A Smartphone-Driven Thermometer Application for Real-time Population- and Individual-Level Influenza Surveillance.

Background: Smartphone-based sensors may enable real-time surveillance of infectious diseases at population and household levels. This study evaluates the use of data from commercially available "smart thermometers," connected to a mobile phone application, for surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI).

Methods: At a population level, we analyzed the correlation between thermometer recordings and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-reported ILI activity nationally and by age group and region.

Erratum: Enzyme discovery beyond homology: a unique hydroxynitrile lyase in the Bet v1 superfamily.

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/srep46738.

Enzyme discovery beyond homology: a unique hydroxynitrile lyase in the Bet v1 superfamily.

Homology and similarity based approaches are most widely used for the identification of new enzymes for biocatalysis. However, they are not suitable to find truly novel scaffolds with a desired function and this averts options and diversity. Hydroxynitrile lyases (HNLs) are an example of non-homologous isofunctional enzymes for the synthesis of chiral cyanohydrins.

Weight Gain Trajectories Associated With Elevated C-Reactive Protein Levels in Chinese Adults.

Background: Recent longitudinal work suggests that weight change is an important risk factor for inflammation across the full range of BMI. However, few studies have examined whether the risk of inflammation differs by patterns of weight gain over time. Using latent class trajectory analysis, we test whether patterns of weight gain are associated with elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP 2-10 mg/L).

The Five-Minute Moment.

In today's hospital and clinic environment, the obstacles to bedside teaching for both faculty and trainees are considerable. As electronic health record systems become increasingly prevalent, trainees are spending more time performing patient care tasks from computer workstations, limiting opportunities to learn at the bedside. Physical examination skills rarely are emphasized, and low confidence levels, especially in junior faculty, pose additional barriers to teaching the bedside examination.

Presence of diabetes mellitus and steatosis is associated with liver stiffness in a general population: The Rotterdam study.

Unlabelled: Given that little is known about the prevalence of, and factors associated with, liver fibrosis in the general population, we aimed to investigate this in a large, well-characterized cohort by means of transient elastography (TE). This study was part of the Rotterdam Study, a population-based study among individuals ≥45 years. All participants underwent abdominal ultrasound and TE.

Increased Prevalence of Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Psoriasis: A Cross-sectional Analysis from the Rotterdam Study.

Prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increased in patients with psoriasis. However, it is not known how liver fibrosis correlates with psoriasis. This study investigated the association between psoriasis and liver fibrosis compared with participants without psoriasis within the population-based Rotterdam Study.

Characterizing long-term patterns of weight change in China using latent class trajectory modeling.

Background: Over the past three decades, obesity-related diseases have increased tremendously in China, and are now the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Patterns of weight change can be used to predict risk of obesity-related diseases, increase understanding of etiology of disease risk, identify groups at particularly high risk, and shape prevention strategies.

Methods: Latent class trajectory modeling was used to compute weight change trajectories for adults aged 18 to 66 using the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data (n = 12,611).

Eighteen year weight trajectories and metabolic markers of diabetes in modernising China.

Aims/hypothesis: Although obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, little is known about weight gain trajectories across adulthood, and whether they are differentially associated with metabolic markers of diabetes.

Methods: We used fasting blood samples and longitudinal weight data for 5,436 adults (5,734 observations, aged 18-66 years) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991-2009). Using latent class trajectory analysis, we identified different weight gain trajectories in six age and sex strata, and used multivariable general linear mixed effects models to assess elevated metabolic markers of diabetes (fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, insulin) across weight trajectory classes.

Statin therapy is associated with a reduced risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver in overweight individuals.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver or hepatic steatosis is considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Statins are often used by patients with metabolic syndrome, but their effect in steatosis is not well established.

Aims: To study the association between statins and the presence of steatosis.

Psoriasis is independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in patients 55 years old or older: Results from a population-based study.

Background: Recent case-control studies observed an increased prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with psoriasis, which is relevant in selecting optimal psoriasis treatment.

Objective: We sought to compare the prevalence of NAFLD in people with psoriasis and those without psoriasis.

