Multiple linear and non-linear regression analyses of various soil and terrain indices with regard to their efficiency in the determination of temporal changes in LST values within Trichy district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Land surface temperature (LST) of the terrain is the result of thermal energy received from the sun as the source. The study site was Trichy district of Tamil Nadu state in India wherein the LST values pertaining to all the belonging pixels have been calculated using generalized split window (GSW) algorithm from the Landsat-8 satellite images on two different dates with a gap of 5 years between them. Along with the LST calculation on these 2 dates, corresponding NDWI, NDVI, NDBI, NDMI, BSI, DBI, DBSI, LSE, and albedo values have also been calculated. Then, changes in the dependent variable (LST) and in the each of the respective explanatory or independent variables have been undergone through the process of multiple linear and non-linear regression analysis to find out the best-fitting model set of explanatory variables that best describes the variation in LST values at a location. In this research, it has been found that a non-linear model set comprising five independent variables like change in BSI, LSE, NDWI, NDBI, and albedo seem to be the best-fitting model for predicting the variations in the dependent variable to the maximum degree and also with acceptable redundancy. Also, it has been observed that changes in LSE or albedo values at any place within the study-site could play the most significant role in having an influence in the LST value change that could be recorded in the same over any given time period, thus proving the vastness of the effect that could be made by an increase in urbanization or structural development on the extent of positive change in LST.

Proximal femoral fracture outcomes in inpatients and community patients: A comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: 7% of proximal femoral fractures occur in patients admitted to hospital for unrelated medical and surgical presentations. This comparative study will assess morbidity and mortality in patients sustaining proximal femoral fractures both as inpatients and in the community. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients admitted to a regional specialist hip unit with fracture of the proximal femur sustained both from the community and other inpatient settings. Patient demographics, risk factors and outcomes were recorded and analysed - with focus on 30-day and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: 3445 patients were admitted over a 10-year period, 292 of which sustained proximal femoral fractures as an inpatient. 30-day and 1-year mortality was 23.7% and 47.9% respectively in the inpatient group, compared to 6.9% and 22.4% respectively in the community group. Mean time from presentation to operating room was 27.8 hours for the inpatient group, compared to 25.2 hours for the community group. CONCLUSION: Inpatients who sustain a proximal femoral fracture have significantly higher 30-day and 1-year mortality rates when compared to patients in the community sustaining the same injury. There is also a noted delay to theatre in this patient group.

Preexisting dementia is associated with higher mortality rate in patients with femoral neck fracture.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the mortality and the influence of age, Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) scores, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades on patients with dementia and femoral neck fracture (FNF) at 30 days, 4 months, 1 year, and 2 years after undergoing surgery. METHODS: Of 1296 patients admitted with FNF, 180 had had prefracture dementia. A retrospective study of these 180 patients was carried out. The patient demographics, including age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), lipid profile, AMT score, preoperative comorbidities, ASA grade, and incidence of postoperative delirium, were documented. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients (62.8%) died postoperatively. The mortality rate was 17.7% (20 patients) at 30 days, 54.9% (62 patients) at 4 months, 77.9% (88 patients) at 1 year, and 87.6% (99 patients) at 2 years. The mortally rate in dementia with FNF was three times higher than that in FNF without dementia and was independent of age, ASA grades, DM, lipid profile, AMT scores, and development of postoperative delirium. CONCLUSIONS: Dementia should be a principal predictive factor in mortality of FNF and should be a key determinant in all frailty scores.

The role of edmonton frailty scale and asa grade in the assessment of morbidity and mortality after fracture neck of femur in elderly.

Frailty is a complex syndrome which affects the energy, physical ability, cognition and general health. Hip fractures are associated with causes and consequences of frailty such as osteoporosis, frequent falls, low body mass index, multiple medications and cognitive impairment. The aim of our study is to assess the value of ASA grade and Edmonton frailty score in the outcome of treatment of fracture neck of femurs in elderly patients. 192 patients admitted with fracture neck of femur were included in the study. The mean age was 79.23 years .120 patients had ASA grade 3, 56 patients had ASA grade 2 and 16 patients had ASA grade 1.The frailty index was calculated using Edmonton scoring index. Ninety four patients (49%) had low frailty score and 88 patients (51%) had a high frailty score of more than 10.All patients were followed up 4 weeks and one year after the surgery. In conclusion the patients with frailty scores and ASA grade have got more chance of developing wound infection. They also have got higher incidence of mortality and morbidity following fracture neck of femur.

Prevalencia y características clínicas del asma en adultos jóvenes en zonas urbanas de Argentina / Prevalence and Features of Asthma in Young Adults in Urban Areas of Argentina

Objetivo: Estimar la carga del asma en la población adulta joven en zonas urbanas de Argentina. Diseño: Se realizó una encuesta telefónica a nivel nacional en sujetos de 20 a 44 años en áreas urbanas de Argentina. Se utilizó el cuestionario de la European Community Respiratory Health Survey. El asma se definió como ataque en el último año o uso de medicamentos para el asma. Resultados: Mil quinientos veintiún sujetos fueron encuestados (62,4% mujeres, edad media 33 años). Noventa y uno fueron clasificados como asmáticos (5,9%, IC 95% 4,7-7,1). La prevalencia ajustada por edad, sexo y nivel educativo fue de 6,4% (IC 95% 5,1-7,7). El porcentaje de sibilancia fue de un 13,9% (IC 95% 15,6-12,2) y el de diagnóstico médico de asma, de un 9,5% (IC 95% 8,0-11,0). Entre los diagnósticos (n = 154), el 71,3% realizó una espirometría y el 51,9% de los tratados (n = 77) utilizaba medicamentos diariamente y un 46,8% como rescate. De los que reportaron algún ataque en el último año (n = 60), un 55% tuvieron una visita a Urgencias y un 23,3% fueron hospitalizados. El asma se asoció con rinitis (OR 11,1; IC 95% 6,2-19,9) e historia familiar (OR 3,6; IC 95% 2,3-5,5). Conclusión: La prevalencia de asma en adultos jóvenes en Argentina es similar a la de Europa. Aunque los ataques y las admisiones fueron comunes, el uso regular de los medicamentos fue informado por la mitad de los tratados. Los resultados pueden ser útiles para otros países de América Latina (AU)

Objective: To investigate the burden of asthma in a young adult population in urban areas of Argentina. Design: A nationwide telephone survey in subjects aged 20-44 years was performed in urban areas in Argentina. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire was used. Asthma was defined as an exacerbation in the last year or use of asthma medications. Results: In total, 1,521 subjects responded (62.4% females, mean age 33 years), of whom 91 were classified as asthmatics (5.9%, 95% CI 4.7-7.1). Prevalence adjusted for age, sex and education level was 6.4% (95% CI 5.1-7.7). Wheezing was reported by 13.9% (95% CI 15.6-12.2) and a diagnosis of asthma by 9.5% (95% CI 8.0-11.0). Among individuals with a diagnosis of asthma (n=154), 71.3% had undergone spirometry. Among those treated (n=77), 51.9% used medications daily and 46.8% as a rescue measure. Of those reporting an exacerbation in the last year (n=60), 55% had attended an emergency department and 23% were admitted. Asthma was associated with rhinitis (OR 11.1, 95% CI 6.2-19.9) and family history (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.5). Conclusion: Asthma prevalence in young adults in Argentina is similar to Europe. Although attacks and admissions were common, regular use of medications was reported by half of those treated. These results may be useful for other Latin American countries (AU)

Prevalence and Features of Asthma in Young Adults in Urban Areas of Argentina. / Prevalencia y características clínicas del asma en adultos jóvenes en zonas urbanas de Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the burden of asthma in a young adult population in urban areas of Argentina. DESIGN: A nationwide telephone survey in subjects aged 20-44 years was performed in urban areas in Argentina. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire was used. Asthma was defined as an exacerbation in the last year or use of asthma medications. RESULTS: In total, 1,521 subjects responded (62.4% females, mean age 33 years), of whom 91 were classified as asthmatics (5.9%, 95% CI 4.7-7.1). Prevalence adjusted for age, sex and education level was 6.4% (95% CI 5.1-7.7). Wheezing was reported by 13.9% (95% CI 15.6-12.2) and a diagnosis of asthma by 9.5% (95% CI 8.0-11.0). Among individuals with a diagnosis of asthma (n=154), 71.3% had undergone spirometry. Among those treated (n=77), 51.9% used medications daily and 46.8% as a rescue measure. Of those reporting an exacerbation in the last year (n=60), 55% had attended an emergency department and 23% were admitted. Asthma was associated with rhinitis (OR 11.1, 95% CI 6.2-19.9) and family history (OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.3-5.5). CONCLUSION: Asthma prevalence in young adults in Argentina is similar to Europe. Although attacks and admissions were common, regular use of medications was reported by half of those treated. These results may be useful for other Latin American countries.

Variations in the prevalence of childhood asthma and wheeze in MeDALL cohorts in Europe.

While there is evidence for variations in prevalence rates of childhood wheeze and asthma between countries, longitudinal, individual-level data are needed to understand these differences. The aim of this study was to examine variations in prevalence rates of childhood asthma, wheeze and wheeze with asthma in Europe. We analysed datasets from 10 MeDALL (Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy) cohorts in eight countries, representing 26 663 children, to calculate prevalence rates of wheeze and asthma by child age and wheeze with asthma at age 4 years. Harmonised variables included outcomes parent-reported wheeze and parent-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma, and covariates maternal education, parental smoking, pets, parental asthma, doctor-diagnosed allergic rhinitis, doctor-diagnosed eczema and wheeze severity. At age 4 years, asthma prevalence varied from 1.72% in Germany to 13.48% in England and the prevalence of wheeze varied from 9.82% in Greece to 55.37% in Spain. Adjusted estimates of the proportion of 4-year-old children with wheeze diagnosed with asthma remained highest in England (38.14%, 95% CI 31.38-44.90%) and lowest in Spain (15.94%, 95% CI 6.16-25.71%). The large differences in prevalence rates of asthma, wheeze and wheeze with asthma at age 4 years between European cohorts may indicate that childhood asthma is more readily diagnosed in some countries while going unrecognised elsewhere.