OuluREPO University of Oulu repository
Not a member yet
54977 research outputs found
Sort by
Impacto ambiental da terapêutica inalada no tratamento da asma [The environmental impact of inhaled therapy in asthma treatment]
No full textResumo
O setor da saúde é responsável por 4,4% das emissões de gases com efeito de estufa a nível mundial, sendo a cadeia de abastecimento de produtos farmacêuticos e dispositivos médicos a sua principal fonte. No tratamento da asma, os inaladores têm um impacto ambiental significativo, especialmente os inaladores pressurizados de dose calibrada (pMDI), devido ao uso de gases propelentes. Alternativas como inaladores de pó seco (DPI) ou dispositivos de névoa suave apresentam menor potencial de aquecimento global, mas a escolha do dispositivo deve ser primariamente adequada à clínica e ao doente. A otimização do diagnóstico, abordagem de fatores de agravamento e instituição de terapêutica adequada são algumas estratégias fundamentais para reduzir o impacto ambiental. Neste artigo é feita uma revisão da evidência científica sobre o impacto ambiental dos inaladores no tratamento da asma que serve de base à identificação de estratégias práticas, passíveis de implementação no dia-a-dia, visando reduzir a pegada de carbono.Abstract
The healthcare sector is responsible for about 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The healthcare supply chain is the main source of emissions. Due to propellant gases, asthma inhalers, particularly pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI), have a significant environmental impact. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or soft mist devices have a substantially lower global warming potential compared to pMDI, but the selection of a device should first be driven by clinical appropriateness. Improving the accuracy of asthma diagnosis and management are key factors to reduce the environmental impact of asthma treatment. This article reviews the scientific evidence on the environmental impact of inhalers in asthma treatment and identifies a set of practical strategies that can be implemented in daily practice to reduce the carbon footprint of inhaler therapy.Resumo
O setor da saúde é responsável por 4,4% das emissões de gases com efeito de estufa a nível mundial, sendo a cadeia de abastecimento de produtos farmacêuticos e dispositivos médicos a sua principal fonte. No tratamento da asma, os inaladores têm um impacto ambiental significativo, especialmente os inaladores pressurizados de dose calibrada (pMDI), devido ao uso de gases propelentes. Alternativas como inaladores de pó seco (DPI) ou dispositivos de névoa suave apresentam menor potencial de aquecimento global, mas a escolha do dispositivo deve ser primariamente adequada à clínica e ao doente. A otimização do diagnóstico, abordagem de fatores de agravamento e instituição de terapêutica adequada são algumas estratégias fundamentais para reduzir o impacto ambiental. Neste artigo é feita uma revisão da evidência científica sobre o impacto ambiental dos inaladores no tratamento da asma que serve de base à identificação de estratégias práticas, passíveis de implementação no dia-a-dia, visando reduzir a pegada de carbono.Abstract
The healthcare sector is responsible for about 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The healthcare supply chain is the main source of emissions. Due to propellant gases, asthma inhalers, particularly pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI), have a significant environmental impact. Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or soft mist devices have a substantially lower global warming potential compared to pMDI, but the selection of a device should first be driven by clinical appropriateness. Improving the accuracy of asthma diagnosis and management are key factors to reduce the environmental impact of asthma treatment. This article reviews the scientific evidence on the environmental impact of inhalers in asthma treatment and identifies a set of practical strategies that can be implemented in daily practice to reduce the carbon footprint of inhaler therapy
Briefe an den Weihnachtsmann in Finnland – eine unerforschte Textsorte: Kategorisierung und textpragmatische Auswertung
No full textAbstract
Around 500.000 letters from all over the world reach Santa‘s address in Tähtikuja (“Star Alley”) in FIN-96930 Arctic Circle, the famous post-office, every year, accumulating a unique collection of pre-digital subjective and cultural expressions in written form. These letters have been gathered by the Oulu branch of the National Archives of Finland since the late 1990s. The result: Around 25 shelf metres consisting of texts, words of art and artifacts written mainly by children, sometimes also by parents, grandparents or older siblings. The number of letters sent in is too large to archive them all and unfortunately the oldest letters, probably dating back to the 1950s, are not available anymore. The letters promise data on social developments and cultural peculiarities because of the highly diverse cultural and linguistic background they inherit. Although this scientific treasure is publicly accessible through the archive institution, it still appears to be largely unexplored and unknown. For German linguistics, the letters from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are of primary interest. The article is concerned with text linguistics and has a pragmatic focus. The classification and formation of text types will be the main angle here; nonetheless, the article also aims to outline research perspectives and starting points for further linguistic and cultural analyses in the future.Abstract
