Relationship Between Sarcopenia and Frailty in the Toledo Study of Healthy Aging: A Population Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction

Frailty and sarcopenia are correlates of musculoskeletal aging that represent a state of vulnerability increasing the risk of negative health outcomes. Standardized definitions are lacking for both, and sometimes both concepts are used interchangeably. However, no large study has assessed the coexistence of these 2 entities in a cohort of older community-dwelling people.

Electrocardiographic Changes and Serum Troponin Levels in Patients with Acute Stroke: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundElectrocardiographic changes and elevated serum troponin are frequent findings in acute stroke. They may reflect what is known as the neurogenic myocardial injury. The aim of this study is to determine the electrocardiographic changes and serum troponin level in acute stroke patients and to correlate these changes to the anatomical location and pathological type of the stroke.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Center of Neurological Science, from January to December 2019. Non-probability sampling with total coverage was considered. 50 patients with acute stroke were included in the study. Data were analyzed by using (SPSS) version 25. Standardized ECG was performed in the first hours of admission. 2 samples from each patient were obtained for serum troponin with at least 8 hours apart.ResultsAll patients had wide variants of ECG changes. But tachycardia was the most frequent one identified in 54% of patients (n=50). Half of them were found to have an anterior circulation stroke. 14% of patients (n=50) have positive troponin; ECG changes are identified in all patients who represent positive troponin 100% (7 patients). Moreover, anterior circulation stroke was recognized in all patients with a positive troponin I marker.ConclusionThis study suggests that ECG abnormalities in patients with acute stroke are very common, especially tachycardia. The site of the lesion appears to play a major factor as a cause of the genesis of arrhythmia. Serum troponin elevation may play a role in diagnosing neurocardiogenic injury; nevertheless, ECG appears to be more sensitive and familial.     

Low Testosterone Levels,Depressive Symptoms,and Falls in Older Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectivesWhile several studies have cited a potential association between testosterone deficiency and risk of falls among community-dwelling older men, evidence for such an association is conflicting. Depressive symptoms, which occasionally accompany testosterone deficiency but which are often neglected as associated symptoms, may actually provoke falls independent of or jointly with testosterone deficiency. We examined the association between testosterone levels, depressive symptoms, and falls, and assessed the joint effect of testosterone levels and depressive symptoms on falls among older men.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsData for this cross-sectional study were obtained from 869 men aged over 60 years who participated in health check-ups conducted in 2010 from 2 Japanese municipalities. Salivary testosterone (sT) levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and depressive symptoms were assessed via the short form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale.Main outcome measuresSelf-reported “any fall” over the 1-month period.ResultsAmong the total of 482 participants analyzed (median age, 70 years), 10.8% reported any fall. On comparison between 90th percentile sT levels and lower levels, our logistic regression model with restricted cubic splines showed that lower sT levels were associated with an increased likelihood of suffering any fall after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and mobility function. For example, 5th percentile sT was associated with any fall [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 4.23; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.66–10.8]. Depressive symptoms were also strongly associated with any fall [adjusted OR, 3.49 (95% CI, 1.52–8.04)]. We noted no apparent interaction of sT and depressive symptoms with falls (P = .079), suggesting that the joint effect of testosterone deficiency and depressive symptoms on falls was multiplicative. Indeed, compared with a combination of 90th percentile sT values and no depressive symptoms, adjusted OR for any fall in a combination involving 5th percentile sT and depressive symptoms was 14.8-fold (95% CI, 3.76–58.0).ConclusionsOur findings indicated that both relatively low testosterone levels and presence of depressive symptoms were independently associated with falls among older men. Causality of these associations should be confirmed in future prospective studies.     

Examining the Relation Between Gender Nonconformity and Psychological Well-Being in Children: The Roles of Peers and Parents

Archives of Sexual Behavior - No study to date has simultaneously tested how poor peer relations, generic risk factors, and parental attitudes impact the behavioral and emotional challenges of...     

