WC Values Research Articles

Optimization of an electrical impedance flow cytometry system and analysis of submicron particles and bacteria

Electrical impedance flow cytometry (EIFC) based on microfluidic chips has be en applied to particle and bacterial cell analysis, but detection of submicron particles is limited by the sensitivity of the existing microfluidic systems. Our objective was to increase the sensitivity of a coplanar electrode EIFC system and fulfill the increasing demand of analyzing submicron-organisms such as bacteria, apoptotic bodies, extracellular vesicles, exosomes and viruses. To this end, we optimized a series of parameters, including the width of the electrodes (We) of the microfluidic chip, the width (Wc) and height (Hc) of the channel’s sensing zone, and the buffer conductivity. The results indicated that 10 µm and 5 µm are the optimal We and Wc values, respectively, for microparticle detection. Based on these results, we developed an EIFC chip to test the detection of ⌀ 3.0 µm microspheres and yeast cells suspended in buffers of different conductivity. The optimal conductivities for microsphere and yeast cell detection were approximately 1.6 S/m and 6.4 S/m, respectively. Moreover, submicrospheres of ⌀ 0.2–0.6 µm and bacterial cells of species such as Serratia marcescens (with a cell size of 0.5 × (0.5–1.0) µm) were detected using the optimized EIFC system with a wide channel (Wc = 5 µm). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that the optimized EIFC system can be used to detect almost all types of bacteria in a high-throughput approach, allowing an effective and accurate enumeration of bacteria or other submicron-organisms in liquid samples in the future.

Effect of electric current on high temperature flow behavior of 8Y-CSZ ceramics

High temperature tensile behavior under a DC electric field/current was examined in 8 mol% yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (8Y-CSZ) polycrystals at the furnace temperature of 1000 °C. For the DC power density higher than the critical value of Wc ≈ 100–200 mW/mm3, flash event similar to that of the powder sintering occurred even in the bulk 8Y-CSZ though the Wc is higher than that of the powders. When below the Wc, the DC current increased the sample temperature due to Joule heating, but did not change the rate of the deformation. When above the Wc, the flash event enhanced the rate of the deformation by several times through the grain boundary sliding mechanism, which is similar to that without the DC electric field/current. The enhanced deformation cannot be explained only by the increment of the sample temperature and is likely to occur by the current-enhanced diffusional processes due to the flash event.

Relationship of Inflammatory Markers and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women.

The increased deposition of visceral fat in the postmenopause period increases the production of inflammatory cytokines and the release of tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and decrease in IL-10. This study investigated the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers and metabolic syndrome (MS) in postmenopausal women considering different diagnostic criteria. We conducted a cross-sectional observational study based on STROBE. Data were collected regarding the diagnostic criteria for MS (International Diabetes Federation; NCEP (International Diabetes Federation (IDF), National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP-III), and Harmonized criteria), body composition, comorbidities, time without menstruation, values of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Levene tests, ROC, and odds ratio were performed to analyze the data. The results showed no significant difference between the methods and no interaction between the method and the presence of MS. However, for the values of WC, body fat percentage, TNF-α, and IL-10/TNF-α ratio, a significant effect of MS was observed. In subjects with MS, lower values of body fat percentage and TNF-α and higher values of the IL-10/TNF-α ratio were also observed. The higher IL-10/TNF-α ratio in the MS group is related to the greater anti-inflationary action of IL-10. The IL-10/TNF-α ratio showed significant accuracy to discriminate patients with MS according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria.

Role of inflammatory markers and their trends in predicting the outcome of medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric calculus.