Around 500.000 letters from all over the world reach Santa‘s address in Tähtikuja (“Star Alley”) in FIN-96930 Arctic Circle, the famous post-office, every year, accumulating a unique collection of pre-digital subjective and cultural expressions in written form. These letters have been gathered by the Oulu branch of the National Archives of Finland since the late 1990s. The result: Around 25 shelf metres consisting of texts, words of art and artifacts written mainly by children, sometimes also by parents, grandparents or older siblings. The number of letters sent in is too large to archive them all and unfortunately the oldest letters, probably dating back to the 1950s, are not available anymore. The letters promise data on social developments and cultural peculiarities because of the highly diverse cultural and linguistic background they inherit. Although this scientific treasure is publicly accessible through the archive institution, it still appears to be largely unexplored and unknown. For German linguistics, the letters from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are of primary interest. The article is concerned with text linguistics and has a pragmatic focus. The classification and formation of text types will be the main angle here; nonetheless, the article also aims to outline research perspectives and starting points for further linguistic and cultural analyses in the future
Automated Thromboelastometry for Semiquantitative Assessment of High Heparin Concentrations: A Feasibility Study in Healthy Volunteers
No full textAbstract
Background and Aims:
To date, thromboelastometry has not been investigated as an assay to monitor profound heparin anticoagulation, such as is required for a safe cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of automated thromboelastometry for semiquantitative assessment of increasing heparin concentrations.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from 20 healthy adult volunteers that were recruited to participate in the study. The citrated blood tubes were spiked with unfractionated heparin to concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 IU/mL. From each concentration, point-of-care viscoelastic testing was performed using the HEPTEM, INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM cartridges of the fully automated ROTEM Sigma device. Linear mixed model with regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to analyze the data.
Results:
HEPTEM coagulation time (CT) was linearly prolonged by 5 s (95% CI, 4–6 s, p < 0.001) for each one unit increase in heparin concentration. The ROC curve on the ability of HEPTEM CT to detect heparin concentrations of ≥ 4 IU/mL had an area under the curve of 0.828 (95% CI, 0.761–0.895, p < 0.001), suggesting acceptable diagnostic performance. In contrast, all INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM parameters were invalid in the detection of heparin concentrations adequate for CPB.
Conclusion:
This study on automated thromboelastometry demonstrated a dose-dependent prolongation of HEPTEM CT when heparin concentration increased from 0 to 6 IU/mL. Furthermore, ROC analysis on the ability of HEPTEM CT to detect heparin concentrations of ≥ 4 IU/mL indicated possible diagnostic potential. These novel findings suggest that HEPTEM CT is a feasible ROTEM Sigma parameter for semiquantitative assessment of heparin concentrations required for safe CPB. However, this remains to be verified in future clinical studies.Abstract
Background and Aims:
To date, thromboelastometry has not been investigated as an assay to monitor profound heparin anticoagulation, such as is required for a safe cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of automated thromboelastometry for semiquantitative assessment of increasing heparin concentrations.
Methods:
Blood samples were collected from 20 healthy adult volunteers that were recruited to participate in the study. The citrated blood tubes were spiked with unfractionated heparin to concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 IU/mL. From each concentration, point-of-care viscoelastic testing was performed using the HEPTEM, INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM cartridges of the fully automated ROTEM Sigma device. Linear mixed model with regression analysis and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to analyze the data.
Results:
HEPTEM coagulation time (CT) was linearly prolonged by 5 s (95% CI, 4–6 s, p < 0.001) for each one unit increase in heparin concentration. The ROC curve on the ability of HEPTEM CT to detect heparin concentrations of ≥ 4 IU/mL had an area under the curve of 0.828 (95% CI, 0.761–0.895, p < 0.001), suggesting acceptable diagnostic performance. In contrast, all INTEM, EXTEM, and FIBTEM parameters were invalid in the detection of heparin concentrations adequate for CPB.
