Patterns and determinants of alcohol consumption in people aged 75 years and older: results from the MRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the community

BACKGROUND: Very little work on alcohol consumption patterns in older people has been undertaken. As a result, knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of regular drinkers and heavy drinkers in this age group remains limited. OBJECTIVE: To determine the socio-economic and health characteristics associated with different levels of alcohol intake in older people. DESIGN: Detailed screening of patients in one arm of a cluster randomised trial. SETTING: 53 UK general practices drawn from the Medical Research Council General Practice Research Framework. SUBJECTS: All patients aged 75 and over on the GP lists (excluding those in nursing homes or other long stay care) were invited to participate in the study. Of the 15358 people who received a detailed assessment in the 'universal' arm, 14962 (97%) of these answered questions on alcohol consumption. Of these, 62% were female and the median age was 80.3 years. METHODS: Associations between reported alcohol intake and various socio-economic and health variables were investigated, first in univariate analyses and then controlling for other variables in logistic regression models. RESULTS: 5% of men and 2.5% of women exceeded the Royal College of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners' recommended drinking limits of 21 and 14 units a week respectively; 17% of subjects had never had a drink. Women and the very elderly were less likely to be drinkers. Those that drank were more likely to be people who still had a fairly active and sociable lifestyle, and with a better self-perceived health status compared with non-drinkers. Moderate drinkers were also less likely to be severely cognitively impaired compared with non-drinkers: adjusted odds ratio 0.69 (95% CI 0.57, 0.85); but more likely to report symptoms of anxiety: 1.31 (1.07, 1.61). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with relative financial security and good health with the exception of higher levels of anxiety amongst drinkers.     

Synthesis and performance evaluation of nanostructured NaFexCr1−X(SO4)2 cathode materials in sodium ion batteries (SIBs)

This research work focuses on the synthesis and performance evaluation of NaFe_xCr_1−X(SO₄)₂ (X = 0, 0.8 and 1.0) cathode materials in sodium ion batteries (SIBs). The novel materials having a primary particle size of around 100–200 nm were synthesized through a sol–gel process by reacting stoichiometric amounts of the precursor materials. The structural analysis confirms the formation of crystalline, phase pure materials that adopt a monoclinic crystal structure. Thermal analysis indicates the superior thermal stability of NaFe0_.8Cr_0.2(SO₄)₂ when compared to NaFe(SO₄)₂ and NaCr(SO₄)₂. Galvanostatic charge/discharge analysis indicates that the intercalation/de-intercalation of a sodium ion (Na⁺) into/from NaFe(SO₄)₂ ensues at about 3.2 V due to the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ active redox couple. Moreover, ex situ XRD analysis confirms that the insertion/de-insertion of sodium into/from the host structure during charging/discharging is accompanied by a reversible single-phase reaction rather than a biphasic reaction. A similar sodium intercalation/de-intercalation mechanism has been noticed in NaFe_0.8Cr_0.2(SO₄)₂which has not been reported earlier. The galvanostatic measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirm that the Cr²⁺/Cr³⁺ redox couple is inactive in NaFe_xCr_1−X(SO₄)₂ (X = 0, 0.8) and thus does not contribute to capacity augmentation. However, suitable carbon coating may lead to activation of the Cr²⁺/Cr³⁺ redox couple in these inactive materials.

This research work focuses on the synthesis and performance evaluation of NaFe_xCr_1−X(SO₄)₂ (X = 0, 0.8 and 1.0) cathode materials in sodium ion batteries (SIBs).     

Increased nuchal translucency and adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective: To assess the adverse outcome in pregnancies with raised Nuchal translucency measurement.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan between January 2001 and December 2015. Women attending the Fetal Medicine unit for first trimester screening by Nuchal translucency were included in the study. All pregnancies were followed up till delivery. Those with incomplete information about the delivery were excluded from the analysis. Pregnancy outcome was observed in normal Nuchal translucency measurements and in raised Nuchal translucency measurements.

