Higher Proportion Of Females Research Articles

Assessment of anemia among rural children in Kaduna State, Nigeria by determining hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels

Background and objective: Children in the developing world are vulnerable to iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) because they grow fast and consume diets low in iron. Thus, this study assessed anemia in children aged 6 - 12 years in rural Nigeria, using hematological indices and serum ferritin as diagnostic tools. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in two primary schools in Kumin Masara Kataf village in Kaduna state, Nigeria. School children aged 6 - 12 years were enrolled. Personal information and laboratory data were collected. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin concentration was estimated to determine anemia and iron status. Data analysis was done using IBM-SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, version-25.0. Results: A total of 191 school-age children aged 6 - 12 years were enrolled in the study. The overall serum ferritin was 16.51±5.20 mg/L, but the children aged 6 - 9 years had significantly (p<0.05) higher serum ferritin (17.23±5.57 mg/L), compared to children aged 10-12 years (15.62±4.62). The mean hemoglobin concentration and serum ferritin were significantly (p<0.05) more elevated among males (11.17±2.53g/dl and 19.01±5.06 mg/L, respectively) than females (10.18±2.46 g/dl and 14.03±4.02 mg/L respectively).The overall rate of anemia was 51.3%, while IDA was 70.4% (69/98). Iron deficiency was present in 47.3% (44/93) children. Also, anemia was significantly (p<0.001) more prevalent among females (66.7%), than males (35.8%), and a higher proportion of females (87.5%) than males (26.2%) were iron deficient (p<0.05), but more males (44.1%) had IDA, p<0.05. Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of IDA and ID among rural school children in Nigeria. It is recommended that healthcare providers focus more on preventing IDA right before childhood. IMC J Med Sci. 2023. 17(1): 006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.55010/imcjms.17.006 *Correspondence: Andrew Nuhu Yashim, Haematology and Blood Transfusion Department, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. Email: yashimnuhuandrew@gmail.com

PREVALENCE OF COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS AND ASSOCIATED COMORBID CONDITIONS IN AN URBAN SLUM OF INDORE, M.P – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Epidemiology plays an important role in providing interpretation of disease occurrence in populations, change of disease rate, and the associated factors related to occurrence. Physical health problems not only coexist with mental disorders such as depression, but can also predict the onset and persistence of depression. A study of a nationally representative sample of the United States showed 79% of all ill people were comorbid. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to study the comorbid condition in subjects with common mental disorders (CMD). Methods: It was a community-based and cross-sectional study carried out in an urban Slum. Slum was divided into four quadrants and 10% of the population was taken. A total of 150 houses were visited by random sampling and the sample size was calculated to be 294. The study was recorded in a pilot tested pre-designed validated semi-structured questionnaire. Four hundred and twenty-three out of 467 people were included in the study which was conducted in two phases. First phase was the screening phase which included history, general examination, and demographic profile along with self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) to measure the presence of mental illness. Socioeconomic status of family and quality of life was evaluated using Kuppuswami socioeconomic status scale. Subjects scored 7 and above selected for the study and further evaluated using mini international neuropsychiatric interview plus in the second phase. Results: In the present study, highest percentage of CMD was 26.47%, belonging to 16–25 age group and distress was found in 16.07% and severe distress in 7.80% with SRQ-20 scoring between 7 and 13 and >14, respectively, with higher proportion of females. The prevalence of CMD was 238.77/1000 and 11.88% and 8.91% subjects were found hypertensive and diabetic respectively. Conclusion: There is need to consider the impact of common psychological health problems that urban slum communities are facing today and CMD can be a major contributor to slum’s overall burden of functional impairment.

Sexual behaviours and their associated factors among young people in the Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (DHDSS) in Ghana.

