Dataset Information

Population Distributions of Thymic Function in Adults: Variation by Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Status.

ABSTRACT: The thymus is critical for mounting an effective immune response and maintaining health. However, epidemiologic studies characterizing thymic function in the population setting are lacking. Using data from 263 adults in the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study, we examined thymic function as measured by the number of signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTREC) and assessed associations with established indicators of physiological health. Overall, increasing age and male gender were significantly associated with reduced thymic function. Adjusting for covariates, individuals with elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein (?: -0.50 [95% CI: -0.82, -0.18] for moderate elevation, ?: -0.29 [95% CI: -0.59, 0.00] for high elevation) and interleukin-6 (?: -0.60 [95% CI: -0.92, -0.28] for moderate elevation, ?: -0.43 [95% CI: -0.77, -0.08] for severe elevation) also had lower thymic function. Compared to individuals with a BMI < 25, individuals who were overweight (?: 0.36 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.64]) or obese (?: 0.27 [95% CI: -0.03, 0.56]) had higher thymic function. Differences by self-rated health were not statistically significant. Our findings underscore demographic- and health-related gradients in thymic function among adult residents of Detroit, suggesting thymic function may be an important biomarker of health status in adults at the population level.

SUBMITTER: Feinstein L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4995111 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Population Distributions of Thymic Function in Adults: Variation by Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Status.

Feinstein Lydia L Ferrando-Martínez Sara S Leal Manuel M Zhou Xuan X Sempowski Gregory D GD Wildman Derek E DE Uddin Monica M Aiello Allison E AE

Biodemography and social biology 20160101 2

The thymus is critical for mounting an effective immune response and maintaining health. However, epidemiologic studies characterizing thymic function in the population setting are lacking. Using data from 263 adults in the Detroit Neighborhood Health Study, we examined thymic function as measured by the number of signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTREC) and assessed associations with established indicators of physiological health. Overall, increasing age and male gender were signi ...[more]

PMID: 27337555

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Project description:BackgroundTo assess the prevalence of ever-drinking and hazardous drinking among adults in Germany, and investigate the factors associated with level of alcohol consumption.MethodsCross-sectional population survey of a representative sample of 11,331 adults in Germany (2018 to 2019). The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) was used to define ever-drinking (AUDIT-C>=1), hazardous drinking (AUDIT-C>=5) and an overall AUDIT-C (alcohol consumption) score (from 0 to 12). Regression models were used to examine sociodemographic and health-related characteristics associated with AUDIT-C score.ResultsThe prevalence of ever-drinking and hazardous drinking was 84.7% (95% CI = 84.1-85.4) and 19.4% (95% CI = 18.6-20.1), respectively. The mean AUDIT-C score was 2.8 (SD = 2.16). AUDIT-C scores were independently positively associated with having medium (Badj = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.02-0.21) and high (Badj = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.01-0.21) educational qualifications (compared with low), monthly income (Badj = 0.31 per €1,000, 95% CI = 0.26-0.36), being a current smoker (Badj = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.86-1.02), anxiety (Badj = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.02-0.50), and living in North East (Badj = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.29-0.58), North West (Badj = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.39-0.55) and South East (Badj = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.64-0.93) Germany (compared with South West), and negatively associated with age (Badj = -0.17, 95% CI = -0.21- -0.13), being female (Badj = -1.21, 95% CI = -1.28- -1.14) and depression (Badj = -0.22, 95% CI = -0.43- -0.02).ConclusionIn a large, representative sample of adults in Germany, the majority were ever-drinkers and one fifth were hazardous drinkers. Higher alcohol consumption scores were associated with being younger, male, current smoker, of high socioeconomic position, anxiety, and not living in South West Germany, and lower scores were associated with depression. These groups may benefit from targeted alcohol reduction policies and support.

Project description:PurposeThis study aimed to characterize the sociodemographic characteristics of sexual minority (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual) adults and compare sexual minority and heterosexual populations on nine Healthy People 2020 leading health indicators (LHIs).MethodsUsing a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey (National Health Interview Survey 2013-2015) of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population (228,893,944 adults), nine Healthy People 2020 LHIs addressing health behaviors and access to care, stratified using a composite variable of sex (female, male) and sexual orientation (gay or lesbian, bisexual, heterosexual), were analyzed individually and in aggregate.ResultsIn 2013-2015, sexual minority adults represented 2.4% of the U.S.PopulationCompared to heterosexuals, sexual minorities were more likely to be younger and to have never married. Gays and lesbians were more likely to have earned a graduate degree. Gay males were more likely to have a usual primary care provider, but gay/lesbian females were less likely than heterosexuals to have a usual primary care provider and health insurance. Gay males received more colorectal cancer screening than heterosexual males. Gay males, gay/lesbian females, and bisexual females were more likely to be current smokers than their sex-matched, heterosexual counterparts. Binge drinking was more common in bisexuals compared to heterosexuals. Sexual minority females were more likely to be obese than heterosexual females; the converse was true for gay males. Sexual minorities underwent more HIV testing than their heterosexual peers, but bisexual males were less likely than gay males to be tested. Gay males were more likely to meet all eligible LHIs than heterosexual males. Overall, more sexual minority adults met all eligible LHIs compared to heterosexual adults. Similar results were found regardless of HIV testing LHI inclusion.ConclusionDifferences between sexual minorities and heterosexuals suggest the need for targeted health assessments and public health interventions aimed at reducing specific negative health behaviors.

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Project description:BackgroundThe "carnivore diet," based on animal foods and excluding most or all plant foods, has attracted recent popular attention. However, little is known about the health effects and tolerability of this diet, and concerns for nutrient deficiencies and cardiovascular disease risk have been raised.ObjectivesWe obtained descriptive data on the nutritional practices and health status of a large group of carnivore diet consumers.MethodsA social media survey was conducted 30 March-24 June, 2020 among adults self-identifying as consuming a carnivore diet for ≥6 mo. Survey questions interrogated motivation, dietary intake patterns, symptoms suggestive of nutritional deficiencies or other adverse effects, satisfaction, prior and current health conditions, anthropometrics, and laboratory data.ResultsA total of 2029 respondents (median age: 44 y, 67% male) reported consuming a carnivore diet for 14 mo (IQR: 9-20 mo), motivated primarily by health reasons (93%). Red meat consumption was reported as daily or more often by 85%. Under 10% reported consuming vegetables, fruits, or grains more often than monthly, and 37% denied vitamin supplement use. Prevalence of adverse symptoms was low (<1% to 5.5%). Symptoms included gastrointestinal (3.1%-5.5%), muscular (0.3%-4.0%), and dermatologic (0.1%-1.9%). Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and improvements in overall health (95%), well-being (66%-91%), various medical conditions (48%-98%), and median [IQR] BMI (in kg/m2) (from 27.2 [23.5-31.9] to 24.3 [22.1-27.0]). Among a subset reporting current lipids, LDL-cholesterol was markedly elevated (172 mg/dL), whereas HDL-cholesterol (68 mg/dL) and triglycerides (68 mg/dL) were optimal. Participants with diabetes reported benefits including reductions in median [IQR] BMI (4.3 [1.4-7.2]), glycated hemoglobin (0.4% [0%-1.7%]), and diabetes medication use (84%-100%).ConclusionsContrary to common expectations, adults consuming a carnivore diet experienced few adverse effects and instead reported health benefits and high satisfaction. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were variably affected. The generalizability of these findings and the long-term effects of this dietary pattern require further study.

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Population Distributions of Thymic Function in Adults: Variation by Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Status.

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Population Distributions of Thymic Function in Adults: Variation by Sociodemographic Characteristics and Health Status.

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