pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and clustered cardiometabolic risk in 10- to 12-year-old school children: The REACH Y6 study

Objectives: 1. Investigate whether clustered cardiometabolic risk score, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), sedentary time (ST) and body mass index Z-scores (BMI Z-scores), differed between participants that met and did not achieve ≥60mins of daily moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MPVA). 2. Compare clustered cardiometabolic risk score, BMI Z-score, ST and MVPA by CRF status.\ud
Methods: 101 (n = 45 boys) 10-12year old participants took part in this cross-sectional study, conducted in Liverpool (Summer 2010) and Ulster (Spring 2011) UK. Assessments of: blood markers, stature, sitting stature, body mass, waist circumference, flow mediated dilation, and resting blood pressure were completed.  CRF (VO2peak) was estimated using an individually calibrated treadmill protocol. Habitual MPVA and ST were assessed using an individually calibrated accelerometer protocol. Clustered cardiometabolic risk scores were calculated using blood markers and anthropometric measures. Participants were classified as active (≥60mins MVPA) or inactive and as fit or unfit. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to investigate differences in cardiometabolic risk, BMI Z-score, CRF and ST by activity status. MANCOVA was also completed to assess differences in cardiometabolic risk, MVPA, ST, and BMI Z-score by fitness status.\ud
Results: Inactive children exhibited significantly higher clustered cardiometabolic risk scores and ST, and lower CRF than active children. Unfit participants exhibited significantly higher clustered cardiometabolic risk scores, BMI Z-scores and ST and lower MVPA in comparison to fit participants. \ud
Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of children achieving 60mins MVPA daily and provides further evidence surrounding the importance of CRF for health
Disposable collection kit for rapid and reliable collection of saliva

ObjectivesTo describe and evaluate disposable saliva collection kit for rapid, reliable, and reproducible collection of saliva samples.MethodsThe saliva collection kit comprised of a saliva absorbent swab and an extractor unit was used to retrieve whole saliva samples from 10 subjects. The accuracy and precision of the extracted volumes (3, 10, and 30 μl) were compared to similar volumes drawn from control samples obtained by passive drool. Additionally, the impact of kit collection method on subsequent immunoassay results was verified by assessing salivary cortisol levels in the samples and comparing them to controls.ResultsThe recovered volumes for the whole saliva samples were 3.85 ± 0.28, 10.79 ± 0.95, and 31.18 ± 1.72 μl, respectively (CV = 8.76%) and 2.91 ± 0.19, 9.75 ± 0.43, and 29.64 ± 0.91 μl, respectively, (CV = 6.36%) for the controls. There was a close correspondence between the salivary cortisol levels from the saliva samples obtained by the collection kit and the controls (R2 > 0.96).ConclusionsThe disposable saliva collection kit allows accurate and repeatable collection of fixed amounts of whole saliva and does not interfere with subsequent measurements of salivary cortisol. The simple collection process, lack of elaborate specimen recovery steps, and the short turnaround time (<3 min) should render the kit attractive to test subjects and researchers alike
Household environment and behavioral determinants of respiratory tract infection in infants and young children in northern Bangladesh

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: NASANEN-GILMORE, SPK. ...et al., 2015. Household environment and behavioral determinants of respiratory tract infection in infants and young children in northern Bangladesh. American Journal of Human Biology, doi: 10.1002/ajhb.22736, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22736. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.Objectives:  Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are one of the leading causes of under-five mortality in Bangladesh. Solid biomass fuels are the main source of domestic fuel used for cooking across Bangladesh, leading to smoke and pollution exposure in the home. This paper aims to identify risk-factors for RTI among children aged under five years in Bangladesh with a particular focus on the household environment, fuel use and cooking practices. \ud
Method: A cross-sectional household-health survey was carried out in 321 households in northern Bangladesh. The survey included care-giver interviews on cooking practices, child health and household behaviors during cooking.  Health status of the youngest child (under 5 years) from each household was recorded through maternal interviews, medical diagnosis, and assessment of biomarkers (c-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin) from finger-prick blood samples. Anthropometric status (weight, height) was recorded. \ud
Results: Children who spent ≥30 minutes/day within five feet of the stove during cooking had a  significantly increased risk of moderate/severe RTI compared with children spending <30 minutes/day close to the stove (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.20-3.86, p=0.01), independent of socio-economic status (SES), biomass fuel type (wood, dung, plant-derived, compressed risk husks), child age, anthropometric status, CRP and hemoglobin. \ud
Conclusions:  In environments with a heavy reliance on solid biomass fuels, the amount of time a child spends near the stove during cooking may be an important risk for RTI. These novel findings from Bangladesh warrant further investigation of mother-infant behaviors during cooking in relation to child health, to ascertain whether the association is likely to be causal
Intergenerational changes in knee height among Maya mothers and their adult daughters from Merida, Mexico

