Management of optic disc pit maculopathy: the European VitreoRetinal society optic pit study.

Purpose: To evaluate a variety of techniques, and their anatomical and functional results, for the treatment of optic disc pit maculopathy (ODP-M). A secondary aim was to report on results of secondary procedures in cases of initial failure or recurrence.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective study of 95 eyes with ODP-M, treated by 25 surgeons from 12 countries.

The Relationship between Insulin Resistance and Spatial QRS-T Angle in American Adults.

Background: Insulin resistance can impair the electrical conductivity of the heart. Spatial QRS-T axis reflects ventricular depolarization and repolarization. The relationship between insulin resistance and spatial QRS-T angle has not been examined in the general population.

A case-control study of occupational risk factors for pancreatic cancer in poultry plant workers: a random forest approach.

Background: Poultry plant workers are exposed to chemical carcinogens and oncogenic viruses in their work environment. Our objective was to identify jobs and workplaces related to poultries that could increase the pancreatic cancer risk.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study within a defined cohort of poultry workers.

Intraoperative Complications and Visual Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Diabetes Mellitus: A Multicenter Database Study.

Purpose: To compare the visual outcome and the rate of intraoperative complications in eyes of diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing phacoemulsification over 15 years.

Design: Retrospective clinical cohort study.

Methods: Data of 179,159 eyes that underwent phacoemulsification at 8 centers were classified based on the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus.

Evaluation of lead body burden in US adolescents.

The objective was to examine key determinants in the body burden of lead in adolescents as lead poisoning remains a major public health challenge. Data from 2,925 teenagers aged 12-18 older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2012 were analyzed. Lead in both blood and urine was significantly correlated among individuals.

Race, Nativity, and Sex Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Young Adults in the USA.

Research has demonstrated that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is a safe and effective way to decrease HPV-related cervical cancers; however, the vaccination rate in the USA is suboptimal. The current study examined racial and ethnic disparities in HPV vaccination among a nationally representative sample, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI). This study also investigated the associations between nativity and vaccination, and sex differences between race/ethnicity and vaccination and nativity and vaccination.

Training cosmetology students in Arkansas to help dermatologists find skin cancers earlier: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Background: We tested an educational video in cosmetology schools to increase students' knowledge about skin cancer, sun-safety practices, identifying suspicious lesions and recommending clients consult a dermatologist when a suspicious lesion is observed.

Methods: We used a cluster-randomized controlled study design to randomize 22 cosmetology schools to receive our educational video or a publicly accessible healthy lifestyle video (control).

Results: Students who received the intervention were more likely than controls to increase their knowledge of skin cancer, risk factors and how to identify potential skin cancers (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval = 2.

Metabolic syndrome and P-wave duration in the American population.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome has a high prevalence in the United States. P-wave duration is a valuable indicator for atrial electrical conduction. Abnormalities in atrial electrical conduction can predispose to atrial fibrillation.

Consumption of Vitamin K and Vitamin A Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Developing Emphysema: NHANES 2007-2016.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) comprising of emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common chronic respiratory diseases that impart a huge economic and clinical burden. Factors other than smoking and air pollutants can cause inflammation and emphysematous changes in the lung airspaces or alveoli have been understudied. Using a cross-sectional study design, we assessed the association of dark green vegetables, vitamin K and Vitamin A with emphysema status among adults at U.

The Influence of Diabetes Status on the Rate of Cataract Surgery Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the association between diabetic status and the rates of cataract extraction (CE) following pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Design: Retrospective cohort, multicenter database study.

Participants: Patients were selected from an insurance claims database (PharMetrics LifeLink) that included persons who had filed claims between 2006 and 2015 in the United States.

The difference between hypertension determined by self-report versus examination in the adult population of the USA: Continuous NHANES 1999-2016.

Background: Studies have considered the validity of self-reported hypertension relative to hypertension detected by examination; no study has explored trends in the difference between these two measures. Our objective was to calculate these differences overtime within subpopulations of the USA.

Methods: We included non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 1999 to 2016, in the analysis (N = 44 333).

The association of metabolic syndrome and QRS|T angle in US adults (NHANES III).

Background: Spatial QRS|T angle is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Those with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the association between metabolic syndrome and spatial QRS|T angle.

Corrigendum to "Oral Health Knowledge and Behavior among Adults in the United Arab Emirates".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2019/7568679.].

Using Machine Learning to Predict Progression in the Gastric Precancerous Process in a Population from a Developing Country Who Underwent a Gastroscopy for Dyspeptic Symptoms.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Morbidity and mortality from gastric cancer may be decreased by identification of those that are at high risk for progression in the gastric precancerous process so that they can be monitored over time for early detection and implementation of preventive strategies.

Method: Using machine learning, we developed prediction models for gastric precancerous progression in a population from a developing country with a high rate of gastric cancer who underwent gastroscopies for dyspeptic symptoms.

A Case-Cohort Study to Investigate the Excess of Liver Cancer Observed in Workers in Poultry Slaughtering & Processing Plants.

This is a case-cohort study to examine whether the excess of liver cancer deaths observed in workers in poultry plants could be explained by oncogenic viruses and chemical carcinogenic exposures within the plants. A detailed telephone questionnaire was administered, and responses were analyzed by logistic regression. Odds ratios for several indicators of high exposure to oncogenic viruses or chemical carcinogens in poultry plants and related industries were elevated, but not statistically significant, except the odds ratio for direct contact with the blood of meat in kitchens, eating places, etc.

The Association between Salt and Potential Mediators of the Gastric Precancerous Process.

Background: The process by which salt affects the gastric precancerous process has not been adequately studied in humans.

Methods: We investigated the effects of salt on gastric inflammation, epithelial damage, the density of infection, and gastric epithelial cell proliferation, all of which may be mediators between salt and gastric precancerous/cancerous lesions. These potential mediators were measured using gastric biopsies as: (a) the density of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells (gastric inflammation), (b) mucus depletion (gastric epithelial damage), and (c) the severity of infection.

Association between Dietary Salt Intake and Progression in the Gastric Precancerous Process.

Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Studies investigating the effect of salt on gastric cancer have mainly used self-reported measures, which are not as accurate as sodium/creatinine ratios because individuals may not know the amount of salt in their food. Using data from a prospective cohort study, we investigated the effect of salt intake on progression to gastric precancerous lesions.

Oral Health Knowledge and Behavior among Adults in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: The prevalence of periodontal diseases is increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite a worldwide decline in the prevalence of dental caries among children and adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the levels of oral health knowledge and health-related behavior in adult UAE residents, and the relationship between these variables and oral health.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey with nonprobability sampling was used in this study.

Excess lung cancer occurrence in poultry plants. Occupational risk factors: Findings for oncogenic viruses exposure and other occupational exposures.

Certain viruses naturally infect and cause cancer in chickens and turkeys. Humans are widely exposed. The viruses cause cancer in primates, and transform human cells in vitro, but it is not known if they cause cancer in humans, mainly because of the lack of epidemiologic evidence.

A Database Study of Visual Outcomes and Intraoperative Complications of Postvitrectomy Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To analyze the visual outcomes and rate of intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification surgery after prior pars plana vitrectomy (PPV).

Design: Retrospective, multicenter database study.

Participants: Eyes that underwent phacoemulsification between June 2005 and March 2015 at 8 sites in the United Kingdom.

The relation of blood lead and QRS-T angle in American adults.

The QRS-T angle is a key ECG predictor for ventricular arrhythmia. Lead has a strong relation with cardiovascular diseases; however, no study has been conducted to investigate the association between lead exposure and QRS-T angle. Thus, we explored this association in a population-based representative sample: NHANES III.

Association Between Urinary Cadmium and QRS|T Angle Among Adults in the United States.

Objective: Cadmium's effect on QRS|T angle has not been studied. An abnormal QRS|T angle deviation may increase the risk for ventricular dysrhythmias.

Methods: We calculated the orientation of spatial QRS|T angle using QRS and T amplitudes of leads V2, V5, V6, and AVF from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III.

The Association between SNPs and a Quantitative Trait: Power Calculation.

A power calculation for a study with a quantitative outcome requires information on the outcome distribution under the alternative hypothesis. Researchers face challenges when they concisely specify alternative distributions in genetic studies because power depends on genotype frequencies and the average effect of each genotype. In GWAS, investigators evaluate hundreds of thousands of associations; therefore it is unrealistic to specify gene frequencies and gene effects for each test and some simplification is needed.

Risk of Acute Kidney Injury after Percutaneous Pharmacomechanical Thrombectomy Using AngioJet in Venous and Arterial Thrombosis.

Background: Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy is commonly used to treat acute thrombotic syndromes. AngioJet (AJ) forcibly sprays fibrinolytics to fragment and aspirate thrombus. It is known to cause hemolysis and gross hematuria, yet potential consequences to renal function after AJ remain unstudied.

Community Team-Based Care for Hypertension Management: A Public-Private Partnership in Rural Arkansas.

Hypertension is a major public health problem in Arkansas. Team-based care (TBC), delivered by health care professionals such as a nurse, dietician, social worker, or community health worker rather than a physician alone, has been shown to improve blood pressure control.