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Representative Population (representative + population)
Terms modified by Representative Population Selected AbstractsThe Atrial Fibrillation Paradox of Heart FailureCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 1 2010Rhidian J. Shelton MRCP Congest Heart Fail. 2010;16:3,9. ©2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure (HF) is high, but longitudinal studies suggest that the incidence of AF is relatively low. The authors investigated this paradox prospectively in an epidemiologically representative population of patients with HF and persistent AF. In all, 891 consecutive patients with HF [mean age, 70±10 years; 70% male; left ventricular ejection fraction, 32%±9%] were enrolled. The prevalence of persistent AF at baseline was 22%. The incidence of persistent AF at 1 year was 26 per 1000 person-years, ranging from 15 in New York Heart Association class I/II to 44 in class III/IV. AF occurred either at the same time or prior to HF in 76% of patients and following HF in 24%. A risk score was developed to predict the occurrence of persistent AF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing was 0.5% (0%,1.3%) for those in the low-risk group compared with 15% (3.4%,26.6%) in the high-risk group. Despite a high prevalence of persistent AF in patients with HF, the incidence of persistent AF is relatively low. This is predominantly due to AF coinciding with or preceding the development of HF. The annual risk of persistent AF developing can be estimated from clinical variables. [source] Avulsion of primary teeth and sequelae on the permanent successorsDENTAL TRAUMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2005Pia Christophersen Abstract,,, The purpose of the present study was to determine the frequency of avulsion of primary teeth and the location of the avulsed tooth in a representative population of Danish children. Also, the frequency and the type of developmental disturbances in the permanent successors were assessed and related to age at the time of injury. The material included dental records of 4238 children from three clinics in Municipal Dental Health Services near Copenhagen, Denmark. The children were born between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 2000. Thirty-five children (0.8%) were identified as having avulsed in all 44 primary teeth most frequently the maxillary incisors (89%). Thirty-three fully erupted permanent successors were included in the study, the prevalence of developmental disturbances was 30% (10 teeth). The results showed the risk of developmental disturbances in the permanent successors to be more frequent the younger the age at the time of injury (P = 0.04). Discolouration affected all 10 permanent teeth, but also hypoplasia and horizontal enamel hypoplasia were found. [source] Prevalence and characteristics of autistic spectrum disorders in the ALSPAC cohortDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2008Emma Williams MSc PhD The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) within a large representative population sample: the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Cases of ASD were identified from the clinical notes of children in the ALSPAC with a suspected developmental disorder and from the Pupil Level Annual Schools Census (PLASC) for England in 2003. Seventy-one cases of ASD diagnosed after a multidisciplinary assessment were identified from health records. There were an additional 15 cases from PLASC data in which ASD was mentioned as a principal difficulty, thus giving a total of 86 children diagnosed by the age of 11 years. Prevalence of ASD per 10 000 population at 11 years was 51.1 for those with a multi-professional diagnosis, and 61.9 if cases from education were included, made up of 21.6 for childhood autism, 10.8 for atypical autism, 16.6 for Asperger syndrome, and 13.0 for unspecified ASD. The male:female ratio was 6.8:1. Median age at diagnosis ranged from 45 months in childhood autism to 116 months in Asperger syndrome. A comorbid developmental disorder was recorded in 33.8% of cases, including learning disability, in 14.7%, epilepsy in 10.3%, and mixed developmental disorder in 4.4%. We conclude that the prevalence of ASD diagnosed at 11 years in a UK representative population-based sample is at least 51.1/10 000. [source] A model for predicting behavioural sleep problems in a random sample of Australian pre-schoolersINFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2007Wendy A. Hall Abstract Behavioural sleep problems (childhood insomnias) can cause distress for both parents and children. This paper reports a model describing predictors of high sleep problem scores in a representative population-based random sample survey of non-Aboriginal singleton children born in 1995 and 1996 (1085 girls and 1129 boys) in Western Australia. Longitudinal repeated data were collected up to age 4 years by caregiver report. Children's sleep rhythmicity levels in their first year, as well as conflicted and lax parenting in their second year, predicted higher scores on the sleep problem scale from the Child Behaviour Checklist/2,3 in the children's third year. Higher scores on the sleep problem scale in the children's third year predicted higher scores on the aggressive behaviour subscale of the Child Behaviour Checklist/4,16. The results support a model in which sleep problems mediated the relationship between parental conflict and aggressive behaviour, even when controlling for maternal depression, which has been associated with children's aggressive behaviour. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of the NITV CVSAJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 1 2008Harry Hollien Ph.D. Abstract:, The purpose of this study was to evaluate a commonly used voice stress analyzer, the National Institute of Truth Verification's (NITV) Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA), using a speech database containing materials recorded (i) in the laboratory, while highly controlled deceptive and shock-induced stress levels were systematically varied, and (ii) during a field procedure. Subjects were 24 each males/females (age range 18,63 years) drawn from a representative population. All held strong views on an issue and were required to make sharply derogatory statements about it. The CVSA system was then evaluated in a double-blind study using three sets of examiners: (i) two UF scientists trained/certified by NITV in CVSA operation, (ii) three experienced NITV operators provided by the manufacturer and (iii) five experimental phoneticians. The results showed that the "true positive" (or hit) rates for all examiners ranged from chance to somewhat higher levels (c. 50,65%) for all conditions and types of materials (e.g., stress vs. unstressed, truth vs. deception). However, the false-positive rate was just as high , often higher. Sensitivity statistics demonstrated that the CVSA system operated at about chance level. [source] Predictors of length of stay for pediatric liver transplant recipientsLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2004John C. Bucuvalas The resources that are directed towards the care of liver transplant recipients are substantial. Approximately 100 million dollars are spent on the hospitalization of the 400,500 children in the United States who undergo liver transplantation each year. Using length of stay as a surrogate marker for hospital resource use, we sought to identify factors that impact length of stay and assess the trends of hospitalization after liver transplantation for a representative population of pediatric liver transplant recipients. The study population was comprised of 956 patients who underwent primary liver transplantation between 1995 and 2003 and survived at least 90 days. Data were retrieved from the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation data registry. The primary outcome was the length of initial hospitalization after liver transplantation. Independent variables were age, gender, race, pediatric end-stage liver disease score (PELD), year of transplantation, organ type, primary disease, length of operation, and insurance status. The mean and standard deviation of length of stay after liver transplantation was 24.0 ± 24.5 days. Multivariate analyses showed that increased hospital stay was associated with infants less than 1 year of age, fulminant liver failure, receiving a technical variant organ from a cadaveric donor, government insurance, and transplant era (before 1999 vs. 1999 or later). Decreasing height z-scores and increasing length of operation were also associated with increased hospital stay. In conclusion, these parameters accounted for only 11% of the total variance, suggesting that post-transplant complications and course account for much of the variability of resource use in the immediate post-transplant period. (Liver Transpl 2004;10:1011,1017.) [source] Relationships between air pollution and preterm birth in CaliforniaPAEDIATRIC & PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006Mary Huynh Summary Air pollution from vehicular emissions and other combustion sources is related to cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between air pollution and preterm birth, a primary cause of infant mortality and morbidity. This analysis examined the effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) on preterm birth in a matched case,control study. PM2.5 and CO monitoring data from the California Air Resources Board were linked to California birth certificate data for singletons born in 1999,2000. Each birth was mapped to the closest PM monitor within 5 miles of the home address. County-level CO measures were utilised to increase sample size and maintain a representative population. After exclusion of implausible birthweight,gestation combinations, preterm birth was defined as birth occurring between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation. Each of the 10 673 preterm cases was matched to three controls of term (39,44 weeks) gestation with a similar date of last menstrual period. Based on the case's gestational age, CO and PM2.5 exposures were calculated for total pregnancy, first month of pregnancy, and last 2 weeks of pregnancy. Exposures were divided into quartiles; the lowest quartile was the reference. Because of the matched design, conditional logistic regression was used to adjust for maternal race/ethnicity, age, parity, marital status and education. High total pregnancy PM2.5 exposure was associated with a small effect on preterm birth, after adjustment for maternal factors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15, [95% CI 1.07, 1.24]). The odds ratio did not change after adjustment for CO. Results were similar for PM2.5 exposure during the first month of pregnancy (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.12, 1.30]) and the last 2 weeks of pregnancy (AOR = 1.17, 95% CI [1.09, 1.27]). Conversely, CO exposure at any time during pregnancy was not associated with preterm birth (AORs from 0.95 to 1.00). Maternal exposure