Evaluating the relative importance of different blood pressure indices in screening for NAFLD: a survey report based on a health examination population.

Objective: While hypertension is a well-recognized risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the specific roles of various common blood pressure measurements [diastolic blood pressure (DBP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP)] in detecting NAFLD and evaluating the associated risk in adults remain unclear. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 14,251 adult participants undergoing health screenings in the NAfld in the Gifu Area, Longitudinal Analysis project (NAGALA). Following the Z-transformation of the independent variables, we evaluated the relationships between the four blood pressure indices and NAFLD through multivariable logistic regression models. This analysis documented the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each standard deviation (SD) increase. Additionally, the effectiveness of these indices in identifying NAFLD was comparatively analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: After adequately adjusting for confounders, all blood pressure indices except PP showed a positive correlation with NAFLD. For each SD increment, MAP had the strongest association with NAFLD compared to SBP and DBP. This finding was confirmed in populations without exercise habits, under 60 years of age, with normal blood pressure, and in non-obese groups. Furthermore, based on ROC analysis, MAP was found to have the highest accuracy in identifying NAFLD compared to the other three blood pressure indices. Conclusion: Among the four blood pressure indices evaluated, MAP demonstrates the greatest efficacy in identifying NAFLD and assessing its associated risk. These findings underscore the potential of MAP as the most promising blood pressure index for screening NAFLD.

Industry Perspective on the Use and Characterization of Polysorbates for Biopharmaceutical Products Part 2: Survey Report on Control Strategy Preparing for the Future.

Polysorbate (PS) 20 and 80 are the main surfactants used to stabilize biopharmaceutical products. Industry practices on various aspects of PS based on a confidential survey and following discussions by 16 globally acting major biotechnology companies is presented in two publications. Part 1 summarizes the current practice and use of PS during manufacture in addition to aspects like current understanding of the (in)stability of PS, the routine QC testing and control of PS, and selected regulatory aspects of PS.1 The current part 2 of the survey focusses on understanding, monitoring, prediction, and mitigation of PS degradation pathways in order to propose an effective control strategy. The results of the survey and extensive cross-company discussions are put into relation with currently available scientific literature.

Industry Perspective on the use and Characterization of Polysorbates for Biopharmaceutical Products Part 1: Survey Report on Current State and Common Practices for Handling and Control of Polysorbates.

Polysorbates (PS) are widely used as a stabilizer in biopharmaceutical products. Industry practices on various aspects of PS are presented in this part 1 survey report based on a confidential survey and following discussions by 16 globally acting major biotechnology companies. The current practice and use of PS during manufacture across their global manufacturing sites are covered in addition to aspects like current understanding of the (in)stability of PS, the routine QC testing and control of PS, and selected regulatory aspects of PS. The results of the survey and extensive cross-company discussions are put into relation with currently available scientific literature. Part 2 of the survey report (upcoming) will focus on understanding, monitoring, prediction, and mitigation of PS degradation pathways to develop an effective control strategy.

"Strengthening data quality and reporting from small-scale surveys in humanitarian settings: a case study from Yemen, 2011-2019".

BACKGROUND: Under-five death rate is one of the major indicators used in assessing the level of needs and severity of humanitarian crisis. Over the years, a number of small-scale surveys based on Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions methodology has been conducted in Yemen, these serve as a guide for policy maker and the humanitarian community. The aim of this study is to identify critical methodological and reporting weaknesses that are easy to correct and would improve substantively the quality of the results. METHODS: We obtained seventy-seven surveys conducted across 22 governorates in Yemen between 2011 and 2019 and divided the analysis period into pre-crisis (2011-2014) and crisis period (2015-2019) for comparison. We analysed survey qualities such as sampling methodology, completeness of reporting of Under-five death rate and mortality sample size for children less than five (children < 5) years old. RESULTS: Seventy-seven (71.9%) out of 107 surveys met the eligibility criteria to be included in the study. The methodological quality and reporting are as varied as the surveys. 23.4% (n = 18) met the criteria for quality of sampling methodology, while 77.9%(n = 60) presented required information for the estimation of required mortality sample size and 40.3%(n = 31) met the quality check for reporting of Under-five death rate. CONCLUSIONS: Our assessment indicated that there is no strict adherence to the sampling methodology set out in Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions guidelines, and reporting of mortality and sample size data. Adherence to methodological guidelines and complete reporting of surveys in humanitarian settings will vastly improve both the quality and uptake of key data on health and nutrition of the affected population.

