Comprehensive electronic medical record implementation levels not associated with 30-day all-cause readmissions within Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Regulatory standards for 30-day readmissions incentivize hospitals to improve quality of care. Implementing comprehensive electronic health record systems potentially decreases readmission rates by improving medication reconciliation at discharge, demonstrating the additional benefits of inpatient EHRs beyond improved safety and decreased errors.

OBJECTIVE

To compare 30-day all-cause readmission incidence rates within Medicare fee-for-service with heart failure discharged from hospitals with full implementation levels of comprehensive EHR systems versus those without.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study uses data from the American Hospital Association Health IT survey and Medicare Part A claims to measure associations between hospital EHR implementation levels and beneficiary readmissions. Multivariable Cox regressions estimate the hazard ratio of 30-day all-cause readmissions within beneficiaries discharged from hospitals implementing comprehensive EHRs versus those without, controlling for beneficiary health status and hospital organizational factors. Propensity scores are used to account for selection bias.

RESULTS

The proportion of heart failure patients with 30-day all-cause readmissions was 30%, 29%, and 32% for those discharged from hospitals with full, some, and no comprehensive EHR systems. Heart failure patients discharged from hospitals with fully implemented comprehensive EHRs compared to those with no comprehensive EHR systems had equivalent 30-day readmission incidence rates (HR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.73 - 1.3).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of comprehensive electronic health record systems does not necessarily improve a hospital's ability to decrease 30-day readmission rates. Improving the efficiency of post-acute care will require more coordination of information systems between inpatient and ambulatory providers.

Mid-infrared emission from In(Ga)Sb layers on InAs(Sb)

We demonstrate infrared light emission from thin epitaxially-grown In(Ga)Sb layers in InAs(Sb) matrices across a wide range (3-8 µm) of the mid-infrared spectral range. Our structures are characterized by x-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Emission is characterized by temperature- and power-dependent infrared step-scan photoluminescence spectroscopy. The epitaxial In(Ga)Sb layers are observed to form either quantum wells, quantum dots, or disordered quantum wells, depending on the insertion layer and substrate material composition. The observed optical properties of the monolayer-scale insertions are correlated to their structural properties, as determined by transmission electron and atomic force microscopy.

RNA-seq analysis of the rat placentation site reveals maternal obesity-associated changes in placental and offspring thyroid hormone signaling

INTRODUCTION

In animal models, maternal obesity (OB) leads to augmented risk of offspring OB. While placental function is influenced by maternal habitus, the effect of maternal obesity on the interacting zones of the placenta [the labyrinth (LZ), junctional (JZ) and metrial gland (MG)] remains unknown.

METHODS

Using a rat maternal obesity model, we conducted transcriptomic profiling of the utero-placental compartments and fetal liver (FL) at dpc 18.5, in conjunction with analyses of mRNA expression of key thyroid hormone (TH) signaling genes in the placenta, fetus and weanling offspring.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Gene expression analysis of placenta and offspring revealed that each utero-placental compartment responds distinctly to maternal OB with changes in inflammatory signaling, lipid metabolism and hormone stimulus being the predominant effects. OB-induced alterations in 17 genes were confirmed by qPCR, including reductions in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (Trh) in JZ. We further characterized mRNA and protein expression of TH signaling regulators including deiodinases (Dio), TH receptors (Tr), and downstream targets (uncoupling proteins (Ucp)). A concerted down-regulation of multiple facets of thyroid hormone signaling in the JZ and FL was observed. JZ expression of thyroid hormone signaling components Trh, Dio2, Trα, and Ucp2 were negatively associated with maternal leptin. mRNA expression of TRH, TRβ and UCP1 were also decreased in term placenta from OB women. Finally, our studies identified persistent impairments in expression of TH related genes in tissues from offspring of obese dams.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of lower placental thyroid expression is worthy of further study as a possible pathway that leads to low energy metabolism and obesity in animals born to obese mothers.

[The situation of neglect state among elementary and high school students aged 6-17 years in rural areas of two western provinces of China]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the neglect situation of elementary and high school students aged 6-17 years in western rural areas of China.

METHODS

Using multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method, 4 131 students were recruited from 26 rural elementary and high schools of 7 districts in Shanxi province and Chongqing from September 2012 to April 2013. The investigation was conducted based on 'The Development of Neglect Evaluation Norms and Influence Factors for Primary and Middle School Students' in rural areas of China. SAS 9.21 software was used for analyzing neglect rate and neglect degree for groups of age, sex and neglect types (including neglect of physical, emotional, medical, educational, safety and social).

