Unit Increase Research Articles

Who are the fathers? Profiling fathers of children born to teenage mothers in South Africa using the Recorded Live Births 2016–2020

Abstract Aim Despite the huge investment in reducing cases of teenage pregnancy in South Africa, the incidence remains high. Interventions are targeted at girls with minimal consideration for the men who father children with teenagers. Our study aimed to profile the men who have children born to teenage mothers. Subject and methods We used South Africa’s Recorded Live Births 1998–2021 dataset containing cumulative live birth registrations recorded by Statistics South Africa. The birth notifications are received from the Department of Home Affairs. Our sample consisted of N = 97,161 registered births for mothers 19 years and younger for births which occurred between 2016 and 2020 with father information available. Results Majority of men who fathered children with teenage girls were between the ages of 20 and 29 years (89.70%); teenage girls are having children fathered by older men, with an average six-year age gap. For every unit increase of mothers’ age, so too the odds of having children with an older father—our findings show 36% reduced odds (adjusted odds ratio 0.54) for a 12-year-old mother having a child with a non-peer father and double the odds (adjusted odds ratio 1.84) for an 18-year-old mother having a child with an older father. The odds of teenage girls having children with older men increased annually and were saturated in rural provinces and district municipalities in South Africa. Conclusion Our study provided a geographic and age profile of men who father children with teenage girls in the country which should be used as a starting point for programmes directed at men to augment interventions to make an accelerated dent in teenage pregnancy cases in the country.

The influence of tax service quality and tax socialization on individual taxpayer compliance in the regional tax office of the Riau Islands

This research investigates how taxpayer compliance at the Riau Islands Regional Tax Office is affected by two factors: the quality of tax services and tax socialization efforts. The researchers surveyed 116 individual taxpayers and analyzed their responses using regression analysis. The findings revealed that both factors positively influenced compliance levels. Specifically, each unit improvement in tax service quality led to a 0.227 unit increase in compliance, while each unit increase in tax socialization resulted in a 0.479 unit rise in compliance. Together, these two factors account for 34.9% of the variations in taxpayer compliance behavior. Based on these results, the study recommends enhancing both service quality and socialization activities to boost tax compliance in the region.

Hyperuricemia and elevated uric acid/creatinine ratio are associated with stages III/IV periodontitis: a population-based cross-sectional study (NHANES 2009-2014).

To explore the association between hyperuricemia and having periodontitis. A representative cross-sectional dataset of 10,158 adults was extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014. The association between hyperuricemia (the primary exposure) and having periodontitis (outcome) were evaluated using weighted logistic regression models. Serum uric acid (UA) levels and the UA to creatinine (UA/Cr) ratio were used as secondary exposures. Their associations with the diagnosis periodontitis were analyzed using weighted logistic regression or restricted cubic spline regression. The prevalence of Stages III/IV periodontitis was 47.7% among individuals with hyperuricemia and 37.4% among those without. After adjustment, individuals with hyperuricemia had 0.281 times higher odds of developing Stages III/IV periodontitis compared to those without hyperuricemia (adjusted OR = 1.286, 95% CI = 1.040 to 1.591, P = 0.024). The increased odds could be explained by a linear relationship with the serum UA/Cr ratio and a U-shaped relationship with serum UA levels. Each unit increase in the serum UA/Cr ratio was associated with 0.048 times higher odds of developing Stages III/IV periodontitis (adjusted OR = 1.048, 95% CI = 1.008 to 1.088, P = 0.021). Additionally, each 1mg/dL increase in serum UA was associated with 0.156 times higher odds (adjusted OR = 1.156, 95% CI = 1.009 to 1.323, P = 0.038) of developing Stages III/IV periodontitis when UA levels were greater than 5.9mg/dL, but 0.118 times lower odds when UA levels were 5.9mg/dL or lower (adjusted OR = 0.882, 95% CI = 0.790 to 0.984, P = 0.027). Sensitivity analyses validated the robustness of the findings. This study provides the first direct evidence that hyperuricemia is associated with Stages III/IV periodontitis. Hyperuricemia may represent a new potential comorbidity of periodontitis, possibly contributing directly or indirectly to the disease burden in patients with periodontitis. Not applicable.

