Influence Of Population Characteristics Research Articles

Analysis of related factors influencing the detection rate of mosaic embryo and the pregnancy outcomes with mosaic embryo transfers

Objective: To explore the related factors influencing the detection rate of mosaic embryo and the pregnancy outcomes of mosaic embryo transfer in preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) based on next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Methods: A retrospective study was performed to analyze the clinical data of patients in 745 PGT-A cycles from January 2019 to May 2023 at Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children, including 2 850 blastocysts. The biopsy cells were tested using NGS technology, and the embryos were divided into three groups based on the test results, namely euploid embryos, aneuploid embryos and mosaic embryos. The influence of population characteristics and laboratory-related parameters on the detection rate of mosaic embryo were analyzed, and the pregnancy outcomes of 98 mosaic embryo transfer cycles and 486 euploid embryo transfer cycles were compared during the same period, including clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Results: Among the embryos tested (n=2 850), the number and proportion of euploid embryos, aneuploid embryos and mosaic embryos were 1 489 (52.2%, 1 489/2 850), 917 (32.2%, 917/2 850) and 444 (15.6%, 444/2 850), respectively. Among mosaic embryos, 245 (55.2%, 245/444) were segmental mosaic embryos, 118 (26.6%, 118/444) were whole-chromosome mosaic embryos, and 81 (18.2%, 81/444) were complex mosaic embryos. NGS technology was performed in 4 genetic testing institutions and the detection rate of mosaic embryo fluctuated from 13.5% to 27.0%. The distributions of female age, level of anti-Müllerian hormone, PGT-A indications, ovulation-inducing treatments, gonadotropin (Gn) dosage, Gn days, inner cell mass grade, trophectoderm cell grade, genetic testing institutions and developmental stage of blastocyst were significantly different among the three groups (all P<0.05). Multi-factor analysis showed that the trophectoderm cell grade and genetic testing institutions were significantly related to the detection rate of mosaic embryo; compared with the trophectoderm cell graded as A, the detection rate of mosaic embryo was significantly increased in the trophectoderm cell graded as B-(OR=1.59, 95%CI: 1.04-2.44, P=0.033); compared with genetic testing institution a, the detection rate of mosaic embryo was significantly higher (OR=2.89, 95%CI: 2.10-3.98, P<0.001) in the testing institution c. The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with mosaic embryos transfer were significantly lower than those of euploid embryos transfer (clinical pregnancy rate: 51.0% vs 65.2%, P=0.008; live birth rate: 39.4% vs 53.2%, P=0.017). After adjustment for age, PGT-A indications, trophectoderm cell grade and days of embryo culture in vitro, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with mosaic embryos transfer were significantly lower than those of euploid embryos transfer (clinical pregnancy rate: OR=0.52, 95%CI: 0.32-0.83, P=0.007; live birth rate: OR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.31-0.83, P=0.007). Conclusions: The trophectoderm cell grade and genetic testing institutions are related to the detection rate of mosaic embryo. Compared with euploid embryos transfer, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate with mosaic embryos transfer are significantly reduced. For infertile couple without euploid embryos, transplantable mosaic embryos could be recommended according to the mosaic ratio and mosaic type in genetic counseling to obtain the optimal pregnancy outcome.

P793 Patients’ concerns are strongly associated with distress and quality of life among family caregivers of adult inflammatory bowel disease patients in remission

Abstract Background Patients’ concerns were negatively associated with adaptation and outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), even when the disease is in remission. Concurrently, relatives overestimate patients’ worries with unknown implications on their quality of life (QoL).Our aim was to investigate the association among disease-related concerns, distress and QoL among family caregivers of adult IBD patients in remission. Methods One hundred and ninety-three consecutive IBD patient-caregiver dyads from the outpatient clinic of two referral centres were screened for eligibility. Dyads with psychiatric and other co morbidities were excluded. 66 patients were in remission and recruited. Patients’ concerns and caregivers’ distress were assessed by using the Rating Form of IBD patient Concerns (RFIPC) and the caregiver self-assessment questionnaire ‘How Are You?’ of the American Medical Association, respectively, whereas caregiver’s QoL was measured with the SF-36 questionnaire. Data are presented as median and range. The influence of population characteristics and patients’ concerns on caregivers’ distress and QoL were evaluated with linear regression. Results Sixty-six IBD patients (40[47] years, 51.5 % females, 37.9% full-time employment) and caregivers (47[33] years, 60% females, 60% 1st degree relative, 60% full-time employed) included in the analysis. Among patients, the median RFIPC score was 36.8 [43.52], whereas worries about the unknown nature of the disease, feeling out of control, having access to quality medical care, the fear of side effects and the energy level prevailed. Among caregivers, a median of 7 [14] hours were spent on care giving per week with 48.4 % of the caregivers developing distress and achieving low scores on sf-36. Among all examined variables, the increased level of concerns was the sole factor that was independently associated with increased distress (beta=0.947, p = 0.000) and low QoL (beta=–0.567–0.345, p = 0.000) in the caregivers’ population. Conclusion In remission, increased patients’ concerns was the only factor that was found to be strongly associated with increased level of distress and low QoL in family caregivers. Potential interventions might seek to provide support to those who care for IBD patients. References

