bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of parental weight status on children’s body mass index in early life: evidence from a Chinese cohort
Authors: Mei Hong , Guo Siyu , Lu Hongyan , Pan Yunhong , Mei Wenhua , Zhang Bin , Zhang Jianduan 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesTo understand whether parents’ weight status before conception predicts body mass index (BMI) of their offspring in early life and the differences between the mother–child and father–child associations.DesignA birth cohort study.SettingConducted at the Community Health Service Centre in Shenyang, Wuhan and Guangzhou.ParticipantsA total of 2220 live birth newborns were recruited randomly after consent of their parents, and 1178 were followed up until 2 years old.MethodsParental demographics, maternal characteristics during pregnancy, children’s anthropometric data and feeding patterns at 1 month old were collected. BMI was calculated and BMI Z-scores (BMI_Z) were generated by referring to WHO growth standard. Parental weight status was categorised into underweight, normal weight, and overweight and obese according to the Working Group of Obesity in China. General linear models and generalised linear models were used to assess the associations between parents and offspring.Outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were descriptive data on child’s sex-specific anthropometric variables. The secondary outcomes were BMI_Z and weight status of children at each time point.ResultsNo gender difference was observed in BMI_Z or overweight or obesity rates from birth to 24 months old, although boys were significantly heavier and had a greater length/height than girls (P<0.05). The overweight and obesity rates of children peaked at 12 months old. Maternal BMI/weight status had a significant but small effect on BMI_Z at birth, but not on the paternal side. The impact of parental BMI on child’s BMI_Z after birth was similar at each follow-up. Offspring with underweight mothers tend to have reduced BMI_Z after birth while overweight/obese fathers had children with a greater BMI_Z.ConclusionsMaternal weight status had small effect on both fetal and child growth after birth. Significant but mild paternal influence was only detected after birth.
Association of total homocysteine with blood pressure in a general population of Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study in Jiangsu province, China
Authors: Wu Hongxu , Wang Binyan , Ban Qianyun , Chen Lulu , Yan Dong , Yu Yaren , Song Yun , Liu Chengzhang , Cao Jingjing , Zhang Jingping , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Tao , Zhang Hao , Guo Huiyuan , Tang Genfu , Zhang Yan , Li Jianping , Huo Yong , Zang Tonghua , Qin Xianhui , Xu Xiping 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the relation of total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, and examine the possible modifiers in the association among a general population of Chinese adults.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingThe study was conducted within 21 communities in Lianyungang of Jiangsu province, China.ParticipantsA total of 26 648 participants aged ≥35 years and with no antihypertensive drug use were included in the final analysis.ResultsOverall, there was a positive association between tHcy concentrations and SBP (per 5 μmol/L tHcy increase: adjusted β=0.45 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.61) or DBP levels (per 5 μmol/L tHcy increase: adjusted β=0.47 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.59). Compared with participants with tHcy <10 μmol/L, significantly higher SBP levels were found in those with tHcy concentrations of 10 to <15 (adjusted β=0.80 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.28) and ≥15 µmol/L (adjusted β=1.79 mm Hg; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.37; p for trend <0.001). Consistently, significantly higher DBP levels were found in participants with tHcy concentrations of 10 to <15 (adjusted β=0.86 mm Hg; 95% CI 0.49 to 1.22) and ≥15 µmol/L (adjusted β=2.01 mm Hg; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.46; p for trend <0.001), respectively as compared with those with <10 μmol/L. Furthermore, a stronger association between tHcy and SBP (p for interaction=0.009) or DBP (p for interaction=0.067) was found in current alcohol drinkers.ConclusionSerum tHcy concentrations were positively associated with both SBP and DBP levels in a general Chinese adult population. The association was stronger in current alcohol drinkers.
