scholarly journals A systematic approach for identifying shared mechanisms in epilepsy and its comorbidities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Tapley Hoyt ◽  
Daniel Domingo-Fernández ◽  
Nora Balzer ◽  
Anka Güldenpfennig ◽  
Martin Hofmann-Apitius
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Literature Mining ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Downstream Effectors ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Gene Overlap ◽  
Shared Genetic

AbstractCross-sectional epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of several nervous system diseases is more frequent in epilepsy patients than in the general population. Some comorbidities (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease) are also risk factors for the development of seizures; suggesting they may share pathophysiological mechanisms with epilepsy.A literature-based approach was used to identify gene overlap between epilepsy and its comorbidities as a proxy for a shared genetic basis for disease, or genetic pleiotropy, as a first effort to identify shared mechanisms. While the results identified neurological disorders as the group of diseases with the highest gene overlap, this analysis was insufficient for identifying putative common mechanisms shared across epilepsy and its comorbidities. This motivated the use of a dedicated literature mining and knowledge assembly approach in which a cause-and-effect model of epilepsy was captured with Biological Expression Language.After enriching the knowledge assembly with information surrounding epilepsy, its risk factors, its comorbidities, and antiepileptic drugs, a novel comparative mechanism enrichment approach was used to propose several downstream effectors (including the GABA receptor, GABAergic pathways, etc.) that could explain the therapeutic effects carbamazepine in both the contexts of epilepsy and AD.We have made the Epilepsy Knowledge Assembly available at https://www.scai.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/scai/de/downloads/bioinformatik/epilepsy.bel and queryable through NeuroMMSig at http://neurommsig.scai.fraunhofer.de. The source code used for analysis and tutorials for reproduction are available on GitHub at https://github.com/cthoyt/epicom.

scholarly journals Prevalence of impaired renal function among rural and urban populations: findings of a cross-sectional study in Malawi

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wisdom P Nakanga ◽  
Josephine E Prynn ◽  
Louis Banda ◽  
Robert Kalyesubula ◽  
Laurie A Tomlinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Renal Function ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Impaired Renal Function ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Rural And Urban

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces region-specific risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as nephrotoxic herbal medicines, antiretroviral therapy and infections, in addition to hypertension and diabetes. However, large epidemiological studies from this area are scarce. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey of non-communicable diseases, we conducted a prevalence sub-study of CKD in two Malawian populations. Study participants (N=5264) of 18 years of age and above were recruited and data on demographics and CKD risk factors were collected. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI equation. Results: The prevalence of eGFR<60ml/min/1.73m2 was 1.4% (95% CI 1.1 – 1.7%) and eGFR<90ml/min/1.73m2 was 20.6% (95% CI 19.5 – 21.7%). The rural area had higher age-standardized prevalence of both eGFR<60ml/min/1.73m2, at 1.8% (95% CI 1.4 – 2.3) and eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73m², at 21.1% (95% CI 19.9 – 22.3), than urban location, which had a prevalence of 1.5%, (95% CI 1.0 – 2.2) and 19.4% (95% CI 18.0 – 20.8), respectively, with overlapping confidence intervals. The prevalence of CKD was lower in females than in males in both rural and urban areas. Older age (p < 0.001), a higher level of education (p = 0.03) and hypertension (p < 0.001) were associated with a higher adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of low eGFR. Diabetes was associated with a reduced aOR of eGFR<90ml/min/1.73m2 of 0.69 (95% CI 0.49–0.96; p=0.03). Of participants with eGFR<60ml/min/1.73m2, 14 (19.4%) had no history of hypertension, diabetes or HIV, while 36 (50%) had a single risk factor of being hypertensive. Conclusions: Impaired renal function is prevalent, but lower than expected, in rural and urban Malawi. Further research is needed to increase understanding of CKD incidence, survival and validation of eGFR calculations in this population.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Infections Bronchities Virus at Four Selected Districts (Damot Gale, Sodozuri, Humbo and Kindokoy) In Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Abebe Garooma Gichile ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Poultry Production ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis

Infectious bronchitis is an important virial disease affecting poultry production which causes significant economic losses. A cross-sectional study was carried out from November 2019 to January 2020. To estimating the prevalence of infectious bronchitis and determines the risk factors. A total 420 poultry were by a simple random sampling procedure. Data was analyzed using STATA version 11. Chi square test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between prevalence of infectious bronchitis and potential risk factors. From the total 420 poultry examined for infectious bronchitis were found positive. There was significance difference between the risk factors and bronchitis infections. More infectious bronchitis infected poultry were found in kindokoy 90.4%, odd ratio: 0.3 Confidence Interval :0.1-0.7, p = 0.00 than humbo, sodozuri and damotgale. There was high prevalence of infectious bronchitis in gerater than 6 months than less than 3 months and between 3 and 6-month age of poultry. The presence of infectious bronchitis in poultry production might entail morbidity and mortality. Therefore, further detailed molecular epidemiological studies are warranted. Good hygienic and husbandry practices are essential to limit the spread of infection

scholarly journals Thirty Years of Epidemiological Studies of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Latvia: Why are they Needed?

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. 299-307
Author(s):  
Pēteris Apinis ◽  
Vilnis Dzērve ◽  
Anda Čakša ◽  
Iveta Bajāre ◽  
Andrejs Ērglis
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Study ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
European Standard Population

Abstract The present review is designed to provide insight into population-based investigations of cardiovascular risk factors in Latvia. Most of them represent urban, rural and mixed populations. The results are age-standardised using the European Standard Population. All of the studies confirm a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors with wide differences across the studies. The differences are not consistent or regular and some of the underlying reasons are discussed. Analysis of the previous studies justifies the need for a nationwide cross-sectional epidemiological study, which in a small country can be carried out in compliance with all the requirements for a population-based epidemiological study.

scholarly journals Rhinoconjunctivitis among Adolescents in Kuwait and Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali H. Ziyab ◽  
Yaser M. Ali
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Variance Estimation ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental History ◽  
Major Illness

Rhinoconjunctivitis is a public health problem that causes major illness and disability worldwide. Epidemiological studies intended to determine the burden of rhinoconjunctivitis in Kuwait are limited. Hence, this study sought to estimate the prevalence of rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents in Kuwait and explore its association with different risk factors. Schoolchildren aged 11–14 years (n = 3,864) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Parents completed questionnaires regarding their children’s clinical history and symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and relevant exposures. Associations were assessed using Poisson regression with robust variance estimation, and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. The 12-month (current) prevalence estimates of rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and severe rhinoconjunctivitis were 28.6% (1,040/3,643), 13.5% (497/3,689), and 1.2% (44/3,689), respectively. The prevalence of current rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms was higher in boys compared to girls (aPR = 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41). Parental history of rhinitis and asthma showed positive associations with rhinoconjunctivitis in offspring. Trend analyses showed that rhinoconjunctivitis prevalence decreased with increasing numbers of total siblings (aPR = 0.92, Ptrend<0.001) and older siblings (aPR = 0.90, Ptrend<0.001). Rhinoconjunctivitis is common among adolescents in Kuwait and its epidemiology is similar to that found in western countries.

scholarly journals Prevalence and associated risk factors for childhood strabismus in Lhasa, Tibet, China: a cross-sectional, school-based study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hailong He ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Zhaojun Meng ◽  
Weiwei Chen ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Link Type ◽  
School Based ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Associated Risk Factors ◽  
Grade One