This paper describes sexual behaviours and their associated factors among young people. The study design is cross-sectional. Dodowa Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (DHDSS) in Ghana's Shai-Osudoku and Ningo Prampram districts. Young people aged 10 to 24 years, median age 17 years. Self-reported to have ever had sex, non-use of a condom at last sex, and ever been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant. Of the 1689 young people; 42% reported having ever had sex, not using a condom at last sexual activity (64%), and ever been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant (41%). The proportion of non-use of condoms at last sex was high across all age groups but was highest (93%) in a small proportion of 10 to 14-year-olds who have ever had sex. Higher proportions of females than males; were reported to have ever had sex (46%), not using a condom at their last sex (66%) and ever been pregnant or getting someone pregnant (56%). Age group (20 to 24), females, primary or junior high school, living alone and lower household socio-economic status were risk factors associated with all three outcome measures. Risky sexual behaviour is high among young people in the Dodowa HDSS. Therefore, interventions that promote safer sexual practices and help young people make timely decisions on their sexual and reproductive health care needs are required. No funding was obtained for this paper.

Analysis of clinical features and the outcome of in-hospital mortality of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries

Objective: To compare the clinical features and the outcome of in-hospital mortality between patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries(MINOCA)and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD). Methods: This is a retrospective study. The clinical data of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2017 to May 2021, who underwent coronary angiography, were collected. Patients were divided into MINOCA group and MI-CAD group according to the degree of coronary stenosis (<50% or ≥50%). Baseline clinical characteristics, electrocardiograph during hospitalization, myocardial bridge, length of stay in hospital, discharge medication and the outcome of in-hospital mortality were collected and compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the related factors of MINOCA and the factors predicting the nosocomial death outcome of patients with AMI. Results: A total of 3 048 AMI patients were enrolled, age was 62 (54, 69) years, 741 (24.3%) patients were women including 165 patients (5.4%) in the MINOCA group and 2 883 patients (94.6%) in the MI-CAD group. Compared with MI-CAD patients, MINOCA patients were younger, had a higher proportion of females and a higher incidence of NSTEMI, and had a lower history of smoking, diabetes, coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. Baseline inflammatory markers such as neutrophil count, monocyte count, neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), and monocyte count/high-density lipoprotein count (MHR) were lower, creatinine, N-terminal pro-brain B-type Natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP), creatine kinase-MB, hypersensitive troponin I, fibrinogen, baseline blood glucose levels were lower, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher, and the incidence of myocardial bridge, arrhythmia, tachycardia and atrial fibrillation was higher (P<0.05). The application rates of calcium antagonists and non-vitamin K antagonists oral anticoagulants were higher in MINOCA group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference in hospitalization days and in-hospital death between the two groups (P>0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that young age, female, non-smoker, no history of coronary heart disease and low MHR were risk factors of MINOCA (P<0.05). MINCOA was not associated with higher in-hospital death (P>0.05). Patients with AMI and a history of coronary heart disease, chronic renal failure, higher baseline blood glucose, higher NLR, and higher D-dimer were risk factors of in-hospital death (P<0.05). Conclusions: Compared with MI-CAD patients, MINOCA patients are younger, more likely to be female and non-smokers and on history of coronary heart disease, and have lower baseline MHR. MINOCA is often associated with myocardial bridge and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of in-hospital death in MINCOA patients is similar as in MI-CAD patients.

Clinical features and surgical outcomes of young patients with lung adenocarcinoma manifesting as ground glass opacity.

