Search

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background: We investigated whether residing near more green space might reduce the risk of preeclampsia. Methods: Participants were women who delivered a live, singleton birth between 1998 and 2011 in eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley in California. There were 7276 cases of preeclampsia divided into mild, severe, or superimposed on preexisting hypertension. Controls were 197,345 women who did not have a hypertensive disorder and delivered between 37 and 41 weeks. Green space was estimated from satellite data using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), an index calculated from surface reflectance at the visible and near-infrared wavelengths. Values closer to 1 denote a higher density of green vegetation. Average NDVI was calculated within a 50 m, 100 m, and 500 m buffer around each woman’s residence. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated comparing the lowest and highest quartiles of mean NDVI to the interquartile range comparing each preeclampsia phenotype, divided into early (20–31 weeks) and late (32–36 weeks) preterm birth, to full-term controls. Results: We observed an inverse association in the 500 m buffer for women in the top quartile of NDVI and a positive association for women in the lowest quartile of NDVI for women with superimposed preeclampsia. There were no associations in the 50 and 100 m buffers. Conclusion: Within a 500 m buffer, more green space was inversely associated with superimposed preeclampsia. Future work should explore the mechanism by which green space may protect against preeclampsia.

Vaccination of immunocompromised patients is recommended in many national guidelines to protect against severe or complicated influenza infection. However, due to uncertainties over the evidence base, implementation is frequently patchy and dependent on individual clinical discretion. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the evidence for influenza vaccination in this patient group. Healthcare databases and grey literature were searched and screened for eligibility. Data extraction and assessments of risk of bias were undertaken in duplicate, and results were synthesised narratively and using meta‐analysis where possible. Our data show that whilst the serological response following vaccination of immunocompromised patients is less vigorous than in healthy controls, clinical protection is still meaningful, with only mild variation in adverse events between aetiological groups. Although we encountered significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity in many of our meta‐analyses, we advocate that immunocompromised patients should be targeted for influenza vaccination.

BackgroundImmunocompromised patients are vulnerable to severe or complicated influenza infection. Vaccination is widely recommended for this group. This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients in terms of preventing influenza-like illness and laboratory confirmed influenza, serological response and adverse events.Methodology/principal findingsElectronic databases and grey literature were searched and records were screened against eligibility criteria. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed in duplicate. Results were synthesised narratively and meta-analyses were conducted where feasible. Heterogeneity was assessed using I(2) and publication bias was assessed using Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Many of the 209 eligible studies included an unclear or high risk of bias. Meta-analyses showed a significant effect of preventing influenza-like illness (odds ratio [OR]=0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.16-0.34; pConclusions/significanceInfection prevention and control strategies should recommend vaccinating immunocompromised patients. Potential for bias and confounding and the presence of heterogeneity mean the evidence reviewed is generally weak, although the directions of effects are consistent. Areas for further research are identified.

The relationships between nutritional factors, calcium regulating hormones, and bone density were evaluated in three groups of normal subjects in rural southeast Kansas. Dietary intake of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), protein, and vitamin D; and serum 25OHD, Ca, P, parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and bone density (distal 1/3 radius) were measured in 29 elderly women, 35 elderly men, and 50 perimenopausal women. Measurements were repeated 5 years and 4 years later respectively in 16 elderly women and 15 elderly men. The r values for significant regression correlations for each group were as follows: perimenopausal: bone density and dietary Ca:P--r = .29, iPTH and 25OHD--r = -.38; elderly women: 25OHD and dietary Vitamin D(D)--r = .58, change in bone density (delta BD) and initial bone density (BDI)--r = -.71, delta BD and serum 25OHD--r = -.60, serum calcium and age--r = -.42; elderly men: Serum 25OHD and D--r = .61, iPTH and 25OHD--r = -.43, iPTH and serum phosphorous--r = .59.The more adequate the state of vitamin D nutriture, the lower the serum iPTH in perimenopausal women and elderly men and the less bone loss in elderly women. The Ca:P ratio in the diet may be important in maintaining bone density in perimenopausal women.