Podcasts about methods data

Ran Abramitzky studies the economic history of immigration by tapping into now-public government records and using AI to chart changing attitudes on immigration captured in written documents and official speeches. What's revealed is a remarkable story that often diverges from conventional wisdom. Not all streets were paved with gold, Abramitzky tells host Russ Altman, himself a descendant of immigrants, on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast.Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads or Twitter/XConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/XChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Russ Altman introduces the episode's focus on immigration myths, and the data story behind them with economist Ran Abramitzky.(00:01:56) The Methods & Data used Ran explains his approach to researching immigration using quantitative methods, data sets, and text analysis.(00:03:39) Who is an Immigrant?A conversation on the scope of the term 'immigrant' and the focus on voluntary immigration in this work(00:05:01) Personal Anecdotes and Immigrant ExperiencesRuss & Ran discuss the truth behind opportunities presented through immigration, illustrated by Russ's family experience. (00:07:11) The Rags to Riches MythDebunking this story, looking at the economic status of immigrants on arrival and the generational improvements, often driven by taking jobs beneath their skill levels.(00:09:17) Cultural AssimilationExamining the cultural assimilation of immigrants, including marriage patterns, naming children, and citizenship.(00:10:53) Current Relevance of Historical Immigration PatternsThe consistency of historical immigration trends across nationalities and generation, despite policy changes regarding borders(00:13:09) Crime MythsExploration of resistance to immigration, debunking of myths linking immigrants to increased crime rates,  incarceration data(00:15:39) Historical and Contemporary PolarizationExamining how political rhetoric and attitudes towards immigrants have evolved over the last 150 years, focusing on polarization.(00:18:00) Immigrant Beliefs on ImmigrationDiscussion on how immigrants' attitudes towards immigration change after settling in the U.S.(00:20:34) Refugees & Ellis Island InterviewsInterviews with immigrants from Ellis Island provide insights into the experiences of refugees versus economic immigrants and the convergence of immigrant paths by the second or third generation.(00:24:36) Impact of Research on Government PolicyThe influence, or lack, of immigration research on government policy and public perception. Abramitzky shares the importance of a long-term view of immigration success.(00:27:15) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads or Twitter/XConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X

Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone and Dr. Jacob Raber from Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, describe a recent research paper they co-authored that was published by Oncotarget in Volume 13, entitled, “Association of fall rate and functional status by APOE genotype in cancer survivors after exercise intervention.” DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28310 Correspondence to - Jacob Raber - raberj@ohsu.edu Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQK7MK7qfWY Abstract Purpose/Objectives: Cancer treatment survivors often report impaired functioning and increased falls. Not all survivors experience the same symptom burden, suggesting individual susceptibilities. APOE genotype is a potential genetic risk factor for cancer treatment related side effects. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity can mitigate the effect of APOE genotype on measures of clinical interest in individuals without a history of cancer. We tested the hypothesis that APOE genotype influences cancer treatment related side effects and symptoms as well as response to exercise intervention. Materials and Methods: Data from a subsample of a study of fall prevention exercise in post-treatment female cancer survivors aged 50–75 years old (https://clinicaltrials.gov NCT01635413) were used to conduct a secondary data analysis. ApoE genotype was determined by serum sampling. Physical functioning, frequency of falls, and symptom burden were assessed using survey instruments. Results: Data from 126 female cancer survivors a median of 49 months out from cancer diagnosis were analyzed. ApoE4 carriers trended toward a higher fall rate at baseline (p = 0.059), but after exercise intervention had a fall rate lower than E4 non-carriers both immediately after structured intervention (p = 0.013) and after 6 months of follow up (p = 0.002). E2 carriers did not show improved measures of depressive symptoms and self-report disability after exercise intervention. E3 homozygotes showed increased self report physical activity after the 6 month exercise intervention, but E4 and E2 carriers did not. Conclusions: APOE genotype may modulate cancer treatment related side effects and symptoms and response to exercise intervention. Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28310 Press release - https://www.oncotarget.com/news/pr/oncotarget-association-of-fall-rate-and-functional-status-by-apoe-genotype-in-cancer-survivors-after-exercise-intervention/ Keywords - apoE, breast cancer, exercise intervention, fall rate, functional status About Oncotarget Oncotarget is a primarily oncology-focused, peer-reviewed, open access journal. Papers are published continuously within yearly volumes in their final and complete form, and then quickly released to Pubmed. On September 15, 2022, Oncotarget was accepted again for indexing by MEDLINE. Oncotarget is now indexed by Medline/PubMed and PMC/PubMed. To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/oncotarget Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/OncotargetYouTube LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Media Contact MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM 18009220957

