This study aimed to determine the longitudinal associations between self-reported sleep duration and cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk in corporate executives.
Self-reported sleep duration and ...lifestyle, occupational, psychological, and anthropometrical, blood pressure and blood marker variables were obtained from 1512 employees at annual health risk assessments in South Africa between 2016 and 2019. Gender-stratified linear mixed models, adjusting for age, lifestyle, occupational and psychological covariates were used to explore these longitudinal associations.
Among women, shorter sleep duration was associated with higher body mass index (BMI) covarying for age only (ß with 95% confidence intervals: −0.19 −0.36, −0.03), age and occupational factors (−0.20 −0.36, −0.03) and age and psychological factors (−0.20 −0.37, −0.03). Among men, shorter sleep was associated with both BMI and waist circumference (WC) covarying for age only (BMI: −0.15 −0.22; −0.08; WC: −0.62 −0.88; −0.37); age and lifestyle factors (BMI: −0.12 −0.21; −0.04); WC: −0.016 −0.92; −0.29, age and occupational factors (BMI: −0.20 −0.22; 0.08; WC: −0.62 −0.88; −0.36), and age and psychological factors (BMI: −0.15 −0.22; −0.07; WC: −0.59 −0.86; −0.33). Among men, shorter sleep was also longitudinally associated with higher CMD risk scores in models adjusted for age and lifestyle factors (CMD: −0.12 −0.20; −0.04) and age and psychological factors (CMD: −0.08 −0.15; −0.01).
Corporate executives who report shorter sleep durations may present with poorer CMD risk profiles, independent of age, lifestyle, occupational and psychological factors. Addressing sleep health in workplace health programmes may help mitigate the development of CMD in such employees.
•Sleep duration and cardiometabolic disease risk were assessed.•Short sleep duration was associated with increased cardiometabolic disease risk.•Potential confounders were included in longitudinal mixed models.•Workplaces could include sleep health to manage cardiometabolic disease.
Purpose
This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the association between self-reported sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk among men and women corporate executives and investigate potential ...lifestyle, work- and stress-related mediators thereof.
Methods
Self-reported sleep duration and lifestyle, occupational, psychological and measured anthropometrical, blood pressure (BP) and blood marker variables were obtained from health risk assessment data of 3583 corporate executives. Sex-stratified regression analyses investigated the relationships between occupational and psychological variables with self-reported sleep duration, and sleep duration with individual cardiometabolic risk factors. Mediation analyses investigated the effects of work, psychological and lifestyle factors on the relationships between self-reported sleep duration and cardiometabolic risk factors, as well as a continuous cardiometabolic risk score calculated from the sum of sex-stratified z-standardized scores of negative fasting serum HDL, and positive plasma Glu, serum TG, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic BP.
Results
Longer work hours and work commute time, depression, anxiety and stress were associated with shorter sleep duration in both men and women (all
p
< 0.05). Shorter sleep duration was associated with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and greater cardiometabolic risk scores in both men and women (all
p
< 0.05), higher diastolic BP in men (
p
< 0.05) and lower HDL cholesterol in women (
p
< 0.05). Physical activity, working hours and stress significantly mediated the relationships between self-reported sleep duration and BMI, waist circumference, diastolic BP and cardiometabolic risk score in men only.
Conclusion
In these corporate executives, shorter self-reported sleep duration is associated with poorer psychological, occupational and cardiometabolic risk outcomes in both men and women. Given that physical activity, working hours and stress mediate this association among the men, the case for sleep health interventions in workplace health programmes is warranted.
Tumbling asteroids Pravec, P.; Harris, A.W.; Scheirich, P. ...
Icarus (New York, N.Y. 1962),
2005, 2005-1-00, 20050101, Letnik:
173, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
We present both a review of earlier data and new results on non-principal axis rotators (tumblers) among asteroids. Among new tumblers found, the best data we have are for 2002 TD
60, 2000 WL
107, ...and (54789) 2001 MZ
7—each of them shows a lightcurve with two frequencies (full terms with linear combinations of the two frequencies are present in the lightcurve). For 2002 TD
60, we have constructed a physical model of the NPA rotation. Other recent objects which have been found to be likely tumblers based on their lightcurves that do not fit with a single periodicity are 2002 NY
40, (16067) 1999 RH
27, and (5645) 1990 SP. We have done a statistical analysis of the present sample of the population of NPA rotators. It appears that most asteroids larger than
∼
0.4
km
with estimated damping timescales (Harris, 1994, Icarus 107, 209) of 4.5 byr and longer are NPA rotators. The statistic of two short-period tumblers (
D
=
0.04
and 0.4 km) with non-zero tensile strength suggests that for them the quantity
μ
Q
/
T
, where
μ is the mechanical rigidity,
Q is the elastic dissipation factor, and
T is a spin excitation age (i.e., a time elapsed since the last significant spin excitation event), is greater by two to four orders of magnitude than the larger, likely rubble-pile tumblers. Among observational conditions and selection effects affecting detections of NPA rotations, there is a bias against detection of low-amplitude (small elongation) tumblers.
