793 research outputs found
Mediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome
No full textMediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome Background: The metabolic syndrome refers to a clustering of risk factors including abdominal obesity, hyperglycaemia, low HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridaemia, and hypertension and it is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. In this thesis we studied whether a Mediterranean diet favourably affects the metabolic syndrome. Methods: We assessed the association between a Mediterranean diet and the metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy elderly European subjects (SENECA study) and in a Dutch study population that was oversampled with subjects with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus type 2 (CoDAM study). In addition, we conducted a controlled-feeding trial to compare the effects of replacing a high saturated fatty acids (SFA) diet with a high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) diet or a Mediterranean diet on characteristics of the metabolic syndrome: HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose metabolism (glucose concentration and insulin sensitivity). Results: In both the SENECA study and the feeding trial we find support for the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on two characteristics of the metabolic syndrome, namely HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. In addition, the findings of the SENECA study suggested that subjects with good adherence to a Mediterranean diet had a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (prevalence ratio 0.81, 95%CI 0.65; 1.03) and a smaller waist circumference (-1.1 cm, 95%CI -2.4; 0.3) than subjects with poor adherence. In the CoDAM study, we did not find these associations. In none of our studies we found support for the hypothesis that a Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on glucose concentration, insulin sensitivity or blood pressure. Conclusion: This thesis finds support for a beneficial effect on two out of five characteristics of the metabolic syndrome and also suggests a beneficial effect on a third characteristic (abdominal obesity). We therefore conclude that a Mediterranean diet may help to prevent the metabolic syndrome and consequently diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular disease. <br/
Edith Södergran
No full textShort presentation of Finland-Swedish author Edith Södergran and translation of four poem
Genetic variants in lipid metabolism are independently associated with multiple features of the metabolic syndrome
No full textAbstract Background Our objective was to find single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), within transcriptional pathways of glucose and lipid metabolism, which are related to multiple features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods 373 SNPs were measured in 3575 subjects of the Doetinchem cohort. Prevalence of MetS features, i.e. hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, decreased HDL-cholesterol levels and hypertension, were measured twice in 6 years. Associations between the SNPs and the individual MetS features were analyzed by log-linear models. For SNPs related to multiple MetS features (P Results Two SNPs, CETP Ile405Val and APOE Cys112Arg, were associated with both the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol level (Ile405Val P = Cys112Arg P = 0.001) and with the prevalence of abdominal obesity (Ile405Val P = 0.007; Cys112Arg P = 0.007). For both SNPs, the association with HDL-cholesterol was partly independent of the association with abdominal obesity and vice versa. Conclusion Two SNPs, mainly known for their role in lipid metabolism, were associated with two MetS features i.e., low HDL-cholesterol concentration, as well as, independent of this association, abdominal obesity. These SNPs may help to explain why low HDL-cholesterol levels and abdominal obesity frequently co-occur.</p
Opportunities for diabetes prevention: risk factors for diabetes and cost-effectiveness of interventions = Mogelijkheden voor diabetespreventie : risicofactoren voor diabetes en kosteneffectiviteit van interventies
No full textDiabetes is already one of the most common chronic diseases in the Dutch population and a substantial further increase in the number of people with diabetes is expected in the near future. A large part of the burden of diabetes can be ascribed to the cardiovascular complications of diabetes which affect quality of life, as well as life expectancy of the patients. In this thesis we explore the opportunities to reduce the future burden of diabetes and cardiovascular diabetes complications in the Dutch population, through prevention. These opportunities depend on the existence of modifiable risk factors for diabetes and the availability of interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of diabetes or diabetes complications. In this thesis we consider the role of weight change, alcohol consumption and smoking as risk factors for diabetes and the cost-effectiveness of preventive interventions in different target populations. Body Mass Index (BMI) is