scholarly journals Apolipoprotein D Concentration in Human Plasma during Aging and in Parkinson’s Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Waldner ◽  
Sarah Dassati ◽  
Bernhard Redl ◽  
Nicola Smania ◽  
Marialuisa Gandolfi
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Apolipoprotein D ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Small Hydrophobic

Apolipoprotein D (ApoD), a lipocalin transporter of small hydrophobic molecules, plays an important role in several neurodegenerative diseases. ApoD is expressed in and secreted from a variety of peripheral and brain tissues. Increments of ApoD have been reported in relation with oxidative stress conditions, aging, and degeneration in the nervous system. Preliminary findings support the role of ApoD in neuroprotection. However, its role in PD remains unclear. To date, no studies have been performed on the relationship between ApoD in the blood and PD, as neurodegenerative pathology related to oxidative damage. We investigated the concentration of ApoD in the blood of healthy control subjects and PD patients with mild-to-moderate neurological impairment. ApoD plasma levels were measured using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 90 healthy subjects (aging-analysis cohort) and in 66 PD patients at different stages compared with 19 age-matched healthy subjects. Significant age-related increase of ApoD was detected in subjects older than 65 years of age (p<0.002). In PD patients, a significant increase in ApoD plasma concentration was found compared with healthy subjects of the same age (p<0.05). ApoD and PD stage are significantly correlated (p<0.05). ApoD might be a valid marker for the progression of PD.

Finding Brands and Not Losing Your Religion? Exploring the Relationship Between Brand Engagement in Self-Concept and Religious Commitment

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-217
Author(s):  
Wiktor Razmus ◽  
Beata Zarzycka
Keyword(s):  
Religious Commitment ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Grandiose Narcissism ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Brand Engagement ◽  
The Relationship

Past research links a decrease in religiosity with the development of marketing and, in particular, with the growing role of brands in consumers’ lives. Building on James's (1920) theory of the self, we propose that focusing on brands as a strategy for self-expression (brand engagement in self-concept; BESC) does not exclude religious commitment and may even be related with higher levels of religious commitment. We also suggest that this relationship is moderated by grandiose narcissism. The hypotheses were tested on a sample of 306 individuals in a cross-sectional study. The findings provide evidence that BESC is positively related to religious commitment and the higher an individual’s narcissism is, the stronger the positive relationship between BESC and religious commitment. These findings suggest that using brands as a strategy for self-expression is not a substitute for religious commitment.

scholarly journals The Role of Demographic Characteristics and Spiritual Dimensions in Predicting Empathy: A Study in Muslim Pre-Service Teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fifi Khoirul Fitriyah ◽  
Nur Hidayah ◽  
Muslihati Muslihati ◽  
Im Hambali ◽  
Mursyidul Ibad
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reactivity Index ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Data Collection Technique ◽  
Spirituality Assessment ◽  
The Relationship

Although many studies have examined the relationship between spirituality and empathy, very few studies have focused on demographic and spiritual dimensions in influencing empathy for pre-service teachers. This study analyzes the effect of gender, age, and years of formal education on spirituality and empathy and analyzes the influence of the spiritual dimensions on empathy. This research is a cross-sectional study, with 319 Muslim pre-service teachers as respondents. The data collection technique used an online questionnaire adapted from the Spirituality Assessment Scale (SAS) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The results show that age affects spirituality, while empathy is influenced by age and gender. One unanticipated finding was that years of formal education had no effect on either spirituality or empathy. The most important finding of this study is the higher the level of innerness, the more likely it is to have high empathy. This study's findings are useful as an assessment material and creating counseling designs to increase empathy for pre-service teachers. This is a part of forming the ideal profile of counselors in schools later. Integrating Islamic values ​​is also an essential alternative in counseling for Muslims.

