Evidence for transient dynamics in plant populations based on long‐term demographic data

Objective: We sought to identify risk factors associated with long-term dysphagia, characterize changes in dysphagia over time, and evaluate the incidence of otolaryngology referrals for patients with long-term dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF). Methods: About 56 patients who underwent ACDF between May 2017 to February 2019 were included in the study. All patients were assessed for dysphagia using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) survey preoperatively and late postoperatively (≥1 year). Additionally, 28 patients were assessed for dysphagia early postoperatively (2 weeks—3 months). Demographic data, medical comorbidities, intraoperative details, and post-operative otolaryngology referral rates were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Of the 56 patients enrolled, 21 patients (38%) had EAT-10 scores of 3 or more at long-term follow-up. None of the demographics, comorbidities, or surgical factors assessed were associated with long-term dysphagia. Patients who reported no long-term dysphagia had a mean EAT-10 score of 6.9 early postoperatively, while patients with long-term symptoms had a mean score of 18.1 ( P = .006). Of the 21 patients who reported persistent dysphagia symptoms, 3 (14%) received dysphagia testing or otolaryngology referrals post-operatively. Conclusion: Dysphagia is a notable side effect of ACDF surgery, but there are no significant demographics, comorbidities, or surgical risk factors that predict long-term dysphagia. Early postoperative characterization of dysphagia using the EAT-10 questionnaire can help predict long-term symptoms. There is inadequate screening and otolaryngology follow-up for patients with post-ACDF dysphagia.

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Patient characteristics predict patency of early-cannulation arteriovenous grafts

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87750-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

David B. Kingsmore ◽

Karen S. Stevenson ◽

S. Richarz ◽

Andrej Isaak ◽

Andrew Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vascular Disease ◽

Peripheral Vascular Disease ◽

Vascular Access ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

Peripheral Vascular ◽

Arteriovenous Grafts ◽

One Year

AbstractThere is a new emphasis on tailoring appropriate vascular access for hemodialysis to patients and their life-plans, but there is little known about the optimal use of newer devices such as early-cannulation arteriovenous grafts (ecAVG), with studies utilising them in a wide variety of situations. The aim of this study was to determine if the outcome of ecAVG can be predicted by patient characteristics known pre-operatively. This retrospective analysis of 278 consecutive ecAVG with minimum one-year follow-up correlated functional patency with demographic data, renal history, renal replacement and vascular access history. On univariate analysis, aetiology of renal disease, indication for an ecAVG, the number of previous tunnelled central venous catheters (TCVC) prior to insertion of an ecAVG, peripheral vascular disease, and BMI were significant associates with functional patency. On multivariate analysis the number of previous TCVC, the presence of peripheral vascular disease and indication were independently associated with outcome after allowing for age, sex and BMI. When selecting for vascular access, understanding the clinical circumstances such as indication and previous vascular access can identify patients with differing outcomes. Importantly, strategies that result in TCVC exposure have an independent and cumulative association with decreasing long-term patency for subsequent ecAVG. As such, TCVC exposure is best avoided or minimised particularly when ecAVG can be considered.

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Obliteration of the choroid plexus after endoscopic coagulation

Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics ◽

10.3171/2014.6.peds1438 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (3) ◽

pp. 230-233 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Hideki Ogiwara ◽

Kodai Uematsu ◽

Nobuhito Morota

Keyword(s):

Choroid Plexus ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Aqueductal Stenosis ◽

