The essence of fertilization: oocyte meets sperm

The problem of reduced fertility in high yielding dairy cattle is a very complicated one, and the relationship between various measures of fertility and level of milk production remains controversial. In this brief review the essence of the problem is considered: what is the oocyte's and the sperm's contribution, and what is the importance of the resulting embryo in the declining fertility of the Holstein Friesian cow

The virtuous loop of quality of government (QoG) and institutional trust in OECD countries, 2006-2021 and culture

We explore empirically the relationship between trust in government and the quality of government (QoG) with a dynamic panel model for the period 2006-2021 in the 38 OECD countries, with reverse and lag specifications while incorporating a range of social, political, and economic factors as explanatory variables. The results show a clear positive mutually reinforcing dynamic between QoG and trust in government when the social, political and economic factors are included. Trust in government with a three-year lag is positively related to QoG. Foreign-born population with a three-year lag is negatively associated with QoG. The other way around: trust in government is affected by the QoG in the same year. Economic decline reduces trust in government. QoG and trust appear to be embedded in culture (measured with the Hofstede indices). Power distance is negatively related to both QoG and institutional trust. The association between individualism and QoG is positive, while long-term orientation and indulgence positively impact trust.<br/

The virtuous loop of quality of government (QoG) and institutional trust in OECD countries, 2006-2021 and culture

We explore empirically the relationship between trust in government and the quality of government (QoG) with a dynamic panel model for the period 2006-2021 in the 38 OECD countries, with reverse and lag specifications while incorporating a range of social, political, and economic factors as explanatory variables. The results show a clear positive mutually reinforcing dynamic between QoG and trust in government when the social, political and economic factors are included. Trust in government with a three-year lag is positively related to QoG. Foreign-born population with a three-year lag is negatively associated with QoG. The other way around: trust in government is affected by the QoG in the same year. Economic decline reduces trust in government. QoG and trust appear to be embedded in culture (measured with the Hofstede indices). Power distance is negatively related to both QoG and institutional trust. The association between individualism and QoG is positive, while long-term orientation and indulgence positively impact trust.<br/

Evaluation of the reported data linkage process and associated quality issues for linked routinely collected healthcare data in multimorbidity research: a systematic methodology review

Objective The objective of this systematic review was to examine how the record linkage process is reported in multimorbidity research. Methods A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science and Embase using predefined search terms, and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Published studies from 2010 to 2020 using linked routinely collected data for multimorbidity research were included. Information was extracted on how the linkage process was reported, which conditions were studied together, which data sources were used, as well as challenges encountered during the linkage process or with the linked dataset. Results Twenty studies were included. Fourteen studies received the linked dataset from a trusted third party. Eight studies reported variables used for the data linkage, while only two studies reported conducting prelinkage checks. The quality of the linkage was only reported by three studies, where two reported linkage rate and one raw linkage figures. Only one study checked for bias by comparing patient characteristics of linked and non-linked records. Conclusions The linkage process was poorly reported in multimorbidity research, even though this might introduce bias and potentially lead to inaccurate inferences drawn from the results. There is therefore a need for increased awareness of linkage bias and transparency of the linkage processes, which could be achieved through better adherence to reporting guidelines. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021243188

Association of nutritional status measures with self-efficacy and experiencing depressed mood among Pakistani young women (P10-090-19)

Objectives: We aimed to assess self-efficacy and the experience of depression-related emotions among non-pregnant adolescent and young women (15–23 years) living in rural Pakistan, and determine their association with measures of nutritional status. Methods: Outcomes were assessed from the Matiari emPowerment and Preconception Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial baseline data (n = 25,279). Self-efficacy and depression-related emotions were determined and categorized using the general self-efficacy scale (low, moderate, and high) and DASS-21 tool (normal, mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe), respectively. Nutritional status was evaluated using hemoglobin concentration (HemoCue Hb 301 System) and body mass index (BMI). Associations were assessed using ordinal logistic regression, and multivariate models were adjusted for education, parity, wealth index, and clustering. Results: The majority of participants were categorized as having moderate self-efficacy (50.6%) and experienced normal range depression-related emotions (76.3%). The mean hemoglobin concentration and BMI were 11.5 ± 1.9 g/dL and 20.2 ± 3.8 kg/m2, respectively. Each unit of increase in hemoglobin was associated with having higher self-efficacy (β = 0.018; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.005 to 0.031) and lower severe depression-like emotions (β = -0.018; 95% CI: - 0.033 to -0.002). Similarly, BMI was associated with higher self-efficacy (β = 0.010; 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.017) and lower severe depressionlike emotions (β = -0.014; 95% CI: -0.022 to -0.007). For all models, however, wealth index had a stronger effect on the outcomes of interest. Conclusions: Poor nutritional status is suggested to be associated with behavioral organization and one’s emotional state. In this setting with a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, we observed associations between lower hemoglobin and BMI with low self-efficacy and experiencing depressed mood, although the effect sizes were small. Findings may reflect potential confounding in the link between empowerment and mood, and poverty. Funding Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Food Programme

Exposure to secondhand smoke in cars and e-cigarette use among 10-11 year old children in Wales: CHETS Wales 2 key findings report

No abstract available

Characterizing micronutrient status and risk factors among late adolescent and young women in rural Pakistan: A cross-sectional assessment of the MaPPS trial

Nutritional deficiencies are a leading underlying risk factor contributing to the global burden of disease. In Pakistan, late adolescence is considered a nutritionally vulnerable period, as micronutrient requirements are increased to support maturation, and dietary staples are nutrient poor. However, there has been limited evaluation of micronutrient status beyond anemia and its determinants. Using cross-sectional data from late adolescent and young women (15-23 years) at enrolment in the Matiari emPowerment and Preconception Supplementation (MaPPS) Trial, we aimed to describe the prevalence of key micronutrient deficiencies of public health concern, and generate hierarchical models to examine associations with proxies for social determinants of health (SDoH). The prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies was high: 53.6% (95% confidence interval (CI): 53.0-54.3%) had anemia; 38.0% (95% CI: 36.4-39.6%) iron deficiency anemia; 31.8% (95% CI: 30.2-33.3%) vitamin A deficiency; and 81.1% (95% CI: 79.8-82.4%) vitamin D deficiency. At least one deficiency was experienced by 91.0% (95% CI: 90.1-92.0%). Few SDoH were maintained in the final hierarchical models, although those maintained were often related to socioeconomic status (e.g., education, occupation). To improve the micronutrient status of late adolescent and young women in Pakistan, a direct micronutrient intervention is warranted, and should be paired with broader poverty alleviation methods

Long-term Outcomes Among Women With Cervical Cancer Treated from 1960-1987

To determine long term survival among women treated for cervical cancer and to provide long-term information regarding mortality and morbidity following treatment. Among a cohort of young women treated for cervical cancer over a 27 year period, with survival available up to 48 years from initial diagnosis, there were no variables identified which impacted the duration of survival beyond the initial stage of cervical cancer at presentation