The evolutionary ecology of age at natural menopause: implications for public health.

Evolutionary perspectives on menopause have focused on explaining why early reproductive cessation in females has emerged and why it is rare throughout the animal kingdom, but less attention has been given to exploring patterns of diversity in age at natural menopause. In this paper, we aim to generate new hypotheses for understanding human patterns of diversity in this trait, defined as age at final menstrual period. To do so, we develop a multilevel, interdisciplinary framework, combining proximate, physiological understandings of ovarian ageing with ultimate, evolutionary perspectives on ageing.

The impact of interventions for the primary prevention of hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is highest in the African Region with 46% of adults aged 25 and above diagnosed with hypertension, while the lowest prevalence of 35% is found in the Americas. There is sparse evidence on the approaches used to prevent hypertension in Sub-Saharan Africa and the effectiveness of these approaches. It is therefore imperative that a systematic review; which synthesises all the available evidence on the approaches and their impact is conducted to inform public health policy and practice.

The impact of approaches in improving male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV on the uptake of maternal antiretroviral therapy among HIV-seropositive pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To identify the approaches that are used in improving on male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and their impact on the uptake maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Setting: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies carried out in SSA at all levels of healthcare (primary, secondary, tertiary and community).

Participants: The participants of the studies included were HIV-positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with their male partners.

Chemokines in depression in health and in inflammatory illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Inflammatory illness is associated with depression. Preclinical work has shown that chemokines are linked with peripheral-central crosstalk and may be important in mediating depressive behaviours. We sought to establish what evidence exists that differences in blood or cerebrospinal fluid chemokine concentration discriminate between individuals with depression and those without.

Association between exposure to second-hand smoke and telomere length: cross-sectional study of 1303 non-smokers.

Background: Both active smoking and second-hand smoke (SHS) are important risk factors for many age-related diseases. Active smoking is associated with shortened telomere length. However, whether SHS accelerates telomere attrition with age is uncertain.

Impact of approaches in improving male partner involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV on the uptake of PMTCT services in sub-Saharan Africa: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Several studies have reported approaches used in improving the delivery of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV services through the involvement of male partners, but evidence from a systematic review is limited. We aim at determining the impact of male partner involvement on PMTCT in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods And Analysis: This will be a systematic review of published literature.

Recent outbreaks of infectious syphilis, United Kingdom, January 2012 to April 2014.

Six outbreaks of infectious syphilis in the United Kingdom, ongoing since 2012, have been investigated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men and women aged under 25 years. Interventions included case finding and raising awareness among healthcare professionals and the public. Targeting at-risk populations was complicated as many sexual encounters involved anonymous partners.

Quality of life following percutaneous coronary interventions in octogenarians: a systematic review.

Objective: Overall, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can improve the symptoms and quality of life (QoL) of patients with coronary artery disease. Older patients account for an increasing number and proportion of PCIs, however they are more prone to adverse events. This study systematically reviews the QoL benefits in this sub-group.

Linkage of data in the study of ethnic inequalities and inequities in health outcomes in Scotland, New Zealand and The Netherlands: insights for global study of ethnicity and health.

Reducing inequalities in health is a global priority. An essential tool in achieving this reduction is the ability to provide valid measurements of inequalities, which are comparable over time and ultimately across countries and continents. With valid data a true understanding of inequalities can be ascertained, which can begin to inform effective legislation and policy.

Clinical outcomes following radial versus femoral artery access in primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention in Scotland: retrospective cohort study of 4534 patients.

Objective: To assess short-term and medium-term outcomes following radial and femoral artery access for primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Scotland-wide.

Epidemiology Congresses XIX, XX and beyond: back to the future of population health.

The XIX World Congress of Epidemiology discussed 'Changing populations, changing diseases: epidemiology for tomorrow's world' and was able to set a benchmark for the current state for the science of population health. However, 'changing populations and changing diseases' mean that robust epidemiological enquiry is, and will continue to be, required, but most importantly, it must remain objective and relevant to the public it serves. We look forward to further discussion on population health science in tomorrow's world in three years time at the XX World Congress of Epidemiology in Anchorage, Alaska.

Public health on-call in Scotland: how much experience is sufficient?

Objectives: To quantify the out-of-hours experience obtained by public health trainees in Scotland and to assess whether this is sufficient to meet the Faculty of Public Health guidelines.

Study Design: Prospective survey.

Methods: All public health trainees in Scotland were invited to participate in a prospective survey of out-of-hours experience.

Percutaneous coronary intervention in the elderly: changes in case-mix and periprocedural outcomes in 31,758 patients treated between 2000 and 2007.

Background: The elderly account for an increasing proportion of the population and have a high prevalence of coronary heart disease. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the most common method of revascularization in the elderly. We examined whether the risk of periprocedural complications after PCI was higher among elderly (age > or =75 years) patients and whether it has changed over time.