Showing papers by "Flinders University published in 2012"
TL;DR: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 aimed to estimate annual deaths for the world and 21 regions between 1980 and 2010 for 235 causes, with uncertainty intervals (UIs), separately by age and sex, using the Cause of Death Ensemble model.
11,809 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors estimated deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs; sum of years lived with disability [YLD] and years of life lost [YLL]) attributable to the independent effects of 67 risk factors and clusters of risk factors for 21 regions in 1990 and 2010.
9,324 citations
TL;DR: Prevalence and severity of health loss were weakly correlated and age-specific prevalence of YLDs increased with age in all regions and has decreased slightly from 1990 to 2010, but population growth and ageing have increased YLD numbers and crude rates over the past two decades.
7,021 citations
TL;DR: The results for 1990 and 2010 supersede all previously published Global Burden of Disease results and highlight the importance of understanding local burden of disease and setting goals and targets for the post-2015 agenda taking such patterns into account.
6,861 citations
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute1, Broad Institute2, University of Groningen3, University of Pittsburgh4, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center5, Yale University6, University of Cambridge7, University of Chicago8, Harvard University9, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven10, University of Liège11, King's College London12, Université de Montréal13, New Jersey Institute of Technology14, Cleveland Clinic15, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry16, Université libre de Bruxelles17, Aarhus University18, University of Adelaide19, University of Kiel20, Flinders University21, McGill University22, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich23, Charité24, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai25, University of Bonn26, Karolinska Institutet27, Torbay Hospital28, University of Auckland29, Christchurch Hospital30, Imperial College London31, Queen's University32, University of Oslo33, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences34, Emory University35, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza36, Ghent University37, University of Western Australia38, University of Edinburgh39, Queensland Health40, Newcastle University41, University of Dundee42, University of Manchester43, University of Amsterdam44, University of Maribor45, Royal Hospital for Sick Children46, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust47, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute48, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital49, Leiden University50, Technische Universität München51, University of Toronto52, University of Pennsylvania53, Johns Hopkins University54, University of Queensland55
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis genome-wide association scans is undertaken, followed by extensive validation of significant findings, with a combined total of more than 75,000 cases and controls.
Abstract: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the two common forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affect over 2.5 million people of European ancestry, with rising prevalence in other populations. Genome-wide association studies and subsequent meta-analyses of these two diseases as separate phenotypes have implicated previously unsuspected mechanisms, such as autophagy, in their pathogenesis and showed that some IBD loci are shared with other inflammatory diseases. Here we expand on the knowledge of relevant pathways by undertaking a meta-analysis of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis genome-wide association scans, followed by extensive validation of significant findings, with a combined total of more than 75,000 cases and controls. We identify 71 new associations, for a total of 163 IBD loci, that meet genome-wide significance thresholds. Most loci contribute to both phenotypes, and both directional (consistently favouring one allele over the course of human history) and balancing (favouring the retention of both alleles within populations) selection effects are evident. Many IBD loci are also implicated in other immune-mediated disorders, most notably with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis. We also observe considerable overlap between susceptibility loci for IBD and mycobacterial infection. Gene co-expression network analysis emphasizes this relationship, with pathways shared between host responses to mycobacteria and those predisposing to IBD.
4,094 citations
University of Amsterdam1, Ghent University2, University of Chicago3, University of Pennsylvania4, Auckland City Hospital5, University of Antwerp6, University of New South Wales7, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven8, St Thomas' Hospital9, University of Nottingham10, University of Zagreb11, Northwestern University12, Medical University of Łódź13, University of Aberdeen14, Innsbruck Medical University15, Medical University of South Carolina16, University of Southampton17, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia18, University of São Paulo19, National University of Singapore20, Flinders University21, University of Adelaide22
TL;DR: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 as discussed by the authors is the update of similar evidence-based position papers published in 2005 and 2007, it contains chapters on definitions and classification, we now also proposed definitions for difficult to treat rhinositis, control of disease, and better definitions for rhinosinitis in children.
