bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phakic Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens with a Central Hole in Treating Patients with Moderate to High Myopia: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Tang Ying , Ye Jian
Published: October 2019

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens with a central hole (ICL V4c) in treating patients with moderate to high myopia. Methods. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trial, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and China Science Periodical Database (CSPD) were searched online. The search included publications from the building of the library until December 2018. All randomized controlled trials containing moderate to high myopia treated by phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens with a central hole were collected. Literature search, screening literature, data extraction, and quality evaluation were independently performed by two reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. Results. Meta-analysis results based on five randomized controlled trials showed that ICL V4c and ICL without a central hole had similar UCVA results (SMD = 0.08, 95% CI (−0.71, 0.88), P=0.84), SE (SMD = −0.18, 95% CI (−0.52, 0.15), P=0.29), BCVA (SMD = −0.27, 95% CI (−0.93, 0.40), P=0.43), and IOP (SMD = 0.03, 95% CI (−0.24, 0.30), P=0.84), and the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, no complications that could jeopardize vision occurred. Conclusions. Implanting ICL V4c in patients with moderate to high myopia is safe and effective.
Toward Preventing Enamel Hypoplasia: Modeling Maternal and Neonatal Biomarkers of Human Calcium Homeostasis
Authors: Reed Susan G. , Miller Cameron S. , Wagner Carol L. , Hollis Bruce W. , Lawson Andrew B.
Published: October 2019

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess biomarkers of calcium homeostasis and tooth development, in mothers during pregnancy and their children at birth, for enamel hypoplasia (EH) in the primary maxillary central incisor teeth. Methods: Bayesian methodology was used for secondary data analyses from a randomized, controlled trial of prenatal vitamin D3 supplementation in healthy mothers (N = 350) and a follow-up study of a subset of the children. The biomarkers were serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), total circulating 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D). The maternal biomarkers were assayed monthly during pregnancy, and the child’s biomarkers were derived from cord blood. Digital images of the child’s 2 teeth were scored for EH using Enamel Defects Index criteria for each of the incisal, middle, and cervical regions for an EH extent score. Results: The child EH prevalence was 41% (60/145), with most defects present in the incisal and middle tooth regions. Cord blood iPTH and 1,25(OH)2D levels were significantly associated with EH extent after controlling for maternal factors. For every 1 pg/mL increase in cord blood iPTH, the EH extent decreased by approximately 6%. For every 10 pg/mL increase in cord blood 1,25(OH)2D, the EH extent increased by almost 30% (holding all other terms constant and adjusting for subject-level heterogeneity). The relationship between maternal 25(OH)D and maternal mean iPTH varied significantly by EH extent. Conclusion: The results suggest possible modifiable relationships of maternal and neonatal factors of calcium homeostasis during pregnancy and at birth for EH, contributing to the frontier of knowledge regarding sound tooth development for dental caries prevention.
Multiple Sessions of High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as a Potential Treatment for Gambling Addiction: A 3-Month, Feasibility Study
Authors: Pettorruso Mauro , Martinotti Giovanni , Montemitro Chiara , De Risio Luisa , Spagnolo Primavera Alessandra , Gallimberti Luigi , Fanella Fabrizio , Bonci Antonello , Di Giannantonio Massimo ,   Brainswitch Study Group
Published: October 2019

Gambling disorder (GD) is a behavioral addiction, in which dysfunctions in prefrontal activity have been proposed as relevant pathophysiological correlates. The aim of the present study was to preliminarily investigate the feasibility of a noninvasive neuromodulation intervention targeting the prefrontal cortex to treat GD in an open-label setting. We included 8 treatment-seeking patients with GD (7 males; 1 female; mean age: 40.6 ± 11.2). The study consisted of 3 phases: (1) outpatient screening phase, (2) 2-week intensive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) treatment phase (twice daily, 5 days/week for 2 weeks); and (3) 3-month maintenance follow-up phase (twice daily, once a week). Each high-frequency (15 Hz) rTMS session was delivered targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. GD severity and treatment response were assessed at the baseline and during the follow-up. No relevant side effect was reported. We found a 71.2% Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale mean score reduction after 2 weeks of rTMS treatment; the days spent gambling decreased from 19.63 ± 7.96 to 0.13 ± 0.35 days. Clinical improvements were maintained throughout the study period. The lack of a control group limits the interpretation of these results. In conclusion, these results consolidate the rationale that rTMS interventions deserve further investigation as a potential treatment for GD. These protocols should be tested in larger randomized controlled studies, to determine the real benefits of neuromodulation in the clinical course of patients with GD. Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03336879.
Understanding Readmissions in Medicare Beneficiaries During the 90‐Day Follow‐Up Period of an Acute Myocardial Infarction Admission
Authors: Culler Steven D. , Kugelmass Aaron D. , Cohen David J. , Reynolds Matthew R. , Katz Marc R. , Brown Phillip P. , Schlosser Michael L. , Simon April W.
Published: October 2019

Background

Medicare has a voluntary episodic payment model for Medicare beneficiaries that bundles payment for the index acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
) hospitalization and all post‐discharge services for a 90‐day follow‐up period. The purpose of this study is to report on the types and frequency of readmissions and identify demographic and clinical factors associated with readmission of Medicare beneficiaries that survived their
AMI
hospitalization.

