Comparison between plasma neopterin and the urine neopterin : creatinine ratio as inflammatory biomarkers

Abstract: Background: Neopterin, a product of cell-mediated immunity, is a non-specific biomarker of inflammation. Plasma/serum is generally the body fluid of choice for neopterin assessment, but urine is often used as it does away with venepuncture. Analysis of urine neopterin is based on collection of a single urine sample and expressed as μmol neopterin/mol creatinine. Objectives: To examine published correlations between plasma neopterin levels and urine neopterin:creatinine ratios and to determine whether they are in diagnostic agreement. Methods: Literature search was performed by databases and by hand. Databases included Academic Search Complete; Africa- Wide Information; AHFS Consumer Medication Information; eBook Collection (EBSCOhost); Family & Society Studies Worldwide; MasterFILE Premier; MEDLINE; TOC Premier. Results: Positive correlations of varying statistical significance generally exist between plasma neopterin and urine neopterin: creatinine ratios. With a decline in renal clearance, plasma neopterin over-estimates inflammatory activity. With immune-complex renal disease, urine neopterin:creatinine ratios over-estimate systemic inflammation. The two biomarkers can differ in diagnostic validity. Conclusion: Correlations between plasma neopterin and urine neopterin:creatinine ratios suggest both as suitable biomarkers. However, since correlations reflect equality of means and not individual values, significant correlations, do not necessarily imply diagnostic agreement. Therefore, plasma and urine cannot summarily be assumed interchangeable for diagnostic/prognostic purposes

Voorspelling van oorlewing in 'n chirurgiese intensiewesorgeenheid

Doel: Om die voorspellingswaarde van , 14 bestaande voorspellings programme op chirurgiese intensiewesorgpasiente te toets en om n oorlewingsvoorspellingsmodel vir die chirurgiese intensiewesorgeenheid (ClSE) te ontwikkel wat as instrument kan dien om kliniese besluitneming te vergemaklik. Ontwerp: Retrospektiewe en prospektiewe versameling en rekenarisering van kliniese, fisiologiese en biochemiese veranderlikes. Student se t-toets, logistiese regressie, sensitiwiteits- en spesifisiteitsberekening met behulp van tweerigting tabelle. Plek: Chirurgiese  Intensiewesorgeenheid, H. F. Verwoerd-hospitaal, Pretoria. Pasientpopulasie: Retrospektiewe deel van studie: 188 pasiente; prospektiewe deel: 104 pasiente. Bevindingsmaatstawwe: Statisties betekenisvolle verskille tussen die tellings van oorlewendes en nieoorlewendes. Aanvaarbare sensitiwiteit en spesifisiteit van ontwikkelde model. Resultate: AI 14 bestaande voorspellingsprogramme beskik oor die vennoe om te onderskei tussen die opnamedagtellings van oorlewendes en nie-oorlewendes en het, by implikasie, dus prognostiese geldigheid. Die statistiese betekenisvolheid geassosieer met die onderskeie programme het gewissel van P < 0.01 tot P < 0.0001. 'n Reeks van opeenvolgende oorlewingsvoorspel1ingsmodelle, ontwikkel deur logistiese regressie-analise op die bes passende voorspellingsprogramme, het uiteindelik gelei tot die ontwikkeling van 'n model met 'n sensitiwiteit van 93% en 'n spesifisiteit van 66%. Gevolgtrekking: Verskeie bestaande voorspellingsprogramme kan bydra tot kliniese besluitneming. Voorspellingsmodelle hieruit ontwikkel moet voor implementering herhaaldelik op opeenvolgende groepe van die teikenpopulasie getoets word. Beide die programme en die modelle behoort as bykomstige prognostiese ondersteuningsfaktore gebruik te word eerder as absolute aanduidings van uitkoms.S Afr Med J 1996: 86: 1417 -142

Cynicism as subscale of burnout

BACKGROUND: Cynicism, as a personality trait, has adverse effects on health. The question was asked whether cynical attitudes that develop due to work-related stress correlate with stress levels and whether it has a negative influence on health. OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations of the cynicism subscale scores of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) with levels of stress, anxiety, questionnaire-based physical health and with a number of physiological health risk indicators. METHODS: Cynicism, anxiety, questionnaire-based physical health scores, as well as allostatic load, heart rate variability and C-reactive protein, were assessed in 27 males working between 40 and 80 irregular hours per week. RESULTS: Cynicism scores related to stress levels (r=0.411, p=0.030). Effects of work-related cynicism on physical health were suggested by negative associations with questionnaire-based scores on physical health (r=-0.383, p=0.044) and heart rate variability indicators (r=-0.379, p=0.047 to r=-0.496, p=0.007), and by positive associations with anxiety levels (r=0.408, p=0.031), heart rate (r=0.449, p=0.017), BMI (r=0.426, p=0.024) allostatic load (r=0.360, p=0.065) and levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (r=0.407, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Cynicism, as reflected by the MBI-GS, increases with increased stress levels and could contribute to the decline in the health reported for burnout.http://www.iospress.nl/journal/workhj2017School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Allostatic load and heart rate variability as health risk indicators.