Abstract: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007. The document contains chapters on definitions and classification, we now also proposed definitions for difficult to treat rhinosinusitis, control of disease and better definitions for rhinosinusitis in children. More emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of acute rhinosinusitis. Throughout the document the terms chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are used to further point out differences in pathophysiology and treatment of these two entities. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. Last but not least all available evidence for management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is analyzed and presented and management schemes based on the evidence are proposed. This executive summary for otorhinolaryngologists focuses on the most important changes and issues for otorhinolaryngologists. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.
1,608 citations
TL;DR: There is a large amount of evidence on laboratory and clinical characteristics of vitamin K antagonists and a growing body of evidence is becoming available on the first new oral anticoagulant drugs available for clinical use, dabigatran and rivaroxaban.
1,346 citations
Harvard University1, University of Queensland2, Johns Hopkins University3, ICF International4, Centre for Mental Health5, Boston University6, University of Sydney7, University of Melbourne8, Imperial College London9, University of New South Wales10, University of California, San Diego11, Emory University12, University of Pennsylvania13, Autonomous University of Barcelona14, University of London15, National Institutes of Health16, French Institute of Health and Medical Research17, Medical Research Council18, Auckland University of Technology19, Federal University of São Paulo20, National Institute of Population and Social Security Research21, Howard University22, Flinders University23, Erasmus University Rotterdam24, King's College London25, Karolinska Institutet26, University of California, San Francisco27, All India Institute of Medical Sciences28, Nova Southeastern University29, University of Miami30, Swansea University31, Tehran University of Medical Sciences32, Queen Mary University of London33, Allen Institute for Brain Science34, University of Cape Town35, Columbia University36, Watford General Hospital37, Centro Studi GISED38, University of Oxford39, Deakin University40, University of British Columbia41, University of Toronto42, Box Hill Hospital43, Vanderbilt University44, University of Washington45, Brandeis University46, University of Tokyo47, The Queen's Medical Center48, Norwegian University of Science and Technology49, China Medical Board50, University of Cambridge51, Royal Cornwall Hospital52, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center53, Shanghai Jiao Tong University54
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive re-estimation of disability weights for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 through a large-scale empirical investigation in which judgments about health losses associated with many causes of disease and injury were elicited from the general public in diverse communities through a new, standardised approach.
1,130 citations
TL;DR: Among patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation, prasugrel did not significantly reduce the frequency of the primary end point, as compared with clopidogrel, and similar risks of bleeding were observed.
Abstract: At a median follow-up of 17 months, the primary end point of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke among patients under the age of 75 years occurred in 13.9% of the prasugrel group and 16.0% of the clopidogrel group (hazard ratio in the prasugrel group, 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.05; P = 0.21). Similar results were observed in the overall population. The prespecified analysis of multiple recurrent ischemic events (all components of the primary end point) suggested a lower risk for prasugrel among patients under the age of 75 years (hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00; P = 0.04). Rates of severe and intracranial bleeding were similar in the two groups in all age groups. There was no significant between-group difference in the frequency of nonhemorrhagic serious adverse events, except for a higher frequency of heart failure in the clopidogrel group. Conclusions Among patients with unstable angina or myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation, prasugrel did not significantly reduce the frequency of the primary end point, as compared with clopidogrel, and similar risks of bleeding were observed. (Funded by Eli Lilly and Daiichi Sankyo; TRILOGY ACS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00699998.)
772 citations
Duke University1, Uppsala University2, University of Kentucky3, University of Alberta4, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven5, Auckland City Hospital6, Flinders University7, Merck & Co.8, University of Tennessee Health Science Center9, University of Perugia10, University of Freiburg11, University of Barcelona12, Ufuk University13, Henry Ford Health System14, Peking Union Medical College15, Leiden University16, Cleveland Clinic17, Pierre-and-Marie-Curie University18, University of São Paulo19, Kumamoto University20, University of Basel21, University of Chile22, University of Sheffield23, University of Ferrara24, Thomas Jefferson University25, Charles University in Prague26
TL;DR: In patients with acute coronary syndromes, the addition of vorapaxar to standard therapy did not significantly reduce the primary composite end point but significantly increased the risk of major bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage.