Methods and Results

This retrospective study used the Inpatient Standard Analytical File for 2014. There were 143 286 Medicare beneficiaries with
AMI
who were discharged alive from 3619 hospitals. All readmissions occurring in any hospital within 90 days of the index
AMI
discharge date were identified. Of 143 286 Medicare beneficiaries discharged alive from their index
AMI
hospitalization, 28% (40 145) experienced at least 1 readmission within 90 days and 8% (11 477) had >1 readmission. Readmission rates were higher among Medicare beneficiaries who did not undergo a percutaneous coronary intervention in their index
AMI
admission (34%) compared with those that underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (20.2%). Using all Medicare beneficiary's index
AMI
, 27 comorbid conditions were significantly associated with the likelihood of a Medicare beneficiary having a readmission during the follow‐up period. The strongest clinical characteristics associated with readmissions were dialysis dependence, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and heart failure.

Conclusions

This study provides benchmark information on the types of hospital readmissions Medicare beneficiaries experience during a 90‐day
AMI
bundle. This paper also suggests that interventions are needed to alleviate the need for readmissions in high‐risk populations, such as, those managed medically and those at risk of heart failure.
Choosing Cures for Mental Ills: Psychiatry and Chinese Medicine in Early Twentieth-Century China
Authors: Baum Emily
Published: October 2019

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Western physicians and missionaries opened several psychopathic hospitals in urban China, including the John Kerr Refuge for the Insane in Guangzhou and the Beijing Psychopathic Hospital. Although local families relied on the charitable services offered by these facilities, they generally remained ambivalent about, if not outright resistant to, neuropsychiatric theories and practices. This article examines how and why ordinary families made medical decisions when faced with the problem of mental illness. In contrast to previous research on biomedicine in the Republican period (1911–1949), which has tended to emphasize issues relating to ideology and cultural nationalism, this paper argues that support of (and resistance to) neuropsychiatry was less often framed in terms of identity politics than in terms of far more practical concerns, such as access, intelligibility, and effectiveness. Disparities in how “mental” disorders were conceptualized in Chinese and Western medicine, problems pertaining to translation and communication, and the very ineffectiveness of psychiatric treatment itself help to explain why families may have patronized psychopathic hospitals but remained unconvinced by the epistemic foundations of neuropsychiatric medicine.
Prof. Yong-Chong Hong: a Chinese pioneering palaeoentomologist

Authors: HUANG DIYING , ZHANG ZHIJUN , CAI CHENYANG , GAO TAIPING
Published: October 2019

Professor You-Chong Hong, a famous Chinese palaeoentomologist, was born in Nan’ao County, Shantou City, Guangdong Province on 5 November 1929 and passed away in Beijing on 4 July 2019. In 1953, Prof. Hong graduated from the Beijing College of Geology (China University of Geosciences, Beijing) and was assigned to the Laboratory of Ferrous Metal of the Department of Geology and Minerals of the Ministry of Geology. From 1957 to 1958, he worked in the Department of Stratigraphy and Palaeontology, Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He studied fossil mollusks and later fossil insects in the Soviet Academy of Sciences from 1958 to 1960 (Fig. 1). He returned to the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences from 1960 to 1963; worked at the Tianjin Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Geology and Minerals from 1963 to 1984; and worked at the Beijing Museum of Natural History after 1984.
A new Early Jurassic insect outcrop in Xinjiang, northwestern China and its stratigraphic significance

Authors: HUANG DIYING , SU YITONG , FU YANZHE , GAO JIAN , LIU YUMING , CAI CHENYANG
Published: October 2019

Mesozoic insect fossils are abundant in Xinjiang, northwestern China, mainly from the Triassic and Jurassic strata. The first Xinjiang insect fossils found were from the Meiyaogou section, north of Turpan City (Ping, 1935). Ping (1935) did not provide a detailed introduction to the specific stratum due to a limited stratigraphic survey of this area at that time, but it was considered to belong to the Upper Jurassic. The Upper Jurassic strata in the Meiyaogou section were represented mainly by the Sanjianfang Formation, which is characterized by gray-yellow-green sandstone-siltstones with purple-red sandstone strips. However, whether these fossils reported by Ping (1935) were from the Sanjianfang Formation is still uncertain. These insect fossils are known from just two orders: Dermaptera and Plecoptera. The mayfly species Ephemeropsis tingi (Demoulin, 1954; Edmunds, 1972; Kluge, 2004) was thought to be significantly different from Ephemeropsis trisetalis from the Jehol biota. Another species, Sinoephemera kingi, is more similar to a stonefly nymph. Mesonetopsis zeni, a taxon thought to be relate to the common component of the Late Jurassic in Central Asia (Mesoneta), is in fact an odonatan nymph (Demoulin, 1954).
New species of Doratomantispa from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (Insecta, Neuroptera, Mantispidae)