to PM2.5, but not CO, is associated with preterm birth. This analysis did not show differences by timing of exposure, although more detailed examination may be needed. [source] Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of estrogen receptor gene expression in laser microdissected prostate cancer tissueTHE PROSTATE, Issue 8 2009Thomas J. Walton Abstract BACKGROUND Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis of laser microdissected tissue is considered the most accurate technique for determining tissue gene expression. The discovery of estrogen receptor beta (ER,) has focussed renewed interest on the role of estrogen receptors in prostate cancer, yet few studies have utilized the technique to analyze estrogen receptor gene expression in prostate cancer. METHODS Fresh tissue was obtained from 11 radical prostatectomy specimens and from 6 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. Pure populations of benign and malignant prostate epithelium were laser microdissected, followed by RNA isolation and electrophoresis. Quantitative RT-PCR was performed using primers for androgen receptor (AR), estrogen receptor beta (ER,), estrogen receptor alpha (ER,), progesterone receptor (PGR) and prostate specific antigen (PSA), with normalization to two housekeeping genes. Differences in gene expression were analyzed using the Mann,Whitney U -test. Correlation coefficients were analyzed using Spearman's test. RESULTS Significant positive correlations were seen when AR and AR-dependent PSA, and ER, and ER,-dependent PGR were compared, indicating a representative population of RNA transcripts. ER, gene expression was significantly over-expressed in the cancer group compared with benign controls (P,<,0.01). In contrast, PGR expression was significantly down-regulated in the cancer group (P,<,0.05). There were no significant differences in AR, ER, or PSA expression between the groups. This study represents the first to show an upregulation of ER, gene expression in laser microdissected prostate cancer specimens. CONCLUSIONS In concert with recent studies the findings suggest differential production of ER, splice variants, which may play important roles in the genesis of prostate cancer. Prostate 69: 810,819, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Obesity in Turkish children and adolescents: prevalence and non-nutritional correlates in an urban sampleCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2009G. Discigil Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to identify the prevalence and non-nutritional correlates of childhood obesity in primary school children and adolescents living in a representative sample of an urban area in western Anatolia. Methods The study was designed as a cross-sectional, population-based study. A representative sample of primary school children in Aydin was randomly selected according to age, gender and socio-economic status. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated after weight and height measurement. Centres for Disease Control 2000 growth charts for children and adolescents were used to identify BMI percentiles. Weight and height percentiles were obtained from charts of growth curves for Turkish children. Results The age range of children was 6,16 years. A total of 924 children and 424 adolescents were screened for obesity. Overweight and obesity prevalence in primary school children living in Aydin was 12.2% and 3.7%, respectively. High socio-economic status was found to be associated with childhood obesity. There was no association between obesity and gender, adolescence, educational status of parents and occupation of father. Conclusion In the present study, we focused on some of the non-nutritional correlates of obesity in a representative population of an urban area in a developing country. Obesity prevalence rate in Turkish children living in Aydin was higher in children from a higher socio-economic group in contrast to reports from many developed countries. [source] Cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index values in 9-year-old rural Norwegian childrenACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 4 2009GK Resaland Abstract Aim: To describe cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) values in a representative population of 9-year-old Norwegian children in two rural communities and compare present values with previous findings. Methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine 9-year-old children were invited, and 256 participated in this study. Maximal oxygen uptake was directly measured during a continuous progressive treadmill protocol. Body mass and height were also measured. Results: The mean ± SD relative maximal oxygen uptake was 52.8 ± 6.5 for boys and 46.9 ± 7.2 mL/kg/min for girls. Eight percent of the boys and 16.8% of the girls were classified as overweight, and 1.6% of the boys and 6.9% of the girls as obese. Mean age, body mass, height and Ponderal index were not significantly different between sexes. Girls had a higher BMI than boys (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Compared to earlier Norwegian studies, children's BMI values seem to have increased substantially. This increase is most pronounced in girls. When assessing these differences using the PI, this increase is less marked. Comparing maximal oxygen uptake data with that in earlier Nordic studies, there is no evidence that fitness has declined among 9-year olds. However, the limitations of the few earlier studies make reliable comparisons difficult. [source] Prevalence