Prevalence of high screen time and associated factors among students: a cross-sectional study in Zhejiang, China
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhong Jieming , Hu Ruying , Fiona Bragg , Yu Min , Du Huaidong 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and correlates of high screen time (ST) among students in Zhejiang, China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSchool-based adolescent health survey in Zhejiang Province, China.Participants23 543 students in grades 7–12 from 442 different schools.OutcomeHigh ST.ResultsThe mean age of the students was 15.6 years and 49.7% of them were girls. The prevalence of high ST (screen viewing ≥2 hours per day) was 42.4% (95% CI 40.2% to 44.5%), higher in boys than in girls (45.4%(95% CI 42.8% to 48.0%) vs 39.1% (95% CI 36.6% to 41.7%)). No statistically significant difference was found between urban and rural areas (43.0% (95% CI 37.2% to 48.7%) vs 42.1% (95% CI 39.6% to 44.6%)). The prevalence of high ST among middle school, academic high school and vocational high school students was 35.3%, 30.0% and 73.5%, respectively. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that older age, attendance at vocational high school, non-intact family, poor academic performance, bad self-reported health status, loneliness and drinking carbonated beverages ≥3 times every day were positively associated with high ST. Attendance at academic high school, higher parental education and being physically active were negatively associated with high ST.ConclusionsHigh ST was prevalent among students and associated with a cluster of sociodemographic and behavioural risk factors in Zhejiang, China.
Diagnostic yield of an ambulatory patch monitor in patients with unexplained syncope after initial evaluation in the emergency department: the PATCH-ED study
Authors: Reed Matthew J , Grubb Neil R , Lang Christopher C , Gray Alasdair J , Simpson Kirsty , MacRaild Allan , Weir Christopher J 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesDiagnosing underlying arrhythmia in ED syncope patients remains problematic. This study investigates diagnostic yield, event prevalence, patient satisfaction and compliance, and influence on resource utilisation of an ambulatory patch monitor in unexplained ED syncope patients.MethodsProspective pilot study conducted in a single tertiary ED in Scotland between 17 November 2015 and 16 June 2017 with a historical unmatched comparator group. Patients 16 years or over presenting within 6 hours of unexplained syncope were fitted in the ED with an ambulatory patch ECG recorder (Zio XT monitor), which continuously records a single-lead ECG for up to 14 days. Patients with an obvious underlying cause were excluded. An unmatched historical group of 603 syncope patients with no obvious diagnosis in ED, recruited to a prior cohort study (2007–2008), were used as a comparator. Primary endpoint was symptomatic significant arrhythmia at 90-day follow-up.ResultsDuring the prospective study period, 86 patients were recruited. 90-day diagnostic yield for symptomatic significant arrhythmia was 10.5% (95% CI 4.0 to 16.9; 9 of 86) versus 2.0% (95% CI 0.9 to 3.1; 12 of 603) in the comparator group. 24 patients (27.9%) had a significant arrhythmia (five serious); 26 patients (30.2%) had serious outcomes (major adverse cardiac event and/or death). Blinded patch report review suggested the patch would significantly reduce requirement for standard outpatient ambulatory ECG monitoring. 56 of 76 returned patches had a diagnostic finding within±45 s of a triggered/diary event (73.7% diagnostic utility; 95% CI 63.7 to 83.6); 34 of 56 (61%) for sinus rhythm or ectopic beats only.ConclusionsRoutine, early ambulatory ECG monitoring in ED patients with unexplained syncope is probably warranted. A large-scale trial comparing this approach to standard care with cost-effectiveness and safety analysis is now required.Trial registrationNCT02683174.
