Influence of unfused cranial bones on magnetoencephalography signals in human infants

ObjectiveTo clarify the effects of unfused cranial bones on magnetoencephalography (MEG) signals during early development.MethodsIn a simulation study, we compared the MEG signals over a spherical head model with a circular hole mimicking the anterior fontanel to those over the same head model without the fontanel for different head and fontanel sizes with varying skull thickness and conductivity.ResultsThe fontanel had small effects according to three indices. The sum of differences in signal over a sensor array due to a fontanel, for example, was < 6% of the sum without the fontanel. However, the fontanel effects were extensive for dipole sources deep in the brain or outside the fontanel for larger fontanels. The effects were comparable in magnitude for tangential and radial sources. Skull thickness significantly increased the effect, while skull conductivity had minor effects.ConclusionMEG signal is weakly affected by a fontanel. However, the effects can be extensive and significant for radial sources, thicker skull and large fontanels. The fontanel effects can be intuitively explained by the concept of secondary sources at the fontanel wall.SignificanceThe minor influence of unfused cranial bones simplifies MEG analysis, but it should be considered for quantitative analysis.     

Timeline for maximal subjective outcome improvement following total ankle arthroplasty

BackgroundMaximal medical improvement (MMI) establishes the timepoint when patients no longer experience clinically significant improvements following surgery. The purpose of this investigation is to establish when patients achieve MMI following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) through the use of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).MethodsA systematic review to identify studies on TAA which reported consecutive PROMs for two years postoperatively was performed. Pooled analysis was done at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Clinically significant improvement was defined as improvement between time intervals exceeding the minimal clinically important difference.ResultsTwelve studies and 1514 patients met inclusion criteria. Clinically significant improvement was seen up to 6 months postoperatively in both the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle Hindfoot Score and Visual Analog Scale scoring systems. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Dysfunction and Bother subsections showed maximal clinically significant improvement by 1 year postoperatively.ConclusionFollowing TAA, MMI is seen by one year postoperatively. Physicians may allocate the majority of resources within the first year when most of the improvement is perceived. This data may help inform preoperative counseling as it establishes a timeline for MMI.Level of evidenceIV.     

Examining ethnic inequalities in health and tenure in England: A repeated cross-sectional analysis

Ethnic minorities experience multiple inequalities across different domains including health and tenure. Notwithstanding extensive research demonstrating a clear connection between tenure and health, the relationship between health, tenure and ethnicity is under-explored. In this paper, we examine ethnic inequalities in health and tenure in England using cross-sectional census microdata for 1991, 2001 and 2011. We find that ethnic inequalities in health persist over time while the relationship between health and tenure varies between ethnic groups. These results suggest that traditional explanations linking health and tenure are not sufficient to adequately capture the myriad experiences of different ethnic groups.     

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital upper limb differences: a current concept review

Congenital upper limb differences are frequently associated with complex syndromes. Ultrasonography is considered as the first-line diagnostic modality, and fetal MRI can be useful to further evaluate ill-defined areas. Genetic and non-invasive prenatal testing help to identify the underlying genetic disorder. The diagnostic assessment is a multidisciplinary task that should involve early prenatal consultations with specialists involved in case management and treatment planning. Obstetricians, geneticists, radiologists, psychologists and dedicated surgeons are needed to provide good parental education, prenatal and postnatal care, and successful outcomes. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the clinicopathologic background, current diagnostic and imaging procedures in affected fetuses.     

Performance trends in 3000 m open-water age group swimmers from 25 to 89 years competing in the FINA World Championships from 1992 to 2014

We investigated trends in participation, performance and sex difference in performance in 3000 m freestyle in age groups swimmers (25–29 to 85–89 years) competing in the Fédération Internationale de Natation World Masters Championships between 1992 and 2014. During this period, participation increased in women and men. Women and men improved race times across years in all age groups. Women were slower in age groups 25–29 to 70–74 years. In age groups 75–79 and 85–89 years, however, race times were similar for both women and men. Sex difference in performance remained unchanged across years. In summary, performance improved across years in all age groups, men were faster than women up to the age group 70–74 years and women were not able to reduce the sex difference in performance to men across years. For athletes and coaches, an increase in participation and a continuous improvement in performance can be expected in these age group athletes.     

