Within the context of the Special Interest Research Group (SIRG) on Persons with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD), researchers often discuss the methodological problems and challenges they are confronted with. The aim of the current article was to give an overview of these challenges.

The challenges are centred on six topics. These reflect the main components of a study’s design (a) participant demarcation, (b) participant recruitment, (c) data collection and instruments, (d) data analysis, (e) ethics/including the “voice” of persons with PIMD and (f) theoretical models.

Next, to describing the specific challenges, possible solutions and pathways to address them are discussed. These are illustrated by recent studies by the authors and other researchers in the field.

The current contribution wants to stimulate further discussion and exchange of ideas, and the development of creative research techniques.

The current contribution wants to stimulate further discussion and exchange of ideas, and the development of creative research techniques.

Aggressive behaviour is prevalent in people with intellectual disabilities. To understand the aetiology, it is important to recognize factors associated with the behaviour.

A systematic review was conducted and included studies published between January 2002 and April 2017 on the association of behavioural, psychiatric and psychosocial factors with aggressive behaviour in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Thirty-eight studies were included that presented associations with 11 behavioural, psychiatric and psychosocial factors. Conflicting evidence was found on the association of these factors with aggressive behaviour.

The aetiology of aggressive behaviour is specific for a certain person in a certain context and may be multifactorial. Additional research is required to identify contributing factors, to understand causal relationships and to increase knowledge on possible interaction effects of different factors.

The aetiology of aggressive behaviour is specific for a certain person in a certain context and may be multifactorial. Additional research is required to identify contributing factors, to understand causal relationships and to increase knowledge on possible interaction effects of different factors.

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is dangerous complication, which leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The study was to explore the correlation between serum level of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 and PE.

A total of 80 cases were involved in this study containing PE group (49 cases) and control group (31 cases, normal pregnancy). PE group was divided into early-onset PE (EOPE) and late-onset PE (LOPE). Serum level of FGF21 and biochemical parameters were measured before delivery.

Maternal serum FGF21 level was higher in PE especially in EOPE than that in control groups (P < 0.05). In PE patients, serum FGF21 level was positively correlated with mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). Levels of FGF21, uric acid and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were risk factors for PE.

Maternal serum FGF21 level in PE particularly in EOPE was higher and was associated with blood pressure and lipid profile.

Maternal serum FGF21 level in PE particularly in EOPE was higher and was associated with blood pressure and lipid profile.Countries which are introducing a system of Universal health coverage have to make a number of key tradeoffs, of which one is the tradeoff between the level of coverage and the degree to which patients are exposed to potentially catastrophic financial risk. In this study, we first present a way in which decision makers might be supported to focus on in a particular part of the tradeoff curve and ultimately choose an efficient solution. We then introduce some multiobjective optimization models for generating the tradeoff curves given data about potential treatment numbers, costs, and benefits. Using a dataset from Malawi, we demonstrate the approach and suggest a core index metric to make specific observations on the individual treatments. Onvansertib clinical trial Moreover, as there has been some debate about the best way to measure financial exposure, we also investigate the extent to sensitivity of our results to the precise technical choice of financial exposure metric. Specifically, we consider two metrics, which are the total number of cases protected from catastrophic expenditure and a convex penalty function that penalizes out-of-pocket expenditures in an increasingly growing way, respectively.Nickel-rich layered transition metal oxides are considered as promising cathode candidates to construct next-generation lithium-ion batteries to satisfy the demands of electrical vehicles, because of the high energy density, low cost, and environment friendliness. However, some problems related to rate capability, structure stability, and safety still hamper their commercial application. In this Review, beginning with the relationships between the physicochemical properties and electrochemical performance, the underlying mechanisms of the capacity/voltage fade and the unstable structure of Ni-rich cathodes are deeply analyzed. Furthermore, the recent research progress of Ni-rich oxide cathode materials through element doping, surface modification, and structure tuning are summarized. Finally, this review concludes by discussing new insights to expand the field of Ni-rich oxides and promote practical applications.

Children born small for gestational age (SGA), particularly when associated with an extremely low birth weight (ELBW), have a higher risk of renal dysfunction. Growth hormone (GH) treatment is used to treat short-statured children born SGA; however, its effects on renal function remain elusive, especially in those born SGA with ELBW.

Short-statured children born SGA (N=42) were included. Subjects were subdivided into two groups based on their birth weight the ELBW group (N=15) with a birth weight of <1,000 g, and the non-ELBW group (N=27) with birth weights, ranging between 1,000 g and 2,500 g. The creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) before (pre-eGFR) and 5 years after GH treatment (post-eGFR) were compared. Correlations between eGFR, anthropometric or birth parameters, and cumulative GH dose were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.

The ELBW group had a lower pre- and post-eGFR than the non-ELBW group. Five-year GH treatment did not significantly reduce eGFR in either group.