Relationship between diabetes-related clinical characteristics and preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm): findings from NHANES 2007–2012

IntroductionTo analyse the relationship between diabetes, its severity (including blood glucose levels, disease duration, antidiabetic drug use and number of comorbidities) and preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm) using data from...

Determinants and Constraints of Access to Credit by Poultry Egg Farmers in Ogun State Nigeria

Access to credit is crucial for the advancement of the poultry industry in Nigeria, yet a significant portion of poultry farmers lack access to formal credit sources. This study investigates determinants and constraints to credit access among poultry egg farmers in Ogun State, based on data collected from 180 farmers using a multi-stage sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and a Logit regression model were employed for analysis. About 33.3% of the farmers were within the age range of 41-50, poultry farmers of 62.2% within the region were more of male farmers while 75.6% of the farmers were educated up to tertiary level. Only 45% of respondents had credit access, with varying sources: 19.8% from commercial banks, 37% from cooperatives, 18% from microfinance banks, 2.5% from the Bank of Agriculture, 6.2% from government sources, and 12.3% from private organizations. The Logit model revealed that farming experience and flock size significantly influence credit access (p<0.01). For each year of farming experience, there is a 4.8% increase in the likelihood of credit access. Similarly, for each unit increase in flock size, there is approximately a 0.04% rise in credit access likelihood. Descriptive statistics highlight constraints to credit access: lack of awareness (5.1%), absence of collateral (30.3%), lack of interest (5.1%), loan denial (12.1%), high interest rates (27.2%), regulatory hurdles (8.1%), and inadequate documentation (12.1%). It is recommended that policymakers and financial institutions develop tailored credit products for poultry farmers, addressing specific challenges such as collateral requirements and high interest rates, this is because once financial barriers are removed production is likely to improve. Additionally, enhancing farmer awareness of available credit options and simplifying application processes can improve credit accessibility in the sector.

The nonlineard association between triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and long-term heart disease risk: findings from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. CVD has high morbidity and mortality in China, with 5.09million CVD deaths in 2019 and a mortality rate of 364.5 cases per 100,000 people. Existing studies have focused on specific populations and lack studies on the general population. This study used data from the China Health and Aged Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) to analyse the middle-aged and elderly population between 2011 and 2020. The exposure variable was TG/HDL-C ratio, the outcome variable was the occurrence of heart disease (including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, etc.), and the covariates included age, gender, education level, and body mass index. The final sample size was 4,551 participants. Weighted Cox regression models were used to assess the association between TG/HDL-C and CVD risk, and nonlinear associations and stratified analyses were performed. The results demonstrated a significant association between TG/HDL-C ratios and cardiac morbidity, with a risk ratio of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.71-0.71) in the adjusted model II. Nonlinear analysis revealed a threshold effect. Within the TG/HDL-C 0.15-1.5 interval (inflection point LnTG/HDL-C 0.41), each 1-unit increase in Ln (TG/HDL-C) was associated with a 17% reduction in the risk. The inflection point was associated with a 0.83-fold reduction in the risk of CVD (95% CI: 0.75, 0.92; p = 0.0003), but beyond this point, the association was no longer significant (1.00-fold reduction in risk; 95% CI: 0.95, 1.05; p = 0.9701). In contrast, stratified analyses demonstrated that the results were more applicable to women and those younger than 65 years. In summary, the study found a significant inverse relationship between the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese population, with a nonlinear threshold effect observed at a TG/HDL-C ratio of around 1.5.

Identifying the geographic leading edge of Lyme disease in the United States with internet searches: A spatiotemporal analysis of Google Health Trends data.