RESULTS

The total neglect rate and degree were 55.50% (1 943/3 501) and 49.96 ± 9.67; the neglect rates for males and females were 56.78% (1 018/1 793) and 54.16% (925/1 708) (P = 0.119); the neglect degrees were 50.08 ± 9.31 and 49.83 ± 10.02 (P = 0.479), respectively. The girls' medical neglect rate (18.25%, 348/1 907) was significantly higher than that in boys (14.72%, 294/1 997) (P < 0.01); the boys' neglect degrees of physical, educational and social neglect (50.05 ± 10.46, 49.99 ± 10.81, 57.63 ± 14.63) were significantly higher than that in girls (49.34 ± 10.70, 49.07 ± 11.30, 56.37 ± 14.80) (P < 0.05). The total neglect rates of 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17 groups were 44.48% (310/697), 60.40% (511/846), 60.89% (601/987) and 53.66% (521/971) (P < 0.01), and the total neglect degrees among these groups were 46.89 ± 8.57, 51.88 ± 9.25, 51.88 ± 9.25 and 51.72 ± 8.89 (P < 0.01), respectively. Except the neglect rates of medical and social neglect, significant differences were found in other three neglect rates and neglect degrees. The rates of social, emotional and safety neglect in 9-11 group were higher than that in other groups (28.39% (264/930), 26.41% (239/905), 20.35% (187/919)). The 12-14 group has the highest educational neglect rate(29.41%, 317/1 078). While the physical and emotional neglect degrees in 12-14 and 15-17 group were higher than that in other groups(12-14 group: 51.59 ± 10.02, 53.43 ± 12.02, 15-17 group: 51.96 ± 9.80, 52.61 ± 11.59). The social, safety, educational and medical neglect degrees were the highest in 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-17 group (60.91 ± 13.13, 48.29 ± 11.34, 52.43 ± 10.55, 51.15 ± 17.25), respectively. The neglect rates and neglect degrees were significantly higher in minorities(68.88% (374/543) and 52.91 ± 9.14) than those in Han population (53.04% (1 569/2 958), 49.44 ± 9.67)(P < 0.01 in both indexes); and the neglect rates and neglect degrees were significantly higher in children with siblings group (58.20% (1 504/2 584), 50.58 ± 9.54) than those the in one-child group (47.87% (439/917), 48.27 ± 9.80) (P < 0.01 in both indexes); and the neglect rates and neglect degrees were significantly higher in left-hand students (61.65% (1 101/1 786), 51.41 ± 9.51) than those in living-with-parents students(49.10% (842/1 715), 48.56 ± 9.61) (P < 0.01 in both indexes).

CONCLUSION

The children neglect situation is serious in western rural areas, close attention from families, schools and the society is in urgent need.

Dysregulation in microRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of sepsis patients is associated with immunopathology

Sepsis is a major cause of death worldwide. It triggers systemic inflammation, the role of which remains unclear. In the current study, we investigated the induction of microRNA (miRNA) during sepsis and their role in the regulation of inflammation. Patients, on days 1 and 5 following sepsis diagnosis, had reduced T cells but elevated monocytes. Plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and MCP-1 dramatically increased in sepsis patients on day 1. T cells from sepsis patients differentiated primarily into Th2 cells, whereas regulatory T cells decreased. Analysis of 1163 miRNAs from PBMCs revealed that miR-182, miR-143, miR-145, miR-146a, miR-150, and miR-155 were dysregulated in sepsis patients. miR-146a downregulation correlated with increased IL-6 expression and monocyte proliferation. Bioinformatics analysis uncovered the immunological associations of dysregulated miRNAs with clinical disease. The current study demonstrates that miRNA dysregulation correlates with clinical manifestations and inflammation, and therefore remains a potential therapeutic target against sepsis.

