(JAMA Network) Death certificate data were used to compare the rate of opioid-related deaths in the US among cancer survivors with that of the general population from 2006 through 2016. Whether opioid-associated deaths in cancer survivors, who are often prescribed opioids for cancer-related pain, are rising at the same rate as in the general population is unknown.

Webinar Research Event

Event participants

Mohammed Masbah, Director, Moroccan Institute for Policy Analysis; Associate Fellow, MENA Programme, Chatham House
Moderator: Lina Khatib, Director, MENA Programme, Chatham House

This week it’s David Price in the hosting seat to dig into two meaty tech topics: how does Netflix buy and develop its massive content library, and why is Fortnite such a sensation?

Helping him dig into Netflix is Computerworld UK editor Scott Carey, with our new entertainment and lifestyle editor at Tech Advisor Dominic Preston joining in.

Then staff writer at Tech Advisor Sean Bradley is on hand to talk about how Fortnite has become such a sensation, and if it is built to last.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The composition-function relationship of HDL particles and its effects on the mechanisms driving coronary heart disease (CHD) is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that the functionality of HDL particles is significantly influenced by their lipid composition. Using a novel 3D-separation method, we isolated five different-sized HDL subpopulations from CHD patients who had low preβ-1 functionality (low-F) (ABCA1-dependent cholesterol-efflux normalized for preβ-1 concentration) and controls who had either low-F or high preβ-1 functionality (high-F). Molecular numbers of apoA-I, apoA-II, and eight major lipid classes were determined in each subpopulation by LC-MS. The average number of lipid molecules decreased from 422 in the large spherical α-1 particles to 57 in the small discoid preβ-1 particles. With decreasing particle size, the relative concentration of free cholesterol (FC) decreased in α-mobility but not in preβ-1 particles. Preβ-1 particles contained more lipids than predicted; 30% of which were neutral lipids (cholesteryl ester and triglyceride), indicating that these particles were mainly remodeled from larger particles not newly synthesized. There were significant correlations between HDL-particle functionality and the concentrations of several lipids. Unexpectedly, the phospholipid:FC ratio was significantly correlated with large-HDL-particle functionality but not with preβ-1 functionality. There was significant positive correlation between particle functionality and total lipids in high-F controls, indicating that the lipid-binding capacity of apoA-I plays a major role in the cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL particles. Functionality and lipid composition of HDL particles are significantly correlated and probably both are influenced by the lipid-binding capacity of apoA-I.

Monogenic forms of obesity have been identified in ≤10% of severely obese European patients. However, the overall spectrum of deleterious variants (point mutations and structural variants) responsible for childhood severe obesity remains elusive. In this study, we genetically screened 225 severely obese children from consanguineous Pakistani families through a combination of techniques including an in-house developed augmented whole-exome sequencing (CoDE-seq) enabling simultaneous detection of whole exome copy number variations (CNVs) and of point mutations in coding regions. We identified 110 probands (49%) carrying 55 different pathogenic point mutations and CNVs in 13 genes/loci responsible for non-syndromic and syndromic monofactorial obesity. CoDE-seq also identified 28 rare or novel CNVs associated with intellectual disability in 22 additional obese subjects (10%). Additionally, we highlight variants in candidate genes for obesity warranting further investigation. Altogether, 59% of the studied cohort are likely to have a discrete genetic cause with 13% of these due to CNVs demonstrating a remarkably higher prevalence of monofactorial obesity than hitherto reported and a plausible over lapping of obesity and intellectual disabilities in several cases. Finally, inbred populations with high prevalence of obesity, provide a unique genetically enriched material in quest of new genes/variants influencing energy balance.

Mariano J Garcia
Feb 1, 1974; 23:105-111
Original Contribution

Joachim Spranger
Mar 1, 2003; 52:812-817
Pathophysiology

One of the most rapidly aging societies in the world, Japan is looking to immigration to address increased labor shortages—albeit slowly and largely without public debate. This country profile offers a brief overview of Japan’s migration history and examines the current immigration system, in particular policies and programs to bring in foreign workers, particularly on a temporary basis.

With nearly 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), Ukraine is home to one of the largest IDP populations in the world. Five years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, displaced Ukrainians continue to face challenges related to national identity, social cohesion, and political participation. While the Ukrainian government has had some success integrating IDPs, the conflict’s end remains uncertain, and many are unlikely to return to their communities of origin no matter the outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To improve outcomes of patients with adult type 2 diabetes by decreasing HbA_1c undertesting, reducing the proportion of patients with poor glycemic control, and lowering mean HbA_1c levels using a quality improvement (QI) program.

Edward A. Chow
Jul 1, 2012; 30:130-133
Diabetes Advocacy

OBJECTIVE

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with dyslipidemia, but the detailed alterations in lipid species preceding the disease are largely unknown. We aimed to identify plasma lipids associated with development of T2DM and investigate their associations with lifestyle.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the differences in health care costs according to glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the contemporaneous prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in Scotland and study its cross-sectional association with risk factors and other diabetic complications.

