Chronic stress, social support, and symptoms at midlife. Is there a buffering effect?

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to examine associations among measures of stress, social support, and symptoms at midlife. Specifically, the study examined whether support buffered against the negative effects of stress on severity of symptoms grouped via factor analyses into emotional instability, vaso-somatic symptoms, mood disturbances, and aches and pains.

METHODS

We used cross-sectional data from n = 119 women aged 40-55 in Nagaland, India. Midlife symptoms were measured with the help of questionnaires, and factor analysis was used to identify latent factors. Stress and social support were measured by Perceived Stress Scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively. Chronic stress was measured by fingernail cortisol.

RESULTS

After adjusting for menopausal status, tobacco use, body mass index, and socioeconomic status, cortisol level was positively associated with emotional instability (p < 0.01), vaso-somatic symptom score (p < 0.05), and total symptoms at midlife (p < 0.05). Familial support was negatively associated with emotional instability (p < 0.05) and total symptoms at midlife (p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were observed with spousal or friend support. Although no significant interactions between stress, social support, and symptoms at midlife were observed, spousal support when stratified as high and low support using the means, perceived stress and vaso-somatic symptoms indicated an interaction.

CONCLUSION

Cortisol level and support from family were independently associated with symptoms at midlife. The study highlights the importance of family ties and support for navigating the stressors of everyday life among women in Nagaland.

Midlife symptoms and household stress are associated with fingernail cortisol

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates menopausal symptoms, household stressors, and ethnopolitical problems in relation to stress markers, including chronic stress measured by fingernail cortisol, perceived stress measured by the Perceived Stress Scale, and acute stress measured by blood pressure.

METHODS

Data from 151 women aged 40 to 55 years were collected from four regions in Nagaland, India, using opportunity sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and lifestyle variables. Symptoms were grouped into emotional instability, vasosomatic symptoms, mood disturbances, and aches and pains using principal component analysis in a previous study, and stress markers included fingernail cortisol, perceived stress, and blood pressure. Community-level, household-level, and midlife symptoms were included to ascertain stressors from different sources.

RESULTS

Our results revealed a significant positive association between a composite measure of emotional instability and stress assessed by fingernail cortisol ( β = 0.46, P < 0.001). In addition, there was a positive association between mood disturbances and fingernail cortisol ( β = 0.24, P < 0.05). This relationship persisted after controlling for body mass index, socioeconomic status, and menopausal status. In addition, household problems were positively associated with fingernail cortisol ( β = 0.25, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the potential health impacts of the psychosocial stress response associated with domestic stressors such as financial strain and concerns about children and health.

Useless or used less? Poroscopy: The evidence of sweat pores

Poroscopy is the study of sweat pores present on the papillary ridges of the skin. This review paper aims to examine existing literature on poroscopy so that its relevance as a tool in personal identification can be established. Moreover, this paper aims to expound the various aspects of sweat pores as well as, highlight the contribution of poroscopy in latent, partial, and automated fingerprint matching. The relationship between sexual dimorphism, age, and sweat pores, effect of development technique and nature of surface on pore details, and use of sweat pores for liveness detection in biometric systems has also been explored. A review of all potentially relevant articles was conducted wherein, the non-relevant papers were excluded by screening their titles and abstracts following which, full-text review of all articles that met the inclusion criteria was carried out. The authors concluded that sweat pores present additional distinctive information for facilitating personal identification when used along with level 2 details. Furthermore, out of the various pore parameters namely, number, shape, size, inter-distance, position, and type, pore inter-distance was found to be most reliable.

Reproducibility and reliability of fingerprint microfeatures: Effect of immersing hand in water at different temperatures

Poroscopy is the specialized study of sweat pores found on the papillary ridges of the skin. However, the science of poroscopy is not being used to its full potential. The present study was conducted with the goal to assess the effect of immersing hand in water at various temperatures i.e., room temperature (20-30 °C), hot temperature (40-50 °C), and cold temperature (0-10 °C), for 1, 5 and 10 min, on the reproducibility of pore microfeatures namely, area, inter-distance, and angle, in an attempt to demonstrate their reliability in fingerprint matching. As far as the authors are aware, no prior research has attempted to evaluate the impact of immersing hand in water, at different temperatures, on the reproducibility of third level details. Statistical analysis of data revealed that pore inter-distance and angle were reproducible in nature thereby, highlighting their significance in fingerprint matching.

