New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

One‐year survival after out‐of‐ hospital cardiac arrest: Sex‐based survival analysis in a Canadian population

Abstract Objective We investigated sex differences in 1‐year survival in a cohort of patients who survived out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) to hospital discharge. We hypothesized that female sex is associated with higher 1‐year posthospital discharge survival. Methods A retrospective analysis of linked data (2011–2017) from clinical databases in British Columbia (BC) was conducted. We used Kaplan–Meier curves, stratified by sex, to display survival up to 1‐year, and the log‐rank test to test for significant sex differences. This was followed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis to investigate the association between sex and 1‐year mortality. The multivariable analysis adjusted for variables known to be associated with survival, including variables related to OHCA characteristics, comorbidities, medical diagnoses, and in‐hospital interventions. Results We included 1278 hospital‐discharge survivors; 284 (22.2%) were female. Females had a lower proportion of OHCA occurring in public locations (25.7% vs. 44.0%, P < 0.001), a lower proportion with a shockable rhythm (57.7% vs. 77.4%, P < 0.001), and fewer hospital‐based acute coronary diagnoses and interventions. One‐year survival for females and males was 90.5% and 92.4%, respectively (log‐rank P = 0.31). Unadjusted (hazard ratio [HR] males vs. females 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.51–1.24, P = 0.31) and adjusted (HR males vs. females 1.14, 95% CI 0.72–1.81, P = 0.57) models did not detect differences in 1‐year survival by sex. Conclusion Females have relatively unfavorable prehospital characteristics in OHCA and fewer hospital‐based acute coronary diagnoses and interventions. However, among survivors to hospital discharge, we found no significant difference between males and females in 1‐year survival, even after adjustment

Workplace violence against emergency health care workers: What Strategies do Workers use?

Abstract: Background. Workplace violence by patients and bystanders against health care workers, is a major problem, for workers, organizations, patients, and society. It is estimated to affect up to 95% of health care workers. Emergency health care workers experience very high levels of workplace violence, with one study finding that paramedics had nearly triple the odds of experiencing physical and verbal violence. Many interventions have been developed, ranging from zero-tolerance approaches to engaging with the violent perpetrator. Unfortunately, as a recent Cochrane review showed, there is no evidence that any of these interventions work in reducing or minimizing violence. To design better interventions to prevent and minimize workplace violence, more information is needed on those strategies emergency health care workers currently use to prevent or minimize violence. The objective of the study was to identify and discuss strategies used by prehospital emergency health care workers, in response to violence and aggression from patients and bystanders. Mapping the strategies used and their perceived usefulness will inform the development of tailored interventions to reduce the risk of serious harm to health care workers. In this study the following research questions were addressed: (1) What strategies do prehospital emergency health care workers utilize against workplace violence from patients or bystanders? (2) What is their experience with these strategies? Methods Five focus groups with paramedics and dispatchers were held at different urban and rural locations in Canada. The focus group responses were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results It became apparent that emergency healthcare workers use a variety of strategies when dealing with violent patients or bystanders. Most strategies, other than generic de-escalation techniques, reflect a reliance on the systems the workers work with and within. Conclusion The study results support the move away from focusing on the individual worker, who is the victim, to a systems-based approach to help reduce and minimize violence against health care workers. For this to be effective, system-based strategies need to be implemented and supported in healthcare organizations and legitimized through professional bodies, unions, public policies, and regulations.Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCPopulation and Public Health (SPPH), School ofReviewedFacultyGraduateOthe

Biomechanical analysis of sutures used for mesh fixation in the donor area after removal of the rectus abdominis muscle

Background: The use of synthetic mesh for abdominal wall closure after removal of the rectus abdominis is established but not standardised. This study compares two forms of mesh fixation: a simple suture, which fixes the mesh to the edges of the defect on the anterior rectus abdominis fascia; and total fixation, which incorporates the fasciae of the internal oblique, external oblique and transverse muscles in the suture, anchoring the mesh in the position of the removed muscle. Method: A total of 16 fresh cadavers were dissected. Two sutures were compared: simple and total. Three different sites were analysed: 5 cm above, 5 cm below and at the level of the umbilicus. The two sutures compared were tested in each region using a standardised technique. All sutures were performed with nylon 0, perpendicular to the linea alba. Each suture was secured to a dynamometer, which was pulled perpendicularly towards the midline until the rupture of the aponeurosis. `Rupture resistance` was measured in kilogram force. The mean among the groups was compared using the paired Student`s t-test to a significance level of 1% (p < 0.01). Results: The mean rupture resistance of the total suture was 160% higher than that of the simple suture. Conclusion: The total suture includes the external oblique, internal oblique and transverse fasciae, which are multi-directional, and creates a much higher resistance when compared with the simple suture. Total suture may reduce the incidence of bulging and hernias of the abdominal wall after harvesting the rectus abdominis muscle, but comparative clinical studies are necessary. (C) 2010 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Association between location of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, on-scene socioeconomic status, and accessibility to public automated defibrillators in two large metropolitan areas in Canada and France