Kalevi Pyörälä
Mar 1, 1979; 2:131-141
Proceedings of the Kroc Foundation International Conference on Epidemiology of Diabetes and its Macrovascular Complications

Johanna M Mooy
Sep 1, 1995; 18:1270-1273
Short Report

OBJECTIVE

To determine the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), microvascular complications, and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes who subsequently develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) compared with patients with type 2 diabetes without a diagnosis of OSA.

The eligibility criteria for special education services is black and white. (I'm not talking about the color of skin.) Either the student fits the criteria or does not fit the criteria. The committee comes together with all the test data and then reviews the criteria for each disability. Either the student is eligible or not. They meet the criteria or they do not meet the criteria. Sounds easy, right? The kids who obviously fit the criteria easily qualify for special education services. The kids who clearly do not fit criteria for special education do not qualify for special education services. It should just be that easy. Sometimes it is.

I've been in the field long enough to see that eligibility is not always this magical process that determines special education from regular education. Sometimes eligibility decisions are a nightmare. What about all the gray kids that aren't clearly black or white?! For some kids, determining if they meet the criteria is tough. The black and white criteria makes it difficult to know what to do for the gray kids. The most difficult eligibility meetings are the ones where some members feel the student meets criteria and other members do not. These can lead to heated discussions. There are sometimes different ways to look at data and opinions of how to look at it may vary. Remember that the real issue the student who is cared about by school staff and especially parents which makes the decision emotional. It can be hard to be objective at times. It is not uncommon to hear "but they need it," even when the data does not support it.

There are kids who qualify for special education services at one point, then are found ineligible at another time. Sometimes this happens because the student has made improvements and no longer requires special education services to be successful. Other times this happens because criteria has changed, the criteria is slightly different in a new different school system, or because test data is slightly different after a few years. In my opinion, this is when the system and criteria fails. I'd like to see ways to address the students who at one time fit the criteria, no longer fit criteria, but still require services.

Why is the criteria so rigid? The main reason is because special education is funded by the government and they keep a tight reign on eligibility criteria. School staff is pressured by the administration, who is pressured by the State, who is pressured by the Federal government. There is a call for identification to be accurate to ensure that funds are properly spent. The only way the government can determine if the funds are being used appropriately is to enforce that schools are using clear criteria guidelines for identification.

All that being said, I believe in the process (for the most part). However, it's created by humans meaning there will be errors. If I had a say, I'd make some changes. I do believe there needs to be criteria. No matter who sets the criteria there will always be those gray kids that are just right on the border of eligible or not eligible. The worst mistake that can be made in my opinion is telling a family that the child has a disability when in fact the child does not. The child grows up with the belief that he or she has a disabling condition, when that could have been prevented. Disability identification can be life changing for a person. That is why I believe we need criteria. A strong opinion by a teacher or parent that "she needs it" is not enough data for me to look a child and say they are struggling because of a disability.

Want to learn more about the eligibility process?
Eligibility Process FAQ
What every parent needs to know about the referral process
Ineligible for special education

2017 saw the introduction of several bills—two of them by Senate Republicans in the weeks following the Trump administration’s announcement that it would terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—that would provide a pathway to conditional and then legal permanent residence to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, if they meet a range of educational, professional, and other criteria.

This fact sheet and accompanying interactive data tools provide characteristics of the estimated 11.3 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States, using a unique MPI methodology that assigns legal status to U.S. Census Bureau data. The fact sheet and tools offer statistics on these immigrants’ origins, U.S. destinations, educational attainment, English proficiency, employment, income, home ownership, and more.

Testimony of Marc Rosenblum before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs for the March 26, 2015 hearing on the characteristics of unauthorized immigrants in the United States and how to address future flows.

Pennsylvania Avenue, would placing some of them in zoos be unethical? Would they be considered human enough to receive human rights?

The Houston metro area, home to 1.6 million immigrants, is diverse and rapidly growing. This report sketches the area's immigrant population, examining top origin countries, key socioeconomic measures, and more. It also explores how Hurricane Harvey affected the immigrant population, and how national policy changes under the Trump administration are being felt locally, including by DACA recipients and asylum seekers.

Dual Language Learners (DLLs) are a growing segment of the Minnesota young child population, and a particularly "superdiverse" one with myriad origins, cultures, and languages—a new reality other states and communities will face. Drawing on interviews with policymakers and service providers, as well as analysis of census data, this report examines what this incredible diversity means for the state’s early childhood policies and programs.

The future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is uncertain, amid skepticism from the Trump administration about its merits and the promise of legal challenge from ten state attorneys general. This issue brief presents a profile of young adults eligible for DACA in terms of their educational attainment and labor force participation, as well as what is at stake should the program be terminated.

This MPI webinar brought together public health and migration experts to analyze the impact that COVID-19 preventative measures will have on vulnerable immigrants and refugees in Latin America, with a particular look at Colombia as a case study. Speakers also discussed how policymakers and international organizations can include migrant populations in their emergency response plans.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether high glucose levels in the normoglycemic range and higher have a causal genetic effect on risk of retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, chronic kidney disease (CKD), peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and myocardial infarction (MI; positive control) in the general population.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to reveal the associations between the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes and the duration of antidepressant use and the antidepressant dose, and between antidepressant use after diabetes onset and clinical outcomes.

Hey, it’s been quite some time without updates on this front, but our latest updates to our Android and iOS…

This MPI webinar brought together public health and migration experts to analyze the impact that COVID-19 preventative measures will have on vulnerable immigrants and refugees in Colombia and Latin America. Speakers also discussed how policymakers and international organizations can include migrant populations in their emergency response plans.

Wilfred Fujimoto
Apr 1, 2013; 31:90-94
Diabetes Advocacy

Edward A. Chow
Jul 1, 2012; 30:130-133
Diabetes Advocacy

Two-thirds of children report eating this food weekly.

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In five northern U.S. states, black students comprise more than a fifth of ELL enrollment.

Popular Medicine in America presents materials from the Library Company of Philadelphia’s extensive collection. The resource documents the history of ‘popular’ medicine in America during the nineteenth century, featuring a wide variety of material that was aimed at the general public rather than medical professionals, and which enabled the ordinary person to treat himself and his family at home using an array of inventive methods and fashionable techniques

Londres : Paris, 1860.

London : Macmillan, 1874-1876.

In five northern U.S. states, black students comprise more than a fifth of ELL enrollment.

Erlandson F. Saraiva, Adriano K. Suzuki, Luís A. Milan.

Source: Brazilian Journal of Probability and Statistics, Volume 34, Number 2, 323--344.

Abstract:
In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian approach for clustering data using a sparse finite mixture model (SFMM). The SFMM is a finite mixture model with a large number of components $k$ previously fixed where many components can be empty. In this model, the number of components $k$ can be interpreted as the maximum number of distinct mixture components. Then, we explore the use of a prior distribution for the weights of the mixture model that take into account the possibility that the number of clusters $k_{mathbf{c}}$ (e.g., nonempty components) can be random and smaller than the number of components $k$ of the finite mixture model. In order to determine clusters we develop a MCMC algorithm denominated Split-Merge allocation sampler. In this algorithm, the split-merge strategy is data-driven and was inserted within the algorithm in order to increase the mixing of the Markov chain in relation to the number of clusters. The performance of the method is verified using simulated datasets and three real datasets. The first real data set is the benchmark galaxy data, while second and third are the publicly available data set on Enzyme and Acidity, respectively.

Mohd Arshad, Omer Abdalghani.

Source: Brazilian Journal of Probability and Statistics, Volume 34, Number 1, 167--182.

Abstract:
Suppose that $pi_{1},pi_{2},ldots ,pi_{k}$ be $k(geq2)$ independent exponential populations having unknown location parameters $mu_{1},mu_{2},ldots,mu_{k}$ and known scale parameters $sigma_{1},ldots,sigma_{k}$. Let $mu_{[k]}=max {mu_{1},ldots,mu_{k}}$. For selecting the population associated with $mu_{[k]}$, a class of selection rules (proposed by Arshad and Misra [ Statistical Papers 57 (2016) 605–621]) is considered. We consider the problem of estimating the location parameter $mu_{S}$ of the selected population under the criterion of the LINEX loss function. We consider three natural estimators $delta_{N,1},delta_{N,2}$ and $delta_{N,3}$ of $mu_{S}$, based on the maximum likelihood estimators, uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator (UMVUE) and minimum risk equivariant estimator (MREE) of $mu_{i}$’s, respectively. The uniformly minimum risk unbiased estimator (UMRUE) and the generalized Bayes estimator of $mu_{S}$ are derived. Under the LINEX loss function, a general result for improving a location-equivariant estimator of $mu_{S}$ is derived. Using this result, estimator better than the natural estimator $delta_{N,1}$ is obtained. We also shown that the estimator $delta_{N,1}$ is dominated by the natural estimator $delta_{N,3}$. Finally, we perform a simulation study to evaluate and compare risk functions among various competing estimators of $mu_{S}$.

Natalia Shenkman.

Source: Brazilian Journal of Probability and Statistics, Volume 34, Number 1, 127--135.

Abstract:
While derivations of the characterization of the $d$-variate exchangeable Marshall–Olkin copula via $d$-monotone sequences relying on basic knowledge in probability theory exist in the literature, they contain a myriad of unnecessary relatively complicated computations. We revisit this issue and provide proofs where all undesired artefacts are removed, thereby exposing the simplicity of the characterization. In particular, we give an insightful analytical derivation of the monotonicity conditions based on the monotonicity properties of the survival probabilities.