How to reach a few percent level in determining the Lense-Thirring effect?

In this paper we discuss and compare a node-only LAGEOS-LAGEOS II combination and a node-only LAGEOS-LAGEOS II-Ajisai-Jason1 combination for the determination of the Lense-Thirring effect. The new combined EIGEN-CG01C Earth gravity model has been adopted. The second combination cancels the first three even zonal harmonics along with their secular variations but introduces the non-gravitational perturbations of Jason1. The first combination is less sensitive to the non-conservative forces but is sensitive to the secular variations of the uncancelled even zonal harmonics of low degree J4 and J6 whose impact grows linearly in time.Comment: Latex2e, 22 pag. 1 table, 2 figures, 45 references. Changes in the Abstract, Introduction and Conclusions. Discussion on the non-gravitational perturbations on Ajisai and on the impact of the secular rates of the even zonal harmonics added. EIGEN-CG01C CHAMP+GRACE+terrestrial gravimetry/altimetry Earth gravity model used. Reference adde

Human rhinovirus-induced inflammatory responses are inhibited by phosphatidylserine containing liposomes

Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are major contributors to the healthcare burden associated with acute exacerbations of chronic airway disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Cellular responses to HRV are mediated through pattern recognition receptors that may in part signal from membrane microdomains. We previously found Toll-like receptor signaling is reduced, by targeting membrane microdomains with a specific liposomal phosphatidylserine species, 1-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (SAPS). Here we explored the ability of this approach to target a clinically important pathogen. We determined the biochemical and biophysical properties and stability of SAPS liposomes and studied their ability to modulate rhinovirus-induced inflammation, measured by cytokine production, and rhinovirus replication in both immortalized and normal primary bronchial epithelial cells. SAPS liposomes rapidly partitioned throughout the plasma membrane and internal cellular membranes of epithelial cells. Uptake of liposomes did not cause cell death, but was associated with markedly reduced inflammatory responses to rhinovirus, at the expense of only modest non-significant increases in viral replication, and without impairment of interferon receptor signaling. Thus using liposomes of phosphatidylserine to target membrane microdomains is a feasible mechanism for modulating rhinovirus-induced signaling, and potentially a prototypic new therapy for viral-mediated inflammation

Racial and health insurance disparities in pediatric acute kidney injury in the USA

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) significantly increases morbidity and mortality for hospitalized children, yet sociodemographic risk factors for pediatric AKI are poorly described. We examined sociodemographic differences in pediatric AKI amongst a national cohort of hospitalized children. Methods: Secondary analysis of the most recent (2012) Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Study sample weights were used to obtain national estimates of AKI (defined by administrative data). KID is a nationally representative sample of pediatric discharges throughout the USA. Linear risk regression models were used to assess the relationship between our primary exposures (race/ethnicity, health insurance, household urbanization, gender, and age) and the diagnosis of AKI, adjusting for comorbidities. Results: A total of 1,699,841 hospitalizations met our study criteria. In 2012, AKI occurred in approximately 12.3/1000 pediatric hospitalizations, which translates to almost 30,000 children nationally. Asian/Pacific Islander, African-American, and Hispanic children were at slightly increased risk for AKI compared to Caucasian children (adjusted risk difference (RD) 4.5 per 1000 hospitalizations, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9–6.0; 2.5/1000 hospitalizations, 95% CI 1.7–3.3; and 1.7/1000 hospitalizations, 95% CI 0.9–2.5, respectively). Uninsured children were more likely to suffer AKI compared to children with any health insurance (e.g., no insurance versus Medicaid_ adjusted RD 14.4/1000 hospitalizations, 95% CI 12.7–16.2). Based on these national estimates, one episode of AKI might be prevented if 70 (95% CI 62–79) hospitalized children without insurance were provided with Medicaid. Conclusions: Pediatric AKI occurs more frequently in racial minority and uninsured children, factors linked to lower socioeconomic status

Incidence and epidemiology of acute kidney injury in a pediatric Malawian trauma cohort: A prospective observational study