VIDEOS: COVID-19 VACCINATED PEOPLE SUFFERING STRANGE HALLUCINATIONS BEFORE COLLAPSING – 7:15 WHISTLEBLOWER NURSE IN WASHINGTON DESCRIBES VACCINE INJURIES FROM EMPLOYMENT MANDATE – 1:45 FUNERAL EMBALMER: 85% OF DEAD BODIES NOW HAVE STRANGE BLOOD CLOTS SINCE COVID VACCINE ROLL-OUTS – 15:20 “UNEXPLAINED DEATHS” BECOMING #1 CAUSE OF DEATH IN 2022 IN CANADA, AUSTRALIA, AND EUROPE – 5:26 Jay Bhattacharya: The legal case against Anthony Fauci    Rhodiola found to be an effective herbal medicine for treating fatigue and weakness National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, September 28, 2022 With everything that's going on in life, it's normal to feel tired at some point. Fatigue is a condition characterized by extreme feelings of either physical or mental tiredness. One study shows that rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) can be used as an herbal medicine for fatigue. People who are experiencing fatigue can have symptoms like sore muscles, lack of motivation, headaches, drowsiness, and irritability. If fatigue lasts for one to six months it can be classified as prolonged fatigue. However, if it goes beyond that it is already classified as chronic fatigue. Studies show that a third of the adult population has experienced chronic fatigue at least once in their life. With the high prevalence of chronic fatigue, it is unfortunate that there is still no standard medication available for it. Previous studies have shown that rhodiola can reduce symptoms in people suffering from mental fatigue. In addition to this, animal studies have also revealed that rhodiola can stimulate physical work capacity. For this study, which was published in Complementary Medicine Research, the researchers looked at rhodiola as a potential medication for prolonged and chronic fatigue. Researchers performed a clinical trial with 100 participants suffering from either prolonged or chronic fatigue. Although the trial lasted for eight weeks, significant improvements in fatigue symptoms were already observable after just one week. Further improvements could still be observed throughout the trial period. Furthermore, no adverse effects were observed with rhodiola intake. Parenting practices in teen years set the stage for closeness, warmth later on Penn State University, October 5, 2022 High-quality parenting practices in adolescence lay the foundation for close parent-child relationships when the children become young adults, according to new research from Penn State. The study is one of the first to examine how changes in parental involvement, parental warmth, and effective discipline during adolescence predict the quality of the relationships between parents and their young adult children, said Greg Fosco, professor of human development and family studies and associate director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center at Penn State, who was co-principal investigator on the study. The study's findings were published recently in Developmental Psychology. The research team surveyed 1,631 participants in a long-term research study of families in rural and semi-rural Pennsylvania and Iowa who completed surveys between sixth and 12th grades and again at age 22. “Our research showed that parenting can change a lot during the teenage years: parents often express less warmth and affection, spend less time with their teens, and become more harsh in their discipline. Parents that were able to maintain positive parenting and involvement laid the foundation for a close relationship when their teens became adults,” said Fosco. Staying involved in teens' lives may look different than when they were younger, and it can be challenging to stay close with teens as they seek greater independence and autonomy, Fosco acknowledged. Based on the study's findings, he suggested these activities: Do something together, like playing sports, bike riding, exercising, going for a walk, gaming, cooking, attending events, or going out for a meal or dessert. Work on a project together around the house. Talk about what's going on at school. Discuss what you want to do in the future. Further, adolescents who experienced higher levels of parental warmth in the early teen years reported feeling more closeness and warmth with mothers and fathers when they were in their 20s, Fosco said. The study also found that parents who were skilled at using effective discipline with their sixth grade children — and maintained these effective practices over the course of adolescence — had less conflictual relationships when their children were in their 20s. Lifestyle Influences Metabolism Via DNA Methylation Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen (Germany) September 20, 2022 An unhealthy lifestyle leaves traces in the DNA. These may have specific effects on metabolism, causing organ damage or disease. Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München have now identified 28 DNA alterations associated with metabolic traits. This world-first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of modified genes and metabolites has been now published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics. In the course of life, aging processes, environmental influences and lifestyle factors such as smoking or diet induce biochemical alterations to the DNA. Frequently, these lead to DNA methylation, a process in which methyl groups are added to particular DNA segments, without changing the DNA sequence. Such processes can influence gene function and are known as epigenetics. To this end, the team analyzed blood samples from more than 1800 participants of the KORA study *. In doing so, they analyzed more than 457,000 loci in the DNA as to biochemical alterations and compared them with the concentrations of 649 different metabolites. The analysis showed that the methylation of 28 DNA segments changed a number of important metabolic processes. In the relevant DNA regions there were also already known disease-related genes: for example, the TXNIP gene that regulates glucose metabolism and is associated with the development of diabetes mellitus. Appropriately, with the methylated TXNIP there were altered concentrations of metabolites from the lipid and glucose metabolism. Also genes that are known to be biochemically altered due to smoking affect different metabolic activities, and specifically those with corresponding biological functions. “This study gives us new insights into how lifestyle factors can influence metabolism via the resulting alterations in the DNA,” said Gieger, research group leader at the IGE. “We can now use these results to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes.” Exposure to fluoridated water and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States: an ecological association York University (Ontario), September 30, 2022 Epidemiological and animal-based studies have suggested that prenatal and postnatal fluoride exposure has adverse effects on neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between exposure to fluoridated water and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) prevalence among children and adolescents in the United States. Methods: Data on ADHD prevalence among 4-17 year olds collected in 2003, 2007 and 2011 as part of the National Survey of Children's Health, and state water fluoridation prevalence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected between 1992 and 2008 were utilized. Results: State prevalence of artificial water fluoridation in 1992 significantly positively predicted state prevalence of ADHD in 2003, 2007 and 2011, even after controlling for socioeconomic status. A multivariate regression analysis showed that after socioeconomic status was controlled each 1% increase in artificial fluoridation prevalence in 1992 was associated with approximately 67,000 to 131,000 additional ADHD diagnoses from 2003 to 2011. Overall state water fluoridation prevalence (not distinguishing between fluoridation types) was also significantly positively correlated with state prevalence of ADHD for all but one year examined. Conclusions: Parents reported higher rates of medically-diagnosed ADHD in their children in states in which a greater proportion of people receive fluoridated water from public water supplies. The relationship between fluoride exposure and ADHD warrants future study.