BackgroundMore and more ground glass opacity associated lung adenocarcinoma (GGO-LUAD) have been diagnosed in young patients nowadays. Our study aims to investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of young patients with GGO-LUAD.MethodsPatients aged ≤ 40 years who were diagnosed as lung adenocarcinoma and who underwent video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were retrospectively reviewed from January 2017 to December 2018. According to radiological appearance of the patient’s lesions, they were divided into a solid nodule (SN) group and GGO group. The pathological subtypes, surgical procedures and nodules size were analyzed, and the clinical features and prognosis were evaluated between these patients.ResultsA total of 165 patients were included, of which 133 were in the GGO group and 32 in the SN group. Both the GGO group and the SN group had a higher proportion of females and non-smokers. Compared with patients (15.63%) in the SN group, there are more patients (27.8%) under the age of 30 in the GGO group. Pathological findings showed 83.5% of lesions were pre-invasive lesions in the GGO group, although 16.5% of lesions were invasive adenocarcinoma, whereas in the SN group, 96.9% were invasive adenocarcinoma. The GGO group had significantly better histological characteristics and prognosis than the SN group. Perioperative complications occurred in only 6 patients, including pneumonia in one patient, pneumothorax in two patients, and prolonged air leak in three patients. No other serious complications or deaths occurred. After a median follow-up time of 41.2 ± 7.2 months (32-56), the 3-year recurrence free survival (RFS) (100%) and overall survival (OS) (100%) of the GGO group were significantly higher than those (93.42% and 96.88%) in the SN group.ConclusionsYoung patients with GGO-LUAD are mainly non-smokers and female. Most of these patients were early-stage with good prognosis after surgery.

Use of a Feeding Station by Andean Condors in Central Chile

Abstract Organic waste disposals are a valuable food source for vultures. However, some negative collateral effects may result from their use. I documented Andean Condors' (Vultur gryphus) use of a feeding station, which was established in central Chile to reduce risks associated with condors' use of landfills. I also evaluated the changes in that use over time. The feeding station was in place between 2010 and 2016, from July to December, which are the months with the lowest food availability and the highest presence of condors at the landfill. Between 2010 and 2012, the daily maximum abundances were 85, 72, and 82 condors each respective year. In 2013, the daily maximum abundance peaked at 146 condors, but abundance subsequently decreased until 2016, possibly due to the availability of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses associated with an outbreak of myxomatosis. The abundance of the four sex/age classes was highest for immature females, followed by adult females, immature males, and adult males. This contrasts with counts in areas not associated with a predictable source of food, where adult males are the most numerous (Pavez and Estades (2016), Journal of Raptor Research 50:23–32). The high proportion of immature females at the feeding station may reflect a feeding strategy that compensates for their lower social status and foraging effectiveness. Given the current situation in Chile, with the reduction of natural food sources and subsequent increasing use of landfills by condors, it is important to evaluate the use of feeding stations as a management tool during certain times and places.

Young Adult Depression, Antidepressant Prescriptions, and Therapy Intensification in People With Incident Depression in the United States.

Objective: To evaluate the temporal trend in young adult depression, prescription patterns of first- and second-line antidepressants, and factors influencing therapy intensification for depression stratified by sex.Methods: A retrospective cohort of people aged ≥ 18 years with incident depression between 2006 and 2017 was extracted from the Centricity Electronic Medical Records.Results: Among 2,201,086 people with depression (82% on antidepressants), the mean age was 47 years, 29% were male, 40% had cardiometabolic multimorbidity, and 32% were diagnosed at age < 40 years (young adult depression). Prevalence of young adult depression increased significantly from 26% to 36% with a higher proportion in females compared to males (34% vs 26%) between 2006 and 2017. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most prescribed first-line antidepressant (56%), with a prescribing rate increase from 47 per 1,000 person-years to 81 per 1,000 person-years. Among first-line antidepressant recipients, 23% had treatment intensification after a median of 17 months. Compared to those aged 60-70 years, younger males and females had a similar significantly higher treatment intensification risk (range of hazard ratio [HR], 1.09-1.46). Cardiometabolic multimorbidity was associated with a 2% (HR CI, 1.01-1.05) and 7% (HR CI, 1.05-1.09) higher treatment intensification risk in males and females, respectively, while anxiety increased the treatment intensification risk by 63% (HR CI, 1.57-1.68) in males and 57% (HR CI, 1.52-1.62) in females. Non-Whites and SSRI initiators had lower risks of treatment intensification (all HR CI < 1).Conclusions: More than one-third of US adults with depression are aged < 40 years with an increasing trend among females. The temporal antidepressant prescribing rates were similar between sex, while significant ethnic disparity in therapy intensification was observed between sex.

