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Ecology and Evolution Jul 2017The underground part of a tree is an important carbon sink in forest ecosystems. Understanding biomass allocation between the below- and aboveground parts () is... (Review)
Review
The underground part of a tree is an important carbon sink in forest ecosystems. Understanding biomass allocation between the below- and aboveground parts () is necessary for estimation of the underground biomass and carbon pool. Nevertheless, large-scale biomass allocation patterns and their control mechanisms are not well identified. In this study, a large database of global forests at the community level was compiled to investigate the and their responses to environmental factors. The results indicated that both the aboveground biomass () and belowground biomass () of the forests in China (medians 73.0 Mg/ha and 17.0 Mg/ha, respectively) were lower than those worldwide (medians 120.3 Mg/ha and 27.7 Mg/ha, respectively). The of the forests in China (median = 0.23), however, were not significantly different from other forests worldwide (median = 0.24). In general, the allocation of biomass between the belowground and aboveground parts was determined mainly by the inherent allometry of the plant but also by environmental factors. In this study, most correlations between and environmental factors (development parameter, climate, altitude, and soil) were weak but significant (<.01). The allometric model agreed with the trends observed in this study and effectively estimated based on across the entire database.
PubMed: 28770085
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3089 -
Archives of Public Health = Archives... Feb 2021Along with a nutritional transition in Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing rapidly. We assess the association between food...
BACKGROUND
Along with a nutritional transition in Sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing rapidly. We assess the association between food intake and cardiometabolic risk factors in a rural population in Uganda.
METHODS
The present study was based on data from a household-based case-control study of diabetic and non-diabetic households in Southwestern Uganda, 2012-2013. We analysed food intake in 359 individuals age ≥ 13 years from 87 households, using a household food frequency questionnaire, and measures of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), height and weight. We used multinomial logistic regression to model abnormal HbA1c (≥5.7%) and weight status (underweight, normal weight and overweight) as an outcome of total food intake and by nine food groups. Results were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Models were adjusted for three nested sets of covariates.
RESULTS
The diet primarily consisted of staple food (cassava and plantain). High-Glycaemic Index staple food was the most consumed food group (median = 14 servings/week, p25-p75: 11-17). Milk, meat, fish and vegetables were the least consumed food groups (medians: 0-3 servings/week). Median intake of sugary food was 6 servings/week (p25-p75: 2-9). The OR of having abnormal HbA1c or being overweight increased with every weekly serving of food (1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04 and 1.01 95% CI: 1.00-1.03, respectively). Of specific food groups, each weekly serving of meat increased the OR of being overweight with 33% (95% CI: 1.08-1.64), and fruit intake decreased the OR of abnormal HbA1c (0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.00), though this latter association was attenuated after adjustment for weight status, aerobic capacity, and socioeconomic status.
CONCLUSION
Diet was monotonous, mainly consisting of cassava and plantain, and increasing food intake was associated with abnormal HbA1c and overweight. To prevent non-communicable diseases a diet with higher intake of fish and vegetables, and less sugary food is recommended.
PubMed: 33632319
DOI: 10.1186/s13690-021-00547-x -
Archives of Razi Institute Feb 2022In prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal; however, they remain below the diabetes threshold. Studies conducted on biomarkers for this disease result...
In prediabetes, blood glucose levels are higher than normal; however, they remain below the diabetes threshold. Studies conducted on biomarkers for this disease result in controlling diabetes mellitus (DM) or reducing the risk of developing complications. Lipid profile parameters are considered important predictors of DM. Therefore, this study was conducted on three groups of normoglycemic (n=30), pre-diabetics (n=125), and diabetics (n=30) to recognize the predictive role of lipid parameters in the transition from pre-diabetes to diabetes. In this experiment, in addition to total cholesterol and triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride/HDL ratio, and fasting triglyceride-fasting blood glucose (FBG) index were measured. Based on the results, medians for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, LDL/HDL ratio, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio did not differ significantly across the groups of normoglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes. For triglyceride, the medians were significantly higher in pre-diabetes and also diabetes, compared to normoglycemia (i.e., 127.9 and 129.1 vs. 94.5 mg/dL, respectively [<0.001]). Moreover, the same results were observed in the case of VLDL (i.e., 25.6 and 30.9 vs. 18.9 mg/dL, respectively). The triglyceride/HDL ratio significantly increased pre-diabetics and diabetics, compared to normoglycemic (2.72 and 2.67 vs. 2.18, respectively). Moreover, the median of the triglyceride-FBG index significantly had an increase in pre-diabetics and diabetics, compared to normoglycemic (8.89 and 9.38 vs. 8.22, respectively). The importance of triglyceride, VLDL, triglyceride/HDL ratio, and triglyceride-FBG index in distinguishing between pre-diabetes and normoglycemia was verified by a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the results. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the risk effects of the four parameters on pre-diabetes and diabetes. Therefore, triglyceride, VLDL, triglyceride-FBG index, and triglyceride/HDL ratio are considered promising biomarkers used to predict pre-diabetes and DM in the general population.