Attitudes to out-of-programme experiences, research and academic training of gastroenterology trainees between 2007 and 2016
Authors: McFarlane Michael , Bhala Neeraj , China Louise , Alrubaiy Laith , Chedgy Fergus , Disney Benjamin R , Farmer Adam D , Fogden Edward , Sadler Gareth , Hull Mark A , McLaughlin John , Ellison Howard , Solomon Julie , Brookes Matthew James 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveAcademic medical training was overhauled in 2005 after the Walport report and Modernising Medical Careers to create a more attractive and transparent training pathway. In 2007 and 2016, national web-based surveys of gastroenterology trainees were undertaken to determine experiences, perceptions of and perceived barriers to out-of-programme research experience (OOP-R).Design, setting and patientsProspective, national web-based surveys of UK gastroenterology trainees in 2007 and 2016.Main outcome measureAttitudes to OOP-R of two cohorts of gastroenterology trainees.ResultsResponse rates were lower in 2016 (25.8% vs 56.7%) (p<0.0001), although female trainees’ response rates increased (from 28.8% to 37.6%) (p=0.17), along with higher numbers of academic trainees. Over 80% of trainees planned to undertake OOP-R in both surveys, with >50% having already undertaken it. Doctor of Philosophy/medical doctorate remained the most popular OOP-R in both cohorts. Successful fellowship applications increased in 2016, and evidence of gender inequality in 2007 was no longer evident in 2016. In the 2016 cohort, 91.1% (n=144) felt the development of trainee-led research networks was important, with 74.7% (n=118) keen to get involved.ConclusionsThe majority of gastroenterology trainees who responded expressed a desire to undertake OOP-R, and participation rates in OOP-R remain high. Despite smaller absolute numbers responding than in 2007, 2016 trainees achieved higher successful fellowship application rates. Reassuringly more trainees in 2016 felt that OOP-R would be important in the future. Efforts are needed to tackle potential barriers to OOP-R and support trainees to pursue research-active careers.
Effects of multiple sclerosis disease-modifying therapies on employment measures using patient-reported data
Authors: Chen Jing , Taylor Bruce V , Blizzard Leigh , Simpson Jr Steve , Palmer Andrew J , van der Mei Ingrid A F 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe direct comparative evidence on treatment effects of available multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is limited, and few studies have examined the benefits of DMTs on employment outcomes. We compared the effects of DMTs used in the previous 5 years on improving the work attendance, amount of work and work productivity of people with MS.MethodsThe Australian MS Longitudinal Study collected data from participants on DMTs usage from 2010 to 2015 and whether DMTs contributed to changes in employment outcomes. We classified 11 DMTs into three categories based on their clinical efficacy (β-interferons and glatiramer acetate as category 1; teriflunomide and dimethyl fumarate as category 2; fingolimod, natalizumab, alemtuzumab and mitoxantrone as category 3). Each DMT used by a participant was treated as one observation and analysed by log-multinomial regression.ResultsOf the 874 participants included, 1384 observations were generated. Those who used category 3 (higher efficacy) DMTs were 2–3 times more likely to report improvements in amount of work, work attendance and work productivity compared with those who used category 1 (classical injectable) DMTs. Natalizumab was associated with superior beneficial effects on patient-reported employment outcomes than fingolimod (RR=1.76, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.03 for increased work attendance and RR=1.46, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.10 for increased work productivity).ConclusionsThose using the higher efficacy (category 3) DMTs, particularly fingolimod and natalizumab, reported significant increases in amount of work, work attendance and work productivity, suggesting they have important beneficial effects on work life in people with MS.
Retinal ganglion cell loss in neuromyelitis optica: a longitudinal study
Authors: Oertel Frederike C , Havla Joachim , Roca-Fernández Adriana , Lizak Nathaniel , Zimmermann Hanna , Motamedi Seyedamirhosein , Borisow Nadja , White Owen B , Bellmann-Strobl Judith , Albrecht Philipp , Ruprecht Klemens , Jarius Sven , Palace Jacqueline , Leite Maria Isabel , Kuempfel Tania , Paul Friedemann , Brandt Alexander U 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are inflammatory conditions of the central nervous system and an important differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Unlike MS, the course is usually relapsing, and it is unclear, if progressive neurodegeneration contributes to disability. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if progressive retinal neuroaxonal damage occurs in aquaporin4-antibody-seropositive NMOSD.MethodsOut of 157 patients with NMOSD screened, 94 eyes of 51 patients without optic neuritis (ON) during follow-up (F/U) and 56 eyes of 28 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were included (median F/U 2.3 years). The NMOSD cohort included 60 eyes without (EyeON−) and 34 eyes with a history of ON prior to enrolment (EyeON+). Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (pRNFL), fovea thickness (FT), volumes of the combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIP) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) and total macular volume (TMV) were acquired by optical coherence tomography (OCT).ResultsAt baseline, GCIP, FT and TMV were reduced in EyeON+ (GCIP p<2e−16; FT p=3.7e−4; TMV p=3.7e−12) and in EyeON− (GCIP p=0.002; FT p=0.040; TMV p=6.1e−6) compared with HC. Longitudinally, we observed GCIP thinning in EyeON− (p=0.044) but not in EyeON+. Seven patients had attacks during F/U; they presented pRNFL thickening compared with patients without attacks (p=0.003).ConclusionThis study clearly shows GCIP loss independent of ON attacks in aquaporin4-antibody-seropositive NMOSD. Potential explanations for progressive GCIP thinning include primary retinopathy, drug-induced neurodegeneration and retrograde neuroaxonal degeneration from lesions or optic neuropathy. pRNFL thickening in the patients presenting with attacks during F/U might be indicative of pRNFL susceptibility to inflammation.