The UV/Fenton degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A catalyzed by nanocrystalline chromium substituted magnetite

The heterogeneous UV/Fenton degradation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) catalyzed by nanocrystalline Fe3O4 and Fe2.04Cr0.96O4 was investigated, with focus on the influence of UV light and initial pH, degradation pathways and effect of Cr substation. The catalysts were prepared by a precipitation-oxidation method and characterized by chemical analysis, XRD, XAFS, TG-DSC, BET surface area and magnetometer. At pH 6.7 and under UV irradiation, almost complete degradation of TBBPA by Fe2.04Cr0.96O4 was accomplished within 240 min, and the leaching Fe ions were negligible. The substitution of chromium greatly increased the BET specific surface area and surface hydroxyl amount, which improved the heterogeneous UV/Fenton catalytic activity of magnetite. Moreover, Cr3+ on the octahedral sites enhanced the electron transfer process in the magnetite structure to accelerate the *OH generation. The produced *OH radicals preferentially attacked the C-Br bonds of TBBPA and then β-cleavaged the C-C bonds between benzene rings and isopropyl groups. The above results are of great significance for well understanding the effect of transition metal substitution on the UV/Fenton catalytic activity of magnetite and prospecting the application of magnetite minerals in environmental purification.

Visualizing cerebral veins in fetal brain using susceptibility-weighted MRI

AIM

To explore the feasibility of two-dimensional (2D) susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in the visualization of cerebral veins in the foetal brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-two pregnant healthy women (gestational age: 19-37 weeks, mean: 28.5 ± 7.1 weeks) underwent SWI examination using a 1.5 T MRI system. Two neurologists independently analysed all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. The relationship between the veins detected and the gestational age was investigated. The prominence of veins was assessed using a categorical score.

RESULTS

In total, 167 veins were detected by SWI in 29 subjects with a symmetric hemisphere distribution (p > 0.05). An additional vein was detected by SWI biweekly from 24 weeks of gestation. Most veins of Galen and internal cerebral veins on SWI images were prominent, whereas others were faint or moderate.

CONCLUSION

SWI appears to be a feasible method of detecting cerebral veins in the foetal brain.

Abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity observed in treatment-naive post-traumatic stress disorder patients following an earthquake

BACKGROUND

Convergent studies have highlighted the dysfunction of the amygdala, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only a few studies have investigated the functional connectivity between brain regions in PTSD patients during the resting state, which may improve our understanding of the neuropathophysiology of PTSD. The aim of this study was to investigate patterns of whole-brain functional connectivity in treatment-naive PTSD patients without co-morbid conditions who experienced the 8.0-magnitude earthquake in the Sichuan province of China.

METHOD

A total of 72 PTSD patients and 86 trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls participated in the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study. All these subjects were recruited from the disaster zone of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. Functional connectivities between 90 paired brain regions in PTSD patients were compared with those in trauma-exposed non-PTSD controls. Furthermore, Pearson correlation analysis was performed between significantly abnormal connectivities in PTSD patients and their clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS) scores.

RESULTS

Compared with non-PTSD controls, PTSD patients showed weaker positive connectivities between the middle prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the amygdala, hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus and rectus, as well as between the inferior orbitofrontal cortex and the hippocampus. In addition, PTSD patients showed stronger negative connectivity between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the insula. The CAPS scores in PTSD patients correlated negatively with the connectivity between the amygdala and the mPFC.

CONCLUSIONS

PTSD patients showed abnormalities in whole-brain functional connectivity, primarily affecting the connectivities between the mPFC and limbic system, and connectivity between the PCC and insula.

Characterization of glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor (GLP2R) gene in chickens: functional analysis, tissue distribution, and developmental expression profile of GLP2R in embryonic intestine

This study characterized the glucagon-like peptide 2 receptor (GLP2R) gene of chickens because relatively little is known about the underlying mechanism of GLP2 actions in nonmammalian species. With the use of reverse transcription PCR, we first cloned the chicken GLP2R (cGLP2R) from adult intestine, which was predicted to encode a 529-amino acid receptor precursor. With the use of a pGL3-CRE luciferase reporter system, we demonstrated that cGLP2R expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells could be potently activated by cGLP2 (half maximal effective concentration, 1.06 nM) but not by its structurally related peptides, including the newly identified glucagon-like peptide, indicating that cGLP2R is a functional receptor specific to cGLP2. Reverse transcription PCR assay revealed that cGLP2R mRNA was widely expressed in adult chicken tissues, including pancreas and various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. With the use of quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR assays, we further investigated the mRNA expression of cGLP2R and its potential downstream mediators, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligands (heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, epiregulin, and amphiregulin), in the distal duodenum of developing embryos. The mRNA expression levels of GLP2R and EGFR ligands (heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and amphiregulin) were shown to increase (P < 0.05 or 0.01) during the late embryonic stages (E16 and E20), implying a potential coordinated action of GLP2 and EGFR ligands on embryonic intestine development. Taken together, our findings not only establish a molecular basis to explore the physiological roles of GLP2 in birds, but they also provide comparative insights into the roles of GLP2R and its ligand in vertebrates, such as its roles in embryonic intestine development.