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is highly associated with mortality risk in children worldwide. Trauma can lead to AKI and is a leading cause of pediatric death in Africa. However, there is no information regarding the epidemiology of pediatric, trauma-associated AKI in Africa. Methods: Prospective cohort study of pediatric trauma patients admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in Malawi. Participants enrolled at admission were followed prospectively throughout their hospitalization. AKI was defined by creatinine-only Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. We calculated descriptive statistics and univariate relative risks (RR) for hypothesis-generation of potential risk factors associated with AKI. Results: We analyzed data from 114 participants. Depending on baseline creatinine definition, AKI incidence ranged from 4 to 10%. The new Schwartz equation estimated baseline creatinine values best and yielded an AKI incidence of 9.7%. Almost one in ten children died during hospitalization, but those with AKI (n = 4) were at significantly higher risk of death compared to those without AKI (40.0% vs 6.2%; RR 6.5, 95% CI 2.2-19.1). Burn injuries were most commonly associated with AKI (63.6%). Other potential AKI risk factors included multiple injuries, trunk or facial injuries, and recent consumption of herbal remedies. Conclusions: AKI occurs in up to 10% of admitted pediatric trauma patients in Malawi and increases the risk of death 7-fold compared to those without AKI. This large unrecognized burden in trauma requires further investment by researchers, clinicians and policymakers to develop evidenced-based triage, recognition, and management approaches to prevent the associated sequelae and potential mortality from AKI

High risk of acute kidney injury in Malawian trauma patients: a prospective observational cohort study

Background: Trauma is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). Yet little data exist regarding trauma-related-AKI in low-resourced settings, where the majority of deaths from AKI and trauma occur. We prospectively evaluated epidemiology of AKI in hospitalized Malawian trauma patients. Methods: AKI was defined by creatinine-only Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria. Those with AKI were followed up 3–6 months later to determine persistent kidney abnormalities. We calculated univariate statistics with Wilcoxon rank sum tests, Fisher’s exact, and chi-square tests to compare those with and without AKI. Multivariate log-risk regression modelling was used to determine risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for AKI development. Results: Of 223 participants, 14.4% (n = 32) developed AKI. Most patients were young (median age 32) males (n = 193, 86.5%) involved in road traffic injuries (n = 120, 53.8%). After adjusting for confounders, those with severe anemia during their admission were 1.4 times (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.8) more likely to develop AKI than those without. Overall mortality was 7.6% (n = 17), and those who developed AKI were more likely to die than those who did not (18.8% vs 5.6%, p-value = 0.02). Almost half of those with AKI (n = 32) either died (n = 6) or had persistent kidney dysfunction at follow-up (n = 8). Conclusion: In one of the few African studies on trauma-related AKI, we found a high incidence of AKI (14.4%) in Malawian trauma patients with associated poor outcomes. Given AKI’s association with increased mortality and potential ramifications on long-term morbidity, urgent attention is needed to improve AKI-related outcomes

Validity of Urine NGALds Dipstick for Acute Kidney Injury in a Malawian Trauma Cohort

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major cause of mortality worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings with limited diagnostic testing. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has shown promise in predicting AKI. Nested within a larger, prospective cohort study evaluating AKI incidence in admitted trauma patients, our objective was to evaluate a novel dipstick, NGALds, for the prediction of AKI in Malawi, Africa. Methods: Participants were >6 months of age. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (R) assessed NGAL categories (negative [≤50 ng/ml], low risk [51−149 ng/ml], moderate risk [150−299 ng/ml], and high risk [≥300 ng/ml]) for the urine NGALds dipstick and laboratory-based NGAL Test. Results: We enrolled 285 participants (one-third children). Thirteen percent developed AKI. The dipstick captured 45 of 52 participants (86.5%) with moderate- or high-risk NGAL values on laboratory-based testing (R = 0.74). The dipstick had sensitivity of 44.4%, specificity of 73.5%, positive predictive value of 19.5%, and negative predictive value of 90.2% for predicting AKI. Acute kidney injury was associated with an increased risk of mortality (relative risk [RR] = 3.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9−8.2), but mortality risk greatly increased among children who first had a positive (≥150 ng/ml) NGALds result (RR = 12.0, 95% CI = 1.8−78.4). Conclusions: The NGALds dipstick performed similarly to the NGAL Test in this low-resource setting and may be a useful tool to rule out AKI. It may be even more important in predicting high mortality risk among children