Abstract: In patients with acute coronary syndromes, the addition of vorapaxar to standard therapy did not significantly reduce the primary composite end point but significantly increased the risk of major bleeding, including intracranial hemorrhage. (Funded by Merck; TRACER ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00527943.).
690 citations
TL;DR: The HydroGeoSphere (HGS) as mentioned in this paper model is based on the FRAC3DVS, developed by R. Therrien at the University of Waterloo as part of his doctoral work under the supervision of E.A. Sudicky.
Abstract: Introduction The importance of a quantitative understanding of the hydrological cycle increases with the ever-growing demand for water for anthropogenic needs. Numerical models are inevitable tools in this undertaking. A wide range of numerical models of different complexity have been developed for this purpose, ranging from simple, lumped parameter models to more complex, physically based models. The foundation of physically based models is the blueprint paper by Freeze and Harlan (1969), and numerous physically based models have been developed following this blueprint. HydroGeoSphere (HGS), the code discussed in this review, is one of them. The origin of HGS is the code FRAC3DVS, developed by R. Therrien at the University of Waterloo as part of his doctoral work under the supervision of E.A. Sudicky (Therrien 1992). FRAC3DVS was designed to simulate variably saturated groundwater flow and advective-dispersive solute transport in porous or discretely fractured porous media. In 2002, a two-dimensional (2D) surface water flow and transport component were implemented in FRAC3DVS and the code was renamed HydroGeoSphere. Until recently, the code was free for academic research, while commercial users paid a license fee between 3000 and 6000 US dollars depending on the number of CPU cores the code will use in a parallel computational platform. The code can be downloaded by contacting the developers through the website: http://hydrogeosphere.org/. HGS has been designed to solve simple problems (e.g., regular geometry, steady-state saturated flow etc.) as well as very complex problems (e.g., integrated flow,
TL;DR: Risk assessment is essential in post-disasters situations and the rapid implementation of control measures through re-establishment and improvement of primary healthcare delivery should be given high priority, especially in the absence of pre-disaster surveillance data.
Abstract: Natural disasters may lead to infectious disease outbreaks when they result in substantial population displacement and exacerbate synergic risk factors (change in the environment, in human conditions and in the vulnerability to existing pathogens) for disease transmission. We reviewed risk factors and potential infectious diseases resulting from prolonged secondary effects of major natural disasters that occurred from 2000 to 2011. Natural disasters including floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tropical cyclones (e.g., hurricanes and typhoons) and tornadoes have been secondarily described with the following infectious diseases including diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, meningitis, as well as tetanus and cutaneous mucormycosis. Risk assessment is essential in post-disaster situations and the rapid implementation of control measures through re-establishment and improvement of primary healthcare delivery should be give...
TL;DR: In this article, the 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) was used in the silanization reaction with silanol-terminated silicon.
Abstract: The use of the coupling agent, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), in the silanization reaction with silanol-terminated silicon is an important surface modification reaction. Of particular importance is that the terminal amine functionalities of APTES are sufficiently exposed to the gas or liquid phase for further modifications, such as amide coupling reactions. Here, metastable induced electron spectroscopy (MIES) and UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) were used to study the composition of the outermost layer of a silanol-terminated Si surface after silanization with APTES. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to validate the attachment of APTES to the surface. Density of States (DOS) calculations were employed for interpreting the MIE spectra. Findings showed that amine functionalities covered only a small fraction of the APTES-modified Si surface.