Authors: SHI CHAOFAN , YANG QIANG , DENG CONGSHUANG , PANG HONG , REN DONG
Published: October 2019

Mantispidae is a lacewing family with over 400 extant species (Ohl, 2004, 2007; Oswald, 2015). The family is divided into four extant subfamilies Symphrasinae, Drepanicinae, Calomantispinae, Mantispinae and one extinct subfamily Mesomantispinae (Lambkin, 1986a, b; Wedmann & Makarkin, 2007). The living mantispids are distributed cosmopolitan except Antarctica. Fossil mantispids have been recorded since Early Jurassic (Ansorge & Schlüter, 1990; Wedmann & Makarkin, 2007; Khramov, 2013; Jepson et al., 2013, 2018a, b; Shi et al., 2019). The fossils are mainly from the Eurasia, with exception of two Miocene genera from Mexican and Dominican (Engel & Grimaldi, 2007).
Typification of the name Lavatera agrigentina (Malvaceae)

Authors: SCAFIDI FILIPPO , DOMINA GIANNIANTONIO
Published: October 2019

As part of an ongoing study on the names of vascular plants described from Sicily (Southern Italy) (e.g., Bartolucci & Domina 2014, Domina et al. 2016, Di Gristina et al. 2017, Domina et al. 2017, Traclet et al. 2017), a nomenclature investigation on the name Lavatera agrigentina Tineo (1817: 13), basionym of Malva agrigentina (Tineo 1817: 13) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso in Banfi et al. (2005: 230), which appears to be yet untypified, is here presented. The present study falls within the researches promoted by the Italian Botanical Society aimed to recognize and typify all the taxa described from Italy, in order to increase their systematic knowledge and promote further studies (Peruzzi et al. 2015, Brundu et al. 2017, Peruzzi et al. 2019).
Phylogenetic analysis of Lachesilla Westwood (Psocodea: Psocomorpha:
Lachesillidae) and relationships of sister genera of the subfamily Lachesillinae
Authors: MANCHOLA OSCAR FERNANDO SAENZ , ALDRETE ALFONSO NERI GARCÍA , OBANDO RANULFO GONZÁLEZ
Published: October 2019

Lachesilla is the most species-rich psocid genus, with 341 species grouped into 19 species groups (with at least 100 undescribed species), plus an additional undescribed species group. We present the first phylogenetic analysis of Lachesilla and a discussion on the relationships of sister genera of the subfamily Lachesillinae. We codified a matrix of 60 morphological characters (16 multistate and 44 binary) formed by 44 terminals: 37 ingroup species and seven outgroup species. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using Maximum Parsimony (MP) as optimality criterion, under equal weights and implied weights approaches. Monophyly of Lachesilla is not recovered, showing a polyphyletic genus divided in two major clades: clade A, composed of the pedicularia species group + Nadleria, and clade B, including the remaining species groups. The implied weights analysis produced a hypothesis with Hemicaecilius as sister group of clade B, nesting seven subclades mainly with low branch support values (symmetric resampling and bootstrap). These results suggest that all species groups, included in this analysis, can be considered monophyletic clades based on several synapomorphies, despite the andra species group was split up showing that L. punctata + L. dentata cluster together with high branch support values, but L. tehuautlensis and L. falcicula were recovered in different subclades.
Three new species of the primitively segmented spiders from Mt Yuelu, Hunan, China (Mesothelae, Liphistiidae)
Authors: LI DENGQING , LIU HAO , XU XIN
Published: October 2019

We diagnose and describe two Songthela and one Vinathela species of the primitively segmented spiders, Liphistiidae, as new to science based on morphological characters and molecular data: Songthela pyriformis sp. nov. (male, female), Songthela shuyuan sp. nov. (male, female), Vinathela nenglianggu sp. nov. (male, female), which were collected at Mt Yuelu in Changsha, Hunan Province, China. To facilitate future identification of our species, we also provide the GenBank accession numbers of the DNA barcode gene, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) for all type specimens and the evidence of genetic distances based on COI for three new species.
A new Iberian species of Chevrolatia Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: October 2019

Among previously known Palaearctic species of Chevrolatia Jacquelin du Val, adults of only two have unmodified male protrochanters. Another species showing this character is described, Chevrolatia iberica sp. n., based on a specimen collected in the Spanish province of Alicante. It differs from its two sympatric congeners, C. hispanica Franz and C. sylvanica Hernando & Castro, in a combination of conspicuously short apical projections of the aedeagus, a strongly curved median lobe, a short capsular component of the endophallus, and the parameral setae of subequal length and sparsely, evenly distributed.
Sycacantha Diakonoff, 1959 from China, with the descriptions of three new species (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae)
Authors: FENG WEIXING , ZHUANG JIALIANG , YU HAILI
Published: October 2019

