kinases Prkaa1 and Prkaa2 in white adipose tissue of SHR following empagliflozin therapy. Furthermore, the transcriptomic signatures of the blood pressure-lowing effect by empagliflozin were experimentally validated in SHR. ConclusionsThis study provided an important resource of the effects of empagliflozin on various tissues of SHRs. We identified tissue-specific and tissue-enriched transcriptomic signatures, and uncovered the beneficial effects of empagliflozin on hypertension, weight gain and inflammatory response in validated experiments.

Identification of potential pseudogenes for predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a highly deadly malignant tumor with high recurrence and metastasis rates. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are involved in tumor metastasis, recurrence, and resistance to drugs, which have attracted widespread attention in recent years. Research has shown that pseudogenes may regulate stemness to promote the progression of HCC, but its specific mechanisms and impact on prognosis remain unclear. In this study, clinical prognosis information of HCC was first downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Then we calculated the mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) of HCC. We also screened the differentially expressed pseudogene (DEPs) and conducted univariate Cox regression analysis to investigate their effect on the prognosis of HCC. Further, genomic mutation frequency analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to compare the role of pseudogenes and stemness in promoting the progression of HCC. Finally, we conducted the correlation analysis to examine the potential mechanism of pseudogenes regulating stemness to promote the progression of HCC and detected the possible pathways through the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Herein, we revealed that the high stemness of HCC correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. We obtained 31 up-regulated and 8 down-regulated DEPs in HCC and screened CTB-63M22.1, a poor prognostic indicator of HCC. In addition, CTB-63M22.1 had a mutation frequency similar to mRNAsi and acted in a module similar to that of mRNAsi on HCC. We then screened two RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) LIN28B and NOP56 with the highest correlation with stemness. We also discovered that they were primarily enriched in the biological process as examples of mitotic nuclear division and cell cycle. Collectively, these results revealed that pseudogenes CTB-63M22.1 may regulate cancer stemness by regulating RBPs, suggesting that CTB-63M22.1 may serve as an innovative therapeutic target and a reliable prognostic marker for HCC.

Mechanical, thermogravimetric, and dynamic mechanical behavior of high-performance textile structural composite panels for automotive applications

The present study investigates the mechanical behavior of the textile structural composite (TSC) panels produced from different textile structures such as chopped fibre, unidirectional (UD), bidirectional (2D plain), and three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal woven structures using two different high-performance fibres (glass and basalt) for automotive components such as door and bonnet of a car. These composite specimens were manufactured by vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to evaluate morphological damage and fractography of fabricated composites. In addition, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the TSC panels were also carried out. Basalt fibre reinforced textile structural composites (BFRTSC) exhibited higher specific tensile, flexural, and impact strength as compared to glass fibre reinforced textile structural composites (GFRTSC). The basalt UD preform reinforced composite panels show a ∼ 372 % increment in specific tensile strength, ∼ 436 % increment in specific flexural strength, and ∼ 818 % increment in specific impact strength as compared to the conventional metallic automotive components. The TGA and DMA confirmed that the developed BFRTSC panels are thermally stable and exhibited higher storage modulus compared to GFRTSC panels. The developed TSC panels are considered a potential candidate to replace traditional metallic counterparts in automotives.

Quantitative Lipid Profiling Reveals Major Differences between Liver Organoids with Normal Pi*M and Deficient Pi*Z Variants of Alpha-1-antitrypsin.

Different mutations in the SERPINA1 gene result in alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and in an increased risk for the development of liver diseases. More than 90% of severe deficiency patients are homozygous for Z (Glu342Lys) mutation. This mutation causes Z-AAT polymerization and intrahepatic accumulation which can result in hepatic alterations leading to steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and/or hepatocarcinoma. We aimed to investigate lipid status in hepatocytes carrying Z and normal M alleles of the SERPINA1 gene. Hepatic organoids were developed to investigate lipid alterations. Lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells overexpressing Z-AAT, as well as in patient-derived hepatic organoids from Pi*MZ and Pi*ZZ individuals, was evaluated by Oil-Red staining in comparison to HepG2 cells expressing M-AAT and liver organoids from Pi*MM controls. Furthermore, mass spectrometry-based lipidomics analysis and transcriptomic profiling were assessed in Pi*MZ and Pi*ZZ organoids. HepG2 cells expressing Z-AAT and liver organoids from Pi*MZ and Pi*ZZ patients showed intracellular accumulation of AAT and high numbers of lipid droplets. These latter paralleled with augmented intrahepatic lipids, and in particular altered proportion of triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and cardiolipins. According to transcriptomic analysis, Pi*ZZ organoids possess many alterations in genes and cellular processes of lipid metabolism with a specific impact on the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and peroxisome dysfunction. Our data reveal a relationship between intrahepatic accumulation of Z-AAT and alterations in lipid homeostasis, which implies that liver organoids provide an excellent model to study liver diseases related to the mutation of the SERPINA1 gene.