Height, its components, and coagulability among older Chinese: the Guangzhou biobank cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The causal role of some cardiovascular risk factors, such as HDL cholesterol, has been increasingly challenged and attention is returning to all elements of Virchow's triad, i.e., hypercoagulability (including viscosity) as well as endothelial function and blood flow. We examined the life course origins of coagulability.

METHODS

We used multivariable linear regression to assess whether childhood influences, proxied by height and its components, were associated with hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (HGB), and other hematological parameters in 28,595 older Chinese adults (mean age = 61.8 years) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.

RESULTS

Adjusted for age, sex, and recruitment phase, leg length was negatively associated with platelets (PLT) (-0.83 × 10(9) /l per centimeter (cm), 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.01 to -0.65). Sitting height and height were positively associated with Hct (0.05% per cm, 95% CI 0.04-0.07 for sitting height; 0.02% per cm, 95% CI 0.01-0.02 for height), HGB (0.21 g/l per cm, 95% CI 0.17-0.25; 0.07 g/l per cm, 95% CI 0.04-0.09) and negatively associated with PLT (-1.2 × 10(9) /l per cm, 95% CI -1.4 to -1.0; -0.83 × 10(9) /l per cm, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.70). Further adjustment for potential confounders did little to change the estimates.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time we provide anthropometric evidence for the different roles of prepubertal and pubertal influences in relation to Hct and HGB. Whether factors that promote leg growth but reduce growth of sitting height may help to prevent cardiovascular events, via effects on hypercoagulability or viscosity, overall or in specific subgroups, remains to be determined.

Interleukin-37 ameliorates myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Innate immune and inflammatory responses are involved in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interleukin (IL)-37 is a newly identified member of the IL-1 family, and functions as a fundamental inhibitor of innate immunity and inflammation. However, its role in myocardial I/R injury remains unknown. I/R or sham operations were performed on male C57BL/6J mice. I/R mice received an injection of recombinant human IL-37 or vehicle, immediately before reperfusion. Compared with vehicle treatment, mice treated with IL-37 showed an obvious amelioration of the I/R injury, as demonstrated by reduced infarct size, decreased cardiac troponin T level and improved cardiac function. This protective effect was associated with the ability of IL-37 to suppress production of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines and neutrophil infiltration, which together contributed to a decrease in cardiomyocyte apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, we found that IL-37 inhibited the up-regulation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) activation after I/R, while increasing the anti-inflammatory IL-10 level. Moreover, the administration of anti-IL-10R antibody abolished the protective effects of IL-37 in I/R injury. In-vitro experiments further demonstrated that IL-37 protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis under I/R condition, and suppressed the migration ability of neutrophils towards the chemokine LIX. In conclusion, IL-37 plays a protective role against mouse myocardial I/R injury, offering a promising therapeutic medium for myocardial I/R injury.

Dysregulation in microRNA expression is associated with alterations in immune functions in combat veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder

While the immunological dysfunction in combat Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been well documented, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The current study evaluated the role of microRNA (miR) in immunological dysfunction associated with PTSD. The presence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and various lymphocyte subsets in blood collected from PTSD patients were analyzed. Our studies demonstrated that the numbers of both PBMC and various lymphocyte subsets increased significantly in PTSD patients. When T cells were further analyzed, the percentage of Th1 cells and Th17 cells increased, regulatory T cells(Tregs) decreased, while Th2 cells remained unaltered in PTSD patients. These data correlated with increased plasma levels of IFN-γ and IL-17 while IL-4 showed no significant change. The increase in PBMC counts, Th1 and Th17 cells seen in PTSD patients correlated with the clinical scores. High-throughput analysis of PBMCs for 1163 miRs showed that the expression of a significant number of miRs was altered in PTSD patients. Pathway analysis of dysregulated miRs seen in PTSD patients revealed relationship between selected miRNAs and genes that showed direct/indirect role in immunological signaling pathways consistent with the immunological changes seen in these patients. Of interest was the down-regulation of miR-125a in PTSD, which specifically targeted IFN-γ production. Together, the current study demonstrates for the first time that PTSD was associated with significant alterations in miRNAs, which may promote pro-inflammatory cytokine profile. Such epigenetic events may provide useful tools to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, and facilitate therapy of PTSD.