Summary Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) glucocorticoids for knee or hip osteoarthritis (OA) in specific subgroups of patients with severe pain and inflammatory signs using ...individual patient data (IPD) from existing trials. Design Randomized trials evaluating one or more IA glucocorticoid preparation in patients with knee or hip OA, published from 1995 up to June 2012 were selected from the literature. IPD obtained from original trials included patient and disease characteristics and outcomes measured. The primary outcome was pain severity at short-term follow-up (up to 4 weeks). The subgroup factors assessed included severe pain (≥70 points, 0–100 scale) and signs of inflammation (dichotomized in present or not) at baseline. Multilevel regression analyses were applied to estimate the magnitude of the effects in the subgroups with the individuals nested within each study. Results Seven out of 43 published randomized clinical trials ( n = 620) were included. Patients with severe baseline pain had a significantly larger reduction in short-term pain, but not in mid- and long-term pain, compared to those with less severe pain at baseline (Mean Difference 13.91; 95% Confidence Interval 1.50–26.31) when receiving IA glucocorticoid injection compared to placebo. No statistical significant interaction effects were found between inflammatory signs and IA glucocorticoid injections compared to placebo and to tidal irrigation at all follow-up points. Conclusions This IPD meta-analysis demonstrates that patients with severe knee pain at baseline derive more benefit from IA glucocorticoid injection at short-term follow-up than those with less severe pain at baseline.
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are dietary lipid sensors that regulate fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism. The hypolipidemic effects of the fibrate drugs and the ...antidiabetic effects of the glitazone drugs in humans are due to activation of the α (NR1C1) and γ (NR1C3) subtypes, respectively. By contrast, the therapeutic potential of the δ (NR1C2) subtype is unknown, due in part to the lack of selective ligands. We have used combinatorial chemistry and structure-based drug design to develop a potent and subtype-selective PPARδ agonist, GW501516. In macrophages, fibroblasts, and intestinal cells, GW501516 increases expression of the reverse cholesterol transporter ATP-binding cassette A1 and induces apolipoprotein A1-specific cholesterol efflux. When dosed to insulin-resistant middle-aged obese rhesus monkeys, GW501516 causes a dramatic dose-dependent rise in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol while lowering the levels of small-dense low density lipoprotein, fasting triglycerides, and fasting insulin. Our results suggest that PPARδ agonists may be effective drugs to increase reverse cholesterol transport and decrease cardiovascular disease associated with the metabolic syndrome X.
The purpose of this study was to examine ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and performance during repetitive maximal effort 40 km time trials as well as after an intervention that aimed to decrease ...certainty about the remaining distance of the exercise bout. In addition, we examined the RPE during exercise bouts of markedly different duration.
Part 1: 12 well-trained, competitive-level cyclists completed five 40 km time trials. During the final time trial all feedback was withheld until the final kilometre. In addition, to cause confusion about the remaining distance, they were asked to report their RPE at random intervals from 18 km to 38 km. Part 2: 6 well-trained, recreation-level cyclists randomly completed a 5 km, 10 km, 40 km and 100 km time trial.
Part 1: Mean RPE increased during the first four trials and decreased during the final trial. The rate of RPE progression increased in linearity during the first four trials and became more conservative in the final trial. These changes were directly related to performance. Part 2: Mean RPE for longer duration trials (40 km, 100 km) were lower during the first half of trial duration but matched those of shorter trials in the final 20%.
Increased familiarity of the exercise bout and certainty about its endpoint are associated with a more aggressive RPE strategy that produces a superior exercise performance. Certainty about the endpoint and the duration of exercise affect both the RPE strategy and performance.
