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Terms modified by Waist Selected AbstractsShould liver function tests be included in definitions of metabolic syndrome?DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Evidence from the association between liver function tests, components of metabolic syndrome, prevalent cardiovascular disease Abstract Aims The definition of metabolic syndrome (MS) continues to be debated and does not include abnormal liver function tests (LFTs). This study aims to determine: (1) the association between the five ATP3 MS diagnostic components and different LFTs, and (2) the association between raised LFTs and prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods A total of 1357 patients, without alcoholism or known liver disease, from randomly selected households from rural Victoria, Australia, attended for biomedical assessment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas under the curve (AUC) were determined for associations between the ATP3 diagnostic components, and between LFTs and ATP3 diagnostic components. Results The range of ROC AUC for ATP3 diagnostic components was 0.60,0.77. Waist had the strongest association and blood pressure the weakest. The strength of association between ATP3 diagnostic components and gamma GT (GGT) was similar (0.63,0.72), but was less for alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase. Using the ROC-derived GGT cut-off (men 27 IU, women 20 IU), those with MS and a high GGT had more CVD than those with MS and a low GGT, and those without MS (18% vs. 10% vs. 7%, respectively; P < 0.001). Among those with MS, after adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio of CVD was 2.66 (1.18,5.96) for a high GGT compared to a low GGT. CVD was not significantly more prevalent in MS patients with a low GGT compared to non-MS patients. Conclusions We suggest that including a raised GGT in the criteria for MS could increase its predictive nature for CVD. Prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding. [source] Ethnicity and glycaemic control are major determinants of diabetic dyslipidaemia in MalaysiaDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001I. S. Ismail Abstract Aims To define the prevalence of dyslipidaemia in young diabetic patients in Peninsular Malaysia and the contributory factors of dyslipidaemia in these subjects. Methods This is a cross-sectional study involving 848 young diabetic patients from seven different centres, with representation from the three main ethnic groups. Clinical history and physical examination was done and blood taken for HbA1c, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Results The overall lipids were suboptimal, worse in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients compared with Type 1 DM patients. Of the Type 2 patients, 73.2% had total cholesterol >,5.20 mmol/l, 90.9% had LDL-cholesterol >,2.60 mmol/l, 52.6% had HDL-cholesterol <,1.15 mmol/l and 27.3% had serum triglycerides >,2.30 mmol/l. There were ethnic differences in the lipid levels with the Malays having the highest total cholesterol (mean 6.19 mmol/l), and the highest LDL-cholesterol (mean 4.16 mmol/l), while the Chinese had the highest HDL-cholesterol (geometric mean 1.24 mmol/l). Ethnicity was an important determinant of total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol in Type 2 DM, and LDL- and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in Type 1 DM. Glycaemic control was an important determinant of total, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in both Type 1 and Type 2 DM. Waist,hip ratio (WHR) was an important determinant of HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in both types of DM. Gender was an important determinant of HDL-cholesterol in Type 2 DM, but not in Type 1 DM. Socioeconomic factors and diabetes care facilities did not have any effect on the dyslipidaemia. Conclusions The prevalence of dyslipidaemia was high especially in Type 2 DM patients. Ethnicity, glycaemic control, WHR, and gender were important determinants of dyslipidaemia in young diabetic patients. Diabet. Med. 18, 501,508 (2001) [source] The Cross-Sectional Relationship Between Body Mass Index, Waist,Hip Ratio, and Cognitive Performance in Postmenopausal Women Enrolled in the Women's Health InitiativeJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 8 2010Diana R. Kerwin MD OBJECTIVES: To determine whether body mass index (BMI) is independently associated with cognitive function in postmenopausal women and the relationship between body fat distribution as estimated by waist-hip ratio (WHR). DESIGN: Cross-sectional data analysis. SETTING: Baseline data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) hormone trials. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand seven hundred forty-five postmenopausal women aged 65 to 79 free of clinical evidence of dementia who completed the baseline evaluation in the WHI hormone trials. MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed a Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MSE), health and lifestyle questionnaires, and standardized measurements of height, weight, body circumference, and blood pressure. Statistical analysis was performed of associations between 3MSE score, BMI, and WHR after controlling for known confounders. RESULTS: With the exception of smoking and exercise, vascular disease risk factors, including hypertension, waist measurement, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, were significantly associated with 3MSE score and were included as covariables in subsequent analyses. BMI was inversely related to 3MSE score; for every 1-unit increase in BMI, 3MSE score decreased 0.988 points (P<.001) after adjusting for age, education, and vascular disease risk factors. BMI had the most pronounced association with poorer cognitive functioning scores in women with smaller waist measurements. In women with the highest WHR, cognitive scores increased with BMI. CONCLUSION: Higher BMI was associated with poorer cognitive function in women with smaller WHR. Higher WHR, estimating central fat mass, was associated with higher cognitive function in this cross-sectional study. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism for this association. [source] Hazardous Waist: How Body Shape Puts Health at RiskNURSING FOR WOMENS HEALTH, Issue 1 2007Susan J. Appel PhD First page of article [source] Fertility, body size, and shape: An empirical test of the covert maternal depletion hypothesis,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Ilona Nenko In populations with limited resources, high-reproductive effort may lead to poor nutritional status of the mother (the maternal depletion syndrome), whereas in well-nourished populations woman's body weight tends to increase after each pregnancy. However, in affluent populations, women's body shape may change due to mobilization of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from the lower parts of their bodies to meet the needs of the developing child (the "covert maternal depletion"). We studied relationships between reproductive history traits and body size and shape for 296 rural, parous women in good nutritional status (mean body mass index, BMI = 27.9, SD = 5.94), aged 22,85 (mean 47.8, SD = 16.34) from southern Poland. Body mass adjusted for age, age of menarche, body height, and similarly adjusted BMI were each positively related to the number of children born by a woman (R = 0.13, P = 0.02 and R = 0.13, P = 0.02, respectively). Waist and hip circumferences, adjusted for confounders, did not show statistically significant relationships with the number of children. Moreover, groups with low and high parity did not significantly differ in hip/BMI and waist/BMI ratios, which were proposed to be indicators of covert form of maternal depletion (after controlling for overall body fatness and age). In conclusion, parity caused a slightly higher body mass and BMI later in life. However, parity did not lead to covert maternal depletion, perhaps because women in this population have relatively high-dietary intake of PUFAs. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Anthropometry and Breast Cancer Risk in Nigerian WomenTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 5 2006FWACS, Michael N. Okobia MBBS Abstract: The recent upsurge in global obesity and the recognition of the role of metabolic syndrome and other correlates of obesity in the etiology of breast cancer and other chronic diseases has created the impetus for renewed interest in the role of anthropometric measures in breast cancer risk. This case-control study was designed to evaluate the role of anthropometric variables in breast cancer susceptibility in an indigenous sub-Saharan African population drawn from midwestern and southeastern Nigeria, a population grossly underreported in the global epidemiologic literature. Study participants were 250 women with breast cancer who were receiving treatment in the surgical outpatient clinics and surgical wards of four university teaching hospitals located in midwestern and southeastern Nigeria, while the controls were 250 age-matched women without breast cancer or other malignant diseases being treated for other surgical diseases in the same institutions between September 2002 and April 2004. Waist:hip ratio (WHR) was associated with a significant 2.5-fold increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48,4.41] and a 2-fold increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.04,2.53). Increasing height conferred a modestly nonsignificant increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 0.98,2.58). The study showed that WHR is a significant predictor of breast cancer risk in Nigerian women and measures to sustain increased physical activity and ensure healthy dietary practices are recommended to reduce the burden of obesity in the population. [source] Genetic variation and decreased risk for obesity in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities StudyDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2007M. L. Hart Sailors Aim:, To investigate the effects of variation in the leptin [LEP (19A>G)] and melanocortin-4 receptor [MC4R (V103I)] genes on obesity-related traits in 13,405 African-American (AA) and white participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Methods:, We tested the association between the single-locus and multilocus genotypes and obesity-related measures [body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), waist,hip ratio, waist circumference and leptin levels], adjusted for age, physical activity level, smoking status, diabetic status, prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Results:, AA and white female carriers of the MC4R I103 allele exhibited significantly lower BW than non-carriers of this allele (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively). AA female carriers of both the LEP A19 allele and the MC4R I103 allele were 63% [odds ratio (OR) = 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.18,0.78)] less likely to be obese, and white female carriers of the same two alleles were 46% [OR = 0.54, 95% CI (0.32,0.91)] less likely to be obese, than non-carriers of the variant alleles. Female carriers of both the LEP A19 and MC4R I103 alleles had significantly lower BW (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05) and plasma leptin (p < 0.01) than the non-carriers of both the alleles. Carriers of the two variant alleles had lower BMI over the 9-year course of the ARIC study and significantly lower weight gain from age 25 years. No significant joint effect of these two variants was observed in males. Conclusion:, These results suggest that variation within the LEP and MC4R genes is associated with reduced risk for obesity in females. [source] Age-related anthropometric remodelling resulting in increased and redistributed adiposity is associated with increases in the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese subjectsDIABETES/METABOLISM: RESEARCH AND REVIEWS, Issue 1 2006G. Neil Thomas Abstract Background Ageing promotes increases in the prevalence of components of the metabolic syndrome, which obesity often underlies. Methods We report the relationship between ageing, obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors in 694 community-based Chinese subjects in gender-specific groups of three age ranges: 20.0,39.9 (young), 40.0,59.9 (middle-aged) and 60.0,79.9 (old-aged) years. Results Body mass index (BMI) values were similar in males in each age group, but waist and percentage body fat increased (6.6, and 39.5%, both p < 0.001, respectively), from young to old-age groups, as did blood pressure and glycated haemoglobin levels (all p < 0.001). In the females, increases (all p < 0.001) in percentage body fat (29.3%) were accompanied by greater increases in BMI (10.3%) and waist (19.2%) than the males. Blood pressure, glycated haemoglobin, total and LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels increased linearly with age (all p < 0.001). Conclusion Age-related increases in central adiposity and percentage body fat were associated with increasingly adverse cardiovascular risk factor profiles. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] HbA1c levels in non-diabetic Dutch children aged 8,9 years: the PIAMA birth cohort studyDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009H. Jansen Abstract Aim, Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is considered the best index of glycaemic control in established diabetes. It may also be useful in the diagnosis of diabetes and as a screening tool. Little is known about the distribution of HbA1c in healthy children and its predictors. The aim of this study is to describe the distribution of HbA1c in non-diabetic Dutch children aged 8,9 years and to investigate potential associations of HbA1c in this group. Methods HbA1c was measured in 788 non-diabetic children aged 8,9 years participating in the PIAMA birth cohort study. Data on parents and children were collected prospectively by questionnaires. Weight, height and waist and hip circumference of the children were measured when blood samples were taken. Results, Mean (sd) HbA1c was 4.9 ± 0.33%, range 3.5,6.0%. HbA1c was significantly higher in boys (4.9 ± 0.31 vs. 4.9 ± 0.33%) and in children of mothers with gestational diabetes (5.0 ± 0.37 vs. 4.9 ± 0.32%). We found a significant inverse association between HbA1c and haemoglobin (regression coefficient: ,0.169 (95% CI ,0.221 to ,0.118), P < 0.001). HbA1c was not significantly associated with age, body mass index, waist circumference, parental diabetes or maternal body mass index. Conclusions, We found no significant relation between known risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and HbA1c at age 8,9 years. Moreover, there was a significant inverse association between haemoglobin and HbA1c. These results suggest that HbA1c may not only reflect the preceding blood glucose levels, but seems to be determined by other factors as well. [source] Prevalence and projections of diabetes and pre-diabetes in adults in Sri Lanka,Sri Lanka Diabetes, Cardiovascular Study (SLDCS)DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 9 2008P. Katulanda Abstract Aims To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes (impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance) in adults in Sri Lanka. Projections for the year 2030 and factors associated with diabetes and pre-diabetes are also presented. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between 2005 and 2006. A nationally representative sample of 5000 adults aged , 18 years was selected by a multi-stage random cluster sampling technique. Fasting plasma glucose was tested in all participants and a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in non-diabetic subjects. Prevalence was estimated for those > 20 years of age. Results Response rate was 91% (n = 4532), males 40%, age 46.1 ± 15.1 years (mean ± standard deviation). The age,sex standardized prevalence (95% confidence interval) of diabetes for Sri Lankans aged , 20 years was 10.3% (9.4,11.2%) [males 9.8% (8.4,11.2%), females 10.9% (9.7,12.1%), P = 0.129). Thirty-six per cent (31.9,40.1%) of all diabetic subjects were previously undiagnosed. Diabetes prevalence was higher in the urban population compared with rural [16.4% (13.8,19.0%) vs. 8.7% (7.8,9.6%); P < 0.001]. The prevalence of overall, urban and rural pre-diabetes was 11.5% (10.5,12.5%), 13.6% (11.2,16.0%) and 11.0% (10.0,12.0%), respectively. Overall, 21.8% (20.5,23.1%) had some form of dysglycaemia. The projected diabetes prevalence for the year 2030 is 13.9%. Those with diabetes and pre-diabetes compared with normal glucose tolerance were older, physically inactive, frequently lived in urban areas and had a family history of diabetes. They had higher body mass index, waist circumference, waist,hip ratio, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Insulin was prescribed to 4.4% (2.7,6.1%) of all diabetic subjects. Conclusions One in five adults in Sri Lanka has either diabetes or pre-diabetes and one-third of those with diabetes are undiagnosed. [source] Examining the relationships between the Pro12Ala variant in PPARG and Type 2 diabetes-related traits in UK samplesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 12 2005E. Zeggini Abstract Aims The Pro12Ala polymorphism in the PPARG gene alters amino acid sequence and has shown consistent association with susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes in several populations. The present study makes use of large, well-characterized case-control resources to enhance understanding of this susceptibility effect by examining related traits, such as body mass index (BMI), waist,hip ratio and age at diagnosis. Methods The Pro12Ala variant was genotyped in two UK case samples, ascertained for positive family history and/or early onset of Type 2 diabetes (combined n = 971); and in 1257 ethnically matched control subjects. Results There were significant associations of the Pro12Ala single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes with diabetes in both case-control comparisons (P = 0.025 and P = 0.039). Comparing individuals homozygous for the Pro allele, with those carrying an Ala allele, the combined odds ratio for diabetes was 1.40 (95% CIs, 1.12,1.76, P = 0.0031). There was no association between the variant and either waist,hip ratio or age at diagnosis. Proline homozygosity was associated with increased BMI in one patient group (P = 0.013) and decreased BMI in the other (P = 0.038). Conclusions This study confirms that variation within PPARG influences susceptibility to Type 2 diabetes in UK samples. However, the relationship between PPARG variation and BMI is more complex, and studies in much larger sample sets will be required to more precisely characterize the effect of this variant on adiposity. [source] The association of coronary calcium score and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects asymptomatic for coronary heart disease (The PREDICT Study)DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2004R. S. Elkeles Abstract Aim To determine the association between coronary calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects entered into a prospective