Nine species of Sycacantha Diakonoff, 1959 are recorded from China. Among them, three are described as new: S. typicusivalva, sp. nov., S. camerata, sp. nov., and S. decursiva, sp. nov. Two new combinations are proposed based on DNA barcodes and characters of the male genitalia: S. diserta (Meyrick, 1909), comb. nov., and Phaecasiophora obtundana (Kuznetzov, 1988), comb. nov. Sycacantha complicitana (Walker, 1863) and S. catharia Diakonoff, 1973 are newly recorded from China. Photographs of adults and genitalia of the new species and new combinations are provided, and a key to the species based on genitalia is given.
Origins, identification and type status of two early specimens of Society Kingfisher Todiramphus veneratus (J. F. Gmelin, 1788) (Aves: Coraciiformes, Alcedinidae)
Authors: VAN DER VLIET ROLAND E. , CIBOIS ALICE , GAMAUF ANITA , JANSEN JUSTIN J.F.J.
Published: October 2019

We re-examined the putative type specimen of Society Kingfisher Todiramphus veneratus (J. F. Gmelin, 1788) in the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NMW 50.633) and conclude based on plumage that it represents the taxon from Moorea, T. veneratus youngi Sharpe, 1892, rather than nominate T. veneratus veneratus from Tahiti. X-rays reveal that it was prepared using techniques common in the late 18th century, and that its preparation style matches that of other specimens collected during Cook’s three voyages. NMW 50.633 has been assumed to be the one, or one of a number of, specimen(s) used by Latham to describe and illustrate his ‘Venerated Kingfisher’ (present-day Society Kingfisher), which was the basis of the later valid introduction of the name Alcedo venerata by J. F. Gmelin. However, whereas the description and an unpublished illustration in Latham’s archives agree closely with veneratus from Tahiti, NMW 50.633 appears to represent Moorea youngi. While this finding does not compromise the definition of Society Kingfisher veneratus, it leaves it without a safely identified type specimen. We also examined a Moorea specimen in the National Museums Liverpool (LIVCM D2366) that is almost as old as NMW 50.633, but which X-rays suggest had a different origin than NMW 50.633.
Convective Transition Statistics over Tropical Oceans for Climate Model Diagnostics: GCM Evaluation
Authors: Kuo Yi-Hung , Neelin J. David , Chen Chih-Chieh , Chen Wei-Ting , Donner Leo J. , Gettelman Andrew , Jiang Xianan , Kuo Kuan-Ting , Maloney Eric , Mechoso Carlos R. , Ming Yi , Schiro Kathleen A. , Seman Charles J. , Wu Chien-Ming , Zhao Ming
Published: October 2019

To assess deep convective parameterizations in a variety of GCMs and examine the fast-time-scale convective transition, a set of statistics characterizing the pickup of precipitation as a function of column water vapor (CWV), PDFs and joint PDFs of CWV and precipitation, and the dependence of the moisture–precipitation relation on tropospheric temperature is evaluated using the hourly output of two versions of the GFDL Atmospheric Model, version 4 (AM4), NCAR CAM5 and superparameterized CAM (SPCAM). The 6-hourly output from the MJO Task Force (MJOTF)/GEWEX Atmospheric System Study (GASS) project is also analyzed. Contrasting statistics produced from individual models that primarily differ in representations of moist convection suggest that convective transition statistics can substantially distinguish differences in convective representation and its interaction with the large-scale flow, while models that differ only in spatial–temporal resolution, microphysics, or ocean–atmosphere coupling result in similar statistics. Most of the models simulate some version of the observed sharp increase in precipitation as CWV exceeds a critical value, as well as that convective onset occurs at higher CWV but at lower column RH as temperature increases. While some models quantitatively capture these observed features and associated probability distributions, considerable intermodel spread and departures from observations in various aspects of the precipitation–CWV relationship are noted. For instance, in many of the models, the transition from the low-CWV, nonprecipitating regime to the moist regime for CWV around and above critical is less abrupt than in observations. Additionally, some models overproduce drizzle at low CWV, and some require CWV higher than observed for strong precipitation. For many of the models, it is particularly challenging to simulate the probability distributions of CWV at high temperature.
Exploring the Role of the “Ice–Ocean Governor” and Mesoscale Eddies in the Equilibration of the Beaufort Gyre: Lessons from Observations
Authors: Meneghello Gianluca , Doddridge Edward , Marshall John , Scott Jeffery , Campin Jean-Michel
Published: October 2019

Observations of Ekman pumping, sea surface height anomaly, and isohaline depth anomaly over the Beaufort Gyre are used to explore the relative importance and role of (i) feedbacks between ice and ocean currents, dubbed the “ice–ocean governor,” and (ii) mesoscale eddy processes in the equilibration of the Beaufort Gyre. A two-layer model of the gyre is fit to observations and used to explore the mechanisms governing the gyre evolution from the monthly to the decennial time scale. The ice–ocean governor dominates the response on interannual time scales, with eddy processes becoming evident only on the longest, decadal time scales.
Effectiveness of ovarian suspension in preventing postoperative ovarian adhesions in patients with severe pelvic endometriosis—a case-control study
Authors: Dehbashi Zahra , Khazali Shaheen , Tanha Fateme Davari , Mottahedian Farnaz , Ghajarzadeh Mahsa , Samimi Sadeh Saghar , Kamali Koorosh
Published: October 2019

Background

Endometriosis can exert obvious negative effects on women’s quality of life.

