Anthropometric cut-offs to identify hyperglycemia in an Afro-Caribbean population: a cross-sectional population-based study from Barbados.

INTRODUCTION: Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) cut-offs associated with hyperglycemia may differ by ethnicity. We investigated the optimal BMI and WC cut-offs for identifying hyperglycemia in the predominantly Afro-Caribbean population of Barbados. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 865 individuals aged ≥25 years without known diabetes or cardiovascular disease was conducted. Hyperglycemia was defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L or hemoglobin A1c ≥5.7% (39 mmol/mol). The Youden index was used to identify the optimal cut-offs from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Further ROC analysis and multivariable log binomial regression were used to compare standard and data-derived cut-offs. RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 58.9% (95% CI 54.7% to 63.0%). In women, optimal BMI and WC cut-offs (27 kg/m2 and 87 cm, respectively) performed similarly to standard cut-offs. In men, sensitivities of the optimal cut-offs of BMI ≥24 kg/m2 (72.0%) and WC ≥86 cm (74.0%) were higher than those for standard BMI and WC obesity cut-offs (30.0% and 25%-46%, respectively), although with lower specificity. Hyperglycemia was 70% higher in men above the data-derived WC cut-off (prevalence ratio 95% CI 1.2 to 2.3). CONCLUSIONS: While BMI and WC cut-offs in Afro-Caribbean women approximate international standards, our findings, consistent with other studies, suggest lowering cut-offs in men may be warranted to improve detection of hyperglycemia. Our findings do, however, require replication in a new data set.The project was supported by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Barbados. ANW is supported by the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number K43TW010698. This paper describes the views of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health (USA)

The expression of syndecan-1 in psoriatic epidermis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by exaggerated keratinocyte proliferation. Current opinion indicates that psoriasis is driven by T cell-mediated immune responses targeting keratinocytes. However, psoriasis cannot be explained solely on the basis of T-cell activation, and it is likely that an intrinsic alteration in epidermal keratinocytes plays a very important role in disease expression. Syndecans comprise a major family of cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Several studies indicate their role in adhesion, cell-extracellular matrix interactions, migration, keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, inflammation, and wound healing. To determine the expression of syndecan-1 in psoriasis, skin samples from 29 patients with fully developed psoriasis and skin samples from 14 healthy volunteer persons with no personal or family history of psoriasis were immunohistochemically examined using monoclonal antibody against syndecan-1. The expression of syndecan-1 was analyzed in whole mount section of psoriatic and non-psoriatic skin biopsies under high magnification (400×). In addition, the intensity and topography of reaction in the cell, as well as localization of positive cells in the epidermis were evaluated. Strong syndecan-1 reactivity in epidermal cells in all non-psoriatic and psoriatic samples was observed. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences between two analyzed groups (P > 0.05). In normal skin syndecan-1 was expressed in full thickness of the epidermis. The strongest reaction was observed in membranes and intercellular junctions of spinous and granular layer while basal cells showed weaker expression that was confined to cytoplasm. In psoriatic skin syndecan-1 was expressed in the membrane and intercellular junction of cells located in thickened and elongated rete ridges of the epidermis. The strongest reaction was in basal and suprabasal layers and expression diminished through spinous layer. Cells in spinous layer lose syndecan-1 expression, which is opposite pattern to normal skin. Our results suggest that aberrant skin expression of syndecan-1 may be involved in the development of psoriasis

Addressing the urban heat islands effect: A cross-country assessment of the role of green infrastructure

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. The Urban Heat Islands (UHI) effect is a microclimatic phenomenon that especially affects urban areas. It is associated with significant temperature increases in the local microclimate, and may amplify heat waves. Due to their intensity, UHI causes not only thermal discomfort, but also reductions in the levels of life quality. This paper reviews the important role of green infrastructure as a means through which the intensity of UHI may be reduced, along with their negative impact on human comfort and wellbeing. Apart from a comprehensive review of the available literature, the paper reports on an analysis of case studies in a set of 14 cities in 13 countries representing various geographical regions and climate zones. The results obtained suggest that whereas UHI is a common phenomenon, green infrastructure in urban areas may under some conditions ameliorate their impacts. In addition, the study revealed that the scope and impacts of UHI are not uniform: depending on peculiarities of urban morphologies, they pose different challenges linked to the microclimate peculiar to each city. The implications of this paper are threefold. Firstly, it reiterates the complex interrelations of UHIs, heat waves and climate change. Secondly, it outlines the fact that keeping and increasing urban green resources leads to additional various benefits that may directly or indirectly reduce the impacts of UHI. Finally, the paper reiterates the need for city planners to pay more attention to possible UHI effects when initiating new building projects or when adjusting current ones

Airborne rhinovirus detection and effect of ultraviolet irradiation on detection by a semi-nested RT-PCR assay

BACKGROUND: Rhinovirus, the most common cause of upper respiratory tract infections, has been implicated in asthma exacerbations and possibly asthma deaths. Although the method of transmission of rhinoviruses is disputed, several studies have demonstrated that aerosol transmission is a likely method of transmission among adults. As a first step in studies of possible airborne rhinovirus transmission, we developed methods to detect aerosolized rhinovirus by extending existing technology for detecting infectious agents in nasal specimens. METHODS: We aerosolized rhinovirus in a small aerosol chamber. Experiments were conducted with decreasing concentrations of rhinovirus. To determine the effect of UV irradiation on detection of rhinoviral aerosols, we also conducted experiments in which we exposed aerosols to a UV dose of 684 mJ/m(2). Aerosols were collected on Teflon filters and rhinovirus recovered in Qiagen AVL buffer using the Qiagen QIAamp Viral RNA Kit (Qiagen Corp., Valencia, California) followed by semi-nested RT-PCR and detection by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: We obtained positive results from filter samples that had collected at least 1.3 TCID(50 )of aerosolized rhinovirus. Ultraviolet irradiation of airborne virus at doses much greater than those used in upper-room UV germicidal irradiation applications did not inhibit subsequent detection with the RT-PCR assay. CONCLUSION: The air sampling and extraction methodology developed in this study should be applicable to the detection of rhinovirus and other airborne viruses in the indoor air of offices and schools. This method, however, cannot distinguish UV inactivated virus from infectious viral particles