The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification: Construct validity, test-retest, and inter-rater reliabilitySimon Garbellini, Melinda Randall, Michael Steele, Catherine Elliott, Christine ImmsAbstractBackground: The Neurological Hand Deformity Classification (NHDC) is an impairment-based tool that classifies hand deformity into one of two ordinal scales: flexion or extension deformities. Classification is made from live observation or from recorded video footage. Differentiation between the levels is determined by wrist position and wrist and finger movement.Purpose: To examine aspects of validity and reliability of the NHDC.Study design: A measurement study design.Methods: Data from a convenience sample of 127 children with cerebral palsy, 66 males: 61 females, ranging in age from 8 months to 15 years, across all Manual Ability Classification System levels I to V, were analyzed. Construct validity was assessed by testing predetermined hypotheses of relationships between the NHDC and measures of body function and activity measures with observed performance using the Chi Squared Test of Independence and Spearman Correlation Coefficient. Test-retest and inter-rater reliability were assessed by calculating agreement between repeated measures and paired raters using weighted kappa and Cohen's kappa with 95% confidence intervals.Results: Predicted hypotheses for the NHDC were met in nine of 10 Spearman's rho correlations with body structure measures and in 2 of 7 correlations with activity measures. Test-retest for flexion deformities: κw = 0.84; 95% CI 0.70-0.98; and extension deformities: κ = 1.0; 95% CI 1.0-1.0 was good to excellent; inter-rater reliability for flexion deformities: κw = 0.76; 95% CI 0.67-0.85; and extension deformities κ = 0.75; 95% CI 0.43-1.0 was moderate to excellent.Conclusion: Expected relationships between the NHDC and other measures, stability between repeated measures and acceptable between-rater agreement supports confidence classifying hand deformity in children with cerebral palsy with the NHDC.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.09.16.299610v1?rss=1 Authors: Jovicic, S. Abstract: Background: Physical activity influence protein concentration and AChE level in human blood. The aim of this study was to assess influence of continuous monthly physical activity in healthy elderly individuals. Methods: Data analysis was performed on total 62 participants. Participants differ based on gender and age. Level of activation and inhibition of enzyme AChE in blood has been measured utilizing substrate acetylcholine chloride (AChCL) and inhibitor eserine 0.1mM. The study has been expanded to investigate efficacy of enzyme AChE inhibition with BW284c51 0.01mM inhibitor. Data analysis is carried out with Microsoft excel 2007. Statistical software for analysis is IBM SPSS v 23.0. Descriptive statistics (mean +-SD) and parametric statistical tests (Pearson, Linear stepwise regression, T test and One way ANOVA) were assessed before and after 3 months of physical activity. Results: Continual monthly physical activity has an effect on in vitro protein concentration, activation/inhibition of enzyme AChE in plasma and whole blood samples. Usage of diverse statistical test indicated diverse interpretation of final results. Conclussion: Overall outcome confirms that monthly sport activity causes change of protein concentration and enzyme AChE activity in blood samples, making it a good strategic biomarker in health and disease. Physical activity has a beneficial effect on human wellbeing and disease prevention in healthy elderly individuals. Keywords: physical activity, blood biomarkers, protein concentration, enzyme AChE, elderly individuals, healthy individuals Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.04.077040v1?rss=1 Authors: Dadar, M., Gee, M., Shuaib, A., Duchesne, S., Camicioli, R. Abstract: Introduction: Previous studies have found associations between grey matter atrophy and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of vascular origin with cognitive and motor deficits in Parkinsons disease (PD). Here we investigate these relationships in a sample of PD patients and age-matched healthy controls. Methods: Data included 50 PD patients and 45 age-matched controls with T1-weighted and FLAIR scans at baseline, 18-months, and 36-months follow-up. Deformation-based morphometry was used to measure grey matter atrophy. SNIPE (Scoring by Nonlocal Image Patch Estimator) was used to measure Alzheimers disease-like textural patterns in the hippocampi. WMHs were segmented using T1-weighted and FLAIR images. The relationship between MRI features and clinical scores was assessed using mixed-effects models. The motor subscore of the Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRSIII), number of steps in a walking trial, and Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) were used respectively as measures of motor function, gait, and cognition. Results: Substantia nigra atrophy was significantly associated with motor deficits, with a greater impact in PDs (p