Excisional surgery is among the most effective treatments for severe pelvic endometriosis. The prevalence of severe pelvic adhesions following a laparoscopic examination of severe endometriosis varies between 50 and 100%. Temporary intraoperative ovarian suspension is a method for the reduction of adhesions is in the treatment of severe pelvic endometriosis. Given the importance and the prevalence of endometriosis and its complications, we conducted the present study to determine more effective adhesion-reducing methods with a view to improving the quality of the treatments provided.

Methods

The present prospective double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 women of reproductive age (≥ 19 years) diagnosed with severe pelvic endometriosis on transvaginal ultrasound scans and vaginal examinations at Yas Hospital between 2014 and 2017. Women with severe endometriosis (stage III, stage IV, and deep infiltrating endometriosis) requiring an extensive bilateral dissection of the pelvic walls and the rectovaginal space, with preserved uterus and ovaries, were included in the study.

The preoperative severity of ovarian adhesions was assessed in terms of ovarian motility, measured through a combination of gentle pressures applied with the vaginal probe and abdominal pressures applied with the examiner’s free hand. A table of random numbers was used to choose which ovary to suspend. The entire study population received standard general anesthesia. In the laparoscopic examination of the cases with severe endometriosis, both ovaries were routinely suspended to the anterior abdominal wall with PROLENE sutures. At the end of the surgery, one of the ovaries was kept suspended for 7 days, whereas the other ovarian suspension suture was cut.

At 3 months postoperatively, all the patients underwent ultrasound scans for the assessment of ovarian motility and adhesions. The severity of pelvic pain was defined according to a visual analog score. After surgery, infertile women were followed for 2-4 years, and were contacted regarding the infertility treatment. Chemical and clinical pregnancy rates was compered between the two groups.

Results

Three months after laparoscopy, the adhesions were mild in 41 (82%) patients and moderate in 9 (18%) on the suspended side, and mild in 12 (24%) patients and moderate in 38 (76%) on the control side (P < 0.001). The mean dysmenorrhea score was 6.8 ± 1.5 before surgery and 4.5 ± 1.4 after surgery (P < 0.001). The chemical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy rate were not different in the suspended and control groups (P = 0. 62, P = 0.64).

Conclusions

The reduction in adhesions via ovarian suspension surgery promises reductions in the complications of endometriosis.
Uncovering extensive post-translation regulation during human cell cycle progression by integrative multi-’omics analysis
Authors: Parkes Gregory M. , Niranjan Mahesan
Published: October 2019

Background

Analysis of high-throughput multi-’omics interactions across the hierarchy of expression has wide interest in making inferences with regard to biological function and biomarker discovery. Expression levels across different scales are determined by robust synthesis, regulation and degradation processes, and hence transcript (mRNA) measurements made by microarray/RNA-Seq only show modest correlation with corresponding protein levels.

Results

In this work we are interested in quantitative modelling of correlation across such gene products. Building on recent work, we develop computational models spanning transcript, translation and protein levels at different stages of the H. sapiens cell cycle. We enhance this analysis by incorporating 25+ sequence-derived features which are likely determinants of cellular protein concentration and quantitatively select for relevant features, producing a vast dataset with thousands of genes. We reveal insights into the complex interplay between expression levels across time, using machine learning methods to highlight outliers with respect to such models as proteins associated with post-translationally regulated modes of action.

Conclusions

We uncover quantitative separation between modified and degraded proteins that have roles in cell cycle regulation, chromatin remodelling and protein catabolism according to Gene Ontology; and highlight the opportunities for providing biological insights in future model systems.
Analysis of functional variants in mitochondrial DNA of Finnish athletes
Authors: Kiiskilä Jukka , Moilanen Jukka S. , Kytövuori Laura , Niemi Anna-Kaisa , Majamaa Kari
Published: October 2019

Background

We have previously reported on paucity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups J and K among Finnish endurance athletes. Here we aimed to further explore differences in mtDNA variants between elite endurance and sprint athletes. For this purpose, we determined the rate of functional variants and the mutational load in mtDNA of Finnish athletes (n = 141) and controls (n = 77) and determined the sequence variation in haplogroups.

Results

The distribution of rare and common functional variants differed between endurance athletes, sprint athletes and the controls (p = 0.04) so that rare variants occurred at a higher frequency among endurance athletes. Furthermore, the ratio between rare and common functional variants in haplogroups J and K was 0.42 of that in the remaining haplogroups (p = 0.0005). The subjects with haplogroup J and K also showed a higher mean level of nonsynonymous mutational load attributed to common variants than subjects with the other haplogroups. Interestingly, two of the rare variants detected in the sprint athletes were the disease-causing mutations m.3243A > G in MT-TL1 and m.1555A > G in MT-RNR1.