The geographic footprint of Lyme disease is expanding in the United States, which calls for novel methods to identify emerging endemic areas. The ubiquity of internet use coupled with the dominance of Google's search engine makes Google user search data a compelling data source for epidemiological research. We evaluated the potential of Google Health Trends to track spatiotemporal patterns in Lyme disease and identify the leading edge of disease risk in the United States. We analyzed internet search rates for Lyme disease-related queries at the designated market area (DMA) level (n = 206) for the 2011-2019 and 2020-2021 (COVID-19 pandemic) periods. We used maps and other exploratory methods to characterize changes in search behavior. To assess statistical correlation between searches and Lyme disease cases reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2011 and 2019, we performed a longitudinal ecological analysis with modified Poisson generalized estimating equation regression models. Mapping DMA-level changes in "Lyme disease" search rates revealed an expanding area of higher rates occurring along the edges of the northeastern focus of Lyme disease. Bivariate maps comparing search rates and CDC-reported incidence rates also showed a stronger than expected signal from Google Health Trends in some high-risk adjacent states such as Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio, which may be further indication of a geographic leading edge of Lyme disease that is not fully apparent from routine surveillance. Searches for "Lyme disease" were a significant predictor of CDC-reported disease incidence. Each 100-unit increase in the search rate was significantly associated with a 10% increase in incidence rates (RR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.12) after adjusting for environmental covariates of Lyme disease identified in the literature. Google Health Trends data may help track the expansion of Lyme disease and inform the public and health care providers about emerging risks in their areas.

Association between body roundness index and psoriasis among US adults: a nationwide population-based study.

In clinical practice, psoriasis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease featured with the development of red plaque with silvery scales, which considerably affects cutaneous health and quality of life of those afflicted. This research aimed to examine the association between the body roundness index (BRI) and psoriasis, using data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Our study used a cross-sectional design, including 8,479 adults, of whom 234 were diagnosed with psoriasis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between BRI and psoriasis, with stepwise adjustments for covariables. Results from multivariable logistic regression analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between BRI and the risk of developing psoriasis; specifically, after comprehensive adjustment for covariables, per 1 unit increase in BRI was linked to an 11% rise in psoriasis risk (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.05-1.17). Furthermore, psoriasis patients exhibited higher average BRI compared to non-psoriasis patients and a greater prevalence of comorbidities such as hypertension and smoking. These findings suggest that higher BRI is positively correlated with the risk of psoriasis in the adult population in the US. BRI could potentially act as a practical anthropometric index for more accurately predicting the risk of developing psoriasis.

Abstract 4135780: Predictors of Engagement in a Coaching Intervention for Heart Failure Caregivers

Background: Even the best intervention will not be effective without engagement in the experience. We developed and tested a virtual health coaching intervention ("ViCCY”, Virtual Caregiver Coach for You) for informal caregivers of patients with HF in a RCT. Of the 125 caregivers in the intervention group, completion rates varied (mean 6 ± 4 sessions, median 9; 21% no sessions). The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with intervention engagement defined as receipt of ≥8 of 10 intervention sessions over a 6-month period based on core intervention content. Methods: This explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted in two phases. First quantitative data were analyzed with respect to number of completed sessions, sociodemographics, and the Credibility-Expectancy Questionnaire measuring expectations regarding intervention effectiveness. We used multivariable logistic regression to quantitatively identify salient predictors of caregivers’ intervention engagement. Then, based on the number of sessions completed, 24 caregivers assigned to ViCCY were interviewed to explore individual, family, community, and societal factors associated with intervention engagement. Transcribed interviews were coded using content analysis. Results: Each one hour increase in hours caregiving was associated with reduced odds of completing ≥8 sessions. Race other than White and income insufficient to make ends meet were associated with reduced odds of completing ≥8 sessions. Each unit increase in intervention credibility was associated with increased odds of completing ≥8 sessions. Interviews with participants who completed some sessions revealed common challenges such as the patient’s HF progression and life events including caregiver health issues, balancing multiple responsibilities, and interpersonal issues. Reluctance to accept help from an unfamiliar individual through a virtual network and perceiving additional resources as burdensome also hindered participation. Practical issues such as finding a suitable space for virtual meetings and scheduling conflicts interfered. In those who did not complete any sessions, the main reason for non-engagement was misunderstanding of what to expect in the intervention. Conclusions: The daily lives of HF caregivers are influenced by caregiving demands exacerbated by social determinants of health. These issues may reduce the capacity of caregivers to accept help and ultimately act as a barrier to program engagement.