Methods: This large prospective population-based cohort study (part of the Rotterdam Study) enrolled elderly participants (>55 years).

Serum liver enzymes are associated with all-cause mortality in an elderly population.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the association of serum liver enzymes with long-term outcome in the elderly. We sought to clarify the association of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in an elderly population.

Methods: This study was embedded in the Rotterdam Study, a large population-based cohort of persons aged 55 years or older.

Outcomes after management of young women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 with a 6-month observation protocol.

Objective: Recommendations regarding treatment of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 in women have evolved over the years: young women with CIN 2 may be offered observation with Pap smears and colposcopy every 6 months instead of immediate excision or ablation of disease. The purpose of this study was to observe patient follow-up during the initiation of this management protocol for young women with CIN 2.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective review of clinical outcomes of women younger than 30 years with CIN 2 on index biopsy and planned follow-up at UNC between July 2009 and August 2010.

Clinical utility of KRAS and BRAF mutations in a cohort of patients with colorectal neoplasms submitted for microsatellite instability testing.

Background: Molecular analysis has become important in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) evaluation. Alterations in KRAS, BRAF, or mismatch repair (MMR) genes may determine therapeutic response or define a hereditary cancer syndrome. Correlation of DNA studies with clinical findings will further clarify the clinical utility of these markers.

External validation of the fatty liver index for identifying nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in a population-based study.

Background & Aims: We aimed to validate the fatty liver index (FLI), an algorithm that is based on waist circumference, body mass index, and levels of triglyceride and γ-glutamyltransferase. We calculated its ability to identify fatty liver disease from any cause or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a large population of white elderly persons.

Methods: We collected ultrasonography and FLI data from participants of the Rotterdam Study from February 2009 to February 2012; 2652 subjects (mean age, 76.

Radiographic outcomes of volar locked plating for distal radius fractures.

Purpose: To assess the ability of volar locked plating to achieve and maintain normal radiographic parameters for articular stepoff, volar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance, and radial height in distal radius fractures.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 185 distal radius fractures that underwent volar locked plating with a single plate design over a 5-year period. We reviewed radiographs and recorded measurements for volar tilt, radial inclination, ulnar variance, radial height, and articular stepoff.

Prevalence and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the elderly: results from the Rotterdam study.

Background & Aims: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) appears to increase with age. However, limited data are available concerning the prevalence of NAFLD in the elderly. Our aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in an elderly population.

Assessing gonadal function after childhood ovarian surgery.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the late effects of ovarian salvage or oophorectomy on gonadal function and fertility as measured by menstrual regularity.

Methods: We performed a 10-year retrospective review of females aged 20 years or younger who required surgery to treat an ovarian disorder. A mail survey was distributed to these patients to evaluate the effects of ovarian surgery on menarche, menstrual regularity, and pregnancy.

Pivotal Advance: Arginase-1-independent polyamine production stimulates the expression of IL-4-induced alternatively activated macrophage markers while inhibiting LPS-induced expression of inflammatory genes.

In macrophages, basal polyamine (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine) levels are relatively low but are increased upon IL-4 stimulation. This Th2 cytokine induces Arg1 activity, which converts arginine into ornithine, and ornithine can be decarboxylated by ODC to produce putrescine, which is further converted into spermidine and spermine. Recently, we proposed polyamines as novel agents in IL-4-dependent E-cadherin regulation in AAMs.

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation using bipolar radiofrequency ablation in rheumatic mitral disease.

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) using bipolar radiofrequency ablation during mitral valve procedures of rheumatic etiology in heart surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical registries of 53 patients submitted to atrial ablation with bipolar radiofrequency energy during mitral valve surgery. Thirty four (64%) patients were women and the age varied from 27 to 72 years old (average: 49.

Growth hormone, dehydroepiandrosterone and adiponectin levels in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: an endocrine signature for advanced fibrosis in obese patients.

Background And Aims: Liver-related clinical consequences of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are seen only in the minority of patients with advanced fibrosis. The aim of our study was to generate insight into a potential endocrine basis of steatohepatitis with advanced fibrosis in NAFLD.

Methods: Biopsy and blood samples were prospectively collected from patients with medically complicated obesity.