Conclusions

We propose that endurance athletes harbor an excess of rare mtDNA variants that may be beneficial for oxidative phosphorylation, while sprint athletes may tolerate deleterious mtDNA variants that have detrimental effect on oxidative phosphorylation system. Some of the nonsynonymous mutations defining haplogroup J and K may produce an uncoupling effect on oxidative phosphorylation thus favoring sprint rather than endurance performance.
The ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein cholesterol and myocardial infarction in Women’s health in the Lund area (WHILA): a 17-year follow-up cohort study
Authors: Calling Susanna , Johansson Sven-Erik , Wolff Moa , Sundquist Jan , Sundquist Kristina
Published: October 2019

Background

Identifying variables predictive of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in women is important. The use of the ratio of total cholesterol-to-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) is often overlooked. The aim was to study TC/HDL-C in relation to later AMI, in a large sample of women, adjusted for age, educational status, smoking, waist-hip ratio, blood pressure, and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. The hypothesis was that increasing TC/HDL-C is associated with an increased risk of later AMI.

Methods

From December 1995 to February 2000, 6147 women aged 50–59 years from the Womens’ Health in Lund area (WHILA) study in southern Sweden underwent a physical examination, laboratory tests and filled in a questionnaire. The women were followed through national registers for incidence of AMI during a mean follow up of 17 years.

Results

An increasing TC/HDL-C showed a strong relationship with AMI, with the lowest hazard ratio (HR = 1) in women with a ratio of ≤3.5. The HR for AMI was 1.14 (95% CI: 0.73–1.78) for those with a ratio between 3.5 and 4.0; in those with a ratio between 4.0 and 5.0 the HR for AMI was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.00–2.13) and in those with a ratio > 5.0 the HR was 1.89 (95% CI 1.26–2.82), after adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Conclusions

TC/HDL-C ratio is a powerful predictor of AMI in middle-aged women. The results indicate that this variable should be used in clinical practice and is important for early identification of individuals at risk of AMI.
Injury coding in a national trauma registry: a one-year validation audit in a level 1 trauma centre
Authors: Bågenholm Anna , Lundberg Ina , Straume Bjørn , Sundset Rune , Bartnes Kristian , Ingebrigtsen Tor , Dehli Trond
Published: October 2019

Background

Hospitals must improve patient safety and quality continuously. Clinical quality registries can drive such improvement. Trauma registries code injuries according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and benchmark outcomes based on the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and New ISS (NISS). The primary aim of this study was to validate the injury codes and severities registered in a national trauma registry. Secondarily, we aimed to examine causes for missing and discordant codes, to guide improvement of registry data quality.

Methods

We conducted an audit and established an expert coder group injury reference standard for patients met with trauma team activation in 2015 in a Level 1 trauma centre. Injuries were coded according to the AIS. The audit included review of all data in the electronic health records (EHR), and new interpretation of all images in the picture archiving system. Validated injury codes were compared with the codes registered in the registry. The expert coder group’s interpretations of reasons for discrepancies were categorised and registered. Inter-rater agreement between registry data and the reference standard was tested with Bland–Altman analysis.

Results

We validated injury data from 144 patients (male sex 79.2%) with median age 31 (inter quartile range 19–49) years. The total number of registered AIS codes was 582 in the registry and 766 in the reference standard. All injuries were concordantly coded in 62 (43.1%) patients. Most non-registered codes (n = 166 in 71 (49.3%) patients) were AIS 1, and information in the EHR overlooked by registrars was the dominating cause. Discordant coding of head injuries and extremity fractures were the most common causes for 157 discordant AIS codes in 74 (51.4%) patients. Median ISS (9) and NISS (12) for the total population did not differ between the registry and the reference standard.

Conclusions

Concordance between the codes registered in the trauma registry and the reference standard was moderate, influencing individual patients’ injury codes validity and ISS/NISS reliability. Nevertheless, aggregated median group ISS/NISS reliability was acceptable.
Unweighted regression models perform better than weighted regression techniques for respondent-driven sampling data: results from a simulation study
Authors: Avery Lisa , Rotondi Nooshin , McKnight Constance , Firestone Michelle , Smylie Janet , Rotondi Michael
Published: October 2019

Background

It is unclear whether weighted or unweighted regression is preferred in the analysis of data derived from respondent driven sampling. Our objective was to evaluate the validity of various regression models, with and without weights and with various controls for clustering in the estimation of the risk of group membership from data collected using respondent-driven sampling (RDS).

Methods

Twelve networked populations, with varying levels of homophily and prevalence, based on a known distribution of a continuous predictor were simulated using 1000 RDS samples from each population. Weighted and unweighted binomial and Poisson general linear models, with and without various clustering controls and standard error adjustments were modelled for each sample and evaluated with respect to validity, bias and coverage rate. Population prevalence was also estimated.

Results

In the regression analysis, the unweighted log-link (Poisson) models maintained the nominal type-I error rate across all populations. Bias was substantial and type-I error rates unacceptably high for weighted binomial regression. Coverage rates for the estimation of prevalence were highest using RDS-weighted logistic regression, except at low prevalence (10%) where unweighted models are recommended.

