The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase 1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age  6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score  652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc = 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N = 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in Asia and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Effect of the Distribution of Short-Chain Branches on Crystallization Kinetics and Mechanical Properties of High-Density Polyethylene

The effects of the placement of short-chain branches (SCB) on crystallization kinetics, morphology and mechanical properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are examined using bimodal blends of short (S ∼40 kg/mol) and long (L ∼400 kg/mol and 550 kg/mol) polyethylenes with SCB (1-hexene comonomer) incorporated in either the high or the low molecular weight component. A pair of blends that has nearly matched molecular weight distribution and average SCB content shows that placement of branches preferentially on the longer molecules results in slower crystallization kinetics at high crystallization temperatures relative to the material with branches on the short chains. Blends with SCB on the high molecular weight components have superior ultimate mechanical properties, and their resistance to slow crack growth is tremendously enhanced. These improved mechanical properties are attributed to an increase in the amount of tie chains that form when branches are placed on the long chains. A conceptual model based on the interplay of inherent crystallization kinetics of each species and their competition at the growth front in binary blends qualitatively explains the effects of SCB distribution on crystallization kinetics, lamellar thickness and inferred formation of tie chains

Association of meteorological parameters with intussusception in children aged under 2 years: results from a multisite bidirectional surveillance over 7 years in India

Objectives The study aimed to document the association between intussusception in Indian children and meteorological parameters and examine regional variations.Design A bidirectional (retrospective and prospective) surveillance between July 2010 and September 2017.Setting At 20 hospitals in India, retrospective case record review during July 2010 and March 2016 and prospective surveillance during April 2016 and September 2017 were performed.Participants 2161 children aged 2–24 months with first intussusception episode were included.Interventions The monthly mean meteorological parameters (temperature, sunshine, rainfall, humidity and wind speed) for the study sites were collected.Methods The association between monthly intussusception cases and meteorological parameters was examined at pooled, regional and site levels using Pearson (r) and Spearman’s rank-order (ρ) correlation, factorial analysis of variance, and Poisson regression or negative binomial regression analyses.Results The intussusception cases were highest in summer and lowest in autumn seasons. Pearson correlation analysis showed that temperature (r=0.056; p<0.05), wind speed (r=0.134; p<0.01) and humidity (r=0.075; p<0.01) were associated with monthly intussusception cases. Spearman’s rank-order correlation analysis found that temperature (ρ=0.049; p<0.05), wind speed (ρ=0.096; p<0.01) and sunshine (ρ=0.051; p<0.05) were associated with monthly intussusception cases. Poisson regression analysis resulted that monthly intussusception case was associated with rising temperature (North region, p<0.01 and East region, p<0.05), sunshine (North region, p<0.01), humidity (East region, p<0.01) and wind speed (East region, p<0.01). Factorial analysis of variance revealed a significant seasonal difference in intussusception cases for pooled level (p<0.05), 2–6 months age group (p<0.05) and North region (p<0.01). Significant differences in intussusception cases between summer and autumn seasons were observed for pooled (p<0.01), children aged 2–6 months (p<0.05) and 7–12 months (p<0.05).Conclusions Significant correlations between intussusception cases and temperature, humidity, and wind speed were observed at pooled and regional level in India. A peak in summer months was noted, which may be used for prediction, early detection and referral for appropriate management of intussusception