TL;DR: Only eight of 24 included studies found a significant relationship between objective and subjective measures of cognitive performance, and further research is required to explore whether objective measures of everyday functioning better predict the impact of chemotherapy related cognitive impairment on daily functioning.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the relationship between environmental reporting and corporate governance attributes of companies in Australia and find a significant positive relationship between the extent of environmental reporting with the proportions of independent and female directors on a board.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental reporting and corporate governance attributes of companies in Australia.Design/methodology/approach – The paper adopts a quantitative analysis approach. It examines the 2008 annual reports of the largest 100 Australian firms listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) to determine the amount of environmental reporting – these data are compared with various corporate governance measures.Findings – Analysis found a significant positive relationship between the extent of environmental reporting and the proportions of independent and female directors on a board. The analysis did not, however, support a negative relationship between the extent of environmental reporting and institutional investors and board size as has been previously predicted, rather, it showed a positive relationship.Originality/value – This paper offers insights to both regulators and company strategists. Regulators such as the Australian Stock E...
Australian National University1, Uppsala University2, Institute of Ecosystem Studies3, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation4, University of Tasmania5, Flinders University6, University of Sydney7, University of Melbourne8, Parks and Wildlife Service9, University of New South Wales10, James Cook University11, University of Adelaide12, University of Queensland13, Charles Darwin University14
TL;DR: In this paper, the benefits of long-term ecological studies are discussed and five key values of such studies are briefly discussed, including quantifying ecological responses to drivers of ecosystem change, understanding complex ecosystem processes that occur over prolonged periods, providing core ecological data that may be used to develop theoretical ecological models and to parameterize and validate simulation models, acting as platforms for collaborative studies, thus promoting multidisciplinary research, and providing data and understanding at scales relevant to management, and hence critically supporting evidence-based policy, decision making and the management of ecosystems.
Abstract: Long-term ecological studies are critical for providing key insights in ecology, environmental change, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we briefly discuss five key values of such studies. These are: (1) quantifying ecological responses to drivers of ecosystem change; (2) understanding complex ecosystem processes that occur over prolonged periods; (3) providing core ecological data that may be used to develop theoretical ecological models and to parameterize and validate simulation models; (4) acting as platforms for collaborative studies, thus promoting multidisciplinary research; and (5) providing data and understanding at scales relevant to management, and hence critically supporting evidence-based policy, decision making and the management of ecosystems. We suggest that the ecological research community needs to put higher priority on communicating the benefits of long-term ecological studies to resource managers, policy makers and the general public. Long-term research will be especially important for tackling large-scale emerging problems confronting humanity such as resource management for a rapidly increasing human population, mass species extinction, and climate change detection, mitigation and adaptation. While some ecologically relevant, long-term data sets are now becoming more generally available, these are exceptions. This deficiency occurs because ecological studies can be difficult to maintain for long periods as they exceed the length of government administrations and funding cycles. We argue that the ecological research community will need to coordinate ongoing efforts in an open and collaborative way, to ensure that discoverable long-term ecological studies do not become a long-term deficiency. It is important to maintain publishing outlets for empirical field-based ecology, while simultaneously developing new systems of recognition that reward ecologists for the use and collaborative sharing of their long-term data sets. Funding schemes must be re-crafted to emphasize collaborative partnerships between field-based ecologists, theoreticians and modellers, and to provide financial support that is committed over commensurate time frames.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared the harshness and impact of bullying by traditional and cyber means, and found that although students who had been victimised by traditional bullying reported that they felt their bullying was harsher and crueller and had mor...
Abstract: It is well recognised that there are serious correlates for victims of traditional bullying. These have been shown to include increased levels of depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms, in addition to often severe physical harm and even suicide. Bullied students also feel more socially ineffective and have greater interpersonal difficulties, together with higher absenteeism from school and lower academic competence. In the emerging field of cyberbullying many researchers have hypothesised a greater impact and more severe consequences for victims because of the 24/7 nature and the possibility of the wider audience with this form of bullying. However, to date there is scarce empirical evidence to support this. This study sought to compare victims' perceptions of the harshness and impact of bullying by traditional and cyber means. The major findings showed that although students who had been victimised by traditional bullying reported that they felt their bullying was harsher and crueller and had mor...