Anti-TNF Treatment for Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study. Vavricka SR1, Gubler M, Gantenbein C, Spoerri M, Froehlich F, Seibold F, Protic M, Michetti P, Straumann A, Fournier N, Juillerat P, Biedermann L, Zeitz J, Misselwitz B, Scharl M, Heinrich H, Manser CN, Safroneeva E, Raja Ali RA, Rogler G, Schoepfer AM, Greuter T; Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group. BACKGROUND: Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently observed. Little is known about the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in EIM management. We assessed the effect of 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) on EIM evolution. METHODS: Data on 1249 patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study (SIBDCS) were analyzed. All EIMs were diagnosed by relevant specialists. Response was classified into improvement, stable disease, and clinical worsening based on the physician's interpretation. RESULTS: Of the 366 patients with at least 1 EIM, 213 (58.2%) were ever treated with an anti-TNF. A total of 299 treatments were started for 355 EIMs. Patients with EIM were significantly more often treated with anti-TNF compared with those without EIM (58.2% versus 21.0%, P < 0.001). ...

Anti-TNF Treatment for Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study. Vavricka SR1, Gubler M, Gantenbein C, Spoerri M, Froehlich F, Seibold F, Protic M, Michetti P, Straumann A, Fournier N, Juillerat P, Biedermann L, Zeitz J, Misselwitz B, Scharl M, Heinrich H, Manser CN, Safroneeva E, Raja Ali RA, Rogler G, Schoepfer AM, Greuter T; Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group. BACKGROUND: Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently observed. Little is known about the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in EIM management. We assessed the effect of 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) on EIM evolution. METHODS: Data on 1249 patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study (SIBDCS) were analyzed. All EIMs were diagnosed by relevant specialists. Response was classified into improvement, stable disease, and clinical worsening based on the physician's interpretation. RESULTS: Of the 366 patients with at least 1 EIM, 213 (58.2%) were ever treated with an anti-TNF. A total of 299 treatments were started for 355 EIMs. Patients with EIM were significantly more often treated with anti-TNF compared with those without EIM (58.2% versus 21.0%, P < 0.001). ...

Anti-TNF Treatment for Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study. Vavricka SR1, Gubler M, Gantenbein C, Spoerri M, Froehlich F, Seibold F, Protic M, Michetti P, Straumann A, Fournier N, Juillerat P, Biedermann L, Zeitz J, Misselwitz B, Scharl M, Heinrich H, Manser CN, Safroneeva E, Raja Ali RA, Rogler G, Schoepfer AM, Greuter T; Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group. BACKGROUND: Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently observed. Little is known about the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in EIM management. We assessed the effect of 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) on EIM evolution. METHODS: Data on 1249 patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study (SIBDCS) were analyzed. All EIMs were diagnosed by relevant specialists. Response was classified into improvement, stable disease, and clinical worsening based on the physician's interpretation. RESULTS: Of the 366 patients with at least 1 EIM, 213 (58.2%) were ever treated with an anti-TNF. A total of 299 treatments were started for 355 EIMs. Patients with EIM were significantly more often treated with anti-TNF compared with those without EIM (58.2% versus 21.0%, P < 0.001). ...

Anti-TNF Treatment for Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Swiss IBD Cohort Study. Vavricka SR1, Gubler M, Gantenbein C, Spoerri M, Froehlich F, Seibold F, Protic M, Michetti P, Straumann A, Fournier N, Juillerat P, Biedermann L, Zeitz J, Misselwitz B, Scharl M, Heinrich H, Manser CN, Safroneeva E, Raja Ali RA, Rogler G, Schoepfer AM, Greuter T; Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group. BACKGROUND: Extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently observed. Little is known about the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in EIM management. We assessed the effect of 3 anti-TNF agents (infliximab, adalimumab, and certolizumab pegol) on EIM evolution. METHODS: Data on 1249 patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study (SIBDCS) were analyzed. All EIMs were diagnosed by relevant specialists. Response was classified into improvement, stable disease, and clinical worsening based on the physician's interpretation. RESULTS: Of the 366 patients with at least 1 EIM, 213 (58.2%) were ever treated with an anti-TNF. A total of 299 treatments were started for 355 EIMs. Patients with EIM were significantly more often treated with anti-TNF compared with those without EIM (58.2% versus 21.0%, P < 0.001). ...