Impact of the Pandemic on Gender Differences in Scientific Publication Authorship Among Turkish Adult Cardiologists.

Despite efforts spent on promotion of gender equity in the academia, the gender gap is feared to have widened after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Herein, we aimed to compare the distribution of female authorship by Turkish adult cardiologists in journals indexed at PubMed before and after the pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, an advanced search on PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) was carried out based on the following criteria: "entrez date" and keywords "Turkey" and "cardiology" to identify papers that entered the online database in April-September 2019 and April-September 2020. After the study sample was determined, type of the article and details of the author list were recorded. Of 1318 articles screened, 708 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 85 (12.0%) of first authors and 67 (10.0%) of senior authors were female. Females were less likely to first author original articles, editorials, case reports/series and papers with international participation (9.5%, P = .012; 33.3%, P = .045; 18.3%, P = .033; 4.8%, P = .032, respectively). A higher proportion of females were in first and corresponding author positions in original articles (73.2%, P = .032; 76.5%, P = .019, respectively), but not in other article types (all P > .05), after emergence of the pandemic. These suggest that significant gender differences exist with regard to authorships of scientific publications that were submitted by Turkish adult cardiologists. Future studies may aim to evaluate the trends across a wider time span and based on a more extensive scientific output follow-up.

Primary headaches increase the risk of dementias: An 8-year nationwide cohort study.

BackgroundHeadache, a highly prevalent neurological disorder, has consistently been linked with an elevated risk of dementia. However, most studies are focused on the relationship with migraine in limited age groups. Therefore, the objective of this research was to look at the link between various type of headaches and dementias based on longitudinal population-based data.Methods and resultsParticipants diagnosed with headache from 2002 to 2005 were selected and major covariates were collected. The diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and other dementias were observed from 2006 until 2013. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of dementias according to headache type were calculated by Cox proportional hazards regression. A number of 470,652 participants were observed for a mean of 7.6 years (standard deviation: 1.2), for approximately 3.6 million person-years. Both tension type headache (TTH) and migraine elevated the risk of all-cause dementias (TTH, aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–2.24; migraine, aHR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13–2.24). Headaches had a greater influence in females and non-smokers as a risk factor of dementias. Patients with migraine who consumed alcohol had a higher risk of dementia, however this was not true with TTH patients. Among participants without comorbidities, TTH patients were more susceptible to dementia than migraine patients. Headache patients had a higher proportion of females regardless of headache type and approximately 1.5 times more individuals had three or more comorbidities compared to those without headache.ConclusionsHeadache could be an independent predictor for subsequent dementia risk. Future studies should focus on clarifying pathogenic pathways and possible dementia-related preventive measures in headache populations.

Association of Academic Stress, Acne Symptoms and Other Physical Symptoms in Medical Students of King Khalid University.

Academic stress has varied effects on medical student life due to multiple factors, like study load, competition, frequent assessment, social pressure, etc. The authors of this paper conducted research to find the academic stress level and its sequel over acne and other physical symptoms on the medical students of King Khalid University (KKU), Saudi Arabia. A total of 168 participant responses were analyzed. Data collection was performed using a self-administered online questionnaire through the university website portal. The study tool was comprised of four sections: demographic characteristics, academic stress, acne symptoms, and other physical symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. A high proportion of females (88.7%) participated in the study. Upon categorization of overall academic stress, it was found that a majority of the medical students were moderately stressed (58.34%). The response on the academic stress scale revealed that exams are the major cause of stress among students. The Mean ± SD of academic stress, acne symptoms, and physical symptoms differ significantly at <0.01 level of significance. Overall academic stress showed a significant positive association with acne (<0.01) and physical symptoms (<0.01). The strength of this study is the fact that its categorization of stress caused by academics has not been done elsewhere. In addition, the impact of acne and physical symptoms has not been found in recent literature. Keeping the outcome of the present study in mind, it is suggested to arrange timely counselling sessions in medical colleges which can alert medical students to remain conscious about the consequences of stress.