University of Melbourne1, University of Queensland2, Mayo Clinic3, University of Colorado Denver4, Flinders University5, Cancer Council Victoria6, Royal Melbourne Hospital7, University of Western Australia8, Auckland City Hospital9, University of Toronto10, University of Southern California11, Cancer Care Ontario12, University of Hawaii at Manoa13, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center14
TL;DR: It was confirmed that carriers of an MMR gene mutation were at increased risk of a wide variety of cancers, including some cancers not previously recognized as being a result of MMR mutations, and found no evidence of an increase risk of cancer for their noncarrier relatives.
Abstract: Purpose To determine whether cancer risks for carriers and noncarriers from families with a mismatch repair (MMR) gene mutation are increased above the risks of the general population. Patients and Methods We prospectively followed a cohort of 446 unaffected carriers of an MMR gene mutation (MLH1, n 161; MSH2 ,n 222; MSH6 ,n 47; and PMS2 ,n 16) and 1,029 their unaffected relatives who did not carry a mutation every 5 years at recruitment centers of the Colon Cancer Family Registry. For comparison of cancer risk with the general population, we estimated country-, age-, and sex-specific standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of cancer for carriers and noncarriers. Results Over a median follow-up of 5 years, mutation carriers had an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC; SIR, 20.48; 95% CI, 11.71 to 33.27; P .001), endometrial cancer (SIR, 30.62; 95% CI, 11.24 to 66.64; P .001), ovarian cancer (SIR, 18.81; 95% CI, 3.88 to 54.95; P .001), renal cancer (SIR, 11.22; 95% CI, 2.31 to 32.79; P .001), pancreatic cancer (SIR, 10.68; 95% CI, 2.68 to 47.70; P .001), gastric cancer (SIR, 9.78; 95% CI, 1.18 to 35.30; P .009), urinary bladder cancer (SIR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.15 to 34.37; P .009), and female breast cancer (SIR, 3.95; 95% CI, 1.59 to 8.13; P .001). We found no evidence of their noncarrier relatives having an increased risk of any cancer, including CRC (SIR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.33 to 2.39; P .97). Conclusion We confirmed that carriers of an MMR gene mutation were at increased risk of a wide variety of cancers, including some cancers not previously recognized as being a result of MMR mutations, and found no evidence of an increased risk of cancer for their noncarrier relatives. J Clin Oncol 30:958-964. © 2012 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
TL;DR: The effects of virtual reality and interactive video gaming compared with an alternative intervention or no intervention on upper limb, lower limb, and global motor function after stroke were evaluated.
Abstract: Virtual reality and interactive video gaming have emerged as new treatment approaches in stroke rehabilitation. These approaches may be advantageous because they provide the opportunity to practice activities that are not or cannot be practiced within the clinical environment. Furthermore, virtual reality programs are often designed to be more interesting and enjoyable than traditional therapy tasks, thereby encouraging higher numbers of repetitions. The use of specialized virtual reality programs designed for rehabilitation is not yet commonplace in clinical settings. However, gaming consoles are ubiquitous.
The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality and interactive video gaming compared with an alternative intervention or no intervention on upper limb, lower limb, and global motor function after stroke. Secondary outcomes included activity limitation and adverse events. We also explored feasibility of the approach by examining recruitment rates.
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We searched the Cochrane Stroke Trials Register (March 2010), the …
TL;DR: PDMS surface modification techniques presented here include improved plasma and graft polymer coating, dynamic surfactant treatment, hydrosilylation‐based surface modification and surface modification with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and metal nanoparticles.