Abstract Background To estimate the prevalence of strabismus and associated risk factors among grade one school children in Lhasa, Tibet, China. Methods The Lhasa Childhood Eye Study (LCES) was a cross-sectional, school-based childhood study conducted in Grade one students from primary schools in Lhasa, Tibet, China. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and basic systemic examinations were evaluated. A questionnaire survey containing information about children, as well as parents’ information, was sent to the corresponding parents of eligible children. The prevalence of strabismus and its 95% confidence interval was estimated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associated risk factors. Results A total of 1942 eligible grade one students were enrolled, of which 1856 participants completed all examinations. The average age was 6.83 ± 0.46 years, 53% of participants were boys and 1762 were the Tibetan Minority. Over all, the prevalence of strabismus was 68/1856 (3.7%) (95%CI: 2.81,4.52), with no difference between the ages, genders, ethnicities and body mass index, while tilting one’s head when writing may be a risk factor for strabismus (P = 0.004). Strabismus students had mean best corrected visual acuity of 0.16 ± 0.28(LogMAR), over 50% patients with esotropia were hyperopic, and participants who had stereopsis impairments showed a significant difference between esotropia and exotropia (P = 0.026). Conclusions The prevalence of strabismus in LCES was 3.7%, which is higher than previous reports from Chinese childhood epidemiology studies. Strabismus is a common contributing factor to amblyopia. Tilting one’s head when writing may be a risk factor. Esotropia is more likely to affect stereopsis and be associated with the refractive state of hyperopia. Trial registration The study has finished the clinical registration on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. (http://www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR1900026693).

scholarly journals Intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing Total knee arthroplasty: a cross-sectional study from a developing country

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronika Devi Ukrani ◽  
Aiman Arif ◽  
Anum Sadruddin ◽  
Obada Hasan ◽  
Shahryar Noordin
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Intraoperative Hypothermia ◽  
Total Knee

Abstract Background Intraoperative hypothermia is associated with various risk factors, morbidity, and mortality in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), increasing the emotional and financial burden on patients. This study aimed to identify risk factors of intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing TKA. Materials and methods All adult patients (⩾18 years) who underwent TKA from January 2016 to December 2017 at a tertiary-care hospital in Pakistan were included in this retrospective, cross-sectional study. Temperature < 36 °C was defined as hypothermia. Results The study included 286 patients (77.6% female) with a mean age of 61.4 ± 10.4 years. The overall proportion of intraoperative hypothermia was 26.6%. Of the total patients, 66.1% underwent bilateral TKA whereas 33.9% underwent unilateral TKA. 73.8% of the patients were ASA Level 2. Only 13.3% of patients had postoperative hypothermia. Conclusion Intraoperative hypothermia was significantly associated with age, bilateral procedure, ASA level and postoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing TKA. The surgeon and the operative team should be aware of the risk factors and the adverse outcomes associated with intraoperative hypothermia, especially in resource constrained settings to plan preventive strategies. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 3rd October 2020. The registration ID is NCT04575246.

scholarly journals Assessment of Risk Factors in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorush Niknamian
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis B ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cultural Themes ◽  
History Of

Background: Hepatitis B virus infection and its complications are major health problems. The aim of this study were to investigate risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 174 patients with chronic hepatitis B who referred to the Shahid Mohammadi hospital in the city of Bandar Abbas, Iran. Information was collected through a questionnaire. Results: 174 persons (97 males, 77 females) with a mean age of 42.96 years. There was no significant relationship between the risk of having disease with gender, age, weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI and WHR (P&gt; 0.05). The frequency of exposure to risk factors are as follows: such as history of hairdressers, vaccination, contact with suspected HBV persons, Family history of HBV positive in patients had higher prevalence than other groups. Conclusion: It seems to be more important to pay attention to lifestyles, jobs, and cultural themes of Iranian people that predispose people to risk factors so as to implement measures to control HBV spread. Also, awareness and social-health education in order to avoid unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner can be highly effective according to the high levels of hepatitis B infection among married persons. Despite existence of a long list of risk factors, various epidemiological studies with alternative methodologies along with meta-analysis of risk factors in each separate area seems to be helpful in collecting information about transmission.

Epidemiological study designs and principles of data analysis: A conceptually integrated suite of methods and techniques

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj S. Bhopal
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Natural Experiments ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Goals ◽  
Study Designs