First comprehensive analysis of Aedes aegypti bionomics during an arbovirus outbreak in west Africa: Dengue in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 2016-2017.

Dengue's emergence in West Africa was typified by the Burkina Faso outbreaks in 2016 and 2017, the nation's largest to date. In both years, we undertook three-month surveys of Aedes populations in or near the capital city Ouagadougou, where the outbreaks were centered. In 1200LG (urban), Tabtenga (peri-urban) and Goundry (rural) localities, we collected indoor and outdoor resting mosquito adults, characterized larval habitats and containers producing pupae and reared immature stages to adulthood in the laboratory for identification. All mosquito adults were identified morphologically. Host species (from which bloodmeals were taken) were identified by PCR. Generalized mixed models were used to investigate relationships between adult or larval densities and multiple explanatory variables. From samples in 1,780 houses, adult Ae. aegypti were significantly more abundant in the two urban localities (Tabtenga and 1200 LG) in both years than in the rural site (Goundry), where Anopheles spp. were far more common. Results from adult collections indicated a highly exophilic and anthropophilic (>90% bloodmeals of human origin) vector population, but with a relatively high proportion of bloodfed females caught inside houses. Habitats producing most pupae were waste tires (37% of total pupae), animal troughs (44%) and large water barrels (30%). While Stegomyia indices were not reliable indicators of adult mosquito abundance, shared influences on adult and immature stage densities included rainfall and container water level, collection month and container type/purpose. Spatial analysis showed autocorrelation of densities, with a partial overlap in adult and immature stage hotspots. Results provide an evidence base for the selection of appropriate vector control methods to minimize the risk, frequency and magnitude of future outbreaks in Ouagadougou. An integrated strategy combining community-driven practices, waste disposal and insecticide-based interventions is proposed. The prospects for developing a regional approach to arbovirus control in West Africa or across Africa are discussed.

Characteristics and risk factors of infections in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a retrospective study.

BackgroundAcute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute decompensation, organ failures, and high short-term mortality whose main cause in China is the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Moreover, one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in HBV-ACLF patients is bacterial infection. Therefore, we investigate the clinical features, risk factors, prophylaxis and management of infections in patients with HBV-ACLF.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 539 patients with HBV-ACLF in Wuhan Tongji Hospital from October 2015 to May 2018. Differences among groups were compared with Student’s t test, Mann–Whitney U test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test as appropriate. Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for modeling the relationship between infection and clinical characteristics of HBV-ACLF.ResultsIn total 58.81% (317/539) of patients with HBV-ACLF became complicated with infections, and the most common types were spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infection and pulmonary infection. Additionally, 32.18% (102/317) of patients suffered multi-organ infections, and 95.73% (516/539) of patients received anti-infective therapy. We detected a total of 202 isolates in all infected patients, and Escherichia coli (36.14%, 73/202) was the most common causative organism. Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility test patterns showed that 52.97% (107/202) of pathogens were MDR bacteria and 4.95% (10/202) were XDR bacteria. Univariate analysis indicated that patients with infection had a higher proportion of females, taking alcohol, diuretics, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), hepatorenal syndrome (HS), cirrhosis, a long-time in bed and mechanical ventilation, lower prothrombin activity (PTA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), albumin, total cholesterol (TC), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet (PLT) and higher age, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores and ACLF grade than patients without infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that taking alcohol, HE, HS, cirrhosis, albumin and eGFR were risk factors for the development of infection.ConclusionsBacterial infections were very common in patients with HBV-ACLF. Taking alcohol, the occurrence of complications (HE, HS and cirrhosis), hypoalbuminemia and poor renal function often predict the higher prevalence of infections in patients with HBV-ACLF. It is important to focus on exploring the early recognition of infection and early intervention of those risk factors in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Smokeless Tobacco: Pattern and Awareness in a Rural Area of Bangladesh