Kinetics of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) reactions with H₂SO₄, HNO₃ and HCl: implication for hydrometallurgy of electronic wastes

Hydrometallurgy is an acid leaching based process widely used for recovering precious metals from electronic wastes (e-wastes). The effects of acid leaching on the fate of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in typical hydrometallurgical processes remain largely unknown. This study was aimed at evaluating the fate of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a commonly used BFR, in three acid leaching reagents (i.e. H2SO4, HNO3, and HCl) commonly used in hydrometallurgy. It was found that the reactions of TBBPA with concentrated H2SO4 followed a pseudo-zero-order rate and the reaction rates declined rapidly as the concentrations of H2SO4 decreased. In contrast, TBBPA could be easily transformed in less concentrated HNO3 solutions (<21.7 wt%) and the reactions followed a pseudo-first-order rate. The reaction products identified by GC-MS indicated different transformation pathways of TBBPA in H2SO4 and HNO3. HCl or HCl/H2SO4 mixtures (3:1, v/v) did not appear to react with TBBPA, while aqua regia (3:1 HCl/HNO3, v/v) reacted violently with TBBPA and led to almost complete disappearance of TBBPA within a minute. It suggested that HNO3 significantly affected the fate of TBBPA and the use of HNO3 as leaching reagents in hydrometallurgy of e-wastes should be carefully evaluated. Collectively, our findings of distinct fate of TBBPA in different acid leaching reagents provided fundamental information for design of hydrometallurgical treatment of e-wastes to minimize acid reactions with BFRs within plastics matrix and to maximize acid leaching efficiency for metals recycling processes.

Maternal obesity is associated with a lipotoxic placental environment

Maternal obesity is associated with placental lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation, where MAPK activity may play a central role. Accordingly, we have previously shown that placenta from obese women have increased activation of MAPK-JNK. Here, we performed RNA-sequencing on term placenta from twenty-two subjects who were dichotomized based on pre-pregnancy BMI into lean (BMI 19-24 kg/m(2); n = 12) and obese groups (BMI, 32-43 kg/m(2); n = 12). RNA-seq revealed 288 genes to be significantly different in placenta from obese women by ≥ 1.4-fold. GO analysis identified genes related to lipid metabolism, angiogenesis, hormone activity, and cytokine activity to be altered in placenta from obese women. Indicative of a lipotoxic environment, increased placental lipid and CIDEA protein were associated with decreased AMPK and increased activation of NF-κB (p65) in placenta from obese women. Furthermore, we observed a 25% decrease in total antioxidant capacity and increased nuclear FOXO4 localization in placenta from obese women that was significantly associated with JNK activation, suggesting that maternal obesity may also be associated with increased oxidative stress in placenta. Maternal obesity was also associated with decreased HIF-1α protein expression, suggesting a potential link between increased inflammation/oxidative stress and decreased angiogenic factors. Together, these findings indicate that maternal obesity leads to a lipotoxic placental environment that is associated with decreased regulators of angiogenesis and increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Expression, regulation and function of microRNAs in multiple sclerosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded 19-25 nucleotide-long RNAs and have an important role in post-transcriptional gene silencing. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs are dysregulated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). For instance, miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-146a, miR-146b, miR-155 and miR-326 were up-regulated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and brain white matter lesions from MS patients and mouse model as well. These up-regulated miRNAs may be used as a signature for MS and play critical roles in MS pathogenesis. Moreover, miR-15a, miR-19a, miR-22, miR-210 and miR-223 were up-regulated in both regulatory T cells (Tregs) and other samples such as plasma, blood cells, PBMCs and brain white matter tissues from MS patients, suggesting that these up-regulated miRNAs and Tregs may also play a role in MS pathogenesis. Contrarily, other miRNAs such as miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-181c and miR-328 were down-regulated in MS. Drugs such as interferon-β and glatiramer acetate for MS treatment may regulate miRNA expression and thus have benefits for MS patients. The dysregulated miRNAs such as miR-155 and miR-326 may be used as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for MS.