Epidemiology of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Republic of Bashkortostan (Clinical and Statistical Analisys of the “Ural Eye and Medical Study”)

Purpose. Analysis of the AMD prevalence in the Republic of Bashkortostan, depending on the disease stage, gender and the nature of the respondent settlement. Methods. A population-based study of Republic of Bashkortostan residents “Ural Eye and Medical Study” was conducted on the basis of the State Budget Institution “Ufa Research Institute of Eye Diseases of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Bashkortostan”. There were 5899 participants in the study, 2581 (43.7 %) were men, 3318 (52.3 %) were women. There were 2501 urban residents (42.3 %), rural residents — 3398 (59.7 %). Study design: cross-sectional one-stage analytical research. Statistical data analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS statistic application package. Results. AMD was diagnosed in 550 individuals (11.5 %): early stage — in 392 (7.9 %), intermediate — in 119 (2.4 %), later — in 39 individuals (0.8 %). The number of men with AMD was 210 (10.8 %), women — 340 (11.4 %). Among men, an early stage was observed in 144 (7.4 %), intermediate — in 52 (2.7 %), later — in 14 individuals (0.7 %). Among women, early AMD was observed in 248 (8.3 %), intermediate — in 67 (2.2 %), later — in 25 individuals (0.8 %). The number of urban residents with AMD was 194 individuals (9.7 %), rural residents — 356 individuals (12.1 %). At the same time, among urban residents, an early stage was observed in 138 (6.9 %), intermediate — in 43 (2.2 %), and later stage — in 13 individuals (0.6 %). Among rural residents, the early stage of AMD is in 254 (8.6 %), intermediate — in 76 (2.6 %), later — in 26 individuals (0.9 %). Conclusion. The prevalence of AMD in the Republic of Bashkortostan according to the “Ural Eye and Medical Study” is 11.1 %, which exceeds the global figure. The lack of prevalence of the AMD among women (among women — 11.4 %, among men — 10.8 %) is a distinctive feature for this region. The prevalence of this pathology among rural residents (12.1 %), among urban (9.7 %). The influence of population characteristics for the prevalence of AMD in regions with a peculiar ethno-cultural composition, geographical features.

Human-health probabilistic risk assessment: the role of exposure factors in an urban garden scenario

Despite the environmental, economic and social benefits of urban gardening, there are also potential threats to human health due to the possible enrichment of urban soils in anthropic contaminants. As of today, our knowledge about the influence of population characteristics and local habits of garden use on risk estimates is incomplete. This work studies the effect of the variability of local exposure factors on the output of a risk assessment in an urban garden scenario through a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) and an uncertainty analysis. A total of 24 soil samples and 23 samples of lettuce were collected in six urban gardens. Trace element concentration were analysed in both matrices with an atomic absorption spectrometer. Relevant exposure factors were characterized by onsite and online surveys. The results showed that the use of widely accepted, default exposure values overestimate the risk when compared with the result of an assessment with local information. In this study, the 95th percentile of the risk distribution did not exceed human health unacceptability thresholds. Exposure frequency and vegetable consumption rates were the variables to which the risk outcome was most sensitive. This study highlights the importance of characterizing urban gardeners’ local activity patterns when assessing the acceptability of urban agriculture in terms of human health.