Background: Smokeless tobacco consumption has contributed nothing except diseases, disability and death. But assessment of awareness and knowledge regarding its use has less been studied to the extent as that of smoking. The study was undertaken to assess the pattern of use and awareness of smokeless tobacco among rural community.&#x0D; Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 respondents selected through systemic sampling method, aged 18 years, residing at least for 10 years in Noakhali district in Bangladesh. This study was conducted from May to November 2013. Data were collected with a pretested questionnaire through face-to-face interview. &#x0D; Results: Smokeless Tobacco (SLT) use was prevalent among 45.8% of respondents. Higher proportion of females than males used SLT. Zarda was the common form in more than half of the users. Among daily users, self-interest was the main factor for initiation and mean age of starting was 35 years. Per day frequency of SLT use for 1-8 times was in two-thirds of the daily users. Most of the respondents knew that SLT is injurious to health. About two-thirds of them mentioned SLT as addictive. More than one-thirds of the respondents had knowledge that smoking is more injurious than SLT. However, 30% of the respondents knew that both smoking and SLT were equally addictive. Excluding the former users, majority of the respondents knew that SLT might be quitted. &#x0D; Conclusion: Multistage effective behavioral change intervention programs are the preferable way to overcome this lifestyle-related health problem.&#x0D; JCMCTA 2022 ; 33 (1) : 166-172

Evaluation of Artemia sp. (Branchiopoda, Artemiidae) as an alternative prey for laboratory rearing of Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Hemiptera: Miridae), a predator of horticultural pests

Tupiocoris cucurbitaceus (Spinola) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a predator of whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) present in several American countries. Rearing this bug requires the use of plants as ovipositional substrate and a prey to feed on to complete its development. Artemia sp. (Branchiopoda, Artemiidae) cyst, a crustacean tested for the laboratory rearing of other hemipteran species, could be used as food, being less expensive than the species commonly employed (Sitotroga cerealella [Olivier] [Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae]). The objective of the present study was to determine nymphal developmental time, nymphal mortality, fertility, and sex ratio of T. cucurbitaceus fed on Artemia sp. cysts. Three diets were used during the rearing of three generations: S. cerealella eggs, Artemia sp. cysts and a mix of both species. The nymphal developmental time (11 to 13 days), nymphal mortality (40 to 66 %), and adult fertility (74 to 101 nymphs / female) were similar for all diets. In all cases, the adults showed a high female proportion (0.67-0.97). In conclusion, Artemia sp. cysts are suitable for T. cucurbitaceus laboratory rearing at least for three generations.

Evaluation of resting traps: An approach to understand resting biology of Culicoides spp. in backyard cattle shed

Worldwide Culicoides biting midges transmit disease-causing agents that have significant economic impact on livestock industries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sticky resting box traps to elucidate the resting behaviour of adult Culicoides in backyard cattle shed. Four different experiments were conducted over a six-month period based on types of resting box traps (material, colour, texture & height). During the study period 8870 individuals comprising 4046 (45.61%) males and 4824 (54.39%) females were collected. During the study period no significant preference was observed for the choice of resting box material (plywood & carton). For the colour experiment: adult Culicoides were retrieved from black box trap the most (21.15%) followed by blue (19.93%), red (17.84%), pink (14.06%), green (13.31%), yellow (7.21%) and the white (6.51%). Differential catch in the trap with surface texture (rough & smooth) was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.09, df = 1, P < 0.05). The highest proportion of males (n=987, 0.64) was recovered in the lower sticky resting box while the highest proportion of females (n=1318, 0.64) was collected in the upper sticky resting box during the study period. Sticky Resting Box (SRB) seems to be an effective tool for passive monitoring of resting adult vectors of Culicoides spp. prevalent in backyard sheds of West Bengal, India.

