Franktownsend1023
Reaching an appropriate physical activity level (PAL) in adolescence is an important public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate factors associated with PAL and changes in PAL in late adolescence.
The sample involved 411 adolescents (201 girls) who were 16 years of age at study baseline; the participants completed a structured validated questionnaire at baseline (the beginning of the third grade of high school) and again at follow-up (the end of the fourth grade; when they were 18 years of age). Variables were obtained at both testing waves and included the following predictors sociodemographic indices (sex, socioeconomic status, parental education), sports factors (participation in individual and team sports, competitive sports achievement, experience in sports), and PAL (the primary outcome), which was measured using the <i>Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents</i>.
A significant decrease in PAL between baseline and follow-up testing was evidenced (t-test = 6.17, p < 0.001). A logistic regression model calculated with a dichotomized outcome (normal PAL vs. low PAL), and sex as a covariate, showed a significant influence of participation in team sports and maternal education on PAL, both at baseline (OR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.11-1.87; OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.02-1.90) and at follow-up (OR = 1.45, 95% CI 1.01-1.90; OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.08-1.70, for team sports and maternal education, respectively).
The study confirmed certain associations between the studied variables and PAL, but there was no significant influence of the observed indicators on changes in PAL in late adolescence. Further studies evaluating other predictors of changes in PAL are warranted. Med Pr. 2020;71(6)637-47.
The study confirmed certain associations between the studied variables and PAL, but there was no significant influence of the observed indicators on changes in PAL in late adolescence. Further studies evaluating other predictors of changes in PAL are warranted. Med Pr. 2020;71(6)637-47.
Hand hygiene (HH) is the simplest and the most fundamental means of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) prevention in both hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCFs) which differ as to their structure, organization and epidemiology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of, and attitudes towards, compliance with the HH guidelines by medical staff of LTCFs and hospitals, in the context of infection control organization.
The study was carried out among medical staff of LTCFs and hospitals using an anonymous questionnaire designed by the authors. The questionnaire was composed of 22 questions.
Among 237 healthcare workers from LTCFs and hospitals (51.5% vs. 48.5%), the vast majority were women (97.5% vs. 94.8%), who were nurses (86.9% vs. 91.3%) with 21-30 years of experience (28.5% vs. 44.3%). The respondents, both working in hospitals and in LTCFs, declared that there was some surveillance of HAIs in their workplace - 78.8% vs. 87.8%, respectively, p = 0.082. However, the respondenrefore, there is a need for observational studies concerning HH in the context of the structure and organization of infection control, as they are necessary for the development and implementation of effective programs to improve the situation in this field. Med Pr. 2020;71(5)531-7.Myocardial ischemia resulting from psychological stress [mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI)] refers to the condition wherein psychosocial and psychological stimulations cause myocardial ischemia in patients with coronary heart disease, which is different from drug-induced myocardial ischemia. Therefore, this condition often escapes diagnosis, portends clinical risk, and affects the quality of life of MSIMI survivors. selleck inhibitor MSIMI is closely related to the poor prognosis of cardiovascular diseases, especially in young women, according to recent randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) on MSIMI. These RCTs involved different sample sizes, interventional measures, and detection techniques. Moreover, differences exist regarding the prevalence rate, distribution characteristics, possible pathogenesis, and clinical significance. Nevertheless, currently, the diagnostic criteria, pathogenesis, and treatment of MSIMI are still in the clinical exploration stage. Hence, considering recent RCTs, this paper summarizes the research status of MSIMI from the aspects of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies to provide a theoretical basis for the follow-up diagnostic methods and treatment guidelines for MSIMI.
To study the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors (RFs) in the rural population of the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia).
The sample was representative of the population in terms of age and sex and included at least 10% of the population aged 18-65 y. Of the 1,672 people included in the cohort, 1.330 people responded to the invitation (79.5% of the total sample population). All study participants were interviewed using standardized questionnaires and examined by a cardiologist. Blood pressure (BP), weight, height, waist circumference (WC), fasting serum glucose, and fasting lipid level were measured.
The prevalence of major CV RFs in the examined sample was as follows arterial hypertension 34.1%, obesity 25.7%, and abdominal obesity 52.3%; the factors were significantly more prevalent in women (68.2%) and increased with age. The frequency of lipid metabolism disorders was 88.4% in the examined subjects, and an increased level of low-density cholesterol (70.5%) was common. Hypodynamia was detected in 15.6% of the subjects, diabetes mellitus in 3.76%, and a family history of cardiovascular disease was present in 34.8% of the examined subjects. The frequency of smoking was 24.6% and was significantly higher in men (46.9%).