Prevalence of Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) inactive disease in a cohort of patients treated with TNF-alpha inhibitors

Background: Treat to target (T2T), aiming at inactive disease (ID), has become the recommended strategy for axial-SpA (ax-SpA). Using the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), we assessed the prevalence of ID in ax-SpA patients treated with TNFα inhibitors (TNFi).Methods: A multicentric, cross-sectional study was performed assessing disease activity status (BASDAI and ASDAS) of consecutive patients with ax-SpA on stable treatment with TNFi for at least six months. We analyzed differences with nonradiographic axSpA (nr-ax-SpA) and the influence of population characteristics and comorbidities in reaching ID. ID was defined as ASDAS-CRP <1.3.Results: A total of 218 patients were enrolled, 165 with AS and 53 with nr-ax-SpA. ASDAS-CRP ID was reached by 89 (40.8%) patients, while 163 (74.8%) of patients achieved good disease control with BASDAI. There were no significant differences between the two diagnostic groups. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a negative correlation of concomitant fibromyalgia, higher BASMI and current NSAIDs with the chances of reaching ASDAS-CRP ID or BASDAI <4.Conclusion: T2T represents a new challenge in the management of ax-SpA, with recently introduced disease activity measures being significantly more stringent. The prevalence of ID was affected by concomitant fibromyalgia, decreased spine mobility and concomitant NSAIDs.

The influence of population characteristics on household response to a charity book collection based on pledges and social pressure

The success of a charitable campaign will depend on many factors, including solicitation technique, population characteristics, and type of charity. We implemented a randomised controlled trial to assess the effect of pledging and social pressure on the charitable donation behaviour of households. We implemented a charitable book collection in two different geographical areas, with one being more affluent, more ethnically diverse, and with higher levels of education. We received a marked variation in response: overall, across both treatment groups and control group, the number of households who donated books was higher in one area than the other. However, we did not find any evidence of a heterogeneous response to the pledge and social pressure interventions, compared to the control group.

Back to the Future: Applying a Current Geodemographic Classification to Historic Data to Produce Trend-Based Population Projections

A novel approach is described to developing population projections for minority groups for whom information used in traditional approaches is not directly available. Geodemographic assessment is a powerful tool for simplifying and interpreting complex patterns; but fixed classifications have rarely been used to compare and contrast population characteristics found in consecutive decennial censuses and establish trends for the future. This paper describes an innovative projection methodology, using an existing geodemographic classification and standard census outputs, that addresses and overcomes three challenges: the application of a geodemographic classification to a minority group – the Jewish residents of England and Wales – across multiple points in time; analysis of changes in that population between the 2001 and 2011 censuses, by geodemographic class; and the development of a projection based on these recent observed trends. The approach adopted specifically allows for temporal changes in the influence of population characteristics. The balance between the impact of births, deaths and migration on area / class population over time is determined and, after consideration of future fertility and mortality levels, used to develop class-by-class population projections for Anglo-Jewry and an overall projection for 2021 and 2031. The analysis indicates that there will be material differences between the demographic futures of the areas in which the various classes are found, and predicts a reversal in the numerical decline of the Jewish population that has prevailed over the last half century. As a result, the projections raise significant policy implications; additionally, the approach could be applied to other groups and other places.

Prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children and adolescents: a systematic review

ObjectivesTo systematically review studies of the epidemiology of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children and young people, in order to determine the methodological differences implicated in the variability of prevalence estimates...

A model-based meta-analysis of sofosbuvir-based treatments in chronic hepatitis C patients

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of sofosbuvir-based treatments in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection using a model-based meta-analysis (MBMA). A bibliographic search was performed to identify clinical trials involving sofosbuvir as a unique direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent or together with daclatasvir, ledipasvir or simeprevir for the treatment of diagnosed HCV infection. The time course of the virological response (VR) was modelled to estimate the effect of treatment and the influence of population characteristics on the longitudinal efficacy profile. The model was validated and simulations of 10 different treatment schedules were performed. Data from 19 clinical trials were included in the analysis. According to the developed model, therapy with sofosbuvir+ledipasvir is the most effective therapy in all scenarios, but it does not differ greatly in terms of sustained VR with respect to other combinations of DAA treatments. In conclusion, this MBMA generates knowledge regarding hypothetical head-to-head trials that have not been conducted previously. Therapies with sofosbuvir+ledipasvir are probably the most effective sofosbuvir-based treatments.

