Predictive Ability of Hypertriglyceridemic Waist,Hypertriglyceridemic Waist-to-Height Ratio,and Waist-to-Hip Ratio for Cardiometabolic Risk Factors Clustering Screening among Chinese Children and Adolescents

Objective Hypertriglyceridemic waist(HW),hypertriglyceridemic waist-to-height ratio(HWHtR),and waist-to-hip ratio(WHR)have been shown to be indicators of cardiometabolic risk factors.However,it is not clear which indicator is more suitable for children and adolescents.We aimed to investigate the relationship between HW,HWHtR,WHR,and cardiovascular risk factors clustering to determine the best screening tools for cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents.Methods This was a national cross-sectional study.Anthropometric and biochemical variables were assessed in approximately 70,000 participants aged 6–18 years from seven provinces in China.Demographics,physical activity,dietary intake,and family history of chronic diseases were obtained through questionnaires.ANOVA,χ2 and logistic regression analysis was conducted.Results A significant sex difference was observed for HWHtR and WHR,but not for HW phenotype.The risk of cardiometabolic health risk factor clustering with HW phenotype or the HWHtR phenotype was significantly higher than that with the non-HW or non-HWHtR phenotypes among children and adolescents(HW:OR=12.22,95%CI:9.54-15.67;HWHtR:OR=9.70,95%CI:6.93-13.58).Compared with the HW and HWHtR phenotypes,the association between risk of cardiometabolic health risk factors(CHRF)clustering and high WHR was much weaker and not significant(WHR:OR=1.14,95%CI:0.97-1.34).Conclusion Compared with HWHtR and WHR,the HW phenotype is a more convenient indicator with higher applicability to screen children and adolescents for cardiovascular risk factors.

Comparison of Dependency Ratios

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Axial length/corneal radius of curvature ratio and refractive development evaluation in 3-to 4-year-old children: the Shanghai Pudong Eye Study

AIM: To measure and analysis axial length(AL)/corneal radius of curvature(CRC) ratio and other refractive parameters, provide a medical reference range for refractive development evaluation and earlier visual impairment screening of 3 to 4 y kindergarten students.METHODS: Between April and June 2017, a total of 4350 participants aged 3-to 4-year-old(8700 eyes) from 10 cluster random sampling kindergartens in Shanghai, Pudong District were involved. According to the measurement and analysis of the unaided visual acuity(VA), AL, CRC, AL/CRC ratio, astigmatism and other refractive parameters, the data distribution and reference range were obtained.RESULTS: Uncorrected VA of examined children was 0.23±0.08(logMAR, mean±SD) [95% confidence interval(CI) range ≤0.36];AL was 22.10±0.79 mm(95%CI 20.55-23.65);CRC was 7.86±0.26 mm(95%CI, 7.35-8.37);AL/CRC ratio was 2.81±0.12(95%CI, 2.57-3.05). The median of astigmatism was-0.5 D, a total of 56.3% had astigmatism <-0.50 D, 85.3%<-1.00 D, 6.7%>-1.50 D;71% were astigmatism with the rule. Eye-specific analyses were conducted. Statistical difference of VA was in right and left eyes. There were no significant differences between two eyes of AL, CRC, AL/CRC ratio and astigmatism(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: VA and AL/CRC ratio reference could be used to assess refractive development in children and screening uncorrected refractive errors or amblyopia. Astigmatism needs to be considered in the diagnosis.

Can platelet count/spleen diameter ratio be used for cirrhotic children to predict esophageal varices?