Drinking to Cope Motivations as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Sexual Coercion Victimization and Alcohol Use Among College Women: The Role of Depressive Symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Ehlke ◽  
Michelle L. Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Sexual Coercion ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Drinking To Cope ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
The Relationship

This cross-sectional study examined whether depressive symptoms strengthened the relationship between different forms of sexual coercion victimization and drinking to cope motivations, which was hypothesized to influence alcohol use. Participants were 214 female undergraduates who completed an online survey. Participants who experienced any lifetime sexual coercion and reported higher depressive symptoms were the most likely to report drinking to cope motivations, which in turn were associated with alcohol use. Depressive symptoms did not strengthen the relationship between specific forms of sexual coercion, drinking to cope, and alcohol use. Increasing emotion regulation strategies among sexual coercion victims may reduce drinking.

scholarly journals Demoralization and Its Relationship with Depression and Hopelessness in Suicidal Patients Attending an Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Costanza ◽  
Marc Baertschi ◽  
Hélène Richard-Lepouriel ◽  
Kerstin Weber ◽  
Isabella Berardelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Suicidal Patient ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Interventions ◽  
Suicidal Patients ◽  
Major Depressive Episodes ◽  
Depressive Episodes ◽  
The Relationship

Emergency departments (EDs) play an increasingly crucial role in the management of patients with suicidal behavior (SB). Demoralization has been associated with SB in various populations and conditions, but little is known about the effect of this construct in SB patients who attend an ED. Therefore, a more inclusive SB assessment which considers the demoralization construct could be useful in clinical practice. The main aim of this study was to assess the presence and severity of demoralization in patients visiting EDs for SB. Secondly, the maintenance of the relationship between demoralization and SB after controlling for depression and the proportion of variance which accounted for hopelessness was investigated. A cross-sectional study of patients (N = 199) visiting an ED for SB was performed, which examined the role of demoralization, hopelessness, and depression on suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SAs). Demoralization was strongly and positively correlated with SI. Demoralization was related to major depressive episodes, but it was confirmed to be a different and, probably, more sensitive construct for SB, validating its specificity in relation to depression. Hopelessness accounted for a small portion of the variance in SI, compared to demoralization. Formal support for the association of demoralization with SI was provided. Demoralization can improve SB assessment in EDs, particularly among patients whose suicide risk can be unnoticed. Furthermore, demoralization represents a clinically useful concept to increase comprehension of the suffering of the suicidal patient and a possible target for psychotherapeutic interventions.

Lower diastolic blood pressure in healthy subjects with vitamin K deficiency: a preliminary cross-sectional study

10.20883/181 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 276
Author(s):  
Jan Krzysztof Nowak ◽  
Andrzej Wykrętowicz ◽  
Patrycja Krzyżanowska ◽  
Agnieszka Górna ◽  
Jarosław Tobolski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Diastolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Vitamin K Deficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
K Deficiency ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction. There is a growing body of evidence for the role of vitamin K in cardiovascular health. As a cofactor of carboxylation of the matrix Gla protein it prevents arterial calcification. However, the data on the relationship between vitamin K status and the blood pressure are scarce, and particularly so in persons without the burden of cardiovascular risk factors. Material and Methods. We performed a pilot cross‑sectional study, in which we hypothesized that vitamin K deficiency is associated with a higher blood pressure in young, healthy people. The concentration of protein induced by vitamin K absence‑II (PIVKA‑II) larger than 2 ng/mL was chosen as a proxy for vitamin K deficiency; it was assessed in serum using ELISA. Blood pressure was measured using a validated, automated oscillometric monitor in triplicate.Results. Twenty‑three healthy subjects were enrolled (16 female; mean age 21.3 ± 1.6 years; body mass index 20.6 ± 2.4 kg/m2). The diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was lower in vitamin K‑deficient subjects (58 ± 9 vs. 67 ± 5 mmHg, p = 0.01). The mean arterial blood pressure also differed (75 ± 9 vs. 83 ± 6, p = 0.02). PIVKA‑II levels correlated with DBP only (Pearson’s R = -0.41, p < 0.05; Spearman’s ρ ns.). Stepwise regression identified PIVKA‑II concentrations as the only independent parameter associated with DBP (adjusted R2 = 13.1%; PIVKA‑II: β = -0.41; 95%CI -1.87-(-0.00098), t = -2.08, p < 0.05).Conclusions. The relationship between vitamin K deficiency and low DBP in young adults should be investigated further.

