ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several small sample-size observational studies evaluated the association of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with atrial fibrillation (AF), but the results were contradictory. We aimed to perform a meta-analysis of relevant studies to evaluate the availability of this association.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We performed an extensive literature search on PubMed, Web of Science (WOS) and the Cochrane Library databases. Pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the strength of association using random effects models. We performed sensitivity and subgroup analyses to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. We also estimated publication biases. Statistical analyses were performed using the STATA 12.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 11 studies including 777 cases and 870 controls were finally analyzed. Overall, the brain natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels were higher in atrial fibrillation patients than controls without atrial fibrillation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>showed that the SMD in the natriuretic peptide levels between cases and controls was 2.68 units (95% CI 1.76 to 3.60); test for overall effect z-score = 5.7 (P < 0.001). There was significant heterogeneity between individual studies (I(2) = 97.8%; P < 0.001). Further analysis revealed that differences in the assay of natriuretic peptide possibly account for this heterogeneity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Increased BNP/NT-proBNP levels were associated with the presence of atrial fibrillation. This finding indicates that BNP/NT-proBNP may prove to be a biomarker of an underlying predisposition to AF.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Atrial Fibrillation , Blood , Biomarkers , Blood , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain , Blood , Peptide Fragments , BloodABSTRACT
Objective To understand the status of mental health among left-behind children in rural area and to explore its relationship with social capital.Methods A sample of 1 031 leftbehind children,aged 10-18 years,was randomly selected from six schools of two townships in Macheng city of Hubei province where large number of rural parents were working in the urban area.Data from a cross-sectional survey was collected among the sampled students from primary,middle and high schools,using self-designed questionnaires which targeting the ‘ left-behind’ condition and social capital Mental Health Inventory of Middle-School Students (MMHI-60).Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in mental health among different groups.Spearman correlation and logistical regression analysis were applied to assess the relationship between social capital and mental health.Results The prevalence of mental problems was 54.12％.Results from linear x2 test indicated that the detection rates of mental problems were parallel with the monthly pocket money and the reduction in the frequency of contacting migrant father/mother (P＜0.01).Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that students who were senior (OR=2.410-2.682,P＜0.001),and who reported not caring about their parents (OR =2.048-2.420,P＜ 0.001) were at increased risks for mental health problems.After controlling the demographic characteristics and conditions of staying relevant factors,family social capital (OR =0.845,95％ CI:0.801-0.891),neighborhood social capital (OR=0.867,95％CI:0.826-0.910) and school social capital (OR=0.893,95％CI:0.863-0.923) were all associated with declined risks of mental health problems,in which the family social capital was the most important one.Conclusion The prevalence of mental health problems was high among the left-behind children in rural area.Much attention should be paid to assist these children in improving their mental health status.One promising approach appeared to be improving social capitals which would include family social capital,neighborhood social capital,and school social capital to assist these children from avoiding mental health problems.