AIM To determine the laboratory and radiologic parameters, including the platelet count(PC)-to-spleen diameter(SD) ratio as a non-invasive marker that may predict the presence of esophageal varices(EV) in children with cirrhosis.METHODS Eighty-nine patients with cirrhosis, but without a history of variceal bleeding were prospectively included. The children were grouped into 6-12 and 12-18 years of age groups. These groups were also divided into 2 subgroups(presence and absence of EV). All of the patients underwent a complete biochemical and radiologic evaluation. The PC(n/mm^3)-to-SD(mm) ratio was calculated for each patient. RESULTS Sixty-nine of 98(70.4%) patients had EV. The presence of ascites in all age groups was significantly associatedwith the presence of EV. There were no differences in serum albumin levels, PC, SD and the PC-to-SD ratio between the presence and absence of EV groups in both age groups(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Laboratory and radiologic parameters, including the PC-to-SD ratio as a non-invasive marker(except for the presence of ascites), was inappropriate for detecting EV in children with cirrhosis.

Evaluation of axial length/total corneal refractive power ratio as a potential marker for ocular diagnosis of Marfan’s syndrome in children

AIM:To investigate whether the axial length(AL)/total corneal refractive power(TCRP)ratio is a sensitive and simple factor that can be used for the early diagnosis of Marfan’s syndrome(MFS)in children.METHODS:The relationship between the AL/TCRP ratio and the diagnosis of MFS for 192 eyes in 97 children were evaluate.The biological characteristics,including age,sex,AL,and TCRP,were collected from medical records.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to investigate whether the AL/TCRP ratio effectively distinguishes MFS from other subjects.The Youden index was used to re-divide the whole population into two groups according to an AL/TCRP ratio of 0.59.RESULTS:Of 96 subjects(mean age 7.46±3.28 y)evaluated,56(110 eyes)had a definite diagnosis of MFS in childhood based on the revised Ghent criteria,41(82 eyes)with diagnosis of congenital ectopia lentis(EL)were included as a control group.AL was negatively correlated with TCRP,with a linear regression coefficient of-0.36(R2=0.08).A significant correlation was found between age and the AL/TCRP ratio(P=0.023).ROC curve analysis showed that the AL/TCRP ratio distinguished MFS from the other patients at a threshold of 0.59.MFS patients were present in 24/58(41.38%)patients with an AL/TCRP ratio of≤0.59 and in 34/39(87.18%)patients with an AL/TCRP ratio of>0.59.CONCLUSION:An AL/TCRP ratio of>0.59 is significantly associated with the risk of MFS.The AL/TCRP ratio should be measured as a promising marker for the prognosis of children MFS.Changes in the AL/TCRP ratio should be monitored over time.

Impact parameter dependence of the yield ratios of light particles as a probe of neutron skin

The yield ratios of neutron/proton(R(n/p)) and ~3H=~3He(R(t/~3He)) with reduced rapidity from 0 to 0.5 are investigated for 50 MeV/u ^(42;44;46;48;50;52;54;56)Ca+^(40)Ca.This was conducted at whole reduced impact parameters using the isospin-dependent quantum-molecular-dynamics model in which the initial neutron and proton densities are sampled within the Skyrme–Hartree–Fock model, using which the neutron skin thickness(△R_(np)) is determined for different neutron-rich Ca isotopes. The results show that both R(n/p) and R(t/~3He) have strong linear correlations with △R_(np) of different Ca isotopic projectiles from five different centralities. It is suggested that R(n/p) and R(t/~3He), from the same centrality, could be treated as possible experimental observables to extract the neutron skin or halo thickness for neutron-rich isotopic nuclei,including the nuclei near the neutron drip line.

Existence of two periodic solutions of a ratio-dependent Holling-Taner model with infinite delay and prey harvest

This paper considers a class of ratio-dependent Holling-Taner model with infinite delay and prey harvest, which is of periodic coefficients. By means of the coincidence degree theory, a set of sufficient conditions for the existence of at least two positive periodic solutions of this model is established.

