Obesity and the microvasculature

Overweight and obesity are thought to significantly influence a person's risk of cardiovascular disease, possibly via its effect on the microvasculature. Retinal vascular caliber is a surrogate marker of microvascular disease and a predictor of cardiovascular events. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and retinal vascular caliber. Relevant studies were identified by searches of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from 1966 to August 2011. Standardized forms were used for data extraction. Among over 44,000 individuals, obese subjects had narrower arteriolar and wider venular calibers when compared with normal weight subjects, independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors. In adults, a 1 kg/m(2) increase in BMI was associated with a difference of 0.07 μm [95% CI: -0.08; -0.06] in arteriolar caliber and 0.22 μm [95% CI: 0.21; 0.23] in venular caliber. Similar results were found for children. Higher BMI is associated with narrower retinal arteriolar and wider venular calibers. Further prospective studies are needed to examine whether a causative relationship between BMI and retinal microcirculation exists

Dietary nitrate intake is associated with decreased incidence of open-angle Glaucoma: The Rotterdam study

Previous studies suggest that nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) and in the pathophysiology of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, prospective studies investigating the association between dietary nitrate intake, a source of nitric oxide, and incident (i)OAG risk are limited. We aimed to determine the association between dietary nitrate intake and iOAG, and to evaluate the association between dietary nitrate intake and IOP. From 1991 onwards, participants were followed each five years for iOAG in the Rotterdam Study. A total of 173 participants developed iOAG during follow-up. Cases and controls were matched on age (mean ± standard deviation: 65.7 ± 6.9) and sex (%female: 53.2) in a case:control ratio of 1:5. After adjustment for potential confounders, total dietary nitrate intake was associated with a lower iOAG risk (odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.95 (0.91–0.98) for each 10 mg/day higher intake). Both nitrate intake from vegetables (OR (95% CI): 0.95 (0.91–0.98) for each 10 mg/day higher intake) and nitrate intake from non-vegetable food sources (OR (95% CI): 0.63 (0.41–0.96) for each 10 mg/day higher intake) were associated with a lower iOAG risk. Dietary nitrate intake was not associated with IOP. In conclusion, dietary nitrate intake was associated with a reduced risk of iOAG. IOP-independent mechanisms may underlie the association with OAG

Evaluating Genetic Viability of Pronghorn in Wind Cave National Park

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) was reintroduced into Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota, in 1914 and thus, has inhabited the Park for almost a century. A decline in the population has raised concern for the continued existence of pronghorn inside Wind Cave National Park. Historically, pronghorn numbers reached greater than 300 individuals in the 1960\u27s but declined to about 30 individuals by 2002. The primary objective of our study was to evaluate genetic characteristics of pronghorn to determine if reduced heterozygosity contributed to the decline of pronghorn in Wind Cave National Park. Microsatellite DNA was collected from 75 pronghorn inhabiting Wind Cave National Park in western South Dakota (n = 11), northwestern South Dakota (n = 33), and southwestern South Dakota (n = 31). Pronghorn in Wind Cave National Park had similar levels of observed heterozygosity (0.473 to 0.594) and low inbreeding coefficients (-0.168 to 0.037) when compared with other populations in western South Dakota. Furthermore, indices of population structure indicated no differentiation occurred among pronghorn populations. Results indicated that genetic variability was not a primary factor in the decline of pronghorn in Wind Cave National Park

Analisis Integrasi Padi Ikan Dalam Perspektif Agro Ekonomi

This study aimed to obtain information integration rice fish viewed from the perspective of agroeconomics. This study is motivated by the growth rate of rice production which likely to decline, decline in soil fertility due to continuous intensification. The method used was a survey method by taking the case of rice - fish farming in Solokan Jeruk District Bandung Regency West Java Province. Purposive sampling is used in this research. The expected benefit is to increase rice production, fish seed supply, income and welfare of farmers and the development of efficient utilization of paddy fields. The results showed the integration of fish rice as seen as agro-economic was positively gave the benefit for both farmers and for agricultural land itself. Keywords: rice, agro-econom

Association of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Incidence With Myopia Prevalence in the Netherlands

Importance The incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is partly determined by its risk factors, such as age, sex, cataract surgery, and myopia. Changes in the prevalence of these risk factors could change RRD incidence in the population. Objective To determine whether the incidence of RRD in the Netherlands has changed over recent years and whether this change is associated with an altered prevalence of RRD risk factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included data from all 14 vitreoretinal clinics in the Netherlands, as well as a large Dutch population-based cohort study. All patients who underwent surgical repair for a primary RRD in the Netherlands from January 1 to December 31, 2009, and January 1 to December 31, 2016, were analyzed, in addition to all participants in the population-based Rotterdam Study who were examined during these years. Analysis began February 2018 and ended November 2019. Exposures RRD risk factors, including age, male sex, cataract extraction, and myopia. Main Outcomes and Measures Age-specific RRD incidence rate in the Dutch population, as well as change in RRD incidence and risk factor prevalence between 2009 and 2016. Results In 2016, 4447 persons (median [range] age, 61 [3-96] years) underwent surgery for a primary RRD within the Netherlands, resulting in an RRD incidence rate of 26.2 per 100 000 person-years (95% CI, 25.4-27.0). The overall RRD incidence rate had increased by 44% compared with similar data from 2009. The increase was observed in both phakic (1994 in 2009 to 2778 in 2016 [increase, 39%]) and pseudophakic eyes (1004 in 2009 to 1666 in 2016 [increase, 66%]), suggesting that cataract extraction could not solely account for the overall rise. Over the same period, the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe myopia among persons aged 55 to 75 years had increased by 15.6% (881 of 4561 [19.3%] vs 826 of 3698 [22.3%]), 20.3% (440 of 4561 [9.6%] vs 429 of 3698 [11.6%]), and 26.9% (104 of 4561 [2.3%] vs 107 of 3698 [2.9%]), respectively, within the population-based Rotterdam Study. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, an increase was observed in primary RRD incidence in the Netherlands over a 7-year period, which could not be explained by a different age distribution or cataract surgical rate. A simultaneous myopic shift in the Dutch population may be associated, warranting further population-based studies on RRD incidence and myopia prevalence. This cohort study assesses whether the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment has changed over recent years and whether this change is associated with an altered prevalence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment risk factors in the Netherlands. Question What is the incidence of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in the Netherlands and has it changed over recent years? Findings In this cohort study, 4447 individuals in the Netherlands underwent surgery for RRD in 2016, resulting in an incidence of 26.2 per 100 000 inhabitants, an increase of 44% compared with similar data from 2009. Over the same period, an increase in myopia prevalence in a Dutch population-based cohort study was observed. Meaning In the Netherlands, an increase in RRD incidence may be associated with a simultaneous myopic shift in the population

Natuurontwikkeling in de EHS, nu zorgen voor kwaliteit!

Momenteel werken de provincies aan het nieuwe subsidiestelsel voor (agrarisch) natuurbeheer, dat het huidige Programma Beheer gaat vervangen. Het streven is het nieuwe stelsel geïmplementeerd te krijgen in 2009. Met het stelsel is veel bereikt, maar er zijn zeker ook kansen gemist, namelijk om de ecologische kwaliteit van de EHS te realiseren. In dit artikel wordt een voorzet gegeven voor het inbedden van het realiseren van ecologische kwaliteit in een nieuwe regelgeving. Er valt namelijk een kwaliteitsslag te behalen bij het omvormen van landbouwgrond naar natuu