Background: Uncertainty often exists about the comparability of results obtained by different health risk indicator systems. Objectives: To compare two health risk indicator systems, i.e, allostatic load and heart rate variability (HRV). Additionally, to investigate the feasibility of inclusion of HRV indicators into allostatic load assessments and which HRV indicators are best to introduce. Methods: Allostatic loads were calculated based on blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, CRP, albumin, glycosylated haemoglobin, blood glucose and cortisol excretion. Allostatic load scores were compared to HRV results obtained by frequency domain, time domain and Poincar\ue9 analyses. Results: Negative correlations were found between allostatic loads and total HRV, for all periods and all HRV analytical techniques (r=-0.67, p=0.0001 to r=-0.435, p=0.035), and between allostatic loads and vagal measures of HRV for supine (r=-0.592, p=0.001 to r=-0.584, p=0.001) and the first 5 minutes standing (r=-0.443, p=0.021 to r=-0.407, p=0.035), with all HRV techniques. Heart rate responses declined with increases in allostatic loads. Conclusion: HRV and allostatic load scores give comparable results as health risk indicators. Baseline total HRV and vagal, rather than sympathetic, measures of HRV should be introduced into allostatic load assessments. Results are in line with the concept of vagal tone as a regulator of allostatic systems. Inclusion of heart rate responses to orthostatic stress, into allostatic load assessments, warrants further investigation

Reflections on pellagra, the then and the now

By the mid-20th century, pellagra had virtually been eradicated from the USA and Europe. In contrast, outbreaks of pellagra, as diagnosed by skin lesions, today still occur in sub-Saharan Africa. We argue that outbreaks of pellagra in sub-Saharan regions are not only maintained by food insecurity, but that it is further aggravated by the burden of communicable diseases and excessive alcohol consumption. In addition, we argue from a historical point of view, that the prevalence of pellagra is underestimated when based only on dermatological symptoms.https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/MedHistor/aboutam2023PsychiatrySchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Pathophysiological aspects of exposure to dampness-associated indoor mould and mycotoxins : a mini-overview

Indoor mould growth presents a potential health risk. The aim of this writing is to provide an overview on the pathophysiological aspects of exposure to dampness-associated indoor mould and mycotoxins. The paper briefly deals with the host’s defence against mould invasion; mechanisms by which moulds can override the host’s de- fence mechanisms; potential adverse health effects posed by moulds, as well as symptoms and disorders associated with exposure to indoor moulds, including respiratory disorders, and non-respiratory disorders. References to re- cent in-depth reviews on specific aspects of the subject are provided. The prominent role of the inflammatory response, both as a defence mechanism against mould invasion and as the basis for mould-associated pathology is pointed out.www.elsevier.com/locate/hazadvam2024PsychiatrySchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

A correlational study on attachment dimensions, academic performance and self-regulated learning of university students in South Africa

An association between attachment and academic performance appears to be consistently found in children; however, reports on such an association in adolescents are contradictory. This study aimed to determine whether the attachment dimensions of anxiety or avoidance significantly correlate with a student’s academic performance at university. Moreover, since individual differences in attachment index distinct self-regulatory capacities, this study aimed to determine whether any correlation exists between a student’s attachment dimensions and measures of self-regulated learning. Attachment dimensions were determined by the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire, while self-regulated learning was determined by the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, in a sample of university students (n = 185). Neither attachment dimensions correlated significantly with measures of academic performance. However, attachment dimensions did significantly correlate with measures of self-regulated learning in this study.In part by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa for the grant, Unique Grant No. 94171, the University Research Committee of the University of Johannesburg and a Postgraduate Research Bursary from the University of Pretoria.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ccje202021-01-09hj2019Psychiatr

Dance as physical exercise for older people

The importance of adequate physical activity for older people cannot be overestimated. Evidence exists that physical exercise can improve quality of life; benefit brain areas involved with executive control; delay the age-related decline in functional ability; offer a degree of protection against certain physical and mental disorders; reduce the prevalence of falls by improving flexibility, balance, and muscle strength; and potentially promote longevity. On cellular and molecular levels, aging is said to be marked by genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, impaired protein homeostasis, deregulation of systems involved in nutrient sensing, a decline in mitochondrial integrity and biogenesis, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and changes in intercellular communication. Plausible indications are that physical activity, especially aerobic and resistance training, can have positive anti-aging effects through attenuation of such cellular and molecular mechanisms. Not everyone likes structured exercise; however, various alternatives exist. One alternative is recreational dancing – an activity primarily selected for fun and social interaction, rather than health benefits. We briefly examined the potential benefits of amateur/recreational dance, as a form of exercise, for the health and well-being of older people. A literature search was performed through electronic databases as well as manually. Electronic databases searched were EBSCOhost Research Interface databases; Academic Search Complete; APA; CINAHL and MEDLINE.http://www.sajs.co.zahj2021Internal MedicinePsychiatr