PERSISTENCE AND THE GLOBAL DYNAMICS OF THE POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR A RATIODEPENDENT PREDATOR-PREY SYSTEM WITH A CROWDING TERM IN THE PREY EQUATION

This paper deals with the global dynamical behaviors of the positive solutions for a parabolic type ratio-dependent predator-prey system with a crowding term in the prey equation, where it is assumed that the coefficient of the functional response is less than the coefficient of the intrinsic growth rates of the prey species. We demonstrated some special dynamical behaviors of the positive solutions of this system which the persistence of the coexistence of two species can be obtained when the crowding region in the prey equation only is designed suitably. Furthermore, we can obtain that under some conditions, the unique positive steady state solution of the system is globally asymptotically stable.

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF A STOCHASTIC RATIO-DEPENDENT HOLLING-TANNER SYSTEM

This article addresses a stochastic ratio-dependent predator-prey system with Leslie-Gower and Holling type II schemes. Firstly, the existence of the global positive solution is shown by the comparison theorem of stochastic differential equations. Secondly, in the case of persistence, we prove that there exists a ergodic stationary distribution. Finally, numerical simulations for a hypothetical set of parameter values are presented to illustrate the analytical findings.

PERIODICITY IN A DELAYED SEMI-RATIO-DEPENDENT PREDATOR-PREY SYSTEM

A delayed semi-ratio-dependent predator-prey system in a periodic environment is investigated in this paper.By using a continuation theorem based on Gaines and Mawhin's coincidence degree,the global existence of positive periodic solution is studied.A set of easily verifiable sufficient conditions are obtained.

Existence of Four Periodic Solutions of a Ratio-Dependent Predator-Prey Model with Exploited Terms

We study a non-autonomous ratio-dependent predator-prey model with exploited terms. This model is of periodic coefficients, which incorporates the periodicity of the varying environment. By means of the coincidence degree theory, we establish sufficient conditions for the existence of at least four positive periodic solutions of this model.

On the Dynamics of a Stochastic Ratio-Dependent Predator-Prey System with Infection for the Prey

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a stochastic predator-prey model with ratio-dependent functional response and disease in the prey. Firstly, we prove the existence and uniqueness of the positive solution for the stochastic model by using conventional methods. Then we obtain the threshold <img alt="" src="Edit_0a62b9be-7934-457b-aca3-af3420f5b5ee.png" /> for the infected prey population, that is, the disease will tend to extinction if <img alt="" src="Edit_e6cd63f6-de07-42be-a22a-8750d6c8aac9.png" />< 1, and it will exist in the long time if <img alt="" src="Edit_5964fdd8-a9fe-4dc2-b897-f4206f046f65.png" />> 1. Finally, the sufficient condition on the existence of a unique ergodic stationary distribution is obtained, which indicates that all the populations are permanent in the time mean sense. Numerical simulations are conducted to verify our analysis results.

Variations of Cup-to-Disc Ratio in Children

Purpose: The aim of this study is early detection of increased cup to disc ratio and a survey study of cup-disc ratio in Egyptian children age group less than 15 years. Methods: Three hundred and eighty-two (382) children were enrolled in this study. They were classified into three age groups;infants’ Group (1) from 0-2 years, preschool Group (2) from 2-6 years and school children Group (3) from 6-15 years old. C/D ratio was measured for each child. Results: In Group (1), normal C/D ratio ranged from 0 to 0.1. The C/D ratio > 0.3 or a binocular difference of >0.2 could be regarded as one of the criteria of newborn glaucoma. Group (2): the normal ratio ranged from 0.1-0.2. Group (3): the normal ratio ranged from 0.2-0.3. The highest ratio 0.7 was found in two eyes. An asymmetry of 0.2 or more in the C/D ratios of the eyes was found in 4.8% of the children. Conclusion: C/D ratio > 0.3 and asymmetry of 0.2 is suggestive of glaucoma especially in infants of lower age group.