Can corporate ESG performance ease financing constraints

Currently, corporate ESG disclosure as important non-financial information can convey the potential sustainability of a company to investors and become one of the key considerations in the investment and financing decision process. Corporate ESG alleviates financing constraints by reducing the degree of information asymmetry and agency problems. This paper adopts data of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2011-2021, and systematically examines the specific effects and impact mechanisms between corporate ESG and financing constraints based on the two-way fixed-effect model and the China Securities ESG rating analysis report. The study finds that corporate ESG performance significantly alleviates financing constraints, and the findings remain robust after a series of robustness tests. The findings of this paper enrich the research on the economic consequences of corporate ESG for real enterprises and the influencing factors of corporate financing constraints, which have important inspirational influence and reference values for promoting high-quality corporate development.

'Hold the course(s)!' - a qualitative interview study of the impact of pandemic-triggered contact restrictions on online instruction in community-based family medicine teaching.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as a catalyst for the digitalization of medical education. Less is known about the specific impact of the pandemic on decentralized, community-based education, such as in General Practitioner practices. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of the digital transformation process, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. As, family medicine courses involve both university-based and community-based teaching, this study focuses the mode and quality of instruction and instructors in family medicine teaching. A qualitative interview study was conducted. The participants (N = 12) of a multi-perspective Quality Circle in family medicine teaching were interviewed twice: first, in 2019, about digitalization in family medicine teaching in Tübingen, Germany, not yet aware of the global changes and local transformation that would take place shortly thereafter. Second, in a follow-up interview in 2020 about the transition process and digitalization following the impact of contact restrictions during the pandemic. Grounded Theory was used as a qualitative research approach to analyze the complex processes surrounding this transformation. By analyzing the interviews with various stakeholders of community and university-based teaching, a model for the digital transformation process of family medicine teaching at the University of Tübingen in response to an external stimulus (the pandemic) was developed. It involves six chronological steps: "The calm before the storm," "The storm hits," "All hands on deck," "Adrift," "Reset course," and "The silver lining." This model seeks to understand the process of digital transformation and its impact on the teaching institution (medical faculty of the University of Tübingen, Institute for General Practice and Interprofessional Health Care) and instructors from an integrated perspective and thereby critically revisits prior concepts and opinions on the digitalization of medical teaching. Insights gained are presented as key messages.

Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the Vietnam stock exchange: An empirical analysis

The emergence of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 led to a global crisis with profound implications for public health and the global economy. This study investigates the ramifications of the pandemic on the Vietnam Stock Exchange, recognizing its interconnectedness with global financial markets. Despite the considerable speculation surrounding the pandemic's influence on economic and financial systems worldwide, limited empirical research has been conducted on its specific impact on the Vietnam Stock Exchange. Employing historical data spanning from January 30, 2020, to April 27, 2022, sourced from a secondary dataset, this research empirically explores the performance of the Vietnam Stock Exchange during the COVID-19 pandemic period compared to a normal period. The findings reveal a significant decline in stock returns and heightened volatility during the pandemic, signaling adverse effects on the exchange's performance. Furthermore, the study applies Quadratic GARCH (QGARCH) and Exponential GARCH (EGARCH) models, incorporating a dummy variable, to scrutinize stock returns. The results corroborate the pandemic's negative impact on stock returns in Vietnam. This research underscores the importance of implementing strategic political and economic policies, including maintaining a stable political environment, promoting indigenous enterprises, diversifying the economy, and adopting a flexible exchange rate regime. These measures are recommended to enhance the resilience of the financial market and attract new investors to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange.