Results: Out of the 1941 fetuses, there were 54 (2.8%) with raised Nuchal translucency measurement. Adverse pregnancy outcome was found in 32 (59.3%) of fetuses with raised Nuchal translucency measurement. Invasive testing was done in 15 (27.8%) of pregnancies with raised Nuchal translucency measurement. Among them there were nine (16.7%) cases with abnormal karyotype. It included six (11.1%) cases of trisomy 21, three (5.6%) cases of trisomy 13 and 18.

Conclusion: Raised Nuchal translucency measurement is associated with adverse pregnancy outcome. One in three fetuses are affected by it. Live birth in this group where there is no aneuploidy is around 3.7%.     

Endometriosis association research center

Endometriosis, the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, is a progressive, estrogen-dependent disease and occurs nearly exclusively in menstruating women of reproductive age. Pain syndrome, however, represents the major clinical problem of this disease, manifested as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, lower abdominal pain, and dyspareunia. About 32 literatures are reviewed in recent advancement for diagnosis of endometriosis. The magnifications of its managements are understood. In outdoor, the management is only depending on clinical findings and on some non invasive procedures without any definitive diagnosis. So, research activities should be done on the basis of recent advancement of endometriosis.     

Comparative Assessment of the Effects of Climate Change on Heat- and Cold-Related Mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia

Background: High and low ambient temperatures are associated with increased mortality in temperate and subtropical climates. Temperature-related mortality patterns are expected to change throughout this century because of climate change.Objectives: We compared mortality associated with heat and cold in UK regions and Australian cities for current and projected climates and populations.Methods: Time-series regression analyses were carried out on daily mortality in relation to ambient temperatures for UK regions and Australian cities to estimate relative risk functions for heat and cold and variations in risk parameters by age. Excess deaths due to heat and cold were estimated for future climates.Results: In UK regions, cold-related mortality currently accounts for more than one order of magnitude more deaths than heat-related mortality (around 61 and 3 deaths per 100,000 population per year, respectively). In Australian cities, approximately 33 and 2 deaths per 100,000 population are associated every year with cold and heat, respectively. Although cold-related mortality is projected to decrease due to climate change to approximately 42 and 19 deaths per 100,000 population per year in UK regions and Australian cities, heat-related mortality is projected to increase to around 9 and 8 deaths per 100,000 population per year, respectively, by the 2080s, assuming no changes in susceptibility and structure of the population.Conclusions: Projected changes in climate are likely to lead to an increase in heat-related mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia over this century, but also to a decrease in cold-related deaths. Future temperature-related mortality will be amplified by aging populations. Health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary in both countries, while protection from cold weather will be still needed.Citation: Vardoulakis S, Dear K, Hajat S, Heaviside C, Eggen B, McMichael AJ. 2014. Comparative assessment of the effects of climate change on heat- and cold-related mortality in the United Kingdom and Australia. Environ Health Perspect 122:1285–1292; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1307524     

Some Challenges to Progressive Control of Foot and Mouth Disease in Pakistan – Findings of a Pilot Survey

Pakistan is at an initial stage for progressive control of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Understanding the risk factors for introduction, spread and persistence of the infection is important to design an evidence‐based disease control programme. A rapid appraisal method was adopted, and a convenient sample of twenty commercial dairy farmers was interviewed. The following were considered to contribute in secondary transmission of infection: (i) intermediaries and service providers [animal health workers, animal traders and transporters, raw milk collectors, persons who remove skin of dead animals], (ii) places where animals come in close contact [livestock markets, animal fairs, communal grazing pastures, routes in villages where livestock move, watering points, animal transport vehicles], (iii) use of bulls immediately after recovery from FMD infection, (iv) range land/desert livestock production, (v) small holder sheep and goat production, (vi) purchase of replacement stock and fodder from infected locations. This article reveals contacts within and between villages, some of which may act as routes of transmission of FMD. The study suggests the need for zoosanitary education of the livestock keepers.