Evaluating the Tax Implications of Digital Business Models and Challenges they Pose for Tax Authorities

The rapid ascent of the digital economy, encompassing platforms like e-commerce, online marketplaces, and Software as a Service (SaaS), has introduced novel challenges to global tax regimes. Predominantly, traditional tax systems, built around tangible assets and physical presence, are confronting difficulties in addressing the unique revenue structures of digital businesses. This study aimed to scrutinize the diverse tax implications stemming from various digital revenue models and to evaluate the capabilities of tax authorities in developing countries in handling the intricacies of the digital economy. To achieve this, both regression analyses and Chi-Square tests were employed. Data were gathered through a questionnaire, of which 150 were distributed, and 119 were duly returned. Our findings indicate significant variations in tax implications across different digital revenue models. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, tax authorities in developing nations demonstrated notable competency in identifying taxable entities within the digital landscape. The study offers insights for policymakers and businesses alike, emphasizing the need for more adaptive and responsive tax strategies in the age of digital transformation

The Impact of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Adoption on Financial Reporting Quality in the Public Sector

<p>This research investigates the impact of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) adoption on financial reporting quality in the Nigerian public sector. The study aims to examine the perceptions and experiences of Nigerian government officials, accountants, auditors, and financial reporting experts regarding the impact of IPSAS adoption on financial reporting quality. Additionally, it analyzes the changes in financial reporting practices and compliance with IPSAS in the Nigerian public sector following its adoption. The research employs a mixed-method approach, utilizing both simple percentages and chi-square analysis for data analysis. The study addresses two hypotheses. Hypothesis 1 posits that the adoption of IPSAS in Nigeria does not positively and significantly influence the perceived financial reporting quality in the Nigerian public sector. Hypothesis 2 suggests that the level of compliance with IPSAS in the Nigerian public sector is not positively and significantly correlated with the improvement in financial reporting quality. The findings of the research indicates that the adoption of IPSAS in Nigeria indeed has a positive and significant impact on the perceived financial reporting quality in the Nigerian public sector. Furthermore, the study rejected the null Hypothesis 2, demonstrating a positive and significant correlation between the level of compliance with IPSAS and the improvement in financial reporting quality. These findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the impact of IPSAS adoption on financial reporting quality in the Nigerian public sector. The research highlights the importance of adopting IPSAS and complying with its standards to enhance financial reporting practices. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers interested in improving financial reporting quality in the public sector.</p&gt

Flood Vulnerability Assessment of Afikpo South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted in Afikpo South Local Government covering a total area of 331.5km2. Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) were integrated with multicriteria analysis to delineate the flood vulnerable areas. Seven criteria were considered; rainfall, runoff, slope, distance to drainage, drainage density, landuse and landcover, and soil. The various criteria were fit into fuzzy membership classes based on their effect in causing flood. The fuzzy members of all criteria were then overlaid to generate the flood vulnerability map. The result of the flood vulnerability map shows that very low vulnerable zones cover 86.7% of the total area, low vulnerable zones cover 1.6% of the total area, moderate vulnerable zones cover 2.17% of the total area, highly vulnerable zones cover 2.3% of the total area while very highly vulnerable zones cover 7.3% of the total area. Built up was used as a measure of the effect of flooding on human lives and properties in Afikpo South Local Government. Built up covers a total area of 38.6km2. Over sixty eight (69.8%) of built up lies in very low vulnerable zone, 3% lies in low vulnerable zone, 3.7% lies in moderate vulnerable zone, 0.6% lies in highly vulnerable zone and 17.9% lies in very highly vulnerable zone. The study provides information on target areas that may be affected by flood in Afikpo South Local Government. This information is useful for decision making on flood early warning and preparedness as well as in mitigation preparedness within Afikpo LGA

Ionospheric Currents in the Equatorial and Low Latitudes of Africa

The magnetometer data obtained for 2008 from geomagnetic stations installed across Africa by magnetic data acquisition set (MAGDAS) have been used to study the ionospheric Sq current system in the equatorial and lowlatitudes of Africa. The aim of this work is to separate the quiet-day feld variations obtained in the equatorial and low latitude regions of Africa into their external and internal feld contributions and then to use the paired external and internal coeffcients of the SHAto determine the source current and induced currents. The method used involved a spherical harmonic analysis (SHA). This was applied in the separation of the internal and external field/current contribution to the Sq variations. The result shows that the variation in the currents is seen to be a dawn-to-dusk phenomenon with the variation in the external currents different from that of the internal currents both in amplitude and in phase. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the external current maximizes during the March equinox and minimizes during the December solstice. The maximum current observed in AAB and ILR is due to the Equatorial Electrojet Current present in the AAB and ILR stations. Seasonal variation was observed in the geomagnetic component variations as well as in the currents. This is attributed to the position of the sun with respect to the earth at different months of the year. The equinoctial maximum is observed in external current intensity which occurred mostly during the March Equinox