acknowledged as an important modifiable risk factor for diabetes but the role of weight change is not so clear. We showed that, conditional upon initial weight, people who gained weight, had an increased risk of diabetes, compared to persons with relatively stable weight. If adjusted for initial BMI, 5-years weight change was a significant risk factor for diabetes (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.13 per kg weight change). There was no association between weight change and diabetes incidence, if the association was adjusted for attained BMI (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.94, 1.04 per kg weight change). We concluded that weight change appears to have no effect on diabetes incidence, beyond its effect on attained BMI. In previous studies, smoking has been reported to increase diabetes risk, while for alcohol consumption the lowest risk for diabetes is generally observed for people who drink moderately. We assessed the associations between these, potentially modifiable, risk factors and diabetes incidence in a Dutch population. We found a u-shaped association between alcohol consumption and diabetes incidence in Dutch women, with the lowest risk for moderate drinkers (1 or 2 drinks per day). We found no evidence for a significant association between alcohol consumption and diabetes incidence in Dutch men. Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day tended to increase diabetes risk in both men and women, but the associations were not statistically significant. There is substantial evidence that lifestyle interventions focused at improved diet and physical exercise are cost-effective in persons at high risk of developing diabetes. However, the cost-effectiveness of these interventions in other target populations was relatively unknown. We explored the potential long-term health effects and cost-effectiveness of two types of lifestyle interventions: a community-based intervention, targeted at the general Dutch population, and an individual-based intervention, targeted at obese Dutch adults. The long-term effects of these interventions were simulated with a computer-based model: the Chronic Diseases Model (CDM). We showed that the 20-year cumulative incidence of diabetes could be reduced by 0.5-2.4% through large-scale implementation of a community-based intervention, and by 0.4-1.6%, through an individual based intervention for obese adults. Both interventions were projected to reduce lifetime diabetes-related medical costs, but total health care costs increased. The cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from €3,100 to €3,900 per quality adjusted life year (QALY) for the community-based intervention, and from €3,900 to €5,500 per QALY for the individual-based intervention, which means that both interventions are cost-effective according to general standards. We also assessed the potential health effects and cost-effectiveness of seven selected lifestyle interventions for Dutch diabetes patients. Again, long-term effects were simulated with the CDM. There was a large variation in effectiveness between the seven interventions. The reductions in cumulative lifetime incidence of cardiovascular complications among participants ranged from 0.1% to 6.1%. The most effective intervention was a two year structured counseling program, aimed to increase physical activity in inactive diabetes patients. The intervention costs ranged from €124 to €584 per participant, and the cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from €10,000 to €39,000 per QALY. The impact of uncertainty in intervention costs, intervention effects, and long-term maintenance of effects, were quantified with probabilistic sensitivity analyses. These analyses revealed, that four out of seven interventions had a high probability to be very cost-effective. Besides lifestyle, appropriate medication contributes to the prevention of complications in diabetes patients. Guidelines for cardiovascular management recommend lipid lowering treatment for nearly all patients with diabetes. However, in Dutch current practice (in 2007) ‘only’ about 1 out of 3 patients received this treatment. We modeled the long-term effects on cardiovascular complications in the Dutch diabetes population, under the assumption that all patient would use lipid-lowering medication (statins). We showed that treatment for all patients (compared to current care) reduced the life-time cumulative incidence of cardiovascular complications in the Dutch diabetic population by approximately seven percent. With more realistic assumptions about effectiveness and participation, the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular complications decreased by approximately two percent. We conclude that lifestyle interventions can be cost-effective in divers target populations, including diabetes patients. Large-scale implementation of these interventions is justified, and required in order to reduce the future burden of diabetes. However, since the impact on population health, achieved through these interventions, is expected to be moderate, additional research should aim to improve currently available interventions. Simultaneously, opportunities for alternative approaches to the prevention of diabetes and its complications should be further explored