The Evocative wardrobe : establishing emotional durability to accelerate circular economy in fashion

Global fashion waste, sustainability, and the circular economy are concepts that are increasingly gaining popularity not only in the world but also in Sri Lanka. The Fashion Revolution, organizations such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and brands such as Patagonia spearhead this movement in which the idea of circular economy is promoted, and action is taken to reduce the impact on global fashion waste and issues such as overconsumption and overproduction of clothes. Sri Lanka’s capital city Colombo itself, contains landfills filled with unwanted clothes and materials. Furthermore, garment manufacturing is Sri Lanka’s single biggest industry, but it also produces tens of thousands of textile waste every year. However, it can be seen that there is an increase in online Thrift Stores selling secondhand clothing, fashion brands that upcycle clothes, movements such as the Goodlife Foundation, and companies such as the Hirdaramani Group carrying out projects related to fashion waste. It can also be seen that The Colombo Fashion Week (CFW) in association with the Responsible Fashion Movement (RFM), has come out with a specific action-oriented impact on each garment presented on the ramp, under a program titled Responsibility In Fashion.

안전문화가 안전참여 행동에 미치는 영향

An increase in elderly workers and foreign workers is likely to lead to an increase in safety accidents, but it is not easy to exclude them unconditionally as the inflow of new domestic workers is very low. Accordingly, interest in the safety of elderly workers and foreign workers has recently increased, and it can be confirmed that efforts to reduce safety accidents customized for elderly workers and foreign workers are needed. Therefore, in this study, in order to derive safety culture factors that have a positive effect on improving the safety participation movement of elderly workers and foreign workers, the ratio of elderly workers and foreign workers to the relationship between safety culture and safety participation actions was analyzed through an adjustment regression analysis. By verifying the moderating effect, the difference in the influence of safety culture factors on safety participation action according to the ratio of elderly workers and foreign workers was investigated. To verify the research model, a moderated regression analysis was conducted to verify the moderating effect of the duty ratio of elderly workers and foreign workers on the relationship between safety culture and safety participation action using the IBM SPSS Statistics 28 statistical analysis package. The main results of this study are summarized as follows. 1) As a result of verifying the influence relationship between safety culture and safety participation action, it was found that it was statistically significant and safety culture explained about 72% of safety participation action. All of the sub-factors (leadership of top management, Leadership of Lead Framer, Education and System, Work Environment, Communication) that constitute safety culture were found to have significant effects. 2) As a result of verifying the moderating effect of the working ratio of elderly workers and foreign workers, it was found that the working ratio of elderly workers had no effect of moderating the relationship between safety culture factors and safety participation action. On the other hand, it was found that the foreign worker duty ratio had a direct effect on safety participation action as well as a moderating effect. In particular, ‘Leadership of Lead Framer’ and ‘Work Environment’ were meaningful. As for 'Leadership of Lead Framer', the higher the ratio of foreign workers, the higher the positive effect on the safety participation movement. In ‘Work Environment’, the higher the ratio of foreign workers, the lower the degree to which the positive effect on safety participation action increased. Through this study, it is expected to understand the specific impact of safety culture on the safety participation action of elderly workers and foreign workers, and to propose a new approach to safety accident prevention and safety management at construction sites.

Sensitivity to clinical change in patients with syncope measured by the specific scale impact of syncope on quality of life

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): CHULC (Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central), Hospital de Santa Marta. Summary Recurrent syncope has a significant impact on the quality of life (QL). Patients (P) identify better with specific scales to report their perception of their QL. We believe that sensitivity to changes in the clinical condition is an asset of this type of scale. Objective To assess the sensitivity of the specific scale "Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life" (ISQL) for measuring QL in P with syncope who have undergone changes in their clinical condition. Population and methodology: 57 P, 21 men and 36 women, mean age 54.4±17.3 (19 to 83 years), most married (65%) working (36.2%) or retired (46, 6%) whose answers to the ISQL were used to analyze the psychometric properties of this instrument (18 more individuals than in the preliminary validation) and 22 P who performed a tilt training program (TTr), 9 men and 11 women, with a mean age of 50.3±18,1 (18 to 78 years), mostly married (55%) working (50%) or retired (35%) who reported perception of their QL before TTr and 6 months after, responding to the ISQL. Results Regarding fidelity, convergent validity and divergent validity, the statistically significant results measured in the validation of the scale for the Portuguese population that had 39 P are maintained, which strengthens this measure in relation to psychometric properties and its use in clinical context. The stability in time was tested in the preliminary validation by the test-retest method of the instrument at six months after tilt test with 22 P (from the initial sample of 39 P) not submitted to clinical intervention, which did not show statistically significant changes in QL. Sensitivity to clinical change was tested in a group of 20 P who integrated and completed a TTr, with statistically significant changes in QL reported using this specific measure referring worry, fear, doing less than they wanted and avoiding certain locations. Conclusions The results obtained reinforce the use of the ISQL in the evaluation of QL in the P with syncope and indicate that the ISQL identifies the alteration of the clinical condition, being a fundamental measure for the evaluation of the results of clinical interventions in these patients, as well as in others.