Relation Between Perceived Stress,Social Support,and Coping Strategies and Maternal Well-Being: A Review of the Literature

The objective of this work was to review published articles on the impact of perinatal stress on mothers' medium- or long-term psychological health and the efficacy of coping strategies, to determine if social support plays a role in the interaction between birth events and mothers' psychological experiences, and to identify the tools used for these measurements. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases were searched for English and French language articles from 2000 through 2010 inclusive. Thirty-seven articles fulfilled the selection criteria. The results of this review highlight an association between perceived stress and postpartum depressive symptoms. However, because perceived stress has been evaluated in a general manner, it was not possible to identify events having more or less relation to postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers. Social support also appeared to be related to mothers' psychological health. Coping strategies were difficult to analyze because of the lack of homogeneity in their definition across studies. The comparison among studies of social support and coping strategies was also difficult due to the diversity of tools used and their lack of specificity. New tools should be specifically developed for the perinatal period, and further research should be performed to understand better the events and adequacy of social support.     

青少年体质量指数、腰臀比与血脂水平的关系

目的 探讨青少年体质量指数（BMI）、腰臀比（WHR）与血脂水平的关系，为儿童期肥胖及成年期心脑血管疾病的预防提供依据。方法对北京市966名不同营养状况的初三年级学生进行体检和血脂检测。结果随BMIWHR增高，血清TC，TG和LDL-C水平呈增高趋势，不同组间差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。超重组和肥胖组青少年WHR与TC，TG和LDL-C的相关系数大于BMI与其的相关系数。结论青少年血脂水平随肥胖程度增加而升高，WHR可能比BMI更能反映超重及肥胖青少年血脂状况。     

中专生心理健康与生活事件的关系研究

目的研究具体的生活事件与中专生心理健康的关系,为中专生心理问题的预防和干预提供依据。方法采取随机方法对东营职业学院中专部的410名学生进行ASLEC测查,对测查结果作统计学分析。结果人际关系问题是影响中专生心理健康问题的首要问题,学习压力问题仍然在中专生心理健康问题中有很大影响,惩罚与适应等因素对中专生的心理有一定影响。当众丢面子等9项生活事件影响作用较大。结论生活事件量表中的许多事件与中专生心理健康有密切的联系。     

血清透明质酸、Ⅳ型胶原、层粘蛋白水平与慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化的关系

目的：研究血清肝纤维化指标透明质酸（HA），Ⅳ型胶原（ⅣC）及层粘蛋白（LN）与慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化的关系。方法：对252例慢性乙型肝炎患者用放射免疫法检测血清HA，ⅣC，LN水平及定量PCR检测血清HBV－DNA，结果：血清HA，ⅣC，LN水平与慢性肝炎发展呈正相关，且在慢性重度肝炎及肝硬化阶段处于最高水平（P＜0．01），结论：血清HA，ⅣC，LN水平可不同程度反映肝纤维化程度，可作为肝纤维化血清检测指标。     

血清铝与饮食关系分析

目的探讨长期摄入被铝离子污染的食品的人群血清铝含量情况。方法选择平时喜欢吃油条、粉丝等膨化食品、经常嗜好饮茶及使用铝制炊具的人为接触组,共1500人,并另外选择1500人为对照组,分别测定其血清铝含量,并进行统计学分析比较。结果长期经口摄入被铝离子污染的食品的人群血清铝超标率（38．13％）高于对照组（2．67％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;年龄越大,暴露年限越长,血清铅含量越高,血清铝超标率也越高,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论应做好预防性工作,尽量减少铝离子的摄入,防止铝离子在体内蓄积。     

Association Between Self-Reported Bruxism and Malocclusion in University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives

Bruxism can result in temporomandibular disorders, oral pain, and tooth wear. However, it is unclear whether bruxism affects malocclusion. The aim of this study was to examine the association between self-reported bruxism and malocclusion in university students.

Methods

Students (n = 1503; 896 men and 607 women) aged 18 and 19 years were examined. Malocclusion was defined using a modified version of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need. The presence of buccal mucosa ridging, tooth wear, dental impression on the tongue, palatal/mandibular torus, and the number of teeth present were recorded, as well as body mass index (BMI). Additional information regarding gender, awareness of bruxism, orthodontic treatment, and oral habits was collected via questionnaire.