of recurrent complaints of pain among Greek schoolchildren and associated factors: A population-based studyACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2006Chryssa Bakoula Abstract Aim: To determine the prevalence of recurrent complaints of pain (RCP) in Greek children, and to examine associations with socio-demographic characteristics and psychosocial factors. Methods: Cross-sectional study comprising a nationally representative population of 8130 7-y-old Greek schoolchildren. Data were collected by mailed questionnaires (response rate 89%). RCP was defined as present if at least one of the complaints of headache, abdominal pain or limb pain occurred at least once a week. Results: The RCP prevalence rate was 7.2%, with significant gender differences (8.8% of girls, 5.7% of boys; p<0.001). RCP was significantly positively associated with a chronic health problem among the children, frequent change of residence, poor school performance, often watching TV and rarely playing with other children. There were no statistically significant associations of RCP with family structure and socio-economic status. Conclusion: The results are indicative of the prevalence of RCP in Greek schoolchildren. This study enlightens the psychosocial component of RCP and emphasizes the importance of gathering information on children's social background in medical settings. [source] Consanguineous marriages in Jordan: why is the rate changing with time?CLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2005H Hamamy The objective of this study was to explore the secular trend in consanguinity in Jordan and the subtypes of consanguineous marriages that may be undergoing a change. A total of 1032 individuals attending a diabetic clinic in Amman were interviewed. The questionnaire provided information on consanguinity status and date of marriage among three generations: the persons interviewed, their parents, parents of their spouses and their offspring. Data on consanguinity status among 5401 marriages was obtained. Generations were named generation 1 for marriages contracted before 1950, generation 2 for marriages contracted between 1950 and 1979, and generation 3 for marriages contracted after 1980. For generations 1, 2, and 3, first-cousin marriages constituted 20.2, 28.5 and 19.5% of all marriages, respectively, while the subtype of paternal parallel first-cousin marriages constituted 75.6, 60.3 and 43.3% of all first-cousin marriages, respectively. The offspring of first-cousin parents were significantly more prone to marry their relatives than the offspring of non-consanguineous parents, with rates of first-cousin marriages among offspring of first-cousin parents and non-related parents constituting 25.3 and 17.1% of all marriages, respectively. For generations 1, 2 and 3, the average coefficient of inbreeding was 0.0135, 0.02 and 0.0142, respectively. In conclusion, first-cousin marriage rate among a representative population from Amman showed a significant decline among marriages contracted after 1980 compared to marriages contracted between 1950 and 1979, but not to marriages contracted before 1950. The proportion of paternal parallel first cousins among first-cousin marriages showed a steady decline from one generation to the next. [source] Research Methods of InquiryACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 11 2006Joel Rodgers MA Incidents of significant consequence that create surge may require special research methods to provide reliable, generalizable results. This report was constructed through a process of literature review, expert panel discussion at the journal's consensus conference, and iterative development. Traditional clinical research methods that are well accepted in medicine are exceptionally difficult to use for surge incidents because the incidents are very difficult to reliably predict, the consequences vary widely, human behaviors are heterogeneous in response to incidents, and temporal conditions prioritize limited resources to response, rather than data collection. Current literature on surge research methods has found some degree of reliability and generalizability in case-control, postincident survey methods, and ethnographical designs. Novel methods that show promise for studying surge include carefully validated simulation experiments and survey methods that produce validated results from representative populations. Methodologists and research scientists should consider quasi-experimental designs and case-control studies in areas with recurrent high-consequence incidents (e.g., earthquakes and hurricanes). Specialists that need to be well represented in areas of research include emergency physicians and critical care physicians, simulation engineers, cost economists, sociobehavioral methodologists, and others. [source] One-year prevalence of subthreshold and threshold DSM-IV generalized anxiety disorder in a nationally representative sampleDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2001Robin M. Carter B.A. Abstract Several studies of representative populations have reported prevalence rates of DSM-III and DSM-III-R generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); however, no community study has examined the effect of the stricter DSM-IV criteria on prevalence estimates and patterns of comorbidity. Furthermore, past studies based on "lifetime" symptom assessments might have led to upper-bound 1-year and point prevalence estimates. Data is presented from a national representative sample study of 4,181 adults in Germany, 18,65 