cohort study. Methods Type 2 diabetic subjects attending routine hospital diabetic clinics without known coronary heart disease (CHD) underwent EBCT to measure CACS. Demographic data were obtained and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline. Results Four hundred and ninety-five subjects were assessed of whom 67.7% were male. They had a mean (sd) age of 62.9 (7.1) years, with median (inter-quartile range) duration of diabetes of 8 (4,13) years. None had a history of coronary artery disease. Forty-five per cent were receiving lipid-lowering agents (including 36% statins). In a univariate analysis, there were significant associations between increased CACS and age, duration of diabetes, male gender, waist,hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and the use of statins. In a multivariate model adjusting for the possible interaction of these and other factors, the significant association between CACS and WHR, systolic blood pressure, male gender and statin use remained. Conclusions The close association between CACS and WHR and the association with systolic blood pressure suggest that coronary calcification may be particularly linked to the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes. [source] Comparison of ADA and WHO criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes in elderly KoreansDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 10 2002K. M. Choi Abstract Aims This study was conducted to compare the prevalence and cardiovascular risk factors of different categories of glucose tolerance in the elderly Korean population using World Health Organization (WHO) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. Methods This study included 1456 non-diabetic subjects over the age of 60 years, selected from a cross-sectional study, which was conducted in 1999 in Seoul, Korea. Fasting and post-challenge 2-h plasma glucose, insulin levels, body mass index (BMI), waist,hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, and lipid profiles were examined. Prevalence of glucose tolerance categories and the level of agreement (, statistics) were obtained using WHO 2-h criteria and ADA fasting criteria. Comparison of cardiovascular risk factors among several concordant and discordant glucose intolerance groups was done. Results The prevalence rates of newly diagnosed diabetes of elderly men defined by WHO 2-h criteria and ADA fasting criteria were 11.8% and 4.8%, respectively. That of elderly women was 8.1% by WHO 2-h criteria and 3.1% by ADA fasting criteria. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) by WHO criteria was also higher than that of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) by ADA criteria (23.5% vs. 10.0% men, 23.7% vs. 7.5% women). The level of agreement between ADA fasting criteria and WHO 2-h criteria was low (weighted , = 0.228 men, weighted , = 0.301 women). The concordant diabetic women by both ADA fasting criteria and WHO 2-h criteria showed higher BMI, WHR, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels than concordant normal subjects. However, the isolated post-challenge hyperglycaemia (IPH) women group was not different significantly from the concordant normal women group except in BMI. Conclusions Our results clearly show that the 1997 ADA fasting criteria are less sensitive for diagnosing diabetes than oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-based WHO criteria in elderly Koreans. Also, there is a poor agreement of different categories of glucose tolerance between ADA and WHO criteria; therefore, the OGTT remains a valuable test in diagnosing diabetes and classifying various categories of glucose intolerance, especially in elderly Koreans. [source] Insulin, insulin propeptides and intima-media thickness in the carotid artery in 58-year-old clinically healthy men.DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 2 2002Insulin Resistance study (AIR), The Atherosclerosis Abstract Aims To examine the relationship between specific (intact) insulin, insulin propeptides and subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods A cross-sectional study based on a stratified sampling of randomly selected, clinically healthy 58-year-old men (n = 391). Ultrasound examinations of the carotid arteries were performed with measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT) in the common carotid artery and in the carotid artery bulb. Fasting, cross-reacting plasma insulin (RIA), specific (intact) insulin, proinsulin, 32,33 split proinsulin and C-peptide were measured. Results Plasma concentrations of cross-reacting plasma insulin, specific insulin, proinsulin, 32,33 split proinsulin and C-peptide were univariately associated with common carotid artery IMT. Established risk factors such as blood pressure, smoking, apoB, triglycerides, body mass index (BMI), and waist,hip ratio were also related to IMT. After adjustment for smoking, apoB, blood pressure and triglycerides, cross-reacting plasma insulin, proinsulin and C-peptide but not specific insulin and split 32,33 proinsulin remained associated with carotid artery IMT. No associations remained after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions Fasting plasma proinsulin, C-peptide, and insulin by cross-reacting RIA was associated with common carotid artery IMT independent of several conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis. The multicollinearity between the insulin peptides and propeptides makes it difficult to clarify the exact role of each peptide. [source] Does smoking in adolescence affect body mass index, waist or height?ADDICTION, Issue 9 2007Findings from a longitudinal study ABSTRACT Aim To assess the effect of smoking uptake on body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and height during adolescence. Design Five-year longitudinal study. Setting Thirty-six schools in South London, England, selected by a stratified random sampling procedure designed to ensure ethnic and socio-economic diversity. Participants A total of 5863 students took part in the HABITS (Health and Behaviour in Teenagers) Study between 1999 and 2003. Measurements Self-reported smoking behaviour, saliva cotinine concentrations and measured weight, waist circumference and height were obtained, along with information on gender, ethnicity, socio-economic deprivation, pubertal status, self-reported exercise and dieting. Students were examined annually from school year 7 (ages 11,12) to