透明颤菌血红蛋白基因在龟裂链霉菌中的表达及其对土霉素合成的影响

目的 考察透明颤菌血红蛋白基因(vgb)在大肠埃希菌(E. coli)和龟裂链霉菌(S. rimosus)中的表达，研究在不同溶氧条件下表达的透明颤菌血红蛋白(VHb)对龟裂链霉菌生长和土霉素合成的影响。方法 将vgb插入表达型质粒pET-28a中，导入E. coli BL21(DE3)用以表达VHb并测定其活性。以整合型质粒pSET152为载体，利用ermE*启动子组成型表达vgb基因，将构建的质粒通过接合转移整合到S. rimosus M4018基因组上，利用CO差示光谱法和SDS-PAGE鉴定两个重组菌中的血红蛋白。在5L罐上考察不同溶氧条件下VHb的表达对重组龟裂链霉菌生长和土霉素合成的影响。结果 重组大肠埃希菌和重组龟裂链霉菌都能够表达具有生物活性的VHb，发酵结果表明，在117h时与对照菌相比，重组龟裂链霉菌在高氧和低氧条件下的干重分别提高了6%和32%，同时单位干重土霉素的产量分别提高了41%和93%。结论 VHb在重组龟裂链霉菌中成功表达，改善了菌体的生长和土霉素的合成，为解决工业发酵过程中氧限制问题提供了策略。     

A note on calculating asymptotic confidence intervals for the adjusted risk difference and number needed to treat in the Cox regression model

Recently, Laubender and Bender (Stat. Med. 2010; 29: 851–859) applied the average risk difference (RD) approach to estimate adjusted RD and corresponding number needed to treat measures in the Cox proportional hazards model. We calculated standard errors and confidence intervals by using bootstrap techniques. In this paper, we develop asymptotic variance estimates of the adjusted RD measures and corresponding asymptotic confidence intervals within the counting process theory and evaluated them in a simulation study. We illustrate the use of the asymptotic confidence intervals by means of data of the Düsseldorf Obesity Mortality Study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Landscape of NAT2 polymorphisms among breast cancer

PurposeThe prevalence of phenotypes of Arylamine N-acetyltransferase-2(NAT2) gene (i.e. fast, intermediate and slow acetylators) among ethnic groups, as well as the association studies regarding NAT2 polymorphisms and risk of breast cancer produced inconsistent results. This meta-analysis aimed to clarify whether the selected NAT2 phenotypes have an effect on the susceptibility to breast cancer.MethodsAfter aggregating the frequencies of fast, intermediate and slow phenotypes of NAT2 in breast cancer subjects, the odds ratio and relevant 95% confidence intervals were examined using combined data from all published 36 articles.ResultsOverall, our results did not produce statistical significance for the proposed association, suggesting that there is no association between the selected phenotypes of NAT2 polymorphisms and breast cancer. In subgroup analyses, it was revealed that, as compared with the fast phenotype, intermediate acetylator is protective of the vulnerable White population to breast cancer. In addition, an obvious ethnic/geographic difference was found in the prevalence of fast, intermediate and slow acetylators among world-wide populations.ConclusionsAlthough ethnic and geographic differences in NAT2 polymorphisms were present, this was not associated with the risk of breast cancer in general. Intermediate acetylator is protective for particular ethnic groups, a finding which should be carefully viewed and confirmed in the future studies.     

Ethnic Identification and Alcohol Use among Canadian-Born and Foreign-Born High School Students in Toronto

Unlike other demographic and sociopsychological correlates of student alcohol and other drug use, the variable of ethnic identification and its possible effects on student substance use have not received adequate attention from researchers. This paper seeks to examine the relationship between ethnic identification and alcohol use on the basis of data collected from a survey of 667 high school students in Toronto. Results show that when other variables (sociodemographic, school, family, availability, and informal social control) are controlled for, the relationship between ethnic identification and alcohol use remains significant in Canadian-born students but not in foreign-born students. Also, foreign-born students are found to exhibit lower levels of alcohol use than their Canadian-born counterparts, regardless of cultural origin. Implications of the findings for future studies of ethnicity and alcohol/drug use and for prevention efforts are discussed.     

Interaural Phase and the Release from Masking

In previous presentations to this congress we have reported an increase in intelligibility of isolated words at poor signal-to-noise ratios when the phase angle differences between the ears were adjusted to certain values. Question has arisen as to whether this phenomenon is one of a peculiar property of speech or one of that kind usually called release from masking. Therefore, a study was done to compare normal voiced speech with whispered speech at a signal-to-noise ratio of 0 dB and subject to various phase angle differences between the ears. Data are presented which suggest that the apparent release from masking may be due in part to properties of voice, but not entirely so.