Abstract 4134685: Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing for Characterization and Prognostication in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) carries substantial risk of adverse cardiac events. Consequently, detailed physiologic assessment and accurate risk stratification in HCM are of high clinical importance. Aim: To synthesize current evidence on the utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for characterization and prognostication of HCM. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for eligible studies from database inception to November 2023. Studies that had at least one CPET performed in HCM patients, with corresponding test data reported, were included. Abstracts with no full-text and studies focused on pediatric populations were excluded. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint of cardiovascular adverse events. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from Cox proportional hazard model were meta-analyzed. This study was performed following the PRISMA guidelines and registered under PROSPERO (CRD42023487759). Results: Sixty full-length manuscripts focused on CPETs performed in HCM patients were included, comprising 12,914 patients. Despite male predominance (66%) and average age of 48 years, peak VO 2 was only 6.2 [95% CI, 6.0-6.4] metabolic equivalents (21.8 [20.9-22.6] mL/kg/min), consistent with significant functional limitation. In subanalyses, peak VO 2 was 18.9 [18.0-19.9] mL/kg/min in obstructive HCM and 22.5 [20.8-24.2] mL/kg/min in non-obstructive HCM. Compared to commonly used metrics such as NYHA Class, CPET markedly enhances sensitivity to detect impaired cardiac performance ( Figure ). This meta-analysis highlights several easily-derived CPET variables that consistently predict HCM prognosis. An increase of 1 mL/kg/min in peak VO 2 was associated with a lower HR of 0.83 [0.76-0.90] for adverse cardiac events, while a 1 unit increase in the VE/VCO 2 slope was associated with a higher HR of 1.12 [1.03-1.23]. Abnormal blood pressure response to exercise conferred a 2.5-fold [2.0-3.1] increase in adverse events. Conclusion: CPET is a valuable objective method for multi-dimensional physiologic assessment and prognostication in HCM. With further standardization, CPET is well suited for more widespread clinical utilization in HCM patients.

Does women's political participation promote green innovation? Global evidence

AbstractA long‐standing theory is that men value technology, while women focus more on human welfare and living conditions. Using data from 101 countries between 1996 and 2019, this study examines the impact of women's political participation on green innovation. Our results show that a one‐unit increase in women's political participation is positively associated with a 0.081 unit increase in the standard deviation of green innovation. This effect is particularly significant in developed countries where women's political participation is above the global average. Analysis using the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) shows a more pronounced effect at lower quantiles of green innovation in high‐carbon countries, due to women's heightened environmental sensitivity. Furthermore, implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, bureaucratic quality, and law and order strengthen this relationship. Accordingly, we identify countries that should prioritize improving women's political status, especially in patriarchal and Muslim societies.

Abstract 4140119: Liver Steatosis and Liver Fibrosis Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in the CLEAR Outcomes Trial

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and progressive stages accompanied by liver fibrosis (LF), have been associated with liver-related and CV complications in middle-aged patients, although data on the latter is limited. Objectives: We evaluated whether liver steatosis (LS) or LF are associated with CV outcomes in a large clinical trial that included patients at high CV risk who were statin intolerant (SI), and if so, whether bempedoic acid (BA) treatment reduces observed increases in CV risk. Methods: CLEAR Outcomes evaluated the efficacy of BA in 13,970 SI patients randomized to BA (180 mg daily) or placebo and followed for a median of 40.6 months. The primary outcome was a 4-component major adverse CV event (MACE4: nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or CV death). This post-hoc analysis used the following non-invasive algorithms to estimate the presence of LS and LF at baseline: Framingham Steatosis Index (FSI), Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). Continuous variables were reported as mean±SD, categorical variables as proportion. Time-to-event data were analysed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for every 1 unit increase in score, while holding every other variable constant, and corresponding 95% CI were reported. Results: The mean age of included participants was 66±9 years, 48% were female, mean BMI was 30±5 kg/m 2 , and characteristics were balanced over the treatment arms. Baseline FSI was 0.2±1.5, FIB-4 1.3±0.6 and NFS -0.6±1.2. LS was associated with an increased incidence of MACE4 in the whole study population, as indicated by the aHR of 1.09 (1.06-1.12) for 1 unit of FSI increase. LF was also associated with increased risk of MACE4 in the overall population, aHR 1.19 (1.11-1.28) for 1 unit of FIB-4 increase, and aHR 1.14 (1.10-1.19) for 1 unit of NFS increase. For LS, per 1 unit of FSI increase the aHR for MACE4 was lower in the treatment group: aHR of 1.04 (0.99-1.09) for BA vs 1.14 (1.09-1.18) for placebo, interaction p=0.004. For LF, aHR did not differ between groups and no significant interaction with treatment was observed. Conclusion: Both LS and LF are associated with an increased risk of MACE4. Overall, BA was associated with lower rates of MACE4 across categories of LS and LF (data not shown). A lower risk of LS-associated MACE4 was observed in the BA group. These benefits are less clear regarding the MACE4 risk driven by LF.

