Popular media, health experts and researchers talk about a paediatric 'obesity epidemic' with exponentially increasing rates of obesity and overweight. However, some recent reports suggest that ...prevalence may have plateaued. This study examined trends in the prevalence of Australian childhood overweight and obesity since 1985. Specifically, it aimed to determine whether there have been (a) overall increases in average body mass index (BMI), (b) differential patterns of change within age groups and (c) increases in BMI within each weight-status category.
Forty-one Australian studies of childhood weight status conducted between 1985 and 2008 were reviewed. The studies included data on 264 905 Australians aged 2-18 years, with raw data being available on 70 758 children (27%). Children were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI using the criteria of Cole et al. (BMJ, 2000). The prevalence estimates were adjusted for age and sex, and plotted against measurement year using Lowess plots and two-linear-segment models. Where raw data were available, BMI z-scores (UK 1990 standard) were plotted against measurement year for all children and children in various age groups. Lowess plots and two-linear-segment models were used to assess secular trends in BMI z-scores pre- and post-1996 within age, gender and weight-status categories.
There has been a plateau, or only slight increase, in the percentage of boys and girls classified as overweight or obese, with almost no change over the last 10 years. In boys and girls, prevalence rates have settled around 21-25% for overweight and obesity together, and 5-6% for obesity alone. Similar trends were found for BMI z-scores. These patterns were fairly consistent across the age span. Within each weight-status category, average BMI has not increased.
Although levels of Australian paediatric overweight remain high, the prevalence of overweight and obesity seems to have flattened and has not followed the anticipated exponential trajectory.
To identify determinants of Bruch's membrane opening (BMO), and BMO-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) centered on BMO center and characterize ...these parameters in a normal Japanese population.
Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images of optic nerve head and circumpapillary and macular retina were obtained in 258 eyes of 258 normal Japanese with mean (standard deviation) age of 51.7 (18.2) years. BMO area, BMO-MRW, RNFLT (measured with a 3.5-mm-diameter circle scan) were all acquired and analyzed relative to the eye-specific fovea to BMO (FoBMO) axis. One randomly selected eye of each subject was analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify determinants to the parameters.
BMO area, global BMO-MRW, RNFLT, and FoBMO angle averaged 2.06 (0.45) mm2, 305.5 (50.0) μm, 101.8 (9.6) μm, and -7.8° (3.8°), respectively. There was a modest correlation between global BMO-MRW and RNFLT (r = 0.337; P < 0.001), while the sectorwise correlations were highest in the superior-temporal sector (r = 0.500; P < 0.001) and lowest in the nasal sector (r = 0.117; P = 0.063). Global BMO-MRW and RNFLT declined with age at -1.04 μm/y (P < 0.001) and -0.12 μm/y (P = 0.001), and the former correlated negatively (P = 0.001) and the latter positively (P < 0.001) with BMO area after adjustment for other factors (R2 = 0.191 and 0.272, respectively). BMO area correlated positively with axial length (P = 0.023) and negatively with age (P < 0.001) (R2 = 0.157).
BMO-MRW and RNFLT declined with age with a difference between them in their relationship to BMO area. BMO area positively correlated with axial length and negatively with age.
A novel radial integration IGABEM (RI-IGABEM) is proposed to solve the 3D viscoelastic problems with body force in this paper. The derivation of boundary integral equations for the viscoelastic ...problems is proposed. To reduce computing costs, the time-dependent shear modulus is expressed in the form of Prony series, and the memory stress is calculated by using the genetic integral. Since the fundamental solution of elastostatics is applied to derive the boundary integral equations, which leads to the existence of domain integrals. To ensure that this algorithm only needs to discretize the boundary, we use radial integration method (RIM) to transform the domain integrals related to body force and memory stress into equivalent boundary integrals through applied points. Moreover, the strongly singular integral of the boundary integral equation is solved by the rigid-body displacement technique after a simple transformation between control points and collocation points, and the power series expansion method is used to solve the weakly singular integrals in RI-IGABEM. Furthermore, the 3D surface traction recovery method (TRM) of the viscoelastic mechanics is proposed to solve the strain and stress of the boundary points, and the regularized strain and stress integral equations are given in this work to solve the strain and stress of the internal points. Some 3D examples are applied to prove the effectiveness of the present method for the viscoelastic problems with body force.
•A novel RI-IGABEM is proposed for the 3D viscoelastic problems with body force.•The rigid-body displacement method is used in IGABEM.•The 3D surface TRM of the viscoelastic mechanics in IGABEM is proposed.•The regularized strain and stress integral equations at inner points are given.•The RIM is applied to transform the domain integrals into the boundary integrals.