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: AZCORRA, H. ... et al, 2015. Intergenerational changes in knee height among Maya mothers and their adult daughters from Merida, Mexico. American Journal of Human Biology, 27(6), pp.792–797., which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22752. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."Objectives To analyze differences in knee height (KH) between adult Maya\ud
mothers and daughters in the city of Merida, Mexico, and determine if these\ud
differences are associated to their childhood socioeconomic conditions. Methods\ud
From September 2011 to January 2014, we measured KH and collected data on\ud
childhood conditions (place of birth, type of drinking water, family size [FS] and\ud
fathers’ occupation) from a sample of 180 Maya mother-daughter dyads. Mean\ud
intergenerational difference in KH was calculated and compared for each category\ud
of socioeconomic variables and a multiple regression model was adjusted to\ud
assess the association between childhood conditions and difference in KH.\ud
Results A relative increase of 1.05 cm (SD = 2.3 cm) or 0.45 standard deviations\ud
(effect size of difference) was observed in KH between generations. Place of birth\ud
and FS were significantly associated to KH. The intergenerational KH difference\ud
was 1.6 cm longer when mothers were born outside Merida but daughters were\ud
born in the city. Daughters with larger FS than their mothers associated to a\ud
decrease in KH difference (1.6 cm) compared to daughters and mothers having the\ud
same FS. Conclusions The relative represents a portion of the expected change in growth in a group that has\ud
experienced few substantial improvements in their living conditions. Slight\ud
improvements in childhood living conditions resulting from the intergenerational\ud
transition from rural to urban environments seem to be linked to a slight\ud
intergenerational increase in KH among Maya women in Merida
Predictive Validity of the Body Adiposity Index in Costa Rican Students

Objective: To verify the validity of the body adiposity index (BAI) in a sample of Costa Rican students. Methods: Volunteers were 93 females (mean age 5 18.6 6 2.4 years) and 106 males (mean age 5 19.2 6 2.8 years). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used as the “gold standard” to determine body fat percentage (BF%). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and paired samples t-test studied the association and mean differences between BAI and DXA BF%. Concordance between BAI and DXA BF% was determined by the Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient and the Bland-Altman agreement analysis. Results: Significant correlations between BAI and DXA BF% were found for females (r 5 0.74) and males (r 5 0.53) (P < 0.001). Differences between methods were found for females (BAI 5 29.3 6 4.1% vs. DXA 5 36.5 6 7.9%) and males (BAI 5 24.8 6 3.7% vs. DXA 5 21.9 6 8.6%; P < 0.001). Concordance was poor in females and males. Bland-Altman plots showed BAI underestimating and overestimating BF% in relation to the “gold standard” in females and males, respectively. Conclusions: BAI presented low agreement with BF% measured by DXA; therefore, BAI is not recommended for BF% prediction in this Central American sample studied. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:394–397, 2016.UCR::Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Sociales::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Movimiento Humano (CIMOHU
Changes in the mandibular angle during adulthood in South Africans

OBJECTIVES : The purpose of this study was to measure the mandibular angle as a reflection of the biomechanical forces acting on the mandible and relate it to aging and loss of teeth. METHODS : 
A total of 717 mandibles of adult individuals were selected from the Pretoria Bone Collection. These mandibles were allocated to dentition subgroups according to their pattern of tooth loss. The angle of the mandible was measured with a mandibulometer. The variation in the mandibular angle was statistically analyzed by age regressions and comparisons between adjusted means of dentition subgroups. RESULTS : Aging per se was not associated with a greater mandibular angle. With limited tooth loss, aging was associated with a smaller mandibular angle in females. Generally the mandibular angle increased with tooth loss and was accentuated when an even occlusion pattern was lost rather than with more extensive tooth loss. A more pronounced increase in mandibular angle with tooth loss was noted in females and individuals of European ancestry.
CONCLUSIONS : Tooth loss and not aging is associated with an increase in the mandibular angle. Masculinity and being from African ancestry provided some protection against an increase in the mandibular angle with tooth loss. The accentuated increase in the mandibular angle when an even occlusion pattern was disturbed supports the notion that an uneven loss of teeth was indeed associated with inefficient mastication. The unexpected decrease in angle noted in females with aging but limited tooth loss may be indicative of constructive changes beyond puberty.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1520-63002017-09-30hb2016AnatomyStatistic
Genetic analysis of novel Alu insertion polymorphisms in selected Indian populations.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: LAYBOURN, S. ...et al., 2016. Genetic analysis of novel Alu insertion polymorphisms in selected Indian populations. American Journal of Human Biology, 28 (6), pp. 941-944., which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22881. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.Indian subpopulations (Chenchu, Koya, and Lobana Sikh) were analyzed at the genetic level for 12 Alu polymorphisms. These markers were then utilized to establish levels of genetic identity between the Indian populations and more widely between the Indian populations and a European population.Previously collected blood samples were extracted using the phenol-chloroform method. The samples were utilized as templates for PCR using Alu specific primers and then analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis for the presence and absence of the approximately 300 bp insertions. Allele frequencies were calculated by the gene counting method and were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, heterozygosities, inbreeding coefficient, and GST to assess the level of genetic differentiation.All of the Alu loci were polymorphic in the three Indian populations studied and their average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.294 (Lobana Sikh) to 0.357 (Koya). Allele and genotype frequency variation at the 2b, 9a, and ACE loci led to statistically significant pairwise differences among the three study populations. Overall population heterogeneity was observed for 7 out of 12 Alu polymorphisms.The overall results show that these Indian samples, though displaying significant genetic variation and differences among themselves, form an Indian cluster, which as expected, is distinct from the European sample (Russian). As Alus are easily analyzed and quantified by standard and cost-effective methodologies, this finding further reinforces their utility as effective population genetic markers. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Defying geometric similarity: shape centralization in male UK offshore workers.