Results

The proportion of students with malocclusion was 32% (n = 481). The awareness of clenching in males with malocclusion was significantly higher than in those with normal occlusion (chi square test, P < 0.01). According to logistic regression analysis, the probability of malocclusion was significantly associated with awareness of clenching (odds ratio [OR] 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–3.93) and underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m²) (OR 1.89; 95% CI, 1.31–2.71) in males but not in females. In subgroup analyses, the probability of crowding was also significantly associated with awareness of clenching and underweight (P < 0.01) in males.

Conclusions

Awareness of clenching and underweight were related to malocclusion (crowding) in university male students.Key words: bruxism, malocclusion, young adult, cross-sectional studies     

Pro-Choice Versus Pro-Life: The Relationship Between State Abortion Policy and Child Well-Being in the United States

In the United States, pro-choice supporters contend that the desire of pro-life supporters to protect the life of the fetus ends at birth and that thereafter they ignore the health and well-being of infants and children. This study examines the question of whether infants and children fare better in U.S. states that have the most restrictive abortion laws. Eighteen indicators of infant/child health, family, economic, and educational status are analyzed. The empirical evidence finds that states with the most antiabortion policies are also the same states that have significantly lower indicators of infant/child well-being. This supports the contention by pro-choice supporters that efforts by pro-life supporters to protect the life of the fetus end at birth.     

Ethnic Variations in Adiponectin Levels and Its Association with Age,Gender, Body Composition and Diet: Differences Between Iranians,Indians and Europeans Living in Australia

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein with anti-diabetic, anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory action, but there are few studies on its association with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in different ethnic groups in Australia. This cross-sectional study evaluated ethnic differences in adiponectin levels and its association with age, gender, body composition and diet in 89 adult Australians of European (n?=?28), Indian (n?=?28) and Iranian (n?=?33) ancestries. Different measures of adiposity were assessed using the method of whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Total adiponectin levels determined in Indians and Iranians were significantly lower than those in Europeans (p values?<?0.001). There was no significant difference between the adiponectin levels in Indians and Iranians (p value?>?0.05). There was no substantial change in the results after adjustment for potential confounders. Circulating levels of adiponectin was associated with age, truncal fat percentage, dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and carbohydrate intake, by correlation analysis (p values?<?0.05). Using multiple linear regression analysis, a model including truncal fat percentage (p?<?0.001), ethnicity (p?=?0.001), age (p?=?0.001) and dietary glycemic index (p?=?0.04) could predict 50% of the variance in adiponectin levels (R²?=?0.504). Among different variables assessed, truncal fat percentage (in Indian and Iranian groups) and glycemic index (in European group) were the strongest predictors of serum adiponectin when data were analysed for three ethnic groups, separately. In conclusion, individuals with Iranian or Indian ancestries may have lower adiponectin levels compared to Europeans. Ethnicity was found as an independent factor affecting adiponectin levels. Our results also highlighted age, truncal adiposity and dietary glycemic index as other determinants of serum adiponectin, however the extent to which these factors influence adiponectin concentrations may vary across ethnicities.     

Relationship between Oral Hypofunction,and Protein Intake: A Cross-Sectional Study in Local Community-Dwelling Adults

Few studies have investigated the relationship between nutritional status and comprehensive assessment of oral hypofunction, especially protein intake-related sarcopenia. Thus, we explored these relationships in a large-scale cross-sectional cohort study using the seven-item evaluation for oral hypofunction and Diet History Questionnaire for nutritional assessment. We used the data from 1004 individuals who participated in the 2019 health survey of the residents of Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan for analysis. We found that individuals with oral hypofunction were significantly older with a lower skeletal muscle index. Although there were few foods that had a significant difference between the groups with and without oral hypofunction, the consumption of beans and meats was significantly lower in women and men in the oral hypofunction group, respectively. According to the lower limit of the tentative dietary goal defined in Japan, comprehensive evaluation of oral hypofunction was significantly and independently associated with protein intake in both men and women (odds ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.21–2.35). In conclusion, we found that oral hypofunction was associated with targeted protein intake for sarcopenia and frailty prevention in middle-aged and older community-dwelling adults. Comprehensive evaluation of oral function with intervention in cases of hypofunction could inform clinicians to better prevent sarcopenia.     