Abstract Su204: Association between delta E T CO 2 and Return of Spontaneous Circulation in a National US Cohort

Introduction: International guidelines support use of end-tidal carbon dioxide (E T CO 2 ) for monitoring resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Specific E T CO 2 cutoffs have been proposed for termination of resuscitation, though data on rates of ROSC based on changes in E T CO 2 is limited. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between change in E T CO 2 in OHCA and its relationship to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) using a US national database. Methods: This retrospective analysis of National Emergency Medical Services Information System (NEMSIS) datasets from 2020 to 2022 evaluated all adult patients who underwent resuscitation for OHCA and had multiple E T CO 2 measurements. We excluded cases with missing data. The highest difference between two sequential E T CO 2 measurements (MΔE T CO 2 ) and total difference between minimum and maximum E T CO 2 measurements [TΔE T CO 2 ] were calculated for each case. ΔE T CO 2 groups were stratified into 10-unit increments and we compared rates of ROSC between groups. We then used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between each 5 unit increase in ΔE T CO 2 and ROSC. We adjusted for age, sex, location, witness status, initial shockable rhythm, and CPR or AED prior to EMS arrival. Results: We included 274,516 total patients with 1,686,390 E T CO 2 measurements. The median number of E T CO 2 measurements was 5 (IQR 3-8). Median age was 65, 62.8% were male, 60.1% had witnessed arrests, and 78.3% received CPR and 32.3% received AED placement prior to EMS arrival. ROSC rates based on MΔE T CO 2 were 0-10 mmHg [33.3%], 10-20 mmHg [42.3%], 20-30 mmHg [49.7%], 30-40 mmHg [53.2%], and >40 mmHg [56.6%]. ROSC rates for TΔE T CO 2 were 0-10 mmHg [29.6%], 10-20 mmHg [36.7%], 20-30 mmHg [43.5%], 30-40 mmHg [48.9%], and >40 mmHg [54.6%]. Adjusted odds of ROSC per 10 mmHg increase in MΔE T CO 2 was 1.21 [1.21-1.22] and TΔE T CO 2 was 1.19 [1.19-1.19]. Conclusions: Increasing max and overall ΔE T CO 2 was associated with increased rates and odds of ROSC for OHCA.

Association of dietary vitamin K1 intake with epilepsy in adults in US: a cross-sectional study of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2018.