Objective:Symptomatic ureteric stones cause surrounding inflammation-promoting obstruction. C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WC), and neutrophil percentage (NP) tend to rise after inflammatory response. Monitoring response during the course of medical expulsive therapy (MET) may help in deciding early intervention, thereby decreasing morbidity. We assessed the role and trends of these markers in predicting the outcome of MET.Materials and Methods:One hundred and ninety-two patients with distal ureteric calculus of size >5 mm were included in this prospective study from April 2017 to March 2018 after ethical committee approval. CRP, NP, and WC were measured on day 1, 7, and 14 of MET, and analysis was done.Results:On univariate analysis, stone size and mean values of CRP, WC, and NP on day 1, 7 and 14 in stone nonpassers were significantly higher compared to stone passers (P < 0.05). Receiver operator curve analysis showed area under the curve value of 0.798 (P = 0.001) for CRP and cut off value determined was 1.35 mg/dL. Multivariate analysis of different variables showed significant association of higher CRP (>1.35 mg/dL) and larger stone size (>7 mm) with MET failure. Decreasing trend of CRP was seen in both groups, but values were higher in stone nonpassers. WC and NP showed decreasing trend in stone passers but persistently high in stone nonpassers.Conclusions:Higher CRP and larger stone size were associated with failure of MET. WC and NP showed decreasing trend in stone passers and persistently higher in nonpassers, which may potentially predict failure of MET, however, their role need to be further studied.

Clinical and metabolic parameters, Ca2+, parathormone depending on serum 25(OH)D concentration in hypertensive patients in the West-Ukrainian population

Introduction. Low plasma levels of 25-OH vitamin D (25(OH)D) have been associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension. The purpose of the research was to establish the association of clinical and metabolic parameters, Ca2+, parathormone and serum 25(OH)D concentration in hypertensive patients in the West-Ukrainian population. Material and method. 100 subjects with essential arterial hypertension (EAH) and target-organ damaging (2nd stage), moderate, high, very high cardiovascular risk were involved in the case-control study. Among them, 70,84% females, 29,16% males, mean age 57,86±7,81 yo. The control group consisted of 60 healthy individuals. All recruited patients were examined for heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP); SCORE, BMI, waist and hip circumference (WC, HC); lipid panel, serum glucose and ionized calcium, 25(OH)D, parathormone levels were studied. Patients were divided into groups depending on total serum 25(OH)D concentration. Results. Low 25(OH)D concentration (&lt;30 ng/ml) in patients with EAH was associated with arrhythmia, headache, sleep disturbance, weakness, fatigue, and increased total 10-year risk for fatal CVD SCORE&gt;5,0%. We found higher SBP and DBP by 9,12% (р=0,014) and 5,17% (р=0,047), higher BMI in men and women – by 20-28,11% (р&lt;0,05), as well as higher values of WC and HC by 8,69-11,92% (р&lt;0,05) in hypertensive patients with hypovitaminosis D. In addition, obesity (BMI≥30,0 kg/m2), hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia was more frequent – by 43% (p&lt;0,05), 43,13% (p&lt;0,001) and 59,37% (p=0,023), respectively. The level of ionized Ca2+ was slightly higher in healthy individuals (p=0,047) with low vitamin D concentration. PTH was compensatory increased by 31,85% (p=0,048) in hypertensive patients with hypovitaminosis D.&#x0D; Conclussions. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with more severe metabolic, hemodynamic disorders and clinical symptoms in hypertensive patients in the West-Ukrainian population.

Correlation between the subjective perception of the lifestyle and eating habits and the objective result of the lipid profile and anthropometric values in amateurs runners of ACAB