Purpose
To review available approaches and fixation methods for posterolateral fracture fragment (PLF) in tibial plateau fracture, and to propose an algorithm to treat various types of plateau ...fractures which all involve the PLF.
Methods
This article reviews multiple surgical approaches for PLF and suggests an algorithm for suitable approach and fixation method according to PLF with combined plateau fracture.
Results
The modified anterolateral approach is a suitable single approach for fractures with a PLF combined with an anterolateral plateau fracture and for isolated posterolateral fracture fragments. For a multicolumn tibia plateau fracture involving the lateral, medial and posterior columns, dual approaches (modified anterolateral and posteromedial approach) can be used to access the entire plateau area.
Conclusions
When considering approaches of this complex fracture pattern, one must consider local soft tissue condition, plateau fracture morphology, associated injuries, and fixation options. After review of multiple approaches described in the literature for PLF fixation, we can suggest an algorithm for the approach and fixation to treat tibial plateau fractures with posterolateral fracture fragments.
Dioctophyma renale is a helminth that preferably inhabits the definitive host's right kidney, but is also described in peri-renal tissues, ureters, bladder, ure-thra, scrotum, inguinal subcutaneous ...tissue, uterus, ovaries, mesenteric lymph nodes, mammary gland, thoracic cavity, pericardium, abdominal cavity, stomach and liver. By presenting progressive destructive behavior, it can lead to total loss of the affected organ. The symptoms are often unspecific, varying according to the af-fected region, and may often be non-existent. Its incidence is related to access to aquatic environments and feeding habits of the animal, such as fish or raw frog in-gestion. The objective of this study was to report a case of Dioctophyma renale in a dog inhabited in the city of Santos, a non-endemic area of the parasite, in order to alert the population, including veterinarians, of the possibility of research and risks of this disease. The reported patient is a female dog, with no defined breed of ap-proximately 3 years old, which began to present prostration and progressive hematu-ria observed in clinical consultation. Hemogram and abdominal ultrasonography ex-ams were requested; however the latter one was the exam that identified the nema-toid inside the right kidney. The nephrectomy was performed the day after the diag-nosis and the patient is currently well.
El Dioctophyma renale es un helminto que habita preferentemente el riñón derecho del huésped definitivo, pero también habita los tejidos peri-renales, uréteres, vejiga, uretra, bolsa escrotal, tejido subcutáneo inguinal, útero, ovarios, ganglios linfáticos mesentéricos, glándula mamaria, cavidad torácica, pericardio, cavidad abdominal, estómago e hígado. Por presentar comportamiento destructivo progresivo, puede lle-var a la pérdida total del órgano afectado. Los síntomas, son a menudo inespecífi-cos, variando de acuerdo con la región afectada, y muchas veces pueden ser inexis-tentes. Su incidencia está relacionada con el acceso a los ambientes acuáticos y los hábitos alimenticios del animal, como, por ejemplo, la ingestión de peces o ranas crudos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue relatar un caso clínico de Dioctophyma renale en un perro proveniente de la ciudad de Santos, área no endémica del parásito, a fin de alertar a la población, incluidos los médicos veterinarios, de la posibilidad de in-vestigación y riesgos de esta enfermedad. La paciente relatada era una perra criolla con edad de aproximadamente 3 años, que comenzó a presentar postración y hema-turia progresiva observados en consulta clínica. Se solicitó hemograma y ultrasono-grafía abdominal, siendo este último examen el cual identificó el nematodo en el in-terior del riñón derecho. La nefrectomía fue realizada al día siguiente del diagnósti-co y actualmente la paciente pasa bien.
O Dioctophyma renale é um helminto que habita preferenci-almente o rim direito do hospedeiro definitivo, mas descrito também em tecidos pe-ri-renais, ureteres, bexiga, uretra, bolsa escrotal, tecido subcutâneo inguinal, útero, ovários, linfonodos mesentéricos, glândula mamária, cavidade torácica, pericárdio, cavidade abdominal, estômago e fígado. Por apresentar comportamento destrutivo progressivo, pode levar à perda total do órgão afetado. Os sintomas são por muitas vezes, inespecíficos, variando de acordo com a região afetada, e muitas vezes po-dem ser inexistentes. Sua incidência está relacionada ao acesso a ambientes aquáti-cos e hábitos alimentares do animal, como por exemplo, ingestão de peixe ou rã cruas. Objetivou-se com esse trabalho, relatar um caso de Dioctophyma renale em um cão habitado na cidade de Santos, área não endêmica do parasito, a fim de aler-tar a população, incluindo os médicos veterinários, da possibilidade de investigação e riscos desta doença. O paciente relatado é uma cadela, sem raça definida, de apro-ximadamente 3 anos, que começou a apresentar prostração e hematúria progressiva observados em consulta clínica. Foi solicitado hemograma e ultrassonografia abdo-minal, sendo este último exame o qual identificou o nematoide no interior do rim di-reito. A nefrectomia foi realizada no dia seguinte ao diagnóstico e atualmente o pa-ciente passa bem.