Information regarding the relationship between epilepsy and vitamin K1 remains unclear. We aimed to assess the association between dietary vitamin K1 intake and epilepsy. Data was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2013 to 2018. The study enrolled participants aged ≥ 18 years that provided complete information on their dietary vitamin K1 intake and epilepsy status. Weighted multivariable regression and subgroup analyses were performed to detect the association between dietary vitamin K1 intake and epilepsy. In total, 10 137 participants (mean age, 48 years) were enrolled. Among them, 84 (0.83%) participants were identified as having epilepsy, whereas 10 053 (99.17%) were included in the non-epilepsy group, with an average dietary vitamin K1 intake of 67.2 ± 6.9 and 105.5 ± 1.5µg/d, respectively. Each unit (10µg/d) increase in vitamin K1 intake was associated with a 7% decrease in the odds of epilepsy (odds ratio = 0.93, 95% confidence interval: 0.88-0.98, p = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that participants in the higher quartile had lower odds of epilepsy than those in the first quartile of vitamin K1 intake. Subgroup analysis showed a stable and consistent inverse association between dietary vitamin K1 intake and epilepsy. Higher dietary vitamin K1 intake was associated with lower incidence of epilepsy. Our study did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Further large-scale prospective studies and randomized trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Dietary Total Antioxidant Capacity is Closely Associated with Skeletal Muscle Mass: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Skeletal muscle is of great importance for human activity and quality of life, as its loss contributes greatly to immobilization, especially for aged individuals. An increased dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins may be beneficial for muscle loss because of aging. However, the quantitative relationship between total antioxidation capacity (TAC) of antioxidant vitamins and muscle mass is undetermined. 4009 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed with demographic, lifestyle and dietary intake adjustment factors. The dose saturation effect was also determined by a saturation effect analysis. Subgroup analysis were performed forage and sex. In the fully adjusted model, per unit increase of dietary TAC was associated with an increase of 0.018 g/kg appendicular lean mass (95% CI: 0.007-0.029), 0.014 g/kg trunk lean mass (95% CI: 0.004-0.024) and 0.035 g/kg total lean mass (95% CI: 0.014-0.055). TAC was associated with an decrease of 0.004 kg/kg total percent fat (95% CI: -0.006--0.002), 0.005 kg/kg trunk percent fat (95% CI: -0.007--0.002) and 0.003 kg/m2 BMI (95% CI: -0.006--0.001) at the same time. Subgroup analysis indicated that women and adults <50 years may experience the most significant association between TAC and skeletal muscle mass. We revealed a positive correlation between TAC and lean body mass, a negative association between TAC and body fat and BMI. Saturation values were found among people aged 40-59. Age and sex mediate these associations.

Association between triglyceride glucose-body mass index and depression among US adults: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) is a well-established surrogate marker for insulin resistance. While an association between insulin resistance and depression has been identified, that between TyG-BMI and depression remains unclear. Therefore, we used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database to investigate this. Study designThis cross-sectional study included 9673 adults (aged ≥20 years) from the NHANES in the United States from 2011 to 2020. MethodsDepressive symptoms were assessed using a nine-item version of the Patient Health Questionnaire. The covariates included age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational level, poverty-income ratio, smoking status, alcohol intake, diabetes status, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, physical activity, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. Multivariate logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, and threshold saturation effect analyses were conducted. ResultsAfter adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, poverty-income ratio, smoking status, drinking status, diabetes status, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, physical activity, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the threshold saturation effect showed a TyG-BMI inflection point of 174.4. Below the inflection point, a 10-unit increase in TyG-BMI was associated with a 12 % lower prevalence of depression. Above the inflection point, each 10-unit increase in TyG-BMI was associated with a 4 % increase in prevalence of depression. ConclusionsTyG-BMI had a U-shaped relationship with prevalence of depression. There was a significant link between higher TyG-BMI levels and increased prevalence of depression. When the TyG-BMI value was below 174.4, any further increase in TyG-BMI was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of depression.

SOCS3 Methylation Partially Mediated the Association of Exposure to Triclosan but Not Triclocarban with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study

This study aimed to evaluate the association of TCs (triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban) exposure with T2DM and glucose metabolism-related indicators and the mediating effect of SOCS3 methylation on their associations. A total of 956 participants (330 T2DM and 626 controls) were included in this case-control study. Logistic regression and generalized linear models were used to assess the effect of TCs on T2DM and glucose metabolism-related indicators. The dose–response relationship between TCs and T2DM was analyzed by restricted cubic spline. Finally, after evaluating the association between TCs and SOCS3 methylation levels, the mediating effect of SOCS3 methylation on the TC−associated T2DM was estimated. Each 1-unit increase in TCS levels was associated with a 13.2% increase in the risk of T2DM (OR = 1.132, 95% CI: 1.062, 1.207). A linear dose–response relationship was found between TCS and T2DM. TCS was negatively associated with Chr17:76356190 methylation. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed that Chr17:76356190 methylation mediated 14.54% of the relationship between TCS exposure and T2DM. Exposure to TCS was associated with a higher prevalence of T2DM. SOCS3 methylation partially mediated the association of TCS with T2DM. Our findings may provide new insights into the treatment of T2DM, and the study of the biological mechanisms of T2DM.

