Prevalence of Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders Utilizing the Rome IV Criteria

Objective: To assess the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in children 0-18 years old according to the newly established Rome IV diagnostic criteria as reported by parents in a representative community sample. Study design: A cross-sectional study in which mothers (n = 1255) of children aged 0-18 years old in the US were recruited to complete an online survey about their child's GI symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and other health conditions. Results: Based on the Rome IV criteria, 24.7% of infants and toddlers aged 0-3 years and 25.0% of children and adolescents aged 4-18 years fulfilled symptom-based criteria for a functional GI disorder. The most common functional GI disorders were infant regurgitation among infants (24.1%) and functional constipation among both toddlers (18.5%) and children and adolescents (14.1%). QoL was diminished in pediatric patients with functional GI disorders (median = 71.69 vs median = 87.60; z = −11.41; P <.001). Children were more likely to qualify for a functional GI disorder if their parent qualified for a functional GI disorder (35.4% vs 23.0%; P <.001). Conclusions: Based on Rome IV criteria, functional GI disorders are common in pediatric populations of all ages and are associated with decreased QoL

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

Probabilistic assessment of the ground base reliability under the seismic load

The article describes the method of probabilistic reliability assessment of the ground bases constructions based on the adaptation of the regulatory assessment methodology and the use of the probability theory. In contrast to the standard (deterministic) methods, probabilistic assessment provides a quantitative expression of the reliability with the random nature of seismic effects and properties of soils. An analysis of the reliability index sensitivity to random changes in the parameters can be simultaneously performed, that reduces the number of random factors in the calculation of reliability. In this paper, the estimated base model is a semi-infinite homogeneous medium, but the described methods can be used for more complex models of soil bases. The method consists in adapting the relations used in the regulatory methodology to assess the reliability with the random nature of the values within the relations. This adaptation is realized by the construction of the model response function followed by Fourier series expansion and preservation of the linear terms in the expansion. Next, the apparatus of probability theory is used, which calculates the probability characteristics of the response function (the mean and variance). Subject to the requirements of a normal distribution of the original random variables obtained data allow us to compute probability of the reliable operation of the base

Evaluation of the damping effect of the base on the vibrations of the structure (deterministic, probabilistic and possibilistic approach)

The solution of problems of dynamic structure interaction with its base is always connected with a problem of uncertainty of initial information. Most of it concerns the properties of the base. A traditional approach to the solution of problem in such conditions is the probabilistic approach. However, in recent decades other methods are being developed, for example, the theory of possibilities, which allows estimating with incomplete statistics, when the use of probabilistic methods is incorrect. In this paper these methods are used to estimate the outflow of energy from the vibrating structure. The procedure for estimating the impact of different factors on the structure reliability with incomplete or inaccurate initial information is given

Features of Phase Transitions in Nanostructured Ferroelectric Oxides Revealed from Calorimetric Data

A short review of the study of thermal properties of the nanostructured ferroelectrics is given. An application of the modern calorimetric technique to a comparative study of phase transitions in the ferroelectric nanostructured materials (polycrystalline and epitaxial thin films, superstructures, ferroelectric heterostructures, substrate-induced ferroelectricity) is considered.

Problem solving for breast health care delivery in low and middle resource countries (LMCs): consensus statement from the Breast Health Global Initiative.

Item does not contain fulltextInternational collaborations like the Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) can help low and middle income countries (LMCs) to establish or improve breast cancer control programs by providing evidence-based, resource-stratified guidelines for the management and control of breast cancer. The Problem Solving Working Group of the BHGI 2010 Global Summit met to develop a consensus statement on problem-solving strategies addressing breast cancer in LMCs. To better assess breast cancer burden in poorly studied populations, countries require accurate statistics regarding breast cancer incidence and mortality. To better identify health care system strengths and weaknesses, countries require reasonable indicators of true health system quality and capacity. Using qualitative and quantitative research methods, countries should formulate cancer control strategies to identify both system inefficiencies and patient barriers. Patient navigation programs linked to public advocacy efforts feed and strengthen functional early detection and treatment programs. Cost-effectiveness research and implementation science are tools that can guide and expand successful pilot programs.1 april 201