Conclusion:
This study on automated thromboelastometry demonstrated a dose-dependent prolongation of HEPTEM CT when heparin concentration increased from 0 to 6 IU/mL. Furthermore, ROC analysis on the ability of HEPTEM CT to detect heparin concentrations of ≥ 4 IU/mL indicated possible diagnostic potential. These novel findings suggest that HEPTEM CT is a feasible ROTEM Sigma parameter for semiquantitative assessment of heparin concentrations required for safe CPB. However, this remains to be verified in future clinical studies
Human Skeletal Muscle Mitochondria Responses to Weight Loss Induced by Bariatric Surgery or Lifestyle Intervention
No full textAbstract
Aim:
We investigated how weight loss induced by bariatric surgery or lifestyle intervention affects skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism.
Methods:
We studied two weight-loss cohorts: RYSA (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2; n = 39, including 18 with diabetes) undergoing bariatric surgery, and CRYO (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; n = 19) undergoing a lifestyle intervention with a low-calorie diet. Assessments were performed at 5–6 and 12 months and included muscle proteome (LC–MS/MS), mitochondrial biogenesis by mtDNA amount (qPCR), number and morphology (transmission electron microscopy) in both cohorts, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity (high-resolution respirometry) in the surgery cohort.
Results:
Both cohorts achieved clinically meaningful weight loss, greater following surgery (24.4% vs 9.0% at 12 months). Per 1% weight loss, bariatric surgery was associated with significant downregulation of glycolysis pathways at 12 months. OXPHOS complex subunit proteins were associated with upregulation in individuals without diabetes but downregulation in those with diabetes. Lifestyle intervention was associated with downregulated OXPHOS complex subunits at 5 months. Mitochondrial morphology remained unchanged, while mtDNA amount correlated negatively with weight loss percentage in both cohorts. In the surgery cohort, complex I and complex I + II-mediated respiration increased 3.2- and 2.9-fold at 12 months, reflecting improved oxidative capacity.
Conclusion:
Bariatric surgery was associated with increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration despite unchanged morphology and reduced mtDNA amount, whereas lifestyle-induced weight loss showed a transient downregulation of OXPHOS-related proteins with other mitochondrial markers remaining stable. Surgery-induced weight loss may reflect improved mitochondrial efficiency in skeletal muscle, potentially influenced by diabetes status. Long-term functional mitochondrial adaptations after weight loss require future studies.
Trial Registration:
RYSA: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02882685; CRYO: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01312090Abstract
Aim:
We investigated how weight loss induced by bariatric surgery or lifestyle intervention affects skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism.
Methods:
We studied two weight-loss cohorts: RYSA (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2; n = 39, including 18 with diabetes) undergoing bariatric surgery, and CRYO (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; n = 19) undergoing a lifestyle intervention with a low-calorie diet. Assessments were performed at 5–6 and 12 months and included muscle proteome (LC–MS/MS), mitochondrial biogenesis by mtDNA amount (qPCR), number and morphology (transmission electron microscopy) in both cohorts, and mitochondrial oxidative capacity (high-resolution respirometry) in the surgery cohort.
Results:
Both cohorts achieved clinically meaningful weight loss, greater following surgery (24.4% vs 9.0% at 12 months). Per 1% weight loss, bariatric surgery was associated with significant downregulation of glycolysis pathways at 12 months. OXPHOS complex subunit proteins were associated with upregulation in individuals without diabetes but downregulation in those with diabetes. Lifestyle intervention was associated with downregulated OXPHOS complex subunits at 5 months. Mitochondrial morphology remained unchanged, while mtDNA amount correlated negatively with weight loss percentage in both cohorts. In the surgery cohort, complex I and complex I + II-mediated respiration increased 3.2- and 2.9-fold at 12 months, reflecting improved oxidative capacity.
Conclusion:
Bariatric surgery was associated with increased skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiration despite unchanged morphology and reduced mtDNA amount, whereas lifestyle-induced weight loss showed a transient downregulation of OXPHOS-related proteins with other mitochondrial markers remaining stable. Surgery-induced weight loss may reflect improved mitochondrial efficiency in skeletal muscle, potentially influenced by diabetes status. Long-term functional mitochondrial adaptations after weight loss require future studies.