International audienceAimTo compare walking access times to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) between area-level quintiles of socioeconomic status (SES) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases occurring in 2 major urban regions of Canada and France.MethodsThis was an international, multicenter, retrospective cohort study of adult, non-traumatic OHCA cases in the metropolitan Vancouver (Canada) and Rhône County (France) regions that occurred between 2014 and 2018. We calculated area-level SES for each case, using quintiles of country-specific scores (Q5=most deprived). We identified AED locations from local registries. The primary outcome was the simulated walking time from the OHCA location to the closest AED (continuous and dichotomized by a 3-minute 1-way threshold). We fit multivariate models to analyze the association between OHCA-to-AED walking time and outcomes (Q5 vs. others).ResultsA total of 6,187 and 3,239 cases were included from the Metro Vancouver and Rhône County areas, respectively. In Metro Vancouver Q5 areas (vs. Q1-Q4), areas, AEDs were farther from (79% over 400m from case vs. 67%, p<0.001) and required longer walking times to (97% above 3min vs. 91%, p<0.001) cases. In Rhône Q5 areas, AEDs were closer than in other areas (43% over 400m from case vs. 50%, p=0.01), yet similarly poorly accessible (85% above 3min vs. 86%, p=0.79). In multivariate models, AED access time ≥ 3min was associated with decreased odds of survival at hospital discharge in Metro Vancouver (odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI [0.23-0.74], p=0.003).ConclusionsAccessibility of public AEDs was globally poor in Metro Vancouver and Rhône, and even poorer in Metro Vancouver’s socioeconomically deprived areas

Multi-centre implementation of an Educational program to improve the Cardiac Arrest diagnostic accuracy of ambulance Telecommunicators and survival outcomes for sudden cardiac arrest victims: the EduCATe study design and methodology

Background: Sudden cardiac death remains a leading cause of mortality in Canada, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths annually. Most cardiac arrest victims collapse in their own home (85% of the time) and 50% are witnessed by a family member or bystander. Survivors have a quality of life similar to the general population, but the overall survival rate for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) rarely exceeds 8%. Victims are almost four times more likely to survive when receiving bystander CPR, but bystander CPR rates have remained low in Canada over the past decade, not exceeding 15–25% until recently. Telecommunication-assisted CPR instructions have been shown to significantly increase bystander CPR rates, but agonal breathing may be misinterpreted as a sign of life by 9–1-1 callers and telecommunicators, and is responsible for as much as 50% of missed OHCA diagnoses. We sought to improve the ability and speed with which ambulance telecommunicators can recognize OHCA over the phone, initiate timely CPR instructions, and improve survival. Methods: In this multi-center national study, we will implement and evaluate an educational program developed for ambulance telecommunicators using a multiple baseline interrupted time-series design. We will compare outcomes 12 months before and after the implementation of a 20-min theory-based educational video addressing barriers to recognition of OHCA while in the presence of agonal breathing. Participating Canadian sites demonstrated prior ability to collect standardized data on OHCA. Data will be collected from eligible 9–1-1 recordings, paramedic documentation and hospital medical records. Eligible cases will include suspected or confirmed OHCA of presumed cardiac origin in patients of any age with attempted resuscitation. Discussion: The ability of telecommunication-assisted CPR instructions to improve bystander CPR and survival rates for OHCA victims is undeniable. The ability of telecommunicators to recognize OHCA over the phone is unequivocally impeded by relative lack of training on agonal breathing, and reluctance to initiate CPR instructions when in doubt. Our pilot data suggests the potential impact of this project will be to increase absolute OHCA recognition and bystander CPR rates by at least 10%, and absolute out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival by 5% or more. Trial registration: Prospectively registered on March 28, 2019 at ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03894059 .Medicine, Faculty ofNon UBCEmergency Medicine, Department ofReviewedFacult

Defining the role of common variation in the genomic and biological architecture of adult human height

Using genome-wide data from 253,288 individuals, we identified 697 variants at genome-wide significance that together explained one-fifth of the heritability for adult height. By testing different numbers of variants in independent studies, we show that the most strongly associated ∼2,000, ∼3,700 and ∼9,500 SNPs explained ∼21%, ∼24% and ∼29% of phenotypic variance. Furthermore, all common variants together captured 60% of heritability. The 697 variants clustered in 423 loci were enriched for genes, pathways and tissue types known to be involved in growth and together implicated genes and pathways not highlighted in earlier efforts, such as signaling by fibroblast growth factors, WNT/β-catenin and chondroitin sulfate-related genes. We identified several genes and pathways not previously connected with human skeletal growth, including mTOR, osteoglycin and binding of hyaluronic acid. Our results indicate a genetic architecture for human height that is characterized by a very large but finite number (thousands) of causal variants

Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity biology

Note: A full list of authors and affiliations appears at the end of the article. Obesity is heritable and predisposes to many diseases. To understand the genetic basis of obesity better, here we conduct a genome-wide association study and Metabochip meta-analysis of body mass index (BMI), a measure commonly used to define obesity and assess adiposity, in up to 339,224 individuals. This analysis identifies 97 BMI-associated loci (P 20% of BMI variation. Pathway analyses provide strong support for a role of the central nervous system in obesity susceptibility and implicate new genes and pathways, including those related to synaptic function, glutamate signalling, insulin secretion/action, energy metabolism, lipid biology and adipogenesis.</p