Third Ventriculostomy ◽

Infantile Hydrocephalus ◽

Foramen Of Monro ◽

Initial Surgery ◽

Endoscopic Observation ◽

The Mean

Object Endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation (CPC) with or without endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has been shown to be effective for selected patients with hydrocephalus. However, whether the effect of the coagulation is temporary and the choroid plexus regenerates or can be obliterated has remained largely unknown. The authors evaluate the effectiveness of CPC and report 3 cases of obliteration demonstrated by direct endoscopic observation. Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed the surgical results of patients with hydrocephalus primarily treated by CPC with or without ETV. Charts were reviewed for demographic data, clinical presentations, surgical therapies, and clinical outcomes. Results Eighteen patients with hydrocephalus were surgically treated using endoscopic CPC between July 2002 and July 2012. In 12 patients, ETV was concurrently performed. The etiology of hydrocephalus was posthemorrhagic in 5 patients, myelomeningocele in 3, postmeningitis in 2, congenital aqueductal stenosis in 1, hydranencephaly in 1, porencephaly in 1, and idiopathic in 5. The mean age at surgery was 8 months (range 0.3–24 months). The mean follow-up was 64 months. In 9 cases (50%), control of hydrocephalus was successful and the patients did not require further surgeries. In 9 patients (50%), treatment failed. Of these, 3 patients underwent repeat ETV 2, 3, and 38 months after the initial surgery. Endoscopic observation of the previous coagulation site revealed no regeneration of the choroid plexus in 2 patients, who underwent repeat ETV 2 and 3 months after CPC. In 1 patient who underwent repeat ETV 38 months after CPC, no regeneration of the choroid plexus, except for that in the proximity of the foramen of Monro, was observed. Conclusions Endoscopic CPC with or without ETV can be a safe and effective treatment alternative to shunt placement in infantile hydrocephalus. Obliteration of the choroid plexus can persist in the relatively long term following CPC, which may contribute to the long-term control of hydrocephalus in successful cases.

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A Retrospective Comparison of American Women’s Spontaneous Conceptions and Gestational Surrogate Pregnancies

10.21203/rs.3.rs-664801/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Lahl ◽

Kallie Fell ◽

Kate Bassett ◽

Frances Broghammer ◽

Maggie Eastman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethical Issues ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Health Issues ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Level Data ◽

Retrospective Comparison ◽

Caucasian Women ◽

Future Work

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the retrospective pregnancy experiences of American women by comparing spontaneous pregnancies with gestational surrogate pregnancies. Methods: Data were collected via structured interviews following an approved survey tool utilizing an online video platform. In total, 97 interviews were conducted. Results: Demographic data was collected on age, ethnicity, primary language, country of birth, education, and income level. Data revealed that a woman was more likely to have a pregnancy that was high-risk during a surrogate pregnancy than a non-surrogate pregnancy, independent of maternal age or gravidity (OR 7.22, p<0.001). A surrogate pregnancy had 4 times higher odds of resulting in a c-section (p<0.001) as well as delivering at an earlier gestational age (p<0.001). Further, women were more likely to experience adverse effects, including postpartum depression, following delivery of a surrogate child than their own biological child (p<0.001). Finally, the rate of new post-surrogacy chronic health issues for non-Caucasian women was significantly higher than for Caucasians (p<0.001). Women reported using the payment they received for their surrogacy for basic needs. Almost half of the women reported using the money to pay bills or get out of debt.Conclusions: These results are among the first of their kind. This study reveals that surrogate health disparities exist and that there may be long-term complications after a surrogate pregnancy. This raises important social, economic, and ethical issues related to surrogacy which must be further explored. Future work will build on this study and help elucidate the circumstances and consequences surrounding this complex issue.

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Modelled evaluation of multi-component meningococcal vaccine (Bexsero®) for the prevention of invasive meningococcal disease in infants and adolescents in the UK

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026881300294x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 142 (9) ◽

pp. 2000-2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

J. HUELS ◽

K. M. CLEMENTS ◽

L. J. McGARRY ◽

G. J. HILL ◽

J. WASSIL ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meningococcal Disease ◽

Standard Care ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Time Frame ◽

Transmission Dynamics ◽

Transmission Model ◽

Meningococcal Vaccine ◽

Catch Up ◽

The Uk

SUMMARYNeisseria meningitidis is the main cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis in the UK, and can potentially be lethal or cause long-term sequelae. Bexsero® (4CMenB) is a new multi-component vaccine approved by the European Commission for use in individuals aged ⩾2 months. A theoretical transmission model was constructed to assess the long-term effectiveness of Bexsero compared to standard care. The model was populated with UK-specific demographic data and calibrated to ensure that the transmission dynamics of meningococcal disease in the UK were adequately simulated. The model showed the best strategy to be a routine vaccination programme at ages 2, 3, 4, 12 months and 14 years combined with a 5-year catch-up programme in toddlers aged 12–24 months and adolescents aged 15–18 years. This would lead to a 94% reduction in meningococcal cases or 150 000 cases and 15 000 deaths over a 100-year time-frame.