A Study of the Relationship Between Variables from the Model of Human Occupation and Subjective Well-Being Among University Students in Jordan

The occupational role of a university student can create challenges that negatively affect subjective well-being. Cultural factors can make these problems particularly acute for students from Arab backgrounds. This study examined the relationship between variables derived from the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and Jordanian university students' subjective well-being. Using cluster sampling, a total of 670 participants were recruited from the undergraduate student body at the University of Jordan. Data were collected from these students using the Role checklist, the Occupational Self-Assessment, the Affectometer 2, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. As hypothesized, reported roles, valuation of roles, perceived competence in volition, habituation, performance capacity/skills, and the environment were significantly correlated with subjective well-being. A discriminant analysis using the most strongly correlated items significantly classified students into known groups of high and low subjective well-being. Overall, MOHO-based variables offered an effective explanation of factors that influence subjective well-being in Jordanian university students.     

The Triple Threat: A Discussion of Gender,Class, and Race Differences in Weight

Gender, poverty and race, the "triple threat" referred to in the title, are three major risk factors that contribute to the high prevalence of weight-related problems in this country. Current psychological literature on weight management has generally ignored the effects of these variables and their implications for developing interventions for underserved populations which include women, minorities and poor people. The present paper discusses the literature on the effects of gender, race, and class on weight levels and associated psychosocial variables. Conclusions drawn illustrate that weight is a major issue for women, and that race and class also have effects on weight levels which can affect health status. Areas of further exploration and of action are identified to address problems that women face regarding weight.     

The Relationship between Restrained Eating,Body Image,and Dietary Intake among University Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aims to explore the association between restrained eating, body image, and dietary intake among Chinese college students. This cross-sectional study included 1301 college students at two universities in Hunan Province. Electronic questionnaires were used to collect information including students’ demographic characteristics, restrained eating, perception of body weight, body satisfaction, and dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of high restrained eating was 52.8%. Students who were dissatisfied with their bodies or overestimated their body weight showed a higher tendency toward high restrained eating (p < 0.05). Students with high restrained eating tended to eat fruits and eggs more frequently, while the frequency of eating domestic animals and poultry, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fast food were the opposite. Moreover, high restrained eating was a risk factor for low dietary diversity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.384, 95% confidence interval: 1.002~1.912). The high incidence of restrained eating among Chinese college students and its energy-restricted diets that may lead to possible health implications require attention. Further studies are needed to investigate the characteristics of college students’ restrained eating to tailor appropriate interventions for forming positive body images and promoting healthy eating behaviors, thus, improving dietary quality.     

The Relationship Between Parental Stress and Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers Enrolled in a Randomized Controlled Prevention Trial

Given the high co-occurrence of depression and parental stress among adolescent mothers, we evaluated the relationship between parental stress and postpartum depression among primiparous adolescent mothers. We conducted an observational analysis among a cohort of 106 adolescent mothers at 289 postpartum visits who were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to prevent postpartum depression. Parental stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index, short form. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Childhood Diagnoses was administered to assess for postpartum depression; subthreshold depression was assessed using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale, revised version. Generalized estimating equations were utilized to assess the relationship of parental stress on postpartum depression during the first 6 months postpartum. We present adjusted odds ratios (AOR) controlling for study arm, age, born in the United States, prior history of depression, and number of study visits. The median age was 16 years, 53 % were Latina, and 16 % reported a past history of depression. Nineteen adolescents (19 %) were diagnosed with postpartum depression and 25 % experienced high levels of parental stress through 6 months postpartum. Adolescent mothers who reported higher levels of parental stress were at significantly increased risk for postpartum depression [AOR 1.06 (95 % CI 1.04–1.09); p < 0.0001]. High levels of parental stress predicted subsequent postpartum depression when assessing parental stress at visits prior to a depression diagnosis to determine whether we could establish a temporal association [AOR 1.06 (95 % CI 1.02–1.09); p < 0.01]. Parental stress was also a risk factor for subthreshold depression [AOR 1.04 (95 % CI 1.01–1.07); p < 0.01]. Parental stress was a significant risk factor for developing both postpartum depression as well as subthreshold depression among adolescent mothers. Interventions that target a reduction in parental stress may lead to less depression severity among primiparous adolescent mothers.