Abdominal obesity, followed by hypercholesterolemia and arterial hypertension were the most common RFs among the rural population of the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan. Smoking was the most common RF among men. The prevalence of traditional CV RFs, except smoking, increased with age.
Abdominal obesity, followed by hypercholesterolemia and arterial hypertension were the most common RFs among the rural population of the Chui region of Kyrgyzstan. Smoking was the most common RF among men. The prevalence of traditional CV RFs, except smoking, increased with age.
To extensively use blood transcriptome analysis to identify potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases.
Two gene expression datasets (GSE59867 and GSE62646) were downloaded from GEO DataSets to identify altered blood transcriptomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) compared to stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Thereafter, several computational approaches were taken to determine functional roles and regulatory networks of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Finally, the expression of dysregulated two hub genes-suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) and haptoglobin (HP)-were validated in a case-control study.
A total of 119 DEGs were identified in the discovery phase, consisting of 71 downregulated genes and 48 upregulated genes; two hub modules consisting of two hub genes-SOCS3 and HP-were identified. In the validation phase, both SOCS3 and HP were significantly downregulated in the stable CAD and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients when compared with healthy controls. Meanwhile, HP was significantly upregulated in STEMI patients when compared with stable CAD patients (p=0.041). Logistic regression analysis indicated that downregulated expression of HP correlated with increased risk of CAD [odds ratio (OR)=0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.31~0.87, p=0.013]; and downregulated expression of SOCS3 correlated with increased risk of ACS (OR=0.66, 95% CI=0.46~0.94, p=0.023) when age, gender, history of hyperlipidemia, diabetes and hypertension were included as covariates.
Future clarification of how SOCS3 and HP influence the pathogenesis of disease may pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
Future clarification of how SOCS3 and HP influence the pathogenesis of disease may pave the way for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a leading cause of death worldwide. There is great interest in defining the risk factors and underlying mechanisms of ACS among young people. The microbiota and its metabolites have recently become a popular research topic, yet there is still no study that investigated microbiota-generated metabolites as a possible risk factor in young patients with ACS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between microbiota-generated metabolites and ACS in young people.
This study included 44 young patients with ACS (<50 years of age), 39 elderly patients with ACS, and 44 patients with normal coronary arteries. Inflammatory parameters and serum trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and choline levels were measured in all patients.
Young patients with ACS had significantly higher levels of TMAO and choline compared to the control and elderly ACS groups. Also, elderly patients with ACS had a significantly higher level of TMAO than the control group. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of TMAO. Two regression models were involved. The first model included young ACS and control groups, while the second model included young and elderly ACS groups. In the first model, we found that young ACS (ß=0.399, p=0.004) and smoking ACS (ß=0.211, p=0.046) were significantly associated with TMAO level. In the second model, young ACS was significantly associated with TMAO level (ß=0.230, p=0.035).
In this study, we have shown that young ACS was significantly associated with increased TMAO level.
In this study, we have shown that young ACS was significantly associated with increased TMAO level.
Many countries are facing a shortage of cardiac surgeons, who are crucial in meeting the demands of growing number of patients in need of coronary artery bypass grafting. This situation poses a serious challenge, especially in China. The purpose of this study is to determine whether cardiac surgeons are suitable for training in coronary artery anastomosis at an earlier stage in their career.
We divided 12 cardiac surgeons with no prior experience in coronary artery anastomosis into senior and junior groups for training and assessment. All trainees received training in coronary artery anastomosis for a defined period. We performed in vivo and in vitro examinations before and after training, respectively. Additionally, we assessed individual surgical performance of surgeons by using performance rating scores, including different aspects of surgical skills rated on a five-point scale.
The post-training scores (overall, junior, senior) were significantly higher than the pre-training scores (overall, junior, and senior). We observed no differences in pre-training and post-training scores between the junior and senior groups.
Senior surgeons did not had any significant advantages over junior surgeons with respect to coronary artery anastomosis in the absence of training. Junior surgeons achieved the same results as the senior surgeons after training.
Senior surgeons did not had any significant advantages over junior surgeons with respect to coronary artery anastomosis in the absence of training. Junior surgeons achieved the same results as the senior surgeons after training.