Topics: Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, LDL; Diabetes Mellitus; Prediabetic State; Triglycerides; Humans
PubMed: 35891716
DOI: 10.22092/ARI.2021.356465.1846 -
Annals of Oncology : Official Journal... Feb 2019Recent published studies have shown meaningful discrepancies between local investigator and blinded, independent, central review (BICR) assessed median progression-free...
BACKGROUND
Recent published studies have shown meaningful discrepancies between local investigator and blinded, independent, central review (BICR) assessed median progression-free survival (PFS). When the local review but not BICR shows progression, generally, no further assessments are carried out and patients are censored in the BICR analysis, leading to violation of the statistical assumptions of independence between censoring and outcome used in survival analysis methods.
METHODS
We carried out a simulation study to assess methodological reasons behind these discrepancies and corroborated our findings in a case study of three BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer trials. We briefly outline possible methodological solutions that may lead to improved estimation of the BICR medians.
RESULTS
The Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve for the BICR PFS can often be exaggerated. The degree of bias is largest when there is reasonably strong correlation between BICR and local PFS, especially when PFS is long compared with assessment frequency. This can result in an exaggeration of the medians and their difference; however, the hazard ratio (HR) is much less susceptible to bias. Our simulation shows that when the true BICR median PFS was 19 months, and patients assessed every 12 weeks, the estimated KM curves were materially biased whenever the correlation between BICR and local PFS was 0.4 or greater. This was corroborated by case studies where, in the active arm, the BICR median PFS was between 6 and 11 months greater than the local median PFS. Further research is required to find improved methods for estimating BICR survival curves.
CONCLUSIONS
In general, when there is a difference between local and BICR medians, the true BICR KM curve is likely to be exaggerated and its true median will probably lie somewhere between the observed local and BICR medians. Presentation of data should always include both BICR and local results whenever a BICR is carried out.
Topics: BRCA1 Protein; Computer Simulation; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Mutation; Ovarian Neoplasms; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Progression-Free Survival; Single-Blind Method; Survival Rate
PubMed: 30475951
DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdy514 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2022Most organic pollutants (POP) are persistent in the environment, accumulate in fatty tissues, and so a transfer through the food chain is probably, thereby causing...
Polychlorinated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polybrominated dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in German breast milk samples (LUPE 8).
Most organic pollutants (POP) are persistent in the environment, accumulate in fatty tissues, and so a transfer through the food chain is probably, thereby causing various health effects. We quantified PCDD/F, PBDD/F, PCB, PBDE, perfluorinated substances, and ADONA in breast milk samples collected in two German federal states and breast milk and blood samples from subjects additionally exposed to PFOA. The median (95th percentile) concentrations were 2.43 (6.58) pgWHOTEQ/g l.w. for PCDD/F, 2.45 (4.82) pgWHOTEQ/g l.w. for dioxin-like PCB (dl-PCB), and 0.62 (2.69) pgWHOTEQ/g l.w. for PBDD/F. The relative contributions of the median values of PCDD/F, dl-PCB, and PBDD/F to the total-TEQ were approximately 41%, 42%, and 11%, respectively. Nondioxin-like PCB (ndl-PCB) concentrations were clearly dominated by the higher chlorinated PCB congeners, with medians of 23.2 ng/g l.w. for PCB 153, 13.9 ng/g l.w. for PCB 138, and 13.0 ng/g l.w. for PCB 180. The sum of the 3 congeners (PCB 138, 153, and 180) were multiplied with 1.64 (total PCB) and showed a median of 82.16 ng/g l.w. and a 95th percentile of 173.3 ng/g l.w. Only PFOA and PFOS could be quantified in 29% and 17% of in total 180 samples with 95th percentiles of 53 ng/l and 33 ng/l, respectively. Milk samples (n = 13) from subjects living on PFOA contaminated sites showed higher levels between 33 and 854 ng/l PFOA (mean: 199 ng/l), whilst PFOS could be quantified only in three samples. The sum of 17 PBDE congeners showed medians (95th percentile) of 1737 pg/g l.w. (22,806 pg/g l.w.), with the highest medians of 422 pg/g l.w. for BDE 209 and 378 pg/g l.w. for BDE 153. Overall, our study confirms the declining contamination level in breast milk during the last decade, but points out the need to further reduce the environmental contamination with persistent substances and subsequently the exposure in childhood.