Trial Registration:
RYSA: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02882685; CRYO: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT0131209
Effect of PVP Concentration on the Crystalline Structure and Morphology of Hydroxyapatite via Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis
No full textAbstract
In this study, hydroxyapatite was synthesized using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O) and ammonium phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) served as precursors in a pH 10 ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) solution. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was employed as a surfactant at varying concentrations of 0 (M0), 0.1% (M1), 0.2% (M2), and 0.3%wt (M3) to control particle size and morphology. The synthesized samples were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of PVP during synthesis resulted in Ca/P ratios ranging from 0.93 to 1.37, and promoted predominantly rod-like morphologies. Samples M1 and M3 exhibited average diameters of 11.23–104.24 nm and lengths of 47.21–222.32 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of both hexagonal and monoclinic phases, with crystallite sizes varying from 18.66 to 22.49 nm. FTIR spectra of sample M1 revealed an elongation at 3432 cm−1 corresponding to OH− groups, indicative of water absorption within the material structure. Vibrational bands at 2950–2300, 1090, and 975 cm−1, attributed to C–H bonds in PVP were also identified. These findings highlight the influence of PVP concentration on the structural and morphological properties of hydroxyapatite, providing insights into its potential applications in various fields.Abstract
In this study, hydroxyapatite was synthesized using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. Calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca(NO3)2·4H2O) and ammonium phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) served as precursors in a pH 10 ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) solution. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was employed as a surfactant at varying concentrations of 0 (M0), 0.1% (M1), 0.2% (M2), and 0.3%wt (M3) to control particle size and morphology. The synthesized samples were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of PVP during synthesis resulted in Ca/P ratios ranging from 0.93 to 1.37, and promoted predominantly rod-like morphologies. Samples M1 and M3 exhibited average diameters of 11.23–104.24 nm and lengths of 47.21–222.32 nm. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of both hexagonal and monoclinic phases, with crystallite sizes varying from 18.66 to 22.49 nm. FTIR spectra of sample M1 revealed an elongation at 3432 cm−1 corresponding to OH− groups, indicative of water absorption within the material structure. Vibrational bands at 2950–2300, 1090, and 975 cm−1, attributed to C–H bonds in PVP were also identified. These findings highlight the influence of PVP concentration on the structural and morphological properties of hydroxyapatite, providing insights into its potential applications in various fields
A Novel Explainable and Health-aware Food Recommender System
No full textAbstract
Food recommendation systems are increasingly being used by online food services to make recommendations. Health factors are often ignored in most of these systems, despite the fact that unhealthy diets are connected to a wide range of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, if users do not receive compelling explanations about the recommended healthy foods, they may become hesitant to try them. In this paper, a novel explainable and health-aware food recommender system is developed to address these challenges. For this purpose, user’s preferences and food health factors are taken into account simultaneously and then a rule-based mechanism is employed for final healthy and explainable recommendations. Five performance metrics were used to compare our system with different new recommender systems. Using a dataset crawled from ”Allrecipes.com”, the proposed model is shown to perform best.Abstract
Food recommendation systems are increasingly being used by online food services to make recommendations. Health factors are often ignored in most of these systems, despite the fact that unhealthy diets are connected to a wide range of non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, if users do not receive compelling explanations about the recommended healthy foods, they may become hesitant to try them. In this paper, a novel explainable and health-aware food recommender system is developed to address these challenges. For this purpose, user’s preferences and food health factors are taken into account simultaneously and then a rule-based mechanism is employed for final healthy and explainable recommendations. Five performance metrics were used to compare our system with different new recommender systems. Using a dataset crawled from ”Allrecipes.com”, the proposed model is shown to perform best
The relationship between food allergies and gut microbiota in young children
No full textLasten ruoka-aineallergiat ovat autoimmuunitauteja, joihin sairastuu vuosittain miljoonia nuoria lapsia. Maailmanlaajuisesti joka kymmenes lapsi kärsii elämänsä aikana vähintään yhdestä ruoka-aineallergiasta, ja luvut kasvavat vuosittain yhä vain suuremmiksi. Monet lapsista paranevat toki ajan myötä varhaislapsuuden ruoka-aineallergioistaan, mutta kaikki lapset eivät kuitenkaan ole yhtä onnekkaita. Lisäksi parantavien hoitokeinojen puute sekä ruoka-aineallergioiden määrän eksponentiaalinen kasvu ovat tehneet lasten ruoka-aineallergioista globaalin terveyshaitan.