Conclusions

Caution is warranted when undertaking regression analysis of RDS data. Even when reported degree is accurate, low reported degree can unduly influence regression estimates. Unweighted Poisson regression is therefore recommended.
Geographical distribution of family physicians in Japan: a nationwide cross-sectional study
Authors: Yoshida Shuhei , Matsumoto Masatoshi , Kashima Saori , Koike Soichi , Tazuma Susumu , Maeda Takahiro
Published: October 2019

Background

Geographical maldistribution of physicians, and their subsequent shortage in rural areas, has been a serious problem in Japan and in other countries. Family Medicine, a new board-certified specialty started 10 years ago in Japan by Japan Primary Care Association (JPCA), may be a solution to this problem.

Methods

We obtained the workplace information of 527 (78.4%) of the 672 JPCA-certified family physicians from an online database. From the national census data, we also obtained the workplace information of board-certified general internists, surgeons, obstetricians/gynaecologists and paediatricians and of all physicians as the same-generation comparison group (ages 30 to 49). Chi-squared test and residual analysis were conducted to compare the distribution between family physicians and other specialists.

Results

Five hundred nineteen JPCA-certified family physicians and 137,587 same-generation physicians were analysed. The distribution of family physicians was skewed to municipalities with a lower population density, which shows a sharp contrast to the urban-biased distribution of other specialists. The proportion of family physicians in non-metropolitan municipalities was significantly higher than that expected based on the distribution of all same-generation physicians (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Family physicians distributed in favour of rural areas much more than any other specialists in Japan. The better balance of family physician distribution reported from countries with a strong primary care orientation seems to hold even in a country where primary care orientation is weak, physician distribution is not regulated, and patients have free access to healthcare. Family physicians comprise only 0.2% of all Japanese physicians. However, if their population grows, they can potentially rectify the imbalance of physician distribution. Government support is mandatory to promote family medicine in Japan.
Balancing the struggle to live with dementia: a systematic meta-synthesis of coping
Authors: Bjørkløf Guro Hanevold , Helvik Anne-Sofie , Ibsen Tanja Louise , Telenius Elisabeth Wiken , Grov Ellen Karine , Eriksen Siren
Published: October 2019

Background

People with dementia describe experiences of loss that threaten their autonomy and ability to contribute to society. They often have difficulties with orientation, loss of roll function, and fear about the future, and need help from others. An increasing body of literature also focuses on how people with dementia search for meaning and maintaining of quality to life, and how they find strategies to live with dementia. A review of the scientific literature on coping and dementia is warranted and can help to advice and inform healthcare personnel and decision makers on how they can support and plan for appropriate healthcare services for people with dementia. The aim of this systematic meta-synthesis was therefore to interpret and synthesize knowledge regarding people with dementia’s experience of coping.

Methods

We conducted a systematic, computerised search of Medline, Embase, Cinahl Complete, PsycINFO and Age Line combining MeSH terms and text words for different types ofdementiawith different descriptions ofexperience.Studies comprised 1) a sample of people with dementia, 2) a qualitative interview as a research method and 3) a description of experiences of coping were included. The search resulted in 7129 articles, of which 163 were read in full text, 80 were excluded due to the exclusion criteria or low quality according. The analysis was conducted in line with qualitative content analyses.

Results

This interpretative qualitative meta-synthesis included 74 articles of good quality encompassing interviews with 955 persons with dementia. The material revealed two main resources of coping: (1) Humour and (2) Practical and emotional support, and four overall strategies in which people with dementia cope with the challenges they experience: (1) Keep going and holding on to life as usual; (2) Adapting and adjusting to the demands from the situation; (3) Accepting the situation; and (4) Avoiding the situation A comprehensive understanding of the categories led to the latent theme:Balancing the struggle of living with dementia.

Conclusion

This meta-synthesis indicates that people with dementia cope in different ways and using several parallel strategies. This insight is essential in dementia care to facilitate a supportive environment.
Resident and staff perspectives of person-centered climate in nursing homes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Yunxia , Li Hui , XIAO Lily Dongxia , Zhang Wenhui , Xia Menghan , Feng Hui
Published: October 2019

Background

Person-centered care is widely recognized as a gold standard and is based on a supportive psychosocial climate for both residents and staff in nursing homes. Residents and staff may have different perspectives as to whether the climate in which they interact is person-centered, perhaps due to their different expectations of the nursing home environment and the provision of care services. The aim of this study was to explore and compare resident and staff perspectives of person-centered climate in aged care nursing homes.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study using a cluster random sampling method. The study collected data in 2016 from residents (n = 251) and nursing staff (n = 249) in 23 nursing homes using a Person-centered Climate Questionnaire-Patient version and Person-centered Climate-Staff version. T-tests for independent-samples were used to compare scores ranked by nursing staff and residents.

Results

The mean scores of ‘A climate of safety’ subscale and ‘A climate of everydayness’ subscale rated by residents were significantly lower than those rated by nursing staff. The mean scores of ‘A climate of hospitality’ rated by residents were very low among the three subscales, an indicator of the need to improve a more home-like environment for residents. Residents in larger size nursing homes showed a higher score of person-centered climate compared with their counterparts in small size nursing homes.