Does corruption attract foreign direct investment inflows? Evidence from Tanzania

Corruption remains a prominent institutional barrier that hampers foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow in developing countries. However, the specific impact of corruption on FDI inflows in Tanzania remains largely unexplored. This research aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by examining the consequences of corruption on FDI inflows in Tanzania between 1996 and 2021. The analysis utilizes time series institutional data obtained from the World Bank governance indicators and FDI inflow data from the Bank of Tanzania (BOT). Given the consideration of multiple variables, a multiple regression model is employed to analyze the data. Unit root tests such as the expanded Dickey-Fuller and Johansen cointegration tests are utilised to assess whether the variables are cointegrated and whether the data exhibits stationarity or nonstationarity. The findings of this study unequivocally demonstrate that corruption (CC) has a significant adverse effect on both short-term and long-term FDI inflows. The data from 1996 to 2021 consistently indicate a noteworthy influence of corruption (CC) on FDI inflows. Consequently, this research recommends concerted efforts to combat corruption in order to improve the investment climate and attract foreign investors.

Preparing a task is sufficient to generate a subsequent task-switch cost affecting task performance.

This study investigated the nature of switch costs after trials on which the cued task had been either only prepared (cue-only trials) or both prepared and performed (completed trials). Previous studies have found that task-switch costs occur following cue-only trials, demonstrating that preparing-without performing-a task is sufficient to produce a subsequent switch cost. However, it is not clear whether switch costs after these different types of trial reflect an impact of task-switching upon task preparation or task performance on the current trial. The present study examined this question using a double-registration procedure with both cue-only and completed trials. Participants responded to both task-cue and target stimuli. In cue responses, a cost of switching task cues (cue-switch cost) but not of switching tasks (task-switch cost) followed both cue-only and completed trials. In target responses, a task-switch cost but no cue-switch cost followed both cue-only trials and completed trials, and this task-switch cost was larger following completed than cue-only trials. The presence of the task-switch cost in target responses following cue-only trials indicates a specific impact of previous preparation upon task performance, and the increased size of this cost following completed trials indicates an additional impact of previous performance. Together, these results suggest that both task preparation and task performance contribute to the subsequent task-switch cost affecting task performance. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Contribution of DNA Ligase 4 Genetic Variations to Taiwanese Lung Cancer.

Impaired non-homologous end-joining DNA repair capacity may have a significant role in maintaining genome integrity and triggering carcinogenesis. However, the specific impact of DNA ligase 4 (Lig4) genotypes remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the contribution of Lig4 genotypes to the risk of developing lung cancer. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to examine the genotypes of Lig4 rs1805388, and their association with lung cancer risk was evaluated in a case-control study consisting of 358 lung cancer cases and 716 age- and sex-matched cancer-free control subjects. The distribution of CC, CT, and TT genotypes for Lig4 rs1805388 among the cases was 45.0%, 41.6%, and 13.4%, respectively, compared to 58.0%, 36.3%, and 5.7% among the controls (p for trend=1.98×10-6). Allelic analysis indicated that individuals carrying the T-allele for Lig4 rs1805388 had a 1.66-fold higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those carrying the wild-type C-allele [95% confidence interval (CI)=1.36-2.02, p=4.04×10-7]. Moreover, a significant interaction was observed between the Lig4 rs1805388 genotype and smoking status (p=1.32×10-7). These findings suggest that the CT and TT variant genotypes of Lig4 rs1805388, combined with cigarette smoking, may contribute to a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

Can the development of renewable energy in China compensate for the damage caused by environmental pollution to residents' health?