Aims: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of oregano essential oil (OEO) and two of its principle components, i.e. thymol and carvacrol, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus ...aureus was assessed by using an innovative technique. The mechanism of action of the above substances was also investigated. Methods and Results: The applied technique uses 100-well microtitre plate and collects turbidimetric growth data. To produce the inhibition profiles, a wide range of concentrations were tested for each of the three compounds, as well as for carvacrol-thymol mixtures. Following a specific mathematical analysis of the observed inhibition profiles from all compounds, it was suggested that mixtures of carvacrol and thymol gave an additive effect and that the overall inhibition by OEO can be attributed mainly to the additive antimicrobial action of these two compounds. Addition of low amounts of each additive: (a) increased permeability of cells to the nuclear stain EB, (b) dissipated pH gradients as indicated by the CFDA-SE fluorescent probe irrespective of glucose availability and (c) caused leakage of inorganic ions. Conclusions: Mixing carvacrol and thymol at proper amounts may exert the total inhibition that is evident by oregano essential oil. Such inhibition is due to damage in membrane integrity, which further affects pH homeostasis and equilibrium of inorganic ions. Significance and Impact of the Study: The knowledge of extent and mode of inhibition of specific compounds, which are present in plant extracts, may contribute to the successful application of such natural preservatives in foods, since certain combinations of carvacrol-thymol provide as high inhibition as oregano essential oil with a smaller flavour impact.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is central to epithelial cell physiology, and deregulated EGFR signaling has an important role in a variety of human carcinomas. Here we show that silencing of ...the EGF-related factor amphiregulin (AREG) markedly inhibits the expansion of human keratinocytes through mitotic failure and accumulation of cells with ⩾ 4n DNA content. RNA-sequencing-based transcriptome analysis revealed that tetracycline-mediated AREG silencing significantly altered the expression of 2331 genes, 623 of which were not normalized by treatment with EGF. Interestingly, genes irreversibly upregulated by suppression of AREG overlapped with genes involved in keratinocyte differentiation. Moreover, a significant proportion of the irreversibly downregulated genes featured upstream binding sites recognized by forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1), a key transcription factor in the control of mitosis that is widely dysregulated in cancer. The downregulation of FoxM1 and its target genes preceded mitotic arrest. Constitutive expression of FoxM1 in AREG knockdown cells normalized cell proliferation, reduced the number of cells with ⩾ 4n DNA content and rescued expression of FoxM1 target genes. These results demonstrate that AREG controls G2/M progression and cytokinesis in keratinocytes via activation of a FoxM1-dependent transcriptional program, suggesting new avenues for treatment of epithelial cancer.
Aims: To investigate the appropriateness of the extended Lambert-Pearson model (ELPM) to model the effect of pH (as hydrogen and hydroxyl ions) over the whole biokinetic pH range in comparison with ...other available models. Methods and Results: Data for the effect of pH on microbial growth were obtained from the literature or in‐house. Data were examined using several models for pH. Models were compared using the residual mean of squares. Using the ELPM, pH was modelled as hydrogen ions and hydroxyl ions; hence, the model was monotonic in each. The ELPM was able to model data more successfully than the cardinal pH model (CPM) and other models in the majority of cases. Conclusions: Examining the effect of pH as hydrogen and hydroxyl ions has the advantage that the basic form of the ELPM can be retained as each is treated as a distinct antimicrobial effect. With the ELPM, each inhibitor is described by two parameters; from these parameters, the pHmin, pHopt and pHmax can be obtained. Furthermore, the idea of a dose response, absent from other models, becomes important. Significance and Impact of the Study: The CPM is an excellent model for certain situations - where there is a high degree of symmetry between the suboptimal pH and superoptimal pH response and where there are few data points available. The ELPM is more amenable to highly asymmetric behaviour, especially where plateaus of effect around the pH optimum are observed and where the number of data points is not restrictive.
Objectives
Intra-articular steroid injection (IASI) is an effective therapy for hip osteoarthritis (OA), but carries risks and provides significant pain relief to only two thirds of patients. We ...attempted to predict response to IASI in hip OA patients using baseline clinical, ultrasound, and MRI data.
Methods
Observational study of 97 subjects with symptomatic hip OA presenting for IASI. At baseline and 8 weeks we obtained hip MRI, grayscale and Doppler ultrasound, clinical range of motion (ROM), timed-up and go test (TUG) scores, and self-reported Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and function scores. Bone-capsule distance (BCD) measurements of inflammation on hip ultrasound and MRI were measured at three locations: the proximal-most uncovered portion of the femoral head, the superficial-most (apex) portion of the femoral head, and the largest fluid pocket at the femoral neck.
Results
Ultrasound and MRI BCD correlated with each other significantly and strongly at the apex and neck. Power Doppler findings did not correlate significantly with any other imaging indices. Eight weeks post-injection, WOMAC pain, function, and stiffness scores significantly improved and TUG time improved nearly to the level of significance, but there were no significant changes in ultrasound, MRI, or Doppler indices. Baseline variables were not significantly different between responder and nonresponder WOMAC pain or TUG time cohorts.
Conclusion
Basic measures of inflammation on ultrasound and MRI are highly related to each other, but provide little insight into patient function and pain after IASI. Other mechanisms to explain improvement in patient status after IASI are likely at work.
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