Perspective: Food Environment Research Priorities for Africa-Lessons from the Africa Food Environment Research Network

Over the last 2 decades, many African countries have undergone dietary and nutrition transitions fueled by globalization, rapid urbanization, and development. These changes have altered African food environments and, subsequently, dietary behaviors, including food acquisition and consumption. Dietary patterns associated with the nutrition transition have contributed to Africa's complex burden of malnutrition-obesity and other diet-related noncommunicable diseases (DR-NCDs)-along with persistent food insecurity and undernutrition. Available evidence links unhealthy or obesogenic food environments (including those that market and offer energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and beverages) with suboptimal diets and associated adverse health outcomes. Elsewhere, governments have responded with policies to improve food environments. However, in Africa, the necessary research and policy action have received insufficient attention. Contextual evidence to motivate, enable, and create supportive food environments in Africa for better population health is urgently needed. In November 2020, the Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability, and Leadership Support for Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention Project (MEALS4NCDs) convened the first Africa Food Environment Research Network Meeting (FERN2020). This 3-d virtual meeting brought researchers from around the world to deliberate on future directions and research priorities related to improving food environments and nutrition across the African continent. The stakeholders shared experiences, best practices, challenges, and opportunities for improving the healthfulness of food environments and related policies in low- and middle-income countries. In this article, we summarize the proceedings and research priorities identified in the meeting to advance the food environment research agenda in Africa, and thus contribute to the promotion of healthier food environments to prevent DR-NCDs, and other forms of malnutrition.

Reproducibility of fingerprint microfeatures

Background

Poroscopy, as a means of personal identification, is largely unexplored. The present study aims at assessing the reproducibility of fingerprint microfeatures namely, pore area, inter-distance, and angle, in fingerprints obtained on two surfaces namely, glass and sticky side of adhesive tape, for a period of ten consecutive days. As far as the authors are aware, no prior research has attempted to evaluate pore parameters on sticky side of adhesive tape.

Methods

Plain-inked fingerprints of the left thumb, right thumb, and right index finger were collected on two surfaces namely, glass and sticky side of adhesive tape (using two methods) for ten consecutive days. Photomicrographs were captured and four pores, lying on the same ridge and having clear well-defined margins, were selected from the central region of each print. These specific sweat pores were used to measure the pore area, inter-distance, and angle using Image Pro® Software. Data were analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) software version 16. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was carried out using “area,” “length,” and “angle” as the dependent variables.

Results

Results obtained depict pore area, inter-distance, and angle to be significant (p<0.001), on all 10 days for both the surfaces. In terms of quality, better pore details were depicted by fingerprints obtained on the sticky side of adhesive tape (using procedure (iii), wherein the sticky side of adhesive tape was pressed against the inked thumb of the participant). Furthermore, the pore area was found to be non-reproducible while the pore inter-distance and angle were found to be reliable and reproducible in nature.

Conclusions

Crime scene fingerprints should be first matched with specimen fingerprints on the basis of ridge characteristics. However, on occasions when sufficient number of ridge characteristics are not available for comparison, sweat pores should be employed. This study highlights the reproducibility and reliability of pore inter-distance and angle and encourages their use in fingerprint matching.

Nutrition, physical activity and psychological status during lockdown due to covid-19

Aim of the present study was to assess physical activity, nutrition and psychological status of the population during lockdown due to covid-19. Online survey was conducted among 534 participants within the age range of 16-78 years using convenient sampling. Participants from varied regions within India and abroad were enrolled for the present study. Volunteered participants were solicited to take part in a survey that has to be carried out by filling an online questionnaire form available to them as a URL link in the invitation through WhatsApp/Messenger. The gathered data has been compiled, coded and cleaned using Microsoft Excel. Analysis has been carried out employing descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS 17.0. Majority of participants in the studied population showed significant change in their nutrition and physical activity status due to lockdown. Covid-19 lockdown did limit their daily activities. It also had impacted their psychological status. The current investigation accentuates the need to pursue suitable life style for the maintenance of optimum metabolism and physiology. Sticking to more regular timetable of meals, effective management of stress levels and continued physical activity during the quarantine and in all the following phases of living is desirable.