Abstract: This review focuses on advances reported from April 2009 to May 2011 in PDMS surface modifications for the application in microfluidic devices. PDMS surface modification techniques presented here include improved plasma and graft polymer coating, dynamic surfactant treatment, hydrosilylation-based surface modification and surface modification with nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and metal nanoparticles. Recent efforts to generate topographical and chemical patterns on PDMS are also discussed. The described surface modifications not only increase PDMS wettability, inhibit or reduce non-specific adsorption of hydrophobic species onto the surfaces in the act, but also result in the display of desired functional groups useful for molecular separations, biomolecular detection via immunoassays, cell culture and emulsion formation.
University of Amsterdam1, Ghent University2, University of Chicago3, University of Pennsylvania4, Auckland City Hospital5, University of Antwerp6, Macquarie University7, University of New South Wales8, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven9, St Thomas' Hospital10, University of Nottingham11, University of Zagreb12, Northwestern University13, Medical University of Łódź14, University of Aberdeen15, Innsbruck Medical University16, Medical University of South Carolina17, University of Southampton18, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia19, University of São Paulo20, National University of Singapore21, Flinders University22, University of Adelaide23
TL;DR: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 as discussed by the authors is the update of similar evidence-based position papers published in 2005 and 2007, it contains chapters on definitions and classification, we now also proposed definitions for difficult to treat rhinositis, control of disease, and better definitions for rhinosinitis in children.
Abstract: The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2012 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007. The document contains chapters on definitions and classification, we now also proposed definitions for difficult to treat rhinosinusitis, control of disease and better definitions for rhinosinusitis in children. More emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of acute rhinosinusitis. Throughout the document the terms chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are used to further point out differences in pathophysiology and treatment of these two entities. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. Last but not least all available evidence for management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is analyzed and presented and management schemes based on the evidence are proposed. This executive summary for otorhinolaryngologists focuses on the most important changes and issues for otorhinolaryngologists. The full document can be downloaded for free on the website of this journal: http://www.rhinologyjournal.com.
TL;DR: Lucie Walters, Jennene Greenhill, Janet Richards, Helena Ward, Narelle Campbell, Julie Ash & Lambert WT Schuwirth as discussed by the authors, and Narlle Campbell.
Abstract: Lucie Walters, Jennene Greenhill, Janet Richards, Helena Ward, Narelle Campbell, Julie Ash & Lambert WT Schuwirth
TL;DR: Practical advice is described for clinicians taking into consideration possible screening aids to improve recognition of anxiety and depression among CABG surgery patients, and an overview of contemporary interventions and randomized, controlled trials are described.
Abstract: Research to date indicates that the number of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients affected by depression (i.e., major, minor, dysthymia) approximates between 30% and 40% of all cases. A longstanding empirical interest on psychosocial factors in CABG surgery patients highlights an association with increased risk of morbidity in the short and longer term. Recent evidence suggests that both depression and anxiety increase the risk for mortality and morbidity after CABG surgery independent of medical factors, although the behavioral and biological mechanisms are poorly understood. Though neither depression nor anxiety seem to markedly affect neuropsychological dysfunction, depression confers a risk for incident delirium. Following a comprehensive overview of recent literature, practical advice is described for clinicians taking into consideration possible screening aids to improve recognition of anxiety and depression among CABG surgery patients. An overview of contemporary interventions and randomized, controlled trials are described, along with suggestions for future CABG surgery research.
TL;DR: Not only has the amount of published qualitative evidence syntheses doubled, but authors have also become more transparent about their searching and critical appraisal procedures, so a black box remains between what people claim to use as a synthesis approach and what is actually done in practice.
Abstract: In 2007, the journal Qualitative Research published a review on qualitative evidence syntheses conducted between 1988 and 2004. It reported on the lack of explicit detail regarding methods for searching, appraisal and synthesis, and a lack of emerging consensus on these issues. We present an update of this review for the period 2005–8. Not only has the amount of published qualitative evidence syntheses doubled, but authors have also become more transparent about their searching and critical appraisal procedures. Nevertheless, for the synthesis component of the qualitative reviews, a black box remains between what people claim to use as a synthesis approach and what is actually done in practice. A detailed evaluation of how well authors master their chosen approach could provide important information for developers of particular methods, who seem to succeed in playing the game according to the rules. Clear methodological instructions need to be developed to assist others in applying these synthesis methods.
