Systematic evaluation of corticosteroid use in obese and non-obese individuals: A multi-cohort study

Background: Although the use of corticosteroids has been linked to high incidence of weight gain, no data are available concerning the differences in corticosteroid use between a diverse obese population and non-obese individuals. The main purpose of this study was to systematically explore t

Extensive Phenotyping for Potential Weight-Inducing Factors in an Outpatient Population with Obesity

Background: Obesity has been associated with miscellaneous weight-inducing determinants. A comprehensive assessment of known obesity-related factors other than diet and physical activity within one cohort is currently lacking. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of potential contributors to obesity and self-reported triggers for marked weight gain in an adult population with obesity and between obesity classes. Methods: In this observational cohort study, we assessed 408 persons with obesity (aged 41.3 ± 14.2 years, BMI 40.5 ± 6.2) visiting our obesity clinic. They were evaluated for use of weight-inducing drugs, hormonal abnormalities, menarcheal age, (high) birth weight, sleep deprivation, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We additionally assessed self-reported triggers for marked weight gain and performed genetic testing in patients suspected of genetic obesity. Results: Nearly half of the patients were using a potentially weight-inducing drug, which was also the most reported trigger for marked weight gain. For the assessed hormonal conditions, a relatively high prevalence was found for hypothyroidism (14.1%), polycystic ovary syndrome (12.0%), and male hypogonadism (41.7%). A relatively low average menarcheal age (12.6 ± 1.8 years) was reported, whereas there was a high prevalence of a high birth weight (19.5%). Sleep deprivation and OSAS were reported in, respectively, 14.5 and 13.7% of the examined patients. Obesity class appeared to have no influence on the majority of the assessed factors. Of the genetically analyzed patients, a definitive genetic diagnosis was made in 3 patients (1.9%). Conclusions: A thorough evaluation of patients with obesity yields a relatively high prevalence of various potentially weight-inducing factors. Diagnostic screening of patients with obesi

Convergence and divergence of elite sport policies: is there a one-size-fits-all model to develop international sporting success?

This study is based on a detailed international comparison of the elite sport policies of 15 nations as part of the SPLISS (Sports Policy Factors Leading to International Sporting Success) study. It aims to provide deeper insights into the phenomena of convergence and divergence of elite sport policies. The research uses a mixed methods approach based on document reviews, interviews with high performance directors and surveys of 3142 athletes, 1376 coaches and 246 performance directors. There appears to be no generic blueprint for achieving international sporting success. Nations that perform well in international competition show varying patterns of relative strengths and weaknesses across nine pillars, 96 critical success factors, and 750 sub-factors. While the basic raw ingredients of the recipe might be common in broad terms, the combinations in which they are mixed are diverse. Much of this diversity appears to be driven by social, cultural and political factors

Data on the impact of scan quality on the diagnostic performance of CCTA, SPECT, and PET for diagnosing myocardial ischemia defined by fractional flow reserve on a per vessel level

Scan quality directly impacts the diagnostic performance of non-invasive imaging modalities as reported in a substudy of the PACIFC-trial: "Impact of Scan Quality on the Diagnostic Performance of CCTA, SPECT, and PET for Diagnosing Myocardial Ischemia Defined by Fractional Flow Reserve" [1]. This Data-in-Brief paper supplements the hereinabove mentioned article by presenting the diagnostic performance of CCTA, SPECT, and PET on a per vessel level for the detection of hemodynamic significant coronary artery disease (CAD) when stratified according to scan quality and vascular territory

Nurture, nature and some very dubious social skills: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of talent identification practices in elite English youth soccer

This paper reports qualitative findings regarding the concepts and practices utilised in talent identification (TI) among professional coaches working in English youth soccer. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, detailed interviews with seven such coaches are explored, with a view to elucidating the links between understanding, practice, experience and professional context. Findings reveal three superordinate themes, relating to (1) a primarily ‘nurtured’ and trainable understanding of the broad concept of talent itself, (2) an ostensibly contradictory model of semi-static player psychology, and (3) a highly selective mechanism for separating evidence for ‘mental strength’ and ‘social skills’. It is contended that these findings underscore a case for more thorough interrogation of the real worlds inhabited by coaches, such that ideas about ‘good practice’ in TI might be more effectively reconciled with grounded knowledge of the practical everyday necessities of being a coach

Automated SPECT analysis compared with expert visual scoring for the detection of FFR-defined coronary artery disease

PurposeTraditionally, interpretation of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is based on visual assessment. Computer-based automated analysis might be a simple alternative obviating the need for extensive reading experience. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic performance of automated analysis with that of expert visual reading for the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods206 Patients (64% men, age 58.2 ± 8.7 years) with suspected CAD were included prospectively. All patients underwent 99mTc-tetrofosmin single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and invasive coronary angiography with fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements. Non-corrected (NC) and attenuation-corrected (AC) SPECT images were analyzed both visually as well as automatically by commercially available SPECT software. Automated analysis comprised a segmental summed stress score (SSS), summed difference score (SDS), stress total perfusion deficit (S-TPD), and ischemic total perfusion deficit (I-TPD), representing the extent and severity of hypoperfused myocardium. Subsequently, software was optimized with an institutional normal database and thresholds. Diagnostic performances of automated and visual analysis were compared taking FFR as a reference.ResultsSensitivity did not differ significantly between visual reading and most automated scoring parameters, except for SDS, which was significantly higher than visual assessment (p ConclusionAutomated analysis of myocardial perfusion SPECT can be as accurate as visual interpretation by an expert reader in detecting significant CAD defined by FFR.</div