Unexpected and delayed fragmentation dynamics of the organometallic ferrocene induced by ion-collision

We have investigated the fragmentation dynamics of the organometallic ferrocene molecule after interaction with multiply charged ions using multicoincidence mass spectrometry and quantum chemistry calculations. We observed unexpected fragmentation dynamics of the two-body breakup channels from ferrocene dications revealing a charge screening effect from the iron atom and delayed fragmentation dynamics. These observations are rationalized through the population of a specific long-lived excited state, where one positive charge is located on each cyclopentadienyl ring.

Sex differences in osteoporosis self-efficacy among community-residing older adults presenting for DXA

The Osteoporosis Self Efficacy Scale was determined to equivalently measure calcium and exercise beliefs in both sexes. Despite data illustrating men's and women's similar self-efficacy, gender differences in clinical predictors of self-efficacy imply that efforts to improve care must account for more than self-efficacy.

INTRODUCTION

To understand the extent to which the Osteoporosis Self Efficacy (OSE) Scale is reliable for both men and women. A secondary objective was to evaluate sex differences in OSE.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data collected as part of the Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN) pragmatic trial which enrolled 7749 community-residing adults aged 50 and older reporting for bone densitometry. We used univariable methods, item analysis, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and linear regression to evaluate sex differences in OSE responses and measurement.

RESULTS

In this sample, the confirmatory factor analysis model for OSE both overall and within groups indicated a poor fit. The sex differences in the measurement model, however, were minor and reflected configural invariance (i.e., constructs were measuring the same things in both men and women), confirming that the OSE was measuring the same constructs in men and women. Men overall had higher exercise self-efficacy and women higher calcium self-efficacy. Overall, education, hip fracture, and self-reported health status predicted exercise self-efficacy whereas prior DXA, self-reported osteoporosis, and history of pharmacotherapy use did not. Predictors of calcium self-efficacy differed by gender.

CONCLUSION

The OSE can be used to measure calcium and exercise self-efficacy in all older adults. However, gender differences in clinical predictors of self-efficacy and the lack of an association of prior DXA with self-efficacy imply that interventions to improve self-efficacy may be insufficient to drive significant improvement in rates of osteoporosis evaluation and treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Patient Activation after DXA Result Notification (PAADRN), NCT01507662, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01507662.

Hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma: epidemiological characteristics and disease burden

Worldwide, 350 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) who are at greater risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with uninfected people. The relative risks of HCC among people infected with HBV ranges from 5 to 49 in case-control studies and from 7 to 98 in cohort studies. More than 50% of HCC cases worldwide and 70-80% of HCC cases in highly HBV endemic regions are attributable to HBV. Incidence of HCC (per 100,000 person/year) among people with chronic HBV infection ranges from 400 to 800 in male and from 120 to 180 in female. Factors associated with increased risk of HCC include demographic characteristics (male sex and older age), lifestyles (heavy alcohol consumption and smoking), viral factors (genotype C, D F, high level of HBV DNA, core/precore mutation) and clinical factors (cirrhosis, elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)). HBV-related HCC has extremely poor prognosis with median survival less than 16 months. Survival rates of HBV-related HCC ranged from 36% to 67% after 1 year and from 15% to 26% after 5 year of diagnosis. Older age, liver function impairment, vascular invasion, tumour aggressiveness and elevated AFP are associated with HCC survival. Global burden of HBV-related liver disease is still a major challenge for public health in the 21st century. While decreases in incidence of HBV infection have been observed in birth cohorts following the introduction of universal infant HBV vaccination programme, HBV-related HCC incidence in is projected to increase for at least two decades because of the high prevalence of chronic HBV infection and prolonged latency to HCC development. To reduce HBV-related HCC continued expansion of universal infant HBV vaccination is required along with antiviral therapy targeted to those individuals at highest risk of HCC. Broad public health strategies should include routine testing to identify chronic HBV infection, improved health infrastructures including human resource to provide diagnosis and treatment assessment.