Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Population structure of Helicobacter pylori among ethnic groups in Malaysia: recent acquisition of the bacterium by the Malay population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Helicobacter pylori </it>is a major gastric bacterial pathogen. This pathogen has been shown to follow the routes of human migration by their geographical origin and currently the global <it>H. pylori </it>population has been divided into six ancestral populations, three from Africa, two from Asia and one from Europe. Malaysia is made up of three major ethnic populations, Malay, Chinese and Indian, providing a good population for studying recent <it>H. pylori </it>migration and admixture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy eight <it>H. pylori </it>isolates, including 27 Chinese, 35 Indian and 16 Malay isolates from Malaysia were analysed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of seven housekeeping genes and compared with the global MLST data. STRUCTURE analysis assigned the isolates to previously identified <it>H. pylori </it>ancestral populations, hpEastAsia, hpAsia2 and hpEurope, and revealed a new subpopulation, hspIndia, within hpAsia2. Statistical analysis allowed us to identify population segregation sites that divide the <it>H. pylori </it>populations and the subpopulations. The majority of Malay isolates were found to be grouped together with Indian isolates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The majority of the Malay and Indian <it>H. pylori </it>isolates share the same origin while the Malaysian Chinese <it>H. pylori </it>is distinctive. The Malay population, known to have a low infection rate of <it>H. pylori</it>, was likely to be initially <it>H. pylori </it>free and gained the pathogen only recently from cross infection from other populations.</p

Comparative analyses of Campylobacter concisusstrains reveal the genome of the reference strain BAA-1457 is not representative of the species

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have shown that significant genotypic heterogeneity exists among <it>Campylobacter concisus </it>strains. Recently, the genome of <it>C. concisus </it>UNSWCD, isolated from a patient with Crohn's disease, was sequenced.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, comparative analyses were performed between strain UNSWCD and BAA-1457, isolated from a patient with acute gastroenteritis. Searches between <it>C. concisus </it>UNSWCD and BAA-1457 showed that 76% of genes were homologues, whereas those between <it>C. jejuni </it>strains showed 90-91% to be homologues, indicating substantial variation exists within these two <it>C. concisus </it>genomes. More specific bidirectional homology searches identified 1593 genes that are shared between these strains, and 115 and 281 genes unique to UNSWCD and BAA-1457, respectively. Significantly, differences in the type of flagellin glycosylation pathways between the two strains were identified and confirmed by PCR. The protein profiles of UNSWCD, BAA-1457 and a further six strains of <it>C. concisus </it>were compared and analyzed bioinformatically, and this differentiated the strains into four clades. BAA-1457 was found to be highly divergent (average similarity: 56.8%) from the other seven strains (mean average similarity ± standard deviation: 64.7 ± 1.7%). Furthermore, searches for homologues of the 1593 proteins found to be common between UNSWCD and BAA-1457 were conducted against all available bacterial genomes, and 18 proteins were found to be unique to <it>C. concisus</it>, of which 6 were predicted to be secreted, and may represent good markers for detection of this species.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study has elucidated several features that may be responsible for the heterogeneity that exists among <it>C. concisus </it>strains, and has determined that the strain BAA-1457 is genetically atypical to other <it>C. concisus </it>strains and is not a good candidate reference strain.</p

Real-time ultrasound (RTU) imaging methods for quality control of meats

In this chapter the use of real-time ultrasonography to predict in vivo carcass composition and meat traits will be reviewed. The chapter begins by discussing background and principles of ultrasound. Then aspects affecting the suitability of realtime ultrasonography and image analysis for predicting carcass composition and meat traits of meat producing species and fish will be presented. This chapter also provides an overview of the present and future trends in the application of real-time ultrasonography in the meat industry. © 2012 Woodhead Publishing Limited All rights reserved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Prevalence of Visual Impairment in People with Dementia (the PrOVIDe study): a cross-sectional study of people aged 60–89 years with dementia and qualitative exploration of individual, carer and professional perspectives