Background: Visual impairment is associated with important limitations in functioning. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) relies on a globally accepted framework for classifying problems in functioning and the influence of contextual factors. Its comprehensive perspective, including biological, individual and social aspects of health, enables the ICF to describe the whole health experience of persons with visual impairment. The objectives of this study are (1) to analyze whether the ICF can be used to comprehensively describe the problems in functioning of persons with visual impairment and the environmental factors that influence their lives and (2) to select the ICF categories that best capture self-perceived health of persons with visual impairment. Methods: Data from 105 persons with visual impairment were collected, including socio-demographic data, vision-related data, the Extended ICF Checklist and the visual analogue scale of the EuroQoL-5D, to assess self-perceived health. Descriptive statistics and a Group Lasso regression were performed. The main outcome measures were functioning defined as impairments in Body functions and Body structures, limitations in Activities and restrictions in Participation, influencing Environmental factors and self-perceived health. Results: In total, 120 ICF categories covering a broad range of Body functions, Body structures, aspects of Activities and Participation and Environmental factors were identified. Thirteen ICF categories that best capture self-perceived health were selected based on the Group Lasso regression. While Activities-and-Participation categories were selected most frequently, the greatest impact on self-perceived health was found in Body-functions categories. The ICF can be used as a framework to comprehensively describe the problems of persons with visual impairment and the Environmental factors which influence their lives. Conclusions: There are plenty of ICF categories, Environmental-factors categories in particular, which are relevant to persons with visual impairment, but have hardly ever been taken into consideration in literature and visual impairment-specific patient-reported outcome measures.

Background: Management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) places a considerable burden on hospital resources. REACH was a retrospective, observational study (NCT01293435) involving adults >= 18 years old hospitalized with CAP and requiring in-hospital treatment with intravenous antibiotics conducted to collect data on current clinical management patterns and resource use for CAP in hospitals in ten European countries. Methods: Data were collected via electronic Case Report Forms detailing patient and disease characteristics, microbiological diagnosis, treatments before and during hospitalization, clinical outcomes and health resource consumption. Results: Patients with initial antibiotic treatment modification (n = 589; 28.9%) had a longer mean hospital stay than those without (16.1 [SD: 13.1; median 12.0] versus 11.1 {SD: 8.9; median: 9.0] days) and higher ICU admission rate (18.0% versus 11.9%). Septic shock (6.8% versus 3.0%), mechanical ventilation (22.2% versus 9.7%), blood pressure support (fluid resuscitation: 19.4% versus 11.4%), parenteral nutrition (6.5% versus 3.9%) and renal replacement therapy (4.2% versus 1.4%) were all more common in patients with treatment modification than in those without. Hospital stay was longer in patients with comorbidities than in those without (mean 13.3 [SD: 11.1; median: 10.0] versus 10.0 [SD: 7.5; median: 8.0] days). Conclusions: Initial antibiotic treatment modification in patients with CAP is common and is associated with considerable additional resource use. Reassessment of optimal management paradigms for patients hospitalized with CAP may be warranted.

Background: Since the pig is one of the most important livestock animals worldwide, mapping loci that are associated with economically important traits and/or traits that influence animal welfare is extremely relevant for efficient future pig breeding. Therefore, the purpose of this study was a genome-wide mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with nine body composition and bone mineral traits: absolute (Fat, Lean) and percentage (FatPC, LeanPC) fat and lean mass, live weight (Weight), soft tissue X-ray attenuation coefficient (R), absolute (BMC) and percentage (BMCPC) bone mineral content and bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: Data on the nine traits investigated were obtained by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for 551 pigs that were between 160 and 200 days old. In addition, all pigs were genotyped using Illumina's PorcineSNP60 Genotyping BeadChip. Based on these data, a genome-wide combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium analysis was conducted. Thus, we used 44 611 sliding windows that each consisted of 20 adjacent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For the middle of each sliding window a variance component analysis was carried out using ASReml. The underlying mixed linear model included random QTL and polygenic effects, with fixed effects of sex, housing, season and age. Results: Using a Bonferroni-corrected genome-wide significance threshold of P < 0.001, significant peaks were identified for all traits except BMCPC. Overall, we identified 72 QTL on 16 chromosomes, of which 24 were significantly associated with one trait only and the remaining with more than one trait. For example, a QTL on chromosome 2 included the highest peak across the genome for four traits (Fat, FatPC, LeanPC and R). The nearby gene, ZNF608, is known to be associated with body mass index in humans and involved in starvation in Drosophila, which makes it an extremely good candidate gene for this QTL. Conclusions: Our QTL mapping approach identified 72 QTL, some of which confirmed results of previous studies in pigs. However, we also detected significant associations that have not been published before and were able to identify a number of new and promising candidate genes, such as ZNF608.