Epidemiological studies are unified by their common goals and by their basis in defined populations. The case series (or register-based study) includes examination of trends in deaths, cancers, notifiable diseases, and hospitalizations. Case–control studies are analysed by comparing the exposure to risk factors in cases to those in controls. In a population studied at a specific time and place (a cross-sectional study), measurements can be made of disease, the factors which may cause disease, or both simultaneously. Cohort studies produce data on disease incidence and are especially good on associations between risk factors and disease outcomes. Trials compare treated and untreated populations and are used, primarily, for information on effectiveness of health interventions. Natural experiments, including Mendelian randomization studies, may provide causal evidence. The principles for the analysis of all studies are similar. The design and interpretation should be in the context of traditional, systematic, and meta-analytic reviews.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Risk Factors of Toxoplasma Gondii and Leishmania Spp. Infections in Apparently Healthy Dogs in West Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endrias Zewdu Gebremedhin ◽  
Edilu Jorga Serba ◽  
Getachew Kebebew Tola ◽  
Solomon Shiferaw Endalew ◽  
Lencho Megersa Marami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Leishmania Spp ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Educational Campaigns

Abstract Background In urban settings, the presence of a high density of human population and contacts with domestic and or stray animals such as dogs and cats can be risk factors for the transmission of zoonotic diseases. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Leishmania spp. are zoonotic protozoon parasites with great health burdens worldwide. Methods A cross-sectional study was used to investigate the antibody prevalence and risk factors of T. gondii and Leishmania spp. infections in 385 randomly selected dogs of Ambo, Bako, and Gojo towns of West Shewa zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A questionnaire survey was administered to households to collect data on potential risk factors. Dog sera samples were assayed for T. gondii IgG antibodies by using the direct agglutination test while Leishmania spp. specific antibodies were tested using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Logistic regression was used for data analysis. Results An overall 82.86% (95% CI): 78.71–86.49%) and 92.47% (95% CI: 89.36–94.90%) seroprevalence of T. gondii and Leishmania spp. was found respectively. Seropositivity for both T. gondii and Leishmania spp was found in 82.58% of the dogs. None of the investigated factors were associated with Leishmania spp. seropositivity (p > 0.05). Furthermore, altitude, sex, breed, housing, feeding, educational level of head of the household, and the living area of dogs were not significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity (p > 0.05). The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly different between the study towns (p = 0.003). The risk of T. gondii infection was 2.71 times higher in adult dogs than juvenile dogs (p = 0.043). Dogs kept simultaneously with other domestic animals had increased odds of T. gondii seropositivity as compared to those with no other domestic animals (Adjusted Odds ratio: 1.96, p = 0.021). Conclusions The high seropositivity and the concomitant presence of antibodies of T. gondii and Leishmania spp. in dogs suggest the widespread nature of these parasites in the environment and the high potential of transmission to other animals and humans. Further epidemiological studies, isolation and molecular characterization of the parasites, and educational campaigns are suggested.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C in three large regions of Kazakhstan

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261155
Author(s):  
Alexander Nersesov ◽  
Arnur Gusmanov ◽  
Byron Crape ◽  
Gulnara Junusbekova ◽  
Salim Berkinbayev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
History Of ◽  
Comprehensive Programs

Background & aims Kazakhstan has implemented comprehensive programs to reduce the incidence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. This study aims to assess seroprevalence and risk factors for HBsAg and anti-HCV positivity in three large regions of Kazakhstan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three regions geographically remote from each other. Participants were randomly selected using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling and were surveyed by a questionnaire based on the WHO STEP survey instrument. Blood samples were collected for HBsAg and anti-HCV testing. Results A total of 4,620 participants were enrolled. The seroprevalence was 5.5% (95%CI: 3.6%-8.4%) for HBsAg and 5.1% (95%CI: 3.5%-7.5%) for anti-HCV antibodies. Both were more prevalent in the western and northern regions than in the southern. A history of blood transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV presence, with odds ratios (ORs) of 2.10 (95%CI: 1.37–3.21) and was borderline associated with HBsAg 1.39 (95%CI: 0.92–2.10), respectively. Having a family member with viral hepatitis was also borderline associated (2.09 (95%CI: 0.97–4.50)) with anti-HCV positivity. Conclusions This study found a high-intermediate level of endemicity for HBsAg and a high level of endemicity for anti-HCV antibodies in three large regions of Kazakhstan. We found that history of surgery was not associated with HbsAg neither with anti-HCV seropositivity rates. Blood transfusion was associated with anti-HCV seropositivity, however, to investigate effectiveness of the introduced comprehensive preventive measures in health care settings, there is a need to conduct further epidemiological studies.

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