Introduction: in Argentina, 55% of those over 18 years of age do insufficient physical activity. A diet with high energy density and low intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains prevails. The increase in popular sport promotes a favorable change. Material and methods: Analytical, correlational study conducted in ACAB from 2016 to 2018 to correlate the subjective perception of lifestyle and eating habits with the objective results of the lipid profile and anthropometric values ​​in 46 amateur street runners. These instruments were used: GPAQ 2.0, Questionnaire on lifestyle practices and beliefs, DHQ I, ISAK and lipidogram. Results: the CC and the ICC were of low cardiometabolic risk. BMI was normal. 67% and 76% had desirable levels of TCol and LDLc, 48% high HDLc and 96% normal TG. The eating habits were adequate, although in 54% it was inappropriate for sweets and fats. Inadequate consumption of snacks and beverages were significant in relation to BF% and BMI, HDLc and ∑6s with lifestyle. The value of METs was high. 85% presented a Healthy Lifestyle. Conclusion: men were more overweight than women but better HWI, WC, BF% and Σ6s values, and women, better lipid profile. The majority presented adequate consumption, except for sweets and fats in all and refreshments in women. There was a significant correlation between refreshments and drinks and %BF and life style scores with cLDL, cHDL, BMI and ∑6s

Comparison of Body Mass Index and Fat Indices in Predicting the Severity of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Children Who Are Overweight and Obese.

Background: Information of the relationships between body mass parameters and the severity of fatty liver is deficient in pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods: The relationships between body mass parameters (waist circumference [WC], body mass index [BMI], and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness [ASFT]) and the severity of fatty liver were prospectively evaluated in pediatric patients who are overweight or obese, suffering from NAFLD. Ultrasonography was performed to assess fatty liver and its severity on a three-grade scale (low-grade fatty liver [LGFL], grade 1 or 2; high-grade fatty liver [HGFL], grade 3).Results: A total of 110 subjects (55 LGFL and 55 HGFL) aged 6.2–17.9 years were included. The WC, BMI, and ASFT values were significantly higher in the HGFL group compared to those in the LGFL group (p = 0.00004, 0.01, and 0.04, respectively). WC had the greatest power to predict HGFL under receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses and was positively correlated with the severity of fatty liver in subjects aged 6–12-year old and 13–17-year old (p = 0.007, and 0.0039, respectively). ASFT showed a positive correlation with the severity of fatty liver in subjects aged 13–17-year old (p = 0.04).Conclusions: WC, BMI, and ASFT are predictive of severe NAFLD among children who are overweight and obese; particularly, WC has the most predictive accuracy. Among the parameters, WC and ASFT are predictive in specific age groups.

The impact of direct-maternal genetic correlations on international beef cattle evaluations for Limousin weaning weight.

In beef cattle maternally influenced traits, estimates of direct-maternal genetic correlations (rdm) are usually reported to be negative. In international evaluations, rdm can differ both within countries (rdm_WC) and between countries (rdm_BC). The rdm_BC are difficult to estimate and are assumed to be zero in the current model for international beef cattle evaluations (Interbeef). Our objective was to investigate re-ranking of international estimated breeding values (IEBVs) in international beef cattle evaluations between models that either used estimated values for rdm or assumed them to be 0. Age-adjusted weaning weights and pedigree data were available for Limousin beef cattle from ten European countries. International EBVs were obtained using a multi-trait animal model with countries modeled as different traits. We compared IEBVs from a model that uses estimated rdm_BC (ranging between −0.14 and +0.14) and rdm_WC (between −0.33 and +0.40) with IEBVs obtained either from the current model that assumes rdm_BC to be 0, or from an alternative model that assumes both rdm_BC and rdm_WC to be 0. Direct and maternal IEBVs were compared across those three scenarios for different groups of animals. The ratio of population accuracies from the linear regression method was used to further investigate the impact of rdm on international evaluations, for both the whole set of animals in the evaluation and the domestic ones. Ignoring rdm_BC, i.e., replacing estimated values with 0, resulted in no (rank correlations > 0.99) or limited (between 0.98 and 0.99) re-ranking for direct and maternal IEBVs, respectively. Both rdm_BC and rdm_WC had less impact on direct IEBVs than on maternal IEBVs. Re-ranking of maternal IEBVs decreased with increasing reliability. Ignoring rdm_BC resulted in no re-ranking for sires with IEBVs that might be exchanged across countries and limited re-ranking for the top 100 sires. Using estimated rdm_BC values instead of considering them to be 0 resulted in null to limited increases in population accuracy. Ignoring both rdm_BC and rdm_WC resulted in considerable re-ranking of animals’ IEBVs in all groups of animals evaluated. This study showed the limited impact of the current practice of ignoring rdm_BC in international evaluations for Limousin weaning weight, most likely because the estimated rdm_BC was close to 0. We expect that these conclusions can be extended to other traits that have reported rdm values in the range of rdm_WC values for weaning weight in Limousin.