We firstly present an evaluation problem for online shop based on gradually increasing number of inputs. Then we propose a model using Recursive OWA operator with constant orness/andness grade ...involved. Next, we analyze properties of discrete Recursive OWA operators, show their relationship with Pascal Triangle and further generalize this relationship to Γ function. For the continuous case, we propose a concept of self-similar ordered weighting functions (OWF) and analyze some properties of OWF. Using these concepts, we present the recursive aggregation method of continuous arguments under continuous OWF. We show a relationship of OWF with the Regular Increasing (RIM) quantifier. Furthermore, based on an isomorphism relation between discrete and continuous recursive OWA operators, Left Recursive OWA can be seen as the discrete form of continuous OWF.
Purpose
To evaluate Bruch's membrane opening – minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) following an acute primary angle-closure attack (APAC).
...Materials and methods
Nine consecutive patients with unilateral APAC were included. Patients with a bilateral attack, with signs of glaucomatous optic nerve damage or evidence of a previous APAC in either eye were excluded. Three months after the attack, all eyes underwent BMO-MRW and RNFLT measurements with SDOCT. APAC eyes were compared to the contralateral eyes.
Results
Three months after the attack, mean BMO-MRWs were 281.22 ± 56.88 μm and 313.78 ± 43.48 μm (P = 0.009) and mean RNFLTs were 78 ± 15.36 μm vs 95.78 ± 10.81 μm (P = 0.008) in the APAC and contralateral eyes, respectively. RNFLT and BMO-MRW measurements had a strong positive correlation (R = 0.7436, P = 0.013). APAC eyes had a shorter axial length (21.85 ± 1.21 vs 22 ± 1.07, P = 0.042) and shallower anterior chamber depth (2.29 ± 0.21 vs 2.41 ± 0.12, P = 0.039) than contralateral eyes. IOP at presentation showed a strong negative correlation with both BMO-MRW (R = −0.7669, P = 0.009) and RNFLT measurements (R = −0.7723, P = 0.008).
Conclusion
BMO-MRW and RNFLT measurements are significantly reduced 3 months after an APAC when compared to the contralateral eye. IOP at presentation may have an impact on the reduction of these parameters.
Objective
To explore the prognostic value of radiological features and serum indicators in patients treated with postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization (PA-TACE) and develop a ...prognostic model to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with PA-TACE.
Method
We enrolled 112 patients (75 in the training cohort and 37 in the validation cohort) with HCC treated with PA-TACE after surgical resection at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between January 2012 and June 2015. The independent OS predictors were determined using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Decision curve analyses and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to verify the prognostic performance of the different models; the best model was selected to establish a multi-dimensional nomogram for predicting the OS of HCC patients treated with PA-TACE.
Result
Multivariate regression analyses indicated that rim-like arterial phase enhancement (IRE), peritumor capsule (PTC), and alanine aminotransferase to hemoglobin ratio (AHR) were independent predictors of OS after PA-TACE. The combination of AHR had the best clinical net benefit and we constructed a prognostic nomogram based on IRE, PTC, and AHR. The calibration curve showed good fit between the predicted nomogram’s curve and the observed curve.
Conclusion
Our preliminary study confirmed the prognostic value of AHR, PTC, and IRE and established a nomogram that can predict the OS after PA-TACE treatment in patients with HCC.
The heavy-ion irradiation behavior of bulk zirconium-niobium multilayered composites was investigated up to large doses. Multilayers with an average individual layer thicknesses ranging between 15 ...and 80 nm were synthesized by accumulative roll bonding technique. The irradiation was performed with a defocused 7 MeV Zr2+ ion beam at 500 °C. The maximum dose achieved was ∼145 dpa at the depth of ∼1.5 μm from the irradiated surface. Sub-surface microstructural damage and the chemical redistribution were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Irrespective of the layer thicknesses, the irradiation condition caused layer instability and the extent of damage varied with the dose levels. Doses lesser than ∼60 dpa caused layer fragmentation and greater than ∼60 dpa resulted in layer dissolution. The chemical mixing of layers occur to a depth of ∼1 μm, consuming multiple bi-layer periods. Despite the elevated irradiation temperature (500 °C) and a slightly positive heat of mixing (+6 kJ/mol), no phase separation was observed and single-phase was retained in the mixed region. The results demonstrate that chemical mixing was facilitated by the liquid phase miscibility of Zr and Nb, which propelled the interdiffusion within the thermal spikes towards mixing.
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