Lapsen ruoka-aineallergian kehittymiseen vaikuttavat monet asiat, mutta erityisesti lapsen immuunipuolustuksella sekä suoliston mikrobistolla on paljon vaikutusta ruoka-aineallergian puhkeamiseen. Lähivuosina tutkijat ovat täten erityisesti kiinnittäneet huomiota lasten suoliston mikrobiston koostumukseen sekä ruoka-aineallergioiden väliseen suhteeseen. David Strachanin kehittelemän hygieeniahypoteesin (1989) avulla tutkijat ovat täten alkaneet ymmärtämään suoliston mikrobiston roolia ruoka-aineallergiassa entistä paremmin, sekä kehittämään uusia mahdollisia teorioita lasten ruoka-aineallergioiden riskiä kasvattaville tekijöille.
Viimeaikaiset tutkimukset ovat paljastaneet, että lapsen geneettisen taustan, immuunipuolustuksen sekä mikrobiston lisäksi monet asiat, kuten esimerkiksi kodin ympäristö, antibiootit, ravinto, synnytystapa sekä äidin jakamat mikrobit vaikuttavat varhaislapsuuden ruoka-aineallergian riskiin. Edellä mainittujen tekijöiden aiheuttamat muutokset lapsen varhaislapsuuden mikrobistossa voivat lisätä tai vähentää lapsen ruoka-aineallergian riskiä, joissain tapauksissa jopa moninkertaisesti. Varhaislapsuus on myös mikrobien kolonisaation kannalta olennaista aikaa, sillä varhaislapsuudessa lapsen suolistoa kolonisoi lähes kuukausittain uudet mikrobit. Tämä puolestaan kasvattaa sekä kehittää vauvan mikrobiston diversiteettiä. Hidastunut mikrobiston kehitys varhaislapsuudessa puolestaan voi johtaa allergiadiagnoosiin, ja täten varhaislapsuus on kriittistä aikaa lapsen allergiariskin kannalta.
Mikrobit vaikuttavat selkeästi lasten ruoka-aineallergioihin, mutta parantavien hoitokeinojen löytäminen on vielä epävarmaa. Mikrobien tarkat toimintamekanismit allergisessa reaktiossa ovat epäselviä tutkijoille, sekä universaalin ”terveen” mikrobiston määrittäminen aiheuttaa myös erimielisyyksiä tutkijoiden keskuudessa. Tämän lisäksi bakteerisukujen diversiteetit vaikeuttavat tarkkojen tuloksien antamista edes sukutasolla. Erimielisyyksistä huolimatta tutkijat ovat lähes varmoja siitä, että lasten suoliston limakalvon immuunijärjestelmä sekä mikrobisto ovat ruoka-aineallergian ehkäisyn kannalta erittäin oleellisessa asemassa
Separoidun kuivajakeen, hiekan ja turpeen mikrobiologinen laatu ja kuiva- ainepitoisuus lypsylehmien kuivituksessa
No full textThe role of co-occurring obesity in the association between lumbar disc degeneration and disability related to low back pain
No full textAbstract
Background:
Low back pain (LBP) and obesity-related diseases cause a significant burden to both individuals and societies. Although not confirmed by all studies, a significant association has been found between lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and LBP. The role of obesity in this association is not known. Our aim was to investigate whether obesity, measured by different indicators, modifies the association between LDD and LBP-related disability.
Methods:
A total of 1080 individuals who had experienced LBP during the previous year responded to questionnaires, participated in a clinical examination, and underwent 1.5-T lumbar magnetic resonance imaging at the age of 47. Full data were available for 842 individuals. LBP-related disability (numerical rating scale, range 0–10) was assessed as the outcome. LDD was evaluated by a Pfirrmann-based sum score (range 0–15) and was assessed as the exposure. As regards outcome and exposure, higher values reflected a greater disability or LDD burden, respectively. The role of obesity (according to five different anthropometric indicators) in the association between the LDD sum score and LBP-related disability was analysed using general linear regression models stratified by the presence of obesity. Adjustments were made for sex, smoking, education, leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical exposure, Modic changes and disc herniations.