Sense of Community and Community Participation: A Meta-Analytic Review

Many studies indicate that participation and sense of community (SoC) are associated factors enhancing community development. However, research has almost completely ignored the magnitude of the association between the two and the stability of this relationship across contexts, populations and different forms of community participation. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the following: (a) the strength and stability of the SoC-participation relationship; (b) variations in this relationship associated with different forms of participation (i.e., civic and political); and (c) the influence of population characteristics on the SoC-participation relationship. The results showed that the SoC-participation relationship is significant, positive and moderately strong for forms of participation in the adult population and specific cultural contexts. Implications for theory and applications are discussed.

The influence of population characteristics on variation in general practice based morbidity estimations

BackgroundGeneral practice based registration networks (GPRNs) provide information on morbidity rates in the population. Morbidity rate estimates from different GPRNs, however, reveal considerable, unexplained differences. We studied the range and variation in morbidity estimates, as well as the extent to which the differences in morbidity rates between general practices and networks change if socio-demographic characteristics of the listed patient populations are taken into account.MethodsThe variation in incidence and prevalence rates of thirteen diseases among six Dutch GPRNs and the influence of age, gender, socio economic status (SES), urbanization level, and ethnicity are analyzed using multilevel logistic regression analysis. Results are expressed in median odds ratios (MOR).ResultsWe observed large differences in morbidity rate estimates both on the level of general practices as on the level of networks. The differences in SES, urbanization level and ethnicity distribution among the networks' practice populations are substantial. The variation in morbidity rate estimates among networks did not decrease after adjusting for these socio-demographic characteristics.ConclusionSocio-demographic characteristics of populations do not explain the differences in morbidity estimations among GPRNs.

Employment Risk in U.S. Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Regions: the Influence of Industrial Specialization and Population Characteristics

Abstract. A dynamic labor market model is used to motivate the inclusion of population characteristics and industrial structure as determinants of regional employment instability. We examine how these factors influence regional employment instability using data from both metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions in the United States. We find that population characteristics are important determinants of employment volatility and that increased industrial specialization (reduced diversification) increases employment volatility, but the magnitude of that influence drops substantially once population characteristics are considered. We also find that the influence of population characteristics and industrial specialization varies significantly across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions.

A different profile of epitopic dominance in the immunoglobulin G response to bovine betalactoglobulin in lung cancer

The authors previously documented a quantitative defect in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response toward bovine betalactoglobulin (BLG), the major cow's milk antigen, and antigen p1 of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1), in patients with lung cancer. In the Der p1 model, the authors documented at the IgG level an epitope specificity that differed between patients with lung cancer (preferential specificity for cryptic epitopes) and healthy control subjects and patients with mite allergy. The current study investigated whether this varying specificity might be extended to the IgG response toward BLG. The authors compared the IgG binding to native BLG (nBLG) and its products of pepsin hydrolysis (dBLG) in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using peroxidase-conjugated protein A in 120 patients with lung cancer, 52 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were closely matched for age, sex, and smoking habits with the patients with cancer, and 120 healthy control subjects (blood donors). Expressing the ratio between optical densities observed for dBLG and nBLG, respectively, the authors documented two groups: patient with lung cancer with higher levels of binding on dBLG (mean ratio +/- SD, 1.66 +/- 0.26) and healthy control subjects and patients with COPD with similar levels of retention for dBLG and nBLG (mean ratios +/- SD, 1.00 +/- 0.10 and 1.01 +/- 0.07, respectively). Influence of population characteristics could be excluded. The histologic type of cancer and its extent had no influence on the defined ratio. These results suggest a preferential recognition of epitopes unmasked by pepsin hydrolysis (cryptic epitopes?) by lung cancer IgG, contrasting with the preferential specificity of IgG from healthy control subjects and patients with COPD for structural epitopes unaffected by the proteolysis. These findings are similar to those observed previously with Der p1 and indicate a varying, and possibly specific, profile of epitopic dominance in the IgG response to antigens naturally presented at the mucosal level in patients with lung carcinoma, a model of mucosal cancer.

Influence of population characteristics on aspirin anti-platelet effects

Influence of population characteristics on aspirin anti-platelet effects

Situations et attitudes face au changement dans les structures municipales

This paper focuses upon municipal reorganization as a process involving community values and attitudes. Its main objectives is to test current hypotheses concerning the influence of population characteristics upon attitudes toward local government and annexation, and to compare attitudes toward services and taxes with attitudes toward metropolitan government and annexation. The study actually shows that some of the hypotheses are not confirmed in the Quebec region and that the system of relationships between variables is not the same in every community.