Electric Field Healing of Micro Crack Damages in Zirconia Ceramics

Flash event caused by DC electric field/current was applied to the healing of micro crack damages in 8mol% Y2O3 stabilized cubic ZrO2 polycrystals (8Y-CSZ). Even in the bulk ZrO2 polycrystal, the flash event occurred by applying the DC power higher than a critical value of Wc ≈ 100 mW/mm3 at 800 °C. For above the Wc value, the micro crack damages can successfully be healed under the flash condition within several minutes without any healing agents. The flash healing phenomena cannot be explained only by the temperature effect and were accelerated about 2 times through the current-enhanced diffusional processes.

The Beneficial Effect of the Addition of Fly Ash on Reduction of the Size of Microcracks in the ITZ of Concrete Composites under Dynamic Loading

The paper presents results of tests on the effect of the addition of fly ash (FA) in the amounts of 0%, 20%, and 30% by weight of cement on the interfacial microcracks in concrete composites subjected to dynamic loads. The analyses were carried out based on the results of the microstructural tests using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The average width of the microcracks (Wc) in the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) of coarse aggregate with cement matrix was evaluated. During the studies beneficial effect of the addition of FA on reduction of the size of Wc in the ITZ of concrete composites under dynamic loading were observed. Based on obtained test results, it was found that using the 20% FA additive causes favorable changes in the microstructure of mature concrete. In this composite, the average value of Wc was lower by more than 40% compared to the result obtained for the reference concrete. In contrast, concrete containing 30% FA additive had greater microcracks in the ITZ area by over 60% compared to the material without additive. In all analyzed composites, an increase in the Wc value by almost 70% to over 110% in the case of occurrence of dynamic loads was also observed. This was the most evident in the case of concrete with a higher content of FA.

Nutritional status and metabolic risk in adults: association with diet quality as assessed with ESQUADA.

To analyze the association between diet quality assessed with the Diet Quality Scale (ESQUADA) and the nutritional status and metabolic risk in adults. The data included 1,147 adults aged 20 to 59, from the population-based study with complex sampling. Weight, height, tricipital (TSF) and subscapular (SSF) skinfolds, and waist (WC) and mid-arm (MAC) circumferences were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) were calculated. Nutritional status and metabolic risk were classified considering BMI and WC values, respectively. Diet quality was assessed with ESQUADA. Data were collected at household using the Epicollect5 application. Diet quality (in scores) was analyzed as continuous data and later categorized. The confidence interval was used for comparison between groups, Fisher's exact test for an association study. Adjusted multiple linear regression models were also estimated. P < 0.05 was adopted for statistical significance. Overweight prevailed in 60.33% of individuals, especially among women (60.73%). High or very high metabolic risk was more frequent among women with "very good or excellent" diet quality. Higher diet quality score was associated with a reduction in TSF (β = -0.07; 95%CI -0.13 - -0.01) and an increase in MAMC (β = 0.09; 95%CI 0.00 - 0,18) in men and the reduction in weight (β = -0.04; 95%CI -0.07 - -0.01), SSF (β = -0.07; 95%CI -0.13 - -0,00) and WC in women (β = -0.06; 95%CI -0.09 - -0.02). A better diet quality is positively associated with lean mass in men, and negatively with fat mass in men and women.

Body composition in nonobese individuals according to vitamin D level.

