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Background: Recent studies have proved metabolic syndrome (MetS) was linked to cancer risks. However, few data has examined the relationship between MetS and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, China (2010-2015) that enrolled 573 EOC patients and 1146 matched controls. Data were collected through in-person interviews, anthropometric measurement, and 8-h fasting bloods drawn. MetS was estimated by Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) definition requiring presence of ≥3 of the following risk factors: 1) body mass index (BMI) ≥25. 0kg/m²,2) fasting plasma glucose ≥6.1 mmol/L or 2-h plasma glucose ≥ 7.8 mmol/L, 3) systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, 4) triglyceride (TG) ≥1.70 mmol/L or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) < 1.0 mmol/L. Statistics were completed using chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis. The survival analysis was conducted by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: MetS was significantly more prevalent among EOC (25.13%) than controls (6.89%). A statistically significant increase risk for EOC was observed for MetS (multivariable-adjusted OR = 3.187; 95% CI: 2.135-4.756). MetS was significantly associated with histological grade (P < 0.001), FIGO stage (P = 0.003), and lymph node (LN) status (P = 0.002) of EOC. In binary logistic regression analysis, the presence of MetS predicts the risk of advanced FIGO stage (OR = 2.155, 95% CI: 1.327-3.498, P = 0.002), lower differentiation (OR = 2.472, 95% CI: 1.164-5.250, P = 0.019), and LN metastasis (OR = 2.590, 95% CI: 1.089-6.160, P = 0.031) of EOC. Moreover, MetS is the independent factor for the evaluation of PFS and OS of EOC patients (both of them P < 0.001) in Cox proportional hazard model. Conclusion: MetS is obviously related to increased EOC risk. EOC patients with MetS in Chinese population were found to have statistically significant tumor advanced stage, low differentiation, LN metastasis and poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventions to increase cooking skills (CS) and food skills (FS) as a route to improving overall diet are popular within public health. This study tested a comprehensive model of diet quality by assessing the influence of socio-demographic, knowledge- and psychological-related variables alongside perceived CS and FS abilities. The correspondence of two measures of diet quality further validated the Eating Choices Index (ECI) for use in quantitative research. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a quota-controlled nationally representative sample of 1049 adults aged 20-60 years drawn from the Island of Ireland. Surveys were administered in participants' homes via computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) assessing a range of socio-demographic, knowledge- and psychological-related variables alongside perceived CS and FS abilities. Regression models were used to model factors influencing diet quality. Correspondence between 2 measures of diet quality was assessed using chi-square and Pearson correlations. Results: ECI score was significantly negatively correlated with DINE Fat intake (r = -0.24, p < 0.001), and ECI score was significantly positively correlated with DINE Fibre intake (r = 0.38, p < 0.001), demonstrating a high agreement. Findings indicated that males, younger respondents and those with no/few educational qualifications scored significantly lower on both CS and FS abilities. The relative influence of socio-demographic, knowledge, psychological variables and CS and FS abilities on dietary outcomes varied, with regression models explaining 10-20 % of diet quality variance. CS ability exerted the strongest relationship with saturated fat intake (β = -0.296, p < 0.001) and was a significant predictor of fibre intake (β = -0.113, p < 0.05), although not for healthy food choices (ECI) (β = 0.04, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Greater CS and FS abilities may not lead directly to healthier dietary choices given the myriad of other factors implicated; however, CS appear to have differential influences on aspects of the diet, most notably in relation to lowering saturated fat intake. Findings suggest that CS and FS should not be singular targets of interventions designed to improve diet; but targeting specific sub-groups of the population e.g. males, younger adults, those with limited education might be more fruitful. A greater understanding of the interaction of factors influencing cooking and food practices within the home is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary intervention success requires strong participant adherence, but very few studies have examined factors related to both short-term and long-term adherence. A better understanding of predictors of adherence is necessary to improve the design and execution of dietary intervention trials. This study was designed to identify participant characteristics at baseline and study features that predict short-term and long-term adherence with interventions promoting the Mediterranean-type diet (MedDiet) in the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea (PREDIMED) randomized trial. Methods: Analyses included men and women living in Spain aged 55-80 at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to the MedDiet supplemented with either complementary extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or tree nuts. The control group and participants with insufficient information on adherence were excluded. PREDIMED began in 2003 and ended in 2010. Investigators assessed covariates at baseline and dietary information was updated yearly throughout follow-up. Adherence was measured with a validated 14-point Mediterranean-type diet adherence score. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between baseline characteristics and adherence at one and four years of follow-up. Results: Participants were randomized to the MedDiet supplemented with EVOO (n = 2,543; 1,962 after exclusions) n or tree nuts (n = 2,454; 2,236 after exclusions). A higher number of cardiovascular risk factors, larger waist n circumference, lower physical activity levels, lower total energy intake, poorer baseline adherence to the 14-point adherence score, and allocation to MedDiet + EVOO each independently predicted poorer adherence. Participants from PREDIMED recruiting centers with a higher total workload (measured as total number of persons-years of follow-up) achieved better adherence. No adverse events or side effects were reported. Conclusions: To maximize dietary adherence in dietary interventions, additional efforts to promote adherence should be used for participants with lower baseline adherence to the intended diet and poorer health status. The design of multicenter nutrition trials should prioritize few large centers with more participants in each, rather than many small centers. Trial registration: This study was registered at controlled-trials.com (http://www.controlled-trials. com/ISRCTN35739639). International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 35739639. Registration date: 5 October 2005. Trial design: parallel randomized trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Promotion of physical activity (PA) is a key strategy to prevent non-communicable diseases. However, evidence on the effectiveness of community-wide interventions (CWIs) for promoting PA is limited. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-year CWI for promoting PA in middle-aged and older adults compared with usual public health services. This study is an extension to an original 1-year investigation study. Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial with community as unit of randomization and individual as unit of analysis. Setting/participants: 12 communities in Unnan, Japan were randomly allocated to the intervention (9) or the control (3). Additionally intervention communities were randomly allocated to aerobic activity promotion (Group A), flexibility and muscle-strengthening activities promotion (Group FM), or aerobic, flexibility, and muscle-strengthening activities promotion (Group AFM), each consisting of three communities. Randomly-sampled 4414 residents aged 40 to 79 years responded to the baseline survey (74 %), and were analyzed in 2013-2014. Intervention: A 3-year CWI based on social marketing, to promote PA from 2009 to 2012. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was a change in regular aerobic, flexibility, and/or muscle-strengthening activities, defined by (1) engaging in 150 mins/week or more of walking, (2) engaging in daily flexibility activity, or (3) engaging 2 or more days/week in muscle-strengthening activities, evaluated at the individual level. Secondary outcomes were changes in specific types of PA and musculoskeletal pain. Outcomes were measured at baseline and at 1 and 3 years (2009, 2010, and 2012). Results: The CWI did not significantly increase the proportion of adults who reached recommended levels of aerobic, flexibility, and/or muscle-strengthening activities (adjusted change difference = 1.6 % [95 % Cl: -3.5, 6.6]). In the subgroup analysis, compared to the controls, adults doing flexibility activity daily significantly increased in Group FM (6.3 % [95 % CI: 1.9, 10.7]). In Group A and AFM for PA outcomes and in all groups for pain outcomes, there was no significant change compared to controls. Conclusions: The CWI did not achieve significant increase in the proportion of adults who reached recommended PA levels. However, it might be effective in promoting flexibility activity in middle-aged and older Japanese. Trial registration: UMIN-CTR UMIN000002683. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the suggested link between vitamin D insufficiency and several chronic diseases, attention should be given to approaches for improving vitamin D status. Elderly subjects are regarded as a high-risk group for developing an insufficient vitamin D status. Socioeconomic, dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors are considered as influencing factors, whereupon sex differences in predictors of vitamin D status are rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to identify the main predictors of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations in elderly subjects by taking into account potential sex differences. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in 162 independently living German elderly aged 66 to 96 years. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were assessed by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of 25(OH)D3 concentrations stratified by sex. Results: Median 25(OH)D3 concentration was 64 nmol/L and none of the subjects had 25(OH)D3 concentrations < 25 nmol/L. In women, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (β = -0.323), % total body fat (β = -0.208), time spent outdoors (β = 0.328), month of blood sampling (β = 0.229) and intake of vitamin D supplements (β = 0.172) were the predominant predictors of 25(OH)D3, whereas in men, iPTH (β = -0.254), smoking (β = -0.282), physical activity (β = 0.336) and monthly household net income (β = 0.302) predicted 25 (OH)D3 concentrations. The final regression models accounted for 30% and 32% of the variance in 25(OH)D3 concentrations in women and men, respectively. Conclusion: The findings indicate that 25(OH)D3 concentrations are influenced by body composition, month of blood sampling, economic factors, lifestyle, supplement intake and iPTH, but may not be associated with age, sex, dietary factors, kidney function and presence of selected chronic diseases in community-dwelling elderly. Furthermore, our results provide evidence for sex-specific determinants of the vitamin D status, which ought to be considered for preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Considering the suggested link between vitamin D insufficiency and several chronic diseases, attention should be given to approaches for improving vitamin D status. Elderly subjects are regarded as a high-risk group for developing an insufficient vitamin D status. Socioeconomic, dietary, lifestyle and environmental factors are considered as influencing factors, whereupon sex differences in predictors of vitamin D status are rarely investigated. The purpose of this study is to identify the main predictors of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] concentrations in elderly subjects by taking into account potential sex differences. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in 162 independently living German elderly aged 66 to 96 years. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations were assessed by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of 25(OH)D3 concentrations stratified by sex. Results: Median 25(OH)D3 concentration was 64 nmol/L and none of the subjects had 25(OH)D3 concentrations < 25 nmol/L. In women, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) (β = −0.323), % total body fat (β = −0.208), time spent outdoors (β = 0.328), month of blood sampling (β = 0.229) and intake of vitamin D supplements (β = 0.172) were the predominant predictors of 25(OH)D3, whereas in men, iPTH (β = −0.254), smoking (β = −0.282), physical activity (β = 0.336) and monthly household net income (β = 0.302) predicted 25 (OH)D3 concentrations. The final regression models accounted for 30% and 32% of the variance in 25(OH)D3 concentrations in women and men, respectively. Conclusion: The findings indicate that 25(OH)D3 concentrations are influenced by body composition, month of blood sampling, economic factors, lifestyle, supplement intake and iPTH, but may not be associated with age, sex, dietary factors, kidney function and presence of selected chronic diseases in community-dwelling elderly. Furthermore, our results provide evidence for sex-specific determinants of the vitamin D status, which ought to be considered for preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective teamwork has proven to be crucial for providing safe care. The performance of emergencies in general and cardiac arrest situations in particular, has been criticized for primarily focusing on the individual’s technical skills and too little on the teams’ performance of non-technical skills. The aim of the study was to explore intensive care nurses’ team performance in a simulation-based emergency situation by using expert raters’ assessments and nurses’ self-assessments in relation to different intensive care specialties. Methods: The study used an explorative design based on laboratory high-fidelity simulation. Fifty-three registered nurses, who were allocated into 11 teams representing two intensive care specialties, participated in a videotaped simulation-based cardiac arrest setting. The expert raters used the Ottawa Crisis Resource Management Global Rating Scale and the first part of the Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale to assess the teams’ performance. The registered nurses used the first part of the Mayo High Performance Teamwork Scale for their self-assessments, and the analyses used were Chi-square tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman’s rho and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient Type III. Results: The expert raters assessed the teams’ performance as either advanced novice or competent, with significant differences being found between the teams from different specialties. Significant differences were found between the expert raters’ assessments and the registered nurses’ self-assessments. Conclusions: Teams of registered nurses representing specialties with coronary patients exhibit a higher competence in non-technical skills compared to team performance regarding a simulated cardiac arrest. The use of expert raters’ assessments and registered nurses’ self-assessments are useful in raising awareness of team performance with regard to patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fournier's gangrene is a rare, rapidly progressive, necrotizing fasciitis of the external genitalia and perineum. Case series have shown a mortality rate of 20% to 40% with an incidence of as high as 88% in some reports. In this study we aimed to share our experience in the management of Fournier's gangrene and to identify risk factors that affect mortality. Methods: The medical records of 50 patients with Fournier's gangrene who presented at the University Hospital Hassan II of Fez from January 2003 to December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively to analyze the outcome and identify the risk factors and prognostic indicators of mortality. Results: Ten males and five females were enrolled in the study. The mean age was 54 years (range 23-81). The most common predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus (34%). E. coli was the most frequent bacterial organisms cultured. All patients were treated with a common approach of resuscitation, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and wide surgical excision. The mortality rate was 24%. The advanced age, renal failure on admission, extension of infection to the abdominal wall, occurrence of septic shock and need for postoperative mechanical ventilation are the main prognostic factors of mortality. In multivariate analysis, none of these variables is an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions: Fournier's gangrene is still a very severe disease with high mortality rates. Early recognition of infection associated with invasive and aggressive treatment is essential for attempting to reduce these prognostic indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background African-Americans are more insulin-resistant than whites but have lower triglyceride (TG) concentrations. The metabolic basis for this is unknown. Our goal was to determine in a cross-sectional study the effect of insulin resistance, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and the apolipoproteins, B, C-III and E, on race differences in TG content of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). Methods The participants were 31 women (16 African-American, 15 white) of similar age (37 ± 9 vs. 38 ± 11y (mean ± SD), P = 0.72) and BMI (32.4 ± 7.2 vs. 29.3 ± 6.0 kg/m2, P = 0.21). A standard diet (33% fat, 52% carbohydrate, 15% protein) was given for 7 days followed by a test meal (40% fat, 40% carbohydrate, 20% protein) on Day 8. Insulin sensitivity index (SI) was calculated from the minimal model. VAT was measured at L2-3. The influence of race, SI, VAT and apolipoproteins on the TG content of VLDL was determined by random effects models (REM). Results African-Americans were more insulin-resistant (SI: 3.6 ± 1.3 vs. 5.6 ± 2.6 mU/L-1.min-1, P < 0.01) with less VAT (75 ± 59 vs. 102 ± 71 cm2, P < 0.01). TG, apoB and apoC-III content of light and dense VLDL were lower in African-Americans (all P < 0.05 except for apoC-III in light VLDL, P = 0.11). ApoE content did not vary by race. In REM, VAT but not SI influenced the TG concentration of VLDL. In models with race, SI, VAT and all apolipoproteins entered, race was not significant but apoC-III and VAT remained significant determinants of TG concentration in light and dense VLDL. Conclusions Low concentrations of apoC-III and VAT in African-Americans contribute to race differences in TG concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "A study to assess the validity of applied kinesiology (AK) as a diagnostic tool and as a nonlocal proximity effect," by S. Schwartz and colleagues is presented.