Effects of the Herbicide Atrazine on Crustacean Reproduction. Mini-Review.

Atrazine, one of the most intensively applied herbicides worldwide, is commonly found in several water bodies, affecting the associated fauna. Autochthon crustacean species have been relatively less studied, compared to vertebrate species, particularly concerning reproductive success. In this mini-review, we summarize the relevant information about the effects of atrazine exposure on the main reproductive aspects of crustaceans. One of these effects is related to the inhibition of ovarian growth. In this respect, a diminished vitellogenin content was found in the ovary of crabs exposed to atrazine during the entire period of ovarian growth, in correlation with a reduced oocyte size and a delay of ovarian maturation. Similar results were observed in crayfish. Atrazine was also able to affect the reproductive process, acting as an endocrine disruptor. In this sense, this herbicide was suspected to affect the secretion of some neurohormones involved in the gonadal growth, as well as to alter the circulating levels of steroid hormones which promote the synthesis of vitellogenin for ovarian growth. Moreover, atrazine induced sexual differentiation in juvenile crayfish toward a higher proportion of females, while it produced an increment of males in daphnids. Another aspect affected by this herbicide was the reduction of offspring production, as well as several embryonic abnormalities; genotoxic effects have been also reported in crayfish. Finally, some metabolic imbalances, such as reduction in energy reserves, have been observed in some species, together with oxidative stress and histopathological effects.

Exploring ethnic representativeness in diabetes clinical trial enrolment from 2000 to 2020: a chronological survey

Aims/hypothesisEthnic representativeness of participant enrolment in diabetes RCTs involving multiple ethnicities remains unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate the status and temporal trend of ethnic representativeness in enrolment to diabetes RCTs, and to assess under-enrolment of non-white ethnic groups and explore trial characteristics associated with under-enrolment.MethodsWe conducted a chronological survey by systematically searching the literature to include eligible RCTs published between January 2000 and December 2020. We assessed temporal trends in enrolment of ethnic groups in the included trials. Univariable logistic regression was used to explore the association between trial characteristics and under-enrolment of non-white groups, using a participant to prevalence ratio of <0.8 to define under-enrolment. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021229100).ResultsWe included 405 RCTs for analysis (327 multi-country trials, 69 conducted in the USA and nine conducted in the UK). The median enrolment rate of all non-white groups was 24.0% in the overall RCTs. Trials conducted in the USA and the UK had median enrolment rates of 29.0% and 12.0% for all non-white groups, respectively. There was a temporal trend towards increased participation of non-white ethnic groups in the overall RCTs; however, no significant improvement over time was found in the US or UK trials. Non-white groups were under-enrolled in most included trials: 62.3% (43/69) in US trials and 77.8% (7/9) in UK trials. The US trials with a high female proportion were associated with lower odds of under-enrolment of all non-white groups (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.07, 0.65), while trials receiving funding from industry showed increased odds of under-enrolment (OR 4.64; 95% CI 1.50, 14.35). Outpatient enrolment and intervention duration were significantly associated with under-enrolment of Black participants. Only a small proportion of trials reported subgroup results or explored the effect modification by ethnicity.Conclusions/interpretationA temporal trend towards increased non-white ethnic enrolment was found in diabetes RCTs globally, but not in the USA or the UK. Non-white ethnic groups were under-represented in the majority of diabetes trials conducted in the USA and the UK. Some trial characteristics may be associated with non-white under-enrolment in diabetes trials. These findings provide some evidence for non-white ethnic representativeness in diabetes trials over the past two decades, and highlight the need for more effective strategies and endeavours to alleviate under-enrolment of non-white ethnic groups.Graphical abstract Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary peer-reviewed but unedited material available at 10.1007/s00125-022-05736-z.