Background: The existence of socio-economic inequalities in child mortality is well documented. African cities grow faster than cities in most other regions of the world; and inequalities in African cities are thought to be particularly large. Revealing health-related inequalities is essential in order for governments to be able to act against them. This study aimed to systematically compare inequalities in child mortality across 10 major African cities (Cairo, Lagos, Kinshasa, Luanda, Abidjan, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Dakar, Addis Ababa, Accra), and to investigate trends in such inequalities over time. Methods: Data from two rounds of demographic and health surveys (DHS) were used for this study (if available): one from around the year 2000 and one from between 2007 and 2011. Child mortality rates within cities were calculated by population wealth quintiles. Inequality in child mortality was assessed by computing two measures of relative inequality (the rate ratio and the concentration index) and two measures of absolute inequality (the difference and the Erreyger's index). Results: Mean child mortality rates ranged from about 39 deaths per 1,000 live births in Cairo (2008) to about 107 deaths per 1,000 live births in Dar es Salaam (2010). Significant inequalities were found in Kinshasa, Luanda, Abidjan, and Addis Ababa in the most recent survey. The difference between the poorest quintile and the richest quintile was as much as 108 deaths per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval 55 to 166) in Abidjan in 2011-2012. When comparing inequalities across cities or over time, confidence intervals of all measures almost always overlap. Nevertheless, inequalities appear to have increased in Abidjan, while they appear to have decreased in Cairo, Lagos, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Dakar. Conclusions: Considerable inequalities exist in almost all cities but the level of inequalities and their development over time appear to differ across cities. This implies that inequalities are amenable to policy interventions and that it is worth investigating why inequalities are higher in one city than in another. However, larger samples are needed in order to improve the certainty of our results. Currently available data samples from DHS are too small to reliably quantify the level of inequalities within cities.

Background: In 2004, routine varicella vaccination was recommended in Germany for children 11-14 months of age with one dose, and since 2009, with a second dose at 15-23 months of age. The effects on varicella epidemiology were investigated. Methods: Data on varicella vaccinations, cases and complications were collected from annual parent surveys (2006-2011), monthly paediatric practice surveillance (Oct 2006 - Sep 2011; five varicella seasons) and paediatric hospital databases (2005-2009) in the area of Munich (about 238,000 paediatric inhabitants); annual incidences of cases and hospitalisations were estimated. Results: Varicella vaccination coverage (1st dose) in children 18-36 months of age increased in two steps (38%, 51%, 53%, 53%, 66% and 68%); second-dose coverage reached 59% in the 2011 survey. A monthly mean of 82 (62%) practices participated; they applied a total of 50,059 first-dose and 40,541 second-dose varicella vaccinations, with preferential use of combined MMR-varicella vaccine after recommendation of two doses, and reported a total of 16,054 varicella cases

Background: Although several countries, including Germany, have established newborn hearing screening programmes for early detection and treatment of newborns with hearing impairments, nationwide tracking systems for follow-up of newborns with positive test results until diagnosis of hearing impairment have often not been implemented. However, a recent study on universal newborn hearing screening in Bavaria showed that, in a high proportion of newborns, early diagnosis was only possible with the use of a tracking system. The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the cost-effectiveness of tracking newborns with bilateral hearing impairment in Bavaria. Methods: Data from a Bavarian pilot project on newborn hearing screening and Bavarian newborn hearing screening facilities were used to assess the cost-effectiveness of the inclusion of a tracking system within a newborn hearing screening programme. A model-based cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. The time horizon of the model was limited to the newborn hearing screening programme. Costs of the initial hearing screening test and subsequent tests were included, as well as costs of diagnosis and costs of tracking. The outcome measure of the economic analysis was the cost per case of bilateral hearing impairment detected. In order to reflect uncertainty, deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of tracking vs. no tracking was (sic)1,697 per additional case of bilateral hearing impairment detected. Conclusions: Compared with no tracking, tracking resulted in more cases of bilateral hearing impairment detected as well as higher costs. If society is willing to pay at least (sic)1,697 per additional case of bilateral hearing impairment detected, tracking can be recommended.