Training situation of provincial-level healthcare-associated infection train-ing agencies in China / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To understand the current situation and existing problems in the training of healthcare-asso-ciated infection(HAI)management,and provide scientific basis for strengthening the management of HAI preven-tion and control system.Methods A questionnaire survey was adopted to investigate situation of training on HAI in 15 provincial-level HAI training agencies in China during the past 30 years,and basic condition of training on HAI management in recent 5 years.Results Among 15 provincial-level training agencies,66.67%(n=10)were respon-sible by HAI management quality control centers,80.00% have already conducted training in each city,53.33%carried out training for 10 to 20 times,33.34% performed training for ≤2 times per year.Of 33 728 trainees in 2011-2015,41.30% were 41-50 years old,61.82% were nursing staff,50.56% had bachelor degree,43.96%were with the intermediate professional title.Most trainers were HAI prevention and control experts in their respec-tive province,accounting for 68.07%,the curriculums were mainly designed on professional course,and only 26.78% were involved in management.Conclusion Professional structure of HAI management personnel is not reasonable,faculty is imbalance,knowledge update is lacking,and HAI training and education system need to be improved further.

A survey of sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy / 中华消化内镜杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the popularity of the sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy in mainland China.MethodsThe survey on the popularity of the sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy was conducted with questionnaires sent by e-mails or telephones to the GI endoscopy units of three levels of hospitals.ResultsFrom May,2010 to November,2010,169 units from 28 provinces (90.3％ ) were enrolled,including 46 hospitals of grade Ⅲ,91 of grade Ⅱ and 32 of grade Ⅰ.Sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed in 110 (65.1％,110/169) hospitals,i.e.93.5％ (43/46) grade Ⅲ hospitals,68.1％(62/91) grade Ⅱ hospitals and 15.6％ (5/32) grade Ⅰ hospitals.Significant difference was observed between the grade Ⅲ and the grade Ⅱ hospitals (P ＜ 0.05 ),so was between the grade Ⅱ and the grade Ⅰ hospitals ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Propofol was frequently used in sedation in 98 hospitals ( 89.1％ ).The only 9.1％( 10/110)hospitals,which had full-time anesthetists or anesthetic nurses,were all grade Ⅲ hospitals.ConclusionThere has been great progress in the popularity of sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy in mainland China during the past decade.However,it is less frequently pefformed in grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ hospitals.Shortage of full-time anesthetists is still a problem.

The decreased molar ratio of phytate:zinc improved zinc nutriture in South Koreans for the past 30 years (1969-1998).

For the assessment of representative and longitudinal Zn nutriture in South Koreans, Zn, phytate and Ca intakes were determined using four consecutive years of food consumption data taken from Korean National Nutrition Survey Report (KNNSR) every 10 years during 1969-1998. The nutrient intake data are presented for large city and rural areas. Zn intake of South Koreans in both large city and rural areas was low during 1969-1988 having values between 4.5-5.6 mg/d, after then increased to 7.4 (91% Estimated Average Requirements for Koreans, EAR = 8.1 mg/d) and 6.7 mg/d (74% EAR) in 1998 in large city and rural areas, respectively. In 1968, Zn intake was unexpectedly higher in rural areas due to higher grain consumption, but since then until 1988 Zn intake was decreased and increased back in 1998. Food sources for Zn have shifted from plants to a variety of animal products. Phytate intake of South Koreans during 1969-1978 was high mainly due to the consumption of grains and soy products which are major phytate sources, but decreased in 1998. The molar ratios of phytate:Zn and millimmolar ratio of phytatexCa:Zn were decreased due to the decreased phytate intake in South Koreans, which implies higher zinc bioavailability. The study results suggest that Zn nutriture has improved by increased dietary Zn intakes and the decreased molar ratio of phytate:Zn in South Koreans in both large city and rural areas.

The decreased molar ratio of phytate:zinc improved zinc nutriture in South Koreans for the past 30 years (1969-1998)

For the assessment of representative and longitudinal Zn nutriture in South Koreans, Zn, phytate and Ca intakes were determined using four consecutive years of food consumption data taken from Korean National Nutrition Survey Report (KNNSR) every 10 years during 1969-1998. The nutrient intake data are presented for large city and rural areas. Zn intake of South Koreans in both large city and rural areas was low during 1969-1988 having values between 4.5-5.6 mg/d, after then increased to 7.4 (91% Estimated Average Requirements for Koreans, EAR = 8.1 mg/d) and 6.7 mg/d (74% EAR) in 1998 in large city and rural areas, respectively. In 1968, Zn intake was unexpectedly higher in rural areas due to higher grain consumption, but since then until 1988 Zn intake was decreased and increased back in 1998. Food sources for Zn have shifted from plants to a variety of animal products. Phytate intake of South Koreans during 1969-1978 was high mainly due to the consumption of grains and soy products which are major phytate sources, but decreased in 1998. The molar ratios of phytate:Zn and millimmolar ratio of phytatexCa:Zn were decreased due to the decreased phytate intake in South Koreans, which implies higher zinc bioavailability. The study results suggest that Zn nutriture has improved by increased dietary Zn intakes and the decreased molar ratio of phytate:Zn in South Koreans in both large city and rural areas.