Aim
Low skeletal muscle mass (LMM) is a criterion to define both sarcopenia and malnutrition. Muscle mass varies with gender, height, weight or fat mass, and many indices of adjusted-muscle mass have ...been proposed. We aimed to find reference cut-off points of the skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) adjusted for weight and body mass index (BMI) in Turkish population.
Materials and methods
Adults between 18 and 39 years of age and community-dwelling older adults of 60–99 years of age were included. Body composition was assessed with bioimpedance analysis (BIA). SMMI adjusted for weight and BMI were calculated SMMI (weight) and SMMI (BMI). Muscle strength was assessed by hand-grip-strength with hand dynamometer. SMMI (weight) cut points were calculated from the healthy young adults’ data as “mean SMMI-2 standard deviation (SD)”. SMMI (BMI) cut points that predict low muscle strength were calculated with ROC analysis. To define low muscle strength, we used three currently suggested low muscle-strength thresholds, i.e., 32 kg/22 kg, 30 kg/20 kg, 26 kg/16 kg in males/females, respectively.
Results
301 healthy young adults (187 male, 114 female) and 992 older people (308 male, 684 female) were included. LMM cut points for SMMI (weight) were 37.4% and 33.6% for males and females, respectively. SMMI (BMI) cut points that best predict the low grip-strength for 32 kg/22 kg; 30 kg/20 kg; 26 kg/16 kg thresholds were1.017 kg/BMI and 0.677 kg/BMI; 1.014 kg/BMI and 0.710 kg/BMI; 1.036 kg/BMI and 0.770 kg/BMI for males and females, respectively.
Conclusions
Muscle-mass adjustment methods and techniques show diversity among the studies and have impact on the LMM cut-off points. This study presents population specific LMM thresholds for skeletal muscle mass adjusted for weight and BMI aiming to increase and improve the general applicability of the leading sarcopenia consensus definitions.
Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia in stroke patients, the relationship between sarcopenia detected with different low muscle mass (LMM) adjustment methods, and between ...stroke-related parameters. Eighty-one patients with chronic stroke who underwent inpatient rehabilitation were included. Spasticity was evaluated by modified Ashworth scale, Brunnstrom staging approach was used for motor function evaluation, physical independence was evaluated using Barthel Index, quality-of-life was evaluated by EQ-5D-3L, and the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale was used to measure multimorbidity. Muscle strength was evaluated by handgrip strength, muscle quantity through a bioelectric impedance analysis, and physical performance by gait speed and short physical performance battery. LMM was calculated through two different methods: Skeletal muscle mass (SMM)/height
2
, and SMM/BMI. For the definition of sarcopenia, we followed the EWGSOP2 recommendation. Associated sarcopenia factors were predicted by multivariate binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of probable sarcopenia was 32.1%. The prevalence of confirmed/sarcopenia when LMM was adjusted for BMI was higher than when adjusted for height
2
(16 and 1.2%, respectively). Age was significantly higher in those with probable sarcopenia (
P
= 0.006). Stroke duration was shorter in those with probable or confirmed sarcopenia (
P
= 0.004,
P
< 0.001, respectively). EQ-5D-3L scores were significantly lower in those with confirmed sarcopenia (
P
= 0.050). The strongest associated factor with confirmed sarcopenia was stroke duration (OR: 0.77; 95% CI, 0.618–0.965). This study suggests that prevalence of sarcopenia after a stroke is significantly high. LMM adjusted for BMI comes in front as the adjustment method for LMM after a stroke.
Background and Design: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common disease characterized by erythematous and itchy wheals, angioedema, or both that last for >6 weeks. Its etiology is not yet ...fully determined. This study aimed to analyze the distress tolerance (DT) levels of patients with CSU and correlations between DT and clinical parameters and other psychological symptoms. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with CSU without any concomitant diseases were included in the study. The control group included 50 healthy volunteers with similar baseline demographics but without physical or psychiatric diseases. The urticaria activity score 7 (UAS7) was used to determine the disease severity in the patient group. In both groups, Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and state and trait anxiety inventory were used. Statistical differences in psychiatric scale scores were found between the patient and control groups, and a correlation was found between UAS7 and scale scores in the patient group. Results: No differences in sociodemographic variables were found between the patient and control groups. The DTS and subgroup score analysis revealed statistically significant differences between the patient and control groups. The DTS-total scores (p<0.001), DTS tolerance subdimension scores (p<0.001), DTS self-efficacy subdimension scores (p=0.002), and DTS regulation subdimension scores (p=0.02) were statistically lower in the patient group than in the control group. The BDI (p<0.01) and anxiety scores (state, p<0.001; trait, p=0.002) were also higher in the patient group than in the control group. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between UAS7 scores and all scale scores. Conclusion: Psychological disorders are prevalent in patients with CSU and exhibit an interaction with the prognosis. Although the interaction is well-known, no clear multidisciplinary approach has been established for patients with CSU. In this study, DT was significantly reduced in patients with CSU, and a positive correlation may exist between disease severity and psychological symptoms. Thus, the evaluation of DT in patients with CSU could be addressed in psychotherapy and might be a beneficial criterion not only for the treatment but also for disease severity.