Objectives - Applying geometric similarity predictions of body dimensions to specific occupational groups has the potential to reveal useful ergonomic and health implications. This study assessed a representative sample of the male UK offshore workforce, and examined how body dimensions from sites typifying musculoskeletal development or fat accumulation, differed from predicted values. Methods - A cross sectional sample was obtained across seven weight categories using quota sampling, to match the wider workforce. In total, 588 UK offshore workers, 84 from each of seven weight categories, were measured for stature, mass and underwent 3D body scans which yielded 22 dimensional measurements. Each measurement was modeled using a body-mass power law (adjusting for age), to derive its exponent, which was compared against that predicted from geometric similarity. Results - Mass scaled to stature 1.73 (CI: 1.44-2.02). Arm and leg volume increased by mass0.8, and torso volume increased by mass1.1 in contrast to mass 1.0 predicted by geometric similarity. Neck girth increased by mass 0.33 as expected, while torso girth and depth dimensions increased by mass0.53-0.72, all substantially greater than assumed by geometric similarity. 
Conclusions - After controlling for age, offshore workers experience spectacular 'super-centralization' of body shape, with greatest gains in abdominal depth and girth dimensions in areas of fat accumulation, and relative dimensional loss in limbs. These findings are consistent with the antecedents of sarcopenic obesity, and should be flagged as a health concern for this workforce, and for future targeted research and lifestyle interventions.Knowledge Transfer Partnership Grant (between Robert Gordon University and UK Offshore Oil and Gas Industry Association Ltd.), Grant/Award number: KTP00897
Immunotoxic effects of chemicals: A matrix for occupational and environmental epidemiological studies.

BACKGROUND: Many biological and chemical agents have the capacity to alter the way the immune system functions in human and animals. This study evaluates the immunotoxicity of 20 substances used widely in work environments. METHODS: A systematic literature search on the immunotoxicity of 20 chemicals was performed. The first step was to review literature on immunotoxicity testing and testing schemes adopted for establishing immunotoxicity in humans. The second step consisted of providing a documentation on immunotoxicity of substances that are widely used in work environment, by building tables for each chemical of interest (benzene, trichloroethylene, PAHs, crystalline silica, diesel exhausts, welding fumes, asbestos, styrene, formaldehyde, toluene, vinyl chloride monomer, tetrachloroethylene, chlorophenols, 1,3-butadiene, mineral oils, P-dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, xylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, ethylene oxide). The third step was the classification of substances; an index (strong, intermediate, weak, nil) was assigned on the basis of the evidence of toxicity and type of immunotoxic effects (immunosuppression, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity) on the basis of the immune responses. Finally substances were assigned a score of immunotoxic power. RESULTS: Tables have been produced that include information for the 20 substances of interest, based on 227 animal studies and 94 human studies. Each substance was assigned an index of immunotoxic evidence, a score of immunotoxic power and type of immunotoxic effect. CONCLUSIONS: This matrix can represent a tool to identify chemicals with similar properties concerning the toxicity for the immune system, and to interpret epidemiological studies on immune-related diseases
Extended high-frequency audiometry and noise induced hearing loss in cement workers