Dietary Fibre May Mitigate Sarcopenia Risk: Findings from the NU-AGE Cohort of Older European Adults
No full textSarcopenia is characterised by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and physical function as well as related metabolic disturbances. While fibre-rich diets can influence metabolic health outcomes, the impact on skeletal muscle mass and function is yet to be determined, and the moderating effects by physical activity (PA) need to be considered. The aim of the present study was to examine links between fibre intake, skeletal muscle mass and physical function in a cohort of older adults from the NU-AGE study. In 981 older adults (71 ± 4 years, 58% female), physical function was assessed using the short-physical performance battery test and handgrip strength. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was derived using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Dietary fibre intake (FI) was assessed by 7-day food record and PA was objectively determined by accelerometery. General linear models accounting for covariates including PA level, protein intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) were used. Women above the median FI had significantly higher SMI compared to those below, which remained in fully adjusted models (24.7 ± 0.2% vs. 24.2 ± 0.1%, p = 0.011, η2p = 0.012). In men, the same association was only evident in those without MetS (above median FI: 32.4 ± 0.3% vs. below median FI: 31.3 ± 0.3%, p = 0.005, η2p = 0.035). There was no significant impact of FI on physical function outcomes. The findings from this study suggest a beneficial impact of FI on skeletal muscle mass in older adults. Importantly, this impact is independent of adherence to guidelines for protein intake and PA, which further strengthens the potential role of dietary fibre in preventing sarcopenia. Further experimental work is warranted in order to elucidate the mechanisms underpinning the action of dietary fibre on the regulation of muscle mass
From bugs to buttermilk: Epidemiological and molecular aspects of gut health
No full textIn the Netherlands, one in ten people suffers from gut complaints (functional gastrointestinal disorders), which can have a high negative impact on their daily activities. Because diagnosis and treatment are not straightforward, and are often impeded by the multiple factors that play a role in gut health, it is important to improve our knowledge about gut health to aid in future diagnosis and treatment of this prevalent disorder. In this thesis I describe our research on several aspects of gut health. The major focus is on the interaction between the gut microbiota and environmental factors and on its link to gut health. We find associations between microbiota composition and 126 factors including stool consistency, smoking and buttermilk consumption. In addition, I describe the associations between food intake and gut complaints. I find, for example, a lower intake of fiber and a higher intake of meat in people with gut complaints. With regard to the relation between overall wellbeing and gut health, I find an association between more severe gut complaints and a lower quality of life. I also present the results of our search for a biomarker panel to aid in the diagnosis of gut complaints. For this panel, we identified a combination of eight components originating from blood or feces that best discriminates between patients with severe gut complaints and healthy controls, and we see a correlation between this biomarker panel and the severity of gut complaints
Correspondence of missionaries in Shantung Province, China, 1926
No full textCorrespondence and reports from missionaries in Shantung Province, China, 1926: 1) North China Kung Li Hui: Report of the General Secretaries to the Council, May 1926 / H.C. Chang, Robert E. Chandler (3 pages); 2) Notes on Staff Meeting, June 3, 1926 (2 pages); 3) Letter dated 7 June 1926 from Mrs. Lyman V. (Muriel) Cady at Tsinan, China, to Mrs. (Minnie Case) Ellis at Lintsing (2 pages); (4) Letter dated 12 June 1926 from B. J. Scoville in Saratoga, California, to Rev. Emery W. Ellis at Tehchow, China (1 page); (5) Letter dated 15 June 1926 from Minnie Case at Techow to friends (2 pages); (6) Letter dated 21 June 1926 from Robert E. Chandler to Emery W. Ellis, with an undated letter (but summer 1926) from Minnie Case begun on its verso and continued on 2 further leaves (6 pages, 5 scans total); (7) Letter dated 1 July 1926 from Helen Chandler at Pei Tai Ho to Mrs. Ellis (9 pages); (8) Letter dated 7 July 1926 from Maud M. McGwigan at Tsingtao to Miss (Edith) Tallmon and Dr. Susan Tallmon Sargent (4 pages); (9) Letter begun 14 July 1926, continued 15 July upon arrival at Pei Tai Ho, addressed to Dr. Francis, unsigned but perhaps by Emery W. Ellis, as author seems to be from Tehchow; (10) Letter dated 24 July 1926 from Maud M. McGwigan at Tsingtao to Mrs. Sargent, enclosing Dr. Cooke\u27s letter describing the storm in Lintsing; (11) "Order of worship, Sunday, July 25, 1926; (12) Williams-Porter Hospitals, report for 1926, by Lois Pendleton (3 p.), with a note from Minnie Ellis asking recipient to send on to the Sargents; (13) Letter begun 28 September 1926 from Edith (Tallmon) Park at Morgan Hill to her sister Clara Jones (8 pages, photocopied); (14) Last page of a typed letter from Myra L. Sawye