Background: This study aimed to inform the design of a pragmatic trial of stroke prevention in primary care by evaluating data recorded in electronic patient records (EPRs) as potential outcome measures. The study also evaluated achievement of recommended standards of care; variation between family practices; and changes in risk factor values from before to after stroke. Methods: Data from the UK General Practice Research Database (GPRD) were analysed for 22,730 participants with an index first stroke between 2003 and 2006 from 414 family practices. For each subject, the EPR was evaluated for the 12 months before and after stroke. Measures relevant to stroke secondary prevention were analysed including blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, smoking, alcohol use, body mass index (BMI), atrial fibrillation, utilisation of antihypertensive, antiplatelet and cholesterol lowering drugs. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were estimated by family practice. Random effects models were fitted to evaluate changes in risk factor values over time. Results: In the 12 months following stroke, BP was recorded for 90%, cholesterol for 70% and body mass index (BMI) for 47%. ICCs by family practice ranged from 0.02 for BP and BMI to 0.05 for LDL and HDL cholesterol. For subjects with records available both before and after stroke, the mean reductions from before to after stroke were: mean systolic BP, 6.02 mm Hg; diastolic BP, 2.78 mm Hg; total cholesterol, 0.60 mmol/l; BMI, 0.34 Kg/m(2). There was an absolute reduction in smokers of 5% and heavy drinkers of 4%. The proportion of stroke patients within the recommended guidelines varied from less than a third (29%) for systolic BP, just over half for BMI (54%), and over 90% (92%) on alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Electronic patient records have potential for evaluation of outcomes in pragmatic trials of stroke secondary prevention. Stroke prevention interventions in primary care remain suboptimal but important reductions in vascular risk factor values were observed following stroke. Better recording of lifestyle factors in the GPRD has the potential to expand the scope of the GPRD for health care research and practice.

Background: It has not been investigated whether there are associations between urinary iodine (UI) excretion measurements some years apart, nor whether such an association remains after adjustment for nutritional habits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between iodine-creatinine ratio (ICR) at two measuring points 5 years apart. Methods: Data from 2,659 individuals from the Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed. Analysis of covariance and Poisson regressions were used to associate baseline with follow-up ICR. Results: Baseline ICR was associated with follow-up ICR. Particularly, baseline ICR >300 mu g/g was related to an ICR >300 mu g/g at follow-up (relative risk, RR: 2.20; p < 0.001). The association was stronger in males (RR: 2.64; p < 0.001) than in females (RR: 1.64; p = 0.007). In contrast, baseline ICR

Purpose: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a cerebral small vessel disease caused by mutations of the NOTCH3 gene. Marked variations in disease severity have raised the hypothesis that non-genetic factors may modulate the expressivity of the phenotype. The aim of the current study was to evaluate whether atherosclerosis, assessed by carotid duplex ultrasonography, is associated with variations in the clinical and MRI phenotype of CADASIL. Methods: Data from 144 consecutive patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective cohort study were collected. Degree of disability was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale, that of cognitive impairment by the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS). The total volume of the brain, of lacunar lesions and of white matter hyperintensities, the number of cerebral microhemorrhages, and parameters derived from histograms of apparent diffusion coefficient were measured on cerebral MRI. Atherosclerosis was evaluated by B-mode ultrasonography of carotid arteries. Both the carotid intima-media thickness cIMT) and the presence of carotid plaques or stenosis were recorded. Results: Higher cIMT was found to be independently associated with lower MDRS scores when this score was less than the quartile limit (p = 0.02). Only a trend for a positive association was detected between cIMT and the Rankin score (p = 0.06). There was no significant association between carotid markers and the occurrence of stroke or MRI parameters except for diffusion data. The mean and peak values of MRI diffusion histograms were found positively associated with the presence of plaques (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that the severity of atherosclerosis may relate to cognitive decline in CADASIL and that this effect is possibly related to the degree of microstructural cerebral tissue lesions. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these results. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Background: The APOE epsilon 4 allele is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE epsilon 4 is common in non-demented subjects with cognitive impairment. In both healthy people and people with AD, its prevalence has a north-south gradient across Europe. In the present study, we investigated whether the relation between the APOE epsilon 4 allele and cognitive impairment varied across Northern, Middle and Southern Europe. We also investigated whether a north-south gradient existed in subjects with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and non-amnestic MCI. Methods: Data from 16 centers across Europe were analyzed. Results: A north-south gradient in APOE epsilon 4 prevalence existed in the total sample (62.7% for APOE epsilon 4 carriers in the northern region, 42.1% in the middle region, and 31.5% in the southern region) and in subjects with SCI and amnestic MCI separately. Only in Middle Europe was the APOE epsilon 4 allele significantly associated with poor performance on tests of delayed recall and learning, as well as with the amnestic subtype of MCI. Conclusion: The APOE epsilon 4 allele frequencies in subjects with SCI and amnestic MCI have a north-south gradient. The relation between the APOE epsilon 4 allele and cognition is region dependent. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel

Background: Use of electronic media, i.e. mobile phones, computers, television, game consoles or listening to music, is very common, especially amongst adolescents. There is currently a debate about whether frequent use of these media might have adverse effects on health, especially on headaches, which are among the most-reported health complaints in adolescents. The aim of the present study was to assess associations between frequent use of electronic media and the prevalence of different types of headache in adolescents. Methods: Data were derived from a population-based sample (n = 1,025, ages 13-17 years). Type of headache (i.e. migraine, tension-type headache, unclassifiable headache) was ascertained by standardized questionnaires for subjects reporting headache episodes at least once per month during the last six months. Duration of electronic media use was assessed during personal interviews. Associations were estimated with logistic regression models adjusted for age group, sex, family condition and socio-economic status. Results: Most of the adolescents used computers (85%), watched television (90%) or listened to music (90%) daily, otherwise only 23% of the participants used their mobile phones and only 25% played with game consoles on a daily basis. A statistically significant association between listening to music and any headache (odds ratio 1.8; 95% confidence interval 1.1-3.1 for 30 minutes per day, 2.1; 1.2-3.7 for 1 to 2 hours per day; 2.0; 1.2-3.5 for 3 hours and longer listening to music per day) was observed. When stratifying for type of headache, no statistically significant association was seen. Conclusions: Apart from an association between listening to music on a daily basis and overall headache, no consistent associations between the use of electronic media and different types of headache were observed.

Aims: To assess temporal trends in birth weight and pregnancy weight gain in Bavaria from 2000 to 2007. Methods: Data on 695,707 mother and infant pairs (singleton term births) were available from a compulsory reporting system for quality assurance, including information on birth weight, maternal weight at delivery and at booking, maternal smoking, age, and further anthropometric and lifestyle factors. Pregnancy weight gain was defined as: weight prior to delivery minus weight at first booking minus weight of the newborn. Results: Although mean weight gain during pregnancy increased considerably from 10.10 to 10.73 kg in seven years, the mean birth weight in mature singletons decreased slightly from 3433 to 3414 g. These trends could not be explained by concurrent changes in the rates of primiparity, smoking and gestational diabetes. Conclusions: These German data confirm an increased weight gain during pregnancy with adjustment for potential confounders.

Background: Previous studies reported an increase of upper body mass index (BMI) quantiles for formula fed infants compared to breastfed infants, while corresponding mean differences were low. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of known risk factors for childhood obesity on the BMI distribution. Methods: Data on 4,884 children were obtained at obligatory school entry health examinations in Bavaria (Germany). Exposure variables were formula feeding, maternal smoking in pregnancy, excessive TV-watching, low meal frequency, poor parental education, maternal overweight and high infant weight gain. Cumulative BMI distributions and Tukey mean-difference plots were used to assess possible shifts of BMI distributions by exposure. Results: Maternal overweight and high infant weight gain shifted the entire BMI-distribution with an accentuation on upper quantiles to higher BMI values. In contrast, parental education, formula feeding, high TV consumption, low meal frequency and maternal smoking in pregnancy resulted in a shift of upper quantiles only. Conclusion: The single shifts among upper parts of the BMI distribution might be due to effect modification of the corresponding exposures by another environmental exposure or genetic predisposition. Affected individuals might represent a susceptible subpopulation of the exposed.

Background: Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial dysmorphism (ICF syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterised by facial dysmorphism, immunoglobulin deficiency and branching of chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 after PHA stimulation of lymphocytes. Hypomethylation of DNA of a small fraction of the genome is an unusual feature of ICF patients which is explained by mutations in the DNA methyltransferase gene DNMT3B in some, but not all, ICF patients. Objective: To obtain a comprehensive description of the clinical features of this syndrome as well as genotype– phenotype correlations in ICF patients. Methods: Data on ICF patients were obtained by literature search and additional information by means of questionnaires to corresponding authors. Results and conclusions: 45 patients all with proven centromeric instability were included in this study. Facial dysmorphism was found to be a common characteristic (n=41/42), especially epicanthic folds, hypertelorism, flat nasal bridge and low set ears. Hypo- or agammaglobulinaemia was demonstrated in nearly all patients (n=39/44). Opportunistic infections were seen in several patients, pointing to a T cell dysfunction. Haematological malignancy was documented in two patients. Life expectancy of ICF patients is poor, especially those with severe infections in infancy or chronic gastrointestinal problems and failure to thrive. Early diagnosis of ICF is important since early introduction of immunoglobulin supplementation can improve the course of the disease. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation should be considered as a therapeutic option in patients with severe infections or failure to thrive. Only 19 of 34 patients showed mutations in DNMT3B, suggesting genetic heterogeneity. No genotype–phenotype correlation was found between patients with and without DNMT3B mutations.