Obesity is associated with lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels, but the association between 25OHD deficiency and specific body composition (BC) patterns remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between 25OHD levels and BC in a population of healthy, nonobese individuals. Cross-sectional, observational study including a convenience sample of community-dwelling healthy individuals aged ≥18 years who responded to a study advertisement and were randomly selected. The participants filled out a questionnaire and had fasting blood drawn and anthropometric indices taken. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed for BC analysis (fat and lean body mass). The subjects were divided according to 25OHD levels into three groups: I (≤20 ng/mL, vitamin D deficient), II (>20 and <30 ng/mL, vitamin D insufficient), and III (≥30 ng/mL, vitamin D sufficient). Of 299 individuals selected, 51 were excluded, yielding a final sample of 248 (128 women) who had serum 25OHD levels measured. Women presented higher 25OHD levels than men (27.8±12.0 ng/mL and 24.8±11.3 ng/mL, respectively; p = 0.03). Including both sexes, Group I had greater body mass index (BMI; 26.6±2.5 kg/m2) and waist circumference (WC; 91.8.8±9.1 cm) compared with the other groups. Group I also had 75.7% and 65.3% of abnormal BMI and WC values, respectively, (p<0.05 for both) and a higher percentage of trunk and android fat confirmed by multivariate analysis. No differences in BC were observed in individuals with insufficient versus sufficient 25OHD levels. Individuals with lower 25OHD levels had increased fat in the android region and trunk. This study confirms the association of lower 25OHD levels with greater BMI and WC and increased deposition of fat in body compartments, which, even in nonobese individuals, are commonly associated with increased metabolic risk.

Oxygen barrier properties of organic montmorillonite modified polyamide 11/Poly (vinyl alcohol) films

Organic montmorillonite (OMMT) nano‐platelets were exfoliated and well dispersed in fully bio‐based polyamide 11/Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PA11/PVA) blends. Significantly lower oxygen permeation rates (OTR) were detected for the PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx films than those of PA11 and PA1172.5PVA27.5 films. An extremely low OTR of 0.218 cm3/m2·day·atm was found for PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMT1 film modified with 1 PHR optimum concentration of well dispersed OMMT nano‐platelets. Similarly, the free volume characteristics evaluated for PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx film series reduced to a minimum as the OMMT concentration reached the optimum value. As revealed by dynamic mechanical and differential scanning calorimetric analyses of PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx film series, all dynamic glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm) and percentage crystallinity (Wc) values of PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx films were noticeably higher than those of PA1172.5PVA27.5 film without addition of OMMT. In fact, Tgs, Tms and Wcs evaluated for PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx films increased to a maximum, as their OMMT reached the optimum concentration. The considerably enhanced oxygen barrier resistance found for PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx films was ascribed to the considerably reduced free volume characteristics and much longer permeation path caused by impermeably OMMT nano‐platelets well dispersed in PA1172.5PVA27.5OMMTx films.

Concordance among diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome is inconsistent in Spanish adolescents.

The metabolic syndrome (MetS), although more frequent in adults, is a growing health problem in adolescent population. There are different criteria for the diagnosis, however without a consensus of which is the best to be used in this population. The heterogeneity of the different diagnostic criteria makes it necessary to carry out more studies that analyse the degree of agreement among these criteria. The present study was aimed to evaluate the agreement between different criteria for diagnosis of MetS in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was performed on 981 adolescents (13.2±1.2years) randomly recruited from 18 schools in south-east Spain. MetS was diagnosed by eight different criteria. The criteria proposed by the IDF showed the highest mean values for WC and systolic blood pressure in boys and girls with MetS, and the lowest for glucose and triglycerides in boys. Depending on the diagnostic criteria used, the prevalence of MetS cases in boys ranged from 5.5% to 14.9%, while in girls varied from 3.4% to 32.6%. Both in boys and girls, the criteria proposed by the IDF was the less concordant with the other suggested criteria, while those proposed by Duncan et al, Rodriguez-Moran et al and Cruz and Goran, were very concordant among each other. However, in girls, concordance values were not as high as those found for boys. The variability observed in the agreement among the existing criteria suggests the need to validate uniform criteria for the diagnosis of MetS in adolescents.