TL;DR: GAPPS is characterised by the autosomal dominant transmission of fundic gland polyposis, including areas of dysplasia or intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma, restricted to the proximal stomach, and with no evidence of colorectal or duodenalpolyposis or other heritable gastrointestinal cancer syndromes.
Abstract: Objective The purpose of this study was the clinical and pathological characterisation of a new autosomal dominant gastric polyposis syndrome, gastric adenocarcinoma and proximal polyposis of the stomach (GAPPS). Methods Case series were examined, documenting GAPPS in three families from Australia, the USA and Canada. The affected families were identified through referral to centralised clinical genetics centres. Results The report identifies the clinical and pathological features of this syndrome, including the predominant dysplastic fundic gland polyp histology, the exclusive involvement of the gastric body and fundus, the apparent inverse association with current Helicobacter pylori infection and the autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Conclusions GAPPS is a unique gastric polyposis syndrome with a significant risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. It is characterised by the autosomal dominant transmission of fundic gland polyposis, including areas of dysplasia or intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma, restricted to the proximal stomach, and with no evidence of colorectal or duodenal polyposis or other heritable gastrointestinal cancer syndromes.
TL;DR: A general sex ratio increase over time in RRMS is confirmed and a latitudinal gradient of this increase is demonstrated, adding useful information for planning case-control studies aimed to explore sex-related factors responsible for MS development.
Abstract: Background: A female/male (F/M) ratio increase over time in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was demonstrated in many countries around the world. So far, a direct comparison of sex ratio time-trends among MS populations from different geographical areas was not carried out. Objective: In this paper we assessed and compared sex ratio trends, over a 60-year span, in MS populations belonging to different latitudinal areas. Methods: Data of a cohort of 15,996 (F = 11,290; M = 4,706) definite MS with birth years ranging from 1930 to 1989 were extracted from the international MSBase registry and the New Zealand MS database. Gender ratios were calculated by six decades based on year of birth and were adjusted for the F/M born-alive ratio derived from the respective national registries of births. Results: Adjusted sex ratios showed a significant increase from the first to the last decade in the whole MS sample (from 2.35 to 2.73; p = 0.03) and in the subgroups belonging to the areas between 83° N and 45° N (from 1.93 to 4.55; p<0.0001) and between 45° N to 35° N (from 1.46 to 2.30; p<0.05) latitude, while a sex ratio stability over time was found in the subgroup from areas between 12° S and 55° S latitude. The sex ratio increase mainly affected relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Conclusions: Our results confirm a general sex ratio increase over time in RRMS and also demonstrate a latitudinal gradient of this increase. These findings add useful information for planning case-control studies aimed to explore sex-related factors responsible for MS development.
TL;DR: Using extensive hydrological data and generalized linear statistical models, Wang et al. as discussed by the authors demonstrated that the Three-Georges Dam operation induces major changes in the downstream river discharge near the dam, including an average "water loss".
Abstract: The Three-Georges Dam holds many records in the history of engineering. While the dam has produced benefits in terms of flood control, hydropower generation and increased navigation capacity of the Yangtze River, serious questions have been raised concerning its impact on both upstream and downstream ecosystems. It has been suggested that the dam operation intensifies the extremes of wet and dry conditions in the downstream Poyang Lake, and affects adversely important local wetlands. A floodgate has been proposed to maintain the lake water level by controlling the flow between the Poyang Lake and Yangtze River. Using extensive hydrological data and generalized linear statistical models, we demonstrated that the dam operation induces major changes in the downstream river discharge near the dam, including an average "water loss". The analysis also revealed considerable effects on the Poyang Lake water level, particularly a reduced level over the dry period from late summer to autumn. However, the dam impact needs to be further assessed based on long-term monitoring of the lake ecosystem, covering a wide range of parameters related to hydrological and hydraulic characteristics of the lake, water quality, geomorphological characteristics, aquatic biota and their habitat, wetland vegetation and associated fauna.