Topics: Dibenzofurans; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Dioxins; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Fluorocarbons; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; Humans; Milk, Human; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
PubMed: 35217048
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154066 -
Veterinary Pathology Jan 2018Cytokines are known to play important roles in a wide range of pathologic conditions spanning all organ systems in every species studied. As our knowledge of the... (Review)
Review
Cytokines are known to play important roles in a wide range of pathologic conditions spanning all organ systems in every species studied. As our knowledge of the physiology of individual cytokines expands and our ability to measure multiple cytokines in smaller biological samples increases, we gain more insight into the significance and function of each cytokine and the importance of cytokine networks. Previous studies that reported measurements of cytokine concentrations from serum or plasma in dogs with infectious, autoimmune, metabolic, endocrine, and neoplastic diseases yield an appreciation for the complexity of cytokine control and potential applications for cytokine measurements in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of a variety of disease conditions. In this review, we highlight the benefits of multiplex cytokine analysis, summarize clinical and experimental reports that have used this technology in dogs, and discuss the strengths and limitations of data analysis for the interpretation of results in these studies. We describe how differences in technical acuity, data reporting tactics, statistical analysis, study population selection criteria, and cross-sectional experimental design methods may affect interpretation of results from this technology. We also suggest methods for analysis in future studies, such as reporting median fluorescence intensity values, analyzing the proportion of patients above population medians, and performing longitudinal studies.
Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Dog Diseases; Dogs
PubMed: 28812527
DOI: 10.1177/0300985817725388 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology... May 2022To use the fragility index (FI) to evaluate the robustness of gynaecologic surgery trials that report statistically significant results. The FI defines the minimum... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To use the fragility index (FI) to evaluate the robustness of gynaecologic surgery trials that report statistically significant results. The FI defines the minimum number of patients who must have an alternative outcome to alter statistical significance.
DATA SOURCES
We searched MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 2011 to 2021 to identify gynaecologic surgery randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
STUDY SELECTION
A total of 4775 trials were screened for eligibility. All included studies evaluated benign gynaecologic surgery interventions or peri-operative medical interventions. Only 2-arm RCTs with statistically significant dichotomous primary outcomes were included. Ninety-three trials were ultimately included for analysis.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Data from the included studies, including sample size, loss to follow-up, and number of events, were recorded. The FI of each study was calculated using a predefined technique. The overall FI and FIs by subgroup (clinical subspecialty, country of origin, and statistical test used) are reported as medians alongside their interquartile ranges (IQRs). The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to find possible statistically significant relationships between FI and the nominal subgroups. Among this cohort, the median FI was 3 (IQR 1-7). The FI was 0 in 13 trials (14%), and in 39 trials (42%), the number of patients lost to follow-up was greater than the FI. The median FI within clinical subspecialty groups (general gynaecology, anaesthesia, urogynaecology, and fertility) did not differ (P = 0.122).
CONCLUSION
Statistically significant results of RCTs in gynaecologic surgery are fragile, suggesting that clinicians should interpret results with caution. This is particularly true when the number of patients lost to follow-up is greater than the FI. The FI serves as a quality metric that can be used to evaluate robustness of results when applying the outcomes of RCTs to clinical practice or guideline development.
Topics: Humans; Research Design; Sample Size
PubMed: 34954411
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2021.11.016 -
South African Journal of Surgery.... Jun 2022Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of DCL.
BACKGROUND
Damage control laparotomy (DCL) is associated with high mortality. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes of DCL.
METHODS
All patients undergoing DCL for penetrating trauma from May 2015 to July 2017 were reviewed. Data retrieved were demographics, mechanism of injury, vitals, and biochemical parameters. Injury severity was described by the revised trauma score (RTS), penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI), injury severity score (ISS) and trauma and injury severity score (TRISS). Indications for DCL, length of ICU stay, number of procedures and primary abdominal closure rates, complications and mortality were recorded.