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Genetic Differentiation in Isolated Populations of Hakea carinata (Proteaceae)

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt97123 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 671 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

G. J. Starr ◽

S. M. Carthew

Keyword(s):

Gene Flow ◽

Habitat Fragmentation ◽

Gene Diversity ◽

South Australia ◽

Similar Species ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Evolutionary Condition ◽

Private Alleles

Fragmentation of the landscape by human activity has created small, isolated plant populations. Hakea carinata F. Muell. ex Meissner, a sclerophyllous shrub, is common in isolated fragments of vegetation in South Australia. This study investigated whether habitat fragmentation has caused restrictions to gene flow between populations. Gene diversity (HT = 0.317) is average for similar species but little is held within populations (HS = 0.168) and 46.9% of gene diversity is accounted for between populations. Estimates of gene flow are NM = 0.270 (based on FST) and NM = 0.129 (based on private alleles). Populations are substantially selfing (t = 0.111). Small isolated populations appears to be a long-term evolutionary condition in this species rather than a consequence of habitat fragmentation; however, population extinctions are occurring. Conservation will require the reservation of many populations to represent the genetic variation present in the species.

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Spatial genetic analysis and long-term mark–recapture data demonstrate male-biased dispersal in a snake

Biology Letters ◽

10.1098/rsbl.2006.0570 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 33-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 51

Author(s):

J. Scott Keogh ◽

Jonathan K Webb ◽

Richard Shine

Keyword(s):

Demographic Data ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Life History Trait ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Powerful Approach ◽

Adult Dispersal ◽

Spatial Genetic Analysis ◽

Polygynous Mating System ◽

Important Life History Trait

Dispersal is an important life-history trait, but it is notoriously difficult to study. The most powerful approach is to attack the problem with multiple independent sources of data. We integrated information from a 14-year demographic study with molecular data from five polymorphic microsatellite loci to test the prediction of male-biased dispersal in a common elapid species from eastern Australia, the small-eyed snake Rhinoplocephalus nigrescens . These snakes have a polygynous mating system in which males fight for access to females. Our demographic data demonstrate that males move farther than females (about twice as far on average, and about three times for maximum distances). This sex bias in adult dispersal was evident also in the genetic data, which showed a strong and significant genetic signature of male-biased dispersal. Together, the genetic and demographic data suggest that gene flow is largely mediated by males in this species.

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The oracle study – fibromyalgia, prevalence and severity in the hospital setting

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.1000 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Mohammad Ali Arif ◽

Fibhaa Syed ◽

Rauf Niazi ◽

Saba Ali Arif ◽

Umme e Laila Hashmi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ◽

Hospital Setting ◽

Menstrual Irregularity ◽

Medical Sciences ◽

American College Of Rheumatology ◽

Previous Medication ◽

Age Of Menarche

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and severity of Fibromyalgia in hospital visiting patients. Methods: A total of 750 patients aged 18 to 75 years were enrolled at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from July 2018 – January 2019. Demographic data, the presence of comorbidities and previous medication, were recorded for each patient and the 2010/2011 modified ACR (American College of Rheumatology) preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia was applied. If fibromyalgia was diagnosed, the FIQR (Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire) was administered to assess the severity of FM. Results: The prevalence of fibromyalgia in hospital visiting patients was found to be 33.3% (n=250), with a female preponderance of 76% (n=190) in the diagnosed subset. Females were more than twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as their age matched male counterparts (OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.05 – 4.04, p<0.0001). The presence of diabetes, anxiety and rheumatoid arthritis but not other comorbidities (p<0.0001), advancing age (p=0.002) and increased BMI (p=0.004) were found to be significantly associated with FM. In patients diagnosed with FM, over 70% (n=180) had been previously diagnosed as having musculoskeletal pain with 66% (n=165) being on long term NSAID therapy. Multiple regression analysis showed FM severity was not influenced by comorbidities, marital status, education or economic status. A unique finding was a later age of menarche (R2=0.194, p=0.009) and menstrual irregularity (R2=0.229, p=0.003) being associated with more severe fibromyalgia symptoms. Continuous....