Symptoms at midlife among women in Nagaland, India

OBJECTIVES

This article highlights the prevalence of symptom frequencies in Nagaland, India, with a focus on depressed mood and hot flashes. We also examine how symptoms cluster together among Naga women and identify factors associated with symptom experience. We hypothesized an elevated frequency of depressed mood because of the stresses associated with social responsibilities within a patriarchal culture, and a low frequency of hot flashes because of the thinness of the population.

METHODS

Standardized questionnaires with close-ended questions were used to determine the frequency of symptoms and sociodemographic and health parameters among women aged 35 to 65 years (n = 352). Factor analysis was used to examine the relations among symptoms. Bivariate analyses and linear regressions were also employed to identify sociodemographic and health factors associated with symptoms.

RESULTS

Menopausal symptoms, such as feeling dizzy or faint, anxiety or panic, and excitable, were significantly higher in premenopausal women; hot flashes in perimenopausal women; and feeling tired or lack in energy, headaches, difficulty in sleeping, and muscle or joint pain in postmenopausal women. Four symptom factors were identified: symptoms related to the loss of estradiol, psychosomatic symptoms, uneasiness, and depressed mood. After adjusting for menopausal status, socioeconomic status, education, and self-reported health status, body mass index was observed to be inversely associated with the depressed mood factor but not other factors.

CONCLUSION

In the context of Nagaland, India, having extra weight may contribute to emotional well-being; however, further research is warranted.

Lifestyle and diabetes among Muslim population of Manipur

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to find out the association of lifestyle with adiposity markers among the patients with diabetes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

200 diabetic participants of both sexes were enrolled in the present study. Age group of the participants ranged from 20 years to 45 years. A cross sectional study was conducted for the present study. Data was collected from Imphal East district and Thoubal district of Manipur.

OBSERVATIONS

The study reported maximum percentage of overweight BMI among diabetic females as compared to diabetic males. Spending long hours at work place was positively associated with body mass index among diabetic participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study informs the need of physical activity for those individuals who were physically inactive and had diabetes, as increasing BMI may lead to other non-communicable diseases.

Adiposity markers and its association with age at menarche: A comparative study among rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur, North-East India

BACKGROUND

Menarche is a critical biomarker in the reproductive life of females. Early age at menarche may represent an indicator of adult adiposity. The study examines the association of various adiposity markers with age at menarche in rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur, India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among rural and urban Meitei females of Manipur of age 18-45 years. Detailed information of the participants was taken with the help of proforma. Various anthropometric and physiological measurements were also recorded.

RESULTS

Mean age at menarche was 12.5 years for urban females and 13.1 years for rural females. Females of urban and rural areas under overweight category of BMI had higher odds of attaining early menarche. Odds of having early menarche were found to be highest among those with risk category of waist hip ratio, waist height ratio and waist circumference in both rural and urban females.

CONCLUSION

Females with higher body mass index, high waist-to-hip ratio and waist height ratio were found to be at risk of early menarche.

Hypertension and its correlate with general and central adiposity: A study among urban population of Delhi

AIM

Study aims to assess the association of various adiposity markers with blood pressure levels.

STUDY DESIGN

The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted in Delhi. A total of 568 (males- 250, females- 318) participants aged 20-55 years were enrolled for the study.

RESULT

Mean height (167.35 ± 7.59) and weight (73.76 ± 15.08) was found to be significantly higher in males. Mean values of minimum waist circumference (183.80 ± 12.24), maximum hip circumference (100.90 ± 12.811), body mass index (27.93 ± 5.76), and conicity index (1.25 ± 0.12) were found to be significantly higher in females. Correlation showed significant positive associations of body mass index (p < 0.01) and waist circumference (p < 0.01) with blood pressure in both males and females. Odds ratios showed strong association of hypertension (both SBP and DBP) with adiposity indices as measured by body mass index, waist circumference and conicity index.

CONCLUSION

Adiposity markers such as BMI, WC and CI could be effective predictors of hypertension.

Pattern of socio-economic and health aspects among TB patients and controls

BACKGROUND

Socio-economic and health-related factors have a significant impact on tuberculosis (TB) incidence among population residing in resource-scare settings.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the pattern of socio-economic and health-related factors among TB patients and control in Delhi, India.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study was performed among 893 TB patients (or cases) and 333 healthy disease-free controls. The data for the present study was obtained from several district TB centres in north, west and south Delhi. The collected data was edited, coded and statistical analysed with the help of SPSS 20.0 version.