year 11 (ages 15,16), with response rates ranging from 74 to 84%. A total of 2665 never smokers at year 7 with complete data for years 7 and 11 were included in the analyses. Findings Adjusting for year 7 BMI and other potential confounders, regular smokers (more than six cigarettes a week) at year 11 had significantly lower BMI (P = 0.002) than other students. Smokers defined by a cotinine above 15 ng/ml also had lower BMI (P < 0.0001). Waist circumferences were lower in regular smokers (P = 0.014) and cotinine-defined smokers (P < 0.011). No consistent association was found between smoking and height. The adjusted difference in weight between regular smokers and other students amounted to 1.8 kg (95% CI, 0.52,3.17) for an average-height student. Conclusion Taking up regular smoking during adolescence may result in a lower BMI, but the effect is small and of uncertain significance. [source] Arterial stiffness in relation to subclinical atherosclerosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 1 2009A. Wykretowicz ABSTRACT Background, Increased arterial stiffness or arteriosclerosis, represents a physiological part of ageing. Atherosclerosis is a process that does not affect the arterial bed uniformly but has a variable local distribution and is frequently superimposed on stiffened vessels. We therefore addressed the question of whether any correlation exists between the general characteristics of arterial stiffness or wave reflection and subclinical atherosclerosis as assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in a sample of healthy subjects. Methods, A total of 116 healthy subjects (mean age 55 years, 43 female) were evaluated. Arterial stiffness and wave reflection was assessed with the use of digital volume pulse analysis (DVP) and pulse wave analysis (PWA). Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by measurement of IMT. Results, Stiffness Index (SIDVP), the measure of general arterial stiffness correlated significantly with IMT (r = 0·37, P < 0·01). IMT correlated significantly with age (r = 0·5, P < 0·0001), waist to hip ratio (WHR) (r = 0·39, P < 0·0001) and mean blood pressure (BPmean) (r = 0·4, P < 0·0001). IMT did not correlate with measures of wave reflection. SIDVP correlated significantly with age (r = 0·32, P < 0·005), WHR (r = 0·36, P < 0·0001), BPmean (r = 0·36, P < 0·0001) and measurements of wave reflection. However analysis of a model which included variables that significantly influenced SIDVP and IMT, such as age, WHR and mean BP showed that arterial stiffness is not independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. Conclusions, The indices of subclinical atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness and wave reflection, indicate different aspects of vascular status in otherwise healthy subjects [source] Microevolutionary support for a developmental hourglass: gene expression patterns shape sequence variation and divergence in DrosophilaEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2008Tami Cruickshank SUMMARY A central goal of evolutionary developmental biology (Evo-Devo) is to synthesize comparative molecular developmental genetics and its description of the dynamic relationship between genotype and phenotype with the microevolutionary processes (mutation, random drift, and selection) of population genetics. To this end, we analyzed sequence variation of five gene classes that act sequentially to shape early embryo development in Drosophila: maternal, gap, pair-rule, segment polarity, and segment identity genes. We found two related patterns: (1) a microevolutionary pattern, wherein relative sequence variation within species is 2- to 3-fold higher for maternal-effect genes than for any other gene class; and, (2) a macroevolutionary pattern, wherein the relative sequence divergence among species for maternal-effect genes is 2- to 4-fold greater than for any other gene class. Both patterns are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the predictions of microevolutionary theory. Our findings connect within-species genetic variation to between-species divergence and shed light on the controversy over the existence of a "developmental hourglass," where mid-embryonic stages are more evolutionarily constrained than either earlier or later stages. Because maternal-effect genes experience relaxed selective constraint relative to zygotic-effect genes, they explore a wider mutational and phenotypic space. As a result, early acting maternal-effect genes diverge more widely across taxa and thereby broaden the base of the developmental hourglass. In contrast, later acting zygotic genes are relatively more constrained and limited in their diversification across taxa, narrowing the waist of the developmental hourglass. This pattern is obscured by genes with both maternal and zygotic expression, which experience the strongest evolutionary constraint. [source] Low adiponectin levels are associated with renal cell carcinoma: A case-control studyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 7 2007Themistoklis N. Spyridopoulos Abstract Adiponectin is a novel endogenous insulin sensitizer, secreted by mature adipocytes. Circulating levels of adiponectin are inversely associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Because obesity is a risk factor for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we hypothesized that low adiponectin levels are associated with RCC. To evaluate this hypothesis, we conducted a case- control study of 70 patients with histologically confirmed RCC and 280 healthy controls matched by gender, age and county of residence. Study subjects were interviewed and blood samples were collected during a 32-month period in Athens, Greece. Serum adiponectin levels were statistically, significantly and inversely associated with RCC when compared with controls (OR = 0.76, p = 0.05) and this association remained practically unchanged after controlling for BMI; the introduction of waist to hip ratio along with adiponectin in the multiple logistic regression analysis model rendered the association between adiponectin and RCC risk insignificant, indicating that altered levels of adiponectin may mediate the effect of central or intra-abdominal obesity on RCC. Prospective studies as well as studies exploring underlying mechanisms are needed to fully explore the role of adiponectin in predicting future risk of RCC in humans. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Insulin resistance phenotypes and coronary artery disease in a native Pakistani cohortINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008A. S. Wierzbicki Summary Objective:, To determine the relationship between insulin resistance (IR) and atheroma burden in Pakistanis. Methods:, A prospective case,control study of 400 patients selected for the presence/absence of angiographic disease. Coronary atheroma burden was quantified and IR and cardiovascular risk factors were measured. Results:, The patients were divided into two groups by QuickI score. Waist circumference (90 ± 10 vs. 90 ± 9 cm; p = 0.7) was similar but the groups differed in body mass index (26.5 ± 3.7 vs. 24.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2; p < 0.001) and waist:hip ratio (0.94 ± 0.09 vs. 0.90 ± 0.06; p < 0.001). Lipid parameters showed similar high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (0.77 ± 0.23 vs. 0.82 ± 0.22 mmol/l; p = 0.1) differences in triglycerides [1.32 (0.08,3.98) vs. 1.12 (0.37,3.61) mmol/l; p = 0.01], but no difference in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (2.75 ± 1.00 vs. 2.90 ± 0.94 mmol/l; p = 0.14). In insulin-resistant patients C-reactive protein (CRP) [6.8 (0.3,175.1) vs. 3.9 (0.2,57.9) mg/l: p < 0.001], sialic acid (82 ± 14 vs. 77 ± 15 mg/l; p < 0.001) aspartate transaminase [24 (7,171) vs. 21 (7,83) IU/l; p < 0.001] and gamma-glutamyl transferase [27 (8,482) vs. 21 (7,168) IU/l; p = 0.005] levels were increased. In insulin-resistant patients (n = 187), coronary artery disease (CAD) burden correlated (r = 0.55) with age (, = 1.62; p < 0.001), HDL-C (, = ,53.2; p < 0.001), lipoprotein (a) (, = 11.4; p = 0.007), smoking (, = 7.98; p = 0.004), CRP (, = 6.06; p = 0.03) and QuickI index (, = ,146; p = 0.04). In contrast in insulin-sensitive patients (n = 178) CAD burden (r = 0.46) correlated with LDL-C (, = 10.0; p = 0.02), CRP (, = 7.13; p = 0.03), HDL-C (, = ,38.1; p = 0.03), and weakly with age (, = 0.73; p = 0.07) and smoking (, = 5.52; p = 0.09). Conclusions:, Indian Asians show a dichotomous insulin-resistance phenotype. Atheroma is associated with low HDL-C and inflammation associated in all but LDL-C is a factor in the insulin sensitive in contrast to age and extent of IR in the insulin resistant. [source] High Oxidative Stress Is Correlated with Frailty in Elderly ChineseJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 9 2009I-Chien Wu MD OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and frailty in elderly people. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Community and hospital-based outpatient clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety participants aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: Frailty status was determined according to the presence of weak handgrip strength, weight loss, slow walking speed, exhaustion, and low activity level and was classified as frail (,3 criteria), prefrail (1 or 2 criteria), or robust (0 criteria). An oxidative stress marker (serum 8-hydroxy-2,-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG), metabolic markers (body mass index, waist,hip ratio, serum lipids, glucose, and albumin), an inflammatory marker (serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP), demographic information, and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, overweight or obesity, impaired fasting plasma glucose, renal insufficiency, and depression) were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 90 participants, 21 (23.3%) were frail, 56 (62.2%) were prefrail, and 13 (14.4%) were robust. Frail subjects had higher median (range) serum 8-OHdG (2.5 ng/mL (1.5,6.2 ng/mL) vs 2.3 ng/mL (0.5,8.1 ng/mL) and 1.0 ng/mL (0.5,5.3 ng/mL)) and serum hs-CRP (2.5 mg/L (0.3,32.1 mg/L) vs 1.8 mg/L (0.3,50.5 mg/L) and 1.7 mg/L (0.3,4.0 mg/L)) levels, lower mean±standard deviation serum albumin levels (4.1±0.4 g/dL vs 4.4±0.4 g/dL and 4.6±0.2 g/dL) and higher mean waist,hip ratios (0.96±0.11 vs 0.91±0.07 and 0.89±0.05)) than prefrail and robust subjects, respectively (P<.05 for all). In multivariable regression analysis, high serum 8-OHdG level was still significantly associated with frailty after adjusting for age, smoking status, comorbidities, waist,hip ratio, serum albumin level, and hs-CRP level. CONCLUSION: High oxidative stress, characterized by high serum 8-OHdG level, was independently associated with frailty in the selected sample of elderly Chinese. [source] Media Influences on Attitudes and Perceptions Toward the Body Among Adult Men and WomenJOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007Marita P. McCabe The current study investigated media influences on men's and women's body perception. Participants were 60 men and 60 women. Men overestimated their chest, waist, and thighs and underestimated their hips. Women overestimated the size of all body parts. Men's and women's perception of their body was not predicted by media exposure or attitudes to the media. Both men's and women's ideal body was different from their current bodies. Attitudes and exposure to the media predicted men's (but not women's) perceptions of the ideal body held by the media, as well as both men's and women's ideal chest and waist. These findings suggest that the media has an impact on the ideal body size of both men and women. [source] Image enhancement in ultramicroscopy by improved laser light sheetsJOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS, Issue 10-11 2010Saiedeh Saghafi Abstract In the majority of implementations of light sheet microscopy, such as ultramicroscopy, the laser beam illuminating the specimen is truncated by a slit aperture before it is focused to a light sheet by a single cylindrical lens. A light sheet generated in this way can be made very thin near to the focal point, but unfortunately its Rayleigh range is severely limited. This problem can be partially solved by using a smaller slit aperture. However, this also causes a major loss in power, a severe broadening of the beam waist, and thus a significant loss of resolution along the detection axis. We developed improved light-sheet-generation optics, which provide longer Raleigh ranges, whilst retaining beam waists comparable to our standard system with one cylindrical lens. Using the modified system we achieved a marked improvement in the resolution of ultramicroscopy reconstructions of representative biological specimens. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] A population-based study on the association between type 2 diabetes and periodontal disease in 12,123 middle-aged Taiwanese (KCIS No. 21)JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Ting-Ting Wang Abstract Aim: We investigated the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal disease (PD) in the context of the current periodontal aetiology model. Material and Methods: In total, 14,747 community residents aged 35,44 years were invited to a community-based PD survey between 2003 and 2006 using the community periodontal index. Significant factors modifying the association between T2DM and PD were ascertained. We further assessed the association between T2DM and the risk for PD, within strata of significant effect modifiers, after controlling for other putative factors. Results: The prevalence rate was 10% higher in subjects with T2DM than in those without. After controlling for significant factors, T2DM was positively associated with the risk for PD (adjusted odds ratio=1.34,95% confidence interval: 1.07,1.74). The results of interaction assessment showed that only the waist was identified as a statistically significant effect modifier for such a positive association. Conclusions: The association between T2DM and the risk for PD among young adult was demonstrated. This finding, together with other aetiological factors, fit with the current hypothesized model of the aetiology of periodontitis. However, the effect of T2DM modified by waist measurement should be verified in future studies. [source] Striae treated by a novel combination treatment , sand abrasion and a patent mixture containing 15% trichloracetic acid followed by 6,24 hrs of a patent cream under plastic occlusionJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2003M A Adatto Summary Background, Striae are a common cosmetic problem, especially for women. Little has been published about chemical peel treatment of striae. Objective, To recount 5 years experience of striae treated by a novel combination treatment , sand abrasion and a patent mixture containing 15% trichloracetic acid followed by 6,24 h of a patent cream under plastic occlusion. Materials and methods, Sixty-nine females of various phototypes, aged 14,63 years, were treated at various anatomical sites: abdomen (43), lateral thighs (11), breasts (4), back (3), waist (3) and others (5). Striae of all types: fresh, old, mild and severe, were treated. Average follow up was 18 months. Results, After 1,8 treatments (median 4.2), appearance of the striae improved by 70%. Results were best in fresher and more superficial striae. Conclusions, A novel combination treatment is reported which safely, predictably and effectively improved striae in all skin types. [source] Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its association with obesity indices in a Chinese populationJOURNAL OF DIABETES, Issue 1 2009Yun HUANG Abstract Background:, To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in an urbanizing community in Qingpu, a suburb of Shanghai, and to determine which obesity indices, including body mass index, waist circumference (WC), and waist:hip (WHpR), and waist:height (WHtR) ratios, are most closely associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods:, We conducted a cross-sectional health survey of 1634 individuals (age 15,87 years) in the Jinhulu community located in Qingpu. The National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP ATP III) criteria were used to define metabolic syndrome, with central obesity defined according to Asia,Pacific (APC) region criteria. Results:, The age-standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 3.6% in men and 7.2% in women. Using the criterion of central obesity in the APC, the age-standardized prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased to 8.3% in men and 10.9% in women. Regardless of age, WHtR consistently showed a higher odd ratios (OR) after adjustment for confounding factors of 2.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12,4.20; P = 0.022) in subjects<52 years of age and 1.92 (95% CI 1.18,3.11; P = 0.008) in those ,52 years of age. In men, the WHtR was the only significant predictor (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.15,5.08; P = 0.02) of metabolic syndrome after adjustment, whereas in women WHtR (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.37,2.85; P =0.0088) was slightly inferior to WHpR and WC. Conclusion:, Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in an urbanizing rural area in Qingpu. Of the anthropometric parameters commonly used to identify metabolic syndrome, WHtR may be the best. [source] Application of a Service Climbing Robot with Motion Planning and Visual SensingJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 4 2003Jian Zhu This paper describes an application of a service climbing robot aimed to clean the glass wall of high-rise buildings. The robot utilizes suction cups to adhere to the glass and moves with a translational mechanism to follow a predetermined path in cleaning the whole glass surface. By a flexible waist, the robot can adjust its posture. The robot has the ability to cross the window frame to clean different sections of the glass wall. A visual sensing system, composed of an omnidirectional CCD camera and two laser diodes, enables the robot to measure its orientation and the distance between the robot and the window frame. The real-time applications and some experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed system. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The effect of including a conventional snack (cereal bar) and a nonconventional snack (almonds) on hunger, eating frequency, dietary intake and body weightJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 5 2009S. Zaveri Abstract Background:, With the increasing prevalence of being overweight and obesity, dietary strategies to curb hunger levels and increase satiety at lower energy intakes are sought. The frequency of eating and type of snack may influence total energy intake. The present study aimed to assess the impact of providing either a conventional snack (cereal bar) or a nonconventional snack (almonds) on eating frequency, hunger rating, dietary intake, body weight and blood lipids. Methods:, Forty-five healthy men (aged 25,50 years, body mass index = 25,35 kg m,2) were recruited and allocated to a control, cereal bar or almond snack group. Two packets of cereal bars and almonds were introduced for 12 weeks to the cereal bar group and the almond snack group, respectively. Dietary intakes and eating frequency were assessed by 4-day unweighed diet diaries; visual analogue scales were used to assess hunger ratings; and fasting blood parameters (i.e. glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. In addition, anthropometric measures (height, weight, skinfold thickness, waist and hip circumference) were measured at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Results:, The present study found no significant change in the eating frequency within groups at 12 weeks. However, the almond snack group had a significantly higher eating frequency than the control group (P , 0.05) and cereal bar group (P , 0.01). This did not result in higher energy intake, body weight or percentage body fat in the almond snack group. Conclusion:, The present study demonstrated that snacking on almonds, in comparison to cereal bars, promoted a higher eating frequency, but not a higher energy intake. Advice to snack on either almonds or cereal bars did not result in weight gain, suggesting that energy compensation took place. [source] A 5-year follow-up study of disease incidence in men with an abnormal hormone patternJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2003R. Rosmond Abstract Rosmond R, Wallerius S, Wanger P, Martin L, Holm G, Björntorp P (The Cardiovascular Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg; and Huddinge University Hospital, Huddinge; Sweden). A 5-year follow-up study of disease incidence in men with an abnormal hormone pattern. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 386,390. Objectives. Previous studies have suggested that abnormal levels of cortisol and testosterone might increase the risk of serious somatic diseases. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a 5-year follow-up study in middle-aged men. Methods. A population-based cohort study conducted in 1995 amongst 141 Swedish men born in 1944, in whom a clinical examination supplemented by medical history aimed to disclose the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke), type 2 diabetes and hypertension were performed at baseline and at follow-up in the year 2000. In addition, salivary cortisol levels were measured repeatedly over the day. Serum testosterone concentrations were also determined. Using the baseline data, an algorithm was constructed, which classified the secretion pattern of cortisol and testosterone from each individual as being normal or abnormal. Results. By the end of follow-up, men with an abnormal hormone secretion pattern (n = 73) had elevated mean arterial pressure (P = 0.003), fasting insulin (P = 0.009) and insulin : glucose ratio (P = 0.005) compared with men with a normal secretion pattern (n = 68). Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist : hip ratio were significantly elevated in both groups. However, the 5-year incidence of CVD, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in men with an abnormal neuroendocrine secretory pattern compared to men with a normal pattern. Conclusions. These data suggest that an abnormal neuroendocrine secretory pattern is prospectively associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular-related events and type 2 diabetes. [source] Methods for measuring abdominal obesity in the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis, and their correlation with abdominal fat areas assessed by computed tomographyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010A. Duarte-Rojo Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 244,253 Summary Background, Obesity increases the risk for severe acute pancreatitis, although abdominal obesity may be a better prognostic marker. Aim, To determine if a single anthropometric parameter best predicts severe acute pancreatitis and correlates with intra-abdominal fat. Methods, Ninety-nine patients with acute pancreatitis were studied prospectively. Anthropometry included body mass index (BMI) and girths (umbilical/minimum waist, iliac/trochanter hip, thigh). Several waist-to-hip/waist-to-thigh ratios (WHR/WTR) were constructed. A CT-scan with calculation of cross-sectional abdominal fat areas was obtained in 37 cases. Results, Severe acute pancreatitis occurred in 25 patients. Waist circumference (WC), WHR and WTR , all using the umbilical reference , most accurately predicted severe acute pancreatitis. Only umbilical WC was retained in multivariate analysis: the risk for severe acute pancreatitis increased 16% with every 1 cm (OR 1.16, 95%CI: 1.1,1.3). Abdominal obesity caused a 6-fold increase in risk. Umbilical WC correlated best with subcutaneous fat area (r = 0.791, P < 0.001), whereas WHR with intra-abdominal (r = 0.594, P < 0.001). Conclusions, Abdominal obesity according to umbilical WC is a better predictor for development of severe acute pancreatitis than BMI, minimum WC, WHR and WTR. The protocol for anthropometry must be standardized as it may affect results. Both subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat appears to affect the likelihood of a severe outcome. [source] Laser diodes semicircular side-pumped laser rod with a round-sharped outputLASER PHYSICS LETTERS, Issue 7 2006Y. X. Guo Abstract In order to keep the symmetric of the pump geometry and obtain a low-level, high quality laser output, the temperature of the side-pumped laser rod is more often be controlled by a water cooling system than a conduction cooling system in the diode-pumped solid-state lasers. But the use of the water cooling system increases the volume and decreases the mobility. To solve the confliction between the beam quality and the mobility of the laser system, a novel, compact and all-solid design of the pump structure is applied to the side-pumped laser system. The Nd:YAG rod is pumped by semicircular mounted LD arrays inthe pump module, and two pump modules are working together to compensate each other. Numerical calculation and experiment are performed, the output laser has a round-sharped beam with a beam waist of 5 mm and a divergence angle less than 7 mrad, and a maxim output pulse energy of 75.8 mJ is obtained under the working frequency of 20Hz, the slope efficiency is 35.8%. (© 2006 by Astro, Ltd. Published exclusively by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA) [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||