Pre-pregnancy dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality, and risk of developing gestational diabetes: the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health
No full textCarbohydrate quantity and quality affect postprandial glucose response, glucose metabolism and risk of type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to examine the association of pre-pregnancy dietary carbohydrate quantity and quality with the risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We used data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health that included 3607 women aged 25–30 years without diabetes who were followed up between 2003 and 2015. We examined carbohydrate quantity (total carbohydrate intake and a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) score) and carbohydrate subtypes indicating quality (fibre, total sugar intake, glycaemic index, glycaemic load and intake of carbohydrate-rich food groups). Relative risks (RR) for development of GDM were estimated using multivariable regression models with generalised estimating equations. During 12 years of follow-up, 285 cases of GDM were documented in 6263 pregnancies (4·6 %). The LCD score, reflecting relatively high fat and protein intake and low carbohydrate intake, was positively associated with GDM risk (RR 1·54; 95 % CI 1·10, 2·15), highest quartile v. lowest quartile). Women in the quartile with highest fibre intake had a 33 % lower risk of GDM (RR 0·67; 95 % CI 0·45, 0·96)). Higher intakes of fruit (0·95 per 50 g/d; 95 % CI 0·90, 0·99) and fruit juice (0·89 per 100 g/d; 95 % CI 0·80, 1·00)) were inversely associated with GDM, whereas cereal intake was associated with a higher risk of GDM (RR 1·05 per 20 g/d; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·07)). Thus, a relatively low carbohydrate and high fat and protein intake may increase the risk of GDM, whereas higher fibre intake could decrease the risk of GDM. It is especially important to take the source of carbohydrates into account
Contemporary American authors: a critical survey and 219 bio-bibliographies
No full textBased on Contemporary American literature, bibliographies and study outlines, by J. M. Manly and Edith Rickert: 1st ed. 1922, 2d ed., 1929. cf. Foreword."Select bibliographies": p. [667]-680.Mode of access: Internet
CrowdEEG Platform: A Collaborative Annotation Tool for Medical Time Series Data
No full textThis repository contains the code for the CrowdEEG web application, a collaborative annotation tool for medical time series data. Check out our Getting Started guide to learn how to run and deploy this web app.
This tool has been referenced in the following papers:
Mike Schaekermann, Graeme Beaton, Elaheh Sanoubari, Andrew Lim, Kate Larson, and Edith Law: Ambiguity-aware AI Assistants for Medical Data Analysis. CHI 2020.
Mike Schaekermann, Graeme Beaton, Minahz Habib, Andrew Lim, Kate Larson, and Edith Law: Understanding Expert Disagreement in Medical Data Analysis through Structured Adjudication. CSCW 2019.
Sokolov, E. and Abdoul Bachir, D. H. and Sakadi, F. and Williams, J. and Vogel, A. C. and Schaekermann, Mike and Tassiou, N. and Bah, A. K. and Khatri, V. and Hotan, G. C. and Ayub, N. and Leung, E. and Fantaneanu, T. A. and Patel, A. and Vyas, M. and Milligan, T. and Villamar, M. F. and Hoch, D. and Purves, S. and Esmaeili, B. and Stanley, M. and Lehn‐Schioler, T. and Tellez‐Zenteno, J. and Gonzalez‐Giraldo, E. and Tolokh, I. and Heidarian, L. and Worden, L. and Jadeja, N. and Fridinger, S. and Lee, L. and Law, E. and Fodé Abass, C. and Mateen, F. J.: Tablet‐based electroencephalography diagnostics for patients with epilepsy in the West African Republic of Guinea. European Journal of Neurology 2020.
Williams, Jennifer A and Cisse, Fodé Abass and Schaekermann, Mike and Sakadi, Foksouna and Tassiou, Nana Rahamatou and Hotan, Gladia C. and Bah, Aissatou Kenda and Hamani, Abdoul Bachir Djibo and Lim, Andrew and Leung, Edward C.W. and Fantaneanu, Tadeu A. and Milligan, Tracey A. and Khatri, Vidita and Hoch, Daniel B. and Vyas, Manav V. and Lam, Alice D. and Cohen, Joseph M. and Vogel, Andre C. and Law, Edith and Mateen, Farrah J: Smartphone EEG and remote online interpretation for children with epilepsy in the Republic of Guinea: Quality, characteristics, and practice implications. Seizure 2020.
You may also be interested in the CrowdEEG Dataset.
If you find this web application useful in your research, please consider citing:
@inproceedings{Schaekermann2020AmbiguityAwareAI,
Author = {Schaekermann, Mike and Beaton, Graeme and Sanoubari, Elaheh and Lim, Andrew and Larson, Kate and Law, Edith},
Title = {Ambiguity-Aware AI Assistants for Medical Data Analysis},
Year = {2020},
ISBN = {9781450367080},
Publisher = {Association for Computing Machinery},
Address = {New York, NY, USA},
DOI = {10.1145/3313831.3376506},
Pages = {1–14},
Numpages = {14},
Location = {Honolulu, HI, USA},
Series = {CHI '20}
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