RESULTS

Illiteracy and primary education were significant risk factors being associated with a TB. Rented housing condition had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.4 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.89) compared to owned housing condition. 3-5 individuals per room were 3 times more likely to be associated with a case of TB (95% CI: 2.49-4.41). Migrant individuals were 13 times more likely to be associated with a case of TB (95% CI: 8.77-19.78) in comparison to settled population. Daily consumption of non-vegetarian food also significantly contributed to case of TB with an OR of 3.4 (95% CI: 2.51-4.72). Loss of appetite and family TB served as significant health-related factors associated with TB risk.

CONCLUSION

Lower educational status, rented household, individuals per room (as a measure of overcrowding) and migratory status served as prominent risk factors for TB disease. Preference and frequency of non-vegetarian food being consumed, night sweating, weight loss, loss of appetite, earlier TB and family TB were principle health-related risk factors associated with TB disease.

Body mass index relates to blood pressure among adults

BACKGROUND

The blood pressure and anthropometric measurements are important for evaluating the health of children, adolescents as well as adults.

AIM

The aim is to study the blood pressure and body dimensions and to find out the prevalence of overweight/obesity and hypertension among adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted of all the people belonging to the Punjabi community, residing in Roshanara area and Jaina building in Delhi, for the past 20 years and aged 18-50 years. The men were engaged in transport business and women were mainly housewives.

RESULTS

Mean values of all the measurements, that is, height, weight, upper arm circumference, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were higher among males as compared with females, except skinfold thicknesses. Body mass index (BMI) and fat percentage was found to be higher among females as compared with males. There was a significant positive correlation between BMI, fat percentage, and blood pressure both SBP as well as DBP. Odds ratio showed that overweight/obese subjects were more likely to have hypertension than those with normal BMI.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of prehypertension among overweight/obese suggested an early clinical detection of prehypertension and intervention including life style modification, particularly weight management.

Sex-dependent effects of the UCP1 -3826 A/G polymorphism on obesity and blood pressure

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the association of -3826 A/G polymorphism with blood pressure and different obesity markers.

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

A total of 96 adult participants (49 males, 47 females) were studied. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken using standardized techniques. Obesity indices of body mass index (BMI), waist hip ratio (WHR), waist height ratio (WHtR) and grand mean thickness (GMT) were computed. For genetic analysis, DNA was extracted from 50 microL blood.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference between various genotypes of UCP1 and BMI, GMT, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure was found among females. In GGC homozygote, blood pressure showed positive and significant association with fat percentage and GMT (P < .001). Waist circumference, WHR, WHtR and BMI also showed positive association with blood pressure in heterozygous and homozygous GG form.

CONCLUSION

This study links the GG homozygous form of UCP1 with obesity and blood pressure among females only.

Ethnicity, obesity and health pattern among Indian population

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of ethnicity with overweight/obesity, variation in adiposity levels, regional distribution of fat and its impact on cardio-respiratory health among selected ethnic groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 young adults of three ethnic groups from different geographical regions of India ranging in age from 20 to 30 years. Stature, weight, circumferences, body fat percentage, and skinfold thicknesses were measured. Obesity indices like body mass index (BMI), grand mean thickness (GMT), waist hip ratio (WHR), waist height ratio (WHtR), and conicity index (CI) were computed. Cardio-respiratory health indicators such as lung functions including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1.0)), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory ratio (FER), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), breath holding time (BHT), and systolic and diastolic BP (blood pressure) were taken and associated with obesity indices.

RESULTS

General body fat deposition, assessed by BMI, GMT, and fat percentage, was found to be the highest among Delhi females and males. However, central adiposity as assessed from WHR, WHtR, and CI was found to be significantly higher among the Manipur subjects signifying a relatively more androidal pattern of fat deposition. Most of the inter-group differences for adiposity indices were significant; however, it was not so in the case of blood pressure among different ethnic groups. On the other hand, the respiratory efficiency varied significantly between different ethnic groups. Ethnicity, adiposity, and cardio-respiratory health were found to be interrelated.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects belonging to three ethnic groups showed marked differences in different body dimension, adiposity indices, and cardio-respiratory health. Central obesity has been found to be a better pointer for cardiovascular health risk. There were ethnic and gender differences with respect to adiposity measures and cardio-respiratory health indicators.