Statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) in primary prevention for cardiovascular disease in older adults:A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

IntroductionAlthough statins are commonly used for prevention of cardiovascular disease, there is limited evidence about statin-related adverse effects in older people. Statin-related adverse events (AEs), especially the statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), are the most common reasons for their discontinuation. Therefore, it is important to determine the risk of SAMS in the older population. We will undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis primarily focusing on the risk of SAMS and secondarily targeting myopathy, rhabdomyolysis, AEs and serious AEs, dropouts due to SAMS in run-in period, related permanent discontinuation rate of statins and creatine kinase level, among older people who received statins for primary prevention.Methods and analysisThis study has been developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols statement. We will include randomised controlled trials in which statin was compared with placebo with at least 1 year follow-up among older adults aged ≥65. This review is an update of a Cochrane systematic review that included the articles published before 2012. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline OvidSP and Embase electronic database searches will be performed to identify relevant articles, limiting the publication date from 1 January 2012 to 13 February 2017. There will be no language limitation. Two independent reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and full text in duplicate. Risk of bias and evidence quality will be assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach, respectively. A meta-analysis using pooled data will be undertaken, if appropriate. We will also perform metaregression and subgroup analyses to identify sources of heterogeneity.Ethics and disseminationThis study is exempt from ethics approval due to the anonymous and aggregated data used. The outcomes will be disseminated by conference presentations and published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberCRD42017058436.</jats:sec

Design considerations for lunar base photovoltaic power systems

A survey was made of factors that may affect the design of photovoltaic arrays for a lunar base. These factors, which include the lunar environment and system design criteria, are examined. A photovoltaic power system design with a triangular array geometry is discussed and compared to a nuclear reactor power systems and a power system utilizing both nuclear and solar power sources

Molecular control of autonomous embryo and endosperm development

Precocious seed development is usually prevented by a series of mechanisms that ensure seed production results from double fertilization. These events are circumvented in natural apomictic plant species that reproduce clonally through seed. Recent advances in molecular genetics using mutagenic approaches in model sexual plant species, such as Arabidopsis and Zea mays, have revealed some of the mechanisms that prevent such precocious seed development. An understanding of these mechanisms may lead to the development of techniques that will allow future crop plant species exhibiting hybrid vigor to be engineered such that their complex genomes can be fixed indefinitely, thereby maintaining high yields. Our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the processes of reproductive development is discussed in this revie

The ISCIP Analyst, Volume III, Issue 4

This repository item contains a single issue of The ISCIP Analyst, an analytical review journal published from 1996 to 2010 by the Boston University Institute for the Study of Conflict, Ideology, and Policy

The bass as a melodic voice in jazz : extended program notes for thesis recital

This thesis discusses the use of the bass as a melodic instrument in jazz. It focuses on seven compositions performed for a Master\u27s recital on March 22, 2010. For each selection, I provide a brief biography of the composer, information about the song and insight on performance practice. I examine the advanced techniques pioneered by innovative bassists and explore ways in which they can be used to further exploit the melodic potential of the bass in a jazz context. A compact disc recording of the recital is included

Experimental demonstration of a surface-electrode multipole ion trap

We report on the design and experimental characterization of a surface-electrode multipole ion trap. Individual microscopic sugar particles are confined in the trap. The trajectories of driven particle motion are compared with a theoretical model, both to verify qualitative predictions of the model, and to measure the charge-to-mass ratio of the confined particle. The generation of harmonics of the driving frequency is observed as a key signature of the nonlinear nature of the trap. We remark on possible applications of our traps, including to mass spectrometry.Comment: Preprint format, 15 pages, 9 figures. Accepted into Journal of Applied Physic

Smaller family sizes and ageing populations may reduce long-run savings rates

As developing countries embark on demographic transitions, the phenomenon of declining birth rates and family size becomes an increasingly important policy dilemma. Demography has implications for a country’s labour supply, savings rates, and capital formation, all of which shape and influence its economic growth. In today’s blog, the authors argue that increases in aggregate savings from declining family sizes may be transitory, and as populations begin ageing, a declining ratio of working-aged to retired workers may reduce long-run savings rates