Results:
A significant positive association between LDD and LBP-related disability was observed among the individuals without obesity, regardless of the anthropometric indicator used: body mass index (adjusted beta [ß] = 0.119, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 0.030–0.208, p = 0.009), waist circumference (0.134, 0.038–0.231, p = 0.007), body fat percentage (0.187, 0.091–0.283, p < 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (0.149, 0.064–0.235, p < 0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (0.171, 0.067–0.275, p = 0.001). No significant associations were detected between LDD and LBP-related disability among the individuals with obesity.
Conclusions:
LDD is associated with LBP-related disability among individuals without obesity but not among those with obesity. Although this cross-sectional study cannot establish causality, the findings suggest that LBP-related disability may be related also to factors other than LDD burden among individuals with obesity. This study adds to the evidence that obesity may modify the association between LDD and LBP-related disability.Abstract
Background:
Low back pain (LBP) and obesity-related diseases cause a significant burden to both individuals and societies. Although not confirmed by all studies, a significant association has been found between lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and LBP. The role of obesity in this association is not known. Our aim was to investigate whether obesity, measured by different indicators, modifies the association between LDD and LBP-related disability.
Methods:
A total of 1080 individuals who had experienced LBP during the previous year responded to questionnaires, participated in a clinical examination, and underwent 1.5-T lumbar magnetic resonance imaging at the age of 47. Full data were available for 842 individuals. LBP-related disability (numerical rating scale, range 0–10) was assessed as the outcome. LDD was evaluated by a Pfirrmann-based sum score (range 0–15) and was assessed as the exposure. As regards outcome and exposure, higher values reflected a greater disability or LDD burden, respectively. The role of obesity (according to five different anthropometric indicators) in the association between the LDD sum score and LBP-related disability was analysed using general linear regression models stratified by the presence of obesity. Adjustments were made for sex, smoking, education, leisure-time physical activity, occupational physical exposure, Modic changes and disc herniations.
Results:
A significant positive association between LDD and LBP-related disability was observed among the individuals without obesity, regardless of the anthropometric indicator used: body mass index (adjusted beta [ß] = 0.119, 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 0.030–0.208, p = 0.009), waist circumference (0.134, 0.038–0.231, p = 0.007), body fat percentage (0.187, 0.091–0.283, p < 0.001), waist-to-height ratio (0.149, 0.064–0.235, p < 0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (0.171, 0.067–0.275, p = 0.001). No significant associations were detected between LDD and LBP-related disability among the individuals with obesity.
Conclusions:
LDD is associated with LBP-related disability among individuals without obesity but not among those with obesity. Although this cross-sectional study cannot establish causality, the findings suggest that LBP-related disability may be related also to factors other than LDD burden among individuals with obesity. This study adds to the evidence that obesity may modify the association between LDD and LBP-related disability
The marginalisation of Māori academics
No full textAbstract
There is reason to be concerned about the future of the Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand) academy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Qualitative research a decade ago pointed to issues of Māori being exploited and excluded by their universities. More recent quantitative research suggests some serious pay and role inequalities for Māori and particularly for Māori women. Between 2021 and 2024, we interviewed 33 Māori academics about how universities exclude and exploit them. In this article, we share one of five findings. The findings presented here suggests universities nudge Māori academics to the margins of their institutions. We offer future research directions. Specifically, we ask researchers to consider whether Māori academics are rendered active in the pursuit of university outcomes in the margins. We turn to the critical field of organisation studies to help us chart a path forward for scholarship. The value in this article lies in the empirical material produced in interviews with Māori academics.Abstract
There is reason to be concerned about the future of the Māori (Indigenous people of New Zealand) academy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Qualitative research a decade ago pointed to issues of Māori being exploited and excluded by their universities. More recent quantitative research suggests some serious pay and role inequalities for Māori and particularly for Māori women. Between 2021 and 2024, we interviewed 33 Māori academics about how universities exclude and exploit them. In this article, we share one of five findings. The findings presented here suggests universities nudge Māori academics to the margins of their institutions. We offer future research directions. Specifically, we ask researchers to consider whether Māori academics are rendered active in the pursuit of university outcomes in the margins. We turn to the critical field of organisation studies to help us chart a path forward for scholarship. The value in this article lies in the empirical material produced in interviews with Māori academics