Background: The prevalence of visual impairment (VI) and dementia increases with age and these conditions may coexist, but few UK data exist on VI among people with dementia. Objectives: To measure the prevalence of eye conditions causing VI in people with dementia and to identify/describe reasons for underdetection or inappropriate management. Design: Stage 1 – cross-sectional prevalence study. Stage 2 – qualitative research exploring participant, carer and professional perspectives of eye care. Setting: Stage 1 – 20 NHS sites in six English regions. Stage 2 – six English regions. Participants: Stage 1 – 708 participants with dementia (aged 60–89 years): 389 lived in the community (group 1) and 319 lived in care homes (group 2). Stage 2 – 119 participants. Interventions: Stage 1 gathered eye examination data following domiciliary sight tests complying with General Ophthalmic Services requirements and professional guidelines. Cognitive impairment was assessed using the Standardised Mini-Mental State Examination (sMMSE) test, and functional ability and behavior were assessed using the Bristol Activities of Daily Living Scale and Cambridge Behavioural Inventory – Revised. Stage 2 involved individual interviews (36 people with dementia and 11 care workers); and separate focus groups (34 optometrists; 38 family and professional carers). Main outcome measures.: VI defined by visual acuity (VA) worse than 6/12 or worse than 6/18 measured before and after refraction. Results: Stage 1 – when participants wore their current spectacles, VI prevalence was 32.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28.7% to 36.5%] and 16.3% (95% CI 13.5% to 19.6%) for commonly used criteria for VI of VA worse than 6/12 and 6/18, respectively. Of those with VI, 44% (VA 80% of participants. There was no evidence that the management of VI in people with dementia differed from that in older people in general. Exploratory analysis suggested significant deficits in some vision-related aspects of function and behaviour in participants with VI. Stage 2 key messages – carers and care workers underestimated how much can be achieved in an eye examination. People with dementia and carers were unaware of domiciliary sight test availability. Improved communication is needed between optometrists and carers; optometrists should be informed of the person’s dementia. Tailoring eye examinations to individual needs includes allowing extra time. Optometrists wanted training and guidance about dementia. Correcting VI may improve the quality of life of people with dementia but should be weighed against the risks and burdens of undergoing examinations and cataract surgery on an individual basis. Limitations: Sampling bias is possible owing to quota-sampling and response bias. Conclusions: The prevalence of VI is disproportionately higher in people with dementia living in care homes. Almost 50% of presenting VI is correctable with spectacles, and more with cataract surgery. Areas for future research are the development of an eye-care pathway for people with dementia; assessment of the benefits of early cataract surgery; and research into the feasibility of specialist optometrists for older people

A qualitative exploration of the relevance of training provision in planning for implementation of managed alcohol programs within a third sector setting

Background: Managed Alcohol Programs (MAPs) are a harm reduction strategy for people experiencing homelessness and alcohol dependence. Despite a growing evidence base, resistance to MAPs is apparent due to limited knowledge of alcohol harm reduction and the cultural preference for abstinence-based approaches. To address this, service managers working in a not-for-profit organization in Scotland designed and delivered a program of alcohol-specific staff training as part of a larger study exploring the potential implementation of MAPs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 service managers and staff regarding their experiences of the training provided. Data were analyzed using Framework Analysis, and Lewin’s model of organizational change was applied to the findings to gain deeper theoretical insight into data relating to staff knowledge, training, and organizational change. Findings: Participants described increased knowledge about alcohol harm reduction and MAPs, as well as increased opportunities for conversations around cultural change. Findings highlight individual- and organizational-level change is required when implementing novel harm reduction interventions like MAPs. Conclusion: The findings have implications for the future implementation of MAPs in homelessness settings. Training can promote staff buy-in, facilitate the involvement of staff within the planning process, and change organizational culture.</p

The PHENIX Experiment at RHIC

The physics emphases of the PHENIX collaboration and the design and current status of the PHENIX detector are discussed. The plan of the collaboration for making the most effective use of the available luminosity in the first years of RHIC operation is also presented.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Further details of the PHENIX physics program available at http://www.rhic.bnl.gov/phenix