China's rapid economic growth in recent decades has caused a growing problem of environmental pollution, which negatively impacts the physical and mental health of residents. In recent years, renewable energy has emerged as a promising solution to alleviate environmental pollution and improve residents' well-being. However, it is unknown whether renewable energy development can counterbalance the health impacts of environmental pollution. Therefore, we conducted a study using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to examine the impact of environmental pollution and renewable energy on the health of 20,694 residents. Our analysis showed that renewable energy development can partially offset the negative health effects of environmental pollution. Specifically, we found that a 1% increase in environmental pollution is linked to an average decrease of 0.0911% in physical health (PHY) and 0.0566% in mental health (MEN), whereas each 1% rise in renewable energy corresponds to an average increase of 0.2585% in PHY and 0.1847% in MEN. These positive effects apply to male and female residents, urban and rural residents, young and middle-aged adults, and people with low, medium, and high levels of education. These findings are significant for decision-makers striving to improve Chinese residents' physical and mental health by considering the specific impact of renewable energy and comprehensive environmental pollution.

Does digital finance development affect carbon emission intensity: Evidence from China

To achieve a green economic transformation, it is crucial to reduce carbon emission intensity (CEI), and digital finance has the potential to contribute to this objective. However, the specific impact of digital finance on CEI has not been thoroughly investigated. This study utilizes Chinese provincial data from 2011 to 2019 to examine the effect of digital finance on CEI using various analytical approaches, including a two-way fixed-effect model, instrumental variable method, and mediating-effect model. The findings of the study are as follows: (1) Digital finance has a significant and positive effect in reducing CEI, and this has proven to be consistent across robustness tests and adjustments for potential endogeneity. (2) The usage depth and digitization of digital finance play a significant role in reducing CEI. (3) The impact of digital finance on CEI varies across regions and over time. (4) Digital finance influences CEI by reducing energy intensity and altering energy consumption patterns. This study provides valuable insights for policy-makers in terms of enhancing their understanding of the relationship between digital finance and CEI. Consequently, it can guide the formulation of effective policies for carbon reduction and the development of digital finance in the future.

Reduced Graphene Oxide Embedded with ZnS Nanoparticles as Catalytic Cathodic Material for Li-S Batteries.

Lithium-sulfur technology is a strong candidate for the future generation of batteries due to its high specific capacity (1675 mAh g-1), low cost, and environmental impact. In this work, we propose a facile and solvent-free microwave synthesis for a composite material based on doped (sulfur and nitrogen) reduced graphene oxide embedded with zinc sulfide nanoparticles (SN-rGO/ZnS) to improve the battery performance. The chemical-physical characterization (XRD, XPS, FESEM, TGA) confirmed the effectiveness of the microwave approach in synthesizing the composite materials and their ability to be loaded with sulfur. The materials were then thoroughly characterized from an electrochemical point of view (cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling, Tafel plot, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Li2S deposition test); the SN-rGO/ZnS/S8 cathode showed a strong affinity towards polysulfides, thus reducing their loss by diffusion and improving redox kinetics, allowing for faster LiPSs conversion. In terms of performance, the composite-based cathode increased the specific capacity at high rate (1 C) from 517 to 648 mAh g-1. At the same time, more stable behavior was observed at 0.5 C with capacity retention at the 750th cycle, where it was raised from 32.5% to 48.2%, thus confirming the beneficial effect of the heteroatomic doping process and the presence of zinc sulfide nanoparticles.

Impacto del prebriefing en las emociones en una sesión de simulación de alta fidelidad: estudio controlado aleatorizado

IntroductionMedical simulation is associated with intense emotions which influence human behavior. We aim to investigate how prebriefing impacts on learnerś emotions during a high-fidelity simulation (HFS) session. MethodsThis is a prospective randomized controlled study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a standardized prebriefing (SP group) versus not receiving it (NSP group). Debriefing following the «good judgment» approach, structured in reactions, understanding and summary phases, was used in both groups. In order to assess emotions, we used the circumplex model of affect applying the Affect Grid scale, which was performed prior to prebriefing, following case performance and following debriefing. Debriefing times were also assessed. ResultsA total of 128 physicians participate in the study (64 vs. 64). Following case performance, this HFS session was experienced with significantly more pleasant emotions compared to baseline, that were maintained during debriefing (P<0.01) while alertness increased after case performance diminishing after debriefing (P<0.01). There were no statistical significant differences between groups. In the NSP group, total debriefing (P=0.003) and understanding phase (P=0.002) times were significantly longer. ConclusionsThis HFS session was experienced as pleasant with high alertness with no specific emotional impact attributable to prebriefing. Prebriefing leads to a freer flowing debriefing.