Ethics of dead participants: policy recommendations for biobank research
Authors: Ursin Lars , Stuifbergen Maria 
Published: June 2018

Respecting people’s consent choices for use of their material and data is a cornerstone of biobank ethics. Participation in biobanks is characteristically based on broad consent that presupposes an ongoing possibility of informing and interacting with participants over time. The death of a participant means the end of any interaction, but usually not the end of participation. Research on causes of death makes biobank material from deceased participants extremely valuable. But as new research questions and methods develop over time, the question arises whether stored biobank material from deceased persons still can be used on the basis of their broad consent. In this paper, we discuss policies for postmortem use of biobank material, including consent options, proxy consent and criteria for limitation of types of use and duration of storage. We conclude that the interests of participants in biobank research are best served by asking at enrolment if and how the biobank material may be used after death. We state that the use of biobank material from deceased participants should be delimited both by their consent and by the prevailing broad consent choices of living participants.Biobanks also need to inform participants at enrolment about the duration of storage of biobank material or at minimum have procedures for deciding how long material will be stored for and for which purpose. For older collections, in the absence of such information or consent options, relevant authorities should decide.
Night work and prostate cancer risk: results from the EPICAP Study
Authors: Wendeu-Foyet Méyomo Gaelle , Bayon Virginie , Cénée Sylvie , Trétarre Brigitte , Rébillard Xavier , Cancel-Tassin Géraldine , Cussenot Olivier , Lamy Pierre-Jean , Faraut Brice , Ben Khedher Soumaya , Léger Damien , Menegaux Florence 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveTo investigate the role of night work in prostate cancer based on data from the EPICAP Study.MethodsEPICAP is a French population-based case-control study including 818 incident prostate cancer cases and 875 frequency-matched controls that have been interviewed face to face on several potential risk factors including lifetime occupational history. Detailed information on work schedules for each job (permanent or rotating night work, duration, total number of nights, length of the shift, number of consecutive nights) as well as sleep duration and chronotype, was gathered. Prostate cancer aggressiveness was assessed by Gleason Score.ResultsNight work was not associated with prostate cancer, whatever the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, while we observed an overall increased risk among men with an evening chronotype (OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.19). A long duration of at least 20 years of permanent night work was associated with aggressive prostate cancer (OR=1.76, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.75), even more pronounced in combination with a shift length >10 hours or ≥ 6 consecutive nights (OR=4.64, 95% CI 1.78 to 12.13; OR=2.43, 95% CI 1.32 to 4.47, respectively).ConclusionOverall, ever night work, either permanent or rotating, was not associated to prostate cancer. Nevertheless, our results suggest that a long duration of permanent night work in combination with a long shift length or at least six consecutive nights may be associated with prostate cancer, particularly with aggressive prostate cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm those findings.
