Medicine
-
Observational Study
Religiosity in black and white older Americans: Measure adaptation, psychometric validation, and racial difference.
Racial difference of religiosity in a heterogeneous older population had long been a focal point of gerontological research. However, most religiosity measures were developed from homogenous sample, few underwent rigorous psychometric validation, and studies on racial difference of religiosity had been obstructed. This cross-sectional study adapted a religiosity measure originally designed for blacks only to a heterogeneous older population of blacks and whites, validated its psychometric properties, and examined racial difference of religiosity. ⋯ We also found racial differences of religiosity in all three domains of the measure, even after adjustment of the detected measurement biases in two domains. In conclusion, the original measure can be adapted to and validated for a heterogeneous older population of blacks and whites. Although the adapted measure can be used to measure the three domains of religiosity in blacks and whites, the observed racial differences of religiosity need to be adjusted for measurement biases before meaningful comparisons.
-
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with accelerated cognitive decline. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms still remain to be elucidated although it is known that insulin signaling modulates neurotransmitter activity, including inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and excitatory glutamate (Glu) receptors. Therefore, we examined whether levels of GABA and Glu are related to diabetes status and cognitive performance. ⋯ The associations of neurotransmitters with type 2 diabetes and cognitive performance were examined using multivariate regression analyses controlling for age, sex, education, BMI, and percentage gray/white matter ratio in spectroscopic voxel. Analysis revealed higher GABA+ levels in participants with type 2 diabetes, in participants with higher fasting blood glucose levels and in participants with higher HbA1c levels, and higher GABA+ levels in participants with both high HbA1c levels and less cognitive performance. To conclude, participants with type 2 diabetes have alterations in the GABAergic neurotransmitter system, which are related to lower cognitive functioning, and hint at the involvement of an underlying metabolic mechanism.
-
Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is the most common clinical nontraumatic ONFH. Once ONFH occurs, it seriously reduces patients' quality of life. The matrix metalloproteinase/tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (MMP/TIMP) system was found to play a significant role in the development of ONFH. The aim of this study was to identify the associations between 7 genes selected from the MMP/TIMP system and steroid-induced ONFH. ⋯ Our results verify that genetic variants of MMP8 contribute to steroid-induced ONFH susceptibility in the population of northern China. In addition, we found that gender differences might interact with MMP8 polymorphisms to contribute to the overall susceptibility to steroid-induced ONFH.
-
Observational Study
Prevalence of chronic cough and possible causes in the general population based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Although chronic cough is very common, its prevalence and causes have been rarely reported in the large general population including smokers. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of possible causes of chronic cough and their clinical impact. From Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data including 119,280 adults aged over 40 years, 302 individuals with chronic cough were recruited irrespective of smoking status. ⋯ This pattern was not different according to smoking status excepting the prevalence of COPD. Smoking, COPD, and chest radiographic abnormalities should be considered as causes of chronic cough, along with UACS and asthma. Gastro-esophageal reflux-related cough is not prevalent in study population.
-
Type 2 diabetes has become a global epidemic disease. Atorvastatin has become a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. However, increasing evidence showed that statins can dose-dependently increase the risk of diabetes mellitus. The mechanism is not clear. ⋯ Atorvastatin inhibits insulin synthesis in beta cells by inhibiting the activation of the Ras complex pathway.