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A Five-Year Data Report of Long-Term Central Venous Catheters Focusing on Early Complications

Anesthesiology Research and Practice ◽

10.1155/2019/6769506 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harald Lenz ◽

Kirsti Myre ◽

Tomas Draegni ◽

Elizabeth Dorph

Keyword(s):

Demographic Data ◽

Venous Catheter ◽

Venous Access ◽

Seldinger Technique ◽

Published Data ◽

Main Diagnosis ◽

Anatomical Landmarks ◽

Central Venous ◽

Jugular Veins

Background. Long-term venous access has become the standard practice for the administration of chemotherapy, fluid therapy, antibiotics, and parenteral nutrition. The most commonly used methods are percutaneous puncture of the subclavian and internal jugular veins using the Seldinger technique or surgical cutdown of the cephalic vein. Methods. This study is based on a quality registry including all long-term central venous catheter insertion procedures performed in patients >18 years at our department during a five-year period. The following data were registered: demographic data, main diagnosis and indications for the procedure, preoperative blood samples, type of catheter, the venous access used, and the procedure time. In addition, procedural and early postoperative complications were registered: unsuccessful procedures, malpositioned catheters, pneumothorax, hematoma complications, infections, nerve injuries, and wound ruptures. The Seldinger technique using anatomical landmarks at the left subclavian vein was the preferred access. Fluoroscopy was not used. Results. One thousand one hundred and one procedures were performed. In eight (0.7%) cases, the insertion of a catheter was not possible, 23 (2.1%) catheters were incorrectly positioned, twelve (1.1%) patients developed pneumothorax, nine (0.8%) developed hematoma, and three (0.27%) developed infection postoperatively. One (0.1%) patient suffered nerve injury, which totally recovered. No wound ruptures were observed. Conclusions. We have a high success rate of first-attempt insertions compared with other published data, as well as an acceptable and low rate of pneumothorax, hematoma, and infections. However, the number of malpositioned catheters was relatively high. This could probably have been avoided with routine use of fluoroscopy during the procedure.

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The Copenhagen Primary Care Laboratory Pregnancy (CopPreg) database

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034318 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. e034318

Author(s):

Janet Janbek ◽

Margit Kriegbaum ◽

Mia Klinten Grand ◽

Ina Olmer Specht ◽

Bent Struer Lind ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Test Results ◽

Data Resource ◽

Medical Birth Register ◽

Clinical Biomarker ◽

Objectively Measured

PurposeThe Copenhagen Primary Care Laboratory Pregnancy (CopPreg) database was established based on data from The Danish Medical Birth Register and the Copenhagen Primary Care Laboratory (CopLab) database. The aim was to provide a biomedical and epidemiological data resource for research in early disease programming (eg, parental clinical biomarker levels and pregnancy/ birth outcomes or long-term health in the offspring).ParticipantsThe cohort consisted in total of 203 608 women (with 340 891 pregnancies) who gave birth to 348 248 children and with 200 590 related fathers. In this paper, we focused on women and fathers who had clinical test requisitions prior to and during pregnancy, and on all children. Thus, the cohort in focus consisted of 203 054 pregnancies with requisitions on 147 045 pregnant women, 39 815 fathers with requisitions during periconception and 65 315 children with requisitions.Findings to dateIn addition to information on pregnancy and birth health status and general socio-demographic data, over 2.2 million clinically relevant test results were available for pregnancies with requisitions, over 1.5 million for children and over 600 000 test results were available for the fathers with requisitions during periconception. These were ordered by general practitioners in the primary care setting only and included general blood tests, nutritional biomarkers (macronutrients and micronutrients) and hormone tests. Information on tests related to infections, allergies, heart and lung function and sperm analyses (fathers) were also available.Future plansThe CopPreg database provides ready to use and valid data from already collected, objectively measured and analysed clinical tests. With several research projects planned, we further invite national and international researchers to use this vast data resource. In a coming paper, we will explore and discuss the indication bias in our cohort.

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