Face validation is an informal type of validation, usually applied in the early stages of a simulation project or model development process. Face validation is used to determine the reasonableness of ...a model or simulation when advanced validation methods such as statistical analysis or sensitivity analysis are not applicable. In large-scale simulation projects such as warfare simulation applications, which consist of a large number and variety of models that cannot be evaluated independently and contain high levels of uncertainty, face validation should be utilized, but no standard method for face validation can be proposed. In this paper, we review the literature and practical applications of face validation. We propose a process to improve the effectiveness of face validation. The proposed process is expected to help to realize a measurable, concrete and practical face validation, especially in large-scale projects involving high-fidelity complex models and constructive simulations.
Aim: Vaspin is an insulin-sensitive adipokine secreted from visceral fat tissue, and belongs to the serine protease inhibitor family. The relationship between vaspin level and coronary artery disease ...is not known yet. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vaspin levels and degree of vessel involvement in coronary angiography in patients with stable angina pectoris.
Methods: The patients were chosen from those who had coronary angiography with the diagnosis of stable angina pectoris. Patients with previously diagnosed chronic heart disease, chronic liver disease, renal failure, thyroid dysfunction and any systemic infectious or malignant disease, patients receiving immunosupressive treatment and those who did not give informed consent were excluded from the study. Serum vaspin measurements were performed using an East Biopharm enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit using the sandwich ELISA method. For determination of the severity of coronary lesions, the modified Gensini score was used.
Results: Eighty-eight patients 34 female (38.6%) and 54 male (91.4%) were included in the study. Vaspin levels were similar in male (1.17±1.54 ng/L) and female (1.09±1.23 ng/L) patients (p=0.46). There was no correlation between vaspin levels and the number of vessels involved (p=0.75). Vaspin levels were similar in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.
Conclusion: Vaspin may not be a sensitive marker of the degree of vascular lesions in patients with stable angina pectoris. The underlying cause is probably lack of significant changes in inflammatory cascade and oxidative stress in the involved group of patients.
•We studied effect of tea waste on properties of fired clay bricks.•TW usage decreases mechanical properties of bricks.•Specific gravity is decreased by the usage of TW while porosity increased.•TW ...increases thermal isolation property of bricks.
The sustainability of raw materials used in construction industry consumed large quantities of material has great importance. The use of pore-makers in the brick production is reducing the consumption of clean clay resources as well as lightness of the baked brick body. Many organic or inorganic additives have been used as pore-making in brick production for improving thermal performance. In this study, tea waste (TW) were used at different concentrations in the brick clay mixtures to examine its effects on baked brick properties. In addition to micro-structure investigations, physical, mechanical and thermal properties of bricks produced were investigated. It is concluded that tea waste additive up to 10% in brick body can be used for structural application and isolation while ratios more 10% tea waste additive for only isolation purposes. Tea wastes can be used as a pore-making additive in the brick production.
Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) is a general term that can
reflect different clinical conditions in which cardiac and renal
dysfunctions coexist. The main pathogenetic mechanisms
playing a role in heart ...failure (HF) and CRS are neurohumoral
adaptation, right ventricular dilatation and dysfunction and
systemic inflammation. Persistence of these factors cause
focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial
fibrosis in the renal parenchyma. Diuretics, beta blockers, reninangiotensin-
aldosterone system inhibitors, and vasodilators are
the main medical treatments besides conventional approach,
such as salt and water restriction and quitting smoking,
in HF treatment. Diuretic resistance is the main problem
emerging during diuretic treatments. Two renal replacement
treatments have become prominent for removal of excess
fluids via ultrafiltration in HF patients with diuretic resistance
extracorporeal ultrafiltration with hemodialysis and peritoneal
dialysis (PD). Herein, the role of these two ultrafiltration
modalities, especially peritoneal ultrafiltration (PUF) in the
treatment of HF is discussed. The main studies and advantages
of PUF in HF treatment were discussed. Moreover, effects of
PD on glomerular filtration rate, hospitalization and mortality
were investigated. In conclusion, PD is an alternative cheap,
practical and convenient therapy in reducing cardiac volume
burden in HF patients who do not respond well to standard
treatments and/or require frequent hospitalization.
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