scholarly journals Urine Phenylacetylglutamine Determination in Patients with Hyperphenylalaninemia

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 3674
Author(s):  
Fernando Andrade ◽  
Ainara Cano ◽  
María Unceta Suarez ◽  
Arantza Arza ◽  
Ana Vinuesa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Phenyl Group ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Frequent Monitoring ◽  
Healthy Control

Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal-recessive inborn error of phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism is the most prevalent disorder of amino acid metabolism. Currently, clinical follow-up relies on frequent monitoring of Phe levels in blood. We hypothesize that the urine level of phenylacetylglutamine (PAG), a phenyl-group marker, could be used as a non-invasive biomarker. In this cross-sectional study, a validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was used for urinary PAG quantification in 35 participants with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and 33 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We have found that (a) PKU patients present higher urine PAG levels than healthy control subjects, and that (b) there is a significant correlation between urine PAG and circulating Phe levels in patients with HPA. In addition, we show a significant strong correlation between Phe levels from venous blood samples and from capillary finger-prick dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected at the same time in patients with HPA. Further research in order to assess the potential role of urine PAG as a non-invasive biomarker in PKU is warranted.

scholarly journals The Role of CYP2A6 Genetic Polymorphism in Nicotine Dependence and Tobacco Consumption among Bataknese Male Smokers

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 864-866 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noni Novisari Soeroso ◽  
Rozaimah Zain-Hamid ◽  
Bintang Y. M. Sinaga ◽  
Ahmad Hamim Sadewa ◽  
Tamsil Syafiuddin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nicotine Dependence ◽  
Tobacco Consumption ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cigarette Consumption ◽  
Research Subjects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Very High ◽  
Cyp2a6 Gene

AIM: This research aimed to analyse the relationship between CYP2A6 gene polymorphism with nicotine dependence and its relation to the number of cigarette consumption among Bataknese smokers.METHOD: This study was a cross-sectional study involving 140 research subjects in Medan, Indonesia.RESULTS: Nicotine dependence rates were found to be significantly associated with the number of cigarette consumption expressed in the Brinkman Index.CONCLUSION: The *1A wild-type alleles have a greater risk of high-very high dependence rate compared to the other variants.

scholarly journals Differential Redistribution of Activated Monocyte and Dendritic Cell Subsets to the Lung Associates with Severity of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ildefonso Sanchez-Cerrillo ◽  
Pedro Landete ◽  
Beatriz Aldave ◽  
Santiago Sanchez-Alonso ◽  
Ana Sanchez-Azofra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
T Cell Subsets ◽  
Viral Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Classical Monocytes

The SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the pandemic COVID-19 in infected individuals, who can either exhibit mild symptoms or progress towards a life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It is known that exacerbated inflammation and dysregulated immune responses involving T and myeloid cells occur in COVID-19 patients with severe clinical progression. However, the differential contribution of specific subsets of dendritic cells and monocytes to ARDS is still poorly understood. In addition, the role of CD8+ T cells present in the lung of COVID-19 patients and relevant for viral control has not been characterized. With the aim to improve the knowledge in this area, we developed a cross-sectional study, in which we have studied the frequencies and activation profiles of dendritic cells and monocytes present in the blood of COVID-19 patients with different clinical severity in comparison with healthy control individuals. Furthermore, these subpopulations and their association with antiviral effector CD8+ T cell subsets were also characterized in lung infiltrates from critical COVID-19 patients. Collectively, our results suggest that inflammatory transitional and non-classical monocytes preferentially migrate from blood to lungs in patients with severe COVID-19. CD1c+ conventional dendritic cells also followed this pattern, whereas CD141+ conventional and CD123hi plasmacytoid dendritic cells were depleted from blood but were absent in the lungs. Thus, this study increases the knowledge on the pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease and could be useful for the design of therapeutic strategies to fight SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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