Muscular Fitness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Rodrigues de Lima, T, Custódio Martins, P, Henrique Guerra, P, and Augusto Santos Silva, D. Muscular fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2394-2406, 2020-The purpose of this study was to identify and summarize the relationships between muscular fitness (MF) and individual components of metabolic syndrome (high waist circumference [WC], high blood pressure [BP], high systolic BP [SBP], high diastolic BP [DBP], high triglycerides [TG], fasting blood glucose [FG], and low HDL cholesterol levels [HDL-C]) in children and adolescents. A systematic review was conducted in 5 electronic databases, with complementary searches in reference lists, and the inclusion criteria were children and adolescents (age group up to 19 years of age) with no special clinical conditions. In all articles, risk of bias was analyzed by a standardized instrument. Of the 5,973 articles initially identified, 21 were included, with data on 22,261 children and adolescents. Higher MF values were associated with lower TG (n = 07) and WC values (n = 15). Different results in relation to the relationship between MF and SBP (n = 10) and MF and DBP (n = 07) were verified. In addition, there was no relationship between MF and FG (n = 06). In addition, inconclusive results were verified in the relationship between MF and HDL-C (n = 07). Concluded higher MF values were related to lower WC values and lower TG concentrations.

Effect of Surya Namaskar on High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels in Overweight and Obese Middle Aged Adults

Background and Aim: With the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity, the associated co-morbidities are also on the rise. High sensitive CRP is an easily measured inflammatory biomarker and is considered an independent predictor of a possible future cardiovascular event and various other chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to see the effect of Surya Namaskar on high sensitive CRP levels in overweight and obese middle aged adults. Methods: It was a single group prospective study. 50 overweight and obese individuals underwent a 12 weeks Surya Namaskar program. Their anthropometric measurements such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist to hip ratio and hs-CRP levels were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Results: Mean age of participants in the study was 48 ± 6.36 years. After 12 weeks there was significant decrease in the mean values of weight (79.75 ± 12.3 kg to 76.61 ± 11.75 kg), BMI (29.34 ± 3.29 kg/m2 to 28.19 ± 3.19 kg/m2), WC (102.32 ± 10.87 cm to 99.91 ± 10.49 cm), HC (106.41 ± 9.97 cm to 104.05 ± 9.64 cm) and hs-CRP levels (3.42 ± 2.04 mg/L to 2.42 ± 1.52 mg/L). There was no significant change in WHR. Conclusion: Surya Namaskar results in a decrease in overall adiposity along with decrease in hs-CRP levels.

Association between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio with Abdominal Obesity and Healthy Eating Index in a Representative Older Spanish Population.

Poor diet quality and obesity, especially abdominal obesity, have been associated with systemic inflammation. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) is an available and inexpensive inflammation biomarker. The aim of the present study was to determine the association of dietary patterns and obesity with an inflammatory state. A group of 1747 Spanish noninstitutionalized older adults individuals were included, and a food-frequency questionnaire was applied. The Global Food Score (GFS) and Healthy Eating Index for Spanish population (SHEI) were calculated. Weight, height and waist (WC) and hip circumferences were measured, and BMI, waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) determined. In addition, body-fat percentage was measured by bioimpedance. NLR was calculated (NLR ≥ p80: 2.6; 2.8 and 2.4 as inflammatory status in the entire population, men and women, respectively). The men with inflammatory status presented significative higher values of WC, WHtR, WHR, and body-fat percentage (101.82 ± 10.34 cm, 0.61 ± 0.06, 0.98 ± 0.06, and 31.68 ± 5.94%, respectively) than those with better inflammatory status (100.18 ± 10.22 cm, 0.59 ± 0.06, 0.97 ± 0.07, and 30.31 ± 6.16%, respectively). Those males with worse inflammatory state had lower scores for protein foods (OR = 0.898 (0.812–0.993); p = 0.037). The women with NLR ≥ 2.4 had higher WHtR and WHR (0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.91 ± 0.09) than those with NLR < 2.4 (0.60 ± 0.08 and 0.90 ± 0.08). In multiple linear regression analysis, NLR was positively related with WHtR and negatively related with SHEI score (β = 0.224 ± 0.094; R2 = 0.060; p < 0.05 and β = −0.218 ± 0.101; R2 = 0.061; p < 0.05), adjusting by sex, age, marital status, education level, smoking, hours of sleeping and inflammatory diseases. In women, the higher the SHEI and GFS scores were and the better meeting the aims of cereal and vegetable servings, the less the odds of inflammatory status (OR = 0.970 (0.948–0.992); p = 0.008; OR = 0.963 (0.932–0.995); p = 0.024; OR = 0.818 (0.688–0.974); p = 0.024 and OR = 0.829 (0.730–0.942); p = 0.004, respectively). WHtR and quality of diet is related to the inflammation status in older adults regardless to the sex.