Effectiveness of psychosocial intervention for internalizing behavior problems among children of parents with alcohol dependence:Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Parental drinking has a direct bearing on children.Behavioral problems such as anxiety and depression are common problems among children whose parents drink heavily.Psychosocial interventions have shown promising results for anxiety and depression among children;however,few studies have been conducted in the context of children of parents with alcohol dependence in India.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of psychosocial intervention for internalizing behavioral problems among children of parents with alcohol dependence.METHODS A randomized controlled trial with a 2×4 factorial design was adopted with longitudinal measurement of outcomes for 6 mo.Two-hundred and eleven children who met the eligibility criteria(at least one parent with alcohol dependence)at government high schools in Bangalore,India,were randomized to the experimental(n=97)or control group(n=98).The psychosocial intervention was administered to the experimental group in eight sessions(biweekly)over 4 wk after baseline assessment.The intervention focused on identifying and modifying negative thoughts,replacing thinking errors with realistic alternatives,modification of maladaptive behavior,developing adaptive coping skills and building self-esteem.The data was collected pre-intervention and at 1,3 and 6 mo after the intervention.Data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 version.RESULTS Mean age of the children was 14.68±0.58 years,60.5%were male,56%were studying in 9th standard,70.75%were from nuclear families,and mean family monthly income was 9588.1±3135.2 INR.Mean duration of parental alcohol dependence was 7.52±2.94 years and the father was the alcohol-consuming parent.The findings showed that there were significant psychosocial intervention effects in terms of decreasing anxiety and depression scores,and increasing selfesteem level among experimental group subjects over the 6-mo interval,when compared with the control group(P<0.001).CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that the psychosocial intervention was effective in reducing anxiety and depression,and increasing self-esteem among children of parents with alcohol dependence.The study recommends the need for ongoing psychosocial intervention for these children.

Global stability analysis of a ratio-dependent predator-prey system

A ratio dependent predator-prey system with Holling type Ⅲ functional response is considered. A sufficient condition of the global asymptotic stability for the positive equilibrium and existence of the limit cycle are given by studying locally asymp- totic stability of the positive equilibrium. The condition under which positive equilibrium is not a hyperbolic equilibrium is investigated using Hopf bifurcation.

Persistence in Non-Autonomous Lotka-Volterra System with Predator-Prey Ratio-Dependence and Density Dependence

The main purpose of this article is considering the persistence non-autonomous Lotka-Volterra system with predator-prey ratio-dependence and density dependence. We get the sufficient conditions of persistence of system, further have the necessary conditions, also the uniform persistence condition, which can be easily checked for the model is obtained.

Bifurcation and Limit Cycle of a Ratio-dependent Predator-prey, System with Refuge on Prey

Influences of prey refuge on the dynamics of a predator-prey model with ratio-dependent functional response are investigated. The local and global stability of positive equilibrium of the system are considered. Theoretical analysis indicates that constant refuge leads to the system undergo supercritical Hopf bifurcation twice with the birth rate of prey species changing continuously.

Spatial pattern formation of a ratio-dependent predator-prey model

This paper presents a theoretical analysis of evolutionary process that involves organisms distribution and their interaction of spatially distributed population with diffusion in a Holling-III ratio-dependent predator-prey model, the sufficient conditions for diffusion-driven instability with Neumann boundary conditions are obtained. Furthermore, it presents novel numerical evidence of time evolution of patterns controlled by diffusion in the model, and finds that the model dynamics exhibits complex pattern replication, and the pattern formation depends on the choice of the initial conditions. The ideas in this paper may provide a better understanding of the pattern formation in ecosystems.

Analysis of a Stochastic Ratio-Dependent Predator-Prey System with Markovian Switching and Lévy Jumps

In this paper, the dynamics of a stochastic ratio-dependent predator-prey system with markovian switching and Lévy noise is studied. Firstly, we show the existence condition of global positive solution under the given positive initial value. Secondly, sufficient conditions for system extinction and persistence are obtained through some assumptions. Then, the sufficient conditions of stochastically persistence are obtained by combining stochastic analysis technique and M-matrix analysis. In addition, under appropriate conditions, we demonstrate the existence of a unique stationary distribution for a system without Lévy jumps. Finally, the empirical and Mlistein methods are used to verify the theoretical results through numerical simulation.