Conclusions

This study reveals that the perspectives and perceptions of person-centered climate differ between residents and nursing staff. Therefore, both resident and staff perspectives should be taken into account in attempting to improve person-centered climate for better care outcomes.
Self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load in criminal justice-involved populations
Authors: Cunningham William E. , Nance Robin M. , Golin Carol E. , Flynn Patrick , Knight Kevin , Beckwith Curt G. , Kuo Irene , Spaulding Anne , Taxman Faye S. , Altice Fredrick , Delaney Joseph A. , Crane Heidi M. , Springer Sandra A.
Published: October 2019

Background

Self-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence measures that are associated with plasma viral load (VL) are valuable to clinicians and researchers, but are rarely examined among groups vulnerable to dropping out of care. One-seventh of all those living with HIV pass through incarceration annually and criminal-justice (CJ) involved people living with HIV (PLH) are vulnerable to falling out of care. We examined the association of self-reported ART adherence with VL in a criminal-justice sample compared to a routine-care sample.

Methods

Samples: We examined data from a multisite collaboration of studies addressing the continuum of HIV care among CjJ involved persons in the Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain cohort. Data pooled from seven CJ- studies (n = 414) were examined and compared with the routine-care sample from the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems’ seven sites (n = 11,698).

Measures: In both samples, data on self-reported percent ART doses taken were collected via the visual analogue scale adherence measure. Viral load data were obtained by blood-draw.

Analysis: We examined the associations of adherence with VL in both cohorts using mixed effects linear regression of log-VL, and mixed effects logistic regression of binary VL (≥ 200 copies/mL) outcomes. Interactions by CD4 count and self-reported health status were also tested.

Results

Among the CJ sample, the coefficient for log-VL was − 0.31 (95% CI = − 0.43, − 0.18; P < 0.01) and that in the routine-care sample was − 0.42 (95% CI = − 0.45, − 0.38; P < 0.01). For the logistic regression of binary detectable VL on 10% increments of adherence we found the coefficient was − 0.26 (95% CI = − 0.37, − 0.14; P < 0.01) and in the routine-care sample it was − 0.38 (95% CI = − 0.41, − 0.35; P < 0.01). There was no significant interaction by CD4 count level in the CJ sample, but there was in the routine-care sample. Conversely, there was a significant interaction by self-reported health status level in the criminal-justice sample, but not in the routine-care sample.

Conclusions

The visual analogue scale is valid and useful to measure ART adherence, supporting treatment for CJ- involved PLH vulnerable to falling out of care. Research should examine adherence and VL in additional populations.
Glycemia affects glomerular filtration rate in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Weil E. Jennifer , Kobes Sayuko , Jones Lois I. , Hanson Robert L.
Published: October 2019

Background

In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) systematically underestimates the measured adjusted glomerular filtration rate (aGFR) when aGFR is high. We studied the extent to which glycemic variables associate with kidney function, and developed equations including these variables that estimate aGFR in people with T2DM.

Methods

Diabetic Pima people had aGFR measured from iothalamate clearance divided by body surface area. eGFRs < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 were excluded. Multivariate linear regression identified variables correlated with kidney function. We constructed equations for approximating aGFR. Correlation analysis and 10-fold cross-validation were used to compare the CKD-EPI equation and the new approximating equations to the measured aGFR. Ability to detect hyperfiltration, defined as aGFR > 120 ml/min/1.73m2, was compared by analysis of receiver-operating (ROC) curves.

Results

aGFR was measured 2798 times in 269 individuals. HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), age, and serum creatinine (SCR) were significantly associated with aGFR. The best equations for approximating aGFR used HbA1c and FPG in addition to age and SCR. They approximate aGFR in this cohort of obese people with T2DM more precisely than the CKD-EPI equation. Analysis of ROC curves show that these equations detect hyperfiltration better than does the CKD-EPI equation.

Conclusions

HbA1c, FPG, age, and SCR yielded the best equations for estimating aGFR in these subjects. The new equations identify hyperfiltration better than the CKD-EPI equation in this cohort and may inform clinical decisions regarding hyperfiltration in individuals with T2DM.
Analysis of pregnancy outcome after anastomosis of oviduct and its influencing factors
Authors: Feng Yun , Zhao Han , Xu Hongxia , Ai Ying , Su Lingyun , Zou Li , Yang Linna , Yang Dehong , Yan Xuelan , Ma Na , Dong Wei
Published: October 2019

Background

This study aims to investigate the influencing factors of pregnancy after laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis.

Methods

The data of 156 cases of laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis in our hospital were analyzed.

Results

The pregnancy rate decreased with age (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after six years of anastomosis was higher in those with ligation (P < 0.005). The postoperative pregnancy rate significantly increased in subjects with oviduct lengths of > 7 cm (P < 0.01). The pregnancy rate of isthmus end-to-end anastomosis was higher (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after bilateral tubal recanalization was higher than that after unilateral tubal recanalization (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after laparoscopic tubal ligation and laparoscopic anastomosis was higher than that of open tubal ligation and laparoscopic anastomosis (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

The pregnancy rate after laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis is higher in subjects below 35 years old, with a ligation duration of < 6 years, and a length of oviduct of > 7 cm, and those who underwent isthmus anastomosis and laparoscopic oviduct ligation and recanalization.