Working capital management effects on investment-cash flow sensitivity

This study investigated whether working capital management (WCM) affects the investment-cash flow sensitivity in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). For this, both types of WC (fixed capital and current working capital) are used to examine the impact of WC on the cash flow sensitivity of firms. The data comprises of 357 manufacturing firms listed at PSX for the period 2000-2014 by applying the two-step system GMM approach. The results reveal that firms having a high level of WC exhibit the high value of the current WC to cash flow ratio. However, despite the financial obstacles, firms having a low value of fixed capital to cash flow ratio and high value of WC to cash flow ratio have a high level of fixed investment rate. These results reveal that the aggressive WC policy effectively works on the PSX. Particularly, where financial markets are under-developed and access to external finance is limited.

Working capital management effects on investment-cash flow sensitivity

This study investigated whether working capital management (WCM) affects the investment-cash flow sensitivity in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). For this, both types of WC (fixed capital and current working capital) are used to examine the impact of WC on the cash flow sensitivity of firms. The data comprises of 357 manufacturing firms listed at PSX for the period 2000-2014 by applying the two-step system GMM approach. The results reveal that firms having a high level of WC exhibit the high value of the current WC to cash flow ratio. However, despite the financial obstacles, firms having a low value of fixed capital to cash flow ratio and high value of WC to cash flow ratio have a high level of fixed investment rate. These results reveal that the aggressive WC policy effectively works on the PSX. Particularly, where financial markets are under-developed and access to external finance is limited.

Do denture teeth dimensions match natural anterior teeth?

ABSTRACT Objective To compare dimensions of natural maxillary anterior teeth and several denture teeth molds and also address differences between genders. Methods A single examiner with a digital caliper measured dental casts of 41 males and 55 females in order to determine CIW (central incisor width), CIL (central incisor length) and WS (width of anterior teeth on a straight line). In addition, WC (width of anterior teeth on a curve) was measured with a flexible ruler. These parameters were also observed on three denture teeth mold charts: Premium Pala, Vivodent and Trilux. The comparison between genders was analyzed using Student’s t-test (?=.05), while absolute frequencies within several ranges were used to compare natural and denture teeth. Results CIW, CIL, WS and WC obtained from males were significantly higher than those found for females (p&lt;0.05). CIW of nearly half of natural and denture teeth were within 8.0–8.5 mm. Almost half of natural teeth presented CIL values within 10.6–11 mm, while the highest frequency of denture teeth was observed within 9.6–10 mm. The majority of natural and denture teeth presented WS values within 42 to 49 mm. Only one denture teeth chart described WC values, which were mainly observed within 44–51 mm, while the majority of WC values obtained from natural teeth ranged from 48 to 55 mm. Conclusion Some commercially available denture teeth present dimensions not observed in natural teeth. Teeth dimensions in function of gender differences must be considered when selecting denture teeth.