Inference of Some Macroeconomic Variables on Nigeria Unemployment Rate

This research investigates the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI), government expenditure (GOE), and inflation rate (IFR) on the unemployment rate (UPR) in Nigeria from 1985 to 2021 through Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) modeling approach. An initial assessment to test the significance of signals between each independent variable and UPR was performed using rolling correlation analysis. Subsequently, the bounds test methodology to examine cointegration among between the FDI, GOE, IFR, and UPR was performed. Additionally, the causal relationship between these economic variables was performed through the Error Correction Model (ECM) approach. The estimated ARDL model parameters stability was determined using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) of squares chart. The Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root test suggests that the variables are stationary at first differences (I(1)). The bounds test revealed that the variables are cointegrated at 1%, 5%, and 10% indicating a long run relationship between UPR and FDI, GOE, and IFR. The ARDL results indicates that at 5%, a unit increase in FDI at lag one have a long run significant decreasing impact on UPR by 19.96%. But in the short run, the FDI at lag one has a significant increasing effect on UPR by 7.23%. However, the CUSUM of square chart shows unstable parameter estimation based on the Akaike Information Criteria selected model, ARDL (1, 3, 0, 0). The study concludes that UPR is being influenced by FDI in reducing UPR in the long run. Recommendation based on the findings is that FDI should be considered most important when policies are drafted for tackling the issue bordering UPR in Nigeria.

Association of Chronic Malnutrition, and Not Anemia, with Cognitive Development in Ethiopian Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT This study assesses the associations between nutritional status and cognitive development of schoolchildren. A unit increase in height-for-age Z-score was associated with 0.12 SD, 0.08 SD and 0.12 SD increase in standardized digit span, Raven’s colored progressive metrics, and performance index of visual search task, respectively. A unit increase in body-mass-index-for-age Z-score was associated with 0.11 SD increase in standardized digit span. Hemoglobin concentration was not associated with any of the cognitive outcomes. Chronic malnutrition was associated with cognitive development in schoolchildren while thinness and hemoglobin concentrations were associated with selected or no cognitive outcomes, respectively.

Association of METS-IR index with Type 2 Diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis of national health and nutrition examination survey data from 2009 to 2018.

With rising global diabetes prevalence, precise early identification and management of diabetes risk are critical research areas. The metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR), a novel non-insulin-based tool, is gaining attention for quantifying insulin resistance using multiple metabolic parameters. Despite its potential in predicting diabetes and its precursors, evidence on its specific relationship with diabetes is limited, especially in large-scale population validation and mechanistic exploration. This study aims to analyze the association between METS-IR and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in American adults. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 2009 to 2018. Participants aged 20 years and above were included, excluding individuals with missing data on BMI, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol glycated hemoglobin and diabetes status. Logistic regression analysis, subgroup analysis, and restricted cubic spline analysis were used to assess the association between METS-IR and T2DM, controlling for potential confounding factors. After adjusting for age, gender, race, education level, smoking status, drinking habits, depression, physical activity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, we found a positive association between METS-IR and the risk of T2DM. Specifically, each unit increase in METS-IR was associated with a 7% increase in the risk of T2DM (OR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.08). Subgroup analysis showed that the association between METS-IR and T2DM incidence was significantly positive in the highest quartile group, particularly among Mexican Americans over 40 years old and those diagnosed with depression, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia. Our study revealed a significant positive association between METS-IR and the prevalence of T2DM, indicating that this relationship persists even after controlling for various confounding factors. Therefore, monitoring METS-IR may provide a valuable tool for the early identification of individuals at risk of glucose metabolism disorders. Further research should focus on the applicability of METS-IR in different populations and its potential impact on clinical practice.