years old, who were interviewed for DSM-IV disorders with the 12-month version of the Munich-Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The prevalence rate of strictly defined, 12-month threshold DSM-IV GAD was estimated to be 1.5%; however, 3.6% of respondents presented with at least subthreshold syndromes of GAD during the past 12 months. Higher rates of worrying and GAD were found in women (worrying 10%, GAD 2.7%) and in older respondents (worrying 9.3%, TAD 2.2%). Taking into account a wider scope of diagnoses than previous studies, a high degree of comorbidity in GAD cases was confirmed: 59.1% of all 12-month GAD cases fulfilled criteria for major depression, and 55.9% fulfilled criteria for any other anxiety disorder. In conclusion, prevalence and comorbidity rates found for DSM-IV GAD are not substantially different from rates reported for DSM-III-R GAD. The minor differences in our findings compared to previous reports are more likely attributable to differences in study methodology rather than changes in diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV. Depression and Anxiety 13:78,88, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Implementing cognitive services in community pharmacy: a review of facilitators used in practice changeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY PRACTICE, Issue 3 2006Alison S Roberts research fellow Objective To investigate facilitators of change in community pharmacy and their use in the implementation of cognitive pharmaceutical services (CPS). Method Relevant literature published in English was identified through searches of online databases (no date limits), texts, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of identified literature. Literature that involved a discussion of facilitators of community pharmacy practice change in relation to the implementation and/or delivery of CPS was selected for review. Some of the identified studies were conceptual in nature, and although they were selected in the same way as the empirical research papers, were not able to be critically reviewed in an equivalent manner. A narrative, rather than systematic review, was considered more appropriate. Key findings The identified facilitators exist at two levels: the individual (e.g. knowledge) and the organisation (e.g. pharmacy layout). Few studies identified or measured facilitators drawn from experience, with many based on the views of researchers or participants in the studies, in reaction to identified barriers to CPS implementation. Purposive sampling was common in the reviewed studies, limiting the generalisability of the findings. Conclusion Although a number of facilitators have been identified in the literature, it appears that little consideration has been given to how they can best be used in practice to accelerate CPS implementation. Identifying facilitators at both individual and organisational levels is important, and future research should focus not only on their identification in representative populations, but on how they should be incorporated into programmes for CPS delivery. [source] Pollination of the Lady's slipper orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) in Scandinavia , taxonomic and conservational aspectsNORDIC JOURNAL OF BOTANY, Issue 4 2009Alexandre Antonelli The Lady's slipper orchid Cypripedium calceolus L. is considered one of the most beautiful orchids of Europe. Consequently, the species has suffered from over-collecting and is now critically endangered in many countries. Although pollination success is suspected to influence the long-term survival of Cypripedium calceolus, relatively little is known about the identity of its pollinators in mainland Sweden , a region that comprises the largest European populations. In order to identify which species pollinate eight representative populations in mainland Sweden, we observed and sampled visitors to flowers using a standardized protocol. Specimens were identified and any pollen smear found on their body was examined for the presence of Cypripedium pollen. Nine species were recognized as effective pollen vectors (Andrena cineraria, A. carantonica, A. haemorrohoa, A. helvola, A. nigroaenea, A. praecox, Colletes cunicularius, Lasioglossum fratellum and L. fulvicorne), four of them for the first time in Scandinavia. This is the first time that a species of Colletes is reported to carry pollen of Cypripedium in this region. All but one specimens were females. Our results suggest a taxonomically heterogeneous pollinator fauna for Cypripedium calceolus and are discussed in light of the management of this species. [source] Variation in mitochondrial DNA and maternal genetic ancestry of Ethiopian cattle populationsANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 4 2009H. Dadi Summary This study describes complete control region sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from 117 Ethiopian cattle from 10 representative populations, in conjunction with the available cattle sequences in GenBank. In total, 79 polymorphic sites were detected, and these defined 81 different haplotypes. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of Ethiopian cattle did not vary among the populations studied. All mtDNA sequences from Ethiopian cattle converged into one main maternal lineage (T1) that corresponds to African Bos taurus cattle. According to the results of this study, no zebu mtDNA haplotypes have been found in Ethiopia, where the most extensive hybridization took place on the African continent. [source] | |||||||||||||