Biological parameters, ecology and population trends of the Mediterranean endemic skate, Raja polystigma, in the Balearic Islands

Elasmobranchs are a vulnerable group that has been overexploited for almost half a century in the Mediterranean. However, few elasmobranch species have been assessed because information on their basic biological parameters is lacking for most species. Raja polystigma is a poorly studied endemic skate in the Mediterranean. The aim of this work is to determine some basic life history parameters of this skate in the Balearic Islands. Data were collected from commercial catches and during MEDITS surveys. Total length varied from 17 to 59 cm for both sexes, with a higher proportion of females than males. Allometric and morphometric relationships differed between sexes, females being heavier for a given size. Females matured at a larger size than males (L50 47.7 cm and 38.4 cm, respectively). Potential fecundity ranged between 11 and 45 yolked oocytes per female, and spawning was observed mainly during winter and spring. Persistent hotspots of adults and juveniles were detected on the shallow shelf off the northwest of Mallorca and east of Menorca, with adults being found mainly in the shallow and juveniles in deeper areas. Time series of abundance and frequency of appearance showed stable trends throughout the study period (2003-2018).

A comparison of mortality rates following revision hip arthroplasty for periprosthetic fracture, infection or aseptic loosening.

Mortality following revision hip surgery for periprosthetic fracture (PPF) is comparable to neck of femur fractures. Our institution provides a regional "PPF Service". The aim of this study was to determine the time to surgery and mortality rate for PPF, compared to revision for infection or aseptic loosening. Revision arthroplasty procedures performed for PPF, infection or aseptic loosening between January 2014 and December 2015 were identified. Comparisons were made between the 3 groups for baseline demographics, admission to higher-level care, length of stay, complications and mortality. There were 37 PPF, 71 infected and 221 aseptic revisions. PPF had a higher proportion of females (65% vs. 39% in infection and 53% in aseptic; p = 0.031) and grade 3 and 4 ASA patients (p = 0.006). Median time to surgery for PPF was 8 days (95% CI, 6-16). Single-stage procedures were performed in 84% of PPF, 42% of infections and 99% of aseptic revisions (p < 0.001). 19% of PPF revisions required HDU admission, 1% in the aseptic group and none in the infection group. Median length of stay was significantly different (PPF 10; infection 14; aseptic 8 days (p < 0.001). The 1-year mortality rate for PPF was 0%, 2.8% for infection and 0.9% in the aseptic group (p = 0.342). Despite the PPF group having higher ASA grades and more HDU admissions, our 1-year mortality rate was 0% and not significantly different to infection or aseptic loosening. Our low complication and 1-year mortality rate is encouraging and supports the safety of a regional "Periprosthetic Fracture Service".

Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome in dogs.

Idiopathic generalised tremor syndrome (IGTS) causes tremor and often vestibulocerebellar signs. Previous publications on IGTS in dogs are restricted to case reports or lack exclusion of structural causes. Medical records of 75 dogs diagnosed with IGTS that had undergone magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain were collected retrospectively. Crossbreeds were affected most commonly (41.3%), followed by West Highland white terriers (14.7%) and cocker spaniels (10.7%). A higher proportion of females were affected than males (68.0%). Median age of the affected dogs was 17 months (range 6-121 months), and median bodyweight was 9.15kg (range 2.9-26kg). All dogs presented with tremors and most experienced concomitant neurological signs (93.3%). Seventeen (22.7%) were hyperthermic and 31 (41.3%) had gastrointestinal signs. MRI of the brain was normal in most of the cases, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis frequently revealed mild pleocytosis. All animals were treated with prednisolone, and 39 (51.3%) also received diazepam. Median follow-up time was 13 months (range 0-134 months). The overall outcome was good, although 16 (21.3%) patients were reported to have relapsing clinical signs and 10 (13.2%) patients experienced persistent mild clinical signs. IGTS should be suspected in any dog with generalised tremor and vestibulocerebellar signs with younger and smaller dogs more commonly affected.