Differential Association of Sex Hormones with Metabolic Parameters and Body Composition in Men and Women from the United States.

Sex hormones impact body composition. Data on the specific impact of each hormone on different body depots in men and women are scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between testosterone, estradiol and body fat distribution in the general population. This is a population-based cross-sectional study based on data from the 2013-2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry were performed on participants aged 18-59 years to evaluate body composition and sex hormone levels, respectively. Weighted multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between these parameters after adjustment for potential confounders. A total of 6655 participants (3309 males and 3346 females) was included in the analysis. Men with lower testosterone levels were older, had a higher body mass index (BMI) and had a generally unfavorable metabolic profile, while no specific trends were found in women. Among men, testosterone was positively associated with lean body mass and was negatively associated with fat mass and the android/gynoid (A/G) ratio, while an opposite trend was found for estradiol. Among women, testosterone did not impact body composition, while estradiol levels were positively associated with lean mass and were negatively associated with fat mass. Our results support the notion that the impact of different sex hormones on specific fat depots varies substantially between men and women.

Obese Asthma Phenotype Is Associated with hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and hsa-miR-376a-3p Modulating the IGF Axis.

Clarifying inflammatory processes and categorising asthma into phenotypes and endotypes improves asthma management. Obesity worsens severe asthma and reduces quality of life, although its specific molecular impact remains unclear. We previously demonstrated that hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and hsa-miR-376a-3p, biomarkers related to an inflammatory profile, discriminate eosinophilic from non-eosinophilic asthmatics. We aimed to study hsa-miR-26a-1-3p, hsa-miR-376a-3p, and their target genes in asthmatic subjects with or without obesity to find biomarkers and comprehend obese asthma mechanisms. Lung tissue samples were obtained from asthmatic patients (n = 16) and healthy subjects (n = 20). We measured miRNA expression using RT-qPCR and protein levels (IGF axis) by ELISA in confirmation samples from eosinophilic (n = 38) and non-eosinophilic (n = 39) obese (n = 26) and non-obese (n = 51) asthma patients. Asthmatic lungs showed higher hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and hsa-miR-376a-3p expression than healthy lungs. A study of seven genes regulated by these miRNAs revealed differential expression of IGFBP3 between asthma patients and healthy individuals. In obese asthma patients, we found higher hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and IGF-1R values and lower values for hsa-miR-376a-3p and IGFBP-3. Hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and IGFBP-3 were directly and inversely correlated with body mass index, respectively. Hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and hsa-miR-376a-3p could be used as biomarkers to phenotype patients with eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic asthma in relation to comorbid obesity.

Does basic need satisfaction foster engagement by serving as a personal demand? A mediation model based on a self-determination perspective

PurposeTaking job demand-resource (JD-R) and self-determination perspective, the current study focused to see how basic need satisfaction (BNS) – as a personal demand – impacts work engagement directly and indirectly through personal resource (i.e. self-efficacy). Moreover, the aim was to test the dimension-wise impact of BNS, i.e. the need for autonomy, need for belongingness and need for competence in the aforementioned relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis research is a time-lagged survey in which three-wave data of 398 white-collar employees were collected from the service and manufacturing sector of Pakistan through convenience sampling. Each wave of data collection was two months apart. The matched responses yielded an overall response rate of 66.33%. The collected responses were duly analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsResults of the study confirmed all direct and indirect hypotheses encompassing the impact of the combined BNS construct on work engagement via self-efficacy. Nonetheless, in the dimension-wise analysis, the indirect impact of the need for job autonomy on work engagement was not validated. This depicted that the need for competence and relatedness are more important predictors of work engagement through the self-efficacy path.Originality/valueIt has been observed that prior research on work engagement was mainly focused on the role of job demands (JDs) and personal resources; however, the role of personal demands along with personal resources has little been discussed. The authors tested the total as well as the specific impact of each component of basic need on work engagement making it possible to examine the total predicting role of basic need satisfaction and the specific contribution of satisfaction of each need on work engagement.