The first decade of web-based sports injury surveillance: Descriptive epidemiology of injuries in US High School Girls' Field Hockey (2008-2009 Through 2013-2014) and National collegiate athletic association women's field hockey (2004-2005 through 2013-2014)

Context: The advent of Web-based sports injury surveillance via programs such as the High School Reporting Information Online system and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program has aided the acquisition of data for girls' and women's field hockey injuries. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of injuries sustained in high school girls' field hockey in the 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 academic years and collegiate women's field hockey in the 2004-2005 through 2013-2014 academic years using Web-based sports injury surveillance. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Online injury surveillance from field hockey teams in high school girls (annual average=61) and collegiate women (annual average = 14). Patients or Other Participants: Girls' and women's field hockey players who participated in practices and competitions during the 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 high school academic years and the 2004-2005 through 2013-2014 collegiate academic years. Main Outcome Measure(s): Athletic trainers collected timeloss (≥24 hours) injury and exposure data. Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures (AEs), injury rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and injury proportions by body site and diagnosis were calculated. Results: The High School Reporting Information Online system documented 983 time-loss injuries during 569 551 AEs; the National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program documented 996 time-loss injuries during 185 984 AEs. The injury rate from 2008-2009 through 2013-2014 was higher in college than in high school (3.25 versus 1.73/1000 AEs; IRR= 1.89; 95% CI = 1.63, 2.18). Most injuries occurred during practices in high school (52.0%) and college (60.7%). Injury rates were higher during competitions than practices in high school (IRR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.76, 2.26) and college (IRR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.73, 2.23). At both levels, injuries most commonly occurred to the lower extremity and head/face and resulted in muscle/tendon strains and contusions. However, injury patterns varied between practices and competitions. Conclusions: Injury rates and patterns varied across age groups and between practices and competitions, highlighting the need for development of targeted injury-prevention strategies at both levels of play

Accelerometer-measured sedentary time among Hispanic adults: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Excessive sedentary behavior is associated with negative health outcomes independent of physical activity. Objective estimates of time spent in sedentary behaviors are lacking among adults from diverse Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. The objective of this study was to describe accelerometer-assessed sedentary time in a large, representative sample of Hispanic/Latino adults living in the United States, and compare sedentary estimates by Hispanic/Latino background, sociodemographic characteristics and weight categories. This study utilized baseline data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) that included adults aged 18-74. years from four metropolitan areas (N. =. 16,415). Measured with the Actical accelerometer over 6. days, 76.9% (n. =. 12,631) of participants had >10. h/day and >3. days of data. Participants spent 11.9. h/day (SD 3.0), or 74% of their monitored time in sedentary behaviors. Adjusting for differences in wear time, adults of Mexican background were the least (11.6. h/day), whereas adults of Dominican background were the most (12.3. h/day), sedentary. Women were more sedentary than men, and older adults were more sedentary than younger adults. Household income was positively associated, whereas employment was negatively associated, with sedentary time. There were no differences in sedentary time by weight categories, marital status, or proxies of acculturation. To reduce sedentariness among these populations, future research should examine how the accumulation of various sedentary behaviors differs by background and region, and which sedentary behaviors are amenable to intervention

Greater physical activity is associated with neuroretinal thinning in glaucomatous and normative cohorts

Ella Claire Berry, Henry Marshall, Sean Mullany, Santiago Diaz Torres, Joshua Schmidt, Daniel Thomson, Mark Hassall, Stewart R Lake, Richard A Mills, John Landers, Stuart MacGregor, Robert Casson, Owen Siggs, Jamie E Crai

High polygenic risk is associated with earlier treatment initiation and escalation in glaucoma suspects

Abstract #A0360Henry Marshall, Xikun Han, Sean Mullany, Georgie Hollitt, Ella Claire Berry, Lachlan Knight, Richard A Mills, John Landers, Paul Healey, Alex W Hewitt, Stuart L Graham, Robert Casson, Stuart MacGregor, Owen Siggs, Jamie E Crai