RESULTS
Fifty-one patients underwent DCL and 47 patients sustained gunshot injuries. Indications for laparotomy were haemodynamic instability ( = 27) and peritonism in stable patients ( = 22). The medians for the different severity scores were RTS 7.36, ISS 20, and PATI 30. The organs most commonly injured, in decreasing frequency, were small bowel (33), large bowel (25), abdominal vasculature (22), liver (18), stomach (14), kidney (10), diaphragm (10), spleen (9) and pancreas (8). DCL procedures performed were abdominal packing (36), temporary bowel ligation (30), vascular (5) and ureteric (1) shunting. The median number of laparotomies performed per patient was three, with a primary fascial closure rate of 69%. The mortality rate was 29%.
CONCLUSION
DCL in our centre is associated with a 29% mortality rate. Severe acidosis, massive blood transfusion in first 24 hours and median PATI score more than 47 are independent risk factors associated with increased mortality.
Topics: Abdominal Injuries; Humans; Injury Severity Score; Laparotomy; Trauma Centers; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 35851360
DOI: No ID Found -
British Journal of Sports Medicine Feb 2023To evaluate the psychological implications of cardiovascular preparticipation screening (PPS) in athletes. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the psychological implications of cardiovascular preparticipation screening (PPS) in athletes.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, APA PsycInfo, Cochrane Library and grey literature sources.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Observational and experimental studies assessing a population of athletes who participated in a cardiovascular PPS protocol, where psychological outcomes before, during and/or after PPS were reported.
METHODS
Results of included studies were synthesised by consolidating similar study-reported measures for key psychological outcomes before, during and/or after screening. Summary measures (medians, ranges) were computed across studies for each psychological outcome.
RESULTS
A total of eight studies were included in this review (median sample size: 479). Study cohorts consisted of high school, collegiate, professional and recreational athletes (medians: 59% male, 20.5 years). Most athletes reported positive reactions to screening and would recommend it to others (range 88%-100%, five studies). Increased psychological distress was mainly reported among athletes detected with pathological cardiac conditions and true-positive screening results. In comparison, athletes with false-positive screening results still reported an increased feeling of safety while participating in sport and were satisfied with PPS. A universal conclusion across all studies was that most athletes did not experience psychological distress before, during or after PPS, regardless of the screening modality used or accuracy of results.
CONCLUSION
Psychological distress associated with PPS in athletes is rare and limited to athletes with true-positive findings. To mitigate downstream consequences in athletes who experience psychological distress, appropriate interventions and resources should be accessible prior to the screening procedure.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021272887.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Mass Screening; Cardiovascular System; Athletes; Heart Diseases; Psychological Distress; Death, Sudden, Cardiac
PubMed: 36418151
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-105918 -
Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology :... Jul 2021The increasing ethnic diversity in the European Union (EU) calls for adaptations to neuropsychological assessment practices. The aims of this study were to examine the...
OBJECTIVE
The increasing ethnic diversity in the European Union (EU) calls for adaptations to neuropsychological assessment practices. The aims of this study were to examine the current state of cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment in EU-15 countries and to provide recommendations for researchers and policy makers.
METHOD
Twelve experts from nine EU-15 countries participated in a Delphi consensus study involving two sequential rounds of web-based questionnaires and an in-person consensus meeting. The experts individually rated Delphi topics on the basis of importance (scale 1-10). The degree of consensus was determined by assessing first and third quartiles (Q1 and Q3) and medians.
RESULTS
Consensus outcomes showed the following priorities: (a) the development of tests (median importance rating 10, Q1-Q3: 9-10), (b) the collection of normative data (median importance rating 9, Q1-Q3: 8-10), and (c) more training, awareness, and knowledge regarding cross-cultural assessment among neuropsychologists in the EU (median importance rating 9, Q1-Q3: 8-10). Whereas memory tests were often available, tests measuring social cognition (median 9, Q1-Q3: 8-10) and language (median 9, Q1-Q3: 7-10) are particularly lacking. Recommendations were made regarding essential skills and knowledge necessary for cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment.
CONCLUSIONS
This study in a small group of experts suggests that the development and availability of cross-cultural tests and normative data should be prioritized, as well as the development and implementation of training initiatives. Furthermore, EU guidelines could be established for working with interpreters during neuropsychological assessment. Before implementing these recommendations, follow-up studies are recommended that include more minority neuropsychologists and community stakeholders.
Topics: Consensus; Cross-Cultural Comparison; European Union; Humans; Memory; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 33043958
DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acaa083