Background It has been suggested that extended high-frequency audiometry (EHEA) might be more sensitive than conventional audiometry in detecting early signs of hearing impairment. However, this technique has not been adequately tested in an occupational environment. We therefore investigated the usefulness of this method in noise-exposed workers. Methods We compared conventional frequency audiometry (0.25-8 kHz) and EHEA (9-18 kHz) in 184 noise-exposed and 98 non-noise-exposed workers. Results Both methods showed significantly higher threshold levels (P < 0.05) in noise-exposed workers for most of the tested frequencies; however, the differences were more marked for EHEA, especially in young exposed workers. Significant differences in the EHF range were detected also in the subgroup of noise-exposed workers with normal findings at conventional audiometry. Stepwise regression analysis showed that in 21 - to 40-year-old workers the noise effect was largely predominant at both conventional audiometry and EHFA, whereas in older subjects the noise effect was predominant up to 6 kHz frequency, the effect of age being significantly greater at higher frequencies. Conclusions These data indicate that EHEA is more sensitive than conventional audiometry in detecting noise induced hearing loss. However, heating loss in the EHF range seems an age-dependent phenomenon with progression into the lower speech range frequencies with increasing age. These changes seem to be accentuated in the early years by noise exposure, suggesting that EHFA could represent a useful preventive measure in young exposed workers
Factors associated with risky sun exposure behaviors among operating engineers

Background  The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with sun exposure behaviors among Operating Engineers (heavy equipment operators).    Methods  Operating Engineers (N = 498) were asked to complete a cross‐sectional survey. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to determine health behavioral, perceptional, and demographic factors associated with sun exposure behavior (sun burns, blistering, use of sunscreen, and interest in sun protection services).    Results  Almost half reported two or more sunburns/summer and the median times blistering was 2 with a range of 0–100. About one‐third never used sun block, while just over one‐third rarely used sun block. Almost one‐quarter were interested in sun protection guidance. Multivariate analyses showed that perceptions of skin type, alcohol problems, fruit intake, BMI, sleep quality, age, sex, and race were significantly associated with at least one of the outcome variables ( P  < 0.05).    Conclusions  Operating Engineers are at high risk for skin cancer due to high rates of exposure to ultraviolet light and low rates of sun block use. Subgroups of Operating Engineers are particularly at risk for sun damage. Interventions are needed to decrease sun exposure among Operating Engineers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:786–792, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Irish farm operators

pre-printBackground- To establish prevalence, risk factors and impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among farmers in Ireland.
Methods- In summer 2009, a questionnaire was appended to the Teagasc (Irish Agricultural and Food Development Authority) National Farm Survey (n=1110) to obtain data on the prevalence, risk factors and impact of WMSDs amongst farm operators in Ireland. Data were collected by trained recorders and analyzed using chi-square tests, t-tests, Mann-Whitney tests and binary logistic regression. 
Results- The prevalence of WMSDs in the previous year was 9.4% (n=103), with the most commonly affected body region being the low back 31% (n=32). Nearly 60% (n=57) of farmers reported missing at least a full day’s work as a consequence of their WMSD. Personal factors evaluated using bivariate regression analysis, were found not to influence whether or not a farmer experienced a WMSD. However, work-related factors such as larger European Size Units (ESUs) (OR=1.007, CI=1.002-1.012), greater number of hectares farmed (OR=2.50, CI=1.208-4.920), higher income (OR=1.859, CI=1.088-3.177), dairy enterprise (OR=1.734, CI=1.081-2.781), and working on a fulltime farm (OR=2.156, CI=1.399-3.321) increased the likelihood of experiencing a WMSD. The variable ‘fulltime farm’ which was associated with a higher labour unit requirement to operate the farm, was the only factor found to independently predict WMSDs in the multivariate regression analyses.
Conclusions- This study suggests that the prevalence of WMSDs can be reduced by the application of improved farm management practices. A more detailed examination of the risk factors associated with WMSDs is required to establish causality and hence, effective interventions.Health and Safety Authority, Ireland; Teagas
Precarious employment, psychosocial working conditions, and health: Cross-sectional associations in a population-based sample of working Australians

This item is under embargo for a period of 12 months from the date of publication, in accordance with the publisher's policy.Background\ud
Precarious employment has been associated with poor health, but the potential mechanisms are unclear. We examined the relationships between precarious employment and health, and investigated psychosocial working conditions as potential mediators.\ud
Methods\ud
A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted in South Australia in 2009 (N = 1,016 employed). SF-12 measures of mental and physical health were modeled using logistic regression in relation to employment arrangement, controlling for socio-demographics, years in job and psychosocial working conditions.\ud
Results\ud
There was no association between casual full-time or part-time employment and poor mental health in multivariate analyses. Conversely, there was a significant association between casual full-time employment and poor physical health (compared to permanent full-time workers, OR = 3.14, 95% CI 1.26–7.85). The association with physical health was unaffected by adjustment for psychosocial working conditions.\ud
Conclusions\ud
Casual full-time employment was strongly associated with poor physical health but not with poor mental health. This association was not mediated by the psychosocial working conditions measured in this study, but may be related to other (unmeasured) working conditions. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:838–844, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc