How geography influences complex cognitive ability

Evolutionary explanations for geography's influence on complex cognitive ability (CCA) imply
virtually immutable components of between-nation IQ differences. Their weight vis-à-vis the
weight of situational components was evaluated through an analysis of a 194-country data set.
Additive effects of absolute latitude (AL) and longitudinal distance from Homo sapiens' cradle
(LDC) explain Northeastern Asian higher, Sub-Saharan African lower CCAs. AL exerts cognitive
influence directly and through socioeconomic development and evolutionary genetics whereas
LDC does through evolutionary genetics; however, this occurs differently in Africa-Near East-
Europe and elsewhere. The findings are understood assuming supremacy of contemporary UVB
radiation → hormonal and climatic → socioeconomic mediators of the AL–CCA linkage whose
effects are moderated by heterogeneous genetic and cultural adaptations to radiation and climate.
Geography's cognitive effects are dynamic and public-policy actions may modify them.
Source: Intelligence
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/554348

Acute Endovascular Reperfusion Therapy in Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of endovascular therapy for acute ischemic stroke have had inconsistent results. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of endovascular therapy in published RCTs. Methods We performed a systematic review of RCTs of endovascular therapy with thrombolytic or mechanical reperfusion compared with interventions without endovascular therapy. Primary outcome was the frequency of good functional outcome (modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-2 at 90 days) and secondary outcomes were mortality at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Random-effects meta-analysis was performed and the Cochrane risk of bias assessment was used to evaluate quality of evidence. Results Ten studies involving 1,612 subjects were included. Endovascular therapy was not significantly associated with good functional outcome (Relative Risk [RR] =1.17; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.42; p=0.10 and Absolute Risk Difference [ARD] =7%; 95%CI -0.1% to 14%; p=0.05); heterogeneity was moderate among studies (I2=30%). Mortality was unchanged with endovascular therapy (RR=0.92; 95 % CI, 0.75 to 1.13; p=0.45) and there was no difference in sICH (RR=1.20; 95 % CI, 0.79 to 1.82; p=0.39). The quality of evidence was low for all outcomes and the recommendation is weak for the use of endovascular therapy as per GRADE methodology. Conclusions Intra-arterial therapy did not show significant increase in good outcomes and no changes in either mortality or sICH in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We need further RCTs with better design and quality to evaluate the true efficacy of endovascular therapy.
Source: PLoS ONE
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/552402

Association between food assistance program participation and overweight

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the association between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity according to poverty level. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis of data from 46,217 non-pregnant and non-lactating women in Lima, Peru was conducted; these data were obtained from nationally representative surveys from the years 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2008-2010. The dependent variable was overweight/obesity, and the independent variable was food assistance program participation. Poisson regression was used to stratify the data by family socioeconomic level, area of residence (Lima versus the rest of the country; urban versus rural), and survey year (2003-2006 versus 2008-2010). The models were adjusted for age, education level, urbanization, and survey year. RESULTS Food assistance program participation was associated with an increased risk of overweight/obesity in women living in homes without poverty indicators [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06;1.57]. When stratified by area of residence, similar associations were observed for women living in Lima and urban areas; no associations were found between food assistance program participation and overweight/obesity among women living outside of Lima or in rural areas, regardless of the poverty status. CONCLUSIONS Food assistance program participation was associated with overweight/obesity in non-poor women. Additional studies are required in countries facing both aspects of malnutrition.
Source: Revista de Saude Pública
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/344303

Association of Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse with Intimate Partner Violence, Poor General Health and Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Women

Objective We examined associations of childhood physical and sexual abuse with risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). We also evaluated the extent to which childhood abuse was associated with self-reported general health status and symptoms of antepartum depression in a cohort of pregnant Peruvian women. Methods In-person interviews were conducted to collect information regarding history of childhood abuse and IPV from 1,521 women during early pregnancy. Antepartum depressive symptomatology was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multivariable logistic regression procedures were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results Any childhood abuse was associated with 2.2-fold increased odds of lifetime IPV (95%CI: 1.72–2.83). Compared with women who reported no childhood abuse, those who reported both, childhood physical and sexual abuse had a 7.14-fold lifetime risk of physical and sexual IPV (95%CI: 4.15–12.26). The odds of experiencing physical and sexual abuse by an intimate partner in the past year was 3.33-fold higher among women with a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse as compared to women who were not abused as children (95%CI 1.60–6.89). Childhood abuse was associated with higher odds of self-reported poor health status during early pregnancy (aOR = 1.32, 95%CI: 1.04–1.68) and with symptoms of antepartum depression (aOR = 2.07, 95%CI: 1.58–2.71). Conclusion These data indicate that childhood sexual and physical abuse is associated with IPV, poor general health and depressive symptoms in early pregnancy. The high prevalence of childhood trauma and its enduring effects of on women’s health warrant concerted global health efforts in preventing violence.
Source: PLoS ONE
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/344059

Epidemiological surveillance of Pertussis: the experience of Argentina and its relevance for the other countries in the region

Sr. Editor: Hemos leído con interés el artículo de Romanin y col. titulado: “Situación epidemiológica de coqueluche y estrategias para su control: Argentina, 2002-2011”, 1 donde los autores presentan las estrategias implementadas en los últimos años en Argentina para la vigilancia epidemiológica y control de Bordetella pertussis. De éstas, la más relevante es la cooperación estrecha entre las entidades sanitarias, especialmente el Ministerio de Salud de la Nación (MSN), el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de la Salud de Argentina (SNVS) y La Dirección Estadística e Información en Salud (DEIS) del MSN, interacción que no ocurre en todos los países latinoamericanos.
Fuente: Archivos Argentinos de Pediatria
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/338891