University of Melbourne1, Mayo Clinic2, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute3, Royal Melbourne Hospital4, Flinders University5, Alfred Hospital6, University of Western Australia7, Middlemore Hospital8, Auckland City Hospital9, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center10, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital11, Cancer Council Australia12, University of Queensland13, University of Southern California14, University of Toronto15, Cancer Care Ontario16
TL;DR: Carriers of MMR gene mutations who have already had a colorectal cancer are at increased risk of a greater range of cancers than the recognized spectrum of Lynch syndrome cancers, including breast and prostate cancers.
Abstract: Background L ynch syndrome is a highly penetrant cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. We estimated the risks of primary cancers other than colorectal cancer following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in mutation carriers. Methods W e obtained data from the Colon Cancer Family Registry for 764 carriers of an MMR gene mutation (316 MLH1, 357 MSH2, 49 MSH6, and 42 PMS2), who had a previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate their cumulative risk of cancers 10 and 20 years after colorectal cancer. We estimated the age-, sex-, country- and calendar period–specific standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of cancers following colorectal cancer, compared with the general population. Results F ollowing colorectal cancer, carriers of MMR gene mutations had the following 10-year risk of cancers in other organs: kidney, renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder (2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1% to 3%); small intestine, stomach, and hepatobiliary tract (1%, 95% CI = 0.2% to 2%); prostate (3%, 95% CI = 1% to 5%); endometrium (12%, 95% CI = 8% to 17%); breast (2%, 95% CI = 1% to 4%); and ovary (1%, 95% CI = 0% to 2%). They were at elevated risk compared with the general population: cancers of the kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter (SIR = 12.54, 95% CI = 7.97 to 17.94), urinary bladder (SIR = 7.22, 95% CI = 4.08 to 10.99), small intestine (SIR = 72.68, 95% CI = 39.95 to 111.29), stomach (SIR = 5.65, 95% CI = 2.32 to 9.69), and hepatobiliary tract (SIR = 5.94, 95% CI = 1.81 to 10.94) for both sexes; cancer of the prostate (SIR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.23 to 3.01), endometrium (SIR = 40.23, 95% CI = 27.91 to 56.06), breast (SIR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.07 to 2.59), and ovary (SIR = 4.19, 95% CI = 1.28 to 7.97). Conclusion Car riers of MMR gene mutations who have already had a colorectal cancer are at increased risk of a greater range of cancers than the recognized spectrum of Lynch syndrome cancers, including breast and prostate cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 20 12;104:1363–1372
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyse how DIY music producers act in entrepreneurial ways to generate "buzz" from an economically constrained position, through semi-structured interviews with music producers in New Zealand.
TL;DR: Cediranib activity, in terms of PFS and OS, was comparable to that of bevacizumab when added to mFOLFOX6; however, the predefined boundary for PFS noninferiority was not met.
Abstract: Purpose To compare the efficacy of cediranib (a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor [VEGFR TKI]) with that of bevacizumab (anti–VEGF-A monoclonal antibody) in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients and Methods HORIZON III [Cediranib Plus FOLFOX6 Versus Bevacizumab Plus FOLFOX6 in Patients With Untreated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer] had an adaptive phase II/III design. Patients randomly assigned 1:1:1 received mFOLFOX6 [oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 and leucovorin 400 mg/m2 intravenously followed by fluorouracil 400 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and then continuous infusion of 2,400 mg/m2 over the next 46 hours every 2 weeks] with cediranib (20 or 30 mg per day) or bevacizumab (5 mg/kg every 14 days). An independent end-of-phase II analysis concluded that mFOLFOX6/cediranib 20 mg met predefined criteria for continuation; subsequent patients received mFOLFOX6/cediranib 20 mg or mFOLFOX6/bevacizumab (randomly a...