Receipt of tobacco direct mail/email discount coupons and trajectories of cigarette smoking behaviours in a nationally representative longitudinal cohort of US adults
Authors: Choi Kelvin , Chen Julia Cen , Tan Andy S L , Soneji Samir , Moran Meghan B 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundWe assessed whether receipt of coupons—via direct mail or e-mail—was prospectively related to trajectories of smoking behaviours.MethodsData were from a cohort of US adults (n=26 447) who participated in wave 1 (2013–2014) and wave 2 (2014–2015) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Participants reported receipt of tobacco direct mail/email coupons in the past 6 months in wave 1 and their smoking status in both waves. Weighted multiple logistic regressions were used to examine demographic correlates of receiving tobacco direct mail/email coupons at wave 1 and to examine the prospective effect of receiving tobacco coupons on trajectories of smoking behaviours.FindingsAt wave 1, 10.7% of never smokers, 13.9% of experimental smokers, 37.1% of current smokers and 16.5% of former smokers reported receiving tobacco direct mail/email coupons. Lower education and higher poverty adults and non-Hispanic white current smokers were more likely to have received these coupons (p<0.05). Receiving tobacco direct mail/email coupons at wave 1 was associated with increased odds of smoking initiation among never smokers (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.28, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.83), becoming established smokers among experimenters (AOR=1.62, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.04), becoming daily smokers among non-daily smokers (AOR=1.56, 95% CI 1.23 to 1.99) and smoking relapse among former smokers between waves (AOR=1.91, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.65). Receiving these coupons at wave 1 was associated with reduced odds of smoking cessation ≥6 months among current smokers (AOR=0.71, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.88).ConclusionsTobacco direct mail/email coupons encourage and sustain smoking and disproportionately affect lower socioeconomic populations.
Effects of rice (Oryza sativaL.) cultivation and soil type on potassium mobilization and transformation behavior
Authors: Zhu D.D. , Zhan L.P. , Cong R.H. , Li X.K. 
Published: June 2018

To understand the chemical behavior of potassium (K) in soil, rhizobox experiments were conducted to study the effects of K uptake by cultivated rice and soil type on K migration and transformation in soils. The aim of this study was to guide reasonable application of K fertilizer in different soil types. The results showed that at the maximum tillering stage, the migration distances of water-soluble K (Sol-K) were 6 and 5 cm, the depletion of exchangeable K (Ex-K) was 7 and 4 cm, and depletion of nonexchangeable K (Nonex-K) was 1 and 5 cm, respectively, in yellow cinnamon soil (YCS) and fluvo-aquic soil (FS). With the growth of rice, the migration distances of Sol-K showed little difference between YCS and FS. Throughout the season, the contributions of Sol-K, Ex-K, and Nonex-K to K uptake in YCS were 12.0%, 40.0%, and 48.0%, respectively, whereas their contributions in FS were 25.7%, 25.8%, and 48.5%, respectively. K uptake by rice was linearly related to the concentration of different forms of K in soils (R2 = 0.687*). In conclusion, soil type significantly affected K mobilization and transformation behavior. This indicated that the location of K fertilizer addition in the root zone should differ with soil type.
π±, K±, protons and antiprotons production in proton–carbon interactions at 31 GeV/c using hadron production models
Authors: Ullah S. , Ali Y. , Ajaz M. , Tabassam U. , Ali Q. 
Published: June 2018

Projects proposed for the long baseline neutrino and cosmic rays’ experiments require high precision hadron production measurements, using proton beam on different targets, to achieve their physics goals. The predictions of neutrino beam depend on the modeling of protons interacting within the targets. Thus, different hadronic models are being used for this purpose with different precisions, which depend on the projectile protons energy and material of the target used. The comparison of different hadron production models predictions, in proton–carbon interactions at 31 GeV/c, is reported in this paper. Double differential yield of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] mesons, protons and antiprotons in several polar angle ranges is presented as a function of laboratory momentum. EPOS1.99, EPOS-LHC and QGSJETII-04 models are used to perform simulations. The results of the simulated data are compared with hadron production measurements in proton–carbon interactions at 31 GeV/c performed by the NA61/SHINE experiment at the SPS CERN [Eur. Phys. J. C 76, 84 (2016)]. None of the models completely describes all the distributions. In most of the cases, EPOS1.99 describes the experimental data very well. EPOS-LHC results are also similar in some cases, but QGSJETII-04 predictions failed to reproduce the experimental data.